2008 Mark Anderson/TigsTown.com Chat - Monday, 10.20.08 (4:00 pm EST)

[Microline133]

Originally Posted by Los Gatos

Hi Mark, what are your thoughts on Duane Below? Thanks

I think he's a 4.00 ERA guy at the minor league level, long term....I just don't see the projection, command, or present stuff to be much more than that.

[Ron Burgandy]

Which former Tigers prospect has surprised you the most in terms of overacheiving what you thought was his ceiling? Biggest underachiever?

Edit: Thanks for doing this, Mark, it's been very informative.

[Microline133]

Originally Posted by Ron Burgandy

Which former Tigers prospect has surprised you the most in terms of overacheiving what you thought was his ceiling? Biggest underachiever?

Overachieving former Tiger prospect....probably Chris Cody....underachieving former Tiger prospect.....probably Dallas Trahern.

[TigerPride8301]

Originally Posted by Microline133

Here's me debating whether to spoil this for the Top 50 release or not.....

How about this....big time fastball, above average curveball, and a progressing change-up. That's what he's got, the first part gets answered in the Top 50 release.

Crosby?

[sbcaptain2]

What are your thoughts on Andy Dirks and where does he rank among the system's outfield prospects?

[Microline133]

Originally Posted by sbcaptain2

What are your thoughts on Andy Dirks and where does he rank among the system's outfield prospects?

Last one here....then I have to head out the door....

I like Dirks quite a bit. He's a solid all around ball player with good skills in the outfield and an adequate arm. He's got some contact ability, a good concept on the strike zone, and some good gap-to-gap doubles power. I think he's a fourth outfielder in the end, but I also believe there is an extremely good probability that he reaches that projection. I've currently (same caveats apply) ninth among outfielders, mostly behind guys with higher ceilings.

[Microline133]

Thanks everyone, it's been a blast for me. Hopefully you guys found it informative and useful. With MWG's blessing, maybe we can make this an annual event!

[DaYooperASBDT]

Mark, thanks again for this.
Did we discuss Weinhardt yet? Is he for real?

[Who is the Drizzle?]

Thanks Mark!

[DaYooperASBDT]

Originally Posted by Microline133

Thanks everyone, it's been a blast for me. Hopefully you guys found it informative and useful. With MWG's blessing, maybe we can make this an annual event!

A huge +1 to that!

[DaYooperASBDT]

Originally Posted by Shelton

I'm excited about a Maybin-Granderson outfield in 2009. Do you think they should move Granderson to LF and let Maybin take over CF, or has Granderson earned the right to keep his position?

Only if Sheff agrees to play first base.

[sbcaptain2]

Thanks a lot Mark. This was great.

[jonjd]

I learned a hell of a lot this afternoon.. I appreciate this. Thanks!

[tigermojo]

Originally Posted by Microline133

Thanks everyone, it's been a blast for me. Hopefully you guys found it informative and useful. With MWG's blessing, maybe we can make this an annual event!

Very interesting reading. Well done.

[sbcaptain2]

Also, thanks to everyone who asked questions.

[TonyJM]

Originally Posted by Microline133

Thanks everyone, it's been a blast for me. Hopefully you guys found it informative and useful. With MWG's blessing, maybe we can make this an annual event!

Annual? I say we shoot for bi-weekly.

Seriously though, thanks Mark. Great stuff as always.

[Buddha]

thanks mark.

[rhino]

I couldn't wait to get home from work and read this thread! It didn't disappoint!
Thanks Mark!

[sinister porpoise]

thank you very much

[Tramlou]

awesome read! thanks for doing this

[hueytaxi]

Having had the opportunity to sit with Mark as we watched our young men was eye opening. We didn't discuss the depth we had here; we chatted. He is quite the young man to know and I cherish we have him here. I love his insider info on TigsTown and yet he shares so much here. A class act!

[tiger337]

Thanks Mark. Awesome thread. There is no way you could find anything close to this for free anyplace else.

