Comments on: Daily Prospect Report 8/19/07 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/ Baseball's Future in the Gateway City Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:25:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Jeffery http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5943 Jeffery Tue, 21 Aug 2007 02:42:35 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5943 There is no way Haether can be a Major League outfielder. I have seen him every home game the last two years and Duncan was a better outfielder LAST year than Haether is this year. Also he has no speed at all. It does not show in the stats but his outfield play has cost the Springfield team at least 3 wins this year. Shorey should be in Springfield. There is no way Haether can be a Major League outfielder. I have seen him every home game the last two years and Duncan was a better outfielder LAST year than Haether is this year. Also he has no speed at all. It does not show in the stats but his outfield play has cost the Springfield team at least 3 wins this year. Shorey should be in Springfield.

]]> By: Double A http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5923 Double A Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:09:50 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5923 After seeing Mather 5 times this year, I personally think he has a shot to be something. He has really quick hands up in the zone and impressed me greatly with his ability to turn on pitches while still being able to generate power to right center. Physically, I think he's a good frame for the majors, although he could maybe add a few lbs. of muscle (physically, I see some similarities to a young Jason Bay), but you can see the raw power he possesses already. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see him in a MLB outfield in the next year or two. Take it for what it's worth...I've been wrong before...but he's the horse I'm betting on out of that group. I'm also a little disturbed with the Cairo sighting...one, as mentioned, it hoses Hoffpauir...but two, I just dug Cairo's name out of my mind's nether regions to describe Arnoldi Cruz (physical appearance) on here about a week ago...and voila, he's a Card. If Jason Bay ends up with birds on the bat, I'm suddenly becoming dangerous here and will start comparing Nick Stavinoha to a never-emptying refrigerator of Corona in my basement bar. After seeing Mather 5 times this year, I personally think he has a shot to be something. He has really quick hands up in the zone and impressed me greatly with his ability to turn on pitches while still being able to generate power to right center. Physically, I think he’s a good frame for the majors, although he could maybe add a few lbs. of muscle (physically, I see some similarities to a young Jason Bay), but you can see the raw power he possesses already. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see him in a MLB outfield in the next year or two. Take it for what it’s worth…I’ve been wrong before…but he’s the horse I’m betting on out of that group.

I’m also a little disturbed with the Cairo sighting…one, as mentioned, it hoses Hoffpauir…but two, I just dug Cairo’s name out of my mind’s nether regions to describe Arnoldi Cruz (physical appearance) on here about a week ago…and voila, he’s a Card. If Jason Bay ends up with birds on the bat, I’m suddenly becoming dangerous here and will start comparing Nick Stavinoha to a never-emptying refrigerator of Corona in my basement bar.

]]> By: fewgoodcards http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5913 fewgoodcards Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:03:19 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5913 the outfielders that have the tools to be regulars are mostly down in the lower levels, and most of them aren't performing that well. of the guys you listed, joe mather is the only one that i would say has a legit chance at being a regular. he easily has the power with 24 doubles and 25 homers this season, but he needs to show the ability to hit for average. as i mentioned, some of the guys that project the best are down in the low levels and not performing like future everday players at the moment. daryl jones, jon edwards, tommy pham, and edgar lara have some of the best tools out of any of our outfield prospects. jones and pham are potential 5 tool guys who haven't hit for much average. edwards and lara have huge power, but are pretty strikeout prone. another guy that should be considered is allen craig. if he continues to suck defensively at third, you may see him moved out to left. the outfielders that have the tools to be regulars are mostly down in the lower levels, and most of them aren’t performing that well. of the guys you listed, joe mather is the only one that i would say has a legit chance at being a regular. he easily has the power with 24 doubles and 25 homers this season, but he needs to show the ability to hit for average.

as i mentioned, some of the guys that project the best are down in the low levels and not performing like future everday players at the moment. daryl jones, jon edwards, tommy pham, and edgar lara have some of the best tools out of any of our outfield prospects. jones and pham are potential 5 tool guys who haven’t hit for much average. edwards and lara have huge power, but are pretty strikeout prone.

another guy that should be considered is allen craig. if he continues to suck defensively at third, you may see him moved out to left.

]]> By: Whopperman http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5912 Whopperman Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:55:22 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5912 I don't think the organization got too worked up over Hearne, I think the fan base got too worked up over him. I think the front office knew they were drafting a guy who would end up somewhere between organizational soldier and MLB mopup guy. You have to have some of them in the system, and we're talking about a 28th-round draft pick, not a top-10-rounds pick. The Cardinals have brought exactly one 28th-round pick to St. Louis: Joe McEwing. Hawksworth could be the second, but he was a draft and follow. Hearne was a guy who got people out in college, had more than a strikeout an inning, and didn't give up many hits. It's worth a 28th-round pick to take a chance on somebody like that. At this point, it looks like it probably won't work out...which puts him in the same category as 36 of the other 39 28th-round picks...the exceptions being McEwing, Junior Spivey, and Paul Molitor. The latter two didn't sign with the Cardinals. I don’t think the organization got too worked up over Hearne, I think the fan base got too worked up over him.

I think the front office knew they were drafting a guy who would end up somewhere between organizational soldier and MLB mopup guy. You have to have some of them in the system, and we’re talking about a 28th-round draft pick, not a top-10-rounds pick. The Cardinals have brought exactly one 28th-round pick to St. Louis: Joe McEwing. Hawksworth could be the second, but he was a draft and follow.

Hearne was a guy who got people out in college, had more than a strikeout an inning, and didn’t give up many hits. It’s worth a 28th-round pick to take a chance on somebody like that. At this point, it looks like it probably won’t work out…which puts him in the same category as 36 of the other 39 28th-round picks…the exceptions being McEwing, Junior Spivey, and Paul Molitor. The latter two didn’t sign with the Cardinals.

]]> By: Lou Schuler http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5911 Lou Schuler Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:55:14 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5911 Paul, to answer your question about outfielders, I doubt if anyone on that list projects as an MLB regular, much less an above-average player. Haerther is probably the closest to having the right tools for making a big-league roster (reports are that his defense in left is better, and we always knew he could hit for average), but it's hard to see him generating enough power to make it as a corner outfielder in the majors. Colby is the best we have, and he gives every indication of being able to replace Edmonds by 2009. The other two guys who intrigue me are Tyler Henley, who draws walks and might be able to hit enough to make it as a leadoff hitter, and Jon Jay. I have no idea if Jay's run of injuries is a hint of things to come, or just flukey bad luck. That said, the guy who could be the best of all is Daryl Jones, if the Jones we've seen this August is the real thing or just a small-sample-size illusion. Paul, to answer your question about outfielders, I doubt if anyone on that list projects as an MLB regular, much less an above-average player. Haerther is probably the closest to having the right tools for making a big-league roster (reports are that his defense in left is better, and we always knew he could hit for average), but it’s hard to see him generating enough power to make it as a corner outfielder in the majors.

Colby is the best we have, and he gives every indication of being able to replace Edmonds by 2009.

The other two guys who intrigue me are Tyler Henley, who draws walks and might be able to hit enough to make it as a leadoff hitter, and Jon Jay. I have no idea if Jay’s run of injuries is a hint of things to come, or just flukey bad luck.

That said, the guy who could be the best of all is Daryl Jones, if the Jones we’ve seen this August is the real thing or just a small-sample-size illusion.

]]> By: MikeJ http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5907 MikeJ Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:01:36 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5907 If at least 2 out of our 3 middle infield roster spots on the big club are not occupied by some combination of Ryan, the Hoff, and Martinez by opening day 2009 then I'm going to be pretty disappointed. I would hope we can at least get one starter and one utility guy out of those three for a few years. If at least 2 out of our 3 middle infield roster spots on the big club are not occupied by some combination of Ryan, the Hoff, and Martinez by opening day 2009 then I’m going to be pretty disappointed. I would hope we can at least get one starter and one utility guy out of those three for a few years.

]]> By: Paul http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5905 Paul Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:31:03 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5905 We have a glut of Outfielders. Everybody knows that. Does anyone think that any of these guys can be everyday major league players. I am talking about Mather, Stavinoha, Haerther, Shorey, Danielson, Marti---any MLB starters in that group. We have a glut of Outfielders. Everybody knows that. Does anyone think that any of these guys can be everyday major league players. I am talking about Mather, Stavinoha, Haerther, Shorey, Danielson, Marti—any MLB starters in that group.

]]> By: Paul http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5904 Paul Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:26:05 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5904 Maiques, Rasmus, Martinez, Mortensen----I am starting to get excited about our farm system Maiques, Rasmus, Martinez, Mortensen—-I am starting to get excited about our farm system

]]> By: the red baron http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5903 the red baron Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:56:05 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5903 Oh, also, a word about Jose Martinez vs. Jarret Hoffpauir. I've had the good fortune to see both of them play, and, for my money, I'm more excited by Martinez. Part of it is the age difference, but, mostly, Martinez is just a more athletic player. Hoffpauir's good with the bat, but I wasn't impressed with his range in the field. Martinez does a nice job at short, and I think he would have the athleticism to be a dynamite 2b. A middle infield of Brendan Ryan at SS and Martinez at 2b sounds pretty decent to me. The range alone those two would bring to the table would make a pretty decent dent in the starter's ERA with the big club. Oh, also, a word about Jose Martinez vs. Jarret Hoffpauir. I’ve had the good fortune to see both of them play, and, for my money, I’m more excited by Martinez. Part of it is the age difference, but, mostly, Martinez is just a more athletic player. Hoffpauir’s good with the bat, but I wasn’t impressed with his range in the field. Martinez does a nice job at short, and I think he would have the athleticism to be a dynamite 2b. A middle infield of Brendan Ryan at SS and Martinez at 2b sounds pretty decent to me. The range alone those two would bring to the table would make a pretty decent dent in the starter’s ERA with the big club.

]]> By: the red baron http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5901 the red baron Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:51:17 +0000 http://futureredbirds.com/2007/08/19/daily-prospect-report-81907/#comment-5901 With the way that Trey Hearne has absolutely collapsed this year, I hope the Cardinals will learn the lesson here. Guys with fringy stuff, regardless of their record of success, just don't have the same kind of long term potential that your higher upside, 'stuff' pitchers do. I feel bad for Hearne, I really do, but there's a reason that guys like him tend to top out at about high A. I really think this organisation needs to look at the top drafting clubs. Most of them draft ceiling, and if a player misses his ceiling, he can still contribute. If you draft a fringy player who's maximum upside is to be an occasional starter/bench player, what happens if he misses his ceiling? Hint: it's not a trick question. With the way that Trey Hearne has absolutely collapsed this year, I hope the Cardinals will learn the lesson here. Guys with fringy stuff, regardless of their record of success, just don’t have the same kind of long term potential that your higher upside, ’stuff’ pitchers do. I feel bad for Hearne, I really do, but there’s a reason that guys like him tend to top out at about high A.

I really think this organisation needs to look at the top drafting clubs. Most of them draft ceiling, and if a player misses his ceiling, he can still contribute. If you draft a fringy player who’s maximum upside is to be an occasional starter/bench player, what happens if he misses his ceiling? Hint: it’s not a trick question.

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