The Top prospects in the Red Sox system.

[scaffolds]

There still a couple weeks left on the minor league calender, but after having watch or talking with people in the industry who has seen this prospects on a regular basis its time to make the list of the top Red Sox prospects.

 

The last couple of years I have made a list of the 50 Red Sox prospects, but because the talent and depth has improved considerably I have decided to increased the list to the top 75 prospects on the system, THis list is based on Projections, Ceiling, Tools, Prospect Age and Player Production. This list isn't based on the prospect playing level or how close to ML the prospect playing level is.

 

The top 75 prospects:

 

01- Clay Buchholz RHP

02- Jacoby Ellsbury CF

03- Michael Bowden RHP

04- Lars Anderson 1B

05- Justin Masterson RHP

06- Brandon Moss RF

07- Craig Hansen RHP

08- Michael Almanzar 3B

09- Josh Reddick RF

10- Oscar Tejada SS

11- Jed Lowrie 2B

12- Will Middlebrook 3B

13- Aaron Bate 1B

14- Che-Hsuang Lin CF

15- Nick Hagadone LHP

16- Ryan Kalish CF

17- Chris Carter 1B

18- Kris Johnson LHP

19- Jason Place RF

20- Anthony Rizzo 1B

21- Chih-Hsien Chiang 2B

22- Reid Engel CF

23- Miguel Socolovitch RHP

24- Mark Wagner C

25- Tony Granadillo 2B

26- Manuel Arrambaris 3B

27- Bryson Cox RHP

28- Dustin Richardson LHP

29- Carlos Fernandez LF

30- Daniel Bard RHP

31- Zachary Daeges LF

32- David Mailman RF

33- Argenis Diaz SS

34- Ryan Dent 2B

35- Felix Ventura RHP

36- George kottaras C

37- Jose Capellan LHP

38- Mike Jones 1B

39- Yamaico Navarro SS

40- Tyler Weedem C

41- Devern Hansack RHP

42- Bubba Bell CF

43- Richie Lentz RHP

44- Edgar Martinez RHP

45- Jose Alvarez LHP

46- Luis Summoza RF

47- Ryan Phillips LHP

48- Jon Eagan C

49- Kyle Jackson RHP

50- Felix Doubront LHP

51- Caleb Clay RHP

52- Hunter Jones LHP

53- Jonathan Still 1B

54- Jordan Craft RHP

55- Dustin Brown C

56- Stolmy Pimentel RHP

57- Kris Negron 2B

58- Mickey Hall RF

59- Ronald Bermudez CF

60- Andrew Pinkney 3B

61- Arbert Jimenez LHP

62- Michael Rozier LHP

63- Christian Lara SS

64- Chad Spann 3B

65- Cesar Cabral LHP

66- Luis Exposito C

67- Yeiper Castillo RHP

68- Jeff Corsoletti LF

69- Jeff Natale 2B

70- Mitchell Dening RF

71- Anthony Alvarado RHP

72- Austin Bailey RHP

73- Brake Britton LHP

74- Scott White 3B

75- Jorge Rodriguez RHP

[schillingouttheks]

Is Chris Carter that low because of his lack of defense alone? He seems like he can absolutely rake with the bat.

[scaffolds]

Is Chris Carter that low because of his lack of defense alone? He seems like he can absolutely rake with the bat.

 

Yes, first base its his best position, but even at first he is below average.

[schillingouttheks]

Yes' date=' first base its his best position, but even at first he is below average.[/quote']

 

Okay. Thanks scaff.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

very good list I think. Kottaras only 36 though?

[schillingouttheks]

very good list I think. Kottaras only 36 though?

 

He's really not that great this year.

[TheKilo]

He's really not that great this year.

 

Dude rakes outside of RI.

[scaffolds]

Kottaras didn't had a good year, but this list isn't just about production, there still questions on his catching, his arm, his ability to call a game. Its way to early to give up on him and like I posted before he needs another full season in AAA.

