Towles named Astros best prospect by USA Today

[Duman]

Houston: C J.R. Towles, 23, had played at three levels in the organization, hitting .284-11-62 in 99 games. He is one of the best overall defensive catchers in the minors, and the Astros are intrigued that he's athletic enough to steal bases. Injuries have slowed him the last two years, but he could be playing in Houston in 2008.

If you want to read about the other teams picks they are here

[Rebel Jew]

If you want to read about the other teams picks they are here

He is one of the best overall defensive catchers in the minors

is this true?

[JimR]

If you want to read about the other teams picks they are here

wow. quite an indictment on the overall talent. i assume Patton was ineligible.

[Duman]

Patton was eligible.  The Braves' pick was JoJo Reyes who has made 7 starts this year for the Braves.

Towles would be in my top 3 but Patton would be my #1

[JimR]

Patton was eligible.  The Braves' pick was JoJo Reyes who has made 7 starts this year for the Braves.

Towles would be in my top 3 but Patton would be my #1

i have not seen Towles near enough--only 2 games. he looked way overmatched at the plate.

[Jacksonian]

i have not seen Towles near enough--only 2 games. he looked way overmatched at the plate.

In 05 and 06 I heard from multiple places that Towles has been considered one of the best if not the best overall defender at the level he was playing.  This year may not be the case because of his rise to AAA.  He'll be expected by the Astros to be one of the best defenders in the PCL next year.

Offensively, this is the first year he's had real challenges.  He was making contact at Salem but not getting the hits.  At AA he held his own.  He's raw offensively so there shouldn't be a surprise if the more veteran pitchers at AAA overwhelmed him.  The Astros will expect him to hit at AAA next year though.  IMO, this shouldn't be a repeat of Gimenez's rise.

[Duman]

In 05 and 06 I heard from multiple places that Towles has been considered one of the best if not the best overall defender at the level he was playing.  This year may not be the case because of his rise to AAA.  He'll be expected by the Astros to be one of the best defenders in the PCL next year.

Offensively, this is the first year he's had real challenges.  He was making contact at Salem but not getting the hits.  At AA he held his own.  He's raw offensively so there shouldn't be a surprise if the more veteran pitchers at AAA overwhelmed him.  The Astros will expect him to hit at AAA next year though.  IMO, this shouldn't be a repeat of Gimenez's rise.

I saw him in Greeneville in 04.  I am not a scout by any means but I loved the way he worked with his pitchers, they seemed to respond to his feedback. Fun kid to watch play back then.  They may have had him calm down some since then.

[JimR]

In 05 and 06 I heard from multiple places that Towles has been considered one of the best if not the best overall defender at the level he was playing.  This year may not be the case because of his rise to AAA.  He'll be expected by the Astros to be one of the best defenders in the PCL next year.

Offensively, this is the first year he's had real challenges.  He was making contact at Salem but not getting the hits.  At AA he held his own.  He's raw offensively so there shouldn't be a surprise if the more veteran pitchers at AAA overwhelmed him.  The Astros will expect him to hit at AAA next year though.  IMO, this shouldn't be a repeat of Gimenez's rise.

i did not see enough, and he did not have to throw in the two games i saw. i thought he was more of a hitter than a defender? not so?

[Jacksonian]

i did not see enough, and he did not have to throw in the two games i saw. i thought he was more of a hitter than a defender? not so?

Not so.  He doesn't have the most powerful arm, but it should be good enough from what I'm told.  As I understand it from sources his other defensive skills and footwork are solid.  Of course there's always more to learn.

[JimR]

Not so.  He doesn't have the most powerful arm, but it should be good enough from what I'm told.  As I understand it from sources his other defensive skills and footwork are solid.  Of course there's always more to learn.

all i have seen is his return throws to the pitcher during which he drops down a tad.

he is slightly built for a catcher. looks like a future middle infielder if he hits.

[Duman]

all i have seen is his return throws to the pitcher during which he drops down a tad.

he is slightly built for a catcher. looks like a future middle infielder if he hits.

There has been discussion about a Biggio comparision before:

http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=64173.msg65032#msg65032

http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=97661.msg97707#msg97707

The thinking appears to be that until he shows he isn't a catcher or gets hurt, he will be a backstop.

[Kent's Moustache]

From what I have seen and heard:

 1. Better-than-average to good agility behind the plate.

 2. Average to better-than-average arm.

 3. Still needs to work on handling pitchers, calling pitches, and mental approach to defense.

All in all, not bad, considering he's a 23-year-old catcher finishing his fourth season of pro ball.

[Froback]

3. Still needs to work on handling pitchers, calling pitches, and mental approach to defense.

This is what Ausmus excells at, which would seem like a perfect match for Master and Student.

[kevwun]

This is good news.  All I've heard about him was his hitting and it was making me worry a little that his offense was causing defensive shortcoming to be overlooked.

Tampa Bay: 3B Evan Longoria

This poor fellow was born to be heckled.

[MusicMan]

This poor fellow was born to be heckled.

Wait until he's hitting in the majors.  It will stop the heckling.