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After a close early vote, Robinzon Diaz coasts into the #8 slot. So who's the Blue Jays' "fine #9" top prospect?

Yohermyn Chavez 45 (20.18%)
Buck Coats 7 (3.14%)
Eric Eiland 11 (4.93%)
Balbino Fuenmayor 13 (5.83%)
Kyle Ginley 4 (1.79%)
Justin Jackson 67 (30.04%)
Brian Jeroloman 5 (2.24%)
Ryan Patterson 15 (6.73%)
John Tolisano 53 (23.77%)
Other (who?) 3 (1.35%)

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223 votes | 17 featured comments
After a close early vote, Robinzon Diaz coasts into the #8 slot. So who's the Blue Jays' "fine #9" top prospect? | 17 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Mick Doherty - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 10:19 AM EST (#179333) #
Jeroloman goes into Diaz's vacated ballot spot ... this is the second-to-last poll in determining our Top 10, so make your vote count!
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ANationalAcrobat - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 10:32 AM EST (#179334) #
Hey Mick I think we have a serious problem here: Diaz got a large boost in votes from last night to this morning. I suspect ballot stuffing! I fear the integrity of this list has been compromised and all has been ruined by an eager backer of Robinson Diaz. It is clear that we have no choice now but to boost Tolisano into the 8th spot and punish the stuffers by dropping Diaz to 11th or so. I hope you have the fortitude to do what has to be done!

Yeah, I've spent too much time at John Sickels' site.
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ChicagoJaysFan - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 11:35 AM EST (#179342) #
I went with Jackson. I haven't seen a single one of these people play, so it's all based on second-hand info.  From everything I've heard, Jackson's got a frame to add some power to (I've heard 20 HR potential), plays a great defensive SS, and a solid eye.

What scares me is his horrendous time in the GCL.  I'm hoping that is mostly due to getting used to swinging a wooden bat and that he'll rebound this season.

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Jdog - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 02:02 PM EST (#179347) #
I think the odds are good, that one of the 3 posters above me could have outdone Justin Jackson in the GCL last year. Vote Chavez !!!
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Ducey - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 02:56 PM EST (#179350) #

I don't understand.  Tolisano hit .246/.336/.437 last year.  At the same age, in the same league, Cahvez hit .301/ .389/.494.

How do you vote for Tolisano over Yo Chavez??

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ChicagoJaysFan - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 03:14 PM EST (#179351) #
I don't understand.  Tolisano hit .246/.336/.437 last year.  At the same age, in the same league, Cahvez hit .301/ .389/.494.  How do you vote for Tolisano over Yo Chavez??

I didn't vote for either, but I can think of a few reasons: Tolisano plays a middle IF position versus a corner OF position, Tolisano already has demonstrated HR power (1 per 18 AB's versus 1 every 30 for Chavez), and Tolisano is a switch-hitter versus a righty-bat for Chavez.

Also, while they were the same age, Chavez already had a year of pro experience versus this being Tolisano's first time playing as a pro.  There are lifestyle adjustments that people have to make, especially for a high schooler.

I think it's very easy to read too much into prospects numbers at an early stage.  Of course you'd prefer better numbers to bad ones, but it's all about projections.  While normally a believer in statistics, I think there is a strong tendency for people to overly rely on them for prospects. But hey, I went with Jackson, so what do I know?

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Mick Doherty - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 04:55 PM EST (#179359) #
At this writing, Chavez and Jackson are tied for second, two votes back of Tolisano. It's anyone's race to win. With just one poll remaining after this one and three strong candidates -- everyone else is well back -- who gets left off of Da Box's Inaugural Top Ten Prospects list?
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ayjackson - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 05:20 PM EST (#179361) #
At this writing, Chavez and Jackson are tied for second, two votes back of Tolisano. It's anyone's race to win. With just one poll remaining after this one and three strong candidates -- everyone else is well back -- who gets left off of Da Box's Inaugural Top Ten Prospects list?     ...........Well we could follow BP's lead and include the "Loser" as number 11 on our Top 10 list.
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CaramonLS - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 09:39 PM EST (#179371) #
Tolisano hits switch, is in his first year (Yo played last year in professional baseball) and plays a more demanding position = my rationale.
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TamRa - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 10:01 PM EST (#179372) #
I guess either being close counts for extra credit, or others here think more highly of our top 2 catching prospects than i do. I'd make Thiggy 10 or so and Diaz below him.



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Ryan Day - Friday, January 25 2008 @ 10:30 PM EST (#179373) #
For what it's worth, BA has suggested Tolisano will eventually move to the outfield. That would put him behind Chavez, I think.

I really like Eric Eiland. He looks like he could be a pretty exciting ballplayer, if everything comes together.

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timpinder - Saturday, January 26 2008 @ 01:42 AM EST (#179377) #
If you're looking for fodder for the next poll, how about Rzepczynski?  I'd forgotten all about him.
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ayjackson - Saturday, January 26 2008 @ 12:43 PM EST (#179381) #

Baseball America reported that "some scouts" believe Tolisano could end up in an outfield corner.  BA doesn't project him to be better than an average defender at second.  However, he is only 18 with his current skill set, has a decent chance to develop as a MLB second or third baseman.

Chavez has no shot of playing anywhere but corner outfielder.

Chavez actually went from the Appy league to the GCL, which is a bit of a step down.

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CaramonLS - Saturday, January 26 2008 @ 01:03 PM EST (#179382) #
Any chance they could try him at the hot corner?  How is his defensive arm?
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Ryan Day - Saturday, January 26 2008 @ 01:35 PM EST (#179383) #
Kevin Ahrens pretty much has that position nailed down, unless the Jays wanted to skip Tolisano ahead a level. Though I suspect they'll keep him at second until he proves he can't handle it.
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ayjackson - Saturday, January 26 2008 @ 02:21 PM EST (#179385) #
At BA, they said he has a strong arm for second.  I'm not sure where that puts his arm for third.  As Ryan alluded to, they likely moved him to second from SS (at least in part) due to the number of teenage SS/3B prospects - Ahrens, Jackson, Fuenmayor, Del Campo, Fernandez.
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TamRa - Sunday, January 27 2008 @ 12:17 AM EST (#179392) #
Given the close races lately, is there any thought of expanding the list past 10? I for one would have a hard time picking one of Tolisino, Chavez, and Eiland for #10 and excluding the other two from the list. I think 15 may be a more natural fit with where the "top tier" ends in our system (once you overlook that the top teir really only has one guy and we're in the second tier already)
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After a close early vote, Robinzon Diaz coasts into the #8 slot. So who's the Blue Jays' "fine #9" top prospect? | 17 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.