OTM Prospect Rankings: Who's No. 4?
by Randy Booth
on Jan 13, 2009 10:58 AM EST
in Minors
69 comments
[Note by Randy Booth, 01/14/09 2:06 PM EST ] Right now, Reddick and Tazawa are tied. To decide a winner, this poll will close at 3:30 p.m. EST. Whoever is in the lead by then is the No. 4 prospect. If there is still a tie ... who knows?
After a lot of discussion, the voting for No. 3 was tight, but relief pitcher Daniel Bard still walked away with 44 percent of the votes. Junichi Tazawa came in second with 23 percent of the vote, edging Josh Reddick who earned 12 percent.
Now it's time to see who's the fourth best prospect in the system. I've added another prospect this time, Ryan Kalish.
JOSH REDDICK (More info)
22 y.o / Outfielder / B: R, T: L
SP: 4 / BA: 5: / MLB: 4
LVL AB 2B HR RBI BA/OBP/SLG A 53 4 0 9 .340/.397/.491 A+ 312 11 17 57 .343/.375/.593 AA 117 4 6 25 .214/.290/.436
Athletic outfielder with very good power for small frame. Needs to work on plate discipline.
MICHAEL ALMANZAR (More info)
18 y.o. / Third Base / B: R, T: R
SP: 5 / BA: 8 / MLB: 6
LVL AB 2B HR RBI BA/OBP/SLG
RK 89 6 1 11 .348/.414/.472
A 140 5 2 11 .207/.238/.314
Very raw infielder but has huge potential. Very good power potential.
JUNICHI TAZAWA (More info)
23 y.o. / Starting pitcher / B: R, T: R
SP: 7 / BA: n-a / MLB: n-a
LVL IP BB SO HR ERA WHIP
JAP 113 15 114 - 0.80 -
High-potential pitcher with great secondary pitches. Some say he would have been a first round draft pick if eligible.
NICK HAGADONE (More info)
23 y.o. / Starting pitcher / B: L, T: L
SP: 16 / BA: 3 / MLB: 8
LVL IP BB SO HR ERA WHIP
A 10 6 12 0 0.00 1.10
Underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2008. Expects to be pitching in May 2009. Big lefty that has hit 98 on the gun. First round pick with potential, but no one knows how he'll rebound after TJ.
CASEY KELLY (More info)
19 y.o / Infielder-Pitcher / B: R, T: R
SP: 6 / BA: 6 / MLB: 11
LVL AB 2B HR RBI BA/OBP/SLG
Rk 98 5 1 9 .173/.229/.255
A- 32 5 0 4 .344/.344/.563
Very talented player that could be either a shortstop or a pitcher. Kelly will start 2009 as a pitcher, throw 100 innings, then move to shortstop for the remainder of the year.
RYAN WESTMORELAND (More info)
19 y.o. / Outfielder / B: L, T: R
SP: 11 / BA: 7 / MLB: 5
LVL AB 2B HR RBI BA/OBP/SLG
HS 72 7 4 31 .486/.562/.806
Fast, athletic outfielder with a lot of skills. From Rhode Island. Had shoulder surgery in November, won't play until June 2009.
YAMAICO NAVARRO (More info)
21 y.o. / Shortstop / B: R, T: R
SP: 10 / BA: 9 / MLB: 9
LVL AB 2B HR RBI BA/OBP/SLG A 325 14 7 54 .280/.341/.412 A+ 181 13 4 23 .348/.393/.508 HWB 13 0 0 0 .231/.286/.231
A strong middle infielder with surprising pop at the plate. Another raw talent with a high ceiling.
RYAN KALISH (More info)
21 y.o. / Outfielder / B: L, T: L
SP: 8 / BA: -- / MLB: 7
LVL AB 2B HR RBI BA/OBP/SLG A 360 16 3 32 .281/.376/.356 A+ 73 6 2 14 .233/.305/.397 HWB 5 0 0 0 .000/.286/.286
Athletic center fielder with good ability to get on base. Hardworker. A "little Trot Nixon."
0 recs |
69 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Has to be Hagadone
I’m assuming I’m in the minority here but this guy was one of the best prospects we had before he had to have tj last summer. While you never know from a surgery like this I am confident he will be fine and even move up the list again before all is said and done
by Ace0407 on
Jan 13, 2009 11:32 AM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Hagadone is very good, but the TJ surgery definitely has to drop him back a few slots.
I voted for Kelly. I’m not a big Reddick fan, but I think we’ll see a lot of good things out of Kelly.
by Randy Booth on
Jan 13, 2009 1:20 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Hagadone
Tommy John surgery is relatively common these days, and pitchers sometimes come back stronger than when they were developing the problem.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on
Jan 13, 2009 1:39 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I understand that, but I still don’t think his value can be as high as it was before post-any injury/surgery.
by Randy Booth on
Jan 13, 2009 1:50 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I still think Hagadone is the best prospect of the bunch, followed by Reddick. I’d put Casey Kelly after them.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on
Jan 13, 2009 1:55 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
If you like prospects even though they had TJS,
why not mention Caleb Clay? I think he’s going to be a nominee for breakout player of ‘09, along with Carson Blair, Kyle Weiland, Mitch Dening, and Che-Hsuan Lin. Some of those guys have already had pretty good years, so what I mean is they’ll do even better with higher teams.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on
Jan 15, 2009 1:53 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I like Clay. He’s not in my top 20, but he’s in my “to watch” list.
by Randy Booth on
Jan 15, 2009 11:33 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I've got a big mancrush on Caleb Clay
I loved his stuff before the, I hope he comes back well. He’s in my Top 20. His slurve was nasty for his age, and his fastball was very good. Before TJ, that is.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 15, 2009 11:46 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
"Before the..."
