Comments on: NFA Top Prospects - #3

By: Brandon

Brandon — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:58:31 +0000

him being in major league camp reminds me of ian desmond

By: EdDC

EdDC — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:04:28 +0000

Do the Nats have a potential #1 guy in their system? Usually that is reserved for a guy with a blowaway fastball, like mid-nineties with an occasional 97 or so tossed in there. Maybe Detwiler doesn’t even have that?

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:22:37 +0000

Honest answer? I don't see a no-doubt #1 SP in the organization.

But keep in mind, there are not many out there across all of the minor leagues. By my count here is what I would classify as no-doubt #1 SPs

Clay Buchholz BOS Clayton Kershaw LAD Joba Chamberlain NYY

That's it. The rest of the guys like David Price are potential #1s but still have some questions.

By: Bob Lowry

Bob Lowry — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:35:21 +0000

Brian,

Would your rankings have been different if McCreary did not have the education provisions in his contract...which will mean missing opportunities to pitch before college lets out. and resumes.

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:51:13 +0000

Yes, I might have bumped McGeary up if he was full time.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:20:30 +0000

Keep in mind that in the major leagues there are really only about 12-16 (depending on your criteria) legit #1 starters.

By: Phishisgr8

Phishisgr8 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:15:21 +0000

Well, Smoker threw well today, against guys “older than him”(Barry’s words). I hope you’re right, Brian, and they challenge him with the Double A assignment.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:29:57 +0000

Phishisgr8:

Thank Hagerstown (low A), not Harrisburg (AA).

By: Cole

Cole — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:03:46 +0000

If Detwiler, Ballester, and Smoker (or your other top-two pitcher, who I seem to be missing at the moment) all develop into #2-type pitchers, is there really any need for a #1?

By: Louis J.

Louis J. — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:02:39 +0000

Looks like Detwiler & Zimmermann are you top 2 pitchers with Marerro and Burgess as your top 2 hitters. Good list Brian. My two sleepers are Stephen King beating out E. Gonzalez at second base AND Brad Meyers making it to the ML as a starter.