Post by Saitama on Feb 5, 2014 6:26:15 GMT -5
Top Ten 2B Prospects - 2006
1. Brandon Phillips - 24 - Seattle
G/G/F/B/A/B
6/6/2/4/4/6
Just completing his rookie season, he put up a pedestrian .255/.294/.349 slashline in 149 games, putting him just under the 150 game cap for my prospect top 10's. Even with those subpar numbers, he's going to do big things in the future, after he fills out and starts hitting for more power. The .319/.356/.504 slashline he had in AAA in 04 looks to be more of what you can expect from him soon. He's got the defensive versatility to play 3B and SS, so he can be moved around in the infield to let other prospects stay unblocked, making him that much more valuable. Doesn't have much speed, and needs to stop trying to steal, after going 2/7 in attempts this year. He'll probably win a couple gold gloves at least. Still has his PD Reversal, so he's a safe bet to be around for a while. His mental makeup is that of a clubhouse leader and I'm sure he'll lead Seattle to at least one title in the next 5 years.
MLB Ready: 2005
2. Drew Meyers - 24 - Milwaukee
B/A/P/G/A/B
8/4/0/3/3/4
Meyer is just out of his rookie campaign in 2005, where he played 68 games to a .325/.352/.376 line. He's going to be putting that up and more soon, being another power threat at 2B like Phillips, though he doesn't have the same level of power potential. He should still hit 20+ a year once his fram fills out. He'll almost never strike out, and will keep the ball in play and almost never hit into double plays, as he has great bat control. His range at 2B is questionable, but pair him with a defense SS and he should do fine, and won't commit many errors. No speed to speak of. Still has his PD Reversal. Another clubhouse guy that the team will be very grateful to have. Milwaukee has a bright future with him manning second.
MLB Ready: 2005
3. Ruben Gotay - 23 - Arizona
G/A/A/B/F/B
6/5/4/4/2/4
After finishing a AAA campaign in 2005 with a .292/.315/.414 slashline, combined with a 12 HR 75 RBI performance, he should be ready to go this year, and he should already be an above average 2B. Power at 2B seems to be in abundance right now, as he also is rated to have 30+ HR power once his tiny 5'11" 160 pound frame fills out, as he has a fierce uppercut swing, but also has good bat control to couple with it. Can aim in all directions. Great defense, with above average range and average fielding ability. Doesn't strike out but doesn't walk either. He still has his PD Reversal. Steps up in the clutch, and has some leadership skills. Doesn't care about winning just loves to play the game.
MLB Ready: 2006
4. Rickie Weeks - 24 - Minnesota
G/A/A/G/G/A
5/5/4/3/4/4
Weeks just spent his first full year in AAA, playing 136 games of .305/.356/.453 ball. If that doesn't scream major league ready what does? He's got great range at 2B, but can't get a handle on glovework for some reason. Will probably be moved to SS where he has a better grasp on the fundamentals. All around batting prowess, 20 HR power potential. Middle of the order ability. Still has his PD reversal, so he's got a bright future for right now. He's not shy about the fact that he wants money, and he'll go where the money is once he hits his service time. Whether Minnesota plans on paying him or not will remain to be seen.
MLB Ready: 2006
5. Alberto Callaspo - 22 - Chicago
G/A/F/G/A/B
5/4/2/2/3/4
In AAA in 2005, he posted a .328/.364/.419 slashline, with 9 HR and 53 RBI in 135 games. He's got great range and great defensive versatility. He'll strike out less than once a game on average, always gets the bat on the ball. He's got the ability to pull the ball to the corners to up his power potential, and could be hitting 20 a year or more. He doesn't have his PD Reversal, so he is a risk to fall off, but has good potentials if he can avoid it. Has consistecy issues. Wants to be a franchise player, and will play happily and at a cost controlled rate for any team that will have him.
MLB Ready: 2007
6. Dustin Pedroia - 22 - Atlanta
G/B/P/F/A/B
5/6/1/2/3/4
Fresh out of a 92 game stretch in AAA where he posted a stellar .345/.377/.469 slashline, with 5 HR and 43 RBI. Perennial Gold Gloves in his future with his great glove and above average range. With a little work he could be one of the best defense second baseman of all time, and easily the best of his generation. Gap power in abundance, and will hit 40+ doubles a year with ease. Not much power, may hit 10 HR once or twice in his career at best. Still has his TIA, and would probably be best served honing his eye at the plate, as he almost never strikes out, but could be more disciplined. Still has a PD reversal, and is completely uncamped. Atlanta could have a monster on his hands if he would invest some development into him. Wants to play the game, doesn't care about the politics, just wants to be paid fairly. Has issues with consistency, and has a tendency to clam up in clutch situations. With some experience under his belt they could be fixed.
MLB Ready: 2006
7. Gil Priest - 20 - Florida
A/F/F/B/A/F
2/3/2/4/3/2
2 tool player that could be a force in the middle of a lineup. Just finished at Single A with a .325/.370/.591 slashline, with a monster 39 HR and 88 RBI in 132 games. Ready for AA easily. Great defensive player, who can play anywhere in the infield. Power and Speed in abundance, but will have issues keeping a high batting average and has significant issues with plate discipline and vision. Could steal 60 bases a year with some work on the basepaths. High risk/High reward player that could just fall flat on his face without development. Doesn't slump, but it's hard not to when you're constantly struggling to get hits.
MLB Ready: 2009
8. Howie Kendrick - 22 - Baltimore
G/A/F/F/F/A
6/4/2/2/2/4
Just posted his 3rd straight year batting .300 in the minors. Will probably post similar numbers in the majors. Mostly a singles hitter, but can post 20+ doubles a year. His speed is average, but with work he can probably steal 30 bases a year thanks to smart baserunning. Has significant slumps here and there. Great defense abilities all over the ballpark. Will be a great asset at the back end of a batting order.
MLB Ready: 2007
9. Lamont Velez - 25 - Chicago
G/F/P/G/F/G
5/4/0/3/2/3
Had a ridiculous stretch of .457/.468/.630 of 34 games this year in AAA. Why he's not playing more is beyond me. Has major holes in his game as far as plate discipline and gap power. No speed. Average defender in the middle infield. He may be a late bloomer, but as of right now his potentials are starting to come into question with not much production to show for it at 25 years old. Consistency issues and failure to come through in clutch situations only make his sutation more dire. Still has a chance to be an above average player though, earning him this spot.
MLB Ready: 2007
10. Ryan Raburn - 24 - Colorado
G/A/F/A/P/B
4/4/2/1/1/4
Just had a terrible stretch of 138 games of .239/.252/.293 ball in AAA, but those numbers aren't consistent with the rest of his work at all. If he can bounce back he'll be a nice back of the order infielder. Worst case he'll be a nice backup all around, as he's shown ability to play at almost every position. Loyal to a fault.
MLB Ready: 2007
