Dodger Thoughts writer Jon Weisman wrote a blog post yesterday comparing Jerry Sands to Andre Ethier. Here is an excerpt:
Summary: From age 22 1/2 to age 23, Sands had a .395 on-base percentage and .586 slugging percentage with 35 homers in 590 plate appearances combined at Single-A Great Lakes and Double-A Chattanooga. In Double-A, Sands posted a .360/.529 with 17 homers in 303 plate appearances.
For comparison's sake: From age 22 to age 22 1/2, Andre Ethier delivered a .383/.442 with seven homers in 471 plate appearances, all in Single-A. Then from age 23 to 23 1/2, Ethier offered .385/.497 with 18 homers in 572 plate appearances in Double-A (not counting a 17-plate appearance cup o' joe at Triple-A). After starting 2006 strongly with the Dodgers' Triple-A team, Ethier was promoted to the majors three weeks after turning 24.
Interesting comparison. Am I the only one that is high on Sands? Ok, I confess, I am a Dodgers fan, but still.
Speaking of Goldstein, he held a prospect chat over at Baseball Prospectus on Monday afternoon, and here are a few excerpts:
raygu1 (burlington, nj): Jerry Sands will be an all-star, a solid everyday hitter, or a bench guy? thanks.
Kevin Goldstein: B.
I will take that. The Dodgers need a power hitter in that lineup, and he could replace James Loney at first base in 2012.
More after the jump:
Vic31 (Newark, NJ): Jason Kipnis is a guy you've really touted this year. As an offensive minded 2bman, what kind of power/avg./speed combo are we talking if all goes right?
Kevin Goldstein: .300 hitter with 12-18 home runs and solid 1 per 10 walk rate.
I wonder if he is low on Kipnis' power potential.
Trevor (Miami, FL): Kevin, Marlins system is down after graduating their top talent. With that said, how impressed were you with Mike Stanton this year and do you think he can raise his average or is he more a .270 hitter? thanks.
Kevin Goldstein: I think realistically he is a .260-.280 hitter and no more, but he's also the most likely player to hit 50+ home runs at some point over the next five years.
Yowza!!! 50 bombs?
Tony (Albuquerque): teheran or Lamb?
Kevin Goldstein: A.
Teheran will be highly sought after in the UBA minor league draft.
Evan (Fort Worth, TX): Brett Jackson future 20/20 .280 guy, yay or nay?
Kevin Goldstein: 20/20 yes; not sold on ability to hit for AVG.
I didn't realize Jackson had that potential. He should be targeted in keeper leagues that allow minor leaguers to be drafted.