Brackman featured a spike curve, it probably is what caused his injury. King Felix threw a spike curve, was injured early in the 2007 season, they put him on the DL, then scrapped the spike curve.

Tabata is overrated as of now. He did hit .300 in high ‘A’ ball, but had no power. Maybe the hamate bone removal will allow power development, but that is unproven. Tabata had a serious weight problem in 2007, having ballooned to 220-225 and the organization made him show up early before all home games in Tampa to work it off. His speed is down as well, even after losing weight.

To rank Tabata so high, with a troubling 2007 behind him, is not right. Maybe in 2008 he will return to what he was thought of as a prospect, maybe even better. But off this troubling 2007 season, I cannot rank him in the top five, nor should anyone else, 19 years old or not. It isn’t as if he has had three big years in the minors. Baseball is littered with the corpses of bright-and-shiny 17 year olds who became busts. 2008 will be a big year for Tabata, one way or another.

~~Why does everything think so highly of Brackman already?~~

Huge dude. Boras hype. Throws near 99 and reportedly has a killer curve. Most say he’s a lock to be an ace. But, I agree – until he throws a pitch as a pro, people need to chill on him.

I still don’t understand how Humberto Sanchez can fall off these lists but Andrew Brackman can be included. Brackman is a full calendar year away from throwing a baseball whereas Sanchez is probably going to throw in the next few months. Why does everything think so highly of Brackman already?