Top 30 PuRPs Poll

1. Christian Friedrich
2. Jhoulys Chacin
3. Tyler Matzek
4. Hector Gomez – I Just wish he could stay healthy
5. Esmil Rodgers
6. Tim Wheeler
7. Wilin Rosario
8. Eric Young Jr.
9. Rex Brothers – Would rank higher if he was being treated as a starter.
10. Cole Garner
11. Samuel Deduno
12. Michael McKenry
13. Casey Weathers
14. Charlie Blackmon
15. Chris Nelson
16. Delta Cleary
17. Kiel Roling
18. Parker Frazier
19. Chris Balcom-Mille
20. Nolan Arenado
21. Juan Nicasio
22. Keith Weiser
23. Brandon Hynick
24. Joseph Massey
25. Chaz Roe
26. Ben Paulson
27. Joe Saunders
28. Kent Matthes
29. Shane Lindsay
30. Daniel Mayora

READ AND LEARN people. (I’m kidding.)

1. Tyler Matzek – David OhNo’s fantastic column should have sold most of you, but I was already right with him.
2. Christian Friedrich – He’s been a buzzsaw this year with a legit strikeout pitch.
3. Jhoulys Chacin – Maybe not quite as much upside as we’d hoped, but still pretty damn good.
4. Esmil Rogers – These four and Ubaldo in the 2012 rotation? Pinch me
5. Wilin Rosario – Was just starting to put it together at Modesto before injury. Still has upside through the roof.
6. Hector Gomez – Speaking of upside… if healthy I think he’s a rich man’s ‘09 Barmes.
7. Eric Young, Jr. – Speed never slumps. If he were a real utilityman he’d already be in Denver.
8. Chris Balcom-Miller – Yep. Guys just don’t do what he’s doing in the Pioneer League.
9. Tim Wheeler – Not dominating at Tri-City, but showing the tools that made him a first rounder
10. Michael McKenry – He’ll be a nice upgrade as a backup catcher perhaps as soon as next year
11. Nolan Arenado – The arm will play at third, the bat, anywhere. Could have an Atkins-like prime, but longer.
12. Casey Weathers – TJ isn’t a death sentence. If he comes back strong, he’ll be in Denver in 2010.
13. Rex Brothers – He might be, too.
14. Juan Nicasio – Quietly having a stellar year. Wasn’t even on my radar at the beginning, but he sure is now.
15. Chris Nelson – I’m not giving up. I like his bat better than Gomez’s.
16. Chaz Roe – Not sure what to make of him, and really haven’t ever been, but having a good go in Tulsa.
17. Samuel Deduno – Needs a call up, and innings, this September. We need to find out what we have here.
18. Brandon Hynick – Good organizational arm with a chance to be a steady fifth starter.
19. Parker Frazier – I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s a Top 12 guy in a year.
20. Charlie Blackmon – Tools are there, would like to see him pushed a bit.
21. Cole Garner – Love the power, but I’m still not sold on his ability to be a good big league hitter.
22. Kiel Roling – Little worrisome that he’s the best 1B prospect in the system, but he flat rakes.
23. Darin Holcomb – He’s turned in on in the second half enough to stay on my list for now.
24. Delta Cleary – Disappointing numbers this year, but we can’t forget just how raw he is.
25. Ben Paulsen – I think he’s got a big-league caliber plate approach, but I want to see some results
26. Cory Riordan – Still has good stuff and has settled in after a rough beginning of the season
27. Mike Zuanich – Could be a 30-homer guy in the Cal League next year and really move up prospect lists
28. Craig Baker – I could be underrating him here, he’s been nails for Modesto
29. Shane Lindsay – I’m still a believer if only he can stay healthy. Stuff’s too good to cast aside yet.
30. Jordan Pacheco – My favorite utility prospect in the system.

