100 Minor Leaguers to watch

[weather2]

I've listed 100 Cub Minor Leaguers to watch in 2007.

 

Hopefully, none of them have been released yet!

 

Which is the following players is overrated, underrated etc.?

Am I forgetting anyone!

 

01. CF: Felix Pie {21yrs} CHC#01

Continues to display 5 tools while struggling with K's.

02. LHSP: Donald Veal (2005-02){22yrs} CHC#11

174K in 153 IP. Effectively wild.

03. RHSP: Sean Gallagher (2004-12) {21yrs} CHC#12

Ceiling increased from 05to06. Control a problem at WT.

04. 2B: Eric Patterson (2004-08 ){23yrs} CHC#09

Bat ahead of glove.

05. 3B: Scott Moore (2002-01){23yrs}[sL allstar] CHC#13

Led WT in OPS (0.839); 5th in SL.

06. LF: Tyler Colvin (2006-01){21yrs}

Displayed 5 tools in 2006 debut. K/W a concern

07. LHSP: Mark Pawalek (2005-01){20yrs} CHC#02

Pitched well at Boise after failing to make Peoria's squad

08. RHSP:Scott Taylor (2005-05){20yrs}

28W in 141 IP at Peoria. K/IP (71/141) a concern

09. RF: Ryan Harvey (2003-01){22yrs}[FSL allstar] CHC#07

One HR shy of FSL lead. 125/25 K/W.

10. RHSP: Mark Holliman (2005-03){23yrs} CHC#26

Led Daytona in K's. 4th in FSL.

11. RHSP: Mitch Atkins (2004-07){21yrs}

So-so stuff but 2.41 ERA in 138 IP at Peoria. 172/53 K/W.

12. C: Jacob Fox (2003-03){24yrs}

Great offensive 1/2-season at Daytona. Recovered from slow AA start

13. RHSP: Jae Kuk-Ryu(2001-SK){23yrs} CHC#14

Only gave up 123 H in 139 IP at Iowa. 114 K in 139 IP.

14. RHSP: Jeff Samardzija (2006-05){21yrs}

Touched 96 in all Notre Dame starts this spring.

15. LHRP: Edward Campusano (2001 DR){24yrs}[MWL allstar]

Combined MWL/FSL 81/17 K/W in 54 IP. 1.82 ERA

16. 3B: Casey McGehee (2003-10){24yrs}

Solid AAA season in 2006. Hopes to make it as C/1B/3B UT.

17. RHSP:Justin Berg (2003-43){22yrs} CHC#21

So-so numbers but good stuff.

18. RHSP:Joel Santo (????-DR){22yrs} SDP#16

Struggled with control (20W 35 IP) after acquisition

19. RHSP:Billy Petrick (2002-03){22yrs} CHC#18

Health a big question. Encouraging numbers after injury.

20. RHSP: Adam Harben (2002-15){23yrs} Twins#12

Disappointing year leads to acquisition. 74/67 K/W in 123 IP in AA

21. LHSP: Chris Shaver (2004-04) {25yrs}

AA workhorse had 2.99 ERA at WestTenn.

23. LHRP: Carlos Vasquez (2002-VZ){24yrs}

91/42 K/W in 85 IP between FSL and SL.

24. RHSP: Chris Huseby (2006-11){18yrs}

AZL scouts rated Huseby ahead of Ceda. A top late round sign (BA)

25. RHRP: Jose Ceda {19yrs} [#14 AZLprospect]

Allowed 11H in 23 IP (32/9 k/W) at Mesa. Acquired for T. Walker

25. 1B: Brian Dopirak(2002-02){23yrs} CHC#08

Injury results in disappointing season

26. C: Geovany Sota (2001-11){23yrs} CHC#16

Future backup C?

27. RHSP: Randy Wells (2002-38 ){24yrs}

AA Randy looked like a stud. AAA Randy didn't throw hard enough?

28. RHRP: Lincoln Holdzkom (2001-07){24yrs}

Acquired for Wellemeyer. 33/12 K/W in 37 IP most in AA. in AFL.

29. C: Chris Robinson (2005-03){22yrs} DET#25

Solid backstop with questionable bat. Hit for high avg after trade.

30. LHRP: Clay Rapada (2002-FA){25yrs}

Dominated at WT (45/10 K/W in 45 IP). 21/15 K/W in 24 IP at IA.

