BA's PCL Top 20

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1. Yovani Gallardo, rhp, Nashville Sounds (Brewers)

2. Adam Jones, of, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners)

3. Billy Butler, of/1b, Omaha Royals

4. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers)

5. Ian Stewart, 3b, Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies)

6. Felix Pie, of, Iowa Cubs

7. Carlos Gomez, of, New Orleans Zephyrs (Mets)

8. James Loney, 1b/of, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers)

9. Brandon Wood, 3b/ss, Salt Lake Bees (Angels)

10. Luke Hochevar, rhp, Omaha Royals

11. Jeff Clement, c, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners

12. Mike Pelfrey, rhp, New Orleans Zephyrs (Mets)

13. Edinson Volquez, rhp, Oklahoma RedHawks (Rangers)

14. Wladimir Balentien, of, Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners)

15. Troy Patton, lhp, Round Rock Express (Astros)

16. Eric Hurley, rhp, Oklahoma RedHawks (Rangers)

17. Billy Buckner, rhp, Omaha Royals

18. Chin-Lung Hu, ss, Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers)

19. Daric Barton, 1b, Sacramento River Cats (Athletics)

20. Geovany Soto, c/1b, Iowa Cubs

 

BaseballAmerica.com[/url]"]6. Felix Pie, of, Iowa Cubs

B-T: L-L Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 170 Age: 22 Signed: Cubs '01

One of the league's more exciting players for two years running, Pie continued to improve his power game and his strike-zone discipline. He earned his first big league callup in April, and he spent all of June and most of August with Chicago. A high-energy player with plus speed, Pie improved still has work to do with his baserunning, as he was nabbed in six of 15 stolen base attempts.

 

Pie struggled against lefthanders (.190/.250/.286), even after a winter spent frequently facing them in the Dominican League. He has such tremendous bat speed and hitting instincts, though, that it should be just a matter of time until Pie figures it out. He started using his legs in his swing more in 2006, and he tapped more into his above-average power potential with a career-high .563 slugging percentage this season. Pie is an above-average defender in center with a strong, accurate arm.

 

"He took away four or five extra-base hits that most center fielders in this league don't get to," Las Vegas manager Lorenzo Bundy said. "As an opposing manager, you know he's dangerous, but you like to see him come up anyway because you like to see him play."

 

20. Geovany Soto, c/1b, Iowa Cubs

B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 230 Age: 24 Drafted: Cubs '01 (11)

Soto made the most of his third consecutive season in Iowa. After batting .263/.355/.366 in 634 prior PCL at-bats, he exploded to hit .353/.424/.652 with 26 home runs to win the league's MVP award. He led the PCL in RBIs (109) and the minors in slugging percentage, though he lost the batting title by a single point when he and eventual winner Brian Myrow were both called to the majors with three games left in the season.

 

Soto was chunky in the past, but he has dropped 30 pounds since spring training and now carries 200 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame. With less weight, he had added agility behind the plate and was able to maintain his bat speed throughout the season. His power took a huge step forward, and he showed the ability to punish inside fastballs and drive outside pitches to the opposite field.

 

Though he played 22 games at first base to increase his versatility, Soto should be Chicago's regular catcher in 2008. He started two of the Cubs' three playoff games and is a good defender behind the plate. He blocks and receives the ball well, and he used his strong arm to nab 31 percent of basestealers in 2007. Experience also has made him a better game-caller and leader.

[TruffleShuffle]

geovany soto

[craig]

20. After batting .263/.355/.366 in 634 prior PCL at-bats, he [soto] exploded to hit .353/.424/.652

 

Astonishing that a guy would jump his slugging by .286 points, and his IsoD by .196 points.

 

Almost doubled his slugging (.366 to .652). Almost tripled the IsoP (.103 to .299).

 

Normally that kind of change causes skeptics to almost automatically speculate HGH. Remarkable that in Soto's case, the freakish improvement correlates a loss rather than gain in weight.

 

Still, such an abrupt jump naturally sets off anomoly/fluke warnings, and suggests some regression toward the career norm id likely.

 

Nevertheless, his numbers were so good that assuming regression, he still profiles very favorably as a hitting catcher.

 

And he sure looked like a hitter in September.

Edited October 12, 2007 by craig

[Brian]

Geo was also named milb.com's AAA offensive player of the year

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071005&content_id=309154&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2007/10/05/bxp9pJFP.jpg

[illiniguy]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

[Guest]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

[Guest]

Q: JF from NoCal asks:

Soto is MVP of the league but only #20 on the list. It seems that scouts slowly changed their opinion on him that he'll be able to be a starting catcher - will he stick? Do you have any comparisons of previousexisting catchers for us to envision what his performance will be like (Javy Lopez, Ramon Hernandez)?

 

A: Matt Eddy: We'd love to see Soto succeed, but his performance this season was just so unprecedented that it's hard to get a read on him. He crushed all season, but still the Cubs stuck with mediocre veteran receivers in the majors. Soto can hit, though, and he can catch and he can throw. He sounds like a big league regular to me, and it looks like the Cubs are coming around to the idea as well.

 

Matt Eddy: Hernandez hit throughout his minor league career, so I'd hold off on the comp for now. First, let Soto prove he can catch 130 games and keep up his production.

 

Matt Eddy: Keep in mind, the Triple-A and low Class A top 20s should be regarded differently from the other two levels' lists because of the distribution of affiliates between two leagues. As larger leagues, the IL and PCL lists may seem more exclusionary, but it's really just a function of 14- and 16-team leagues.

 

Q: Jeff from California asks:

Pie has all the tools necessary to make it but I'm getting a bit scared that he may turn into a Corey Patterson clone w a more dynamicenergetic personality. He has the D, Arm, and athletic ability but am not sure he'll be able to hit enough to become a solid everyday player. Please tell me he will not be the next C.Patterson in Wrigley.

 

A: Matt Eddy: That's a fair assessment. Keep in mind, Pie has acclimated himself to Triple-A competition much better than Patterson did. And that the Cubs have taken it slow with Pie, letting him dominate a level before moving him up. People who watch Pie think the power is there, and that because he throws so well he might even be a right fielder down the line. And he loves to play and he takes instruction well.

 

Matt Eddy: Getting him more experience against tough pitching -- especially lefties -- will be the Cubs' next priority. And maybe that comes in a Latin American league this winter. I would not temper my enthusiasm for Pie because the ghost of Corey Patterson still clings to the Cubs organization.

 

Gallagher would have been around 11-13 if he had qualified:

 

Q: Tom from NC asks:

How close is Sean Gallagher? IS he MLB starter or bullpen guy?

 

 

A: Matt Eddy: Gallagher is a starter. He just missed qualifying for this list, but he probably would have ranked somewhere after Hochevar and ahead of Volquez.

 

Matt Eddy: Gallagher has an aggressive mound presence, he's confident and he commands his stuff to both sides of the plate. He really uses his lower half well and gets tremendous extension out in front. With 89-93 mph heat, a hard breaking ball and a feel for a changeup, Gallagher looks to be a No. 3 or better.

 

Q: Tom from NC asks:

Can you compare Pie vs. Gomez in terms of where they currently stand as well as potential upside. Where do they begin 08?

 

 

A: Matt Eddy: Pie got the nod on this list because he has more present power and because of his lefty bat. It's a toss-up as to which of them was the better center fielder (each had his supporters), but Gomez clearly had more speed and better baserunning acumen.

 

Matt Eddy: Because Gomez is a plus-plus runner, it's easy to assume he's just a waterbug. In fact, he's a 6-foot-4, 195-pound athlete who's still learning how to apply his natural hitting ability in games. He made giant strides in the plate discipline department with New Orleans, but he needs to cut down his swing. More often than not, Gomez swung from the heels after coming back from his hamate bone surgery in September.

 

Matt Eddy: Given that both the Cubs and Mets will be playing for 2008, it might not be the worst idea to give both Pie and, particularly, Gomez in Triple-A for a few months.

 

Q: Larry from Newport, RI asks:

Where does Jerry BlevinsLHPSacramento fall he was absolutely dominate in the playoffs, so dominate he was called to the Bigs for the remainder of the season. He had something like 30ks in only 9inns. Did he just miss the list?

 

A: Matt Eddy: With just 3 innings in the PCL, Blevins fell well short of qualifying -- about 45 innings short, in fact. However, his season was just incredible, so I've posted your question. Dig this: Blevins fanned 102 minor league batters while walking just 18 in 77 innings.

 

:(

 

Q: Penny Simone from Bellwood, Illinois asks:

I may be wrong but producing major league quality catchers is one of the most difficult positions to fill in player developement. If that assumption is true why was Geovany Soto ranked as low as 20 on the PCL prospect list? Thank you.

 

A: Matt Eddy: You are not wrong. Quality minor league catching is severely underrated. We want to see Soto succeed, and we believe in the tools, but why did the Cubs leave him in Triple-A all year?

 

Q: Michael Caldwell from Hanover, Indiana asks:

If Carlos Marmol had spent the entire season in Iowa, would he have made this list?

 

A: Matt Eddy: Marmol compiled 77 big league innings in 2006, exhausting his rookie eligibility for 2007 and making him ineligible, also, for these lists.

[illiniguy]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

I could see that if Butler was in the NL. But he isn't.

[Guest]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

I could see that if Butler was in the NL. But he isn't.

So, given two players in the AL that can put up the same offensive numbers, you wouldn't say that the SS provides more value than the 1B?

[TruffleShuffle]

Quote:

Q: Penny Simone from Bellwood, Illinois asks:

I may be wrong but producing major league quality catchers is one of the most difficult positions to fill in player developement. If that assumption is true why was Geovany Soto ranked as low as 20 on the PCL prospect list? Thank you.

 

A: Matt Eddy: You are not wrong. Quality minor league catching is severely underrated. We want to see Soto succeed, and we believe in the tools, but why did the Cubs leave him in Triple-A all year?

