Dayn Perry Top 100 Prospect List has begun

[reillymcshane]

Dayn Perry has begun his annual top 100 prospects listing over at Fox Sports.

 

91-100 is up

 

msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6486174

 

They're always pretty good - at least he makes a cursory comment on each player, and doesn't just make a list without any notations.

[futurebrewerfather]

82. Mark Rogers, RHP, Brewers

 

Age: 21

Acquired: 1st round, 2004, Mount Ararat HS (Orr's Island, ME)

 

The fifth overall pick in '04, Rogers was the most coveted prep arm of his class not named Homer Bailey. However, the hazards of drafting cold-weather high-school pitchers are many. Considering Rogers' exceptional fastball-slider combo, high-stress delivery and shoulder problems, it's probably time to shift him to the bullpen. The lure of "what could be" might prompt the Brewers to resist such a move, but it's better for all involved. As is the case with so many others in this neck of the Top 100 woods, it's a pivotal season for Rogers

[UWRyan428]

68. Will Inman, RHP, Brewers

Age: 20

Acquired: 3rd round, 2005, Tunstall HS (Dry Fork, VA)

 

Last season, Inman dominated the Sally League: 110.2 innings, 1.71 ERA, 134 strikeouts, 24 walks, 3 homers allowed. On the downside, he's small for a right-hander, and his stuff doesn't wow the scouts. He'll face a big test in the high minors, but so far so good.

 

And yet they still doubt him. He's built like a tree! Why do they continue to say he's small? As Troy Smith said, "They act as if being 6' tall is a disease."

[reillymcshane]

Quote:

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Last season, Inman dominated the Sally League: 110.2 innings, 1.71 ERA, 134 strikeouts, 24 walks, 3 homers allowed. On the downside, he's small for a right-hander, and his stuff doesn't wow the scouts. He'll face a big test in the high minors, but so far so good.

 

And yet they still doubt him. He's built like a tree! Why do they continue to say he's small? As Troy Smith said, "They act as if being 6' tall is a disease."

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The height thing is a common comment about Inman, but it should be taken in context with the comment that Inman's fastball isn't the best in the world. He plays, if I'm correct, in the 90-92 zone. Certainly good, but not great. Shorter players, from what I understand - Colby or someone could probably confirm/shoot down this - don't usually add velocity onto their pitches as they get older, something taller players are more likely to do as they mature. That means that if he doesn't have a 95 mph fastball now, it's unlikely to develop.

 

Doesn't mean people don't like Inman - it's just a caution flag. Doesn't mean he can't be good, or even great - no one complains about Roy Oswalt's 6" stature. Unfortunately, if you go through the list of top righthanded pitchers, they tend to be bigger players - 6"3', 6"5, 6"7, etc. You don't have lots of six foot righties unless they throw smoke. Again, that's a generality, and there are always exceptions. Let's hope he's the next Brad Radke. I certainly think he has the makeup - but makeup only carries you so far.

[pogokat]

inman can throw 94-95 according to the two times i've seen him pitch...now i'm sure that wasn't a perfect read, but i'd say he works more like 91-93 than 90-92...this isnt ben hendrickson, inman has a very good arm...and i dont get the siz thing...inman is about 5'11 180...i've stood next to the guy and he had the same build as me, but more toned...

 

i guess i dont get why prospects get downplayed so often when they are with milwaukee...i think it has something to do with the fact that the guys writing these reports have never seen them play

[reillymcshane]

I don't think they downplay Inman. Yusmeiro Petit had the same thing said last year, and he was with the Mets. Steller stats in A and AA, but not great stuff. Scouts and analysts were worried his stuff wouldn't play in the upper levels. No question of his performance, admiration for his command and poise, but still not sure if he could get out upper level guys. I'm sure east coast teams get more press, more hype, and even more slack, but I don't know scouts and analysts seem to pinpoint our guys because we're Brewers.

[sbrylski]

I never understood the comments about Gallardo not having the stuff of the elite pitching prospects, when Gallardo led the minors in strikeouts...

[SoCalBrewfan]

The BA Top 100 made a comparison to Joel Piniero on the upside (pre-injury, which is pretty good), but also to Tim Redding, who blew through minor leaguers but couldn't get anyone out in the bigs. They also note that he's not projectable, not as likely to add velocity as a guy with a bigger frame.

[colbyjack]

reillymcshance put it pretty well. Inman's height is always going to mean he has to prove himself a little bit more each and every year. We've heard some pretty glowing first-hand reports of Inman, including pogo's in which he was throwing in the mid-90s, but prospect publications are of course looking for the ideal combinations of size and stuff.

 

I'm not into the height thing as much as most, or even the stuff thing, as there are plenty of pitchers in the big-leagues that are very successful despite not having the prototypical profile of a #2, #3 (etc.) pitcher, including several pitchers on the Brewers staff the past several years (Davis, Capuano, Bush). I'm guessing Inman is about the same size as Sheets, and he hasn't lost a thing on his fastball (Oswalt, Harden and Santana are also hard-throwing, shorter pitchers).

 

One reason I'm not fond of the Petit comparison is that Petit also had some concerns about the lack of groundballs he induced. He was an extreme flyball pitcher, and that along with his lack of great stuff led many to believe he wouldn't make the greatest conversion to the big-league level.

 

Inman on the other hand, IIRC, not only gets a tons of Ks but he also does a very good job inducing groundballs. And of course he didn't give up a HR until 100+ innings into his season a year ago.

[UWRyan428]

And he holds the Virginia High School record for K's.

[And That]

Colby explained it much better than I could. I just want to add that the height thing is also because taller guys have longer arms and can hide their pitches a little longer. So theoretically, a shorter guy would have to have better stuff than a taller guy to get by.

 

By the way, Inman has great stuff. Low 90's great running fastball, a plus-potential breaking ball and an average-potential change. Doesn't have Sheets' velocity, but he has his moxie. Inman is the new Gallardo.

[DHonks]

Inman is the new Gallardo.

 

so who is the new Inman? Garrison? Mercedes?

[Will Inman Fan]

Will Inman throws 92-95 and he is 5'11 230 lbs (not sure where you got 180 from pogokat he hasn't been that small since high school) To those of you that haven't ever seen him pitch in person I strongly encourage you to do so. I dont think you will downplay him after that!

[reillymcshane]

Inman is 5"11', 180lbs (pogokat). Or 5"11, 230 (Inman fan). Or 6"1, 210 (BF.net profile), or 6"0' (BA).

 

Don't really care. As long as keeps pitching like he has, he can be a friggin' hobbit for all I care.

[endaround]

Is he 5'11" like Prince is 6'0"?

[colbyjack]

I think Inman is 6'1" like Prince is 6'0".

[reillymcshane]

Jeffress clocks in at #51 - nice ranking for him.

 

 

51. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP, Brewers

Age: 19

Acquired: 1st round, 2006, Halifax County HS (South Boston, Va.)

 

Jeffress struggled with his command last season in the rookie-level Arizona League, but a fastball that occasionally reaches triple digits hints at his promise. He gets groundballs (always a useful skill), but his secondary pitches need much work. He's raw and needs careful instruction coming up through the system. However, Jeffress' promise is undeniable

[pogokat]

inman ia actually 5'11"-6'0" he's definitely not any shorter than that...who has him at 230? good grief...maybe 190...but he's not 230 yet...he's an athletic looking guy..

[reillymcshane]

Ryan Braun is #11

 

11. Ryan Braun, 3B, Brewers

Age: 23

Acquired: 1st round, 2005, University of Miami

 

The fifth-overall pick in '05, Braun hit .303 AVG/.367 OBP/.589 SLG last year after a mid-season promotion to Double-A Huntsville. Braun's not much with the glove, but his bat will play anywhere. At the plate, he hits for tremendous power, handles breaking stuff with aplomb and uses the whole field. Braun's athleticism may yet allow him to become a passable defensive third baseman, but he needs much work in that regard. Still, it's the bat that will make him a star. He's got a shot at being the Brewers' Opening Day third baseman, but he's likely bound for Triple-A Nashville to start the year.

 

Full story

 

That means Yo will be in his top 10.

[TheEndless7]

Quote:

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Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the new book, "Winners: How Good Baseball Teams Become Great Ones

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Momentary Hijack..but anyone read that? I'm always looking for good/interesting baseball books to pass the time...

[reillymcshane]

Quote:

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Momentary Hijack..but anyone read that? I'm always looking for good/interesting baseball books to pass the time

---

 

Endless, I looked the reviews on Amazon - about a dozen - pretty mediocre. People complained about the title - that it was misleading. Most said it was interesting - but nothing great. I like Perry as a writer - funny, sharp guy. I generally agree with him. Perhaps he's one of those 'best taken in small doses' guys. It's very stat oriented, so perhaps many of the readers felt it went down that path way too much. Sorry I can't give a personal review.

[TheEndless7]

Thanks, Riley, I don't ever mind his articles, but articles compared to a full book can be completely different. I'll skim a copy of it if I see it at a bookstore or something and decide if I think it's worth reading.

[UWRyan428]

And the final installment... with Yo at #10.

Top 10 Prospects

 

Quote:

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It all came together for Gallardo last season. Despite pitching at higher levels, he drastically cut down on his walk rates and improved upon his strikeout rates. Gallardo makes hay with two excellent breaking pitches and a fastball that touches the mid-90s. His changeup is of the "show me" variety, but it's enough to get by, considering the strength of his other offerings. He's polished and confident on the mound, and he'll be ready for Milwaukee by mid-season.

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Nothing too exciting, but it is nice to see we have two of the top 11 prospects in baseball, according to a good source.

[jwaltz]

Alex Gordon is his #1. No surprise there. Gordon made the Royals. The Royals need to keep this kid. He's a special one. By the end of the year Gordon will be the new face of the franchise.

[reillymcshane]

Gordan is the face now -- don't need to wait until end of the year. Lot of pressure on him, but he seem to have the make up to be special. At least KC didn't screw up and not draft him because of $$$. If I recall, there were some rumblings at the time they didn't want to pay top dollar, and were going to chase someone else.