31. RHRP: Michael Phelps (2005-11){23yrs} CHC#20

Injured part of year. 25/9 K/W 26 IP at Daytona. 2.73 ERA.

32. LHRP: Tim Layden (2004-06){24yrs} CHC#28

61/34 K/W in 66 IP most at Daytona.

33. RHSP: Larry Suarez (2006-VZ){17yrs}

Signed as FA for over $1Million

34. CF: Andrew Rundle (2006-14){19yrs}

Encouraging debut. Shows signs of XB power.

35. LHRP: Carmen Pignatiello (2000-20){24yrs}

78/21 K/W in 67 IP (60 at WT).

36. RF: Buck Coats (2000-18 ){24yrs} CHC#25

Super-utility man with limited power.

37. CF: Sam Fuld (2004-10){25yrs}

Injuries have slowed his progress. 54/40 K/W (22 SB) at Daytona

38. 1B: Russ Canzler (2004-30){20yrs}[NWL allstar]

Led Boise in OPS. 6th in NWL.

39. SS: Jonathan Mota (2003-VZ){19yrs}

Spent most of 2006 in FSL. Glove ahead of bat .

40. RHRP: Matt Avery (2005-09){23yrs}

Gave up 46H in 67 IP. 76/26 K/W at Peoria.

41. RHSP:Grant Johnson (2004-02){23yrs} CHC#17

Pitched much better out of the pen.

42. RF: Miguel Negron (2000-01){24yrs}

Hit well after being picked up on waivers. Not much power.

43. C: Jose Reyes (1999-DR){22yrs}

Weak Bat. Solid backstop.

44. RHRP: Adalberto Mendez (????-DR){24yrs}

64/17 K/W in 59 IP at Daytona.

45. 2B: Steve Clevenger (2006-07){20yrs}

28/26 K/W ratio. Played a bit of C in Instruct.

46. SS: Dylan Johnston (2005-04){19yrs} CHC#27

Youth and position are his biggest assets.

47. LHSP: Fabian Jimenez (????-CO){20yrs} SDP#29

Shelled at Peoria after pitching well at Boise.

48. 2B: Mike Fontenot (2001-19) {26yrs} CHC#29

0.375 OBP at Iowa but no late season look.

49. RHRP: Rafael Dolis (????-DR){18yrs}

33/16 K/W in 25 IP at Mesa. Young!

50. LF: Jesus Valdez (2002-DR){22yrs}

Hit 0.302 at Peoria. Has added 55 lbs since 2002 signing

51. LHRP: Jeremy Papelbon (2006-19){23yrs}[NWL allstar]

50/15 K/W in 44 IP. WHIP < 1 at Boise.

52. LHRP: Jayson Ruhlman (2005-23){22yrs}

45/16 K/W in 36 Boise innings.

53. C: Mark Reed (2004-03) {20yrs} CHC#19

Bat developing slower than expected. 14SB.

54. 1B: Micah Hoffpauier (2002-13){26yrs}

Latent power? 22 HR in 2006

55. 1B: Ryan Norwood (2004-09) {23yrs}

Led Peoria in OPS this year. 10th in MWL.

56. RF: Alfred Joseph (2004-15){20yrs}

Batted 0.306 at Boise.

57. LHSP: Ryan O'Malley (2002-FA){26yrs}

30W in 124 IP at IA. One great ML start. Injured?

58. RHSP: Billy Muldowney (2006-08 ){22yrs}

42/11 K/W in 44 IP at Boise.

59. 3B: Josh Lansford (2006-06) {22yrs}

Excellent fielder. Still adjusting to wood bats?

60. LF: Deryck Lewis (2005-25){21yrs}

Intriguing power (17 2B in 179 AB).

61. CF: Chris Walker (2002-06){26yrs}[sL allstar]

Led WT in hits (150); 2nd in SL. Led league in SB and CS.

62. RHRP: Marco Carrillo (????-MX){19yrs}

Diminutive youngster 34/10 K/W at Mesa. Shelled in only Peoria 64. 63. LHSP: JR Mathes (2004-16){25yrs}

Only gave up 31W in 160 IP. 3.27 ERA at WT.

64. RHRP: Rocky Roquet (2006-FA) {24yrs}

Throws hard. Signed as 5th yr senior. 31/5 K/W at Boise.

65. 2B: Nate Spears (2003-05){21yrs} BAL#17

So-so numbers and tools but still young.

