A personal endeavor - Atlanta Braves prospects

[biggentleben]

So, after hours upon hours of video research and emailing, today, the first 20 of my top 100 Atlanta Braves prospects goes live. I'm not assuming you all would have a ton of interest in this, but it's been a heck of a project for me, and I'd appreciate any feedback that anyone would care to share.

 

The first 20 (or last 20, depending on how you want to look at it) launches at 4pm EST today on Tomahawk Take, but here's a link to the schedule and the first post highlighting the graduates of the system this year: 

 

http://tomahawktake.com/2015/10/12/atlanta-braves-top-100-graduates-and-schedule/

 

Obviously pimping my own stuff here, but I do appreciate the baseball insight of many on this board, so I thought I'd invite you all in to enjoy/critique as you see fit.

 

Thanks!

[ashbury]

Obviously pimping my own stuff here,

In case your comment reflects any doubt, TD ownership has made clear that this kind of cross-promotion is OK and desirable, and it's stated as such in the Comment Policy.

[biggentleben]

 

In case your comment reflects any doubt, TD ownership has made clear that this kind of cross-promotion is OK and desirable, and it's stated as such in the Comment Policy.

 

Nah, just my German/Irish upbringing showing through in the "you don't toot your own horn" mantra.

[biggentleben]

So, I just realized I never updated this with links to the actual list. I know this is the Braves' prospects, not the Twins', but I'd sure appreciate the discussion on the methodology as well as I'm always working to make a better product to read.

 

81-100

61-80

41-60

21-40

1-20

 

As far as the formatting of the articles themselves, I don't get a lot of control over that, so no need to comment on the insane advertising and faux page clicks of a slide show format.

[ashbury]

OK, you got me to take a closer look. A 30-year old as the #2 prospect? Personally I'd just call him a Cuban free agent and move on to the next youngster. But I'm not sure how other prospect rankers deal with veterans new to MLB. (Certainly in MLB age and experience is no bar to RoY awards, but I'm still not sure someone is a prospect at such a level.) But you asked about methodology, so there it is.

[kab21]

It is hard to believe that Banuelos is still only 24.

[Willihammer]

Lot of upside in some of those players. I always liked Allard, his curveball in the Perfect Game reminded me of Kershaw's.

[Thrylos]

Top 100?  Wow.  That sure takes a lot of work (and does not leave many minor leaguers out   )

[biggentleben]

 

OK, you got me to take a closer look. A 30-year old as the #2 prospect? Personally I'd just call him a Cuban free agent and move on to the next youngster. But I'm not sure how other prospect rankers deal with veterans new to MLB. (Certainly in MLB age and experience is no bar to RoY awards, but I'm still not sure someone is a prospect at such a level.) But you asked about methodology, so there it is.

 

Yep. I value upside to get on the list, but the higher I get on the list, the more I value proximity to the majors. I've had a lot of people who say no one who's played in the majors should be on the list, but nearly every major publication uses the limitation that if a guy is still able to qualify for the rookie of the year award, they're considered a prospect.

[biggentleben]

 

Lot of upside in some of those players. I always liked Allard, his curveball in the Perfect Game reminded me of Kershaw's.

 

Hence, why Kiley was interested in the organization. It's  been a drastic change in the organization philosophy to really push for upside since Frank Wren left 12 months ago.

[biggentleben]

 

Top 100?  Wow.  That sure takes a lot of work (and does not leave many minor leaguers out   )

 

I had over 150 listed, but my editors didn't want me to go quite that deep. You'd be surprised how many guys I get asked about who aren't on the top 100 that someone is curious why they aren't on the list.

[biggentleben]

 

It is hard to believe that Banuelos is still only 24.

 

He's definitely a personal cheeseball of mine. I saw so much of that old form last year, and he's become much more of a pitcher than a thrower now as he's recovered from his surgery and subsequent setbacks.

[Thrylos]

 

I had over 150 listed, but my editors didn't want me to go quite that deep. You'd be surprised how many guys I get asked about who aren't on the top 100 that someone is curious why they aren't on the list.

 

This kinda blows my mind  

 

To explain:  The criteria to have someone as a prospect in my list are: a. not to have played in the majors and b. the season e.g. 2016 to be at most his age 26 season.

 

As far as the Twins go, they are 185 players (91 position players and 94 pitchers from the DSL to AAA) that satisfy that criteria.  This excludes the ones who retired, traded or were cut (about a dozen or so) There are a handful more who have not yet played with the organization but are eligible. 

 

So 150 is pretty much everyone in the organization but 10-15 people..

[biggentleben]

 

This kinda blows my mind

 

To explain:  The criteria to have someone as a prospect in my list are: a. not to have played in the majors and b. the season e.g. 2016 to be at most his age 26 season.

 

As far as the Twins go, they are 185 players (91 position players and 94 pitchers from the DSL to AAA) that satisfy that criteria.  This excludes the ones who retired, traded or were cut (about a dozen or so) There are a handful more who have not yet played with the organization but are eligible. 

 

So 150 is pretty much everyone in the organization but 10-15 people..

 

I go by the standards of most lists, which is basically all ages work as long as they haven't exceeded rookie limits, so that does add some. That said, when you get a team like the Yankees, they have 2 DSL teams, 2 GCL teams, an advance rookie league team, a low-A team, A-ball team, high-A, AA, and AAA. That's 10 teams worth of players. The Braves only have 7 teams, so it's a lot less guys to evaluate (thankfully). That said, I've reviewed roughly 150 hours of video to evaluate players for this list and my writing this year.

[brvama]

Nice job, Ben. I hope you excuse me for not wading into the entire list, but was interested in the top 20. I noticed you have several slated to arrive this next year. Are the Braves in a position of needing that many reinforcement from the minors?

Also, I wasn't aware that MLB teams, ie the Yankees, could have more MiLB teams than others. Seems that is, or could be, an unfair advantage.

[biggentleben]

 

Nice job, Ben. I hope you excuse me for not wading into the entire list, but was interested in the top 20. I noticed you have several slated to arrive this next year. Are the Braves in a position of needing that many reinforcement from the minors?
Also, I wasn't aware that MLB teams, ie the Yankees, could have more MiLB teams than others. Seems that is, or could be, an unfair advantage.

 

The Braves are picking #3 next June for a reason. A number of the guys mentioned have already made their major league debut. A good number are written as late-season call ups. I have a feeling the Braves will continue to move veteran pieces, which will open 40-man spots for guys like Gant, Ruiz, Thurman, and Sims to make late-season appearances. There are plenty of spots up for grabs in the spring, which is why I see Mallex Smith, Manny Banuelos, and Hector Olivera starting the season in Atlanta with Jenkins being the first AAA guy to fill in for an injury in the rotation.

[Mike Sixel]

Cool stuff.

[Mike Sixel]

My previous post was an understatement. Wow. That's an amazing amount of work.

[biggentleben]

 

My previous post was an understatement. Wow. That's an amazing amount of work.

 

Thank you. Obviously a passion of mine. I'd assume Seth has a similar feeling about Twins prospects.