Minor League Players

by equation9 on Nov 5, 2009 8:57 AM PST

As we all know, the A's farm system is loaded with minor league talent. My question is how do you judge that talent? I enjoy reading John Sickles minor league blog, Keith Law, Baseball america, etc.... But everyone on the world wide web chimes in and would give their opinion whether they like the player or not. But do they just follow the player via the computer? Or do they go out and watch minor league games and see each player personally. Or are they just making crap up because they don't like the parent clubs. I'm not talking about the pro's like Keith Law or John Sickles, but just baseball fans around the world. I personally like to watch the young guys play personally and then judge their talent. Numbers are great but they do not tell the whole story. IMO, when I go to minor league game, you can tell who are more talented players and have a chance at bigs. Reading all the other websites gives some info, but some of the chuckleheads that chimes in bugs me and makes me wonder, "How the frak do you know??

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Well, truth be told.......

A lot of guys follow talent during the offseason as much as possible, because its easier. In the offseason, prospects are generally confined to smal geographic areas, the AFL in Arizona, Cape Cod League, and Florida/Arizona Spring training’s, During the season, Prospects are really spread out throughout the country, so most people follow the numbers, while attending key minor league games with top pitchers or hitters.

Let the Kids play Billy!! No More Rent-a-Vet in Oakland!!

by s0sNe@kYbUtY? on Nov 5, 2009 1:14 PM PST reply actions

I enjoy minor-league games, but honestly

I couldn’t tell you crap about a guy from watching him. I’m a terrible scout.

To the extent that I evaluate prospects at all, it’s from looking at their stats and reading what others have to say about him.

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on Nov 5, 2009 6:06 PM PST reply actions

I don't consider myself much of a scout type either

Maybe from going to the number of games I do I can tell people a bit of what I see, but it’s probably not enough from an evaluation standpoint. There are others much better at that part of it than I am and I’m more focused on trying to get good action photos than analyzing everyone.

Last of the Ninth - Photography

by Flashfire on Nov 5, 2009 11:16 PM PST up reply actions

Sorry, I am not a scout as well,

but let me give you an example of what irks me sometimes. If we look across the Bay, the Giants have Madison Bumgarner. His numbers look awesome. Great stuff, next ace yada yada yada. But when I saw him pitch @ ATT. I didn’t think he looked that great. So so fastball. Unpolished secondary stuff. Tricky delivery. Great control. IMO, not an ace. I know he could have tired arm or an undisclosed injury, but if his plus fastball does not come back…. maybe a 3/4 pitcher instead of a 1/2… But Giant fans are fawning over this young kid, that I don’t see why?? (I know if was a very small sample and maybe its not fair but I hate the Giants….)

by equation9 on Nov 6, 2009 10:02 AM PST reply actions

Interesting. I don't hate the Giants and hope Baumgarner is good,

but I saw the same thing. Didn’t quite see where the hype came from, based on the stuff.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Nov 6, 2009 9:22 PM PST up reply actions