Top 5 Most Underrated Prospects-Matthew Skole

With so many players in farm systems across baseball, sometimes players get lost in the shuffle. While some players are sometimes grossly over-rated, there are some that are very highly underrated, and yet, they go-on to have long Major league careers.

In this 5-part series, I will name 5 players that are very highly underrated, and could be that sneaky "player to be named later" of a trade that haunts the organization that traded them away, forever.

2. Matthew Skole, 3B, Washington Nationals (A)
Washington Nationals, 3B prospect Matthew Skole makes the list at number 2. Another prospect, who is not ranked within the organization's top 10, but almost certainly will be next year.

Drafted in the 5th Round, of the 2011 draft, Skole is a left-handed hitting, and a right-handed throwing, third baseman. He stands at 6'4" and weighs 230 lbs. He has very legitimate power, although he didn't show it in his first professional season, hitting only 5 HRs in 72 games. However, this season, he has made adjustments, and already has 21 Home Runs, in 83 games for class-A Hagerstown. He has shown great plate discipline as well, with a .410 on base percentage in 155 Minor League games, with a solid .285 batting average.

Skole, at only 22 years old, has the potential for 25-30 Home Runs a season in the Majors, and will probably stay at around a .260-.270 batting average. He is blocked at third base by the former face of the Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman, but could make the transition to First Base. A lineup featuring Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, Matthew Skole, and Michael Morse, is the stuff dynasties are made of.

 Matthew Skole while with Georgia Tech

However, I could see Washington moving Skole at the upcoming trade deadline, to attempt to make a run, and acquire an impact player. Skole could be a legitimate middle of the order hitter, and is very highly underrated.

Skole looks the part too, has a smooth swing, and has a great eye at the plate. Because of his position, and ability to hit for power, he bares comparison to David Wright. He looks to be a left-handed hitting version, of David Wright in fact, and will probably hit for more consistent power than David has.

Skole, is not ranked on the organization's top 10, according to Baseball America, but I could see him in the top 5, on next year's list.

Breaking Down The Deal-Carlos Lee to Miami

In case you missed it, earlier this week, one of the few Major-Leaguers the Astros had left, was dealt to the Miami Marlins, making lives easier for those in the NL Central (next year the AL West), and lives harder for those in the NL East.

The deal was made after The Astros attempted to trade Lee to the Dodgers, a trade he declined, only to end up in a stadium where a mechanized flamingo-flapping monstrosity goes off, if you can manage to hit the longest Home Run of one's life.

The deal seemed to be a salary dump one would assume, however it appears the Astros will be covering most of the salary, reports MLBTRADERUMORS.COM . Therefore, the Astros must have found some value in the prospects they received, so lets take a look at which lucky contestants have escaped from Miami

Carlos Lee in his debut with the Miami Marlins

The Astros received 3rd Baseman, Matt Dominguez, and LHP Rob Rasmussen.

Dominguez was the 12th Overall pick in the 2007 Draft, and has not quite lived up to the hype of being drafted that early. In 6 seasons in the minors, he's hit for a whopping .252 across all levels of the minors, but has shown glimpses of power, however not nearly as much as power as Draft-Class-mate Giancarlo Stanton, who was chosen in the same draft as Dominguez, but in the 2nd round.

Matt Dominguez, in what is now, a 'throwback' Marlins jersey.

In 2008, as a member of class-A Greensboro, he had a career year, with 18 HRs and 70RBI, while hitting .296, with an on base percentage of .354, then in 2010, with AA Jacksonville, he had 14 HRs and 81 RBI, but batting a mediocre .252 , those two seasons being the only noteworthy seasons. The remaining four seasons being, for the most part, mediocre. He has had a cup of coffee in the Majors, hitting only .231 in 20 games, with an on base percentage of .273.

A right hand-hitting third baseman, standing 6'1' and weighing 215 lbs, everything about him screams average. He has an average swing, and has some pop, but if your neighbor put on an Astros uniform, and stood next to Dominguez, you probably wouldn't be able to tell the two apart.

In my opinion, he's possibly a Right Handed power bat off the bench, at best, used only against lefties.

The other part of the deal is LHP Rob Rasmussen. The good news is, he's a lefty, and the old adage of a left handed pitcher in the majors always being able to find work applies, the bad news is, he's not a good lefty. In 3 seasons in the minors, used primarily as a starter, he's pitched to a 3.67 ERA in 242.2 innings pitched, with 197 Strikeouts, and a 16-17 record.

LHP Rob Rasmussen

His delivery reminds me a lot of Oliver Perez, which can not be good. His arm angle seems inconsistent, and he does not have much control. Also, he's only 5'9''. I've heard he has "the best slider" in the Miami system, but I don't know how much that is worth. He could possibly make it as a left-handed specialist, and the only reason I say that, is because he's left-handed.

