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Favorite Young Hurlers in the Next Wave
steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Aug 4, 2013 10:29:25 GMT -5
I’m certainly as excited about the top pitching prospects (our 1st wave) as anyone, but I’m also quite intrigued and positive about the following potential rotation members. Certainly many of them will go by the way-side, get traded to another organization, or turn into a relief pitcher…but some of these guys may have a chance to actually pitch in a MLB rotation. Now it may not be with the Red Sox, but there is a lot of potential. There are several (Smith and Speier) who haven’t even thrown their first pitch professionally.
Teddy Stankiewicz 19
Brian Johnson 22
Ty Buttrey 20
Jamie Callahan 18
Simon Mercedes 21
Cody Kukuk 20
Daniel McGrath 19
Jose Almonte 17
Myles Smith 21
Luis Diaz 21
Corey Littrell 21
Dedgar Jimenez 17
Dioscar Romero 18
Trey Ball 19
Gabe Speier 18
Willie Ethington 19
Sergio Gomez 19
Simon Mercedes 21
Probably I have missed one or two guys, and I hope you will mention them. If you have any direct experience watching one of these pitchers, I’d love to hear your impression. There are 18 hurlers above. Rank and list your top-5 (or 10) favorites in order. I’ve been really pleased with our addition of so many exciting arms. This, as the Rays have shown, is the way to continually be competing each and every year.
My 5 are……Stankiewicz, Littrell, McGrath, Ball and Callahan. Littrell probably is a surprise. I think he is going to move quickly and be a solid #5. Buttrey needs to get more swing-and misses for my taste even though he from the Charlotte area (moved from there). I think our Latin pipe-line is much better and I follow Almonte closely.
What do you think?
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Post by soxcentral on Aug 4, 2013 10:35:43 GMT -5
Ball
Callahan
Jimenez
Almonte
Stank
Johnson
Smith
Mercedes
Kukuk
McGrath
No first-hand knowledge so this isn't worth much....nice topic though.
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nomar
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Posts: 10,824
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Post by nomar on Aug 4, 2013 10:43:20 GMT -5
Callahan has been nice. 8.55 K/9, 2.41 BB/9, 0.80 HR/9, 3.74 ERA, 3.26 FIP
Kukuk can be very good if he figures his command out. Can't say there's been many players that have managed to pitch to a 3.93 FIP with a 7.37 BB/9.
Obviously there's the vast potential of Ball.
Stank has been impressive though I have my doubts.
I would like to see Buttrey start getting Ks soon.
McGrath has been great.
My top 5 would be the same as yours with Kukuk instead of Littrell based off of pure upside.
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nomar
Veteran
Posts: 10,824
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Post by nomar on Aug 4, 2013 10:43:46 GMT -5
Great post though Steve
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Post by larrycook on Aug 4, 2013 10:44:34 GMT -5
The only ones I have seen pitch from that list are Buttery and Gomez and I like Buttery best out of those two.
I don't think Buttery is in the same class as Buchholz,at this point, but he has a chance to be really special.
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Post by xxdamgoodxx on Aug 4, 2013 10:54:03 GMT -5
My favorite is (my fellow lefty) Owens just on pure awesomeness. In order,(for no reason)I'm partial to Callahan, Kukuk, Mercedes, and Smith.
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steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Aug 4, 2013 11:11:24 GMT -5
Of the Latin pitchers:
Simon Mercedes 21
Jose Almonte 17
Luis Diaz 21
Dedgar Jimenez 17
Dioscar Romero 18
Sergio Gomez 19
Simon Mercedes 21
I've seen most of them at least once. My favorite is Jose Almonte who I have not seen, but look forward to maybe seeing next year along with Jimenez. It seems like we are signing some interesting looking kids from the islands. Our luck in this area has never been strong. Maybe we are doing a better job of pin-pointing 16 year old arms.......certainly a difficult task at any time.
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Post by jbberlo22 on Aug 4, 2013 11:17:42 GMT -5
some of the guys i like most are callahan and littrell cause they have the real potential to be in a major league rotation. Littrell especially is a guy who can move quickly and be a solid to decent back of the rotation starter or spot starter and long reliever. I dont really like mercedes or kukuk. Those are the lottery type guys that really never work out.
