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top 11 prospects


Five-Star Prospects

1. Ryan Westmoreland, CF
2. Casey Kelly RHP/SS
Four-Star Prospects
3. Josh Reddick, OF
4. Ryan Kalish, OF
Three-Star Prospects
5. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
6. Jose Iglesias, SS
7. Junichi Tazawa, RHP
8. Michael Bowden, RHP
9. Lars Anderson, 1B
10. Reymond Fuentes, CF
11. Derrik Gibson, 2B/SS


Four More:

12. David Renfroe, RHP/SS: Like Kelly, he’s another big-bonus, two-way star, but Renfroe will begin his career as an infielder, and he projects as a prototypical third baseman due to his size, power potential, and arm.
13. Alex Wilson, RHP: He had a 0.50 ERA in New York-Penn League while giving up just 10 hits in 36 innings, but he’s already 23, so he should dominate. Still, his fastball/slider combo is impressive.
14. Stolmy Pimentel, RHP: The young Dominican righty still has plus command and plenty of projection, but performances have been so-so.
15. Che-Hsuan Lin, LF: Lin’s tools still impress, his defense remains outstanding, his numbers… not so much, but Red Sox officials remain very high on him.


1. Ryan Westmoreland, CF

DOB: 04/27/90
Height/Weight:6-2/195
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed:5th round, 2008, Portsmouth HS (RI)
2009 Stats: .296/.401/.484 at Short-season (60 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 5


Year in Review:
The high-profile over-slot draftee from 2008 did not disappoint in his pro debut.

The Good:
One scout described Westmoreland as having “the tools of a top-five high school pick, with the advanced skills of a college player.” Supremely athletic, Westmoreland has average power with projection for more, as well as a keen understanding of the strike zone and a silky smooth swing with some natural lift to it. He’s an outstanding runner with instincts, as indicated by his 19 stolen bases in 60 games for the Spinners without getting caught.

The Bad:
Westmoreland had shoulder surgery after signing, and he played in the field for only eight games last year. He had a plus arm in high school, but it’s not completely back yet. His season ended early when he broke his collarbone, so there are some minor concerns about his health record so far. Some of the more advanced left-handers of the New York-Penn League gave him trouble with good breaking balls.

Ephemera:
Westmoreland knew how to get things started at Lowell, batting .423/.500/.635 in his first plate appearances over 60 games.

Perfect World Projection:
Westmoreland could be the kind of player people thought Grady Sizemore would become.

Path to the Big Leagues:
Jacoby Ellsbury is well established in Boston, but it’s too early to worry about that.

Timetable:
Westmoreland will make a highly anticipated full-season debut in 2010, beginning the year at Low-A Greenville.


2. Casey Kelly RHP/SS

DOB: 10/4/89
Height/Weight: 6-3/194
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2008, Sarasota HS (FL)
2009 Stats: 1.12 ERA (48.1-32-9-39) at Low-A (9 G); 3.09 ERA (46.2-33-7-35) at High-A (8 G); .214/.290/.464 at Rookie-level (8 G); .224/.305/.313 at Low-A (32 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 6


Year in Review:
The $3 million bonus paid to land him suddenly looks like a bargain, at least when Kelly took the mound, as he dominated at both A-ball levels before finishing the year back at shortstop.

The Good:
Considering how he’s yet to completely commit to pitching, Kelly is a remarkably advanced arm. He fills the strike zone with three pitches, beginning with a fastball that sits at 89-93 with excellent sink and run. His curveball is a clear plus offering, and his changeup shows the potential to be one as well. One of the most athletic pitchers in the minors, his delivery is smooth, repeatable, and effortless. It’s no surprise that he fields his position extremely well.

The Bad:
Scouts see Kelly as potentially having three plus pitches, but none of them are dominant offerings, so he falls short of impact potential for some. He still has a tendency to roll over his change, but that’s correctable, as his arm speed on the pitch is excellent. While some have a glass-half-full approach concerning Kelly’s shortstop play and say it has at least kept his total innings count low, others wonder if it’s hindered his development, and also ask if he really enjoys pitching compared to playing every day.

Ephemera:
Kelly hit more home runs for Greenville (one), than he allowed in his nine starts as a pitcher.

