John Sickels top 20

[Krgrecw]

https://www.minorleagueball.com/2017...pects-for-2018

1) Ronald Acuna, OF, Grade A: Age 19; breakout campaign exceeded all expectations, hitting .325/.375/.522 at three levels, 21 homers, 31 doubles, 44 steals, 43 walks in 557 at-bats, including a .344/.395/.548 slash line in 54 games of Triple-A; dominant multi-category player against older competition; has the physical tools to match the numbers; only caution flag is high strikeout rate however his whiffs actually declined as the season progressed, an excellent sign; best overall prospect in baseball with superstar potential. ETA 2018.

[msstate7]

No idea how reputable this guy is, but another list with Riley top 10 (#8)

[thethe]

Sickels is ok. I feel like he puts in a lot more scouting time than these lists would lead you to believe.

The scouting reports on Riley across the board are improving. Some at different paces obviously but it's clear that he is a 'Riser'. His LD% improved as he moved up the minor league chain. His BABIP in AA is not sustainable but there is also reason to believe he was unlucky at A+ so it goes both ways.

The debate on trading him is interesting depending on what piece is available but it looks like the braves are starting to pencil him into the 2019 team. With a good first half of 2018 anything is possible.

[Hudson2]

The reports on Maitan from last year to now are a huge drop off.

[BeanieAntics]

Speaking of top 10 lists, did we talk about the Baseball America list a few weeks ago, and how they had Austin Riley as the BEST defensive infielder in our system? http://www.baseballamerica.com/minor...LJU7kuzqmbA.97

I don't know if I should be impressed by the progress he has ostensibly made, or worried about how awful our infield defense must be for him to take home that honor.

[nsacpi]

No idea how reputable this guy is, but another list with Riley top 10 (#8)

I have no problem with Riley being in the bottom half of our Top 10. But I think in general (and in his case in particular) people don't understand that players rated #8 or so (even in a loaded system) don't have that high an expected value.

There is a thread about a fairly obscure player named Yandy Diaz. I would trade Riley straight up for Yandy Diaz.

If we offered another team a choice of Riley or Camargo in a hypothetical trade, I think most would take Camargo.

[nsacpi]

The reports on Maitan from last year to now are a huge drop off.

We got spoiled by the progression of Albies and Acuna. It doesn't look like Maitan will have the same sort of path to the majors as those two. But he is still a very good prospect.

[Metaphysicist]

No idea how reputable this guy is, but another list with Riley top 10 (#8)

Sickels is one of the longest tenured prospect guys out there. He started out as Bill James' assistant (a la Rob Neyer) and was covering prospects for ESPN back in the mid-90s.

[msstate7]

I have no problem with Riley being in the bottom half of our Top 10. But I think in general (and in his case in particular) people don't understand that players rated #8 or so (even in a loaded system) don't have that high an expected value.

There is a thread about a fairly obscure player named Yandy Diaz. I would trade Riley straight up for Yandy Diaz.

If we offered another team a choice of Riley or Camargo in a hypothetical trade, I think most would take Camargo.

I’d rather they choose Camargo too

[blueagleace1]

Speaking of top 10 lists, did we talk about the Baseball America list a few weeks ago, and how they had Austin Riley as the BEST defensive infielder in our system? http://www.baseballamerica.com/minor...LJU7kuzqmbA.97

I don't know if I should be impressed by the progress he has ostensibly made, or worried about how awful our infield defense must be for him to take home that honor.

I would say the former, specifically because of Travis Demerritte and his ++ defense

[Enscheff]

Speaking of top 10 lists, did we talk about the Baseball America list a few weeks ago, and how they had Austin Riley as the BEST defensive infielder in our system? http://www.baseballamerica.com/minor...LJU7kuzqmbA.97

I don't know if I should be impressed by the progress he has ostensibly made, or worried about how awful our infield defense must be for him to take home that honor.

A guy who may have to move to 1B is the best infield defender? Does anyone put any stock into what BA has to say anymore haha?

[Krgrecw]

Sickels is one of the longest tenured prospect guys out there. He started out as Bill James' assistant (a la Rob Neyer) and was covering prospects for ESPN back in the mid-90s.

Next to BA, I consider Sickels the second best