MN_ExPat

That just illustrates that most "rankings" don't mean anything other than click bait conversation amongst us fanboys/girls. Does it really matter where a player is ranked?

#1: I very much agree #2: Uhh... are you sure about that? I do not think that means what you think it means?

Fair point ??.

Very true Sir, and not necessarily an argument on my part. You do make a valid point.

Going to have to disagree on this one (not because you said it, but more because of a fundamental philosophical disagreement). Age is (almost) irrelevant. Breaking into Pro-ball and especially at the higher levels, Guys take different path into and through professional ball. We shouldn't discount guys who went to college or who had real life get in the way. The only difference (provided production is similar) between a kid who makes a roster at 21/22 and one who does it at 24/25 is usually the younger one has "figured things out" at an earlier age. Older age does not make a player any less of a "prospect".

For those starved for baseball… we are in full swing now in Georgia. Here are some photos ?. My son’s team had their season opener last night and won 8-0 (and Mini-me pitched 2 scoreless innings ??? 2 IP/ 2K / 1 H / 0 BB).

Amen Is it likely to.... probably not, but I too will preach hope.

A wee bit of an oversimplification on the numbers perhaps (if I had to nitpick a point ), but I think you make a solid point overall. Thank God that MLB can't touch or affect HS or college games/seasons (yet), because at least we have those guys to watch and root on.

No lions den at all I think, it's a fair and honest assessment.

Fair point. Can't say I disagree with this thought either.

He'll be fine... the talent is there.

Amen

I'd have to concur on that. My small animal hindbrain is telling me that this has been the owners end game all along. It comes across as if they (the owners) don't care if the top paid players cave or not, and almost as if they hope they don't. At that point, the league could hypothetically toss the union aside and start all over with non-union / 40 Man players and restructure the league as they see fit. Would it be a PR headache/nightmare? Probably, but It seems like the league is looking at this whole process as a long game scenario and a chance to rest power away from the MLBPA (they're would potentially be a large number of young players who "just want to play" who would be willing to cross the lines/MLBPA be damned ?‍♂️). Looking back at the last few years with the focus lens of the current situation, the league's "concessions" and gestures appear as even more symbolic and token than anything of substance. I hope this isn't the morally questionable long game plan of the owners, but power and money have driven men to do more for less. If MLB wants to destroy and remake itself into whatever form it wants... so be it. I will return to it when/if it regains it's senses because I love the game. With that being said... we don't have to abandon/walk away from baseball. Far from it. I would ask everyone here to go and support your local colleges and HS teams. These kids are truly still living the "dream" and love the support of their communities. Show them the love, they deserve it .

Maybe, maybe not. I would counter with that he doesn't need to be Brooks Robinson and get to literally EVERYTHING within a mile of 3B (or wherever he's positioned), he just needs to get to the ones he can and make the plays (routine) that's he's supposed to.

Sorry, should have specified before Professional ball... my bad

Fair point

Fair enough. In that regards (and I will freely admit it is probably a matter of semantics), it might be more of a "not the best option or choice" rather than a terrible choice. But, to play Devil's Advocate, Sabato has hit at every level he has ever played at. Does that mean I would make that call to draft him there, probably not... but at the same time I can understand why they would make it.

Interesting thought. Given Tampa's history, he would cost a king's ransom, and I for one, would be very hesitant to pay that price (cough...Pittsburgh...cough ), but at the very least, it is an intriguing thought exercise.

Sabato: No, Sabato was not a "horrible" draft choice. Did he have a "good" season (from a fan perspective), no he did not. But you appear to be glossing over the fact that he continued to make adjustments and actually started to improve as the season went on. Again, not monumental improvements, but they were clearly there. Just as you cannot anoint a player the next GOAT and future 1st ballot HOFer for a standout first Pro season, neither can we notify the Inquisition and burn the draftee at the stake for the heresy of (gasp!) attempting to play the sport he loves because a team drafted him. Besides, players "failing" after being drafted is the norm, not the exception. Lewis: We shouldn't legitimately care or even entertain the thought of where any prospect is ranked (other than as fan clickbait). Who "ranks" prospects? Sportswriters... not people who actually play/coach/evaluate the game. Lewis, and Sabato for that matter, will be fine... until such a time as they are not. I, like you I assume, and many others would love the instant gratification of a player just taking off and leaving little doubt in our minds and then having that hope of success justified by the talking head sportswriters singing their praises. At the end of the day, all we are left with is faith. When it comes to baseball, you have to have it or otherwise all you ever see is... "This inability to draft difference makers, coupled with Pohlad's cheapness and Falvine's aversion to make transformative trades, dooms this franchise to mediocrity."