Apologies to the last five out: Kent Matthes, Tyler Massey, Bruce Billings, Edgmer Escalona, and Matthew Reynolds. And apologies to the Dominican leaguers and the international signings – I just don’t feel comfortable ranking any of them before they get to the States and see Casper for the first time.

1. Tyler Matzek
2. Jhoulys Chacin
3. Christian Friedrich
4. Esmil Rogers
5. Hector Gomez
6. Eric Young, Jr — speed kills
7. Casey Weathers — that goes for the radar gun too
8. Willin Rosario
9. Michael McKenry — McKenry IMO will have a better career than Rosario, but there is less upside
10. Chris Nelson — still like him, despite the myriad injuries
11. Chris Balcom-Miller
12. Samuel Deduno
13. Rex Brothers
14. Tim Wheeler
15. Nolan Arenado
16. Juan Nicasio
17. Charlie Blackmon
18. Parker Frazier
19. Kiel Roling
20. Chaz Roe
21. Delta Cleary
22. Mike Zuanich — I’m a sucker for power
23. Cole Garner
24. Parker Frazier
25. Shane Lindsay
26. Edgmer Escalona
27. Alving Mejias
28. Rosel Herrera
29. Kent Matthes
30. Ben Paulsen

1. Christian Friedrich
2. Tyler Matzek
3. Jhoulys Chacin
4. Hector Gomez
5. Casey Weathers (gambling that he’ll come back strong)
6. Eric Young Jr.
7. Wilin Rosario
8. Rex Brothers
9. Michael McKenry
10. Esmil Rogers
11. Charlie Blackmon
12. Chris Nelson
13. Chris Balcom-Miller
14. Samuel Deduno
15. Edgmer Escalona (fight me if you must, but I love this guy)
16. Cole Garner
17. Delta Cleary
18. Tim Wheeler
19. Mike Zuanich
20. Juan Nicasio
21. Nolan Arenado
22. Ben Paulsen
23. Chaz Roe
24. Bruce Billings
25. Matthew Reynolds
26. Aaron Weatherford
27. Brandon Hynick
28. Parker Frazier
29. Kiel Roling
30. Jordan Pacheco

