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Around SBN: USA Today / SB Nation Consensus MMA Rankings for October

BA on Schafer, Rohrbough, Pope, Campbell

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/264796.html

9. Jordan Schafer, of, high Class A Myrtle Beach (Braves)

Don't underestimate the power of Schafer, who had one of the best seasons in the minors and improved his stock in the Braves' system to become a shoe-in Top 10 pick in the 2008 Prospect Handbook. Schafer, who turned 21 today, had a very Grady Sizemore-like year in the Carolina League, batting .294/.354/.477 with 10 homers, 43 RBIs, 70 runs scored and 19 steals. Schafer wound up leading the minors in hits (176), and ranked among the overall leaders in doubles, extra-base hits and total bases.

18. Cole Rohrbough, lhp, low Class A Rome (Braves)

Rohrbough, a draft and follow pick in 2006, burst onto the scene in 2007 with Rookie-level Danville where he completely shut down Appalachian League hitters. In 33 innings he went 3-2, 1.08 with 58 strikeouts.
He was promoted to low Class A Rome on August 5 and went 2-0, 1.29 in 28 innings with 38 strikeouts to give him a 5-2, 1.17 line for the season.

Eric Campbell, 3b, high Class A Myrtle Beach (Braves) Van Pope, 3b, Double-A Mississippi (Braves)

No one in the minors received worse reports from scouts and field staff than Campbell this season. A solid third baseman with the ability to hit for average and power, Campbell isn't one to push himself to the limits and will probably never reach his ultimate ceiling. "The kid can hit, but he doesn't run--he doesn't hustle or bust his ass--for anybody," a scout from a National League club said earlier this year. Campbell was sent home from Hawaii Winter Baseball last season, and the Braves placed him on the suspended list and sent him home again three weeks ago. "He just doesn't give you anything," says one Carolina League manager. "It's frustrating, because he has all kinds of ability, but no heart. It makes you wonder if he even enjoys the game. I don't think he does."

In 298 at-bats this season for the Pelicans, Campbell hit just .221/.312/.406. The power numbers (14 homers, 13 doubles) were there, as was the plate discipline. Campbell just doesn't want to work hard. And that's not good for a guy Atlanta gave $500,000 as a second-round pick in 2004.

Pope is a completely different story, and lacking heart was anything but his problem en route to a season where he hit .223/.298/.340 in 421 at-bats at Double-A Mississippi. The M-Braves play in Pearl, Miss., a suburb of Pope's hometown of Jackson, and there was a large contingent of Pope supporters for every home game to root him on. The 23-year-old started pressing early, fell in a hole with his swing and never dug his way out. Managers who saw him hit .263 with 15 home runs in the CL last season predict a breakout year for Pope next season, but if he returns to Mississippi, he might want to put a limit on his friends and family who make it out to Trustmark Park.

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