Future Redbirds 2012 Top 20: Just Missed
Posted on January 5th, 2012 by azruavatar in Prospect rankings, tags: Tyler RahmatullaTyler Rahmatulla
Age – 22
Stats
34th Round of 2011 Draft
This may be the 2011 version of my Nick Longmire pick last year but I’ve been a fan of Rahmatulla since draft day. He has the defensive chops to stick at second base but his calling card will be his bat. Injuries and academic problems derailed his college career but the Cardinals took a late round flier on him. He was impressive in 2011 but there should be skepticism about a 21 year old tearing up Johnson City. He ended 2011 with the best OPS on the club (outside of 22 at bats by Charlie Tilson) showing his ability to take a walk, hit for average and hit for power.
Kolten Wong will certainly suck up the prospect oxygen in the room when discussing the Cardinals future second base posiibilities but keep an eye on Rahmatulla when he hits full season minors. He’s worth watching.
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Any reports on his defense? Let’s just hope he’s not the second coming of Isa Garcia.
Great post! This is a nice feature to add.
As for Rahmatulla, I’ll be interested to see how aggressive the Cardinals are with him this year. I think that will show us how he is viewed in the organization, at least until he forces them to change their opinion, either for the good or the bad.
The aggressive angle can be somewhat misleading. If they want Wong at Palm Beach for example and want him and Rhamatulla to both play everyday he most likely will end up at QC even if they thin he could play higher.
azru–it is just you doing the lists this year?
Nope, I’m in there too!
I like Rahmatulla quite a bit too. Seems like a weird set of circumstances caused him to fall so low in the draft, unrelated to his talent. For example, he injured his wrist at the bottom of a celebratory dog pile.
In any event, I like Rahmatulla better than someone like Starlin Rodriguez. They are essentially the same age, and though Starlin is at higher levels, his plate discipline and power leave a lot to be desired.
Also, in checking out Rahmatulla, I came across a SS named Hildemaro Vargas, who played in the GCL. His stats, especially his BB/K, look pretty interesting.
I seen that also!! I think he may be younger too.
Speaking of Wong, am I drunk, or is he not one of yalls top 20 cardinals prospects? IMO, and over at minor league ball, he’s a league-wide top 100 prospect. How do you feel about that?
This site hasn’t published its 2012 top 20. And Wong could not have been on the 2011 list because he was not yet drafted.
Yes, Wong will be in the top 20 for 2012 – my guess is somewhere between 3-5, depending on the placement of Taveras and Jenkins.
I don’t see Rahmatulla at Palm Beach even if Wong starts at Springfield. He was at JC last year. palm Beach would be advancing 3 levels. i do not recall anyone ever jumping from JC to PB skipping 2 levels.
I would say Tyler has to start at QC to see if he is for real. Does he really have more upside then say Greg or Jose Garcia? Probably, so this year will be telling for him. I like what Rahmatulla showed though. He’s pretty solid in a lot of areas.