2012 Reader Top 30, #3

2012 Reader Top 30

Well, not much of a surprise at #2 with Jesse Biddle winning in a landslide, but the real fun should start now, as things will get a bit trickier. I will add Maikel Franco to the poll now. Again, if you want to write in a candidate, go for it, and as we knock off the guys on the list, I’ll be adding one new prospect each day. If there is someone that you absolutely believe should be listed, even if you don’t plan on voting for them in the current round, you should make note of it in the comments. Otherwise, the player with the most write-in votes will be automatically added. As a reminder on eligibility for the list, to be eligible the player must have fewer than 130 AB or 50 innings pitched.

The list so far

01. Trevor May, RHP
02. Jesse Biddle, LHP

Check below the fold for the newest poll

106 thoughts on “2012 Reader Top 30, #3”

  1. Why is Aumont getting no love on here? Everything I’ve read on him says that he has the best curve in our system along with a fastball with a lot of movement. I just don’t see how people could vote on a toolsy catcher (who really has yet to show the power that i keep hearing about) over a dominant closer with good success.

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    1. Not sure I’d call Aumont a dominant closer at this point. He had periods of dominance along with periods of control issues. I also value position players and starting pitchers significantly more than I do relief pitchers.

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    2. I think what you’re seeing is a general preference for starters – be they pitchers or position players – over relievers/bench players. It’s hard to rank a guy who is expected to be a solid set up reliever as the third best player in the system, even if that might be the case. No one wants to believe our system is that bad.

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      1. Not about the system being bad at all. Its about the value a potential starter vs. a bench player/relief pitcher. The best relief pitchers (non-closers) and bench players typically make 3m-4m per season on the FA market while a top-notch starter/position player makes 3-4 times that much.

        Because of that, a guy like Valle who projects as a potential starting catcher is more valuable and therefore a better prospect than a guy like DeFratus to projects as a set-up guy, even if DeFratus is more likely to make it.

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        1. Some of that I don’t buy, the phillies are paying 12.5 million for a closer, paid 11 for lidge before that, setup guys, I think could reasonably expect 8 million on a championship caliber team. Who was the last 7 million dollar bench player for the phillies? (not a flop player either)…. A better way of thinking about it, clearly most of the league has rejected madson as a closer, what would he be worth to the phillies to be a setupman on a one year contract? I don’t think the orginal poster here is right either, I just think you’re undervaluing relievers. The other side of this is do you honestly think Valle has more potential than ruiz? I don’t… ruiz was a boarderline all star two years ago with an OBP @ 400… and how much is he being paid? 2.7 milion last year, and 3.7 this coming year. How about Jimmy, he just signed a contract for 11 million per season, and you have to believe this coming year will be heads and shoulders better then anything Glavis puts up in his career. Now, you’re right, a relief pitcher will never pull an A-Rod/Puljos/Howard/Fielder type contract, but we both know neither valle nor glavis will ever come close to those contracts, and i personally think the odds Aumont or J DeF some day gets a 8 million dollar contract are higher then valle or glavis getting one.

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          1. There is only one set-up guy I’m awaer of making $8m and that was Soriano for the Yankees and no team pays anything close to $7m for a true bench player. Yes, there are always exceptions but I was talking about the TYPICAL reliever/bench player.

            But I don’t think you are understanding my point. Ruiz performing at his level for $3m-$4M is exacly why having home grown starters is so valuable. Ruiz’s contract is below market for a starting catcher. The Marlins paid Buck $8M per year as a FA. Also, your comment about Rollins makes the exact point that finding a SS with decent numbers on the FA market costs $11M. So who is more valuable, Galvis as a starter putting up league average #’s or Defratus performing as a league average set-up guy.

            If your argument is that neither Galvis or Valle will become league average while Aumont and Defratus will both become closers, then make that case. But you cannot argue that getting a starting pitcher/position player from the system is much more valuable than getting a reliever/bench player.

            As for Valle/Galvis, I’m not making any comparison regarding their value in relation to Ruiz or Rollins, just that if they realize their ceilings as starters they are more valuable as prospects in my opinion than are Aumont/Defratus who will probably end up as 7th-8th inning guys in the majors.

