Grandal ranked 10th in California League

by Thundering Turtle on Oct 5, 2011 1:03 PM EDT

Reds farmhand Yasmani Grandal is the 10th-ranked prospect in the California League, according to Baseball America.

BA writer Josh Leventhal wrote in a chat that Grandal's defense was rough but the bat was promising. Leventhal also wrote that some scouts liked Giants catching prospect Tommy Joseph better. Joseph ranked 11th on the list. Leventhal wrote that Grandal's tools are enough for him to be a solid major leaguer with 20-homer, .280 batting average potential. BA likes Grandal's eye at the plate and ability to pound fastballs.

Defensively, opinions are mixed. Grandal allowed 14 passed balls in 44 games, but threw out 34 percent of attempted base stealers. Bakersfield manager Ken Griffey said Grandal learns quickly.

Grandal went 10-40-.296/.410/.510, fine numbers even in a hitter's league. His 61 hits included 14 doubles. Grandal struck out 57 times and walked 41.

Grandal was the only Red to grace the Cal League Top 20. Juan Carlos Sulbaran earned a mention in Leventhal's chat as a player who improved significantly. Arizona pitcher Tyler Skaggs topped the circuit. Skaggs was one of three Diamondbacks to make it. The Giants led the way with four players. Colorado placed three on the list. San Diego, Houston and Anaheim had two apiece. Oakland, the Dodgers and Seattle joined the Reds with one.

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Interestingly enough, Grandal

ranks as the No. 9 prospect in the Southern League. Grandal is the top-ranked catcher in the circuit. No other Red made the top 20.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Oct 5, 2011 5:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

How do they decide which league a prospect is ranked in

when the prospect played in multiple leagues? It seems strange that they would rank Grandal in the Cali and Southern Leagues.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 5, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess there's just a minimum games-played threshold

and he must have played enough at both places, I guess.

Tequila and pancakes, anyone?

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Oct 5, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Also known as

I guess a lot but don’t really know much.

Tequila and pancakes, anyone?

by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Oct 5, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

You are correct.

BA’s Matt Eddy wrote that Grandal’s defense is grungy, but his bat should play well in the majors.

Neftali Soto wasn’t ranked, but his dramatic improvement was noted in a chat. Edgy believes Soto’s power is real, but doesn’t like it that the youngster is at first base. Eddy also questions whether Soto will handle quality heat on the inside part of the plate.

We Are ... Marshall!

by Thundering Turtle on Oct 5, 2011 10:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

This is just from listening to scouts, but I still think Grandal might be better defensively than Golem.

He isn’t as of yet, but I think we’ll see more stick from Mes and more glove from Grandal.

You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson

by BigBabyBruce on Oct 6, 2011 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

Depends on what you value in C defense

Meso is always going to be better at throwing out runners methinks.

It feels so nice to be back to normal

by nycredsfan on Oct 6, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess that also depends.

I think Meso has a stronger arm, but I always heard that Grandal had better pop times and better footwork.

Right now it seems like Grandal is having problems with passed balls. Meso had those same problems last year, but seemed to correct it this year.

All I know is this is one problem that is really nice to have. I say keep Grandal in AAA for an entire year, and if he has a good year we wil have an awesome trade piece.

You had me at meat tornado. ~ Ron Swanson

by BigBabyBruce on Oct 7, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions