Top 10 Players and their Major League "equivalents"

[ChaosLex]

Interesting list. Probably not factual, but I thought it might make for a fun discussion topic.

1. Gerrit Cole - Stephen Strasburg-lite

2. Anthony Rendon - Ryan Zimmerman

3. Danny Hultzen - Cliff Lee

4. Trevor Bauer - Tim Lincecum

5. Bubba Starling - Carl Crawford

6. Dylan Bundy - Kyle Drabek

7. Sonny Gray - Roy Oswalt

8. Jed Bradley - Josh Beckett

9. Matt Purke - Clayton Kershaw

10. Francisco Lindor - Stephen Drew

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/711887-2011-mlb-mock-draft-the-mlb-players-the-top-10-picks-most-resemble#

[RVAbird]

Interesting list. Probably not factual, but I thought it might make for a fun discussion topic.

1. Gerrit Cole - Stephen Strasburg-lite

2. Anthony Rendon - Ryan Zimmerman

3. Danny Hultzen - Cliff Lee

4. Trevor Bauer - Tim Lincecum

5. Bubba Starling - Carl Crawford

6. Dylan Bundy - Kyle Drabek

7. Sonny Gray - Roy Oswalt

8. Jed Bradley - Josh Beckett

9. Matt Purke - Clayton Kershaw

10. Francisco Lindor - Stephen Drew

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/711887-2011-mlb-mock-draft-the-mlb-players-the-top-10-picks-most-resemble#

Lots of forced, poor comps. Exhibit one of why comps are generally more misleading than they are helpful.

EDIT: Nothing against you, Chaos! And I don't mean to be snarky. I just think picking the one very good player who is sort of similar to a prospect and slapping him on as a comp is a skewed way to look at things.

[Scrat1]

Lots of forced, poor comps. Exhibit one of why comps are generally more misleading than they are helpful.

I know you and Stotle both hold this viewpoint, and probably lots of other scouts/analysts do too, but most of the posters here aren't looking for that level of professionalism. It's mostly just for fun and the sake of imagination and to give the posters a very general idea of that player's skillset. I guess I just don't see the harm in that. Why not indulge us?

[ChaosLex]

Lots of forced, poor comps. Exhibit one of why comps are generally more misleading than they are helpful.

EDIT: Nothing against you, Chaos! And I don't mean to be snarky. I just think picking the one very good player who is sort of similar to a prospect and slapping him on as a comp is a skewed way to look at things.

No offense taken.

Like I said, it was mostly for fun.

[Stotle]

I know you and Stotle both hold this viewpoint, and probably lots of other scouts/analysts do too, but most of the posters here aren't looking for that level of professionalism. It's mostly just for fun and the sake of imagination and to give the posters a very general idea of that player's skillset. I guess I just don't see the harm in that. Why not indulge us?

I think loose comps can be fun for readers -- this guy just did a really bad job of it. I think it speaks more to him probably never seeing these players than it does any intent to be lazy.

[RVAbird]

I know you and Stotle both hold this viewpoint, and probably lots of other scouts/analysts do too, but most of the posters here aren't looking for that level of professionalism. It's mostly just for fun and the sake of imagination and to give the posters a very general idea of that player's skillset. I guess I just don't see the harm in that. Why not indulge us?

Honestly, you're right. If people want to talk about players in terms of comps I have no business trying to spoil the fun. Aside from a philosophical tendency to avoid comps, though, I find the list to be pretty poor even relatively speaking.

[Scrat1]

I think loose comps can be fun for readers -- this guy just did a really bad job of it. I think it speaks more to him probably never seeing these players than it does any intent to be lazy.

Honestly, you're right. If people want to talk about players in terms of comps I have no business trying to spoil the fun. Aside from a philosophical tendency to avoid comps, though, I find the list to be pretty poor even relatively speaking.

This I won't disagree with. I have almost zero scouting acumen, but even from what little I know, that Lindor to Drew comparison seems pretty outrageous.

[LookinUp]

I like comps, but think 1 to 1 comps are hard to pull off. We discussed Rendon in some thread a while ago and Stotle pointed out aspects of Zimmerman and Wright, but not a perfect comp for either.

The Cliff Lee/Hultzen comp seems forced as well, to me.

[allstar1579]

I'm not generally a big fan of comps, but I get that it's a good way to explain to people who don't follow as closely what a guy's skillset is.

I'll take a crack at redoing a poorly done list:

1. Gerrit Cole - He's hard to comp, just a different kind of pitcher. 3 potential plus-plus pitches is just NASTY.

2. Anthony Rendon - Some mix of Wright and Zimmerman.

3. Danny Hultzen - Matusz with a slightly better fastball and slightly worse secondaries.

4. Trevor Bauer - Tim Lincecum - Lots of similarities here, but just as high risk/high reward and the chances of everything aligning twice with similar pitchers isn't that great.

5. Bubba Starling - There is a "raw 5 tool talent" in every draft, more miss than hit, but if I had to pick someone, maybe Adam Jones with a little worse defense. These picks are the hardest to comp because there is SO many things that can develop or not.

6. Dylan Bundy - RH Jon Lester.

7. Sonny Gray - Roy Oswalt - He gets this one because he's also small, but stuff wise reminds me more of Darryl Kile.

8. Jed Bradley - Potential to be a LH Brandon Webb, kind of similar to Britton.

9. Matt Purke - Eric Gagne or Billy Wagner. I see him as a RP though (and meant Gagne as the failed as a starter but did great as a closer sense)

10. Francisco Lindor - Christian Guzman maybe?

Man, that was hard. Was kinda fun though.

[Stotle]

I'm not generally a big fan of comps, but I get that it's a good way to explain to people who don't follow as closely what a guy's skillset is.

I'll take a crack at redoing a poorly done list:

1. Gerrit Cole - He's hard to comp, just a different kind of pitcher. 3 potential plus-plus pitches is just NASTY. Maybe vintage Johan

2. Anthony Rendon - Some mix of Wright and Zimmerman.

3. Danny Hultzen - Matusz with a slightly better fastball and slightly worse secondaries. Did Hultzen grow a usable 4th pitch when I wasn't looking?

4. Trevor Bauer - Tim Lincecum - Lots of similarities here, but just as high risk/high reward and the chances of everything aligning twice with similar pitchers isn't that great. Or Leake? Or somewhere in between?

5. Bubba Starling - There is a "raw 5 tool talent" in every draft, more miss than hit, but if I had to pick someone, maybe Adam Jones with a little worse defense. These picks are the hardest to comp because there is SO many things that can develop or not. I think Adam Jones with worse defense is a left fielder. Give me the good version of Carlos Beltran!!!

6. Dylan Bundy - RH Jon Lester. I actually like the "stuff" comp, but physcial comp not so much.

7. Sonny Gray - Roy Oswalt - He gets this one because he's also small, but stuff wise reminds me more of Darryl Kile. This is your Lincey right here!

8. Jed Bradley - Potential to be a LH Brandon Webb, kind of similar to Britton. I like Britton comp more than Webb, I think. But I'm not sure.............

9. Matt Purke - Eric Gagne or Billy Wagner. I see him as a RP though (and meant Gagne as the failed as a starter but did great as a closer sense) Kudos for trying -- I can't think of anyone that looks/throws like a healthy Purke.

10. Francisco Lindor - Christian Guzman maybe? On behalf of Lindor, "Ouch!" Furcal is an easy comp, though he lacks Furcal's arm.

Man, that was hard. Was kinda fun though. Not as fun as just commenting and not offering up my own forced comps!

I don't want to put my own comps out there, but I'll gladly poke fun at everyone else's! See bolded above...

[TJ Wrangler]

I'll give this a go with my own personal take on comparisons. After I started, I realized how difficult this actually is, and I'm not really comfortable assigning any one comparison.

Cole: I see a little bit of a bigger Pedro Martinez type pitcher with a potential plus plus fastball, slider, and change-up to go with the lower arm slot. A lot would have to go right to put him in Pedro's category though.

Rendon: Edgar Martinez type hitter that can hit for average with an excellent batting eye and good but not elite power. I'd gladly take Edgar Martinez with a plus glove at 3b.

Danny Hultzen: Drawing blanks here. He's a fastball changeup slider lefty who could potentially end up with a plus fastball and changeup and an average slider. He's not on the level Matusz was when he was drafted. Maybe similar in reportire to Johan Santana, with clearly worse stuff.

Trevor Bauer: I think the Lincecum comp is going to set unfair expectations. His leg kick isn't as high, his delivery isn't as explosive, and I don't think he generates as much power from his core as Lincecum. The similarities are there, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. For now, I'll say Lincecum-lite.

Bubba Starling: Jay Bruce comes to mind, but I agree with Allstar in that there is always a raw 5 tool talent in every draft that may or may not develop.

Dylan Bundy: Need to see more for myself. Sounds a lot like Taillon coming out of HS.

Sonny Gray: Oswalt comparisons are good for the size and fastball/curveball combo. I'm a huge fan of Oswalt's mechanics, not so much Gray's due to arm action/timing issues. Maybe a smaller A.J. Burnett.

Jed Bradley: I'm not buying into the Britton/LH Webb comparisons. I just don't see the command to be successful here. Then again, there aren't many LHP sinkerballers to compare him to. I just don't see Bradley developing well. I'll concede that I haven't seen much of him, but I need to see more and better displays to be sold on his potential.

Matt Purke: Wasn't a fan of his mechanics in HS, not a fan now. I see similarities in Wagner as far as delivery goes, but Purke's fastball/slider isn't as good as Wagner's was.

Francisco Lindor: Haven't seen enough to pass judgment.

[Stotle]

I'll give this a go with my own personal take on comparisons. After I started, I realized how difficult this actually is, and I'm not really comfortable assigning any one comparison.

