Comments on: Project Prospect: AFL Top 5

By: acerimusdux

acerimusdux — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:23:50 +0000

Having seen all of those guys in the FSL, I’d say that Alonso’s swing and approach was actually more similar to Havens than Davis. He had tremendous plate discipline, a quick stroke, and great bat speed. Except he’s also a bigger stronger kid than Havens and could have something like 25-30 HR power. And, he’s shown much more ability to hit for average.

Now Davis is an even bigger kid, who might end up with even more natural power than Alonso, but that won’t translate into more in game power if he’s not making as much contact.

The thing that’s encouraging for Davis so far though is that despite the SO, he’s been able to hit for both average and power. If he continues to adjust to better pitching, and improves against breaking stuff, and you see those SO rates continue to fall with more experience, it might get to where Davis could project as the better player. But for now Alonso is still the safer bet.

Davis right now has a somewhat long swing. He gets away with it because he also has strong hands and adjusts very well with that top hand once underway. Alonso seems to be able to wait a bit longer on the pitch before committing.

By: adamfoster

adamfoster — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:17:38 +0000

Yeah, we got a lot of Alonso — saw the Saguaros play seven times this month. He has a beautiful swing. We’re releasing a digital prospect guide this offseason — a pdf with video on many of the game’s top 300 prospects. We’ll have video of him in it.

It’s not a right of passage thing with Alonso and Davis. I really liked Davis coming out of college. And I still think he’s a very good prospect. But you’ll struggle to find an objective evaluator who has seen him and Alonso play and doesn’t prefer Alonso.

Storen does have impressive stuff. I liked the movement on his fastball and his ability to pitch inside with it. He’s a guy who could move through the minors quickly. But there are a lot of potential regulars who we didn’t have as HMs, and I can’t see putting him ahead of any of them.

By: davidus1

davidus1 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:03:09 +0000

C’mon Toby – You know how this works.

Yonder was the 7th overall pick. He was widely regarded as one of the top hitters in college. He works out with Alex Rodriguez. Cuban kid.

I mean sometimes the right of passage is not the same for everyone.

By: TheBigStapler

TheBigStapler — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:58:05 +0000

I’m surprised that Drew Storen did not at least get an honorable mention.

By: Toby Hyde

Toby Hyde — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:42:55 +0000

Yeah, contact isn’t really Davis’ thing, both from that height and with that funky swing. I don’t think I saw Alonso in game action in the AFL, but he’s supposed to be shorter to the ball. Do you have video to confirm it?

By: adamfoster

adamfoster — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:21:02 +0000

Thanks for the link Toby. We’ll have to make sure to meet up the next time we’re both at the AFL.

You laid out the debate well. I do think Alonso is going to hit for a lot more power next season. And contact is a concern with Davis — it’s tough to be a good contact hitter when you’re at tall as he is.

For what it’s worth, I put together a list of 10 guys who we strongly considered but didn’t list as honorable mentions and Ike Davis was one of them.