Sickels: Some preseason prospects in review

Catching up after four days (mostly) away from the computer (Russ, I still owe you a response to your E-mail); here are some more of Sickels’s preseason top-20 summaries:

Rockies. The middle five included three guys who played in the majors this year (although one would not have without Rule 5), a guy who left the system, and a low A-ball pitcher with poor control. The Rockies got some major league help from their system for the first time in a while this year, getting solid contributions from Francis, Barmes, Atkins, Hawpe, Shealy, and Cory Sullivan (who didn’t even make the top-20 preseason) and lesser contributions from Closser, Caraval, and Speier. I’d really like to see them try to move Helton, because I think Shealy could handle the position, but they won’t, at least until they need to make room for Ian Stewart (with Atkins likely going to 1B). I think the Rox have some up-and-coming players, but Coors skews the evaluations a lot.

Tigers. Chris Shelton (who could have ranked higher) led the middle five, with the other four being a lesser 1B and three pitchers who are a long way away. Pretty strong at the top, but not especially deep.

Marlins. Middle 5 are Stokes, Bazardo, Reed, Johnson, and Brad Davis (low-A ball catcher). The first four of those players would be top-5 in several other organizations. Even the guy at #13 (Adam Bostick) would make some top-5 lists. Extremely deep organization, and it just got deeper, which is why I don’t think Fish fans should be crying too hard about the fire sale.

Blue Jays. Middle 5 include two guys who will contribute eventually (Quiroz and McGowan), two guys who might do something and one who might have in a different situation (Gross). Mostly an “eh” group, IMO; no one really stands out.