James Tibbs III OF. DOB: 10/1/2002. B-L, T-L. 6' 0", 201 lbs. Drafted 2024 Round 1 #13 overall.
2023(Cape Cod League): .303/.390/.472, 6 2B, 6 HR, 3 SB, 12.2 BB%, 21.3 K%, 164 PA.
2024(College): .363/.488/.777, 18 2B, 28 HR, 8 SB, 18.1 BB%, 11.6 K%, 320 PA.
2024(A): .415/.429/.512, 4 2B, 2.4 BB%, 26.2 K%, 42 PA.
2024(A+): .134/.216/.239, 2 HR, 9.5 BB%, 33.8 K%, 74 PA.
Some analysts thought Tibbs was the best pure hitter in the 2024 draft class and he certainly tore it up for Buster Posey's old school, Florida St. He hit well in the Cape Cod League to back it up. He got off to blazing start for the A San Jose Giants in a small sample but then faceplanted after a promotion to A+. I think a lot of people really downgrade him as soon as they see the BA in A+, but there's more to that story. In his first 11 games for the Eugene Emeralds he went 1 for 41(BA= .024). In his last 6 games he went 8 for 27(.296) with a double and 2 HR's.
He should start 2024 back in A+ Eugene which is the appropriate level for his first full pro season and I think he will do just fine with a solid chance for midseason promotion to AA.
FWIW — 2¢ — Keith Law puts Tibbs III @ #2 "but given that he’s a corner outfielder without much defensive value, he absolutely has to hit."
ReplyDeleteHe's #2 and not #4 perhaps because Law doesn't include McCray although he's still has Rookie Status (Law SHOULD know that but obviously doesn't), and he has McDonald @ #9: who "came back to be his usual self, throwing three average or so pitches for strikes"... Law does end positively on McDonald "he has at least average command, he sinks the ball, and he has the right complement of pitches. I think he’s a fourth starter given a little time, and I wouldn’t rule out something more if his command of the two-seamer keeps improving and he can be a 55-60 percent groundball guy in the future."
Law puts 3 pitchers above McDonald: Whisenhunt, Whitman, and Black @4, 5, & 6, although he rates Whitman as a potential #3 SP, Whisenhunt #4, and Black "a back-end starter, maybe closer to a 5 than a 4."
Since none of this includes Webb, Harrison, and Birdsong, Law has outlined a pretty good staff going forward.
It would have been nice if Buster had snagged Burnes but the top end went so high Burnes collared $210M for 6 years: That's a LOT.
All rankings should be considered approximate and worth a grain of salt, including mine. As I say over and over, the rankings are a fun way to become more familiar with the players who might be future Giants. Yes, the Giants have some impressive pitching depth, both in post-prospects and upper minors. They aren't that shabby in hitting depth although Bryce Eldridge might be the only true impact bat in the upper minors. Overall I think the Giants system is underrated but Buster has some serious sorting out to do.
DeleteI kinda have a soft spot for McDonald and Landon ROUP moving forward amongst the pitchers (or swing man)...With all the starting pitching prospects there may be a high ceiling but also a lot of uncertainty....As DOC said, a lot of sorting out to do by the Brain Rust.
DeleteAs for TIBBS, being a NOLE like him and BUSTER, I really want him to succeed..I watched a lot of him the past few years and also see him as "hit only" ...The hit tool is there but does it play at MLB???? It's a dangerous place to be for a prospect...
SteveVA
I much appreciate the work DrB put in. Splitting hairs on rankings does not matter as much as learning what they have.
DeleteOne area that the front office has to sort out will be the recent "graduates" that are no longer on the prospect lists but have no regular role. Matos might be ready to assume a platoon or even an every day job. Luciano, Schmitt, Wisely, and Villar are in more precarious territory.
DeleteI feel the actual rankings are not important, especially if its a difference of five spots up or down. Also, comparing hitters and pitchers are the apples and oranges thing. There's a clear #1, clear #2, then each tier below that has about seven or eight prospects in each tier. I feel that these rankings have to be read along with DrB's position by position depth charts that he wrote in October in order to get the big picture. What is exciting is that since DrB wrote the SS Depth chart four months ago, there have been some changes.
DeleteThe kind of guy who fits the Posey profile: In his senior year, he was named the 2024 ACC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and he won the ACC’s Postgraduate Scholarship Award. Also commended for a strong family background and described by his coaches in college as a humble kid and good teammate. High character, competitive and smart — seems like the type of young player who can learn to improve his defense. I’m rooting for him to put together a strong season and make good on Doc’s prediction of him reaching AA by year’s end.
ReplyDeleteIts not quite the "Posey Profile" because Buster also played SS and was a decent fielder. I believe Buster was aware of Tibbs prior to the draft because he gave a presentation to Tibbs' team.
ReplyDelete