[존 시켈스] 워싱턴 내셔널즈 유망주 TOP 20

워싱턴 내셔널즈 유망주 랭킹이 발표가 되었습니다. 일단 BA와 같인 앤서니 랜던이 1위를 차지했는데 여러 유망주들이 메이저리그 콜업/트래이드가 되어서 그런지 근래 투자한 것에 비해서 유망주가 많아 보이지는 않는군요.

1) Anthony Rendon, 3B, Grade B+: Borderline A-.I really like his bat, but I'm concerned enough about his injury history to be a bit cautious with the grade at this point. I think a healthy Rendon can play second base decently and the bat should play anywhere.

2) Brian Goodwin, OF, Grade B+: Stellar tools and shows the skills often enough to make people drool, but he's erratic. Dominated Low-A but struggled after jump to Double-A, which was not really surprising. 

3) Lucas Giolito, RHP, Grade B: I have no idea what to do with this grade. A healthy Giolito is a Grade A prospect, but Tommy John recovery is not automatic and we can'tassume that Lucas will follow the same path as Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg.

4) Matt Skole, 3B, Grade B: No one ever doubted his power and he showed better pure hitting skills than expected. His glove isn't terrible but with Ryan Zimmerman ahead of him, Skole is bound for first base and I expect him to be a productive power/patience slugger, though don't expect batting titles.

5) Nate Karns, RHP, Grade B-: Recovered from labrum surgery to dominate A-ball with 92-96 MPH sinker and nasty curveball. Projects as a number three starter if his changeup improves, a power closer if it doesn't.

6) Christian Garcia, RHP, Grade B-: Survivor of two Tommy John surgeries. Still has very impressive stuff, throws strikes, and should thrive as a major league reliever and possible closer. Just have to hope his arm holds up. 

7) Sammy Solis, LHP, Grade B-: Another Tommy John guy. When healthy, shows strong pitchability with low-to-mid-90s fastball, good curveball and changeup. Mid-rotation guy if he recovers properly.

8) Matt Purke, LHP, Grade C+: Another injured pitcher, this one with bursitis that required shoulder surgery, supposed to be OK by spring. He hasn't been the same since 2010 freshman season at Texas Christian, but perhaps the surgery will restore his previous 91-95 MPH fastball, slider, and changeup. 

9) Eury Perez, OF, Grade C+: Speed demon, very fast, 80 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale. Hits for average but is extremely impatient, resulting in very few walks and OBPs that are very dependent on his batting average. That's OK if he's hitting .300, but not if he's hitting .270.

10) Tony Renda, 2B, Grade C+: Cal Berkeley product, fast, good plate discipline, fielding was better than advertised in the NY-P, second round pick.Will he show enough pop to survive at higher levels?

11) Zach Walters, INF, Grade C+: Good throwing arm, has some pop, performed very well in Double-A (.293/.326/.518) and adequately in Triple-A (.269/.304/.399). Utility profile.

12) Destin Hood, OF, Grade C+: Uber-tools outfielder that I thought was a big breakout candidate (oops) suffered through injury-plagued transition in Double-A with lifeless .245/.301/.344 line in 94 games. Can still grow at age 23.

13) Steven Souza, OF, Grade C+: Considered a busted prospect entering 2012 but had a rebound year, .297/.366/.572 with 14 steals in 353 at-bats in Low-A/High-A at age 23. Has always had the tools, started to put some skill together last year. Nobody seems to have really noticed him, but that will change quickly in 2013 if he sustains this progress.

14) Brett Mooneyham, LHP, Grade C+: Erratic Stanford product posted 2.55 ERA in NY-P, but with just 29 strikeouts in 42 innings. Live arm, mechanical difficulties held him back in college. A challenge for the coaching staff but he has upside.

15) Estarlin Martinez, OF, Grade C+: 20 year old Dominican has had problems finding a position but has a promising bat. An outfielder now, he hit .319/.385/.455 in the pitching-oriented NY-P and is a breakout candidate for 2013.

16) Carlos Rivero, 3B, Grade C+: Borderline C. Forgotten prospect from Indians andPhillies system went from obscure waiver claim to strong Triple-A performer and 40-man roster spot, hit .303/.347/.435, followed by an excellent winter in Venezuela. Good glove at third base, still just 24 years old. Could be nice utility guy for someone.

17) Sandy Leon, C, Grade C: Defense-oriented catcher can have long career as a backup. Hit .322/.396/.460 this year at three minor league levels, but this was completely out of context with the rest of his career and looks fluky to me. 

18) Michael Taylor, OF, Grade C: Tools outfielder saw power vanish in High-A, hitting just three homers after 13 last year in 2011. Turns 22 in March, still has time to develop.

19) Brandon Miller, OF, Grade C: Hit .292/.354/.549 in NY-P with some of the best raw power in the 2012 draft class, but Samford product has a big swing, is impatient, and already 23. 

20) Corey Brown, OF, Grade C: Old prospect at age 27, but has always had tools including left-handed power, good speed, defense, and some walks. Excessive strikeouts have held him back, but could be good fourth outfielder.

OTHERS: Aaron Barrett, RHP; Robert Benincasa, RHP; Billy Burns, OF; Erik Davis, RHP; Rick Hague, INF: Neil Holland, RHP; Jason Martinson, SS: Spencer Kieboom, C; Pat Lehman, RHP; Chris Marrero, 1B; Christian Meza, LHP; Randolph Oduber, OF: Ivan Pineyro, RHP; Wander Ramos, OF; Caleb Ramsey, OF; Robbie Ray, LHP; Derek Self, RHP; Kylin Turnbull, LHP; Rob Wort, RHP.