Q&A with AOL Fanhouse writer Frankie Piliere
On Monday, AOL Fanhouse baseball writer Frankie Piliere released his
top 100 prospect list, which didn't shy away from controversy. 3 Cubs made the list: Starlin Castro at #11, Josh Vitters at #53, and Brett Jackson at #74.
Frankie took some time to answer a few questions for Wrigley Bound about Castro, Vitters, DJ LeMahieu, and more.
WB: Could you give us a quick rundown of how you became involved in player evaluation and your credentials?
FP: I actually started sort of where I am now. I was covering prospects and the draft for Scout.com and FoxSports. I made some very good contacts doing that with scouts and people in scouting departments. So, first I got the opportunity to be an associate scout with the Indians. I helped them out with their Cape Cod League coverage, which of course is a great place to get a start in scouting. From there, I got a shot at a job with Texas. I started out covering Indy ball from there and eventually was promoted to doing pro coverage (scouting minor league affiliates).
Covering the minors, to me, is the most fun a scout can have. Not a knock on amateur scouting but you get the opportunity to see everyone's top talent, and on top of that, you see a lot of interesting minor league towns. But, what I always itched for was to bring a little different perspective to prospect coverage. I'm in a perfect situation now, where during the year I'll be able to go on the road just like when I was scouting to see all these guys. So, it's like I never left scouting. I'm very lucky that I got the chance to scout, but I'm even more glad that I can use that experience now to give people good information.
WB: You had Starlin Castro just outside the top 10 top 100 list. That seems to be on the high end of the rankings he's received. What do you see in him that impressed you so much?
FP: The thing I'm going to be doing differently than I think anyone else, is staying away from groupthink. I've had the luxury that others who make these lists don't have. I've seen the majority of these guys not once, but many times. So I'm going to treat lists like this the same way I treated the preference list I'd keep throughout the year when I was scouting. Most of the input comes from my scouting reports, and I feel very strongly about Castro.
I became fully convinced at the FSL All-Star Game, where, to me, he was clearly the best player on the field. I like guys who show me different dimensions at the plate. Guys who look like they not only have the physical tools to hit, but the feel at the plate. I think Starlin has that. He knows how to let the pitch track deep, he sees the breaking ball well, and his pitch selection within the zone is good. When I see a guy with multiple tools, and he can do things like this that's when I'm impressed. So, when I see that type of thing at the plate I'm going to be extra aggressive with that type of guy. I took some heat for ranking him this high, and the same goes for Michael Stanton at #2 but when it comes down to it, whether these guys make it big or not will hinge on what they do at the plate. And, Castro does things that scream big league star. Couple that with the position he plays and his athleticism and to me he belongs easily where he is ranked.
WB: Josh Vitters seems to be a polarizing prospect due to his unique plate approach and disdain for walks. How do you see things playing out for him? Will his free-swinging lead to his downfall, or is his bat special enough to overcome that?
FP: I go way back with Vitters, and even to me he's a bit of a confusing prospect. First time I saw him was a showcase in Cape Cod when he was in high school. I still have a lot of faith in his bat. Something that happens a lot is one trait is taken into account with a prospect and it's accentuated. Vitters is a free swinger but I'm not ready to say it will derail him. He's still young, and I think pitch selection will come in time. Will he turn into a walk machine? No, he won't. But the physical tools are obviously there. He's got work to do but I still have a lot of faith that he can reach his ceiling.
WB: Which other Cubs garnered consideration for this list? What range would they have fit into had your list extended to 200 or so?
FP: Cashner was the next closest guy. What I don't think most people realize is when I started this list I had so many guys I pointed to and said "ok he's clearly going to be on the list because he deserves it" and then you start putting them down and realize there just isn't enough room. Cashner was one I wish I could have had on there. When I began the list I thought he'd be there, but then it just got too crowded. Another guy I had in contention, as well as others of course, was DJ LeMahieu. He was on early cut because there just wasn't space but he's a guy I like a lot. Athletic, lanky guy and I think there's some definite projection there.
WB: You mentioned you liked LeMahieu's projection a lot, and he impressed me too with his big frame and athleticism in the field. I have concerns though about his power, and hasn't really produced any yet. Do you think that will come, or is it a case where you think he can live without it?
FP: That's what intrigues me about him. The power isn't there yet, but he shows some good loft in BP and you look at that frame and wonder if he can pack on some muscle. I think he does enough where you can live without the power but I think we'll see some better power down the road from him. It's a projection case but a very interesting one.
WB: Project Starlin Castro's batting line 5 years from now.
FP: Very tough question. Always hard to say but to me, he's a .300 hitter. That's one thing I feel strongly about. The power has yet to come but I think he's a 15-20 homer type guy. That could really vary though depending on how he develops. So, how about .310, 17 home runs, .350 OBP. I always regret predicting things like this, so remember it's just for fun!
WB: Most underrated Cubs prospect is:
FP: I think Burke is overlooked for the most part. Better than he gets credit for.
WB: Possible breakout in 2010?
FP: Can I say LeMahieu? I think I still have to go with him. I think he has a very good 2010.
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