The Prospect/Minor Leagues Thread

[theblujay]

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=25880

 

It would be pretty crazy if Alford turned into something after all this time in football. Cant wait to see what happens with a bunch of these guys this year in the minors.

[HERPDERP]

It would be pretty crazy if Alford turned into something after all this time in football. Cant wait to see what happens with a bunch of these guys this year in the minors.

 

What I like is that this guy is athletic and is still very patient with good discipline.

 

This isn't some chum who is athletic but just wants to swing for the fences everytime.

[GoldBull]

Where do we think Alford starts the season? Lansing?

[Mikeleelop]

Baseball America Farm Rankings

 

10. Toronto Blue Jays

 

2014 Rank: 15. 2013 Rank: 15.

 

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Daniel Norris, lhp (18) 6. Max Pentecost, c

2. Aaron Sanchez, rhp (27) 7. Roberto Osuna, rhp

3. Jeff Hoffman, rhp (69) 8. Richard Urena, ss

4. Dalton Pompey, of (30) 9. Miguel Castro, rhp

5. Devon Travis, 2b 10. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp

 

How They Got Here: Toronto’s high-risk, high-reward draft strategy and aggressive pursuit of international talent in recent years has paid off with a strong farm system as players such as Daniel Norris (expected) and Dalton Pompey (unexpected) have developed. The Jays have intriguing young power arms, such as Roberto Osuna and Miguel Castro, even after trading plenty of prospects in previous offseasons.

 

High-Ceiling Sleeper: OF Lane Thomas has speed and strong baseball makeup, which the Jays hope to use to move him to the infield. He has the arm strength for third base, but second base might make more sense in the short term. His bat should be ready for a full-season shot in 2015.

 

2015 Rookies: Is any contender more dependent on rookies than Toronto? Top prospects Norris and Aaron Sanchez could comprise 40 percent of the rotation. Pompey and Devon Travis were both expected to win starting jobs at up-the-middle positions. Castro’s strong spring could lead to a spot in the bullpen.

[Mikeleelop]

from BA chat today with John Manuel

 

Mikeleelop (416): The BlueJays may have 6 of their top ten prospects make the opening day roster. Has this happened before, especially on a team that thinks it can contend this season??

 

John Manuel: I would be stunned by that frankly, though in the writeup, I noted how it's hard to remember a contender being more reliant on rookies than Toronto is this year. It's also all the more glaring considering that (a) none of their rookies are Cuban or Japanese, i.e., older and basically MLB free agent types, ( rookies generally are finding it harder to put up big numbers these days if they are not Cubans or Japanese FA types, and © these rookies are going to be asked to play critical roles for Toronto. That said, I've heard raves from scouts this spring on Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez. I'm a Dalton Pompey fan and recall scouts putting potential 80 grades on his defense, and I think there's some juice in his swing as well. How a Canadian kid with his tools lasted until the 16th round is kind of beyond me. Ben Badler has long been a Devon Travis fan and Ben's going to be proven right there, and I love Miguel Castro's story and liked the reports we got on his stuff last fall when I helped report the short-season Northwest League. I'd have to research if it happened before; I'd have to imagine the B-Ref play index would be useful to search out past productive rookie classes. But I do recall the Rockies having 3 rookies debut on Opening Day 2004, believe it was Ryan Speier, Jeff Baker and Cory Sullivan, all making their debuts on the same day, all signed by the same scout, Jay Matthews, now a Rox crosschecker. Not top 100 guys but 3 rookies on Opening Day was pretty intriguing.

[Angrioter]

Rowdy Tellez 3-runs dinger 1st ST pitch

[McDude]

anyone know where/if norris/sanchez/pompey placed on keith laws top 50 prospect update?

