sounds like if it was possible to combine the 2 you'd have a sure thing ace...

 

Ambidextrous one too

 

Gonsalves has the potential to be that sneaky lefty that makes things happen without being stellar, but just makes things happen; think Jimmy Key or David Cone.  Lots of potential and youth there.

Assume you meant Wells.

 

Also, I loved Jimmy Key, so I hope Gonsalves becomes Jimmy Key.

 

Assume you meant Wells.

 

 

No.  This guy.  More consistent than Wells.

 

No.  This guy.  More consistent than Wells.

I'm familiar with David Cone. I just assumed you meant Wells because you used the phrase "sneaky lefty", and told the reader to think of (lefty) Jimmy Key and (righty) David Cone. I plead confusion and retract my earlier attempt at correction.

I stick with my enthusiasm for a possible Jimmy Key-like result.

I got the summary from 1-40 and meta analysis here.

Surprised to see Diaz and Jay so high, but liked the breakdown (and that they are as well regarded as their draft/signing slot). Hopefully Jay can make it as a starter. I have high hopes for him!

Here's a quick question to get you thinking, Thrylos...

 

If you did include the "prospects" that you choose not to include, where would you put them? (Buxton, Meyer, Polanco, Kepler, Park, etc.)

 

Here's a quick question to get you thinking, Thrylos...

 

If you did include the "prospects" that you choose not to include, where would you put them? (Buxton, Meyer, Polanco, Kepler, Park, etc.)

 

I would not add Park.  He is not a prospect.  He will be 30 this season.  For some silly reason he may qualify for the rookie of the year, but he should not, like Ichiro should had not.

 

My 2014 top 10 was:

 

1. Miguel Sano 3B
2. Jorge Polanco SS 
3. Byron Buxton OF 
4. Alex Meyer RHP 
5. Jose Berrios RHP 

6. Amaurys Minier 1B/3B/OF 
7. Kohl Stewart RHP 
8. Eddie Rosario OF 
9. Lewin Diaz 1B 
10. Nick Burdi RHP 

 

Sano and Rosario are out.  I had Kepler at 15, but he would be much higher.  2016 top 5 are:

 

1. Jose Berrios RHSP
2. Tyler Jay LHSP
3. Nick Burdi RHRP,
4. Stephen Gonsalves  LHSP,
5. Lewin Diaz  1B/DH,

 

I'd still take Polanco over Buxton,(the same argument that made here last year, still holds true, and that was before Buxton's hitting was exposed, if anyone wonders for the Polanco over Buxton; that surprised a few last season) both over Meyer and Meyer over Berrios, even though that last gap has been closing a bit (Meyer's stuff did not go south this season, his confidence and his mechanics did.  And the Rochester Pitching coach, Mason, paid for it.  Meyer has the best stuff in the organization bar non.  Period.)

 

so 2-4 in my 2015 could be the top 3 here:

 

1. Jorge Polanco SS
2. Byron Buxton OF
3. Alex Meyer RHP

 

I'd take Kepler over Diaz likely, but not over Gonsalves, so we are looking at:

 

4. Jose Berrios RHSP
5. Tyler Jay LHSP
6. Nick Burdi RHRP,
7. Stephen Gonsalves  LHSP,

8. Max Kepler, OF
9. Lewin Diaz  1B/DH,

 

and 

 

10. JT Chargois  RHRP to round up the top 10.

 

 

Kohl Stewart is about 7-10 spots too low.  

 

Also - is the Jorge Polanco #1 in the post previous to this a joke? Maybe ahead of Burdi and Chargois in that top 10, but that's it. 

Thrylos, thanks for doing this so thoughtfully- great stuff to think about.

 

Kohl Stewart is about 7-10 spots too low.  

 

Also - is the Jorge Polanco #1 in the post previous to this a joke? Maybe ahead of Burdi and Chargois in that top 10, but that's it. 

 

Re: Stewart.  Right now he projects to be Nick Blackburn.  As a matter of fact Blackburn struck out more batters than Stewart in A+.  That's why he is there. 

 

I'd love to hear your original argument why Stewart is that low and why he is better than the players ranked above him.

 

Polanco is not number one.  Berrios is.   I think that you missed the context here.  Last season I had Polanco ahead of Buxton and it was no joke.  The link to the explanation back then is up there...  This was a hypothetical answer to a hypothetical question.  My criteria do not allow Polanco or Buxton to be in this list, since they both played in the majors. 

 

This is not about Polanco, he graduated.  We could have had that conversation last season, and then I better hear some original arguments (like the ones I present supporting my ranking,) to support your argument.  It is fine to have different points of view.  I just do not got the everyone-else-says-so point of view as a supportive argument. 

 

 

Edited January 22, 201610 yr by Thrylos

Thrylos- thanks for your rankings and your rationale for why you have them ranked where they are. I am glad to see your list put AB Walker about where I put him.