I wasn’t planning on putting together a midseason list, but once I saw that everyone else doing it, I figured I might as well join the party. You can catch Fabian’s Top 30 List here and EJ’s here. I’m not going to go into too much detail because not all that much has changed as far as individual scouting reports and stuff like that. You can find my Preseason Top 30 list here, for comparisons sake. List after the jump.
- Jose Tabata, OF, A+: not flashing the power yet, but having a great year for an 18-yr old in the FSLÂ Â
- Joba Chamberlain, RHP, A+/AA:Â just a beast; one of the top 3 or 4 pitching prospects in the minors
- Dellin Betances, RHP, SS: it’s all based on dreams and projection at this point
- Ian Patrick Kennedy, RHP, A+/AA: pitching like he has a chip on his shoulder (maybe from being passed on in the draft)
- Jesus Montero, C, EST: you say overrated, i say you’ve never seen him hit a ball out to dead center! (neither have i, but i’ve heard he’s done it a bunch of times)
- Alan Horne, RHP, AA: i was one of the few who liked him coming into the year, glad to see he validated my belief
- Juan Miranda, 1B, A+: took some time to settle in, but took off once he get comfortable
- George Kontos, RHP, A+: proving last year was no fluke, he’s just manhandling people (when he’s not in handcuffs)
- Jeff Marquez, RHP, AA: solid, but generally unspectacular
- Kevin Whelan, RHP, AA/A+: some control issues, but the demotion surprised me…hasn’t pitched in nearly 2 weeks (hmmmm)
- Tyler Clippard, RHP, AAA/ML: struggles in the bigs were no surprise, just ask me!
- Marcos Vechionacci, 3B, A+: it’s still all about tools with Vech, but there’s been flashes of a breaking out this year…just like the last 3 years
- Austin Jackson, CF, A-: repeating low-a was the right move, he definitely appears to be making progress
- Frankie Cervelli, C, A+: it’s starting to look like his monster start was just a hot streak, but he’s still legit
- Eric Duncan, 1B, AAA: i quote yesterday’s DotF – just when you’re ready to give up on him…BAM!
- Dan McCutchen, RHP, A+: he’s a workhorse and having an outstanding full season debut…a fantastic find in the 13th round
- Alberto Gonzalez, SS, AAA: running, throwing and catching are still 3 of the 5 tools, right?
- Zach McAllister, RHP, SS: he’s got solid big league starter written all over him
- Reegie Corona, SS, A+: best utility infield prospect they’ve got
- Ross Ohlendorf, RHP, AAA: wasn’t exactly tearing it up before the injury, but it’s funny how they always say “it’ll be a few days” when they really mean “we have no friggin’ idea if or when we’ll see him again”
- Colin Curtis, LF, A+: your basic “does everything good but nothing great” player…the kind that drives me nuts…
- Edwar Ramirez, RHP, AA/AAA: Indy ball refugee has the best changeup in the system, and has done nothing but mow people down since signing
- Brett Gardner, CF, AA: say it with me folks: Eric Reed 2.0
- Steven Jackson, RHP, AAA: i still believe! you remember how bad clippard was in the first half last year, right?
- Seth Fortenberry, LF, A-: showing some serious pop to go along with his speedster rep
- David Robertson, RHP, A-: in the bigs by next september, if they ever get him out of charleston…
- Mike Dunn, LHP, A-: converted outfielder has been better this year than anyone could ever have expectedÂ
- Steven White, RHP, A+/AAA: he’ll pitch in the bigs this year…for what team? i dunno
- Brett Smith, RHP, AA: if he sustains his .218 BABIP all year, i’ll eat my shoe, live, via webcast
- Mitch Hilligoss, 3B, A-: what a difference a 38-game hit streak makes
I left Phil Hughes off because I think he’s up for good, save for a few rehab starts down the road. I also left the Elbow Surgery Quartet off, but don’t be mistaken, they all are still very much prospects, they just hit a speed bump. If you’re wondering, I would have ranked Hughes # 1 (obviously), and then Sanchez-Cox-Melancon-Garcia numbers 6 through 9 (bumping everyone else down accordingly). Â
Overall, I love the pitching depth, but I do think there’s some very real separation between the top 4 guys and the rest of the lot. Remember, I favor upside and tools over performance, which is why a guy like Jesus Montero ranks so high. I purposefully left off any 2007 draft picks that have already signed (only 1 guy woulda made it anyway); I plan on revisiting the top 30 after the August 15th signing deadline.
Feel free to comment, and please, let’s keep the “Mike, you’re an idiot” comments to a minimum.
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