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In my recent keeper league player draft, where we draft NL minor league prospects, I had the choice where I could either select Cameron Maybin or Jordan Schafer. In looking at both players, they both have a clear path on their way to the major leagues. In Maybin, the stop gap for the Marlins is Cody Ross and Alejandro DeAza. In Atlanta, the stop gap is Gregor Blanco and Mark Kotsay. I feel as both will be base stealing threats at the major league level, but Maybin will clearly be the better base stealer capable of Carl Crawford type numbers. The bottom line here in my selection is do I go with the safe pick and trust the Braves organization with developing Schafer, or do I go for the glamor pick in Maybin who is on the Marlins watch. I went for the safe pick as Maybin reminds me of a Carl Crawford with more power. The bottom line is how he develops as which path he takes.

Cameron Maybin from Ashville, NC - 1st Round (10th overall) 2005

Minor Leage Splits 2007:

SeaWolves (AA) @ Erie .310/.401/.503
Flying Tigers (A Adv. ) @ Lakeland .400/.538/1.050
GCL Tigers (R) @ GCL Tiger .571/.667 /.571

Jordan Schafer from Winter Haven, FL - 3rd Round (107th overall) of 2005

Minor League Splits 2007:

Javelinas (AFL ) @Peoria .324/.395/.429
Pelicans (A Adv.) @ Myrtle Beach .294 /.355/.481
Braves (A) @Rome .361/.433 /.617

Keith Law on Maybin: “his swing is long and gets out of control, and he glides through it at times, leaving him swinging off his front foot and generating less than maximum power. He crushes fastballs, but needs to improve his recognition of and adjustment to offspeed stuff. Even if his contact issues don’t go away, he’s a plus glove in center with a strong arm and 30-plus homer potential, which would make him an above-average regular with star potential if he can stay back at the plate and do a better job of recognizing offspeed pitches.”

Keith Law On Schafer: “He is an excellent athlete and has the strength in his arms to hit for average and power, but he has some mechanical issues. His load at the plate is a little too deep, and he doesn’t have the bat speed to overcome it, so he commits early and often ends up way out in front. He also gets too pull-conscious in games, despite showing a good whole-field approach in batting practice. On the plus side, the ball comes off his bat well, and if he can shorten up his swing, he should see improvement in his contact and long-term in his power output. He plays a strong center field with an above-average arm. I don’t project him as a top-shelf center fielder right now, but he is ranked this high because he has the physical tools to become one with some work on his swing.
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Kevin Goldstein On Maybin: “Maybin is a tantalizing package of tools with 30/30 potential. Let’s hope the Marlins don’t rush him too much and instead let him work on his contact issues.”

Kevin Goldstein on Schaffer : “One of the best defensive center fielders in the minors took a larger step forward than any other prospect in the game last year, showing power, speed, and a patient approach.”