Mark Prior of the Cubs in Rolen/GForce Roster Set

grismosw · 04-08-2002, 02:34 PM

Rolen/GForce,
From what all the so called experts are saying is the Mark Prior of the Cubs is the most polished pitcher ever to come out of the draft. What kind of ratings are you guys looking at giving Prior? Maybe other board members can chip in on this one too.

grismosw · 04-08-2002, 02:40 PM

From Espn.com
"With the second pick overall, the Cubs had a chance to make a big impact. They did just that, selecting USC right-hander Mark Prior, praised as the best pitching prospect in college history by many scientists, philosophers and theologians. He should see the majors sometime this year, and it isn't impossible that his 95-mph fastball and strong curve could be gracing the Cubs rotation before the All-Star break."

Heard several times on the radio from Peter Gammons and Tim Kirkjin that he will probably be in the majors by May 1.

<a href="http://www.cubsbetweenthevines.com/Arch109.html" target="_blank">Another article</a>

By the way I am by no means a Cubs fan either

Dwolfson20 · 04-08-2002, 02:41 PM

I saw Prior pitch in person at the CWS last year, and he carried himself and dominated the other team as if he was a major leaguer. Also, it's supposedly almost certain that he'll be in the Cubs rotation sometime this year.

[ 04-08-2002, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: Dwolfson20 ]

Draft Dodger · 04-08-2002, 02:43 PM

if I had a dollar for every sure thing that didn't pan out, plus 50 cents for every clutch hitting thread, I'd be rich.

LMNt: The synthesized love machine · 04-08-2002, 02:44 PM

I lost him in the second year of my career, to a torn rotator cuff... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

Dwolfson20 · 04-08-2002, 02:49 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> if I had a dollar for every sure thing that didn't pan out, plus 50 cents for every clutch hitting thread, I'd be rich. <hr /></blockquote>I agree with that. I didn't say he'd pan out for sure, but the question was, what should the ratings be based on his talent and skill right now? And the answer is, very good.

Dont Mess With Texas · 04-08-2002, 03:27 PM

Even though it has nothing to do with anything you guys are talking about (well, actually something) Mark went to my high school and I know him. If it means anything by his demeanor OFF the field, he's gonna be a star cuz he's got the pro attitude. But he's one of the coolest guys too. My dad was his JV coach so we're getting some nice tix at Wrigley this summer! I'm stoked... Oh yeah, but like I said, he better turn out to be a star in my league cuz after one start he allowed 9 runs in 7 IP and 7 hits... Not a great start...

GForce22 · 04-09-2002, 05:40 AM

Prior will be rated very well, but we're not going to make him Pedro Martinez before he accomplishes anything. I also have no data on him to run through my minor league spreadsheets. With Pierre's editor being delayed, I may have that time depending how many innings he has by the time the set is released. The advantage is that OOTP has a potential rating also, so figure he'll be rated solid now with excellent potential.

GH

HomieGee · 04-09-2002, 05:48 AM

Prior is going to be another Todd Van Poppel...
just because all you Chicagoians believe hype is everything to a good career.

Phineas · 04-09-2002, 11:34 AM

From HomieGee:

"Prior is going to be another Todd Van Poppel...
just because all you Chicagoians believe hype is everything to a good career."

Just for clarification...cumulative stats in a cub uniform ('00 and '01 seasons):

Van Poppel:
8-6, 161.1 IP, 143H, 86BB, 167K, 3.18 ERA.

Not too shabby, really. Granted, he never fulfilled his astronomical expectations from his early days, but he's become a decent RP.

Phineas

Dont Mess With Texas · 04-09-2002, 06:39 PM

Prior is not a flop... just wait...

USN Squid · 04-11-2002, 04:56 AM

Two words:

Rick Ankiel

He was supposed to be the man. Next thing you know, he's the man that can't hit the broad side of a barn from 60 ft 6 inches.

Hawk Dawson · 04-11-2002, 05:35 AM

Comparing Prior to Ankiel is ridiculous.
Prior has what Ankiel has never had - major league attitude and polish, in abundance.

Prior will be the next Seaver.

Hawk.

CMH · 04-11-2002, 06:29 AM

go and compare rick ankiel all you want to mark prior. last time i checked ankiel had an above average regular season. and yes thats right. b/c he didnt face those throwing problems till the playoffs and the next season.

rick ankiel is gonna come back and show people he can pitch. Mark prior has the attitude and professionalism to be a great pitcher? thats bull. when did attitude have anything to do with how well you throw a baseball? do you think adam dunn or barry bonds, or whoever cares how professional the kid is? Ok so a good attitude should account for somethin since if he gets rocked or wins or wateva, he'll have that bulldog mentality to believe he is better than that and could pitch better his next start, and thats always needed. BUT like i said before, just b/c you think that way, doesnt mean you are that way. John Rocker has a competitive baseball attitude, and i dont see him doing much to show for it.

Now i'm not sayin that Mark Prior wont be a great pitcher. I like the kid and think he'll do great. But sayin oh he has the attitude to be in the majors doesnt show me much. Let the kid pitch and he'll show you how good he is. i dont care wat peter gammons or STATS Inc. has to say about any player. Watch the kid and you'll know how good he is.

MizzouRah · 04-11-2002, 06:41 AM

Also, Rick Ankiel had some major family problems to deal with as well. He'll be back this year and back on his game, at least I hope. He's just a kid who's had high expectations on his head since he was drafted. I've seen him in person and when he's on his game, you just have to sit back and say, wow. Again, this is POTENTIAL.

Prior should be good as well. He would really round out a decent Chicago staff.

Todd

mattcubs · 04-11-2002, 07:13 AM

Unfortunately Yankeefan you have no idea what a big leaues pitchers makeup is supposed to be. "when did attitude have anything to do with how well you throw a baseball?" Well technically you are correct it has nothing to do with throwing a baseball but it has everything to do with becoming a solid starting pitcher. If you watched the espn afternoon game yesterday, Burt Blyleven said it himself. Anyone can go out and throw the ball as hard as he can but it is the pitchers who learn how to PITCH that become succesfull pitchers in this league and to learn how to pitch you need the right attitude, to listen and to have a professional makeup. So you may think you know something about pitching but a pitcher who has pitched in the majors is probably a more reliable source....

Classic example of this is Jamie Moyer. Man you would think major leaguers could hit a 85 Mph fastball all day and all night. Well they can off most but the way Moyer keeps hitter off balance and uses his strengths he has become one of the better pitcher in the legaue.

Irrelevant Dude · 04-11-2002, 07:19 AM

First of all, I don't think it's appropriate to compare anyone to Ankiel. His situation is the exception and should not be a standard to which other young players are compared. Most pitchers will never face the problems that Ankiel has had over the past few seasons.

Secondly, do I sense some Prior-jealousy in this thread? It seems to me that the non Cubs fans are claiming that he isn't all that he has been made out to be. I admit that he hasn't proven anything at the major league level yet, but sorry guys... I think the Cubs got it right this time.

GForce22 · 04-11-2002, 07:25 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by YankeePride:
i dont care wat peter gammons or STATS Inc. has to say about any player. Watch the kid and you'll know how good he is.<hr /></blockquote>I'm sure they have watched the kid. They aren't basing their opinions out of thin air (well, sometimes Gammons does).

GH

grismosw · 04-11-2002, 10:10 AM

I see Ankiel as an athlete trying to be a pitcher, he is what 23 and he is already considered a flop?

OK!

Redbird · 04-11-2002, 10:22 AM

Rick Ankiel would be the Ace in the Cubs pitching staff and be second only to Sammy Sosa in homeruns. Why? One reason is because of his great attitude <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

04-08-2002, 02:34 PM	#1
grismosw Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ohio Posts: 187	Mark Prior of the Cubs in Rolen/GForce Roster Set Rolen/GForce, From what all the so called experts are saying is the Mark Prior of the Cubs is the most polished pitcher ever to come out of the draft. What kind of ratings are you guys looking at giving Prior? Maybe other board members can chip in on this one too.

