Prospect Insider updated top 30 is out

Churchill definitely doesn't play it safe. Some pretty ballsy rankings in there, particularly Catricala over Franklin. TIF is going to live him.

9 months ago dnc 37 comments 0 recs |

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Marcus Littlewood, an infielder who can't hit who isn't a catcher but has been moved to catcher, is number 9.

Oh.

by abender20 on Aug 19, 2011 1:47 PM PDT reply actions

Are we actually sure he can't hit?

He had a .785 OPS in July followed by an .837 in August. He strikes out too much but he’s not afraid to take a walk. His Clinton numbers were bouyed by a .194 BABIP.

I wouldn’t rank him that high myself (I have him at #15), but I think it’s a little early to conclude he can’t hit. All the pre draft reports were that his hit tool was good and his power was solid, they just questioned his defense. I’m not sure 300 PA’s is enough to completely invalidate those reports just yet.

Just my two cents.

by dnc on Aug 19, 2011 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

He's still playing second base and shortstop for Everett right now.

He almost got decapitated by a line drive into the dugout two nights ago because he wasn’t paying attention.

by thehemogoblin on Aug 19, 2011 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

The plan was to move him to catcher this offseason

After they signed all 5 top 20 round catchers (Hicks, Marlette, Dowd, Marder and Guarnaccia) I wouldn’t be surprised if they opt to keep Littlewood in the MI. That’s pure speculation on my part, obviously.

by dnc on Aug 19, 2011 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I was talking to the Aquasox GM last weekend about Littlewood.

He is the one Everett player tabbed for Extended Training in AZ this Fall (at least at this point, that may change) and they were going to see how well he took to catcher. If it sticks he will continue at the position and if not they will move him back to the IF. No harm, no foul.

And in my opinion, the kid can hit. Being able to see him in person in Everett changed my mind.

by ambrosia2112 on Aug 19, 2011 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions

I dunno. Churchill isn't the only one who sees something in him.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Aug 22, 2011 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Scouting types seem to really like him.

I saw a few things I could appreciate when I was in Everett, but overall I wasn’t blown away or anything. Granted, I saw him during the slump.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Aug 22, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Given that he's showing patience and some power recently, I feel I need to give him another shot.

Yeah, maybe this is a hot streak but I’ll admit that he’s showing something he hadn’t previously. Baron can still suck an egg.

by abender20 on Aug 22, 2011 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Still dont get the James Jones love, especially over Blash.

Of course if #30 = “love”, but you get my point.

by Slica on Aug 19, 2011 3:14 PM PDT reply actions

I like Blash more as well

by dnc on Aug 19, 2011 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I think some would say the same about Blash.

By that point, though, it’s not that big a deal. Everybody from about 20 on is bunched up in a very similar level of talent / skills development that you can just shuffle ’em around however you wish.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Aug 19, 2011 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not sure I'd go that nuts on Catricala, ranking him 4th and above others.

When I ranked him 4th earlier, that was a list that didn’t count anybody graduated to the Mariners nor any of the draftees (or international signees). Looking at that list, I’d probably put him more in the bottom half of the top 10.

Yeah, the bat makes me moist, but providing defense IS important, and I’m not sure where he fits right now. If Carp is our DH of the future, Vincent is basically left amongst the outfield smorgasbord, competing with Smoak for first, or trying the third base thing again. Reports on that weren’t glowing.

Yeah, I’m of the belief that if you believe in the bat you find a spot for him, I’m just not sure where that is yet. Considering he’s in AA now, the M’s probably have another one to two years to figure it out, and stuff can happen in two years.

Other quips:

- Jason is still thinly veiling his discord with the Hultzen pick. Though he states that you could put Paxton, Hultzen, and Walker in “any order” as the #1, he chose to put Hultzen second. I like Paxton. I like Paxton a lot. Hultzen is what Paxton will be with more command. I understand risk and whatever, but there’s no way you can state empirically that Hultzen carries more risk. I also don’t think you can say Paxton has more talent or more skills. The only thing Paxton has is slightly more experience against professional hitters. And if that’s what tips the scales, then I would question the weight of that and your original talent / skill assessment of both pitchers.

Or you could just still be bitter.

- Francisco Martinez 8th, Carlos Triunfel 17th. Sure, why not. Apparently the devil you know… etc

- Marcus Littlewood 9th, Brad Miller 18th. I do not even know how you can justify this. Even if Littlewood’s meager experience against pro-level competition makes him more valuable, the position switch should stem enthusiasm until he can actually do it. Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea, I just don’t think it’s wise to rank him so high at this juncture. And what did Brad Miller do to JAC to deserve that? I realize it’s hard to rank a guy just out of college, but sheesh. Didn’t seem to have a problem with Carter Capps. I agree with Capps being awesome, but again… sheesh.