[AZBlue]

I look at the top 20 as having an excellent chance to reach the majors and being productive players. Many of the next 20 have a moderately good chance (a couple with high ceilings who are experiencing a bumpy road this season). Below 40, there aren't many who look like strong prospects (perhaps a return to good health would change my mind about a few of them--Doubront, for example). There are several younger prospects in the 41-75 range who have some interesting skills, particularly the Latin OF's.

 

Thank you, Scaf, for putting so much time into this project.

[example1]

Lin vs. Almanzar as prospects. Please elaborate...

 

Both are very high priced international signings. Almanzar obviously is an enormous guy, and very young. But from what I've read Lin has quite an upside. Any thought given to bumping him above Moss or Reddick based on his history and the tools he brings?

 

I like this list, it seems pretty solid.

[UC9904]

I only have two big problems with that list:

1. Kris Johnson should be higher.

2. I have trouble putting a guy like Almanzar in the top 10 until more people get to see him play and we can get a better scouting report on him. But I guess that is just a differing in philosophies, as I have more of a wait-and-see approach with International free agents.

[UC9904]

And just for some fun, here's my top 40 prospects list:

 

1. SP Clay Buchholz (RH)

2. CF Jacoby Ellsbury (LH)

3. SP Justin Masterson

4. SP Michael Bowden (RH)

5. 1B Lars Anderson (LH)

6. SS Jed Lowrie (RH)

7. RF Brandon Moss (RH)

8. SP Nick Hagadone (LH)

9. SP Kris Johnson (LH)

10. 1B Aaron Bates (RH)

11. 3B Will Middlebrooks (RH)

12. OF Josh Reddick (LH)

13. CF Ryan Kalish (LH)

14. C Mark Wagner (RH)

15. SS Oscar Tejeda (RH)

16. C/DH Jon Still (RH)

17. 1B Chris Carter (LH)

18. CF Che-Hsuan Lin (RH)

19. CF Reid Engel (LH)

20. OF Bubba Bell (LH)

21. 3B Michael Almanzar (RH)

22. CF Jason Place (RH)

23. SP David Pauley (RH)

24. SS Ryan Dent (RH)

25. RP Hunter Jones (LH)

26. OF David Mailman (LH)

27. C George Kottaras (LH)

28. IF Tony Granadillo (SH)

29. 2B Chih-Hsien Chiang (LH)

30. SP/RP Dustin Richardson (LH)

31. SP Jose Capellan (LH)

32. SP Daniel Bard (RH)

33. RP Adam Mills (RH)

34. C Ty Weeden (RH)

35. RP Bryce Cox (RH)

36. LF Carlos Fernandez (LH)

37. 3B Zach Daeges (LH)

38. 1B Anthony Rizzo (LH)

39. 3B Chad Spann (RH)

40. SP Drake Britton (LH)

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the radar:

RP Edgar Martinez (RH)

RP Lincoln Holdzcom (RH)

SP Daniel Haigwood (LH)

RP Kyle Jackson (RH)

2B Jeff Natale (RH)

LF Jay Johnson (RH)

SP Michael Rozier (LH)

SP Matt Goodson (RH)

C Sal Paniagua (RH)

IF Ryan Khoury (RH)

SP Ryan Phillips (LH)

SP Jimmy James (RH)

SP/RP Chris Jones (RH)

RP Richie Lentz (RH)

RP Chris Province (RH)

C Jon Egan (RH)

3B Manuel Arambarris (RH)

SP Caleb Clay (RH)

SP Miguel Socolovich (RH)

IF Yamaico Navarro (RH)

1B/3B Jorge Jiminez (LH)

OF Kade Keowen (RH)

3B Darren Blocker (RH)

OF Luis Sumoza (RH)

 

Yet to debut:

SP Drake Britton (LH)

SP Austin Bailey (RH)

3B Will Middlebrooks (RH)

SS Ryan Dent (RH)

OF David Mailman (LH)

1B Anthony Rizzo (LH)

3B Michael Almanzar (RH)

[scaffolds]

AZBlue my pleasure, The 21-40 group consist of prospects with very good tools, some with high ceiling, but in general prospects with more questions than the ones in the first group.