1) Tyler Matzek P – I don’t usually change my mind, but Ohno’s post convinced me. Ace stuff.
2) Jhoulys Chacin P – He’s still raw, as we saw at the MLB level. He never really had command problems in the minors, but the MLB changes things. He’s still absolutely dominant though, has close to an ace-#2 ceiling, and the strikeouts he had in the MLB level convinced me he’s going to be something special.
3) Christian Friedrich P – That curveball is filthy. Plain and simple. Also can be an ace, much like Adam Wainwright, but the fact that he’s still in Modesto at 22 concerns me a tad. Should be killing Tulsa now.
4) Esmil Rogers P – The command and stuff he showed at Tulsa convinced me he could be at least a #4 starter at the MLB level, if not a #3, but I’m a little weary since he hasn’t transitioned to thin air well.
5) Willin Rosario C – The way that he succeeded in making such a crazy jump (raked in June and July, with plus defensive skills) makes me a believer that he can be a solid starting catcher.
6) Eric Young Jr 2B – He hits, walks, improves his defensive work, has the best speed in the minors, there’s no reason as to why he shouldn’t at least challenge Barmes for the starting job next year. He has a good floor, and should be a solid second baseman. If his defense fails, he can always be Chone Figgins 2.0.
7) Hector Gomez SS – He’s extremely toolsy, has amazing defense work, but can’t walk and is relying on his skills to purely hit, which isn’t working out too well. Has a very low floor, but a really high ceiling keeps him up here.
8) Mike McKenry C – Solid bat, amazing catching defensive skills, upside of an average catcher with good power, downside, he’s one of the those great defense backup catchers.
9) Tim Wheeler OF – Not a great transition, but you don’t doubt the first round talent that can show up at any time. Probably going to break out the bat next year.
10) Rex Brothers P – The K/9 proves his plus stuff, his stuff is playing out well in the bullpen, and is probably on the list of future closers. I want to see him start though, because he has that ability.
11) Casey Weathers P – Yeah, he’s having surgery, but most guys come back stronger, and Weather was very close to being an MLB level contributor. That fastball-slider combo was unbelievable watching, especially in the Futures Game.
12) Chris Balcom-Miller P – Probably the best pitcher in the Pioneer League, looking like has no flaws. Aaron Cook upside here, with that insane groundball ratio.
13) Juan Nicasio P – His stock has dropped a tiny bit with a couple of poor outings, and that’s already 22, but the stuff is there, he’s showing plus command, with the BB/9 and K/9 there to prove it.
14) Chris Nelson 2B – His bat was finally working, his defense there, and looking to overthrow Barmes/EY2. The wrist injury got him, but I still like him tons, and is young at 23.
15) Nolan Arenado 3B – He’s absolutely raking at the ripe age of 18 at Casper. Power probably won’t show until later, but it’s looking like he may be the premier 3rd base prospect we have the in the minors.
16) Brandon Hynick P – He’s shown that he’s MLB ready, and has plus command. Stuff isn’t that great, but when you create splits with GO rates in Home/Away, you have pretty special command of your pitches. I like him as a solid BOR starter, with long man duties not out of the question.
17) Darin Holcomb 3B – He’s showing the polished bat in Tulsa, and made the Sally-Texas league jump successfully. Being a bad body athlete may hurt him in the majors, but I kind of see him being a solid corners bench player. He’s a solid fielder, from what I’ve seen and heard.
18) Sam Deduno P – He’s not exactly young (26), but has a great 3 pitch repertoire (sinking fastball, slider, changeup), has an outside chance at the rotation, but likely ends up being a great contributor to the bullpen.
19) Charles Blackmon OF Solid guy, hits for high average, has good speed, play good defense, future 4th outfielder.
20) Scott Robinson OF – I don’t get this guy. He flashes power the past two years, with low average, but then turns into a prototypical leadoff guy. He has good upside, but needs to improve the BB/K ration, which is plain awful. He is toolsy.
21) Kiel Roling 1B – Love the power. Hate the BB/K ratios.
22) Joey Williamson P – I don’t why people don’t like him: He strikes out enough people, he cut down his walk rate every year, and is successively transitioning to a starter role, though I don’t why they’re doing it. Stuff-wise, he could be a serviceable reliever or a BOR starter.
23) Cole Garner OF – Getting older, but reestablished himself as a prospect, finally hitting for power and getting rid of the K’s. The walk rate still sucks though, which may hurt him in the Majors, but he Is sure athletic enough.
24) Shane Lindsay P – I refuse to give up on him- his stuff is filthy, and he has never lost it. He transitioned well to Double A, and should be a set-up reliever in the Majors.
25) Chaz Roe P – Another guy I don’t completely. His plus stuff is disappearing fast, but he’s shown improvement with the stats. Still young at 22, and be a reliever or a BOR starter, though I’m optimistic.
26) Delta Cleary OF – A toolsy outfielder that held his own at the Sally league at 19 years old. Tremendous upside, but a very low floor and lack of results keeps him from going higher.
27) Parker Frazier P – Another young starter who is finally getting results. Has solid stuff and is projectable.
28) Ethan Hollingsworth P – Solid guy who’s shown a lot of improvement going into higher A ball.
29) Matt Reynolds P – Not a lot of velocity, but good secondary stuff and dominant relief stats lead me to believe he is a future LOOGY.
30) Rossel Herrera SS – He may be the best SS prospect in the Rockies system soon: he has really high upside and is our best Dominican signing this year.

