MBBA hidden gems perhaps? (FL-Atlantic)

[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.

MONTREAL BLAZERS

LF Robert Harrell

Harrell looks very promising. Only average defense in LF but won't kill you out there. Pretty good speed on the basepaths. Has plus contact, gap and avoid strikeout ability which should make him a pretty good OBP guy. His ok intangibles suggest he won't flame out. I doubt he'll be a superstar but he should be a very productive part of a good hitting lineup.

SP Jesse Stafford

Stafford is a bit of a longshot but with some luck he could have a career. He has plus movement which will keep the ball in the park. Has an average fastball but the velocity just isn't there. Tops out at 90. Really nice slider tho. His 2 pitch arsenal means he won't make it as a starter but with his outstanding intangibles and only 20 years of age, he has the time to force his way into someone's bullpen.

ATLANTIC CITY GAMBLERS

LF John Butler

Butler is an interesting case. Definitely a player that would be considered a longshot. Not great intangibles. Has good speed but doesn't know how to use it. Pretty good defensively. Only average contact but has great gap ability and projects to avoid the strikeout great as well. Butler is a guy who would be a pretty good piece if he can just put the bat on the ball a little bit more.

CL Robert Marshall

Marshall is a youngster with some promise. Has a 4 pitch arsenal but only 2 are quality so he is destined for the bullpen. Great control and projects for plus movement also. Holds runners very well and plays some good D off the mound. Fastball tops out at 97 and he is only 22 years old. Pretty good candidate for the relief pitcher specialization. The little boost to each of his 2 quality pitches plus the extra velocity should be enough of a bump to make him a quality major leaguer.

BUFFALO BISON

3B Bobby Hines

Theres a lot to like about Hines. Plays decent defense all over the infield. Pretty good intangibles. Very poor runner. Hines projects to have plus contact, a keen eye and avoids the strikeout. This combo along with a little bit of pop should lead Hines to be one somebody's roster for awhile. At the very worst hes a pretty good utility guy to keep around and at its best he could be a starting 3B.

CL Dick Bartlatt

Bartlatt is a pretty good young arm to have. Two good pitches. Tops out at 94. Great g/b ratio. Decent intangibles. Great movement on his pitches and projects to have above average control as well. Bartlatt should definitely find himself in a bullpen soon.

CAROLINA KRAKEN

RF Manuel Aguilar

Not a big surprise that Aguilar makes the list. Former 1st rounder with a ton of talent. Projects to have well above average contact, good gap ability and plus-plus ability to avoid the strikeout. Listed as a RF but i see a shift to LF in his future as he does not have a very good arm. Work ethic is a concern and that could be whats keeping him off the top prospect lists. If he fully develops, he will be an all-star.

CL Finley Nickerson

Nickerson could be quite the pitcher in the future. Dominating sinker that tops out at 97 and sports an incredible g/b ratio. Plus-plus movement on his pitches and projects to have average control. Control is definitely lacking development right now but he's only 19 years old. This guy could be a major force in someone's pen in a few years.

[cheekimonk]

Good analysis! Milholm, Nickerson, Vasquez, Diaz, and Aguilar could experience miraculous growth this offseason and I would be very happy...wish their was an MBBA Mexican Winter League. Nickerson is just going to be nasty. I, too, am concerned about Aguilar's work ethic.

[bschr682]

i really like nickerson

[aaronweiner]

Yeah, I would have probably never dealt him if it weren't for me getting a guy like Ron Burgundy in the deal.