- He really likes Chance Ruffin. Lueke on the other hand…

That’s about it. I can’t really scoff at much else. Those not included are guys who would have been last year. I think that actually says more about what we have now vs. what we had then, because I’m not disagreeing. Guys like Raben and Poythress are cute and all, but if the worst person on the list is James Jones, I can deal with that.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Aug 19, 2011 8:00 PM PDT reply actions

I know he really hated the Brad Miller pick and maybe just wanted to make a point of how much he hated it.

by MilesC on Aug 20, 2011 3:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Martinez is younger than Triunfel with similar results and tools

thus he is a better prospect

by seattlebruin on Aug 21, 2011 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree to a point (I ranked him higher by two spots), but

The difference in age is only six months and two days. I don’t think that’s hugely significant.

by dnc on Aug 21, 2011 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions

If this is sarcasm, I'm having a real tough time picking it up.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Aug 21, 2011 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions

This list is bull shit.

Where is Carlos Peguero?

by stredarts on Aug 20, 2011 11:10 AM PDT reply actions

He's at 143 at bats right now. He only needs 7 more to void his rookie status.

Thus, he was probably left off for that reason.

And only that reason.

Just that.

(*snicker)

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Aug 20, 2011 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Injured!

by LeftArrow2 on Aug 20, 2011 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought this comment JAC made was more important than the actual list he put out

9. By: Jason A. Churchill on 08-19-2011 19:34:02
This is the best the Mariner farm system has looked since Forever.

There have been better top 5s, better No. 1s, Better top 10s, maybe, but taking a look at some older Top 10s and 30s from Baseball American 10-15 years ago, I can’t see any that are better from top to bottom.

Great mix of probability, upside and present value.

by Edgar for Pres on Aug 20, 2011 2:28 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

It’s hard to disagree with him, too

by dnc on Aug 20, 2011 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

This a year after losing Michael Pineda and Dustin Ackley from the top

Not bad.

by AndrewMcQ on Aug 20, 2011 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Forever...

with a capital F!

--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Aug 20, 2011 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions

DNC, question.

What’s your top 30, if you don’t mind sharing?

by Aussie Mariner on Aug 21, 2011 2:14 AM PDT reply actions

This doesn't quite answer your question

but dnc clearly doesn’t mind sharing.

by The Ancient Mariner on Aug 21, 2011 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Don't mind at all

I posted my top 25 after the trade deadline here (that Ancient Mariner linked) but here I think I only posted my post signing deadline 30 at SeattleHardball. Here’s the list – if you want the analysis and explanation you can find it here (my handle over there is dawgncarolina).

Apologies for the numerous updates, but the way the M’s are adding talent to the system and then promoting it to the bigs has made for constant shakeup to the rankings. Now that we know who all is in the system from the draft and the final trade deadline piece, here’s how we stand. I think the farm system is probably going to come in in the 13-17 range in baseball this offseason, which is pretty incredible when you consider Ackley, Pineda, Carp, Robinson, Lueke, Ruffin and Seager will all likely be ineligible for it. Will all of the young talent on the big league team right now, there’s still plenty in the system.

Tier 1 (A to A- prospects, top 35 overall)

Graduates during 2011: Dustin Ackley, Michael Pineda

1) LHP Danny Hultzen
2) RHP Taijuan Walker
3) LHP James Paxton
4) SS Nick Franklin
5) RHP Jose Campos
6) LF Guillermo Pimentel
7) 3B/LF Vinny Catricala
8) 3B Francisco Martinez
9) RF Chih-Hsien Chiang
10) SS Carlos Triunfel
11) 3B Alex Liddi
12) LF Phillips Castillo
13) C Tyler Marlette
14) RHP Forrest Snow
15) SS/C Marcus Littlewood
16) SS Brad Miller
17) RHP Carter Capps
18) OF Jabari Blash
19) 2B Martin Peguero
20) RHP Erasmo Ramirez
21) RF Alfredo Morales
22) RHRP Stephen Pryor
23) OF Johermyn Chavez
24) RHP VIctor Sanchez
25) C/2B Jack Marder
26) LHP Mauricio Robles
27) 3B Steven Proscia
28) OF Julio Morban
29) RHP Jose Valdivia
30) LHP Jordan Shipers

Next ten (no particular order): 1B Rich Poythress, C John Hicks, RHP Ambioris Hidalgo, SS Cavan Cohoes, OF Jamal Austin, 3B Yordi Calderon, RHP Carson Smith, RHP Steven Landazuri, OF James Zamarippa, OF James James

by dnc on Aug 21, 2011 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs