Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Hey Ksig24, first of all thank you for taking the time to answer these questions, so awesome!!
I wanted to ask u about Michael Fullmer, minor league starter for the Mets. he had a nice year in the minors in 2012. do you think he has the potential to be a solid 3 starter in majors?

He's no sure thing and has a lot to work on, but number 3 upside would be his ceiling I think.

[rjackson]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Appreciate the feedback, the more opinions the better IMO. Once again I'll point out that this is my critique of MLB.com's top 100, if you don't see someone there that you like, that's MLB's fault... My rebuttals are in bold.

I also noted at the bottom of the list that the number of surefire A's I assigned was 31... There will of course be some A prospects who debuted last year that can be added to that total, as well as some from the 16 tossups so I'm not sure how close to 50-60 we'll get, but that's usually the limit to prevent an excess amount of retirements.

Good stuff and I appreciate the feedback. You have great points like Rondon and then I didn't know Singleton was doing the weed--I was led to believe it was other stuff so thank you. As for Thompson, he shouldn't be top 100 or anything on anyone's list, probably, but I thought that he'd make for a good comp on a couple of those players. As for some others, you've got to consider position as the game seems to now, right? I might be wrong about this but that was my impression so a player with contact, speed, and defense is graded higher for CF than 1B/3B but a player with power and contact is graded higher for 1B/3B and defense is king for SS/C??? Basically, my A's for the game would be different than my A's for real life if I was in a scouting department.

[rjackson]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Great post fellas and I am glad that this thread is starting to heat up.

Jeezy and Daniel, I too am a huge proponent of Fernandez.
Can you get closer to a can't miss pitching prospect at his age?

RJackson, I really like your valuations of players.
This is so cool, thanks!
You make note of Yelich being overrated and Zunino being underrated. Yelich is a very projectable...My .02

Yeah, I can't say that I've seen that much of him (Yelich) and this is good information. If he is destined for LF, then he could definitely be an A in the game but I would think he's more borderline as a CF which I think the video game takes into account???

[seanjeezy]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Good stuff and I appreciate the feedback. You have great points like Rondon and then I didn't know Singleton was doing the weed--I was led to believe it was other stuff so thank you. As for Thompson, he shouldn't be top 100 or anything on anyone's list, probably, but I thought that he'd make for a good comp on a couple of those players. As for some others, you've got to consider position as the game seems to now, right? I might be wrong about this but that was my impression so a player with contact, speed, and defense is graded higher for CF than 1B/3B but a player with power and contact is graded higher for 1B/3B and defense is king for SS/C??? Basically, my A's for the game would be different than my A's for real life if I was in a scouting department.

Position does matter, but I heard that the formula for determining overall has been retooled for '13, so I don't know how much an effect it will have... Until we hear more on the changes to player progression, everything is preliminary for now and subject to change in the future. From what I've gathered so far from Knight, Tabarnes, Ramone, etc. etc. training is specialized and progression comes in bunches.

[seanjeezy]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

What is the general consensus on Keith Law and how he values players? Looking over his top 100, there are a few head scratchers and some big omissions (even from his "just missed" list)...

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

What is the general consensus on Keith Law and how he values players? Looking over his top 100, there are a few head scratchers and some big omissions (even from his "just missed" list)...

Yeah Law, Mayo, Sickels etc, all seem to try and have some magical formula. I think Law finds himself players he likes with the best chances of being a big league regular with some level of impact.

In the end its all merely an opinion. Look at Tavares who is arguably MLB ready and one of the top three hitting prospects in the game who went unranked by many last year. I didnt rave about him because I have seen many players cut from the same cloth to only bust. Rymer Liriano has seen Matt Kemp comparisons so go figure.

One of the greatest gifts I have ever been given in scouting is to make a player comparison and stick to it. Its preference, but all the good ones do this.

[Qb]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

I was doing a little roster forum cleanup and saw this thread. Ksig, here's (selfishly ) hoping you take the job with Pittsburgh. I'm not sure if you'd move here with the family, but let me reassure you, it's absolutely beautiful here about five months out of the year. Of course those are the five months you'd probably be on the road the most, but... well, nevermind.

