2012 Community Prospect Rankings: Proof that raw untapped potential is worth quite a bit, Amir Garrett is 19th on the list
by BK on Jan 30, 2012 8:00 AM EST
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PrintAmir Garrett wins the latest round of voting, and for good reason, because the sky is the limit for this guy. He's got natural athleticism (which is the thing you can't teach), and if he gets the proper coaching he could be really, scary good. It won't happen overnight though. The next step for him is to see where he pitches this season (if he does), but if I was a betting man, I'd guess he'll be in rookie ball around the time their seasons open up, until school starts back up for him.
With the odd mix of players this year, I'm going to do something we don't normally do and add a whole mess of players to the poll. There are a lot of players at this point that have some potential but question marks, so the ones the community likes best will round out the top 25.
Let's do it, vote.
Junior Arias, 3B, 20, BA-UR, Sickels-#19
(Billings) .251/.320/.452/.772, 8 HR, 30 RBI
Pros: Toolsy. Will be a monster at the plate if he can get his mechanics together and figures out how to hit. Time is on his side.
Cons: Still really raw. Went up a rookie ball level and numbers didn't improve. Does not walk.
Sean Buckley, 3B, 22, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .289/.372/.551/.923, 14 HR, 41 RBI
Pros: Showed a ton of power potential, hitting 14 HR in 225 AB. Good bloodlines.
Cons: Struck out a lot, needs to curtail that. Doesn't have a track record for hitting for average in college.
Tim Crabbe, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-#14
(Dayton) 3.65 ERA, 24.2 IP, 25 K, 7 BB, 1.17 WHIP
(Bakersfield) 3.41 ERA, 111.0 IP, 123 K, 46 BB, 1.29 WHIP
Pros: Two above average pitches, profiles as a solid reliever. Put up good numbers in the Cally League, which is a pitcher's nightmare.
Cons: Needs a 3rd pitch if he wants to be a starter. Kind of old for his level, so needs to go to AA and pitch well.
Drew Hayes, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Dayton) 1.35 ERA, 60 IP, 89 K, 27 BB, 0.93 WHIP
Pros: Dayton's shutdown closer in 2011. Throws 3 pitches with good velocity on his fast ball (91-94).
Cons: Needs to improve command with his fastball and secondary pitches.
Ryan LaMarre, OF, 23, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Bakersfield) .279/.347/.371/.718, 6 HR, 47 RBI
(Carolina) .267/.421/.333/.754, 0 HR, 0 RBI
Pros: Good OBP skills. Stole 55 bases last year. Able to stay healthy, good makeup guy, can play all 3 OF positions.
Cons: Pretty much no power. Very streaky throughout the season, with a lot of strikeouts. Still has yet to really wow people with his bat.
Chris Manno, LHP, 23, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Hagerstown) 1.04 ERA, 43.1 IP, 69 K, 15 BB, 0.81 WHIP
(Bakersfield) 0.53 ERA, 17.0 IP, 31 K, 6 BB, 0.71 WHIP
Pros: Amazing numbers since being traded, especially for the league environment. Deceptive delivery, with major league bullpen potential.
Cons: Below average fastball velocity. Secondary pitches need work.
Gabriel Rosa, 3B, 18, BA-UR, Sickels-#17
(AZL Reds) .245/.314/.406/.719, 2 HR, 10 RBI
Pros: Good speed on the basepaths, and scouts love his plate approach.
Cons: Rookie debut wasn't spectacular, still a very raw talent.
Josh Smith, RHP, 24, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Dayton) 2.97 ERA, 142.1 IP, 166 K, 33 BB, 1.09 WHIP
Pros: Struck out a lot of hitters last year, was the ace for a playoff team.
Cons: According to most scouting reports, doesn't really project as anything other than a back-of-the-rotation starter at best. Low 90s fastball, and his out pitch is a breaking ball that could get exploited by better hitters at higher levels.
Kyle Waldrop, OF, 20, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .273/.305/.471/.776, 5 HR, 29 RBI
Pros: Former football recruit and huge left handed bat. Broke out slugging .471 for Billings in 2011.
Cons: Plate discipline is an issue.