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            2. I absolutely agree that if they both end up full time starters they’re more valuable then anything but a closer. Actually I agree with most of what you said, perhaps I wasn’t communicating as well as I would have liked. What I’m getting at is this…

              Starter (in Millions) Below Average Above
              Catcher 4 6 11
              ShortStop 4 6 11

              Odds of achievement
              Glavis 0.5 0.15 0.05
              Valle 0.4 0.25 0.1

              Value
              Glavis 2 0.9 0.55
              Valle 1.6 1.5 1.1

              Value of Reliever 6/7th Inn 8th Inn. 9th Inn.
              Reliever 1.5 5 9

              Odds of Achievement
              Justin Def. 0.7 0.35 0.1
              Aumont 0.6 0.25 0.15

              Value
              Justin Def. 1.05 1.75 0.9
              Aumont 0.9 1.25 1.35

              Actual Value
              Glavis 3.45
              Valle 4.2
              Jdef 3.7
              Aumont 3.5

              And this is why I have Valle as the number 3 prospect, and why I have glavis behind both the two relievers cited above.

              If you want my formulas for this feel free and ask, also, if you’d like to adjust my probabilities of sucess or value based on quality of MLB player then let me know and i’ll re run the spreadsheet.

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          2. We are actually in general agreement in regards to both Valle and Galvis. I’m not sold on Galvis becoming an everyday SS based on his one average season in AA. I also don’t have him in my top-5

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    3. I like Aumont, but not this high. A closer who had a good year last year, but not unbelievable and struggled the year before shouldn’t be in the top 3.

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    4. Aumont’s a good prospect, but for a reliever to be a top 5 prospect he either has to be elite or it’s a thin system. Just too soon for him.

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      2. Sadly either he or Defratus will be in that 5-7 range. Your post is correct though, we have a thin system. The fact that guys who were just drafted and have no to very little professional experience getting votes proves that.

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  3. After deciding on Valle yesterday, I had a spur of the moment change of heart and went with Pettibone. I think I need to see Valle improve his plate approach (even just a little bit) before I believe in him as a real prospect and not a future bench player. He’ll be picked 3rd here, so I’ll get to reprise my vote for Pettibone tomorrow.

    Not that Pettibone is any great shakes as a prospect, but I think we could see him fill in for an injured starter in 2012. Proximity is important and it looks like he could be the next Kendrick/Happ/Worley to pop out of the system.

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    1. Proximity? Pettibone hasn’t pitched above A ball. Did you mean Hyatt? He’s the next K/H/W type for 2012 as you suggest.

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      1. Pettibone is a better comp for those guys than Hyatt, IMO. He seems to have a high probability of getting to the majors because he has good control and doesnt give up homers. Just like Kendrick in the minors. Unfortunately, like Kendrick, his ceiling seems low (4-5 starter) because he doesn’t strike anyone out.
        But I like him. Just not sure whether a 4-5 starter is more valuable than a closer (Aumont).

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        1. I would say no, becuase if the 4/5 profile flops, he ends up as easily replaceable with no promise of a career as a long man due to lack of history in relief, a closer who doesn’t achieve could be a setup guy or a strong 7th inning guy, still plenty of value there.

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          1. Oddly, one of the the greatest closers in MLB, Mariano Rivera, was a average/ mediocre starter in the minors…and only one save, and that in his very first season in the GCL. He didn’t register his first save in the majors until his mid-20s. So it is hard to project 4th/5th guys into different rolls if they come up short in their initial career starting point.

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  4. I picked Pettibone over Valle, because I think he’s a better bet to have a slightly + career in the bigs for a slightly longer time, especially if the reports of his FB touching 94 are accurate, (anyone remember where I read that? I can’t…some top ten from earlier in the off-season). Anyway, his progressing BB and HR rates from prior years, and a mildly higher K rate, are good signs, and I like that he had a lousy month in June and turned it back around to finish strong. Leaves no question in my mind abotu long-term fatigue or the like.

    Valle had a weird season last year. Easily could have been him also. Just that BB rate and a slightly declining OPS pushed him down a notch. Seems that his defense is improving – I can’t recall ever reading a report to the contrary. Still a good guy to have around.