Perfect World Projection:
Kelly projects to be a good second or third starter and an occasional All-Star.

Path to the Big Leagues:
As a pitcher, Kelly could move very quickly, and it’s hard to find a team that would block an above-average starter, so when he’s ready, he’ll get a look.

Timetable:
While it’s yet to be made official, Kelly will almost assuredly become a full-time pitcher in 2010, starting the year back at High-A Salem. Despite the distractions of also trying to hit, he should reach Double-A well ahead of schedule, before his 21st birthday.


3. Josh Reddick, OF

DOB: 2/19/87
Height/Weight: 6-2/180
Bats/Throws:L/R
Drafted/Signed: 17th round, 2006, Middle Georgia College
2009 Stats: .277/.352/.520 at Double-A (63 G); .127/.190/.183 at Triple-A (18 G); .169/.210/.317 at MLB (27 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 3


Year in Review:
The power-hitting outfielder was having breakout season, but he struggled mightily in the big leagues.

The Good:
Reddick definitely has tools. He’s a lean, muscular athlete with plus power and average speed that rates as a tick above once he gets going. He made tremendous strides in 2009 with his plate discipline, which allowed him to get more pitches to drive. He’s an above-average outfielder who can even play center at least at an average level, and his arm is the best in the system.

The Bad:
Reddick reverted to some bad habits following his promotion, as he expanded his strike zone, got pull-happy and pressed, with one scout saying, “It looked like he was trying to get two hits every time he stepped to the plate.” He needs to rediscover his patience to be productive again. Good left-handers have always given him trouble.

Ephemera:
Reddick went 6-for-16 with a pair of home runs against the Orioles during his big-league stint, but he was just 4-for-43 (.093) with a pair of doubles against all other teams.

Perfect World Projection:
The best scouting reports on Reddick project him as an everyday corner outfielder on a first-division club.

Path to the Big Leagues:
The future of Jason Bay-and how Boston reacts if he departs-will play a big factor in projecting Reddick’s role for the next few years.

Timetable:
No matter what the Red Sox outfield situation is going into spring, Reddick will likely need to get back on track at Triple-A Pawtucket before getting another crack at Fenway.


4. Ryan Kalish, OF

DOB: 3/28/88
Height/Weight: 6-1/205
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 9th round, 2006, Red Bank Catholic HS (NJ)
2009 Stats: .304/.434/.513 at High-A (32 G), .271/.341/.440 at Double-A (103 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 11


Year in Review:
The toolsy outfielder rebounded from a tough 2008 and got better as the season wore on, batting .302/.384/.561 in the second half of the season, with 10 home runs in 189 at-bats. For more on Ryan Kalish’s take on his own season, check out David Laurila‘s Q&A with the Sox prospect by surfing here.

The Good:
Kalish can make an in-game impact in a variety of ways. He has enough bat speed and barrel awareness to hit .280-.300 annually, as well as the power and speed to deliver 20/20 seasons. His approach at the plate has improved each year to the point where it’s a true asset to his game, and he plays a solid outfield.

The Bad:
Kalish has filled out a bit over the last two years, and it has cost him a step, leaving some to wonder if he can stay in center. Up the middle, he projects as well above average, but in a corner, he could be a bit of a tweener, especially when one considers that his arm is a bit short for right field. Like Reddick, he struggles against southpaws.

Ephemera:
While no player drafted out of Red Bank Catholic High in New Jersey has reached the big leagues, the school has been well known for their football talent, including Indianapolis running back Donald Brown, the Colts’ first-round pick in the 2009 draft.

Perfect World Projection:
If he can stay in center, he has some star potential.

Path To The Big Leagues:
What Boston has right now is a bit muddled, and Josh Reddick is ahead of him on the depth chart.

Timetable:
Kalish will likely start the year at Triple-A Pawtucket and reach Boston at some point during the year, but he’ll need another step forward to guarantee himself a big-league role in 2011.


5. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

DOB: 08/08/89
Height/Weight:6-3/220
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed:6th round, 2007, Douglas HS (FL)
2009 Stats: .298/.365/.494 at Low-A (64 G), .295/.371/.420 at High-A (55 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: Not Ranked (the Sleeper)


Year in Review:
The big first baseman made an inspiring comeback from cancer, hitting well at both levels of full-season A-ball.