Ryan Wright, 2B, 22, BA-UR, Sickels-UR
(Billings) .298/.348/.522/.870, 7 HR, 32 RBI
(AZL Reds) .318/.375/.636/1.011, 1 HR, 5 RBI
Pros: Showed good power potential. Should advance fast through the system. Versatile in the field.
Cons: Could walk more. Attended a school that jch likes.
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Read this, then see if you agree with me that it is one of the dumbest baseball columns you’ll read all year.
Dayman, Fighter of the Nightman, Champion of the Sun
That has to be one of the worst articles I have ever read.
He states that the Reds won’t improve because they brought in no new talent. Uhm, who are Latos, Marshall, and Madson? The author just states that these acquisitions were only lateral. He assumes Wainwright will come back and be what he was. If he believes the Reds really haven’t improved then that is fine, but here is the most damning statement of the article.
The NL West’s two best teams, the Diamondbacks and the Giants, have only gotten better this offseason unlike how the Cardinals and Brewers have gotten worse. The Giants haven’t made a lot of moves but the important things is that they didn’t lose any of their better players via trade of free agency. They did improve their fielding with the acquisitions of Ryan Theriot and Angel Pagan and slightly improved their bullpen by signing Clay Hensley. The Diamondbacks have drastically improved their team by trading with Oakland for pitchers Trevor Cahill and Cragi Breslow and by signing outfielder Jason Kubel.
Really? I can’t believe anyone that watches baseball could make this statement. The Giants have done absolutely nothing this year because of financial constraints. Then this joker goes as far to say that signing Theriot improves their defense! The D-backs brought in Trevor Cahill, but if there is any team in baseball to drop off and regress back to their norm it is Arizona. The weakest division in baseball has to be the NL West.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into Swansons. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Jan 30, 2012 8:52 AM EST up reply actions
It is really poorly thought out
The Reds (who added talent) didn’t get any better because the moves were lateral, but the Giants got better because they made only minor, lateral moves, thereby improving by virtue of not getting worse.
If one of my kids showed me an essay where they used this sort of reasoning, I would tell them to start over.
And fentanyl ain't that like super-morphine for elephants and soldiers with their head blown off
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Jan 30, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
The AL Central also has a pretty good case for the craptasticist
Fuck lion say what! i got a fuck lion now come fuck wit me
To say they brought in no new talent is dumb
but to say that only adding one new starting pitcher could be problematic I would agree with. FWIW Zips predicts Latos and Cueto will be the Reds only two above average starting pitcher, but I am a bit more optimistic on Leake than they are.
"You know when I'm done ranting about elite power that rules the planet under a totalitarian government that uses the media in order to keep people stupid, my throat gets parched. That's why I drink Orange Drink".-Bill Hicks
Yeah that paragraph was the most entertaining
starting with the grammar fouls going on in the second sentence. I love the part about the Giants, first he says they have “only gotten” (man that’s bad English) better this season, then goes on to say that they haven’t done much and slightly improved their defense.
Contrast the Reds using his unfortunate 2nd sentence:
The Reds have made a lot of moves this offseason, but the important things is more importantly they didn’t lose any of their star players via trade or free agency.
Yet they’ve only moved laterally in the division scheme because Cordero, Volquez, and Alonso are equal to Madson and Latos. Good lord man, come on.
I don't see the problem with any of that English
but nevertheless, I didn’t read that article and I’m not gonna. Drivel.
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
Wow, that article is a steaming pile of poop.
I couldn’t even make it past half way in the article.
I think this is another case of lazy writting. Easy story to write and to people that don’t follow the NL Central it probably sounds logical.
2 big names leave! The NL Central is horrible. First team to 68 wins takes home the division.
I love the bit about the Pirates having a chance to win the division because everybody else will be so bad. Again, this sounds about right to people not following the NL Central sine the Pirates over performed in the first half of the season last year and so people that folllow the AL will recognize that maybe the have a chance to do it for an entire season
Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself each year on this day, show his neighbors his scars, and tell embellished stories of all their great feats of battle.
The sad thing is, he could have easily made a convincing argument about the NL Central being the worst in baseball.
Houston Astros. Pittsburgh Pirates. Chicago Cubs. Q.E.D.
Is that because of the NL Centrals weakness, or because we have a six team division.