Overall this was a huge win for the Miami Marlins, who now have a real First Baseman, no-offense Gaby Sanchez, but seriously come on, you're not fooling anyone. Lee could also provide some more pop in the Marlins lineup, if Lee can turn his season around.

The only way I could explain this deal from the Astro's standpoint, is if the team was purchased by Rachel Phelps, and she plans to re-locate the team, after first destroying it. If that is case, I would suggest they seek out the former Front office of the Expos.


-MJ

Top 5 Most Underrated Prospects-Darrell Ceciliani

With so many players in farm systems across baseball, sometimes players get lost in the shuffle. While some players are sometimes grossly over-rated, there are some that are very highly underrated, and yet, they go-on to have long Major league careers.

In this 5-part series, I will name 5 players that are very highly underrated, and could be that sneaky "player to be named later" of a trade that haunts the organization that traded them away, forever.

3. Darrell Ceciliani, CF, New York Mets (A+)
Not every team has the type of lead-off-hitter that can change a game almost, entirely by himself. With the kind of speed that makes the pitcher rue the mistake that allowed him to reach base. The New York Mets had one, and now Miami has that same one. However The Port St. Lucie Mets have one as well, and his name is Darrell Ceciliani.

So little mention is made of him, it is almost as if the Mets do not realize what they have in him, or perhaps, he is a secret weapon of sorts. One could argue, that he is overlooked, because if you simply look at his stat line, nothing jumps out in particular, his stolen base numbers are not indicative of his speed, and he does not hit for power.

 Ceciliani with the Savannah Sand Gnats

However, what he lacks in stolen base numbers, or power, he makes up for with the fact that he was without a doubt, born to be a lead-off-hitter. Not only that, but he is an excellent Center Fielder. I would consider him to be a five-tool player, if you substitute solid baseball instinct for power.

Although he doesn't have the flashy stolen base numbers, that say Reds prospect Billy Hamilton has, but rest assured, when he needs to steal a base, he does it, reminiscent of Dave Roberts in game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.

He is an excellent base-runner, has an excellent arm, and manufactures so many runs, that if runs were a trade-able commodity, the economy would be saved. He was the lead-off-hitter, for those 2010 Brooklyn Cyclones that went 51-24, and was the definition of catalyst.

In all of the years I have been a fan of baseball, I cannot think of a player that was more exciting, or fun to watch, and that includes Jose Reyes.

I cannot understand why he is not more widely talked about as a top prospect for the Mets. He is not even ranked in the organizational top 10, according to Baseball America.

When he does make it to the Majors, he will be the type of catalyst that teams ride to the playoffs, and that change games. He is a game changer, he is a lead-off-hitter, and he is very, very underrated.

Perhaps, if the Mets make a serious run for the playoffs in 2012, especially as a September call-up, he could be used as a pinch runner down the stretch.  He certainly could provide the classic type of lead-off hitter the Mets are currently in need of.

-MJ

Top 5 Most Underrated Prospects-Cory Vaughn

With so many players in farm systems across baseball, sometimes players get lost in the shuffle. While some players are sometimes grossly over-rated, there are some that are very highly underrated, and yet, they go-on to have long Major league careers.

In this 5-part series, I will name 5 players that are very highly underrated, and could be that sneaky "player to be named later" of a trade that haunts the organization that traded them away, forever.

 4. Cory Vaughn, OF, New York Mets (A+)
 The first of two Mets on this list, Cory Vaughn makes the list at number 4. Drafted in the 4th Round, in 2010, Vaughn is the son of former Major-Leaguer, Greg Vaughn. He made his professional debut as a 21 year old, as a member of the 2010 Brooklyn Cyclones, where he boasted huge numbers, including power, average, and on base percentage,  hitting 14 Home Runs with 56 RBI, in Short-Season A ball. Vaughn was the major power threat, of a team that went 51-24 on the season, and came very close to winning the League Championship.

 Cory Vaughn while a member of the Cyclones.

The following season, split between Low-A, and High-A, he put up almost the same numbers, but with 59 more games played. In addition his batting average was slashed by almost 50 points.

 Vaughn is not ranked amongst the Met's top 10 prospects according to Baseball America, however this year seems to be looking up for Vaughn, with a career high 16 Home Runs, already hit this season, he has the potential for the type of power the Mets are in need of, at the Major League level.

Vaughn is also appealing to the Mets, in the fact that he is a Right Handed hitter, which the Mets lack. In fact, the talk in almost any Mets circle, is that they are in need of more right-handed power. In a crazy world, if Vaughn keeps hitting Home Runs the way he is now, maybe he gets a September call-up, and helps the Mets down the stretch this season.

