John Sickels Top 100 Prospects

[Hanleylicious]

1) Alex Gordon, 3B, Kansas City Royals

 

2) Delmon Young, OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

 

3) Phil Hughes, RHP, New York Yankees

 

4) Matt Garza, RHP, Minnesota Twins

 

5) Brandon Wood, SS, Los Angeles Angels

 

6) Mike Pelfrey, RHP, New York Mets

 

7) Jay Bruce, OF, Cincinnati Reds

 

8) Homer Bailey, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

 

9) Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies

 

10) Justin Upton, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

 

11) Jose Tabata, OF, New York Yankees

 

12) Andy LaRoche, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

13) Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

 

14) Adam Miller, RHP, Cleveland Indians

 

15) Luke Hochevar, RHP, Kansas City Royals

 

16) Yovanni Gallardo, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

 

17) Adam Lind, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

 

18) Cameron Maybin, OF, Detroit Tigers

 

19) Billy Butler, OF, Kansas City Royals

 

20) Elvis Andrus, SS, Atlanta Braves

 

21) Fernando Martinez, OF, New York Mets

 

22) Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

 

23) Andrew Miller, LHP, Detroit Tigers

 

24) Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

25) Adam Jones, OF, Seattle Mariners

 

26) James Loney, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

27) Scott Elbert, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

28) Tim Lincecum, RHP, San Francisco Giants

 

29) Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

 

30) Kevin Slowey, RHP, Minnesota Twins

 

31) Eric Hurley, RHP, Texas Rangers

 

32) Hunter Pence, OF, Houston Astros

 

33) John Danks, LHP, Texas Rangers

 

34) Troy Patton, LHP, Houston Astros

 

35) Reid Brignac, SS, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

 

36) Josh Fields, 3B, Chicago White Sox

 

37) Elijah Dukes, OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

 

38) Travis Buck, OF, Oakland Athletics

 

39) Jason Hirsh, RHP, Houston Astros

 

40) Craig Hansen, RHP, Boston Red Sox

 

41) Ian Stewart, 3B, Colorado Rockies

 

42) Chris Iannetta, C, Colorado Rockies

 

43) Nick Adenhart, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

 

44) Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Boston Red Sox

 

45) Matt Albers, RHP, Houston Astros

 

46) Chuck Lofgren, LHP, Cleveland Indians

 

47) Franklin Morales, LHP, Colorado Rockies

 

48) Chris Young, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

 

49) Humberto Sanchez, RHP, Detroit Tigers

 

50) Brandon Erbe, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

 

51) Colby Rasmus, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

 

52) Ryan Braun, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers

 

53) George Kottaras, C, San Diego Padres

 

54) Clay Buchholz, RHP, Boston Red Sox

 

55) Donald Veal, LHP, Chicago Cubs

 

56) Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

 

57) Miguel Montero, C, Arizona Diamondbacks

 

58) Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP, Colorado Rockies

 

59) Wade Davis, RHP, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

 

60) Lance Broadway, RHP, Chicago White Sox

 

61) Garrett Olson, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

 

62) Chris Volstad, RHP, Florida Marlins

 

63) Kory Casto, 3B-OF, Washington Nationals

 

64) Joel Guzman, OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

 

65) Michael Bowden, RHP, Boston Red Sox

 

66) Radhames Liz, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

 

67) Gio Gonzalez, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies

 

68) Aaron Thompson, LHP, Florida Marlins

 

69) Sean West, LHP, Florida Marlins

 

70) Eric Campbell, 3B, Atlanta Braves

 

71) Justin Huber, 1B-OF, Kansas City Royals

 

72) Erick Aybar, SS, Los Angeles Angels

 

73) Jeff Clement, C, Seattle Mariners

 

74) Travis Wood, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

 

75) Pat Neshek, RHP, Minnesota Twins

 

76) Scott Lewis, LHP, Cleveland Indians

 

77) Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston Red Sox

 

78) Brandon Morrow, RHP, Seattle Mariners

 

79) Brad Lincoln, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

 

80) Jacob McGee, LHP, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

 

81) Carlos Carrasco, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

 

82) Will Inman, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

 

83) Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

 

84) Travis Snider, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

 

85) Bill Rowell, 3B, Baltimore Orioles

 

86) Trevor Crowe, OF, Cleveland Indians

 

87) Dexter Fowler, OF, Colorado Rockies

 

88) Gaby Hernandez, RHP, Florida Marlins

 

89) Matt Harrison, LHP, Atlanta Braves

 

90) Blake DeWitt, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

91) Hank Conger, C, Los Angeles Angels

 

92) Nolan Reimold, OF, Baltimore Orioles

 

93) Chris Parmalee, OF, Minnesota Twins

 

94) Scott Thorman, 1B, Atlanta Braves

 

95) Sean Gallagher, RHP, Chicago Cubs

 

96) Francisco Cruceta, RHP, Seattle Mariners

 

97) Tyler Clippard, RHP, New York Yankees

 

98) Joe Koshansky, 1B, Colorado Rockies

 

99) Stephen Marek, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

 

100) Juan Gutierrez, RHP, Houston Astros

 

Article first appeared 12/6/06

 

Rotowire.com

 

 

One of the first lists I've seen with a few guys from this years Amateur Draft

[Fishfan79]

Dukes at 37, interesting list. They are high on tabata I think. But it is interesting.

