Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

[ksig24]

Alright fellas I am getting pumped up for the release of the game and baseball in general.

I am sad to report that my mentor in the scouting world has passed on. He was a highly respected member of the professional baseball community and I take great honor and loyalty in being recognized under his tutelage.

Furthermore, my efforts to revolutionize the way scouting is conducted with the Kansas City Royals has been overlooked for so long that I am currently looking at offers from Pittsburgh (something that has been in the works for some time now), Baltimore, Toronto and Cincinnati. I am heavily leaning towards the Pitt job as it will thrust me into an executive seat where my experience and recommendations will finally have some impact.

For those that do not know. My first year in scouting we passed on Tulo to take Gordon. This was out of our area and we did not cover Gordon, but my supervisor had Tulo as the no. 2 player on the board with only Justin Upton ahead. 2006 had me in my first year of full-time scouting and we decided to take Hochevar over Longoria who had really started hitting towards the middle of his college season at CSULB. My recommendation was Longoria. 2007 was a year where I landed more assignments and we once again had a top pick. This would be the year that I garnered attention from other teams. The whole country new that Price would be the top pick, a collegiate LHP with front of the rotation stuff, but then left us with the top prep player in the country according to everyone under the sun, SS Mike Moustakas. I had been out to see him and Matt Dominguez several times and the club was preparing to deal with his super agent. I continued my assignments in the valley area and saw something i'd never seen or heard other than once in my whole baseball career. I played in the Area Code games back in 1997 and only one person hit a ball that I can still hear that crack in my head....his name....Jose Alberto Alcantara as it says in my program, you may know him better as Albert Pujols. The player that I am referring to is Michael Stanton. As the time neared to the draft I was told several times to go and see Josh Vitters which I did and he did impress, but nothing was on my mind more than stealing the top player in the draft in a later round. I was thinking this would make my career if all panned out. Long story short, pre draft big board meeting in the war room at Kauffman Stadium and I am asked by (name left out to protect the innocent) our Scouting Director "who is the top player on your list" I vehemently say Michael Stanton....the room goes quiet and then people start to laugh. "Where do you have Moustakas" I have him second and then Vitters. I try to make a compelling argument for my reasoning, but the salty dogs shut me down quickly. "We like Moustakas as a catcher or maybe move him off to 3B in the future" the SD says. We passed on Stanton and ("") is no longer our SD and by the All-Star break that season Stanton had over 20 HR, by the end of the season he had 39. The rest is history.

Just thought I would lighten the mood with a story from early in my career to somewhat reminisce as my heart is still a bit heavy. The only person who never questioned my judgement was the Griz.

So without further ado, I will take any questions relevant to prospects and start this show off by unveiling my top 50. Cant wait for the ICONS~~!!!!

In no particular order.

Pitchers
1. Bundy
2. Cole
3. Taillon
4. Bauer
5. Bradley
6. Zimmer
7. Odorizzi
8. Martinez, STL
9. Lee
10. Barnes
11. Wheeler
12. Hultzen
13. Walker
14. Guerreri
15. Miller
16. Skaggs
17. Peralta
18. Gausman
19. Teheran
20. Nicolino
21. Sanchez
22. Syndergaard
23. Fernanez
24. Crick
25. Buckel
26. Gibson
27. Giolito
28. Stephenson
29. Meyer
30. Heredia
31. May
32. Biddle
33. Montgomery
34. Perez, TEX
35. Archer
36. Kelly
37. Cole, A.J.
38. Freid
39. Erlin
40. Howard
41. Ventura
42. Jungmann
43. Heaney
44. Bradley, MIL
45. Webster
46. Stratton
47. Gray
48. Familia
49. Purke
50. Banuelos

Hitters
1. Profar
2. Taveras
3. Myers
4. Bogaerts
5. Buxton
6. Starling
7. Polanco
8. Liriano
9. Wong
10. Soler
11. Bradley, Jr.
12. Springer
13. Singleton
14. Williams, NYY
15. Sanchez, NYY
16. Austin
17. Hanson
18. Cowart
19. Hawkins
20. Russell
21. Arenado
22. Vogelbach
23. Gallo
24. Hicks
25. Marisnick
26. Yelich
27. Hedges
28. Rendon
29. Cox
30. Hamilton
31. Goodwin
32. Dahl
33. Almora
34. Baez
35. Lindor
36. Story
37. Miller, SEA
38. Franklin
39. Ozuna
40. Olt
41. Davidson
42. d'Arnaud
43. Sano
44. Brown
45. Castellanos
46. Correa
47. Zunino
48. Lee
49. Puig
50. Choice

All
1. Profar
2. Myers
3. Bundy
4. Hamilton
5. Cole
6. Bauer
7. Hultzen
8. Walker
9. Taveras
10. Taillon
11. Miller
12. d'Arnaud
13. Bogaerts
14. Sano
15. Yelich
16. Soler
17. Fernandez
18. Castellanos
19. Wheeler
20. Singleton (idiot)
21. Lindor
22. Correa
23. Skaggs
24. Starling
25. Rendon
26. Zunino
27. Arenado
28. Gyrko
29. Buxton
30. Bradley, Jr.
31. Barnes
32. Martinez, STL
33. Baez
34. Olt
35. Teheran (finally?)
36. Marisnick (love this)
37. Williams
38. Sanchez, NYY
39. Almora
40. Polanco, PIT
41. Sanchez, Aaron
42. Goodwin
43. Bradley, ARI
44. Liriano
45. Hanson, PIT
46. Davidson
47. Dahl
48. Zimmer
49. Russell
50. Lee

NO PARTICLUAR ORDER!

[PsychoBulk]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Great story ksig, always nice to get a little insight into the real and always interesting world that is MLB scouting, its a shame they didnt listen to your Stanton advice, maybe it'll work out better in Pitt, best of luck to you if thats what you go with.

My question, not a criticism merely an observation.

I know you say no order, but would you personally have Profar ahead of Myers? Forgetting defense for a minute (and i know you have to include that for an overall basis) but, as a pure hitter, would you give Myers the edge on that basis?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Great story ksig, always nice to get a little insight into the real and always interesting world that is MLB scouting, its a shame they didnt listen to your Stanton advice, maybe it'll work out better in Pitt, best of luck to you if thats what you go with.

My question, not a criticism merely an observation.

I know you say no order, but would you personally have Profar ahead of Myers? Forgetting defense for a minute (and i know you have to include that for an overall basis) but, as a pure hitter, would you give Myers the edge on that basis?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

You know secretly my brother that this list is for you

Honestly, I would say that Tavares is the better hitter of the bunch right this second, but I see Profar more of a really well rounded ball player. Great speed with the ability to make things happen on the base paths as well as the ability to change games by scoring runs. I see him offensive upside as a 20/20 type with top tier D. He certainly is special.

Myers on the other note is a real offensive cog, someone who will be a middle of the order presence. He is a bat first guy, but wont kill you anywhere either. I see 30+ HR with 100 RBI annually. He is an All-Star.

Tavares in my opinion is the real intriguing stick of the bunch. I see him as being a high average guy with the ability to consistently hit above average power numbers accross the board due to his consistency at the dish. His approach is tremendous and his ability to barrel the ball is what people like me drool over.

List - Profar, Myers, Taveras.

[seanjeezy]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Miller vs. Franklin... Who sticks at short? Who gets traded first? Should Franklin give up on his RH swing?

Thanks man

[HustlinOwl]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

I wouldnt be mad, knowing you took the Reds position

[juicer420]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Who is a better prospect...Clayton Blackburn or Kyle Crick? Both are big bodied-big armed, young prospects. They're both the same age and played at the same level. They were both drafted in the same draft, but Crick was drafted about 10 rounds earlier. But Blackburn had better overall numbers in low A Augusta.

Am I alone in liking Blackburn's upside more? Or are there some scouts in that circle? What are your thoughts?

Sorry if this is a top 50 only thing. Appreciate the feedback and can't wait to hear an actual scout's take. My buddies and I argue over this...not all the time, but when the topic comes up.

Thanks ksig.

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Miller vs. Franklin... Who sticks at short? Who gets traded first? Should Franklin give up on his RH swing?

Thanks man

Jeezy,

Miller sticks at SS and has the better stick. I think that Franklin surprised many when he was drafted and most were like who? Franklin has the better power combination and looks like a solid MLB regular at some point (hopefully soon b/c I like him), but he ends up at the keystone and plays it well. I just hope his bat translates and keeps progressing.

Miller on the upside due to the fact that he was a college product and hasnt yet been over matched.

[seanjeezy]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Who is a better prospect...Clayton Blackburn or Kyle Crick? Both are big bodied-big armed, young prospects. They're both the same age and played at the same level. They were both drafted in the same draft, but Crick was drafted about 10 rounds earlier. But Blackburn had better overall numbers in low A Augusta.

Am I alone in liking Blackburn's upside more? Or are there some scouts in that circle? What are your thoughts?

