Goldstein's Orioles Top 20

[Tony-OH]

I think both are nice prospects for what they are. But I also think they got pumped-up around these parts, and the best advice to the fanbase in general might be...

No more then you are pumping up Bobby Bundy. I haven't seen either kid live (Delmonico and Esposito) and I always have concerns before I actually see the guys live, but I got some nice reports from the player development guys in the instructional league about them. We'll see how they perform in the minors, but their upside gives them the bump over a pitcher like Bundy who really doesn't have a plus breaking pitch and some command issues at times. Like you said, if Bundy is a top five guy next year then he either really put it all together or guys like Hoes, Delmonico and Bridwell took steps back.

[Stotle]

No more then you are pumping up Bobby Bundy. I haven't seen either kid live (Delmonico and Esposito) and I always have concerns before I actually see the guys live, but I got some nice reports from the player development guys in the instructional league about them. We'll see how they perform in the minors, but their upside gives them the bump over a pitcher like Bundy who really doesn't have a plus breaking pitch and some command issues at times. Like you said, if Bundy is a top five guy next year then he either really put it all together or guys like Hoes, Delmonico and Bridwell took steps back.

I think I've been pretty measured with BBundy (). 11-15 range in 2008/2009, I think around #8 in 2010 and #4 this year (which was much more a product of the state of the system as a whole). Double-A will be a good test for him. I read your reports on Delmonico and Esposito and thought they were balanced. I had Delmonico as #6 and Esposito as #8, though like Bundy those are more a product of a weak system than anything. I really liked Delmonico's showings last summer with the bat, and was encouraged that Baltimore did not announce him as a catcher. There are enough questions with the bat at this point that his value, to me, is tied to his ability to stick at 3b until he shows some offensive prowess at the pro ranks.

[allstar1579]

Buxton was uneven during workouts but had some solid at bats in-game. Valentin worked out well. Cecchini and Trahan are awesome -- two of my favorites.

Baseball Factory guys are solid. I enjoy there events with Team One.

Yeah, I'm fortunate to have a good in with the BF guys, helps that their office is right around the corner from mine too

[Tony-OH]

I think I've been pretty measured with BBundy (). 11-15 range in 2008/2009, I think around #8 in 2010 and #4 this year (which was much more a product of the state of the system as a whole). Double-A will be a good test for him. I read your reports on Delmonico and Esposito and thought they were balanced. I had Delmonico as #6 and Esposito as #8, though like Bundy those are more a product of a weak system than anything. I really liked Delmonico's showings last summer with the bat, and was encouraged that Baltimore did not announce him as a catcher. There are enough questions with the bat at this point that his value, to me, is tied to his ability to stick at 3b until he shows some offensive prowess at the pro ranks.

I think Bobby Bundy is a major league pitcher, but he hasn't pitched well for me the few times I've seen him and not one scout I talked to was too excited about him. Next year will really be a big year for him at Double-A. He will either cement himself as a top ten prospect or slip into the 15-20 range. Two things I really like about him is his fastball has some life and his changeup has potential. I just want to see a good consistent breaking ball next year.

I'm looking forward to seeing both Delmonico and Esposito this year. Delmonico really got some rave reviews from some guys that are normally pretty reserved.

[Stotle]

I think Bobby Bundy is a major league pitcher, but he hasn't pitched well for me the few times I've seen him and not one scout I talked to was too excited about him. Next year will really be a big year for him at Double-A. He will either cement himself as a top ten prospect or slip into the 15-20 range. Two things I really like about him is his fastball has some life and his changeup has potential. I just want to see a good consistent breaking ball next year.

I'm looking forward to seeing both Delmonico and Esposito this year. Delmonico really got some rave reviews from some guys that are normally pretty reserved.

Esposito is fun to watch -- he's a gamer. Delmonico's success, I think even at the early stages, will be determined by adjustments and health.

[NCRaven]

I really liked Delmonico's showings last summer with the bat, and was encouraged that Baltimore did not announce him as a catcher. There are enough questions with the bat at this point that his value, to me, is tied to his ability to stick at 3b until he shows some offensive prowess at the pro ranks.

Would Delmonico's bat play at 1B if Esposito is able to provide enough offense to become our starting 3Bman. Or do you see Esposito eventually moving off of 3rd?

[Stotle]

Would Delmonico's bat play at 1B if Esposito is able to provide enough offense to become our starting 3Bman. Or do you see Esposito eventually moving off of 3rd?

I think Esposito will be able to play 3b well. Delmonico's bat has 1b upside, but if he ends-up at 1b it drastically shrinks his developmental margin of error.

[srock]

Went ahead and updated this.

Wow, the White Sox are bad.

Finally finished this.

I made a spreadsheet tracking Goldsteien's ranking system. A few others have been updating it. The results are in and posted on my blog. vBulletin won't let me post the gadget here.

Any suggestions on a different method of calculating the totale or a different way to visualize this data is appreciated.

[Tony-OH]

Finally finished this.

I made a spreadsheet tracking Goldsteien's ranking system. A few others have been updating it. The results are in and posted on my blog. vBulletin won't let me post the gadget here.

Any suggestions on a different method of calculating the totale or a different way to visualize this data is appreciated.

Boy, it sure does show the lack of depth in the system. Guys like Delmonico, Hoes, and Bridwell really need to establish themselves this season as at least 4-star guys.

[srock]

Boy, it sure does show the lack of depth in the system. Guys like Delmonico, Hoes, and Bridwell really need to establish themselves this season as at least 4-star guys.

From the perspective of someone who ranks prospects, would it make sense to weight each category differnetly? A 5 star player is worth double, a 4 star worth 1.5, a 3 is 1.25, and a 2 is worth just 1? To me, its better to have a Machado then 2 LJ Hoes.

Maybe not...

[Tony-OH]

From the perspective of someone who ranks prospects, would it make sense to weight each category differnetly? A 5 star player is worth double, a 4 star worth 1.5, a 3 is 1.25, and a 2 is worth just 1? To me, its better to have a Machado then 2 LJ Hoes.

Maybe not...

Perhaps. I don't really put much stock in the rankings overall, but it does give you one guys opinion on the depth of prospects in each organization.

[LookinUp]

Here's hoping that the stress on physical conditioning at the ML level is an organization-wide development. Maybe JJ was drafting good guys all this time only to watch them stop at McDonalds after the game and only hit the weight room once/week? That type of "regimen" sure could help a talented young man NOT reach his ceiling.