Allen Craig wins out at #14, with Niko close enough behind to give him the #15 spot. Seems about right to me, although if you don’t start voting for Adam Reifer, you might find yourself getting plunked with a 98 MPH fastball when you least expect it. It could happen in the restroom, in the breakroom, or while you’re sitting at your cubicle at work. It could happen on the drive home… Just remember, with every vote you give to someone else, Adam Reifer’s hatred towards you grows.
This next poll I wanted to throw in a few different names, just to put out some feelers on what you all think of a couple of Latin guys, Richard Castillo and Roberto De La Cruz. I think both deserve some consideration, factoring that Castillo pitched well in his short time as the youngest player in the Florida State League, and Pina got big bucks and will likely be skipping the VZL and the DSL and probably the GCL for that matter. Here’s what Luhnow had to say after the instructional league about De La Cruz-
“Originally, the conversation was that he was a Dominican Summer or Gulf Coast League player, but now he is a Johnson City or Batavia player, to be honest,” Luhnow said. “A lot can change between now and when he shows up next spring and by the time we make decisions. But Johnson City could be where he starts if I guessed now.
“He was a little banged up during instructs, but even with that, he was the most impressive player there offensively and defensively. He looked like he belonged. His talent was well ahead of his years. He showed a combination of patience at the plate and an ability to attack the ball when it was in the hitting zone. He got a lot of hits.”
That’s pretty high praise, not to mention money talks as well.
1. Rasmus
2. Wallace
3. Perez
4. Jones
5. Anderson
6. Motte
7. Garcia
8. Todd
9. Freese
10. Jay
11. Boggs
12. Mortensen
13. Kozma
14. Craig
15. Vasquez
Entries (RSS)
This is a tough spot in the rankings for me. I voted for Reifer because he will probably move quickly. However, I could have voted for De La Cruz (Pina), Castillo, Lynn, Hooker or Ottavino at this spot and made an argument for any of them. Between about 15 and 25 the Cardinals have any number of players who could be interchangeably ranked.
I think this spot is easily Lynn or Reifer…I’m going with the Reif because I know he is a reliever and he had solid numbers, Lynn on the other hand is a starter who was held back to conserve his arm
Both of these two could fly up the charts this year with solid years, Lynn especially because of his primo position. Right now I like him to translate into a Suppan type pitcher (during his time in StL), a solid number 3 with the potential to become a 2.
As far as our Latin prospects go I’m super high on both Castillo and De La Cruz, I’m going to say they are both in my top 20 but probably right there at 19 and 20. I want to see Cruz with some real competition this year but I think he could be a very good pick-up and if Castillo can put up good numbers again this year I may be looking at him next year when I’m putting together my top 10 list. Last year was outstanding let’s see his encore performance
I agree with CardSince about it being either Lynn or Reifer. I voted for Reifer out of abject terror.
That and not being able to pass up the opportunity to say, “I voted for Reifer!!”
I voted for Lynn because he is a starting pitcher. I would much rather have a starter than a reliever. More value to the team and more value in trades. A decent starting pitcher is making 8-12 million. A decent reliever is making 2-4 million. A case could be made that Riefer will be a great reliever and Lynn only a so so starter. But still their value appears equal even in that case. I will take Lynn.
I voted for Riefer. I would rather not get plunked with a 98 mph fastball.
I voted for Lynn, but it might be a recency bias based on the fact that he was just drafted last year.
I succumbed to Erik’s threat of Reifer madness and cast my vote for the fascist closer mentality party. Actually, other than Ottavino (who sucked last year) we know more about Reifer than the other guys listed. The poop is that he’s got real stuff beyond the size and the moxie. Samuel has stuff too I guess but he’s listed as 150 lbs. I still hope though that he’s not the PTBNL for Greene.
It’s at this point in the ratings that I’d like to put in a plug for my favorite sleeper to burst into the top 10-15 next year. That would be Arnoldi (Tony) Cruz. The reports I read indicated that he took very well to the switch to catcher and he was having a decent offensive year in a pitcher’s league and a pitcher’s park before he was hurt. He may have enough backup catcher or utility/third catcher potential that we would feel okay about trading Anderson for a needed cog.
I voted for Lynn as well and for the same reason as you. Out of that list I would take Lynn or Riefer, with the edge going to Lynn because he’s a starter.
I went with Lynn based on the starter potential, but wouldn’t be upset with Reifer since he will probably move quicker.
Oh, and it’s looking like whoever comes in second will probably automatically get #17. In the next post can you remind us who is who between Salas and Samuel … or possibly get one of them to change their name so I don’t get confused all the time.