Baseball America's New Top 25 Prospect List includes Bailey, Bruce

[dougdirt]

I believe it was Alex Gordon if memory serves me correct.

[edabbs44]

I believe it was Alex Gordon if memory serves me correct.

Drew is #1. Gordon is #5.

[dougdirt]

Ahh, yes, Im a moron. Stephen Drew at #1 is laughable though. Of course, if I recall that was just what Manual thought, it wasnt the entire poll of all the writers, correct?

[edabbs44]

Ahh, yes, Im a moron. Stephen Drew at #1 is laughable though. Of course, if I recall that was just what Manual thought, it wasnt the entire poll of all the writers, correct?

I believe so.

[Aronchis]

Looks like the consensus on Bailey is a #2. Better than Billingsley, probably not as Verlander. So the Reds still don't have a true number 1 in the pipeline, though they are so rare.

[dougdirt]

Aronchis, I disagree with that. I dont know where you got the "consensus" from. There isnt a consensus of Bailey being a #2 and really, I havent seen anywhere say that he is a #2. So please show me.

[Aronchis]

Aronchis, I disagree with that. I dont know where you got the "consensus" from. There isnt a consensus of Bailey being a #2 and really, I havent seen anywhere say that he is a #2. So please show me.

Essentially Manual just did. Saying that Bailey isn't on Verlander's level is telling. Granted, those are my opinions, but I think he was indicating that. Though he also indicated he didn't think Hughes was even a 1 or 2, but more like a 3.

[dougdirt]

I dont think Hughes is a 1 or a 2 either. Bailey isnt on Verlanders level yet, but he is on his way. Where did Manual say that? Also, since when is one persons word the consensus?

[nmculbreth]

Looks like the consensus on Bailey is a #2. Better than Billingsley, probably not as Verlander. So the Reds still don't have a true number 1 in the pipeline, though they are so rare.

He's considered a top ten prospect in baseball and just about every source I've read considers him a "high ceiling" pitcher, how does that make him a #2 type pitcher? Am I missing something?

[RedsFanatic]

From the BA handbook.

#1 Pitcher:
two plus pitches-->Bailey has a plus fastball and a potentially plus curveball
average third pitch-->Bailey's changeup
plus-plus command-->Bailey has had very good command this year, very good
plus makeup-Bailey seems to have it.

He def looks like a #1. He arguably has the most potential out of any pitcher in the minor leagues.

[fearofpopvol1]

[QUOTE=RedsFanatic]From the BA handbook.

#1 Pitcher:
two plus pitches-->Bailey has a plus fastball and a potentially plus curveball
average third pitch-->Bailey's changeup
QUOTE]

Yeah, but potential isn't anything until it's reached. I'm also not sure at this juncture I would even consider his changeup to be average.

I hope both of those pitches develop, though.

[dougdirt]

I think his curve is at least above average right now. When he has control of it, it is a plus pitch as is. His change up is mediocre at best, but apparently it was working tonight.

[ChatterRed]

Maybin looks to me a big slugger, or in essense a more powerfull version of Mike Cameron. He will strikeout a ton, but hit many Johnsons and get alot of walks. Plus he will play a plus CF. Excellent prospect.

Bruce IMO is going to be a better contact hitter, a lesser athlete/RF, less power and MAYBE less walks. He looks to be about at 50 walks this year, I expect that to improve next year.

Maybin is going to be a trend setting player like Griffey, while Bruce is just the next Larry Walker. Walker was a nice player, but take him outside Coors, he wasn't all that.

Uh..........you don't remember Walker with the Expos? (cough)

[BrooklynRedz]

[QUOTE=fearofpopvol1]

From the BA handbook.

#1 Pitcher:
two plus pitches-->Bailey has a plus fastball and a potentially plus curveball
average third pitch-->Bailey's changeup
QUOTE]

Yeah, but potential isn't anything until it's reached. I'm also not sure at this juncture I would even consider his changeup to be average.

I hope both of those pitches develop, though.

I don't think anyone is suggesting he is a No. 1 now...rather, his ceiling is a No. 1. That's potential. That's why he's in the Minors.

[Caveat Emperor]

Essentially Manual just did. Saying that Bailey isn't on Verlander's level is telling. Granted, those are my opinions, but I think he was indicating that. Though he also indicated he didn't think Hughes was even a 1 or 2, but more like a 3.

You'll go broke in a hurry making prognostications that pitchers are guaranteed to be as good as Liriano and Verlander -- especially if you want to be taken seriously as a minor league talent evaluator. I took it to read: Yeah, there's a good chance he's going to be great, but Liriano and Verlander are great right now.

Call him whatever you want, but the curve's been set insanely high on #1 talent if a cat throwing 94-98MPH routinely with a plus curve and developing change that runs 12+ MPH on the velocity differential isn't seen as a potential #1 anymore.