Need help with Baseball Prospects/Players

[Brush with Greatness 0]

Anyways, I got an expansion team in a keeper league and we're drafting a bit late and all but whatever. Anyways, I pretty much have my starters put together but plan to fill out my roster with prospects.

 

To give you a feel for things, there are eight teams (I'm the eighth). You count points for two guys at every position (so two catcher, two 1B, six OF, etc). So basically the only worthwhile guys are starters. For pitchers you have 3 RHS, 2 LHS, 2 RHR, 2 LHR.

 

Points are scored: Batters - Total Bases + RBI (simplistic, yes I know)

Pitchers - 10 pts win, 5 pts save, 1 point K

 

So here are some guys I'm looking at and if any could help me out with their long term potential:

 

 

Jose Molina, C, Anaheim

Rod Barajas, C, Texas

Humberto Cota, C, Pittsburgh

 

Bobby Hill, 2B, Pittsburgh

Esteban German, 2B, Oakland

Nick Green, 2B, Atlanta

 

Hector Luna, SS, St Louis

Abraham Nunez, SS, Pittsburgh

Andres Blanco, SS, Kansas City

Tim Hummel, SS, Cinncinatti

 

Jason Smith, 3B, Detroit

 

Eric Valent, OF, Mets

Alex Escobar, OF, Cleveland

Coco Crisp, OF, Cleveland

Prentice Redman, OF, Mets

Ramon Nivar, OF, Texas

Val Pascucci, OF, Montreal

Darnell McDonald, OF, Baltimore

Tim Raines Jr, OF, Baltimore

 

Claudio Vargas, RHS, Montreal

Sergio Mitre, RHS, Cubs

Bronson Arroyo, RHS, Boston

Ryan Drese, RHS, Texas

Ryan Vogelsong, RHS, Pittsburgh

Jon Garland, RHS, White Sox

Sun Woo Kim, RHS, Montreal

Joaquin Benoit, RHS, Texas

Doug Waechter, RHS, Tampa Bay

Victor Santos, RHS, Milwaukee

Justin Miller, RHS, Toronto

Chris Saenz, RHS, Milwaukee

Juan Dominguez, RHS, Texas

Jason Young, RHS, Colorado

Josh Hull (?), RHS, Cinncinatti

 

Juan Rincon, RHR, Minnesota

Rodrigo Lopez, RHR, Baltimore

Brad Lidge, RHR, Houston

Francis Beltran, RHR, Cubs

Jason Frasor, RHR, Toronto

Brian Reith, RHR, Cinncinatti

Grant Balfour, RHR, Minnesota

 

Steve Colyer, LHR, Colorado

Erasmo Ramirez, LHR, Texas

John Grabow, LHR, Pittsburgh

Mike Johnston, LHR, Pittsburgh

Jason Kershner, LHR, Toronto

Jamie Cerda, LHR, Kansas City

Franklyn Gracesqui, LHR, Florida

Cliff Bartosh, LHR, Cleveland

 

I don't really know much about any of those guys. Some may be total scrubs while others have potential. I realize the list is really long and any help is appreciated.

 

 

There are a couple of no brainers like Scott Hairston, Kevin Youkilis, Chad Gaudin, Chin Hui Tsao, etc that I will be able to pick up.

 

Also to be picked in the draft a player has to have played at least one major league game. Most of the big prospects like Mauer, Kotchman, Edwin Jackson, Crosby, Morneau, etc are gone. If anyone knows of any dark horse prospects or late bloomers that would be good too.

 

Thanks.

 

P.S. Any good websites with prospect scouting reports or anything would be good too.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

When evaluating players, first look at level and age. Hill and German are decent, but at 26 they are not likely to get much better. A 21 year old, however, will likely improve greatly. Also, players who put up great numbers in their second year at a level are not as highly regarded as players who perform well the first time around.

 

For hitters, look at their BB:K ratios. How do they control the strike zone. If they don't hit home runs, do they hit doubles? Doubles power develops as prospects grow.

 

For pitchers, again BB:K ratios are crucial. IGNORE W/L records, and ERA.

 

If you have a question about a specific prospect, feel free to ask. Books like Baseball Prospectus and John Sickels' Baseball Prospect Book are invaluable resources.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

I'll do the Cincy fellers.

 

Tim Hummel will be sent back to Louisville once Larson is activated from the DL (maybe a week or two). With Kearns starting tonight, Hummel is really going to see his starts disappear. Freel will get the majority of the time at 3rd base now since he won't be playing RF. Hummel may get a spot start here and there and 2nd and 3rd. He's a solid hitter (around .300 his whole minor league career). Last year, he was lost, but everyone is now expressing how much confidence he has, and how cool he seems at the plate. He's been having some really good at bats, especially in clutch at bats. He probally will only have stints in Cincy if/when someone else goes on the DL. Next year, and long term, he doesn't really project to be anything other than a bench player, atleast not in Cincy. He's 25.

 

Josh Hall is currently on the 60 day DL. No real certain future for him, unless he dominates in Louisville when he's healthy. Players like Dustin Mosley, Brandon Claussen, Jung Bong, Matt Belise, and Bubba Nelson are projected higher and would see the majors sooner).

 

Brian Reith is a solid relief pitcher. Will strike out alot, but will also walk alot. Did decently last year. Gives up alot of home runs. May project to be a decent major leaguer.