2. Jeremy Hermida - OF - Florida Marlins - 22 (MLB)

 

Introduction: To a greater degree, you've seen this before. Your patient, left-handed hitting Georgian outfield has a cup of coffee that won't soon be forgotten. In Hermida's case, it was from hitting four home runs in 41 at-bats, including even having a flair for the dramatic. In 1998, it was five home runs in 36 at-bats, not to mention 15 hits. Back then, J.D. Drew was the next Mickey Mantle, the next Hall of Famer. Since then, Drew has had a career mixed with stardom, inconsistency and injury. Hermida's hoping to go 1-for-3.

 

Skillset/Future: Jeremy doesn't quite have the tools that Drew had after winning the Golden Spikes at FSU, but he certainly has the potential to exceed the career J.D. has had. At 6-4, 200 pounds, Hermida has room to add pretty significant power. He just turned that corner in 2005, hitting 22 home runs after belting out just 16 previously. In addition to the budding power, Hermida adds the minor league's best (bar none) batting eye: 117 walks. He's a very smart player that plays good outfield defense and is fantastic on the bases, stealing 67 bases at an 87% clip in his minor league career. The one concern with Hermida, like with Drew, will be his contact skills. He'll strike out more than 100 times annually in the Majors, and as a result, should see his average sit around .280-.290. But given everything else he brings to the table, this won't be a problem. In 2006, look for Jeremy to surpass the .242/.340/.424 line that Drew put up as a rookie. He might just win the Rookie of the Year while he's at it.

 

20. Scott Olsen - SP - Florida Marlins - 22 (AAA/MLB)

 

Introduction: The Marlins have added a lot of minor league prospects this winter as a result of their firesale. However, despite adding three top 40 talents, their top two remains in tact. Second on the Florida prospect list is Scott Olsen, one of the obvious steals of the 2002 draft. For his first three seasons in the Florida organization, Olsen kept his ERA between 2.80 and 3.00. He broke that tradition in 2005 with a 3.92 ERA in AA. While that generally would indicate a regression, Olsen both lowered his walk rate and struck out hitters at a better rate. There are a lot of good southpaws in the Marlin organization, but in five years, we could be saying that Olsen is the best.

 

Skillset/Future: Looking at Olsen's peripherals in the last four years is very interesting. While both his strikeouts and walks have improved, in each season, Scott's hit and home run rates have increased. How can a prospect's stuff obviously improve, yet he seemingly becomes easier to hit? As a guess, I will infer that Olsen is a master at pitching late in the count, mixing in his Major League caliber slider with a very good change up. However, early in the count, batters have probably found a lot of Olsen's favorite pitch: a mid 90s fastball that few southpaws can match. No matter what the problem has been, I would think it's a correctable one, though the HR/9 issue is a scary one. Florida will throw their next phenom into the fire this season, and his H/9 and HR/9 should go far in telling us what his future might look like. Elbow inflammation ended his season, so as with every pitching prospect, treat his stock carefully.

 

28. Yusmeiro Petit - SP - Florida Marlins - 21 (AAA)

 

Introduction: As Ricardo Gonzalez puts it over at Metsgeek, the key to Yusmeiro is "deception and location." These skills have been the driving influences behind Petit's success in pro baseball, as his scouting report isn't extremely favorable. Petit has always drawn comparisons to Sid Fernandez, both for his large frame and deceptive delivery. With each season of success, this comparison makes more and more sense.

 

Skillset/Future: As Ricardo said, the real key to Petit is control. And Yusmeiro has great control, probably the best of any pitcher in the minors. In 2005, he walked just 24 batters in more than 130 innings. This allows for some leeway in the H/9 category, though his deceptiveness (he hides the ball for a long time) has allowed opponents batting average to never be a problem. The biggest concern about Petit is that he allows a lot of home runs, and could be over 30 annually at the Major League level. Traded to the Marlins this winter, Florida must begin to teach Petit ways (a sinker?) to keep the ball on the ground. His future ERA depends upon it.

 

32. Anibal Sanchez - SP - Florida Marlins - 22 (AAA)

 

Introduction: "And in this corner, weighing in at 180 pounds, Anibal Sanchez!" What is Sanchez fighting for, you ask? Well, after breaking out in 2005, Sanchez is here to prove that short-season statistics should be considered seriously when we evaluate prospects. Not a lot of people had Anibal on their radar after 2004, despite a 1.77 ERA in the New York-Penn League. Those who saw his performance were not surprised that he broke out in 2005, as it had simply been a continuation of what he had shown in short-season ball. While prospects like Mitch Einertson fight to make the stats nearly worthless, Sanchez reminds us that every once in awhile, there is an actual diamond amidst all the cubic zirconia.

