Link Report for Wed. 8/21

[fondybrewfan]

Not withstanding his mediocre start yesterday Jimmy Nelson seems like he should be high rated than what he is. Over a K/inning and less hits than innings pitch. The only major issue I see is that his walks have spiked at AAA for whatever reason. Jimmy can strike guys out, doesn't allow a lot of hits, and has only given up 7 home runs the entire year. If he can improve his walk rate he seems like an easy Top #50 talent to me. He is not some schlub topping out at 90 MPH.

[TheCrew07]

If he can improve his walk rate he seems like an easy Top #50 talent to me. He is not some schlub topping out at 90 MPH.

 

That's a pretty big IF though... many of us were saying that "IF Gallardo could become more efficient with his pitches we'd have something special"... well he's basically gone the other way over the last 3 seasons.

 

I don't think Jimmy is a top #50 prospect, he's a #2 best case and more likely a #3/4 pending his control at MLB. I just don't think he has the combination of velocity, stuff, and pitchability that one needs to be considered as such. He may very well continue to make strides as he matures (which would be awesome) but much like Peralta when a guy has already come so far how much farther should you realistically project him to go?

 

I do think a solid case could be made that he's a top 100 prospect, somewhere in that 80-100 range. I don't have a problem with anyone suggesting he should be higher than that though, after the top 10-25 prospects (depending on the year) rankings are very subjective anyway... gut feelings, how a guy looks, how well you think his stuff with translate, and so on. I personally don't think he has the pitchability yet, but I can definitely see why others would be more excited about him than I am.

[TooLiveBrew]

Javier Baez can certainly hit for power...

 

Baez smokes two more long balls

That is one loooonnnng swing. If he can shorten that stroke up as he progresses, the Cubs will (infortunately) have a very nice hitter on their hands.