1. Jhoulys Chacin
2. Christian Friedrich
3. Tyler Matzek
4. Rex Brothers
5. Tim Wheeler
6. Esmil Rogers
7. Eric Young
8. Michael McKenry
9. Darin Holcomb
10. Chris Balcom-Miller
11. Hector Gomez
12. Casey Weathers
13. Nolan Arenado
14. Charlie Blackmon
15. Juan Nicasio
16. Chris Nelson
17. Daniel Mayora
18. Wilin Rosario
19. Samuel Deduno
20. Brandon Hynick
21. Chaz Roe
22. Cole Garner
23. Delta Cleary
24. Jordan Pacheco
25. Kiel Roling
26. Scott Robinson
27. Rob Scahill
28. Matt Reynolds
29. Shane Lindsay
30. Alving Mejias

I won’t go ahead and explain these, but if anybody does want an explanation, I’ll be happy to provide them.

No time for long explanation, but I value proven minor league results more than the rankings by the online “prospect expert” rating services. “Show me” is my take on it, unfashionable as that may be. Thus:

1.Chacin
2. Friedrich
3. Matzek
4. Young Jr.
5. Balcom-Miller (only a little “show me”, but quite a show)
6. Roe
7. Garner
8. Blackmon
9. Brothers
10. Rosario
11. Gomez
12. McKenry
13. Wheeler
14. Nicasio
15. Hynick
16. Roling
17. Pacheco
18. Deduno
19. Arenado
20 Robinson
21 Arenado
22 Clark
23 Zuanich
24 Rogers
25. Field
26. Weathers
27. Nelson
28. Holcomb
29. Matt Miller
30. Cleary

1 Jhoulys Chacin
2 Christian Friedrich
3 Tyler Matzek
4 Rex Brothers
5 Esmil Rogers
6 Eric Young, Jr.
7 Mike McKenry
8 Charlie Blackmon
9 Brandon Hynick
10 Matt Reynolds
11 Casey Weathers
12 Joey Williamson
13 Chaz Roe
14 Craig Baker
15 Chris Balcom-Miller
16 Charlie Ruiz
17 Nolan Arenado
18 Tim Wheeler
19 Darin Holcomb
20 Scott Robinson
21 Mike Zuanich
22 Kiel Roling
23 Juan Nicasio
24 Ramoncito Garcia
25 Wes Musick
26 Dan Perkins
27 Rob Scahill
28 Jared Clark
29 Avery Barnes
30 Kent Matthes

1 Eric Young Jr (Why? His defense has improved, he’s an offensive force, has tons of speed, and is compared as a slight to Chone Figgins…who is an All-Star.)
2 Jhoulys Chacin (Solid middle of the rotation prospect as soon as 2 week from now)
3 Esmil Rogers (will complete for a starter spot next year)
4 Christian Friedrick (has improved since being drafted)
5 Tyler Matzek (all hype, hasn’t thrown a pitch for money yet)
6 Mke McKenry (will be the Rockies back up C next year)
7 Will Rosario (could be the Rockies starter in 2 years)
8 Hector Gomez (not a good year for Hector)
9 Brian Hynick (close to helping, not a star)
10 Chris Balcom-Miller (REALLY great start)
11 Casey Weathers (complete crap shoot. TJ could actually help him in the long run, but sets back in short run)
12 Chaz Roe (I still like his upside, still young-ish for Tulsa)
13 Sam Deduno (I think he will be with the Rockies next year)
14 Rex Brothers (has moved up nicely. will they both make it?)
15 Chris Nelson (still young enough to rebound from injuries)
16 Parker Frazier (underrated. Young, has done well at every level so far)
17 Edgmer Escalona (could be in the Rockies pen next year)
18 Shane Lindsey (should have been in the Rox pen this year)
19 Cole Garner (seems solid with potential but aging)
20 Charles Blackmon (nice numbers each step)
21 Nolan Arenado (good start, could move up list fast)
22 Matt Reynolds (future LOOGY)
23 Kiel Roling (some numbers good, some not so good, Young enough to get a point or 2)
24 Darrin Holcomb (has an outside chance to make the bigs as corner backup)
25 Matt Miller (will compete for a MLB bench job next year)
26 Delta Cleary (I doubt will see the bigs, but has raw talent)
27 Christian Colonel (will compete for a MLB job next year)
28 Juan Nicasiro (I have no idea who this guy is..but he’s on a lot of ballots)
29 Tommy Baumgardner (future possible LOOGY)
30 Mike Zuanich (power numbers look nice)