[TSwift25]

Did anyone else double take when they saw Pelfrey and Martinez that high?

[Hanleylicious]

Martinez moreso than Pelfrey, but yeah.

 

In my estimation, Hochevar is a little high too

[My3Username]

Did anyone else double take when they saw Pelfrey and Martinez that high?

 

Pelfrey is like 9-13 sots to high but I think Martinez belongs where he is.

 

Guys who I believe are to high in his list are Lind, Miller, Slowey, Kottaras, Clippard, Cruceta, Liz, Olson, Thompson, and Marek

[Fishfan79]

why is clippard even on the list?

surprised garcia didnt make the list

[Hanleylicious]

why is clippard even on the list?

 

 

Because he's a good pitching prospect, lol.

 

If I'm not mistaken, he tossed a no-no this year too.

[TSwift25]

Also, anyone find it interesting that Young qualifies as a prospect, yet Milledge doesn't.

[Ramp]

prob has something to do with time in the majors maybe

[Fishfan79]

why is clippard even on the list?

 

 

Because he's a good pitching prospect, lol.

 

If I'm not mistaken, he tossed a no-no this year too.

I see him as a 4-5 in the majors at most. :thumbdown

[Hanleylicious]

why is clippard even on the list?

 

 

Because he's a good pitching prospect, lol.

 

If I'm not mistaken, he tossed a no-no this year too.

I see him as a 4-5 in the majors at most. :thumbdown

 

I don't really know how you can say that, than again, I remember you rattling off about 8 pitching prospects that you thought to have higher ceilings than Phil Hughes. I think you've got a beef with Yankees prospects :lol

 

Clipp's 20 years old, is still growing into his frame, and throws 2 plus pitches

 

A mid 90's fastball, and a + curve, both of which,I've read, he's able to spot impeccably (sp?)

 

He's like 6'4'' and weights 170 or 180, as he fills out it's anyones guess how many ticks he can add to his fastball

 

Add a halfway decent change or slider, and he can be a good Top/Middle of the rotation starter behind Hughes and whoever else.

 

If nothing else, he'll be a reliable arm in the back half of their pen.

[bobbob1313]

I don't really know how you can say that, than again, I remember you rattling off about 8 pitching prospects that you thought to have higher ceilings than Phil Hughes. I think you've got a beef with Yankees prospects :lol

 

Clipp's 20 years old, is still growing into his frame, and throws 2 plus pitches

 

A mid 90's fastball, and a + curve, both of which,I've read, he's able to spot impeccably (sp?)

 

He's like 6'4'' and weights 170 or 180, as he fills out it's anyones guess how many ticks he can add to his fastball

 

Add a halfway decent change or slider, and he can be a good Top/Middle of the rotation starter behind Hughes and whoever else.

 

If nothing else, he'll be a reliable arm in the back half of their pen.

 

This post is amazing.

 

You go from saying "He's way better than a 4/5 pitcher" to saying "IF he becomes a better pitcher, he'll be a middle of the rotation guy" to saying "He might just be a bullpen arm".

 

John Kruk can't even put out that kind of analysis.

[Fishfan79]

why is clippard even on the list?

 

 

Because he's a good pitching prospect, lol.

 

If I'm not mistaken, he tossed a no-no this year too.

I see him as a 4-5 in the majors at most. :thumbdown

 

I don't really know how you can say that, than again, I remember you rattling off about 8 pitching prospects that you thought to have higher ceilings than Phil Hughes. I think you've got a beef with Yankees prospects :lol

 

Clipp's 20 years old, is still growing into his frame, and throws 2 plus pitches

 

A mid 90's fastball, and a + curve, both of which,I've read, he's able to spot impeccably (sp?)

 

He's like 6'4'' and weights 170 or 180, as he fills out it's anyones guess how many ticks he can add to his fastball

 

Add a halfway decent change or slider, and he can be a good Top/Middle of the rotation starter behind Hughes and whoever else.

 

If nothing else, he'll be a reliable arm in the back half of their pen.

 

 

Actually I am a yankees fan and I think hughes has good potentials as a pitcher but I dont think Clipp does really. I think Clipp will end up a 4-5/ pen arm from what I have seen of him. I dont think he should be a top 100 prospect.

