Top Prospects of the CPBL 2016

[TheBigKahuna0]

This world needs more overconfident opinion with little qualification or perspective. And so you shall receive the newest prospect report! You'll notice I updated some of the future comparison players, but for the most part I left them alone. No, not because I'm lazy, but because I NAILED IT!

This year's report is exactly half pitching and half hitting. First time ever (that I checked that)! Just one catcher featured which doesn't bode well for the future of the league's thinnest position.

As for the best average ranking - clearly my team is the best and consistently most overrated. Other top systems by this measure - Toronto, Chicago NL and New York NL. Plenty of exciting new prospects out there and a handful of players busting.

Enjoy

15 Rank - 16 Rank - Name/Team/Pos
1 - 1 - Bob Brewer PIT SP - Drafted 1st in 2013 - ETA: 2019
Brewer marches along as he's reached B+ at age 20. He's caught his minor league teammate George Perrine in terms of talent while 2 years younger and should closely follow him into the majors in the coming years.
Future Comparison: Rudy Pirkl

4 - 2 - Roland Clowers NYA SP - Drafted 2nd in 2014 - ETA: 2019
He's knocking on the door of B+ overall and won't turn 21 until next spring. Clowers already has two big development years behind him and a third could earn him gem status.
Future Comparison: Bill Trott

6 - 3 - George Perrine PIT SP - Drafted 1st in 2012 - ETA: 2017
Perrine had a slow year in 2015, but is nearing promotion anyway. At B/A- he wouldn't win too many games, so this last year of development is critical to his rookie year success.
Future Comparison: Jimmy Purdy

13 - 4 - Jim Martin CHN SP - Drafted 4th in 2013 - ETA: 2019
Martin had an unlucky 2015 receiving fewer IC's than in previous years while converting just 9. At B+/B- and not 21 until winter, there is plenty of time to remain a top prospect. Expect a bounce back season in 2016.
Future Comparison: Mike McNertney

14 - 5 - Bruce Townsend NYN RF - Drafted 6th in 2015 - ETA: 2020
Aside from speed IC's, Townsend has a great 2015. He's B overall at 19 years old and should be a great leadoff man for the Gothams. He still offers very little on defense so he's just short of the complete package.
Future Comparison: George Winegarner

NR - 6 - Oscar ""The Brat"" Obradovich NYN RP - Drafted 6th in 2013 - ETA: 2018
The Brat has a HUGE 2015 converting 33 or 63 IC's and launching to A/B-. He's 20 until December so expect him to keep that train rolling. Previously a pedestrian prospect, his turnaround has the Gothams excited.
Future Comparison: Lance Oliver

NR - 7 - Rusty McWilliams PIT RF - Drafted 4th in 2012 - ETA: 2018
Power hitting McWilliams makes his debut on this list despite going 4th overall 4 years ago. He'll be a complete offensive package with A+ PvR and good speed. He'll be a mess defensively, so the Rebels will continue to lobby for the designated hitter.
Future Comparison: Nay Dutra

10 - 8 - Will Callahan TOR SP - Drafted 11th in 2013 - ETA: 2020
Callahan is up to B/C+ and another 2-3 years of development from joining the Toronto rotation. He's on a steady clip of IC conversion that will lead him to the next level.
Future Comparison: Mark Taylor

21 - 9 - Jack Cress TOR 1B - Drafted 5th in 2015 - ETA: 2020
Cress had a good first year in the minors and is living up to his power potential. He could get pushed up early with the rebuild in full swing and he should hold his own against major league pitching in the near future.
Future Comparison: Eddie Williams

22 - 10 - Art Dente COL RP - Drafted 10th in 2015 - ETA: 2017
Dente is up to C+/B+ and could be an emergency option in the bigs but he'll spend most of the year down on the farm. He might not make a playoff team next season, but plenty of rebuilds would be happy to have him in their bullpens.
Future Comparison: John Wright

15 - 11 - Jack Sothoron DET SP - Drafted 11th in 2012 - ETA: 2019
Sothoron suffered a lost year in 2015 converting just 4 of 48 IC's. He's still stuck at B/B and the pressure is on this season. If he has another bad year, his stock will hit rock bottom.
Future Comparison: Joe McIntire

