Who is Redszone's #1 prospect? 2013

[mace]

While Hamilton's speed is "better" than Stephenson's velocity, I will take a pitchers velocity as a "carry tool" over a players speed every day of the week and so would every scout in the history of the world.

I'm not so sure that Branch Rickey would agree with you.

[texasdave]

x

[dougdirt]

I'm not so sure that Branch Rickey would agree with you.

I bet he would. If Billy Hamilton were just an above-average runner, his value would plummet. If Robert Stephenson merely had above-average velocity, he would still have a ton of potential because he would have a plus pitch and two above-average ones. If your carry tool is really the only tool you have, speed is not a good one to bet on.

[mace]

I bet he would. If Billy Hamilton were just an above-average runner, his value would plummet. If Robert Stephenson merely had above-average velocity, he would still have a ton of potential because he would have a plus pitch and two above-average ones. If your carry tool is really the only tool you have, speed is not a good one to bet on.

Maybe so. I don't recall reading much of Rickey's philosophy on pitching, other than his development of the "strings" section at Vero Beach, which he devised for pitchers to work on their control. But he positively placed a premium on foot speed, and actively searched it out. The quote, "Speed never goes into a slump," is attributed to the Mahatma.

[dougdirt]

Maybe so. I don't recall reading much of Rickey's philosophy on pitching, other than his development of the "strings" section at Vero Beach, which he devised for pitchers to work on their control. But he positively placed a premium on foot speed, and actively searched it out. The quote, "Speed never goes into a slump," is attributed to the Mahatma.

And every time someone says that speed never goes into a slump I laugh. Any leg soreness or injury or tweak and "speed slumps". Speed is a complimentary tool, not a carrying tool. It is like the throwing arm strength of a position player. Yeah, at some point you do need enough of it to work. But it isn't going to make or break you in 99% of the cases. Your inability to hit or field (be it catch or range to the ball will). Speed is the same way. If you can't hit, it doesn't matter how much speed you have. If you can't read the ball off the bat, it doesn't matter how much speed you have. Speed is a compliment tool. It helps you in other areas, but you need other skills to begin to use it.

[camisadelgolf]

x

I saw your post before you deleted it. Believe me--doing these prospect rankings is a big pain in the behind. Mistakes are inevitable. Hopefully everyone knows it's okay to chip in because it's a lot of work for just one person.

[Scrap Irony]

I went Hamilton, as his combination of ceiling, production, position, and excitement are among the highest in the game. He has a chance-- a good chance-- to become one of those rare players you have to see play a game. And this about this-- Hamilton vould very well post a speed-adjusted OPS in the 1.000 range-- for a decade. Which is patently ridiculous. And fun. And unnerving even to professional ballplayers.

He'll never hit all that many home runs (though I think he'll add power as he matures). He'll like never OPS 850 (though his peak years make that an outlier possibility). But he has real MVP capabilities.

And he to Votto, Bruce, Chapman, Cueto, Latos, and perhaps Bailey as Red game-changers. (Hopefully.)

[OGB]

I just felt like I should give some love to someone besides Billy