04-08-2002, 02:41 PM	#3
Dwolfson20 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Not St. Louis Posts: 2,872	I saw Prior pitch in person at the CWS last year, and he carried himself and dominated the other team as if he was a major leaguer. Also, it's supposedly almost certain that he'll be in the Cubs rotation sometime this year. <small>[ 04-08-2002, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: Dwolfson20 ]</small> __________________

04-08-2002, 02:43 PM	#4
Draft Dodger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: formerly of the OTBL Posts: 4,113	if I had a dollar for every sure thing that didn't pan out, plus 50 cents for every clutch hitting thread, I'd be rich. __________________ Draft Dodger (Anarchy: Anything goes. The Draft Dodger viewpoint.) Sophmoric[sic] Member of the OOTP Boards (It's not OOTP; it's your computer) 15 GB Webhosting for $6.95 a month IMO we are best off abandoning that sinking ship that is Off Topic to the rats infesting it and just starting a whole new Baseball Forum from scratch.

04-08-2002, 02:44 PM	#5
LMNt: The synthesized love machine Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 75	I lost him in the second year of my career, to a torn rotator cuff... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> __________________

04-08-2002, 02:49 PM	#6
Dwolfson20 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Not St. Louis Posts: 2,872	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> if I had a dollar for every sure thing that didn't pan out, plus 50 cents for every clutch hitting thread, I'd be rich. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I agree with that. I didn't say he'd pan out for sure, but the question was, what should the ratings be based on his talent and skill right now? And the answer is, very good. __________________

04-08-2002, 02:40 PM	#2
grismosw Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ohio Posts: 187	From Espn.com "With the second pick overall, the Cubs had a chance to make a big impact. They did just that, selecting USC right-hander Mark Prior, praised as the best pitching prospect in college history by many scientists, philosophers and theologians. He should see the majors sometime this year, and it isn't impossible that his 95-mph fastball and strong curve could be gracing the Cubs rotation before the All-Star break." Heard several times on the radio from Peter Gammons and Tim Kirkjin that he will probably be in the majors by May 1. <a href="http://www.cubsbetweenthevines.com/Arch109.html" target="_blank">Another article</a> By the way I am by no means a Cubs fan either

04-08-2002, 03:27 PM	#7
Dont Mess With Texas Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: California Posts: 39	Even though it has nothing to do with anything you guys are talking about (well, actually something) Mark went to my high school and I know him. If it means anything by his demeanor OFF the field, he's gonna be a star cuz he's got the pro attitude. But he's one of the coolest guys too. My dad was his JV coach so we're getting some nice tix at Wrigley this summer! I'm stoked... Oh yeah, but like I said, he better turn out to be a star in my league cuz after one start he allowed 9 runs in 7 IP and 7 hits... Not a great start... __________________ I never miss a chance to have sex or appear on television.

04-09-2002, 05:40 AM	#8
GForce22 Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,654	Prior will be rated very well, but we're not going to make him Pedro Martinez before he accomplishes anything. I also have no data on him to run through my minor league spreadsheets. With Pierre's editor being delayed, I may have that time depending how many innings he has by the time the set is released. The advantage is that OOTP has a potential rating also, so figure he'll be rated solid now with excellent potential. GH

04-09-2002, 05:48 AM	#9
HomieGee Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 69	Prior is going to be another Todd Van Poppel... just because all you Chicagoians believe hype is everything to a good career.

04-09-2002, 11:34 AM	#10
Phineas Bat Boy Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 4	From HomieGee: "Prior is going to be another Todd Van Poppel... just because all you Chicagoians believe hype is everything to a good career." Just for clarification...cumulative stats in a cub uniform ('00 and '01 seasons): Van Poppel: 8-6, 161.1 IP, 143H, 86BB, 167K, 3.18 ERA. Not too shabby, really. Granted, he never fulfilled his astronomical expectations from his early days, but he's become a decent RP. Phineas

04-09-2002, 06:39 PM	#11
Dont Mess With Texas Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: California Posts: 39	Prior is not a flop... just wait... __________________ I never miss a chance to have sex or appear on television.

04-11-2002, 04:56 AM	#12
USN Squid All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 599	Two words: Rick Ankiel He was supposed to be the man. Next thing you know, he's the man that can't hit the broad side of a barn from 60 ft 6 inches.

