Mike Newman Prospects Chat – 3/1/12
Mike Newman is the Owner/Managing Editor ofROTOscouting, a subscription site focused on baseball scouting, baseball prospects and fantasy baseball. Follow me onTwitter. Likeus on Facebook.Subscribeto my YouTube Channel.
You wrote an article about Yankee’s prospect Flores saying that his high BB% was an indicator of good control of the strike zone but also limited projection because he wouldn’t have the same room for growth as other prospects. Do you think high BB% limits projection for all prospects? What other major prospects have this profile?
Great question Nivra, but I can provide no easy answer. In the low minors, I’m much more interested with strikeout rates than walk rates. Of course a 2% BB rate is cause for concern because it’s so extreme, but I’d rather see a Nolan Arenado post a 5% BB rate and 13% K rate in the Sally because it indicates both elite contact skills and a need to improve his pitch selection. If/when those improvements occur, it will have a positive impact in his offensive game across the board.
As for Flores, his 11+% rate shows me he’s already identifying pitches to hit and drawing walks. How does Flores hone that skill even more? I’m not sure he does and it forces me to focus on his physical development.
Francisco Peguero is certainly a toolsy outfielder for the Gigantes. Can his tools offset his inability to walk at least thus far in his career?
I was very so-so on Peguero when I scouted him in the Sally. He was fluid, but wasn’t a real quick twitch guy and lacked both explosiveness and the ability to identify pitches to hit. It came across as a little sloppy, although he was better later in the season.
For me, he profiles as more of a 4th outfielder who will hit some, but won’t walk enough or play the defense needed to profile as a CF where his offensive skill set would fit best.
I notice most people consider Conor Gillaspie someone who will be a good pinch-hitter and utility player. Do you think he still has a chance to start on a good major league team and provide decent production?
I have honestly never seen Gillaspie. For me to speculate would be nothing more than opinion.
Sorry for asking this here, but I always miss the chats due to work.
Did you see either Mike Kickham or Seth Rosin last year? Do you see either of them “breaking out” at higher levels? I know they are both older college draftees but both seem to have some tools that could be polished up.
Sorry if this has been asked before.
No problem at all. To be honest, contacts told me Augusta didn’t really have a viable big leaguer on the roster last season so I directed my scouting budget elsewhere. I’m hoping for better in August this season.
Baseball America says 2 out of the 3 top prospect in baseball generally become stars while one is less. Who do you see being the lesser version out of Harper, Trout, and Moore?
I’d have to say Trout because of the spread set of skills. If he winds up being a .285 hitter, 15 HR, 40 SB with plus defense, he’s obviously extremely valuable, but not in a superstar way. Harper and Moore have the ability to go about their business in a way that makes more noise if you understand what I mean.