TJ, of course.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 15, 2009 11:47 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
+1
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 13, 2009 6:19 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Where does the sox farm system rank?
3 or 4 in mlb?
by Red Sox #1 Fan on
Jan 13, 2009 1:06 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Depends on who you ask.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 13, 2009 6:20 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Tazawa 4th has to be a joke, people
Stop the madness, he’s yet to play a pro game. He dominated at Industrial League (wasn’t that? Correct me if I’m wrong) but that doesn’t mean shit, we don’t know how his stuff will translate. Him ahead of Reddick, Hagadone and Kelly is just wrong.
Just my POV, I don’t even know if I can do this.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 13, 2009 1:17 PM EST
reply
actions
2 recs
And this is why we vote as a community :)
by Randy Booth on
Jan 13, 2009 1:19 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I'm trying to earn votes for my candidate
Josh Reddick: Yes, we fuckin can!
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 13, 2009 2:10 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Darn tooting.
If Tazawa is voted in next, I wash my hands of the whole sorry affair.
(Until the next vote.)
But really. He’s been pitching in a softball league in Japan. Come on!
"no1 has time to read your long comments, are you writing a book?"
by britsoxfan on
Jan 13, 2009 2:31 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Agreed
There’s really no point for Tazawa to be ahead of Reddick.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 13, 2009 2:49 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I wouldn't even put him in my top ten.
But then I’m mean that way.
"no1 has time to read your long comments, are you writing a book?"
by britsoxfan on
Jan 13, 2009 3:03 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I'd put him in my top 10, mainly because of his potential
But I really wouldn’t rank him higher than #9 or so.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 13, 2009 3:24 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Well
Many scouts pegged him as a first round draft pick equivalent, so it’s not just like the uneducated masses are infatuated with him when they shouldn’t be.
by Gnick on
Jan 13, 2009 11:18 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Many scouts ranked Hee Seop Choi, Chin-Hui Tsao, Joe Borchard higher than Albert Pujols back then
Point is: He’s yet to play pro ball, and we just don’t know how his stuff will translate. People can vote for whomever they want, of course, I’m not trying to go against democracy here. I just think he shouldn’t be higher than guys who have been in the system for a while and finding success at every level. Other than that, I’m just a vote in the poll.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 14, 2009 12:04 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
My problem is that Reddick sucked last year...
and most of the guys seem too far away for me to get overly invested in them.
by BTLove on
Jan 14, 2009 2:53 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I don’t know if Reddick sucked. His BA took a hit when he jumped to Portland, but that usually happens to every one. We should make a judgement in, say, July when he’s been playing in AA for awhile.
by Randy Booth on
Jan 14, 2009 11:33 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
If that was sarcasm
Reddick has been playing pro ball, and well while you’re at it, while Tazawa has been dominating a league with hitters that could be, as far as we know, a bunch of Pokemon.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 14, 2009 12:45 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I've admittedly never been good at evaluating prospects...
but in AA in 117 ab’s Reddick was horrid. Now, hopefully it was just a slump or something (was he injured?), but I just like pitchers more. I’m starting to rethink it, but I did vote for Tazawa. I agree there’s not much to go on, but the Sox did give him some good money, they must see something in him. Sometimes I think the mystery is a little more compelling than the known (especially when the last thing the known did was suck).
by BTLove on
Jan 14, 2009 7:32 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
117 ab's?
That’s not much to go on.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 14, 2009 7:34 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Isn't the league that Tazawa dominated in
the same league that just signed a girl?
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on
Jan 14, 2009 9:05 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Thank you.
Rec’d.
Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!
by BoSox415 on
Jan 13, 2009 10:04 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
VOTE REDDICK OR DIE!
:)
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 13, 2009 4:46 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Is a vote for a 3rd party a vote at all?
If my candidate doesn’t have a chance, can I change my vote from Ralph Nader* to Al Gore?
(* I didn’t really vote for Ralph Nader)
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on
Jan 13, 2009 5:03 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
- Substitute Hagadone for Nader and Reddick for Gore.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on
Jan 13, 2009 5:04 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Just no more votes for Tazawa
If he gets crushed on his first game as a pro, which is a real possibility, we’ll all look silly.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 13, 2009 5:24 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I meant first season
My bad.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 13, 2009 6:56 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Even
If he gets crushed in his first season we can’t write him off. There is a sizable jump to be made, and you can’t judge a contract off of 33% of it’s eventual product.
by Gnick on
Jan 13, 2009 11:19 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Of course I can
People are judging Tazawa mainly from some random japanese league.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 14, 2009 12:06 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Kelly is good.
He has an arm (was going to play QB in college) but chose baseball. He went to High School by me and my friends and I saw him play a couple times. Has a lot of potential.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans
by SRQman on
Jan 13, 2009 10:09 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Sarasota High?
He was supposed to go to Tennessee. Kinda obvious which sport I wanted him to choose.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 13, 2009 10:12 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I dunno. Tennessee's QB situation was pretty solid this year without him in the mix.
/sarcasm.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on
Jan 14, 2009 4:55 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
If anybody needed the tag, they haven't ever seen a football.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 14, 2009 7:31 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I truly wish I had never seen a college football game
Sorry for those who like it, but that shit is dumb.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 14, 2009 8:14 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
STOP TALKING TO ME.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 14, 2009 8:22 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
College football is really nothing else but bad football
You get to see mostly guys who aren’t good enough for the NFL, but are somehow good enough to fuck any girl you never did in your days in college.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 14, 2009 9:26 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Umm... I'm 15.
I’m smart, but not that smart. And also, Catholic, so can’t really care too much about who they get. It’s just more fun than the NFL.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 15, 2009 7:16 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Let's agree to disagree on this
I hate college football, most coaches are morons and most players aren’t good enough to take it to pro level.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 15, 2009 8:09 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I like college sports.
I don’t actually watch it, but I can appreciate kids who give it their all for reasons other than $.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on
Jan 15, 2009 11:05 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
You mean
The prospect of getting that $ and banging half the girls in college?
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 15, 2009 11:35 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
You speak about getting some like it's a bad thing.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on
Jan 16, 2009 12:40 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Not actually
I had a band in college, so me and my friends had a rivalry with athletes, and we hated them because they were getting more than us. It was just not right.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 16, 2009 1:35 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Maybe that says something about your band?
: )
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on
Jan 16, 2009 6:04 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
My band was the best show on Earth
:)
Actually, I think it means that guys on college bands have a far bigger chance of becoming a shoe salesman than college football players. But back in the days, it was WAR.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 16, 2009 6:58 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
BTW, I'm talking about football actually because it's the most 'famous' of the college sports
I went to UIC, so my problem wasn’t quite with football players.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 16, 2009 7:10 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Haha
Tennessee lost to Wyoming! I live in MWC territory, and used to live in Louisiana, and I bragged to my friends back there about how much better the MWC is over the SEC after that game. Then Utah beat Alabama…
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on
Jan 14, 2009 9:08 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Hey, it was Tennessee.
Get over it. And Bama played horrible.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 15, 2009 7:17 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Yeah I know
any other day Glenn Coffee would have steamrolled through Utah. And I like BYU over Utah, it’s just fun to mess around with people who think the only good football comes from the SEC.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on
Jan 15, 2009 7:28 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
It's the best though.
USC woulda got steam rolled by UF. And Penn State. And Texas. And pretty much everyone else. I want to see Utah play us though. Their scheme could mess with us like it did Bama.
For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09
by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on
Jan 16, 2009 8:31 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I was going to kill the voting at 100, and it never seemed to get there! Now it’s at 105, and Tazawa and Reddick are tied!
by Randy Booth on
Jan 14, 2009 1:56 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Runoff election.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on
Jan 14, 2009 4:55 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I'm not even sure Tazawa should be considered a prospect
We didn’t work on him, and we basically just got him, we haven’t done anything. Reddick wins by default.
Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!
by BoSox415 on
Jan 14, 2009 9:01 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
So guys we draft are not prospects before they play?
b/c drafting a guy is basically the same as what we did with Tazawa. He will be developed in our system over the next few years and the Sox organization will get him ready for the majors. It would be like saying David Price was not a Rays prospect last spring.
by BTLove on
Jan 14, 2009 9:56 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I'm sure the 4 people who voted for Kalish thought he was Reddick
It’s a similar sounding name, isn’t it? It is, Reddick wins, flawless victory.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 14, 2009 9:27 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Flawless victory?
Who are you? Shao Khan?
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on
Jan 14, 2009 9:32 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Ha, I used to play as Kung Lao back in the days
Great fucking game.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 14, 2009 9:46 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I don’t think so. We have some hardcore Kalish fans here. I personally voted for Kelly … damn you, OTM readers!
by Randy Booth on
Jan 14, 2009 10:46 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I actually would have voted for Kelly if we already knew what he can do as a pitcher
Dude was really good at his debut as a SS, and he has monster potential. I hope that if he turns into a pitcher, at least he’s as good as Bowden or so.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on
Jan 15, 2009 10:43 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
I can’t believe Yamaico earned two votes…
by Randy Booth on
Jan 14, 2009 10:48 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
There are tons of people ahead of him, in my mind:
Heck, I’d put Will Middlebrooks, Oscar Tejeda, Che-Hsuan Lin, Reid Engel, Zach Daeges, and maybe even Carson Blair ahead of him, to name a few that aren’t on this list. And those were just hitters.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on
Jan 15, 2009 1:46 AM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
New FanPost
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
