2007 Community Prospect List

by The Cheat on Nov 8, 2007 4:18 PM CST in Minors

We've done this twice before with moderate success. You know the drill. Rank your top, let's say 11, prospects (in order) in the comments. I'll give this a bump or two during the next week, and tabulate the results by next Friday.

Past Results

              2005                                    2006
Rnk  Player              Points        Rk   Name                  Pts
  1. Chris Young            135        1.   Ryan Sweeney          166
  2. Brian Anderson         121        2.   Josh Fields           151
  3. Gio Gonzalez           118        3.   Lance Broadway        141
  4. Ryan Sweeney           111        4.   Aaron Cunningham      103
  5. Ray Liotta              65        5.   Charlie Haeger        101
  6. Daniel Haigwood         60        6.   Oneli Perez            71
  7. Lance Broadway          55        7.   Kyle McCulloch         51
  8. Jerry Owens             51        8.   Jack Egbert            22
  9. Robert Valido           48        9(t) Jerry Owens            19
 10. Josh Fields             36        9(t) Heath Phillips         19
t11. Sean Tracey             15        11.  Lucas Harrell          14
t11. Francisco Hernandez     15        12.  Chris Carter
 15. Aaron Cunningham                  13.  Adam Russell

0 recs | Comment 26 comments

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Comments

List

DLS
Gio Gonzalez
Chris Carter
Ryan Sweeney
Jack Egbert
John Shelby
Aaron Poreda
Jose Martinez
Francisco Hernandez
Lance Broadway
Oneli Perez

by CWSKeith on Nov 8, 2007 4:38 PM CST 0 recs

That looks fine.

I might flip Broadway and Hernandez....nah....let's just say I'd do yours exactly as is....but no need to have a #11, especially if it's Perez....if I have to, put Getz 11, then. As an aside, I was kinda fired up from the start Broadway had, though I realize it wasn't much to go on...anyway....the first ten are like Keith has, but I want Getz at 11.

by dantesox on Nov 8, 2007 4:53 PM CST up 0 recs

And...

#12 is that 16 year old shortstop we signed....I don't remember his name.....can't remember if he was from Venezuela, the Dominican, or where exactly...

by dantesox on Nov 8, 2007 4:58 PM CST up 0 recs

My list

1. DLS
2. Gio Gonzalez
3. Chris Carter
4. Jack Egbert
5. Aaron Poreda
6. Ryan Sweeney
7. John Shelby
8. Jose Martinez
9. Francisco Hernandez
10. Lance Broadway
11. Oneli Perez

by Tony82087 on Nov 8, 2007 5:54 PM CST 0 recs

My List

1. DLS
2. Gio Gonzalez
3. Ryan Sweeney
4. Chris Carter
5. Jack Egbert
6. Jose Martinez
7. Aaron Poreda
8. Jose Martinez
9. John Shelby

Brandon Allen
Lyndon Estill

I can't consider Oneli Perez to prospect since he's 24 and still at Birmingham.

I'm a disgruntled Whitesox fan and I can't spell

by chisox on Nov 8, 2007 6:07 PM CST 0 recs

Instead of ranking them from best to worst...

we should rank them on who is the most likely to be a bust. Afterall, they are all prospects that our stupid scouting department drafted.

by SSH2005 on Nov 8, 2007 6:21 PM CST 0 recs

List

DLS
Gio Gonzalez
Jack Egbert
Ryan Sweeney
Chris Carter
John Shelby
Lance Broadway
Aaron Poreda
Francisco Hernandez
Kyle McCulloch
Jose Martinez

by Stealfirstbase on Nov 8, 2007 6:22 PM CST 0 recs

a look back

rack your brains all you want but below is baseball americas top prospect list the last 10 years. Most will make you want to scream...but I still like Nick Masset, not #1 but in the top ten for sure.

