MLB: Most underrated top prospects include talents from Cubs, Mets, Orioles

[Roll Tide]

Ratings for article based on MLB.com’s top 100

 

Quote

Ryan Mountcastle, 1B/DH — Baltimore Orioles
MLB RANK: 90
Mountcastle raked in 140 plate appearances in the majors in 2020 (.333/.386/.492) and has a long track record off hitting for average and power in the minors. He’s limited to first base or DH thanks to a poor throwing arm that gets a lot of 30s and 35s from scouts, but he’s a decent athlete who projects to hit .280 with 25-30 homer power, and he’s clearly ready to face big-league arms (again).

I’d have to agree that 90 seems low for Mountcastle especially after his performance at the majors last year.

 

https://prospectinsider.com/underrated-prospects-brennen-davis-cabrera-kirby-cubs-mets-mariners/

[Sports Guy]

These top 100 lists are fun to talk about and are a quick and easy way for us to look at trade targets and things like that but they are pretty much bs.  There is no little separation once get outside the top 10-15. The order can be completely different and as you get into the 50s, the difference between #50 and #110 is very little.

[Can_of_corn]

I don't think, if he is indeed a 1B/DH, that he is underrated.

Move the bat to left and you might have a case.

[Sports Guy]

4 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I don't think, if he is indeed a 1B/DH, that he is underrated.

Move the bat to left and you might have a case.

Yep.  His defense holds him back.

That being said, he will be more successful than probably half of the guys on this list, if not more.

[Roll Tide]

54 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Yep.  His defense holds him back.

That being said, he will be more successful than probably half of the guys on this list, if not more.

Is he still top 100 as a LF?

 

[Sports Guy]

5 minutes ago, Roll Tide said:

Is he still top 100 as a LF?

 

Depends on who you ask but again, so what?  All that matters is that he hits.  
 

He will be a more successful MLer than most of the top 100 guys.  
 

It just doesn’t matter..it’s all talking points, that’s all it is.

[Can_of_corn]

7 minutes ago, Roll Tide said:

Is he still top 100 as a LF?

 

Are you asking if he's top 50?

[MCO'sFan]

3 hours ago, Roll Tide said:

Ratings for article based on MLB.com’s top 100

 

I’d have to agree that 90 seems low for Mountcastle especially after his performance at the majors last year.

 

https://prospectinsider.com/underrated-prospects-brennen-davis-cabrera-kirby-cubs-mets-mariners/

I have always thought he was underrated/undervalued. He looks to be solid in LF and I think the bat can be special.  

[Roll Tide]

2 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

Are you asking if he's top 50?

I asked if he were considered as a LF and not a 1B where do you think he would rank?

[Can_of_corn]

6 minutes ago, Roll Tide said:

I asked if he were considered as a LF and not a 1B where do you think he would rank?

With this individual?  Lower.  If they don't consider him a left fielder than they would obviously rank him lower if he were playing left field.

If you mean what would he rank if he was proven to be an average left fielder?  Higher, but not at the truly elite level of prospect.    SG is correct when he says that after a few choice names at the top a lot of the list is pretty interchangeable. 

With his plate discipline issues his bat is going to have to be really good to provide a lot of value at 1B/DH.  I hope he keeps his above average footspeed and can gain a bit of value with smart baserunning.

[MCO'sFan]

22 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

With this individual?  Lower.  If they don't consider him a left fielder than they would obviously rank him lower if he were playing left field.

If you mean what would he rank if he was proven to be an average left fielder?  Higher, but not at the truly elite level of prospect.    SG is correct when he says that after a few choice names at the top a lot of the list is pretty interchangeable. 

With his plate discipline issues his bat is going to have to be really good to provide a lot of value at 1B/DH.  I hope he keeps his above average footspeed and can gain a bit of value with smart baserunning.

I think you are right in a lot of what you say here. I would add that I see no reason why he can't be an average LF based on his 2020 performance and his level of athleticism. I was surprised that the writer listed him as 1B/DH since it's pretty clear that the Os view him as a left fielder. It made me think that he was not quite up to date in his research.

I have not seen a recent report on his foot speed but, it sure looked better than average or his level of effort was well above average because he sure go down the baseline quickly and I thought he showed good base running skills. I guess time will tell...

[LookinUp]

If the O's are to be believed re: the injury this year, I'd argue our most under rated prospect is Michael Baumann.

I think he's a stud. You can't tell me there are 100 guys that I'd rather have right now.

[HowAboutThat]

On 12/17/2020 at 6:19 AM, Sports Guy said:

Yep.  His defense holds him back.

That being said, he will be more successful than probably half of the guys on this list, if not more.

Be careful, every time I complain about his defense I get pushback from people. Probably his family.

But as far as I’m concerned his defense still remains otherworldly. And that other world is the underworld. Let him trade first base and designated hitter with Mr. Mancini, let Davis sit in the corner and think about what he’s done, and we will be good to go.

[Sports Guy]

2 minutes ago, Philip said:

Be careful, every time I complain about his defense I get pushback from people. Probably his family.

But as far as I’m concerned his defense still remains otherworldly. And that other world is the underworld. Let him trade first base and designated hitter with Mr. Mancini, let Davis sit in the corner and think about what he’s done, and we will be good to go.

He isn’t Geronimo Berroa out there.  He’s adequate enough but he’s not a plus.  That holds him back.

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

48 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

He isn’t Geronimo Berroa out there.  He’s adequate enough but he’s not a plus.  That holds him back.

DJ Stewart hasn't exactly been the most graceful fielder in his brief MLB career. I think Mountcastle is capable of being an adequate LF.