What scouts? I haven't heard a whole lot positive about Appel as a pro. Keith Law loves him, but he also rated him much higher than any other major outlet to begin with. BB-K rate is why Ruiz is being looked at as a good prospect. Nobody will rank him top 50 outside of Law, but is realistic as a top 100 prospect.
Exactly... in fact, I never heard a "gushing" review about Appel even before the draft. (a lot of "he's good, will definitely make it... but probably as a solid #2, not an ace" type write-ups) I figured everybody was down on him for the way he pouted about not being #1 the year before that, and how he refused to sign with the Pirates. Then again, NOBODY projected this sort of season.
I should have qualified by saying as an overall prospect with the potential to be an ML starter, not viewed highly for the number one overall pick.
Is Josh Hader just not proven enough to get any love? A career 9.6 K/9 with just a 3.2 BB/9 this year? In Lancaster? Just seems like someone worth a mention to me. Also interesting that DDJ fell off. He isn't having a good year, but still is a top speed threat.
I'd love to see somebody go back and review several years worth of these "rankings"... and actually document how they all did in the big leagues. Its getting to the point that even if the Astros don't have "ranked" players, they've got enough stock-piled talent (with very little blocking them) to have guys who will not only make it to the big leagues, but likely have some success. A lot of the Luhnow Cardinals guys who all contributed on some WS teams were never ranked all that highly. I expect the same thing to turn out here. Hence here forth, I don't care what Law, Callis, or any of the ranking experts prognosticate about... the only thing that matters is how these guys perform as major leaguers.
Yes... this is a guy that faced elite college players for years and was consistently elite. It isn't like he is facing players THAT much more developed in the minors. That tells us SOMETHING is very wrong. Couple that with him changing his delivery somewhat, throwing nothing but fastballs, etc. That is why I say, based on what he know, his ceiling hasn't changed, the ability is still there. The question is WHY is struggling and do the Astros know and are not telling us?
Scouts do not like his delivery and view him as a future reliever. Whatever, the truth is that MOST of the elite prospects either flameout or do not reach their lofty expectations. What we need is DEPTH, so that when 75% of our prospects don't make a difference we have others to pick up the slack.
I don't know how good Appel will turn out. I just wanted to say that this scout differentiation on #1 and #2 is a JOKE, go look at the top pitchers in baseball and most of them were pegged as #2's.
It is... but I would say there's usually a good enough difference between a bona-fied ACE (the Pedro's, Halladays, Oswalts, Wainwrights, King Felix's) and a solid #2 to make that distinction in the first place. Felix and Strasburgh were looked at as future ace's. Verlander was thought to have a lower ceiling compared to where he is now. Prior was thought to be can't miss... and actually was until his health issues affected him.
Jason Martin has reached base safely in 23 of 25 games for Greeneville this season. He's currently on an 11-game hitting streak. He has a hit in 21 of those 25 games.
Just thought people wanted to know what other prospects were up to, besides Mark Appel, but it's cool
I'm a big Hader fan. I think he should be getting more attention, and likely will after a full season of pitching great, particularly if he spends the last 2 months in AA.
Wow regarding all the setbacks for the Astros minor leagues. They have been plentiful. Appel and Aikens to the minute top the list. Astros should have Gray and Rodon on the team right now. It sems Bryant wasnt on their preffered list - probably because Correa may still move to 3rd base. But sheeshhhh.... Right now best Astros can hope for is that Aikens chooses not to sign. But the minor league top astros talent isnt knocking on promotions.