66. SS: Carlos Rojas (2001-VZ){22yrs}

Weak bat solid glove.

67. C: Jake Muyco(2005-08 ){22yrs}

Another weak bat solid glove.

68. RHSP: Mike Billek (2005-03){22yrs} CHC#23

Let's pretend 2006 never happened.

69. RHSP:Alfredo Francisco{22yrs}

43/13 K/W in 49 IP at Boise. Former IF.

70. RHSP: Alberto Cabrera (????-DR){18yrs}

Spent 2006 in DSL.

71. SS: Sammy Baez

Injured most of 2006.

72. RHRP: Rocky Cherry (2002-14){27yrs}

50/14 K/W in 29 IP at WT. Late season injury possible concern

73. RHRP: Federico Baez (2002-FA) {25yrs}

65/30 K/W in 88 IP bet WT+IA. Drafted 2X by Cubs. Signed as FA.

74. 2B: Elvis Lara (????-DR) {20yrs}

Best hitter on Cubs Dominican Summer League Team

75. RHRP: Robert Hernandez (????-VZ){18yrs}

Youngest pitcher on Mesa's team this year.

76. 3B: Ryan Malone (2006-49){21yrs}

Looking for a defensive home; Some power 34/28 K/W

77. 2B: Robinson Chirinos (2000-VZ){22yrs}

Led Peoria with 69 walks this year. 5th in MWL

78. RHSP: Jacob Renshaw (2006-10){20yrs}

20/6 K/W in 23 IP in Boise debut.

79. RHRP: Justin Rayborn{24yrs}

72/17 K/W in 65 IP at Peoria. 1.93 ERA!

80. RHRP: Alessandro Maestri (2006-IT){21yrs}

Played in World BC. European Baseball Academy sign.

81. C: Mario Mercedes (????-VZ){20yrs}

Hit 0.315 while sharing C duties at Boise.

82. RHRP: Matt Harrington (2006-FA) {24yrs}

Last several years in Indy ball after turning down $$$$. FB back?

83. RF: Clifford Anderson (2006-09){19yrs}

0.350 OBP in Mesa debut.

84. LHSP: Isaac Pavlik (2002-10) (2006-FA){26yrs}

Indy league sign. Short but has some stuff.

85. LHSP: Taylor Parker (2006-21){22yrs} [AZL allstar]

2.35 ERA in 54 IP at Peoria.

86. RHRP: Michael Cooper (2006-26) {22yrs}

Gave up only 15 hits in 22 innings as Boise' closer

87. RF: Yusuf Carter (2005-12) {21yrs}

Good power. Needs more hits to fall in.

88. CF/2B: Matthew Camp (2006-13){22yrs}

Led NWL in hits with 87 this year. Converting to 2B

89. RHSP: Todd Blackford (2004-13) {21yrs}

Acquired for Hollandsworth. Good arm but struggled at Peoria.

90.RHRP: Miguel Cuevas (2006-36) {23yrs}

Tall hard thrower but lasts till 36th RD. What gives?

91. RHRP: Roger Evenson (2005-16){23yrs}

31/8 K/W in 44 IP at Peoria this year.

92. LHSP: Darin Downs (2003-05){22yrs}

Career in neutral. 26/8 K/W in 28 IP at Boise.

93. LHRP: Scott Koerber (2004-FA){24yrs}

pitching well in Hawaiian winter league

94. C/1B: Blake Parker (2006-16){21yrs}[AZL allstar]

1/25 after promotion to Peoria. Can he stick at C?

95. RHRP: Stephen Bronder (2005-FA){22yrs}

Gave up 58H in 61 IP at Daytona.

96. RHRP: Andy Shipman (2003-FA)

Dominated in AA. Struggled at Iowa.

97. RHSP: Kevin Kreier (2006-20){19yrs}

Began Cub career in Instructionals this fall

98. 1B: Matt Craig (2002-03){25yrs}

Led Daytona in OPS (0.842). 5th in FSL.

99. RHSP:Ryan Bicondoa (2006-FA) {27yrs}

Dominated Can-Am/FSL 45/12 K/W in 44 IP at Day

100. RHSP: Chadd Blasko (2002-01) {25yrs}

Injuries appear to have killed a once promising career.

[Outshined_One]

Is this a Top 100 list or just a list of guys to keep an eye on?

