Baseball America

[londoncalling]

The Always accurate folks at Baseball America have released their Top 10 Prospects in the Houston system:

1. J.R. Towles, c
2. Felipe Paulino, rhp
3. Troy Patton, lhp
4. Juan Gutierrez, rhp
5. Michael Bourn, of
6. Mike Costanzo, 3b
7. Bud Norris, rhp
8. Brad James, rhp
9. Chad Reineke, rhp
10. Eli Iorg, of

Other notes:
Best Hitter for Average:  Jonny Ash
Best Power Hitter:  Mike Costanzo
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Jonny Ash
Fastest Baserunner:  Michael Bourn
Best Athlete:  Devon Torrence
Best Fastball:  Felipe Paulino
Best Curveball:  Bud Norris
Best Slider:  Char Reineke
Best Changeup:  Samuel Gervacio
Best Control:  Troy Patton
Best Defensive Catcher:  J.R. Towles
Best Defensive Infielder:  Tommy Manzella
Best Infield Arm:  Mike Constanzo
Best Defensive Outfielder:  Michael Bourn
Best Outfield Arm:  Jordan Parraz

The link:  http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265244.html

[jbm]

Always interesting to see these things.  I'll be curious to see the bus-ride one.

I'm not sure if it is Patton who fell to #3 or Paulino who rose to #2.

I'm a bit surprsied to still see Reineke in the top 10.  Thought maybe Gervacio or Trinidad might move that high.

[Duman]

Still digesting but initial thoughts. 

Patton in my book is higher than #3 (may not be totally objective here).  I think Paulino is benefiting from the one good start he had.  They are projecting him as a long term starter and I see him in the pen long term.

Towles is good but I am not sure he is that good. But relative to the system he may be.  Will mull that one over.

Trade acquisitions at  5 & 6 tells alot about our system.

Top 5 should see significant time in the MLB which makes next years top 10 look very very thin.

Iorg has no business on the list.  I don't care how much potential you have, until I see him stay healthy and play against same age competition, I will with hold top 10 prospect from him.

Nice to see the potential of Devon Torrence getting a nod, I expect good developmental progress out of him this summer.

Lots of change from last years list.  Estrada and Sapp not listed this year. 

[Jacksonian]

Always interesting to see these things.  I'll be curious to see the bus-ride one.

I'm not sure if it is Patton who fell to #3 or Paulino who rose to #2.

I'm a bit surprsied to still see Reineke in the top 10.  Thought maybe Gervacio or Trinidad might move that high.

Hold your breath.  Our's is coming out.....now.  Just kidding.  Now.  No, not really.

We'll get ours out sometime early next year.  I prefer to wait until off-season trades are pretty much done.

[MusicMan]

Lots of change from last years list.  Estrada and Sapp not listed this year. 

The run of brilliant #1 picks continues.

[Jacksonian]

I think Paulino is benefiting from the one good start he had.  They are projecting him as a long term starter and I see him in the pen long term.

Callis cracks me up.

[Jacksonian]

The Always accurate folks at Baseball America have released their Top 10 Prospects in the Houston system:

1. J.R. Towles, c
2. Felipe Paulino, rhp
3. Troy Patton, lhp
4. Juan Gutierrez, rhp
5. Michael Bourn, of
6. Mike Costanzo, 3b
7. Bud Norris, rhp
8. Brad James, rhp
9. Chad Reineke, rhp
10. Eli Iorg, of

Other notes:
Best Hitter for Average:  Jonny Ash
Best Power Hitter:  Mike Costanzo
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Jonny Ash
Fastest Baserunner:  Michael Bourn
Best Athlete:  Devon Torrence
Best Fastball:  Felipe Paulino
Best Curveball:  Bud Norris
Best Slider:  Char Reineke
Best Changeup:  Samuel Gervacio
Best Control:  Troy Patton
Best Defensive Catcher:  J.R. Towles
Best Defensive Infielder:  Tommy Manzella
Best Infield Arm:  Mike Constanzo
Best Defensive Outfielder:  Michael Bourn
Best Outfield Arm:  Jordan Parraz

The link:  http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265244.html

BTW.  WTF!?  You registered here just to post BA's rankings?  Not even your own content.

[Moose Marathon]

Callis had some interesting comments to some of the questions in the chat. Does he have a hard-on for the Stros are something?

[Jacksonian]

Callis had some interesting comments to some of the questions in the chat. Does he have a hard-on for the Stros are something?

I don't pay for their content so I don't know what he said.

[Gizzmonic]

Why does Michael Bourn count as a prospect? He's going to be the starting CF for Pete's sake!

The Always accurate folks at Baseball America have released their Top 10 Prospects in the Houston system:
  http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265244.html

[londoncalling]

I've lurked forever, hadn't seen anyone add this and thought I would.  Just curious on the feedback.  I appreciate some (as in not all) of the comments and insight provided.  At least I spoke up (twice now!).  Of the 1,050 registered user names, 506 have never posted and 80 have posted once (and been chased away I assume).  My two puts me in at number 463 in number of posts! 

Yes, I tend to look at numbers way too damn much.

[Moose Marathon]

I don't pay for their content so I don't know what he said.

To me he just came across like he had something out for the Stros. Basically just said that he had to put a list together, but did not really give any credit to any of the 10 listed. He said 11-15 could be interchangeable with the bottom end of the top 10 to some degree. He said the Astros would probally rank dead last when they rank the teams.

[Fredia]

I've lurked forever, hadn't seen anyone add this and thought I would.  Just curious on the feedback.  I appreciate some (as in not all) of the comments and insight provided.  At least I spoke up (twice now!).  Of the 1,050 registered user names, 506 have never posted and 80 have posted once (and been chased away I assume).  My two puts me in at number 463 in number of posts! 

Yes, I tend to look at numbers way too damn much.

i look at it a bit differently. i too have noticed the vast number of people who went through the trouble to register and not post. that is kinda like a honeymoon without sex. and welcome.. and its good you are a counter i think might bring in a new pooint of thinking

[HudsonHawk]

I've lurked forever, hadn't seen anyone add this and thought I would.  Just curious on the feedback.  I appreciate some (as in not all) of the comments and insight provided.  At least I spoke up (twice now!).  Of the 1,050 registered user names, 506 have never posted and 80 have posted once (and been chased away I assume).  My two puts me in at number 463 in number of posts! 

Yes, I tend to look at numbers way too damn much.

If you've lurked for long, you'll be no doubt aware that you stole one of my avatars.

[JackAstro]

To me he just came across like he had something out for the Stros. Basically just said that he had to put a list together, but did not really give any credit to any of the 10 listed. He said 11-15 could be interchangeable with the bottom end of the top 10 to some degree. He said the Astros would probally rank dead last when they rank the teams.

That's the opposite of having a hard-on for the 'Stros, right? Flaccid for the 'Stros? 'Stros ED?

[Jacksonian]

To me he just came across like he had something out for the Stros. Basically just said that he had to put a list together, but did not really give any credit to any of the 10 listed. He said 11-15 could be interchangeable with the bottom end of the top 10 to some degree. He said the Astros would probally rank dead last when they rank the teams.

He doesn't really have it out for the Astros.  More like he has it out for the lack of high quality prospects.  When middle relievers like Reineke make a top 10, your org is in trouble.

[londoncalling]

Avatar theft!  How rude of me.  Would someone please forward me the list of avatars pulled/stole/borrowed from popular culture that are alreay in use.  Maybe they could be posted somewhere so new folks can avoid. 

BTW:  great taste in music or avatars (I hate that term) or both.   

[Ty in Tampa]

Avatar theft!  How rude of me.  Would someone please forward me the list of avatars pulled/stole/borrowed from popular culture that are alreay in use.  Maybe they could be posted somewhere so new folks can avoid. 

And you haven't lurked long enough to know there are about 378 better retorts than this.

[astrox]

If you've lurked for long, you'll be no doubt aware that you stole one of my avatars.

My first thought was the OWA system crashed because HH was a Clark again...

[londoncalling]

Hopefully I'll get better with practice.  Retorting is harder than it looks.

[londoncalling]

I compromised.

[HudsonHawk]

My first thought was the OWA system crashed because HH was a Clark again...

Little does he know, that I hold the fate of his avatar and his OWA life in the palm of my hands, subject to the whims of my evil fancy.  BWAAAAHAAAAHAAAAA!!!!

He also must not know that The Clash are the Official Band of OWA.  Being a clark ain't as easy as it looks.  So much to learn.

[Jacksonian]

Being a clark ain't as easy as it looks.  So much to learn.

I give him credit for not going straight to minors stats with his first post.

[HudsonHawk]

I give him credit for not going straight to minors stats with his first post.

Everybody gotta start somewhere, and after all, we are a surly clique.

[astrojo]

And you haven't lurked long enough to know there are about 378 better retorts than this.

Yeah, I was thinking he might break out the ever popular WFW.

[londoncalling]

How about quoting ESPN baseball writers and Richard Justice as all-knowing? 

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Quick learner...

Apt Pupil??

Ahh screw it... he's figuring it out...

[kevwun]

I thought Einertson might get a mention.  I guess he's still got a lot to prove.

[Jacksonian]

I thought Einertson might get a mention.  I guess he's still got a lot to prove.

Consistency.

[Limey]

If you've lurked for long, you'll be no doubt aware that you stole one of my avatars.

Which you stole from The Clash.

Tony...Do something terrible!

[xcrunner51]

No love for Einertson or Van Ostrand?

[Duman]

Why does Michael Bourn count as a prospect? He's going to be the starting CF for Pete's sake!

He hasn't met their criteria for AB yet.

[Jacksonian]

He hasn't met their criteria for AB yet.

I haven't searched or asked them.  What is their criteria?  130 ab's?  He's been on the 25-man too long to be considered a rookie so he's not eligible for our list.

[Duman]

130 ABs.

[Jacksonian]

130 ABs.

BA continues to crack me up.  He's been in 122 games and has 127 AB's.  I guess they are sticklers for their criteria.

In case anyone is wondering, the criteria for rookie status is 130 AB's or 50 IP or 45 days on the 25-man roster.

[VirtualBob]

BA continues to crack me up.  He's been in 122 games and has 127 AB's.  I guess they are sticklers for their criteria.

In case anyone is wondering, the criteria for rookie status is 130 AB's or 50 IP or 45 days on the 25-man roster.

Maybe he played in a lot of triple-headers and has only been on the 25-man roster for 44 days?

[Duman]

Maybe he played in a lot of triple-headers and has only been on the 25-man roster for 44 days?

BA doesn't use that as a criteria in their rankings.  Here is their criteria:

Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2008.