MLB.com's Top 50. Gamel #23, Jeffress #44, & Escobar @ #8!

by Giants_Junkie on Dec 4, 2008 3:04 PM CST Comment 37 comments

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/prospects/y2009/

MLB.com has been rolling out their Top 50 Prospects for 2009 this week...with #50-#11 posted so far, and the Top 10 coming tomorrow. So far, The Brewers have 2 of the top 40 in Gamel @ #23 and Jeffress @ #44 (LaPorta, btw, is @ #14...ouch). I'm thinking that might be it for the Brew Crew...despite how I like Salome & Escobar, I don't see either of them in the Top 10. Still 2 of 40 is pretty solid since if all 30 teams had equal representation there'd only be room for 1.666667 per organization.

What do you all think of these rankings (if you care) and do you agree, disagree, or ___? Curious also what you think the roles & arrival times (to FT status) of your top few prospects might be next season. I've been following Gamel for a couple years and have high hopes, for his bat at least! (*Disclaimer: I have Gallardo, Braun & Gamel on my NL-only fantasy squad...*)

PS - you'll see from my TagLine that I'm a Giants fan (I grew up in the SF Bay Area), but the Brewers are another favorite of mine...love the fact that they develop players internally and succeed without the $$$$ payroll.

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Escobar will be top ten.

by HRF on Dec 4, 2008 11:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I mean, plus plus defense with the potential for plus offense AT Shortstop? He’s top ten.

by HRF on Dec 4, 2008 11:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right you are.

He is number 8.

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

by NoahJ on Dec 5, 2008 9:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I sit corrected.

Seriously, that’s awesome. I expected him to be in the 20-40 range, so when I didn’t see him there, I thought perhaps he had been overlooked by the pundits @ MLB.com.

In any case, congratulations to the Brewers. Three in the top 50 is killer, and I have much admiration for the Milwaukee system. Both your near- and long-term future is very, very bright.

Giants: World Series Champions...in 2011.

by Giants_Junkie on Dec 5, 2008 11:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I for one

thought Komatsu was going to be ranked #1.

by Magellan on Dec 5, 2008 8:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

What about Carlos George? His defense alone should get him close to top 10.

by Supertramp on Dec 5, 2008 9:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Escobar

I couldn’t tell by looking at that tiny video window, but are those his two major league hits? You’d think they’d show some defense. I know there are a couple video clips from spring training at least.

I have to think he’ll have some ups and downs hitting considering he lost playing time in the VWL for not hitting.

by ol Pete on Dec 5, 2008 11:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The video for him seemed more in line with showing/talking about his bat catching up with the D.

Speaking of the videos, I for one am reminded just how much of a vintage pitcher Jeffress looks like with that delivery of his. If I were at the plate, and he buzzed me off the plate with a 100mph fastball, I’d tell the catcher screw that, and walk to the bench!

by Lavender on Dec 5, 2008 11:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jeffress’ video is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. That delivery’s deceptive as all fuck too.

by HRF on Dec 5, 2008 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I"m struck by the length of his arms.

by ol Pete on Dec 5, 2008 5:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So, when does Escobar get a chance to play? (And other questions.)

How will the infield shape up (shift) if AE gets the call early in 09? You may have had a post (or several) here before, but I’m relatively new to the Brew Crew Ball group and I’m curious what you see: any chance we see a fearsome foursome of Prince / Hardy / Escobar / Gamel before the end of the season?

Personally, I’d like to see the Brewers package Hall / Weeks — which could be an attractive pair for a lot of teams — and try to land a top-of-the-rotation starter, which is where I see the team’s most significant weakness. And who closes after Torres’ retirement: Julio? Coffey? Villanueva? Riske? Yeah, y’all are pretty stacked offensively but the pitching seems suspect.

Giants: World Series Champions...in 2011.

by Giants_Junkie on Dec 5, 2008 4:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

if they could package Hall and Weeks for a top of the rotation guy

i have to believe they would do it. I don’t think there will be a trade of any significant position player unless a 1-2 level pitcher is the result. If no trades are made, I’d guess that Escobar starts the year at AAA to get consistent at bats. If he does join the team early in 09 I’d guess it would be as a bench guy. If Weeks is traded, 2nd base, if Hardy, SS.

I’d also guess that closer will be a tryout sort of deal and there is still a chance that an established closer is picked up late in free agency given the weak market for them. I’m not really worried about the bullpen. I do think that a quality starter is needed.

by ol Pete on Dec 5, 2008 5:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pssstttttradecameronputrickieincenterescobaratshorthardyatsecondforopeningdaypsssssssstttttt

by HRF on Dec 5, 2008 5:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

if they're going to try Rickie in center

he’d need a half season or so to learn it. Does he have options left to go to AAA? There is a significant chance that he will never be able to play the position regardless. Andpsssssssttthardyatssandescobaratsecond

by ol Pete on Dec 5, 2008 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not nearly as up or hopeful on the Brewers next year as some are so I’m more than willing to do moves this year that would result in a punt if they fall apart. And, depending upon what one could get for Fielder, I’d trade him as well.

Butpsssssstttttwouldntescobarmakemoresenseatshortbecauseoftheaddedrangeorwouldthatrangemakemoresensenexttofieldersfatass

by HRF on Dec 5, 2008 6:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The gist of what was cut off is

orwouldthatrangemakemoresensenexttofieldersfatasspssssttt

by HRF on Dec 5, 2008 6:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

how long do you think it'll take

before the Brewers might be in playoff contention?

And if next year is a no real chance year, why keep Hardy at all? Bush is in arby, might as well cut him loose. See how much of Suppan’s salary has to be absorbed and consider trading him. Really, other than Braun, Gallardo and Parra, anything that isn’t cheap ought to be up for trade.

