Of course, Carlos Sanchez still isn't as old as Gordon was as a draftee and he was VERY advanced for his age.

Even so, Gordon showed at least gap to gap power, even when he was overmatched at times. Sanchez has shown none of that. He still hasn't found a defensive position either. Tim Anderson at least has plus plus speed to make up for his power numbers, Sanchez doesn't have that either. At best, Sanchez could be a .300ish hitter, with zero power, ala Jeff Keppinger.

Sanchez is a pretty damn good fielder at 2B though, which makes him a step above a Keppinger type.

Sanchez is a pretty damn good fielder at 2B though, which makes him a step above a Keppinger type.

Sanchez also draws walks, Keppinger does not. Not a very good comp.

 

Sanchez also draws walks, Keppinger does not. Not a very good comp.

 

Kepp has a career 6.6% walk rate. Sanchez has been just over 7%. Similar walk rates, though they aren't similar players

Kepp has a career 6.6% walk rate. Sanchez has been just over 7%. Similar walk rates, though they aren't similar players

Hm, hadn't realized Kepp was that high before. I guess I got tunnel vision on this year with him.

 

The comp I think of for Sanchez is a switch hitting Jose Altuve. Not really anything in the power department, but makes contact, gets on base, and plays good defense. Which is really all fine with me, I think he projects really well to a #2 hitter if he realizes his tools.

Luis Castillo not on our DSL roster

I am not sure that the competition that Zapata faced is not better that what Anderson faced at his JC.

Zapata is 16. There aren't a lot of 16 year old Americans that can hang in JuCo. Even if it's just older high school players that's still a tough jump for a player early in his varsity career. I doubt the 16 year old crop of Dominicans is so much better than here to reach that level.

Zapata is 16. There aren't a lot of 16 year old Americans that can hang in JuCo. Even if it's just older high school players that's still a tough jump for a player early in his varsity career. I doubt the 16 year old crop of Dominicans is so much better than here to reach that level.

 

Completely agree. Hell, I argue that 16 year old baseball in TX/CA/FL could be better than the competition Zapata was facing.

 

Much of what Zapata and these other prospects are rated on is their raw talent such as 60 yard dashes, pop times, etc.

Sanchez also draws walks, Keppinger does not. Not a very good comp.

 

Sanchez steals bases, plays SS and 2B and has gotten better every month so far in AAA. I'm still fairly bullish on him at this point. Still think he has a good chance of realizing his potential as a MI who hits 300+ and steals some bases while playing good D.

Sanchez steals bases, plays SS and 2B and has gotten better every month so far in AAA. I'm still fairly bullish on him at this point. Still think he has a good chance of realizing his potential as a MI who hits 300+ and steals some bases while playing good D.

 

 

The problem is that even hitting .300 his OPS might only be 640-660.

 

You're going to have to get similar defense to Gordon Beckham the last couple of years to justify him taking a place in the line-up when there are so many offensive issues (with the exception of last night, of course).

I'm not giving up on Sanchez. Just turned 21, prob moved up to AAA too soon, but that's ok. Still improving every year, 7 weeks to go in 2013 season. With a second year in AAA next season, he'll be better. If he turns out to be a super utility player his first few years in majors, who cares?

Completely agree. Hell, I argue that 16 year old baseball in TX/CA/FL could be better than the competition Zapata was facing.

 

Much of what Zapata and these other prospects are rated on is their raw talent such as 60 yard dashes, pop times, etc.

 

I would imagine the top end talent is better, with much less depth of talent. The pool here is much bigger, but it is also less developed as there isn't the pressure to develop at such a young age.

I would imagine the top end talent is better, with much less depth of talent. The pool here is much bigger, but it is also less developed as there isn't the pressure to develop at such a young age.

 

This.

 

There is a lot more talent here, but it is much more distributed. The showcase leagues in the Dominican are made up almost entirely of players that will sign. There aren't many leagues in the US where almost all of the players end up getting signed.

Personally I would have ranked Zapata and would have had him top 5, but I can certainly understand the argument for leaving him out.

Personally I would have ranked Zapata and would have had him top 5, but I can certainly understand the argument for leaving him out.

How can you rank a 16 year old who has only played wherever 16 year olds from St. Thomas play. Is he sked for DSL next year?

How can you rank a 16 year old who has only played wherever 16 year olds from St. Thomas play. Is he sked for DSL next year?

Likely scenario is to be in camp this summer in the DR, maybe some time in AZ in the fall instructionals (maybe), then DSL next summer. That's just my guess though.