2012 Reader Top 30, #2

2012 Reader Top 30

Trevor May was the runaway winner for the top spot which should come as no big surprise. Things will get more interesting as we move on to #2 and then on down the line. As a reminder on eligibility for the list, to be eligible the player must have fewer than 130 AB or 50 innings pitched. Mitchell Walding received the most write-in support (4 votes), so he will be added to the poll for #2 in place of Trevor May.

The list so far

01. Trevor May, RHP
02.

Check below the jump for the next poll

68 thoughts on “2012 Reader Top 30, #2”

  1. Biddle was my 1b and I assume he’ll runaway with the #2 slot. I’m not sure who I’m voting for at #3 at this point…

    Unlike last year, I feel like I’m already voting for the 11th guy…

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  2. Biddle is definitely the #2 choice.

    As far as #3, I just can’t justify voting for Sebastian Valle over Freddy Galvis. Not until Valle turns his raw power into game power and improves his plate discipline. Valle has to handle seasoned AA pitching, while Galvis is almost there.

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  5. I voted for Biddle #1, so I’m taking him again. I think I’ll do Valle #3, but have no idea who I’ll pick at 4.

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  6. Biddle 2, Colvin will be 3 for me. Brody still has the talent but either injuries or lack of preparation hurt his 2011.

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  8. Colvin here. He had a throw away year in 2011. I think he rebounds big time in 2012 and competes with May for the #1 prospect spot.

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  9. Biddle is the clear #2 right now although Colvin could jump back up with a strong 2012. I don’t understand all the Galvis love. This is a guy who is a great fielder at an important position, I get all that, but he couldn’t hit a lick before this year. Even if he comes back and hits 270 this year, that might project as a 240 major league hitter with little power. He absolutely could become more than that but he’s never going to hit 300 in the majors. In selecting our top prospects, shouldn’t they at least have some chance of being an all star, or at least near all star, in the major leagues? This goes back to the liklihood vs ceiling discussion we have every year at this time. We all have to weigh those two factors against each other. A 90% liklihood of a set up reliever vs a 25% liklihood of a starting CF as an example.

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    1. I agree. I think Galvis is most likely to become John McDonald. That’s a good thing to have on your team, but if that’s your #3 prospect, you’re in trouble. I haven’t seen anyone rank him in their Top 10, nor have I seen any scouting report that projects him as more than a utility infielder.

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    2. Per my previous posts, I DO favor Galvis…but not before Biddle. There are precious few superior fielders playing shortstop–which may be the #2 position on the field. Value of position–for me–enhances his standing. His almost “radical” increase of his offense in 2011 should not be ignored.

      He may not be “there” yet, but he is close; so close that if J-Rolls’ contract demands where unreasonably out of line, they would have seriously considered Galvis….even though his offense as a work in progress. Apparently the deal was done giving Galvis another season to refine his art at the plate.

      IMO, the position, his defense, and his progress to the AAA level indicates a potential “prize” among the prospects on hand. Ratings of PROSPECTS should take into account the potential as shown by play. There appears to be few who have shown that potential at such a high level at such a young age. (22?)

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      1. Another season? They Signed Rollins for 4 years (yes, 4 is an option, but it’s very, very easily attainable if he’s remotely healthy).

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        1. Because he has tools. He has so many tools he makes Sears jealous and Makita cry. He has so many tools he needs three guys walking behind him to carry them all. He’s got so many tools…

          Actually, there’s absolutely no reason D’Arby Myers should make this list.

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      1. I agree he definitely belongs in the top 10. I was shocked to see he wasnt one of the choices.

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      1. I agree, Pettibone should be getting more votes, he is easily one of our top 5 prospects. He has PRO written all over him.

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  15. Clearly Biddle here but I don’t understand why either Green or Walding is even on the list right now. I need to see something first before I put them in my top 10

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  16. speaking of Walding, I have an interview set up with him, but seeing as how he hasn’t played a game yet, and the only info i can gather is through limited scouting reports, i’m at a bit of a loss for interview questions. Anyone have anything they want me to ask specifically about?

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    1. So, tell me about yourself, Mitchell.

