2060.31 Charlotte Prospect Watch

[Krathan]

This is the first time I’ve created an overall top 10 prospect list for my organization. I usually just list the top 3 or so at each position. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on my list.

The Flyers’ number 1 overall prospect is Jose “Uncle” Bedreddin. He has played CF and LF at AAA this season after posting 3.3 WAR and a wRC+ of 127 with Short A Adirondack after being selected in the first round of the draft in 2059. Uncle has been even better at AAA than he was at the lower level a year ago. He is slashing .329/.402/.575 with 15 doubles, 12 home runs, 43 RBI, and a wRC+ of 150 in just 53 games. Defensively, he has a ZR of 5.6 in 48 games in CF and has gone from a LF rating of 1 to 4 in just 3 games at the position as the organization tries to make him a more versatile defender. He outstandingly improved his defense at CF in the dev lab during the offseason. He has seen steady development progress offensively and his current ability ratings are almost equal to his potential ratings. Uncle was recently selected to take part in the 2060 Rupert Horn Memorial League All-Star Game. Bedreddin looks like he may be ready to take the next step and get a shot in the BBA very soon.

The team’s number 2 prospect is Harry Taylor, another outfielder who has quickly risen through the system and is currently on the injured list after suffering an oblique strain about three weeks after joining Richmond. He is probably still a week away from rejoining the team. In 2059, he was drafted in the 3rd round and sent to Elkins to play in the Rookie League. He won the league MVP and the Platinum Stick in LF. This season, he started in A ball and had a wRC+ of 193 in his first 28 games. He then spent one week in AA where he had 12 hits in 27 at bats before being promoted to Richmond. Before his injury, Taylor played in 17 games in AAA. He went 23-68 with 10 extra base hits, 15 RBI, and a wRC+ of 158. The team is eagerly awaiting his return to the lineup.

Charlotte’s number 3 prospect is Victor Sandoval. He would likely be the top prospect if only potential was taken into consideration. He is young, and in the team’s international complex. Sandoval currently has a long way to go to reach his potential. If he can get there, he could be a BBA star for many years. The best news so far is that he has made some slight developmental progress and has not seen any drop in his potential since being signed.

The Flyers’ number 4 prospect is another IAFA signing like Sandoval. Infielder Kutsi Abas looks like he could turn into an excellent 2B or even a SS if he can get a defensive bump or two. The rest of this blurb would just mirror Sandoval’s so you can move on or just read the previous blurb again.

The number 5 prospect for Charlotte is Ricardo Hernandez. The thing that’s holding Hernandez back from being higher on the list is that he hasn’t yet shown much progress in his development since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2057.He has shown some growth defensively all around the outfield but has only recently had any movement on his offensive ratings. His ability to avoid strikeouts improved this season. But he still needs to progress in all areas of his game. He could be a very good big leaguer if he reaches his potential. He was promoted too quickly and struggled in A ball last year. He has started slowly at Short A this season, collecting only 4 hits in his first 34 at bats.

The team’s number 6 prospect in Domingo Chavez, their first round pick in the 2060 draft. Chavez played shortstop in college but will be playing mostly 3B with Short-A Adirondack this season. He may occasionally see time at 2B as well, though he needs to develop his range a bit if he wants to find success there at the big league level. He also has the skills to be an adequate fielder in the corner outfield spots if needed. Offensively, Chavez is fairly well developed for a 19 year old but does have room for growth. If he can reach his potential, he should be able to hold down a starting spot in a BBA lineup for several years. He has quality power and contact skills with a decent eye. Despite a relative lack of speed, Chavez is a good baserunner. He has gotten off to a slow start with Adirondack, hitting only .214 in his first 12 games but there is a lot to like about his game.

The Flyers’ number 7 prospect is Paul “Great One” Long. He was drafted in the 2nd round this year and was immediately sent to A level Danville. Offensively, Long is fairly well developed for an 18 year old and looks to have the potential to have good contact and power skills. Defensively, he looks like a player who will either need to learn to play first base, get a defensive bump, or settle in as a designated hitter. His first 16 games with Danville have been a struggle. Long has only 11 hits in his first 61 professional at bats. Scouts don’t see much of a platoon disadvantage despite being a left handed hitter. In the IFC, he actually hit better against lefties than righties.

The team’s number 8 prospect is Jose Valle. The 22 year old shortstop was originally acquired via trade in 2056. He was then traded away a year later. This past offseason, Valle was reacquired in another trade and sent to AAA. Valle has shown some strong development this year, increasing his infield range, eye, sac bunt, and avoid k ratings. His best asset is his defense and his ability to take a walk at the plate. Scouts see him as someone who could get to the point where he could be a below average but not abysmal hitter with a phenomenal eye and the ability to play almost anywhere on the field. It’s his shortstop defense, though, that makes him compelling. He already has a ZR of 9.67 with Richmond in 32 games at short this season. Valle has a .603 OPS so far in Richmond. If he can develop to his offensive potential, and especially if he can get an offensive bump or two, he could be a useful player at the next level.

Charlotte’s number 9 prospect is Ron Christian. Once considered OSA’s #8 prospect, Christian has been hampered by injuries and a rough V25 hit. The left handed pitcher’s long list of injuries has removed any possibility of Christian being seen as a potential starting pitcher down the line. Since being moved to the bullpen, Christian has been injured less. He has also been effective in AAA. He has made 60 relief appearances for Richmond in 2059 and 2060 combined. His FIP- was 86 last year and 53 so far this season. He was called up to Charlotte briefly last year and made 2 appearances. He struggled and got sent back down. It seems likely that he will get another chance at some point this year. The other big issue that Christian has outside of his health, is that he has a tendency to give up too many home runs. His HR% has often been 3.8 or higher.

The team’s number 10 prospect is Ben Graybill. The 20 year old was Charlotte’s third round draft pick in 2060. He is playing 1B and corner outfield at the Rookie level this year in Elkins. He projects to have good power and hit 22 home runs during his final college season. He has 5 home runs in his first 12 games with the Buzzards, including a 3 homer game on June 5. His defense isn’t going to stand out as particularly good or bad. He has decent speed and is a good baserunner. As a left handed hitter, he does appear to be demonstrating some platoon issues against lefty pitchers from a contact perspective. His power, however, seems to play against everyone. He needs to work on his contact skills, particularly in regards to avoiding the strikeout, but his eye is decently developed and his home run and gap power already seem to be at or near potential..

[BaseClogger]

So many outfielders. The top seven or so are pretty interchangeable. I’d have Chavez at number one.

[Krathan]

I do think Chavez has a chance to move up this list pretty quickly. He’d already be higher if he had better infield range.

[BaseClogger]

I do think Chavez has a chance to move up this list pretty quickly. He’d already be higher if he had better infield range.

He’s also just as good of an outfielder as Taylor and I like the bat better.