 

Skillset/Future: Coming from baseball's newest hotbed, Venezuela, Sanchez is like many of the pitchers we are seeing from there: short, stocky, and bringing a lot of heat. In Sanchez' case, he pitches at an even six-feet tall, but is still able to throw his fastball into the mid 90s. Better yet, he's good at controlling the pitch, issuing only 40 walks during the 2005 season. However, what has put Sanchez on the prospect map is a deceptive change up that Baseball America fell in love with at the Carolina League All-Star Game. Add in a curveball that I liked at the Futures Game, though it isn't great, and you begin to understand why Sanchez was a better haul than Hanley Ramirez. However, an injury history has to leave some room to temper expectations, which is why Sanchez' ranking is pretty conservative.

 

36. Hanley Ramirez - SS - Florida Marlins - 22 (AAA)

 

Introduction: What in the world is there left to expect of Hanley Ramirez. We have gone from thinking he was a budding superstar, to being convinced he was a bust. In 2004, he made us think he did have All-Star potential, before allowing us to back off that opinion in 2005. There has not been a more volatile player in minor league baseball the last three years than Ramirez. Because of that, and ongoing make-up issues that angered the organization, the Red Sox were quick to trade Ramirez to the Marlins this winter. The opposite of a player like Russ Martin, Hanley is firmly on the scouts side of the infamous scouts v. stats debate. Whether he ever joins the other side is a fact that we all remain quite skeptical of.

 

Skillset/Future: It seemed very unlikely a year ago that Hanley would be able to stay at shortstop, especially when Boston signed Edgar Renteria. I began to warm to that very idea, thinking that Ramirez would look great in center field. However, now moved to the Marlin organization, it's almost assured Ramirez will stay up the middle, where his defense will play at about average. His power is pretty non-existent, and at this point, expecting 20 home runs is pretty foolish. Hanley does make really consistent contact, and as a result, could be a .300 hitter in the Bigs. But, at this point it is unlikely he will ever walk very much, and his baserunning is too inconsistent to make him a threat at the top of a lineup. On a championship team, Ramirez is simply a seven or eight hitter that provides moments of greatness around a sea of mediocrity.

 

68. Gaby Hernandez - SP - Florida Marlins - 20 (A+)

 

Introduction: Following a third-round selection in the 2004 draft, Hernandez started to make noise in posting some silly numbers in the Gulf Coast League at 18. With expectations high, Hernandez was great in the South Atlantic League, proving the Mets were involved in a heist waiting until pick 74 to draft him. The word was that his stuff was more consistent after the draft, and there is no question that even since being drafted, Hernandez has thrown more onto the frame. However, he struggled mightily when being promoted to high-A, and with his stock pretty high, the Mets weren't too stupid to sell this winter. If the Marlins can keep Hernandez from preventing home runs, then they will be very happy with their acquisition, as well.

 

Skillset/Future: Very few players in the minor leagues allow fly balls at the rate that Hernandez does. This is very odd to me, given reports of a sinking fastball and an extremely low HR/9. Sooner or later, you have to worry, those balls are going to start going over the fence. Or, the Marlins must teach Hernandez a way to add tilt to his fastball. However, this can't come at the cost of his control, as Gaby doesn't make a ton of mistakes. And, as is the problem with all young pitchers, Hernandez simply needs to become more consistent from start-to-start. We'll find out how much of a scare his K/9 reduction is very soon, as Hernandez will likely head back to the Florida State League.

 

 

Honorable Mention: Chris Volstad - SP - Florida Marlins - 19 (A-)

 

Introduction: Every draft has the same argument, it seems. On one side, there is a prep pitcher with insane high school statistics. In this case, it was a senior season with 16 hits in 63 innings with 132 strikeouts. However, prior to this player, oftentimes you didn't know baseball existed in his state. In this case, Utah. On the other hand, you have a pitcher with less gaudy statistics. However, this player has been on draft boards for years, as a result of being the best in his state. And his state is known for baseball, often either Florida, Texas or California. In this case, Chris Volstad was Florida's best pitcher. The big states often produce the best results. I have had, and continue to have, Volstad as the best prep pitcher from the 2005 draft.

 

Future/Skillset: Part of being the top talent is being the most polished. And Volstad is just that. First, he already has the height to be a Major League pitcher, standing 6-7 at just 18. As Volstad adds weight to the frame, expect his fastball (low-to-mid 90s) to add velocity. Not only does that pitch have potential, but scouts saw a lot in all four pitches that Volstad throws. His ceiling isn't super-high, as Volstad will be the type that doesn't allow walks and generates ground balls more than swings and misses. However, there is a lot of room for error with a pitcher who -- at 18 -- walked just 15 in 65 innings, allowing one home run. Of course, with pitchers, we know that kind of error could be caused.