24 - 12 - Larry Callahan BOS RP - Drafted 3rd in 2014 - ETA: 2020
Another solid year of development has Callahan on track to join the Terrier bullpen as an impact reliever. B overall is a great place to be considering he won't turn 21 until October.
Future Comparison: Alfonso Weathers

8 - 13 - Lorenzo Gravano CHN RF - Drafted 2nd in 2012 - ETA: 2018
Gravano now has 4 disappointing years in the minors and the bust label is starting to stick. Expect him to get a call up soon to see if he can improve better at the level. If not, he'll top out as a 4th outfielder.
Future Comparison: Scooter Hinson

NR - 14 - Brandon Padilla CIN SP - Drafted 13th in 2016 - ETA: 2019
A good grab late in the 1st, Padilla has B/C stuff at 19 years old. He'll have a whole season of development before his 20th birthday and he should enter B- territory in that time. Right now he's the best bet to join Oliva at the top of the Bengal rotation.
Future Comparison: Ray Gibson

19 - 15 - Casey Soto WAS 1B - Drafted 10th in 2014 - ETA: 2020
Soto is 42 for 42 in defensive IC conversions, bringing him up to C-/C-. Still garbage, but his bat is coming along nicely. He'll be a balanced hitter and could be straight A's in all hitting categories with the potential for some A+ pop.
Future Comparison: Elmer Venafro

17 - 16 - Dave Creek NYA RF - Drafted 9th in 2012 - ETA: 2018
Creek had a down 2015 in the minors which could delay his promotion. His bat is nearly ready to go and he'll need to build his speed and defensive ability as he goes. Plenty of opportunity is opening up on the major league roster with the Bombers selling off, so he could see the field soon.
Future Comparison: Butch Lewis

25 - 17 - Steve Kraly KC SP - Drafted 4th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
Kraly developed well again last year and is aiming to have his control at C+ or better by his 20th birthday. The sooner he gets to B- the better prospect he'll be.
Future Comparison: Mark Matthews

28 - 18 - Marvin Woolridge SFO RP - Drafted 29th in 2014 - ETA: 2017
This former 2nd rounder is reaching the end of his minor league potential. The soon to be 23 year old stand at C+/A-. Those rating will get him a nice shelling to learn from at the next level. He'll break out of Juvee sometime this year or next.
Future Comparison: Rick Luck

NR - 19 - Frank Files WAS 2B - Drafted 9th in 2013 - ETA: 2018
This high power prospect is progressing well in the Washington system as he already has red letter power and speed. His contact will continue to hold him back, but the future is much brighter now that it's out of the D range.
Future Comparison: Billy Laird

NR - 20 - Frankie Schiraldi COL SP - Drafted 15th in 2016 - ETA: 2018
C/B+ at 22 years old is a pretty good get at #15. Schiraldi won't tear up the league, but has a future ahead of him. He'll be steal if he can get his control to A+.
Future Comparison: Jerry Wilson

NR - 21 - Orval Pitta BAL SP - Drafted 5th in 2013 - ETA: 2018
Pitta is back on this list after falling out of favor in Baltimore in 2015. His control has come a long way from a D+ start and he looks like a guy with a future. He needs a couple more years of seasoning, but with the Boh's playoff window open he could make his debut somewhere else.
Future Comparison: Trent Miller

NR - 22 - Paul Wells BOS CF - Drafted 8th in 2016 - ETA: 2019
This first round Terrier joins the Nantucket Puppiers with massive power potential and top shelf speed. He'll earn his paycheck vs right handers and should be good enough vs lefties to start daily. On the downside, he has no hope of sticking in CF with D+/D+ fielding abilities.
Future Comparison: Phil Brennan

NR - 23 - Gene Basinski TOR SP - Drafted 6th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Basinski fell into Toronto as the first pitcher taken in the draft at #6. He could have easily gone higher as he profiles as a starter with great velocity and enough control to be very good. He has A overall potential although he has a long way to go as a 19 year old.
Future Comparison: Jim Duncan

18 - 24 - Levon Clemons BOS SP - Drafted 10th in 2013 - ETA: 2019
Clemons' early promise has faded. After converting 20 IC's in his first season, he's converted just 13 in the past 2 seasons combined. His control should enter red letter territory this year, but his C- velocity will keep him from stardom.
Future Comparison: Dave Bowman

39 - 25 - John Weaver BAL SP - Drafted 27th in 2015 - ETA: 2020
Weaver did well in 2015 converting 11 control IC's. That's the winning formula for him as he needs to get his control up to have a future.
Future Comparison: Marino Pena