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  5. Yep Valle here then Galvis. PP-I’d question having Walding on the ballot at this time. I’d like to lobby for either J-Rod or Bonilla…

    Don’t worry about Aumont he should slot in around 5-6

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    1. Agree on J-Rod and Bonilla. They’re the last of the next crop of guys I think a lot of people would at least consider voting for in the 8-15 range.

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  6. Do people here see Freddy Galvis as a starting shortstop or a utility infielder? When I look at him, I see a utility infielder whose defense is good enough that you don’t mind starting him when there are injuries but isn’t good enough for a $170 mil payroll team to settle for over an offseason.

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    1. I see him as a good starter on a mediocre team, but a position to upgrade if he’s a starter on a championship caliber team

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    2. With all the talk of Galvis going in the top 3 on the other threads you’d think people see him as a starting shortstop. I personally see him as a utility infielder. He might crack my top 10.

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      1. Rollins had 7 minor league seasons hitting 261 with a 328 OBP he turned out to be a really nice starter don’t you think? Not saying Galvis enjoys the same success but its too early to write him off as only a utility IF.

        Time is not on his side however. Most big league SS break into the league by their age 20-22 season.

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        1. Rollins didn’t have 7 minor league seasons, he had 5. He also had a much larger skill set showing more power and having the ability to steal bases.

          Rollins also got the opportunity to play because the Phillies were a mediocre team at the time and didn’t have a viable alternative.

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        2. You included 2 rehab stints Rollins had in his late 20’s/early 30’s. Rollins had 4 full seasons and 1 short season in the minors before breaking camp with the Phillies. If you dump those 2 rehab stints his avg was closer to .270, OBP closer to .340 and his SLG was right around .400 (and improved nearly every season). Galvis in 4 full and 1 short season has a line of .246/.292/.321. Any comp is kind of wish casting.

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        3. DUDE you have to be kidding me… Glavis’s best season won’t approach Jrolls career averages, JR won the NL MVP and you honestly think there is even the smallest iota of evidence that Glavis can match that? I CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE GLAVIS LOVE!!! I get our system is weak at the top this year, but come on, Glavis the no-hit defensive stud will never be a long term solution to anything but the bench on a championship team.

          PS I actually think all this fanboy love for him has pissed me off enough that i’m writing him off more then I would otherwise. Ahhhh such is life.

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          1. I CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE GALVIS HATE!!! Sorrry caps lock got stuck.

            What I don’t understand is the mentality here that some of these guys can’t just get better. There are a lot of posters on here talking about Mayberry Jr. taking over left field full time and possibly replacing Victorino after this year based on what? What may turn out to be a couple good months. Before that he was viewed as a 4A player.

            I’m not here to make the argument that Galvis will be anything special or that his MLB carreer will be anything close to Rollins’ number wise. I just don’t get how some on here can completely write off a 22 year old who will be in AAA coming off a solid – if unspectacular year.

            I think very few are arguing that he’ll ever be an all-star but if he has another solid year with the bat, league average SS and therefore solid MLB regular, is not out of the question. Especially given his already elite defense. Not every starter has to be a 1-5 hitter.

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          2. Dude you are really starting to sound like a troll but I want to give you a pass because you probably didn’t pass reading comprehension in the 4th grade. I don’t have a feeling one way or the other for Freddy but I know this not you or anyone else posting here knows with absolute certainty what his career is going to be. Did you even see Freddy play last year?

            For the record I do not believe he will enjoy the same success as Jimmy Rollins but I’m also not ready to say he won’t have a decent career as a major league SS. My point in bringing Rollins stats into the conversation (minus the 2 seasons added for rehab-MY BAD) was based on those stats no one back then was talking about him as an MVP type player and for those willing to be honest you probably weren’t betting he’d end with the career he had.

            You want to have an opinion fine but this notion that anyone here knows anymore than the next person is flat out ludicrous. Effin Gauntlett Eldmire could be the next coming of Gary Mathews JR for all we know.