 

Nice job putting this all together, by the way.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Nice list. One guy I think should be on there is Oscar Bernard. I think he's an intriguing prospect.

 

90.RHRP: Miguel Cuevas (2006-36) {23yrs}

Tall hard thrower but lasts till 36th RD. What gives?

 

Being a Dominican native at a junior college made him a bit more obscure, that's one reason he was picked so low.

[weather2]

Carlos Vasquez (#23) is the first to leave my watch list; however, Raisin's addition of Bernard keeps us at 100.

 

Also, Steve Holley is reporting that Adam Harben has left the AFL with elbow soreness. Hopefully, he doesn't have an April date with TJ surgery.

[weather2]

My "players to watch" list is taking more and more hits ...

 

 

15. LHRP: Edward Campusano (2001 DR){24yrs}[MWL allstar]

Combined MWL/FSL 81/17 K/W in 54 IP. 1.82 ERA [Rule 5 draft]

 

22. LHRP: Carlos Vasquez (2002-VZ){24yrs}

91/42 K/W in 85 IP between FSL and SL [Traded to White Sox]

 

28. RHRP: Lincoln Holdzkom (2001-07){24yrs} [Rule 5 draft]

Acquired for Wellemeyer. 33/12 K/W in 37 IP most in AA. in AFL.

 

42. RF: Miguel Negron (2000-01){24yrs} [Released 11/06]

Hit well after being picked up on waivers. Not much power.

 

43. C: Jose Reyes (1999-DR){22yrs}

Weak Bat. Solid backstop. [Non-tendered]

84. LHSP: Isaac Pavlik (2002-10) (2006-FA){26yrs} [Released 12/06]

Indy league sign. Short but has some stuff.

 

91. RHRP: Roger Evenson (2005-16){23yrs} [Released 12/06]

31/8 K/W in 44 IP at Peoria this year.

95. RHRP: Stephen Bronder (2005-FA){22yrs} [Released 12/06]

Gave up 58H in 61 IP at Daytona.

96. RHRP: Andy Shipman (2003-FA)

Dominated in AA. Struggled at Iowa. [Minor L Rule 5]

99. RHSP:Ryan Bicondoa (2006-FA) {27yrs} [Released 12/06]

Dominated Can-Am/FSL 45/12 K/W in 44 IP at Day

 

Replacing these players with others is challenging; however I'll go with...

 

Oscar Bernard

Jorge Cortes

Kevin Hart

James Henderson

Elvin Puello

Bobby Brownlie

Kitt Kopach

Jesse Estrado

Lisandro Rosario

Tony Ritchie

[Bull]

Salas puttin up good winter numbers...kid has me intrigued.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

My "players to watch" list is taking more and more hits ...

 

15. LHRP: Edward Campusano (2001 DR){24yrs}[MWL allstar]

Combined MWL/FSL 81/17 K/W in 54 IP. 1.82 ERA [Rule 5 draft]

 

22. LHRP: Carlos Vasquez (2002-VZ){24yrs}

91/42 K/W in 85 IP between FSL and SL [Traded to White Sox]

 

Teams just can't resist available lefties, can they? Pignatiello was left unprotected, too, and I like Piggy more than either of these two, so I can live with the losses. Campusano is more than two levels away and is 24 years old, too much hype. I think he gets returned to us anyways. Cubs seemed to like Vasquez, but I like Neal Cotts since he can help now, rather than later.

 

28. RHRP: Lincoln Holdzkom (2001-07){24yrs} [Rule 5 draft]

Acquired for Wellemeyer. 33/12 K/W in 37 IP most in AA. in AFL.

 

I was pumped to turn Welly into Holdzkom; I was irked to see the Cubs not protect him. He can be nearly Rick Ankiel-level wild one day, and Bobby Jenks-unhittable the next. I think we've lost him.

[the splendid splinter]

I'll bet there's a good chance you'll get both Campy and Holdzkom back!

[weather2]

Yes I did overlook Salas when compiling this list. He was injured much of last year but is a strong candidate to be Tennessee's starter at second next year. Oops.

[Guest]

Yes I did overlook Salas when compiling this list. He was injured much of last year but is a strong candidate to be Tennessee's starter at second next year. Oops.

Milo's a lifer. Great guy, but a lifer.

[Guest]

My "players to watch" list is taking more and more hits ...

