nsacpi
01-12-2014, 09:50 AM
The trio of Heyward, Freeman and Simmons spoiled us. They rocketed through the farm system and had success in the majors at young ages.
No position prospect in our system is in the same class as those three. We do have a couple, Peraza and Bethancourt, who are young for their levels and project as major league regulars. But what I find really interesting about the current group of position prospects is that we have a large number who currently project as major league bench players/fringe regulars. Some are young and very far from the majors. Others were drafted as college players and have had success while playing in leagues they are a bit old for.
This group of players includes: Terdoslavich, La Stella, Cunningham, Salcedo, Kubitza, Elmer Reyes, Victor Reyes, Wren, Elander, Caratini, Lipka, Camargo, Pastornicky.
We have to be realistic about the likely outcomes for prospects of this type. Of these thirteen, half will probably not make the majors or just play briefly. Five or six will have solid careers as bench players/fringe starters. But out of thirteen the odds favor one being the Martin Prado of his generation. Prado was not highly touted coming up and went on to be a valuable starting player. Another former Braves prospect who comes to mind is Gregor Blanco. He is the same age as Francoeur and for a while had a similar path through the minors. Then Francouer got jumped from AA to the majors and had a strong rookie season. Anyone care to guess which of Blanco and Francoeur has the higher career WAR numbers?
Looking at the thirteen I listed, it is very difficult to pick one and say that one will be the Prado of this group and to pick another and say this one will have a career similar to Blanco. But that's the discussion I'm interested in starting. To me second-tier prospects are in some ways more interesting than those who have already been touted as future All-Stars. The qualities that separate the ones who go on to be successful are more difficult to spot. So have at it.
No position prospect in our system is in the same class as those three. We do have a couple, Peraza and Bethancourt, who are young for their levels and project as major league regulars. But what I find really interesting about the current group of position prospects is that we have a large number who currently project as major league bench players/fringe regulars. Some are young and very far from the majors. Others were drafted as college players and have had success while playing in leagues they are a bit old for.
This group of players includes: Terdoslavich, La Stella, Cunningham, Salcedo, Kubitza, Elmer Reyes, Victor Reyes, Wren, Elander, Caratini, Lipka, Camargo, Pastornicky.
We have to be realistic about the likely outcomes for prospects of this type. Of these thirteen, half will probably not make the majors or just play briefly. Five or six will have solid careers as bench players/fringe starters. But out of thirteen the odds favor one being the Martin Prado of his generation. Prado was not highly touted coming up and went on to be a valuable starting player. Another former Braves prospect who comes to mind is Gregor Blanco. He is the same age as Francoeur and for a while had a similar path through the minors. Then Francouer got jumped from AA to the majors and had a strong rookie season. Anyone care to guess which of Blanco and Francoeur has the higher career WAR numbers?
Looking at the thirteen I listed, it is very difficult to pick one and say that one will be the Prado of this group and to pick another and say this one will have a career similar to Blanco. But that's the discussion I'm interested in starting. To me second-tier prospects are in some ways more interesting than those who have already been touted as future All-Stars. The qualities that separate the ones who go on to be successful are more difficult to spot. So have at it.