TOP 20 Prospects for 2014(John Sickels) - 美國職棒

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(1) Xander Bogaerts, SS-3B, Grade A: A Grade A prospect who should do
everything well except steal bases. Power should steadily increase. Not hype,
he is for real.

(2) Jackie Bradley, OF, Grade B+: Although I wouldn’t expect him to be a .300
type hitter, his broad secondary skills and impressive defense should make
him a long-term regular.

(3) Garin Cecchini, 3B, Grade B+: I won’t be talked out of the B+ grade like
I was last year. Absolutely love this bat and superior on-base skills. Have
to see where he fits defensively. I’ve gone back-and-forth with Bradley at 2
and this could flip depending on how I want to slot them in the Top 50, but I
will worry about that next month.

(4) Henry Owens, LHP, Grade B+: Walk rate in Double-A was the only negative
here, but the overall package looks like a sound number three starter to me,
perhaps more.

(5) Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Grade B: Borderline B+. I’d have him as a B+ if not
for the history of health problems. When he’s right I think he has the best
combination of stuff and command among the Bosox RHP prospect corps.

(6) Mookie Betts, 2B, Grade B: Borderline B+. I think you can make a B+ case
for him although I guess I hold back for wanting a longer track record.
Sudden burst of power is intriguing, also love combination of on-base ability
and useful speed. Not sure where he will fit defensively.

(7) Blake Swihart, C, Grade B: Only thing he hasn’t done yet is hit for
power, but scouts seem to think that will come. Impressive glove, makes
contact, controls zone well. Even without big power he can still be a regular.

(8) Allen Webster, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. I may go with a straight B
here but am undecided. Have to love the arm strength but command is still a
significant concern. Perhaps he winds up in the bullpen.

(9) Brandon Workman, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. Better pitchability than
Webster but not as much pure stuff.

(10) Matt Barnes, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. Another guy right on the edge
area between two grades. Webster, Workman, and Barnes could be ranked in any
order you like with completely sound logic behind the decision. All could be
mid-rotation starters if they fully pan out, or very useful relievers.

(11) Trey Ball, LHP, Grade B-: Combination of athleticism and arm strength is
notable and I am generally a fan of cold-weather high school pitchers,
especially guys with two-way backgrounds. Conservative rating however until
we get more than a handful of objective innings to study. Could certainly
shoot to the top of the list next year.

(12) Drake Britton, LHP, Grade C+: Seems like he’ll make a fine bullpen lefty
and ready now.

(13) Simon Mercedes, RHP, Grade C+: From this point on, you can rank the C+
guys however you like with solid reasoning behind it. Mercedes seems like a
guy who can really take off next year, if reports from NY-P are any
indication. Role is uncertain but arm strength is not.

(14) Christian Vazquez, C, Grade C+: Good glove profiles him as a backup at
least, and he has significantly improved contact hitting skills. Might he
show more power someday?

(15) Deven Marrero, SS, Grade C+: Defense-first guy, although he also uses his
speed very well. Fits the contact-hitting-infielder-
who-might-surprise-with-the-bat-someday profile.

(16) Bryce Brentz, OF, Grade C+: Power is obviously genuine but problems with
contact remain evident. Still has a shot at turning into a Ryan Ludwick type
at some point.

(17) Teddy Stankiewicz, RHP, Grade C+: Second round pick from 2013 who can
develop into a mid-rotation starter if all goes well; could be where Workman
and Barnes are within two years.

(18) Jamie Callahan, RHP, Grade C+: Like Stankiewicz, he has the physical
attributes of a solid starting pitcher but needs to prove himself in
full-season ball.

(19) Brian Johnson, LHP, Grade C+: More polished than Stankiewicz and Callahan
but not the same physical talent. Could rank as high as 13 or 14 if you want
someone closer to the majors. Potential fourth/fifth starter.

(20) Ty Buttrey, RHP, Grade C+: Here’s another guy who could become a
mid-rotation arm; needs work with his secondary pitches.

OTHER GRADE C+: Jon Denney, C; Manuel Margot, OF; Dan McGrath, LHP.

OTHERS: Dan Butler, C; Sean Coyle, 2B; Rafael Devers, 3B; Luis Diaz, RHP;
Sergio Gomez, RHP; Joe Gunkel, RHP; Alex Hassan, OF; Dalier Hinojosa, RHP;
Cody Kukuk, LHP; Corey Littrell, LHP; Henry Ramos, OF; Wendell Rijo, 2B;
Myles Smith, RHP

SUMMARY:

Obviously this is a very deep system, with at least four B+ or better
prospects. You have a future All-Star in Bogaerts, and at least four guys who
can be major league regulars. There are high-ceiling tools players, and high
floor skill players. There’s depth at all levels, with several prospects
near the majors but plenty following at the lower levels. There are guys who
can hit and guys who can field. There’s everything basically.

If you are looking for a flaw, there are no certain top-of-the-rotation
starting pitchers, nobody who looks like a Grade A pitching prospect for
certain. But you can say that about a lot of teams. Most organizations don’t
have a future number one starter. That said, the Red Sox have more pitching
depth than most systems, with at least four plausible mid-rotation arms and a
bevy of bullpen possibilities. As with the hitters, there’s a good mixture
of pitchers ready or almost ready for the majors, but plenty of depth behind
them.

I keep using the word depth, but it fits.

到第11個都還有B-

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