John Sickels' Prospect List

by jscape2000 on Dec 17, 2007 11:30 AM EST in New York Yankees News

John Sickels of our SBN sister-site minorleagueball has released his Yankee top 20 list, so without further ado:

Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Grade A
Jose Tabata, OF, Grade B+
Ian Kennedy, RHP, Grade B+
Alan Horne, RHP, Grade B
Austin Jackson, OF, Grade B-
Bradley Suttle, 3B, Grade B-
Dellin Betances, RHP, Grade B-
Austin Romine, C, Grade B- (hate grading guys who haven't played yet, could be C+)
Jesus Montero, C, Grade C+ (borderline B-)
Dan McCutchen, RHP, Grade C+
Brett Gardner, OF, Grade C+
Damon Sublett, 2B, Grade C+ (love this guy)
Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C+ (could slot anywhere from 9 to 20 depending on what you want to emphasize)
Jeffrey Marquez, RHP, Grade C+
George Kontos, RHP, Grade C+
Kevin Whelan, RHP, Grade C+ (check those K/IP and H/IP, but command?)
Frank Cervelli, C, Grade C+ (great glove, bat?)
David Robertson, RHP, Grade C+ (stunning numbers)
Jairo Heredia, RHP, Grade C+
Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade C+

Grade A prospects are the elite. They have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Almost all Grade A prospects develop into major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don't intervene. Note that is a major "if" in some cases.

Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role.

Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don't make it at all.

John tries to really project these players, rather than just analyzing their performance at their age level. Like me, he is very skeptical of players who haven't performed in the upper levels.

I've got some minor quibbles (I'd have put Gardner 8th, graded Whelan higher, and left off the guys who haven't played yet [Brackman, Romine, etc]).

Overall, a good list and an interesting read.

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Comments

Sickels was much kinder to Boston's farm

I am surprised to see Montero as only a C+. He won't stay at catcher but you would think with his power and early performance that he would be higher.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Dec 17, 2007 11:33 AM EST reply actions

Yeah,

he gave Buccholz, Ellsbury and Lowry As.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Dec 17, 2007 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

2 years

Dellin Betances is going to be an A easily.

Any chance we are going to see Tabata this year?

Chamberlain, Kennedy, and Hughes- forever.

by 3aces on Dec 17, 2007 1:22 PM EST reply actions

He'll be in AA

They've moved him slowly thus far- a year at each level (Rookie, A, A+). I've seen nothing to suggest this pattern will change.

After the collapse of Eric Duncan's career, Cash&Co will be very careful with our best position player.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 17, 2007 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Presumably

conditions could change if Melky got moved and we found out that Damon cannot play CF at all? Or will we absolutely not see Tabata until 2009 at the earliest?

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on Dec 17, 2007 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

I think it's 2009 at the earliest

2010 is more likely.

Tabata didn't played CF much in 2007, he figures to be a corner outfielder (hopefully RF) in the majors. So he's got several players ahead of him before he gets to the Bronx.

Tabata is not on the 40-man, meaning someone would have to be DFAd for him to make the team.

I suppose that if he performs well at AA this season, and then really tears up AAA at the start of 2009 we could see him called up then. But a lot has to go right for the 19 year old for that to happen (he doesn't turn 20 until August! Holy Cow!)

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 17, 2007 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

Hmmmm

19 is young. With so many years to develop, I see no reason to rush him. Let's let him develop properly.

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on Dec 17, 2007 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

If he ...

puts up good numbers, he might get moved to AAA mid-season. I don't see a call up until late 2009.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Dec 17, 2007 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

Duncan ...

Ouch. He sucked himself right off the list. Any ETA on when and where he'll be selling insurance?

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Dec 17, 2007 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

The off the lists are my biggest complaint

Where's Cox, Sanchez, and Melancon?

A thought occurred to me on my way home from my lady's house: John Sickels is an unabashed Twins fan.
How much of the complaints about harsh grading to the Yanks and tender grading to the Sox be tied to the Santana deal (not intentionally, but in the same way that we get overexcited by a Shane Spencer/ Shelley Duncan)?

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 18, 2007 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

Great point

I hadn't even thought of Cox or Melancon. I would have at the very least graded them "B"s.
Not even to be on the list makes me wonder if there's a conspiracy, or perhaps credible outside critiquing is cutting through the Yankees PR BS.

I find it interesting, though, that in at least three other sources that I've read over the last six-months or so, Cox and Melancon are well-thought of prospects.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Dec 19, 2007 11:31 AM EST up reply actions