Law ranks O's farm system 17th

[mweb]

Insider.

O's:

I see two likely superstars, one more potential superstar with lower probability ? and after about seven or eight names, it goes off a cliff.

1-5: Padres, Rays, Jays, Cards, Royals.

Yanks 10th, Boston 18th, and Washington 21st.

[Frobby]

Could be worse, I suppose. But we have a lot of eggs in the Bundy/Machado/Schoop baskets. We really need more depth of talent.

[Lucky Jim]

Could be worse, I suppose. But we have a lot of eggs in the Bundy/Machado/Schoop baskets. We really need more depth of talent.

A solid 2011 draft (Esposito, Delmonico hitting - with Bundy) and a handful of breakout/health-based resurgences would go a long way to moving us up.

[Can_of_corn]

A solid 2011 draft (Esposito, Delmonico hitting - with Bundy) and a handful of breakout/health-based resurgences would go a long way to moving us up.

Yep, and a couple injuries and they crater.

[Lucky Jim]

Yep, and a couple injuries and they crater.

I'm pretty sure most of us here know the risk profile of a thin, top-heavy system. Frankly, though, I thought we'd be lower. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[allstar1579]

I'm pretty sure most of us here know the risk profile of a thin, top-heavy system. Frankly, though, I thought we'd be lower. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

It's about where I thought we should be actually. The top 3 are really good, and Birdwell and Esposito could take a jump up there to Schoop territory with a good year. Esposito is always going to be better with the glove than the bat, but he could be the 3B equivalent of Casey Kotchman I think if things break right.

[Stotle]

It's about where I thought we should be actually. The top 3 are really good, and Birdwell and Esposito could take a jump up there to Schoop territory with a good year. Esposito is always going to be better with the glove than the bat, but he could be the 3B equivalent of Casey Kotchman I think if things break right.

Something tells me Baltimore is hoping Espo turns into more than Kotchman, who has amassed 5.3 fWAR in eight pro seasons.

[glenn__davis]

Something tells me Baltimore is hoping Espo turns into more than Kotchman, who has amassed 5.3 fWAR in eight pro seasons.

Corey Koskie? Or is that a bit optimistic?

BTW, what happend to Koskie? He put up a decent season, at least from a numbers standpoint, at age 33 in 2006, and then nothing after that.

[Babypowder]

Corey Koskie? Or is that a bit optimistic?

BTW, what happend to Koskie? He put up a decent season, at least from a numbers standpoint, at age 33 in 2006, and then nothing after that.

Brian Roberts is re-enacting what happened to Koskie's career as we speak...

[glenn__davis]

Brian Roberts is re-enacting what happened to Koskie's career as we speak...

Yeah, thanks. Just wikipedia'd it myself. I missed that somehow.

[hoosiers]

We all know the Os have had problems the past few years, but it is difficult to understand if it on the scouting side or player development. Consensus is that the player development side has been well below average.

Law assesses the Os system as top heavy on one hand, which implies IMO very poor scouting, but has also taken the Os to task for firing their scouts. He can't play both sides, IMO.

[Lucky Jim]

We all know the Os have had problems the past few years, but it is difficult to understand if it on the scouting side or player development. Consensus is that the player development side has been well below average.

Law assesses the Os system as top heavy on one hand, which implies IMO very poor scouting, but has also taken the Os to task for firing their scouts. He can't play both sides, IMO.

My guess is that Law would say, "more, better scouts," and "more, better instruction." I can't say he's wrong. I don't get the impression that he's down (all that much) on the Orioles firing people. I get the sense he's down that they're pulling people from some areas to cover others, when really it should just be (you got it) "more, better" scouts.

[allstar1579]

Something tells me Baltimore is hoping Espo turns into more than Kotchman, who has amassed 5.3 fWAR in eight pro seasons.

I'm sure they are, but don't you think the bat is a bit light? I see him having more value with the glove and I'm HOPEFUL that he puts it all together with the bat, but far from convinced.

[Stotle]

I'm sure they are, but don't you think the bat is a bit light? I see him having more value with the glove and I'm HOPEFUL that he puts it all together with the bat, but far from convinced.

I was just commenting on the tone of your post -- "but" seemed to indicate that a 3b version of Kotchman was something to be positive about.

I don't think the bat is light, so much as flawed.

[Scrat1]

Washington, with Harper and Rendon, is 21st? Am I missing something?