Top Prospects of the CPBL 2021

[TheBigKahuna0]

Hey everyone! Little late this year, but here's everyone's favorite list! Had a few drinks and went to town and found either I'm a very critical drunk or we have the worst bottom of the barrel we've had in a long time. Really, the bottom 10 or so were very hard to rank as they could probably all be cut.

Anyway, it's a fun list. Big riser is the Criminals as we can all agree that we should build higher fences so they stop taking home titles

20 Rank - 21 Rannk - Name/Team/Pos
2 - 1 - Don Westlake NYA CF - Drafted 3rd in 2016 - ETA: 2021
A stud from the beginning, Westlake has nothing left to prove in the minors. He's the Rookie of the Year if he gets promoted.
Future Comparison: Kevin Hecker

5 - 2 - Nap Kappers CHN LF - Drafted 9th in 2016 - ETA: 2022
Kappers is ready to hit right handers, but not to start everyday. The Curse is a legit World Series team and can't waste at bats on a prospect. If anyone can dangle a big piece, they could get this solid outfielder in return.
Future Comparison: Woo Woo Davis

6 - 3 - Ty Hurd CIN RP - Drafted 1st in 2018 - ETA: 2022
Hurd is good enough to be part of this bullpen, but he gets another year to develop and should anchor the staff as a 22 year old next season
Future Comparison: Frank Allietta

9 - 4 - Buck Blackaby WAS SP - Drafted 11th in 2019 - ETA: 2023
Well he converted over 50% of his IC's in 2019, then got a whopping 91 chances in 2020. He only converted 17 (imagine 45 conversions for a pitcher… drool…) but still looks like the real deal. B+/B as a recent legal drinker is a solid start. The Junior Senator on the committee should be making major noise soon
Future Comparison: Dwight Krsnich

7 - 5 - Slim Oliver CHN 3B - Drafted 12th in 2017 - ETA: 2022
Oliver has to be getting close to B+ overall with his progress so far. He won't be a candidate to join the Curse next year unless they decide to rebuild. Like Kappers, he could be traded to help their chances short-term.
Future Comparison: Nick Zuvella

29 - 6 - Felipe Camacho SFO 2B - Drafted 5th in 2019 - ETA: 2024
Camacho had a big year in 2020 and is on his way to being a big part of the next crime spree. His power should max out with good contact and elite speed. He might be on the fringe of shortstop, but it isn't impossible for him to stick there
Future Comparison: Charlie Porter

22 - 7 - Fabian Morgan BAL RP - Drafted 18th in 2019 - ETA: 2022
Morgan is good enough to join some big league bullpens already. He'll get another year and could be part of a playoff bullpen in Baltimore next season
Future Comparison: Luke Delsing

10 - 8 - Justin Fallbrook CIN 1B - Drafted 9th in 2017 - ETA: 2023
Fallbrook followed up a couple solid years with a clunker in 2020. He's still a good prospect, but a call up next year doesn't look likely
Future Comparison: Ralph Lopata

12 - 9 - Steve Ricketts TOR SP - Drafted 5th in 2017 - ETA: 2023
Ricketts put up a clunker last year. With three great years on record, this looks like bad luck instead of bust status. He remains on track to be a big part of the Toronto rotation
Future Comparison: Nick Henderson

16 - 10 - Matumba Jackson BRO SP - Drafted 2nd in 2017 - ETA: 2022
Who knows what's going on here. Jackson has been up and down, but is on pace for his best minor league season yet so far in 2021. Even if things level out, he's looking like a solid starter for Brooklyn.
Future Comparison: Candy Ardoin

13 - 11 - Bernie Montague NYN RF - Drafted 26th in 2018 - ETA: 2023
Montague had a good 2020 overall, but really put his focus on his defense. That is probably good for his long term career, but takes a bit away from his chance at being an elite hitter. He should still reach A+ contact and speed, although it might take a year or two in the majors to reach that level
Future Comparison: Eric Unitas

