Who is Redszone's #9 prospect?

[Kc61]

He is in my Top 15 because I think he has a high chance of being a #5 starter with a solid chance at being a #4 starter and soon. That has some solid value to a team.

Right now, Maloney may be the favorite for the Reds number five starting slot next year. I don't know of anyone with a better chance right now. Of course, there's a long off-season to come with possible pitching moves.

[mth123]

I'll go with Soto. I think there is a clear breaking point between number 8 and number 9.

[fearofpopvol1]

Boxberger.

Not really getting the Soto love this high. He's still got a ways to go.

[Red Daddy]

I like Klinker. He's not getting much talk at this point, but the guy made huge strides last year. Doesn't he throw close to the mid 90s?

[dougdirt]

I like Klinker. He's not getting much talk at this point, but the guy made huge strides last year. Doesn't he throw close to the mid 90s?

He is 90-94.

[lollipopcurve]

Maloney is much more durable than Klinker. You can't ignore health. If I had to bet, I'd say Klinker ends up in the pen.

[dougdirt]

Maloney is much more durable than Klinker. You can't ignore health. If I had to bet, I'd say Klinker ends up in the pen.

Klinker has better stuff on the other side of that though. Can't ignore that either. At the end of the day I ranked them back to back in my rankings, so I think they are very close.

[SMcGavin]

Durability and consistency seperate Maloney from the other older SP prospects. Lots of guys compare well to Maloney in bits and pieces - for example Klinker in AA/AAA this year was awfully good. Just look at those numbers, and read a few scouting reports, and you could easily make a case for Klinker over Maloney. Look at last year's rankings and you'll see guys like Daryl Thompson and Ramon Ramirez consistently ahead of Maloney.

What sets Maloney apart is his track record of success and health throughout his career. You can confidently say "there is very little chance of this guy falling off the map next year". It's the "high floor" argument.

One final thing on Maloney. He often gets described as a finished product, who will stay constant while other guys with more talent improve and shoot above him. That's not totally accurate. Look at his minor league BB/9 the past three seasons, even as he climbed levels: 2.8, 2.4, 1.6. Maloney is still getting better every year.

[Scrap Irony]

Maloney - Klinker

Mirror images, as doug rightfully points out.

That said, Maloney's proven he can play at the major league level.

Of course, Soto, just last season, was a can't miss/ superstar in waiting.

I think I'd go ceiling at this point, but that's just me.

[chicoruiz]

I smell our first runoff...

[lollipopcurve]

Maloney - Klinker

Mirror images, as doug rightfully points out.

Disagree strongly. Compare durability -- Maloney very strong, Klinker iffy. Klinker has good stuff, but he hasn't proven he can be a starter or a reliever. One's a certainty, the other an uncertainty.

[Scrap Irony]

That's why they're mirror images, lollipop.

Klinker has stuff and little track record. Maloney has a track record but he's short for stuff.

Maloney is a horse who can throw 200+ innings right now. Klinker has an injury history that may indicate brittleness.

Maloney is a lefty, Klinker a rightie.

Maloney's best pitch? A change-up. Klinker's is a heavy fastball.

For all that, very similar results.

[lollipopcurve]

That's why they're mirror images, lollipop.

Klinker has stuff and little track record. Maloney has a track record but he's short for stuff.

Maloney is a horse who can throw 200+ innings right now. Klinker has an injury history that may indicate brittleness.

Maloney is a lefty, Klinker a rightie.

Maloney's best pitch? A change-up. Klinker's is a heavy fastball.

For all that, very similar results.

OK -- I misunderstood. Nicely put.

[klw]

Is Ramon Ramirez still eligible? It would seem that if Maloney is then he should be as well.

guess the q is moot
http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79290

[Tailm-k]

Anyone know whos gonna take his spot? I dont really know how they do that for the minors, will they call someone up for AA or do they have a guy whos been working out of the bullpen who can start? Anyone know? Also what about Mortons spot? Forgot about him...