Written By: Michael Mawhinney, Editied By: Brian Hannon
Continuing with our prospect countdown, here are three position players with lots of untapped potential:
27.) Mel Rojas Jr.--CF--21: When it comes to players like Rojas, his prospect status is based purely on his talent, not on his stats. He has not put up strong numbers to this point, with a .246/.312./.335 line for Low-A West Virginia this year. That’s a .646 OPS, not very impressive for a player with his talent at such a low level. However, when he was drafted just last year out of Junior College, some scouts said that he could develop into a five tool player. He has good speed and has showed he can play center field with a good arm, but his hitting has not lived up to expectations. He started to turn things around at the end of this season, so that should earn him a promotion to Bradenton next year. He is too raw to project what he could in the majors, but has enough potential and talent to take him to that level.
OFP: 50 (Borderline Solid, Everyday Starter)
26.) Harold Ramirez--CF--16: Ramirez was the top Latin American prospect the Pirates signed this year, giving him a signing bonus of $1.05 M out of Colombia. He was rated as the 15th best Latin American prospect by Baseball America, and is said to have plus-plus speed and a good feel for hitting. Ramirez is all about potential so far, as he has not been able to play yet for any of the Pirates’ affiliates. Expect him to be the starting centerfielder for the Dominican Summer League team next season.
26.) Harold Ramirez--CF--16: Ramirez was the top Latin American prospect the Pirates signed this year, giving him a signing bonus of $1.05 M out of Colombia. He was rated as the 15th best Latin American prospect by Baseball America, and is said to have plus-plus speed and a good feel for hitting. Ramirez is all about potential so far, as he has not been able to play yet for any of the Pirates’ affiliates. Expect him to be the starting centerfielder for the Dominican Summer League team next season.
OFP: 50 (Borderline Solid, Everyday Starter)
25.) Andrew Lambo--RF--23: Lambo will not show up on a lot of people’s top prospects lists, but I still feel like he has a good deal of potential. It was just two years ago in 2009 when he entered the year as the Dodgers’ #1 prospect, and Baseball America had him as the #49 prospect overall. Since then, he has struggled at the plate, and was demoted from AAA to AA this year. Lambo has also had to deal with a 50 game suspension in 2010 because of illegal drug use. Despite all this, and early struggles after being sent down to AA, he began to pick things up at the end of the season. His numbers ended up being decent for Altoona, posting a .782 OPS. He should get a second crack at AAA next year, and his upside could carry him into the majors. Right field has been his main position, but with the outfield looking set for Pittsburgh in the future, it is likely that he will get time at first base. Lambo could be a dark horse prospect, and could very well have a .280 average with 25 home runs in the majors on a consistent basis if he ever reaches his potential.
OFP: 52 (Solid, Everyday Regular)
25.) Andrew Lambo--RF--23: Lambo will not show up on a lot of people’s top prospects lists, but I still feel like he has a good deal of potential. It was just two years ago in 2009 when he entered the year as the Dodgers’ #1 prospect, and Baseball America had him as the #49 prospect overall. Since then, he has struggled at the plate, and was demoted from AAA to AA this year. Lambo has also had to deal with a 50 game suspension in 2010 because of illegal drug use. Despite all this, and early struggles after being sent down to AA, he began to pick things up at the end of the season. His numbers ended up being decent for Altoona, posting a .782 OPS. He should get a second crack at AAA next year, and his upside could carry him into the majors. Right field has been his main position, but with the outfield looking set for Pittsburgh in the future, it is likely that he will get time at first base. Lambo could be a dark horse prospect, and could very well have a .280 average with 25 home runs in the majors on a consistent basis if he ever reaches his potential.
No comments:
Post a Comment