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    3. Starting shortstop. Ten years ago I would’ve questioned his future. But last year the league average OPS at shortstop was .688. Except for Tulowitzki and Reyes, there really aren’t any shortstops in the NL anymore who are impact offensive players.

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      1. Well the problem here is Galvis has had 4 sub .600 OPS years in the minors and one slightly above .700. If his success from last year carries over to this year I’d skyrocket him in my rankings. I’m playing a wait and see with him but I’m very skeptical overall.

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        1. He’s not ready yet. But from what I’ve seen, most of the time when a young minor league player takes that kind of step forward, it tends to be “real.” Exceptions are older players, illusions of context, very small sample sizes, and BABIP driven “improvement.” None of which applies in Galvis’ case.

          The reason to nonetheless be somewhat (not IMO very) skeptical is that he’s going to need to make further progress with his hitting, even if that just means (for 2012) duplicating his AA numbers in AAA. And that is not a given.

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    4. Given age/level, I think he could become a starting shortstop, even for a good team. I think people underestimate the extent to which the offensive expectations for a SS have declined over the past few years.

      That said, the emphasis is on “could become.” He would certainly be miscast in that role now, and probably has at best a 50% chance of developing into that role. Which is a heck of a lot better than the the 5% chance I assigned him a year ago.

      The model here is Andrus – a comp that some people made a year ago. That comp looked pretty weak a year ago, but is looking … well, at least more possible, if still more of a ceiling than a projection.

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      1. Not really sure how anyone could make the comparison to Andrus because Andrus can fly with the best of them. That and his short minor league career kicks the pants off of Galvis’.

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        1. Not much power, decent but not exceptional plate discipline & contact skills, good defense. Andrus does have more speed.

          As for the minor league careers, prior to last year you are certainly correct, which is why the comparison looked silly a year ago. But Galvis’ 2011 wouldn’t look out of place in Andrus’ minor league resume.

          Andrus speed plus better overall minor league body of work is why the comp works better for type of player and upside, as opposed to a reasonable projection. But if Galvis can be Andrus with less speed (possible though far from certain) he will be an average or even slightly above average major league starting shortstop.

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          1. If I was going to make a best case comparison for Galvis it would be to Omar Vizquel who came into the leage as a defensive SS with a border line bat. Vizquel put up sub .600 OPS number for the first 3 years of his career before “breaking out” in his 4th season with a .692. He eventually developed enough plate discipline to begin putting up high OBP numbers to compensate for having no power and hitting in the .275 range.

            I’ve been as hard on Galvis as anyone but I haven’t given up on the possibility of him becoming an average starter at SS.

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            2. I don’t know if Ozzy would even have had the chance to develop his bat in todays day and age…

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          2. Ozzie Smith took awhile to develop his hit tool in the majors but his short minors season wasn’t exactly bad. And let’s not forget he is THE glove. He had a .391 OBP in the minors in his lone season

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            1. Agreed, Ozzie hit over 300 in his only season in the minors. Vizquel’s minor league numbers were just as bad as Galvis’s have been to date.

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            2. Ozzie’s season in the minors was in the Northwest League, equivalent to the NY-Penn League. The Padres not only made Oz their starting shortstop in 1978, they jumped him over THREE levels to do it. And they stuck with him. Oz hit .210 in his second season and they never took him out of the lineup. It took him til August 4 that season to even cross the Mendoza line. But the Padres wanted his glove.

              My understanding of the Padres at the time is that they were a terrible organization that didn’t understand how to build a winning team. Ozzie obviously wasn’t ready for the big leagues and it’s a credit to his talent that he persevered and eventually became a legitimately great player (and not just a great gloveman.) He immediately improved when he left the Padres. In today’s game he would’ve spent at least two years in the minors producing far better stats there, and his MLB triple slash lines would look a lot better.

              We wouldn’t have seen that bare-handed robbery against Jeff Burroughs though.

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      2. Andrus has plus plus speed and Galvis is only average. What is somewhat overlooked with Galvis is with more muscle his throws have lost some zip and his acrobatics at shortstop have diminished. I admire his work ethic but am concerned.

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      1. Well there were those two years, ’04 and ’05, where Everett started SS for the Astros in the playoffs.

