Further, as to McGuire – high contact rate, high walk rate, and low K rate, along with high-level defense and a lefty bat, make him a significant prospect. I don’t ignore his very low ISO. That is certainly a legitimate shortcoming. But I don’t think it valid for you to cite the one problem McGuire exhibits – literally, his one failing. He walks, he runs the bases, he hits for average, he does not strike out, he is superb defensively at an elite defensive position, and yet the only point you raise is his ISO.

I haven’t joined the conversation much on this thread, but let me respond to a few of your points.

1). I take your point on Meadows not as an feather in his cap, but rather an indicator of how down the FSL might be this year. His OPS over a full season would have been good for 14th among qualified hitters last year and put him in a tie for 15th the year before.

The good news is he might be making progress and honestly, I can live with a player who finishes the season stronger than he started it. That’s kind of the aim after all.

What following up on your point did was highlight just how good Harold Ramirez has been this season. He’s actually leading the league among players with 200 PAs. That list includes the recently promoted 22 yr old Michael Conforto who in a similar sample was out OPSed by 20 yr old Ramirez by over .100 points. His .151 ISO is good for 12th in that sample and makes him one of two players in their age 20 or younger seasons in the top 24. Worth noting that he’d lead the league in OPS in the same sample and would be fifth in a deep class the year before. When I combine his half year in the FSL with his showing against over aged pitchers in the Pan-Am games, it’s difficult not to like what Ramirez is doing this year.

2) There just aren’t a lot of FSL catchers at any age who make a splash in the majors OPSing around .600 in the FSL.

3) Tucker’s taken big strides and sustained the improvement over two months.I was actually mildly concerned when his name popped up in trade talks the other night. He’s a player moving up my list.

4) I actually like the 2015 draft as I think the Pirates picked players that played to their organization strengths. They’re good at developing college pitchers and contact hitters and they loaded up on this type of player. However, you’re reaching by citing Newman’s July numbers an OPS under .700 in a month in not really progress though I’m still willing to give him time.

5) Pirates have a lot of players in the system with good peripherals, bad ERAs. Supak is one. I’m keeping an eye on all three for sure.

Kevin’s overall point about the clout of system taking a hit to pitcher injury is a valid one however.

6) I agree with this point.

1. Austin Meadows has the 5th highest OPS in the FSL at .764. The 4 guys ahead of him are ages 22, 23, 24 and 23. So far in the 2nd half of the season, he has 5 2B’s, 1 3B, 3 HR’s, and an ISO of .137 … while being basically one of the youngest players in the league and one who plays CF, an elite defensive position.

2. Reese McGuire since the AS break is hitting .309/.350/.362. Again, he is 20 years old and plays an elite defensive position extremely well. He bats lefty and has a good contact rate. He has no power yet – true. But any elite defensive catcher who hits L-handed, does not fan, walks, gets on base, hits .280 and above, and has a 70 arm, and is extremely young for his level has a lot of value – a lot.

3. Your criticism of Tucker was wrong. Tucker is showing he can play SS. He JUST turned 19. So far 2nd half, Tucker is posting .316/.343/.439. A .782 second half OPS for one of the youngest players in the league, playing SS, who is an elite base runner is significant. You are concerned with ISO – and his 2nd half ISO is .123. You then claim you are concerned that he does not walk – after dismissing McGuire’s ability to walk because he lacks power.

In short, you are cherry-picking negative stats for some of the youngest players in the leagues, and ignoring the fact that these kids are doing well against guys 2-3 years older. Look at it this way – how would McGuire, Meadows and Tucker be doing if they stayed at their present level until 2017? They would be age-appropriate and freaking mauling the league, wouldn’t they ?

4. As to the 2015 draft picks: Pronouncing the draft a “bust” after 3 weeks was … well, absurd. The players are now refuting your comments.

Hayes: .364/.452/.442 at age 18.
Newman: Terrible June, much better July, .237/.283/.398, 10 XBH, 6 SB’s.

5. Finally, your negative comments on the 2014 prep pitchers is just silly. These pitchers are 18 and 19 years old. Supak has pitched just 16 innings, logging 3 BB, 17 K’s. Keller has been hurt. Hinsz has been hurt. Dismissing 19-year old pitchers because they have been hurt is pretty ridiculous.

6. You cannot POSSIBLY judge the 2014 and 2015 drafts before 2017, at the earliest. Doing so in your article rightfully brought up the substantial criticism you received in these comments.

McGuire — Austin hedges was great defender that had a poor hit tool. At age 20/21, his OPS were in high 700’s. McGuire has two low 600’s. To me, 9 xbh in 280 abs is a limp noodle.

Bell — if you’re a supposed top 100 1b prospect you need to have a strong power bat.

Tucker– yes, he’s young, but the lack of power doesn’t portend success. Top prospects go to Low A first year, so it’s not uncommon. I’m worried that he’ll outgrow SS and his bat won’t play elsewhere.

McGuire’s an elite defensive catcher, and he’s got a good eye and a good contact skill. It hasn’t translated into results, but he’s not swinging a limp noodle, either. He hits a lot of line drives.

Bell’s home run power hasn’t come around, but he’s a great hitter without it. Sure, it’s unconventional, but it’s still valuable. And he just made an adjustment to his swing a week or two ago and has hit two home runs since then.

I just think your expectations on these kids are unreasonable. Not everyone is going to hit in the minors like Michael Conforto. That doesn’t make them non-prospects.