Today I reveal to you five more names on the Spring 2011 PuRPs list. Here are PuRPs 30-26. As a reminder, thirty-five ballots were cast in this edition of the PuRPs poll, with 30 points being granted for a first place vote, 29 for second, etc. Until a player was named on twelve ballots, his vote totals were modified on a sliding scale to avoid an individual ballot having too much say over the community forecast -- but none of the above players had that problem, as all thirty players on the PuRPs list were named on at least sixteen ballots.
For each player, I've included a link to their stats (via Baseball-Reference), their relevant "tool scores" on a 1-100 scouting scale (which is explained here) per the wonderful Baseball Cube, their contract status (via Rockies Roster), their probable MLB ETA (assuming they do make the Show), and a note on their 2011 season so far.
Remember that neither the tool scores nor the statistics pages are the end-all be-all when evaluating these players. Context is hugely important (such as the player's age relative to the league's average or the league average offensive numbers), as is the fact that injuries to prospects can affect both their tools and their stats.
Results Post-Jump
25. Cristhian Adames (191 points, 22 ballots) -- Stats -- Fall 2010 Ranking: NR
After not making the PuRPs list last fall, many in the community were surprised when Baseball Prospectus named Adames, a 19 year-old shortstop in Low A Asheville, the Rockies' 10th best prospect. While his offensive numbers to this point might not be overwhelming, it's obvious given the fact that he's 19 and playing in the SAL that the team thinks highly of his tools and his make-up. Yes, you'd like to see some more offense, but again, he's only 19, so there's time for those tools to reveal themselves. Of all the players on this list, he might be the farthest away from the Show in terms of development.
Hit Tools
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Contract Status: 2008 Amateur Free Agent (DR), Not Rule 5 Eligible, 3 options remaining
MLB ETA: 2015-16
24. Josh Rutledge (198 points, 25 ballots) -- Stats -- Fall 2010 Ranking: NR
We've got two shortstops in a row on this list, with Rutledge, a 22 year-old playing for High A Modesto, a much more polished product. The knock on Rutledge's prospect status has historically been his offense -- and his awful showing in Tri-City last year is likely what kept him off the ballot.
However, this season in High A Rutledge has proven to be at least competent with the bat (.285/.376/.345) -- and to be honest, that's all he ever really needs to be if he wants to reach MLB. This is because of a fantastic glove that at the very least will make him an excellent late-innings defensive replacement -- provided he can outhit the pitchers, that's a decent guy to have on your bench. Muzia has some scouting video on Rutledge's plate approach.
Hit Tools
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Contract Status: 2010 3rd Round, Not Rule 5 Eligible, 3 options remaining
MLB ETA: Fall 2013
23. Eliezer Mesa (207 points, 26 ballots) -- Stats -- Fall 2010 Ranking (26)
Mesa, a 22 year-old outfielder in Modesto, is a speedy outfielder who has produced pretty well at the plate at an age-appropriate level. This season, Mesa has only played in 13 games, but he has stolen 8 bases in that time. Mesa had a really great start to 2010, which got him noticed by the Purple Row community, but since then he's leveled off into more of a fringe prospect, with speed being his most distinguishable tool. To be frank, the Rockies have a lot of good outfield prospects, but Mesa doesn't make my top seven (and didn't make my PuRPs list). He's sitting behind Delta Cleary at Modesto, if that makes it clear.
Hit Tools
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Contract Status: 2008 Amateur Free Agent (DR), Rule 5 Eligible After 2011, 3 options remaining
MLB ETA: 2015
22. Bruce Billings (214 points, 23 ballots) -- Stats -- Fall 2010 Ranking: 27
Billings, a 25 year-old right-handed reliever who currently plays in AAA Colorado Springs, made his MLB debut recently, throwing two innings of relief. The former starter is another late-round success story, who sports career 9.0 K/9 and 3.11 K/BB ratios in the minor leagues. It would appear that Billings is number four on the bullpen injury safety blanket list, behind Esmil Rogers/Clayton Mortensen, Greg Reynolds, and the injured Matt Daley (but ahead of Edgmer Escalona). Billings may never be a bullpen regular given the depth of arms the Rockies have stockpiled, but he's great insurance in case of a disaster.
Pitch Tools
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Contract Status: 2007 30th Round, On 40 Man Roster, 2 options remaining
MLB ETA: 2011
21. Edwar Cabrera (329 points, 28 ballots) -- Stats -- Fall 2010 Ranking: NR
There was a clear delineation between the top 21 players and the bottom nine on this list, with more than 100 points separating PuRP 22 and 21. Interestingly, that's where I drew the line between Tier III and Tier IV on my list too. Cabrera, a 23 year-old left-handed starter at Asheville (and the highest-ranking player that wasn't on the Fall 2010 list at all), has a couple of things going for him as a prospect -- namely, his handed-ness and his ability to strike out batters with impunity. Cabrera's 103 strikeouts (in 78 IP) this season lead all of minor league baseball, and he's only walked 16 batters to boot. That gives him K/9 and K/BB ratios of 11.9 and 6.44. Pair those with his 3.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, and you've got a fantastic season going. Interestingly enough, that K/9 ratio is below his career 12.1 total.
There are two main causes for concern with Cabrera, though, and they are his age and his propensity to give up the longball. The batters Cabrera is striking out in Asheville are mostly two or three years younger than him. This is largely due to the fact that Cabrera is a late bloomer (a la Juan Nicasio) that didn't sign with Colorado until he was 20. The home-run thing this year (he's given up 9) is harder to figure out, since he only gave up two last year and in 2009. For now, I'm watching Cabrera's progress with great interest -- he's definitely got Nicasio helium, plus, the fact that he's a southpaw certainly gives him mid-rotation starting potential. In fact, I'd put him at near-lock status to be placed on the 40 man roster and protected from the Rule 5 Draft this winter.
Pitch Tools
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Contract Status: 2008 Amateur Free Agent (DR), Will be Rule 5 Eligible after 2011, 3 options remaining
MLB ETA: 2014
PuRPs 20-16 will be revealed tomorrow