Who's a better prospect?

[NJMetfan4life]

This is only between two prospects. Please don't just vote for which team you like, and if you don't know who they are, don't guess.

Joba Chamberlain, or Fernando Martinez. I'm in an argument with my friend, a yankee fan. He says Joba throws 102mph, but what's the point , if people can hit it? What's your opinion?

[Imgran]

Fernando wins by default. While he fits the classical definition, Joba's pretty much moved past the point of prospecthood.

[ElHalo]

Um... Joba won't be a prospect much longer, as he'll likely lose rookie eligibility (well, 2009 rookie eligibility anyway) by the middle of May, probably. But for the moment, this isn't even close to an argument. At all. Joba Chamberlain is one of the three or four best prospects in all of baseball. Martinez is not. It's not even worth making an argument for.

[NJMetfan4life]

Um... Joba won't be a prospect much longer, as he'll likely lose rookie eligibility (well, 2009 rookie eligibility anyway) by the middle of May, probably. But for the moment, this isn't even close to an argument. At all. Joba Chamberlain is one of the three or four best prospects in all of baseball. Martinez is not. It's not even worth making an argument for.

Are you saying that beacuse your a Yankee fan? And Imgran, are you saying that because your a Red Sox fan?

[Westlake]

I'd rather have Joba.

"If people can hit it" -- WHO hit it? In his 112 innings of pro ball last year, he gave up 74 hits. That's like, really, really good.

While Martinez has basically proved.... well, a lot of nothing.

[SamtheBravesFan]

It's a matter of perspective. Because Chamberlain has made a significant impact in the majors, I think he has moved past prospect myself.

So Fernando Martinez is the best one.

[Erik Bedard]

Chamberlain is still technically a prospect. And as long as he is, he's in the top five. Martinez is maybe cracks the top 20.

[ElHalo]

Are you saying that beacuse your a Yankee fan? And Imgran, are you saying that because your a Red Sox fan?

Um, no. It has nothing to do with being a Yankee fan.

Look at any of these:

ESPN ranks Joba as the number 3 prospect in baseball (behind Jay Bruce and Evan Longoria), and Martinez at number 10.

Minor League Baseball's site ranks Joba fifth (Behind Bruce, Longoria, Clayton Kershaw, and Cameron Maybin) and Martinez 17th.

Baseball Prospectus has Joba at four (behind Bruce, Longoria, and Buchholz), and Martinez at... 51.

There's no even halfway legitimate argument that Martinez, at this point, is a better prospect than Joba Chamberlain. Maybe Chamberlain will break down and need TJ surgery at some point.

[digglahhh]

Chamberlain is still technically a prospect. And as long as he is, he's in the top five. Martinez is maybe cracks the top 20.

Nice avatar, EB. Album cover avatars are where it's at!

As to the question, Joba has just accomplished so much more. I think this question can be settled by asking yourself if you'd trade Martinez for Joba. I would!

That's not to say that Martinez won't be great. It's not to say that Joba may turn out to be a flash in the pan. But, Joba is more highly valued right now - almost impossible to argue otherwise, unless you are doing what you are accusing other of and looking through blue and orange glasses.

And kill the conspiracy theory before it starts, my team affiliation is well known - my second bedroom is painted blue and orange...

[Jose Reyes]

well joba's a pitcher and martinez is an outfielder so i don't really see why you're trying to compare them. but anyway, obviously they're both great prospects. you have to remember that martinez is still only a teenager, but i can't really see how you could say martinez is better than joba considering joba has already played in the majors and has played well.

[Zagi-CRO]

Joba is better and injuries had kept Martinez inactive for much of his first full season.

[Imgran]

Are you saying that beacuse your a Yankee fan? And Imgran, are you saying that because your a Red Sox fan?

No, I'm pretty sure I'd say the same thing if Joba was a Colorado Rockie. The big difference is that I'd have to do a bit more research.

[Erik Bedard]

Nice avatar, EB. Album cover avatars are where it's at!

As to the question, Joba has just accomplished so much more. I think this question can be settled by asking yourself if you'd trade Martinez for Joba. I would!

That's not to say that Martinez won't be great. It's not to say that Joba may turn out to be a flash in the pan. But, Joba is more highly valued right now - almost impossible to argue otherwise, unless you are doing what you are accusing other of and looking through blue and orange glasses.

And kill the conspiracy theory before it starts, my team affiliation is well known - my second bedroom is painted blue and orange...

I've been doing it for quite a while. And I'm sure everyone can name this one, though not my previous one.

I actually don't think Martinez will end up being that great. He'll probably make it to the bigs, but he won't be a multi-time All-Star. If he was a Rangers prospect, I doubt he'd be this highly rated. Joba, on the other hand, would be top ten anywhere, albeit probably not top five. The East Coast bias has to play into that a bit.

[metfan13]

I've been doing it for quite a while. And I'm sure everyone can name this one, though not my previous one.

I actually don't think Martinez will end up being that great. He'll probably make it to the bigs, but he won't be a multi-time All-Star. If he was a Rangers prospect, I doubt he'd be this highly rated. Joba, on the other hand, would be top ten anywhere, albeit probably not top five. The East Coast bias has to play into that a bit.

What makes you think Martinez won't be that great? Not looking to argue, just curious about the thought process. While losing half his season to injury he did post a .713 OPS in AA as an 18 year old. Injury kept him from getting more than 230 AB and maybe really settling in.

Anything can happen, but he's still so young that I'm surprised someone can so easily write him off.

[bailiff]

Joba gets my vote. If for nothing else, he has a cool name.