The Good:
Rizzo is a good offensive player with a chance to be a great one. He has a quick bat, a good sense of the strike zone, and should hit for average with good on-base percentages all the way up. Scouts are nearly universal in the belief that many of the 37 doubles he hit in 445 at-bats this year with turn into home runs down the road. He’s a fantastic defensive first baseman who prevented countless errors by saving bad throws.

The Bad:
Right now, Rizzo’s over-the-fence power is much more projection than reality, and as a first-base prospect, it’s going to need to show up soon. He’s not especially athletic, and he’s a below average runner.

Ephemera:
Located in Parkland, Florida, Douglas High is named after Marjory Stoneman Douglas, an early 20th century leader in the women’s rights and suffragist movements who also fought for environmental causes and played an integral role in the preservation of the Everglades.

Perfect World Projection:
He’s a potential .300-hitting first baseman with 20 or more home runs and Gold Glove defense.

Path To The Big Leagues:
Kevin Youkilis is a star at first base, but he could also move back to third down the road. Rizzo’s also still a level or two behind Lars Anderson, so his route to the majors is as much an obstacle course as a path.

Timetable:
While Anderson’s 2010 assignment could affect Rizzo, the latter will likely at least begin the year back at High-A Salem. If the power shows up, he could move quickly.


6. Jose Iglesias

DOB: 01/05/90
Height/Weight: 5-11/175
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: Cuba, 2009
2009 Stats: Did Not Play
Last Year’s Ranking: Not Ranked


Year in Review:
Iglesias is a Cuban defector who was signed in September to a big-league deal worth $8.2 million, including a $6 million signing bonus.

The Good:
Iglesias’ defensive work can only be described as special, with one scout describing his pre-game workouts in the Arizona Fall League as “the equivalent of a live-action instructional video on everything a shortstop should do.” His range is plus to both sides, his actions are notable for their speed and smoothness, while his arm is both strong and accurate. Offensively, he does have some bat speed, and scouts see a good rhythm in his swing, and he’s even surprised some with occasional power.

The Bad:
Iglesias’ glove is far ahead of his bat at this point. Like many Cubans, he has a swing-at-anything approach, and pitchers have found success against him by staying out of the zone and getting him to chase. He’s struggled so far in Arizona, and one scout admitted he was worried that Iglesias might just be another Rey Ordonez.

Ephemera:
While many were surprised by the size of the bonus given to Iglesias, some conspiracy theorists think part of the money was designed to gain the Sox some favor in the attempt to bring Aroldis Chapman to Boston, as the big-ticket lefty was not only a teammate of Iglesias in Cuba, but the two are close friends.

Perfect World Projection:
Iglesias could become a Gold Glove shortstop with a bit of offensive value, but nonetheless, he’d hit toward the bottom of a lineup.

Path to the Big Leagues:
Shortstop has been one of the few issues for the Red Sox of late.

Timetable:
Iglesias’ big-league deal places some pressure on his developmental pace, but he’ll still be just 20 years old to begin 2010, likely at High-A Salem.


7. Junichi Tazawa, RHP

DOB: 6/6/86
Height/Weight:5-11/180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: Japan, 2008
2009 Stats: 2.57 ERA (98.0-80-26-88) at Double-A (18 G); 2.38 ERA (11.1-7-1-6) at Triple-A (2 G)’ 7.46 ERA (25.1-43-9-13) at MLB (6 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 9


Year in Review:
The Japanese import pitched well in the minors, but he fell apart at the big-league level late in the year.

The Good:
Like many Japanese pitchers, Tazawa’s arsenal is extremely deep. He pitches off an 89-92 mph fastball that he can add or subtract from, also adding some cutting action from time to time. He throws a slider and a curve, both of which flash as a plus at times. He also throws a solid change. A pause during his leg kick creates some deception, and his command and control are above average.

The Bad:
Tazawa’s fringy velocity creates little room for error, and he’ll need to improve and mix his secondary pitches in more, as big-league lineups tended to hit him hard in their second look at him. He needs to improve the consistency of all his offerings, as his curve can flatten, he pushed his slider, and he telegraphs his changeup at various points in the game.

