I have a fairly complex conundrum.
Sometime in the near future I will need to re-rank the Bleacher Nation Top 40 to take into account the 2013 draft picks as well as some of the breakout performances we have seen already see this system. And while some of the decisions are easy (moving Arismendy Alcantara up, for example), one decision is proving to be very difficult.
How do I rank that top four?
In the original Top 40 they were listed Soler, Baez, Almora based in no small part on experience (Bryant, of course, was not yet connected to the Cubs at all). If I stick with the experience angle as the tie breaker the order would probably be Soler, Bryant, Baez, and Almora.
But that means I’m ranking baseball’s best offensive shortstop prospect [Brett: Xander Bogaerts might fight you on that one] and the organization’s leader in home runs third. I’m not so sure about that.
On the other hand, I could let positional value be the tie breaker. That would make the order Baez, Bryant, Almora, Soler. Of the four, though, Soler is still probably the safest bet to reach the majors and have an impact there. Why would I rank the highest floor the lowest when their ceilings are so close?
And then we have the talk from scouts and analysts of Bryant having 80 power to go with a 60 hit, or of Almora showing five true plus tools with the potential to be moved up the system in a hurry. Those are very good arguments for listing either of those No 1 over all.
I’m tempted to rank all four in a tie, but I feel like that would be cheating.
This is a genuine puzzle and so far I have not figured out a good way to cut through it.
It is a fun problem to have, though; I hope to be in predicaments like this every time I rank the prospects. That wouldn’t be such a bad thing at all.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – The Cubs rallied late, including three run outbursts in the seventh and eighth, to tie the game, but ultimately lost 9-8 in twelve innings.
Tennessee – It was a close one, but the Smokies lost it 3-2.
Daytona – Daytona played well on both sides of the game in this 5-1 win.
Kane County – The Cougars also enjoyed a good game as they walked away with a 4-1 win.
Performances of Note
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