The Prospect/Minor Leagues Thread

[burlingtonbandit]

He's always been on the radar because he has MLB caliber tools, this is just the 1st year he has put it together. In terms of Jays' prospects I have him around the 10th spot. If he moves to 2B, where I feel his tools play much better, than I think he'll get more attention. As The Dude said a little lower, doesn't have the bat for LF, may not be good enough to stick in CF at the MLB level.

 

And I will say exactly what I said to someone else: A .275/.340/.415 LF with average to above average defence is still pretty valuable. Just because he doesn't hit 20 HR doesn't mean he can't be a MLB LF.

 

A 3 WAR LF is very valuable no matter if he does it with an average to above avg bat and above average defence than a Melky Cabrera who hits really well and plays bad defence.

[DuckDuckGose]

Does he have any experience at 2B?

 

I know he's taken reps there with the Jays. He hasn't had any game time. Very athletic build, great lines in the field and has crazy hands. Looks like an infielder out there. IMO would be a question of getting the footwork down but as I;ve said for years I love his tool set just not in the OF.

[DuckDuckGose]

And I will say exactly what I said to someone else: A .275/.340/.415 LF with average to above average defence is still pretty valuable. Just because he doesn't hit 20 HR doesn't mean he can't be a MLB LF.

 

A 3 WAR LF is very valuable no matter if he does it with an average to above avg bat and above average defence than a Melky Cabrera who hits really well and plays bad defence.

 

There is no reason to assume he's going to play plus LF defense. He could just be average, or close to it, in a corner. If that's the case then he's probably closer to replacement level.

[burlingtonbandit]

There is no reason to assume he's going to play plus LF defense. He could just be average, or close to it, in a corner. If that's the case then he's probably closer to replacement level.

 

Well if he is playing CF now I would assume he has decent range. By his scouting reports coming out it sounded like he was pretty athletic. We won't really know until he moves up in the system.

[DuckDuckGose]

Well if he is playing CF now I would assume he has decent range. By his scouting reports coming out it sounded like he was pretty athletic. We won't really know until he moves up in the system.

 

It's a fairly safe assumption but it's not a given. The organization would have a lot more information to use in this regard then we do.

 

I wonder if he will play 2B in the AFL.

 

I'd love to see it. Maybe we can get someone to plant the seed in DSJ's head. Anyone have him on Twitter mind asking if he's considered it? Probably his shortest path to the majors...

[burlingtonbandit]

It's a fairly safe assumption but it's not a given. The organization would have a lot more information to use in this regard then we do.

 

The scouting reports out of high school had him as an average runner with great routes in the outfield FWIW.

 

 

Maybe the Blue Jays worked him out at 2nd and didn't like what they saw in the workouts so just left him in the OF?

[nmrch]

Leftfield being a premium power position(or premium offensive position) is another one of those useless Baseball myths that people like to repeat but have no idea what it actually means. Its true that its easier to find offence among corner outfielders but it doesn't mean you have to a very good hitter to be a good overall player at those positions.

[Orgfiller]

Leftfield being a premium power position(or premium offensive position) is another one of those useless Baseball myths that people like to repeat but have no idea what it actually means. Its true that its easier to find offence among corner outfielders but it doesn't mean you have to a very good hitter to be a good overall player at those positions.

The players are supposed to be good offensively because the positional adjustment makes players lose a lot of value on defense, so it's generally a position where you can put butchers in because it's easier to play (see: Matt Holliday), not that there are exceptions, like Alex Gordon and Brett Gardner, and even those guys are above average offensive players.

[burlingtonbandit]

The players are supposed to be good offensively because the positional adjustment makes players lose a lot of value on defense, so it's generally a position where you can put butchers in because it's easier to play (see: Matt Holliday), not that there are exceptions, like Alex Gordon and Brett Gardner, and even those guys are above average offensive players.

 

He does make a point though. You don't have to have a lot of power to play LF and have a lot of value. The one thing DWJ looks like he can do is hit and if he can hit .280 with a .350 OBP he doesn't really need much HR power to be valuable.

[burlingtonbandit]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/afl/club.jsp?team_id=555

 

So as of now the Blue Jays players listed on the Mesa Solar Sox of the AFL are Pompey, DSJ and Berti. No pitchers on the roster as of yet.

