Comments on: Future Redbirds Top 20: 4-6

By: southeast redbird

southeast redbird — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:57:14 +0000

Just keep in mind that while many of these prospects may or may not fit the Cardinal mold, they were picked that way on purpose, they are all not being “raised” to be future redbirds. Will be interesting to see how these young player progress next season and if the Cardinals need to trade to make a playoff.
Padres are waiting for a pitcher, they like the lower velocity control guys, Cardinals have some of those.

By: BigJawnMize

BigJawnMize — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:45:12 +0000

I kinda circulated that idea a while back. Pitching is more athletic in nature and lends itself to many of the athletic traits Pham has. I just have a general belief that the more athletic a kid is he is more suited to pitch and the more athletic pitchers are less likely to get hurt. Mulder is the exception that proves the theory. He was truly one of the more athletic guys I have seen and he shoulder went to total crap, but even then he was able to “pitch” with a destroyed shoulder because the rest of his body worked so damn well.

By: azruavatar

azruavatar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:35:03 +0000

We use IP (45) and ABs (130) as deliminators rather than raw numbers of days on the roster.

By: Swirls AEPi

Swirls AEPi — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:28:18 +0000

I’m assuming that the 1-3 prospects are Rasmus, Wallace, and Perez.

My question is regarding Perez. My understanding is that because he spent more than 50 days on the active roster, he is no longer eligible for RotY voting. If he’s not eligible to be RotY, why is he still considered a prospect? Mather is in the same boat – he’s no longer eligible so it makes sense for him to be left off of the rankings this year.

Just curious is all.

By: poorcollegeguy

poorcollegeguy — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:54:55 +0000

I thought i heard somewhere that Pham had made the switch to the mound. (or maybe i just expected it)

By: poorcollegeguy

poorcollegeguy — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:53:38 +0000

I understand your stance and i sort of agree with it, but saying that Jones was a nobody i don’t believe is accurate. When Jones was drafted we knew exactly what we were getting. He had a huge ceiling and a very low floor, and we have been waiting for the past 3 years for him to begin to progress. Once he began to show hints of a great prospect it is only natural for us to rocket him up our lists because of his high ceiling. Jones was simply a waiting game. If he never develops hes a nobody but if he does he is a top five prospect.

By: erik

erik — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:48:45 +0000

I’ve seen Pham and Jones and when comparing just tools, Jones was impressive but Pham was just electric. He runs like the wind, has a rocket arm and has more power. The problem is he is a merciless hacker, something Jones never really was, even when he was struggling. If Pham ever figures things out, watch out.

By: Hugo

Hugo — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:15:00 +0000

I agree that Hamilton is one dimensional, you can say Chris Duncan for a good comp to Hamilton IMO, but Jones right now has only had one good season and why he has the tools to support him I don’t think a total jump from nobody to top 5 is warranted.

By: Brett

Brett — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:43:23 +0000

This talk about Daryl Jones reminds me of another guy who we drafted as a great athlete out of high school in hopes that we could will him into becoming a ball player. Tommy Pham will be entering his age 21 season, he’ll probably be starting at A+ ball, and he put up a line of .218/.284/.442 in the QC last year. Sounds intriginlgy similar to Jones who entered his age 21 season in A+ ball after posting a .217/303./.296 line at the QC and exploded last season. Pham definitely has more pop than Jones, the ball really jumps off his bat. If he can put it together like Jones did then we will be talking about Tommy Pham in next years FR top 20 just like we talk about Daryl Jones today.

By: burt

burt — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:24:00 +0000

Jones has a number of things going for him that Hamilton did not at this time last year. Hamilton’s numbers weren’t anything to excited about when he moved to AA while Jones excelled there (small sample size, but it’s still impressive). Hamilton was also 23 when his “breakout” occured while Jones was 21. Hamilton proved to be a “one year wonder” but another guy (Joe Mather) who had a “fluky” 2007 is now part of the big club’s future.

Jones (like Mather) has the physical tools that Hamilton does not. Jones has tools better than almost anyone in the system. Even if Jones only develops into an average offensive player (similar to 2008 Carl Crawford or Willie Harris), he could develop into an excellent defensive LF (2008 Carl Crawford or Willie Harris). That is still an extremely valuable player.