Comm Top 21: Too Close To Call (No. 7 runoff)
TOWER GROVE — The poll for No. 7 in the Bird Land Community Top 21 jockeyed back and forth all weekend, with some comments even declaring a winner — or, rather, declaring an opinion about the winner — just as the tide shifted. With about 775 clicks counted, Eduardo Sanchez led Lance Lynn by four votes at last check this morning.
Each received 34 percent of the vote and every other prospect is just about 200 or more votes behind.
Per the precedent set a few years ago, a runoff is necessary, pitting the shooting comet of reliever Sanchez against the steady grind of starter Lynn. Both are expected to be in Class AAA to start this season, and if Sanchez shows the same success he had moving from High-A to Double-A this past season, there is reason to believe he’ll debut in the majors sometime in 2010. Lynn, meanwhile, is the workhorse that, if he pitches well early in the season, will position himself as the first-man-up for a fill-in start or two. Sanchez has the power arm, and a few people I have talked with believe he has the ability to be a closer, after some seasoning as a setup reliever. Lynn has the sinking fastball and the stout frame that fits the profile of a No. 3, No. 4 starter who can be relied on to make his start and perform steady from start to start …
But I’m getting ahead of myself here, and there is some other news — you may have heard — to keep us busy today. Time for the runoff. The winner will be prospect No. 7, and the other will take the No. 8 spot. We’ll move on to No. 9 on Tuesday.
Loading …Just checked again, and with 783 votes logged, four votes still separate the two pitchers.
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LANCE LYNN, RHP: The 6-foot-5, 250-pound righthander has the stamp of durability, and that, in some corners, is a tool unto itself. Lynn pitched at three levels this past season, cruising up to Class AA and staying there. He’s got a sinking fastball, which instantly earns him cred, but he also doesn’t miss start, has the poise that comes from being a college pitcher at a strong program (Mike Bianco’s Ole Miss). If steady production and a known quantity steers your vote, Lynn is your candidate. AGE: 22. STATS: 11-4, 2.85 ERA, 124 K, 57 BB, 148 2/3 innnings.
EDUARDO SANCHEZ, RHP: Probably the breakout player of the year in the system. The reliever has a strong turn in Class AA, and he emerged as not only a setup possibility but a closer possibility. (There’s that line-crossing for one of the P’s — position.) Sanchez has a hard-boring fastball. The young Venezuelan with the slight build throws consistently at 95 mph and has been known to hit 96 mph or 97 mph. He has good movement on the fastball and he is always around the strike zone. Throw in a tight slider and Sanchez has both of the pitches needed to handle the role — and advance quickly. Relievers like him have leapfrogged from Class AA to the majors with success. Two recent examples from the Cardinals’ system: Kyle McClellan and Luke Gregerson. Getting him more experience and seeing him duplicate this year’s success would be the reason to give him the ninth in Triple-A. AGE: 20. STATS: 2-1 overall with 2.28 ERA and 13 saves, 82 Ks, 25 walks, 75 innings and a .174 batting average against.
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
I thought we had this settled as a Lynn win. Must the squrriels be sent afterall?!
At least he’ll FINALLY be voted in. I thought for sure he’d drop out of the Top 10.
I don’t get this. Lynn projects as a 3 or 4 starter. Sanchez is 2 years younger posted equal stats in the same league and projects as a closer.
Vote Sanchez for 7
To me, Sanchez is clearly the better prospect of the two with Lynn right behind him. Sanchez has potential to be a closer or top set up man while Lynn seems to project as a back of the rotation starter with high end potential, perhaps, as a No. 3 with added mlb experience down the road. Sanchez has the best opportunity to be a key contributor to the Cardinals success next season.
Starters hold more value than closers, even if they are third or fourth in the rotation. Starters can be converted to closers a lot easier than closers to starters.
I’m changing my vote from Lynn to Sanchez. Upon further review, I think a hard throwing closer has more value than a #3 or 4 starter.
Looks like this could come down to the wire again. Is there a cutoff time for voting?
Other news? You got a raise? Bernie got a raise? Your decided to hire me as your assistant for all road games? Oh, I know, the Boss was in town and the other boss decided it was ironical to make his annoucement to return in the same weekend?
Lance Lynn will be a interesting AAA player to watch this year.
VOTE for Sanchez. Will be to the Cards in ‘10 what Francisco Rodriguez was to the Angels in ‘02.
DG, think you should just declare the runner-up of the runoff #8 and move ahead to #9.
Hey, could we post the little Prospect bios before the poll, instead of immediately following. I know often I have voted, then read something in the bio I didn’t know and wanted to change my vote, but it was too late. It seems like these would be better suited before the poll, but that’s just me.
2008 compared to 2009, now tell me how valuable a great closer is. Only the difference between a playoff team and a non-contender. Remember Sanchez is only 20 people. Don’t get down on him if he stumbles at the start at AAA. Personally I don’t think it will happen. I think this kid can be very special for years to come. He’s got my vote for sure.
Derrick, just a suggestion; since you decide the players who get voted for and some of those truly aren’t agreeable to the fan voters, why not drop the worst vote getter each time and add two new prospects. I mean, Francisco Samuel??? Only Gary Daley Jr. has worse control. So he can hit the first row of seats behind home plate with a 98 mph fastball. It doesn’t mean he’s good. Just a constructive suggestion. Don’t mean to offend.