[情報] 2009 Top 40 Foreign Prospects in the Major Leagues
2009 Top 40 Foreign Prospects in the Major Leagues
I try to divorce myself from any subjective analyst of the top prospects,
relying on the top 100 prospect lists of Baseball America, the Scouting Book,
ESPN and Baseball Prospectus. So many are now relying on some sort of paid
prescription to get a peak at their top 100 list as if it is going to uncover
some diamond in the rough prospect that no one has ever considered. In this
day and age, if a prospect is worthy enough to make someone's top 100, most
baseball fans are familiar with him.
The formulae is that the top prospect gets a vote of a 10, the second best
prospect gets a 9.9 down to number 100 who gets a 0.1. The numbers are then
tabulated and divided by four to get an overall rating. These ratings will
be used to come out with the Top 100 as well as measure the major league
teams that have the best prospects. Below is the first list, the top 40
foreign prospects in the major leagues (The list ran out after 35 so myworld
selected the last five) .
1. Neftali Feliz - RHP (Rangers) Dominican Republic 8.825 - A triple digit
fastball that usually sits in the 94-96 range and an excellent curve ball
make him an ace in waiting. He still needs some minor league seasoning to
work on his command, but if he has success you will see him before the 2009
season is complete. He was signed by the Braves for $100,000 and was part of
the Mark Teixeira trade.
2. Pedro Alvarez - 3B (Pirates) Dominican Republic 8.025 - He was born in the
Dominican Republic but has played baseball most of his life in New York, the
Washington Heights area where Manny Ramirez made such a splash. He was
drafted in the first round by the Pirates and signed for $6.355 million.
3. Fernando Martinez - OF (Mets) Dominican Republic 7.325 - Fernando signed
for $1.3 million but has had trouble staying healthy. He has always
contributed with the bat even though he is one of the youngest players in the
league. The concern is that he is not a true centerfielder, and may not hit
for enough pop to fit offensivly in left field.
4. Angel Villalona 1b (Giants) Dominican Republic 6.35 - Angel was signed as
a thirdbaseman but got too big for the position and appears to have first
base in his future. He's got the stick to be an offensive weapon. The
Giants signed him for a club record $2.1 million, that has since been
surpassed.
5. Carlos Santana - C (Indians) Dominican Republic 6.3 - Signed by the
Dodgers for $75,000, they gave him to the Indians for Casey Blake. The
question is - will the Indians show enough patience with him to allow him to
develop as a catcher or will they rush him to the major leagues to get his
potent bat in the lineup. He's got the offense where he could contribute at
the first base position. Carlos Delgado got his start as a catcher.
6. Alcides Escobar - SS (Brewers) Venezuela 6.275 - A $33,000 signing bonus
makes one wonder why major league teams gamble on million dollar contracts
for 16 year olds. Alcides will be the Brewers starting shortstop in 2010 and
it could happen in 2009 if they are out of the race. Welcome to third base
J.J. Hope you like it better than Mike Young.
7. Carlos Carrasco - RHP (Phillies) Venezuela 5.925 - The Phillies signed
Carlos for $300,000 and he will probably see a full year in AAA. It's tough
for the defending World series champion to give a rookie the fifth starter's
job. There are many that also question Carlos toughness to survive in the
major leagues if he is touched up for a number of runs. He does have a nice
fastball/change combination, but the last thing a champion needs is someone
who crumbles under pressure.
8. Yonder Alfonso - 1B (Reds) Cuba 5.9 - He was born in Cuba where his dad
played and coached for the Havana Industriales. Yonder has played most of
his baseball in the United States and was drafted in the first round by the
Reds, signing a major league contract worth a $2 million bonus. He won't win
any gold gloves at first base so his bat has to justify him at this position.
9. Elvis Andrus - SS (Rangers) Venezuela 5.5 - The Rangers have moved
Michael Young to third base to accommodate the glove of Andrus. He signed
with the Braves for $600,000, another potential all star the Braves gave up
for the half a year use of Mark Teixeira.
10. Michael Inoa RHP (Athletics) Dominican Republic 4.35 - The A's made a big
splash, signing Inoa for $4.25 million when other teams were offering more.
He's got good height for a pitcher and already wings it in the low 90s,
pretty good for a pitcher that won't turn 18 until September.