 

15. LHRP: Edward Campusano (2001 DR){24yrs}[MWL allstar]

Combined MWL/FSL 81/17 K/W in 54 IP. 1.82 ERA [Rule 5 draft]

 

22. LHRP: Carlos Vasquez (2002-VZ){24yrs}

91/42 K/W in 85 IP between FSL and SL [Traded to White Sox]

 

Teams just can't resist available lefties, can they? Pignatiello was left unprotected, too, and I like Piggy more than either of these two, so I can live with the losses. Campusano is more than two levels away and is 24 years old, too much hype. I think he gets returned to us anyways. Cubs seemed to like Vasquez, but I like Neal Cotts since he can help now, rather than later.

 

28. RHRP: Lincoln Holdzkom (2001-07){24yrs} [Rule 5 draft]

Acquired for Wellemeyer. 33/12 K/W in 37 IP most in AA. in AFL.

 

I was pumped to turn Welly into Holdzkom; I was irked to see the Cubs not protect him. He can be nearly Rick Ankiel-level wild one day, and Bobby Jenks-unhittable the next. I think we've lost him.

Campusano pitched half the year at AA with a 1.75 ERA and a 34/8 K/BB ratio in 25.2 IP. His biggest concern over the past couple years has been health; missed time is why he was overaged for the league this year.

[weather2]

Tim's correct. Campusano's stat line should read:

 

15. LHRP: Edward Campusano (2001 DR){24yrs}[MWL allstar]

Combined MWL/SL 81/17 K/W in 54 IP. 1.82 ERA [Rule 5 draft]

[Wrigley Rat]

Great list - you seem to have done a nice job combining information from multiple sources to create a list that is based on expert opinion and stats.

 

It definitely gets me thinking about my list... :lol:

[Quakers]

81. C: Mario Mercedes (????-VZ){20yrs}

Hit 0.315 while sharing C duties at Boise.

 

I found this guy interesting to watch. Very good skills behind the plate. Quick, agile, he can steal a base. He seems to be focused on the game, intelligent. But he will be a singles, OBP, hitter. I also question his size. He is going to take a lot of punishment from people a lot bigger than he is trying to score.

[Wrigley Rat]

Here's my best effort:

 

1 - Pie

2 - Veal

3 - Pawelek

4 - Colvin

5 - Gallagher

6 - Patterson

7 - Moore

8 - Samardzija

9 - Marmol

10 - Guzman

11 - Renshaw

12 - Huseby

13 - Harvey

14 - Cliff Andersen

15 - Rundle

16 - Canzler

17 - Fox

18 - Dopirak

19 - Fuld

20 - Mateo

21 - Phelps

22 - Avery

23 - Norwood

24 - Rapada

25 - Shaver

26 - Ryu

27 - Harben

28 - Atkins

29 - Chris Robinson

30 - Reed

31 - Camp

32 - Layden

33 - Ruhlman

34 - Holliman

35 - Petrick

36 - Geovany Soto

37 - Mendez

38 - Muldowney

39 - Mathes

40 - Craig

41 - Pignatiello

42 - Rayborn

43 - Papelbon

44 - Cherry

45 - Blasko

46 - Jesus Valdez

47 - Dylan Johnston

48 - McGehee

49 - Randy Wells

50 - Yusuf Carter

51 - Alfred Joseph

52 - Billek

53 - Maestri

54 - Kevin Hart

55 - Jose Ceda

56 - Lansford

57 - Reynolds

58 - Estrada

59 - Federico Baez

60 - Roquet

61 - Scott Taylor

62 - Fontenot

63 - Cuevas-Novas

64 - Schappert

65 - Buck Coats

66 - Nate Spears

67 - Clevenger

68 - Alan Rick

69 - Chris Walker

70 - Joel Santo

71 - Sammy Baez

72 - Jonathan Mota

73 - Simokaitis

74 - Cody Gilbert

75 - Justin Berg

76 - Jake Muyco

77 - Mario Mercedes

78 - Blackford

79 - Alfredo Francisco

80 - Matt Harrington

81 - Larry Suarez

82 - Wilson Inoa

83 - Deryck Lewis

84 - Valerio Heredia

85 - Fabian Jimenez-Angulo

86 - Micah Hoffpauir

87 - Jemel Spearman

88 - Alberto Garcia

89 - Issmael Salas

90 - Matt Weber

91 - Kevin Kreier

92 - Luther Murphy

93 - Richard Parker

94 - Grant Johnson

95 - Sotolongo

96 - Taylor Parker

97 - Jon Mueller

98 - Oscar Bernard

99 - Carlos Rojas

100 - Thomas Atlee

 

Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order) (I believe that many of these guys will be released this spring or earlier or already have been):

- Al Albuquerque

- Bobby Brownlie

- Matt Canepa

- Marco Carrillo

- Robinson Chirinos

- Ronald Clipp

- Michael Cooper

- Davy Gregg

- Adam Hackstedt

- Jon Hunton

- Brett Jackson

- Scott Koerber

- Kitt Kopach

- Ryan Malone

- Matt Matulia

- Ryan O'Malley

- Jose Pina

- Elvin Puello

- Tony Richie

- Lisandro Rosario

- Nate Samson

- Trey Taylor

- Francisco Tirado

- Cesar Valentin

- Cory Vanderhook

 

This is definitely a first draft, but I am ready for any criticism. I feel that people generally overrate many of our prospects (i.e. Eric Patterson, Jake Fox, Jae-kuk Ryu, Mark Reed, Rocky Cherry, Grant Johnson, Bobby Brownlie), while others aren't given enough credit (i.e. Scott Moore, Cliff Andersen, Drew Rundle, Russ Canzler, Chris Robinson).

[karenmac]

Thanks to all attempting these lists. A couple of quick comments:

 

- I'm not sure why everyone's rating Samardzija so high...is it the idea that he's athletic overall? When I saw him in Peoria, he wasn't *that* impressive. Certainly not as good as Atkins...is it the potential?

 

- I don't think they'll be releasing Koerber after sending him to Hawaii for fall ball. He came on at the end of last season, so it's my belief that he'll be up at Daytona in '07

 

- Ryne Malone did a nice job too. Can't see them releasing him at this point either

 

 

Here's my best effort:

 

8 - Samardzija

 

Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order) (I believe that many of these guys will be released this spring or earlier or already have been):

- Scott Koerber

 

- Ryan Malone

 

 

This is definitely a first draft, but I am ready for any criticism. I feel that people generally overrate many of our prospects (i.e. Eric Patterson, Jake Fox, Jae-kuk Ryu, Mark Reed, Rocky Cherry, Grant Johnson, Bobby Brownlie), while others aren't given enough credit (i.e. Scott Moore, Cliff Andersen, Drew Rundle, Russ Canzler, Chris Robinson).

[RichHillIsABeast]

Thanks to all attempting these lists. A couple of quick comments:

 

- I'm not sure why everyone's rating Samardzija so high...is it the idea that he's athletic overall? When I saw him in Peoria, he wasn't *that* impressive. Certainly not as good as Atkins...is it the potential?

 

Ceiling (you can teach delivery, movement, and command but not a fastball that touches 97 mph) and the fact that our system thins out so quickly after Pie, Veal, and EPatt. :(

 

It's pretty sad when two of your draft picks (a 1st and 5th rounder) easily make your top 10 prospects list.

[the splendid splinter]

Even thou we lost our 2 thru the 4th picks, our draft in 2006 must have been somewhat decent just by the looks of things?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Thanks to all attempting these lists. A couple of quick comments:

 

- I'm not sure why everyone's rating Samardzija so high...is it the idea that he's athletic overall? When I saw him in Peoria, he wasn't *that* impressive. Certainly not as good as Atkins...is it the potential?

 

Ceiling (you can teach delivery, movement, and command but not a fastball that touches 97 mph) and the fact that our system thins out so quickly after Pie, Veal, and EPatt. :(

 

It's pretty sad when two of your draft picks (a 1st and 5th rounder) easily make your top 10 prospects list.

 

Not just his great FB, but the way he picked up the finer points of throwing a changeup and seeing it improve so quickly shows a lot, imo.

 

And I have the 1st, 5th and 11th rounders in my top-10 list.

[Outshined_One]

It's pretty sad when two of your draft picks (a 1st and 5th rounder) easily make your top 10 prospects list.

 

That typically happens for nearly every system. Draft picks are mostly all about potential and upside at this point; they haven't had the opportunity to get themselves injured. Just look at BA's Top 10 prospects over the past few years and see how many of those guys were drafted the previous June. I'm willing to bet they'd put Colvin every other list if another team drafted him and they'd probably put Samardzija on a decent number of those lists.

 

Even thou we lost our 2 thru the 4th picks, our draft in 2006 must have been somewhat decent just by the looks of things?

 

Better than expected, in all honesty. The Cubs did a pretty good job in later rounds and made up for those lost draft picks with guys like Samardzija, Rundle, and Huseby. We'll see how it looks five years from now, but at the moment, it's a pretty good haul.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Billy Ho!

 

BA Chat[/url]"]Billy Ho, Boston MA: Can you speak to the MLB potential of Notre Dame wideout Jeff Samardzija...is he the best baseball prospect playing major college athletics this year?

 

SportsNation Matt Meyers: Bill, he can throw about as hard as anyone but the rap on his fastball is that it is flat and that even though it is 97 mph, it does not fool batters. Think Braden Looper. There are a few college baseball players who are better prospects, like Vanderbilt's David Price and Pedro Alvarez to name two.

 

Never before heard that his FB was flat. :shrug:

[RichHillIsABeast]

Billy Ho!

 

BA Chat[/url]"]Billy Ho, Boston MA: Can you speak to the MLB potential of Notre Dame wideout Jeff Samardzija...is he the best baseball prospect playing major college athletics this year?

 

SportsNation Matt Meyers: Bill, he can throw about as hard as anyone but the rap on his fastball is that it is flat and that even though it is 97 mph, it does not fool batters. Think Braden Looper. There are a few college baseball players who are better prospects, like Vanderbilt's David Price and Pedro Alvarez to name two.

 

Never before heard that his FB was flat. :shrug:

 

That can be fixed if he decides to pursue baseball for more than a couple months a year.

[mg420]

Thanks to all attempting these lists. A couple of quick comments:

 

- I'm not sure why everyone's rating Samardzija so high...is it the idea that he's athletic overall? When I saw him in Peoria, he wasn't *that* impressive. Certainly not as good as Atkins...is it the potential?

 

Ceiling (you can teach delivery, movement, and command but not a fastball that touches 97 mph) and the fact that our system thins out so quickly after Pie, Veal, and EPatt. :(

 

It's pretty sad when two of your draft picks (a 1st and 5th rounder) easily make your top 10 prospects list.

 

 

what about sean g?

[RichHillIsABeast]

Thanks to all attempting these lists. A couple of quick comments:

 

- I'm not sure why everyone's rating Samardzija so high...is it the idea that he's athletic overall? When I saw him in Peoria, he wasn't *that* impressive. Certainly not as good as Atkins...is it the potential?

 

Ceiling (you can teach delivery, movement, and command but not a fastball that touches 97 mph) and the fact that our system thins out so quickly after Pie, Veal, and EPatt. :(

 

It's pretty sad when two of your draft picks (a 1st and 5th rounder) easily make your top 10 prospects list.

 

 

what about sean g?

 

I love the guy. He exceeds expectations and comes to camp ready to beat some hiney (unlike Pawelek). His ceiling just isn't that high, but he has a great chance of reaching it if last season is any indication of things to come. All those walks at AA scare me, but he managed to get himself out of a lot of trouble by pitching instead of throwing. A very good sign, IMO. His BB rates will return to normal. I just don't see his ceiling as being that high, even if it did take a jump this past season.

[mg420]

Thanks to all attempting these lists. A couple of quick comments:

 

- I'm not sure why everyone's rating Samardzija so high...is it the idea that he's athletic overall? When I saw him in Peoria, he wasn't *that* impressive. Certainly not as good as Atkins...is it the potential?

 

Ceiling (you can teach delivery, movement, and command but not a fastball that touches 97 mph) and the fact that our system thins out so quickly after Pie, Veal, and EPatt. :(

 

It's pretty sad when two of your draft picks (a 1st and 5th rounder) easily make your top 10 prospects list.

 

 

what about sean g?

 

I love the guy. He exceeds expectations and comes to camp ready to beat some hiney (unlike Pawelek). His ceiling just isn't that high, but he has a great chance of reaching it if last season is any indication of things to come. All those walks at AA scare me, but he managed to get himself out of a lot of trouble by pitching instead of throwing. A very good sign, IMO. His BB rates will return to normal. I just don't see his ceiling as being that high, even if it did take a jump this past season.

 

i especially like his attitude. he is a bulldog type pitcher similar to the way hershiser was. i have seen him compared to peavy which is high praise indeed. if he can get his control back, i dont see why he wouldnt have an excellent year in aa.