Callis' Top 35 Pitching Prospects*

[Mephistopheles]

*High School and College prospects included

 

1. Daisuke Matsuzaka, rhp, Red Sox

2. Philip Hughes, rhp, Yankees

3. Homer Bailey, rhp, Reds

4. Tim Lincecum, rhp, Giants

5. Andrew Miller, lhp, Tigers

6. Yovani Gallardo, rhp, Brewers

7. Matt Garza, rhp, Twins

8. Clayton Kershaw, lhp, Dodgers

9. Scott Elbert, lhp, Dodgers

10. Adam Miller, rhp, Indians

11. Mike Pelfrey, rhp, Mets

12. Luke Hochevar, rhp, Royals

13. Nick Adenhart, rhp, Angels

14. Jacob McGee, lhp, Devil Rays

15. Jeff Niemann, rhp, Devil Rays

16. Donald Veal, lhp, Cubs

17. David Price, lhp, Vanderbilt

18. Clay Buchholz, rhp, Red Sox

19. Jason Hirsh, rhp, Rockies

20. Troy Patton, lhp, Astros

21. Humberto Sanchez, rhp, Yankees

22. Carlos Carrasco, rhp, Phillies

23 .Brad Lincoln, rhp, Pirates

24. Brett Sinkbeil, rhp, Marlins

25. Jeff Samardzija, rhp, Cubs

26. Andrew Brackman, rhp, North Carolina State

27. Franklin Morales, lhp, Rockies

28. Ubaldo Jimenez, rhp, Rockies

29. John Danks, lhp, White Sox

30. Eric Hurley, rhp, Rangers

31. Chris Volstad, rhp, Marlins

32. Jaime Garcia, lhp, Cardinals

33. Matt Harvey, rhp, HS/Connecticut

34. Brandon Erbe, rhp, Orioles

35. Johnny Cueto, rhp, Reds

 

That Samardzija = Brackman comp looks good. Callis also compared Price to Veal.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/263167.html

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jim Callis is awesome. Nice to hear how high Samardzija's ceiling is.

 

And good call on Samardzija = Brackman a while back, kc.

[nilodnayr]

Nice, Im assuming the cubs will add a third member to that list in June.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Nice, Im assuming the cubs will add a third member to that list in June.

 

Or Wieters.

[Balsa]

A third would put us in the lead for most top 35 pitching prospects, no?

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Despite being a reliever, where would Wieters rate strictly as a pitching prospect, ignoring his bat?

[Guest]

*High School and College prospects included

 

1. Daisuke Matsuzaka, rhp, Red Sox

2. Philip Hughes, rhp, Yankees

3. Homer Bailey, rhp, Reds

4. Tim Lincecum, rhp, Giants

5. Andrew Miller, lhp, Tigers

6. Yovani Gallardo, rhp, Brewers

7. Matt Garza, rhp, Twins

8. Clayton Kershaw, lhp, Dodgers

9. Scott Elbert, lhp, Dodgers

10. Adam Miller, rhp, Indians

11. Mike Pelfrey, rhp, Mets

12. Luke Hochevar, rhp, Royals

13. Nick Adenhart, rhp, Angels

14. Jacob McGee, lhp, Devil Rays

15. Jeff Niemann, rhp, Devil Rays

16. Donald Veal, lhp, Cubs

17. David Price, lhp, Vanderbilt

18. Clay Buchholz, rhp, Red Sox

19. Jason Hirsh, rhp, Rockies

20. Troy Patton, lhp, Astros

21. Humberto Sanchez, rhp, Yankees

22. Carlos Carrasco, rhp, Phillies

23 .Brad Lincoln, rhp, Pirates

24. Brett Sinkbeil, rhp, Marlins

25. Jeff Samardzija, rhp, Cubs

26. Andrew Brackman, rhp, North Carolina State

27. Franklin Morales, lhp, Rockies

28. Ubaldo Jimenez, rhp, Rockies

29. John Danks, lhp, White Sox

30. Eric Hurley, rhp, Rangers

31. Chris Volstad, rhp, Marlins

32. Jaime Garcia, lhp, Cardinals

33. Matt Harvey, rhp, HS/Connecticut

34. Brandon Erbe, rhp, Orioles

35. Johnny Cueto, rhp, Reds

 

That Samardzija = Brackman comp looks good. Callis also compared Price to Veal.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/263167.html

 

Is it me, or should Donald Veal have another great yr in 2007, he jumps into the Top 10, possibly Top 5 pitching prospects in the game?

[Outshined_One]

Is it me, or should Donald Veal have another great yr in 2007, he jumps into the Top 10, possibly Top 5 pitching prospects in the game?

 

If he has a great year in 2007, something tells me he won't be eligible for this list next offseason. :D

[Guest]

Is it me, or should Donald Veal have another great yr in 2007, he jumps into the Top 10, possibly Top 5 pitching prospects in the game?

It isn't just that he needs to have a great year. He needs to make specific improvements to rate amongst the top 5 in the game. In particular, he needs to show he can reduce the walk rate while keeping his other rates steady.

[CubinNY]

I am certianly no expert when it comes to prospects, heck I wouldn't even attempt to rank the Cubs prospects. However, I don't really get all the Samardjia love from everyone. Just like everything with ND I think he is way over-hyped.

 

Everything I've read says he is "raw". From what I've gatherd it reads to me like he has a good fastball but his secondary pitches are a work in progress and he's 22.

 

He's pitched what, seven games in professional baseball? None above low A.

 

In addition has he played a full season of baseball since highschool? I guess I can't get too excited until I see how he does this year.

[Guest]

I am certianly no expert when it comes to prospects, heck I wouldn't even attempt to rank the Cubs prospects. However, I don't really get all the Samardjia love from everyone. Just like everything with ND I think he is way over-hyped.

 

Everything I've read says he is "raw". From what I've gatherd it reads to me like he has a good fastball but his secondary pitches are a work in progress and he's 22.

 

He's pitched what, seven games in professional baseball? None above low A.

 

In addition has he played a full season of baseball since highschool? I guess I can't get too excited until I see how he does this year.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, part of the excitement is that he's as good as he is even though he's never pitched a full season. In high school, he was an OF. What you see now is a draft pick that has only been pitching part time for a few years while primarily training for a different sport that was able to step into SS-A and A-ball and get excellent results. He was able to learn very quickly a feel for a changeup and is able to get good spin on a slider, though he needs to be more consistent with it. He's a tremendous athlete for a pitcher which is commonly believed to assist with repeatability of motion. He's got a great "pitcher's body".

 

Oh yeah, and he throws hard.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I am certianly no expert when it comes to prospects, heck I wouldn't even attempt to rank the Cubs prospects. However, I don't really get all the Samardjia love from everyone. Just like everything with ND I think he is way over-hyped.

 

Everything I've read says he is "raw". From what I've gatherd it reads to me like he has a good fastball but his secondary pitches are a work in progress and he's 22.

 

He's pitched what, seven games in professional baseball? None above low A.

 

In addition has he played a full season of baseball since highschool? I guess I can't get too excited until I see how he does this year.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, part of the excitement is that he's as good as he is even though he's never pitched a full season. In high school, he was an OF. What you see now is a draft pick that has only been pitching part time for a few years while primarily training for a different sport that was able to step into SS-A and A-ball and get excellent results. He was able to learn very quickly a feel for a changeup and is able to get good spin on a slider, though he needs to be more consistent with it. He's a tremendous athlete for a pitcher which is commonly believed to assist with repeatability of motion. He's got a great "pitcher's body".

 

Oh yeah, and he throws hard.

 

And while he's "raw" for a college pitcher, he's still more advanced than an 18-year old straight out of HS.

[CubinNY]

I am certianly no expert when it comes to prospects, heck I wouldn't even attempt to rank the Cubs prospects. However, I don't really get all the Samardjia love from everyone. Just like everything with ND I think he is way over-hyped.

 

Everything I've read says he is "raw". From what I've gatherd it reads to me like he has a good fastball but his secondary pitches are a work in progress and he's 22.

 

He's pitched what, seven games in professional baseball? None above low A.

 

In addition has he played a full season of baseball since highschool? I guess I can't get too excited until I see how he does this year.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, part of the excitement is that he's as good as he is even though he's never pitched a full season. In high school, he was an OF. What you see now is a draft pick that has only been pitching part time for a few years while primarily training for a different sport that was able to step into SS-A and A-ball and get excellent results. He was able to learn very quickly a feel for a changeup and is able to get good spin on a slider, though he needs to be more consistent with it. He's a tremendous athlete for a pitcher which is commonly believed to assist with repeatability of motion. He's got a great "pitcher's body".

 

Oh yeah, and he throws hard.

 

And while he's "raw" for a college pitcher, he's still more advanced than an 18-year old straight out of HS.

 

But he's not 18.

 

Anyway, I don't want to derail this thread with my skepticism. I'm not really down on Samardjia. I kind of have a "show me" attitude. I hope all the hype is deserved.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I am certianly no expert when it comes to prospects, heck I wouldn't even attempt to rank the Cubs prospects. However, I don't really get all the Samardjia love from everyone. Just like everything with ND I think he is way over-hyped.

 

Everything I've read says he is "raw". From what I've gatherd it reads to me like he has a good fastball but his secondary pitches are a work in progress and he's 22.

 

He's pitched what, seven games in professional baseball? None above low A.

