Tuesday, March 18, 2008
SORT OF CONTROVERSIAL SOX TOP PROSPECTS
Ryan Kalish and Mike Bowden made BA and BP’s top 100, but not Keith Law’s. Kalish likely does not have enough of a record (he broke his hamate/wrist last year and should be at full strength now). He is a very good athlete that shows or projects to have average-to-good tools across the board, according to most scouting reports. PECOTA forecast Kalish to hit 276/340/383 in the majors. Both stats and scouts like this kid.
The knock on Bowden is that he had trouble adjusting to Portland, after producing well in a great hitting environment of Lancaster and the entire Cal League. On the bright side, he was only 20, has good command of his fastball that sinks with secondary pitches that have plus potential. At worse, Bowden could be the 2005 version of Mike Timlin. If he can consistently throw his curve or change, Bowden looks like a closer or #3 starter, and both off-speed pitches makes him a #2.
The last prospect in this post is Lars Anderson. He made all of the lists, but Kevin Goldstein has him at 100 when BA and Law had him in their top 40. All have similar takes on Anderson. Goldstein's issue with the prospect is that he is limited to playing first "...meaning his bat will have to carry him to the big league" and questions his lack of production. KG thinks Anderson strikes out too much and has not hit with enough power yet, given his wonderful scouting reports. Since Anderson is slated to hit in Lancaster, we may not have KG's questions answered until Lars makes it to Portland.
Regarding the concern about being a first baseman, the Sox might have found an inefficiency in the market by drafting hit only players since they have two slots open for that type of hitter. The Olde Towne Team has recently spent significant dollars to sign Anthony Rizzo, who some have compared to Anderson, David Mailman, Aaron Bates and Anderson over the past two seasons.
Ryan Kalish and Mike Bowden made BA and BP’s top 100, but not Keith Law’s. Kalish likely does not have enough of a record (he broke his hamate/wrist last year and should be at full strength now). He is a very good athlete that shows or projects to have average-to-good tools across the board, according to most scouting reports. PECOTA forecast Kalish to hit 276/340/383 in the majors. Both stats and scouts like this kid.
The knock on Bowden is that he had trouble adjusting to Portland, after producing well in a great hitting environment of Lancaster and the entire Cal League. On the bright side, he was only 20, has good command of his fastball that sinks with secondary pitches that have plus potential. At worse, Bowden could be the 2005 version of Mike Timlin. If he can consistently throw his curve or change, Bowden looks like a closer or #3 starter, and both off-speed pitches makes him a #2.
The last prospect in this post is Lars Anderson. He made all of the lists, but Kevin Goldstein has him at 100 when BA and Law had him in their top 40. All have similar takes on Anderson. Goldstein's issue with the prospect is that he is limited to playing first "...meaning his bat will have to carry him to the big league" and questions his lack of production. KG thinks Anderson strikes out too much and has not hit with enough power yet, given his wonderful scouting reports. Since Anderson is slated to hit in Lancaster, we may not have KG's questions answered until Lars makes it to Portland.
Regarding the concern about being a first baseman, the Sox might have found an inefficiency in the market by drafting hit only players since they have two slots open for that type of hitter. The Olde Towne Team has recently spent significant dollars to sign Anthony Rizzo, who some have compared to Anderson, David Mailman, Aaron Bates and Anderson over the past two seasons.
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