1 Tyler Matzek
2 Jhoulys Chacin
3 Christian Friedrich
4 Esmil Rogers
5 Wilin Rosario
6 Mike McKenry
7 Eric Young Jr
8 Rex Brothers
9 Casey Weathers
10 Hector Gomez
11 Chris Balcom-Miller
12 Samuel Deduno
13 Tim Wheeler
14 Nolan Arenado
15 Juan Nicasio
16 Cole Garner
17 Brandon Hynick
18 Chris Nelson
19 Parker Frazier
20 Chaz Roe
21 Charlie Blackmon
22 Kiel Roling
23 Delta Cleary
24 Cory Riordan
25 Darin Holcomb
26 Shane Lindsay
27 Jordan Pacheco
28 Matt Reynolds
29 Joey Williamson
30 Jared Clark

Is it weird that I feel bad for the people that did not make this list?

1. Tyler Matzek
2. Christian Friedrich
3. Jhoulys Chacin
4. Esmil Rogers
5. Willin Rosario
6. Rex Brothers
7. Mike McKenry
8. Casey Weathers
9. Hector Gomez
10. Eric Young Jr.
11. Chris Balcom-Miller
12. Nolan Arenado
13. Charlie Blackmon
14. Tim Wheeler
15. Cole Garner
16. Samual Deduno
17. Chris Nelson
18. Shane Lindsay
19. Keil Roling
20. Juan Nicasio
21. Chaz Roe
22. Brandon Hynick
23. Parker Frazier
24. Matthew Reynolds
25. Darin Holcomb
26. Delta Cleary Jr.
27. Aaron Weatherford
28. Edgmer Escalona
29. Alvin Mejias
30. Ben Paulsen

1. Tyler Matzek – With his tools, he’s here until he shows he shouldn’t be
2. Jhoulys Chacin – Impressed in the bullpen work @ MLB level. Struggles in one start an anomaly
3. Christian Friederich – Behind Chacin only due to age factor
4. Esmil Rogers – #4 on this list nothing to be ashamed of
5. Eric Young, Jr. – Next month the projections start to give way to performance
6. Willin Rosario – The bat will get him there. The glove may determine when.
7. Rex Brothers – With this guy (s?) as our third pick, this looks like a hell of a draft
8. Casey Weathers – TJ question drops him behind Brothers, but if he comes back 100%, potential plus closer
9. Charlie Blackmon – Gonzalez/Fowler/Blackmon OF in the Rox future?
10 Chris Balcom-Miller – Early in his career, but dominating
11 Brandon Hynick – Not the spectacular prospect some others are, but steady
12 Hector Gomez – Could land almost anywhere on this list eventually, or injuries could take him off
13. Michael McKenry – Should get to Colorado ahead of Rosario, but eventually looks like the #2 guy
14. Tim Wheeler – Production hasn’t caught up to tools. Yet.
15. Nolan Arenado – Great addition to an org a little short on corner IF prospects
16. Samuel Deduno – Just wish he was 21
17. Juan Nicasio
18. Chris Nelson
19. Cole Garner
20. Chaz Roe
21. Kiel Rolling. Hometown boy. Great bat. But is there a place for him in the field?
22. Edgmer Escalona
23. Matt Reynolds
24. Parker Frazier (Will dad have to leave the booth if he makes the big club? If so, I’m his biggest fan)
25. Delta Cleary
26. Mike Zuanich
27. Ben Paulsen
28. Scott Robinson
29. Shane Lindsay
30. Joey Williamson

The last week-plus has been a non-stop whirlwind of activity here and it isn’t slowing down again for another week or two. Finally getting my experiments going in the lab, but that means I have to be there 10+ hours a day, 5-6 days a week.