 

The 41-75 group consist of three parts, prospects that had a down year or had health issues in 2007 but in general have tools to work on, prospects who are older, with limeted tools and ceiling, but ones who have produced and very young ones with very good tools and projections, but are raw.

[scaffolds]

Lin vs. Almanzar as prospects. Please elaborate...

 

Both are very high priced international signings. Almanzar obviously is an enormous guy, and very young. But from what I've read Lin has quite an upside. Any thought given to bumping him above Moss or Reddick based on his history and the tools he brings?

 

I like this list, it seems pretty solid.

 

 

Lin and Almanzar are very different type of prospects. The hardest tool for a scout to find in a prospect is power, projected power and Almanzar has plus plus projected power, with plus bat speed, good athletic ability and hands specially for someone of his size and a strong arm. Lin has outstanding speed, a very good arm, with very good range in the outfield, a true center fielder, while he has good bat speed and pop its the key for him as a prospect.

[scaffolds]

Since we have made the list of the top 75 prospects, why not list the next 25 to reach the top 100 prospects in the Red Sox system.

 

76- David Pauley RHP

77- Kade keowen RF

78- Brock Huntzinger RHP

79- Randy Consuegra RHP

80- Hunter Strickland RHP

81- Anataner Batista RHP

82- David Marks LF

83- Manuel Rivera LHP

84- Darren Blocker 3B

85- Thomas Presley RHP

86- Dennis Neuman RHP

87- Roberto Feliz LF

88- Willy Mota RHP

89- Pedro Perez RHP

90- Luis Soto RF

91- Adam Mills RHP

92- Carlos Gonzalez RHP

93- Joseph Guerra RHP

94- Jorge Jimenez 3B

95- Jimmy James RHP

96- Wilfredo Pichardo 2B

97- Chad Rhodes RHP

98- Chris Province RHP

99- Charles New RHP

00- Jay Johnson OF

[scaffolds]

Someone Email me questioning why Jon Still was ranked so low (53) the reasoning its this. Still had a good season at Greenville and has played well in Lancaster, but Still its below average in all phases of catching (recieving, blocking pitches and arm) which means his future could only be as first basemen, however he its also below average as a defensive first baseman and while he has some pop with the bat its only adequate for the position.

[UC9904]

Still is one of the better power hitting prospects in the Red Sox organization. Whether he has a definitive defensive position at this point in his career or not, it's a joke that he is ranked as low as he is. And there is zero reason why Adam Mills should AT LEAST be in the top 60...NOT in the 90's!

 

I'm the last person to question individuals' personal rankings, but some of the rankings of a few specific prospects are...to say it nicely...a little weird.

[AZBlue]

Re-read the criteria for Scaf's rankings. That might give you a better idea why they are not ranked higher. You obviouslyhave a different opinion than Scaf. I'm curious to know if you have ever seen Still or Mills play.

[UC9904]

I don't care what his rankings criteria is. Placing Still at #53 is indefensible (and I'm not a Still fan in the least bit, and think he is overranked on soxprospects.com).

[AZBlue]

I'm still curious to know if you have ever seen Still or Mills play.

[RobZombie]

Obviously he hasn't. He's just another one of those guys who thinks that stats mean everything and at baseball's lower levels they can often mean very little.

 

Still's stats were strong in Greenville but a guy who has played three years at a baseball school should be putting up strong stats in the Sally League. In fact, the vast majority of guys who did well at baseball school's their junior year ended up in high-A for most of the year and the ones that did well, went to AA at some point. Bates played in the same conference. I'm not all that impressed with a guy who puts up a .923 OPS playing against guys that are often three years younger.

