The new Top 100 Prospect lists (and organization rankings) are out. How do they do?
Ok, first things first. Full disclosure. The tool we use (Chorus) to write articles supports various styles. Today, I want to try a new style called “stream”. I really don’t entirely know what this style is, but we are having an ice storm and I’m bored. Being curious and experimental by nature, here goes. I think this format is primarily for re-linking other posts and other articles for others to read that tie together around a concept. I probably won’t use it right, but gotta try. The idea of the stream is brevity, so this is really short, but not if you follow the embedded links.
The concept, in this case, is my nerdy interest in draft and development approaches and includes the topic of prospect ranking. I chose 4 articles to tickle readers’ imagination and hopefully will spark an interesting discussion in comments.
First, Keith Law came out with his updated Top-100 list earlier (subscription required). I get the Athletic through my NY Times subscription, which is well priced. I like his because it excludes players from other professional leagues, and he avoids going crazy over guys with no professional experience to back up the hype.
Our own Ben Clemens did an initial look at how Prospect Grades (20-80) translate to future outcomes, using projection systems to fill in where young guys don’t have a complete picture of actual production yet. I found it interesting, although I think his desire to get answers quickly is a flaw. He was up front about that.
Then, Eric Longenhagen did a retrospective on his 2018 Top 100 List. An interesting read. High whiff rate, it turns out. I don’t know the league average, though, so perhaps he outdid everyone else.
To put my own 2 cents worth in, I wanted to drag out a 2017 Top 100 assessment I wrote as a FanPost a year ago.
Hopefully, there will be a lively discussion, and I can use some of the insight to update my methods before I re-analyze draft-and-development next off-season.
Last but not least is the work of our own Gabe Simonds who is building a VEB prospect ranking. His articles are incorporated with a true “stream” style, but I suspect this is more intended for RSS type feeds than linking articles together like a quilt. Good try. Maybe next time.
I should be along a little later today with a game recap. It’s my spring training, too.