Sorry if this is a top 50 only thing. Appreciate the feedback and can't wait to hear an actual scout's take. My buddies and I argue over this...not all the time, but when the topic comes up.

Thanks ksig.

Not Ksig, but the general gist of Blackburn vs. Crick is that Blackburn has a higher floor while Crick has a much higher ceiling. Blackburn's gaudy numbers last year are a result of him having an advanced feel for pitching and good command of his secondaries, but in the long run he profiles at the back of the rotation because of his high 80's/low 90's fastball and not having any plus secondaries.

Crick has far more upside, he sits in the low to mid 90's and can hit 97-98 MPH. His curveball has the potential to be plus, and if he can come up with an average third pitch he can be a strong #3/ #2. Of course he also has more uncertainty as well, but he could still cut it as a late inning reliever if his third pitch never develops.

If we use the previous grading system, I'd say Blackburn would have a C floor with a B potential while Crick would have a D floor with an A- potential.

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

I wouldnt be mad, knowing you took the Reds position

I almost took a bird dog position with Cincy before I was offered the KC job. I met the guy who signed Mesoraco awhile back too and he was a nice guy. NJ or PA guy I think. Lee Seras.

[HustlinOwl]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

I almost took a bird dog position with Cincy before I was offered the KC job. I met the guy who signed Mesoraco awhile back too and he was a nice guy. NJ or PA guy I think. Lee Seras.

selfishly speaking consider it, would be nice to have an insider lol

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Who is a better prospect...Clayton Blackburn or Kyle Crick? Both are big bodied-big armed, young prospects. They're both the same age and played at the same level. They were both drafted in the same draft, but Crick was drafted about 10 rounds earlier. But Blackburn had better overall numbers in low A Augusta.

Am I alone in liking Blackburn's upside more? Or are there some scouts in that circle? What are your thoughts?

Sorry if this is a top 50 only thing. Appreciate the feedback and can't wait to hear an actual scout's take. My buddies and I argue over this...not all the time, but when the topic comes up.

Thanks ksig.

Its not a top 50 thing so dont sweat it.

Great conversation on these two. I left Blackburn off my list, but barely. Crick I am in love with and I saw it coming all along. Stratton is the other one I really like, but to be honest it really is kind of hard to not see all three come along nicely. I just hope we dont have a repeat of Main, Kiker and Beavan with these good ol boys.

Crick - Most view him as the best of the bunch due to prospecting factors. Size, stuff, polish and UPSIDE.

Stratton - In all honesty, he is the best NOW. Anytime you can take a D1 shut down closer and turn him into your Friday starter that is saying something. His emergence through the organization as a potential frontline starter is all the more intriguing. He is the closest.

Blackburn - Another HS arm with all the tangilble goods to be another top of the rotation starter. Lets not forget that his feel for four solid pitches is already present. The only thing that has him a bit out of the top 50 is that I wanted to see a couple players who have been in the top 10-15 before finally fulfill their potentials. If not, to hell with them. Blackburn is on my bubble.

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Not Ksig, but the general gist of Blackburn vs. Crick is that Blackburn has a higher floor while Crick has a much higher ceiling. Blackburn's gaudy numbers last year are a result of him having an advanced feel for pitching and good command of his secondaries, but in the long run he profiles at the back of the rotation because of his high 80's/low 90's fastball and not having any plus secondaries.

Crick has far more upside, he sits in the low to mid 90's and can hit 97-98 MPH. His curveball has the potential to be plus, and if he can come up with an average third pitch he can be a strong #3/ #2. Of course he also has more uncertainty as well, but he could still cut it as a late inning reliever if his third pitch never develops.

If we use the previous grading system, I'd say Blackburn would have a C floor with a B potential while Crick would have a D floor with an A- potential.

Well said.

[ksig24]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

selfishly speaking consider it, would be nice to have an insider lol

FYI, the only reason I left Cingrani and off this list is because I am not sure that he's a pen arm or a starter. I honestly think that if he had a legitimate chance at having a spot in an MLB rotation I would rank him in the mid 30's. I like him. Same with Corcino.

Oh yeah, I also got to see Tanner Rahier a couple times and here's to hoping he goes all Arenado on that behind. He could.

[seanjeezy]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Well said.

I try my best lol

[ltw0303cavs]

Re: Annual KSig24 Top Prospect Q&A

Taylor Guerreri is a favorite of mine because of the major sink on his fastball and his breaking pitch is almost as good. I know NY Penn is NY Penn but what's your thoughts on Taylor?