Jan 08 2009
John Sickel’s Tigers Top 10 Prospects
Here is John Sickel’s Detroit Tigers Top 10 Prospects.
1) Rick Porcello, RHP, Grade A-: Went back and forth on this one due to the K/IP issue, but ultimately decided to give him the benefit of the doubt due to his youth. More of a Webb/Zambrano type than a Beckett.
2) Ryan Perry, RHP, Grade B: Best of the power bullpen arms the Tigers drafted in 2009.
3) Brett Jacobson, RHP, Grade B-: Second-best of the power arms. Stuff not quite as good as Perry but better command.
4) Casey Crosby, LHP, Grade C+: I want to see some actual data beyond the GCL, but fall reports are promising. Much higher ceiling but concerned about command.
5) Jeff Larish, 1B, Grade C+: I don’t buy him as a third baseman, which makes him trade bait. I believe in the power, but won’t hit for average.
6) Cody Satterwhite, RHP, Grade C+: Another impressive power arm. The Tigers gathered a bunch of these for the future pen. Command an issue.
7) Wilkin Ramirez, OF, Grade C+: Put some of his tools together last year, but the high strikeout rate and problems with breaking balls remain serious concerns.
Scott Green, RHP, Grade C+ : Another lively high-ceiling power arm from the 2008 draft best-suited for relief work.
9) Casper Wells, OF, Grade C+: Added to 40-man roster after surprisingly good 2008 season, an under the radar guy who produced power and speed.
10) Alex Avila, C, Grade C+: Strong bat, I think more power will come, not sure about where he fits defensively.
This is one of the weakest systems in my opinion. Rick Porcello is their only star in the making. He fell to them after an injury, but had he not been injured he would have been a top 5 pick. Porcello has only a Bowman chrome rookie base card, an Aflac Auto, and now about 20 Donruss Autos after having his market flooded. I think his Aflac is his best card, so I picked up 2 of them and can be had for under $100.00. The only sleeper I see in this group is Wilkin Ramirez.