This list is more or less how excited I am about these prospects, weighing what I have read on this site over the last several months, comments people have made about them, and what I have seen in box scores, along with a little looking at minor league numbers. I may have missed a couple, but I think I have a decent list. I added a little blurb about most to explain. I think most of my top 5 could be a #1, and would be in many systems. DOD and the scouting/player development department has built some real depth here!

1. Tyler Matzek – I liked what David OhNo wrote, and it pushed him from #4 to #1.
2. Jhoulys Chacin – We caught a glimpse of him in the BP, I think he has more upside than he has shown yet in MLB.
3. Christian Friedrich – Strike out machine wit ha nasty curve. Our rotation with him, Ubaldo, Matzek and Chacin… talk about a rotation! Lefty, righty, lefty, righty too!
4. Eric Young Jr. – He is our most MLB ready prospect. I don’t think his ceiling is as high as some of the others, but his floor is a lot higher too. I love his speed and bat, hope his D keeps coming along, but don’t think it is as bad as some make it out to be.
5. Esmil Rogers – Great arm, would like to see him soon. Thought he could have been called up when Chacin was brought up instead for a bullpen spot.
6. Samuel Deduno – Ditto above (Rogers) but slightly lower on the totem pole.
7. Willin Rosario – Best catching prospect in system in terms of ceiling. Great D, and the bat has been coming along.
8. Rex Brothers – Great compensation for Fuentes, especially considering Brian’s numbers and scouting reports this year (diminishing velocity, every stat but saves is deteriorating)
9. Tim Wheeler – Also a good pick this year. 3 of top 10 are first round picks this year! I like his Steve Finley ceiling I have heard about and feel he will break out of his struggles.
10. Mike McKenry – I hear he has a higher floor than Rosario, but a lower ceiling. Still a good catching prospect from a system that has not had many successful ones.
11. Chris Balcom-Miller – I love what he has done this year since being drafted, and I am a sucker for sinkerballers. He has an MLB future I think. Just missed top 10.
12. Casey Weathers – Would be higher if not for arm troubles. Could be lower because of them. Hope he comes back just as strong if not stronger, then I will raise him up my list.
13. Cole Garner – I am high on this kid after reading about his upside recently in a post. Holliday comparisons (numbers wise in AA) have me sold, even though Holliday had “poor” numbers there.
14. Nolan Arenado – I did not like this pick when I first read about him. Slow/duck footed is not something I like to read. I love speed and defense. But after seeing his performance since signing and looking at his young age, I am liking this guy more and more.
15. Hector Gomez – I strongly considered dropping him lower on this list because of injury issues, but if he can stay healthy I love his upside.
16. Charlie Blackmon – Another outfielder who has been performing well. Did I mention I love speed and defense? I also like high batting average guys, though this can be a mirage in the minors. I would be interested to see line drive stats.
17. Delta Cleary Jr. – It seems like I see his name every time there is a minor league report.
18. Darin Holcomb – He has had good numbers in the past and is coming on strong once he learned AA. A little nervous about the “bad body” label, but has anyone else seen Sandoval? That isn’t exactly HEALTHY. Link below shows fat guys can play too, they are just harder to kidnap.

