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Post by Chris Hatfield on Nov 6, 2013 21:59:48 GMT -5
The Sox are going to have a bunch of prospects graduate early next spring, including the top two prospects on the rankings right now.
So, who you got topping the system in the mid-season rankings?
I'll start: Blake Swihart.
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Post by Don Caballero on Nov 6, 2013 22:02:38 GMT -5
Swihart or Barnes (who's an early Comeback Player of the Season candidate).
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Post by wskeleton76 on Nov 6, 2013 22:05:42 GMT -5
Owens or Swihart
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Post by iakovos11 on Nov 6, 2013 22:05:44 GMT -5
That's assuming JBJ starts in Boston (which I think he likely will).
I think the obvious answer would be Cecchini. If Owens starts to get a handle on his control, he could vault to #1
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Post by mainesox on Nov 6, 2013 22:16:59 GMT -5
My guess would be Owens (although I almost want to say Cecchini).
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Post by rjp313jr on Nov 6, 2013 22:21:03 GMT -5
Owens and Cecchini and Webster top 3
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Post by johnsilver52 on Nov 6, 2013 22:21:40 GMT -5
Depends on who all is involved in the ranking really. Public support will be with Barnes/Owens. I'll stick my money on Cecchini 1st and Betts as not all the way up, but cracking the top 4-5.
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Post by onbase on Nov 6, 2013 22:23:09 GMT -5
Cecchini.
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Post by pedroelgrande on Nov 6, 2013 22:49:42 GMT -5
I'll agree with you and say Swihart. I think he is flying under the radar right now but with good performance in AA people won't be able to look the other way.
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Post by amfox1 on Nov 6, 2013 22:58:29 GMT -5
Owens.
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Post by jmei on Nov 6, 2013 23:02:13 GMT -5
Cecchini.
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Post by charliezink16 on Nov 6, 2013 23:07:10 GMT -5
Love the thread Chris, always fun to do these things.
What makes this so intriguing is that any guy in the top 10 can make that jump to #1.
1)Xander Bogaerts - Barring injury, it's hard to see him not graduating prospect status.
2)Jackie Bradley Jr. - If Jacoby is resigned and JBJ isn't traded, #1 is his to take as long as he continues to show progress at AAA in the first couple of months.
3)Garin Cecchini - MY PICK. If the power starts to come around, which I believe it will, it's hard to see Garin not making the jump to #1 AND further bursting onto the prospect scene.
4)Hank Owens - It seems like posters here are higher on Owens than some industry sources (such as Parks and Law who see his ceiling as a #4). I just don't understand how added control/command doesn't push his ceiling to that of a #2 starter. If he shows signs of these improvements in the early season, Owens is the logical choice for #1.
5)Matt Barnes - IMO Barnes doesn't have the ceiling of Owens, Ranaudo, or Webster, so he's my #1 only if X/JBJ graduate and Garin/Hank don't make those improvements.
6)Anthony Ranaudo - meh
7)Allen Webster - Some see his as a bullpen arm at this point, but I fully disagree. Reports out of ST convinced me to make him the pre-season #1 in the system, so I can see him repositioning himself again. Just like Owens, the command needs to be there in the early season.
8)Blake Swihart - Another solid candidate to finally put it all together and make the jump to #1. If, at Portland, he puts up something like the .298/.366/.428 line he put up in Salem, he'll be top 2 in our system.
9)Trey Ball - Going into his first full season of pro ball Byron Buxton ranked in the 20-40 range on most lists and made the unanimous jump to #1 within two months. No, I'm not equating Buxton to Ball, but the idea is similar. Say Trey comes out of the gate and dominates Greenville through the first 2 months, he becomes a top 50 prospects in baseball, and a definite candidate for the #1 in our system. I don't see it as a possibility unless he really tears up Greenville though.
10)Mookie Betts - I only see Betts making the leap if those in front of him struggle.
Now I'll take it a step further for the hell of it. Which prospect, outside of the SP top 10, can make the jump to Top 5? My obvious pick is Manny Margot, with CVaz, Devers, & Marrero as long shots.
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Post by thelavarnwayguy on Nov 6, 2013 23:07:48 GMT -5
Cechinni but real glad to see Swihart getting more street cred here. The guy is steadily getting a lot better. Not sure he bypasses Cechinni by that time. Another guy I could see get in that range is Ranaudo but between Cechinni and Swihart that is at least 1/2 the probability right there.
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Post by mattpicard on Nov 6, 2013 23:52:54 GMT -5
Cecchini.
