As a Jays fan, it does hurt to see Paxton got snapped up by the Mariners. I remember the negotiations being really difficult. At least the Jays got Noah Syndegaard with the pick for failing to sign him.
You know, I understand that Liddi has real holes in his swing and some problems with pitch recognition, but he’s shown he has good to great power to all fields, and is not an embarrassment at third (read: “improvements were made”). He’s also not that old, yet people seem to have grown tired of him. I find it odd that a player like Martin Peguero, who has shown very little, gets more love than a player who has made improvements as he has moved through the system and fills a position of real need in the org.
What is the outlook on Forrest Snow? He moved up a number of levels within the organization in 2011 and had an impressive showing in the AFL, but I rarely see his name mentioned amongst M’s prospects.
Catricala’s line in his first attempt AA was .347/.420/.632 as a 22 year old, and he’s proven that he’s been able to hit at every level he’s been at, and despite not being a good defender his ranking seems a bit low. And also no Liddi mention at all? As a 23 year in his first go around at AAA he hit 30 HRs with a .229 ISO and a walk rate nearing 10% with improving defense, and in 2009 it .345/.411/.594 (in a hitter’s league I know but those are still great numbers). Is his K rate really high enough to completely write him off?
There is no doubt in my mind that Walker will be a better pitcher than Hultzen when he hits his prime. I guess you can move Hultzen slightly ahead due to the fact that he’s less of a risk, but he doesn’t flash anything close to what Walker has shown us. Walker is one sexy pitching prospect.
It’s personal preference… I’m not on the Liddi bandwagon, obviously, and I like the video I’ve seen on Peguero (along with the scout report) so I went with the high ceiling guy…
With Liddi I don’t think he’ll stick at third base – at least as a regular. And his strikeout rates suggest he won’t hit for average at the big league level and he hasn’t made any strides making better contact… The only time he really hit for average in the minors was during his stint in the Cal League and everyone hits for average there…
Also on that day: the the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announces it would relinquish power, and, more related, Rickey Henderson signed a contract with the Oakland A’s which (briefly) tied him with Kirby Puckett as the highest-paid player in baseball at the time.
I hope Ruffin shows up and really surprises me, otherwise I just really don’t understand his high placement on so many lists. Sure there’s potential there, but I just can’t see how he could be a more valuable player than guys like Catricala and Erasmo Ramirez. The description of his abilities doesn’t impress. What am I missing?
Thanks for the writeup and replies. I don’t want to belabor this- and I know it’s damning with faint praise- but I think Liddi represents a viable in-house alternative to Mark Reynolds (a short-term solution suggested by Dave Cameron at USSM). One other question: I wonder if you could comment on James Jones (shiny after a few nice at-bats in Australia) and his demise as a prospect? It seems Nick Franklin was given a mulligan for a marginal 2011 and Jones was not, though both remain potential impact players. Would a good showing at Jackson-Tacoma this year vault him up the depth charts quickly?
He’s healthy again, supposedly. He played in the Arizona Fall League and reportedly grew more comfortable as that short season went on, though he hit only .259 in total. In short, he’s apparently healthy and fit but the org is going to “make him play his way into a spot” (read: be ready to fill in for an injured/traded Miguel Olivo). He’ll be splitting time with Ralph Henriquez (and possibly Jesus Sucre) at Tacoma to start the year.
As I type this, Im scratching my head a little, literally. Why would the M’s have to include a high ceiling minor leaguer (Jose Campos) WITH an All-Star, Cy Young caliber pitcher in Pineda?
It seems that Montero, who could be a bat with NO TRUE position, for Pineda would have been more than fair. Why would Jack Z throw in a high upside, power pitcher in Campos? Is it because of the other pitcher Seattle got, Noesi, is already major league ready? Did the M’s get fleeced a bit because Jack knew they weren’t going to get Prince Fielder-so he HAD to make a move to add a bat to appease the fans? Trades out of desperation rarely pan out.
I like the chances of Erasmo Ramirez, he is been a winner since since his first year in the marineers organization…progresing in every season he has played..
manny
“(Danny Hultzen) doesn’t have “explosive stuff” but he’s extremely polished and has an above-average repertoire for a southpaw”
You may need to check your scouting scale. A FB that sits 92-94, and “also has a potentially-plus changeup and a slider”, sounds like “explosive stuff” to me. Let’s see….a 6 FB, 6 SL and 6 CH to go along with 6 command and 6 to 7 pitchability…..hmmmm…name me the LHP’s in the big leagues right now that have that stuff?
When I wrote that I knew someone would comment about it… what I meant by the comment was that he’s not a guy that just pumps fastballs in at 100 mph and gets by with glove-popping velocity. Yes, his stuff is above-average and flashes plus.
