Keith Law ranks Bundy #1 prospect, Machado #3

[Matt P]

His article is Insider only but you can see what he says about Bundy and Machado here: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7943635

[Zach]

During his chat he also said that Schoop would be a solid regular at the major league level. He doesn't think Machado sticks at SS though.

[CSPitt17130]

During his chat he also said that Schoop would be a solid regular at the major league level. He doesn't think Machado sticks at SS though.

Not quite what he said about Machado.

Jon V. (Cleveland, OH)

How do Profar, Machado and Lindor compare? How would you rank the three in each of the 5 major scouting categories?

Klaw (1:30 PM)

Profar and Lindor are no-doubt shortstops, both better runners than Machado. Machado is much bigger and I think he'll produce a lot more offense, but there's a non-negligible probability he moves to third base.

Law's quote from his new Top 25 prospects about Machado:

He still has more offensive upside than Profar given his power potential, but it's not a lock that Machado stays at short (I like his chances to do so), whereas Profar is a no-doubt shortstop. And Machado has been gradually heating up as the season has gone on, if we slice the small sample into tiny ones.

And Law's quote from the accompanying video about how the future looks bright for the Orioles because of Bundy and Machado (this quote specifically about Machado's ability to stay at short):

He's a 20-year-old in AA who's shown enough athleticism that it looks like there's a good chance he'll be able to stay at shortstop once he gets to the big leagues.

Law definitely accepts the possibility that Machado at some point moves to short, but he seems as confident as anyone that he can play shortstop for at least a while.

[Zach]

I don't have insider so I was just going by the chat. I interpreted the comment from the chat "non-negligable probability" as a sign that he didn't think he would stick at shortstop. The article definitely gives more room for hope that he can stick for at least a little while.

[CSPitt17130]

Law is continually the most optimistic about Machado's chances of sticking at short while still keeping in mind what would likely move him to third. Lots of people have seen Machado over the past year and a half and proclaimed that he's definitely a shortstop. However, the issue has always been how much he will grow over the next few years and whether his body will diminish his range too much. Law's comments on Machado sticking at short always address this issue unlike many other writers who only look at his glove-work and arm, which were never as much as a question as his range.

[A_K]

Saying there's a non-negligible chance he moves to short is Law's way of saying it's a reality that needs to be considered when evaluating Machado, but it isn't a huge concern at this point.