[bedwardsroy19]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Hey ksig, was just curious about how you feel about Paulino on the Indians?

Also what ever happened to Dillon Howard? Seemed to be very promising at the beginning of last year and haven't heard much at all on him this year

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

I was doing a little roster forum cleanup and saw this thread. Ksig, here's (selfishly ) hoping you take the job with Pittsburgh. I'm not sure if you'd move here with the family, but let me reassure you, it's absolutely beautiful here about five months out of the year. Of course those are the five months you'd probably be on the road the most, but... well, nevermind.

I would still be located in Southern Cali. I am not all that sure what is going on right now because baseball politics are in full effect.

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Hey ksig, was just curious about how you feel about Paulino on the Indians?

Also what ever happened to Dillon Howard? Seemed to be very promising at the beginning of last year and haven't heard much at all on him this year

How do you feel about Paulino? Howard has got to be the best arm in the system right now. He has a ways to go, but could have a nice year. Arms are in demand for the Tribe, but in a very sparse pool of pitching talent Howard is my top choice. Excluding Bauer of course.

[bedwardsroy19]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

How do you feel about Paulino? Howard has got to be the best arm in the system right now. He has a ways to go, but could have a nice year. Arms are in demand for the Tribe, but in a very sparse pool of pitching talent Howard is my top choice. Excluding Bauer of course.

I am not entirely sure what to think about Paulino to be honest. I follow Indians Prospect Insider and try to cross check how everybody else has the tribe players ranked.

It seems like Paulino has been playing out of his mind and people aren't entirely sure what he will project to. I have seen him as high as 54 Overall on ESPN and unranked on most others. He seems to be the consensus 3rd best prospect for the Tribe, but my impression on Paulino is that this will be a real make or break year for him. If he keeps up his performance from last year I expect him to shoot up the rankings. I am not sold on him personally but my confidence grows when I see others speak highly of him.

[Ratfink]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

KSig my boss's kid is a sophmore starting LF for Loganville High School. You need to see Clint Frazier in person. The kids bat speed is unreal and he is one of the fastest kids I've ever seen. A true man among boys. As long as he keeps his head on his shoulders and stays healthy he will be an All-Star. Reminds me of Ryan Braun. My boss's kid is named Robbie Walden and he is close to Clint's speed but is a real gap hitter with a great eye. He'll take over CF after Clint leaves. A very quite kid with an unbelievable work ethic. They also have a few pitchers that throw mid 90s. That HS team looks like a High A team to most other schools. In the last 5 years almost every kid has gone on to play in college or is in professional ranks.

[Qb]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

I would still be located in Southern Cali. I am not all that sure what is going on right now because baseball politics are in full effect.

That stinks. Whatever happens, I hope it works out well for you and your family. You seem like a good guy.

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

KSig my boss's kid is a sophmore starting LF for Loganville High School. You need to see Clint Frazier in person. The kids bat speed is unreal and he is one of the fastest kids I've ever seen. A true man among boys. As long as he keeps his head on his shoulders and stays healthy he will be an All-Star. Reminds me of Ryan Braun. My boss's kid is named Robbie Walden and he is close to Clint's speed but is a real gap hitter with a great eye. He'll take over CF after Clint leaves. A very quite kid with an unbelievable work ethic. They also have a few pitchers that throw mid 90s. That HS team looks like a High A team to most other schools. In the last 5 years almost every kid has gone on to play in college or is in professional ranks.

I have seen Frazier play and I will pass on the name for you to one of our guys in that area. The good thing is that so many people have covered Frazier so everyone else gets covered as well. I always show up at games around 2 so I can see IF and OF and get my grades in. I almost always watch a full game of a player I am writing up and my lineup card is littered with grades and notes about potential follow list players.

That is a great assertion that you mentioned and if you can see someone stick out like a sore thumb, than the player is usually that good or you have an eye for talent. Nicely done.

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

That stinks. Whatever happens, I hope it works out well for you and your family. You seem like a good guy.

Thanks man I appreciate that. I have another one on the way (boy) so career advancement is very important to us especially right now!