Lets look at how things stand.
Gone:
Zimmer
Chang
Bradley
Franmil
All highly thought of at one time, what do they have in common?
Power, but no contact skills. Strike out a lot. Lots of cheering of their power, which in the end meant nothing.
Now look at where our outfield prospects stood two years ago.
Jones....power, don't worry about the Ks.
Benson....power, don't worry about the Ks.
Kwan...great contact, but doesn't have any power. Doesn't fit corner OF profile.
OGonz...contact skills, doesn't walk, doesn't have enough power.
Brennan...(see Kwan)
Now, two years later, what is the pecking order?
Kwan...OGonz...Brennan. ( The guys that make contact )
With those three in the lead going into next season and Valera in AAA, where does anybody see room for Jones and Benson in the outfield?
With Naylor, who doesn't strike out, established as at least the left hand side of a platoon at first, and Arias learning to play first as possibly the RH side, where does anybody see room for Jones anywhere?
As for scouting, I'm very happy that the emphasis on scouting prospects has switched from power, size, and athleticism to contact skills...and it began about six years ago.
It's something I've been preaching since before internet forums. Charlie Manuel approves.
So does Chris Valaika...which is why he was hired.
There is a description of Tyler Freeman that I agree with...'skills over tools'.
Tools mean nothing if a kid doesn't have and/or develop the skills.
Gone:
Zimmer
Chang
Bradley
Franmil
All highly thought of at one time, what do they have in common?
Power, but no contact skills. Strike out a lot. Lots of cheering of their power, which in the end meant nothing.
Now look at where our outfield prospects stood two years ago.
Jones....power, don't worry about the Ks.
Benson....power, don't worry about the Ks.
Kwan...great contact, but doesn't have any power. Doesn't fit corner OF profile.
OGonz...contact skills, doesn't walk, doesn't have enough power.
Brennan...(see Kwan)
Now, two years later, what is the pecking order?
Kwan...OGonz...Brennan. ( The guys that make contact )
With those three in the lead going into next season and Valera in AAA, where does anybody see room for Jones and Benson in the outfield?
With Naylor, who doesn't strike out, established as at least the left hand side of a platoon at first, and Arias learning to play first as possibly the RH side, where does anybody see room for Jones anywhere?
As for scouting, I'm very happy that the emphasis on scouting prospects has switched from power, size, and athleticism to contact skills...and it began about six years ago.
It's something I've been preaching since before internet forums. Charlie Manuel approves.
So does Chris Valaika...which is why he was hired.
There is a description of Tyler Freeman that I agree with...'skills over tools'.
Tools mean nothing if a kid doesn't have and/or develop the skills.