Yoenis Cespedes - Cuban CF

[tonyballs]

Mitch[/color]]

Why do you say that? The kid's the hottest prospect in baseball right now and has "superstar" potential. Who knows if he becomes one but the kid has the goods. You can't sit there and say that people are not interested in going to see a budding superstar playing in their hometown. people want to know who's playing on their favorite baseball team. Therefore, you buy tickets to see him "in person". How can you say different?

Hottest prospect? Hahaha. How about the Darvish kid or the guy rated #1 prospect for the Angels or some of those other guys. And he's going to a 3rd place Oakland team. He could be all that but right now he's just another player. And he's not even that much younger than Fielder. So as prospects go, he's weak.

Wtf are you blabbing about? Go to any baseball site and you see something about Cespedes. The guy was scouted by the Tigers for the last 5-6 years...lol. He's been stuck in Cuba for some reason. And you can't even name the "the guy rated #1 prospect for the Angels". He's the talk of the town right now. Prove me wrong. This 19 page thread proves that he's being followed relentlessly. He's a 5-tool player with HUGE expectations.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Well, in this thread, I think there's more talk about overrated and hope we don't get him, and way overpriced than "man this guys awesome". Some scouts who have evaluated him for several years, as far as hitting goes, is Ryan Raburn. Color me unimpressed. If he becomes a stud, I will devote 2012 to apologizing to you each and every day.

 

[tonyballs]

Mitch[/color]]Well, in this thread, I think there's more talk about overrated and hope we don't get him, and way overpriced than "man this guys awesome". Some scouts who have evaluated him for several years, as far as hitting goes, is Ryan Raburn. Color me unimpressed. If he becomes a stud, I will devote 2012 to apologizing to you each and every day.

People started jumping off the Cespedes train once we signed Fielder. I agree though, it was mixed emotions on the guy. Tiger fans wanted him, but didn't want Illitch to break the bank on the guy.

And did you really compare him to Ryan Raburn? C'mon, dude...lol.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Lol. I saw .260 .335 .467 potential somewhere. Obviously he's better in the field, and most likely with the speed. But when I saw those numbers I thought of Mudhen . If we had signed him I would hope I was wrong but now that Oakland has him I hope I'm right.

 

[Rebbiv]

A recent scouting report:

"Summation: Potential 20-20 player at a minimum, even if he

 

[jared]

I sort of wanted him, but he seems pretty risky.

Enjoy him, A's, better you than us.

 

[tonyballs]

[quote="rebbiv":c5618ao9]A recent scouting report:

"Summation: Potential 20-20 player at a minimum, even if he

 

[tonyballs]

Mitch[/color]]Lol. I saw .260 .335 .467 potential somewhere. Obviously he's better in the field, and most likely with the speed. But when I saw those numbers I thought of Mudhen . If we had signed him I would hope I was wrong but now that Oakland has him I hope I'm right.

I feel ya, Mitch.

 

[Rebbiv]

[quote="tonyballs":hm5ii7vl]
[quote="rebbiv":hm5ii7vl]A recent scouting report:

"Summation: Potential 20-20 player at a minimum, even if he

 

[byco42]

Good for the A's. Better than the Yanks, BoSox or Dodgers.

 

[tonyballs]

[quote="rebbiv":52h5cd5i]
[quote="tonyballs":52h5cd5i]

No value in the corner spots? You sure about that?

Fielding: Gets good jumps on the ball at all three positions though they are better on the corners. Struggles with balls hit right at him. Has average routes and an aggressive style that allows him to make plays on balls in the gaps. Projects better on a corner than in center. Will need to adjust to third deck on stadiums in MLB but should be an average defender overall. Grade

 

[Rebbiv]

Raburn has averaged .274 BAVG .329 OBP .473 SLG .802 OPS over the last 3 years. Cespedes will be lucky to have a .750 OPS, which, as a CF is OK, but not as a corner OFer. Hence why his value is in CF. His offense DOES NOT project well for corner OFer.

But the potential is through the roof. Is it not?

And i have a really hard time thinking this kid ISN'T or WON'T be better than that putz Raburn..lol. Maybe it's just me?? Idk....