[nmrch]

The players are supposed to be good offensively because the positional adjustment makes players lose a lot of value on defense, so it's generally a position where you can put butchers in because it's easier to play (see: Matt Holliday), not that there are exceptions, like Alex Gordon and Brett Gardner, and even those guys are above average offensive players.

 

ofcourse you lose some value because of positional adjustment but the amount of offence required to put up a 2 WAR season even as a left fielder isn't as high as people think. I'm guessing even a ~95 wRC+ guy who plays above average defence, is above average on the bases and someone who can stay healthy and doesn't need a platoon partner can be a valuable player. DSJ has shown he has potential with his hit tool and approach at the plate and his defence isn't otherworldly but there's reason to believe it can be above average in left, so like someone said before he doesn't have to 25 HR(or even 20) to be a solid option in left field

[spats]

AA did mention Nolin and possibly Osuna.

[Angrioter]

Leftfield being a premium power position(or premium offensive position) is another one of those useless Baseball myths that people like to repeat but have no idea what it actually means. Its true that its easier to find offence among corner outfielders but it doesn't mean you have to a very good hitter to be a good overall player at those positions.

 

In my neighborhood, If you was fatty boy, can't run well but good hitter we assigned you to the LF or 1B

[GNick49]

Leftfield being a premium power position(or premium offensive position) is another one of those useless Baseball myths that people like to repeat but have no idea what it actually means. Its true that its easier to find offence among corner outfielders but it doesn't mean you have to a very good hitter to be a good overall player at those positions.

 

I would aim for team to have best outfield possible. The best teams we ever had here had great outfields. Both the '85 and '92 Jays had most wins ever here with best outfields we ever had. Bell/Moseby/Barfield or Devo/Carter/Winfield. Those teams had stars elsewhere but holes in lineup also. Manny Lee and Gruber, Borders on infield, or Mulliniks with Garcia and Upshaw. Not like those guys were all-stars.

[Mikeleelop]

Could someone post

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=24516

 

Mesa Solar Sox

 

 

 

Affiliated Teams: Cubs, Angels, A’s, Blue Jays, Nationals

 

 

 

What I’m Watching For: The development of power in hitting prospects is one of the biggest wildcards and the hardest things to predict, which is why it’s always fun to watch the guys who already have it. The Solar Sox lineup will consist of two first baseman, Matt Olson and Dan Vogelbach, who have it in droves and like to show it off. Olson has flown under the radar this season in his challenge of Kris Bryant and Joey Gallo for the mino-league home run crown, and it appears he’s going to fall just a few knocks short. Imagine how many he could have hit if he had swung a few more times during some of his 111 walks. Vogelbach’s power is still learning to rear its head in games, but I saw a power display from him this season that was better than any I saw all year (one game, two bombs to left-center in an extremely pitcher-friendly park). It will be fun to see what this pair can do in the dry desert air.

[burlingtonbandit]

AA did mention Nolin and possibly Osuna.

 

It will be really exciting if Osuna does go down because he will be one of if not the youngest player there. It'll be nice to see some of these guys since MLB network carries most of the games.

[burlingtonbandit]

ofcourse you lose some value because of positional adjustment but the amount of offence required to put up a 2 WAR season even as a left fielder isn't as high as people think. I'm guessing even a ~95 wRC+ guy who plays above average defence, is above average on the bases and someone who can stay healthy and doesn't need a platoon partner can be a valuable player. DSJ has shown he has potential with his hit tool and approach at the plate and his defence isn't otherworldly but there's reason to believe it can be above average in left, so like someone said before he doesn't have to 25 HR(or even 20) to be a solid option in left field

 

Well Dustin Ackley has a 98wRC+ while being above average in the field and a tick above average on the bases and has put up 1.8 WAR. Matt Holliday has a 122wRC+ while being below average in the field and has provided -0.7 runs of BSR. He has 2.1 WAR while having an extra 100 PA. Pretty equal value and one is your prototypical LF while the other doesn't hit very well but still gives you the same value and at a much lower price.

