8 replies to this topic

[Stotle]

For those interested, the BP O's list posted today:

http://www.baseballp... ... leid=19640

It's member content but here is the 25-Under Ranking section I penned:

Top 10 Talents 25 And Under (born 4/1/87 or later)

1. Dylan Bundy, RHP
2. Kevin Gausman, RHP
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Chris Tillman, RHP
5. Jonathan Schoop, 2B/3B
6. Zach Britton, LHP
7. Eduardo Rodriguez, RHP
8. Mike Wright, RHP
9. Nick Delmonico, 3B/1B
10. L.J. Hoes, OF

While the minor-league system remains thin, the Baltimore Orioles are in a position to have as many as the top six names on this list contributing at the major-league level by the start of 2014. Over 51 games, 20-year-old Manny Machado held his own at the plate while showing flashes of plus defense at the hot corner. He’ll return to third base in 2013 and, along with shortstop J.J. Hardy, should provide defensive stability on the left side of the infield. Machado projects to an above average offensive profile, though he’ll need to continue to make at-bat to at-bat adjustments.

L.J. Hoes and Xavier Avery could each see some time in the outfield in a reserve role, with Hoes still potentially projecting as a second-division starter, long term. Jonathan Schoop will likely return to Double-A Bowie with a shot at a late-season call-up, and will play all of 2013 as a 21-year-old.

On the bump, Baltimore will look for Chris Tillman to build off of last year’s performance as the former top 20 prospect continues to work towards his no. 2 ceiling. Tillman showed improved consistency in his pitch execution during the second half of the summer, which aided in his ability to more successfully sequence. Zach Britton missed a chunk of 2012 due to shoulder soreness and will have to prove that off-season strengthening efforts were successful. He retains no. 2/3 upside, but needs to show he’s healthy and capable of implementing his sinker with more precision, particularly down in the zone.

Steve Johnson could contribute from the pen or eat innings in the rotation depending on the team’s needs throughout the summer, while Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman should be capable of providing positive value at the major-league level this summer if needed. With continued development, both Bundy and Gausman could be fixtures at the front of the rotation in the near future. –Nick Faleris

[Kevin Ebert]

Interesting writeup Nick. I subscribe to BP and saw the whole thing. The whole piece was fantastic and anyone who doesn't subscribe to BP should seriously think about it.

I'm sure most of your questions today will be about ranking Machado behind Gausman. I would guess that's not the industry wide opinion. I personally wouldn't want to downgrade Machado just because the he fits in at the major league level at 3B right now. If they didn't have such a good defensive SS already, I think Machado would definitely be playing there instead. I still think he moves there once Hardy's contract is up after 2014. I guess the jury's still out as to whether he can handle it, but I personally think he can.

I have a question about Britton. You still have him ranked pretty highly on the U25 list. What does he need to improve this year in order to be a successful starter? We've seen glimpses of immense potential from him, but it just doesn't seem like he maintains the consistency from start to start.

[Stotle]

Thanks for the kind words on the product. So far as I can tell there is no industry wide opinion on how to rank Bundy/Machado/Gausman. Machado ranking 3rd isn't a result of a "downgrade". I've always viewed Machado as a top level prospect that would be a potential superstar at shortstop and a very good, above-average regular at third base. All three are close at this point and I could make arguments for any order.

Regarding Britton, I really wasn't sure what to do with him. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt for a year rather than juice the kids that are still multiple years away. He needs to show he's healthy, first and foremost. Once we establish that, he needs to start with better commanding his sinker. His success, I imagine, will live and die with that pitch. He benefited a fair amount in minors from empty swings out of the zone, and that is less likely to play at the ML level. Outside of that, I think we are talking about more consistent execution.

[SportsGuy]

Im surprised to see Wright on the list.

I don't know if that speaks to his talent or our lack of talent.

[Stotle]

Im surprised to see Wright on the list.

I don't know if that speaks to his talent or our lack of talent.

More the latter.

[SportsGuy]

More the latter.

Yea, that was my thought. I wouldn't think he would appear on many team's top 10 list.

Now, you can argue that you should have chosen someone else but the point is that a player like Wright probably shouldn't be considered, much less named, in a list like this.

[Stotle]

Yea, that was my thought. I wouldn't think he would appear on many team's top 10 list.

Now, you can argue that you should have chosen someone else but the point is that a player like Wright probably shouldn't be considered, much less named, in a list like this.

There was one player I petitioned for that didn't make the prospect top 10, but end of the day you need 10 to fill out the list. Ideally someone like Wright is in the 11-20 range, but Baltimore just doesn't have the horses in the system.

[Kevin Ebert]

There was one player I petitioned for that didn't make the prospect top 10, but end of the day you need 10 to fill out the list. Ideally someone like Wright is in the 11-20 range, but Baltimore just doesn't have the horses in the system.

Who was that? Bridwell?

[Stotle]

Who was that? Bridwell?

It was actually Torsten Boss.