You have the choice of any one player

[illiniguy]

in the minor leagues today to build around. Or a guy who still qualifies as a rookie. Who do pick? I ask just to see what everyone says. I think it will help me settle a friendly argument I have with some friends at work.

 

I go with Alex Gordon

[TruffleShuffle]

I assume Delmon Young doesn't count? If not, then I take Gordon as well.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Gordon is an excellent choice. I'll take Brandon Wood.

 

I'm pretty sure Delmon would count.

[Post Count Padder]

Gordon's a good choice.

 

To be different though, I might take the opposite side and go with a pitcher like Philip Hughes or Andrew Miller.

[illiniguy]

I assume Delmon Young doesn't count? If not, then I take Gordon as well.

Delmon still counts as they held him out of some games at the end last year so he could take a shot at rookie of the year this year.

[Outshined_One]

Homer Bailey

[rawaction]

Gordon would probably be my choice just ahead of others, because he is a 3B. The other top prospects are OF or SP. OFs are more easy to find. SP's are vulnerable to injury.

 

I'm very cautious on Brandon Wood.

[illiniguy]

Gordon would probably be my choice just ahead of others, because he is a 3B. The other top prospects are OF or SP. OFs are more easy to find. SP's are vulnerable to injury.

 

I'm very cautious on Brandon Wood.

I wasn't overly impressed the few times I was able to see him play in person this year. He really stunk it up against some bad AA pitching, that said it was a small sample size. Oh and even if he does pan out, ANA probably won't let him take over full time until he is 30. See Kotchman, Casey or McPherson, Dallas.

[CubsInNC]

Gordon (3B is a tough position to fill)

Justin Upton (SS is another tougher position to fill)

Andrew Miller/Delmon Young/Cameron Maybin OF/SP positions that are either "dime-a-dozen" or huge injury liabilities.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think I'd go with Gordon also.

[Guest]

Gordon (3B is a tough position to fill)

Justin Upton (SS is another tougher position to fill)

Andrew Miller/Delmon Young/Cameron Maybin OF/SP positions that are either "dime-a-dozen" or huge injury liabilities.

Upton was a full-time OF in 2006.

[CubsInNC]

Gordon (3B is a tough position to fill)

Justin Upton (SS is another tougher position to fill)

Andrew Miller/Delmon Young/Cameron Maybin OF/SP positions that are either "dime-a-dozen" or huge injury liabilities.

Upton was a full-time OF in 2006.

 

Moreso because of Drew than his ability at SS, no? Trying to fit his bat in the lineup? Maybe I'm mistaken.

[ChiefsVoice]

you mean besides Ryan Harvey?

 

Of the guys I have seen in person I'll take Cameron Maybin.

[Guest]

Gordon (3B is a tough position to fill)

Justin Upton (SS is another tougher position to fill)

Andrew Miller/Delmon Young/Cameron Maybin OF/SP positions that are either "dime-a-dozen" or huge injury liabilities.

Upton was a full-time OF in 2006.

 

Moreso because of Drew than his ability at SS, no? Trying to fit his bat in the lineup? Maybe I'm mistaken.

He and Drew were on different teams, so that wasn't a major factor. They just felt that he wasn't going to be able to stay at SS long-term and felt they could hasten his progress to the majors by converting him to OF sooner instead of later.

[CubsInNC]

Gordon (3B is a tough position to fill)

Justin Upton (SS is another tougher position to fill)

Andrew Miller/Delmon Young/Cameron Maybin OF/SP positions that are either "dime-a-dozen" or huge injury liabilities.

Upton was a full-time OF in 2006.

 

Moreso because of Drew than his ability at SS, no? Trying to fit his bat in the lineup? Maybe I'm mistaken.

He and Drew were on different teams, so that wasn't a major factor. They just felt that he wasn't going to be able to stay at SS long-term and felt they could hasten his progress to the majors by converting him to OF sooner instead of later.

 

Ahh, then color me mistaken and remove Upton and insert another

[BigbadB]

Is Vladmir Guerrero eligible? :D If not, I'll take Carlos Quentin.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Alex Gordon without a doubt, I prefer him to Delmon Young. Pitchers are too risky and guys like Maybin are too far away.

[CuseCubFan69]

If Weaver didn't get enough innings to qualify I'll take him.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I've seen Gordon play. He's a slam-dunk, guaranteed future all-star in the big leagues (barring injury). He'll be batting third in the KC order before Memorial Day gets here. Probably the fastest-rising, surest thing college 3B to come along since Bob Horner.

 

Top pitcher? It would be hard to overlook Homer Bailey I think.

[Mephistopheles]

I wouldn't pick a pitcher, we've all seen firsthand how putting your eggs in a pitcher's basket opens you up to all sorts of attrition rates. So I guess it comes down to the best overall player, and I guess that's Alex Gordon. The teen OF kids are WAY too risky because of their proximity to the majors.

 

Maybe Matsuzaka if I had to pick a pitcher.

 

Edit: On second thought I change my mind:

 

http://iitaihoudai.cocolog-nifty.com/iitaihoudai/images/fukudome.jpg

 

Maybe Gourriel, but his lack of a walk rate scares me although he's improved on it some of late.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Fukudome!

[Mephistopheles]

Yeah he obliterated NPB last season. He won the MVP, made Best Nine, won a Gold Glove and had a league EqA near .350. I don't know what his translation would have been, but I guestimated around .315-.320 here. All that in centerfield with good defense as well. That would be giving him a very good argument as best centerfielder in all of baseball last year with only Sizemore and Beltran as comps.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Yeah he obliterated NPB last season. He won the MVP, made Best Nine, won a Gold Glove and had a league EqA near .350. I don't know what his translation would have been, but I guestimated around .315-.320 here. All that in centerfield with good defense as well. That would be giving him a very good argument as best centerfielder in all of baseball last year with only Sizemore and Beltran as comps.

 

Is he going to be posted next offseason?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'll take Gordon as well.

[nilodnayr]

Awesome call on Fukudome