[McDude]

18. Daniel Norris, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays

Norris has looked incredible this spring, although to be fair and balanced about it, stuff has never really been Norris' issue. Command has, and to his credit, he has improved in that department from "hide your kids, hide your wife" to potentially average in just a few short years. He has three plus pitches just about every time he takes the mound, and I expect him to spend the bulk of the year in the Jays' rotation.

 

43. Dalton Pompey, CF, Toronto Blue Jays

Pompey appears set to be the Jays' full-time center fielder on Opening Day, a job for which his glove is certainly ready. I think his bat is advanced enough for him to be able to contribute on offense as well, as his at-bats are so good that he should still post a solid OBP even if he's not making as much hard contact as he will after another year or so of reps.

 

49. Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

Marcus Stroman's devastating injury created an opportunity for Sanchez to return to the rotation, and catcher Russell Martin is trying to get Sanchez to extend better over his front side, which will help make his breaking stuff sharper and keep his fastball from catching too much of the heart of the strike zone. He has Norris-level upside if he can make those adjustments and reincorporate his changeup into his repertoire.

 

Awesome, Thanks!

[ElNik2013]

Anyone know where Boyd and Cole will start 2015? I would think NH which could mean a quick promotion to Buffalo with a good start.

[Brenner]

With 6 prospects making the team this year, who's left of note?

[Atothe]

With 6 prospects making the team this year, who's left of note?

 

Smith jr, Hoffman, Smoral, Urena, Boyd, Alford, Thomas, Hollon (coming back from tjs), Reid-foley, Tellez, Brentz, Perdomo, Cole. Quite frankly a s*** ton. Forget Borucki too

[Atothe]

Plus really young guys like Meza, Gudino and Lizadro. Been heavily linked to Guerrero jr.

[King]

Ben White, Lydell Moseby, Eddy Alcantara, Luis Gomez, Andres De Aza released

[King]

Ben White retired

 

[King]

Despite my confidence that Sam Buelens would not head to the Dominican Republic ("I would bet my life savings" lol), that's where he has been for spring training the last month

 

 

 

[Angrioter]

Despite my confidence that Sam Buelens would not head to the Dominican Republic ("I would bet my life savings" lol), that's where he has been for spring training the last month

 

 

 

 

20 minutes from me home and I couldn't see him.

[TheHurl]

20 minutes from me home and I couldn't see him.

 

Because you are court ordered to stay away from white women?

 

Seriously though, he looked a lot like many of the dykes I've played slo pitch with in that first pic.

[King]

Blue Jays from away podcast from last week, featuring Greene, Pentecost and Smoral. Actual podcast doesn't start until ~2:48, I learned this the long way.

 

http://www.bluejaysfromaway.com/podcast-episode-35-max-pentecost-conner-greene-matt-smoral/

 

Takeaways

 

Pentecost

- Asked about the switch from metal to wood bats and Cape Cod League, says growing up he was always more comfortable using a wood bat. Says going from the regular college season to cape cod league was a big jump, every pitcher up there was going to be really good. Made adjustments to his swing which helped him a lot in college. He got a lot better with the reps from better pitching. Asked how he adjusts from catching weaker pitching to better pitching (sharper curveballs), he said the way he adjusted was that he just relaxed more. Asked about what he had heard about Chad Jenkins (also from Kennesaw State) when he was in college, he says he heard a lot about how dominant he was and that he was a 1st rounder. His coach talked a lot about his work ethic and how much effort he put in to becoming an MLB pitcher.

 

Asked about what it was like making the adjustment to pro ball (GCL) and eventually Vancouver, he says (regarding GCL) "I started out in the GCL, it was a little bit different experience than college, a lot like the Cape in that some pitchers throw really hard but their command might not be there. That was really tough hitting. Once I got to Vancouver, it was even more like the Cape. You've got the college pitchers who are older, have a little bit more command and feel for their pitches. In a way it almost became easier because it seemed like they were in the strike zone a little more."