1995 Scott Ruffcorn, rhp
1996 Chris Snopek, ss/3b
1997 Mike Cameron, of
1998 Mike Caruso, ss
1999 Carlos Lee, 3b
2000 Kip Wells, rhp
2001 Jon Rauch, rhp
2002 Joe Borchard, of
2003 Joe Borchard, of
2004 Jeremy Reed, of

by spadog on Nov 8, 2007 7:07 PM CST 0 recs

Mine

DLS
Gio Gonzalez
Chris Carter
Aaron Poreda
Ryan Sweeney
Jack Egbert
John Shelby
Lance Broadway
Francisco Hernandez
Jose Martinez
Kyle McCulloch

by RME JICO on Nov 8, 2007 7:10 PM CST 0 recs

3E8's list

Gio Gonzalez
DLS
Jack Egbert
Chris Carter
Ryan Sweeney
Lance Broadway
John Shelby
Aaron Poreda
Kyle McCulloch
Fernando Hernandez Jr.
Sergio Miranda

by 3E8 on Nov 8, 2007 7:50 PM CST 0 recs

11 best

DLS
Ryan Sweeney
Gio
Jack Egbert
Lance Broadway
Aaron Poreda
Chris Carter
John Shelby
Jose Martinez
Fernando Hernandez
Oneli Perez

I put the SOX in SOXophone

by SouthpawsLaundry on Nov 8, 2007 8:12 PM CST 0 recs

Fernando Hernandez

Just for clarification, he's the reliever who is currently dominating winter-ball, yes?

//checks BaseballCube

Neat -- he's only 22 years old. He and Oneli are pretty much a coinflip for me. Oneli had better K/9 numbers but Hernandez kept the ball in the yard just a wee bit better. Hernandez also has the 'better' age.

At the very least, this re-enforces the (generally) consensus idea that the Sox don't have to go after five relievers this winter. Bring in (at most) two guys from free agency and let the non-Jenks people compete for the remaining spots.

by CWSKeith on Nov 8, 2007 8:26 PM CST 0 recs

List

de Los Santos
Gio
Sweeney
Chris Carter
Aaron Poreda
Jack Egbert
Jose Martinez
Lance Broadway
Kent Gerst
John Shelby
Kyle McCulloch

Just missing the cut:
the Hernandez's.

I was surprised to not see Gerst in any lists, he's young (19), had a good year at rookie ball, has a lot of speed, plays very good defense and has a projectable body. He's drawing comparisons to Jacoby Ellsbury when he was at the same age/level.

by Big Bad Bobby Jenks on Nov 8, 2007 10:23 PM CST 0 recs

One scouting report

isn't enough to sway me. He's still a guy who hasn't cracked a .700 OPS as a league repeater and is 5 levels away from Chicago. I'd rank him behind Collaro, Getz, Russell, Harrell, Cassell.

Everything has to go right (over the length of a presidential term) for Gerst to be even a marginal major league talent. I'm not buying it.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Nov 9, 2007 2:49 PM CST up 0 recs

Re: One scouting report

He's also at the low minor league level, at that level you should not judge a player by their numbers but instead by their tools, aptitude, projectability etc. If you evaluated players primarily by numbes at the low levels guys such as Salvador Sanchez and Jimmy Gallagher would be very good prospects, in reality they're not because they don't have the tools to succeed at the higher levels.
According to you he may not be a good prospect and that's fine, it's your opinion, but I think I'm going to go by the word of player developmental people within the organisation who are payed to evaluate the players, and by all the reports I've read from them Gerst projects to be a legitimate lead-off hitter and centre fielder at the Major League level.

by Big Bad Bobby Jenks on Nov 9, 2007 4:20 PM CST up 0 recs

Most of us only have numbers to go by

when formulating our prospect list. I didn't have the chance to see guys live or access to scouting reports. That's just my guess as to why he's absent from most lists. Before Bureau posted on soxtalk, I doubt Gerst was on anyone's radar.

All I see right now is an EXTREME singles hitter (XBH% < 10%) who might have speed but right now he's in Juan Uribe SB% territory. His BB% isn't great and didn't really improve when repeating. And like I said I have no grasp for his defensive prowess other than word-of-mouth, but even if it were outstanding I would still rather have 11 other guys from our system before Gerst.

by 3E8 on Nov 9, 2007 5:19 PM CST up 0 recs

The minors are littered

with prospects who have tools comparable to Wonder Boy. Until those tools start to produce results, they're suspects more than prospects. As a league repeater, you'd expect to see some of those tools shine through.

Two years ago if you had received similar inside info, you probably would have been talking about the power potential of Anderson Gomes or comparing the aforementioned Sanchez to Magglio Ordonez. (Yes, those were the real reports on those two)

I'm not immune to scouting reports, and projectibility. In fact, I don't think you could have found a bigger Daniel Cortes fan than I around here at the time of his trade.

