2010 Top Prospect Fan Poll - Your Results Are Up!

[Tbadder]

Heckathorn did pitch last season, but he did get hit around pretty good.

 

Thanks Crew--I totally whiffed on that.

[clancyphile]

Clancy, our long-time faithful reader and contributor, I don't fault you your Chris Cody pride. Rock on.

 

Feel free to follow-up comment on your # 6 choice, I'm just guessing that he'd be the # 1 prospect on at least 1/3 of all MLB organization lists right now, if not more.

Escobar's got two big issues in my book: He hasn't drawn walks well (4 BB in 134 PA in the majors, and 32 in 487 PA with Nashville; 31 BB in 597 PA at Huntsville in 2008), and he doesn't have much power. If he hits .300, he is OK. But if he doesn't, we get a younger, cheaper version of Royce Clayton. to wit: Good field, no hit. And like Royce Clayton in 2003, he'd end up a big downgrade offensively from his predecessor (the Brewers went from an All-Star SS - remember Jose Hernandez? - in 2002 to Clayton; Hardy averaged 20 HR and 67 RBI in 07-09).

 

Mat Gamel has the better offensive upside (albeit which position over the long term is not known), Brett Lawrie shows a higher ceiling, Taylor Green brings in skills that the Brewers major-league roster is short in (drawing walks, etc.), and both Cody and Butler provide a fair bit of help for the pitching staff (which is somewhat improved, but needs depth).

[bnedaddy]

Here's my top 20 I think Scarpetta and Odorizzi Have huge years in '10!! I got to watch Scarpetta pitch 3 times last year in Wisconsin as I had season tickets for Tuesday nights buck night and thought his BB rate was high because he even fooled the ump I can remember a couple times where it should have been stike 3 but it was called a ball. I think playing in the FSL will really help him. As far as hitters go I wasn't impressed with Lawrie when I watched him play but you could see that talent and how much bigger he was than most of the other kids in single A. I think Taylor Green has a bounce back year I think he is just one of those professional hitters kinda like Jeff Cirrillo.

 

1. Alcides Escobar

2. Jake Odorizzi

3. Brett Lawrie

4. Jonathan Lucroy

5. Taylor Green

6. Cody Scarpetta

7. Eric Arnett

8. Mat Gamel

9. Evan Anundsen

10. Zack Braddock

11. Mark Rogers

12. Caleb Gindl

13. Angel Salome

14.Wily Peralta

15.Rob Wooten

16. Amaury Rivias

17. Evan Fredrickson

18. Jeremy Jeffress

19.Logan Schafer

20. Kentrail Davis

 

There ya go looking forward to next year and hopefully a very much improved T-Rats team I already ordered my season tickets counting down the days.

[colbyjack]

Keep in mind, you need to email or PM me your list if you want to be included in the poll. I'm not going to double-check the lists I have received with those posted in this thread.

[marty22]

# Name Position

1 Alcides Escobar SS -- Top 10 Prospect in the Majors. ROY Favorite

2 Mat Gamel 3B -- 1/2 poor season from Gamel doesn't stop Votto/Markakis comparisons (look at MiLB #'s), but K's scare me

3 Brett Lawrie 2B -- If he repeats/improves, lock for number 1 prospect next year

4 Jonathan Lucroy C -- Blah, but does everything well, and he's a C so he gets a boost

5 Caleb Gindl OF -- Career MiLB line: .308/.385/.489 compares to Gamel's .302/.374/.487. Plus corner defense, I think I'm ahead on this guy, size concerns aside. Can't wait to see his slug% at Huntsville

6 Eric Arnett SP -- Can't wait to see him let off the leash. Nice to have a power AND polish pitcher for once

7 Amaury Rivas SP -- 3 solid offerings, wouldn't surprise me to see him in MIL in 2010

8 Angel Salome C -- Too much potential to ignore, but needs to stay healthy

9 Cody Scarpetta SP -- Plus FB and hammer curve, reduce the walks a little and he'll fly

10 Lorenzo Cain CF -- Same comment as Salome

11 Zach Braddock RP -- Billy Wagner lite, but you have to keep health & bullpen role in mind when ranking

12 Jake Odorizzi SP -- Wanted to rank higher, solid year this year will force it

13 Logan Schafer CF -- If he can repeat success at AA, with his plus Defense, he'll be top 5

14 Wily Peralta SP -- One of my favorites. His season was better than it looked, wore down in 2nd half when reached innings limit