04-11-2002, 05:35 AM	#13
Hawk Dawson Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 63	Comparing Prior to Ankiel is ridiculous. Prior has what Ankiel has never had - major league attitude and polish, in abundance. Prior will be the next Seaver. Hawk.

04-11-2002, 06:29 AM	#14
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	go and compare rick ankiel all you want to mark prior. last time i checked ankiel had an above average regular season. and yes thats right. b/c he didnt face those throwing problems till the playoffs and the next season. rick ankiel is gonna come back and show people he can pitch. Mark prior has the attitude and professionalism to be a great pitcher? thats bull. when did attitude have anything to do with how well you throw a baseball? do you think adam dunn or barry bonds, or whoever cares how professional the kid is? Ok so a good attitude should account for somethin since if he gets rocked or wins or wateva, he'll have that bulldog mentality to believe he is better than that and could pitch better his next start, and thats always needed. BUT like i said before, just b/c you think that way, doesnt mean you are that way. John Rocker has a competitive baseball attitude, and i dont see him doing much to show for it. Now i'm not sayin that Mark Prior wont be a great pitcher. I like the kid and think he'll do great. But sayin oh he has the attitude to be in the majors doesnt show me much. Let the kid pitch and he'll show you how good he is. i dont care wat peter gammons or STATS Inc. has to say about any player. Watch the kid and you'll know how good he is.

04-11-2002, 06:41 AM	#15
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Troy, Mo Posts: 6,266	Also, Rick Ankiel had some major family problems to deal with as well. He'll be back this year and back on his game, at least I hope. He's just a kid who's had high expectations on his head since he was drafted. I've seen him in person and when he's on his game, you just have to sit back and say, wow. Again, this is POTENTIAL. Prior should be good as well. He would really round out a decent Chicago staff. Todd

04-11-2002, 07:13 AM	#16
mattcubs Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Calgary Posts: 31	Unfortunately Yankeefan you have no idea what a big leaues pitchers makeup is supposed to be. "when did attitude have anything to do with how well you throw a baseball?" Well technically you are correct it has nothing to do with throwing a baseball but it has everything to do with becoming a solid starting pitcher. If you watched the espn afternoon game yesterday, Burt Blyleven said it himself. Anyone can go out and throw the ball as hard as he can but it is the pitchers who learn how to PITCH that become succesfull pitchers in this league and to learn how to pitch you need the right attitude, to listen and to have a professional makeup. So you may think you know something about pitching but a pitcher who has pitched in the majors is probably a more reliable source.... Classic example of this is Jamie Moyer. Man you would think major leaguers could hit a 85 Mph fastball all day and all night. Well they can off most but the way Moyer keeps hitter off balance and uses his strengths he has become one of the better pitcher in the legaue.

04-11-2002, 07:19 AM	#17
Irrelevant Dude Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bourbonnais, IL Posts: 278	First of all, I don't think it's appropriate to compare anyone to Ankiel. His situation is the exception and should not be a standard to which other young players are compared. Most pitchers will never face the problems that Ankiel has had over the past few seasons. Secondly, do I sense some Prior-jealousy in this thread? It seems to me that the non Cubs fans are claiming that he isn't all that he has been made out to be. I admit that he hasn't proven anything at the major league level yet, but sorry guys... I think the Cubs got it right this time.

04-11-2002, 07:25 AM	#18
GForce22 Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,654	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by YankeePride: <strong>i dont care wat peter gammons or STATS Inc. has to say about any player. Watch the kid and you'll know how good he is.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I'm sure they have watched the kid. They aren't basing their opinions out of thin air (well, sometimes Gammons does). GH

04-11-2002, 10:10 AM	#19
grismosw Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ohio Posts: 187	I see Ankiel as an athlete trying to be a pitcher, he is what 23 and he is already considered a flop? OK!

04-11-2002, 10:22 AM	#20
Redbird Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 38	Rick Ankiel would be the Ace in the Cubs pitching staff and be second only to Sammy Sosa in homeruns. Why? One reason is because of his great attitude <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />