A new project: Community Prospect Rankings

by Kyle Lobner on Dec 17, 2008 12:00 PM CST

As has been noted several times recently, it's time to update the prospect list on the left sidebar. I've kicked around several methods to do it, but at the end of the day I'd rather have your opinion. After all, this site is a community, so let's work together to rank our top Brewer prospects.

Here's the plan I have in mind: Every weekday for the next seven weeks (taking a week off for Christmas), we'll have a poll here on the site where you can vote for the top remaining prospect. Today, we present the five nominees for #1 prospect. Tomorrow, we'll announce a winner and present the top five nominees for #2. We will continue that way until the top 30 prospects have been named.

So, with that said, here are the five nominees for #1:

Mat Gamel, 3B

Rankings:
Brewerfan.net Power 50: 1
John Sickels: 1
Baseball Prospectus: 3

Age: 23
Seasons in minors: 4
Top level reached in 2008: Major Leagues

2008 Statistics:
Milwaukee (NL): 2 AB, .500/.500/1.000
Nashville (AAA): 21 AB, .238/.305/.381
Huntsville (AA): 508 AB, .329/.395/.537

Alcides Escobar, SS

Rankings:
Brewerfan.net Power 50: 2
John Sickels: 2
Baseball Prospectus: 1

Age: 22
Seasons in minors: 5
Top level reached in 2008: Major Leagues

2008 Statistics:
Milwaukee (NL): 4 AB, .500/.500/.500
Huntsville (AA): 546 AB, .328/.363/.434

Jeremy Jeffress, RHP

Rankings:
Brewerfan.net Power 50: 3
John Sickels: 4
Baseball Prospectus: 4

Age: 21
Seasons in minors: 3
Top level reached in 2008: AA

2008 Statistics:
Huntsville (AA): 14.2 IP, 5.52 ERA, 1.91 WHIP
Brevard County (A+): 79.1 IP, 4.08 ERA, 1.34 WHIP

Brett Lawrie, C

Rankings:
Brewerfan.net Power 50: 6
John Sickels: 3
Baseball Prospectus: 2

Age: 18
Seasons in minors: 0
Top level reached in 2008: Canadian Olympic Team

Did not appear in the minors in 2008

Angel Salome, C

Rankings:
Brewerfan.net Power 50: 4
John Sickels: 6
Baseball Prospectus: 5

Age: 22
Seasons in minors: 5
Top level reached in 2008: Major Leagues

2008 Statistics:
Milwaukee (NL): 3 AB, .000/.000/.000
Huntsville (AA): 367 AB, .360/.415/.559

Poll

Who is the Brewers' #1 prospect?

Mat Gamel

119 votes

Alcides Escobar

152 votes

Jeremy Jeffress

15 votes

Brett Lawrie

10 votes

Angel Salome

5 votes

301 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Very good idea KL......

Nice work.

It is dangerous for an athlete to believe his own publicity, good or bad - Bob Uecker, 1982.

by Adam P on Dec 17, 2008 12:18 PM CST reply actions

I really am excited for this.

Phenomenal idea, KL! I think this will be a fun thing to do and discuss, especially once we get past the top 4 or 5 and really see different opinions on who should be where.

Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9

by NoahJ on Dec 17, 2008 12:24 PM CST reply actions

Looks like after this voting is done

prospect will be a foregone conclusion.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 17, 2008 2:13 PM CST reply actions

ha

that was formatted really weird.

I meant: “The number two prospect will be a foregone conclusion.”

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 17, 2008 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

It's true.

Of course, with voting this close, it’s possible we’ll have a tie for first and move straight on to third.

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by Kyle Lobner on Dec 17, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

but then we'll have to have a tie-breaker vote!

this is so complicated…

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 17, 2008 3:05 PM CST up reply actions

I think I'd just accept a tie.

Although an overly elaborate run-off voting process could be fun.

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by Kyle Lobner on Dec 17, 2008 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

once the process is over in Minnesota

maybe all the lawyers could go to Iowa and haggle with you over the intention of unclear ballots.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 17, 2008 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

Escobar surge

Gamel had a pretty healthy lead earlier when I checked.

I vote that you enact an electoral college process for the voting. Break up everyone by geographic location and set it all up. We need to safeguard this process from the uninformed mob. Ties get thrown to to a vote of the moderators and ‘contributors’.

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Dec 17, 2008 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

Gamel has had a pretty notable lead twice now

Only to have about a dozen Escobar votes come in at a time.

I’m always intrigued to watch how polls unfold here. The voting usually swings strongly one way immediately after the poll is released, then back to the middle over the following day or so. Leads me to wonder if our “regulars” and our “casuals” disagree on some things.

Also, Rambling Al mentioned our poll, and endorsed Escobar. So that could’ve caused a bump too.

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by Kyle Lobner on Dec 17, 2008 6:18 PM CST up reply actions

I see that

Even though I voted for Escobar, why does he have to do it like that? It’s like he feels as if he’s a Brewer employee at times and has the inside information, and everyone who disagrees is wrong.

This is an interesting project. Makes everyone think about the prospects and actually make a decision. Hopefully Cub fans don’t come and spam vote Salome to the top prospect :)

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Dec 17, 2008 6:30 PM CST up reply actions

wouldn't be all bad

if the Cubs fans showed up and started reading what we’re saying about our prospects, maybe they’d start overvaluing Brewers prospects as much as they already overvalue Cubs prospects!

Nah…

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 17, 2008 6:31 PM CST up reply actions

Voted Escobar for defense at a tough position.

If Gamel can become even a league average fielder at 3B, though, I think he’ll pan out better.

---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by Jack Moore on Dec 17, 2008 2:33 PM CST reply actions

Angel Salome/Hector Villanueva

Does anyone else think that Salome is another Hector Villanueva? Spherical body, ostensibly good hitter, defense need not apply? If we’re talking about dealing a prospect for something (Peavy), I’d think he’d be a good candidate to go. Thoughts?

by senryu on Dec 17, 2008 5:21 PM CST reply actions

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