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Post by chavopepe2 on Aug 4, 2013 11:17:52 GMT -5
Well I think there are some decent arms in the low minors, I really don't see this group as being much different than most other years (with the exception of Ball). Th strength of the organization is definitely in aa/aaa.
Guys like Caleb Clay, Brock Hunsinger, Adam Mills, Chris Province, Austin Bailey, Hunter Strickland, Mike Lee, Hunter Cervenka, Tyler Wilson, Richie Wasuelewski, Madison Younginer, Kendell Volz, Chris Hernandez, Matthew Price, Mario Alcantara, Raul Alcantara, and many others would have fit very well on this list.
With that said, it is important to note that the scouting reports are much, much, much more significant at this level than stats. Ball is the head of the class in that regard. The next group is probably Johnson, Stank, and Buttrey. Kukuk, Callahan, and Mercedes are all intriguing. Litrell should move quickly, which is more valuable than most people give credit. It was a lost year for Pat Light, but he's in this mix if he can bounce back next year.
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Post by scredsox on Aug 4, 2013 11:24:54 GMT -5
One thing that also adds to Callahan's prospect status is that he is a lot bigger than everyone has him listed. He is actually around 6'4 and 215. Kills me when people say he has a medium frame. Those 6'2, 195-205 measurements came from his sophomore year in high school. I coached him in showcase ball. Unbelievable work ethic.
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Post by wskeleton76 on Aug 4, 2013 11:28:17 GMT -5
1. Trey Ball
2. Teddy Stankiewicz
3. Brian Johnson
4. Jamie Callahan
5. Luis Diaz
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Post by gregblossersbelly on Aug 4, 2013 11:34:31 GMT -5
I'm intrigued by Cody Kukuk. He has command issues for sure. But, his long layoff may be playing a factor in that. He didn't pitch his draft year in 2011. He signed late. Was suspended for most of last year. DUI, but charges were dismissed. Officer didn't have a valid reason to pull him over. Got 10 innings in late in the season. In 83 innings he's only given up 52 hits. But, has given up 68 bb's. To go with 86 k's. Next year is a very important one for him. He has to cut that bb rate in half.
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Post by iakovos11 on Aug 4, 2013 11:47:19 GMT -5
One thing that also adds to Callahan's prospect status is that he is a lot bigger than everyone has him listed. He is actually around 6'4 and 215. Kills me when people say he has a medium frame. Those 6'2, 195-205 measurements came from his sophomore year in high school. I coached him in showcase ball. Unbelievable work ethic. Welcome, scredsox. Thanks for the input. That is certainly good to know. He struggled a little bit in his first few starts, but has obviously been amazing in the last few. Seems like he coachable and making necessary adjustments. |
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Post by widewordofsport on Aug 4, 2013 11:54:22 GMT -5
I like Callahan bc he's so young (vs Buttrey). I think Stank>Buttrey for now. To add to some 1st line guys, I didn't like the Workman pick at the time but love everything he's done since day 1 in the org. Durable, worker, and incredibly consistent. He'll have a ton of value being a sane version of Aceves.
I like McGrath and Owens both but want to see how much they grow into their stuff from their respective levels regarding velo/command.
Disagree on ceilings though... Think Ranaudo has higher ceiling than Barnes bc the best I can tell his FB is better than Barnes' curve (If someone can refute that please say so... I'm open to adjusting if that isn't the case).
As many tall pitchers with command issues the Sox have at all levels, I like Callahan and Workman a little more, gs who can throw strikes a bit better.
