Comments on: Zack Cox and Third Base

By: bc

bc — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:56:10 +0000

I guess but I don’t know that there was much risk. Jenkins was not Kyle Parker or Zach Lee. He was like a 2 star recruit at Baylor. And that risk may have explained some drop in draft position (maybe) or a little higher signing bonus (more likely) bu IMO it doesn’t explain much of the relative differences between Jenkins and Blair in how they’ve been treated on prospect lists since the draft.

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 23:15:28 +0000

That, plus the fact that part of the “risk” with Jenkins was that he wouldn’t play baseball at all. That has now disappeared as an issue.

By: bc

bc — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:49:55 +0000

It’s just the narrative of the “athlete” with “upside” and people’s biases. Nothing is different today than when these guys were drafted.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:48:23 +0000

Interesting question. I’m higher on Jenkins because of body type and projection, he seems to have alot of room to grow and improve while Blair is probably close to the pitcher than he always will be. Maybe BA looks into the draftees more once they are choosen and than informs there choices for the BA Team Top 15

By: Lou Schuler

Lou Schuler — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:34:39 +0000

Has there ever been a Cardinals prospect who gained more esteem from draft day to his first full pro season, without actually doing anything in between to merit that rise, than Tyrell Jenkins?

Around draft time there seemed to be a realistic view of his potential — nobody knew what his ceiling was, but everyone saw the floor. Now lots of people seem to think he has top-of-the-rotation stuff.

I hope he’s as good as the people making prospect lists assume he is. I just can’t figure out why his potential seems so much higher now than it did when people could actually see him play.

Before the draft, BA had Jenkins ranked #43, and the Cards took him with the 50th pick. BA had Seth Blair ranked #34, and the Cards took him 46th overall. In between, Jenkins pitched 3 innings at Johnson City. He gave up 2 hits, struck out 2, and walked 2. Blair didn’t pitch. Now BA has Jenkins ranked as our #4 prospect, while Blair is #8.

Can anyone explain why Blair’s stock dropped and Jenkins’ rose so dramatically, when neither guy did anything to change his status?

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:21:10 +0000

Can you sell players short – If so, I’m all in on shorting Samuel.

By: bigchieftootiemontana

bigchieftootiemontana — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:49:06 +0000

On the Mastersball site, which is mostly geared towards fantasy baseball, there are lists of the top 109 long term NL prospects and 109 AL prospects.

They have Zack Cox ranked 29th which is higher than I have seen him elsewhere. Interested in what you guys think of that ranking.

Shelby Miller is 16th, Francisco Samuel is 70th and Tyrell Jenkins is 71st . These lists are behind the subscription, but I printed them and have them in my hands.

By: Forsch31

Forsch31 — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 06:49:23 +0000

Sorry…”should be a 30-HR guy” really should be “could be.” That’s what I get for posting this late (or is it early?)

By: Forsch31

Forsch31 — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 06:48:20 +0000

Of course, Allen Craig also could take 1B if Albert leaves. His arm won’t be a problem there, he’s played the position a decent amount in Memphis, and he should be a 30-HR guy if he makes the transition to the majors. Just seems natural to me.

By: Lou Schuler

Lou Schuler — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:15:38 +0000

If all three guys are healthy and hit — Freese, Carpenter, Cox — one of them could end up 1b if Albert leaves. Right field is also an open position going forward. If we can’t find a true power hitter for one of those positions, a high-average guy may be the best we can do.

Now, if we can’t find a 30-HR guy for ANY of the corners … at least we’ll have good memories of the 2000s.