I'm happy to tell all of you that one of your favorite off-season features at Baseball Prospectus is coming soon, as my Top 11 Prospects for all 30 organizations begins on Monday. After listening to reader feedback, there have been a few minor changes to how they'll be done this year. First off, I'm expanding the extra list from four players to nine, so while you will still get in-depth reports on 11 prospects, you'll get quick comments on the players I've rated from 11-20, and as always, one sleeper. As for the write-ups themselves, they will now feature a quick note on the best and worst tools for each prospect, a specific year given as a major league ETA, as well as a quick line about potential fantasy impact. Finally, the order has changed significantly. No longer alphabetical by league, which was always unfair to Washington Nationals fans, I will now go by 2011 draft order, which is as follows.
- Pirates
- Mariners
- Diamondbacks
- Orioles
- Royals
- Nationals
- Indians
- Cubs
- Astros
- Brewers
- Mets
- Marlins
- Dodgers
- Angels
- Athletics
- Tigers
- Rockies
- Blue Jays
- Cardinals
- White Sox
- Red Sox
- Padres
- Rangers
- Reds
- Braves
- Giants
- Twins
- Yankees
- Rays
- Phillies
So on Monday we'll start with the Pirates and go from there, with an anticipated pace that is faster than last year's as well. As always, each subscriber-only Top 11 turns into it's own system-specific chat thanks to our comment system (also available only to subscribers), and I look forward to being busy in the comments and trying to answer all your questions. Hope you are looking forward to these as much as I am in putting them out there.
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Can't wait!
For example, Lars Anderson of the Red Sox projects to be a John Olerud type player, or a Richie Sexson type hitter, rather than just saying he projects to be a middle of the lineup hitter with moderate power and good on-base skills.
I can't wait for these articles. They are always a highlight of my subscription.
Prospects are on the far side of the bell curve, so you *should* have fewer five-star than four-star, more three-star than four-star, more two-star than three-star, and more one-star than two-star players (though at the end they'll be off the list.)
Sickels' lists have had this pattern for years, I think - zillions of C or C+ prospects per A prospect. This is right.
Like everyone else, I'm looking forward to the Top 11's. You've done a sterling job this year; the daily updates are great (reminding me of when Jay-Del Mah did those sorts of updates, without the scouting.)
--JRM
If PECOTA is what I think it will be then BP is really leading the way again. Love the new additions like Mike Fast, too.
Kevin Golstein, you are something awesome.
I wish I had job like that....
NOW GET TO WORK!!!!!
Thanks again and can't wait to read them!