John Sickels Top 20 Prospects for 2011 - 美國職棒

Seattle Mariners Top 20 Prospects for 2011

1) Michael Pineda, RHP, Grade A: I love him. Future number two starter if he
stays healthy.

2) Dustin Ackley, 2B, Grade A-: Borderline B+. Went back and forth on this
one, but I saw him in the Arizona Fall League and he looked like the player
he was supposed to be coming out of college. I will let this grade from last
year ride. He generates a wide variety of opinion but I'll stick with the
optimists.

3) Nick Franklin, SS, Grade B: Borderline B+, would get that if I was
convinced he could stay at shortstop. Love the bat.

4) Taijuan Walker, RHP, Grade B-: Raw, but I love the upside.

5) Mauricio Robles, LHP, Grade B-: Command concerns preclude higher grade,
but I like him and think he is a bit overlooked on a national basis.

6) Alex Liddi, 3B, Grade B-: His season with the bat was actually slightly
better than 2009, once you account for league and park contexts. There is
some concern about the glove, but I like his trendlines.

7) Guillermo Pimentel, OF, Grade C+: Youth and power stand out, but quite raw
with a risk that he never gets the strike zone under control.

8) Johermyn Chavez, OF, Grade C+: As with many Mariners prospects, the High
Desert question precludes a higher grade until we see him in Double-A.

9) Kyle Seager, 2B, Grade C+: Polished and I think he'll hit at higher
levels, but a year and a half older than Chavez.

10) James Jones, OF, Grade C+: Despite bad first half at Clinton, I love this
guy and I think he might turn into something special.

11) Dan Cortes, RHP, Grade C+: Took well to relief role but was unable to
sustain improved command in winter ball.

12) Marcus Littlewood, SS, Grade C+ Should have a good bat, but questions
exist about position and long-term power potential.

13) Ramon Morla, 3B, Grade C+: Outstanding power production in Appy League,
plate discipline is an issue. Good scouting reports on glove but needs to cut
errors.

14) Nate Tenbrink, 3B-OF, Grade C+: Has decent tools, can swipe a base, hit
for some power, sleeper prospect.

15) Ji-Man Choi, C-1B, Grade C+: Very polished bat for his age, questions are
power and long-term position.

16) Blake Beavan, RHP, Grade C+: I'm not a huge fan, strikeout rate is so
low, could be a Nick Blackburn type with short-term success until the league
catches up.

17) Vince Catricala, 1B, Grade C+: Overlooked professional hitter who did
very well in the Midwest League at age 21, should put up huge numbers at High
Desert.

18) Esteilon Peguero, SS, Grade C+: Wild guess on grade and placement without
any North American data. I refuse to buy whole-heartedly into any player this
young who hasn't played against decent amateur competition based on nothing
but positive-but-vague scouting reports.

19) Stephen Pryor, RHP, Grade C+: Hard-thrower from 2010 draft could rise
quickly, has closer potential.

20) Josh Lueke, RHP, Grade C+: I love his talent, but enormous baggage and
makeup questions preclude a higher grade for me.

OTHERS OF NOTE: Jabari Blash, OF; Anthony Fernandez, LHP; Jose Flores, RHP;
Jimmy Gillheeny, LHP; Greg Halman, OF; Matt Mangini, 3B; Yoervis Medina, RHP;
George Mieses, RHP; Brian Moran, LHP; James Paxton, LHP; Carlos Peguero, OF;
Rich Poythress, 1B; Dennis Raben, OF-1B; Erasmo Ramirez, RHP; Jordan Shipers,
LHP; Carlos Triunfel, "SS", Richard Vargas, RHP; Mickey Wiswall, 1B.


The Mariners have a truly elite pitching prospect in Michael Pineda, and what
I saw in Arizona convinced me that Ackley is still an elite prospect too
despite his somewhat disappointing '10 season. Franklin projects as a major
league regular.

After that, there is a huge batch of B-/C+ prospects. Some of them should be
solid major leaguers (Liddi, Robles, Seager), while many others have loads of
potential but are still too far away or have too many questions to earn elite
grades just yet (Jones, Pimentel, Chavez, Morla, etc). All in all, while I
don't see the Mariners at the top of the farm system charts, they have a
strong trio at the top and a broad base of intriguing talent beneath it. If
the high ceiling guys have good years in '11, this system could look quite
loaded a year from now.


http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/1/4/1913127/seattle-mariners-top-20-prospects-for-2011

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