UCB March 2012 Project: NL Central
Posted on March 28th, 2012 by Jeff in United Cardinal Bloggers ProjectWe’ve reached the prospects that you’re most likely to see lose to the Cardinals — their NL Central opponents!
NL Central
Chicago Cubs – Brett Jackson, OF
Majors in 2012? Jackson should be up in 2012, but not before June, the Cubs may play the super two game with their top prospect.
Cincinnati Reds – Billy Hamilton, SS
Majors in 2012? Very unlikely. Zach Cozart is the hot prospect name at the top of the shortstop heap for Cincy.
Houston Astros – Jarred Cosart, RHP
Majors in 2012? Not likely, Cosart just got a few starts in AA last season after the bulk of the year in A ball.
Milwaukee Brewers – Wily Peralta, RHP
Majors in 2012? Peralta is being stretched out as a starter in AAA right now, but will most definitely get some time with the big club this year, most likely in the bullpen.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Gerrit Cole, RHP
Majors in 2012? It’s doubtful that he goes the Mike Leake route given that the Pirates aren’t going to contend in 2012. They’ll push his major league arrival out at least until 2013 and more likely later.
St. Louis Cardinals – Shelby Miller, RHP
Majors in 2012? Miller is an injury or two late in the season away from getting his first major league experience this year. And we will cover that like a glove all year.
* * * * * * *
Lets Talk A Little More About: Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds and George Springer, OF, Astros.
It was a photo finish for the top spot for the Reds and Astros. Per Kevin Goldstein, Mesoraco is two ranks behind Hamilton and Springer is one rank behind Cosart. Mesoraco will most certainly be up with the big club in 2012 and should be starting at catcher without much problem. He should give the Reds quality power potential from the catcher’s spot in the lineup. George Springer was just drafted in 2011 and shouldn’t see the majors for a few years, but also has some good power potential.
Note: Top prospects are according to Kevin Goldstein’s Top 101 Prospects at Baseball Prospectus.
Entries (RSS)
Was devin mesoraco not eligible for the Reds?
Sorry didnt read the bottom couldnt believe he was lower than hamilton
The Hamilton love kills me
I don’t understand it either. From what I’ve read he’ll end up at second rather than short, and he’s yet to prove he’ll be able to get on base enough for his speed to make up for his other short comings. A 24% strikeout rate for a player with very little power, and whose game is predicated on putting the ball in play, is scary. Hak-Ju Lee and Hamilton have been nearly interchangeable in prospect rankings, but I’ve yet to hear how Lee is not a far superior prospect at this point.
I think Goldstein’s take is that Hamilton could make the transition to play center field. With his speed, that gives him potentially more defensive value than if he flipped to second base. I still have more confidence in Mesoraco’s bat. No matter how much Hamilton can fly, I don’t trust that he can produce a .300 OBP in the majors.
I know I saw him for about 15 at bats last year. Can’t hit to save his life. Upper level pitchers are going to eat him alive and everyone will talk about how he was a failed prospect.
So Pittsburgh has no farm system? Or no major-league team?
correct
LOL! Didn’t even catch that until I read your comment. Hilarious! Buccos have a pretty nice looking farm to go along with a nice young MLB team. Keep an eye on them over the next few years…they will get back to contenders and we will have to keep improving to stay the favorite in the league.
I even edited it before the post went live and didn’t notice.
I’ve updated it with Pittsburgh.
How good is Brett Jackson?
I hear an awful lot about him lately, living in the Chicago area, so I’m curious. With the acquisition of Anthony Rizzo, a lot of cub fans are banking on a 3-4-5 of Castro, Jackson, Rizzo.
Now, I’ve lived here a long time and have seen a ton of cub prospects get the “savior” label only to see them either crash and burn (Felix Pie) or just flame out and not really do much of anything great.
So, my question is about the future of Jackson and what the thoughts are on that 3-4-5 as well as the future prospects of the Cubs. Also, I know they have guys like Javier Baez and Matt Szczur. What about them? Will Baez stick at SS? Or does he or Castro eventually get moved to 3b. I hear a lot about people fantasizing about Castro becoming a 3b but I really don’t think he’d be much of anything special at 3rd.
Fwiw, their “prospect” pitching doesn’t do much for me.
You are right about the ptiching, but Rizzo and Jackson will be quality major leaguers and give the cubbies hope for the future. One point of disagreement, I do not believe Jackson profiles as a cleanup hitter. According to reports, he has average power–average tools accross the board for the most part. If anything, a 2-3-4 of Jackson, Castro and Rizzo is more likely, imo.
Yeah, I wasn’t sure if that was the right order, although I’m sure what I’ve been hearing is a 3-4-5 but maybe it was Castro-Rizzo-Jackson.
Either way. Or a 2-3-4. Whatev.
Agreed on Jackson and not being a clean up hitter. I’ve continuously heard that Jackson is not going to have a stud skill but more of an above avg or slightly better on many tools. So to me probably not a 3-4-5 type hitter. Maybe a 2 hole hitter of 6 hole hitter. I also don’t envision Rizzon turning into a star either. As they give the Cubbies some pretty good close to MLB ready prospects they will not carry a team.
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