MBBA hidden gems perhaps? (FL-Midwest)

[bschr682]

Im going to be looking through the minor leagues and pointing out some of the players that could be the next wave of regulars in the mbba. Not necessarily star players as most of those guys have been pegged already. Some of these guys will be folks you never heard of. To be included here the player has to meet the following criteria:

1. No major league service time. If a player has that he's already a bit of known quantity.
2. 24 years old or younger. At 25 if a player hasn't had his shot at the bigs it starts getting dicey as to whether he'll ever have an impact. Not impossible obviously but not likely.
3. The player can not have been named to the MBBA top prospect list.
4. None of the rookies just selected in the draft will be on these lists. Its way too soon to see what these new guys will look like.

NEW ORLEANS CRAWDADS

RF William McDonald

McDonald is listed as a RF but should move to left because of a lack of arm strength. He is incredibly smart but lacks in the work ethic department. He has outstanding gap ability and projects to have pretty good contact as well. He's great on the basepaths also. If McDonald develops I think he will find himself on a big league roster someday. At only 20 years old, he has quite awhile to develop and perhaps someone will invest in him and increase that poor work ethic of his.

MR Alejandro Puente

Puente is an interesting case. Nothing really jumps out at you. He sports a good g/b ratio and projects to have good movement on his pitches. Defense will be key for his success. Fastball can touch 97. He's got a shot at a bullpen spot as is but with his great intangibles he could very easily improve on what hes got right now.

DES MOINES KERNELS

2B Tory McLaughlin

Not a huge surprise to see McLaughlin on the list being a former 1st round pick. Plays pretty good defense and is good on the basepaths as well. McLaughlin sports very good contact and good gap ability as well. At the young age of 20 there is still plenty of time for him to have an impact. Will his poor intangibles derail his development?

Kevin Brown

This guy could have an incredeibly interesting career. This guy is an incredible SS as well as possibly being a decnt bullpen pitcher. He has excellent movement on his pitches as well as a great g/b ratio. He tops out at 88 but theres time for that to get better. As a hitter this guy has tremendous power. Great speed on the bases and amazing defense. With this fella on a major league roster he can fill wholes all over the place. He can play any infield position and hold down at the very least a mop-up role in the bullpen. This guy will give his manager amazing versatility and I am really looking forward to seeing what this guy can do.

MARQUETTE SUNS

RF Tim Young

Young is a very nice young hitter. Good contact and amazing gap ability. Only one problem. Where is he going to play. He's list as RF right now but im not sure where I would put him. Has very little range and not much of an arm. No infield skills either so a move to 1B is unlikely. On a team that doesn't value defense highly he will have his shot.

SP Greg Johnston

Johnston is a bit of a sleeper pick. Very average projections currently but he has incredible intangibles. These intangibles of his have already lead to a few talent bumps and at the age of 19 he has plenty of time to get more bumps. He has a good g/b ratio and 3 decent pitches. If he gets some more bumps this guy could be a starter someday.

BIRMINGHAM BANDITS

1B Luis Fermoso

Fermoso is a nice young player. His great ability to avoid the strikeout and very good contact should lead to a great OBP. He has great intangibles which could lead to some talent bumps. The only real problem is his defense. Not very good at 1B and does not have the prolific power that people like when they overlook poor defense in a player. He will definitely get a shot someday but whether he sticks or not is the question.

SP Josh Oliver

Listed as a starter but probably destined for the bullpen, Oliver is a nice young arm. Great movement on his pitches. Decent enough g/b ratio and pretty good at holding runners as well. Fastball tops out at 95. At 22 years old, Oliver's good intangibles could lead to his getting even better.

[aaronweiner]

Too easy on Fermoso and Oliver. I have to agree with both, though. Oliver's a real gem waiting to happen; I've been debating whether or not I want to convert him to a starter. He's pure borderline.

[bschr682]

Oliver is a lot like my guy Funke. and Funke is doing great.

[aaronweiner]

Yeah, but Funke has that usable third pitch. I'm afraid I'll probably have to keep Oliver a reliever, though I think he'll be a darn good one.

[bschr682]

true. very true.

[aaronweiner]

If you want a couple really deep sleepers in the organization...well, never mind, I'm gonna publish my own organizational report sometime today or tomorrow.

But if you want my favorite deep sleeper, it's Kevin Hull, who I just drafted, or Dexter Sheehan, who just keeps getting better.

[bschr682]

Sheehan is a pretty nice find. I ignored Hull since he was just drafted.

[lynchy34]

I'm pretty excited about Brown because of his versatility and big power at a premium position. I wish McLaughlin's OBP abilities were a little better. I don't know that he can start with his current ratings set.

[bschr682]

I'm pretty excited about Brown because of his versatility and big power at a premium position. I wish McLaughlin's OBP abilities were a little better. I don't know that he can start with his current ratings set.

look at kelly benson on my team. Pretty similar and hes always hitting over .300

[aaronweiner]

Yeah, except that Brown's on the top 100 list...

[bschr682]

doesn't say so in is player history. although i did just notice he was a recent draftee. o well im leaving him on the list cuz hes so weird. i mean seriously. the guy could end up a potent power bat in the lineup and be viable enough as a pitcher that whatever team has him essentially has an extra roster spot. thats just awesome.