There is a lot more that goes into staffing decisions than range.

by ol Pete on Dec 5, 2008 7:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not really on topic, but this interesting

Suppan and his 3 VORP last year, plus declining k/9 and k:bb rates, make him a replacement starter this year and next. Would it be smart to just dump him to someone, even if you have to pay half his salary, and just plug in a replacement guy for him?

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Dec 5, 2008 9:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

DM would have thought of that if he hadn't shaved his mustache.

I have an unreasonable dislike of Bill Hall.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 6, 2008 8:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Can we agree to call that pitcher with the 3 VORP “Junkballer Jeff” from here on out?

by HRF on Dec 6, 2008 9:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't completely given up on 09

and frankly, I don’t think many here have either; their just insulating themselves from CC going elsewhere, the predictably lackluster moves that would follow, and a potential 10 win fall back so it doesn’t hurt as much if it happens.

But if 09 does turn out to be a regression in the standings, I think they could contend in 2010. I don’t think we’re looking at a 3 year downward trend.

I have an unreasonable dislike of Bill Hall.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 6, 2008 8:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

One year. Punt 09, be ready in 10.

by HRF on Dec 6, 2008 9:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I tend to agree with HRF.

but that will involve trading one or more of Hardy, Fielder, Weeks, so moves will Probably happen slowly, perhaps at not until the 2009 trade deadline.

How much does increasing our offer to CC by 1 year, $10mil increase our chances of signing him? If CC is still talking about the Brewers then maybe he really did like it here.

Also, if not CC, why not Derek Lowe? Put a left side of Hardy and Escobar behind him and it’d look pretty good, I bet. I don’t know. Just an idea.

"Nothing is working right now with a lot of the guys. We're trying to see pitches and see what we can do. ... I'm not going to sit there and walk, though. I'll eventually find it, and hopefully we'll still be in it." -Corey Hart

by baumann on Dec 7, 2008 1:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fielder and Weeks wouldn’t be the ideal infield mates to pair with Lowe but I think they’d be offset defensively by Al and JJ. I’d also move Weeks to CF but that’s another story.

I’d trade any of Hardy, Weeks and Fielder if it meant young, no. 2-level, cost controlled pitching coming back in return. But who wouldn’t.

by HRF on Dec 7, 2008 1:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

he has to be willing to come here

maybe all the chatter is BS, but it sounds like he wants to pitch for Boston or somewhere else out east. You’re also bidding against NY and maybe Boston as well as others.

by ol Pete on Dec 7, 2008 7:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with a variation on this

I don’t think we should get rid of anything that could help in ‘10 to try to improve the team now— so no on dealing Gamel or Esco for a pitcher, or something like that. But if they could get a few riskier guys on one-year commitments, like Sheets, Randy Johnson, Erik Bedard, you’d have the possibility of them performing well and maybe sneaking into the playoffs. If they suck, you let them walk next year and you still have all the tools to make a run in ’10.

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Dec 7, 2008 9:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m fine with this.

I would, however, like to see Fielder traded. The whole old player skills thing scares me. As always, young, cost controlled, number 2 pitching must come back.

by HRF on Dec 7, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you probably won't get Sheets, Johnson or Bedard

So Gamel, Esco, Braun, Weeks in CF and Gallardo. Parra is going to AAA I think to work on his walk rate. Then you have what you can get for Hardy, Hall, Fielder, Hart and miscellaneous. That’s the plan supposedly.

I’d say ’11 or ’12… maybe…

by ol Pete on Dec 7, 2008 6:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What?

I don’t think Parra is in AAA ever again, unless he’s on a rehab assignment. If his BB rate is over 5, then it’s a problem, but it’s in the 4s and I think it’ll decrease a bit. There are a lot of effective pitchers with walk rates in the high 3s and low 4s.

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Dec 7, 2008 6:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, there is NO way Parra goes to AAA.

Why would you do it in a year which, for all intents and purposes, is going to be more of a re-tooling year where you’re basically just looking to get really lucky.

Besides all that the one big thing the Brewers need, more than the left-handed bat they are talking about, is starting pitching. Right now, Parra looks to be our number 2 starter behiund Gallardo. Why make another hole by sending one of your best pitchers to the minor leagues after a full year in the majors.

If anyone should go to AAA it should be Suppan.
I’ve got The Show: 08, and in my career mode the upper management sent Soup to AAA. It made me so happy.

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

by NoahJ on Dec 7, 2008 9:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I send him to AA in Franchise Mode

Bullpen, long relief, of course.

It’s funny that you can trade him and Dave Bush for someone like Scott Kazmir.

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Dec 7, 2008 9:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I traded Bill Hall.

Straight up. For Tim Lincecum.

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

by NoahJ on Dec 7, 2008 10:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In MLB 2K5

You could do this:
Chad Moeller → Andy Pettite
Andy Pettite→ John Smoltz
John Smoltz—> Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay—> Johan Santana

In short:
Chad Moeller—> Johan Santana

And in ’07 The Show, you could trade Mike Rivera or Johnny Estrada for just about anyone in the game because the position adjustments were way off. A decent catcher had huge overall ratings, I think Josh Bard was ranked ahead of Jake Peavy for the Padres.

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Dec 8, 2008 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Weird strikethrough thing

Andy Pettite, anyway. Evidently the Astros coveted Chad Moeller in that game for some reason.

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Dec 8, 2008 10:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

wow

What a crazy thought. I wonder if Suppan has an option left.

by ol Pete on Dec 9, 2008 12:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not my idea

I know this will be hard to believe, but I was being sarcastic.

by ol Pete on Dec 9, 2008 12:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why would you have to trade Hardy and Fielder?

by HRF on Dec 7, 2008 7:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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St. Louis Viva El Birdos	91	71	.561	0	Lost 6
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