Top 10 Prospects - Blue Ox

The Bangor Blue Ox have an interesting minor league system. It is not deep and is lacking many “blue chip” prospects (they have one), but it has about 10-12 prospects that are all pretty much have the same type of potential...which makes it really difficult to place them. For example, the guy who is #9 could have easily been #2.

1. Ryan Braun – 3B – Milwaukee Brewers
Braun is easily the top choice on this list. Braun was a 1st round pick in 2005 and brings a nice complete offensive package. He has a quick bat that will produce both consistent contact and power. Braun also has a patient enough approach at the plate and he is slightly above average on the bases. The biggest challenge for Braun is his defense and it is questioned whether he can stay at 3rd or move to the outfield. He is moving fast so expect him to get carded either in 2008 or 2009 cardsets.

2. Ubaldo Jimenez – P – Colorado Rockies
Now is when the list gets crazy. As I stated, any of the remaining top 10 could have been placed here but I went with the guy that is ready for the majors. The good news about Jimenez is that he has a scary 3-plus pitch package led by a fastball that touches 98. The bad news is that he has mechanical issues that cause inconsistency and injuries (historically).

3. Brandon Jones – OF – Atlanta Braves
Brandon Jones brings a nice all around package where he will not be great at any one thing but should be solid to good in everything. Jones should hit for an average in the .270 range with a walk every 10 Abs and enough power to be a third or fourth outfielder. I expect he could be a consistent 20-20 guy with solid defense. This is not spectacular, but he gets number 3 because he is getting close to being ready for the majors.

4. Ian Kennedy – P – New York Yankees
Kennedy is a control pitcher that will induce a huge number of ground balls when he makes the majors. Lets just hope ARod can field them. Kennedy has excellent command but only throws his fastball in the upper 80’s. His best pitch is probably his changeup which causes the grounders. He needs to work on his third pitch and really spot his pitches to hit his ceiling as a #4-5 starter. He should move to the majors quite quick.

5. Ricky Romero – P – Toronto Blue Jays
Romero is a clone of Kennedy but a lefty instead of a righty. Romero is a control pitcher that has fastball a couple ticks faster then Kennedy’s. His outpitch is the changeup which has strong downward movement. His third pitch is a curve that needs work. Kennedy got the nod over Romero due to better control and the fact I think the Yankees will move him faster.

6. Eric Campbell – 3B – Atlanta Braves
Back in 2004 I was a big fan of Eric Campbell and unfortunately he has not progressed as I would have hoped. Campbell is a very aggressive hitter that makes alot of contact on the ball. What this means is he has hit well for both average and power, but his tools are not explosive so the power may not keep up. With aggression comes a lack of walks which is not good for the strat card. Campbell is an average defender and will probably see a position change due to Chipper Jones and Van Pope.

7. Yusmeiro Petit – P – Florida Marlins
I have never been a Petit fan, which is probably why he falls here...beating out two guys that have not pitched in the minors yet and one guy that is injured. Petit brings to the mound four average pitches. A high 80’s fastball and solid slider, curve and change. He consistently produces in the minors but I question if he will in the majors.

8. Dallas Buck – P – Arizona Diamondbacks
Buck is a very interesting story. Coming out of high school he was a loose cannon that threw hard. He goes to Oregon and becomes a control pitcher with only average stuff. He then is expected to go in the first round, leads Oregon to a championship and slips to the third round. The reason why is he is a high injury risk. The upside potential is many think Buck will get some of his power back after a surgery. If he does the fact he has learned to pitch is a good thing.

9. Merkin Valdez – P – San Francisco Giants
Valdez may be the most talented player on this list. He throws a plus mid 90’s lively fastball and also has an above average changeup. Valdez has struggled to find a plus third pitch, which probably limits him to the bullpen. The big challenge with Valdez is health. His mechanics are not good and he has not pitched much since 2003 because of injuries.

10. Jordan Walden – P – NCAA
The worst thing for Walden is probably publications like Baseball America. At the beginning of the last year Walden was rated the top high school prospect because he throws hard (upper 90’s). Walden’s largest problem is that he has inconsistent mechanics which always scares teams away because of command and injury issues. Add in the fact he committed to Texas and he fell in the draft. Walden wants to play in the minors which is why he went to JC, but he also wants 1st round money. He probably will only get that if he throws great numbers and removes the concern of secondary offerings and consistency. If he does, he could move to #2 on this list OR he could become another Merkin Valdez.

Best of the Rest: Jason Donald – SS – Philadelphia Phillies
Sleeper: David DiNatale – P – Toronto Blue Jays
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