15 Kentrail Davis CF -- Solely based on draft position, instrux reports

16 Mark Rogers SP -- Same idea as Braddock here

17 Jeremy Jeffress SP -- Even if stays clean, still has serious control issues

18 Taylor Green 3B -- Really needs to rebound, never has truly impressed me, more of a Koskie type (but apparently thats top 100 of decade now)

19 Josh Butler SP -- Pretty certain he'll be a solid #4 or 5, maybe this year. At worst good middle relief or setup potential

20 Del Howell SP -- Personal favorite. Mononucleosis hurt his stock, power lefty with tons of potential. My favorite 2009 draft pick

21 Nick Bucci SP -- Another personal guy, had to put him on the list somewhere

[LouisEly]

1) Gamel

2) Lawrie

3) Lucroy

4) Escobar (had a lower walk rate - 7.44% to 7.62% - than Brendan Katin in AAA last year)

5) Braddock

6) Schafer - plus offense, plus defense, lefty - there's a reason why they brought him to LA for the final spring training games and why he was the first OF sub brought in during those games

7) Kentrail Davis - wouldn't be surprised if a year and a half from now he's battling Lawrie for #1

8) Arnett

9) Salome

10) Rogers - don't let a couple of AFL innings after his first full season in several years fool you

11) Green

12) Odorizzi

13) Cain

14) Rivas

15) Gindl

16) Peralta

17) Scarpetta

18) Axford

19) Jeffress

20) Welch - what??

 

Just missed - Butler, Anundsen, w00ten, Aguilar, Merklinger

[ILuvDaBush]

I think most ballots will begin with these top three. As in most of my tiers, I go with ceiling.

1. 2B Brett Lawrie - The highest ceiling middle infield bat in the minors. Like Rogers Hornsby-type ceiling.

2. SS Alcides Escobar - Alcides is going to be the best friend of every hurler on the staff this year. Love his glove but continue to look the gift horse that is his bat in the mouth.

3. 3B Mat Gamel - LOVE the bat, even like the glove. Question the makeup after he doesn't start everyday in the majors and his bat becomes a noodle. Still prefer him to McGehee.

Our former first rounders with the million dollar arms.

4. RHP Jeremy Jeffress - Limitless upside. I've forgiven the transgressions. He's no different than most young gents, except he has one of the best arms of the past decade. But no different besides that one slight exception. Much like the next gent...

5. RHP Mark Rogers - Has lost some time due to injury (or in Jeffress' case, immaturity) but still has a very high ceiling. I still think he could become a better SP than Homer.

The Cinderella Southpaw.

6. LHP Zach Braddock - Unbelievable numbers. Well...I mean we IMAGINED he could do it but really? Ultimate question is where he fits in long term. I see him as a SP, and because of the dearth of LHP within the org. as a whole, he gets an extra bump or two.

Our catcher duel. Both of the following players arrived with reputable bats and questionable ability to remain behind the dish. I'm of the opinion that there is a minute difference in value between the two, but that's of course because I value Salome's bat more.

7. C Jon Lucroy - Had a good year in AA (though not as good as the previous holder of the C position for Huntsville) and then a fantastic AFL (which got him bumped above Angel). Plays the position adequately with little question about long term position.

8. C Angel Salome - If this were fantasy baseball rankings, he would probably be in the top-5. I continue to hold out hope that Milwaukee's brass will come to its senses and let the bat play (which they won't as evidenced by Gamel getting Macha's in-game coffee everyday).

Kirby Puckett's body with Eric Davis's skillset.

9. OF Kentrail Davis - I like ceilings and am actually surprised that he doesn't rank a peg or two higher. Has 20/20-30/30 potential. A few questions about his ultimate long term position not withstanding, phenomenal prospect.

And then the hope and future of pitching in Milwaukee...

10. RHP Wily Peralta - Fantastic fastball, but inconsistent secondary stuff has yet to develop.

11. RHP Cody Scarpetta - Cold weather pitcher with outstanding stuff/peripherals but has yet to transfer full dominance to professional game. Prefer his stuff to...