 

because the people who run the cubs are morons, that's why

[imb]

Quote:

Q: Penny Simone from Bellwood, Illinois asks:

I may be wrong but producing major league quality catchers is one of the most difficult positions to fill in player developement. If that assumption is true why was Geovany Soto ranked as low as 20 on the PCL prospect list? Thank you.

 

A: Matt Eddy: You are not wrong. Quality minor league catching is severely underrated. We want to see Soto succeed, and we believe in the tools, but why did the Cubs leave him in Triple-A all year?

 

because the people who run the cubs are morons, that's why

 

Haha, I was going to say, "I'll field that one, Matthew, the Cubs are idiots."

[illiniguy]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

I could see that if Butler was in the NL. But he isn't.

So, given two players in the AL that can put up the same offensive numbers, you wouldn't say that the SS provides more value than the 1B?

By shortstop, do you mean outfielder? I also don't think they have ever put up comparable numbers at any point.

Jones career minor league numbers .285 .346 .446

Butler career minor league numbers .344 .417 .564

[Guest]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

I could see that if Butler was in the NL. But he isn't.

So, given two players in the AL that can put up the same offensive numbers, you wouldn't say that the SS provides more value than the 1B?

By shortstop, do you mean outfielder? I also don't think they have ever put up comparable numbers at any point.

Jones career minor league numbers .285 .346 .446

Butler career minor league numbers .344 .417 .564

Methinks you missed the point of my question. Should you ignore offensive value completely just because they're in the AL?

 

Also, career minor league numbers often create a very skewed comparison because of different development paths.

[illiniguy]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

I could see that if Butler was in the NL. But he isn't.

So, given two players in the AL that can put up the same offensive numbers, you wouldn't say that the SS provides more value than the 1B?

By shortstop, do you mean outfielder? I also don't think they have ever put up comparable numbers at any point.

Jones career minor league numbers .285 .346 .446

Butler career minor league numbers .344 .417 .564

Methinks you missed the point of my question. Should you ignore offensive value completely just because they're in the AL?

 

Also, career minor league numbers often create a very skewed comparison because of different development paths.

That is true about the numbers. I think if the hitter projects to be a lot better than you should ignore the defensive value in the AL. I mean Edgar Martinez never played in the field at all, but was still pretty dang valueable.

[Guest]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

I could see that if Butler was in the NL. But he isn't.

So, given two players in the AL that can put up the same offensive numbers, you wouldn't say that the SS provides more value than the 1B?

By shortstop, do you mean outfielder? I also don't think they have ever put up comparable numbers at any point.

Jones career minor league numbers .285 .346 .446

Butler career minor league numbers .344 .417 .564

Methinks you missed the point of my question. Should you ignore offensive value completely just because they're in the AL?

 

Also, career minor league numbers often create a very skewed comparison because of different development paths.

That is true about the numbers. I think if the hitter projects to be a lot better than you should ignore the defensive value in the AL. I mean Edgar Martinez never played in the field at all, but was still pretty dang valueable.

If I'm playing fantasy baseball, I pick Butler. For real baseball, I'd draft Jones first at this point.

[Guest]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

I could see that if Butler was in the NL. But he isn't.

So, given two players in the AL that can put up the same offensive numbers, you wouldn't say that the SS provides more value than the 1B?

By shortstop, do you mean outfielder? I also don't think they have ever put up comparable numbers at any point.

Jones career minor league numbers .285 .346 .446

Butler career minor league numbers .344 .417 .564

Methinks you missed the point of my question. Should you ignore offensive value completely just because they're in the AL?

 

Also, career minor league numbers often create a very skewed comparison because of different development paths.

That is true about the numbers. I think if the hitter projects to be a lot better than you should ignore the defensive value in the AL. I mean Edgar Martinez never played in the field at all, but was still pretty dang valueable.

Quick question - Grady Sizemore or Travis Hafner in a good year?

[illiniguy]

How is Adam Jones rated above Billy Butler? Is it just out of fear of Butler not having a position?

I'd say defensive value is the primary driver, yes.

I could see that if Butler was in the NL. But he isn't.

So, given two players in the AL that can put up the same offensive numbers, you wouldn't say that the SS provides more value than the 1B?

By shortstop, do you mean outfielder? I also don't think they have ever put up comparable numbers at any point.

Jones career minor league numbers .285 .346 .446

Butler career minor league numbers .344 .417 .564

Methinks you missed the point of my question. Should you ignore offensive value completely just because they're in the AL?

 

Also, career minor league numbers often create a very skewed comparison because of different development paths.

That is true about the numbers. I think if the hitter projects to be a lot better than you should ignore the defensive value in the AL. I mean Edgar Martinez never played in the field at all, but was still pretty dang valueable.

Quick question - Grady Sizemore or Travis Hafner in a good year?

I would prefer Travis Hafner in a good year. I think at his peak his OPS blows away what Sizemore can put up. I also don't think that Jones is in the same league as Sizemore nor will he ever be. I also don't think that Butler will ever hit for that kind of power in the cavern that is the K.