[존 시켈스] 휴스턴 애스트로스 유망주 TOP 20

존 시켈스가 휴스턴 애스트로스의 유망주 랭킹을 발표했습니다. 그동안 트래이드를 통해서 많은 유망주를 영입하고 드래프트에서 상위 픽을 많이 얻어서 그런지 유망주 뎁스가 상당하군요. 문제는 당장 메이저리그에 기여할수 있는 선수가 부족해 보인다는 점입니다. 아마도 내년에도 휴스턴은 하위권에서 놀지 않을까 싶군요. 

1) Carlos Correa, SS, Grade A-: I'm not worried about the blah performance in rookie ball and I felt he was the best overall position player in the draft. Should hit for power and average, should stick at shortstop (at least in the short and medium run), outstanding makeup, and one of the youngest guys in the class to boot. Getting him to sign below slot was a masterstroke that set up the rest of the draft.

2) Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Grade B+: Impressed with his power and patience, but his defense is deteriorating already and I see him as more of a masher than a complete hitter. Still an elite guy. I think Springer is a more complete player but Singleton is two years younger, which matters.

3) George Springer, OF, Grade B+: Strong, fast, hits for power, steals bases, strong glove, strong makeup. Still working on the strike zone and whiffs a lot, but I love him and I think he has a good chance to adapt. More complete package of tools/skills than Singleton, but two years older.

4) Jarred Cosart, RHP, Grade B: His talent is obvious but he's frustrating too. Awesome stuff with power sinker, hard curve, but his command comes and goes and he's not as dominant as he should be with his quality arm. Needs 100 innings in Triple-A to work more kinks out.

5) Lance McCullers, JR, RHP, Grade B: His arm is even better than Cosart's and he can hit 100, but it is still unclear what his role will be long-term. I have Cosart a notch higher due to proximity to majors, but it is close. Could be a power relief ace or a number two starter.

6) Delino DeShields, JR, 2B, Grade B: Another bloodline guy, made good progress refining his skills last year and improved on both offense and defense. Still has rough edges and at least two years away, but he'd look great at the top of the order if he continues polishing the OBP skills to go with his blazing speed.

7) Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Grade B: Threw a bit harder in 2012 but improvement in secondary pitches was key to success in return appearance in Low-A. I see him as a strong number three starter in the future assuming good health and more command progress.

8) Nick Tropeano, RHP, Grade B: Stony Brook ace didn't throw hard in college but gained zip on the heater this year. He already had a good changeup and splitter, and he knows how to pitch. Another mid-rotation arm and will get to the majors ahead of everyone but Cosart.

9) Rio Ruiz, 3B, Grade B-: A bit of a tough grade given spring injury layoff. Scouts love his swing and defensive potential and drafting him in the fourth round was a coup, but we need to see how it all translates to pro ball. Would rank higher next year if the Eric Chavez comps are accurate.

10) Domingo Santana, OF, Grade B-: I think he made real progress in the Cal League at age 19/20 and it isn't all a statistical illusion. He's got some holes that need to be closed up, but he's made improvements and power upside is very high. Keep his age in mind.

11) Jonathan Villar, SS, Grade B-: Another tools guy like Santana, made some incremental progress in Texas League before breaking his hand punching a door. Still plays out of control at times, especially on defense. Would rank higher than Santana on positional scarcity factors, but is a year and a half older.

12) Nolan Fontana, SS, Grade B-: Walks walks walks walks. And solid defense too. We'll have to see if the rest of his bat holds up.

13) Asher Wojciechowski, RHP, Grade B-: Came over in the Jays trade and looked better for it, was awesome in his last five Double-A starts (16/2 K/BB with 1.16 ERA). That could presage a breakout.

14) Robbie Grossman, OF, Grade B-: Borderline C+. I probably like him more than I should, but I think his OBP skills would make him a useful fourth outfielder. 

15) Marc Krauss, OF, Grade C+: Good Double-A power numbers and drew tons of walks, but was helpless in Triple-A and is already 25 now. Probably a role-playing platoon bat with power.

16) Vincent Velasquez, RHP, Grade C+: Tommy John survivor looked very good in the New York-Penn League, losing nothing off his 90-95 MPH fastball, good curve and change. Needs command refinements and stamina buildup, but I like him and he could rank much higher next year. 

17) Adrian Houser, RHP, Grade C+: Power arm with good sinker flashed plus stuff in Appalachian League. Mid-rotation upside but will need time to refine command.

18) Ariel Ovando, OF, Grade C+: More effective in return engagement in Appy League at age 18/19, hitting .287/.350/.444 and giving hope that $2,600,000 investment was not wasted. Still raw with strike zone but is tapping into his power now. High ceiling, high risk.

19) Aaron West, RHP, Grade C+: One of the steals of the 2012 draft, showed outstanding command of very good stuff in the New York-Penn League. Could wind up as mid-rotation starter or power relief arm. 

20) Brady Rodgers, RHP, Grade C+: Gets more press than West and had higher profile in college at Arizona State. Stuff isn't as good but he knows how to pitch, could come quickly as inning-eater.

OTHER GRADE C+ PROSPECTS: Jose Cisnero, RHP; Nate Freiman, 1B; Joe Musgrove, RHP; Brett Oberholtzer, LHP; Carlos Perez, C; Rob Rasmussen, LHP; Preston Tucker, OF; Austin Wates, OF. 

OTHERS: Andrew Aplin, OF; Bobby Borchering, OF; Colton Cain, LHP; Kevin Chapman, LHP; Kevin Comer, RHP; Josh Fields, RHP; Alex Gillingham, RHP; Matt Heidenreich, RHP; Tyler Heineman, C; Chia-Jen Lo, RHP; Kenny Long, LHP; Jo Mier, SS: Rudy Owens, LHP; Brett Phillips, OF, Ross Seaton, RHP.