tools comparison

[klw]

Taking their ages out of the equation, can someone give a breakdown on how the tools of Yorman, Phipps, Lutz, and J Duran compare?

[dougdirt]

Taking their ages out of the equation, can someone give a breakdown on how the tools of Yorman, Phipps, Lutz, and J Duran compare?

Current tools? Projected tools?

It isn't really fair to compare the current tools of a guy who was 18 (Rodriguez) to a guy who was 26 (Phipps). Same goes for Duran who was 19. Lutz was 22, so comparing his current tools to the other guys isn't fair either because he is either quite a bit older or quite a bit younger.

[klw]

I wasn't thinking current skills but rather projected tools/ raw physical ability. The reason I was lumping Phipps and Yorman in this is that it seems that Phipps is often described as having been very raw due to a late start in the game. I was wondering how the raw projected tools might compare. It might be impossible to do without putting age into the equation- as age is one factor which helps let us know whether the person will maximize those tools.

[cinreds21]

Some people are not as high on Yorman anymore.

[lollipopcurve]

Some people are not as high on Yorman anymore.

Would not be surprised to see him shipped out in a package for pitching.

[cinreds21]

I'd be OK with that.

[chicoruiz]

Some people are not as high on Yorman anymore.

Yorman won't be 23 for five more years. As I understand it, he shows signs of being an immature jerk with a poor work ethic and an inflated sense of entitlement, and that's hard to be around. But lots of guys grow out of all that between the ages of 18 and 23. Maybe he won't, but I sure wouldn't give up on him based on the fact that he's immature at 18. So was I, and look what a pillar of the community I turned out to be.

[dougdirt]

Some people are not as high on Yorman anymore.

The tools are still there. Heck, the performance was too. The Mike Trout's and Ronald Torreyes types actually hitting well as 18 year olds in the Midwest League are absolutely the insane exception and not the rule. He has some issues to work through, but I am not any lower on him than I was before the season started.

[Scrap Irony]

As far as projected tools:

Ceiling:
1. Yorman Rodriguez
2. Juan Duran
3. Donald Lutz
4. Dennis Phipps
Comment: Phipps gets dinged for his advanced age. Even if he hits his ceiling, he'll only be good for a limited amount of time. Lutz, due to position, is also ranked lower. If Rodriguez hits his ceiling, he's a Carlos Beltran clone.

Power
1. Juan Duran
2. Donald Lutz
3. Yorman Rodriguez
4. Dennis Phipps
Comment: Both Lutz and Duran could hit 40 bombs in the show if all goes right. The best money's on Lutz approaching that, as he's got a smaller swing and smaller holes. But Duran's got light tower power when he gets ahold of it. Rodriguez might hit 30 one day in the majors and Phipps will be lucky to hit 15.

Hit Tool
1. Rodriguez
2. Lutz
3. Phipps
4. Duran
Comment: Rodriguez is a much better bet to hit for a decent average. Lutz may surprise, as his inexperience may hinder him most in this area. He could very well go all Joey Votto one year, though that's doubtful. Phipps had a career year and the jury's still out on him. Duran is, as of now, Samone Peters-- he has no clue how to hit anything with a wrinkle.

Defense
1. Phipps
2. Rodriguez
3. Duran
4. Lutz
Comment: Phipps could play as a fifth OF/ defensive specialist right not in the majors. He's got good wheels, takes good routes, and has a cannon that's both precise and well-disciplined. Rodriguez has the tools, but often lacks the work ethic. Duran can play RF, but may not be able to as he ages. Lutz is a 1B, but may be a decent one.

Floor:
1. Phipps
2. Lutz
3. Rodriguez
4. Duran
Comment: Phipps is already a mlb caliber player, albeit as a career backup. (Think Henry Cotto.) Lutz looks like a good bet to at least sniff the majors, as he's got power and that'll play as a pinch hitter at the least. Rodriguez could wash out next season, but he oozes tools. Duran is like Rodriguez, but with a longer swing.