[DuckDuckGose]

Well Dustin Ackley has a 98wRC+ while being above average in the field and a tick above average on the bases and has put up 1.8 WAR. Matt Holliday has a 122wRC+ while being below average in the field and has provided -0.7 runs of BSR. He has 2.1 WAR while having an extra 100 PA. Pretty equal value and one is your prototypical LF while the other doesn't hit very well but still gives you the same value and at a much lower price.

 

Silly example seeing as Holliday is an MVP calibre player in a down year.

[DuckDuckGose]

Leftfield being a premium power position(or premium offensive position) is another one of those useless Baseball myths that people like to repeat but have no idea what it actually means. Its true that its easier to find offence among corner outfielders but it doesn't mean you have to a very good hitter to be a good overall player at those positions.

 

Run differential is key but you still need to score runs to win.

[GD]

Silly example seeing as Holliday is an MVP calibre player in a down year.

 

Matt Holliday is not MVP calibre

[Angrioter]

Miguelito Castro

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/39/files/2014/05/Miguel-Castro.jpg

 

19 years old? lol

http://torontoobserver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Castro.jpg

[DuckDuckGose]

Matt Holliday is not MVP calibre

 

One of the best bats in the league. He's finished top 15 in MVP voting 4 times. Huge bat, silly to compare Ackley to him in a down year.

[GD]

One of the best bats in the league. He's finished top 15 in MVP voting 4 times. Huge bat, silly to compare Ackley to him in a down year.

 

The point of the comparison was that even though Holliday's bat is so good, other skill sets can equate to the same value even if they're non-traditional

 

Brett Gardner pre-HR outburst is a good example

[DuckDuckGose]

The point of the comparison was that even though Holliday's bat is so good, other skill sets can equate to the same value even if they're non-traditional

 

Brett Gardner pre-HR outburst is a good example

 

Ackley isn't close to Gardner either. We all know about the value of saving runs. You still need to score to win. Which is why you need premium bats in your lineup. Far easier to find a big bat LFer than virtually every other position. Additionally its near impossible to find a player who can impact a game defensivly in left.

[burlingtonbandit]

Ackley isn't close to Gardner either. We all know about the value of saving runs. You still need to score to win. Which is why you need premium bats in your lineup. Far easier to find a big bat LFer than virtually every other position. Additionally its near impossible to find a player who can impact a game defensivly in left.

 

The Matt Holliday example was about hs value this year, not his career. Use Michael Morse instead then who has only put up 1 WAR with a 135wRC+ in more PA than Ackley. Value is value no matter what position you play. Alex Gordon doesn't have to be the best hitter in the MLB to be one of the most valuable players in the MLB because he provides value through defence and baserunning.

 

All I am saying is it is stupid to say DSJ is not a good prospect because he doesn't hit for enough power to play LF. If he hits for a high average and gets on base at an above average rate while being average on the bases and good in the field he will be a valuable player.

[burlingtonbandit]

Miguelito Castro

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/39/files/2014/05/Miguel-Castro.jpg

 

19 years old? lol

http://torontoobserver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Castro.jpg

 

looks like a bigger, older version of Pompey lol. Same kind of face.

[burlingtonbandit]

If Pompey was a bit darker they would look very similar

[Angrioter]

looks like a bigger, older version of Pompey lol. Same kind of face.

 

Or http://torontoobserver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Castro.jpg http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/radhames_liz_autograph.jpg Radhames Liz

[DuckDuckGose]

The Matt Holliday example was about hs value this year, not his career. Use Michael Morse instead then who has only put up 1 WAR with a 135wRC+ in more PA than Ackley. Value is value no matter what position you play. Alex Gordon doesn't have to be the best hitter in the MLB to be one of the most valuable players in the MLB because he provides value through defence and baserunning.

 

All I am saying is it is stupid to say DSJ is not a good prospect because he doesn't hit for enough power to play LF. If he hits for a high average and gets on base at an above average rate while being average on the bases and good in the field he will be a valuable player.

 

 

And all I'm saying is is stupid to think that he's gong to be an impact defensive LFer. The are like 5 players in each league that can do that.

[GD]

And all I'm saying is is stupid to think that he's gong to be an impact defensive LFer. The are like 5 players in each league that can do that.

 

he's not saying that