 

In Still's short time at Lancaster, you've seen a significant dip in his production and he's playing in a band-box.

 

Its way to early to tell, but Still seems to have all the earmarks of a low minors masher who ends up as a 24 year old in AA with mediocre numbers, and no position much like Pinkney, Natale, and Corsaletti. This despite killing pitching in the low-minors.

[Mr Crunchy]

jesus christ

is this everyone signed from A ball thru Pawtucket?

[scaffolds]

jesus christ

is this everyone signed from A ball thru Pawtucket?

 

There are close to 200 players in the Red Sox system, so this list its actually about 50 % of them.

[schillingouttheks]

Scaff, what are your thoughts on Zak Farkes (if you've ever seen him play)? He played baseball at my high school and went to Harvard and broke the home run record, then re-broke his own record a year later. He's basically a minor deity at my school. Thanks!

[scaffolds]

Scaff' date=' what are your thoughts on Zak Farkes (if you've ever seen him play)? He played baseball at my high school and went to Harvard and broke the home run record, then re-broke his own record a year later. He's basically a minor deity at my school. Thanks![/quote']

 

The move to be catcher has benefit him, he has some power and a good arm, but not much more, his age its also a problem, he will be 25 yrs early next season, if the Sox don't re-sign Paniagua (A minor league free agent this fall) he will be Mark Wagner back up in Portland if not he be Still back up in Lancaster.

[schillingouttheks]

The move to be catcher has benefit him' date=' he has some power and a good arm, but not much more, his age its also a problem, he will be 25 yrs early next season, if the Sox don't re-sign Paniagua (A minor league free agent this fall) he will be Mark Wagner back up in Portland if not he be Still back up in Lancaster.[/quote']

 

Alrighty. Thanks!

[Bosoxwest]

Scaff, great job. Always fun and informative to see these kids put in some context. One guy jumped out at me, and I know you've always been high on him - Socolovich. His peripherals are not awe-inspiring in low-A - what stands out to you for his future? Make-up? Is he going to get stronger as he comes back from TJ? Good profile in the bullpen? Just curious.

[scaffolds]

Scaff' date=' great job. Always fun and informative to see these kids put in some context. One guy jumped out at me, and I know you've always been high on him - Socolovich. His peripherals are not awe-inspiring in low-A - what stands out to you for his future? Make-up? Is he going to get stronger as he comes back from TJ? Good profile in the bullpen? Just curious.[/quote']

 

I don't believe that Socolovitch was back to 100 % early in the year. He it the type of a pitcher who could have a future either as a starter or a reliever, as a starter he is around 92-94 with his fastball and a good breaking pitch, as a reliever he is up to 97, however he needs to get stronger, for now I believe that the Sox will keep him as a starter and should be one the starters in Greenville in 2008.

[example1]

I don't believe that Socolovitch was back to 100 % early in the year. He it the type of a pitcher who could have a future either as a starter or a reliever' date=' as a starter he is around 92-94 with his fastball and a good breaking pitch, as a reliever he is up to 97, however he needs to get stronger, for now I believe that the Sox will keep him as a starter and should be one the starters in Greenville in 2008.[/quote']

 

Yeah dude, I don't care whether you're a 'real' scout, or a ' fake scout', whether you have fans at soxprospects.com or not, I appreciate your posts and feel that you are a welcome addition to this site. I like soxprospects, quite a bit actually because of their dilligence in updating and giving a good idea of where the system is at, but I don't see how that excludes me from liking your posts. Kudos.

[riverside sluggers]

Not surprised at all that catcher John Otness isnt in here. Ive seen him in several games up in Portland, quickly gave him the nickname of "Butterfingers". He also displayed bad batting skills. Just something thats been on my mind for the past week

 

Moving on. Scaff, what are your thoughts on Portland fan favorite Iggy Suarez? I say fan favorite becase he gets the most cheers when he is playing in the game. Obviously if he makes the majors it will just be as a utility infielder