In an effort to milk this list as much as possible, I made a post that has all 100 prospects in just one list with their Opening Day assignments. At the bottom, I have a handful of stats that show the distribution of the top 100 by organization, position and classification. 1. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington- Syracuse (AAA, International) 2. Matt Moore, LHP, Tampa Bay- Tampa Bay (MLB, AL) 3. Mike Trout, OF, Anaheim-...
Welcome to Bus Leagues Express. Every morning, you’ll be able to stop here for a quick summary of the previous day’s minor league action, what’s to come, and interesting links the staff wants to share. While you’re eating cereal getting ready for the day, you can check out the notable stories from each league and some of the top performers at the plate and on the mound. Since this is the first day of...
If you’re one of those people who likes prospects as I am, one of the fun things that you start looking for are the next sort of players. The next great ace, the next tools player that turns into skills, and all that. But the thing that interests me more than anything, is when a non-prospect turns into a prospect. And last year? One of the great emergences you might not have heard of...
Well Mr. Burns has done it The power plant had won it With Roger Clemens clucking all the while Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness made us smile While Wade Boggs lay unconscious on the barroom tile We’re talkin’ softball From Maine to San Diego Talkin’ softball Mattingly and Canseco Ken Griffey‘s grotesquely swollen jaw Steve Sax and his run in with the law We’re talkin’ Homer Ozzie and the Straw It’s been 20 years since...
Prospect A-Z continued its farewell week with Padres outfielder Yoan Alcantara. His career is in flux right now because of an identity fraud scandal that was exposed this offseason. A scout and trainer bribed a contracted investigator working for Major League Baseball to check Alcantara’s background, and this allowed him to pass and receive his signing bonus. At his age with his performance in the AZL, he looked like a really good prospect, but...
Prospect A-Z had a tough letter yesterday in Q, and the subject was Padres reliever Kevin Quackenbush. He has the potential to pitch in middle relief for San Diego in a year or two, but that might be his ceiling. He made his pro debut with Eugene in the Northwest League and dominated, so the Padres promoted him to the Midwest League where he again dominated. From there, the entry deviated to a discussion...
Will it be three shortstops in a row? Jurickson Profar of Texas was the subject of yesterday’s Prospect A-Z. The Rangers already have a very good shortstop in Elvis Andrus, but it’s not a deep position around the league, so there’s nothing wrong with having a top prospect at the same position. Profar could develop into a better hitter while still providing quality defense, albeit not as well as Andrus. That’s still years away...
For the record, I have never met Jedd Gyorko, and I assume he’s a nice guy. Nick Franklin was the subject of yesterday’s Prospect A-Z. He’s the Mariners shortstop with a bit of a schizophrenic scouting report. Prior to the 2009 draft, he was an athletic shortstop that would provide defense and a little hitting. After the 2010 season, he appeared to be a power hitter that may not be able to stick at...
Yesterday, we went behind the plate to talk about Travis d’Arnaud, Toronto’s catcher on helium last season. He’s gone one level per year in his ascent to the majors, and he could break in with Toronto by the end of 2012. He’s a solid all-around player who may not stand out in any area, but he’ll be good in all of them. At the time of his trade to Toronto along with Kyle Drabek...
Over at Rays Prospects, the great staff will soon be wrapping up a great offseason feature, Prospect A to Z. Every day, one writer covers a prospect for each letter. For example, Chris Archer was the representative for A. It’s a great opportunity to talk about some different players, so I’ll be ripping off their idea and doing it leaguewide. They’re not necessarily the best prospect for each letter, just a guy I preferred...
2012 05 14 Scranton Wilks Barre/ Empire State Yankees vs Pawtucket Red Sox