Ephemera:
Big-league right-handers facing Tazawa hit a whopping .440/.491/.800 against him, going 22-for-50 with four home runs.

Perfect World Projection:
Tazawa will likely be a back-end rotation starter.

Path to the Big Leagues:
There’s no obvious spot for him in the Boston rotation for now…

Timetable:
After his big-league struggles, Tazawa needs to figure out how to better use his deep repertoire against more advanced hitters. That process will begin in 2010 at Triple-A Pawtucket.


8. Michael Bowden, RHP

DOB: 9/9/86
Height/Weight:6-3/215
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2005, Waubonsie Valley HS (IL)
2009 Stats: 3.13 ERA (126.1-106-47-88) at Triple-A (24 G); 9.56 ERA (16.0-23-6-12) at MLB (8 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 2


Year in Review:
The advanced prospect had a solid showing at Triple-A and another brief stint in the big leagues, but overall, Bowden went a bit backwards.

The Good:
Bowden combines plus command with solidly average stuff. His 88-92 mph fastball has good life, and he mixes in both a curve and slider, which flash as average. His changeup is his best secondary pitch, with excellent depth and fade, and despite the overpowering arsenal, he’s very aggressive and goes after hitters. Bowden has a big frame, a delivery that is funky, yet it’s repeatable and without stress, and he’s stayed healthy throughout his career.

The Bad:
Bowden missed far fewer bats at Triple-A, as his once-plus curve became slower and flatter, and he struggled to establish a slider in his arsenal. The inconsistency with his secondary pitches also elevated his walk rate and forced him to use his fastball more, but he needs to stay ahead in the count to succeed. He tends to work up in the zone.

Ephemera:
Bowden gave up seven runs to the Yankees on August 21, and seven more to Toronto on September 28. In his other seven big-league appearances, he had a 2.45 ERA.

Perfect World Projection:
Bowden may be a usable back-of-the-rotation starter.

Path to the Big Leagues:
These days, the Red Sox tend to shoot for more from their starting pitchers than what Bowden projects to be, so it could be a rough go.

Timetable:
For now, Bowden seems stuck at Triple-A, where he’ll compete with Tazawa for the sixth starter’s role as far as who gets the first call when the need arises.


9. Lars Anderson, 1B

DOB: 9/25/87
Height/Weight: 6-4/215
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 18th round, 2006, Jesuit HS (CA)
2009 Stats: .233/.328/.345 at Double-A (119 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 1


Year in Review:
The top prospect in the system got off to a slow start at Double-A, and things just got worse from there, as he hit .186 with just one home run in his last 50 games.

The Good:
While Anderson has combined plus power, the ability hit for average, and patience in the past, only the latter showed up in 2009, as his understanding of the strike zone is excellent, and he’ll rarely chase bad pitches. He plays a good first base and runs well for his size, and he’s athletic enough that some wonder if he could handle left field.

The Bad:
Scouting reports on Anderson were disturbing this year, as those that had never seen him before wondered what the big deal was about, and those that saw him in the past saw a much stiffer player both at the plate and in the field. He’s a highly intelligent, cerebral player who may not have responded well to being “the guy” in a high-profile organization.

Ephemera:
No position player drafted 552nd overall has stepped to the plate in the big leagues, although pitchers Bret Prinz (1998), Allen McDill (1992), and Chris Clemons (1991), combined for 145 mound appearances.

Perfect World Projection:
There are still those that think Anderson can develop into an everyday big-league first baseman, although the projections for stardom are a thing of the past for now.


Path to the Big Leagues:
Anderson just needs to get his bat back on track to even have a path.

Timetable:
Anderson’s spring training performance will dictate his 2010 assignment, but chances are good that he’ll repeat Double-A.


10. Reymond Fuentes, CF

DOB: 02/12/91
Height/Weight: 6-0/160
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 1st round, 2009, Fernando Callejo HS (PR)
2009 Stats: .290/.331/.379 at Rookie-level (40 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: Not Ranked


Year in Review:
Seen as the top player in Puerto Rico this year, Fuentes rocketed up draft charts with some private workouts that became the stuff of legend.

The Good:
Multiple scouts use the word “explosive” when describing Fuentes. He has fantastic bat speed with a lot of plate coverage, and consistently centers balls on the bat while using all fields. Scouts think he’ll develop gap power with double-digit home-run production once his skinny frame fills out. He’s a 70 runner on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, which helps him wreak havoc both in center field and on the basepaths.

The Bad:
Fuentes is an extremely raw talent. He’ll need to develop a more mature approach at the plate to fill his leadoff man projection, and he needs to improve his jumps both in the outfield and base stealing attempts. His arm is average at best.

Ephemera:
Fernando Callejo High also produced Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran (Feuntes’ cousin), as well as former big-league catcher Javier Valentin.

Perfect World Projection:
Fuentes could be an old-school center fielder who hits .300 with game-changing speed.

Path to the Big Leagues:
The Red Sox are loaded with outfielders, so there is no need to rush Fuentes.

Timetable:
With a strong showing this spring, Fuentes could get a crack at a full-season assignment at Low-A Greenville.


11. Derrik Gibson, 2B/SS

DOB: 12/05/89
Height/Weight: 6-1/170
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 2nd round, 2008, Seaford HS (DE)
2009 Stats: .290/.395/.380 at Short-season (67 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: Not Ranked


Year in Review:
After going 3-for-35 for Lowell in 2008, the underrated infielder recovered with an outstanding showing during his second go-round in the New York-Penn League.

The Good:
Gibson already has top-of-the-order skills with outstanding plate discipline and a quick, single-plane swing that laces line drives to all fields. He’s an above-average runner with great instincts, and he understands his strength and limitations, focusing on getting on base and scoring runs. He has good instincts defensively and plays with a lot of energy.

The Bad:
There is a lot of debate over Gibson’s future position. Except for his arm, he has all of the tools for shortstop, so he’ll at least be a middle infielder. He has zero pro home runs in 384 at-bats, and there’s little reason to believe that will change in any significant way.

Ephemera:
Offensively, Gibson was significantly better at the plate in 2009 when playing second base (.342/.423/.439) as opposed to shortstop (.248/.374/.333).

Perfect World Projection:
Gibson has the ability to be a second baseman with the speed and on-base skills to score 100 runs a year.

Path to the Big Leagues:
Dustin Pedroia isn’t going anywhere, so it’s in his best interest to stay on the left side.

Timetable:
Gibson will finally get a full season in by beginning 2010 at Low-A Greenville.


The Sleeper:
Over-slot 2008 draftee Peter Hissey had a so-so pro debut on paper, batting .279/.356/.347 at Low-A Greenville, but scouts loved the tools and saw consistent progress throughout the year, as he hit .321 after the all-star break.


Top 10 Talents 25 and Under (Born 4/1/84 or later)


1. Clay Buchholz, RHP

2. Ryan Westmoreland, OF
3. Casey Kelly RHP/SS
4. Daniel Bard, RHP
5. Josh Reddick, OF
6. Ryan Kalish, OF
7. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
8. Jose Iglesias, SS
9. Junichi Tazawa, RHP
10. Jed Lowrie, INF

The Clay Buchholz we saw during the stretch run was the pitcher the Red Sox have been waiting to see for years, and there’s plenty of reason to believe that he’ll remain at least that good in 2009, if not better. He’s among the best breakout candidates in the game for 2010. Bard was dominant early in the year, but he began to have some control issues late while losing touch of his slider; his past makes it difficult to rank him much higher. Lowrie’s injuries and miserable performance in 2009 has him on the outside looking in.


Summary:
Despite making the postseason in six of the last seven seasons and going 12 years without a losing record, the Red Sox have maintained a consistent pipeline of young talent thanks to their aggressive spending in both the draft and international markets. That could continue before spring training, as they are among the favorites to sign Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, who would move to the top of this list (as well as most teams that he’d sign with) if he ends up with Boston.

Up next: the Chicago White Sox.

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hmanchak
11/12
Any positive feedback on young Almanzar?
kgoldstein
11/12
Scouts still see the tools, but his approach is a mess and he needs to refine his swing.
alskor
11/12
Anybody in the org. you talked to regretting the aggressive promotion at this point...?
Ophidian
11/12
Indeed, he took a serious tumble last year and I'd love to hear what people think about him. Young enough to turn it around but a truly miserable season makes him a bit of an enigma for me.
fantasy
11/12
So he didn't make the cut -- I can't imagine he missed by much -- but what would be Younginer's "perfect world projection" ?
kgoldstein
11/12
He didn't miss by much. His ceiling is higher than many on the list, but he's VERY far away.
fantasy
11/12
He sounds like a guy who could be held back until the short season leagues.
drewsylvania
11/13
Is there a good place to see scouting reports on everyone the Sox have drafted this year? I completely forgot Younginer existed.
TheGoldenGreek33
11/13
SoxProspects.com
trebek90
11/12
Where would Nick Hagadone rank on this list if he hadn't been dealt?
kgoldstein
11/12
I'll tell you what -- Cleveland is still two teams away. So wait until they are up and I've talked to all the people I want to about Hagadone. Ask the question in the Cleveland thread and I'll answer it then with much better knowledge.
nschaef
11/12
I'm curious as to how Sizemore has somehow failed to meet expectations. Sincere question not snarky, aggrieved Sizemore defender.
kgoldstein
11/12
I think if you look at what Sizemore did at ages 22 and 23, to look at his last two years, you have to be a bit disappointed, even though they are very good years in their own right. His batting average has gone down each of the last three years, when it theoretically should be going up and he should be peaking.
briankopec
11/12
The Sizemore comment was a bit of a suprise to me too. I'm inclined to give him a bit of a pass on his age 26 season due to injury, but his age 23, 24, and 25 seasons were reasonably identical (7-8 WAR). On the surface that might seem disappointing I guess. I dunno. But the implication is that Sizemore was reasonably projected to be a 10 WAR player at age 25. That's Albert Pujols territory. Perhaps it's more of a compliment for Westmoreland that he could become such a player than it is a slight on Sizemore. But I have a hard time even suggesting anybody could be a 10 WAR type player.

baserip4
11/12
Don't Sizemore's injury struggles in 2009 have to be taken into consideration? As for 2008, I think the gains Sizemore made on the basepaths (38 steals, 5 CS) offset the drop in BABip from the .330s to .290.
drewsylvania
11/12
I suspect that this year can be written off as an injury year.
TheGoldenGreek33
11/12
Some scouts believe Kalish can stay in CF because he makes very good reads on fly balls. Would you agree?
kgoldstein
11/12
I would.
caprio84
11/12
Kevin:

At what point do the Sox mandate a decision to the mound for Kelly?

kgoldstein
11/12
There's nothing official to report, but there are plenty of reasons to believe he'll be a full-time pitcher in 2010.
MadHatty20
11/12
Great stuff as usual Kev. A theoretical for you though: do you think you'd have ranked Kelly behind Westmoreland if he'd pitched all year and continued getting the results he got in the first half of the year? Honest theoretical, like the poster above.
kgoldstein
11/12
No, I don't. Even I was surprised at the kind of things scouts were saying about him based on what I saw in Lowell.
TGisriel
11/12
I saw Reddick play last year, and was very impressed. Of course I saw him play against the Orioles, against whom he was, as Kevin notes, 6 for 16 with two homers.

Another lesson in the futility trying to draw conclusions from a few games.
ptullar
11/12
What's a larder?
ckahrl
11/12
A place where you store sustaining goodies: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/larder
nsmith621
11/12
The system seems a little weaker than it has the in the past. Is there enough here to get a big trade done?
kgoldstein
11/12
Absolutely. It is a little weaker, but there is a LOT of depth. They're 1-11 might not be crazy elite, but their 21-30 would rank very high, so there are a lot of options.
alskor
11/12
This system has two 5 star players and 2 4 star players, with lots of 3s. At the end of the day, it might be down a little from years past, but its still going to compare favorably.
thevarmitcong
11/12
" Westmoreland could be the kind of player people thought Grady Sizemore would become."

Sizemore in 2008 hit .268/.374/.502 with plus defense in center and 33 bombs. If he could have become something more, we're talking one hell of player. Why don't you just say "essentially has no ceiling"?

TheGoldenGreek33
11/12
You could say that, but then again "no ceiling" is an overused phrase that wouldn't justify how good Westy is.
cpaddock
11/12
Kevin, what did you hear that kept Exposito off this list?
kgoldstein
11/12
I'm very surprised that Expo didn't come up earlier. Honestly, it's hard to find scouts very high on him, despite some numbers that have been pretty darn good. Bad approach, so-so defense. I certainly don't hate him, and would put him in the 16-20 range, but he just didn't get enough support to go higher.
WrenFGun
11/12
Does Hissey have any chance of hitting for power?

What are your thoughts on Exposito?
Mario66
11/12
KG, what are your thoughts on Stephen Fife? He seems to both get a lot of groundballs and a decent number of K's (generally with low walks). Future starter on a contender at least?
kgoldstein
11/12
That seems like an awfully high projection. You nailed him as a strike-thrower groundball guy, but I think he future is as a bullpen guy.
cpaddock
11/12
I've seen you write about Expo's defense before, that it's so-so. It's strange to see, as he was considered to be an excellent defensive catcher coming through Lowell, and his leadership skills were noticeable. I know he needs to work on his throwing, but are there other catching skills that scouts feel are lacking? What happened to him?
AutomatedTeller
11/12
What happened to Michael Bowden? Man had a 3.13 ERA in AAA and was in the top 11 last year - I think he was 3rd or 4th. Yet not even a mention this year?
AutomatedTeller
11/12
Never mind. I don't know how i missed him....
marjinwalker
11/12
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on Yamaico Navarro. I can understand why he didn't make this list with an erratic performance, but I've just a feeling that this guy's breaking out next year.
kgoldstein
11/12
Yeah, he's one of those guys who would be in the 16-20 running. That AA showing left a lot of questions as to his ability to hit at the upper levels.
kgoldstein
11/12
Just kind of a generic solid lefty for me. Not a bad prospect, but not special.
nsmith621
11/12
Jeremy Hermida misses the 25 and under list by about two months. Where would he rank if he qualified?
kgoldstein
11/12
Depends on the day. My gut tells me it's a great change of scenery acquisition, though.
dwachtell
11/12
Given the article a month or two back about how Chapman figures to translate as an MLB pitcher (more or less: not so hot), why would you shoot him to the top of so many teams' top prospect lists?
amosap
11/12
What's the story with Middlebrooks these days?
choopes
11/12
Peter Hissey. Where would he rank in Boston's system?
jarjets89
11/12
What did people think sizemore would be come?
mwashuc06
11/12
Derrik Gibson is going to become the next Brian Roberts, but with a better eye. I am very high on this kid and I saw him and Westmoreland this year and they could be the Redsox future 1 and 2 hitters. I also caught Alex Wilson's debut and he was sitting 89-91 and touched 93 on a legit gun.
drewsylvania
11/13
I'm starting not to trust any player that has yet to see AA.
mwashuc06
11/13
I agree with that to a certain point, but guys who have good to great strikezone knowledge at a young age tend to do big things.
drewsylvania
11/13
Point taken, but you did see Lars Anderson up above, didn't you? :)
alskor
11/13
Get ready to miss some really great players. Everyone is aware there is an inherent risk here. The issue is you need to lean much more heavily on scouting (vs. stats) with low minors guys, IMHO.
drewsylvania
11/13
Miss them? I'll follow them as usual--I just try to keep my expectations low until they show something at the upper levels.
jspearlj1
11/13
Great work Kevin. I see you stated that if the sox were to sign Chapman that he would head the list. Did you mean the top prospect list and or the top 25 year old and under list?
anderson721
11/13
Refresh my memory- where did this system rank last year?
Oleoay
11/13
Here's a silly question, but is there a particular reason that age 25 is the cutoff for your list? In a perfect world, f you take a college player who spends a year a piece at AA, AAA and then the majors, then he would drop off the list in his second season in the majors... but he'd still be before his prime years and not really established with just one major league season. That's also assuming the player doesn't get injured or misses a year because of signing issues. I might be way off, but would 26 and under be a more useful measure of the young talent in an organization and similarly, what established talent might be blocking lower-tier prospects?
ericmvan
11/13
The only thing that bugs me about an otherwise extraordinarily informative writeup is the assertion that Rizzo's HR power "needs" to show up soon simply because he's a 1B prospect. While HR power is the single most important attribute for a 1B, it's not *necessary* the way K rate is for a pitcher. If Rizzo's HR power never shows up, you're still essentially describing Mark Grace there. A 1B prospect who projected to be an average defender instead of Rizzo's +10 or so and had shown an extra +10 runs of projected power would, I think, be a four star prospect, simply because of that ultimately irrational bias that a 1B "needs" to have plus HR totals. But it's the whole package that matters, not the way the value is distributed.
Oleoay
11/13
Mark Grace would have a harder time cracking a lineup these days. Then, consider similar players like James Loney, Connor Jackson and Casey Kotchman are either considered disappointments or at risk of losing their job and Rizzo has a problem if he doesn't hit for power. It was easier for Grace to stick around ten years ago when 20 HR was a cleanup power hitter and not batting 7th playing 2B for the Yankees.

