Again, this is not a criticism, it’s just a simple fact.

Also, let’s look at the Rays more closely. Just because those guys don’t make a lot of money doesn’t mean they are homegrown. Many of their key pieces to their bullpen has come from outside the organization – Rodney, Peralta, Badenhop, Howell, all were acquired from outside the organization, but they were key pieces in their successful bullpen.

And it’s not like that’s a fluke from them, it’s a trend. In 2011 the three pitchers who lead them in appearances came from outside the organization (Farnsworth, Cruz, and Peralta).

And in 2010 the 6 pitchers who lead them in appearances also came from outside the organization(Soriano, Benoit, Cormier, Wheeler, Choate, and Balfour).

The Rays actually prove that you don’t necessarily have to have a homegrown bullpen to have a successful bullpen. Of course it’s an advantage to have one, but the Rays prove you can build on without it – And cheaply too.

An interesting question will be is: When will SA pull the trigger on some SP prospects who a) project to do better in the bullpen anyway and b) probably won’t find space in the major league rotation ?
Jeurys Familia – to me – is the first candidate for that switch.
And Cory Mazzoni figures to be the next one.

And as the depressingly low number of homegrown bullpen pieces over the past decade shows, coming up with strong homegrown relief pitching is a key part of success.
Just look at the 2012 Braves, Rays, Nats or A’s bullpens for example. No reliever on those staffs made over 5 million $ in 2012 and I don’t think the overall salary for any of those groups was higher than 10 million total – or about as much as Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch made combined in 2012…

Minaya’s regime should get the credit for the “vision” because they did all the leg work and acquired all of them(with the exception of E Ramirez).

I don’t see anything Alderson has done so far to deserve credit in this area (other than Leathersich), whether it’s the “vision” or potential RP’s we have I don’t see how Alderson could get any credit.

Will it be advanced pitching prospects with somewhat limited ceilings such as LH Darin Gorski & RH Colin McHugh ? Slick-fielding ( and underrated) Wilfredo Tovar ? Talented but far away SS Phillip Evans ? Slugging OF Corey Vaughn ? Slick fielding OF Matt Den Dekker ? DSL sensation Vincente Lupo ? Highly touted record signee Ahmed Rosario ? Heck quick moving RH Logan Verrett ? 20 names for 15 remaining spots ? How is that going to work,damnit ?

And the beloved Omar vs. Sandy debate could reach another climax.
So far, Omar is ahead 6 prospects signed vs. 4 through 10 listed prospects. However 7 of the likely top 11 were signed or traded for by SA & Co. So it’s actually 11 to 10 in favor of SA. However 6 of the 9 others I mentioned were signed by Omar & his administration…

Of course, one camp will quickly point out that without Omar’s groundwork, Sandy wouldn’t have been able to trade for Wheeler, D’Arnaud & Co and receive early picks too ! While the other side will make sure to let us know that only SA ‘s progressive development methods have helped the Minaya kids settle in as top prospects….

And what about Juan Centeno & Kai Gronauer ?

So to me it’s not so much a matter of how we got these players — Alderson’s only been in charge for two drafts — but how we deploy them moving forward. In addition, I don’t think you draft relievers, I think you show a willingness to groom pitchers for relief work once you figure out who you’ve got. My suspicion is that the regime understands the valuing of growing your own relievers. I’ve been waiting for that particular light bulb to go off for a long time now.

I’d say a tick better, but he still has the issue of overcoming his frame.

Puello is a pretty impressive athlete. If he has a strong statistical year this year, expect him to jump up the list.

I’m not too down on him yet, because he’s only turning 22 in April and has the potential to definitely turn things around.

He isn’t in our top ten. But if you feel he should be, write up a post. I’ll even edit it for you if you’d like – I’m up for promoting new knowledge about our prospects.

Well, if we are going by the players Drdooby listed( Familia, Edgin, Mejia, Gorski, McHugh, Carson, Fraser, Ar.Rodriguez and Ramirez), all of those potential future RP’s were already in the organization before Alderson got here.