Surprised that Hanley Ramirez is trashed so much yet still ends up in the top 40, and that Gaby Hernandez makes it over Volstad (who B.A. named the #1 prospect in the NY Penn League).

 

Odd.

Do you have a link to the full list?

Surprised that Hanley Ramirez is trashed so much yet still ends up in the top 40, and that Gaby Hernandez makes it over Volstad (who B.A. named the #1 prospect in the NY Penn League).

 

Odd.

 

 

 

I was thinking the same thing as I read that description. A guy with no power, no ability to get walks, avg. def, and a bad attitude? Does that sum it up? Imagine being ranked after this guy! What on earth do they like about this guy and why would they ever rank him.

 

My guess is half the scouts love him and half absolutely think he will be a bust.

 

I'd love to see the entire list

this is the complete list:

 

1. Delmon Young - OF - Tampa Bay Devil Rays

2. Jeremy Hermida - OF - Florida Marlins

3. Brandon Wood - SS - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

4. Prince Fielder - 1B - Milwaukee Brewers

5. Francisco Liriano - LHP - Minnesota Twins

6. Stephen Drew - SS - Arizona Diamondbacks

7. Carlos Quentin - OF - Arizona Diamondbacks

8. Matt Cain - RHP - San Francisco Giants

9. Andy Marte - 3B - Boston Red Sox

10. Billy Butler - OF - Kansas City Royals

11. Chad Billingsley - SP - Los Angeles Dodgers

12. Ryan Zimmerman - 3B - Washington Nationals

13. Justin Verlander - RHP - Detroit Tigers

14. Jon Lester - LHP - Boston Red Sox

15. Alex Gordon - 3B - Kansas City Royals

16. Conor Jackson - 1B - Arizona Diamondbacks

17. Lastings Milledge - OF - New York Mets

18. Ian Stewart - 3B - Colorado Rockies

19. Felix Pie - OF - Chicago Cubs

20. Scott Olsen - LHP - Florida Marlins

21. Joel Guzman - SS/3B - Los Angeles Dodgers

22. Jon Papelbon - RHP - Boston Red Sox

23. Joel Zumaya - RHP - Detroit Tigers

24. Jarrod Saltalamacchia - C - Atlanta Braves

25. Andy LaRoche - 3B - Los Angeles Dodgers

26. Daric Barton - 1B - Oakland Athletics

27. John Danks - LHP - Texas Rangers

28. Yusmeiro Petit - RHP - Florida Marlins

29. Chris Young - OF - Arizona Diamondbacks

30. Nick Markakis - OF - Baltimore Orioles

31. Anthony Reyes - RHP - St. Louis Cardinals

32. Anibal Sanchez - RHP - Florida Marlins

33. Brian Anderson - OF - Chicago White Sox

34. Thomas Diamond - RHP - Texas Rangers

35. Howie Kendrick - 2B - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

36. Hanley Ramirez - SS - Florida Marlins

37. Russ Martin - C - Los Angeles Dodgers

38. Jeremy Sowers - LHP - Cleveland Indians

39. Adam Miller - RHP - Cleveland Indians

40. Homer Bailey - RHP - Cincinnati Reds

41. Adam Loewen - LHP - Baltimore Orioles

42. Dustin Pedroia - 2B/SS - Boston Red Sox

43. Jeff Clement - C - Seattle Mariners

44. Neil Walker - C - Pittsburgh Pirates

45. Adam Jones - OF - Seattle Mariners

46. Phil Hughes - RHP - New York Yankees

47. Edison Volquez - RHP - Texas Rangers

48. Hayden Penn - RHP - Baltimore Orioles

49. Cole Hamels - LHP - Philadelphia Phillies

50. Craig Hansen - RHP - Boston Red Sox

51. Gio Gonzalez - LHP - Philadelphia Phillies

52. Jason Kubel - OF/DH - Minnesota Twins

53. Elijah Dukes - OF - Tampa Bay Devil Rays

54. Kendry Morales - 1B/OF - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

55. Troy Patton - LHP - Houston Astros

56. Garrett Mock - RHP - Arizona Diamondbacks

57. Eric Duncan - 1B - New York Yankees

58. Javi Herrera - OF - Oakland Athletics

59. Jeff Mathis - C - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

60. Scott Elbert - LHP - Los Angeles Dodgers

61. Adam Lind - OF - Toronto Blue Jays

62. Ian Kinsler - 2B - Texas Rangers

63. Jeff Niemann - SP - Tampa Bay Devil Rays

64. Jonathan Broxton - RHP - Los Angeles Dodgers

65. Dustin McGowan - RHP - Toronto Blue Jays

66. Carlos Gonzales - OF - Arizona Diamondbacks

67. Asdrubal Cabrera - IF - Seattle Mariners

68. Gaby Hernandez - RHP - Florida Marlins

69. Jason Hirsh - RHP - Houston Astros

70. Chuck James - LHP - Atlanta Braves

71. Eddy Martinez-Esteve - OF/DH - San Francisco Giants

72. Chuck Tiffany - LHP - Tampa Bay Devil Rays

73. Fernando Nieve - SP - Houston Astros

74. Jered Weaver - SP - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

75. Andre Ethier - OF - Los Angeles Dodgers

 

