Top 20 Prospects: Washington Nationals

看板Nationals作者abc12812時間17年前 (2008/12/11 15:06)推噓1(1推 0噓 1→)

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http://tinyurl.com/6gfpqn After back-to-back strong draft classes, some were ready to bump the Washington system into the top third in baseball. 2008, however, brought minimal growth from some of the high-ceiling youngsters. The good news is that none of the true impact players took any sizeable steps backwards, either. 2009 should prove to be an important year for former first-rounders Ross Detwiler (1), Chris Marrero (3) and Michael Burgess (4) -- each still looking for a true breakout season. The system is well stocked with depth and future role players, as well as some interesting sleepers, but all-in-all there is still lots of work to be done. =============================================================================== 1. Ross Detwiler | Stats | Depot Grade: B+ 6-2 / 185 | Age - 22 | LHP | B/T - R/L | Drafted - 2007 (R1) | Missouri State University Floor: Late-inning relief | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #2 Starter Notes: Despite "down" numbers, Detwiler's stuff is still there and still capable of making him a front-end Major League starter. He worked this season on cleaning-up his mechanics, which led to some off outings, but ultimately will benefit him and his arsenal. His fastball is still a mid-90s offering with good boring action, and his low-80s curveball has impressive depth and good, late bite. His changeup has continued to progress, as has his arm action with the change, producing solid deception and nice depth and fade. He'll continue to work towards more consistency in his motion and is a solid bet to grow into at least a mid-rotation arm. =============================================================================== 2. Jordan Zimmerman | Stats | Depot Grade: B+ 6-2 / 200 | Age - 22 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2007 (R2) | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Pt. Floor: Back-end Starter | Ceiling: Front-end Starter| Projection: #3 Starter Notes: Zimmerman's hard downer curve was an effective out pitch, and he paired it well with am above-average low- to mid-90s fastball. His slider gives hitters another look and has enough late break to be a swing-and-miss pitch. His changeup is straight, but serves as a decent change-of-pace offering. Zimmerman has a solid approach on the mound, maintaining his composure and showing a good plan of attack. He's able to throw each of his offerings for strikes, and can command his fastball effectively on both sides of the plate. Like Detwiler, he has front-end potential, and it isn't a stretch to argue he's the Nationals best Minor League arm right now. =============================================================================== 3. Chris Marrero | Stats | Depot Grade: B+ 6-3 / 210 | Age - 20 | 1B | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2006 (R1) | Opa Locka HS (FL) Floor: Below-AVG 1B | Ceiling: All-star 1B | Projection: Above-AVG 1B Note: Marrero had a solid but unspectacular season, missing on the true break-out showing that many predicted. He still has great leverage in his swing and his quick to and through the ball, producing power to all fields. His hand/eye coordination is solid, allowing him to square-up consistently, though his pitch-ID could be improved upon. Defensively, he shows solid hands at first base and could be average, long-term. He profiles as a traditional middle-of-the-order bat first-baseman. =============================================================================== 4. Michael Burgess | Stats | Depot Grade: B+ 5-11 / 195 | Age - 20 | OF | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2007 (R1s) | Tampa HS (FL) Floor: 4th OF | Ceiling: All-star OF | Projection: AVG OF Notes: Though it isn't refined, Burgess's compact stroke and quick hands generate potential plus-plus-power. He has pull-side tendencies, especially when "muscling-up", but has also shown the ability to drive the ball to left field. He's a bit of a free-swinger and can fall in and out of his mechanics, though he should grow out of that. He likely won't hit for a high average, and profiles best as a #4-6 hitter, depending on the extent to which he's able to hone his power. Defensively, he has more than enough arm for right field, though his routes and footwork could stand to be improved upon. If he can clean-up his mechanics to help set-up his throws and better track the ball, he could profile as a power-hitting right fielder. Otherwise, he'll likely find his way to left. =============================================================================== 5. Graham Hicks | Stats | Depot Grade: B 6-5 / 170 | Age - 18 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2008 (R4) | Jenkins HS (FL) Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3 Starter Notes: Hicks is probably the first surprise on the list for some. However, we love his projectable frame and advanced feel for hia arsenal. To start, Hicks has plenty of room in his frame to add strength, which should translate to an uptick in velocity and spin, as well as some improved durability. He currently sits in the low-90s with his fastball, but it's easy to see him pushing that into the mid-90s over the next couple of years. He spins solid curveball and shows good aptitude for his changeup, as well. All of his offerings are solid-average to above-average and all three could easily grow to plus-pitches. He'll likely get a shot at LoA next year, where he could jump onto a lot of people's radars. =============================================================================== 6. Stephen King | Stats | Depot Grade: B 6-2 / 195 | Age - 21 | 2B/SS | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2006 (R3) | Winter Park HS (FL) Floor: Utility | Ceiling: Above-AVG 2B | Projection: AVG 2B Notes: King profiles best as a bat-first second-baseman with average defense. Offensively, he struggles at time with strikezone command, but has shown the ability to square-up and to spray to all fields. He doesn't have much loft in his swing, so his power potential is limited. Still, his quick hands could conceivably produce average homerun production, which would be great from second. He is still fringy with regards to pitch-ID and strikezone command, but the Nationals will continue to help him better select pitches to drive. Defensively, he has improved his footwork and his motion around the bag, aiding him on double-plays and helping to convince he has staying power at second. He could improve his lines to the ball but ultimately should be an average defender. =============================================================================== 7. Jack McGeary | Stats | Depot Grade: B 6-3 / 195 | Age - 19 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2007 (R6) | West Roxbury HS (MA) Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3 Starter Note: With a solid frame and some room to grow, McGeary could add some velocity yo his upper-80s fastball. Not overpowering, his fastball plays-up due to plus-command and a mid-70s power curveball that changes batter's eye-level. With advanced command and an ability to throw his fastball, curveball and changeup for strikes in any count, McGeary will work on getting stronger and improving his feel. He fits in well as an incredibly projectable starter that could make a huge jump with the addition of a little strength and just a little extra velocity. =============================================================================== 8. Esmailyn Gonzalez | Stats | Depot Grade: B 5-11 / 175 | Age - 18 | SS | B/T - B/R | Signed - 2006 | Dominican Republic Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG SS | Projection: AVG SS Notes: Gonzalez impressed with an advanced offensive approach in his firat year in the Gulf Coast League (winning the batting title). He has gap-to-gap power and is capable of using the whole field. He quares-up consistently and shows above-average hand/eye coordination. Defensively, he has average range and an average arm, with his best attributes being his soft hands and solid footwork. He's off to a nice start, and could eventually develop into a top-of-the-order bat with solid to fringe-above-average defense. =============================================================================== 9. Ian Desmond | Stats | Depot Grade: B- 6-2 / 185 | Age - 23 | SS | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2004 (R3) | Sarasota HS (FL) Floor: Utility | Ceiling: Above-AVG SS | Projection: AVG SS Notes: Desmond could have ranked lower on this list, but ultimately his glove and arm more than made-up for the questions surrounding his bat. He has plus-range to go along with a plus-arm and good hands. He's solid on the front- and back-end of the double play. Offensively, Desmond has made strides, improving his pitch-ID and strikezone command. There is potentially average-power in his quick bat, though he'll have to square-up a little more consistently for it to play. Even if the bat never fully develops, he could provide above-average value defensively. =============================================================================== 10. Danny Espinosa | Stats | Depot Grade: B- 6-0 / 190 | Age - 21 | SS | B/T - B/R | Drafted - 2008 (R3) | Long Beach St. University Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG SS | Projection: AVG 2B Notes: Espinosa is a switch hitter who brings more power from the right side but squares-up more consistently from the left. He has shown the ability to spray the ball to all fields, and improved his strikezone command this past season. Defensively, he's fringy at shortstop, due to an unclean arm action and sometimes questionable hands. His reads, routes, arm strength and accuracy have made-up the difference, but he's likely a better fit at second base. If Espinosa can refine his defense, arm action and footwork, he could remain a solid option for Washington at the six-spot, providing decent offensive production in addition to average defense. =============================================================================== 11. Adam Carr | Stats | Depot Grade: B- 6-1 / 185 | Age - 24 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2006 (R18) | Oklahoma St. University Floor: Middle-relief | Ceiling: Closer | Projection: Late-inning Relief Notes: Carr's numbers in 2008 were not impressive, but his stuff is still there. He sits in the mid-90s with his fastball and can touch the upper-90s on occasion, giving him plus-plus-potential with average command. His slider has the makings of a legit swing-and-miss pitch with good depth and plus-potential. His changeup is a "show me" pitch. When he's on, he's very difficult to hit. Carr will look to more consistently command his 1-2 punch and could be a fixture at the back-end of the bullpen. =============================================================================== 12. Colton Willems | Stats | Depot Grade: B- 6-3 / 175 | Age - 20 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2006 (R1) | Fort Pierce HS (FL) Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Front-end | Projection: #4 Starter Notes: Willems's fastball has been clocked as high as 96/98, and he brings it with an easy and loose arm. With a repeatable motion and room in his frame to add strength, there is a lot to like about him. His secondary offerings are still raw, though his curveball flashes above-average potential. He needs to focus on commanding his curveball and changeup, as well as locating his fastball in the zone. There's front-end potential, though he's a ways off, still. =============================================================================== 13. Justin Maxwell | Stats | Depot Grade: B- 6-5 / 225 | Age - 25 | OF | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2005 (R4) | University of Maryland Floor: 4th OF | Ceiling: Above-AVG CF | Projection: AVG CF Notes: We had some discussion about where to rank Maxwell -- particularly whether his plus-power potential ultimately outweighs the fact that he'll likely struggle to hit for average throughout his career. His swing is still long, making him susceptible to more advanced pitching. If he can show the ability to stay in center field, where his arm is fringy, his value will increase. He should at minimum provide power off of the bench and a solid 4th outfield option. =============================================================================== 14. Collin Balester | Stats | Depot Grade: B- 6-5 / 195 | Age - 22 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2004 (R4) | Huntington Beach HS (CA) Floor: Back-end Starter | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter Notes: Balester has improved his command over his curveball which has helped his low-90s fastball to play-up (he can dial-up to the mid-90s at times). He has above-average command of his fastball and pounds the strike zone at all quadrants. Balester is a good bet to find a spot in a Major League rotation. Continuing to improve his curveball command and further development of his changeup will help him to reach a mid-rotation ceiling. =============================================================================== 15. Josh Smoker | Stats | Depot Grade: C+ 6-2 / 195 | Age - 20 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2007 (R1s) | Calhoun HS (GA) Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #5 Starter Notes: Smoker is an intense competitor on the mound, possessing a solid arsenal with fringy command. His fastball sits in the low-90s, and he pairs it with a big-breaking curveball that also serves as a change-of-pace pitch (upper-70s). While each could be plus-pitches, his changeup is more likely to settle in as an average offering, as his arm action doesn't overly impress. He will need to improve his fastball command and the consistency of his changeup and curve to reach his mid-rotation ceiling. He's still young, so there's time to address his current shortcomings. =============================================================================== 16. J.P. Ramirez | Stats | Depot Grade: C+ 5-10/ 185 | Age - 19 | OF | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2008 (R15) | Canyon HS (TX) Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG LF | Projection: AVG LF Notes: Ramirez is a solid prospect that may be caught without a solid Major League position. He lacks ideal power for a corner-outfield spot, and his fringy range and speed don't project well in center. His hitting tool is above-average, and he does a good job of squaring-up consistently and hitting the ball where pitched. He profiles as a gap-to-gap left-fielder that could develop into a solid #2 hitter. =============================================================================== 17. Destin Hood | Stats | Depot Grade: C+ 6-1 / 180 | Age - 18 | OF | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2008 (R2) | St. Paul's Episcopal (AL) Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG CF | Projection: AVG LF Notes: Solid raw-power and above-average speed are Hood's best tools. In addition to his raw routes and tracking, a below-average arm will likely limit him to left field, though he could provide average to above-average defense there eventually. He impressed coaches with an advanced offensive approach for his age, which should help him further tap into his potential power. =============================================================================== 18. Garrett Mock | Stats | Depot Grade: C+ 6-4 / 215 | Age - 25 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2004 (R3) | University of Houston Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter Notes: Mock has a starter's arsenal and a reliever's mentality on the mound. His fastball sits in the low-90s, and his slider is a solid second offering that flashes above-average tilt. His curveball gives him a chance at a second above-average breaking ball, coming in with a sharp, late break. He has improved his changeup but it is still more of a "show me" pitch. He has a durable frame but needs to improve his command to allow his solid stuff to play-up. =============================================================================== 19. Stephen Englund | Stats | Depot Grade: C+ 6-3 / 190 | Age - 20 | OF | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2006 (R2) | Bellevue HS (WA) Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG CF | Projection: 4th OF Notes: Englund is a toolbox that could see his stock rise over the next year or two. He has the range and arm for center or right, and could end-up at either position long-term depending on how much of his frame he fills. He generates good power from a compact swing that's quick to the ball, and he commands the strikezone well. He needs to tighten up his mechanics, as he falls out of his swing too often, making him inconsistent. =============================================================================== 20. Adrian Nieto | Stats | Depot Grade: C+ 6-0 / 200 | Age - 18 | C | B/T - B/R | Drafted - 2008 (R5) | American Heritage HS (FL) Floor: Non-prospect | Ceiling: Above-AVG C | Projection: AVG LF Notes: Nieto has boom-or-bust potential as a fifth-round selection in this year's Rule 4 draft. His strength is his bat, which projects to potential above-average power. He's already capable of hitting it out to all fields. Some questions remain surrounding his shoulder (which may have worn down a bit after a long year of showcases, offseason and regular season ball leading-up to the draft), as well as his receiving. He's athletic enough that a corner outfield spot may ultimately be a better fit. Washington should keep him behind the plate until he proves he can't handle it or it slows his progression. He should be interesting to watch after a resting this offseason. -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 140.112.5.3