Prospects

by Jordan Tuwiner on Feb 23, 2010 1:20 PM CST

Hey Cubs fans,

I wanted to get some input on a few of the Cubs' prospects for a piece I may do for my website. Answer this honestly, would you rather have Josh Vitters or Josh Bell? Are you concerned about Vitters' low walk rate?

What is Starlin Castro's power ceiling? Can we expect him to hit 20 HR at the pro level? Could he make his debut this season? Could he be a gold-glove SS?

Appreciate all the input I can get on this.

Thanks,

Jordan

http://oriolesprospects.com

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I can't say

that I’ve studied Bell as much as I have Vitters, but I’d take Vitters youth and upside (not that Bell’s upside is bad) over Bell. The Orioles might want more of a sure thing with Bell.

I’m not as high on Castro as a lot of people are around here, although I still think he’s one of the top prospects in all of baseball. I don’t think he’s a 20 HR guy, but I do think he’s a 10 HR guy and maybe steal 20 bases. Mainly, I think he’s going to challenge for batting titles in the majors. He going to hit for a very high average—I can see him ripping off a .340 one year. He’s not a walk machine, but combined with a high average his OBP should be around .360-.380.

He could be a gold glove-quality SS. (Those things are so political that I can’t predict he’d win one) I’m a bit higher on Hak-Ju Lee’s defense, so if Lee makes it, Castro could definitely be an GG second baseman.

I don’t see Castro making the majors before September unless Theriot gets injured. If Theriot is out for an extended period, then Castro might get the call. But he’s so young that another season in the minors would probably be good for him.

by Josh Timmers on Feb 23, 2010 1:35 PM CST reply actions

I think if he doesn't hit 20 hr's

He’ll reach the thirties in doubles

"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck

by Musicdude10 on Feb 26, 2010 11:17 AM CST up reply actions

Great info

wonder how close you are in telling the future. You may have a job in the pros considering the terrible track record of some our scouts huh?

by GHCF2314 on Feb 23, 2010 10:09 PM CST reply actions

Sorry didn't use the reply link

and its killing some people.

by GHCF2314 on Feb 23, 2010 10:10 PM CST up reply actions

Well

What you really should be sorry for is the pathetic attempt at humor in your response. Well, I hope you tried to be funny, otherwise you’re an idiot of BLou proportions.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Feb 23, 2010 11:10 PM CST up reply actions

What's your problem?

That was a totally innocent response to a thoughtful comment from Josh. There was no call for your reply.

by Orval Overall on Feb 24, 2010 9:12 AM CST up reply actions

either you flipped out over nothing

or forgot to say sarcasm

Sunday Feb 28 at 7 PM CST free webcast of the live taping of The Austin Variety Show www.austinvarietyshow.com/

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 28, 2010 2:11 AM CST up reply actions

Josh Vitters is at a make or break point

I think he major league future will be largely determined by the progress he makes or doesnt’ make in 2010. I have a nagging feeling his major league peak might be as a Dave Magadan sort. Which would make him an unqualified bust given that Matt Wieters (among some others) was available for the taking. But we shall see.

Starlin Castro? I need to see a full season of work to draw meaningful conclusion. The body of work so far is simply not enough to make wild-eye projections on.

The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.

by BLou on Feb 23, 2010 10:26 PM CST reply actions

FAIL

There is no such thing as a make or break season when you’re not even old enough to drink legally.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Feb 23, 2010 11:12 PM CST up reply actions

Since when do you need a good amount of evidence...

to make a ‘wild-eye projection’?

Basically, you’ll make a negative prediction for no reason, but to project anything remotely positive, you need a years worth of data? You are the true definition of a blind pessimist.

Follow me on Twitter: @brandonrifkin

by Schwa on Feb 24, 2010 4:20 PM CST up reply actions

The only thing Dave Magadan

has in common with Josh Vitters is that they both played third base. First of all, Magadan was a very productive hitter except that he couldn’t hit lefties. Secondly, I’ve already listed the almost dozens of ways that Josh Vitters is nothing like Dave Magadan, but you chose to ignore that. Big surprise.

Once again, you prove that you are completely unable to have a rational discussion with anyone, instead choosing to simply repeat your pre-conceived notions again and again, as if repetition would make it so.

by Josh Timmers on Feb 24, 2010 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

Whatever

It’s all well and good to make believe that Josh Vitters is what you think he is. I look at Vitters and see a player who, like Magadan, may likely have marginal run production value and be little more than a #7 type hitter who is perpetually in danger of losing his job to better talent. Hopefully Vitters answers the bell in 2010 and takes several steps forward. But right now most apt comparison is a Dave Magadan type.

The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.

by BLou on Feb 24, 2010 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

You have no idea who Dave Magadan is do you?

Unbelievable.

by Josh Timmers on Feb 26, 2010 2:38 AM CST up reply actions

dont ask that

he will compare Magadan to Vance Law next

Sunday Feb 28 at 7 PM CST free webcast of the live taping of The Austin Variety Show www.austinvarietyshow.com/

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 28, 2010 2:14 AM CST up reply actions

DAVE MAGADAN

couldnt hit the ball out of a phone booth. A left handed inside out hitter with zero power and was a singles hitter that was forced into a pinch hitting role. My goodness your better than that. Come up with a right handed hitter thats pathetic.

by Slamdog on Feb 25, 2010 9:11 AM CST reply actions