Basic Info
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 190lbs
Hometown: Bellflower, CA
How Acquired: 2nd round pick in 2008 draft
Stats
There really is only one number here that stands out: 76 stolen bases. That number led the minor leagues, every team and every level, in 2009. What’s more impressive is that he did it as an 18-year old in Single-A. He is currently lacking in a couple other areas, most notably SLG% and walks, but he’s already a level or two ahead of most kids his age and has time to develop those areas.
Scouting Report
Well, you know about the blazing fast part already. This makes him a terror on the base-paths, and a tremendous asset in CF, where he can cover as much ground as anyone in the minors.
Obviously it is the hitting part of it that needs a lot of work. According to scouting reports, he has some (correctable) problems with the mechanics of his swing and the Phillies’ coaches will continue to work with him on these as he gets older. Despite only hitting 2 HR’s this year, there are those that think once he grows into his body and corrects his swing, he might be able to hit 20+ HR’s a season. With his speed and defense, you don’t care about power though, you just want him to get on base, and refining his untrained eye will help in that regard.
His MLB projection can range anywhere from Michael Bourn (superfast singles hitter) to Carl Crawford (5-tool player and prototypical 1-2 hitter). There is no doubt that the talent is there, but he needs time. With Victorino signed through 2012, he has it.
Path to the Majors
Given his speed, it’s possible that Gose could be a called up as purely a pinch-runner for a playoff run in the next couples of years, but aside from that scenario, we probably won’t see him until 2013 at the earlier, when he would be Victorino’s replacement. The Phillies have several CF prospects, so if Gose regresses, he could get passed by one of them. He will likely remain in Lakewood to start the year, perhaps moving up to Clearwater this year, and the Reading by mid-2011. 2012 would be half Reading, half Lehigh Valley.
For prospects 11-20, and all other Phillies’ prospects posts, visit the Top Prospects page.
Hey Guys!
I know this isn’t about the farm system, but I thought you might like to know who was at the Phillies Phantasy Camp this year. My brother (player) and I (GM) just came back from Clearwater and we had a blast! I would recommennd it highly for anyPhils fan.
The players (legends) included Greg Luzinski, Jim Eisenwright, Mitch Williams, Ricky Jordon, Micky Morondini, Kevin Stocker, Bob Boone, Ricky Botalico, Tommy Greene, Tyler Green, Kevin Saucier, Warren Bruster, Dave Hollins, Bob Dernier, Gary Matthews, Keith Moreland, Von Hayes, Dickie Noles and 2 others who I am forgetting.
Ricky Jordon and Tyler Green each hit 2 HR’s in the legends game and the Q & A ” Bull Session and the Kangaroo Court were very entertaining. If you ever get a chance to “live the dream” go for it!
Bob
p.s. I saw Doc Halladay throwing at brighthouse field, the club housevguys say he’s been there since last week, working out each day.
Good stuff, Bob, and with a mere 23 days left until p/c report, its nice to know Doc is probably already in shape.
Here’s a list of another person’s view of the top 100 prospects in baseball. Domonic Brown rates 19, Gose 46, Michael Taylor 38, Kyle Drabek 15. Phillippe Aumont was I think 29, but the report suggested he has more upside than Kyle Drbek.
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/01/25/the-top-100-prospects-of-2010-26-100/
Here are Bill James projections for the Phillies first 4 starters in 2010.
1. Roy Halladay 17-10, 3.23 ERA, 240.0 IP
2. Cole Hamels 15-9, 3.43 ERA, 210.0 IP
3. Joe Blanton 13-11, 4.06 ERA, 213.0 IP
4. J.A. Happ 10-11, 4.31 ERA, 188.0 IP
I don’t know the ins and outs of James work, but with our lineup, I think he’s projecting a mediocore yar for the bullpen if he sees Halladay and Cole losing 19 decisions with good ERAs.
This was lifted from David Murphy’s blog in the DN on whether J Happ is due for a major fall.
KB-
James’ projections are always high on decisions for whatever reason. I’m not sure he factors in the team’s actual bullpen.
I saw those prospect rankings as well. Was a pleasant surprise to see Gose, Aumont and Gillies all in the top-50. I would think they are more of 50-100 guys.
“p.s. I saw Doc Halladay throwing at brighthouse field, the club housevguys say he’s been there since last week, working out each day.”
That got me pumped up – Thanks Bob
Who is Jim Eisenwright? Was he on the team with Bret Meyers?
I’m sure u get the drift stew
hahaha, good stuff Bob. Couldn’t help myself.
Being as Jim Eisenright played right field, seems like a good spelling to me.
And then there were a mere 23 days until the pitchers and catchers report.
As far as Bill James projections, I’m not quite so intruiged by his number of decisions for the front 4. Breaking it down, here are some points.
- Roy Halladay is not finishing 7 games over .500. He may be the losing pitcher in games effected by the bullpen 3 times. And he’ll get beat by himself 3 times. That would mean he’d have to win 16 games to be 10 over .500. I won’t be surprised if Doc is 14 over .500 by himself. James has him at 17-10, 3.23 ERA.
- His projection totals out at 55-41. Not with this offense, and the way they catch the ball. The most likely way for Happ to fall to the 10-11 that Hamels finished last year is to read all this off the field analysis of how he’s going to regress this year. Lack of confidence would enable that. Again, with the club he has behind him, I’d be disappointed if Happ doesn’t find a way to finish 3-4 games over .500.
I might classify the A’s signing of Ben Sheets as a mild upset. Since reviews of his recent throwing session were all positive, and the thrifty A’s spent 10 mil, I have to assume he’s going to be fine. I know its only 1 year, but if the A’s go out and sign a veteran like Johnny Damon, that division might be the best in baseball. Top to bottom, anyway. I know the NL West is the strongest in our league, and yet, despite all that western power, the top 3 teams in baseball look to be the Phils and the 2 AL East juggernauts. Kind of ironic.
Ken B,
I agree about the NL West being the strongest top to bottom division, along with the Phils still being the #1 team in the NL followed by the NL Central Cardinals. With all of this said, we’re looking at the weakest NL East in a looooonnnng time (at least on paper). The Braves remind me of the Marlins this season (lots of untested, high ceiling young talent), the Marlins are the Marlins and will likely end up a thorn in the Phils side, and the Nats are still trying to figure it out and hoping for 70 wins. That leaves, of course, the Mets. Is it ok that I do not fear them at all this season? Is it possible for Reyes and Beltran to come back full strength and straighten out that lineup? Maybe, but it won’t be enough and the fact that ZERO starting pitchers opted for NYM, it is really saying something (oh, and they still don’t have a starting catcher to call balls and strikes). I am waiting for them to sign Pedro Martinez out of desperation in the coming week or two.
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cubs bounce back, although they really didn’t do anything special to upgrade their team and you could argue they got worse. The Astros or a hungry young Reds team (aside: I LOVE Joey Votto, he is one of the few guys along with Matt Cain who’d I’d package Howard in a trade for him. Hopefully he stays healthy) could sneak up as a contender in the NL Central.