Marc Hulet Prospects Chat – 8/9/13

: I’m running a couple minutes behind but we’ll get started in about 10-15 minutes… Get your prospect questions in now!

Comment From Camp
I traded Jose Fernandez and Granderson for Kershaw in a year to year mixer. Good deal for me?

: It’s hard to get better than Kershaw and if your league uses wins then he’s definitely more likely to help you than Fernandez…

Comment From Anthony
Do you expect the Pirates will call up Lambo any time soon, and, if so, will he be a valuable contributor?

: I mentioned this last week, too… Lambo is more of a quad-A guy and possible bench contributor at the big league level than true starting marterial

Comment From Roger
Is Bogaerts ready for a major-league trial? And is there any risk to his development by bringing him up?

: There probably isn’t a ton of risk, no. You’re adding him to the 40-man roster early but he’s not going to need his 3 option years.

Comment From Camp
NL dynasty league…. Harvey or Fernandez?

: Yikes. You probably can’t go wrong with either but Harvey will maybe help you a little more and is a little more proven…

Comment From Camp
Who’s going to be better, Bradley or Taillon?

: Archie Bradley

Comment From Blockhead
How high is Rougned Odor going to sky rocket up the off-season prospect rankings? Top 50 at least right? Also, what are the Rangers supposed to do with such a wealth of MI talent?

: He’s definitely in the discussion for the best prospect in the Rangers system. I think they’ll find room for them all… If not though, they have some great depth for acquiring some pitching.

Comment From Fred
Is Marcus Semien an everyday shortstop for you?

: I’m not convinced, yet, no. He can perhaps be an average second baseman for the Sox, at least for a few years.

Comment From Dr. Met
Impressions si far of 2 former Carson mancrushes: Wilmer and Salazar?

: I am a fan of Salazar, especially if he can defy the odds and remain a starter long term.

Comment From FofFG
Roman Quinn seems to have hit a bump in the road. What’s your best guess at this long term outlook?

: The good news is that he hasn’t been terrible and it was expected that he’d be a bit of a project so I’m not worried at this point. Still has a lot of potential to tap into…

Comment From Guest
Where would you rank Puello? Also where would you rank him without biogenesis?

: Puello is a guy that I’m still not comfortable ranking right now. I might put him in the second half of the Mets Top 15 in the offseason but there are a lot of question marks about him, despite his awesome season.

Comment From Cliff
Marcus Stroman has been lights out this year. What do you think is preventing the Jays from letting him get his feet wet in the majors? Especially with their rotation in shambles? It would seem like the perfect time to see if he truly has a future as a starter.

: Well, he missed time at the start of the year due to suspension and he’s just in his first full year in the minors. He still has some work to do with his command and there really is no reason to rush him and start causing 40-man roster issues… A bunch o guys are on the 60-day DL that will have to come off and push guys off the 40 (Perez, Hutchison, Drabek).

Comment From Shark Mapiro
Do you see the Indians, at some point, trading or keeping/moving to a new position, Ronny Rodriguez or Dorssys Paulino, considering them already having Lindor?

: You leave guys at the position that gives them the most value until they’re forced off — and at this point there is no need to move them. Perhaps down the road once they appear to be approx 3-6 months away from the majors then you potentially look at a position change.

Comment From Anthony
I’m not sold on Alex Wood. What does FG see in him?

: Well, I’ve been saying all along that he’s a future reliever. There is no way that he can stick as a starter long term and stay healthy.

Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Way to be late Hulet. That’s what having kids makes you.

: Amen

Comment From Tom
I’ve heard Jeimer Candelario has improved a bit at 3B, along with his conditioning. Heard anything to the contrary and what are your thoughts on him overall?

: I’m going to check him out in the next month to see if I’m more impressed with him this year… I was really underwhelmed when I watched him late in 2012.

Comment From Macho Man
Give me some insight into Kyle Zimmer – I he going to be a #1 and when will he be in the majors?

: He has No. 1/2 potential for sure, but he’s only been successful for a short period of time. I’m going to guess that he’ll be ready by the end of 2014.

Comment From Guest
Corey Seager dominated the mwl at 19.

: Yes.

Comment From Wily Mo Yen Mo Problems
Does Olt still project to be a 250/325/475 guy or is a .250 batting average out of reach?

: Right now, unless he makes adjustments, he’s probably a .220-.250 guy in the majors.

Comment From LarryA
Wacha or Salazar for next year and beyond?

: I still think Wacha, although Salazar is more electric.

Comment From Ben
Do you think Robert Stephenson could be Cincinnati’s ace is say, 3-4 years?

: He definitely has the talent to be their ace but it could take a little longer for him to become the undisputed guy… I’d say more 4-6… I don’t think he’s going to come up and have immediate success like Jose Fernandez.

Comment From Eminor3rd
Are teams being too protective with trading their prospects? Hard to believe the Rangers wouldn’t give up one half decent MI prospect for Alex Rios right now. They need the bat so badly and they can use him next year too

: Well, do we really know who the Rangers wanted for Rios? I’m not a huge Rios fan so I personally wouldn’t give up much for him.

Comment From Guest
Thoughts on Brandon Nimmo? Most seem down on him, but he has a sharp home/road split and plays in the 2nd most pitcher-friendly stadium in the minors.

: It was well known that Nimmo was going to be a project and that’s what we’re seeing right now. I think it’s fair to be “down on him” because he was maybe a little overhyped to begin with. He needs to show more to have a high ranking but that doesn’t mean he can’t do it with a little more seasoning.

Comment From zack
You’re one of the biggest wacha fans around. Do you think he’s up for the rest of the season?

: If the Cards hurlers keep dropping like flies then, yeah, he could be up for the rest of 2013. With that said, I thought he was called up too soon in the first place.

Comment From That one guy
You said pie in the sky for Eddie Butler is a 2-3 starter he has a Plus Plus FB that hits high 90’s, a Plus Slider and that change looks devastating what is limiting his upside?

: The chance that he could still flame out as a starter and end up as a high-leverage reliever. I certainly hope he realizes his upper-tier ceiling.

Comment From Graham
What are your thoughts on Rosell Herrera and Story blocking his promotion? What would you do if you were the Rockies?

: There’s really no reason why they couldn’t both play at High-A and split time between 2B and SS…

Comment From zack
Seth maness has off the charts k/bb ratios in the minors and incredible groundball rates. Can he be a serviceable backend starter?

: He’s given up a lot of hits over the past two seasons and doesn’t miss a ton of bats — part of the hits issue could be tons of ground balls handcuffing poor minor league defenders but his overall recipe for success appears to make him more suited to relief work than pitching out of the starting rotation.

Comment From BassmanUW
Javier Baez has a .414 wOBA in Double A despite having a 30% strikeout rate (although that’s been falling over the past 2 weeks or so). If he cuts the strikeouts down, how good could Baez be?

: If he keeps hitting for power and keeps taking his fair share of walks, then he could be very, very good with a little more contact.

Comment From Roger
Is Joc Pederson a future platoon player or regular (ignoring how loaded the Dodgers are right now)?

: I’m going to say 50 (20-80) potential as a starting outfielder but he definitely has cooled off lately..

Comment From Nate
Luke Jackson, future SP or RP? Ceiling on him if SP?

: Starter, No. 3

Comment From Justin
Kyle Hendricks doesn’t have great stuff, but he seems to have tremendous control. I wonder if what he has been doing in AA and now AAA would correspond to the edge research being done. Also wondering if he is a legitimate 3/4 pitching prospect.

: I’m going to take a look at him for a piece at FanGraphs next week, so I’ll save my opinions until then.

Comment From Matt
Which current prospect (not called up yet to bigs, ex Bogaerts) has the most fantasy value for 2014?

: Probably Bogaerts or Oscar Taveras.

Comment From zack
Justin smoak nd Eric hosmer appear to have returned from the dead this year. Do think either of them remain among living?

: Hosmer is making more consistent contact and has age on his side, too. I’d like to eventually see him tap into his raw left-handed power, though.

Comment From Hank
Nick Kingham or Keyvius Sampson?

: Kingham

Comment From dgco
Darin Ruf: No chance of staying a solid major leaguer? Fangraphs and BABIP say no, what say you?

: I think he could be a solid bench or platoon contributor at the big league level but he’s not going to have star power.

Comment From Manny
Could you rank these Padres arms? Erlin, Sampson, Wisler, Burch Smith.

: Wisler, Sampson, Erlin, Smith

Comment From Bobo
Any word if O.Taveras will play again this season?

: there is still hope… he’s a good candidate for the AFL

Comment From Matt (Steinway)
Story in the Post today about the Mets’ barren cupboard of hitting prospects, especially how it will look with D’Arnaud and Flores graduating. Do any of the guys in the low minors, specifically Brandon Nimmo, Dominic Smith, Gavin Cecchini and Kevin Plawecki, profile as impact hitters when (if) they make it to the bigs? What is your outlook on the Mets farm with regards to position players?

: Last off-season I was talking to someone in the Mets front office about their prospects. I asked first about their pitching and later said, “Now let’s move on to the hitters…” and he replied, “Can’t we keep talking about our pitching?” The cupboard really is bare, although there are some interesting sleepers like Plawecki and Smith… no can’t miss bats, though.

Comment From Am I missing something?
How do talent evaluators come up with future grades for a player’s tools? I can somewhat understand projections for physical tools like power and run, but projecting any pitching tool just boggles my mind

: I imagine everyone’s different in the way they project tools and ceilings. But with a pitcher, you can project increase FB velocity based on size/weight (ie. wide shoulders, etc), you can project command/control based on factors such as their delivery (is it violent or smooth, etc)… projecting a breaking ball comes from consistency — do they break off some really good ones form time to time and then throw up meatballs the rest of the time… kind of a convoluted answer but hopefully you kind of get the idea.

Comment From Wily Mo Yen Mo Problems
I noticed Springer, Franco, and Polanco have all hit a rough patch. Were people too high on them?

: Prospects are going to hit rough patches, that’s why most prospect writers like Law, Callis, etc. will always caution fans from getting too carried away with SSS.

Comment From Yan
Winker the starting LF for the Reds opening day in 2015?

: He’s a good modest ceiling, high floor guy. He’s probably 2-3 years away from the Majors.

Comment From P
I see that Mike O’Neill gets plenty of support in fringe prospects section, but why exactly does he not get more consideration for the Majors? Could he not be a Tony Gwynn type of contributor albeit with less power?

: Well, he’s already 26, plays a corner outfield spot, has zero power (with zero projection on that tool). With that said, he could be a fascinating big leaguer… Just not a regular.

Comment From Guest
Lewis Brinson-Too many strikeouts to be a prospect or just young and learning how to play?

: He’s definitely still a prospect with intriguing tools but he has a long way to go with his pitch recognition and contact rates.

Comment From Bobo
Corey Dickerson (Rockies) have a chance to stick long-term?

: He has a chance, especially in Colorado.

Comment From P
Carlos Martinez–your thoughts on his first start and his potential moving forward.

: I’m very excited for his future, but he needs to prove he can hold up as a starter (opinion not impacted whatsoever by the finger cramp from last night)

Comment From Rated Rookie
Who reaches the majors first, Walker or Bradley? Bullpen or SP role and when?

: Probably Bradley at this point. And I’d start him off as a starter. Mid-2014 is when I can see him sticking as a big leaguer.

Comment From dgco
Is there any word that Olt is still having eye troubles? He’s been pretty bad lately.

: I haven’t heard any follow up to any eye issues.

Comment From Matt
Do you see Soler starting 2014 in AA after playing in the AFL? Or will his missed time force him to return to High A next year?

: He’s probably shown enough to move up to AA for 2014.

Comment From Jacob
Has the yankees farm system taken a step forward or backwards?

: Backward.

Comment From DoctaTuck
Is Nick Franklin still alright after his most resent slump?

: He went from hitting for average and making good contact to hit for more power and striking out a lot… kind of reminds me of Aaron Hill in Toronto.

Hopefully Franklin can find a happy medium

Comment From Tigre Fan
Give me one good reason for the Tigers not to call up Castellanos. Andy Dirks isn’t exactly lighting it up.

: His .557 OPS in July didn’t do him any favors.

Comment From Nate
Have you seen Alex Reyes? If so, what do you think of him?

: I haven’t seen him personally, no. But he’ll be a Top 15 guy for the Cards this off-season. Exactly where, though, will depend on the feedback I get from people who have seen him.

Comment From Blue Jays Farm
Who is the guy in the low minors who people will be talking very highly about in 2-3 years?

: If you’re looking for a Jay, then probably Franklin Barreto or Alberto Tirado.

Comment From Nate
Which bat from this year’s draft do you think ends up being the best in the majors: Bryant, Frazier, Moran, Meadows, or other?

: Bryant followed by Frazier.

Comment From ivdown
Corey Seager was just promoted this week to Rancho in the Cal League after putting up .900+ OPS in Great Lakes. He’s 19 years old and hit a 440 foot HR to dead center last night. Any idea where you might rank Seager for 2014 pre season lists?

: He’s probably the Dodgers best prospect and a definitely a first half of the Top 100 guy.

Comment From Buzz
ETA on Castellanos (some Sept ABs)? Also, how many MLB seasons until he hits 25 HRs?

: With the trade of Avisail, I would expect Castellanos will see time in September.

Comment From John Stamos
Whose cup of coffee are you most anticipating this year?

: Probably Bogaerts.

Comment From Rated Rookie
This is sort of a post-prospect question: is Wil Myers doing anything currently with the Rays that could not be anticipated based on his minor league performance?

: Not really. I am a little surprised though that he’s been able to hit for both average and power at the same time so early in his career.

Comment From George
Do you think that Tucker Barnhart will be ready to join Mesoraco as the second half of the Reds catching tandem by the time Hanigan hits free agency after the 2014 season?

: I have high hopes for Barnhart… The Reds admitted that they rushed him to AA last year out of necessity but they’re extremely high on his defensive abilities and makeup. His offense has been a nice surprise in 2013.

Comment From Carl
this offseason, would Profar/Odor for Stanton be a win for all involved?

: I doubt Stanton moves on without some high ceiling pitching talent changing hands too. Profar/Odor is not enough for the Marlins slugger.

Comment From ClimClams
What’s Jesse Winker’s ceiling?

: Probably a 50-55 outfielder. Solid average regular.

Comment From Blue Jays Farm
Do you think Marcus Stroman can stick at SP and can he be dominate?

: I’m undecided at this current moment. My head says no, but he’s been quite successful to date as a starter. We probably won’t really know until he reaches the majors.

Comment From Nate
Jonathon Gray: Do you think he has the potential to be a #2 or will Coors hurt his value too much?

: He definitely has the potential to be an impact starter if he can develop further but there are the whispers suggesting he’s a long-term reliever.

Comment From ClimClams
Vogelbach or D.J. Peterson Top 100 guys next year?

: Both have a good chance.

Comment From Patrick
Who’s more likely to stick in a big league rotation: Nolin or Stroman?

: Nolin has a better chance but as a No. 4 guy. Stroman’s ceiling is significantly higher if he can stick in the rotation.

Comment From Jason
Victor Sanchez, an 18 yr old with solid stuff more than holding his own in A ball. Why is he not getting more press/recognition?

: His secondary stuff needs work and his conditioning is a question mark.

Comment From mr. anonymous
What level does Appel start next year? What level does he end the season at?

: I’d probably start him off in High-A for maybe 4-5 starts and if he survives the California League, then I’d move him up to Double-A pretty quickly.

Comment From ClimClams
Has Dorssys Paulino’s ceiling been lowered, or is this just an 18-year-old over-matched in A-ball?

: The latter.

Comment From Seanto
More likely for Alcantera: CHC Starting SS, 2B, or another team?

: Probably 2B

Comment From Nate
Any thoughts on Adalberto Mondesi? Assuming you’ve seen him.

: An exciting talent, but still has a ways to go to realize his full potential.

Comment From Steve
Is Kole Kalhoun for real? He didn’t show any of this potential down in the minors.

: He’s probably a No. 4 outfielder in the long run.

Comment From Seanto
Assuming a full recovery from ACL, is Hak Ju Lee a better prospect then Arismendy Alcantera?

: I think so, yes.

Comment From Guest
I would like to get your opinion on which player will have the better career from each of these pairings. Gyorko or Rendon ? Hicks or Arencia ? Gausman or Wacha?

: Rendon; Hicks; Wacha

Comment From Nate
Who do you like more out of Gray, Glasnow, Foltynewicz, and Ventura? Who has highest upside/lowest floor?

: Lowest floor would be Glasnow. Highest ceiling is tough… Gray or Folty. As for my fav… like ’em all.

Comment From Blue Jays Farm
Tirado, Labourt, Del Rosario. Rank them in their ceiling and who is likely to reach it?

: I’d probably go in that order. They’re all wild cards with about the same chance of reaching their potential.

Comment From TKDC
Will Tommy La Salla be playing in Atlanta next year? Could he be a decent regular? I know he’s a tad old, but he has absolutely crushed it at every level.

: I still see him as a part-timer.

Comment From Rubby of the Rose
Do you like Cody Asche long term? Is he a keeper and does he have relevancy moving forward?

: He has a chance to be a decent regular and is a little more safer than Franco — the ceilings just not in the same universe.

Comment From Jay
Multiple choice question for you. Follow up on Alex Wood. The Braves drafted him in the 2nd round because a) they thought they could change his delivery b) they thought he’d be worth it as a reliever c) they think he can be successful as a starter anyway?

: They probably saw a guy that played in their backyard that could move really quickly as a hard-throwing southpaw reliever.

: OK, sorry for the short chat today but I was still able to got about 1:15… Lots of questions left unaswered, though. I have to go put together a little boy’s birthday present. Have a great weekend and send any unanswered questions to me @marchulet