12. RHP Jake Odorizzi - Cold weather pitcher with outstanding stuff/peripherals but has yet to transfer full dominance to professional game. Expected more of him this year. Still expect great things this coming year.

13. RHP Eric Arnett - Cold weather pitcher with outstanding stuff/peripherals but has yet to transfer full dominance to professional game. Higher ceiling than some of those in front of him, but prefer their bodies of work to his. Could still rank ten spots higher...4 spots lower.

And the men who protect these pitchers...

14. CF Lorenzo Cain - Still consider him the future in center, but he's close to being Lucroy'ed by...

15. CF Logan Schafer - Great numbers in a notoriously bad hitter's park and league. Plays a great CF and has the makings of a REAL baseball player. Love the skillset and hope most of Milwaukee's fans will as well, since I have more of an expectation for him to see Milwaukee than anyone else on this list who finished their season below AA.

16. 3B Taylor Green - He missed out on a valuable opportunity to silence the critics who questioned his power. I still hold out hope, and could see him becoming a consistent version of McGehee (who I expect to be soon called Aberration '09).

17. RF Caleb Gindl - I know about the numbers and the league. But his maturity with that "ceiling" of 5'9"... About to be put to the AA test.

The rest of the arms.

18. RHP Amaury Rivas - Love the numbers. Like the repertoire and moxy.

19. RHP Brooks Hall - My man-love affair from this past year's draft. I see a lot of Phil Hughes in this kid, which is a major compliment.

20. RHP Evan Anundsen - Continues to post great numbers with a low 80's sinker. Who does he think he is, Derek Lowe? Hope he regains some velocity and becomes a Trevor Cahill or Brandon Webb.

21. RHP Kyle Heckathorn - The only mulligan pick of the draft. I understand he has the fastball but unlike the guy who is #5, I see Heckathorn's ceiling as an unattainable Jon Broxton. More likely, if he dyed his hair red, he could pass for Son of Clung.

[colbyjack]

I have 19 submissions so far. I will add the individual P50s of myself, Toby and Mass once I get to compiling the data, which puts us at 22 at this point in time. I really want to get to 50 total submissions, so we're not to the half-way point yet. While we still have over a week before my deadline, please take the time to get your submissions in.

 

Thanks to everyone who has already done so. It's good reading.

[Mass Haas]

Colbyjack wrote:

 

Here's how it works: Compile a list of who you feel the Brewers top 20 prospects are. Be sure not to include any player that has already accumulated 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched at the big-league level. Also, prospects over the age of 26 are also not eligible (for instance, Adam Heether is not eligible for this exercise). When done email that list (or send a PM) to me at this email address:

 

pebert@brewerfan.net

 

I will assign values in reverse order of the rankings, with 20 points given to every first-place vote and one point assigned to every 20th place vote. The prospect with the most points will receive the highest ranking.

 

A reminder that you don't need to 1) post your list in this thread unless you want to and 2) you don't need to include comments when submitting your list.

[804Sox]

dissect:

 

1. Alcides Escobar

2. Matt Gamel

3. Brett Lawrie

4. Eric Arnett

5. Zach Braddock

6. Jonathan Lucroy

7. Wily Peralta

8. Cody Scarpetta

9. Amaury Rivas

10. Jake Odorizzi

11. Lorenzo Cain

12. Taylor Green

13. Logan Schafer

14. Caleb Gindl

15. Angel Salome

16. Kentrail Davis

17. Kyle Heckathorn

18. Jeremy Jeffress

19. Evan Anundsen

20. Eric Farris

[Herm]

1. Alcides Escobar. I grew up watching Ozzie and I'm hoping AE can approach that kind of career. Not too much to ask, is it? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

2. Mat Gamel. I expect him to have a substantially better career than McGehee. I just hope it happens in Milw.

3. Jonathon Lucroy. Light on flash, heavy on substance. ETA mid 2010.

4. Zach Braddock. A year or two in relief then into the rotation, health permitting.

5. Brett Lawrie. I want to see some stronger results before comparing him to Rogers Hornsby.

6. Jeremy Jeffress. Off the charts talent still….to re-phrase from Bull Durham, $10 million arm but a $10 bag.

7. Mark Rogers. I expect a breakout year. Will be in rotation at start of 2011, with some starts next year.

8. Lorenzo Cain. Looking in the rear view mirror at #10. Seems like somewhat of a do or die year for high-level prospecthood.

