Keith Law with ESPN put out his updated Top 50 prospects list following half the season and the Futures Game and two Orioles made the list. Machado was number 5 behind Bryce Harper (WAS), Matt Moore (TB), Shelby Miller (StL), and Carlos Martinez (StL). He wrote:
It wasn’t clear how advanced (or raw) his approach was when he was drafted No. 3 in 2010, but it’s clear now. He has an .816 OPS across two levels, and it’s looking more likely that he’ll stay at short than it did last year.
Coming in at number 38 was Jonathan Schoop who is playing third base at high A ball and Law wrote:
He’s looking a little overmatched at age 19 in high A but has all the elements to be an above-average regular at third base with power and defense.
This, “more likely that he’ll stay at short ” is great news. The difference between an .816 OPS at short stop and an .816 at 3B is worth about half a win per season (assuming equal defense at both positions). In a year where the O’s are struggling to produce a 4 win player that is significant.
How ’bout a link to Mr. Law’s work that you referenced?
The whole article is here. However, I think you have to be a Bristol Brownoser (ESPN Insider):
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story?id=6768361&_slug_=mlb-keith-law-updated-2011-top-50-prospects&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fstory%3fid%3d6768361%26_slug_%3dmlb-keith-law-updated-2011-top-50-prospects
This team is soooooooooo bad you guys are looking to players that are years away from the biggies for excitement,,,,,,,,wake up people , baseball is dead in Baltimore……….
What an incredible internet log. I spend hours on the net reading blogs, about tons of various subjects. I have to initial of all give praise to whoever