We all have our favorite prospects to follow so this will be a good place to put them so we have a good reference of how they are doing throughout the year.
From the other thread:
So, players to keep an eye on this year:
Pham
D. Jones
Miller
Ferrara
Stock
Hooker???
Daniel Descalso, Pete Kozma, Niko Vasquez are some MIers I'm keeping my eye on
Niko sucked balls last year, but in 08 he was very solid and is still young, Descalso could be our future 2b and Kozma could potentially fill in at SS should we decide not to pay Ryan some day (or trade him)
Really, I think there are several people to keep eyes on at each respective level:
QC: Miller, Stock, Kelly, Jackson, Vasquez
PB: Pham, Castillo, Ferrara
SPR: Chambers
MEM: Lynn, Descalso, Jones, Ottavino
I'd also add de la Cruz, but I'm not sure where he'll be at this year - I'm guessing either Johnson City or Batavia.
Ultimately, each player has their own questions, but most of them (with the exception of the 2009 rookies) are one of these two:
* Can ________ build on their success they had last year?
* Can ________ recover from their poor season last year and re-establish themselves as a viable prospect?
I could be wrong, but wasn't Jackson drafted mostly because of defense. If i remember correctly, he doesn't project to be taht great of a hitter.
Everyone else on that list looks about right.
Wonder why i forgot about Descalso, as he has been one of my favorite prospects to keep an eye on.
Jackson was drafted because of defense, but if he can even get his bat to a .690-.700 OPS level, he would be above replacement level with that glove.
Few extra guys:
Eduardo Sanchez, Steven Hill's transition to catcher at AA.
Bittle, and can he move quickly if his shoulder is healthy (two separate things to look for).
Richard Castillo.
I noticed this.
This is definitely something to keep an eye on. The guy can flat out hit, so it'd be nice for him to have a position that's more attractive on the trade block... or even with the big league squad.
I'd also add Reifer and King to the list for AA guys to watch.
Following the minor leagues this year will be very interesting - if our prospects that faltered last year can get bounce back to respectable levels, and if our FO follows through with their plan to grab the best talent available (both in the draft and internationally), then we can easily jump back in to the Top 15.
Feel free to add yours.
Not many people are high on our farm system, which is reasonable. Due to graduations and trades, it has become pretty depleted. While we don't have too many blue-chip prospects, i feel like we have a lot of good role-fillers and players who will be able to contribute. The fact that we have a foundation of Pujols, Holliday, Molina, Rasmus, Wainwright, and Carp (for a lil while longer) allows us to fill our roster with "just" serviceable players, imo.
That's not to say that we shouldn't be restocking the farm system though. I just don't think things are as bleak as many writers have made it out to be.
