Steve Lombardozzi's time finally came, as he won 50% of the vote in poll #9. A little higher than I had him in my personal list, but he is close to the majors, switch-hits and plays a semi-premium position, so I at least understand the votes.
Here's your list so far:
1. OF Bryce Harper (90%)
2. 3B Anthony Rendon (83%)
3. LHP Matt Purke (47%)
4. RHP Brad Peacock (39%)
5. RHP AJ Cole (44%)
6. RHP Alex Meyer (26%)
7. LHP Robbie Ray (31%)
8. C Derek Norris (41%)
9. 2B Steve Lombardozzi (50%)
Here's your new list. Remember, argue for your player in the comments section and leave a new name as well!
One note: I was going to say we should disregard guys with ML experience, but due to Marrero's callup and Kimball's small inning count, we should allow anyone that would still qualify as an ML rookie (less than 130 AB, 50 IP or 45 days on the big league club).
More Goodwin for me. His all-around upside is the highest of any player on this list. Hood is a close 2nd, but beyond that, there's a decent drop-off before you get to the pitchers and other hitters.
ReplyDeleteI went Goodwin, too. Hood has similar tools but can't play CF. Interesting that Marrero isn't even really in the discussion, after arguably his best year.
ReplyDeleteI think Marrero and Solis' lack of attention really speaks to the depth of our farm system. Now that we've had several years to stock all levels, we're seeing prospects fade in and out of relevance. Guys like Solis and Marrero were regarded as legitimate prospects (top 5 in the system), but for various reasons have lost a bit of their shine. It doesn't necessarily mean they've lost any of those skills that gave them rave reviews, but rather their accomplishments are overshadowed by break out years from the likes of Peacock, Milone and Lombardozzi and new faces like Rendon, Cole and Purke.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to finally have a well functioning farm system that serves its purpose- to constantly bring fresh blood to the big league team. I feel like this year is the first year that we've been able to do that. Injuries to major league starters are no longer devastating, when Bowden would dumpster dive for guys like Jerome Williams and Levale Speigner. And old-timers (Pudge, Kennedy, Marquis) are replaced with high-upside youngsters (Ramos, Espinosa, Detwiler).
Speaking of fading in and out of relevance. What do you guys make of Shairon Martis? Incredibly, he's still only 24 years old, and lighting up AA. His problem was too few strikeouts and too many walks, but he's completely turned his game around, averaging 10 K/9 and 2.67 BB/9.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone seen him pitch this year? Is he doing something differently? He's still young enough to still be relevant (Meyers and Milone and both older than him). I don't know what to make of Martis... Was he too rushed, and now he's finally finding his rhythm? Either way, it's just another success story of dozens that the Nats farm system can claim this season.
will - I haven't seen him, but I am a little suspicious that he has really turned the corner. IIRC, he wasn't doing too well in AAA earlier this year when he got sent down to AA. I agree that he seems to have been around forever, so hearing that he is 24 is a surprise. Unless he has a new pitch or increased velocity, I am inclined to think that he has just learned how to pitch these guys down there.
ReplyDeleteBut I defer to someone with better knowledge.
Martis is really interesting to me...while he struggled in AAA and the majors and got sent back down, his rate stats are much, much better than at any level in his career. I don't know for sure that he increased velocity or added a new pitch, but I'm not sure how else he would have gotten so much better, even a level down.
ReplyDelete