Here are my top 15. Just know that I spent way too long splitting hairs about where this player or that player should go and I'm probably still not satisfied.
Nice article David. You know, I don’t think having a lower system would be an issue except that we’ve seen what happens just a few years ago if it doesn’t get better by the time the guys who graduated are heading to FA. The only reason people are concerned about it is because of recent history. Which is fair I guess, but it’s not concerning right now. If you are writing about the system still being bottom 10 in two years….Houston, we’ve got a problem.
That's exactly it. When you graduate that many prospects to the big leagues from what was a top-five system, it's to be expected. It'd be nice if they could just replace them and hopefully they get to a point where they can at least stay top half consistently, but as long as they're back by probably mid-season next year, it's no big deal given the team control for the guys who just came up last year.
Your description of Carter Jensen reminds me a lot of MJ: "he's not really a very good catcher, but...." No telling how that might work out in the future but I get the strong impression you don't see Jensen behind the plate long-term.
The difference is that MJ was rated pretty well defensively in the minors. The issue with Jensen, in my opinion, is that he's learning the position still but his bat might be too strong to keep him behind the plate, similar to Wil Myers.
I'm not sure I agree with your rating of Garcia at number 5. I saw a lot of him at Omaha this year and was not impressed by his fielding in particular. He didn't seem to have the range or fielding ability of many of the other shortstops I have seen. Hitting wise he needs to be more selective and hit more line drives to use his speed.
There’s certainly room for disagreement here. He did have some strikeout issues in AAA that he hasn’t really had before so we’ll see if he can overcome that, but I had a scout who was so adamant about his ability to be a starting big league shortstop that I ultimately slotted him fifth. I had him 10th on one draft too. When you lack star talent, the rankings tend to fluctuate on an individual level more than in systems with more higher end guys.
So where is Kowar and Pratto in this. Thiey obvi viously aren't on the Royals 16 man MLB roster, so they must bei in the minors. Are you saying they are no longer prospects or you cosider them major leaguers?
Thanks for the info. Any lowdown on pitching coach candidates? I’m anxious to see who they put in that slot and what he’ll do with the kids. Thanks for keeping us in the loop!
Nice article David. You know, I don’t think having a lower system would be an issue except that we’ve seen what happens just a few years ago if it doesn’t get better by the time the guys who graduated are heading to FA. The only reason people are concerned about it is because of recent history. Which is fair I guess, but it’s not concerning right now. If you are writing about the system still being bottom 10 in two years….Houston, we’ve got a problem.
That's exactly it. When you graduate that many prospects to the big leagues from what was a top-five system, it's to be expected. It'd be nice if they could just replace them and hopefully they get to a point where they can at least stay top half consistently, but as long as they're back by probably mid-season next year, it's no big deal given the team control for the guys who just came up last year.
Hey David - be glad that you still have hairs left to split!
Signed,
Rapidly balding old dude
Your description of Carter Jensen reminds me a lot of MJ: "he's not really a very good catcher, but...." No telling how that might work out in the future but I get the strong impression you don't see Jensen behind the plate long-term.
The difference is that MJ was rated pretty well defensively in the minors. The issue with Jensen, in my opinion, is that he's learning the position still but his bat might be too strong to keep him behind the plate, similar to Wil Myers.
I'm not sure I agree with your rating of Garcia at number 5. I saw a lot of him at Omaha this year and was not impressed by his fielding in particular. He didn't seem to have the range or fielding ability of many of the other shortstops I have seen. Hitting wise he needs to be more selective and hit more line drives to use his speed.
There’s certainly room for disagreement here. He did have some strikeout issues in AAA that he hasn’t really had before so we’ll see if he can overcome that, but I had a scout who was so adamant about his ability to be a starting big league shortstop that I ultimately slotted him fifth. I had him 10th on one draft too. When you lack star talent, the rankings tend to fluctuate on an individual level more than in systems with more higher end guys.
So where is Kowar and Pratto in this. Thiey obvi viously aren't on the Royals 16 man MLB roster, so they must bei in the minors. Are you saying they are no longer prospects or you cosider them major leaguers?
Both exceeded their rookie eligibility, therefore neither is on a prospect list.
Thanks for the info. Any lowdown on pitching coach candidates? I’m anxious to see who they put in that slot and what he’ll do with the kids. Thanks for keeping us in the loop!
Any scuttlebutt of pitching coach candidates?
I haven't heard any specific names to this point, but I wrote about a bunch a few weeks ago - https://insidethecrown.substack.com/p/cal-eldreds-replacement-is-insanely