Listen...all the scouting reports I have read, Cespedes does not have real good plate discipline. Couple that with not knowing how well he will hit major league breaking balls, he does not project all that well offensively. Yes, his power is going to be there and will have at least have 20+ HRs. His stat line basically projects similar to what Mitch posted earlier, except Mitch had his OBP much too high. .260 BAVG .300 OBP .450 SLG = .750 OPS.


A player's peak years are 26-30. Regardless of where they have been playing (AA, AAA, Japan or Cuba). The frontal lobe does not fully develop until age 25 and there is a direct correalation to the peak years beginning at 26. After 26, it is very hard to "teach" or "train" and athlete differently. Most athletes have 15-20 years of praticing their trade before they turn 26. To take someone like Cespedes and turn him into a good plate discipline hitter is just not going to happen. Now, if he was say 22 or 23, then I would agree that he has potential. But not at 26.

Being a 26-year old CFer with 20+ HR and 20+ SB is probably going to excite some people. He will probably average .750 OPS over the next 4 years. He will most likely be above average defensively. He might even have a year where his OPS is above .800. BLUF...Cespedes will provide above average defense and average offense at CF. As a corner, he will have below average offense. Again, there is no valid scouting report that I have read that would suggest his skills equal eilte ballplayer. Odds are, he will be average. And there is a fair chance he will be a bust. The current question is whether he can make it this year without being sent down to AAA for polishing.

 

[Thumb]

^^^

Well said, Rebbiv.

This is exactly why I wanted the Tigers to pass on him, the fact that the money he will want/get is not on par with the player. If we could have signed him cheap, then yeah, might as well kick the tires on the guy, but no way is he worth 6+ mil a year, not yet anyhow.

Which is probably why Florida passed, they probably bid more than they thought he was worth, and he turned his nose up at them.

 

[kalinecountry]

Yes...Pretty much spot on Rebbiv. The plate discipline had me a bit hesitant on the kid. I do get the feeling that Cespedes numbers will be similar to Raburn too. I think maybe why tony and maybe others read/look at that with some skepticism is that we have seen Raburn for a few years,
I get the feeling this Cespedes kid will be better defensively. I think the pitch recognition and judgement on off speed pitches is what will bring his total package down to those Raburn like numbers. Can he or will he improve on Raburn's average season? sure it's possible, he is younger, 26 to 30 for Raburn.
Another thing to think about, at least I did when he signed with the A's, the kid was really looking only at the money...all the money he could get in his contract, Not anything to do with being in a say better comfort zone, playing got miami and the Cuban population which is larger than any where else, example, Detroit or oakland/sanjose. He could have been able to get, in time, some endorsements in a more comfortable atomosphere, which might have brought him the same money and more recognition, but chose the contract money instead of the bigger picture. Coming from Cuba, I guess no one can blame him... or the 4 years brings him to age 30 and a better opportunity for another good 4/5/6 year contract. Instead of taking the 6 year offer and going to FA at age 32.

 

[tonyballs]

Thanks, guys!! That's all i wanted to know. I just kept hearing this guy was the next Sammy Sosa and was curious.

Swizzle on, boys!!!

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7601600/cuba-jose-abreu-migh-best-offensive-weapon-planet
The Best (Next) Hitter You've Never Heard Of.
Jose Abreu is putting up godlike numbers in the closed-off world of Cuba.
from Grantland

Supposedly better than cespedes and the kid jorge soler.

 

[Mitchrapp]

First ST w/Oakland. Walk, Single and home run in 3 plate appearances.

 

[mhughes0021]

Mitch[/color]]First ST w/Oakland. Walk, Single and home run in 3 plate appearances.

Was the homer on a breaking ball? lol

 

[biggunsbob]

I am glad we passed on him.. The cost was to much of a risk... But i guess only time will tell if we were right or right to do so..

 

[tonyballs]

Mitch[/color]]First ST w/Oakland. Walk, Single and home run in 3 plate appearances.

Was the homer on a breaking ball? lol

Boom.

Nice debut tho............