Which "Top Pitching Prospect" will have the better career?

[Benihana]

And who will reach the bigs (as a SP) first?

[thorn]

I took Leake, seems like someone that has a better chance to stay healthy and could develope into a Maddox type pitcher (Control vs. Power) and have a longer career. I think Chapman could have better seasons, just not a long career, IMO.

[TRF]

Hey, I love whining about losing Stewart as much as the next guy, but he's gone. Why not have Wood in the poll instead?

[Benihana]

Hey, I love whining about losing Stewart as much as the next guy, but he's gone. Why not have Wood in the poll instead?

While I like Travis Wood, I think it is pretty clear that Wood's upside is not as high as these three.

I would vote both Leake and Chapman ahead of Stewart. If the results corroborate that, people will have to ask themselves if they're happy (in hindsight) with the way things worked out. Assuming Rolen can stay healthy for at least 100 games in these next couple years- and that's a big assumption- I can now say that I am (and I hated the trade at the time.)

Would I have made that trade? No way. Am I now relatively pleased with how it shook out? I think so.

Of course, we can revisit this two years from now, and there might be an entirely different picture.

[dougdirt]

I went with Leake. He has the lowest upside of the three, but he is far and away the safest too. He can already throw multiple pitches for strikes (so can Stewart). He has shown he can throw 140 innings in a season (neither of the other two have).

[OnBaseMachine]

I'll go Chapman, Leake, and Stewart in that order. And I think very highly of Stewart, I just think Chapman and Leake will be better. I see Chapman as a bondafide number one starter and Leake as a very solid number two starter. Stewart also has the upside of a number two starter, or he could be a dominant back-end bullpen arm, it all depends on where he's needed.

[Mario-Rijo]

Chapman, Stewart, Leake is the order of how I think they will turn out if they all were to reach their ceilings. But I am the type who goes with the odds and I think Leake has the best odds to have a good solid career.

[Scrap Irony]

Chapman has the best stuff and is youngest (something we overlook in its importance). He's also going to pitch for an apparently decent squad for at least the next five years. Because of his contract, even if he stinks, he'll be given every shot to produce. None of this mentions that he's left-handed, and, despite doug's insistence that it means nothing, lefties with plus stuff are rarer and therefore more likely to be struggled against. (And lefties with his stuff are rare indeed-- I can think of none in the majors with his reported FB.)

Leake has a high floor and is likely to be at least decent, but he's small and small pitchers can flame out quickly.

Stewart has had a good minor league season.

[mth123]

Chapman, Stewart, Leake, Wood in that order.

[camisadelgolf]

I think Stewart will reach the majors first, and I think Leake will have the best career.

[RED VAN HOT]

Leake. I agree with the view that he has the lowest ceiling, but the highest probability of a long career.

From what I have read about him, Leake seems like a level headed, student of the game who finds ways to win.

[bucksfan2]

1. Leake
2. Chapman
3. Wood

Don't think Stewart will see much time as a starter. I think what puts Leake over the top is his athleticism. Chapman is a wild card but has the best pure stuff. Wood I think could be an end of the rotation starter or a change of pace starter.

[edabbs44]

I went with Leake. He has the lowest upside of the three, but he is far and away the safest too. He can already throw multiple pitches for strikes (so can Stewart). He has shown he can throw 140 innings in a season (neither of the other two have).

Agreed as I went with Leake also.

[fearofpopvol1]

Leake...for the reasons Doug mentioned. He's the surest bet of the bunch, even if his ceiling is the lowest.

[KoryMac5]

I think Stewart will reach the majors first, and I think Leake will have the best career.

I agree with that assessment, and voted for Stewart as well. Rumors have it that Toronto is looking to deal some young pitching which could open the door for Stewie to slide in.

[gedred69]

Chapman I see as a 3-4 year phenom, unless he repairs successfully some of his serious delivery issues. Leake looks like a possible long lived guy.

[Superdude]

Chapman I see as a 3-4 year phenom, unless he repairs successfully some of his serious delivery issues.

What delivery issues?

[camisadelgolf]

What delivery issues?
That's my question, too. What makes Chapman so intriguing is how easily he throws with such velocity and nasty stuff.

[RedEye]

That's my question, too. What makes Chapman so intriguing is how easily he throws with such velocity and nasty stuff.

IIRC, that's what most of the scouts liken to Randy Johnson, right?

[camisadelgolf]

Throwing a ball like that is unnatural. It comes more natural for some than most, which is why we see certain players with 'perfect' mechanics end up with arm injuries. If Chapman ends up with a slew of arm troubles, I really doubt it's a result of his mechanics.

[KoryMac5]

Chapman I see as a 3-4 year phenom, unless he repairs successfully some of his serious delivery issues. Leake looks like a possible long lived guy.

I was under the impression that he had changed some of these mechanical issues he was having.

[camisadelgolf]

I was under the impression that he had changed some of these mechanical issues he was having.
That's what has been reported. I'm sure there's still more to fix, but he didn't have any glaring problems that would be difficult to change.

[dougdirt]

I was under the impression that he had changed some of these mechanical issues he was having.

He has, but they weren't because of concerns for injury, but that they were what was causing his inability to throw strikes as often as he wants to do so.

[tripleaaaron]

I took Leake, seems like someone that has a better chance to stay healthy and could develope into a Maddox type pitcher (Control vs. Power) and have a longer career. I think Chapman could have better seasons, just not a long career, IMO.

I second that and look at Stewart in much the same light as Chapman. Leake is the "safe pick" to me and possibly could be the only one of the three that "sticks" as a starter. I see this as unlikely as I think all 3 have a chance to be TOR arms, but Leakes attributes gives him a higher chance for long-term sucess as a starter.

[Benihana]

Bump.

One month later, anyone care to change their vote?

[lollipopcurve]

Chapman -- didn't vote the first time around

[RiverRat13]

Chapman -- didn't vote the first time around

Same here.

The adult in me says that it has only been four Spring Training innings and that I should temper my excitement. But the kid in me says he's a future Cy Young winner. I'm the Frosted Mini Wheats of Aroldis Chapman fans.

[GIDP]

Hard to pick but given what we have seen of all of them Leake is the easiest choice for me. He might not have the best seasons but I think hes likely to last a long time in the league.