Comments on: Daily Farm Report – 8/29/12

By: illinoiscardinalfan

illinoiscardinalfan — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:47:28 +0000

Wonder how often college players start out at high A right out of the draft? I know Wong started at QC last year. Wallace also started out at QC but finished in Springfield in 08. I hope Ramsey is just tired or needs time to adjust.

By: Hugecardsfan

Hugecardsfan — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:40:40 +0000

Scruggs is seriously cyclical. When he’s bad, he’s very bad. When he’s good…he kick azzz.

By: DT Flush

DT Flush — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:11:46 +0000

Oscar Taveras’s predicted career stats break down from the sabermetric standpoint. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/8/10/3234657/crystal-ball-oscar-taveras

By: DT Flush

DT Flush — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:07:56 +0000

Taveras will definitely hit for more power as he matures as a hitter his hit tool is very impressive for his age. The violent controlled swing say so…

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:03:33 +0000

Bob, some very interesting statistics on Taveras. Thanks for bringing them here. I think the best is yet to come for OT; don’t think we’ve seen anything yet.

Think I read (link someone posted from here?) that one scout guessed Oscar would hit. 280 playing everyday now in the big leagues. With a good spring I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him in the Cardinal OF next year.

George Brett. Vladimir Guerrero. That’s pretty good company.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:57:14 +0000

CC, I love the direction the Cardinal fan system is going, and it certainly appears St. Louis has a stocked pond full of prospects right now; more so than at any time in my memory of being a long-time fan. I really have no gripes about the job the front office is doing in minor league development and making draft selections. You’re right. I’m certain they know a helluva lot more than I do about whom to pick and where.

That said, I am curious as to why Ramsay was picked in the position he was. I’m not attempting to be argumentative. I just honestly don’t understand it. There’s some knowledgeable fans that frequent this site, and if someone can explain the pick (and has the time) I’d love to hear.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:19:03 +0000

Fun With Taveras Numbers:

Oscar’s K rate in the Appy League was 18%.
Last year in the MWL, he improved to 15%.
The first half of this season, down to 13%.

And the second half this year? (Now first off, bear in mind that he’s playing in an 8-team league, so by the midway point of the season everybody pretty much knows everybody else. Strengths, weaknesses. You get the point.)

Okay, over the second half of the season, Taveras is striking out just 8% of the time… and doing so with an isolated slugging of .251

How rare is this sort of power/contact combo? At Fangraphs their database includes over 1,500 minor leaguers at all levels (even including Mexico and the DSL), and the list of players with an ISO north of .200, combined with a K rate under 10%… well there is no list. Nobody is doing that. Nobody in the majors, either.

Now, I know it’s just the *second* half. But to me it is an absolutely stunning achievement nonetheless — because Taveras qualifies so easily, in both categories.

As a hitter, this kid could be the next George Brett… but with more power. I think he has that kind of talent.

By: Forsch31

Forsch31 — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:10:24 +0000

Although he’s done much better than expected, I think most prospect evaluators will wait until Wacha starts in the pros before they consider him for a top 100 list. The longer innings tend to affect velocity and performance, and they’ll want to see if he can maintain his current success as a reliever.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:31:51 +0000

I would have picked Trahan over Ramsey but that doesn’t mean it would have been the right choice. I enjoy debating who we should have picked as much as anyone but I’m also wise enough to know that the Cards may (or may not!) know better than I do. And I am willing to acknowledge that we will only know with time.

By: jjray

jjray — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:57:54 +0000

Great problem to have. I’d personally put Swags back in the pen. He’ll be on a pitch count early next year anyway and he’d have to go back to AA as a starter. As long as he is getting people out in ST, I’d send him to the Memphis pen on standbye for a E ticket to the show. Watch your back Eduardo. Competition cometh.