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Comparison thread..

Who would you think had the highest upside when they were youngsters? Of course you can't use hindsight, knowing Cruz didn't exactly pan out. But he was touted as the next LF for the Jays, while Rios was seen as a 5-tool player.

Don't vote based on what they've turned out to be, but potential-wise when they were younger

I will have to go with Cruz on that one. When he first came into the league, I remember everyone saying how he was going to be an all star and all that.

He had some great seasons earlier in his career, while Rios is getting better with time.

There was certainly more hype surrounding Cruz, especially considering he came up in another organization, but I think alex has been viewed as a 'sky is the limit' type of player. With the skills hes got its not impossible to say that he may be an MVP one day

I think that with his size Rios had more upside than a guy like Cruz had back in his Blue Jays days.

But I gotta say that Rios kinda reminds me of Cruz but with a cannon as an arm and like you said he was tagged as a 5 tool player right from the gecko.

Cruz was drafted 3rd overall and Rios 19th, but in baseball I don't think that it really matters until you start developing the player.

stro4swift wrote:I think that with his size Rios had more upside than a guy like Cruz had back in his Blue Jays days.

I think that Rios' size, in my mind, made him appear as a brighter prospect. I don't remember too much of the hype surrounding Cruz Jr, but I've been excited about Rios for years now.

stro4swift wrote:But I gotta say that Rios kinda reminds me of Cruz but with a cannon as an arm and like you said he was tagged as a 5 tool player right from the gecko.

Cruz was drafted 3rd overall and Rios 19th, but in baseball I don't think that it really matters until you start developing the player.

Awesome.

RingItUp! wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
I think that Rios' size, in my mind, made him appear as a brighter prospect. I don't remember too much of the hype surrounding Cruz Jr, but I've been excited about Rios for years now.

I think there was a ton of hype surrounding Cruz Jr.. He was drafted 3rd overall, and had that "junior" at the end of his name, just like his fellow outfielder at the time. It's probably irrelevant anyway, but it did help his reputation a tad

Jose Cruz Jr. was WAY more highly touted than Rios. The media was hyping him and Griffey as being the next great outfield in Seattle. Cruz showed plate patience and power at a young age (in the minors) plus had the ability to play all OF positions. That was highway robbery by Gord Ash, but unfortunately, Cruz didn't pan out.

I believe Rios was rated a 2nd or 3rd round pick who the Jays picked in the 1st round primarily due to cost. He was an extremely raw player with great tools but it was questionable whether he could put everything together. Rios had more physical gifts than Cruz in terms of size and bat speed, but Cruz had a better chance of making it. So much for projectability, I guess. Rios looks like a Jermaine Dye type RF (good AVG and 30+ HR). Rios can also play CF, but that's a moot point with Wells on the team.

Overall, Cruz was a more highly rated prospect. In the end, Rios will likely end up being the better player when all is said and done.

Michael Bradley wrote:Jose Cruz Jr. was WAY more highly touted than Rios. The media was hyping him and Griffey as being the next great outfield in Seattle. Cruz showed plate patience and power at a young age (in the minors) plus had the ability to play all OF positions. That was highway robbery by Gord Ash, but unfortunately, Cruz didn't pan out.

I believe Rios was rated a 2nd or 3rd round pick who the Jays picked in the 1st round primarily due to cost. He was an extremely raw player with great tools but it was questionable whether he could put everything together. Rios had more physical gifts than Cruz in terms of size and bat speed, but Cruz had a better chance of making it. So much for projectability, I guess. Rios looks like a Jermaine Dye type RF (good AVG and 30+ HR). Rios can also play CF, but that's a moot point with Wells on the team.

Overall, Cruz was a more highly rated prospect. In the end, Rios will likely end up being the better player when all is said and done.

I don't really remember the hype surrounding Cruz in Seattle. I remember Griffey, of course, but not the other Cruz. It's too bad he didn't pan out.

MB, you mentioned how Ash ripped off the Mariners in the deal fro Cruz. Would you mind elaborating? I think the media has unfairly tarnished my memories of Ash and I like to get a fresh perspective every now and again.

If I recall correctly, Seattle needed bullpen help BADLY.. so they acquired Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric for the young Jose Cruz..

Cruz definitely had more hype. I remember before he was traded to us he was being heralded as the next great Mariner player and their star LF of the future. Rios on the other hand was a money saving pick and didn't really have any hype until he tore up AA (or was it AAA) and then looked like he was going to be a bust until last year.

From when they were younger, eh...

Rios is 26. Has played 1 full season batting .300 + by now. Is currently on pace for 30 HRs. Was an ALL-STAR already. This year in the AL he is currently 5th in games played, 3rd in at bats, 5th in runs, 9th in hits, 4th in total bases, 4th in home runs, 5th in extra base hits, 7th in put outs. MVP NUMBERS

When Cruz was 26...He was playing his 4th straight year of hitting under .255. He did hit 31 HRs that year. He also was top 10 in strike outs.


In my books 26 is pretty damn young for a baseball player..and the comparison here is really no comparison at all.

Is anyone else bothered by the fact that Gibbons doesn't have a set position in the lineup for Rios? It just seems he's just toying around, and plugging him wherever, it's frustrating me!!

It's like he just randomly chooses a slot, and puts him in. How can Rios develop an consistency like that, when next day, he could be anywhere from leadoff to 5th? I'd be a little PO'd about that, just being shuffled around, even when Rios is putting up "MVP Numbers" this season.

^most definitely...Not too sure why, but I get the feeling the organizaion isn't satisfied with his play...but just imagine what he can do with a full year in the #3 hole....35 HR, 120 RBI, .300, .900 OBP, 20 SB