Post by Cardinals (A) on Jan 6, 2012 15:12:51 GMT -5
Devin Mesoraco, C. 2012: starting MLB catcher. Best case: Mesoraco becomes a modest man's Brian McCann, providing middle of the order production and solid defense. Worst case: He starts drinking a lot of milkshakes and becomes an average or worse hitter and defender. My take: I love Mesoraco. I think he's eventually a number five hitter with a 280/350/475 line.
Nestor Molina, SP. 2012: outside chance at MLB bullpen or even rotation gig. Most likely he starts at AA or AAA and gets a call at some point. Best case: Molina becomes the next Daniel Hudson, Dan Haren or Brandon Beachy, a guy whose results consistently outpace his radar gun readings. Worst case: He's a bullpen guy who relies more on command than stuff. My take: I think he's going to be a #2 starter.
Anthony Gose, CF. 2012: At AAA at a very young 21. Chance for a cup of coffee later in the season. Best case: He's Devon White or Kenny Lofton. Worst case: He strikeouts too much and has a few years as a CF athlete with great range and speed but whose offense makes him a below-average starter. My take: This guy was super young for AA last year, and he has a good track record of making adjustments (check out his SB stats in '11 and '10). I think he ends up with a few EX range ratings in CF and a 260/330/420 line with a lot of steals.
Cody Buckel, SP. 2012: Start at hi-A, should end in AA. Best case: I created Jeremy Hellickson way back when, and Hellickson had almost the exact same pedigree (2nd rounder), statistical dominance, command/stuff combo and questions. Everyone was skeptical of Hellboy until AA. I think Buckel could be similar. Worst case: he's just a savvy command guy without the stuff to be more than a AAAA starter (Tim Redding or such). My take: 25% chance to be Hellickson, but more likely to be a really solid #3.
Johnny Hellweg, SP. 2012: either return to hi-A or jump to AA. Best case scenario: his new found control is real, he maintains his elite stuff, and his size makes him a TOR dominating starter. Worst case scenario: Andrew Brackman. My take: He could easily fall apart at any moment. But he could also be a top 20 prospect this time next year.
Dillon Howard, SP. 2012: probably low-A. Best case scenario: classic big old righty prospect. Worst case: too much mileage already, or he's just a thrower. My take: collect enough big arms, one is bound to break through.
Chris Archer, SP. 2012: AAA, maybe a call-up if it goes well. Best case scenario: Edwin Jackson or Homer Bailey power arm. Worst case scenario: too many walks, never leaves AAA. My take: his peripherals were very similar in '11 as '10. He still struggles with control and command. Most likely, he goes to the bullpen. He could be a dominating reliever.
Jorge Alfaro, C. 2012: low-A. Best case scenario: best catcher in the game, with 80 arm and 80 power. Worst case scenario: flames out, maybe turns into a backup. My take: a great lottery ticket. He's a long ways away, but he could be extremely special.
Joe Ross, SP. 2012: low-A.
Austin Hedges | B-
Ronald Guzman | C+
Phillip Evans | C+
Shawn Tolleson | C+
Roberto Osuna | C+
Brad Brach | C+
Matt Andriese | C+
Miles Mikolas | C+
Matt West | C+
Martin Peguero | C+
Marco Hernandez |
Odubel Herrera
Nestor Molina, SP. 2012: outside chance at MLB bullpen or even rotation gig. Most likely he starts at AA or AAA and gets a call at some point. Best case: Molina becomes the next Daniel Hudson, Dan Haren or Brandon Beachy, a guy whose results consistently outpace his radar gun readings. Worst case: He's a bullpen guy who relies more on command than stuff. My take: I think he's going to be a #2 starter.
Anthony Gose, CF. 2012: At AAA at a very young 21. Chance for a cup of coffee later in the season. Best case: He's Devon White or Kenny Lofton. Worst case: He strikeouts too much and has a few years as a CF athlete with great range and speed but whose offense makes him a below-average starter. My take: This guy was super young for AA last year, and he has a good track record of making adjustments (check out his SB stats in '11 and '10). I think he ends up with a few EX range ratings in CF and a 260/330/420 line with a lot of steals.
Cody Buckel, SP. 2012: Start at hi-A, should end in AA. Best case: I created Jeremy Hellickson way back when, and Hellickson had almost the exact same pedigree (2nd rounder), statistical dominance, command/stuff combo and questions. Everyone was skeptical of Hellboy until AA. I think Buckel could be similar. Worst case: he's just a savvy command guy without the stuff to be more than a AAAA starter (Tim Redding or such). My take: 25% chance to be Hellickson, but more likely to be a really solid #3.
Johnny Hellweg, SP. 2012: either return to hi-A or jump to AA. Best case scenario: his new found control is real, he maintains his elite stuff, and his size makes him a TOR dominating starter. Worst case scenario: Andrew Brackman. My take: He could easily fall apart at any moment. But he could also be a top 20 prospect this time next year.
Dillon Howard, SP. 2012: probably low-A. Best case scenario: classic big old righty prospect. Worst case: too much mileage already, or he's just a thrower. My take: collect enough big arms, one is bound to break through.
Chris Archer, SP. 2012: AAA, maybe a call-up if it goes well. Best case scenario: Edwin Jackson or Homer Bailey power arm. Worst case scenario: too many walks, never leaves AAA. My take: his peripherals were very similar in '11 as '10. He still struggles with control and command. Most likely, he goes to the bullpen. He could be a dominating reliever.
Jorge Alfaro, C. 2012: low-A. Best case scenario: best catcher in the game, with 80 arm and 80 power. Worst case scenario: flames out, maybe turns into a backup. My take: a great lottery ticket. He's a long ways away, but he could be extremely special.
Joe Ross, SP. 2012: low-A.
Austin Hedges | B-
Ronald Guzman | C+
Phillip Evans | C+
Shawn Tolleson | C+
Roberto Osuna | C+
Brad Brach | C+
Matt Andriese | C+
Miles Mikolas | C+
Matt West | C+
Martin Peguero | C+
Marco Hernandez |
Odubel Herrera