Eric Mack's Top 5 Prospects

by Pack Man on May 8, 2009 6:38 PM EDT Comment 19 comments

Haven't posted one of these before, but I thought other people might like to see this. Over at CBS Sportsline Mack wrote a quick column on who he thought to be the top 5 prospects for potential June call ups. At number 3 is Reimold, and at number 5 is Wieters. His one honorable mention is none other than Chris Tillman. 50% of the players mentioned are Orioles, so it made me feel pretty good reading it. He's writing from a fantasy perspective, but nonetheless. Just thought others might be interested in reading this.

Read it here

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he calls Reimold a potential star

As a huge Nolan supporter I’d say that’s a bit much. I’ve always read he projects as a solid regular. And that’s good enough for me.

by pipkin on May 8, 2009 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you're probably right

But it’s nice to see and I’m trying to cling to optimistic thoughts haha

by Pack Man on May 8, 2009 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if anyone's missed this...

its one of my fave prospect pages its a bit old but the video with every prospect is pretty cool. nice for a quick brush up here and there.

"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17

by daveh873 on May 8, 2009 9:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My question is when

can we let Troy Patton strengthen his arm up here…

Rich Hill come on down….Mark Henrickson you are the long man….Adam you are the walking man and I dont mean bases on balls….I mean a country road…

I am almost giddy…

by sanders833 on May 9, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

true...

and it’s not like he has the options issue that hill does either.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on May 9, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hill probably needs at least another start or two, his ERA has been fine in his rehab, but he hasn’t gone deep into games and he’s walked a bunch.

I’m on board with Patton though, I don’t get why he hasn’t been called up already.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on May 9, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

might as well take it slow

make sure he’s healthy

by pipkin on May 9, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if he's not healthy

How is him being in the minors help?

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on May 9, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also to allow time to let his arm strength adjust

He is working at 86-88 right now and pre-surgery he was 89-91. Hopefully he can get some of that back, it wont matter as much for getting out AA opponents but once he is called up he will probably need it to be successful.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on May 9, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmmm...

-lower pressure
-pitch counts don’t hurt the bullpen by putting too much strain on them
-hitters are easier to get out
-like Reddrummer said, he needs to build up strength slowly, not be rushed in to an ML workload

There is literally no reason to rush anyone up to the majors this year. the team stinks, it was expected to stink, it will keep stinking. if guys are ready, like Reimold and perhaps Wieters are, call them up. But hell, even Tillman should probably just stay down in AAA until at least September. This year doesn’t matter. Next year probably is when we start to call guys up. Then maybe see what happens in 2011. Maybe.

by pipkin on May 9, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know that lower pressure and hitters being easier to get out is going to prevent an injury. As for the limited pitch counts, it’s not like the guys up here now are going deep into games. As for the arm strength, I know it was reported about 3 weeks ago that he was 2-3 mph below where he was before the injury. If he hasn’t gotten that back by now, he may never. And more importantly, if he can dominate the way he has in AA; there is little reason to think he can’t have success in the majors.

And of course, there is no reason to rush anyone; but the guy is about to turn 24. He played briefly in the majors 2 years ago. He would have played last year if it wasn’t for the injuries. I don’t see bringing him up now as rushing him.

As for TIllman, I agree. I don’t even know that I would bring him up in September. But I would definitely bring up Patton sooner rather than later. I don’t see what’s gained by leaving him down there at all. Eventually, you have to take the plastic off the couch.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on May 9, 2009 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I mean don't rush him back from an injury

And hell, if he’s in AA let him have a few reps in AAA at lesat. All I’m saying is that there should be no urgency whatsoever with a dude who’s been injured and might end up being the only useful pitcher from the Tejeder trade.

I think you gotta bring Tillman up for September if he has a good year, even if you don’t use him much. PR if nothing else.

by pipkin on May 9, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haven’t really thought about Sept, but do you think there is a chance we see multiple young arms up for a start or two just to keep/spark interest in next season?

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on May 10, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't rush

Agree w/ Pipkin that neither Patton nor Tillman should be rushed. Part of playing in the minors is learning to use a greater variety of pitches and having confidence in them. Don’t bring them up until all the pitches in their arsenals are working.

by BaltoBen on May 11, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why not bring up a bullpen arm from Norfolk...

named Ross Wolf? 20.1 IP, 1-0 with a 1.77 era, .89 whip, 1.4 k:bb ratio, .119 baa
A right handed reliever who is holding lefties to an .029 baa
He is 26 years old and has pitched a few innings in the Majors for the Marlins in 2007. With that stat line and the current shape of the pen, wouldn’t he at least be worth a shot?

by Jumsy on May 11, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs