Welcome Back: Crops on the Farm Summer Prospect List

Finnerty.Fan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:18:02 -0000

http://crops.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/08/top-ten-rangers-prospects-summer-edition.html

I'm back! Sorry for the writing delay, but I had a family member pass and I was forced out of town for a few weeks. Sometimes losing a loved one makes everything else seem small and trivial. I just lost a part of me and I couldn't find the spark to get up off the couch and back into the game.

I've been working on this prospect list for some time, and Ive been second guessing myself. I made several mistakes in thinking when I first started writing. I really only have box scores to go by, but I do try to read everything available in order to form solid conclusions. Feel free to disagree, but there are some of the readers out there, specifically on Lone Star Ball, that seem to think they know more because of seniority or clique mentality. Listen, if you want to debate baseball, let's do it. If you want to snipe at me to make yourself feel better, I suggest you take a good look in the mirror and come to the realization that you don't know **** and that you are actually taking the time to attack someone on a baseball message board. I suggest you grow and dick and learn how to use it. Whew, sorry. Let's get to the list (I didn't include current prospects on the mlb roster).

1. Justin Smoak: He's a smasher that is finally starting to smash in AAA. He is the 1B of the future and perhaps a player that will make multiple all-star teams in the future.

2. Martin Perez: Not many pitchers have the hype of Perez. The 18 year old with the Santana comp and the mid 90s fastball is standing at the door of stardom. I think he pitches in the majors in 2010. Call it a Finn feeling.

3. Blake Beavan: Look, I get it that he doesn't strike many guys out. So? Why does a guy have to have high strikeout totals in order to get respect. Beavan is a 20 year old in Double A and is more than holding his own. Give me a break. Beavan has the size and the stuff to be a major league starter. He is going to be very, very good.

4. Matt Purke: I know he hasn't signed, but damn. This kid has star written all over his left arm. Mid 90s fastball with a good breaking ball and a feel for pitching. When he signs, Purke could be one of the better young arms in the minors. I think Nolan will sign Purke and he will climb thru the system like Feliz did in 2008.

5. Wilmer Font: I continue to read that Font has a very special fastball. Considering his size, his age, and his fastball, Font sounds like a pitcher that should be considered a top prospect. I haven't read much about his breaking ball, but if his fastball is as good as they say, he might not need any breaking ball.

6. Mitch Moreland: He's a little too old for his league but I like his stats. He looks like a guy that can hit for serious power and a high average. Double trouble. I read that his glove isn't great in the outfield, but he can battle Smoak and Davis for playing time at 1B and at DH. Moreland will be wearing a Rangers uniform in 2010.

7. Engel Beltre: Tools. Tools. Tools. All I read about are Beltre's tools. I get it. He's talented. His numbers suggest a player that is wayyyyy over his head in Bakersfield. I struggled on where to rank Beltre. Honestly, the Rangers system doesn't look as good as it once did. With guys like Holland, Hunter, Feliz, and Borbon in the majors, and guys like Purke and Scheppers yet to sign, the system as a whole looks average. I love the guys like Smoak, Perez, and Beavan, but after them, the crops don't look quite as promising. Oh well. Anyway, Beltre goes here because of his ridiculous talent. I'll give him one more year to get it together. If he sucks next year it might be his final chance.

8. Tanner Scheppers: I loved this draft pick, but now I'm worried that he wont sign. I read that he wants to play in Japan. Bummer. If he does sign, Scheppers could jump straight to the majors. He is ridiculously talented and could be an ace. Big if on the signing front.

9. Omar Poveda: One of my favorite pitchers. He has great size and great stuff. He is still quite young and should develop into a major leaguer very soon. He has the potential to shoot up this list next season. Of course he could be in Arlington, so hopefully he wont be on next year's list.

10. Michael Main: Former first round pick that developed a lupus like virus that sapped his season. His numbers looked terrible this season. Let's hope it was lupus related and not pitching related. Being a former first round pick buys you some time to shine, but his wndow is closing very fast. If Main doesn't rebound next season he will be joining Beltre on the bus off the farm.

-Jimmy

Poll

Where would you rank the Rangers system?

#1-5

47 votes

#6-10

14 votes

11-15

3 votes

64 votes | Poll has closed

Crops on the Farm: Draft Review

Finnerty.Fan — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:01:10 -0000

Just a brief review of the Rangers first 6 rounds of the 2009 amateur draft. Here is the link: Crops on the latest Crops

Here is a taste:

R1 (14) LHP Mathew Purke: Color me tickled. Purke might turn out to be the best first round selection since fellow Texan John Danks in 2003. Purke who is from Texas, was one of the best left handed pitchers in the draft with an explosive fastball and a very good slider. He is a tall kid with room to add more mass as he gets older. This is the type of draft pick the Rangers needed to make. He might just blow away the competition and reach Arlington before all the busts not-named Blake from the 2007 draft. Mark my words. Purke is going to be an ace. Apparently he only fell to Texas because of his bonus demands but that wont stop Billionare Tom Hicks from writing the check Jerry Jones style. (Is having three Billionare owners good for Dallas sportsfans or bad? Discuss.) Purke seems like a lock to sign and should reach Hickory by the end of the season. I cant wait until this kid makes it to Arlington. Start the timer.

Grade: A+

Check out the poll.

Poll

Best Draft Selection

Purke

16 votes

Scheppers

42 votes

ManDonkey

3 votes

Robbie Ross Part 2

2 votes

Doyle

0 votes

McBride

0 votes

Sierra Part 2

5 votes

Go away Crops

43 votes

111 votes | Poll has closed

Explaining my Beavan Love

Finnerty.Fan — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:28:47 -0000

Explaining my Beavan Love

Just a quick post explaining my Beavan ranking. Nothing major. I'll try to do a longer post with stats and scouting reports soon. I also wanted to let you guys know about a roster change on Crops and that we are going to work hard to make the site better.

New Blog: Crops on the Farm

Finnerty.Fan — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:02:25 -0000

Longtime LSB reader and first time poster. Me and a group of my friends have started a blog to follow the Rangers #1 ranked farm system. I just posted a top 10 prospect list to help kick off the site. We will feature player profiles, analysis and hopefully some interviews. I'd love to read any feedback or advice on how to make this site a regular stop for LSB readers.

http://crops.mlblogs.com/

SB Nation User Blog: Finnerty.Fan

Welcome Back: Crops on the Farm Summer Prospect List

Where would you rank the Rangers system?

#1-5

#6-10

11-15

Crops on the Farm: Draft Review

Best Draft Selection

Purke

Scheppers

ManDonkey

Robbie Ross Part 2

Doyle

McBride

Sierra Part 2

Go away Crops

Explaining my Beavan Love

Explaining my Beavan Love

New Blog: Crops on the Farm