Usually each division will have a 50/50 split of good and bad teams. True the Astros are historicially bad, but I can see the Pirates hovering around .500. The Cubs will proably finish 15 games under. There are only so many wins to go around.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into Swansons. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Jan 30, 2012 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, that is true.
So, the Astro’s might add a couple more wins to NL Central teams then they deserve. But, typically people talk about the weakness of a division based on how many sub .500 teams there are. The NL Central will have at least three, and that is just because there are six teams in the division. I’d still put the NL West below the NL Central. The only reason I’d put the AL Central above the NL Central is because Detroit is that good.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into Swansons. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Jan 30, 2012 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
It's hard to predict more than a couple of years out,
but once Houston leaves the remaining Central teams will all have good front offices in place. In a few years at least three teams should be contending every season.
I really don't see the Tigers being all that great
They’ll hit a ton of homers, but that infield D is going to be laughably, historically bad, and beyond Verlander and Scherzer, their rotation is suspect. Especially if Rick Porcello still can’t miss bats. Poor guy.
Fuck lion say what! i got a fuck lion now come fuck wit me
I think we will see a hillarious Cabrera lowlight reel bouncing around the internet
Of course, MLB will hunt down and kill those who post it, but it will still be worth it.
And fentanyl ain't that like super-morphine for elephants and soldiers with their head blown off
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Jan 30, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
Fister is solid, but yeah, that infield D is gonna be bad
The secret, is to hit the computer with a hammer
Offense > Defense
A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.
by GlennBraggsSwingAndMissBrokenBat on Jan 30, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
Please site your work
Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself each year on this day, show his neighbors his scars, and tell embellished stories of all their great feats of battle.
It's right above your comment
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
by kcgard2 on Jan 30, 2012 6:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Awww, poor Coop.
It’s January. You’re going to read a LOT worse columns as the year goes on. Bayless is still talking about football!
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Jan 30, 2012 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
Have mercy, that's bad.
The writing, the reasoning, all of it is a mess.
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on Jan 30, 2012 5:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I voted for Hayes because
Well, really, no good reason. Drew Hayes sounds like he could be a guy brought in for spring training in the Major League movies. So he has that going for him.
This is just a list of guys I’ve never heard of barely heard of now that Garrett finally voted off the list.
Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself each year on this day, show his neighbors his scars, and tell embellished stories of all their great feats of battle.
So what's the deal with Amir's NCAA eligibility?
I thought he wasn’t going to be academically qualified this season and had to enroll in a prep school to regain eligibility. I take it that was only for the fall semester.
I'd guess that is the case.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into Swansons. ~ Ron Swanson
by BigBabyBruce on Jan 30, 2012 9:35 AM EST up reply actions
Even the NCAA can't give you a straight answer on who is and isn't eligible
Dayman, Fighter of the Nightman, Champion of the Sun
Sure they can:
If you’re a perennial top 25 program, your players are eligible until your coach leaves.
If you’re not a perennial top 25 program, your players are ineligible until we say otherwise.
so until a heinous crime takes place at your program, or your program is in a gawdawful state?
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Jan 30, 2012 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Another noteworthy St. Johns alum
A dope trailer is no place for a kitty.
by GlennBraggsSwingAndMissBrokenBat on Jan 30, 2012 10:57 AM EST reply actions
Gabriel Rosa would be more popular if he wasn't almost a blank slate
Follow on Twitter: @jluckhaupt. Buy The Wire-to-Wire Reds today!
"Tabitha Rasa" seems like it could be a good roller derby name
by Brendanukkah on Jan 30, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
If I wa the type to have a fantasy baseball team,
It would be named Kardashian Phelps.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Jan 30, 2012 12:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Multiple Scorgasms is the current fantasy team name to beat
Buy RED: My Uncensored Life in Rock by Sammy Hagar, today
by obc2 on Jan 30, 2012 1:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I was partial to The Good, The Bad, & D. Uggla
Although my team name last year was Smells Like Rod Beck
Fuck lion say what! i got a fuck lion now come fuck wit me
by UncleWeez on Jan 30, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
"Van Helen" could be a roller derby name, too
Or a girl cover band, a la Lez Zeppelin
Man, Josh Smith's support has just dried up
I guess all the new names have just killed him. I will continue voting for him, as I foresee a huge year for Josh this season.
