BA's 2012 Carolina League Top 20 Prospects

[CaliforniaRaisin]

9. Christian Villanueva, 3b, Myrtle Beach (Rangers)

Age: 21  B-T: R-R  Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 160  Signed: Dominican Republic '10.

Villanueva batted .567 with two homers in his final eight games with Myrtle Beach before the Rangers packaged him with Pelicans righthander Kyle Hendricks to get Ryan Dempster from the Cubs. Javier Baez projects as Chicago's third baseman of the future, but Villanueva has the all-around talent to force his way into the lineup.

 

Villanueva uses a short, compact stroke to hit line drives to all fields. He understands the strike zone and puts himself in position to hit. Primarily a doubles hitter at this point, he shows sporadic power to the pull side and could develop into an average home run threat.

 

With solid range, soft hands and a plus arm, Villanueva has all the tools to play third base. His first-step quickness shows up in the field and on the basepaths, where he can use his average speed to swipe the occasional bag.

 

Non-premium link: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2012/2614140.html

 

Premium link: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2012/2614139.html

[XZero771679666304]

Does Villanueva have a defensive skillset that would work at 2B? I wonder just how solid his range is.

 

That "sporadic"/doubles power could be of no small value at 2B as opposed to 3B.

[Guest]

On the off chance that Villanueva and Baez both pan out as above average major leaguers and are both better than any of our other IF prospects that might pop up along the way, what would everyone do?

 

Castro SS, Baez 2B?

 

Guess it would largely depend on how Castro's development as a SS goes over the next couple years... same goes for Baez.

[davell]

Does Villanueva have a defensive skillset that would work at 2B? I wonder just how solid his range is.

 

That "sporadic"/doubles power could be of no small value at 2B as opposed to 3B.

He evidently got a bit plump during the season. Prior to that, Mike Newman was thinking 2B was a real possibility. Hopefully, it was an aberration and he harnesses it, because he'd be very intriguing as a 2B prospect.

[davell]

On the off chance that Villanueva and Baez both pan out as above average major leaguers and are both better than any of our other IF prospects that might pop up along the way, what would everyone do?

 

Castro SS, Baez 2B?

 

Guess it would largely depend on how Castro's development as a SS goes over the next couple years... same goes for Baez.

I figure Villanueva gets dealt at some point personally. And if ABTY is right and we've checked in on Trevor Bauer, Baez could be a goner too honestly.

[Guest]

On the off chance that Villanueva and Baez both pan out as above average major leaguers and are both better than any of our other IF prospects that might pop up along the way, what would everyone do?

 

Castro SS, Baez 2B?

 

Guess it would largely depend on how Castro's development as a SS goes over the next couple years... same goes for Baez.

I figure Villanueva gets dealt at some point personally. And if ABTY is right and we've checked in on Trevor Bauer, Baez could be a goner too honestly.

 

Cliffs?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Cliffs?

 

Arizona thinks Trevor Bauer has an attitude problem and we've called inquiring.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I don't see a ton of upside in Villanueva. He just seems like a guy you keep around in case you don't find anyone better and he can possibly fill in 3b competently and cheaply for a few years.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't see a ton of upside in Villanueva. He just seems like a guy you keep around in case you don't find anyone better and he can possibly fill in 3b competently and cheaply for a few years.

 

The Cubs are going to need a half dozen of that type of player every year going by their game plan.

[Guest]

Cliffs?

 

Arizona thinks Trevor Bauer has an attitude problem and we've called inquiring.

 

Interesting.

 

Here are the exact quotes...

 

Heard several teams have already contacted the D'Backs about Bauer including the Cubs and Royals... A deal involving Alex Gordon (who would certainly be moved back to 3B) was briefly discussed earlier... Cubs would likely need to give up Garza to get Bauer (plus, plus)... Could be interesting...

 

Cubs have not spoken in detail to D'Backs about anyone yet... Touched base on Bauer, Corbin and Young...

[davell]

David, probably the wrong place to put this, but some other things he's mentioned: Was told to expect Carlos Villanueva to be a Cub. Also have inquired on Corbin and Young with Arizona. Have also talked about Jason Vargas, Hochevar, Ubaldo, Anthony Bass, Chacin, Wade Davis, Derek Holland, Brett Anderson, and Casey Kelly.

[Guest]

David, probably the wrong place to put this, but some other things he's mentioned: Was told to expect Carlos Villanueva to be a Cub. Also have inquired on Corbin and Young with Arizona. Have also talked about Jason Vargas, Hochevar, Ubaldo, Anthony Bass, Chacin, Wade Davis, Derek Holland, Brett Anderson, and Casey Kelly.

 

Cool stuff. I posted a thread in Transactions if you want to discuss any of it there.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

David, probably the wrong place to put this, but some other things he's mentioned: Was told to expect Carlos Villanueva to be a Cub. Also have inquired on Corbin and Young with Arizona. Have also talked about Jason Vargas, Hochevar, Ubaldo, Anthony Bass, Chacin, Wade Davis, Derek Holland, Brett Anderson, and Casey Kelly.

 

We went over that list a little more in-depth at PSD, but that's an interesting mix. There's a couple of high-upside young arms that would probably be expensive to acquire, a handful of generic right-handers with mediocre fastballs and possibly ties to the Cubs front office, and the incredibly overpaid and awful Jiminez.

[SouthSideRyan]

Have also talked about Jason Vargas, Hochevar, Ubaldo, Anthony Bass, Chacin, Wade Davis, Derek Holland, Brett Anderson, and Casey Kelly.

 

WHAT THE [expletive]

[Guest]

I don't like all the names on that list, but there's several I wouldn't mind adding as one of two or three SPs added. Something like Holland, E Jackson, and maybe that Garza/Bauer idea materializes? I could live with that.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

David, probably the wrong place to put this, but some other things he's mentioned: Was told to expect Carlos Villanueva to be a Cub. Also have inquired on Corbin and Young with Arizona. Have also talked about Jason Vargas, Hochevar, Ubaldo, Anthony Bass, Chacin, Wade Davis, Derek Holland, Brett Anderson, and Casey Kelly.

 

We went over that list a little more in-depth at PSD, but that's an interesting mix. There's a couple of high-upside young arms that would probably be expensive to acquire, a handful of generic right-handers with mediocre fastballs and possibly ties to the Cubs front office, and the incredibly overpaid and awful Jiminez.

 

Oh, and Wade Davis, who I'd love to have in the bullpen but you know the Rays would ask for Baez+ or something.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Sure looks like the boat's sailed on Luke Hochevar not being awful , but if the Royals were interested, I'd send them Volstad straight up for him as a change of scenery trade.

 

I wonder if the Pads would be willing to swing a similar deal as the Rizzo trade for Kelly. Maybe Brett Jackson and a low level guy for Kelly and one of their low level guys? Vitters might have been a possiblity had his big league stint not been the train wreck that it was.

[El Duderino]

Casey Kelly? How do we get him?

[toonsterwu]

On the off chance that Villanueva and Baez both pan out as above average major leaguers and are both better than any of our other IF prospects that might pop up along the way, what would everyone do?

 

Castro SS, Baez 2B?

 

Guess it would largely depend on how Castro's development as a SS goes over the next couple years... same goes for Baez.

 

A lot depends on Castro. Say Castro stays as a quality defender. In that case, he probably earns the right to stay at short. My preference would be to have Baez at 3rd and move Villanueva to a corner OF role, but I can understand an argument for Baez at 2nd and Villanueva at 3rd.

 

Here's the thing - if both pan out and Baez is moved off short to 3rd, I expect plenty of teams to call on Villanueva in that situation. The 3rd base market just seems dry for the next couple years. We could potentially get a nice piece or two if some team needed a 3rd baseman.

[toonsterwu]

I really don't see what we would flip for Casey Kelly. Hard to see them have interest in an IF, as they have system depth in that regards. Just don't see a fit, as they have youth at C, 1st. They claim they will keep Headley, which forces Gyorko to another spot, otherwise Gyorko gets 3rd. Maybin's defense probably gives him time in CF, and what they need, if anything, might be corner OF bats ... but if they keep Quentin, that need is lessened (until he gets hurt ... ).

 

I mean ... if we give up enough quality, sure, but then again ... there's a limit I'd go for Casey Kelly.

[toonsterwu]

I don't see a ton of upside in Villanueva. He just seems like a guy you keep around in case you don't find anyone better and he can possibly fill in 3b competently and cheaply for a few years.

 

I actually sorta agree with this. I'm of the boat that Villanueva has been a bit over-hyped. I'm still not sure he's significantly better than say, Arismendy Alcantara, but Alcantara got hurt and people forgot about his season. It's not that I buy Alcantara - still wary of the bat the upper levels ... just not sure Villanueva is this stud. Here's hoping though.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't see a ton of upside in Villanueva. He just seems like a guy you keep around in case you don't find anyone better and he can possibly fill in 3b competently and cheaply for a few years.

 

I actually sorta agree with this. I'm of the boat that Villanueva has been a bit over-hyped. I'm still not sure he's significantly better than say, Arismendy Alcantara, but Alcantara got hurt and people forgot about his season. It's not that I buy Alcantara - still wary of the bat the upper levels ... just not sure Villanueva is this stud. Here's hoping though.

 

Have people sold Villanueva as a stud? I haven't noticed anything close to that.

[toonsterwu]

I don't see a ton of upside in Villanueva. He just seems like a guy you keep around in case you don't find anyone better and he can possibly fill in 3b competently and cheaply for a few years.

 

I actually sorta agree with this. I'm of the boat that Villanueva has been a bit over-hyped. I'm still not sure he's significantly better than say, Arismendy Alcantara, but Alcantara got hurt and people forgot about his season. It's not that I buy Alcantara - still wary of the bat the upper levels ... just not sure Villanueva is this stud. Here's hoping though.

 

Have people sold Villanueva as a stud? I haven't noticed anything close to that.

 

My recollection at the trade time was that people were hard-selling Villanueva as a possible top 100 prospect. Stud was probably the wrong word choice above, but I'm just not sold that he's that intriguing.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I don't think "top-100" and "not a stud" are mutually exclusive.

 

But I don't see him as top-100 right now, no.

[Warpticon]

It isn't, and he was being "sold" as top-100 because he was, well, top 100 in some lists, and hadn't really done anything to suggest he should drop.

 

He strikes me as a high floor, somewhat limited ceiling type of prospect.