Halman is a more advanced prospect than Hicks. His tools are just as exciting with more power projection, but he was in AA after the # of PAs Hicks had in the minors
When Halman isn't a top 100 prospect and Hicks is #9 overall, you've lost perspective somewhere along the line IMO.
Both guys are massively high risk, high reward.
As Taro emphasized, Ramos is actually verrrrrrrrrry good for his age/arc at the C position (deflect it two years vs 1B/OF).
Here's a question for you, Taro (Cool Papa, G-Money, Matt, guys). I give you 100x 22-year-old C Wilson Ramoses, who have already tasted the major leagues, and 100x 20-year-old CF Aaron Hickses, who have not yet solved class A ball, but who have stunning athleticism.
1. How do the 100 Ramoses not do more in their 100 careers than the Hickses?
2. Or do the 5 HOF'ers (and 20 Franklin Gutierrezes) you get out of the 100 Hickses .... outweigh the 60 quality ML catchers you get out of the Ramoses? Because of the pyramid/fungibility Star & Scrub dynamics?
Are we saying that, granted, the 100 Hickses will do less as a group, but the Big Hits are more important than the Steady Eddie development ---- > because you can count on the Steady Eddies anyway?
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As mentioned, HQ had Ramos as an 8B prospect (probably an above-average ML player) and Hicks as a 9D (some shot at the All-Star team), and that's a hyper-objective source that weights sabr and tools equally.
Not quibbling with those who are blown away by Hicks' athleticism, but is there any way to give an Aaron Hicks a >30% shot of impacting the majors? He's got to impact A+ first :- )
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Have seen YouTube. Am well aware of the stunning physical gifts and even baseball leverage wth Hicks. But Baseball America's historical top 25 lists are soaked in failed 20-year-olds like Hicks.
Definitely do not see this #9-in-baseball euphoria over Hicks. Could be wrong.
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Last question:
3. Wouldn't 100x Greg Halmans do more in their careers than 100x Aaron Hickses? You're talking about another tools freak who is much farther along the obstacle course.
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The voice of reason as usual Champ. ;- )