The Prospect/Minor Leagues Thread

[GD]

I feel like Mitch Nay could have a really big year next year. Maybe some of those doubles go over the fence.

[ElNik2013]

I feel like Mitch Nay could have a really big year next year. Maybe some of those doubles go over the fence.

 

 

I feel like he will break out at some point. He had a solid year, it's just that more was expected of him.

 

If it happens next year, along with Pentecost and Hoffman (hopefully both fully healthy), the system will look really good. Not to mention Osuna and Castro with a chance to be promoted to AA.

[Laika]

MLB team disappointments aside, the minor league system is producing quite a bit to be excited about. The amount of high-end rookies and sophomores that will make an MLB impact in 2015 is pretty exciting.

 

Stroman

Sanchez

Norris

Pompey

Graveman

 

Granted, Graveman is more of a high-floor guy, but he's pretty intriguing to me. Has gotten like 60% GB rates in the minors and he pounds the zone with decent stuff. Could end up like a Dallas Kuechel or Henderson Alvarez. I mean, I could totally see a version of this universe unfolding where Graveman is an unsexy middle rotation SP that consistently out-WARz sexy clozer A-a-ron Sanchez.

 

Now, imagine if that above list of names included young guns like Handsome Jake, Synderlaander, and Travis "needs to drink moar melk" d'Arnaud.

[Laika]

Hell knowing AA, he might try and unload half of those guys for Verlander in the offseason since hes a tall guy who used to have great stuff on a nice expensive contract that will never be good value from this point on.

 

Knowing Rogers, I doubt it, because the Blue Jays will be "building from within" for the next decade due to "payroll parameters".

[Laika]

I don't think Rogers is cheap, its just that when your spending almost $50 million next year on Reyes, Buerhle and Romero it shows you why we don't really get great bang for our buck.

 

The money was spent in a very stupid way, but Rogers really just saw an impending PR nightmare based on the increased TV money and their sweet position of owning the team and network, so they threw the team and the fans a one-time $40 million dollar cookie to effectively smother all criticism for the next decade or so. Everything since then has indicated that there is absolutely no more money to spend, not even what we would define as "wiggle room". I really think the payroll will fail to rise in the next ~5 years or whatever, and Toronto's position in the top 10 payrolls will slip and slip as other teams spend according to income, until Toronto is back down into the 20's and Rogers senses with their social media analysts that payroll discontent is reaching a level yet again where it needs to be quenched with a brilliantly timed token financial cookie.

[ElNik2013]

The money was spent in a very stupid way, but Rogers really just saw an impending PR nightmare based on the increased TV money and their sweet position of owning the team and network, so they threw the team and the fans a one-time $40 million dollar cookie to effectively smother all criticism for the next decade or so. Everything since then has indicated that there is absolutely no more money to spend, not even what we would define as "wiggle room". I really think the payroll will fail to rise in the next ~5 years or whatever, and Toronto's position in the top 10 payrolls will slip and slip as other teams spend according to income, until Toronto is back down into the 20's and Rogers senses with their social media analysts that payroll discontent is reaching a level yet again where it needs to be quenched with a brilliantly timed token financial cookie.

 

 

I think you bring up a point that adds to a point I've made which is that they didn't want to go into 2013 with a team that would've been expected to lose 90 to maybe 100 games. As it turns out, they ended up losing 88, but had lots of interest going into the season and lots of ticket were presold. Had they not made the splashes they made, I think it's fair to say that they wouldn't have sold as many tickets as they did.

 

Anyway...

[ElNik2013]

MLB team disappointments aside, the minor league system is producing quite a bit to be excited about. The amount of high-end rookies and sophomores that will make an MLB impact in 2015 is pretty exciting.

 

Stroman

Sanchez

Norris

Pompey

Graveman

 

Granted, Graveman is more of a high-floor guy, but he's pretty intriguing to me. Has gotten like 60% GB rates in the minors and he pounds the zone with decent stuff. Could end up like a Dallas Kuechel or Henderson Alvarez. I mean, I could totally see a version of this universe unfolding where Graveman is an unsexy middle rotation SP that consistently out-WARz sexy clozer A-a-ron Sanchez.

 

Now, imagine if that above list of names included young guns like Handsome Jake, Synderlaander, and Travis "needs to drink moar melk" d'Arnaud.

 

 

 

Now, on top of imagining if that list of names included the names you listed, remember that had the team not made the moves it made for 2013, it would've likely gotten a top 5 pick in this past draft so you can add one of those draftees to your list. On the other hand, the team would've had much lower attendance and tv ratings which ultimately is what its owners most care about.

[kgm1]

SRF scouting report

 

8. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp, Blue Jays

Sean Reid-Foley (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode).

 

Sean Reid-Foley (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode).

 

Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 220. Drafted: HS—Jacksonville (2).

 

Reid-Foley had first-round buzz heading into the draft, but the Blue Jays were able to get him in the second round and sign him for $1,128,800. Toronto restricted his workload, allowing him to throw more than three innings in only one of his nine appearances, but he did enough to make an impression around the league.

 

Reid-Foley’s arm action concerns some scouts, but he repeats his delivery and throws strikes. He attacks hitters aggressively with a lively fastball that sits 92-95 mph and can reach 97. He throws an out-pitch in his tight mid-80s slider, an above-average offering when he stays on top of the ball, though he does get around it at times. He hasn’t needed his changeup much yet, but he shows feel to develop it into at least an average pitch. With three average to plus pitches and solid strike-throwing ability, he has the makings of a potential mid-rotation starter or better.

W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG

1 2 4.76 9 6 0 23 21 12 12 0 10 25 .244

[kgm1]

Appy League

 

A trio of exciting shortstops—Danville’s Ozhaino Albies, Gordon and Bluefield’s Richard Urena—headline the list and are a defined top tier of prospects. All had supporters for their case as the No. 1 prospect in the league, but the 17-year-old Albies separated himself as the youngest player in the league, and the best with the glove and because of his precocious contact ability.

 

Though the Appy League champion came out of the Western Division (Johnson City), the East boasted a bountiful batch of prospects that included 16 of the 20 to make the list. Burlington placed more prospects on the list than any other team with five, including a trio of 2014 draftees who signed for more than a million dollars (lefthander Foster Griffin, catcher Chase Vallot and righthander Scott Blewett) and a million-dollar international signee in Italian shortstop Marten Gasparini.

[kgm1]

3. Richard Urena, ss, Bluefield (Blue Jays)

 

Age: 18. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 170. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012.

 

One of three prominent shortstop prospects working his way through the lower rungs of the Blue Jays system, Urena signed for $725,000 the same years as Franklin Barreto and one year after Dawel Lugo.

 

A natural lefthanded hitter, Urena began switch-hitting this spring and impressed with his bat. He has above-average bat speed with an easy stroke, and he works inside the ball with the ability to consistently drive the ball to the opposite field. He still is working to make his load and stride more consistent, having used a few different strides this season, but he has natural feel for the barrel. His gap-to-gap power projects to fringe-average.

 

The athletic Urena has all the physical attributes to remain at shortstop, but he will need to cut down on his defensive miscues after logging a .917 fielding percentage that was one of the lowest of all qualified shortstops. But he has quick-twitch athleticism and smooth actions in addition to a plus arm with a quick release. He is an average to tick better runner who will need to improve his basestealing efficiency after stealing at a 55.5 percent clip.

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG

217 35 69 15 2 2 20 16 51 5 4 .318 .363 .433

[nmrch]

Am i the only one who's more excited about Jansen than those other guys? He wasn't young for the Appy and he missed some games to injury but those numbers are awesome, showed everything, contact, power and discipline, and reports about his defence when he was drafted make me excited

[Atothe]

Am i the only one who's more excited about Jansen than those other guys? He wasn't young for the Appy and he missed some games to injury but those numbers are awesome, showed everything, contact, power and discipline, and reports about his defence when he was drafted make me excited

 

I think so. Urena, Smoral and Borucki are really talented. Jansen kind of came out of nowhere

[GD]

I'm certainly excited about Dan Jansen, but I really can't get behind liking him more than Urena, Smoral or Borucki.

[ace3113]

Ace, can you post Smoral/Borucki/Jansen/Becerra, or did they not have a report on them in the article (possibly only did top 3 or 5?).

 

I don't usually subscribe after the draft. You'll have to ask kgm1.

[kgm1]

Sorry Guys I,m having problems with my copy and paste. My Mac wants to do the whole article or nothing. I,ll keep working thru it. Patience

 

 

 

7. Matt Smoral, lhp, Bluefield (Blue Jays)

 

Age: 20. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-8. Wt.: 220. Drafted: HS—Solon, Ohio, 2012 (1s).

