Gammons: 8/21- Future Stars

[yankeessuck013]

Nearly 70 general managers, front office officials, scouts, managers and coaches were asked which of this year's arrivals they think will be the best players five years from now.

....

10. Jonathan Papelpon, RHP, Red Sox "He's got what you can't teach -- that fastball with late life that hitters can't lay off as it darts up and out of the strike zone," says one GM. "He's got poise, and as he learns from Curt Schilling, that ability to go up, then pound the outside corner down and away with his split may make for a great pitcher." Papelbon was a closer at Mississippi State, and may end up in the bullpen in September.

 

Boston got $750,000 from the Diamondbacks when they took Jose Cruz Jr., but the Dodgers claimed him on waivers, which meant that the Red Sox made close to $1.1M on Cruz, enough for three David Wells starts

 

The McCarthy-esque rumor-mongering about players on the Internet -- and in some media outlets -- that speculates about positive steroids tests has gotten to a dangerous, insidious point. Johnny Damon actually addressed his rumors, which was the equivalent of him having to announce he is not a member of Al-Qaeda. One star player's rumors turned out to be completely false; another player was actually left a telephone message that his name was being released, and it was a player who because of family health issues could not have done steroids.

 

One club's statistical analysis of productivity compared to positional averages revealed the following top 10 in the American League, in order: Alex Rodriguez, Travis Hafner, Miguel Tejada, Jason Varitek, Vladimir Guerrero, Jason Giambi, David Ortiz, Jhonny Peralta, Brian Roberts and Manny Ramirez.

 

Mark Bellhorn may have been booed out of Boston, but there were countless fans who will never forget what he did to help them win the World Series in 2004. When Juliana Hatfield and The Gentlemen played The Paradise in Boston on Saturday night, Juliana put a picture of Bellhorn on stage -- in tribute.

[snb988]

I hope Robinson Cano was on that list of future stars.

[yankeessuck013]

I hope Robinson Cano was on that list of future stars.

 

1. Rickie Weeks, 2B, Brewers

2. Conor Jackson, 1B-OF, Diamondbacks

3. Jeff Francoeur, OF, Braves

4. Huston Street, closer, Athletics

5. Zach Duke, LHP, Pirates

6. Felix Hernandez, RHP, Mariners

7. Dan Johnson, 1B, Athletics

8. Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies

9. Ervin Santana, RHP, Angels

10. Jon Papelbon, RHP, Red Sox

11. Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers

12. Aaron Hill, 2B-3B, Blue Jays

13. Brian McCann, C, Braves

14. Nick Swisher, OF, Athletics

15. Jeff Francis, LHP, Rockies

16. Russ Adams, SS, Blue Jays

17. Clint Barmes, SS-2B, Rockies

18. Justin Verlander, RHP, Tigers

19. Brandon McCarthy, RHP, White Sox

20. Ryan Doumit, C, Pirates

 

Also receiving votes: Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees; Scott Baker, RHP, Twins; Nook Logan, CF, Tigers; Hayden Penn, RHP, Orioles; Joe Blanton, RHP, Athletics; Scott Olsen, LHP, Marlins; Matt Murton, OF, Cubs; Johnny Cedeno, SS, Cubs; Jon Lester, LHP, Red Sox; Kyle Davies, RHP, Braves; Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, Mariners; Chien-Ming Wang, RHP, Yankees.

[yankeessuck013]

Incidentally, in the 2002 draft, Francoeur was considered unsignable, headed to Clemson as a safety/outfielder. Boston, which did not have a first-round pick, had a pre-draft deal cut with Francouer. Braves scouting director Roy Clark found out, did the same deal with the 23rd pick, and Red Sox scouting director David Chadd cut a deal with a left-handed pitcher named Jon Lester, who may well be in Boston's rotation next season and may be, along with Liriano, one of the best left-handed prospects in the game.

 

another part of the gammons article, surprised at how much hype francouer is getting, considering his is very undiscipline.

[Sizzlin22]

another part of the gammons article, surprised at how much hype francouer is getting, considering his is very undiscipline.

Francour is God, I would give anything to have him on the Red Sox. In 35 games he's hitting .362 with 10 homers and 30 RBI. He's alos got 10 outfield assists 10!! That's one behind the league leader who's been playing all season.

[stocker323]

Francour is God, I would give anything to have him on the Red Sox. In 35 games he's hitting .362 with 10 homers and 30 RBI. He's alos got 10 outfield assists 10!! That's one behind the league leader who's been playing all season.

Yes but in 35 games only 1 walk and it was of the intentional variety? That frightens me. I agree with what Bob Ryan said in his column earlier this week. Why would anyone throw this guy a strike?

[Sizzlin22]

Bat control is the one thing that can easily be fixed in young players, once the batting coach gets a hold of him he'll be fine.