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Post by scredsox on Aug 4, 2013 12:04:08 GMT -5
One thing that also adds to Callahan's prospect status is that he is a lot bigger than everyone has him listed. He is actually around 6'4 and 215. Kills me when people say he has a medium frame. Those 6'2, 195-205 measurements came from his sophomore year in high school. I coached him in showcase ball. Unbelievable work ethic. Welcome, scredsox. Thanks for the input. That is certainly good to know. He struggled a little bit in his first few starts, but has obviously been amazing in the last few. Seems like he coachable and making necessary adjustments. Yeah, I took a look at his stats. After that first start, seemed like the big innings were getting him. He either got out of the inning clean or they scored multiple runs on him with no in between. That's usually a mental issue and I am sure he is doing everything in his power to fix it. |
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Post by Don Caballero on Aug 4, 2013 13:35:29 GMT -5
Guys like Caleb Clay, Brock Hunsinger, Adam Mills, Chris Province, Austin Bailey, Hunter Strickland, Mike Lee, Hunter Cervenka, Tyler Wilson, Richie Wasuelewski, Madison Younginer, Kendell Volz, Chris Hernandez, Matthew Price, Mario Alcantara, Raul Alcantara, and many others would have fit very well on this list. Man, I miss Clay, he was my favorite pitching prospect before Couch came along. You forgot Stephen Fife, who I also loved as a "bad" prospect. |
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Post by ewan25 on Aug 4, 2013 14:14:20 GMT -5
ball
Stank
Johnson
Buttrey
callahan
jose almonte
daniel mcgrath
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Post by dwright5314 on Aug 4, 2013 14:28:41 GMT -5
with jose almonte dominating the DSL itll be interesting to see what he does when he comes stateside. Same goes for dedgar jimenez
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Post by jbberlo22 on Aug 4, 2013 16:16:30 GMT -5
is there a thread similar to this for webster ranaudo rubby barnes owens etc.?
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Post by pedroelgrande on Aug 4, 2013 17:25:21 GMT -5
The guys I'm following closeley are Ball, Kukuk, Almonte, Callahan and McGrath. Not that I don't like the others but for different reasons I'm following this guys closely.
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Post by jcn92 on Aug 4, 2013 20:08:09 GMT -5
In no specific order, Ball, Stankiewicz, Kukuk, Buttrey, Mercedes, Jimenez, Almonte, L. Diaz, Myles Smith. I know it's very early in the developmental process but I'm excited about the entire DSL rotation. They are putting up great numbers as a rotation and really carrying that team.
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Post by GyIantosca on Aug 4, 2013 21:05:11 GMT -5
I like to mention Jalen Williams (gotta love the 2 sport stars), Matt Spalding, The kid from Oklahoma from Last year Stephen Williams. I like what I see from Jake Drehoff
Just to add a few more.
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Post by GyIantosca on Aug 4, 2013 21:12:40 GMT -5
I remember when the new ownership took over our 1st new pitcher from the 2004 season was the kid from Long Beach State, He was blind in one eye. Lefty. He actually got a ring. Where we are now amazing.
They gave him a start as a reward. Abe Alvarez. Wow.
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Post by ramireja on Aug 5, 2013 12:27:39 GMT -5
Guys that I'm following/excited about:
Ball - Upside is huge with strong stuff and makeup
Callahan - Very intrigued by his last two starts, and age relative to league
McGrath - I honestly didn't expect very much from his this year so his small sample size domination of the GCL was a pleasant surprise
Jimenez - I probably have a slight preference for him over Almonte with the superb K/BB rates. Its nice to see such low walk rates at a young age, hopefully he can continue that as he advances
Buttrey - Still interested, and numbers overall are fine but k rate is downright puzzling. Less than 5 per 9, is he a groundball machine or something?
Stankiewicz - Not sure what to expect here, but interested based purely on his draft position alone
Kukuk - Low A hitters simply can't hit the guy, but when the walk rates are this ugly, I can't possibly think his odds of 'figuring things out' are high.
also midly interested in Almonte, Mercedes, Myles Smith, Speier, Littrell and others that I'm sure to forget. The system is full of pitching right now and its beautiful. Now if we can get some of these younger bats to take off...
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Post by oilcansman on Aug 5, 2013 13:06:02 GMT -5
You can pretty much rule out Buttrey. Rarely does a future major league pitcher have trouble striking out kids at the lower levels. The only reason we talk about him is because of his bonus.
Callahan's very interesting. Young and can dominate. He appears to be improving rapidly.
I think Ball is a bit of project. He really didn't pitch all that much during high school because he's a cold weather kid. Very tall with a low 90s fastball. Hopefully he can add a few mph as he grows. Probably will take 2-3 years for him to be effective a AA. Needs time.
Johnson is big, strikes people out but is inconsistent and not advancing at an appropriate pace for his age. Safe future lefthander out of the bullpan (Drake Britton)
McGrath just turned 19 and strikes people out with good control. Good sized lefty who most likely is receiving significantly better coaching in US than Australia. Exciting prospect.
Callahan, McGrath, Ball, Stanky, Johnson and Buttrey is my order. This really is not a terribly exciting group. Just a group of interesting kids.
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