 

One of the top lefthanders for the 2012 draft, Smoral was injured that spring but still commanded $2 million as a Blue Jays sandwich pick. A series of injuries and a lack of strike-throwing ability limited him to 26 innings entering this season, when he logged the most innings of his pro career (54).

 

Smoral has the potential to pitch in the front half of a rotation but will need to improve his control and changeup to reach his upside. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound southpaw has an extra-large frame and improved his athleticism and flexibility when he lost weight over the last year. His fastball sat 89-93 mph and touched 95 with above-average life when down in the zone. His slider was one of the best breaking balls in the Appy League and has at least plus potential, as he varies the shape of the offering.

 

Smoral used his changeup sparingly early in the season but began to integrate the offering into game action more towards the end of the season, playing as below-average while flashing average at its best. His swing-and-miss stuff produced the highest strikeout rate in the league (13.6 per nine innings), though his control remains below-average (4.8 walks per nine). He made significant improvements with his delivery this season, smoothing his arm action that is looser and quicker while getting better extension from a longer stride and working over the ball more consistently. If his control does not improve, Smoral will likely fit in the back of a bullpen.

W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG

2 3 3.48 9 5 0 34 31 15 13 0 18 51 .230

[kgm1]

12. Ryan Borucki, lhp, Bluefield (Blue Jays)

 

Age: 20. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 175. Drafted: HS—Mundelein, Ill., 2012 (15).

 

There was uncertainty surrounding Borucki’s health in the spring of his senior season after suffering an elbow injury doctors thought would require Tommy John surgery. Borucki elected for rehab and went in 15th round, then signed for third-round money. He would up having Tommy John surgery, which kept him from pitching last season. In his return, Borucki teamed in the Bluefield rotation with another 2012 overslot prep lefthander from the Midwest who has had injuries troubles, Matt Smoral.

 

Borucki showed polish and strike-throwing ability, producing the lowest walk rate (1.6 per nine) and highest strikeout-walk rate (5.0) of any lefthander in the league, starter or reliever. He projects for at least average control with a chance to be plus. His delivery has improved significantly, and he throws with significantly less effort from his loose, quick arm, while working over the ball more and not leaking with his hips.

 

Borucki’s fastball was 90-94 early in the season and sat 88-92, touching 94 later in the season. He relies on his two-seamer that has at least average sink and arm-side run. Borucki demonstrates advanced feel for a changeup with plus potential. His curveball is a below-average to fringe-average offering, and Borucki could begin throwing a slider this offseason. He has a starter’s build at a lanky 6-foot-4 with a high waist and significant projection remaining.

W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG

2 1 2.70 8 6 0 33 26 11 10 2 6 30 .211

[kgm1]

Ace, can you post Smoral/Borucki/Jansen/Becerra, or did they not have a report on them in the article (possibly only did top 3 or 5?).

 

 

BA always gives scouting reports on all their league top twentys

[kgm1]

I don't usually get too excited about Appy league prospects as I want to see guys preform in full season ball before going overboard but we are so f***ing desperate for a catcher that you have to like this guy.

 

16. Dan Jansen, c, Bluefield (Blue Jays)

 

Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 215. Drafted: HS—Appleton, Wis., 2013 (16).

 

Jansen has impressed evaluators in pro ball and has the potential to develop into a two-way catcher after signing for $100,000. He shows surprising refinement to his game despite his roots in Wisconsin, which has produced just four high school position players to reach the major leagues in the last four decades.

 

He has strong hand-eye coordination and feel for the strike zone, striking out only one more time (11.6 percent) than he walked (11.0) this summer after walking more than twice as frequently as he struck out in his pro debut last year. Jansen entered the season in great physical shape with a strong, muscular 6-foot-2, 215-pound build. He produces plus bat speed with a swing oriented to the pull side. He projects to hit for at least 15 home runs annually.

 

Jansen projects to be at least an average defender behind the plate with a chance to be above-average because of his receiving skills. He drew praise for his ability to handle a staff, blocking and receiving. He has average pure arm strength but needs to quicken his release to allow it to play as average in game action.

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG

124 22 35 10 0 5 17 16 17 2 1 .282 .390 .484

[kgm1]

I came

 

Got to love the above average bat speed and chance to be an above average defender. Hopefully he is in Lansing and does well next year

[kgm1]

I'm certainly excited about Dan Jansen, but I really can't get behind liking him more than Urena, Smoral or Borucki.