Grace did hit a lot of doubles and take a lot of walks, but these days, the Kevin Youkilis's of the world (who start with little power, then develop some) are more of the exception.
ericmvan
11/13
Mark Grace had a career .383 OBP and was a legitimate GG defender. Kotchman's also an excellent defender, but he's in danger of losing his job not because of a lack of power but because he has a career *.337 OBP*. That's an enormous gap in offensive value. James Loney is an average defender with a .354 career OBP. Again, not anywhere near the player.

I think you're actually proving my point here: folks will immediately lump all power-challenged 1B together without discriminating between bad, OK, and excellent OBP, and between OK and terrific defense. (I mean, really, James Loney is similar to Mark Grace the way Bill Gates is just like Oprah.) If Anthony Rizzo can hit 15 HR a year but put up a .380 OBP and play GG defense (and I think a lot of scouts feel that is a very realistic upside for him) he will be an All-Star caliber player exactly like Grace was.
Oleoay
11/13
But you need look no farther than the Red Sox to see that Youklis didn't break into the everyday lineup until age 27 and his walk rate was far superior to Rizzo.

You're also assuming Rizzo's OBP will translate well to MLB and Rizzo's OBP had a .370ish OBP at A ball, but if his power problem remains a problem, he'll be less likely to walk and more likely to be challenged as he advances up the minor league chain.

I'm not saying Rizzo can't be good, but considering the offense-first nature of first base, and the Red Sox's financial resources in general, Rizzo would need to have much more power, or lacking that, a higher walk rate, to crack the Red Sox lineup. His best chance might be in another organization.
nsmith621
11/13
I'm not sure if there's a way to prove this, but my impression is that as the walk has become more valued in baseball and pitchers and teams have made a more concerted effort to avoid them, guys with little power who draw lots of walks have become fewer and further between. You don't see players like Kenny Lofton and Bret Butler anymore. Rizzo projects for more power than that, but the whole Grace/Olerud/Hernandez/Joyner type of player doesn't seem to be able to find as much success in the majors anymore.
markjstachura
11/13
Kev, it seems that each year, more and more stuff is added to the Top 11 (now top 14)--I got to admit that I enjoyed being able to skim through it with ease, but it just seems a little too much this year? Ephemera, really? I had to look up its definition, and I am still unsure of what it means? The good, the bad, and perfect-world projection sections are the real "meat and potatoes," because they are all information that I can use when displaying my prospect knowledge....
kgoldstein
11/13
It was there last year, it was just called "Fun Facts". So it's not new, just renamed, after a certain person in the industry who will remain nameless have me crap on pretty much a daily basis as to how they are facts, but not all fun.
mketchen
11/13
Kevin,

One season can drasticly alter your values this much? Anderson fell from a five star prospect to "although the projections for stardom are a thing of the past for now" Really?
Oleoay
11/13
Look what one year did to the housing market.
BMoreGreen
11/16
Enjoyed the chuckle - thanks for the analogy.

Occurs to me it would be a more apt comparison in a discussion regarding the Pirates though.
gaborde
11/25
Hear anything about Ryan Lavarnway?