9. Angel Salome. Health fuels 2010 resurgence garners mid-season pitching help via trade.

10. Logan Schafer. AA is big test - real deal or topping out?

11. Jake Odorizzi. High hopes for him and several others in next tier of SP prospects

12. Eric Arnett. Safest bet of my bottom 10 to reach top couple spots by end of 2010.

13. Kentrail Davis. My 2010 sideshow is to see if D'Vontrey or Kentrail emerges as The Next Big Thing.

14. Josh Butler. Only P in my 10-20 who might help this year.

15. Amaury Rivas. See Odorizzi comment.

16. Cody Scarpetta. See Odorizzi/Rivas.

17. Nick Bucci. See Odorizzi/Rivas/Scarpetta

18. Wily Peralta. Are you detecting a pattern?

19. Evan Anundsen. Ditto.

20. D'Vontrey Richardson. Longshot to soar into top tier this year.

Comments: Second ten is pitching heavy. The next year or two will be critical to see what's really there.

Close but no cigar: Tyler Green (stock dropping out of sight), Chuck Lofgren (only because I'm not sure how he makes the roster and stays there all year; perhaps a season-long case of tenderitis?), John Axford (although I think he'll contribute this year), Kyle Heckathorn (my most likely of the upper tier pitchers to be a bust).

Helium: Dell Howell, Brooks Hall, Maverick Lasker, Max Walla, Cameron Garfield.

Stones: Tyler Green, Kyle Heckathorn, Caleb Gindl, Eric Farris.

My curiosities for this year: Jose Garcia (Christian Guererro anyone?), Scooter Gennett, Efrain Nieves, Seth Lintz, Josh Prince.

[Tedaldtada]

1. Escobar: will surprise everyone with the bat. cannot wait until he fully matures physically.

2. Gamel: Can someone please explain to me why Macha was the right man for the job?

3. Lawrie: Hornsby? Doubt it, but I'd take a more athletic Dan Uggla with some average D. Obviously though, he could be much better than Uggla.

4. Lucroy: Being quick behind the plate with a decent arm and great obp. skills will go a long ways for Jon.

5. Salome: Armed with a cannon and excited offensive potential, there is a lot to like.

6. Braddock: Superb control with stellar stuff, might find his way on the 25 man after ST.

7. Arnett: Top 2 next offseason, in 2010, it's time to let the big dog eat.

8. Rivas: If he actually can hit 95, he should probably be a few spots higher.

9. Gindl: So underrated, even by the big boys on this site. Has just produced everywhere and is super young for his league. Speed, power, cannon, patience; this guy is like a mini Lo-Cain who actually puts up monster numbers.

10. Cain: A healthy year from Cain, along with an improving K/BB rate could bring Cain to the show for good in 2011.

11. Schafer: Brewers' MiLB POY could have a Escobar 08' type of season in Huntsville with more pop and a little less speed.

12. Odorizzi: Periphs. are beautiful and the projected ceiling is still immense. Can we please see him in full season ball?

13. Rogers: That AFL performance was straight awful. Will he bounce back?

14. Ke. Davis: Steal, absolute steal. Should be in the next wave of Top 5 prospects for the org.

15. Scarpetta: Lackey-esgue in stuff but not control. Man-body and swooping curve gives him a long leash to develop.

16. Peralta: 2 pitch guy and honestly there haven't been many reports on him working/improving on other pitches.

17. D'Vo: Yea, I think this is the Mike Stanton of the 2009 draft.

18. Bucci: Fearless with some pretty good stuff to boot, is there an Italian wave about to hit the MLB (Liddi, Bucci, et al).

19. Jeffress: I cannot figure out why he was not added to the 40 man. You gotta protect talent like this, even if the 'the man' won't.

20. Heckatorne: Another man-body with spotty control. Don't go all Fredrickson on us.

 

just missed (and I mean that, 20-40 are very close)

 

Prince: Rest up Josh, and set the table for T-Rats next year.

Lasker: This guy is gonna make it, some how, some way.