[Tint]

Thanks so much Mark!

[sportz4life]

Mark..this was awesome..2 hours of pure fun.."The Machine rules !!" Thank you..

[BengalBJ]

Thanks for the insight, Mark. Awesome stuff as always!

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

This is one of the best threads I have been exposed to on this site.

Many thanks Mark.

[Sidney_N_OK]

This is one of the reasons why when I found this site several years ago that I just kept coming back. I simply don't have the time anymore to read as much as I would like about our prospects and in a couple of hours, I'm up to date. Thanks so much Mark!

[whitecapwendy]

Thanks Mark. Great thread.

[4hzglory]

Thanks so much Mark. What a great read!

[sagnam]

Originally Posted by Who is the Drizzle?

How much of a prospect is little Zumaya? Anybody really stand out to you from Oneonta? On the surface, it oesn't seem like there were many good performances there.

To add to Mark's list is Lester Oliveros. He's a 20 year old reliever that came over to the US from Venezuela. The organization showed confidence in him by skipping the GCL and starting him out directly in Oneonta. He didn't disappoint, posting an impressive stat line in the New York-Penn League. He finished the season in Lakeland where he struggled. Also he posted 2 extremely impressive season in the Venezuelan summer League.

 Year  Age Tm  Lg  Lvl  W   L   W-L%   G   GF   SV   IP     H     R   ER  HR   BB   SO  HBP WP   BFP  IBB BK   ERA   WHIP
+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+-----+----+----+----+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+---+---+------+-----+
 2006  18  VTI VSL Rk   1   3   .333  20         4   39.2   29   16   12   2   20   46                         2.72  1.24
 2007  19  VTI VSL Rk   2   0  1.000  27   25   19   38.1   25    6    6   0   13   59   4   4   155   1   2   1.41  0.99 
 2008  20  ONE NYP A-   1   2   .333  15    9    4   20.2   15    4    4   1    6   34   0   0    83   1   0   1.74  1.02 
           LAK FSL A+   1   1   .500   5    1    0   10.2   12    8    5   0    9    3   4   0    55   0   0   4.22  1.97

[sagnam]

Thanks for taking the time, Mark. Excellent job as usual.

[Los Gatos]

This really was terrific, thanks Mark. This will be helpful reading for those of us likely drafting deep into the AAT next year.

[JonBenke]

You can't buy this .. you really can't! Thanks Mark.

After reading this thread, I am excited about two players the most; Casey Crosby and Cale Iorg.

[cruzer1]

Thanks, Mark!

[TonyJM]

Originally Posted by sagnam

To add to Mark's list is Lester Oliveros. He's a 20 year old reliever that came over to the US from Venezuela.

Oliveros has definitely posted some sharp numbers. Mark and Ed touched on Shawler's impressive season as well, and I think he's definitely a guy to keep an eye on. OU was saying that he sported four decent pitches coming out of college. He gave up no home runs in 50 innings and struck out 51.

I'd also reiterate my belief that my AAT is a nice dark horse prospect. His career ERA around 5 is a concern, but it's buoyed by a career BABIP against of .358 (the average for Tiger pitching prospects in my top 50 list is .308). Taken in conjunction with his age, an HR/9 rate that's slightly below average and a career K/9 rate that's one of the best in organization (top 5 if you omit relievers) and I think he's a guy to watch down the road as well.


-Tony

[billfer]

Thanks Mark. I missed it last night, but a tremendous read.

[Shelton]

Originally Posted by JonBenke

You can't buy this .. you really can't! Thanks Mark.

After reading this thread, I am excited about two players the most; Casey Crosby and Cale Iorg.

At least we can agree on one thing.

[DaYooperASBDT]

Originally Posted by Los Gatos

This really was terrific, thanks Mark. This will be helpful reading for those of us likely drafting deep into the AAT next year.

Never say never on those high draft picks ....