 

 

A lot to like about Urena. Did you read where they said that all 3 SS prospects had first place voters . I liked Nick Gorden in the draft a lot and he is the same age

[Jimcanuck]

Moreta is huge.... maybe Ang can tell us about that kid

[kgm1]

Interesting AFL news THE STARS: Cubs SS Addison Russell (No. 5 on the midseason Top 50) is one of the best prospects in the game. He’ll be adding some final polish as he gets ready to join the Cubs’ growing youth movement, and he’ll rejoin former Athletics organization teammates such as 1B Matt Olson and SS Daniel Robertson. Blue Jays breakout prospect Dalton Pompey highlights the group’s outfield and won’t turn 22 until December.

 

INTERESTING: Angels 3B Kaleb Cowart is in his protection year for the 40-man roster. The 2010 first-round pick has hit .223 the last two seasons (over 913 at-bats) at Double-A Arkansas, with 12 home runs and 217 strikeouts. The Angels have room on a soft 40-man roster to protect him, but he has not lived up to expectations. In better Angels news, RHP Dan Reynolds has bumped his velocity up to the upper 90s since a move to the bullpen, and has allowed only one home run in 62 innings this season. The Blue Jays have four pitching spots yet to be filled; they’re currently TBA.

 

 

Jays 4 pitching spots . Any one heard any thing?

[kgm1]

Arik Sikula, Roberto Osuna, Blake McFarland and Sean Nolin for pitchers

 

Sean Ochinko ©, Jon Berti (UTI), DSJ (OF), Dalton Pompey (CF)

 

Thx, figured Osuna and Nolin just to get the innings

[burlingtonbandit]

I don't usually get too excited about Appy league prospects as I want to see guys preform in full season ball before going overboard but we are so f***ing desperate for a catcher that you have to like this guy.

 

16. Dan Jansen, c, Bluefield (Blue Jays)

 

Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 215. Drafted: HS—Appleton, Wis., 2013 (16).

 

 

Jansen has impressed evaluators in pro ball and has the potential to develop into a two-way catcher after signing for $100,000. He shows surprising refinement to his game despite his roots in Wisconsin, which has produced just four high school position players to reach the major leagues in the last four decades.

 

He has strong hand-eye coordination and feel for the strike zone, striking out only one more time (11.6 percent) than he walked (11.0) this summer after walking more than twice as frequently as he struck out in his pro debut last year. Jansen entered the season in great physical shape with a strong, muscular 6-foot-2, 215-pound build. He produces plus bat speed with a swing oriented to the pull side. He projects to hit for at least 15 home runs annually.

 

Jansen projects to be at least an average defender behind the plate with a chance to be above-average because of his receiving skills. He drew praise for his ability to handle a staff, blocking and receiving. He has average pure arm strength but needs to quicken his release to allow it to play as average in game action.

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG

124 22 35 10 0 5 17 16 17 2 1 .282 .390 .484

 

 

The best part of this write up is the plus receiving skills. They make it sound like they bumped him from above avg to avg current skills because of the arm. IMO a catcher's arm is the most overrated skill compared to actual value it produces. Give me a plus receiver and below average arm over an average receiver and plus plus arm behind the plate. Most SB are off a pitcher anyways...

[Atothe]

Mitch Nay is a big boy, cue Pat tabler's strooooong adlibs

[tercet]

From left to right

 

Some Guy - Moreta (DSL) - Kelly (GCL) - Urena (BLU) - Barreto (VAN) - Nay (LAN) - DSJ (DUN) - Berti (NH) - Pillar (BUF) - Some Guy

 

Some Guy Left is Charlie Wilson, my former hockey coach from about 15 years ago lol

[kgm1]

 

Barreto is short

 

 

It is talent like this , Something we never had under the previous two GM,s that make me wonder why everyone wants AA,s head. Hell he traded higher ceiling talent than JP Retarded ever developed.

[Frenchsoup]

It is talent like this , Something we never had under the previous two GM,s that make me wonder why everyone wants AA,s head. Hell he traded higher ceiling talent than JP Retarded ever developed.

 

Because he can't build a proper baseball team, and his evaluations are terrible.

[GD]

It is talent like this , Something we never had under the previous two GM,s that make me wonder why everyone wants AA,s head. Hell he traded higher ceiling talent than JP Retarded ever developed.

 

Jon Berti, Kevin Pillar

 

"high ceiling talent"

[kgm1]

Jon Berti, Kevin Pillar

 

"high ceiling talent"

 

Did I say all of them were high ceiling