There's a guy who, until the second half this season, had yet to produce great results. But he always held his own while being young for his league. He had/has a big fastball (maybe not strikeout worthy, but fast mid-90's), lacked consistency with his off-speed stuff. Given his large frame, young age, and plus stuff I would have ranked him about 6th on our list a year ago. I didn't need report from "within" the organization to come to that conclusion.

It's the same thing with Jose Martinez this year. He's got a tall slight frame with decent power already. You can project a whole lot onto that bat going forward...

But, it's far too premature to think of Gerst as anything other than a huge longshot right now. The tools he does have aren't those that pay big dividends at the major league level (or at least they aren't very rare like big power from a SS/C/CF or plus speed from a C) and if he falls even the list bit short of what I think is an extremely lofty comp he'll be a Jerry Owens type 4th outfielder. There's a reason BA didn't list him among the Appalachian League's top 20 prospects, and it has just as much to do with his tools, aptitude, projectability as his AVG/OBP/SLG.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Nov 9, 2007 6:11 PM CST up 0 recs

Pretty much Pitchers and OFs

Fautino de Los Santos
Gio Gonzalez
Ryan Sweeney
Jose Martinez
Kent Gerst
Chris Carter
Aaron Poreda
Jack Egbert
John Shelby
James Gallagher
Lance Broadway

just missing: Kyle McCulloch, Francisco Hernandez,
Fernando Hernandez

by Jim in Maine on Nov 9, 2007 5:13 AM CST 0 recs

my ranking

Gio Gonzalez
Fautino De Los Santos
Jack Egbert
Poreda
Carter
Sweeney
Shelby
Broadway
Getz
Jose Martinez
Oneli Perez
Christian Marrerro
Francisco Hernandez
Kyle McCullough

Some commentary: Gio Gonzalez is only 5 months older than DLS. Yet he posted similar K rates at a higher level. He actually dominated the two leagues that DLS did this year at age 19! He had one bad year as a Phillie, but even then he had high K rates. This is not an indictment of DLS simply an endorsement of Gio who I think is underrated. Right now I think they are equivalent prospects that should both be top 40 prospects.

Jack Egbert was 4th in all of the minors in FIP (fielding independent pitching) for pitchers over 90 IP (this may have missed pitchers that pitched at multiple levels, never reaching 90 IP in any league). If you exclude the pitcher friendly Midwest league he was 2nd. Obviously he doesn't have the best pure stuff and he pitched in a pitcher's park, so I'm not saying that he's the 2nd best pitcher in the minors. But he's also not the 40th best pitcher in the minors. He should be a top 100 prospect I think.

by bhoov on Nov 9, 2007 10:38 AM CST 0 recs

My completely uninformed opinion

1. Gio Gonzalez
2. DLS
3. Jack Egbert
4. Chris Carter
5. Lance Broadway
6. Jose Martinez
7. Kent Gerst
8. Fernando Hernandez
9. Oneli Perez
10. Ryan Sweeney

It looks like a system with 2 legitimate major league prospects. It's so bad that 1 decent major league start in September rocketed Broadway from the bottom of my list up to #5.....

by hitlesswonder on Nov 9, 2007 2:43 PM CST 0 recs

that's it, that's the list

Gio
DLS
Poreda
Egbert
Shelby
Carter
Broadway
Sweeney
Martinez
Haeger
McCulloch

by larry on Nov 9, 2007 4:32 PM CST 0 recs

somewhat informed opinion

Fautino de los Santos
Gio Gonzales
Jack Egbert
Chris Carter
Ryan Sweeney
John Shelby
Aaron Poreda
Lance Broadway
Jose Martinez
Francisco Hernandez
Chris Getz

Other guys I'll be keeping an eye on: Justin Cassel, John Ely, Christian Marrero, Jordan Cheatham, Fernando Hernandez, Juan Moreno (7.0 K/BB ratio certainly catches the eye), Kent Gerst (solely because of that scouting report).

Also, does anybody know anything about Shaydron Buckridge, other than that he has a great name and seems to be putting up decent numbers as a 19-year-old catcher? Is he a real prospect?

by Ryno on Nov 9, 2007 6:28 PM CST 0 recs

I'm so glad you brought him up

I want someone to find out. I have googled the hell out of his name and found nothing. But he did pretty damn well in that DSL league. But, judging his name, I have no idea why he'd be there. That does not sound spanish. It sounds like a fun story.

OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 9, 2007 7:02 PM CST up 0 recs

Re: I'm so glad you brought him up

He's from Panama.

by Big Bad Bobby Jenks on Nov 9, 2007 9:06 PM CST up 0 recs

Anything else?!

OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 9, 2007 9:28 PM CST up 0 recs

I think ordering this closest to proximity to the

majors makes the most sense, since simply being successful an additional year impacts the probability you'll make the majors greatly. We know the most about them and are less likely to overproject, so this also acts as an attempt to handicap that impulse.

So:

1)Gio Gonzalez - He's ready to be a starter now and also projects to a #2/3, which makes him better than the also ready #2 prospect...

2)Jack Egbert - Who is probably only a #4/5 in all likelihood, according to the scouts. Statistically, both Gio and Jack look like #2/3 style starters to me. But I'm going to take the scouts into account, at least a little. But remember the stats: allowed a .619 OPS against.

3)Ryan Sweeney - He's got enough skills to have an .800 OPS, which is enough to be a 4th OF, especially since he's adequate in center. Hits righties already pretty well. If it turns out that he was injured this past year and is healthy by the summer, he could finally show that ability to hit .300 that it looked like he might have. At least let's not dump him for a set-up man.

4)DLS - According to the scouting reports, it sounds like he could be a reliever right now. Considering Boone Logan managed that to some degree with much less talent when he did, I have to buy this. Not saying he should be, but it's a testament to his talent. I'm not sure if this really adheres to the rules I set for this, but whatever, especially considering that TINSTAAPP. Gave up a ridiculous .505 BABIP against.

5)Chris Carter - We're into guys that can't be productive players in '08. I'm going to list Carter here rather than Shelby in spite of the fact that Goldstein listed Shelby as a guy who could move fast and Carter as a level-by-level guy. He's accomplished more and that makes him more likely to make it, imo.

6)John Shelby - That hot streak is the question. Was that a step up, or an anomaly? Either way, he still OPS'd an .850 and posted a .200 ISO. From CF, that'd be very nice.

7)Aaron Poreda - Reportedly, he's going to debut in A+ ball, which is good to see from your first round pick. He's also been the subject of extremely optimistic/pessimistic scouting reports. Both agree that he's short on offerings other than his fastball. That and as a college pitcher, there's no reason he shouldn't beat up rookie league hitting.

8)Lance Broadway - Basically, this means I don't think he can be a major league pitcher now and he'd have to show something in his stats that he hasn't to really become MLB caliber. For a guy who can't bring it, he should get more groundballs AND walk fewer batters. He'd even be higher if I thought he could be a long man now, but I don't think I do.

9)Jose Martinez - Maybe our next great corner outfielder? That's a lofty lede, but that's how you grab the reader. But there's not really anyone I want to mention ahead of him anyway. Here's hoping.

10)Kyle McCulloch - Should probably go over Jose, but whatever. He'll be in AA and did well at the previous level. If his upside can be a 6K 3BB per game type guy with not too many homers, that's 5th starter territory. His GB rates so far have been solid, though his handful AA starts saw a serious dip in K's. We'll see, but '09 target maybe?

11)Francisco Hernandez - Hooray for having a catcher prospect!

12)Charlie Haeger - It just goes to show that he's basically a forgotten man. He's definitely close to the big leagues, as he's shown in spurts, but his last appearance was pretty brutal. He's got a long way to go until he reaches knuckler maturity anyway.

13)Sergio Miranda - Awfully little power exhibited from a guy who's been to college, but supposedly he fields well. Kinda like Francisco Hernandez: I'm just glad he exists.

14)Justin Cassel - My favorite possible surprise. Really nice groundball rates and decent-ish k rates. Needs to work on his control, though. This rating is too high, but I'm just like that.

15)Christian Marrero - Older than Chris Carter, but a level behind. Still, exhibited some solid power.

16)Jim Gallagher - Kevin Goldstein likes him. So there's that.

Okay this is clearly getting less and less interesting. Hooray for a list.

OK, bring on the Craigslist chick! Bathe her and bring her to my tent! And keep the Valtrex coming!

by colintj on Nov 9, 2007 9:27 PM CST 0 recs