Keith Law's Top 100 Prospect List (ESPN In$ider)

Cleveland Indians appearing on the list:

39. Chiz
56. Kipnis
60. Pomeranz

Appearing on Law's blog as top prospects just missing the cut is Alex White.

over 1 year ago rolub 14 comments 0 recs |

Comments

Chisenhall went from 26 last year to 39 this year, although the report is pretty gushy about his swing. Potential issues are pitch recognition against LHP and ML velocity (though Law saw Lonnie pre-injury).

Most enjoyable comment on Kipnis is that he has “useless bat waggle.” YEAHHH!

There’s going to be som real differences in KG’s and KLaw’s list, more substantially than normal, I think. For example, KLaw has Randall Delgago at 50; I think KG’s going to have him top 10.

The rest of the org is rounded out:

5. Knapp
6. Wegz
7. Stowell (?!)
8. Gardner
9. Phelps
10. Levon Washington

If nothing else, I think the Indians farm is confusing to evaluators. Not much consensus.

by afh4 on Jan 27, 2011 11:17 AM EST reply actions

Actually, I might have Delgado reversed with Julio Theran, who KLaw likes a lot as well.

by afh4 on Jan 27, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

I think everyone, to varying high degrees, likes Chiz, Kipnis, White and Pomeranz. The confusion comes from guys like Knapp, Hagadone, Rondon, Weglarz, Gardner, Washington, Phelps, Chen, etc…that we have so many confusing guys should be a plus.

by APV on Jan 27, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

The total ignorance of Chen worries me. What exactly does he not do?

by afh4 on Jan 27, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

What exactly does he not do?

Been around long enough, I guess.

Anything in life is possible, except for skiing through revolving doors.

by MooneysRebellion on Jan 27, 2011 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe Asian position players, because there have been relatively few, are evaluated more skeptically than their peers?

by jhon on Jan 27, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve heard bat speed questions. And defensive abilities.

by APV on Jan 27, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

He has a career 37% caught stealing rate (which seems good). But, he also had 18 passed balls last year in 60 games, so I suppose that’s a concern.

Anything in life is possible, except for skiing through revolving doors.

by MooneysRebellion on Jan 27, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

Seems like a bit of a concern, but you wonder how much of that can be improved through Alomar’s catching program as he advances?

"Spring Training wins are good for the soul."

by USSChoo on Jan 27, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

Did Chen play a different position before entering our system? If so, that might explain the passed ball issues.

Anything in life is possible, except for skiing through revolving doors.

by MooneysRebellion on Jan 27, 2011 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

I should say, I think some of it is concerns not about his defense per se, but his ability, given his lack of experience and language level, to handle a pitching staff.

by APV on Jan 27, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

Taiwanese catcher Chun-Hsui Chen hit .315/.404/.521 across two A levels last season, and would rank higher had his defensive reviews been more positive.

That is what KG said about him, listing him as the sleeper in his Cleveland review. I think the view is probably that he may or may not stick at catcher, and if he doesn’t he moves to first, where he would project as a mediocre bat. Clearly getting him established at catcher is something of a priority.

by APV on Jan 27, 2011 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

first, where he would project as a mediocre bat.

I guess if he projects as a mediocre bat at first, there must be significant concerns about the bat speed or something. He matches up pretty well, statistically, with good first base prospects and/or catchers who are going to get moved.

Chen, Age 21, A/A+: 315/404/521 (at A+, he actually better: 320/442/523, plus a 38:36 BB:K)

Wil Meyers (C w/ KCR who’s going to move), Age 19, A/A+: 315/429/506

Jon Singleton (PHI 1B), Age 18, A: 290/393/479

Derek Norris (WSN C, might move), Age 21, A+: 235/419/419

Hank Conger (LAA C, might move): Age 22, AAA: 303/333/517; Age 21, AA: 300/385/463; Age 20, A: 295/369/424

Chris Carter (OAK 1B): Age 21, A+ (2008): 259/361/569

I don’t think Chen is as good as most those guys, but his bat, statistically, seems like the second or third best in the system. It’s hard for me to see how he’s outside of anyone’s top 10, let alone a top 20 (KG). I guess there’s something else going on there, or else there’s just a slow embrace of the int’l prospect.

by afh4 on Jan 27, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

I read the phrase “the slow embrace of the international prospect” with embrace as a noun, as though Chen is going to gradually hug scouts into loving him back.

Now that I understand what you meant, I think I still like my way better.

Come on, four billion!

by Joel D on Jan 27, 2011 3:25 PM EST up reply actions