Post by Gary Dreyer (Rangers) on Feb 6, 2012 22:36:55 GMT -5
1) Devin Mesoraco, C, Grade A-: Hard to believe this guy looked like a busted first round pick two years ago. Better conditioning and strike zone gains worked wonders. Should be an above-average defender who hits for power.
2) Billy Hamilton, SS, Grade B+: Ridiculously fast and he uses that speed well. Lacks power and strikes out a lot, but I remain optimistic that his hitting skills will improve and thus the grade. Might end up at second base.
3) Daniel Corcino, RHP, Grade B: Everyone makes Johnny Cueto comparisons, and it makes a lot of sense. Size and stuff are similar. Excellent component ratios in the Midwest League, demonstrates ability to throw plus fastball, solid slider and changeup for strikes.
4) Robert Stephenson, RHP, Grade B: High school first-rounder with live arm, 92-96 MPH fastball and a promising curve. Projects as a number two starter if all goes according to plan. Would have been a top ten pick in some draft classes, but the '11 group was so strong he fell to 27th overall.
5) Zack Cozart, SS, Grade B-: Good fielder with some pop in his bat, keeps exceeding expectations. Plate discipline is spotty and I doubt he hits .300+ in a full season, but he should be a solid regular.
6) Tony Cingrani, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Relieved in college for Rice but a starter now, developing slider and changeup with good results in Pioneer League. Throws strikes, has a shot at becoming a number three starter. Grade is aggressive but I like him.
7) Didi Gregorius, SS, Grade C+: Toolsy infielder from Curacao, great throwing arm, good range, still makes a lot of errors. Line drive hitter with poor plate discipline but still young enough at 21 to develop considerably.
8) Todd Frazier, UT, Grade C+: Nothing left to prove in the minors. Turns 26 in February and we have a read on his skills now after two seasons in Triple-A. He's not going to hit .300 in the majors, but he's got enough power to be useful and can play multiple positions without being a liability. In these days of large pitching staffs and small benches, that has value.
9) Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Grade C+: One of several young Latin American power hitters with poor plate discipline in the system. Age 19, has 20/20 potential but injuries and a poor hitting approach have held him back. Physical potential to be a star, but can he refine it?
10) Henry Rodriguez, 2B, Grade C+: 21-year-old switch-hitter produced .320/.372/.469 mark with 36 doubles, 13 homers, and 30 steals combined between High-A and Double-A. He has a legitimate bat, but sloppy defense and too many mental mistakes hurt his stock with scouts. If he gets his head on straight, he could be a very impressive player.
11) Neftali Soto, 1B, Grade C+: Slammed 30 homers in Double-A at age 22 but plate discipline remains poor and he has an uphill battle in the OBP and batting average departments.
12) J.C. Sulbaran, RHP, Grade C+: Live arm, posted impressive 155/50 K/BB in 137 innings in the California League although 4.60 ERA makes him easy to overlook. FIP was much better at 3.29. 22-year-old is well-known from performance in international competition a few years ago.
13) David Vidal, 3B, Grade C+: Solid production in Midwest League, .280 with 20 homers, 37 doubles. Performed well defensively. Plate discipline needs some work but an intriguing player.
14) Tim Crabbe, RHP, Grade C+: Overlooked prospect, posted solid ratios in difficult California League, 3.41 ERA with 123/46 K/BB in 111 innings, 97 hits. Above-average fastball and slider. Needs a third pitch, but there are things to build on here.
15) Kyle Lotzkar, RHP, Grade C+: Still striking people out at a good clip, driving the long road back from Tommy John surgery.
2) Billy Hamilton, SS, Grade B+: Ridiculously fast and he uses that speed well. Lacks power and strikes out a lot, but I remain optimistic that his hitting skills will improve and thus the grade. Might end up at second base.
3) Daniel Corcino, RHP, Grade B: Everyone makes Johnny Cueto comparisons, and it makes a lot of sense. Size and stuff are similar. Excellent component ratios in the Midwest League, demonstrates ability to throw plus fastball, solid slider and changeup for strikes.
4) Robert Stephenson, RHP, Grade B: High school first-rounder with live arm, 92-96 MPH fastball and a promising curve. Projects as a number two starter if all goes according to plan. Would have been a top ten pick in some draft classes, but the '11 group was so strong he fell to 27th overall.
5) Zack Cozart, SS, Grade B-: Good fielder with some pop in his bat, keeps exceeding expectations. Plate discipline is spotty and I doubt he hits .300+ in a full season, but he should be a solid regular.
6) Tony Cingrani, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Relieved in college for Rice but a starter now, developing slider and changeup with good results in Pioneer League. Throws strikes, has a shot at becoming a number three starter. Grade is aggressive but I like him.
7) Didi Gregorius, SS, Grade C+: Toolsy infielder from Curacao, great throwing arm, good range, still makes a lot of errors. Line drive hitter with poor plate discipline but still young enough at 21 to develop considerably.
8) Todd Frazier, UT, Grade C+: Nothing left to prove in the minors. Turns 26 in February and we have a read on his skills now after two seasons in Triple-A. He's not going to hit .300 in the majors, but he's got enough power to be useful and can play multiple positions without being a liability. In these days of large pitching staffs and small benches, that has value.
9) Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Grade C+: One of several young Latin American power hitters with poor plate discipline in the system. Age 19, has 20/20 potential but injuries and a poor hitting approach have held him back. Physical potential to be a star, but can he refine it?
10) Henry Rodriguez, 2B, Grade C+: 21-year-old switch-hitter produced .320/.372/.469 mark with 36 doubles, 13 homers, and 30 steals combined between High-A and Double-A. He has a legitimate bat, but sloppy defense and too many mental mistakes hurt his stock with scouts. If he gets his head on straight, he could be a very impressive player.
11) Neftali Soto, 1B, Grade C+: Slammed 30 homers in Double-A at age 22 but plate discipline remains poor and he has an uphill battle in the OBP and batting average departments.
12) J.C. Sulbaran, RHP, Grade C+: Live arm, posted impressive 155/50 K/BB in 137 innings in the California League although 4.60 ERA makes him easy to overlook. FIP was much better at 3.29. 22-year-old is well-known from performance in international competition a few years ago.
13) David Vidal, 3B, Grade C+: Solid production in Midwest League, .280 with 20 homers, 37 doubles. Performed well defensively. Plate discipline needs some work but an intriguing player.
14) Tim Crabbe, RHP, Grade C+: Overlooked prospect, posted solid ratios in difficult California League, 3.41 ERA with 123/46 K/BB in 111 innings, 97 hits. Above-average fastball and slider. Needs a third pitch, but there are things to build on here.
15) Kyle Lotzkar, RHP, Grade C+: Still striking people out at a good clip, driving the long road back from Tommy John surgery.