[Hanleylicious]

I don't really know how you can say that, than again, I remember you rattling off about 8 pitching prospects that you thought to have higher ceilings than Phil Hughes. I think you've got a beef with Yankees prospects :lol

 

Clipp's 20 years old, is still growing into his frame, and throws 2 plus pitches

 

A mid 90's fastball, and a + curve, both of which,I've read, he's able to spot impeccably (sp?)

 

He's like 6'4'' and weights 170 or 180, as he fills out it's anyones guess how many ticks he can add to his fastball

 

Add a halfway decent change or slider, and he can be a good Top/Middle of the rotation starter behind Hughes and whoever else.

 

If nothing else, he'll be a reliable arm in the back half of their pen.

 

This post is amazing.

 

You go from saying "He's way better than a 4/5 pitcher" to saying "IF he becomes a better pitcher, he'll be a middle of the rotation guy" to saying "He might just be a bullpen arm".

 

John Kruk can't even put out that kind of analysis.

 

 

 

 

I never said "He's way better than a 4/5 pitcher" I simply said, I don't know how you can pass judgement on a young pitcher, of a mere 20 years in age who hasn't even filled into his frame yet and still has a developing arsenal. All things considered, he's got the projectability to become a TOP/Middle of the rotation starter, not a "BACK of the rotation starter AT BEST", which is what I respectfully disagreed with.

 

Notice the "If Nothing Else", when used in front of the words "reliable arm in the back half of their pen". This was an implication on my part, that IF, for whatever reason, He doesn't develop a third pitch, he can go into a role where he can utilize the two plus pitches he already possesses. However, I don't see Tyler Clippard, at 20 years old, not developing a third pitch- whether it be a change or slider or what-have-you. It was simply a hypothetical, which seemed to go over your head.

 

Afterall, these (or any) prospect ratings, are based on projectability, not 100% on where they are now- or else guys like Tabata, Andrus, etc. wouldn't be listed.

[Mark]

Did Sickels forget that Sanchez was involved in the Sheff trade? Probably just a simple mistake.

[Marlins2003]

Just like so many other of these kinds of lists, BJ Upton has become a non-entity, so far has he fallen in the eyes of those who judge minor league talent. Ditto the Fab 50 list which he once was #1. And Sickels doesn't come across as a guy with an axe to grind. You might disagree with his assessment here or there but you can usually expect straight talk from the guy.

[Fishfan79]

upton has too much major league time to be on the lists

[Marlins2003]

upton has too much major league time to be on the lists

 

If you go to Sickels' website and look at his list of top 20 Tampa Bay prospects for 2006, Upton was nowhere to be seen. Sickels had already written him off in the sense he found twenty players better in the organization, which is not to say he won't be a ML player. or is without skills. Not totally down on him, gives him some props but sees talent moving past him quickly thus (I surmise) his absence from this list.

 

And he only came up about three weeks before Delmon Young who is on the list.

[The_Godfather]

upton has too much major league time to be on the lists

 

If you go to Sickels' website and look at his list of top 20 Tampa Bay prospects for 2006, Upton was nowhere to be seen. Sickels had already written him off in the sense hefound twenty players better in the organization,

 

I'd bet 100 bucks on this not being true. Sickels did not include him because he is not eligible, too much playing time in MLB. No way in hell the Rays have 20 better prospects than Upton.

[Marlins2003]

upton has too much major league time to be on the lists

 

If you go to Sickels' website and look at his list of top 20 Tampa Bay prospects for 2006, Upton was nowhere to be seen. Sickels had already written him off in the sense hefound twenty players better in the organization,

 

I'd bet 100 bucks on this not being true. Sickels did not include him because he is not eligible, too much playing time in MLB. No way in hell the Rays have 20 better prospects than Upton.

 

 

Upton was still in the minors when this was written. He wasn't called up until August 1st. This was published July 4th.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2006/7/4/183057/5440

 

It was Sickels choice who to include and what his definition of a prospect was. Upton did play a bit in 2004, although none in 2005 and not in 2006 until being called up.

[Ramp]

I gotta agree with Godfather here (never go against the family), Upton isnt on the list because he has too much major league time

[FutureGM]

Man, Ian Stewart has really fallen. A year or more ago he was in the Top 10 prospects in the game.

 

Jeff Clement is also way too low, especially considering he's argueably the best catching prospect around.

[Sirspud]

Man, Ian Stewart has really fallen. A year or more ago he was in the Top 10 prospects in the game.

 

Jeff Clement is also way too low, especially considering he's argueably the best catching prospect around.

 

What are the chances of Stewart even cracking the Rockie's roster anytime soon? He's blocked by the two best players on the Rockies, assuming he could move to first.

[MarlinsLou]

I gotta agree with Godfather here (never go against the family), Upton isnt on the list because he has too much major league time

This is just 03 typing more irrational hatred towards the D-Rays.

 

It's absolutely obvious that is the reason why he isn't on the list.