I think it comes down to the simple fact that bats have been much harder to come by for Jack Zduriencik, while the organization has become somewhat of a pitching factory. A guy who’s going to be hitting everyday with enough RH power to succeed at Safeco, vs. a starter with some injury history. You could understand why Zduriencik felt better about the deal than Cashman (the deal being Montero for Pineda) and was willing to include more. Also, Noesi fills the vacant big league rotation spot. Makes sense to me.
I think a lot of people are discounting Noesi’s value.
As a plethora of “Twins style” pitchers have shown, his skill set could lead to a very solid #4 type pitcher.
If it is so much harder to get great pitchers than hitters, then why did he take Hulzen over Rendon last June? I think it was just a matter of a trade that made sense for both teams based on their respective current roster constructions.
Brendan says:
February 8, 2012 at 10:28 am
As a Jays fan, it does hurt to see Paxton got snapped up by the Mariners. I remember the negotiations being really difficult. At least the Jays got Noah Syndegaard with the pick for failing to sign him.
J-Dog says:
February 8, 2012 at 10:29 am
On the last sentence for 12 Guillermo Pimentel, did you intend to say that Pimentel is a below average fielder (instead of hitter)?
Rip it says:
February 8, 2012 at 11:02 am
Is that right that Montero and Hultzen have the exact same birth date?
Shawn McLaughlin says:
February 8, 2012 at 11:23 am
Yes….they do. Thought that was cool also.
AL Eastbound says:
February 8, 2012 at 11:28 am
Agreed, Paxton would have been nice. The organization was high on him but just balked at his price.
Kyle says:
February 8, 2012 at 11:56 am
Wow!
Gus says:
February 8, 2012 at 12:44 pm
You know, I understand that Liddi has real holes in his swing and some problems with pitch recognition, but he’s shown he has good to great power to all fields, and is not an embarrassment at third (read: “improvements were made”). He’s also not that old, yet people seem to have grown tired of him. I find it odd that a player like Martin Peguero, who has shown very little, gets more love than a player who has made improvements as he has moved through the system and fills a position of real need in the org.
Andrew says:
February 8, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Where would you have ranked Jose Campos if he were still with the Mariners? I imagine right before or after Francisco Martinez?
yosoyfiesta says:
February 8, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Clearly, in Montero’s write-up, you meant that he could be Seattle’s best offensive weapon in 2012.
GTUTV says:
February 8, 2012 at 1:29 pm
What is the outlook on Forrest Snow? He moved up a number of levels within the organization in 2011 and had an impressive showing in the AFL, but I rarely see his name mentioned amongst M’s prospects.
Aesop says:
February 8, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Catricala’s line in his first attempt AA was .347/.420/.632 as a 22 year old, and he’s proven that he’s been able to hit at every level he’s been at, and despite not being a good defender his ranking seems a bit low. And also no Liddi mention at all? As a 23 year in his first go around at AAA he hit 30 HRs with a .229 ISO and a walk rate nearing 10% with improving defense, and in 2009 it .345/.411/.594 (in a hitter’s league I know but those are still great numbers). Is his K rate really high enough to completely write him off?
CSJ says:
February 8, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Snow forecast: Light to moderate, appearing quickly, most likely in the early evening but tapering off late.
(quick mover, middle reliever ceiling)
subtle says:
February 8, 2012 at 1:49 pm
There is no doubt in my mind that Walker will be a better pitcher than Hultzen when he hits his prime. I guess you can move Hultzen slightly ahead due to the fact that he’s less of a risk, but he doesn’t flash anything close to what Walker has shown us. Walker is one sexy pitching prospect.
Marc Hulet says:
February 8, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Yes sir. Thanks.
Marc Hulet says:
February 8, 2012 at 2:04 pm
I actually would have ranked him ahead of Franklin… call me crazy but I am a big fan of Campos. Really good addition to the trade for the Yankees.
Marc Hulet says:
February 8, 2012 at 2:11 pm
It’s personal preference… I’m not on the Liddi bandwagon, obviously, and I like the video I’ve seen on Peguero (along with the scout report) so I went with the high ceiling guy…
Marc Hulet says:
February 8, 2012 at 2:13 pm
I agree… big fan of Walker. Hultzen got the edge due to the polish and a nice repertoire in his own right…
Marc Hulet says:
February 8, 2012 at 2:25 pm
With Liddi I don’t think he’ll stick at third base – at least as a regular. And his strikeout rates suggest he won’t hit for average at the big league level and he hasn’t made any strides making better contact… The only time he really hit for average in the minors was during his stint in the Cal League and everyone hits for average there…
Nic says:
February 8, 2012 at 3:35 pm
The M’s top-5 prospects are as good as any team in the league. Nice writeup, Marc.