 

Asked about any pitcher he caught in Vancouver who was "just electric": "Castro. Miguel Castro, you probably saw the game last night where he dealed against the Yankees but he's got very very good stuff. I've never caught anyone with that live action fastball and it was a different experience you know it was one of those where it was tough to just go out there and catch him for the first time, I had to get comfortable with him and what his stuff did, his mechanics if they were off a little bit. He was real fun to catch and brought me into professional pitching."

 

Asked about being more athletic and mobile than most catchers, often beating out the runner to 1B on a groundball he says that started when he was playing little league, his dad always wanted him to beat out the runner to 1B. Says it doesn't show very often , maybe once every 5 games but when it does show people notice it. Important to him to not slack on the little things of baseball. Asked about conserving energy on the hot summer days and long season, he says "I try to stay in real good shape for that reason. I love to run and sprint, for occasions like that so my body doesn't give out. Also, after a game I feel like if you rehydrate and get all the stuff back in the body that you lost during the game you can come back and prepare for the next day just as well."

 

Asked about Vancouvers playoff run last season, he said that for most of the 2nd half of the short season he was in Florida rehabbing his shoulder but went to Vancouver for the last 2 weeks. Says it was an amazing experience, the fans were great and the stadium was packed as soon as the gates were open.

 

Conner Greene

Asked what he thought professional teams saw in him when they were scouting back him back in high school, he says "I was a long lanky test tube looking kid and I think they saw a lot of projectability. Some good things, decent velocity and some pitches that needed work but they definitely had a lot to work with so I am working on that now."

 

Asked what it was like pitching in his first full pro season, "Good competiton, all the teams had good players everywhere and good coaching so if anything I could say it was a great experience getting out of the GCL and starting to pitch infront of fans and under the lights."

 

Asked how he liked small town Bluefield being a kid from California, "It was a very nice experience because whether at the small town diner or anywhere you actually get recognition from the people. Being in a big city like Los Angeles where I am from you just got lost, so it's really nice having that small town feel."

 

Asked about his modeling/acting career, "I had always had it as not a passion but something I enjoyed, baseball was always my #1. I've had a little help along the way, it's just an easy thing to do on the side. If a job opportunity is available, I am happen to take it. It's easy to fit into the offseason because of my free schedule, if I get an opportunity I can say yes or I can turn it down. Usually I don't because I like to take every job opportunity I can."

 

Asked about his connections with Charlie Sheen, "Charlie is a real good guy. He's helped me along just with getting into the entertainment scene, good advice of the ins and outs. A good guy to have on your side." Asked if he takes any pitching advice from him (lol), "He's not much of a pitcher, but he's actually a pretty good hitter from the left side. I've taken some batting practice with him and you would be surprised the pop he has in that swing."

 

Asked if there are any skills he can take from his acting job and apply it to baseball, "Definitely just controlling your nerves out there. I've actually probably implemented more of my baseball knowledge into the acting because you're out there and have your game face on, you can't show too much emotion out there. If I am nervous going into some extra job or something that I am doing, it helps to put my poker face on out there."

 

Asked about what he was working on in his bullpen session (during that morning), "We are working a lot on extension side pitches. Just controlling that fastball, the arm and extension side. That's about it, I have a good feel of my changeup and curveball is coming along well."

 

Goals for the upcoming season, "I would just like to keep on moving up. My ultimate goal is to never get stuck and never get happy with where I am."

 

Matt Smoral

Asked what he is going to do when he is finished working at the complex (during that day), "I would like to go out and do some fishing but today's actually my birthday. One of my uncles is coming up so I am going to have dinner with him, just relax and enjoy the day and get ready for tomorrow."

 

Asked if there is something special about when the games start going, referred to Lansing where they start in April "There's no doubt, when you are playing under the lights and in a stadium with the fans, its' a completely different ball game. It's all about competing, it is a grind and tough on the body but that's what it's all about. Don't get me wrong, I think I speak for all of us when I say we love the game although it does get difficult at times there's nothing else I would rather be doing than trying to achieve my dream of making it to the big leagues one day."

