Several weeks after Baseball America revealed the initial top ten Yankee farmhands, the 2012 Prospect Handbook has been released and the remainder of the list has come out. Josh Norris listed players 11-31 on his Twitter account, and here goes…
11) Brett Marshall
12) Cito Culver
13) Ramon Flores
14) Angelo Gumbs
15) Adam Warren
16) D.J. Mitchell
17) Bryan Mitchell
18) Brandon Laird
19) Zoilo Almonte
20) Tyler Austin
21) David Phelps
22) Zach Nuding
23) Mark Montgomery
24) Jake Cave
25) Claudio Custodio
26) David Adams
27) Nik Turley
28) Greg Bird
29) Chase Whitley
30) Branden Pinder
31) Isias Tejeda
I say this every year at this time…don’t put that much stock in these lists. That’s all it is, a list. Some people treat this thing like a bible, and while I certainly read the Handbook from cover to cover when I get it, I’m no different than any of you in that I disagree with a lot of where various guys are ranked…Laird and Gumbs too high, Warren not high enough, etc. And if you treat it — outside of the great scouting reports, of course — as little more than a discussion starter, you’re likely better off. I know it isn’t an option for everyone, but I will always, always, always encourage you to make your own judgments with your own eyes.
I’d also be very curious to see where Jose Campos, who is likely to get to Trenton by mid-season, would be had he been dealt from Seattle earlier. I’d have to think he’d slot in around 6-8. Not sure Whitley should be on there, not sure Corban Joseph shouldn’t be and am wondering where the love is for Phil Wetherell, who as you likely know by now impressed me quite a bit when I saw him with Staten Island. But he’s an under the radar guy on the prospect circuit anyway…which is exactly why you should check these kids out for yourself and see who you want to follow.
Thoughts on the list?
Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com
January 27, 2012 at 2:23 pm |
Pretty excited for this season of Thunder Baseball.. Hoping for the best, never expect less
January 28, 2012 at 12:20 pm |
BULLSPIT LIST
January 30, 2012 at 11:58 am |
this might be the first time in this century that the aaa rotation will be all genuine prospects – banuelos, betances, mitchell, phelps and warren.
January 31, 2012 at 12:15 am |
As you said, this list is just a list, but just curious as to why you would not place Whitley on this list?
February 1, 2012 at 8:58 pm |
I agree with you Mike. It’s a useful book, but not a bible. I think the people at BA would acknowledge that so many things can change so quickly between being a singlel-A prospect, for example, and an impact big leaguer.
February 2, 2012 at 9:57 am |
this list must be done by people who were taking mind altering drugs
February 2, 2012 at 4:35 pm |
Don’t think Whitley did much to stay on said list…
February 3, 2012 at 1:16 am |
Have you see all of Whitley’s stats, including his ERA from Fall League?
February 9, 2012 at 1:48 am
Has Eric Duncan taught us all nothing? AFL stats are relatively meaningless in the grand scheme of things…
Read Josh Norris’ post, and the thoughts on Whitley are just as underwhelming from two scouts. Not like I’m alone here.
February 2, 2012 at 5:08 pm |
Romanski,Whitley both should of been on that list. Lok at their numbers Also Romanski was a starter then reliever then a starter again and had a 2.97 ERA in 106IP
February 2, 2012 at 7:52 pm |
I see the numbers. I’ve also seen Whitley pitch. I don’t think he has the stuff to be on there. Romanski is an outstanding guy, but you won’t find anyone who thinks he should be on there. It isn’t about numbers, not at all. Find me someone who thinks Josh Schmidt should be on there, etc.
February 3, 2012 at 1:17 am |
I have seen Whitley pitch also and you must not have seen the same guy!
February 2, 2012 at 8:28 pm |
BA is as good as they come but it’s still just an opinion that rarely works out. It goes with the territory.
It’s interesting to see though.
If I made a list a few of these guys would be in my top 10 including the 1 & 2 and 4 of the top 5.
February 10, 2012 at 12:21 am |
Looks like someone from the Yankees likes Whitley’s stuff. He did get invited to Big League Spring Training. Glad to see Pope getting an invite also.
March 18, 2012 at 11:04 pm |
I agree and Whitley really did well in Big League Camp. I was at the game when he had a 1-2-3 inning. Nasty changeup, nobody can figure out how this guy throws this pitch either. The Yankees must like his stuff…..
Just saying.