Cole: I see a little bit of a bigger Pedro Martinez type pitcher with a potential plus plus fastball, slider, and change-up to go with the lower arm slot. A lot would have to go right to put him in Pedro's category though. Broke the cardinal rule that no player shall be comped to Pedro Martinez.

Rendon: Edgar Martinez type hitter that can hit for average with an excellent batting eye and good but not elite power. I'd gladly take Edgar Martinez with a plus glove at 3b. Boo. Can't ignore defense AND physical description. This is some BS baseball-reference comping!

Danny Hultzen: Drawing blanks here. He's a fastball changeup slider lefty who could potentially end up with a plus fastball and changeup and an average slider. He's not on the level Matusz was when he was drafted. Maybe similar in reportire to Johan Santana, with clearly worse stuff. Hultzen's agent would be on board with this comp, but I don't think the drafting orgs are buying it.

Trevor Bauer: I think the Lincecum comp is going to set unfair expectations. His leg kick isn't as high, his delivery isn't as explosive, and I don't think he generates as much power from his core as Lincecum. The similarities are there, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. For now, I'll say Lincecum-lite. Booooooooo! no "lite"s allowed! Pick a player and stick with it!

Bubba Starling: Jay Bruce comes to mind, but I agree with Allstar in that there is always a raw 5 tool talent in every draft that may or may not develop. I think Bubba could run backwards around Bruce without Bruce laying a hand on him.

Dylan Bundy: Need to see more for myself. Sounds a lot like Taillon coming out of HS. Minus 6 inches and 30 lbs?

Sonny Gray: Oswalt comparisons are good for the size and fastball/curveball combo. I'm a huge fan of Oswalt's mechanics, not so much Gray's due to arm action/timing issues. Maybe a smaller A.J. Burnett. I'd love to see the two of them standing next to each other, then pitchign side by side...

Jed Bradley: I'm not buying into the Britton/LH Webb comparisons. I just don't see the command to be successful here. Then again, there aren't many LHP sinkerballers to compare him to. I just don't see Bradley developing well. I'll concede that I haven't seen much of him, but I need to see more and better displays to be sold on his potential. He's not Britton because he lacks Britton's command? I say on Bradley's behalf, "Ouch!"

Matt Purke: Wasn't a fan of his mechanics in HS, not a fan now. I see similarities in Wagner as far as delivery goes, but Purke's fastball/slider isn't as good as Wagner's was.

Francisco Lindor: Haven't seen enough to pass judgment. I love that you refer to it as "passing judgment". The visual of a bunch of message board fans with robes and gavels sentencing prospects to their "future selves" is hilarious.

Man, yours is not as fun but I'm still going to lampoon it.

[TJ Wrangler]

Man, yours is not as fun but I'm still going to lampoon it.

HA! Let's see what you can come up with, Mr. Scout.

I was going to edit Starling to say a faster Bruce and Bundy to say a shorter Taillon. Maybe Justin Upton would be a better comp for Starling, but I haven't seen enough of Bundy to give a solid comp (if there is a such thing).

[allstar1579]

I don't want to put my own comps out there, but I'll gladly poke fun at everyone else's! See bolded above...

Haha, I was actually hoping you were going to chime in on mine, I kind of baited you with at least one of them

1. Actually thought Clemens originally, but since he doesn't have a splitter like that I shied away from it, would have been ballsy of me though.

3. I SAID worse secondaries, I lumped them all together instead of a side by side, I was being lazy.

4. The funny thing is originally I had Kyle as my comp here, and Lincey for Gray, but I was going with Gray having a slightly better curve. That power curve really does remind me of DK.

5. Pick a name out of a hat, I could come up with like 30, but I knew if I said someone like Beltran the next thread in this forum would be talking about Starling #1 overall. #hypemachine

6. Oh, now we have to get the body type AND the stuff? You can't just make up rules!! (I've been thinking the stuff thing for a couple months now, it's the cutter that reminds me of him. Started as "imagine Bundy and Lester back to back in a rotation, same stuff but inverse??? NASTY)

7. See #4

8. I lean more towards ZB too, but I was kinda torn too, I think somewhere in between the two, but I also think Webb has the best sinker I've ever seen and ZB #2.

9. Yeah...good luck with that one.

10. Hahaha, this was one of the baits. I like Lindor, but I was scared to give him the Furcal hype. I think steady, fairly productive and long lasting.

This is kinda fun though as long as you don't take it seriously.

[eb45]

1. Gerrit Cole - Roger Clemens!

2. Anthony Rendon - George Brett!

3. Danny Hultzen - Warren Spahn!

4. Trevor Bauer - Pedro Martinez!

5. Bubba Starling - Mickey Mantle!

6. Dylan Bundy - Bob Gibson!

7. Sonny Gray - Pedro Martinez!

8. Jed Bradley - Kevin Brown!

9. Matt Purke - Sandy Koufax!

10. Francisco Lindor - Alan Trammell!

Draft all of them!