Top Prospects of the CPBL 2017

[TheBigKahuna0]

Back again with the... 22nd edition? The report everyone has been waiting on to decide on the trade value of their prospects, or at least to use to overvalue/devalue as needed in trades.

One takeaway is that we didn't seem to have a prospect-strong draft. I don't think we've had so few new guys on the list. While I have the records, that's way too much work to actually figure out so let's just assume that's the case. Wow!


16 Rank - 17 Rank - Name/Team/Pos
1 - 1 - Bob Brewer PIT SP - Drafted 1st in 2013 - ETA: 2019
So far Brewer's first year of development was his worst. He's converted between 9 and 11 IC's each season and that's been enough to keep him moving along. He has a shot to reach A- overall by his 22nd birthday.
Future Comparison: Rudy Pirkl

2 - 2 - Roland Clowers NYA SP - Drafted 2nd in 2014 - ETA: 2019
B+/B+ at 21 years old puts Clowers on track to reach A- overall soon. Since being the 2nd overall pick in 2014 he's improved rapidly and should force his way onto the big league club soon.
Future Comparison: Bill Trott

4 - 3 - Jim Martin TOR SP - Drafted 4th in 2013 - ETA: 2019
Martin was the centerpiece of a deal sending a couple of solid pieces to Chicago, likely thanks to his high ranking here. In Toronto, Martin is a ready to go starter at 21 years old. He will get another year to develop but is part of the young core here that now has something impressive brewing.
Future Comparison: Mike McNertney

16 - 4 - Dave Creek NYA RF - Drafted 9th in 2012 - ETA: 2018
After a big 2016 in the minors, Creek is just about ready for promotion. He's knocking on the door of A+ contact against lefties and righties. His speed and defense won't ever be elite, but that's a small concern compared to his fantastic hitting potential.
Future Comparison: Butch Lewis

14 - 5 - Brandon Padilla CIN SP - Drafted 13th in 2016 - ETA: 2019
After a great first season in the minors it's hard not to get excited about Padilla. He moved both of his pitching ratings up a level and stands on the verge of B overall at 20 years old. At this rate he'll be an early call up for the already pitching-rich Bengals.
Future Comparison: Ray Gibson

7 - 6 - Rusty McWilliams PIT RF - Drafted 4th in 2012 - ETA: 2018
In his last option year, McWilliams is as close as it gets to A+ PvR. He should be a lock to join the big club next season and is the way too early favorite for ROY.
Future Comparison: Nay Dutra

6 - 7 - Oscar ""The Brat"" Obradovich NYN RP - Drafted 6th in 2013 - ETA: 2018
He was called up last season and it looked like he might stick. A September injury sent him back to the minors and his lack of innings keeps him on this list. His big 2015 was followed by a weak 2016, but the B+ 21 year old reliever is still on track. Expect him up for good in the near future.
Future Comparison: Lance Oliver

21 - 8 - Orval Pitta BAL SP - Drafted 5th in 2013 - ETA: 2018
Pitta made two big milestones last season. He got his control up to B- (up from D+) and made his major league debut as a September call up. His results were about as expected and it's clear the former 5th overall draft choice has a bright future.
Future Comparison: Trent Miller

34 - 9 - Don Westlake NYA CF - Drafted 3rd in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Westlake is coming off a slightly disappointing season in the minor leagues, but one that should be expected given his current skills. He's B overall at 18 years old without any major holes in his game. He will be in line for a lot of awards when he gets the call.
Future Comparison: Kevin Hecker

23 - 10 - Gene Basinski TOR SP - Drafted 6th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Basinski clearly held back in the minor league showcase and fell to #6 overall because of it. He hit on 14 velocity IC's to push his grade two levels while his control also gained a level. His conversion rate isn't extreme, he just appears to have been at the tops of his drafted ratings. Toronto got a good one here that should stick in the rotation for a long time.
Future Comparison: Jim Duncan

15 - 11 - Casey Soto WAS 1B - Drafted 10th in 2014 - ETA: 2020
Soto is good with his bat and steadily increasing. Even so, more impressive is his (still) perfect improvement rate defensively. He's 66 for 66 but still pretty bad. With the bat he's just about ready vs left handers and in a good B+/B position against righties.
Future Comparison: Bernie Blauser

17 - 12 - Steve Kraly KC SP - Drafted 4th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
After three solid seasons, Kraly has gone from B/D+ to A/C+. That's a nice and steady improvement and there is no reason to believe it won't continue at 20 years old. He'll max out his velocity so his success hinges on his control improvements the next couple of seasons.
Future Comparison: Mark Matthews