      Actually, it may be good to do something similar to that. Admit that there isn’t much out there on him for Phillies fan to read and what can we expect from him? Strengths? Weaknesses?

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      1. The only thing is I don’t want the interview to be too cookie-cutter, like a “name, age, favorite color” type deal. But that’s a good idea to have more of an “introduction” interview so people can learn what he’s all about

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        1. I’ve read as much as I can find on him. I would want to ask him about his body type and whether or not he sees himself sticking as a SS….he’s a big kid and sure to fill out even more.

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    2. Bryan, maybe you can ask him about the transition from football to baseball, which position he prefers to play(seems SS or 3B), which player he thinks he most typifies in MLB, batting style and others.

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    3. What he thinks his strengths are, areas he would like to improve on, how he viewed the Phillies as an organization prior to signing, what players he tried to mold himself after, how he found the instructional league to be, etc.

      Those are things I’d consider asking him if I ever interviewed a prospect.

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    4. I would ask him why he didn’t sign sooner so he could actually get some pro ball under his belt. Is this his decision or his agents?

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  17. Biddle here, but now it gets difficult. I’m leaning Valle at #3 mostly because of reports of his improved defense and game calling.

    Things sure are thin on top though. Two of the most interestng names are relievers which doesn’t bode well for our org depth. Let’s hope the 2011 draftees deliver

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  19. Sebastian Valle for #2. He is a position player who has refined his defensive game in the most crucial position is the reason he received my nod over Biddle. His bat will take care of itself. I think the Phillies have the coaching to help him this year to be more selective. Daulton and Ruiz didn’t really do this until they reached the majors. He has the ceiling to be a very good hitter. With that in mind he is #2.

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  20. Also like Valle for #2 but can’t argue with Biddle here. A 1st round pick that seems on track to progess through the system. For me the only knock on Biddle is where does his FB sit and what is the separation between that pitch and his secondary pitches.

    As for Galvis he’ll be in the top 10 which is tremendous achievement for him considering how he started the rankings last year.

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  21. I went with Biddle and felt strongly he is the best guy left. Solid stuff, good performance, the only knock for putting him this high being that he is only at Lakewood. Although Valle, Galvis, and Colvin are higher up the system, they don’t match Biddle in tools/performance combo. #3 pick will be tougher for me between Colvin and Valle.

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  22. Biddle here and Valle #3 for me as well. I’m not voting for Franco just yet, but think he should be on this list soon (and certainly before anybody named Greene or Walding)

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  23. Call it a hunch, but one of the guys who I think we are going to be posting about a lot in the coming year is Austin Wright. I think he has middle of the rotation potential on a good team. He might just sneak into my top 10.

    By the way, what in the world happened to Gauntlett Eldemire? He just completely disappeared or, rather, just never showed up.

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  24. Actually I find the first few names kind of unexciting and kinda beyond really arguing over. I think it gets more interesting when we start talking about people with almost no professional experience – like the 2011 draft class and, especially, Carlos Tocci.

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  25. I have Biddle here. I’d like to see Franco added as he is #5 on my personal list. I also have Pointer in my top 10. Other names are all accounted for in the present selection list.

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  26. I figured Biddle would win, but my vote went to Pettibone. I think he’ll have the best year of our prospects.

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  27. Guys.. Get Real!
    Walding is going to be a 3rd Baseman because Tyler Greene is in our system. This poll is turning into a political caucas. Tyler Greene is the gem of the class..

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    1. I see Walding as a Third Baseman as well, which is fine with me, we need some good third base prospects beyond Franco and Martinez.

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      1. Yes…I believe that Greene will turn out to be the best of our ’11 draft class. I can see him at SS or 3rd base. Walding COULD be our 3rd baseman. And, Quinn–if not destined for SS–can be the 2nd baseman. There seem to be combinations and permutations concerning these guys that could work out in ways we don’t fully anticipate now.

        With the infield crying out to be formed for post J-Roll/Utley/Polanco (who needs replacement now or soon) guys now seems as the mission may be getting accomplished. The drafting/scouting crew did a superior job in ’11…!!

        Now, let’s see Madson get signed by a competitive team. We could use early draft choices.

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        1. I think he’ll pull a Beltre. One year deal with a contender, in a park that will help him put up good numbers, with a competitive team (I think LAA).

          I thought the draft class was very well done by the Phillies front office. I really loved a lot of selections. The infielders were all good picks and I think we’ve got something special potentially in all of them. I think Tyler Greene is going to be the one to stick at shortstop, Quinn to 2nd, and Walding to Third if they all reach their upside.

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  29. Freddy Galvis at #2. He turned the corner offensively last season and will still improve. The choice for me was Valle or Galvis. ZiPs projects Galvis with a 76 OPS+, 3 points ahead of Valle’s 73. Galvis is 8 months older and 2 levels ahead and was the Phillies minor league player of the year, so I’m going with him.

    Biddle is still too young, at too low a level, for me to put ahead of two hitters at important defensive positions who probably at least be play in the major league backups and may both be major league regulars. Biddle’s has started on the right path, but his future is still far less certain. I have him #4, substantially behind May, Galvis and Valle, just ahead of Franco.

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  31. If we give Colvin a pass for this past season – and I’m not saying we should – his numbers last year, as a 19 year old, are nearly the same as Biddle’s, this year as a 19 year old. Biddle had the better K/9 ratio – 8.4 to 7.8. Colvin had the better K/BB ratio – 2.76 to 1.88 for Biddle. Biddle has a better ERA and a slightly better WHIP. If I remember correctly Colvin started slow in 2010 but came on at the end so all-in-all I’d rate Biddle in 2011 slightly ahead of Covin in 2010. Colvin did some backsliding in 2011 and hopefully he’s learned that you can’t mail-in performance. you have to do it on the field. Pettibone as a 19 year old was well behind Biddle and Colvin. He stepped it up in 2011. The question is can he step it up again in AA or did he do all his growing in 2011. I’d rank the pitchers as: May, Biddle, Colvin & Pettibone. It’s an easy argument (discussion) to shift these guys around. If Pettibone made an equal stride into AA as he did in A+, he might be better than May. His K/9 isn’t even close to May’s but he misses bats and he’s more than a flame thrower. Biddle has a lot of growth potential and he’s left-handed. Colvin should mature a lot and realize it’s time to use the God given talent.

    In case you didn’t guess it, I voted for Biddle. I wanted to put a position player here but I believe the pitchers project better than the position players. Galvis could play in the Majors next year and could start for several teams. His ceiling has probably been set as a lower tier team starter or super-glove utility guy. He’ll get a lot of attention once the pitchers come off the board. Valle is also high on my list. I just think he’ll be moved very slowly so his arrival in Philly or anywhere in the Majors will be a few years away. I use potential and proximity as my criteria. He has some things to improve on and if he does, he’ll get there.

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    1. Ps. I didn’t mean to slight a guy like Julio Rodriguez who continues to amaze and delight me. I just keep waiting for him to crash into the ceiling. The relievers always get pushed down the list. Unless I fell very comfortable they will be a top-notch closer someday, I’ll let them slide down my list. I like DeFratus better than Aumont but wouldn’t hold it against anyone if they thought I was crazy for thinking that way. Sing it, Gnarls, Seal or Patsy… depending on you age group.

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      1. You missed my sleeper who I will most likely have ahead of Colvin, Pettibone and J-Rod…Lisalberto Bonilla for me sits right there with all of them. 1.134 WHIP in 3 seasons with a k/9 rate of almost 9. I think he loses projection points because of his slight frame.

        Julio’s WHIP and K/9 is actually better than all of them which bodes well for him but many scouts question how he gets it done with the stuff he has. Let’s see if he can sustain those numbers at another level.

        My two favorite periphials to view when looking at a pitcher I don’t have eyes on.

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  32. Colvin. I love the arm, and what I’ve read about his stuff. I think we were comparing him (favorably by some) to Cosart last year. I expect him to arrive in great shape and use last year’s performance as a constant motivator to keep him focused.

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  34. I believe Walding will be switched to Third also but not because Greene is a better S.S. But because he is the bigger & stronger of the two.Either way we can’t go wrong.Between the 3 of them Greene,Walding & Quinn we have the infield pretty well covered.Now lets just wait & see how they do.

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