HM. Elvis Andrus - SS - Atlanta Braves

HM. Erick Aybar - 2B/SS - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

HM. Wes Bankston - 1B - Tampa Bay Devil Rays

HM. Josh Barfield - 2B - San Diego Padres

HM. Ryan Braun - 3B - Milwaukee Brewers

HM. Reid Brignac - SS - Tampa Bay Devil Rays

HM. Eric Campbell - 3B - Atlanta Braves

HM. Cesar Carillo - RHP - San Diego Padres

HM. Christian Garcia - RHP - New York Yankees

HM. Justin Huber - 1B - Kansas City Royals

HM. Matt Kemp - OF - Los Angeles Dodgers

HM. George Kottaras - C - San Diego Padres

HM. Cameron Maybin - OF - Detroit Tigers

HM. Andrew McCutchen - OF - Pittsburgh Pirates

HM. Miguel Montero - C - Arizona Diamondbacks

HM. Matt Moses - 3B - Minnesota Twins

HM. Dustin Nippert - RHP - Arizona Diamondbacks

HM. Hunter Pence - OF - Houston Astros

HM. Mark Rogers - RHP - Milwaukee Brewers

HM. Ricky Romero - LHP - Toronto Blue Jays

HM. Marcus Sanders - 2B - San Francisco Giants

HM. Ryan Shealy - 1B - Colorado Rockies

HM. Troy Tulowitzki - SS - Colorado Rockies

HM. Merkin Valdez - RHP - San Francisco Giants

HM. Chris Volstad - RHP - Florida Marlins

 

You can find the complete reports on each player here:Baseball Analysts if you click on the link and scrool down.

I'm surprised that Lester is both that high and ranked ahead of Papelbon.

I'd give my left nut for Liriano. Liriano/Train would be a SICK combo.

I'd give my left nut for Liriano. Liriano/Train would be a SICK combo.

 

 

We had our chance with the Castillo deal. Sure, I'd rather have Liriano than Bowyer anyday, but Beinfest wasn't able to pry him away.

I'd give my left nut for Liriano. Liriano/Train would be a SICK combo.

 

 

We had our chance with the Castillo deal. Sure, I'd rather have Liriano than Bowyer anyday, but Beinfest wasn't able to pry him away.

 

Liriano is completely untouchable.

unless we were trading them willis we werent getting lirano

 

 

as for lester he is a lefty and papelborn keeps being talked about more and more as a future "pen arm" perhaps setup or closer. Where Lester seems dead set for a rotation slot.

Brian Sabean is a dumbass...he traded Liriano, Joe Nathan, and Boof Bonser (who was second in AAA in strikeouts last year) for a worthless, clubhouse cancer, poor defensive, hacking catcher in AJ Piershitski

I'd love to see Anibal have a better start than Lester--make me feel better about that trade.

 

Sorry but why isn't Jacobs on this list? Is he no longer considered a prospet?

Brian Sabean is a dumbass...he traded Liriano, Joe Nathan, and Boof Bonser (who was second in AAA in strikeouts last year) for a worthless, clubhouse cancer, poor defensive, hacking catcher in AJ Piershitski

 

Not to be confused with the World Series champion and quality hitter AJ Pierzynski

Brian Sabean is a dumbass...he traded Liriano, Joe Nathan, and Boof Bonser (who was second in AAA in strikeouts last year) for a worthless, clubhouse cancer, poor defensive, hacking catcher in AJ Piershitski

 

Not to be confused with the World Series champion and quality hitter AJ Pierzynski

 

he isnt considered one of the best defensive catchers in the league or nothing.

Brian Sabean is a dumbass...he traded Liriano, Joe Nathan, and Boof Bonser (who was second in AAA in strikeouts last year) for a worthless, clubhouse cancer, poor defensive, hacking catcher in AJ Piershitski

 

Not to be confused with the World Series champion and quality hitter AJ Pierzynski

 

he isnt considered one of the best defensive catchers in the league or nothing.

 

 

not like we have any good catchers either, why take a smack at AJ?