Alex says:
February 8, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Anyone know what ever happened to Carlos Triunfel?
joser says:
February 8, 2012 at 3:49 pm
It didn’t really work out ideally for him, either.
joser says:
February 8, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Also on that day: the the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announces it would relinquish power, and, more related, Rickey Henderson signed a contract with the Oakland A’s which (briefly) tied him with Kirby Puckett as the highest-paid player in baseball at the time.
That contract: 4 years / $12M
b jones says:
February 8, 2012 at 4:38 pm
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa378083&position=SS
Rehtul says:
February 8, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Where would you have Trayvon if he still qualified as a prospect? And any thoughts?
Stuart says:
February 8, 2012 at 7:34 pm
I hope Ruffin shows up and really surprises me, otherwise I just really don’t understand his high placement on so many lists. Sure there’s potential there, but I just can’t see how he could be a more valuable player than guys like Catricala and Erasmo Ramirez. The description of his abilities doesn’t impress. What am I missing?
Let's not kid ourselves says:
February 9, 2012 at 5:12 am
Anyone know what happened to Adam Moore?
gus says:
February 9, 2012 at 7:12 am
Thanks for the writeup and replies. I don’t want to belabor this- and I know it’s damning with faint praise- but I think Liddi represents a viable in-house alternative to Mark Reynolds (a short-term solution suggested by Dave Cameron at USSM). One other question: I wonder if you could comment on James Jones (shiny after a few nice at-bats in Australia) and his demise as a prospect? It seems Nick Franklin was given a mulligan for a marginal 2011 and Jones was not, though both remain potential impact players. Would a good showing at Jackson-Tacoma this year vault him up the depth charts quickly?
gus says:
February 9, 2012 at 7:24 am
He’s healthy again, supposedly. He played in the Arizona Fall League and reportedly grew more comfortable as that short season went on, though he hit only .259 in total. In short, he’s apparently healthy and fit but the org is going to “make him play his way into a spot” (read: be ready to fill in for an injured/traded Miguel Olivo). He’ll be splitting time with Ralph Henriquez (and possibly Jesus Sucre) at Tacoma to start the year.
Chuck Warner says:
February 9, 2012 at 10:21 am
As I type this, Im scratching my head a little, literally. Why would the M’s have to include a high ceiling minor leaguer (Jose Campos) WITH an All-Star, Cy Young caliber pitcher in Pineda?
It seems that Montero, who could be a bat with NO TRUE position, for Pineda would have been more than fair. Why would Jack Z throw in a high upside, power pitcher in Campos? Is it because of the other pitcher Seattle got, Noesi, is already major league ready? Did the M’s get fleeced a bit because Jack knew they weren’t going to get Prince Fielder-so he HAD to make a move to add a bat to appease the fans? Trades out of desperation rarely pan out.
Great write up, by the way. Thanks.
Manny Mejia says:
February 9, 2012 at 11:49 am
I like the chances of Erasmo Ramirez, he is been a winner since since his first year in the marineers organization…progresing in every season he has played..
manny
John says:
February 9, 2012 at 12:16 pm
“(Danny Hultzen) doesn’t have “explosive stuff” but he’s extremely polished and has an above-average repertoire for a southpaw”
You may need to check your scouting scale. A FB that sits 92-94, and “also has a potentially-plus changeup and a slider”, sounds like “explosive stuff” to me. Let’s see….a 6 FB, 6 SL and 6 CH to go along with 6 command and 6 to 7 pitchability…..hmmmm…name me the LHP’s in the big leagues right now that have that stuff?
Marc Hulet says:
February 9, 2012 at 12:55 pm
When I wrote that I knew someone would comment about it… what I meant by the comment was that he’s not a guy that just pumps fastballs in at 100 mph and gets by with glove-popping velocity. Yes, his stuff is above-average and flashes plus.
Marc Hulet says:
February 9, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Somewhere around Francisco Martinez… I ranked him third on the Dodgers’ list last year.
fwbrodie says:
February 9, 2012 at 8:04 pm
I think it comes down to the simple fact that bats have been much harder to come by for Jack Zduriencik, while the organization has become somewhat of a pitching factory. A guy who’s going to be hitting everyday with enough RH power to succeed at Safeco, vs. a starter with some injury history. You could understand why Zduriencik felt better about the deal than Cashman (the deal being Montero for Pineda) and was willing to include more. Also, Noesi fills the vacant big league rotation spot. Makes sense to me.
Adam B. says:
February 11, 2012 at 3:24 pm
I think a lot of people are discounting Noesi’s value.
As a plethora of “Twins style” pitchers have shown, his skill set could lead to a very solid #4 type pitcher.
Ryan says:
February 29, 2012 at 4:35 pm
If it is so much harder to get great pitchers than hitters, then why did he take Hulzen over Rendon last June? I think it was just a matter of a trade that made sense for both teams based on their respective current roster constructions.