22 - 13 - Paul Wells BOS CF - Drafted 8th in 2016 - ETA: 2019
This high power/high speed prospect had a good first season in the minors and shifted his primary position from center to right field. That's a good move for his defensive abilities and also works out from a succession perspective - current starter Bob Kelleher will turn 35 this season.
Future Comparison: Phil Brennan

12 - 14 - Larry Callahan BOS RP - Drafted 3rd in 2014 - ETA: 2020
Callahan is on the standard improvement path, but suffered a slight setback with most of his improvements going to endurance and his already strong control ratings. Now a C/A he's not in danger of being a bust and instead will need to build his velocity this season to regain his promise.
Future Comparison: Alfonso Weathers

10 - 15 - Art Dente COL RP - Drafted 10th in 2015 - ETA: 2017
Dente is getting old for a prospect, but his short stint in the majors last season proved he wasn't ready. At B-/A- and 23 years old, this should be his final season with the Lowlanders.
Future Comparison: John Wright

11 - 16 - Jack Sothoron DET SP - Drafted 11th in 2012 - ETA: 2019
A good 2016 followed a rough 2015 but still have Sothoron on the outside. The Autoworkers were likely expecting him to slide in and replace one of their two aging starters. Instead, he's not a lock to be an upgrade even after those two decline again and may find himself in another uniform if it means bringing in an established starter.
Future Comparison: Joe McIntire

24 - 17 - Art Maddox BOS SP - Drafted 6th in 2017 - ETA: 2019
New draftee in Boston is an older prospect close to the major leagues. At B+/B he only needs a few more improvements before being an improvement on the current rotation. With plenty of aging starters, Maddox was a good grab.
Future Comparison: Harry Hewitt

25 - 18 - John Weaver BAL SP - Drafted 27th in 2015 - ETA: 2020
With another solid year of development complete, Weaver has entered ""usable by a bad team"" territory. That's a great place to be at 21 especially on a team that can be patient with him. He's probably not an option for the next year or two on the contending Boh's, so he could be a good trade chip later this year.
Future Comparison: Tiago Dondero

41 - 19 - Tom Canale CIN SP - Drafted 3rd in 2015 - ETA: 2020
Cincy is putting something in the water during pitching practice as Canale joins Padilla in having a great 2016. He converted 27 of 78(!) IC's to move velocity up one grade and control two. On the downside, reversing those gains would have him at C/A- instead of C-/A. With top control, youth, and the BengalKitten pitching coach things are much brighter with Canale.
Future Comparison: J.T. Cook

28 - 20 - Nap Kappers CHN LF - Drafted 9th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Kappers must have pour Jobu some rum because he picked up 87 IC's last season. He converted *just* 73 of those. Nearly all of his skills went up a grade while his PvL went up two from C to B-. That's enough to launch his draft stock even if he can't keep up the IC pace.
Future Comparison: Woo Woo Davis

33 - 21 - Elvis Landcaster SFO SP - Drafted 11th in 2015 - ETA: 2020
Two encouraging years of development down for Elvis. He's done well on his control ratings which is making him a very balanced pitcher. At B- before his 21st birthday, hopes are high for his development.
Future Comparison: Jim Jones

13 - 22 - Lorenzo Gravano CHN RF - Drafted 2nd in 2012 - ETA: 2018
Gravano's stock continues to tumble as his improvement slows. To put it in perspective, after 5 full years of development (ages 18-22) his rating improvements are as follows: CvR - 2, PvR - 1, CvL - 2, PvL - 2, Speed - 3. On the bright side, he's done well with his glove. Someone needs to get him some AB's to see if he's a full on bust or if he's holding out to flourish in the majors.
Future Comparison: Scooter Hinson

35 - 23 - Pat Cato CIN 2B - Drafted 2nd in 2015 - ETA: 2021
Cato isn't making as good of progress with the bat as hoped, but still has plenty of upside after going #2 just 2 years ago. He will be elite vs left handers and on the base paths, but will struggle to find his way vs righties. The Bengals could provide him with enough playing time to improve so his outlook is a bit brighter than it would be with a contending team.
Future Comparison: Lee Sheldon

[TheBigKahuna0]

39 - 24 - Orlando Pena KC RF - Drafted 6th in 2014 - ETA: 2020
Pena's first year was marred by a lack of attention by two Chicago franchises. After a trade to Kansas City in early 2015, he's received and average of 73 IC's vs the 30 of his first season. While not enough to completely turn his stock around, Pena does have a brighter future than he did a couple of years ago. He now has the ceiling of productive starter if he can keep up the good work.
Future Comparison: Jack Blyzka

NR - 25 - Jackie Suggs STL SS - Drafted 13th in 2017 - ETA: 2020
Picking 13th this past draft yielded this unbalanced yet promising player. Suggs will dominate left handed pitching, but lags in other skills. He could start vs lefties eventually, but his poor defense probably pushes him to a pinch hit role if he sticks with the Browns.
Future Comparison: Babe Naehring