19. Matt Reynolds – Screams LOOGY, and they are useful for a good bullpen.
20. Keil Roling – Great bat, can he improve on D?
21. Juan Nicasio – Has had a solid year, and I love it when the control is there at a young age. I HATE walks from pitchers.
22. Chaz Roe – With a name like Chaz he has to be good. Seriously though, he has some good numbers and is only 22.
23. Brandon Hynick – Has had some impressive numbers in minors and is close to the show… high floor makes up for lower ceiling.
24. Shane Lindsay – Great stuff could move him higher, has done well in AA.
25. Edgmer Escalona – Pitched well in A ball, and seems to have some great stuff.
26. Chris Nelson – This makes me sad, that this number one pick has fallen this low. Great tools, hope he can move back up the list but I am not sold on his ceiling being as high as it once was.
27. Parker Frazier – Has done well in minors, has grown up around the game. Shown good stuff and control.
28. Kent Mathes – I like this outfielder and the way he played early on. He has slowed a bit, but once he gets used to the dog days, I can see him having a more complete season.
29. Mike Zuanich – POWER seems to be what most people like about him, and I am a sucker for the long ball.
30. Alvin Mejias – Dominican representative, I also have a hard time ranking them without knowing too much about them.

1. Jhoulys Chacin
2. Christian Friedrich
3. Brandon Hynick
4. Esmil Rogers
5. Tyler Matzek – lots of challenges before he pitches in Coors, like facing professionals
6. EY Jr
7. Casey Weathers
8. Chris Balcom-Miller
9. Charlie Blackmon
10. Cory Riordan
11. Hector Gomez
12. Sam Deduno
13. Mike McKenry – better OPS than other C in system
14. Willin Rosario
15. Rex Brothers
16. Chaz Roe
17. Scott Beerer – posts video game numbers, the next Rick Ankiel
18. Brian Rike
19. Kiel Roling
20. Juan Nicasio
21. Chris Nelson
22. Tim Wheeler
23. Parker Frazier
24. Darin Holcomb
25. Shane Lindsay
26. Delta Cleary
27. Ethan Hollingsworth
28. Christian Colonel – can build a potato gun
29. Kent Matthes
30. Matt Reynolds

1. Christian Friedrich
2. Tyler Matzek
3. Jhoulys Chacin
4. Esmil Rogers
5. Eric Young, Jr
6. Casey Weathers
7. Hector Gomez
8. Tim Wheeler
9. Rex Brothers
10. Chris Balcom-Miller
11. Willin Rosario
12. Brandon Hynick
13. Chaz Roe
14. Michael McKenry
15. Samuel Deduno
16. Nolan Arenado
17. Charlie Blackmon
18. Juan Nicasio
19. Shane Lindsay
20. Cole Garner
21. Parker Frazier
22. Jordan Pacheco
23. Bruce Billings
24. Darin Holcomb
25. Chris Nelson
26. Matt Reynolds
27. Kent Mathes
28. Christian Colonel
29. Ben Paulsen
30. Edgmer Escalona

1 Tyler Matzek
2 Christian Friedrich
3 Jhoulys Chacin
4 Esmil Rogers
5 Eric Young, Jr.
6 Wilin Rosario
7 Hector Gomez
8 Michael McKenry
9 Charlie Blackmon
10 Rex Brothers
11 Tim Wheeler
12 Chris Balcom-Miller
13 Samuel Deduno
14 Brandon Hynick
15 Casey Weathers
16 Cole Garner
17 Kiel Roling
18 Chaz Roe
19 Chris Nelson
20 Juan Nicasio
21 Craig Baker
22 Nolan Arenado
23 Parker Frazier
24 Cory Riordan
25 Mike Zuanich
26 Edgmer Escalona
27 Delta Cleary
28 Jordan Pacheco
29 Alving Mejias
30 Rosel Herrera

I’m no prospect hound, and I can’t say I found a lot of qualitative info about all these guys. I’m glad there’s lots of votes this year so if I really missed on someone, it won’t hurt much.

