Re: [BP ] Future Shock: Red Sox Top 11 Prospects

看板RedSox作者Belladonaa時間17年前 (2009/02/05 17:42)推噓2(2推 0噓 2→)

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※ 引述《Belladonaa ()》之銘言： : http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8444 Ranking Challenges: Anderson was a clear choice to top this list, and Bowden edges in behind him at second by being a touch ahead of the two four-star prospects. There are difficulties with all of the players from there on down, as they have a wide, even array of attributes and faults; youth, upside, and a lack of experience, as well as injuries to players like Westmoreland, Hagadone, and Kalish (and the last still has lingering concerns about wrist surgery he had before the '08 season). Tazawa's circumstances are unusual as well, as he's a Japanese player who is not quite ready for The Show, and has a performance record that is impossible to evaluate accurately. From the fifth spot to the last, it's all about the scouting reports, and based very little on the respective performances. === 1. Lars Anderson, 1B DOB: 9/25/87 Height/Weight: 6-4/215 Bats/Throws: L/L Drafted/Signed: 18th round, 2006, Jesuit HS (CA) 2008 Stats: .317/.408/.513, .246 EqA at High-A (77 G); .316/.436/.526, .307 EqA at Double-A (41 G) Last Year's Ranking: 7 Year in Review: Boston's most advanced hitting prospect began to roll through the system last year, mashing Double-A pitching as a 20-year-old and accelerating his timetable in the process. The Good: Anderson is an elite offensive talent, and it begins with his approach; he has outstanding plate discipline, both in terms of understanding the strike zone, and in recognizing which pitches he can drive. His swing is simple, smooth, and strong, he has power to all fields, and his maturity and intelligence are well beyond his years. The Bad: Most of Anderson's value lies in his bat, though he's yet to have a real power explosion, and there are some scouts who question his long-term ceiling in that category. He has made significant strides defensively, but projects as no more than average, and he's a slow runner. Fun Fact: In nine plate appearances with the bases loaded with Double-A Portland, Anderson had three walks, three singles, and a pair of grand slams. In the other at-bat, he grounded into a double play; can't win them all. Perfect World Projection: He'll be a number three hitter on a championship-level team. Glass Half Empty: He's going to mash, he's going to get on base, and he's going to have power—the question is just how much he'll do each of these things. It seems that a low-end projection would still make Anderson a .275/.360/.500 type. Path to the Big Leagues: It's muddled until 2011. Anderson is a first baseman only, and Kevin Youkilis is signed through 2012. Youk could slide over the third to make room for him, but Mike Lowell and designated hitter David Ortiz are both signed through 2010. Timetable: For now, Anderson will bide his time, likely returning to Double-A Portland to begin the year. If he dominates again, the Red Sox may be forced to make some tough decisions in short order. === 2. Michael Bowden, RHP DOB: 9/9/86 Height/Weight: 6-3/215 Bats/Throws: R/R Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2005, Waubonsie Valley HS (IL) 2008 Stats: 2.33 ERA at Double-A (104.1-72-24-101), 3.41 DERA; 3.38 ERA at Tripl-A (40-40-5-29), 4.86 DERA; 3.60 ERA at MLB (5-7-1-), 3.86 DERA Last Year's Ranking: 6 Year in Review: With Clay Buchholz losing eligibility, Bowden becomes the top pitching prospect in the system, and he earned it by showing significant improvement in his second shot at Double-A while also getting the win in his big-league debut. The Good: Bowden fills the strike zone with an effective three-pitch mix; a low-90s fastball that has good carry through the zone, a curveball that's a plus offering due to his ability to locate the pitch, and a changeup that features good deception. The advanced secondary offerings make him equally effective against both lefties and righties, and he attacks hitters without fear. Like Anderson, Bowden is credited with a mature, intellectual approach to the game that defies his youth. The Bad: He doesn't overwhelm on a stuff level, and scouts differ on how he'll settle; some see him as an above-average big-league starter, and others think of him more as a back-end rotation type. His unorthodox mechanics have turned off scouts in the past, but he continues to succeed with them, and when they're broken down, the arm-action aspect of it looks very clean. Fun Fact: In 19 starts for Double-A Portland, Bowden allowed just four hits in the first innings while striking out 26. Perfect World Projection: A solid third starter, maybe a bit more. Glass Half Empty: He'll be at least a back-end innings eater. Path to the Big Leagues: The Red Sox rotation is full, but Bowden still needs more time to develop. Timetable: He'll begin the year at Triple-A Pawtucket, where he'll likely be atop the list for prospective call-ups should the need for an extra starter arise. He probably won't have a full-time role open for him until 2010 at the earliest. === 3. Josh Reddick, RF DOB: 2/19/87 Height/Weight: 6-2/180 Bats/Throws: L/R Drafted/Signed: 17th round, 2006, Middle Georgia College 2008 Stats: .340/.397/.491, .245 EqA at Low-A (14 G); .343/.375/.593, .250 EqA at High-A (76 G); .214/.290/.436, .223 EqA at Double-A (34 G) Last Year's Ranking: 10 Year in Review: This unheralded prospect continued to put up big numbers early in his career before stumbling at Double-A last season. The Good: Beyond the numbers, scouts rave about Reddick's set of tools. His hand-eye coordination ranks with that of any player's in the system, and he generates good leverage due to his bat speed and strong lower half. He's a tick above-average as a baserunner, and a very good right fielder with a plus-plus arm. The Bad: The two biggest holes in Reddick's game led to his struggles at Double-A. His thin, wiry frame could use some bulking up, as he was simply out of gas by the end of the year. Because of his all-encompassing plate coverage he recognizes most pitches as hittable, and he'll need to temper that approach, as more advanced pitchers were able to exploit it. Fun Fact: He was the 523rd overall pick in the 2006 draft. Only four players in baseball history drafted out of that slot have ever reached the big leagues— but one of them was Jeff Kent. Perfect World Projection: A high-average hitter with solid power, and a plus defender in right field with enough skills to make up for a lack of walks. Glass Half Empty: Too many hacks at bad pitches are his undoing, making him more of a second-division starter. Path to the Big Leagues: It's not easy to be a Red Sox prospect at any position, and for now there are no openings in the outfield; an extension for Jason Bay beyond 2009 would further complicate matters. Timetable: Reddick will begin the year with a second chance to prove himself against Double-A pitching. === 4. Daniel Bard, RHP DOB: 6/25/85 Height/Weight: 6-4/195 Bats/Throws: R/R Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2006, University of North Carolina 2008 Stats: 0.64 ERA at Low-A (28-12-4-43), 1.80 DERA; 1.99 ERA at Double-A (49.2-30-26-64), 3.28 DERA Last Year's Ranking: Not Ranked Year in Review: A former first-round pick who made a remarkable recovery from a case of Steve Blass disease, he became one of the most dominating relievers in the game. The Good: Bard's arm action is among the best you'll see in baseball. His fastball sits at 95-98 mph, touches 100, and has fine natural sink. To further frustrate the opposition, he throws a true two-seam sinker in the 92-95 mph range, an absolute bowling ball that is incredibly difficult for hitters to get any lift on, and he has a slider that shows flashes of promise. The Bad: The slider can come in hard and flat at times, and while he rarely had the yips at any level like those had in 2007, there were still times when his command would desert him. There have also been questions about his intestinal fortitude since coming out of college, and 2007's nightmare did little to eliminate them. Fun Fact: Bard was drafted by the Yankees in the 20th round of the 2003 draft out of Charlotte Christian School in North Carolina, the same school that produced college basketball stars Stephen and Seth Curry. Perfect World Projection: If he can find more consistency with his slider, he could be as dominating as any closer in the game. Glass Half Empty: Not enough command and an arsenal only one and a half pitches deep might limit him to set-up duties. Path to the Big Leagues: Relievers who can hit triple digits on the radar gun rarely get blocked. Timetable: Bard will begin the year in the Triple-A bullpen. If he dominates, he won't be there for long, but that doesn't guarantee anything. === 5. Ryan Westmoreland, CF DOB: 4/27/90 Height/Weight: 6-2/195 Bats/Throws: L/R Drafted/Signed: 5th round, 2008, Portsmouth HS (RI) 2008 Stats: None Last Year's Ranking: N/A Year in Review: Seen as unsignable by any team but the Red Sox, one of the best all-around athletes available in last year's draft signed at the deadline for $2 million, then saw his early timetable slightly delayed by minor shoulder surgery. The Good: Westmoreland's combination of size, athleticism, and his Rhode Island roots bring with them unavoidable comparisons to Rocco Baldelli. His tools border on being ridiculously good, and Red Sox officials raved over what they saw from him this fall at their Dominican camp. He combines plus power with plus-plus speed, plays a very good center field, and has a big-time arm. His silky smooth actions and extreme athleticism gives him a ceiling higher than any player in the system. The Bad: Westmoreland is a bit raw offensively. He has little exposure to high-level pitching, especially breaking stuff, and while he'll require some patience as he adjusts, the Red Sox think he'll come along quickly quickly due to his intelligence and work ethic. How his arm comes back from the surgery remains a question. Fun Fact: A two-time state Player of the Year in Rhode Island, Westmoreland finished his mound career with a 34-0 record that included a perfect game with 19 strikeouts during his senior year—and remember folks, high school games are seven innings. Perfect World Projection: He'll be a five-tool superstar. Glass Half Empty: He's not as risky as most pure-tools guys, but there are still no guarantees even with a talent like this. Path to the Big Leagues: Very far away. Timetable: Westmoreland is ahead of schedule on his rehabilitation, but he won't be ready in time to start the season. He should get his health in order and his timing down during extended spring training before reporting to short-season Lowell. === 6. Casey Kelly, RHP/SS DOB: 10/4/89 Height/Weight: 6-3/194 Bats/Throws: R/R Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2008, Sarasota HS (FL) 2008 Stats: .173/.229/.255 at Rookie-level (27 G); .344/.344/.563 at Short-season (9 G) Last Year's Ranking: N/A Year in Review: The most talented two-way player available in the draft, he earned a $3 million bonus that steered him away from becoming the next star quarterback at the University of Tennessee. The Good: Kelly has first-round talent both as a pitcher and a hitter. As a shortstop, he has above-average power for the position, good range along with excellent defensive instincts, and a plus-plus arm. On the mound, his fastball sits at 90-93 mph, and his extreme athleticism allows for plenty of projection. His curveball is already an above-average offering, and he has a decent feel for his changeup. The Bad: He's unrefined as a hitter, has a tendency to chase pitches, and his swing can be very long when he becomes too power-focused. As a pitcher, he just needs the innings to learn how to set up batters and work on improving his changeup. Fun Fact: While Sarasota High has produced its fair share of professional athletes, including Tigers reliever Bobby Seay, the school's most famous alumni is Paul Reubenfeld, who became Paul Reubens, who became famous as Pee-Wee Herman. Perfect World Projection: We don't know what his role will be yet, so it's hard to say. Glass Half Empty: Ditto. Path to the Big Leagues: This is where things get interesting: The Red Sox and Kelly have worked out a plan for 2009 in which he'll remain a two-way player. He'll report to spring training as a pitcher, throw approximately 100 innings, and then return to the Red Sox camp in Florida to prepare for a second half as an everyday positional player, though they may play it safe by making him a designated hitter instead of letting him take the field. Timetable: Kelly will do the two-way thing at Low-A Greenville this year, and Boston hopes to have an answer as to where his future lies by the end of the year. === 7. Michael Almanzar, 3B DOB: 12/2/90 Height/Weight: 6-3/190 Bats/Throws: R/R Drafted/Signed: Dominican Republic, 2007 2008 Stats: .348/.414/.472 at Rookie-level (23 G); .207/.238/.314, .137 EqA at Low-A (35 G) Last Year's Ranking: Not Ranked Year in Review: One of the top international signings in 2007, Almanzar came out of the gates swinging in his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League in '08, but struggled mightily as a 17-year-old in the Sally League. The Good: He has offensive upside that rivals that of anyone else's in the system, with a quick, quiet swing that keeps his bat in the zone for a long time, and current gap power that should lead to a well above-average rating as his body matures. He has good range at third base and a plus arm. The Bad: Almanzar was overmatched in the Sally League, and it's of little concern due to his age, but his game could still use some refinement. More advanced breaking pitches gave him fits, and on defense he needs to improve his positioning and footwork. He's a big kid now, and some are concerned about how much athleticism he'll be able to maintain as he fills out. Fun Fact: Almanzar's lone Sally League home run came off of Colorado's 2008 first-round pick, Christian Friedrich. Perfect World Projection: He'll be an All-Star third baseman. Glass Half Empty: If he's forced to first base because of the body, he'll have no choice but to become a masher in order to remain a prospect. Path to the Big Leagues: He's blocked for now, but the Red Sox will be a very different team by the time he's ready. Timetable: Almanzar will get a second crack at Low-A Greenville to begin 2009, but he might be sharing third-base duties with Will Middlebrooks, another high-ceiling seven-figure bonus third baseman who is also preparing for his full-season debut. === 8. Nick Hagadone, LHP DOB: 1/1/86 Height/Weight: 6-5/230 Bats/Throws: L/L Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2007, University of Washington 2008 Stats: 0.00 ERA at Low-A (10-5-6-12), 4.50 DERA Last Year's Ranking: 8 Year in Review: The power left-hander made just three appearances in the Sally League in 2008 before seeing his season swept away by Tommy John surgery. The Good: Hagadone is a rare talent; a big power lefty with extreme velocity whose fastball sits at 94-96 mph and can touch 98, and a slider that gives him a second true out pitch. He also made some progress with his changeup, and as a former college reliever, he brings a fearless approach to the game. The Bad: Hagadone's stuff is top-notch, but his command and control are both below average. His somewhat violent delivery needed to be tempered even before the surgery, so he'll now need to learn how to smooth out his mechanics while maintaining his power. The missed year leaves him at 23 years old with only 34 1/3 innings of pro experience. Fun Fact: Scouts love athletic bloodlines, and Hagadone's father played football at the University of Idaho, while his mother played volleyball at Montana State. Perfect World Projection: He'll be a dominating power pitcher. Glass Half Empty: He may end up as a late-inning reliever. Path to the Big Leagues: For now, he just needs to get healthy enough to get back out on the mound, though Red Sox officials were very happy with his rehabilitation. Timetable: Hagadone might not be ready when the season begins, but the Red Sox believe that he could be back as early as May, most likely beginning the year at their new High-A affiliate in Salem. === 9. Junichi Tazawa, RHP DOB: 6/6/86 Height/Weight: 6-0/180 Bats/Throws: R/R Drafted/Signed: Japan, 2008 2008 Stats: N/A Last Year's Ranking: N/A Year in Review: A unique product from Japan, Tazawa dominated in the Japanese Industrial League in 2008, and then asked to be excluded from the draft so that he could pursue his career in America. After a scramble among big-league suitors, the Red Sox won out, giving him a four-year major league deal in the process. The Good: Like many Japanese pitchers, Tazawa has excellent command of a deep arsenal, but he's far from a finesse pitcher. His fastball sits at 90-92 mph and can touch 94, and he throws a curveball and a slider, both of which are average offerings. He throws a splitter in lieu of a changeup, and it's an excellent pitch with nice depth and fade. The Bad: Tazawa pitches solely out of the stretch, so there is some question as to whether or not he would simply work better in the bullpen. While we know what he is on a scouting level, there's no way to gauge what he's done so far— opinions vary wildly on the level of competition in the Japan Industrial League —but he's clearly not ready for the majors. Because of his size and delivery, his fastball can be a bit straight. Fun Fact: Tazawa struck out 114 while walking just 15 over 113 innings in the Japan Industrial League last year. Perfect World Projection: He could be a fourth or fifth starter. Glass Half Empty: He'll settle for being a solid relief pitcher. Path to the Big Leagues: His big-league contract exerts some pressure on his timetable, even though his final role is yet to be determined. Timetable: Boston officials will use the spring to fully evaluate Tazawa's readiness and how far away or close to the big leagues he is. He'll definitely remain a starter for now, and his most likely destination is Double-A Portland. === 10. Bryan Price, RHP DOB: 11/13/86 Height/Weight: 6-4/210 Bats/Throws: R/R Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2008, Rice University 2008 Stats: 3.83 ERA at Short-season (40-47-10-43) Last Year's Ranking: N/A Year in Review: He's an outstanding raw talent who finally put it all together during his junior year at Rice, going from being a rarely used extra bullpen arm to a supplemental first-round pick. The Good: Primarily a reliever in college, Price's power frame and three-pitch arsenal have the Red Sox hoping that he'll continue to shine as a starter. He pitches primarily off of his heavy 92-95 fastball in order to set up a power slider that is a true swing-and-miss pitch. His changeup is solid, and he stays within the strike zone. The Bad: While Price has control, he lacks command. He's had trouble in the past throwing strikes, and can become overly concerned with it, grooving fastballs down the middle in order to get ahead in the count, which can make him quite hittable. His changeup shows promise, but lacks consistency, and he doesn't have the confidence to use it in pressure situations. Fun Fact: Price spent his youth in Marble Falls, Texas, located between Austin and San Antonio. Named after the local rock formations when it was founded in the 1880s, there is actually no marble in Marble Falls—just limestone and granite. Perfect World Projection: He should be a mid-rotation starting pitcher. Glass Half Empty: He'll be a power relief pitcher, but there is always the fear that he could stop throwing strikes any minute now. Path to the Big Leagues: He's behind many others on the depth chart, but there's no need to rush him. Timetable: Price will begin the year at one of Boston's two A-ball affiliates, most likely Low-A Greenville. === 11. Ryan Kalish, CF DOB: 3/28/88 Height/Weight: 6-1/205 Bats/Throws: L/L Drafted/Signed: 9th round, 2006, Red Bank Catholic HS (NJ) 2008 Stats: .281/.376/.356, .219 EqA at Low-A (96 G); .233/.305/.397, .196 EqA at High-A (18 G) Last Year's Ranking: 5 Year in Review: This high-ceiling outfielder had a solid full-season debut last year, but not the breakout campaign that many had expected. The Good: Kalish is still one of the better athletes in the system. He's a plus runner with excellent base-running instincts and exceptional bat speed who projects as a top-of-the-order hitter due to his patient approach. He's a max-effort type who always gets his uniform dirty. The Bad: Kalish did nearly everything that was expected of him in 2008 except drive the ball. He had surgery to repair a broken hamate bone before the season began, never seemed to get comfortable enough to let go in his swing, and his once-promising power pulled a disappearing act. On defense, he needs to improve his routes and jumps to stay in center. Fun Fact: In 11 games as a leadoff man playing for North Shore in the Hawaiian Winter League during the offseason, he hit just .273, but drew 14 walks against just 33 at-bats; good for a .489 on-base percentage. Perfect World Projection: He'll be a 20-20 center fielder. Glass Half Empty: If the power doesn't return, he's merely a fourth outfielder. Path to the Big Leagues: It's filled with hurdles. Timetable: Wrist injuries often take a full year to heal, and sometimes more for young players. Red Sox officials are confident that Kalish will return to form this year with another crack at High-A, and he has a good shot at rocketing back up the list next year. === The Sleeper: A sixth-round pick in 2007, first baseman Anthony Rizzo was making quite an impression by hitting .373/.402/.446 in his first 21 games for Low-A Greenville last year before being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He's been fully cleared to play in 2009, and his offensive skills are considerable. === Top 10 Talents 25 And Under (as of Opening Day 2009) 1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B 2. Jon Lester, LHP 3. Clay Buchholz, RHP 4. Lars Anderson, 1B 5. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF 6. Justin Masterson, RHP 7. Michael Bowden, RHP 8. Josh Reddick, RF 9. Daniel Bard, RHP 10. Ryan Westmoreland, CF For a team with a reputation for leaning on famous veteran stars, the Red Sox are actually built to last with a plethora of outstanding young talent, especially with 2008 MVP Pedroia already shining, as well as Jon Lester establishing himself as one of the better left-handers around. Call me a Kool-Aid drinker on Buchholz, but I still believe in the talent. The question is, what does Boston think of him? They sent mixed signals in the offseason, doing nothing to open up a spot for him in the rotation, but also refusing to even bring up his name in any trade talks. Ellsbury is more than a bit overrated —in another organization with a lower profile, he'd be a nice defensive outfielder with limited secondary skills that people wouldn't be so excited about. Masterson is a ground-ball machine who could get better if he can throw more strikes. Not making the cut in the end is Jed Lowrie; I almost ranked him 10th, but would you really trade the kind of upside that Westmoreland has for a guy like Lowrie? Sure, he played errorless ball at shortstop, but his range there remains short (no pun intended), and the way he struggles against right-handers throws up a second red flag. === Summary: The Red Sox system is at a turning point. They have a nice set of prospects in the upper levels, but very little depth, and much of the future depends on the development of a number of risky, high-ceiling players. This could easily develop into one of the best systems in the game in the next two or three years, or it may devolve into one that's below average due to their risk-heavy portfolio. -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 118.160.72.211