Who is Redszone's #1 prospect?

[bucksfan2]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Easily Mesoraco. I really don't think anyone is close to him at this point. He has position scarcity, plus tools and performance to back it all up, while being ready to step onto the MLB field right now.

Also, add an "other" option for the next poll in case someone wants to vote for someone not listed, but specify that they say who it is in the post.

And MTH, are either of those two guys you suggested guys that you will be voting for next round? If not, why are we adding them just yet?

Is it position scarcity if you have two of the top 5 or so prospects in your system playing the same position?

I went with Mes but I would I think Alonso has the better major league career.

[Scrap Irony]

Alonso is not a good LF. He's not even a poor LF-- he's worse than that.

IF (notice the capitals) he can be even poor, he'll be a decent option for a few years.

Cozart, meanwhile, has defensive value even if he pulls a Janish. Which is not likely, as he has enough power to make pitchers pitch to him.

Tough call, IMO.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

Is it position scarcity if you have two of the top 5 or so prospects in your system playing the same position?

I went with Mes but I would I think Alonso has the better major league career.

Yes, it is still position scarcity because when you think about what you want from a catcher, there simply aren't close to 30 guys who can fill that role. Even if we have two guys who might be able to as prospect.

And to be honest, if you think Alonso is going to have the better career, you should have selected him. That is the definition of prospect, what something will do in the future.

[mdccclxix]

I'm going with Grandal. To me the debate is not settled between him and Mesoraco. I have him rated highest offensively, although I recognize the league he's in elevates that a lot. Nevertheless, he had an impressive year, albeit in the shadow of Mez. .401 OBP, switch hitting Catcher, the power is there, defense is good and should improve with some more reps.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by mdccclxix

I'm going with Grandal. To me the debate is not settled between him and Mesoraco. I have him rated highest offensively, although I recognize the league he's in elevates that a lot. Nevertheless, he had an impressive year, albeit in the shadow of Mez. .401 OBP, switch hitting Catcher, the power is there, defense is good and should improve with some more reps.

Defensive reports were actually quite lackluster this year.

[mdccclxix]

As were Mez's at some point.

[reds1869]

Mes for me.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by mdccclxix

As were Mez's at some point.

Yes, but there are two differences.... first, you said he had good defense, which, at least according to reports this season, wasn't entirely accurate. Secondly, Mesoraco has better tools defensively and always has. So even when he wasn't all that good back there, the tools were.

[mdccclxix]

I certainly don't have the access to info that you do. However, when there are mixed reviews on defense, it certainly bears patience. It was Grandal's first full year and he moved quickly up the ranks. I think with more coaching in AAA for the next 2 years, he will become very good on defense. In Bakersfield, there were 128 wild pitches, which led the league, so I do not think that was Grandal's fault, or we'd be hearing now about a switch to another position. The staff was very wild.

In general, I like the polish that he's shown at the plate and in his work ethic. When he's ready for MLB, I think he'll likely be "more ready" than Mes, who I foresee struggling in 2012. Frankly, the chances that either one becomes a .800 OPS bat is actually pretty slim, they just don't occur at the catcher position very often. Because of his versatility and polish, I like the higher floor from Grandal. To me, it's a safer pick.

Statistical comparison:

Mez 2010 in A+, AA, AAA: 11 errors, 13 passed balls, Hillcats staff 74 WP, Mudcats 68 WP

Grandal 2011 in A+, AA, AAA: 13 errors, 19 PB (14 in BAK), Bakersfield staff 128 WP

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by mdccclxix

I certainly don't have the access to info that you do. However, when there are mixed reviews on defense, it certainly bears patience. It was Grandal's first full year and he moved quickly up the ranks. I think with more coaching in AAA for the next 2 years, he will become very good on defense. In Bakersfield, there were 128 wild pitches, which led the league, so I do not think that was Grandal's fault, or we'd be hearing now about a switch to another position. The staff was very wild.

In general, I like the polish that he's shown at the plate and in his work ethic. When he's ready for MLB, I think he'll likely be "more ready" than Mes, who I foresee struggling in 2012. Frankly, the chances that either one becomes a .800 OPS bat is actually pretty slim, they just don't occur at the catcher position very often. Because of his versatility and polish, I like the higher floor from Grandal. To me, it's a safer pick.

Statistical comparison:

Mez 2010 in A+, AA, AAA: 11 errors, 13 passed balls, Hillcats staff 74 WP, Mudcats 68 WP

Grandal 2011 in A+, AA, AAA: 13 errors, 19 PB (14 in BAK), Bakersfield staff 128 WP

The reports I got were not so much about his passed balls. Of course, as I think I said here (though it may have been somewhere else, I don't want to go back and look), I have access to several of his games to go back and watch to get a better feel where I can focus solely on his defense behind the plate.