Prospect Grades: Updated

I’ve been meaning to do this for while and it’s probably something I should do before the minor league season gets really underway. Here are the changes…

San Diego Padres

1. Kellen Kulbacki – Changed from B+ to B

Why the Change – His best case outcome is above average corner outfielder…there weren’t many other players with the same best case outcome that were graded a B+…perhaps my JMU pride got the best of me.

2. Mat Latos – Changed from B+ to B

Why the Change – Based on similarly rated pitchers

3. Kyle Blanks – Changed from B/B+ to B

Why the Change – Based on similarly rated hitters at first base…again, very tough to be a top first baseman…a move to left field would increase his value

4. Jaff Decker – Changed from B- to B and moved from No. 5 to No. 4

Why the Change – Found a better shot of his swing and I really like what I see…he does an excellent job of letting the ball travel deep into his hitting zone…I can definitely see some Matt Stairs in his swing. I’ll probably revisit him later in the year.

5. Cedric Hunter – Changed from B to B- and moved from No. 4 to No. 5

Why the Change – Similar players I rated were a B-. In addition, I watched some more footage of Hunter and now have major doubts about his power development…I don’t see any way his swing will be able to produce anything more than below average power. We’ll see if he can make some adjustments.

Arizona Diamondbacks

1. Bryan Augenstein – Changed from B- to C+ and moved from No. 4 to No. 5

Why the Changed – Arizona was my first prospect list and as I graded team after team, pitchers of Augenstein’s type I consistently graded either a C+ or in some cases a C, so the change was made.

2. Wade Miley – Changed from B- to C+/B- and moved from No. 5 to No. 4

Why the Change – Like Augenstein, it just came to what I rated pitchers of a similar stature…overall, I like his upside more than Augenstein’s