It’s a tradition unlike any other — comparing and labeling prospects similarly to the players that came before them. After all, every baseball player is a product of what came before them, right? The stars of yesterday and today lay the groundwork for blue-chippers to come. Who hasn’t modeled their swing or delivery off of a role model before you?
As irresponsible as the exercise can be, it’s human nature. It’s hard not to try and predict what’s to come. Unless there’s something unprecedented coming from behind the curtain, how can one not try and draw parallels between the future and the past.