Farris: 804 RedSox nailed it, this guy deserves some attention for his speed, contact bat, and superb D.

Garfield: 6/6 and a high draft slot has gotta get you honorable mention at least.

Walla: Jumps into top 20 next year after he destroys the R+ league.

Axford: Terrific cheap bullpen option/depth.

Wooten: I see a lot of late career Trevor in this guy.

Anundson: Could be vastly underrating this guy.

Hall: Love that we ponied up for this type of talent.

Green: Fallen off the face of the Earth, but a strong start in '10 will bounce him back up the list.

Howell: Another steal.

Dennis: Chris has lightning in his bat.

 

I love this system right now!

[marty22]

Tedaldtada29, I like the Uggla comparison for Lawrie. I think he does have that kind of 30 HR power upside, but the biggest difference is that I don't see him having the K% issues Uggla has. BA named him the best "Hitter for Average" in the system. Can't wait to see if they let him start at AA.

[Tedaldtada]

Marty22, I should have said he was like Dan Uggla with a much better swing. I do think their obp/slg could be very similar. If he does start at AA, he is officially on the Braun path.

 

Edit: Double checking on Uggla's stats, I have determined that Uggla isn't the best comparison with the bat. But I would be very satisfied if Lawrie turned out like Uggla. We'll see, maybe Lawrie is more of a Pablo Sandoval with the bat. Exciting stuff.

[EbbaStClaire]

My Top 20 plus 1

 

1. Escobar

2. Gamel

3. Lawrie

4. Lucroy

5. Salome

6. Braddock

7. Rogers

8. Scarpetta

9. Rivas

10. Cain

11. Green

12. Schafer

13. Odorizzi

14. Gindl

15. Bucci

16. Jeffress

17. Axford

18. Arnett

19. Heckathorn

20. Ritchie

21. Burgos--Hiram is having a very good Winter League season

[colbyjack]

I'm up to 29 submissions, and technically we're past the entry deadline. I'd still like to push towards 50, and this there isn't a rush to get the results finalized, I'll leave this open for a while longer, as I'm guessing some people haven't been around given the holidays and the inactivity on the forums.

 

But please get your list in to me soon if you wish to participate. Thanks.

[Mass Haas]

From a prior thread came this --

 

agent39 wrote:

---

so I could make him look good to the 27 people that read this board? Come on.

Colbyjack wrote:

 

I'm up to 29 submissions.

 

See, I knew Josh was off-base http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

colby, it may just be that we should coordinate this fan poll during spring training each year. If Doug Melvin can go overseas for ten days in December, then certainly many fans have checked out of the Brewer minor league scene until the spring. But hopefully this post poking a bit of fun at ourselves will spur others on -- let's see if we can't reach the stated goal within a week or two. It's just 20 last names and a quick email, folks. Use the current Power 50 as a reference, and make it your own Top 20. Thanks.

 

[colbyjack]

Thanks Mass. Like I don't already have enough on my plate in the spring http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

 

I'm up to 30 contributions, and I would be fine with that. I have compiled the data, and will be putting the story together over the next week. I will keep the polling open in the meantime, hoping to get a few more from people that may have been away for the holidays.

 

Thanks to everyone for your submissions and your comments. I didn't receive any pictures, so that part of the poll will be scrapped (and I thought it might be anyway).

[colbyjack]

Since I had some time to put together the results, and since I didn't receive one single entry in the last couple of days, I'm going to close the polling. Thanks again to everyone that participated.

 

The #1 prospect is pretty clear-cut. Feel free to take a guess at the top 5.

[TheCrew07]

Without going back and cheating at looking again at what people posted I'm going to say the top 3 is right in line with the P50... Escobar, Gamel, Lawrie... then I'll guess Lucroy and one of Arnett/Braddock

[TooLiveBrew]

My top 5 guess

 

Escobar

Lawrie

Gamel

Arnett

Lucroy

[Tbadder]

My guess doesn't count until Jan. 20th: then it will be

 

Escobar

Lawrie

Gamel

Lucroy

Chapman

[colbyjack]

Nope, nope and nope.

[804Sox]

Escobar

Gamel

Lawrie

Lucroy

Arnett

[TooLiveBrew]

Nope, nope and nope.

Booooo! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif