Minor League News

[Rockies GM (Dan)]

10/16/10

Baseball America recently put out its top-20 rankings for every league in the minor leagues, and quite a few Rockies made it. Here's the list, with the overall ranking in the league in parentheses:

Gulf Coast League:
Gary Sanchez (1)
Ramon Flores (13)

Pioneer League:
Rafael Ortega (18)

Northwest League:
Rymer Liriano (8)
Adys Portillo (9)

Midwest League:
Mike Trout (1)
Trey McNutt (7)
Rubby de la Rosa (15)
Jerry Sands (18)

South Atlantic League:
Jonathan Singleton (1)
Nolan Arenado (2)
Tyler Matzek (3)

California League:
Mike Trout (1)
Rex Brothers (12)

Florida State League:
Chris Archer (2)

Southern League:
Chris Archer (9)
Jerry Sands (20)

Texas League:
Wilin Rosario (4)
Christian Friederich (10)
Rex Brothers (15)

Overall, the Rockies placed sixteen total prospects (not including repeats) in BA's lists, and ten in their league's top 10.

[Rockies GM (Dan)]

I am a big fan of John Sickels, so here are the rankings of my top 20 prospects. While I will use John Sickels' grades for players, I reserve the right to rank players with lower grades better than those with higher grades (i.e. Rosario over Sanchez). All grades listed (as well as comments) are taken from John Sickels (minorleagueball.com).

Colorado Rockies Top Prospects

1) Mike Trout, OF, Grade: A - "Complete package if his power fully develops, and still an excellent player even if it doesn't."

2) Chris Archer, SP, Grade: B+ - "Another hard-thrower who emerged as a surprise in '10."

3) Trey McNutt, SP, Grade: B+ - "Hard to believe this guy was a 32nd round pick. . .he's got great stuff."

4) Jonathan Singleton, 1B/OF, Grade: B+ - "Concern over poor second half splits kept me from going with the A-, but I do like him a lot."

5) Tyler Matzek, SP, B+ - "Almost went with a straight B due to command issues, but reports from instructional league are good and the ceiling remains excellent."

6) Wilin Rosario, C, B - "This assumes that his knee is OK. Strong glove, tapped into his power this year."

7) Gary Sanchez, C, B+ - "Could be Montero with a better glove."

8) Nolan Arenado, 3B, B - "I don't think he gets quite as much attention as he deserves. Doubles should translate into more homers."

9) Jerry Sands, 1B/OF, B - "I think his bat is for real, should be a very productive power hitter."

10) Rubby de la Rosa, SP, B - "I'm not sure he gets his due. Love the fastball and grounders, would like to see a few more strikeouts, does he start or relieve?"

11) Kentrail Davis, OF, B- - "Good tools, hits for average, I think he'll get on base. But what about power?"

12) Rex Brothers, RP, B - "A super-LOOGY at worst, a great closer at best if his command sharpens up a bit."

13) Kyle Heckathorn, SP, B- - "Huge ground ball specialist, another future fourth starter?"

14) Chris Balcom-Miller, SP, B- - "One of the best-kept secrets in the minor leagues and my pick for a big breakout in '11."

15) Randal Grichuk, OF, B-/C+ - "He's hit great in between injuries, but poor strike zone judgment will be a handicap at higher levels."

16) Chris Nelson, 2B/SS, C+ - "Has always had the tools, health and inconsistency have held him back."

17) Charles Blackmon, OF, C+ - "I like him a lot and expect he can be a good fourth outfielder with some chance to get beyond that."

18) Rafael Ortega, OF, C+ - "Great rookie ball numbers, let's see at higher levels."

19) Adys Portillo, SP, C+ - "Raw, needs significant command refinements, but a high ceiling arm."

20) Eury Perez, OF, C+ - "Intriguing speed demon, small-ball guy, bunts, fields well. Will he hit at higher levels?"