15 - 12 - Grover Gonzales BRO SP - Drafted 7th in 2020 - ETA: 2022
That split isn't getting much better and major league innings make a difference at age 23. Gonzales won't be back on this list next year and probably should be up on a rebuilding team
Future Comparison: Ben Piccolo

24 - 13 - Johnny Ford COL RF - Drafted 8th in 2018 - ETA: 2023
Ford had a great 2020 going 61 for 87 on IC's while focusing on his power. He's already A- in PvR and has A speed. If he was a catcher, he might be the player to watch in Colorado. Still, he'll be a big hitting and hard throwing outfielder in the near future
Future Comparison: John Dorsey

25 - 14 - Glenn Gregory PIT 2B - Drafted 11th in 2018 - ETA: 2023
The progression is there, although Gregory lacks high end potential. He should be a well-balanced hitter and could be huge for the Rebels if he can finish his catcher conversion
Future Comparison: Bill Patten

32 - 15 - Danny Sage KC SP - Drafted 4th in 2019 - ETA: 2024
2020 wasn't as good as 2019, but Sage is still on the right track. He recently turned 20 and is standing at B-/B-. The ace potential remains and the hype train will leave the station with another strong year.
Future Comparison: Ray Otis

27 - 16 - Milt Foreman WAS RF - Drafted 19th in 2019 - ETA: 2024
Foreman followed up his first solid year with another. He's still at B power and should reach A+ shortly after promotion. The 19 year old is capable of holding down premium defensive positions as well
Future Comparison: Matt Wilson

18 - 17 - Hugh Madden KC SS - Drafted 4th in 2018 - ETA: 2023
Madden is working from back to back rough years. 2021 is looking like a critical year for the shortstop. He won't make his original ETA of next season, but could be good to go in 2023
Future Comparison: Matias Robinson

21 - 18 - Izzy Alexander BOS RP - Drafted 9th in 2019 - ETA: 2024
Same story as always with Alexander - his control has to get better. He's at a spot now where he might be able to hang at the next level, but he won't be elite. He's only 20, so there's still time to grow.
Future Comparison: Joe Oliva

23 - 19 - Ed Seyfried DET C - Drafted 16th in 2019 - ETA: 2022
Seyfried is hitting well against right handers in the minors, but still does not profile as a daily starter. The 24 year old should be looking for a callup soon.
Future Comparison: Jed Blank

28 - 20 - Ronny Castino COL SS - Drafted 2nd in 2020 - ETA: 2026
Castino had a solid year in the minors in a big first step to his big league career. He's a good bet to reach B- this year which is always a great sign for a teenager
Future Comparison: Nick Zuvella

34 - 21 - Greg Deidel TOR RF - Drafted 1st in 2020 - ETA: 2025
Deidel had a solid year one if you take out missed improvements on CvR and speed (both are A-). There's no doubt he's on his way to great things at the top of the Toronto lineup card
Future Comparison: Jay Toporcer

36 - 22 - David Mendoza SFO CF - Drafted 8th in 2020 - ETA: 2024
Mendoza had a good year in 2020 if you isolate his speed improvements. He's B- overall and won't turn 19 until after the season. He'll be a table setter for SF but should provide a decent degree of power
Future Comparison: Joe Miller

30 - 23 - Ben Gandil PIT 3B - Drafted 12th in 2020 - ETA: 2024
Gandil did not progress well last year but that was in large part to his advanced power ratings. His contact is coming along nicely and he spent some time with his glove last year. If he can get convert those tough IC's, he could enter elite prospect territory
Future Comparison: Frank Panther

[TheBigKahuna0]

NR - 24 - Juan Shafer CHN SP - Drafted 13th in 2020 - ETA: 2023
The Curse snagged this prospect last draft and he's looking like a promising pitcher despite his split. If his control reaches B- this year, he'll be a name to watch
Future Comparison: Curtis Brown