And fentanyl ain't that like super-morphine for elephants and soldiers with their head blown off
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Jan 30, 2012 12:32 PM EST reply actions
I voted LaMarre
I think he has a chance to break out this season. Good contact, discipline, and defense, and excellent speed. If he could hit for more power he’d be a top prospect.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Jan 30, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
I just don't see it with LaMarre
He struck out 100 times last year with fewer than 30 XBH. He slugged .371 in Bakersfield. Sure, he can run, but his numbers look like Norris Hopper with twice as many K’s.
And fentanyl ain't that like super-morphine for elephants and soldiers with their head blown off
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Jan 30, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions
55 steals and a .350 OBP last season
There’s potential there is all I’m sayin’.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Jan 30, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
Amir is in, time for LaMarre
I hope he is as good as LaWhiff(check his ML statlines)
Buy RED: My Uncensored Life in Rock by Sammy Hagar, today
by obc2 on Jan 30, 2012 1:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Then Juan Perez!!!!
Buy RED: My Uncensored Life in Rock by Sammy Hagar, today
by obc2 on Jan 30, 2012 1:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Oh yeah, still worried
That’s why he’s the 20th-ish prospect and not the 6th.
by Charlie Scrabbles on Jan 30, 2012 6:18 PM EST up reply actions
I've liked this exercise just to see how the Reds depth looks
it is nice that we still have some guys to talk about, a lot of youth that could break out or flame out.
I voted Lamarre because a billboard told me to
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
by jch24 on Jan 30, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
RBK doing the sensible thing and voting for Smith
expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat
No wonder you keep coming back to RR, then.
Cincy Jungle: Where the Rocky Mountains are in the Pacific Ocean
by sexsalad on Jan 30, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
From Baseball America:
Cincinnati Reds
Signed: LHP Wilkin de la Rosa (Camden (Atlantic)), 2B James Ewing, OF Willie Harris
Traded: LHP Jeremy Horst to Phillies for SS Wilson Valdez
Harris, we know. De La Rosa is a former Yankeesand dodgers farmhand. He’s reached AAA and is 27 next month, but he’s a lefty, so those guys bounce around forever. James Ewing gives up his job as an oil man in Dallas to return to baseball, where his only pro experience is 15 at bats in short season ball with the Mets in 2009.
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on Jan 30, 2012 2:50 PM EST reply actions
Let's face it.
LaMarre is very, very Stubbsian at this point in his career.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Jan 30, 2012 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
...if Stubbs had no power at all
And fentanyl ain't that like super-morphine for elephants and soldiers with their head blown off
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Jan 30, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions
...like last year?
or like every non-AAA year of his minor league career?
Just like LaMarre?
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Jan 30, 2012 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
it's a pretty deep system
we’re probably going to need to get a two-sport athlete to help share the load:
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Jan 30, 2012 6:38 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Jackie Snowball
sounds like a mob enforcer
Fuck lion say what! i got a fuck lion now come fuck wit me
he does a lot of coke before coming in and breaking your kneecaps
Fuck lion say what! i got a fuck lion now come fuck wit me
It's all about HOW you read this post
I’ve read it out loud about 5 times now.
crashtestnipplechip citymoron
I must agree that a snowball is pretty much the definition of "orally committing"
And fentanyl ain't that like super-morphine for elephants and soldiers with their head blown off
by RoastBeefKazenzakis on Jan 30, 2012 7:43 PM EST up reply actions
The Brewers
signed Corey Patterson.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
But Al Yellon said he is retiring!
"You know when I'm done ranting about elite power that rules the planet under a totalitarian government that uses the media in order to keep people stupid, my throat gets parched. That's why I drink Orange Drink".-Bill Hicks
what?
He’s only 32.
But it looks like he was forced to sign a minor league deal, without even a spring training invite.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
he also said Coco is retiring in the same article.
"You know when I'm done ranting about elite power that rules the planet under a totalitarian government that uses the media in order to keep people stupid, my throat gets parched. That's why I drink Orange Drink".-Bill Hicks
by Yossarian22 on Jan 30, 2012 10:26 PM EST up reply actions
he's only 32?
