Blue Jays Top Prospects
Jan 12, 2011 12:23:40 GMT -5
Post by Brian (Blue Jays GM) on Jan 12, 2011 12:23:40 GMT -5
Letter Grades are Sickels' 2012 pre-season ratings:
Randall Delgado, RHP, Grade B+: His ERA in the majors was a bit misleading and he could probably use some Triple-A time, but another elite prospect projecting as a number two starter if all goes well.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Grade B+: Nobody should panic about 128 at-bats. Although he's not going to hit .300 in the majors, Rizzo should provide plenty of power and walks and I think he'll make the needed adjustments. Maximum outcome: Ryan Howard. Worst-case: Chris Davis.
Zack Cox, 3B (STL), Grade B: I've had some negative intuitive vibes about him, but he hit well enough in Double-A to ease some of those doubts. I still wonder about his home run power, which keeps him from a higher grade.
Cody Buckel, RHP (TEX), Grade B: Can't argue with Low-A results, great feel for pitching, terrific makeup, excellent statistics. Mid-rotation projection.
Jarred Cosart, RHP, Grade B-: Excellent arm strength, but pitchability seemed to take a small step backwards last year. Strikeout rate is low for a guy who throws as hard as he does and he needs command refinements. Another part of the Pence trade.
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Grade B-: Jekyll-Hyde season, both statistically and scout-wise, with large variations in quality of both stuff and command from start to start making it hard to get a proper read on him.
Alex Wilson, RHP, Grade B-: Turned things around after rough Double-A debut in '10, will be ready for the majors sometime in '12. Could be fourth/fifth starter for some teams but more likely a reliever in Boston.
Brandon Workman, RHP, Grade B-: Profiles as workhorse starter. Workman the workhorse. Alliteration.
Hudson Boyd, RHP (MIN), Grade B-: Hard-throwing, mature-bodied Florida high school prep was supplemental first round pick, no pro data yet. Lacks physical projection, but already throws hard and command is well-regarded. Stock could go way up in 2012.
Chris Owings, SS (ARI), Grade C+: Would rank higher based solely on youth, tools and upside, but his approach at the plate is currently awful and he needs better defensive reliability. High ceiling but a low floor.
Daniel Fields, OF (DET), Grade C+: Went backwards in second year in High-A, but the tools are still here and he was still young at 20. Gets some slack with the grade for one more season but Double-A will be a big challenge. Would rank as high as 6th on tools alone.
Victor Sanchez, RHP, Grade C+: Big-bonus signee out of Venezuela at age 16, hasn't pitched yet, throws hard but we need to see him, etc.
Barret Loux, RHP (TEX), Grade C+: Could rank higher but health concerns remain significant. Possible number three starter if his arm remains attached.
Nick Bucci, RHP, Grade C+: Continues slow, steady development pace. Possible mid-rotation starter, Double-A transition will tell us a lot.
RHP Matt Harvey (NYM)
RHP Jeurys Familia (NYM)
RHP Dellin Betances (NYY)
RHP Simon Castro (SD)
OF Starlin Marte (PIT)
C Tony Sanchez (PIT)
OF/3B Todd Frazier (CIN)
LHP Austin Kirk (CHC)
RHP John Stilson (TOR)
RHP Andre Rienzo (CWS)
Randall Delgado, RHP, Grade B+: His ERA in the majors was a bit misleading and he could probably use some Triple-A time, but another elite prospect projecting as a number two starter if all goes well.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Grade B+: Nobody should panic about 128 at-bats. Although he's not going to hit .300 in the majors, Rizzo should provide plenty of power and walks and I think he'll make the needed adjustments. Maximum outcome: Ryan Howard. Worst-case: Chris Davis.
Zack Cox, 3B (STL), Grade B: I've had some negative intuitive vibes about him, but he hit well enough in Double-A to ease some of those doubts. I still wonder about his home run power, which keeps him from a higher grade.
Cody Buckel, RHP (TEX), Grade B: Can't argue with Low-A results, great feel for pitching, terrific makeup, excellent statistics. Mid-rotation projection.
Jarred Cosart, RHP, Grade B-: Excellent arm strength, but pitchability seemed to take a small step backwards last year. Strikeout rate is low for a guy who throws as hard as he does and he needs command refinements. Another part of the Pence trade.
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Grade B-: Jekyll-Hyde season, both statistically and scout-wise, with large variations in quality of both stuff and command from start to start making it hard to get a proper read on him.
Alex Wilson, RHP, Grade B-: Turned things around after rough Double-A debut in '10, will be ready for the majors sometime in '12. Could be fourth/fifth starter for some teams but more likely a reliever in Boston.
Brandon Workman, RHP, Grade B-: Profiles as workhorse starter. Workman the workhorse. Alliteration.
Hudson Boyd, RHP (MIN), Grade B-: Hard-throwing, mature-bodied Florida high school prep was supplemental first round pick, no pro data yet. Lacks physical projection, but already throws hard and command is well-regarded. Stock could go way up in 2012.
Chris Owings, SS (ARI), Grade C+: Would rank higher based solely on youth, tools and upside, but his approach at the plate is currently awful and he needs better defensive reliability. High ceiling but a low floor.
Daniel Fields, OF (DET), Grade C+: Went backwards in second year in High-A, but the tools are still here and he was still young at 20. Gets some slack with the grade for one more season but Double-A will be a big challenge. Would rank as high as 6th on tools alone.
Victor Sanchez, RHP, Grade C+: Big-bonus signee out of Venezuela at age 16, hasn't pitched yet, throws hard but we need to see him, etc.
Barret Loux, RHP (TEX), Grade C+: Could rank higher but health concerns remain significant. Possible number three starter if his arm remains attached.
Nick Bucci, RHP, Grade C+: Continues slow, steady development pace. Possible mid-rotation starter, Double-A transition will tell us a lot.
RHP Matt Harvey (NYM)
RHP Jeurys Familia (NYM)
RHP Dellin Betances (NYY)
RHP Simon Castro (SD)
OF Starlin Marte (PIT)
C Tony Sanchez (PIT)
OF/3B Todd Frazier (CIN)
LHP Austin Kirk (CHC)
RHP John Stilson (TOR)
RHP Andre Rienzo (CWS)