27 - 26 - Al Fernandez DET C - Drafted 16th in 2016 - ETA: 2018
Last year's final pick, Fernandez hits left handers well and has great speed. However, he's not an option in the field with a weak arm for a catcher and not enough range to go anywhere else. His upside is a platoon player and as a late pinch runner for a slow starting catcher.
Future Comparison: Pete Mills

30 - 27 - Tom Curry WAS 3B - Drafted 12th in 2016 - ETA: 2022
Curry had a great year in 2016 converting 54 of 59 IC's. He remains very raw but shed any worry of bust status.
Future Comparison: Harry Kelly

42 - 28 - Clay Shaughnessy CHA LF - Drafted 5th in 2011 - ETA: 2018
While 2016 was not a huge year for Shaughnessy, he was able to push some of his ratings to the next level. He's been on the roller coaster ride of rising prospect to possible bust. Now he's looking like a decent bet to be a part time starter. While the WPM could hurt him, real at bats are his best way to pick up his next batch of improvements.
Future Comparison: Harry Magrann

31 - 29 - Rick Hatcher COL CF - Drafted 14th in 2014 - ETA: 2020
Hatcher's weak swing vs right handers continues to be the black mark on his prospect report. He's getting better, but Colorado appears ready to move forward with him as a rangy platoon player.
Future Comparison: Tim Conine

NR - 30 - Whitey Brown PIT 3B - Drafted 8th in 2013 - ETA: 2018
""Mr. Tan"" as his teammates call him makes his debut on this list despite going 8th overall back in 2013. He's a solid option vs right handers but the rest of his game is lacking. He's made it to this list thanks to a slew of promotions in the Pittsburgh system, but also because he's the most recent first round selection the Rebels have made that is still on the roster.
Future Comparison: Louis Backman

NR - 31 - Pietro Tattaglia SFO SS - Drafted 8th in 2015 - ETA: 2020
Acquired last season in the Criminal sell-off, Tattaglia is keeping his defensive options open while building a pretty good bat. While his defensive ratings say otherwise, the Criminals have him positioned to fill in all over the infield. His best value comes from his B-/B- bat vs right handers. His ability to lefties and his speed are also expected to be solid contributors to his game.
Future Comparison: Elmer Venafro

29 - 32 - Juan Dilauro BRO LF - Drafted 10th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Dilauro really did enter the league with maxed speed - he's 0 for 9 on speed IC's so far. His bat is coming along nicely, but his double D's in contact remain a concern.
Future Comparison: Russ Powell

32 - 33 - Ron Cary CHA SP - Drafted 27th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
Cary is a potentially tragic case of a minor league gem that could slam into a ceiling. His improvements show he's converting in an elite fashion. However, he's now at A+/C and that trajectory could flame out. If he can't convert in 2017 it will be the end of his road.
Future Comparison: Jim Ribant

NR - 34 - Dizzy Rodriguez BAL SP - Drafted 15th in 2017 - ETA: 2021
Picking 15th won't typically yield the next dominate ace, but that doesn't mean it's a wasted pick. The Boh's did well to get a starter with upside here. He's not the 17 or 18 year old that gets gobbled up early although still projects as a 3rd or 4th starter.
Future Comparison: Trent Rettenburg

36 - 35 - Fritz Melillo DET 2B - Drafted 15th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
Melillo's player card is full of red and blue letters, but surely Detroit would like to move them around. He has A+ ratings… in bunting and health. The weakest part of his game is the most important - his rating vs right handers (B/B). There's time to improve, but his road to superstardom likely passed when his swing vs right handers failed to improve.
Future Comparison: Lloyd Alexander

37 - 36 - Gino Laredo SFO SP - Drafted 11th in 2016 - ETA: 2021
Laredo had a decent first season as expected due to his age and low ratings. He'll need to do a lot more small time jobs like that to get sent to the joint.
Future Comparison: Ivy Sinatro

NR - 37 - Tom Cardinal WAS CF - Drafted 11th in 2017 - ETA: 2022
The Senators snagged a solid power prospect with the 11th pick of his past draft. He entered the draft as a center fielder, although, as Washington has learned, he was the best option at his historically poor high school as the corner outfielders on his team could only afford cement shoes. Cardinal's power is real and will be on display in a few short years.
Future Comparison: Dick Bernhard

NR - 38 - Slim Oliver CHN 3B - Drafted 12th in 2017 - ETA: 2022
While not a well-rounded prospect, Oliver has plus power vs right handers and that is enough to get drafted in the first round. He will have no problem reaching A+ with great CvR to match. On the other hand(s), he'll struggle vs lefties, he ain't fast, and he's unlikely to save runs defensively. Still a good pick and solid addition for the Curse.
Future Comparison: Nick Zuvella

NR - 39 - Steve Ricketts TOR SP - Drafted 5th in 2017 - ETA: 2023
With the 5th pick of this past draft, Toronto went for a long-term project. Ricketts is a perfectly balanced C/C at 17 years old. That gives him plenty of time to develop and should be at least a mid-rotation starter on a normal curve. With so much time to develop, any special development will have a huge impact.
Future Comparison: Bobby Flacco

46 - 40 - Bruce Bradley NYN RP - Drafted 20th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
A very good season brought Bradley up to A/C- but he'll need another to save his major league dream. He's only 20 years old, so B- control isn't out of the question, but could prove unlikely if he maxes out his velocity soon.
Future Comparison: Fred Sadowski

47 - 41 - Jeff Lindstrom STL LF - Drafted 44th in 2014 - ETA: 2021
Lindstrom's improvements skewed defensive and the bottom line might be there just isn't enough talent here to start with. He'll turn 23 this Spring and his best shot at production is against left handers. It's unlikely he becomes an everyday starter.
Future Comparison: Koichi Nakazato

NR - 42 - Rudy Hughes NYN 1B - Drafted 8th in 2017 - ETA: 2022
Hughes is a long-run project as his best improvable skill is C+. He is balanced, as he has 3 C+'s, 2 C's, and 2 C-'s. He needs some luck or a nice development curve to achieve stardom, but at worst he looks like a well-rounded bench player.
Future Comparison: Bookie Gambler

NR - 43 - Oliver Rice COL LF - Drafted 16th in 2017 - ETA: 2023
Mostly hopeless against right handers, Rice's ceiling lies as a platoon player. He should develop good speed and could end up with a good arm in the outfield. He needs some crazy good development to be a daily starter.
Future Comparison: Ed Fisher

NR - 44 - Harry Burns BRO SP - Drafted 2nd in 2017 - ETA: 2022
After winning the 2nd pick of the lottery, the Ballbusters went with a pitcher with arguably the most upside in the draft. At C+/C and 18 years old, he'll be part of the next generation in Brooklyn looking to pick up some titles. First step is to shed bust concerns with a strong first year in the minors.
Future Comparison: Candy Ardoin

NR - 45 - Joel Holborow BRO SP - Drafted 18th in 2017 - ETA: 2024
Winning the lottery is great. Getting that high pick throughout the draft can be fantastic but in this case depth dropped off. Brooklyn went with a low ceiling/low floor guy here as his A-/D isn't likely to rise to the stuff of a major leaguer.
Future Comparison: Babe Possehl

NR - 46 - Stew Regalado CHA RP - Drafted 49th in 2017 - ETA: 2023
When you see a 4th round pick show up on this list the year they are drafted, it is usually a flawed player at a young age. Enter Regalado, a B/D- pitcher at 18 years old. He's a longshot, but the perfect lottery ticket for the draft position. As a bonus, he could be the worst player around offensively with an all F bat (except one D-) and D+ speed.
Future Comparison: Willie Cunningham

NR - 47 - Freddie Gardner STL SP - Drafted 45th in 2017 - ETA: 2028
At C+/C, he'd be an elite prospect… if he were 4 years younger. At 21 years old, there isn't much to see here. He'll spend some time on waivers prior to making a major league roster.
Future Comparison: Ken Borkowski

NR - 48 - Al Shumpert KC RP - Drafted 36th in 2017 - ETA: 2027
Similar to Regalado, Shumpert is a late pick looking for a some luck. Somehow he went ahead of Regalado despite a much bleaker future. His F control is the open and shut case here. Even in a perfect scenario, it would probably take Shumper 6 years to have acceptable control. Instead he'll be the terror of the minor leagues racking up strikeouts and HBP's.
Future Comparison: Hap Oglesby

[Beanballs]

As always Kahuna a superb read! I am liking the trajectory of my 15th pick in the last draft, he might just move up in the rankings next year...

[paulcaraccio]

this last draft was straight booty, i should've offered your draft pick back for a future 2nd

[Michael1]

My leagues are all have light drafts. Being a bad team "usually" means solid picks but lately no one is a sure thing.

[Beanballs]

Well two of my best took the ride down the BW Parkway in the Hale deal, now I am gambling that this guy can make the list next year:

http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=127 ... rimps=imps

[paulcaraccio]

He can make it. I like to target OS 20 C overall pitchers in the 2nd/3rd rounds, especially with variable improvement.

[Beanballs]

As an update O'Day has the most IC's I have ever had:

http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=127 ... rimps=imps

I am rooting for 40!

[TheBigKahuna0]

Wow! That's insane!