I'd follow that up with Owens, Swihart, and then probably Webster. Not a huge Barnes guy, but I'll be keeping a close eye on him.
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Post by sammo420 on Nov 7, 2013 0:00:05 GMT -5
I have to go with Swihart. I expect some ups and downs for Cecchini, Barnes and Ranaudo among others. I don't expect much out of Trey Ball this year. Owens is the pick I'd like to make because in order for that to happen he'd have to make the adjustments he needs to, feels like wishcasting to me if I pick him though.
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Post by thelavarnwayguy on Nov 7, 2013 0:02:55 GMT -5
Swihart seems to be a slow starter at every level and then finish strong. At year end he may have a better shot or for the following Spring.
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Post by taftreign on Nov 7, 2013 0:04:16 GMT -5
I expand on the topic and list my June 14 Top 5.
1. Owens - He doesn't need to improve vs last year to achieve this just maintain his level of performance at Portland. Any increased control makes this a no brainer.
2. Swihart - He made dramatic improvement from year 1 to year 2 and I believe the bat takes another step forward this season. Premium defensive position.
3. Cecchini - Has the potential to be 2 but doesn't play a premium defensive position like Swihart. For me will need to show a step up in HR power from 7 to hold 2.
4. Betts - Showing both power and speed with above average def aided by increased physical maturity IMO. With only 185 HI A ABs should start in Salem and excel.
5. Barnes - Has the highest upside of the AAA group including Ranaudo and Webster with his dominating FB. Could also just as easily be traded this offseason. If he
struggles with his development of the secondaries he could find his way into the pen come August if Boston finds itself in need of an additional bullpen arm.
Not the likeliest scenario though with recent and current prospects Workman, Britton and De La Rosa all more likely to be used first as pen arms before
converting Barnes.
* My darkhorse candidate for the 5 spot is Teddy Stankiewicz. Will only turn 20 this month and I suspect a year of strength training and physical development will
spur a jump in his prospect status. Speculation but an unknown health issue resulted in a reduced signing bonus and perhaps the use of shorter stints for his
outings in Lowell although not unusual for first year players late in the season. If so an offseason to regain full health could play a role. Great control should
also give him a high floor as it will help avoid big innings and minimize damage by limiting men on base. I feel his level of development at this point
should offer an opportunity to at times dominate in Low A Greenville.
* Other personally projected rankings risers come June 14:
Luis Diaz
Jami Callahan
Henry Ramos
Simon Mercedes
Myles Smith
Nick Longhi
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Post by soxfanatic on Nov 7, 2013 3:20:20 GMT -5
1. Cecchini
2. Owens
3. Swihart
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Post by sturmrider on Nov 7, 2013 5:50:03 GMT -5
1. Swihart
2. Cecchini
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radiohix
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'At the end of the day, we bang. We bang. We're going to swing.' Alex Verdugo
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Post by radiohix on Nov 7, 2013 6:04:36 GMT -5
Barnes
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Post by docman on Nov 7, 2013 8:34:40 GMT -5
I'm going to go with Webster because he already has some experience in the majors and is a year or two older than Owens, Cecchini, and Swihart.
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Post by raftsox on Nov 7, 2013 8:40:40 GMT -5
Good topic Chris. I like Swihart for #1; I think his offense starts to come to life this season making him a no-brainer top prospect. I was tempted to say Webster, but I think he spends more time in Boston than not and won't be eligible.
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Post by raftsox on Nov 7, 2013 8:46:26 GMT -5
1. Owens - He doesn't need to improve vs last year to achieve this just maintain his level of performance at Portland. Any increased control makes this a no brainer. I disagree with you on this one. Owens is currently ranked high because he's succeeding despite his poor control. If he doesn't show improvement this season he'll just be "that guy with no control", a la Stolmy Pimentel and Drake Britton. |
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Post by iakovos11 on Nov 7, 2013 9:35:29 GMT -5
Although his results have been, thus far, much better than either of those guys. Agree with your general point, though. He needs to show some improved control to rise higher in the rankings.
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Post by oilcansman on Nov 7, 2013 9:36:39 GMT -5
The only plus tool Cecchini has is hitting for average. His speed and defense are average and he isn't hitting for power- at least to date. He looks like a good but by no means great prospect. I look at the prospects and only see one who may be special - Owens. Owen's future will be determined by his command. What's remarkable is the number of sure fire major league players in the system (Bradley, Barnes, Renaudo, Webster, Betts, Swihart).
1. Owens
2. Bradley
3. Barnes
4. Cecchini
5. Betts
6. Swihart
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