In case you’ve forgotten, I published my TOP 10 DODGER PROSPECTS on November 27, 2008. On January 30th Baseball America published their annual list. Let’s see how they stack up:
My List:
- Andrew Lambo – His meteoric rise through the Dodger system will culminate next year when he arrives in LA. It could be in September, but it could be earlier.
2. James McDonald – The fact that I put him at #2 should not detract from the fact that I think he could be the Rookie of the Year next year. This is a guy who should be no lower than a #3 for years.
3. Josh Lindblom – This is another pitcher who could be with the Dodgers in 2009. I think he could close next year, but so far the Dodgers brain trust seems intent on making him a starter. He has exceptional stuff and is ready for prime time. Closer or #4 starter ?
4. Scott Elbert – I fully expect him to make the team in 2009 and maybe even close a few games. At the least, he’ll take Joe Beimel’s spot in the pen. Another year recovered from arm surgery should add more MPH to his fastball and more bite to his curve. There is talk he may go back to starting, but I doubt it. He is closer material.
5. Victor Garate – Most people don’t have him in their Top 10, but I think this guy can really become something special. He’s LH and will be 24 next year. He really came into his own last year after being a reliever the previous years. His conversion to being a starter will continue this year. He has a good curve and slider and above-average fastball. I see him as a starter in a couple of years.
6. Ivan DeJesus, Jr. – The fact that he is #6 is not so much that his stock has dropped, but rather that others have surpassed him. I do not believe he can play SS in the majors and so his impact will be at 2B where many players have more power. I do think he’ll be a good major leaguer, but not for the Dodgers.
7. Ethan Martin - I am not convinced he will stay a pitcher because he is also an outstanding hitter and 3B, but he is also an outstanding pitcher. He’ll be in the majors by the end of 2010 either way. This kid is a ballplayer.
8. Kyle Russell – Again, many will disagree with this pick, but this is a kid with huge power and a huge upside. He is LH and I see him as a Ryan Howard type player – he may not have a high BA and he will strike out a lot, but he’ll drive the ball out of the park. He is the Texas Longhorns all-time HR hitter.
9. Austin Gallagher - He’ll be 20 next year and at 6-5 he should develop a lot of power. When you realize he’s the same age as Andrew Lambo, you pause, but this is another kid who has a nice swing and a high top side.
10. Greg Miller – This is purely sentimental, but the fact of the matter is that if he could just throw strikes, he’d be our closer. His stuff is filthy. I have a feeling that this is the last chance for him and maybe, just maybe, someone can help him harness his control.
Baseball’s America’s List:
| 1. | Andrew Lambo, of |
| 2. | James McDonald, rhp |
| 3. | Ethan Martin, rhp |
| 4. | Josh Lindblom, rhp |
| 5. | Scott Elbert, lhp |
| 6. | Ivan DeJesus Jr., ss |
| 7. | Devaris Gordon, ss |
| 8. | Josh Bell, 3b |
| 9. | Chris Withrow, rhp |
| 10. | Nathan Eovaldi, rhp |
Rankings are pretty subjective and I really can’t argue with anything but Josh Bell – we simply don’t know about him as he missed most of last year with knee surgery. This should tell you how good Andrew Lambo can be. Here’s what BA said about him:
Background: A preseason high school All-American in 2007, Lambo fell from a possible supplemental first-round pick to the fourth round because of makeup concerns. At Cleveland High in Reseda, Calif., he got suspended as a freshman for missing classes, then got caught smoking marijuana under the bleaches as a sophomore. Though there were no further incidents in his final two years after he transferred 35 miles north to Newbury Park (Calif.) High, scouts still thought he was immature. But Dodgers area scout Chuck Crim pushed for Lambo, and Los Angeles took him in the fourth round. He had grown up a Dodgers fan, and they signed him away from an Arizona State commitment for a slot bonus of $164,250. Lambo won the Guy Wellman Award as the Dodgers’ best first-year player in 2007, when he ranked second in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in on-base percentage (.440) and third in hitting (.343). He played in the low Class A Midwest League all-star game in his first full season last year. As one of the few bright spots on a bad Great Lakes club, Lambo ranked among the MWL leaders in several categories when he was promoted to Double-A Jacksonville in late August, just two weeks after turning 20. Los Angeles made the move so he’d be eligible to play in the Arizona Fall League, but he handled the jump well, hitting safely in all eight games he played. Lambo capped his year by hitting .313 in the AFL, where he was one of the youngest players.
Strengths: Lambo has plus raw power and bat speed, with an ideal swing path and mechanics. For a big player, he has a short and direct path to the ball, and he’s very consistent with his stroke. He shows mainly gap power now, but he has the big frame to provide leverage for more homers in the future. He hangs in well against lefthanders, hitting .323 against them in 2008. Though he hasn’t been a pro for long, Lambo has the confidence that makes him feel he can hit any pitcher. After playing right field and first base in his pro debut, he played a solid left field last season, about on par with Andre Ethier. If he returned to first base, his main position in high school, he’d be an above-average defender. Lambo has put his off-field problems behind him and has started to grow up.Weaknesses: Lambo’s stroke is very level, and he may need to make some adjustments to add loft and produce more power in the future. Despite his textbook swing, he fanned 119 times in 2008 and will need to tighten up his strike zone. While he was a successful high school pitcher, his arm is just adequate, which prompted his move from right field to left. He’s a well below-average runner, though he compensates on defense by reading balls well off the bat.The Future: Lambo projects as a middle-of-the-order bat, someone who can hit .285-.300 with 25 or more homers in the big leagues. His AFL performance reinforced that he has advanced hitting ability and gives the Dodgers confidence that he can handle a full-time assignment to their new Double-A Chattanooga affiliate in 2009. He could make his big league debut toward the end of 2010.
