水瓶倒出的流水帳

小聯盟專家 John Sickels 在 http://www.minorleagueball.com/ 有一連串的系列，列出各隊的前廿名新秀。今天，紅襪的部份已經出來：

1: Clay Buchholz, RHP, Grade A

2: Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Grade A-

3: Jed Lowrie, SS, Grade A- (too high? I think he's an A- as a shortstop, but a B+ as a second baseman. Will he stick at short?)

4: Lars Anderson, Grade B+ (a personal favorite, power should blossom)

5: Michael Bowden, RHP, Grade B

6: Justin Masterson, RHP, Grade B

8: Ryan Kalish, OF, Grade B

9: Will Middlebrooks, 3B-SS, Grade B-

10: Josh Reddick, OF, Grade B-  (overlooked prospect)

11: Oscar Tejeda, SS, Grade B-  (high praise for rookie ball guy)

12: Aaron Bates, 1B, Grade B- (maybe C+?)

13: Brandon Moss, OF, Grade C+

14: Craig Hansen, RHP, Grade C+

15: Dustin Richardson, LHP, Grade C+ (a personal favorite)

16: Reid Engel, OF, Grade C+

17: Yamaico Navarro, Grade C+

18: Ryan Dent, OF, Grade C+

19: Zach Daeges, OF, Grade C+ (maybe Grade C given Lancaster)

20: Bubba Bell, OF, Grade C

GRADES AND WHAT THEY MEAN

Grade A prospects are the elite. They have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Almost all Grade A prospects develop into major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don't intervene. Note that is a major "if" in some cases.

Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role.

Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don't make it at all.

A major point to remember is that grades for pitchers do NOT correspond directly to grades for hitters. Many Grade A pitching prospects fail to develop, often due to injuries. Some Grade C pitching prospects turn out much better than expected.

Also note that there is diversity within each category. I'm a tough grader; Grade C+ is actually good praise coming from me, and some C+ prospects turn out very well indeed.

Finally, keep in mind that all grades are shorthand. You have to read the full comment in the book for my full opinion about a player, the letter grade only tells you so much. A Grade C prospect in rookie ball could end up being very impressive, while a Grade C prospect in Triple-A is likely just a future role player.

目前 Sickels 登出的球隊，除了紅襪，還有教士，老虎，紅人，天使，太空人，大都會，遊騎兵，國民，小熊，勇士，雙城，皇家。十三隊中，只有紅襪跟紅人有 A 級的新秀，還剛好各三個。像是一向以農場著名的天使，之前非常被看好的 Brandon Wood 現在只有 B+。之前被 BP 排在 future shock 第十一名的林哲瑄，則沒有受到 Sickels 的青睞。