Where would he rank in your on your list?  Possibly the best pitching prospect ever and he was amazing in the majors before his injury, but how much does the injury drop him in your opinion?  A lot of pitchers come back  from Tommy John, but  does his injury risk put the top poisition players ahead of him?  Would he still be the #1 pitching prospect in baseball?

Since I need 75 words, Strasburg's numbers in the majors last season:

68 IP, 12.18 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 2.91 ERA, 2.08 FIP (wow)

Probably the most debated prospect of the year.  Season looks to be finished (besides maybe a playoff start).  Ended the season with some pretty good stats for a 20/21 year old.

18 GS
111 IP

3.00 ERA
3.72 FIP

86 K (6.97 K/9)
26 BB (2.11 B/9)
3.31 K/BB

Ended the season on fire.  In 5 September starts, Bumgarner has a 1.12 ERA in 32 innings while striking out 32 and walking only 4 and giving up only 1 HR.

It also looks like Bumgarner's veloctiy is back.  In his September starts:
9/23 - Avg 4 seam velocity 91.5, Max 93.2... Avg 2 seam velocity 91.6, Max 93.2
9/17 - Avg 4 seam velocity 91.9, Max 94.3... Avg 2 seam veloctiy 92, Max 93.9
9/11 - Avg 4 seam velocity 92.7, Max 93.9... Avg 2 seam velocity 92.9, Max 94.9
9/6   - Avg 4 seam velocity 91.9, Max 93.9... Avg 2 seam velocity 92.6, Max 94.3

His average veloctiy has been around 92 MPH.  Other lefties this season
Price 95.3
Kershaw 92.5
Lester 93.5
Santana 89.6
Anderson 92.9
Jamie Garcia 90
Hamels 91.7
CC 93.6
Sanchez 90.6
Pettitte 89
Lee 91.1

What are your thoughts on Bumgarner now after a really successful 20/21 year old season and his regained velocity?

Was having this argument with someone at work on who was the better player.

Both were highly touted prospect that have lived up to the hype.

Up until this season, I would say it was obviously Wright.  He had 4 straight 25+ homer, 100+ RBI, .900+ OPS seasons.  He also combined this with some pretty damn good D at 3rd (although maybe not totally deserving of the GGs).  However this season has not been very good for Wright .  His D at 3rd has been pretty bad, and his power seems to have vanished in the new park.  But he still has an OPS nearing .900 and on of the highest averages in the NL.  His base stealing also brings something to the table that Zimmerman can't.  On the downside, his  concussion is a little scary.

After a down 2007 (compared to what he did in 2006) and a injury plagued 2007, Zimmerman has been amazing this season.  His defense is truely gold glove and there isn't a player in the league I would rather have in the field at 3B.  His power and his average are up.  But his OPS won't come close to what Wright did in 2005-2008.

Does Zimmerman's D make him the better player?  Will Wright get back to 2008 form?

Which 3B will be better long term?

Wouldn't normally do this, but I can't decided whether or not to do this deal.

DMB keeper league

I get:  Aaron Hill and Buster Posey

I give: Yovani Gallardo

I already have Cano at 2B so i don't really need Hill, but Salty hasn't really worked out behind the plate, so I could use Posey.

I love Gallardo, but I have the pitching depth to move him.

Is Gallardo's potential as to be an ace to much to give up or should I do it?

On here we talk about prospects from the time they are 18 until they reach the majors.  Then after a month in the bigs, they become ancient history.

I think the Phil Hughes, Alex Gordons, and Clay Buchholz of the baseball world need there own thread.  They may not be still technically considered prospects, but they are the future of baseball and that is what this site is about.

So instead of having a bunch of threads, I say we put it all in one and have a nice discussion about our one time favorite prospects.  Are they on the right path?  Will they be stars?  Will they be bust?

Coming into the season David Price was by far the favorite, but he has had some struggles.

The #2 pitching prospect coming into the season, Tommy Hanson, has be amazing.

Brett Anderson started out really slow, but has turned it on the last month.

Rick Porcello has done great considering he is the youngest player in MLB.

There have also been a few surprises:  Happ, Neimann, Romero, Bergesen, Outman (before his injury), Randy Wells, Richmond, etc.

Long term who do you think the best pitcher from this years rookie class is?

Had a couple good seasons as a freshman and sophmore at UGA and then exploded last season.  As a junior he hit .411 with 28 homers and lead UGA to the CWS.  He jumped up the draft boards and was taken 8th overall.  After the draft he went on to post good numbers in his limited time in A ball (ending the season with 31 total homers).

