1. Chuck Lofgren, P, Kansas City RoyalsHeading the list is left hander Lofgren. Lofgren has a solid repertoire of four pitches, a low 90's fastball, a spike curve, a changeup (his best pitch) and a developing slider. None of his pitches stand out as plus-plus pitch but all are solid-strong. He has a very clean delivery and has the ability of throwing all of his pitches for strikes. Last year Lofgren progessed a great deal and he will probably move to AA next season.
2. Dellin Betances, P, New York Yankees
About six months prior to the 2006 MLB draft Betances was my favorite pitching prospect in the draft. Betances struggled with consistency in his senior season which led many to believe he was going to attend college and scared me away. He signed with the Yankees and looks like a great pick by the Braves. Betances stuff has the best potential of anyone in the system. His fastball sits in the mid 90's and he has a low 80's curve. His third pitch is a developing change, with all three pitches at plus or developing plus. Keeping his mechanics clean will be the challenge for this tall youngster.
3. Kyle Drabek, P, Philadelphia Phillies
Drabek goes to the mound with a nasty first two pitches. The first is an unhittable spike curve that is in the lower 80's range and the second is a mid 90's fastball. Through high school Drabek did not require a third pitch but he started working on a change in the fall and it is showing the ability to be an average or better pitch. Drabek has a clean compact delivery. I placed Betances higher on this list because he has been more successful so far, and I believe he is further from his ceiling then Drabek is.
4. Thomas Diamond, P, Texas Rangers
Diamond probably led this list a year ago, but more questions have been raised about him over the last year. Diamond has low 90's fastball that he throws high in the zone, and a plus change that is a nice constrasting pitch to his fastball. His third pitch is a developing slider that he started to toss last year. Diamond is seen as a potential #3 workshorse starter, but he really struggled last year to throw strikes and more mature hitters worked him to long counts which meant he only averaged 5 innings a start. If he does not improve his control then he will probably become a closer.
5. Tyler Lumsden, P, Kansas City Royals
Rating Lumsden at this level is not consistent to my own beliefs, but I decided to give the benefit of the doubt to the publications that are out there. Lumsden has a clean delivery that allows him to throw three quality pitches, a low 90's fastball, a 12-6 curve and a changeup. Nothing really shines as being potential plus, but he is a solid overall package. Lumsden will go to AAA next year and may appear in the Royals rotation next year.
6. Jordan Tata, P, Detroit Tigers
Tata is not an overpowering pitcher but instead works the plate to get hitters out. He throws a low 90's cut fastball and has an above average knuckle curve. Tata is currently working on adding a slider, but that project is far from being successful. He has a clean delivery, but has alot for warts including average stuff, nothing to get lefties out, and average command for a pitcher who needs to be a control pitcher. I believe his future is as a middle reliever, though he may sit in AAA for a couple years while attempting to crack the Tigers rotation.
7. Colten Willems, P, Washington Nationals
Willems is a second strong selection in the 2006 draft by the Braves, who has the ability to move into the top 3 group with Lofgren, Betances, and Drabek. He has a perfect pitchers body and currently has a clean delivery and a plus fastball that sits in the low to mid 90's. He currently has a mid 80's slider as his second pitch but it still requires some work to become a plus pitch. The biggest concerns for Willems is his change up is average and he has already had to be shut down with mild arm issues. Willems will attempt to become a starting pitcher for the Braves, but if that is not successful it is easy to see his stuff work as a closer.
8. Matt LaPorta, 1B, NCAA (Florida)
It is always very difficult to figure out where to squeeze in a college or high school player, but I figured this was a safe place for LaPorta. Some would think LaPorta could have been higher since he is the top rated college senior, but lets remember that after his junior season he was still only a 14th round selection by Boston. He also could have been lower but the guys below him have only proven they have huge holes in their game. LaPorta fell to the 14th round for two reasons, an injury caused a bad junior year where he pressed too hard, and boras is his agent. LaPorta has one plus tool and that is extreme power. So far this year LaPorta is having a very good senior season and he should go in the first couple rounds of the June draft.
9. Jason Place, OF, Boston Red Sox
Place is a toolsy outfielder that has the range to play center and the arm to play right. He brings a complete offensive package that has the ability to hit for power as well as the ability to steal a good number of bases. The challenge that Place has is that he is a very agressive hitter which means he does not walk much and that just does not produce usable strat cards. A great example of that, and probably Place's ceiling, is Jeff Francouer. So far in 1.5 years Fancouer has only become a bat against lefties (which is not that great this year) and a defensive substitution.
10. Justin Orenduff, P, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Braves minor league system seems to consist of four very good prospects, five good prospects and then alot of question marks. Orenduff is the first question mark. At his best he looks like a back of the rotation innings eater with a upper 80's low 90's fastball, very good slider and below average change. He struggles to get lefties out and struggles to meet expectations on command. The biggest concern is 2006 was a waste due to injuries. I do not see Orenduff going up on this list and believe that if he makes the majors it will be in the bullpen.
Best of the Rest: Ryan Harvey, OF, Chicago Cubs
Sleeper: Greg Golson, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
Next Up: Winchester Cannons
1 comment:
Chuck Lofgren has been with the Cleveland Indians since he was drafted in 2004. He is the #3 prospect with the Indians organization. How can he also be the #1 prospect with the Braves?
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