Jeff Francis: Top-50 Prospect BDBLcommish Head Honcho Posted 02-01-02 04:44 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the Baseball America chat session (note: "Mike Oshan" is actually Paul Marazita disguised as our high-school football coach.) Q: Mike Oshan from NJ asks: Thanks so much for these chats. They are fantastic. Wondering if you could settle a little dispute between me and my buddy. I know it sounds crazy, but he insists that Jeff Francis is one of the Top 50 prospects in ALL of baseball, right now (pro, college, high school etc). Needless to say, I think he's all wet. Bottom line. What do you think of Francis? Is he even one of the Top 5 pitching prospects in the 2002 draft? A: Allan: I would say he's right on the bubble of the top 50, so I'm not going to help your dispute. We have him ranked at No. 5 in this year's draft class. I think it's premature to put him up among the top 40-50 minor leaguers--yet, anyway. THANK YOU, ALLAN SIMPSON!!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STMZoots Double-A Posted 02-02-02 09:39 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm just shocked that Coach Oshan is having the SAME debate with HIS buddy about this same issue. Small world I guess. P.S. Simpson actually says its "premature" to put him in the Top 50, so, technically, and as usual, Coach Oshan is correct. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BDBLcommish Head Honcho Posted 02-02-02 11:03 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, but the KEY PHRASE of his answer was that Francis is "right on the bubble of the Top-50." Which means somewhere between #45-55 is reasonable. So my placement of Francis at #44 was hardly...how did you say?..."shameless?" Once again, Counselor, an expert in the field has proven me right. He also said some very encouraging things about Casey Kotchman, who will be on everyone's top-ten list a year from now - guaranteed. And I'm sure if he had answered my question about Bobby Brownlie, he would have agreed that a top-20 ranking would be appropriate, given what he has said about him. As usual, I'm just a year ahead of my time, and you are wrong, wrong, wrong. I am lovin' every minute of this one! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STMZoots Double-A Posted 02-02-02 11:59 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoy your small "semi-victories." I know, just like regular season record totals, you need to focus on these intermediate goals to make your life a little more complete. Far be it for me to take these small pleasures away from you. You continue to focus on the trees. I'll handle the forests. Why should it be any different now? Its been the same story since the mid-80's...and that's why you will always have a special place in my shriveled heart buddy. You are my rock -- that thing in my life that never changes and keeps me focused. Thanks man. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- fmimes Double-A Posted 02-02-02 03:46 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now that's positive thinking. Considering all of the potential "prospects" in baseball, "on the bubble of 50" would mean 51-70 to me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BDBLcommish Head Honcho Posted 02-02-02 07:16 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "On the bubble" usually means the player is somewhere around the area, give or take a few. And if that's the case, then it certainly isn't outrageous for me to rank Francis at #44, is it? Perhaps everyone would have been happier if I had simply regurgitated John Sickels' top-50 list and merely shuffled a couple of players up or down a notch to make it look like my own list. I made my list based on my own personal opinion, taking into account the expertise of those who have actually seen these players in person. It's just nice to know that Allan Simpson, managing editor of Baseball America, happens to agree with me about one particular player. The fact that Mr. Marazita posted his question with the hope of making me look foolish only makes it that much sweeter. I notice that no one else besides me, Tony and The Shark has had the balls to post his own top-50 list. Especially conspicuous by his absence is our esteemed Counselor, who is more content to criticize and ridicule than to put his own ass on the firing line. But I'll take the criticism, because I enjoy saying "I told you so" year after year after year. As Counselor Marazita has said, it's all I have, since I've been a complete and utter failure in every other aspect of my BDBL career. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blazers Low-A Posted 02-04-02 10:58 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You guys (Mike and Paul) really need to get out more often. Visit a sick friend, take your wife to movie .. anything!!! PLEASE ... As your friend ... I'm beginning to get worried. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BDBLcommish Head Honcho Posted 02-04-02 12:23 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, I know, I need to get a life. Speaking of which, Baseball America just announced their top-100 college prospects. I'll just give you the first two: 1) Bobby Brownlie 2) Jeff Francis BIG DADDY BASEBALL LEAGUE: More props for Francis Posted 02-21-02 04:07 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TeamOne just announced their top-100 college draft prospects. #1: Bobby Brownlie #2: Jeff Francis Posted 02-22-02 09:11 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "...It would be easier if I had our Top-100 to look at (it comes out next month). Off the top of my head, I would probably put Brownlie and Francis in the 30-60 range and Upton in the 70-90 range." - Jeff Spelman, Team One Baseball Yet another highly-regarded baseball expert who believes that Jeff Francis is on the bubble of the top-50. Counselor, is the overwhelming mountain of evidence provided so far by the defense enough proof for you to retract your previous statement that the defendant's listing of Jeff Francis at #44 on his top-50 prospects list was neither "transparent", "self- serving", "contrary to every minor league prospect evaluator on the market", "shameless", nor "comical?" BDBLcommish Head Honcho Posted 02-23-02 09:35 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silence: the final response of a losing argument. Your Honor, the defense rests.