Ranked #1 Prospect in CWS organization by BA, BP, John, and pretty much everyone else.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/b/Gordon-Beckham.shtml

Improved across the board every year in college.  BA, SLG, OBP rose every year.  As a freshman he had a 27/58 K/BB.  Last season he improved that to 54/30.

Now the comminity rankings had him #47 and some individual list had him ranked pretty low.

My only question is what is there not to like about Gordon Beckham?  He has amazing potential, a great track record, and has improved drastically over the last 3 years.  He has a great chance to stay at SS, and even if he can't, he is the best 2B prospect in the game.

What are your opinions of Beckham?

Who do you think will be the best rookies in the AL and NL this season?

Likely AL candidates:

Price

Weiters

Snider

LaPorta?

Any other legit candidates?  Max Ramirez or Teagarden?  Will any of the top pitching prospects (Anderson, Cahill, Feliz) get an early call?  Do any 2008 draftees (Smoak, Beckham) get a midseason call and a make a run?

Likely NL candidates:

Maybin

Rasmus

Fowlers

Escobar?

McCutchen

Any other candidates?  No likely runaway candidate like Price and Weiters in the AL.  Can any 2008 draftees (Alvarez, Posey, Wallace) get a midseason call and make a run?

Almost all of the top 10's have been released (except San Diego and Los Angeles, but neither of those teams have any prospects that will sniff the top 20). 

 Judging by:

the team top 10's http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2009/

 and the ask BA were Callis ranked his NL top 10 http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2009/267429.html and AL top 10 http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2008/267360.html

 and the BA mideason to 25 http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/7/11/569816/baseball-america-midseason

 What do you think the top BA top 20 will look like?

 My Guess:

1. Price

2. Weiters

3. Bumgarner

4. Alvarez

5. Rasmus

6. Brett Anderson

7. Cahill

8. Snider

9. Maybin

10. Feliz

11. Posey

12. Hanson

13. Heyward

14. Tillman

15. Fowler

16. McCutchen

17. Porcello

18. Moustakas

19. Lars Anderson

20. Alderson

 Thought that would be easier, but after two it could go many ways.  Callis' top 10's goes a bit out of order from the team top 10s.  The midseason top 25 is what really made it confusing.  Some very big jumps.  LaPorta was at 7, but now ranks behind Santana?  I don't see Sanatan as a top 20 prospect, so where does that put LaPorta?  Callis also has Alvarez as his #3 overall prospect?  Does he really deserve to be this high? 

 Did I miss anybody?  Trying to predict that really messed with my head more than I had thought.

Coming out of college he was a can't miss 3B.  He then went on to back that up in the minors, putting up great numbers, and was widely considered the best prospect in baseball. 

His first two years have been some what of a disappointment.  Not bad for a 23-24 year old in the majors, but not what you would expect from the best prospect in baseball. 

While many other prospects have shown flashes of greatness (Longoria, Bruce, Upton), Gordon hasn't yet at the major league level.  He did however improve in his second year (average, power, and walks went up).  But he has not performed nearly as good as most people thought.

Is this the year Gordon puts it all together?

Were would he rank on your top 50?

He is not a great defender and his position is still not known.  Most say there is no chance he can play at 3B.  He could probably stick at 1B, but many think he will end up a DH.  Either way, he will never be a great defensive player.

With the bat, he looks like a future star.  He showed amazing power in his time in the minors and half a season in the majors.  He is almost a guarantee to hit 30+ homers a year and could even push 40 or 50+.  The only question mark he has is plate discipline (88/20 SO/BB).  Can he cut down on the strikeouts?

Ignoring contract status.

How much do you think a prospect is worth?  If you were a GM what would it take for you to deal your #1 prospect?

Price and Weiters are obviously the best prospects in baseball.  How much would they net in return?   Would you not let them go for anything?  Would you move them for ARod?  How about for a young already proven all star like David Wright?

What would you want for a top 10 prospect like Travis Snider or Jason Heyward? A top 20?   A top 50?

Some prospects come right out the gate and you know they will be a star (Bruce, Longoria, Lincecum, Upton).  However, thats usually not the case for most.  How do you guys see the former top prospects panning out:

Phil Hughes...does he regain his stuff he had before the injuries?  can he get through an entire year without getting hurt?  will he ever live up to his #1 pitching prospect in baseball status?

Clay Buchholz....another guy with injury problems last year.  Will he be the pitcher that dominated most of his rookie year or the one that stuggled almost all of last season.

Billy Butler...turns out he may not be the next Manny Ramirez.  Does he find a defensive position?  Were is his power?

Alex Gordon...hasn't come close to living up to his potential.  Evan Longoria turned out to be everything Gordon was supposed to be.  Does he start putting it together next year?

Andy LaRoche...is it possible for him to not be hurt?