1. Tyler Matzek – It was close for me, but qualitative reports like DavidO’s and Friedrich’s missed time ultimately won me over
2. Christian Friedrich – Elite K rates at each stop.
3. Jhoulys Chacin –
4. Esmil Rogers
5. Wilin Rosario – Held his own at Modest despite being very young for the league
6. Casey Weathers – I’m obviously voting for a nice recovery from TJ
7. Mike McKenry
8. Hector Gomez
9. Rex Brothers
10. Chris Balcom-Miller
11. Eric Young, Jr. – I think he has a shot, but I’m not as high on him as most. Closeness to contributing boots him a bit.
12. Samuel Deduno
13. Charles Blackmon – too high? Seems reasonably toolsy, reasonable performance, I like Georgia Tech players
14. Delta Cleary – Sickels “uber toolsy guy is very raw.” Unimpressive stats but young for Asheville
15. Kiel Roling
16. Chris Nelson
17. Ethan Hollingsworth – gb rate receded at bit in A ball, but has strong K/BB rates at Modesto
18. Tim Wheeler
19. Juan Nicasio – I’m assuming he still has the low groundball rate.
20. Nolan Arenado – Seems slow, but appears to have the tools to be a bat
21. Matt Reynolds
22. Parker Frazier – Go bloodlines, go sinker!
23. Bruce Billings
24. Cole Garner – Perhaps should be higher, as it would appear he has decent wheels. Power, good. Good-not-great yr at age 24, meh. Big improvement in contact rate, good. Low walk rate, meh.
25. Shane Lindsay
26. Alving Mejias – the kid signed out of Venezuela.
27. Brandon Hynick – low K rates for non-gb pitcher, but can’t keep him off if he continues to succeed. Some of the guys make it in MLB every year…
28. Scott Robinson – seems reasonably toolsy, but low-walk rate
29. Mike Zuanich – Now this is raking. Following fellow Gaucho Spilly’s path of horrible 1st pro yr, but much better 2nd yr. (And much better than Spilly’s)
30. Jeremiah Sammy – My off-the-wall sleeper pick, replacing Zacko on the “Unusual name” team.

Sammy is a 21 yr old undrafted free agent at Tri City. Hitting .317/.365/.421 and playing primarily second base. College shortstop, said to have good arm, lefty batter. Attended high school in Markham, Ontario, I’m banking a little on their being some extra growing room due to the relatively short baseball seasons up there. However, for all I know he spent all his summers in Southern Cal.

Hard to leave off: Jordan Pacheco. He’s really hitting, and is of slightly above avg age for the league, so he gets no age bonus. I wish I knew more about his D, and whether they still see him as being able to play non-catcher spots. Contact rate is hard to ignore.

Also, recent draftees with underwhelming performances thus far like Matthes and Paulen. Come back next year and hit, but until then, you’re corner guys and need to hit your way on the list. Tyler Massey is interesting (it must mean something that they are being aggressive with him—he’s young for his level). Darin Holcomb and his better 2nd half. It’s hard to sort through all the relievers—sorry, Craig Baker.

1. Tyler Matzek
2. Christian Friedrich
3. Jhoulys Chacin
4. Hector Gomez
5. Wilin Rosario
6. Chris Balcom-Miller Trying not to get overly excited about him, but wan’t successful.
7. Tim Wheeler
8. Esmil Rogers
9. Rex Brothers
10. Eric Young Jr.
11. Casey Weathers
12. Samuel Deduno
13. Michael McKenry
14. Nolan Arenado
15. Juan Nicasio
16. Delta Cleary
17. Charlie Blackmon
18. Darin Holcomb
19. Cole Garner
20. Brandon Hynick
21. Cory Riordan
22. Mike Zuanich – really interested in what becomes of him now.
23. Rossel Herrera
24. Rafael Ortega
25. Chris Nelson
26. Matt Reynolds
27. Chaz Roe
28. Craig Baker – I’ve always liked him, he’s just been injured for much of his early career
29. Scott Robinson
30. Kent Matthes

I’ll leave the thread open until I wake up tomorrow morning, usually I check my computer right around 7:30 a.m. EDT.