 

Asked about the playing conditions/difference between Bluefield and Vancouver, "It's a big difference. I loved Bluefield, I enjoyed my time there but to go up to Vancouver and be in that city, have every game sold out is an unbelievable experience. The fans up there are not just your typical fans, they are there to watch baseball and they know baseball, and really love the Jays so it was a fantastic place to play."

 

Asked if there was a particular experience which stood out in Vancouver he might not have experienced in any other place, "Just being in the playoff race and being in the hunt. If you listen to the vancouver sports radio and listen to them talk about the team, and realize how big the team is in Vancouver. Getting to pitch in the clinching game and pitching in the championship, it didnt go as I would like. Just playing that kind of baseball, playing in the minor leagues you don't get that experience too often and it prepares you ultimately for what you want to do, get to the big leagues and win."

 

"When I was drafted I had foot surgery that spring, I came in and rehabbed that. We took it real slow and I pitched at instructs so I didn't really get my feet wet that year. The next year I was able to stay down here (GCL) and I really learned a lot. I just want to keep progressing as my years go on and keep chipping away and refining my game, what it needs to be to play that game at that high level."

 

Asked about what he needs to do to refine his game and keep moving up the ladder, "Definitely consistency. That's the biggest difference between some of us in the lower levels and the guys in AA/AAA. They are very consistent with their fastball command and breaking balls, so that's #1. 2nd is improving the fastball command and getting ahead of guys, when I am ahead of guys usually I don't have any trouble."

 

Asked about his outing against the Phillies (day before interview), "First time this spring I got out there and didn't start as I would have liked, i think i got all that behind me and came out pitching in the 2nd inning like I did last year. I wasn't upset at all about the outing because I finished strong and I think I will be able to take that into my next out outing this spring."

 

Asked if he discussed anything with coaches about his outing, "The mental approach when I am out there. Having that type of focus and intensity where you don't care what else is going on around you, all you are focused on is getting the hitter out. We haven't been in games for a while so that's a real big thing for me, the second inning going out there and just kind of refocus and dial in. I felt much better."

[King]

Plus really young guys like Meza, Gudino and Lizadro. Been heavily linked to Guerrero jr.

 

Kevin Vicuna

[Mikeleelop]

20 minutes from me home and I couldn't see him.

 

 

Geez these facilities look way nicer than Dunedin

 

i dont see any exposed sprinkler heads either

[Jimcanuck]

Geez these facilities look way nicer than Dunedin

 

i dont see any exposed sprinkler heads either

 

Gardeners $1/day in DR

[tercet]

Did Borucki get TJS or something? He seems all sad on his twitter

[tercet]

Also DJ Davis is repeating Lansing(shouldn't be a shocker though)

[Laika]

Did Borucki get TJS or something? He seems all sad on his twitter

 

A few days ago he got shut down with a sore elbow and described it as 'tennis elbow'. Safe to assume it's a serious arm injury.

[Angrioter]

A few days ago he got shut down with a sore elbow and described it as 'tennis elbow'. Safe to assume it's a serious arm injury.

 

Awful awful news. Very sad for him.

[Laika]

Awful awful news. Very sad for him.

 

He's had TJ before too so if he's cutting cut again, could be terrible.

[Angrioter]

He's had TJ before too so if he's cutting cut again, could be terrible.

 

The mental part could be worse than the physical.

[Laika]

Borucki did have elbow surgery but apparently it was a "clean up" and not TJS.

 

Maybe bone chips or something like that. Probably misses a big chunk of 2015.

[Atothe]

Borucki did have elbow surgery put apparently it was a "clean up" and not TJS.

 

Maybe bone chips or something like that. Probably misses a big chunk of 2015.

 

Probably best case scenrio

[ace3113]

Kevin Vicuna

 

Miguel Almonte

Edward Olivares

Jesus Tinoco