11. Jesus Montero C (Yankees) Venezuela 4.3 - At 6′4〃 many feel he will be
too big for catcher. He does have the bat that if he doesn't pan out at
catcher he could fit at another position. The Yankees signed him for $1,65
million.
12. Jhouyls Chacin RHP (Rockies) Venezuela 3.9 - His 18 wins led the minor
leagues last year and he is 31-10 for his minor league career. Those are
numbers the Rockies would like to see in the major leagues.
13. Wilmer Flores SS/2B (Mets) Venezuela 3.675 - He is still listed
generously as a shortstop but he will bulk up and have to move to a position
where his lack of range won't hurt him. He's got the bat for third, but
won't overtake David Wright so second base or a corner outfield is ripe for
him. Since he turns 18 in August the Mets have plenty of time to find his
position. He was a $750,000 signing for the Mets.
14. Carlos Triunfel SS/2B (Mariners) Dominican Republic 3.675 - Ironic that
he gets the same grade as Wilmer Flores, two shortstops that are traveling
the same path, they will get too big and immobile for shortstop and have to
find another position. With Beltre being a free agent soon third base could
be the most open position for Carlos. The Mariners signed him for $1.3
million.
15. Jose Tabata OF (Yankees) Venezuela 3.525 - Having a 43 year old wife who
has many aliases certainly confirms the character issues of Jose. The player
can hit, but his temper is quick and now his wife finds herself in trouble
with the law for borrowing a kid. Not something the Pirates want to see from
their top prospect. Perhaps he is older than his listed age of 20 years old
which would justify more his 43 year old wife.
16. Greg Hallman OF (Mariners) Netherlands 3.175 - He struck out 9 times in
11 WBC at bats and contact has been one thing he needs to improve on. But if
he puts it all together he has the potential to be a five tool talent. The
Mariners signed the European prospect for a bargain $130,000.
17. Philippe Aumont RHP (Mariners) Canada 2.8 - First it was Felix Hernandez
that they treated with kid gloves. The new pitcher on the block is Aumont,
who signed for $1.9 million as a first round draft pick. He throws in the
mid 90s but a sore elbow limited him to 56 innings last year and prevented
him from pitching for Canada in the Olympics. Because of Canada's quick
elimination in the WBC, he only pitched one inning in that event. His 6′7〃
height makes a consistent delivery challenging.
18. Nick Weglarz OF (Indians) Canada 2.525 - He's already performed well in
international competetion. His focus now will be cracking the Indians
outfield. He doesn't have the speed to cover a lot of ground, so he will be
restricted to the corners, or he could move to first base. It would be
difficult to put both Matt LaPorta and Weglarz at your corners. Nick was
drafted in the third round and signed for $435,000.
19. Gorkys Hernandez OF (Braves) Venezuela 2.5 - The Braves stole Gorkys from
the Tigers for Edgar Renteria. Eventually, he should man the centerfield
position, but the Braves are stocked with outfielders. He is a lead off
style hitter that will not hit a lot of homeruns.
20. Martin Perez LHP (Rangers) Venezuela 1.975 - He signed for $580,000 and
for a lefthander he has an above average fastball with a good curveball. The
best thing going for him is that he has good command from his pitches.
21. Brett Lawrie C/2B (Brewers) Canada 1.6 - He was drafted as a catcher, but
the Brewers have already moved him to second base to speed his bat into the
lineup. He already had excellent speed for a catcher so he should be as
serviceable as a Dan Uggla is at second base.
22. Wilin Rosario C (Rockies) Dominican Republic 1.4 - His bat broke out in
the rookie league so he will get his first shot at a full season league.
This will also give him an opportunity to work with a pitching staff during
an extended season.
23. Max Ramirez 1b (Rangers) Venezuela 1.225 - He is the Rangers best hitting
catcher, but his defense will not allow him to survive at the position. Look
for a move to first base where his bat will be adequate for the position.
24. Dayan Viciedo 3B (White Sox) Cuba 1 - The White Sox had a lot of success
with the Cuban Missle Alexei Ramirez that they signed another Cuban exile.
It took a $4 miilion bonus and $10 million in guaranteed money, a lot of
money to spend for someone who appears to love the taste of Big Macs. He has
lost a lot of weight, but he is still a big man and ultimately may find that
first base is the only position for him.
25. Oscar Tejeda SS/3b (Red Sox) Dominican Republic .95 - He signed for
$525,000 and made his debut in 2007 as a 17 year old, hitting over .290. He
will not have the range to cover shortstop as he fills out so expect a move
to third base. He will need to develop his power to be a goo fit there.
26. Engel Beltre OF (Red Sox) Dominican Repbublic .825 - The Red Sox signed
Engel for $600,000 then sent him to the Rangers in a can we have a mulligan
like trade for Eric Gagne. Beltre has 5-tool potential that has yet to show
the power game, but it will come.
27. Wilson Ramos C (Twins) Venezuela .75 - He will be an adequate catcher who
hits for power. Since the Twins have Joe Mauer there is no need to rush him.
He still needs to improve on what pitches to swing at.
28. Gerardo Parra OF (Diamondbacks) Venezuela .65 - He had an excellent
winter league performance and that has translated to the spring, providing
temptation to the Rangers that the future could be the present. He won't hit
for a lot of power and he doesn't cover a lot of ground typical of a Gold
Glove centerfielder so he could end up a tweener.
29. Junichi Tazawa RHP (Red Sox) Japan .625 - Normally, Japanese "prospects"
are over 30 and have played nine years or more in the Japanese professional
league. Junichi is the one true prospect that is only 22 and the Red Sox
signed him to a 3-year contract with a $1.8 million bonus. He's not a big
guy so he must show good command of his low 90s fastball and splitter to have
success in the major leagues. He seems to be doing that in spring training
and providing temptation for the win now Red Sox to carry him on their roster
in the bullpen.
30. Kenshin Kawakami RHP (Braves) Japan .55 - Not really a prospect since he
has played a number of years with the Japanese professional league. But he's
eligible to win the rookie of the year award so he qualifies on this prospect
list if someone boted for him.
31. Hecotr Gomez SS (Rockies) Dominican Republic .475 - He only got three at
bats last year before a shin injury and then an elbow injury sidelined him
for the rest of the season. He's got a flashy glove but may not hit well
enough to justify his superior defense.
32. Jefry Marte 3B (Mets) Dominican Republic .175 - He doesn't quite have the
tools as Wilmer Flores so if Wilmer moves to third Jefry may have to find
another position. He makes good contact so he will hit for high average,
take his share of walks and hit for average power.
33. Ivan Dejesus SS (Dodgers) Puerto Rico .15 - The Dodgers hope to have him
after the All Star break after a broken tibia put a black mark to his season.
If his name sounds familiar he is the son of Ivan DeJesus so his bloodlines
for surviving at short are good. He won't hit for a lot of power or steal
bases, but he plays a solid shortstop.
34. Koji Uehara RHP (Orioles) Japan .125 - He's in the same boat as Kawakami,
to old to be considered a prospect, but eligible for rookie of the year
honors.
35. Adys Portillo RHP (Padres) Venezuela .025 - He signed for $2 million in
July and has yet to appear in a minor league game. As a 17 year old his
fastball already touches 95 and he's got a good pitcher's frame at 6′3〃.
36. Yorman Rodriguez OF (Reds) Venezuela - The Reds signed him for $2.5
million. Yorman has above average power and tremendous speed, but no minor
league experience so we will see how the talent responds to challenges.
37. Juan Francisco 3B (Reds) Dominican Republic - He showed tremendous power
in winter ball. If he gets any thicker he will outgrow third base.
38. Michael Almanzar 3B (Red Sox) Dominican Republic - He signed for $1.5
million and arrived with great expectations. While he hasn't disappointed,
he doesn't come with the tools that were originally advertised. He's a below
average runner and lacks a quick first step, which could make playing third
base a challenge.
39. Kyle Lotzkar RHP (Reds) Canada - He was drafted in the 53th round and his
fastball hit 96 on the radar. He missed some of the season with a stress
fracture in his elbow. His curveball and change are major league quality.
40. Neftali Soto 3B (Reds) Puerto Rico - The Reds traded Brandon Waring to
give Neftali more of an opportunity. He's got a long swing that develops his
power, but he also has excellent hand-eye coordination to hit for average.
He lacks speed and athleticism.
Dominican Republic - 14
Venezuela -14
Canada - 4
Japan - 3
Cuba - 2
Puerto Rico - 2
Netherlands -1
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