NR - 25 - Frank Ramazzotti CIN C - Drafted 3rd in 2020 - ETA: 2023
Last year the Red Legs got this power hitting catcher 3rd overall. Since, he's done great progressing in the minors and looks like a legit prospect. Catcher is a big hole for the franchise, so Ramazzotti should get a shot to start soon. Side note, please draft someone named Rod to pitch so they can called Car Ramrod
Future Comparison: Rusty McWilliams

NR - 26 - Adrian January SFO SP - Drafted 1st in 2021 - ETA: 2024
The Crims won the lotto and got their next ace. Only bust status can keep January from dominating the league for a long time
Future Comparison: Bobby Flacco

NR - 27 - Roger Hillis COL RP - Drafted 6th in 2021 - ETA: 2024
Hillis would have been a top 2 selection if he wasn't committed to relieving. He'll be a lock-down bullpen arm for Colorado down the line. He could debut young as well as a B/B- entering the league at just 18 years old
Future Comparison: Charles Givens

NR - 28 - Jeff Wall BAL RF - Drafted 10th in 2019 - ETA: 2024
Wall is on his third organization in 3 years in part due to his sluggish development. It is hard to say if it's a bad development curve or if he's just running into typical advancement slowdowns. He's going to be solid against right handers, although his ability to hit lefties is behind schedule. Every year is going to be a big year for him.
Future Comparison: Jack Perlman

NR - 29 - Milt Hyatt BRO SP - Drafted 7th in 2021 - ETA: 2025
The Ballbusters seem to have struck gold in the middle of the first round. Hyatt looks like a legit starter that would have gone top 3 if his B-/C split was inverted
Future Comparison: Rob Pegues

NR - 30 - Bob Bailey WAS CF - Drafted 9th in 2021 - ETA: 2026
The Senators traded in Johnny Suder for the new model (Bailey is exactly 1 year younger) in this past draft. Bailey is a high contact, middling speed and defense kind of prospect. He's also 17, so he could be anything at this point. Probably not a llama, but teenagers do turn out weird sometimes.
Future Comparison: Art Cey

NR - 31 - Jimmy Dandridge DET SP - Drafted 11th in 2021 - ETA: 2023
The Autoworkers looked at the draft board at 11 and thought, ""Maybe we can get lucky?"" Dandridge is a 23 year old prospect with B/B stuff. If they're lucky, he could be a solid 25 year old rookie. If he doesn't develop much, he's a candidate to eat some innings during their upcoming rebuild.
Future Comparison: Jack Sothorn

NR - 32 - Ron Ramsey CHA RP - Drafted 8th in 2021 - ETA: 2025
The Thunder had a decent year and ended up picking in the middle of the draft. They selected Ramsey, a right handed reliever with plus velocity and average control. His upside is limited by his endurance, but he should be a solid piece for the Thunder down the road
Future Comparison: Jack Maxwell

NR - 33 - Chris York PIT 2B - Drafted 44th in 2020 - ETA: 2023
This 3rd rounder is exceeding expectations as he takes his power around the minor league circuit. He converted 69 of 83 IC's last year and has a shot to be an above average hitter. He'll hope to fit in right field or at first base long-term as his fielding is mostly bad
Future Comparison: Roscoe Young

NR - 34 - Scott Dunbar BAL 2B - Drafted 32nd in 2021 - ETA: 2025
Dunbar is a prospect that probably should not have fallen to 32nd overall. He has B power from both sides of the plate with good speed, but his contact is lacking. While not perfect, he still has a great shot at a major league career down the road.
Future Comparison: Danny Gray

35 - 35 - Lefty Blankenship STL SP - Drafted 51st in 2018 - ETA: 2022
Blankenship remains on the janitor career path. He'll be good enough for a team looking to burn some innings, but will be lucky to have an ERA under 5
Future Comparison: Bobby Maharg

42 - 36 - John Berman NYN RP - Drafted 26th in 2020 - ETA: 2025
Berman has his control up into the C- plateau - a critical first step in his development. He's getting a bit old for his current standing, but he's more likely to make it than he was last year
Future Comparison: Tom Shears

44 - 37 - Luke Smith NYA RP - Drafted 7th in 2013 - ETA: 2022
He could be in the majors, but won't amount to anything in the minors. Promote or die.
Future Comparison: Chet Clemens

NR - 38 - Candy Cates BOS 2B - Drafted 13th in 2021 - ETA: 2026
This dude's name is Candy, so he could probably use some nice things said about him. He's going to hit left handers and run well. And… uh… if he was to pitch, he'd last a few innings. When he makes the big leagues it'll be because he did so much work improving his approach against right handers. He better, because it's terrible right now.
Future Comparison: Clay Shaughnessy

NR - 39 - Freddie Booth NYN SP - Drafted 10th in 2020 - ETA: 2025
Just like with his teammate Berman, Booth has to get to that C- control level soon. This might be his one year to get there before being left behind by others in the system
Future Comparison: John Williams

NR - 40 - Ray Cruz DET SS - Drafted 27th in 2021 - ETA: 2025
Like Detroit's first pick of the 2021 draft, Cruz is a prospect they're hoping to get lucky with. Unlike that first pick, Cruz is not a good bet. He will hit lefties fairy well, but won't touch right handers. His speed and platoon ability might win him a job someday, but that team probably isn't playoff bound.
Future Comparison: Mike Girar

NR - 41 - Howard Lancellotti TOR RP - Drafted 17th in 2021 - ETA: 2027
This isn't the typical Toronto pick, but maybe they were confused when they saw the lesser know Italian knight of English lore. Lancellotti lacks control and probably doesn't develop enough to be worth development
Future Comparison: Osmel Martinez

41 - 42 - Jim Krieg BOS RF - Drafted 9th in 2020 - ETA: 2025
Krieg still lacks basic offensive ability at age 19. His upside is still career defensive replacement
Future Comparison: Juan Lescaille

NR - 43 - Herb Dierker CHA C - Drafted 24th in 2012 - ETA: 2023
Dierker fell to the Thunder in the 2nd round due in part to his C+ rating at 22 years old. Looking deeper, he's not terrible at the plate and will be among league average behind the plate. He could even start against left handers as soon as next season. Don't expect him to play in any all-star games, but he'll be a competent backup for a long time.
Future Comparison: Wade Wolter

43 - 44 - Razor Dickman NYA CF - Drafted 22nd in 2019 - ETA: 2025
The name is still hilarious, but his chances of the majors is similarly laughable
Future Comparison: Shigeo Komatsu

NR - 45 - Carden Anson CHA SP - Drafted 32nd in 2020 - ETA: 2026
Anson is pretty easy to write off based on his A/D split. In fact, it's really easy.
Future Comparison: Derek Wilson

NR - 46 - Oliver Rice STL 2B - Drafted 16thi n 2017 - ETA: 2024
Rice started very slow in his career and received an incredibly low 13 IC's in 2018. The franchise is interested again after a strong 2020 but Rice is still unlikely to develop much further. His swing averages out to a B- and at 22 that's not going to cut it.
Future Comparison: Tony Doyle

NR - 47 - Bernie Combs KC SP - Drafted 18th in 2021 - ETA: 2027
The Athletics went with a lottery ticket at 18th picking a B/D- pitcher. There's really nothing else to do but wait and see how the 17 year old develops in his first couple of seasons
Future Comparison: Glenn Davis

NR - 48 - Bob Cook STL CF - Drafted 47th in 2019 - ETA: 2026
Cook is all power and no contact. He wouldn't be terrible at 20, but at 23 he's not likely to make an impact. Maybe a team sees how many home runs he can hit someday while tolerating his .175 average
Future Comparison: Sherman McCabe

[jjensen92]

So excited to see my favorite post each year. Less excited to see my prospect rankings. lol
Great job as always!

[paulcaraccio]

dont tell the Curse they are a World Series team, I support the rebuild!

[rdivinski]

I would be shocked if we make the playoffs. We support a mini rebuild.