DODGER NEWS:
Diamond Leung has this to report:
Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti was interviewed on ESPNews today, and gave an update on the talks with agent Scott Boras regarding Manny Ramirez.
“Not much lately,” Colletti said of the conversations. “We’re getting to the point in the offseason where if they have an interest in being with us, we need to sit down and talk.
“I don’t know if there’s a point where it’s too late. We haven’t set a date in our own mind where it’s too late.
“Rather than set a deadline today for someone of Manny’s ability, we’ll be patient and wait it out.”
And what would happen of Manny doesn’t re-sign?
“We’ve got three everyday outfielders,” Colleti said, adding that there might be another player out on the market that would fit. “We’ll keep on going.”
Colletti also said he wanted to add “at least one more starter and hopefully a reliever.”
Lambo sounds like a can’t miss with the stick but shakey with the glove. He sounds a pee bit faster then Loney. Why can’t our #1 prospect be a 5 tool guy? Anyway , if he can hit we’ll make some room somewhere.
Maybe Lambos rising stock is why Ethier is our only arbitration case. The guy is a OF, is left handed with pop. Almost a carbon copy with perhaps a higher ceiling (although Ethier was once a can’t miss kind of guy in Oaklands minor leagues.) I wonder if Andre is our major trade bait this year with Lambo being our back up plan? Could Andre be packaged for front line starting pitching?
Too bad if my speculation is true. I think Andre is as solid as they come. Torre has compared him to Paul O’neill, and I agree. He isn’t flashy but a great complimentary player. If we bring back #99, I predict Andre will be a force this year!
Later
Billy,
From what I have seen and heard, I think he’s actually a pretty good defensive LF. Someone must have saw haim make a bad play and defined him by that, but in reality he’s good defensively, with an average arm.
But, our outfield is set for the next three years – Pierre, Kemp and Ethier.
Trade him for some magic beans.
i like either better than kemp..kemp get bad jumps on the ball ..that why he has to dive for the ball as much as he does…just my view..
Bynum out 8-12 weeks. Damaging news for the Lakers.
Lakers are still the best team in the West. But they will need Bynum in the play-offs. Hopefully he will be full strength when he comes back. That is a long time to be out though.
Kemp has as much natural ability as anyone on our organization. His problem is between his ears. Maybe he will eventually mature. Maybe not. Remember Mondesi. He never really reached his true potential as a pro.
I like Ethier too. Always have, even when some in here insisted he was “soft”. He is, right now, our best hitter.
Ryan Howard didn’t come to the Majors until he was 25….
I hear you Jerry. I feel the same way. I have a feeling if Kemp doesn’t figure it out his year. He will be just a kid who had a world full of raw talent but not enough between the ears to get it. It would stink to see all that trade value go by the way side.
By the way. Kevin Kennedy said on XM today that the Giants are serious about #99. Also that if they sign him they are BY FAR the favorites in the NL. He went on to say he doesn’t know what the Giants are waiting for. Damn it Kevin, don’t tell me that.
I say set the deadline for #99 to next Monday. 1 week to take the deal or counter offer and get it done or move on. Sign Dunn, Wolf,& Hudson. Lets get to Camelback Ranch & not look back.
The McCourts are to cheap to add Hudson into the Mix. It would be a perfect fit but the cheap route is DeWitt. We still need a big bat off the bench. Not Loretta – a big bat. Resign Nomar , Wolf and give #99 one week and a reasonable 3 year offer. Dunn wants to be a Dodger I hear. Tractor pull bobble heads and Dunn shoe cooler bags are the ticket. GET R DONE
Just a reminder:
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I’m going to tell you something right now, if Manny Ramirez doesn’t sign with us, we are in deep trouble. Deep, deep, deep trouble. He adds so much to our lineup because we have a young team. He just makes our lineup so much stronger. … I’ll take Manny knowing what I know about him. I’ll take him in our lineup, because we would be lost without him.” — Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa to WFAN Radio in New York.”
Not just “deep” trouble – “deep, deep, deep” trouble. That’s deep cubed. That’s a lot of deep.
Guess our coach isn’t sold on our current outfield.
I hear Hudson might settle for a 1 yr deal. I say do it. But what do I know. You’re right it probably wont happen.
Lets lighten up check this out. I hope you guys laugh like I did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S2DO5_zujU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S2DO5_zujU
Lets lighten up. Check this out guys. I hope you all laugh like I did!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S2DO5_zujU
My comments aren’t showing? Whats up?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S2DO5_zujU
OK check this out!
