prospects

Faulty Radar, and Performance by Position

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
by Geoff Young

I've got a few things on my mind this morning. First off, I'm reorganizing the categories of this here blog, trying to put some of those information architecture skills I learned at my last job to use. Among other things, I'm discovering that it's a lot harder to organize your own stuff than someone else's. Anyway, in the process of doing this, I've rediscovered a few ancient posts. One of them (pardon the ugly tables) discusses the limitations in using statistics to evaluate prospects. I'm thinking of Matt Antonelli and the fact that he's fallen off a few radar screens because of his poor showing at Portland this year. Not that Antonelli is the same type of player, but I wonder how many folks had given ...

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Posted in Research | 4 Comments »

One Less Reason

Wednesday, August 20, 2008
by Geoff Young

As you are no doubt aware by now, the Padres have traded Greg Maddux to the Dodgers for two minor-league players to be named later or cash. According to Tom Krasovic at the U-T, "By Oct. 15, the Padres will choose two Dodgers minor leaguers from a list of five already agreed upon by the two clubs." Cash apparently is an option that "would come into play only if injuries weaken the identified trade list." Thoughts? Yeah, I have a few... I'm thrilled for Maddux. He's a class act who has ...

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Posted in Roster Notes, Trade Analysis | 41 Comments »

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Padres Sign Five Top International Prospects

Thursday, July 3, 2008
by Geoff Young

I never think of the future. It comes soon enough. --Albert Einstein I'm no Einstein, but I certainly think of the future. So, apparently, do the Padres. As threatened, they have proven to be major players in this year's international market. In our recent discussion with Sandy Alderson, he indicated that the Padres hoped to "sign some players that we think are a cut above what we've been able to sign in previous years," and that's precisely what they've done. On July 2, the Padres, who have been criticized in the past for not investing as heavily in amateur talent as they might, shelled out $5 million on five players: RHP Adis Portillo, SS Alvaro Aristy, OF Luis Domoromo, INF/OF Corey Adamson, and RHP Elvin Tavarez. ...

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Posted in Minors | 57 Comments »

Peoria on My Mind

Thursday, March 6, 2008
by Geoff Young

I'm scrambling to get ready for Peoria, so I need to direct you elsewhere today. I'm thinking about fun story lines for '08 at Hardball Times and the Top 100 prospects from '98 at Knuckle Curve. Also, reader LynchMob has taken some short videos from actual spring training games. Sweet! Lessee, what else have I got? Okay, here's a question for you: Who will be the biggest surprise among this year's Padres? Positive, negative, whatever. Give me a name and a reason. Or talk about whatever else is on your mind. Be excellent...

Posted in Open Thread | 60 Comments »

Q&A with MadFriars.com, Part 1

Monday, March 3, 2008
by Geoff Young

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Denis Savage and John Conniff from MadFriars.com about their Padres prospect rankings for 2008. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Ducksnorts: You mention the challenges inherent in comparing players at different stages of development. What are some of the strategies you use to meet those challenges? Denis Savage: I feel like Mia Wallace in "Pulp Fiction." Good question, Vincent Vega! There are a lot of factors that go into comparing, analyzing and ranking players. It is a combination of projection and stats -- but one thing John and I have learned through the years is nothing beats watching a player live. By going to the field four hours prior to the ...

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Posted in Minors | 65 Comments »

Top 10 Prospects for 2008

Tuesday, December 11, 2007
by Geoff Young

I've shied away from compiling top prospect lists in recent years because it's my belief that what they best measure are the list-maker's biases. (Okay, and maybe I'm still feeling a little sheepish about ranking Jake Gautreau ahead of Jason Bay once upon a time.) Other people like reading prospect lists, though, and I'm not prepared to be a curmudgeon without good cause, so what the hey. My general approach is to balance upside with proximity to the big leagues as best I can, then hope I get lucky. I've seen six of my picks play in person, including four of my top five. For those guys, my evaluations include their statistical record, second-hand reports I've read, ...

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Posted in 2008 Annual, Minors | 69 Comments »

Winter Leagues Begin

Tuesday, October 9, 2007
by Geoff Young

Yeah, the Hawaii Winter League has been going for a while, but the Padres don't have any entrants there, so what do we care. The Arizona Fall League and Mexican Winter League both begin Tuesday. I think I've tracked down all the Padres playing there, but let me know if I've missed anyone... Arizona Fall League Peoria Saguaros Beyond Fukudome I try to deal in facts as much as possible, but Peter mentioned in the comments a rumor that cannot be ignored: Apparently the Padres are looking at Japan's Kosuke Fukudome as an option in the outfield for 2008. Jackson Broder at East Windup Chronicle ...

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Posted in Minors | 98 Comments »