Just for fun

I was looking through old prospect lists for the Phillies at Baseball America, and I went back to the 2004 list. I love going back and reading the future outlooks for guys, just to see how close they came to their predictions and prognostications. The Phillies Top 10, in order, with their future outlooks. A good idea raised in the comments, after the Phillies Top 10, I’ll give you the Top 10 lists of other teams. Check below the fold for the details

Cole Hamels

The Future: Hamels hasn’t experienced any repercussions from his high school arm injury. A pulled muscle in his right shoulder blade caused the Phillies to remove him from the trials for USA Baseball’s Olympic qualifying team. Club officials didn’t want to risk Hamels altering his mechanics to cope. The minor injury isn’t a long-term concern, and he should begin 2004 on schedule by returning to high Class A Clearwater. He’ll be challenged in Double-A Reading as soon as he proves he’s ready, and will continue his rapid development toward becoming a frontline starter.

Gavin Floyd

The Future: Floyd’s development is right on track. He’ll move up to Double-A in 2004, and the pitching depth in the organization means the Phillies won’t have to rush him.

Ryan Howard

The Future: There’s no reason Howard can’t reach 35 homers per year in the majors. His power met the stiff test of the pitcher-friendly FSL and should play fine in Double-A in 2004. He won’t be rushed through the system because of Jim Thome’s presence in Philadelphia, but likely will be ready for the majors before Thome’s contract expires after 2008.

Ryan Madson

The Future: Madson is ready for the big leagues and will have a shot to win the fifth starter’s role in Philadelphia this spring. He made a positive impression with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan during his September callup, giving him a slight advantage in the competition.

Keith Bucktrot

The Future: Bucktrot reported to the Arizona Fall League, but felt an elbow twinge and was pulled off the roster. He checked out fine and it’s no longer a concern. He’ll begin 2004 back in Double-A but once he’s ready, the Phillies won’t hesitate to make room for him in what could become a crowded Triple-A rotation.

Alfredo Simon

The Future: Simon’s size and repertoire used to remind Phillies officials of Carlos Silva, but now he might have more upside than that. While he could still emerge as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, it’s more likely Simon will become a late-inning reliever working off his plus fastball and whichever secondary pitch comes along the quickest. He’ll work on all three pitches as a high Class A starter in 2004.

Michael Bourn

The Future: Bourn and fellow 2003 draftee Javon Moran are similar players. They’ll continue alternating between left and center field at low Class A Lakewood in 2004. The Phillies hope Bourn can become a leadoff hitter with game-changing skills.

Elizardo Ramirez

The Future: There’s a possibility Ramirez could repeat high Class A because of his youth and a glut of pitchers already ahead of him in the system. If there’s an open spot in the Double-A rotation, however, he’ll be ready for it.

Juan Richardson

The Future: Because he missed half the year in Double-A, Richardson might begin 2004 there to make up for lost time. A solid spring training could land Richardson in Triple-A, and he should end his season there in any case. The best all-around third baseman in the system, Richardson could take over in Philadelphia by 2005.

Terry Jones

The Future: Phillies officials say Jones can be an above-average major league hitter capable of hitting .280 with 20-25 homers annually. He’ll work on his patience in high Class A next year.

Still waiting for that Juan Richardson breakout campaign! Now, on to the rest

Atlanta

Andy Marte, 3B
Jeff Francoeur, OF
Adam Wainwright, P
Bubba Nelson, P
Dan Meyer, P
Adam LaRoche, 1B
Macay McBride, P
Brian McCann, C
Kyle Davies, P
Anthony Lerew, P

Florida

Jeremy Hermida, OF
Jason Stokes, 1B
Jeff Allison, P
Scott Olsen, P
Yorman Bazardo, P
Josh Willingham, C
Eric Reed, OF
Jai Miller, OF
Trevor Hutchinson, P
Lincoln Holdzkom, P (Hey, I know this guy!)

Montreal/Washington

Clint Everts, P
Mike Hinckley, P
Larry Broadway, 1B
Josh Karp, P
Chad Cordero, P
Shawn Hill, P
Darrell Rasner, P
Seung Song, P
Terrmel Sledge, OF
Rogearvin Bernadina, OF

New York Mets

Scott Kazmir, P (bhahaha)
David Wright, 3B
Matt Peterson, P
Lastings Milledge, OF
Justin Huber, C
Bob Keppel, P
Jeremy Griffiths, P
Victor Diaz, 2B
Craig Brazell, 1B
Aaron Baldiris, 3B

19 thoughts on “Just for fun”

In hindsight a pretty good list although i don’t know who a couple of these guys are, Richardson, Jones, and bucktrot. Two obvious homeruns there at #1 and #3

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19 thoughts on “Just for fun”