Does Fernando Martinez rank in your top 20?

[shortsavage]

Martinez would be around the top 25 or 30

Tabata > Bruce > Martinez

I'm with you here: the three are close enough to be put in any order. They all are going to land in my top 20, too.

[rmande09]

Because what Bruce is doing is unmatched. It has never been done before. You can argue that Bruce is "two years" older than Tabata and Martinez, but that is really no where near as true in a baseball sense. Martinez and Tabata are very, very raw, but they also had the advantage of playing baseball every day of their life. That's pretty much what they did every single day until they were signed. Bruce played a lot of ball in Texas, too, but this season was his first full year as well. All went from top high school talent to the lower minors in a year. So baseball-wise, they are very similar in where they are at.

Now, it is just a basic comparison of the stats. Tabata is very impressive, hitting .300 with 28 XBH in 320 ABs at Low-A. He walked 30 times and K'd just 66 times, which is about 20%, which is not too bad for a kid his age. He also showed good speed and good baserunning instincts, stealing 15 bags at 75%.

Martinez put up very similar numbers at Low-A. Slightly more homers, some more XBH, similar BB:K ratio, less speed. The promotion was earned yet questionable because of his age, and it has shown - zero walks, 11 Ks, poor BA. But his power is there, with 7 XBH in 55 ABs. More impressive than Tabata, in my opinion.

Bruce has just been awesome. Similar BB:K rates as the others (42:95, King about 23% of the time), 61 XBH, 15 homers, 41 2B, 5 3B, 18 SBs, .300 average... Everything is there. The power is more than impressive, and the 41 2Bs should easily translate into much better homer numbers as he develops. Great speed, great hitting ability, good patience, excellent defender... He has vaulted himself with this season. This season he is having, at just 19 years old, is really one of a kind. While the other two are excellent prospects and could definitely end up as top 10 guys at some point soon, Bruce has already made the argument and is very deserving of a top 10 spot.

[ukjohn]

from todays BA chat:

Commish from NY asks:
Just curious why Jose Tabata is getting more attention than Fernando Martinez. Martinez put up superior numbers in low A and is currently holding his own at high A despite being just 17 and even younger than Tabata. Also, do you recall any time when there were 3 players (including Andrus) doing so well at such young ages?

A: Jim Callis: They're both comparable prospects, and I don't think anyone who follows player development closely is giving Martinez short shrift. The reason Tabata may seem like he's getting more attention is that Martinez got hurt and missed the Futures Game, where Tabata got some nice exposure.

[shortsavage]

It's funny how the tables have turned...Tabata is hurt now and Martinez is the one getting the attention.

[shortsavage]

P.S. I didn't realize Tabata is out for the year... http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/20 ... 3318/21478

At least Bruce returned today.

[ukjohn]

only hitting .200 since being promoted, and went 5-32 last week

ouch

[shortsavage]

only hitting .200 since being promoted, and went 5-32 last week

ouch

But he has hit three home runs, two triples and four doubles in 76 at bats. Nine of his 15 hits have gone for extra bases.