NR - 26 - Orlando Suggs BAL RP - Drafted 17th in 2012 - ETA: 2019
Suggs isn't destined for a big career, but had a great 2015 to put him on track to have one. He has an outside shot at starting but he's more likely to contribute in the Baltimore bullpen.
Future Comparison: Glenn Birmingham

NR - 27 - Al Fernandez DET C - Drafted 16th in 2016 - ETA: 2018
Probably not going to crack the starting lineup, but a solid backup option at catcher. Fernandez has great speed and won't strike out too much. He's also not great behind the plate or in the power department.
Future Comparison: Pete Mills

NR - 28 - Nap Kappers CHN LF - Drafted 9th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Nap Kap became a cursed man prior to his 18th birthday when drafted by Chicago. He has great potential vs right handers and the rest of his game will need to catch up. At worst, he should turn into a good platoon partner and at best he has All Star potential.
Future Comparison: Woo Woo Davis

NR - 29 - Juan Dilauro BRO LF - Drafted 10th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Dilauro is only 17 and topped out on speed. His power will soon follow with the only major blemish being his contact. Starting a D-/D- is bad, but the rest of his game should compensate for his eventual C-level contact.
Future Comparison: Russ Powell

NR - 30 - Tom Curry WAS 3B - Drafted 12th in 2016 - ETA: 2022
Not to be confused with the man behind the murderous clown, sinister mad scientist, or kindly butler, TOM Curry enters the ranks of the Junior Senators as one of the youngest players in the past draft. At first look he's going to destroy left handed pitching. Right handers give him some trouble and he's another future Senator that can't use his glove.
Future Comparison: Harry Kelly

34 - 31 - Rick Hatcher COL CF - Drafted 14th in 2014 - ETA: 2020
Hatcher backed up a strong 2014 with another good year, but still has work to do. His B- rating hinges on his speed and ability to hit left handers. His future hinges on getting better vs right handers. He's a horrible fielder so he might be destined to ride a bench when he gets the call.
Future Comparison: Tim Conine

44 - 32 - Ron Cary CHA SP - Drafted 27th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
Cary spend last season followed by some control gurus and it paid off in a big way. He leaped from D to C- by converting 15 of 66 IC's. Going from A/D to A/C- adds a considerable amount of brightness to his future, although his ceiling is likely back end starter.
Future Comparison: Jim Ribant

NR - 33 - Elvis Landcaster SFO SP - Drafted 11th in 2015 - ETA: 2020
Picked up at the start of the long overdue rebuild, Landcaster shows plus velocity potential. His B-/C rating today should grow nicely. In most situations he wouldn't be a rotation leader, but the Joint has a way of developing players well past initial predictions.
Future Comparison: Jim Jones

NR - 34 - Don Westlake NYA CF - Drafted 3rd in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Pick #3 of this past draft lands in New York with great range and contact potential. His power should be good enough to pair with great contact, although he'll be on the slow end of his player type. His biggest challenge will be staying on the field with D health, although the Bombers should be thrilled with their haul despite Westlake's flaws.
Future Comparison: Kevin Hecker

NR - 35 - Pat Cato CIN 2B - Drafted 2nd in 2015 - ETA: 2021
Last season's #2 overall is more of a defensive specialist although he will also run well and hit left handers. At C+/C+ vs righties, there isn't much hope for him to hit higher than 8th. He has his youth going for him, but did have a weak 2015 in terms of development. Another bad year could doom his prospects.
Future Comparison: Don Bergman

31 - 36 - Fritz Melillo DET 2B - Drafted 15th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
Overlooked in the initial edition of these rankings and until the 15th pick of the 2014 draft, Melillo is a plus speed guy without too much else working for himi. He may hit lefties in his career and he can drop down a bunt with the best of them. Any hope of being a force against right handers is likely gone as a B/B- hitter at nearly 22 years old.
Future Comparison: Ed Fisher

NR - 37 - Gino Laredo SFO SP - Drafted 11th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Laredo is a big project, but that's expected at 11 overall. At C/C-, any bump could derail his chances of success.
Future Comparison: Ivy Sinatro

38 - 38 - Mickey Slayton BRO 1B - Drafted 20th in 2012 - ETA: 2018
Former waiver fodder Slayton is still converting well, but running out of time. He'll need real playing time soon but even then probably won't rise above being an average hitter.
Future Comparison: Babe Moore

