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July 17, 2012

Prospects Will Break Your Heart

Futures Game: US Roster

After hitting the World players last week, here are a few notes on the US players who happened to force my pen to hit the pages of my roster sheet during the 2012 Futures Game. As usual, the notes are presented with minimal narrative interference.

SS Billy Hamilton: Slight frame, but improved strength; impressive in cage; hit opposite field home run (RH/LF); loose swing; excellent coverage; shows a knack for contact; can sting live pitching; can catch up to velocity; a little noisy in the box; premature swing trigger; could run into trouble against good secondary stuff/sequence; was impressed with actual swing; continues to take steps forward; hit tool should be plus; shows pop, but raw power is below average; speed is clearly best attribute; best singular tool in baseball; elite; base running is loose, but quickness/speed disguises minor footwork/awareness issues; not a fan of defensive skill set at shortstop; arm is average; accuracy is below; actions are fringy; athleticism makes it look better; profile could improve through repetition; impact player at major league level thanks to elite speed, contact ability; needs to continue to add strength and improve approach at the plate; first-division player; must-see talent.

2B Kolten Wong: Small package, big punch; I love the swing; quick to the ball but not weak to the ball; serious sting in the bat; loud contact to all fields; excellent bat control; tracks ball well; smooth weight shift/transfer; easy mechanics; fluid and pretty; looks like easy plus hitter; lots of gap pop; doubles machine; fielding mechanics are solid; clean actions; strong arm; looks like plus defender at 2B; quick player; good first step; not crazy speed, but everything plays up; gamer with actual tools; number t

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24 comments have been left for this article.

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tim270

Any thoughts on Machado?

Jul 17, 2012 03:27 AM

rating: 0

Jason Parks

BP staff

I think you can make a case that he's a top ten prospect in the minors. I watched his cage sessions, but I lost focus on him during the game because of the pitching. He did make a few plays in the field, and I think the defensive chops are more than sufficient for the position at the highest level. He has a very nice swing, one that will be able to produce batting average as well as plus power. The best thing about Machado is that he has learned to recover from failure. That shows m he has makeup. The ability to rebound from disappointment is vital to the developmental process.

Jul 17, 2012 08:41 AM

Behemoth

I think I asked you pre-season about Gose, and you felt he was unlikely to hit more than about .250 at the big league level. Would it be fair to say your view of his ceiling has changed?

Jul 17, 2012 03:48 AM

rating: 0

Jason Parks

BP staff

He still has a long way to go, but the bat has improved. I'm still not sure what the finished product will look like, but if he can manage to hit .250, with an approved approach and game pop, his defensive skill-set will make him a very good regular.

Jul 17, 2012 08:43 AM

BelongstotheReds

B-Ham wins over another skeptic! Exciting stuff all the way around.

Jul 17, 2012 07:19 AM

rating: 1

ttt

I saw a video of Hamilton when he was in his 2nd season in Rookie ball and he had a lot of movement getting ready to swing. He seems to have quieted down a lot. Do you think that accounts for some of his improvement (fewer Ks, etc.), or just maturity and skill improvement? (Or is the decrease in pre-swing movement a part of the improve maturity/skills?)

Jul 17, 2012 08:46 AM

rating: 1

Jason Parks

BP staff

I think the added strength has helped the swing a ton. He can generate bat speed without selling out the mechanics to achieve it; he can barrel balls with more authority now; he can control the bat in the zone better. He's just improving. Its what you want to see in a player.

Jul 17, 2012 09:00 AM

Hoegaarden

Any thoughts on Michael Choice? Has struggled to adjust in AA, but heating up as of late.

Jul 17, 2012 08:54 AM

rating: 0

Jason Parks

BP staff

I think he's in better physical shape now. The swing will always have miss, but Choice has monster power in the bat. Lots of Ks, lots of BB, lots of bombs.

Jul 17, 2012 08:57 AM

GoneTroutFishin

Any thoughts on Christian Yelich? Does he project to have hit and power tools that grade out as plus (6/6) with a chance for a plus-plus hit tool? Thanks for your insight, Jason!

Jul 17, 2012 09:20 AM

rating: 0

Jason Parks

BP staff

Yes. Yelich has an absolutely beautiful swing; he's balanced, the movements are fluid and easy, etc. He's going to hit for a high batting average. I'm not sure on the power, though. He might have to sellout some contact to put more balls over the fence at the highest level. A 6/6 hitter is possible, though. That's a monster player.

Jul 17, 2012 09:45 AM

Eddie Bajek

Thoughts on Rob Brantly? He impressed in the game and seems to be working his way onto the prospect map.

Jul 17, 2012 10:53 AM

rating: 1

asstarr1

Were there any players who surprised you, for better or worse, with their showing? Thoughts on Scooter Ginnett.

Jul 17, 2012 11:22 AM

rating: 0

ddufourlogger

Maybe it's just me, but this seems like a MONSTER group of talent here. Almost like you could throw the group of them out there now and go .500 in the bigs.

Jul 17, 2012 12:33 PM

rating: 0

deckholm

Jason, Great stuff. Really enjoy all your work.

Jul 17, 2012 12:41 PM

rating: 0

Scott44

Jason - For you is Castellanos a future RF'er? Should we read much into the fact that the Tigers are giving him reps there?

Jul 17, 2012 13:19 PM

rating: 0

deberly

Didn't understand BH's BP oppo HR. Was it to RF or LF?

Jul 17, 2012 13:32 PM

rating: 0

BrettR

RH/LF = right-handed to left field I believe.

Jul 17, 2012 14:49 PM

rating: 0

Jason Parks

BP staff

Typo. It should say LH/LF. Hamilton was hitting from the left side and put one in the left field seats. Apologies.

Jul 17, 2012 15:02 PM

jfranco77

How deliberate is Cole on his slider? If his fastball is a little flat and his slider is a little telegraphed, that might explain a little bit of why he isn't translating his '7' pitches into results.

Jul 17, 2012 13:35 PM

rating: 1

rreading

Loved the form of these. Thanks.

Jul 17, 2012 13:37 PM

rating: 0

Gobroks

Any thoughts on Tommy Joseph? I know the box score looks good with a BB, opposite field 2B, and throwing a guy out.

Jul 17, 2012 23:05 PM

rating: 0

hyprvypr

Jason, is it fair to say that Walker, very new to his craft, has time to generate a third plus pitch(changeup) and that with improvement there he profiles as a #1 on a championship level team? Thanks for your work, these are excellent pieces, worthy of great praise.

Jul 18, 2012 10:45 AM

rating: 0

Jason Parks

BP staff

I think that given his athleticism and his delivery, the CH has a very good chance of developing into something of value. A plus changeup could make him a very special pitcher; a top of the rotation force.

Jul 18, 2012 12:58 PM

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<< Previous Article

Overthinking It: PECOT... (07/17)

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Prospects Will Break Y... (07/12)

Next Column >>

Prospects Will Break Y... (07/19)

Next Article >>
What You Need to Know:... (07/18)

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