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Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Sickels: San Diego Padres Top 20 Prospects for 2009

Widd Workman watch wover…

1) Kyle Blanks, 1B, Grade B+: I don’t know where he fits except as trade bait, but I’m convinced that the bat is real. Considered Grade B, but that’s what I gave him last year and he improved in ’08.
2) Jaff Decker, OF, Grade B: Need to see at higher levels, could be a cross between Brian Giles and Matt Stairs.
3) Mat Latos, RHP, Grade B: I believe in his ceiling, and while the intercostal injury is annoying, he pitched very well when on the mound.
4) Kellen Kulbacki, OF, Grade B: The Winner of the 2009 Josh Willingham Award, given to a guy who can really f**king hit, but who doesn’t get as much respect as he deserves due to lack of tools.
5) Cedric Hunter, OF, Grade B-: Improved slightly compared to ’07. Young, hits liners, Double-A will tell us a lot.
6) James Darnell, 3B-OF, Grade B-: Although drafted behind Allan Dykstra, his balance of tools and skills is likely more valuable in the long run.
7) Allan Dykstra, 1B, Grade B-: Will hit homers and draw walks, but where does he play?
8) Will Inman, RHP, Grade B-: Continues to defy the scouts. Needs to lower the walk rate but K/IP continues to stand out. Considering downgrade to C+.

SYSTEM IN BRIEF
I expected this system to be thin, but if you sit down and look at it, it is not as bad as people say. There is a definite lack of sure-fire stars, but there is considerable depth in C+ types.
Of the Bs, Blanks looks like he can be a solid first baseman, and Decker’s bat could be very special indeed. Kulbacki, Darnell, Hunter, and Dykstra should all be contributors in one way or another, and all of them have a chance to be regulars. I remain highly intrigued with Latos, if only he can stay healthy. I like Inman more than the scouts do, and yes I have seen him in person. He’s got flaws and I might go down to C+, but there is just something about him that makes me think he will continue to surprise people. We will see if that remains true in the PCL.
Antonelli is a huge enigma, and no I don’t know what to expect.

Repoz Posted: January 07, 2009 at 12:21 PM | 7 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralMinor LeaguesProspect ReportsScoutingSan Diego

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Page 1 of 1 pages
   1. Ranchorico Posted: January 07, 2009 at 01:46 PM (#3045511)
So in comparison to the other teams, where would you rate the Padres farm? Here in San Diego fans have been led to believe by the local press that they had the best farm prospects in the league thus elevating hopes that they may be used to bring some legitimate "A" players to without question is the most boring team on the planet. No real leadoff man in years; can't steal a base; can't run the bases etc, etc. Do you see anything like that happening?
   2. Primakov Posted: January 07, 2009 at 07:24 PM (#3045911)
To me this system is middle of the pack.

Does the media really have everyone drinking that kool-aid?
   3. Justin T Posted: January 07, 2009 at 07:41 PM (#3045921)
The local press in San Diego is apparently very stupid or just a mouthpiece for the team. In any event, even if trades for stars were a possibility, nothing matters until ownership is settled. And then when it is settled, it's Moorad. So...
   4. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: January 07, 2009 at 07:52 PM (#3045925)
Does the media really have everyone drinking that kool-aid?
Its not quite to the extreme that Ranchorico is speculating, and its not the media. Its the front office that has been pimping their drafts over the last couple of seasons. To be honest the system HAS improved, but if your minor league system is routinely ranked at or near the bottom in all of baseball, improvements really aren't that hard.
   5. Frisco Cali Posted: January 07, 2009 at 09:58 PM (#3045992)
Here in San Diego fans have been led to believe by the local press that they had the best farm prospects in the league

IIRC, weren't a bunch of these guys together at Rancho a couple years ago, helping create this conception? Antonelli and Blanks are the ones that I think I remember.

Headley too
   6. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: January 07, 2009 at 10:51 PM (#3046011)
And then when it is settled, it's Moorad. So...

So that legitimate A player who can run the bases will be Eric Byrnes.
   7. Mike Emeigh Posted: January 07, 2009 at 11:15 PM (#3046018)
The basic problem here is that there are no players with any sort of star potential. It's better than it was, but more in depth than in quality.

-- MWE
Page 1 of 1 pages

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