Keith Law Ranks Nats’ Top 10 Prospects
Three Nats make the overall Top 100
As posted earlier, Keith Law has released his Top 10 Prospect List for each of the 30 MLB teams as well as his Top 100 prospects overall. Three Nationals made the latter. Most of you will guess that Bryce Harper (#2) and Derek Norris (#33) made the cut, but the surprise? Wilson Ramos (#95) made it over Danny Espinosa.
Without further ado, here’s the Law list:
- Bryce Harper, RF
- Derek Norris, C
- Wilson Ramos, C
- A.J. Cole, RHP
- Danny Espinosa, SS
- Sammy Solis, LHP
- Eury Perez, OF
- Robbie Ray, LHP
- Chris Marrero, 1B
- Destin Hood, OF
The inclusion of Ramos appears to be a function of Law’s belief that the number of legitimate catching prospects is scarce. He cites his throwing arm and bat (for average) as above-average tools but questions how much Ivan Rodriguez will be able to help him in the art of game-calling.
Law believes that Norris’s defensive reputation is undeserved, believing that he can work himself into becoming an average receiver while citing his above-average arm and adequate release (Derek does have a habit of fumbling sometimes). Naturally, he sides with the obvious assessment that Norris’s hitting skills will return 2009 form and his power will continue to develop.
Finally, while there’s not much to say about Bryce Harper that hasn’t already been said, it’s interesting to note that Law believes that CF is not necessarily out of the question, if for no other reason than it eliminates the need for him to learn the angles necessary to play RF. Like most, Law believes his ascent will be timed by how quickly he adjusts to better breaking pitches.
I’m big time surprised that Hood’s at #10;, curious to see what TBRFan thinks, as she saw him probably more than anybody.
It’s a leap of faith to have two High School pitchers there, as they haven’t even pitch anywhere yet. Sue, do you or anyone else know where they are going to start?
Glad to see the props given to Eury Perez, as he looks to have a breakout year this year. Can’t wait to see him!
I’m surprised he’s there as well. From what I saw in Hagerstown this year, with the exception of LF, it was “uh oh, will he catch it”? Hitting was ehhh…and I didn’t see the passion in him that i’ve seen with other players/outfielders that have come through the Hub City. I can’t honestly say outside of Ramirez if there was any consistency in the outfield this 2010 season.
Watching Eury and his lackadasical (sp) fielding at instructs lowered my opinion of what he can do even more. Here he is on a pretty big stage, and he totally muffs a stupid-easy straight away fly ball. I just don’t see what others see. Now, he is lightening fast – which helps him somehow “hit” to get on base and then he’s off running. Maybe the right coach can get his head in all facets of the game.
For both of these players, maybe the move up will help them.
Harper? Well, the home run he hit in Lakeland made me a beliver – amazing bat speed, it was like the ball vaporized when he hit it. If I told anyone to pick out the 17 year old kid on the field, they surely would not have picked him.
Now, at Hagerstown this year i’m excited for Oduber, Sanchez, and others. I do think it’s going to be a great year.
Sorry, forgot about Oduber, he was a man among boys in thr GCL.
Also, ‘Manno’s minions’ will be keeping asharp eye on Hagerstown!
Law also came out with Organizational rankings. Any one know where we landed?
Yes, we came in at No. 19.
I think with the signing of Werth long-term, Bryce will come to the bigs as a CF which will allow them to either develop Corey Brown in LF or sign a free agent in 2012 or 2013 who is of Werth’s caliber.
It might be the best idea to start Harper in Potomac as soon as possible. He would provide some requisite competition for Hood and Perez. Perhaps Ramirez will prove ready for Harrisburg? Looking for Bloxom to move up in the rankings …
Mark just remember, they are looking at raw talent . U can not teach speed. I think you are dead on , If he gets the right coaching, he could develop. As far as Manno, he has to earn a job. I think he has to be thinking about Hagerstown or potomac. Auburn and extended season for a four year college kid is not a good sign. Guys lets keep a close eye on the development of Solis. As you all know I love lefties, I want very much for him to be successful. It would be a huge boost for our scouting guys, because, many in the business did not like this kid
Chris Marrero at #9? Well, at least he hasn’t fallen completely off everyone’s radar. I am not all that high on him… maybe I am being too hard?
I was interested in Marrero there, too. I guess he’s another one of the Nats players that is in the make-or-break year….or a change of scenery might be coming. It just seems like to me we’ve heard about him for “years” and he’s still not progressing as far as his skills should take him.
As big as a Justin Maxwell fan I am, I know it’s time for him to be traded/cut. Does anyone think the Nats can get anything in trade for him seeing he just can’t him the breaking stuff? it’s so sad, as the home run I saw him hit in Durham went OVER that big freaking bull in left – what a shot it was….but typical of his hit and miss hiting once he got to the majors.
Guess KLaw responded about leaving Espinosa off. “Low ceiling and injured wrist?”
Meant to say Espinosa off of his top 100 list.
Good article about Dayton Moore and the KC system over at ESPN by Crasnick
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=6057996.
Mentions Roy Clark a lot. Deric Ladnier.
As big as a Justin Maxwell fan I am, I know it’s time for him to be traded/cut. Does anyone think the Nats can get anything in trade for him seeing he just can’t him the breaking stuff?
Actually, my understanding is that its a lot worst than that? I thought it more about his not being able to consistently hit major league fast balls?
Looking at the pitch splits for Maxwell (via Fangraphs), he’s been better than average on sliders (but regressing) & changeups, but horrid against curves, splitters, and cutters, and slightly below average on fastballs. My feel on this is that his natural ‘long’ swing doesn’t play well in MLB, where he might see 3-4 pitch types per plate appearance.
Hood at Number 10? Wow I watched that guy all season last year and I would have giving that # 10 Spot to J.P Rameriz or Sandy Leon.
Hoods Physique is impressive, but like Burgess he has poor plate discipline and is a sucker for a slider or breaking ball when behind in the count. I do see his upside though so that cant be ignored.