OTM Prospect Rankings: Who's No. 5?
by Randy Booth on Jan 15, 2009 11:44 AM EST
in Minors
19 comments
As we get deeper in this list, the more controversy seems to spark. Junichi Tazawa earned the No. 4 spot, but he only edged Josh Reddick by a mere two votes. Needless to say, a lot of people in the comments don't think Tazawa should be rated so high after pitching in a "softball league."
Nevertheless, Tazawa is our No. 4. Added to the list today is the 2008 Future's Game MVP, Che-Hsuan Lin.
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.
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."
CHE-HSUAN LIN (>More info)
20 y.o. / Outfield / B: R, T: R
SP: 9 / BA: -- / MLB: 17
LVL AB 2B HR RBI BA/OBP/SLG A 362 13 5 37 .249/.342/.359
Strong defender in the outfield, quick. Has struggled with off-speed pitches since coming over from Taiwan.
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Hagadone until he wins!
"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 15, 2009 1:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The link for Che-Hsuan Lin is incorrect it just takes you back to OTM
by beantownboy171 on Jan 15, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Heathen!
I thought editing was for wusses. You should have replied “suck it up and do your own research!” Repent for your moment of weakness.
"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 15, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Casey Kelly
I unfortunately missed the last vote, which I would have voted for Kelly, although I may of switched to Reddick to try to get him over the hump of Tazawa. But anyways, these middle prospects seem pretty slumped together, which is why everyone’s personal opinion is interesting.
But I am siding with Kelly. I am a fan of his potential and quite frankly his stuff. I think he sounds more promising as a pitcher, and it’ll be interesting to see those 100 innings go this year.
by BSturgeon on Jan 15, 2009 1:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ditto, but I’m not sure how the mid-season transition is going to be for him. I mean, 100 innings and then, boom, you’re playing shortstop and have to start hitting a ball, not pitching one? Seems like that could drag him down a bit. Hopefully this will be the only transition year, and then from here on out he has one position.
by Randy Booth on Jan 15, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Or maybe he'll do so well at pitcher they won't switch him....
A guy can wish, right? I don’t like him as a shortstop.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on Jan 15, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why not?
He was recruited at Tennessee as a mobile spread QB.
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 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he'll be the next Todd Helton....
Except Todd Helton actually PLAYED quarterback there. And he’s a first baseman. Alright, he’s not like Todd Helton at all.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on Jan 15, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love when I don't have to do anything to rip through an argument.
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 7:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It was a poor effort.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on Jan 15, 2009 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
2nd chance. Go.
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 8:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he'll be the opposite of Todd Helton...
Instead of playing QB at Tennessee, he didn’t. Then he wasn’t a professional hitter and started pitching.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on Jan 17, 2009 12:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Better. But isn't your argument that he won't pan out b/c of the UT recruitment?
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 17, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know anymore.
The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble
by DirtySouthSox on Jan 17, 2009 8:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was hoping you knew. Oh well, let's drop it.
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 18, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think where we really have to be careful with Kelly
is any reports on his arm from the SS position. I would imagine after 100 innings pitched, his throws might not have the zip they might’ve if he’d started out at SS.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on Jan 15, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Eh, I’m content enough with Tazawa at four. Best of luck to him. It’s just a prejudice I have against ranking someone so highly based on numbers accrued in a relatively uncompetitive environment. But anyway… let’s not rehearse all those arguments again. (Even though that’s exactly what I’m doing.)
I have voted for Reddick, then I’m going to be torn between Kelly and Hagadone and Almanzar and Westmoreland. Everything I’ve heard about Westmoreland has him pegged as an incredible talent in the making, and I can’t wait until he can take the field.
I agree with BSturgeon about the grouping of talent. We’ve seen a lot of graduations in the past two years – successful graduations – which has thinned out the talent at the top somewhat. We’re left with a very well-rounded system, with pretty good depth, from which it’s difficult to pick out the future stars. I’m sure this ranking will be easier this time next year.
"no1 has time to read your long comments, are you writing a book?"
by britsoxfan on Jan 15, 2009 4:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
5th is the new 4th, I guess
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 15, 2009 5:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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