Toolshed: Speed

2013 was the year of the stolen base in the minor leagues, highlighted by Billy Hamilton breaking Vince Coleman's record with 155 stolen bases. Just like how Hamilton shattered Coleman's record, his speed shatters the 20-80 scouting scale. Hamilton's speed and stolen base ability is probably a full two grades better than any other players, so that would make it around an 100. Hamilton was not the only burner to break the 100 stolen base barrier, as Delino Deshields reached that plateau by swiping 101 bags. Look for Roman Quinn to break out the next year, I think he will be the next player to accomplish that feat.

When comparing this list to my others in the Toolshed series, remember that because of the nature of the scouting scale it is easier to earn a plus-plus grade for speed than for any other tool. That is not to take anything away from the burners, but there will always be more players with an 80 speed tool than an 80 power tool.
1.)Billy Hamilton          80
2.)Roman Quinn            80
3.)D.J. Davis                  80
4.)Mallex Smith             80
5.)Delino DeShields Jr. 80
6.)Billy Buns                 80
7.)Eury Perez                 80
8.)Edgardo Rivera         70
9.)Jeff Kobernus            70
10.)Matt Szuzur              70
11.)CJ McElroy               70
12.)Keenyn Walker          70
13.)Byron Buxton            70
14.)Rey Fuentes               70
15.)Mason Williams         70
16.)Leury Garcia               70
17.)Gary Brown                 70
18.)Jose Peraza                  70
19.)Travis Jankowski         65
20.)Austin Schotts             65
21.)Tzu Wei Lin                 65
22.)Travis Jankowski          65
23.)Franklin Barreto           65
24.)Slade Heathcott            65
25.)Bubba Starling             65
26.)Luis Sardinas               65
27.)Adam Eaton                 65
28.)Gregory Polanco          65
29.)Glyn Davis                   65
30.)Andrew Toles              65
31.)Manuel Margot           65
32.)Kyrell Hudson             65
33.)Eric Stamets                65
34.)James Ramsey             65
35.)James Baldwin            65
36.)George Springer          65
37.)Johnathan Reynoso     65
38.)Nick Ahmed                65

39.)Max White                  65
40.)Anthony Alford           65


Billy Hamilton-How could I show someone else here?

The Toolshed: Power Bats

Inspired by receiving my BA prospect handbook last week, I have decided to work on this new series called the Toolshed. I admit that I am usually a tools guy; I really am a sucker for a player who can hit the ball 500 feet or get down the line in 3.7 seconds. To kick things off I am going to start with the power tool, because let's be honest, chicks dig the long ball. To compile this list I ranked them into tiers using the 20-80 scouting scale, and then narrowed the list down to 30. The grade 60 is considered a plus tool, and I handed all of these I grade of 65 or more, needless to say they can mash. This does not mean that they will though. Remember this list is not the best power hitting prospects, or even who I think will hit the most home runs. Instead it is a ranking of who has the most raw power potential.

1.) Miguel Sano     80
2.) Joey Gallo         80
3.) Jairo Beras        80
4.) Jorge Soler        70    
5.) Wil Myers         70
6.) Marcell Ozuna   70
7.) Bubba Starling   70
8.) Xander Bogaerts 70
9.) Michael Choice  70
10.) Yasiel Puig       70
11.) Josh Bell           65
12.) Javier Baez        65
13.) Darin Ruff         65
14.) Victor Roache   65
15.) Matt Adams       65
16.) Trayce Thromspson 65
17.) Dan Vogelbach  65
18.) Bryce Brentz      65
19.) Oscar Taveras     65
20.) C.J Cron             65
21.) Adam Duvall      65
22.) Lewis Brinson    65
23.) Courtney Hawkins 65
24.) Carlos Correa     65
25.) Kyle Jepsen        65
26.) Gary Sanchez     65
27.) Mike Zunino      65
28.) Hunter Morris    65
29.) Jonathan Singleton 65
30.) Yorman Rodriguez  65

The guy who probably sticks out on this list the most is Jairo Beras because he is a 17 year old international free agent who has proved absolutely nothing. Furthermore, he was suspended by the MLB for faulty paperwork last year and his career is getting off to a late start. However his upside, especially with the bat, is simply off the charts. Beras is a hulking 6'6" and his power tool is not loud, it is sonic. I have repeatedly heard that he was not only the best player in Latin America last year, but that he could have also gone first overall if he were eligible for the First Year Player Draft. Some scouts have even gone so fat to say that he possesses more raw pop than the guy who tops this list, Miguel Sano, but I will have to hold off until he starts backing his potential here in the states.




Joey Gallo was considered to have the most raw power in the 2011 draft class.