Kevin Goldstein Ranks The Top 11 Nats Prospects
Iconoclastic prospect guru Kevin Goldstein has weighed in on the Nationals system as part of his regular “Future Shock” series. In addition to ranking the Top 11, he breaks them down into the more aesthetic star system (two-star, three-star, etc.), then names nine more. In short, the four- and five-star guys are like Sickels’s Grade-B or better. Without further ado:
1. Harper *****
2. Rendon *****
3. Purke ****
4. Goodwin ***
5. Meyer ***
6. Hood ***
7. Taylor ***
8. Lombardozzi ***
9. Ray ***
10. Solis ***
11. T. Moore **
12. Marrero
13. E. Perez
14. Walters
15. Jordan+
16. Smoker
17. Martinson
18. Skole
19. Leon
20. Freitas
+I asked him via Twitter regarding Jordan and he replied that pre-surgery, Jordan might have been #11.
Like most of the prospect gurus, Goldstein points to the Gio Gonzalez trade as “thinning” to the system but believes the ’11 Draft could eventually replace the players lost. As many of you have noted in the comments, the GG trade has knocked the system back, but perhaps only to where it was a year ago.
Still, let’s not forget that as the parent club improves, the job of reloading becomes more difficult. The new CBA also will be a factor, though I think a lot of the early “Omigod, we’ll never get another Bubba Starling!” screeching analysis was overwrought.
Click through on the link above to read his quick takes on the “Nine More” and for you Harper fanboys, Goldstein included the writeup on him. The rest, alas, is for the paid subs (sorry).
Good to see Moore get recognition over Marrero.
The ball jumps off Moore’s bat like few minor leaguers I’ve seen.
Though, he’s likely headed the way of Mike Hessman, I wish him the best of luck!
Interesting to see KG’s take on Purke, which is more optimistic than any of the other rankings I’ve seen.
Also interesting to note that he describes Harper, Rendon, Purke, Goodwin, Meyer and Taylor as having “star” potential. It’s great to see that even after the trade, there are so many high-ceiling players left in the system. I’d attribute this in large part to Rizzo’s drafting philosophy. KG called him “one of the best GMs in MLB” after the Gio extension.
I’d like to know what many of you think of Kevin Keyes. He barely gets any mention for these types of lists, but he really came on strong last season. Sleeper prospect or not?
Has some work to do defensively, but no denying his power.
I like Solis over Ray, but I guess Ray is quite a bit younger. Also, interesting to see 3 of the top 5 from the 11 draft without proving themselves outside of college. Can’t wait to see a full season stats for those 3.
Where is Rosenbaum on this list? In my book he has to be at least in the 12 spot.
He’s 24 and has less than 40IP at AA. I can understand leaving him off this list. I don’t have to like it… but I get it. Given his age and workload last year, though, it’s entirely possible for him to be moved up like Lombardozzi and Espinosa were the past two seasons.
I’m glad Nick brought up Keyes; he’s no spring chicken, but was really raking in the 2nd half last year.
Now that the fat guy has signed with Detroit, there’s room to move up for guys like Tyler Moore & Kevin Keyes.