Yup. Siani is a 65 runner. Hamilton was an 80 runner. Siani should be a very good defender. Hamilton was elite. But Siani is a better hitter, by far. He's got power that would have made Hamilton an All-Star (and perhaps Hall of Famer). [Not to get into a tangential discussion, but were Hamilton to have had even adequate pop, he'd have been the type of weapon you build an entire offense around. Alas.) I suspect it'll all work out in the wash, assuming Siani plays enough games.
And that's the rub with many of these guys. There are assuredly a dozen guys left who'll have relatively long careers as major league players. A couple of them will end up with double figure WAR totals across their careers. Statistics insist that a couple more will be first-division starters at some point, and at least one of them will end up an All-Star. We just don't know who that'll be.
There is absolutely value in prospects from beyond the top 10 guys. Those lesser "suspects" are often the reason why some teams compete year after year and others struggle to stay relevant. Too many posters view these guys as superfluous. That's just not the case. At all.
Let's go back 20 years to see an example. Cincinnati's minor league system wasn't considered particularly strong, nor was it particularly lauded for development. But it produced several helpful players-- and a couple of perennial All-Stars-- neither of whom were in the top 10 lists that season.
The Reds' prospects not in the top 10 included:
- Joey Votto (MVP)
- Chris Denorfia (Solid pro with 10+ career WAR)
- Ryan Hanigan (Solid pro with 9+ career WAR)
- Todd Coffey (Decent bullpen arm)
- Edwin Encarnacion (All-Star)
Let's assume 2002 was a blip. Happenstance. Let's go 15 year ago. 2007. Non-top 10 prospects include:
- Josh Hamilton (MVP)
- Justin Turner (Perennial All-Star)
- Devin Mesoraco (All-Star)
- Todd Frazier (All-Star)
- Zack Cozart (All-Star)
So how about a decade ago?
- Tucker Barnhart (Two-time Gold Glove)
- Amir Garrett (Solid set-up guy)
- Neftali Soto (Take a look at those Nippon League numbers!)
- Didi Gregorius (All-Star)
Five years ago looks just as suspect:
- Tyler Stepehenson (Burgeoning All-Star?)
- Jimmy Herget (Very good seasons in 2020 and 2022)
- Luis Castillo (All-Star)
- Tanner Rainey (Nats' closer)
- TJ Friedl (Reds' fourth OF)
- Tyler Mahle (MOR SP)
- Tony Santillan (Bullpen arm with upside)