I can’t believe that. Magglio’s 37!
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Jan 30, 2012 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
Corey Patterson must be a great guy
Teams have to figure he is good for their minor league clubhouses.
"You know when I'm done ranting about elite power that rules the planet under a totalitarian government that uses the media in order to keep people stupid, my throat gets parched. That's why I drink Orange Drink".-Bill Hicks
the contract nitty gritty
From Sheldon.
Arredondo has to donate $5,000 to a club charity. FTH? Why not give him $5,000 less, and donate it themselves?
Homer has performance bonuses: $25,000 for 162 ip, $25,000 for 170 ip, $25,000 for 180 ip.
Looks like Brackman has a split contract, but he’s getting big league money anyway. $480,000 in the minors, $500,000 in Majors.
Willie Harris has a more conventional split contract, plus performance bonuses. Minor League contract for $2,500/mo. Major League contract for $800,000. Performance bonuses: $50,000 for 200 plate appearances,$50,000 for 300 PA, $50,000 for 350 PA. That minor league money works out to be about $13,000 a year. You can make more money at McDonald’s.
Janish also has performance bonuses: $15,000 for 100 games, $15,000 for 120 games.
Dioner Navarro has a split contract more typical for a veteran-y type like him. $15,000/mo in the minors, $800,000/year if he makes the big league roster. That’s about $75,000 a year. Not bad for half a year’s work. Plus performance bonuses.
Madson’s contract is interesting:
One year, $8.252 million, $11 million mutual option for 2013. ($2.5 million buyout)
$6 million in 2012, with $2 million deferred without interest.
Performance bonuses: $25,000 for All Star game; $50,000 for LCS MVP; $100,000 for World Series MVP; $100,000 for Rolaids relief winner ($75,000-2nd; $50,000-3rd)
He’s still not on the roster. I wonder if they’re trying to arrange a trade or something to clear a spot.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
arrgh
I mean Ludwick’s still not on the roster. Apparently it’s all settled. They just have to make the roster move.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Interesting to me that Homer has performance bonuses for IP
but not for 200 IP.
I wonder if that’s just an irrelevant fact, or if that’s just all they can possibly expect from him.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Jan 30, 2012 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
who knows
I like that the first is for 162 innings.
I wonder if this is standard, or if they think the possibility of an extra $75,000 extra will give him more incentive to stay on the field.
I am not saying it does, I know nothing about baseball contracts.
"You know when I'm done ranting about elite power that rules the planet under a totalitarian government that uses the media in order to keep people stupid, my throat gets parched. That's why I drink Orange Drink".-Bill Hicks
these types of incentives are normal for most contracts.
I hope it’s an incentive for him, though. Token deity that most of us don’t think exists knows the Reds will need him to pitch that much.
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Jan 30, 2012 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I don't think he'll be like "Nah, I only wanted to pitch 150 IP if it wasn't for this new bow I could buy."
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was just as much a tax thing as anything else.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Jan 30, 2012 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
That must be one heck of a bow.
162 is the normal IP requirement to qualify for the triple crown, I mean, just in case Homer is in the running.
Johnny Cueto glares angrily.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Jan 31, 2012 10:35 AM EST up reply actions
I'm not sure if the incentives mean anything
Janish has incentives for playing in 100 and 120 games. Last year, he played in 114 games. That was as the putative starter in the first half the season, and with Cozart out the rest of the season. He’s never played in 100 games in the big leagues before that. This year, he probably won’t even make the roster. I can’t see him playing 100 games, let alone 120.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
If Paul plays 100 games in 2012
He should pay the Reds 80k.
Buy RED: My Uncensored Life in Rock by Sammy Hagar, today
by obc2 on Jan 31, 2012 7:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I didn't know they still did the Rolaids relief pitcher awards.
How come we never hear about them anymore?
by the finest muffins on Jan 30, 2012 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
Because Jeff Shaw was traded years ago.
"You know when I'm done ranting about elite power that rules the planet under a totalitarian government that uses the media in order to keep people stupid, my throat gets parched. That's why I drink Orange Drink".-Bill Hicks
by Yossarian22 on Jan 30, 2012 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
it also spells "Relief"
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
by Cy Schourek on Jan 30, 2012 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
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