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      2. Everett was a roughly average major league starting shortstop, even in a high offense era, for four years at his peak. That’s good enough for a contender (a contender needs multiple above average players, but it’s very rare to see a team above average at every position). If he was at his peak under the current run environment, he would be an above average starting shortstop.

        If Galvis hits that upside, he can be a capable starting shortstop for a contender. IMO it is far from certain that he will attain that level, but on the other hand I think he could develop a bit more plate discipline than Everett.

        The Rollins contract on the one hand, and the presence of some good prospects from te last draft on the other, might pinch Galvis out of a real chance to be a starting SS for the Phillies. But if there is an opening, and if Galvis continues to develop, he could fill the role just fine.

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        1. I made a bunch of Adam Everett comps for Galvis last year as one of his bigger supporters. I can’t see ranking an Adam Everett-type player above Valle, Colvin, or Pettibone though and probably not ahead of Aumont or De Fratus either.

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    1. I agree on Colvin. If he gets himself in shape he has top of the rotation potential. Bad year last year, looking to bounce back.

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            1. I liked Colvin a lot last year and I think most of us had him ranked above May… If he crushes this year in A+ and makes a seamless midseason move to AA and continues to do well, he could be our #1 prospect next year. (But may would have to stumble a bit or atleast lose some of those K’s …)

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    2. Well, looks like we are three of the 12 votes he has gotten. I’ll keep going here until he is gone.

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    3. Agree. Ceiling matters. Colvin dealt with some minor injuries last year that hurt his stats. He can still be a 2/3 starter where Pettibone is more of a 4/5. Valle also needs to show a little more discipline with the bat to project him this high. He gets points for being a catcher, though from most reports he is still only average defensively.

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  8. I went with Valle here although the more I think about it the less I like him. His approach is not very good. Hopefully that improves this year. But he has potential and has some performance to back things up so I put him at 3.

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  9. Valle. He has hit for power and for average, but has not put the two together yet and has not learned plate discipline. I have confidence he will hit for both power and avg in friendlier parks and when he learns to endure the long season as a catcher. As said above, we have good coaching to improve his plate approach and necessity will teach him much. To me, bottom line is power, bat speed, and eye-hand coordination seem to be exceptional and his defense is making significant strides. He has the best chance to be plus offensively and defensively and be an all-star or a solid starter at a high-value position.

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    1. Diamond, I agree with your post about Sebastion Valle’s potential and good catchers that can hit are hard to find in the MLB. I had Valle as #1 as I would value a strong catching prospect over a potential starter given the Phillies roster.

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  11. This is where things get tough. My guess is that one or two of the group of Colvin, Aumont, and Pettibone (and I like all of these guys) is going to end up being as or more valuable than Valle, but I don’t know which one or ones that will be and Aumont’s value is likely to be limited just because he is a reliever, so I went with Valle.

    One of my main reasons for ranking Valle so high (although I do so with some hesitation due to his extreme lack of historical plate discipline), is that I had the opportunity to see him play in the futures game and I just loved the way he looked and swung the bat. He has serious power potential. I think, if things break right, you are looking at a player with a significant upside at the plate and it looks like he is developing quite well behind the plate.

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  12. I don’t share the enthusiasm for Valle as, unless and until he makes a dramatic change to his approach, his ceiling is replacement level Catcher. I do wonder if he would have benefit from not being advanced so aggressively, but I am very skeptical right now and see him down around 7-8 on my list.

    Galvis is my vote simply for the fact that I think he will at least be a 2nd division starter due to his defense and given his across the board improvement we saw last year with the bat, he has a real chance to be an asset as opposed to someone you’re always looking to upgrade.

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    1. Your argument against Valle is that he seems to be only a “replacement level” catcher. Galvis is your choice. What about him makes you think he is more than a “replacement level” shortstop?
      IMO, Valle may profile as a better catcher than Galvis does at shortstop.

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      1. Put simply, Valle’s approach at the plate will not be sustainable at higher levels (and it was that impressive in the FSL either).