NR - 39 - Orlando Pena KC RF - Drafted 6th in 2014 - ETA: 2020
A 6th overall draft class with oodles of potential, Pena has fallen on hard times. He was traded last year to Kansas City, which should prove to be a good move for his career. He wasn't given much of a chance back in Chicago with just 30 CP's in his first year. He also didn't convert well in his first two years leading to whispers of a bust. KC's minor league coaching staff hopes to turn him around.
Future Comparison: Karl Boulware

NR - 40 - Britt Green STL 3B - Drafted 23rd in 2016 - ETA: 2017
Green could turn into something with his power, but he needs a trade. The Browns are too good to give him AB's and he won't improve much on the farm. His B/A vs lefties should be tempting to anyone that could send playoff help to St Louis.
Future Comparison: Mark Ross

NR - 41 - Tom Canale CIN SP - Drafted 3rd in 2015 - ETA: 2020
Canale joined the Bengals after a late season trade with Chicago as a 2nd tier prospect that sent star catcher Charlie Newkirk out of town. His split is atrocious at D+/B+, so his best hope is C+/A+. That's an arm that can succeed at the major league level, but the odds are against a long and successful career.
Future Comparison: J.T. Cook

NR - 42 - Clay Shaughnessy CHA LF - Drafted 5th in 2011 - ETA: 2018
Shaughnessy came to the league with high expectations, but has since been a disappointment. He's failed to move any hitting abilities into red territory although he is nicely balanced. If he can get a big year things could turn around, but he's probably more likely to end up on a bench sometime in the future.
Future Comparison: Sal Silvera

NR - 43 - Mark Hohman CHA 1B - Drafted 50th in 2012 - ETA: 2017
Hohman is currently a fringe talent and spent 17 games with the big club last year. His .206 average convinced the club to send him back down. There isn't a ton of potential here, although he's doing well converting and is further along than most 4th round prospects.
Future Comparison: Kenneth Fox

NR - 44 - Bill Ryan KC RP - Drafted 20th in 2009 - ETA: 2017
Ryan had great development years when he arrived. He slowed down upon entering his 20's and even with the great start doesn't project as much. His advanced age for a prospect (24) and split (A+/C) suggest he's just about peaked. He'll get the call someday, but won't be responsible for meaningful innings.
Future Comparison: Russ Brower

NR - 45 - Jim Judson BRO LF - Drafted 33rd in 2013 - ETA: 2019
Not much of a prospect here. His best quality is hitting right handers and at B/B and 23 years old there's not much hope for his future.
Future Comparison: Danny Batiste

43 - 46 - Bruce Bradley NYN RP - Drafted 20th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
The Gothams picked up Bradley as part of their deal to trade down from #1, but he's clearly the least valuable part of that deal. At A-/D+ he's unlikely to crack a major league roster with any intentions of contending.
Future Comparison: Fred Sadowski

45 - 47 - Jeff Lindstrom STL LF - Drafted 44th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
He had a decent 2015, but still doesn't look like much of a prospect.
Future Comparison: Koichi Nakazato

NR - 48 - Rolla Berra STL 2B - Drafted 29th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
When you consistently win, you end up with prospects like this. Berra is going nowhere, but the quality of this system is the cost of winning a lot of games.
Future Comparison: Mike Lasher

*Edited to include Detroit's 15 CP prospect Fritz Melillo instead of their 12 CP prospect Bob Tabler

[Michael1]

And yet the D+/B+ teen is highly prized by the Guru's of the site. We will see where Canale ends up. With those splits bullpen is likely.

[Beanballs]

Great work again Kahuna, it seems to be a better read each time.

And Michael the concern I have with Canale would be that first years improvements, although with this years showing some hope, you likely have an enigma and you will have to ride it out. I would be fairly optimistic about where he ends up, I think he is just as likely to end up at B-/A+ (WPM will play a role too), but watching his improves and reacting is going to be key (and if you don't want him I would gladly take him off your hands)...

[TheBigKahuna0]

I've seen enough guys fail to not get excited about those that need a little luck. I've also been very very very wrong about a lot of guy for a lot of reasons. That's the extra fun playing with the subscription rules - you never know.

[Michael1]

Canale had a big improvement year gaining 11 and 14 in vel and con.