Jarrod Saltalamachia...can he stay at catcher?  Does he stay in Texas?

Daric Barton...were does he play?  Is he a career DH or can he make it at 1B?  Will the power come?  Still think is a future batting champion?

Adam Jones....all the talent in the world, but does he put it all together?

Carlos Gonzalez...will he put up big numbers in Coors?

I haven't really been following the minors and prospects as much this year as I had the last few.  Which players have had a huge rise in there stock so far this season?  Who are the guys outside the top 100 that have moved up, top 100 guys that made their way into the top 50, or even guys that made an unexpected rise to become one of the elite prospects in the game (top 20 or so)?

Question explains it self.  Who is the best 3B prospect in the game, Gamel or Alvarez?  Both can rake, but have questions about there ability to stay at 3b (Gamel much more of a question than Alvarez). 

Gamel's bat was always underrated because of his defense, but now no one can ignore the numbers he is putting up. 

 Alvarez on the other hand has been headed in the opposite direction since his injury.  He has gone from being considered a generational hitter to being consider to maybe not even be the best hitter in the draft.

28- Shooter Hunt (I don't mind the Cole pick but I would have gone with Hunt.  If he can work on his control he could be very good.)

44- Tim Melville (I really hate the Bliech pick.  I honestly can't see him make an impact in the majors. Melville is easily best player on the board.  Give him the big signing bonus he wants.  Better to waste the money on prospects than guys like Jaret Wright.)

75- Isaac Galloway (Loads of potential, not sure why he dropped so far in the real draft)

106-  Alex Meyer (One of the best high school arms in the draft.  I guess he dropped this far due to signability?)

140- Sonny Gray (Small, but great stuff)

170- Harold Martinez (Another high school player that has dropped, great potential)

So as you can see I went more with potential over closeness to the majors and signability.  I guess the teams know more than I do because I can't see how Galloway, Meyer, Gray, and Martinez fell so much.  Must be signability issues?

Have any of you guys played this game yet?  It's pretty fun and I think most of you guys would like it.  If you are a big sports fan you should definetly give it a try.

You create your own player and train him to get him better.  Real people own the teams so it gets pretty interesting.  Right now I am getting addicted to it.  I had only a RB, but actually spent $10 to get me some more points to buy a WR, OG, and LB.

If you haven't tried yet, I would recomend giving it a try.

Here's a sign up link. http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=1226092

Predict the Starting lineup for each league

Here's mine

AL:

C- Wieters

1B- Morneau

2B- Cano

SS-  Brignac???

3B- Gordon

OF- Delmon

OF- B.J

OF- Sizemore

DH- Butler

NL:

C- Martin

1B- Prince

2B- Phillips

SS- Reyes

3B- Wright

OF- Braun

OF- Chris Young

OF- Justin Upton

Wow, I wasn't really sure what to expect from him.  Everyone besides BA was low on him, but after watching his first start it looks like BA may have been right.

7IP, 1 R, 6 K, 1 BB

That line is really good, but not the only thing that impressed me.  I was expecting him to be throwing in the high 80's and low 90's, but he was working from 93-94 and even hit 96.  He threw Vlad a 90 MPH slider.  On top of that he has great command.

I know it was only one start, but he looked amazing.

Make your picks

Hit 40 homers

Batting average over .320

Steal 50 bases

Win a GG

Win a MVP

Win 20 games

Get 200 K's

ERA under 3

Win a Cy Young

Injuries end their career

Not live up to the hype

Continue reading this post »

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=545

So much for that starting job at 3B.  I have been backing this guy for a long time, but damn just stay healthy.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Anybody have any info on how their teams (or any teams) prospects are looking so far in spring training?  Anybody pushing for a starting spot?

Just looking at stats, it looks like Bruce (.571 AVG) and Rasmus (.750 AVG) are making a strong case for opening day jobs.  
Maybin has struggled (2-9).
Porcello pitched two prefect innnings.  Struck out Frank Thomas.
Braun is picking up were he left off.
Bailey 2 scoreless.

Who do you think will win the comeback player of the year this year?

My vote:  Vernon Wells.      

In his first year of a huge new contract Wells had a down year that ended with surgery on a torn labrum.  Should come back healthy this year.  I think another 30 homer season may be coming for him.  For fantasy players, I think he would be a steal if he slips far enough and you could probably trade for him for cheap.

(honorable mention: Francisco Liriano, if he can stay healthy)

SIM league, position need is not really a factor.  These are the top 10 prospects that I think are still available, who should I take.

http://firstinning.com/players/Carlos-Triunfel-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Deolis-Guerra-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Brett-Anderson-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Christopher-Davis-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Beau-Mills-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Austin-Jackson-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Jose-Tabata-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Lars-Anderson-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Daniel-Cortes-a/
http://firstinning.com/players/Ross-Detwiler-a/

Who will have the best year at each position.  Not necessarily stat wise.  Legit prospects only, not guys like Craig Brazell or Valentino Pascucci.

Mine:

C- Matt Wieters
1B- Lars Anderson (Big V will also breakout)
2B- Adrian Cardenas (Yeah, not much to pick from)
3B- Josh Vitters
SS- Mike Moustakas (should be able to stay at short the this year)
OF- Travis Snider
OF- Matt LaPorta (defense sucks, but will destroy the minors)
OF- Jason Heyward

P- David Price
P- Clayton Kershaw
P- Rick Porcello
P- Fautino de los Santos
P- Grey Reynolds (if he can return healthy)
Jake McGee will also dominate, but will get called up and lose eligibility.

With all the list coming out decided to try myself.  

1    Jay Bruce    OF    CIN
2    Clay Buchholz    P    BOS
3    Evan Longoria    3B    TB
4    Joba Chamberlain    SP    NYY
5    Colby Rasmus    OF    STL
6    Clayton Kershaw    P    LAD
7    David Price    P    TB
8    Homer Bailey    P    CIN
9    Travis Snider    OF    TOR
10    Matt Wieters    C    BAL
11    Cameron Maybin    OF    FLA
12    Jake McGee    P    TB
13    Andy LaRoche    3B    LAD
14    Rick Porcello    P    DET
15    Andrew McCutchen    OF    PIT
16    Brandon Wood    3B    LAA
17    Franklin Morales    P    COL
18    Johnny Cueto    P    CIN
19    Desmond Jennings    OF    TB
20    Mike Moustakas    SS    KAN
21    Jordan Schafer    OF    ATL
22    Wade Davis    P    TB
23    Reid Brignac    SS    TB
24    Joey Votto    1B    CIN
25    Daric Barton    1B    OAK
26    Matt LaPorta    OF    MIL
27    Jarrod Parker    P    ARI
28    Angel Villalona    3B    SF
29    Jason Heyward    OF    ATL
30    Jacoby Ellsbury    OF    BOS
31    Matt Antonelli    2B    SD
32    Carlos Gonzalez    OF    OAK
33    Fernando Martinez    OF    NYM
34    Chris Marerro    1B    WAS
35    Chase Headley    3b    SD
36    Gio Gonzalez    P    OAK
37    Jeff Clement    C    SEA
38    Jose Tabata    OF    NYY
39    Nick Adenhart    P    LAA
40    Austin Jackson    OF    NYY
41    Deolis Guerra    P    NYM
42    Chin-Lung Hu    SS    LAD
43    Ian Kennedy    P    NYY
44    Josh Vitters    3B    CHI
45    Fautino De Los Santos    P    OAK
47    Jed Lowrie    SS    BOS
48    Jordan Walden    P    LAA
49    Geovany Soto    C    CHI
50    Carlos Triunfel    SS    SEA

Thoughts?

When we look back at the 2007 draft in 10 years, who do you think will be the best pitcher and hitter from the draft?  The obvious choices would probably be Price and Wieters.

I'll go with the youngsters with high upside:

Best Pitcher:  Porcello
Best Hitter:  Heyward

Who do you think will turn out the best?

looks like Willy Aybar is at it again:

from rotoworld

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=289

Willy Aybar is in custody in his native Dominican Republic for domestic violence charges, a local prosecutor told ESPN Desportes.

It looks like he hasn't turned his life around after all. "Aybar is in jail since last week, and he could spend at least three more months in jail if he is convicted of domestic violence," said Jesus Fernandez Velez, the appeals court prosecutor in charge. This could result in Evan Longoria being handed the starting job at third base.

I was really surprised to see BA had him #4 in the Mariners system.  I was expecting him to be #2 behind only Clement.  He played well above his age level this year and hit for a good average.  I've even seen some comparisons to Cabrera and Tejada.  Does he really project to hit for that much power?  He didn't have any homers in 371 ABs, but Cabrera only hit 2 when he was 17.  Other than homers his stats are actually better than Cabrera's.  

Is he a better prospect than Villalona?  Will he stay at SS or make the move to 3B or 2B?

Where would you put him on your top 100?

I think most people would consider Longoria and LaRoche the two top 3B prospects.  The third best 3B prospect looks to be between Chase Headley and Angel Villalona.  Headley is older and much closer to the bigs.  Villalona on the other hand is still really young and has a very long way to go, but his potential is unmatched.

Who would you say is the better prospect?

http://firstinning.com/players/Angel-Villalona-a/

http://firstinning.com/players/Chase-Headley-a/