Mark is editing DRomo. Romo, you must have spoken bad about Lambo. That’s the only thing I can think of.
There is a youtube clip where a guy imitates batting stances of current and former Dodgers. It is pretty funny.
I’ll turn on KNBR (Giants’ Radio Station) and listen for the ManRam talk and let you guys know what I hear.
Ouch, Bynum out 8 to 12 weeks, that seems to be what they said a year ago, he ended up being out for the rest of the season. Yikes, that really sucks, give that kid the old-fashion knee cushions before they put him back on the floor. If he is really only out for that long, I guess we will have a fresh legged center for the playoffs (yeah, like every 21 year old doesn’t always have fresh legs, even if they play two games a day for 10 days in a row. I vaguely remember those days, just talking about knees makes me want to get out the ice packs).
ManRam question: Do any of you think that Borass and Ned have a handshake agreement that Borass will give the Dodgers’ the last shot at signing with the Dodgers. Once Borass produces an actually, legitimate offer then Ned will match it or slightly improve it? Yeah, I know, how could you trust Borass, but this thing has been so strange, it is beginning to make me wonder. Just food for thought. Something “special” must be going on behind the scenes, I hope!
DRomo,
For some reason, the span filter had all your posts sequestered. For some reason, that happens sometimes?????
So, I set them free!
Have we signed Manny yet????
Yu guys keep talking about our offer which was pulled of the table as being for 2 years and 45 m illion. That’s N OT the case. Our offer had a $7 million “trailer bonus” which would be paid to Manny at the end of his contract. That made our offer $52 millikon for two years with a $15 Miillion dollar option for a third year. That’s $26 MILLION PER YEAR FOR TWO YEARS. THAT OFFER HAS NOT BEEN PUT B ACK ON THE TABLE.
Why not–you cheap bastard Frank!!!
Tony Jackson is reporting something interesting tonight
Looks like Colleti took Mark’s advice
ESPN is reporting Dodgers have offered $25/1 year.
Do the dodgers know something or are they totally stupid. I think they may know something, like no one else is going to do any better, who knows for sure, definitely none of us. The soap opera continues. The positive side is, if Manny accepts, then he will probably play hard each day, trying to earn his next contract. Maybe that is just the way it is going to be for Manny the rest of his career, no long term security but big single year contracts. I think he will be able to struggle by on those measly dollar amounts.
Makes sense to me.
1. Gives our youngsters, including Lambo, another year.
2. Manny can be motivated to have a monster year and get a 2 or 3 year $80 mil deal in the AL next year.
Wow! Here is the deal. All of us fans should stick together on this.
Can we say that the McCourts are being cheap on this? No!
Can we say they aren’t playing hardball with Boras? No!
We all (on this site) have said Manny is a risk, we should just pay him, and we should give him a deadline and move on. So here we go.
My prediction. Manny will feel cornered. He doesn’t want to look weak. He will turn it down, we will move on. I hope we get busy filling this roster. Sadly Manny will probably get an offer from San Fran. for 2 yrs maybe even for less than our initial offer. But you know what I am proud of Ned and the McCourts. Have the BALLS to stand up to Boras and Manny.
If this is the end, we remember a great 2 month run. But no one player will ever make or break my love for this team. Manny made this mess and dragged his reputation through the mud. He gambled and lost. I hope he comes back, but I love tis move.
28 mil/1 ano!
25 mil plus 25% of Manny’s uniform and hair sales. He can change his number only twice.
The two year offer was made to Manny and Boras ridiculed it as not being a serious offer. So, it was pulled. Not putting it back on doesn’t make Mr. McCourt cheap. It makes Boras stupid not to have at least entertained it in the beginning.
The one year deal won’t fly. However, I expect Ned knows a few things about it we don’t. Boras still hasn’t made a counter offer to my knowledge. He simply expects teams to bid against each other. If he would at least be willing to negotiate, then progress could be made. If Manny wants to go to SF, then I guess he will. The Giants would definitely move into contender status but we can’t be tied up by Manny forever.
GO DODGERS!!
1. No talk at all about ManRam on KNBR this afternoon, not for the 2 hrs. I listened to anyway (Razor and Mr. T Show).
2. Borass is infallible and NEVER makes a mistake (at least that is what I have been told).
3. Translation of Borass-speak: When he says “the market is heating up for Manny” = “I don’t have a damn thing on the table and I have very little interest for him uniformly around the league, but I never make mistakes.”
4. I think Manny has made a big mistake listening to Borass, yeah he may get a contract this year from us or someone else, but his negotiations this off-season really only cemented the fact among GMs that he is going to prove to be a pain for any team that signs him, if not now then very soon. GMs around the league are not going to get excited about pursuing him for one, two, three or four year contracts. Manny and The Infallible One really painted themselves into a corner with this whole negotiation strategy that they chose.
5. There really is only two questions: Will Manny sign with the Giants just to spite the Dodgers? or Now that the Dodgers have at least offered another contract, does this signal some actually communication and negotiations can take place with The Infallible One and ManRam eventually signs with the Dodgers (probably back in the neighborhood of the original offer made right after last season)?