The Mets certainly have an interest in second generation players, one of them, playing a very pivotal role for the Major League club, in Ike Davis. Ike Davis, who has a lot of power, but doesn't necessarily hit for average, just like Cory Vaughn. Could Vaughn be a Right-Handed hitting Ike Davis? As Jerry Manuel would say, "I think time will tell, time will tell".

-MJ

Top 5 Most Underrated Prospects-Sebastian Valle

With so many players in farm systems across baseball, sometimes players get lost in the shuffle. While some players are sometimes grossly over-rated, there are some that are very highly underrated, and yet, they go-on to have long Major league careers.

In this 5-part series, I will name 5 players that are very highly underrated, and could be that sneaky "player to be named later" of a trade that haunts the organization that traded them away, forever.

5. Sebastian Valle, C, Philadelphia Phillies (AA) 
Valle makes my list at number 5, because he is less underrated than the other players on this list, yet is still underrated. Ranked as the 3rd overall Prospect in the Phillies organization, according to Baseball America, he at-least holds a rank, and honor that some of the prospects on this list are not regarded enough to hold.

Valle is of a dying breed, the Power Hitting Catcher, and Valle certainly has Power. Hitting 16 Home Runs, with 74 RBI, en-route to a second consecutive championship for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. However,  Valle's power dropped off a bit the following season, in high A-ball.

Valle, who does not hit for much of an average, does have a knack for hitting in the clutch, and has a bit of speed with 11 Triples, in 6 seasons in the Minors.

 Sebastian Valle, while with Class-A Lakewood.

At just 21 years of age, and standing at 6'1 and weighing 205, he is not too big, or too small for a Catcher. He has shown flashes of genius behind the plate, while also having a couple of off-years. In 2010, which was an all around career year for him, he threw out 33% of would-be base-stealers, but was also charged with 12 Past Balls, and 9 errors. In 2011, his power numbers were down, but his defense improved, only committing 2 errors that season.

He certainly could use some more work behind the plate, his ability to handle a pitching staff was shown off in 2010, with the BlueClaws boasting one of the better pitching staffs in the South Atlantic League. Not to mention the fact that he played under long-time Major League Catcher, and now Bench Coach for the Chicago White Sox, Mark Parent, which probably helped him immensely with intricacies of playing Catcher.

Although he is currently blocked by Carlos Ruiz, I could see Valle reaching the majors soon, and although he is only the 3rd best prospect in their organization, according to Baseball America, a legitimate power hitting catcher, does not come around very often. He could prove to be the type of franchise Catcher, that few teams have.

-MJ

Jonathan Singleton- Future All Star

Jonathan Singleton put on a performance in today's All Star Futures Game, that while somewhat quiet; amongst the barrage of runs the USA Team scored; was indicative of his talent, and perhaps his future.

I had the privilege to watch Singleton play for an entire season, in 2010, during his time in Lakewood, the Class-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, in a season that would see the team, led by Singleton, win both the first, and second half titles, and eventually the South Atlantic League championship. Singelton, by the way, was only 18 years old at the time.

A year later, Singleton was the centerpiece of a deal to acquire the Astros last remaining star, Hunter Pence. Which may have been a blessing in disguise for Singleton.

As a Power hitting first baseman in the Phillies organization, he was, needless to say, blocked, just as Ryan Howard was, behind Jim Thome, which delayed Howard's career for a season or two.

The Phillies, recognized Singleton's skills, and attempted to convert him into an Outfielder in 2011, which led to a decline in his offensive output. Singelton split time between outfield, and first base that year, and the Phillies began looking at him as bait, for a possible trade. With the trade to Houston, Singleton was able to move back to the position he was more comfortable in full-time, and where he is somewhat above average defensively.

 Singleton at the 2012 All Star Futures Game

Singleton, now ranked as the number 1 prospect in the Houston organization, could have a very short road to the Majors, with Carlos Lee being dealt to Miami, freeing up first base, and with the Astros continuing to flounder.

Singleton could emerge as as key player for the Astros, possibly even a franchise player, a role that he is very well capable of playing.

Standing at 6'2'' and weighing 235 lbs, he hits for power, average, and has very good strike-zone discipline, which he showed in his very first professional season, striking out only 13 times in 119 Plate Appearances, did I mention he was only 17? He also has a bit of speed, faster than the average first baseman, and as I mentioned before, is a little above average defensively.

Singleton has a very bright future, and a very bright present, showcasing himself in the All Star Futures Game, by having 3 hits, and a walk, against 4 different pitchers, who are all top prospects in their own right, and in the lone plate appearance in which he was retired, he still managed to move a runner over to third.

Certainly, especially in an age in which, every team must be represented, when Singleton makes it to the majors, he could most definitely be representing the Astros, at the Mid-Summer Classic, and more than likely, it will be sooner than later.

-MJ

Here is a scouting video featuring Jonathan Singleton:

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