        A bit more context: Galvis had a better line at a higher level only 1 year older. His approach reflects sustainable improvements. His defense is plus plus. If he can sustain an OPS over .700, with his defense, he is a valuable player on a good team. That is certainly not a given, but not unrealistic either.

        Valle’s defense has reportedly improved to the point that scouts don’t think he’ll have to move. That is not plus, or necessarily even average for that matter. With a bad approach and inconsistent power, a lot more has to go right for Valle than for Galvis to make an impact at the big league level.

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        2. Galvis’ projected MLB equivalent triple slash based on last season’s break through year: .230/.271/.329. A .600 OPS. And, just for the hell of it, Wilson Valdez’s career line: .243/.290/.330. I hope Galvis can get to a .700 OPS in the Majors and it isn’t pie in the sky that he can, I just couldn’t comfortably say he’s a top 5 prospect, nor project him as more than a utility Infielder. If he improves next year, I’ll get excited (until Ruben trades him for Zack Greinke).

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          1. It’s a bit straw man to reference a 21 year old AA SS’s MLB equivalency numbers. What were Valle’s btw?

            No one is saying he would have had a .700 OPS last year. He did, however, have a .700+ OPS in AA last year, and if he can sustain that as he moves up – and his improved approach makes me somewhat optimistic – than he becomes a valuable player.

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            1. Valle’s numbers came in an extreme pitchers league. Galvis’ numbers came in a hitters league in an extreme hitters park. Valle has a few things that need improvement, but his season was more impressive if taken in context.
              …And he was a 20 year old catcher in high A ball.

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          2. ZIPS projects Galvis as a better hitter than Valle, 76 OPS+ to 73 OPS+. Galvis is only 8 months older but has >2 years at AA and AAA while Valle has yet to play in AA. I’ve been voting for Galvis since last round.

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            1. Are you just using Galvis’ last season. Because complete body of work Valle has been the better hitter. Also you can’t really compare the ZIPS projections for guys with stats accrued on different levels because proximity is a large factor. Yeah Galvis had a decent year last year but every other year before that was dreadful offensively.

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            2. ZipS uses multiple years to create projections. I think it’s valid as a data point but it’s just that, a point. We know Galvis would be a better MLB player than Valle in 2012. But we’re ranking players based on their entire projected careers.

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  13. This is a really tough one for me, but i’m going to vote for Aumont because of his combination of upside and proximity to the Majors right now. Even if he never gets successfully converted back to a starter, I could very easily see him being a powerhouse reliever and eventually closer. Although I was pondering going with Valle at #3 he still really makes me nervous on what kind of Major Leaguer he’ll be. The Phillies system is still filled with tons of guys with serious potential, but the vast majority are so far away from the Majors. Hopefully the recent draft classes will really step up this year, since we certainly need new top prospects to replace the ones traded away.

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  14. I’ll probably go Colvin next, but right now I’m going with the young guy who can play defense at a premium position…….not Galvis, Valle. I really can’t wait to see what kind of numbers he puts up at Reading. I also hope he can improve his selectivity at the plate against better competition. I’m hoping for a big year.

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      1. But he–like almost all others–is on a learning “curve’ (pun?) with one step at a time. His physical attributes and work ethic are pluses. Each season at a new level and in that time learn the change-up and better command of the curve— >after only one full pro season.

        The mph ultimately will reach 93-94 with an occasional 95-96 which are speeds he has attained but not with consistency, yet. It’s in the package; time and effort and solid coaching will provide. I expect that he will do well at Clwtr and solidify at Reading and give the big club a lefty in 2014re

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  16. Valle at #3 is pretty logical. Valle has really focused on his defense the last two years because that’s what the organization asked of him plus he played for former catchers both years (Parent and Wathan and will again in Reading – Wathan). His offense is coming along although the late fade is concerning to me. I have Pettibone and Colvin after this and then it starts to get really interesting. I think most of us have many of the same guys slotted for 6 to 15 but in very different order probably. I’ll start the firestorm – I have Larry Greene at #6….

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      1. Not to mention his winter league games. Valle is very athletic and has great hand eye coordination. I look forward to seeing him at Reading. He could become a very special player.

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    2. You must not have seen any practices or games in the GCL. You have the wrong Greene on your list. Larry will not reach the full potential as Tyler!

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      1. Since the only player you like is Tyler Greene, maybe he can play all 9 positions at once right now! Just skip the minor leagues. Oh ya he will have to learn to hit first.

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  17. Valle at #3

    Galvis locking down #4 for me. He just turned 22 and although he still needs to develop the bat, a 22yr old SS with an above-average glove is hardly anything to dismiss, and labeling him a utility infielder presumes that he won’t develop further.

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    2. I have no idea what to make of Rodriguez. I think he may be one of those players who really is not going to be tested until he hits AAA or perhaps even the majors. If he is at spring training I am going to try to watch him. Once I see him pitch on TV (it’s sooooo much easier to evaluate a pitcher when you see him on TV as opposed to watching in person), I’ll get a better sense of him.

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  20. I was not impressed by what Valle did last year. His avg rose from .253 to .284, however everything else went in the wrong direction offensively (and I know some of that might be moving to a better pitcher’s league/park). He increased his K% from 20.8% to 23.0%, decreased his BB% from 5.6% to 3.6% (continuing a downward trend from 8.9% in 2009), and saw his ISO drop from .174 to .109 (this is the most attributable to the tougher ball park). If it wasn’t for a BABIP increase from .289 to .360 his season would have looked terrible offensively.

    I don’t think he’s a bad player or useless, as the reports on his defense were positive and he is still really young at a premium position, but I think placing him this high on the ranking list would be a bit of an overreach (though I couldn’t see him being that much further down because of the lack of prospects with proven track records). Ultimately, I have Greene (higher upside IMO, though unproven), and Pettibone first.

    On a side note, I’d like to see Austin Wright (22 this season) get some top 10 consideration. A lefty with low 90’s stuff who posted an 11.2 K/9 and a 2.9 BB/9 is pretty impressive.

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    1. Wright is an interesting case. As a top ten rounds college kid, he probably pitched to expectations last year. Wonder if his strong showing in LKW gets him to opening day in CLR, (barring setback in the spring). Could be similar to Hyatt the year before and in AA by year’s end. As a lefty, a performance like that would launch him up my list.

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  24. I went Valle for a second time, then its Cosart, Pettibone then finally biddle who was already taken…. I actually just read the article that was posted above http://seedlingstostars.com/2012/01/05/2011-sal-all-stars-honorable-mention-jesse-biddle/ … and boy that really confirmed my worst fears about biddle, if he haddn’t already been taken I would have even considered putting him even lower then the 5 spot which i would have had him in if he’d not already been placed at 2.

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    2. I had trouble with the article when he started the 3rd paragraph with: “Biddle’s overall season numbers were nice, at least on the service.” I think he meant surface instead of service. Far be it from me to smack a guy for improper grammer or spelling but it does alter your perception a bit. There’s a lot of numbers and ratios and statistics in the article and sometimes that’s all we have to go on. Biddle is not the 2nd coming of Hamels. He’s a young guy who has the ability to dominate A ball. He’s also got a lot of room to grow. Each year he’ll have to adjust, reevaluate and tinker with his approach and tools. I think he can. He definitely has to attack his BB rate. Giving guys free passes is always a recipe for disaster. May had to learn that. Biddle will too.

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  25. I suggest you go ahead, make Valle 3 and post the poll for 4 right away. It’s pretty much a done deal at this point. (Like I said, it doesn’t really get interesting until we’re arguing over unproven talent.)

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  26. I voted Valle for #3. Need to see some more plate discipline from him though going forward though. The raw power at his position and his defensive skills are hard to ignore.

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  28. I think you can safely say Valle and Colvin the next 2 in that order, then it gets interesting… other names to start considering is Roman Quinn, J-Rod and Altherr…

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  29. I went with Valle here. I expect his production to rise in Reading. I saw some video on him and the kid has a gun. I’m hoping Colvin has a big year as he has a lot of potential. The top 30 is usually not bullpen friendly but that might have to change with Aumont, De Fratus, Diekman, Schwimmer, and Savery. I think Kyrell Hudson in another name to watch in 2012.

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