 

In addition has he played a full season of baseball since highschool? I guess I can't get too excited until I see how he does this year.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, part of the excitement is that he's as good as he is even though he's never pitched a full season. In high school, he was an OF. What you see now is a draft pick that has only been pitching part time for a few years while primarily training for a different sport that was able to step into SS-A and A-ball and get excellent results. He was able to learn very quickly a feel for a changeup and is able to get good spin on a slider, though he needs to be more consistent with it. He's a tremendous athlete for a pitcher which is commonly believed to assist with repeatability of motion. He's got a great "pitcher's body".

 

Oh yeah, and he throws hard.

 

And while he's "raw" for a college pitcher, he's still more advanced than an 18-year old straight out of HS.

 

But he's not 18.

 

Anyway, I don't want to derail this thread with my skepticism. I'm not really down on Samardjia. I kind of have a "show me" attitude. I hope all the hype is deserved.

 

He'll be 22 at high-A. That's not exactly a problem.

[UK1679666180]

And while he's "raw" for a college pitcher, he's still more advanced than an 18-year old straight out of HS.

 

Maybe not Matt Harvey and Neil ramirez espec., they're supposed to be very polished.

[nilodnayr]

I am certianly no expert when it comes to prospects, heck I wouldn't even attempt to rank the Cubs prospects. However, I don't really get all the Samardjia love from everyone. Just like everything with ND I think he is way over-hyped.

 

Everything I've read says he is "raw". From what I've gatherd it reads to me like he has a good fastball but his secondary pitches are a work in progress and he's 22.

 

He's pitched what, seven games in professional baseball? None above low A.

 

In addition has he played a full season of baseball since highschool? I guess I can't get too excited until I see how he does this year.

 

There are some other pretty raw guys on that list...Franklin Morales comes to mind. Callis explains his position on Samardzija, acknowledging the rawness...

 

Samardzija is an interesting case. From the standpoint of ceiling, he compares favorably to just about any prospect. He has size, athleticism and an electric arm. But he's also unpolished and inexperienced, and at this point he's further from his ceiling than any of the game's best pitching prospects.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

And while he's "raw" for a college pitcher, he's still more advanced than an 18-year old straight out of HS.

 

Maybe not Matt Harvey and Neil ramirez espec., they're supposed to be very polished.

 

How polished is Harvey and Ramirez compared to other polished HS pitchers? Are they really more advanced than Samardzija, despite how little time he put in to baseball?

[UK1679666180]

From the reports I've read on Ramirez espec., he change and 2 breaks on his curves (ala early Prior) are advanced as well as playing with team USA in Cuba.

 

Harvey's change isn't where it needs to be, but his break is further along than Jeff's.

 

I think Porcello and Samardzija are similar except as far as athletic ability.

[Mephistopheles]

Erik Goeddel is supposed to be very far along in development as well. Ditto for Tanner Robles, dunno if they are more than Samardzija, but they're as far as Neil Ramirez.

[craig]

I don't see the problem with including guys in these lists who don't have proven pro track records. You are making judgements on future, using the info available at the time. That varies widely, from HS prospects to college prospects to short season guys to high minors guys. You take the guys where they are and make your best judgment. Obviously with wide lack of precision.

 

I recall people fussing when BA I believe ranked Prior pretty high, and perhaps even ahead of Cruz. They were right.

[craig]

I'm surprised that BA has Veal and Samardzija so high. That's encouraging. Last year at draft I thought they supposedly only had Sam as like #20 in terms of talent for a weak draft. Obviously they think more highly of him now, for whatever reason.

 

Vance mentioned some optimism re Guzman's curve. He's lost rookie status, so isn't included on this BA list. (And probably wouldn't be anyway.) But I think his potential is quite high.

 

If we have Guzman, Veal, and Samardzija all as high-end talents, and Gallagher as a really promising pitcher, and the likelihood that we'll add another really high-end pitcher in the draft, that gives us a strong pool of real high-end guys. Add in Pawelek and Suarez and Marshall and Huseby etc., and there's a pretty good pool of guys who could also emerge as value pitchers.

[BigbadB]

I'm surprised that BA has Veal and Samardzija so high. That's encouraging. Last year at draft I thought they supposedly only had Sam as like #20 in terms of talent for a weak draft. Obviously they think more highly of him now, for whatever reason.

 

Vance mentioned some optimism re Guzman's curve. He's lost rookie status, so isn't included on this BA list. (And probably wouldn't be anyway.) But I think his potential is quite high.

 

If we have Guzman, Veal, and Samardzija all as high-end talents, and Gallagher as a really promising pitcher, and the likelihood that we'll add another really high-end pitcher in the draft, that gives us a strong pool of real high-end guys. Add in Pawelek and Suarez and Marshall and Huseby etc., and there's a pretty good pool of guys who could also emerge as value pitchers.

 

They won't need anymore for awhile if they lock down Zambrano. :wink: