Mound Talk Top 100 Prospects - 2008

[Padres]

Moundtalk (Koby Schellenger) Top 100 Prospects

1. Jay Bruce
2. Colby Rasmus
3. Evan Longoria
4. Clay Buchholz
5. Joba Chamberlain
6. Clayton Kershaw
7. Jacob McGee
8. David Price
9. Cameron Maybin
10. Andy LaRoche
11. Johnny Cueto
12. Brandon Wood
13. Andrew McCutchen
14. Travis Snider
15. Jeff Clement
16. Daric Barton
17. Joey Votto
18. Matt Wieters
19. Wade Davis
20. Reid Brignac
21. Homer Bailey
22. Jacoby Ellsbury
23. Matt Antonelli
24. Ian Kennedy
25. Rick Porcello
26. Franklin Morales
27. Carlos Gonzalez
28. Fernando Martinez
29. Mike Moustakas
30. Matt LaPorta
31. Chris Marrero
32. Beau Mills
33. Nick Adenhart
34. Gio Gonzalez
35. Josh Vitters
36. Jason Heyward
37. Desmond Jennings
38. Eric Hurley
39. Jose Tabata
40. Fautino de los Santos
41. Will Inman
42. Jordan Schafer
43. Wladimir†Balentein
44. Hank Conger
45. Neil Walker
46. Max Scherzer
47. Angel Villalona
48. Carlos Gomez
49. Austin Jackson
50. Carlos Triunfel
51. Lars Anderson
52. Taylor Teagarden
53. Justin Masterson
54. Brett Anderson
55. Ross Detwiler
56. Jed Lowrie
57. Chris Volstad
58. Carlos Carrasco
59. Steve Pearce
60. Adam Miller
61. Chase Headley
62. Jarrod Parker
63. Bill Rowell
64. Deolis Guerra
65. Luke Hochevar
66. Madison Bumgarner
67. Manny Parra
68. Michael Bowden
69. Chin-Lung Hu
70. Scott Elbert
71. Elvis Andrus
72. Chris Perez
73. Brent Lillibridge
74. Jeff Niemann
75. Blake Beavan
76. Geovany Soto
77. Bryan Anderson
78. Troy Patton
79. Radhames Liz
80. Chris Tillman
81. Brandon Jones
82. Oscar Tejada
83. Jaime Garcia
84. Alan Horne
85. Dellin Betances
86. Gorkys Hernandez
87. Michael Burgess
88. Matt Latos
89. Brett Sinkbeil
90. Jair Jurrjens
91. Cole Rohrbough
92. Mat Gamel
93. Jon Meleon
94. Aaron Poreda
95. Phillippe Aumont
96. Kasey Kiker
97. Matt Harrison
98. Collin Balestar
99. Casey Weathers
100. Aaron Cunningham

[BlueJays]

Decent list, but Bailey is too low IMO. He's better than McGee IMO.

Better than Law's list thats for sure. Wonder what tools/skills he used to compile this list. projection or performance?

[Padres]

Decent list, but Bailey is too low IMO. He's better than McGee IMO.

Better than Law's list thats for sure. Wonder what tools/skills he used to compile this list. projection or performance?

As I have reading these various lists over the past couple of years (or longer - he is newer then BA or Sickels) I think Koby and Mound Talk tend to take a cumulative approach giving an edge to current production relative to age and classification over perceived and/or reported pure raw tools that BA tends to favor. He appears to favor more of the lower risk/mild risk for average production than the high risk/high reward type.

Here are some comments Koby left on a thread discussing his list:

... joesomebody-I wrote my Rangers Top 10 list a while back and have since been in contact with a couple scouts who were more familiar with a couple prospects and I've been able to get some video as well and re-evaluated a couple prospects. Specifically, I was able to more effectively look at Teagarden's defense and Elvis Andrus' defense as well.
As to why I like LaRoche so much, it's his bat speed that really draws me to him. His hands and wrists are so quick and powerful that when he's going to hit for very good power at the big league level. He can hit all pitches and has pretty good discipline. Defensively, he's a decent defender. The only thing negative to say about him at the plate is that he really likes pulling the ball. Granted, he has more power to the pull side, he needs to spread the ball out a little more.

... Adam [Foster of Prospect Prospect] , I'll try to comment quickly on each of the guys you brought up.

Adenhart- Though he didn't have the best year, statistically, it is important to note that he he predominantly pitched in the Midwest League in 2006 (pitcher friendly) and the Texas League in 2007 (hitter friendly). He was still young for the league at 20 and maintained his 94-96 mph fastball. His curve showed more consistency and his changeup showed improvement. His delivery improved and become more repeatable with less unnecessary movement. In the starts I saw, his problem was in trying to hit corners. This might be indicitive of a larger problem but it looks to me like it's correctable.

Teagarden- It's the defense. I understand the concerns about his offense being a mirage given his age and league. I don't care much about that. I think he'll be an average offensive big league catcher but a very good defensive catcher.

Carrasco- He's still raw and needs a lot of work. His season wasn't too bad overall in my opinion and he showed improvement in his fastball movement and changeup consistency. He still struggles a bit with consistency overall and with his curveball, but even that has been very good at times. His mechanics are there and his pitches are potentially good. I don't think he has ace potential, but I certainly think he can develop into a good #3.

Parker- I haven't seen him live, but I've seen tapes. I was pretty impressed but I'd like to see him pitch professionally first. Nonetheless, everything I've read seems very, very promising and the video I was was very good.

Perez- I like him as the closer in St. Louis in 09. Or at least skilled enough that he should be. His fastball is good in the mid-90s and his slider is excellent. Both have good downward movement and are pretty deceptive in their movement. The issue with him is walks. If he can get those to a reasonable level, He'll be an elite closer.

Lillibridge- I like his speed and I like his swing at the plate. Though he's not very big, I think he can add a little power and potentially be a 20-HR guy. His swing is very nice and he has a little loft to it. That's a great compliment to his speed. Defensively, he has above average range and soft hands to go with a strong arm.

Niemann- Injuries are a huge concern for him over his whole professional career (he did go to Rice afterall!) but outside of that, he's a great talent. His curve is very good and he has an average fastball and sinker. I think he just needs to build up his endurance and he'll be a fine #4 starter. Injuries are the only thing stopping him from being a big leaguer.

Tillman- He was young for the league, has plenty of potential and a nice delivery. His curveball is very very good and he's not timid about using it at all. I think with his frame he'll fill out and add a little bit to his low-90s fastball.

Jones- He's got a very nice swing and lots of power potential. He does a good job of managing his at-bats and has good discipline. He is pretty athletic and plays good defense.

Balestar- I like his fastball. He has good command of it and although it isn't terribly fast (91-92), it has good, deceptive, late movement. He really needs to clean up his curveball but he has shown flashes of brilliance with it. His change is good at times but inconsistent. He needs to tip it less. To me, he represents a guy with a load of potential but a real need for a good pitching coach and a lot of studying.