Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Laika]

Keith Law chat today:

 

Frank: You have been consistently down on Rowdy Tellez. By all reports, he has worked very hard (and effectively) on his defence. I remember you having issues more with the bat (not sure what) than the fielding, but is he a viable short term solution to an injury problem this year, or is that something you would not even try?

 

Klaw: Nope, guy can’t play first at all, and he’s a mediocre hitter with brute strength power. Asked a lot of scouts about him this year; outside of the Jays themselves, I can’t find anyone who buys him as a regular.

 

Is "brute strength power" a scouting pejorative now?

[Laika]

God forbid a prospect be strong! Brute strength homers don't count in the big leagues.

[King]

Is "brute strength power" a scouting pejorative now?

Yeah he's saying being a mediocre hitter (50? 55?) with "brute strength power" (60? 70?) is like it's a bad thing.

[Terminator]

Keith Law is the most annoying "prospect guy". Not only is his twitter account filled with SJW garbage but he acts like players can't improve. Most stubborn person once he has an opinion of a certain player.

 

He's a good example of an early-era Moneyball guy. Was once on the cutting edge but the whole Moneyball concept requires constant changes in thinking to remain along that cutting edge. He's incredibly stubborn and unwilling to adapt. In fact, he's regressed as he now relies mostly on scouting instead of advanced stats. That's why a guy with a sloppy build and controversial swing like Tellez gets written off even though he's putting up good numbers.

 

And yes, his SJW garbage is ridiculous. I think Nitkowski called him out beautifully on that. Seems like he talks about food, board games, his anxiety issues and SJW crap as much as he does baseball.

[Krylian]

Charlie Caskey ‏@CharlieCaskey 9m9 minutes ago

More

One nugget from my conversation with Charlie Wilson at #Cs luncheon. The #BlueJays have released Clinton Hollon #MiLB

 

Too bad. I loved that pick when the Jays made it and thought he had a legit future.

[Spanky__99]

Charlie Caskey ‏@CharlieCaskey 9m9 minutes ago

More

One nugget from my conversation with Charlie Wilson at #Cs luncheon. The #BlueJays have released Clinton Hollon #MiLB

 

Good Bye Sweet Prince...

[burlingtonbandit]

He's a good example of an early-era Moneyball guy. Was once on the cutting edge but the whole Moneyball concept requires constant changes in thinking to remain along that cutting edge. He's incredibly stubborn and unwilling to adapt. In fact, he's regressed as he now relies mostly on scouting instead of advanced stats. That's why a guy with a sloppy build and controversial swing like Tellez gets written off even though he's putting up good numbers.

 

And yes, his SJW garbage is ridiculous. I think Nitkowski called him out beautifully on that. Seems like he talks about food, board games, his anxiety issues and SJW crap as much as he does baseball.

 

Agree. I think he represents a portion of the executives that put too much stock into what a player is at that moment and not what they can become (which is weird because he's a scouting guy).

 

Very rarely will players be able to get by without making adjustments. Donaldson, Bautista and Edwin all had bad swings and made adjustments. Besides the numbers Tellez has a fantastic work ethic by the sound of it which can be the difference.

[King]

 

(speculation)

[Pendleton]

 

(speculation)

 

Hopefully the bat can still play but this would not bode well for his value at all.

[King]

Hopefully the bat can still play but this would not bode well for his value at all.

It would tank whatever value he has left. He's going to be 24 next season and has just 52 plate appearances in High A.

[Pendleton]

It would tank whatever value he has left. He's going to be 24 next season and has just 52 plate appearances in High A.

 

It's too bad. Regardless of who we should have drafted over him, he was a damn good catcher prospect on both sides of the ball and was worthy of being selected in that range. Now it would seem he's a bat only fringe prospect whose career could be in big jeopardy if he doesn't soon mash the upper minors.

[Angrioter]

 

(speculation)

 

lol Trea Turner.

 

We was so happy with Max over Trea

[z3r0s]

lol Trea Turner.

 

We was so happy with Max over Trea

 

Not me, I wanted Trea bad!

[Krylian]

Not me, I wanted Trea bad!

 

I remember a lot of people thinking that Trea wouldn't hit. That report turned me off.

[burlingtonbandit]

Pentecost is basically a sunk cost. One of those prospects who busted from injuries right from the beginning.

[Pendleton]

The 2017 draft order is now finalized with Trumbo being the last qualified player to sign. We will have the 22nd and 28th overall picks.

[jays4life19]

I know it's early but does anyone know if this is a deep draft class?

[TheHurl]

I know it's early but does anyone know if this is a deep draft class?

 

college has some depth this year with not much star power at the top IMO (I like Kendall but everyone else I haven't seen or has question marks...also known as pitchers). College catchers are deep this year I can see 6 or 7 in the top 75, with Florida maybe having 2 of them. Not hearing a lot about high school at all. Even like a set top 5 (everyone seems to have Hunter Greene at the top but nothing too consistent after that. Had someone rave to me about Ricardo DeLaTorre, and I've decided to believe in all 1st round Puerto Rican SS's.

[King]

Greg (Tallahassee): I keep thinking Florida is higher than it should be in all these rankings. I get that the rotation and the lineup should be solid, but there are essentially zero returners in the bullpen who have thrown any significant innings. What am I missing?

 

Teddy Cahill: I really, really like this Florida team. If the rotation and lineup are as good as they should be, that lessens the pressure on the bullpen. This rotation has a chance to be better than last year’s, as hard as that may be to believe given that Logan Shore and A.J. Puk have moved on to pro ball. Alex Faedo and Brady Singer could be the No. 1 overall pick in each of the next two years

Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2017-college-preseason-top-25-chat/#LyWt7dbK42sxCkFg.99

 

Teddy Cahill has Brady Singer as a potential 1-1 candidate in 2018. That's the Seth Beer draft so probably not going to happen.

[Krylian]

Greg (Tallahassee): I keep thinking Florida is higher than it should be in all these rankings. I get that the rotation and the lineup should be solid, but there are essentially zero returners in the bullpen who have thrown any significant innings. What am I missing?

 

Teddy Cahill: I really, really like this Florida team. If the rotation and lineup are as good as they should be, that lessens the pressure on the bullpen. This rotation has a chance to be better than last year’s, as hard as that may be to believe given that Logan Shore and A.J. Puk have moved on to pro ball. Alex Faedo and Brady Singer could be the No. 1 overall pick in each of the next two years

Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2017-college-preseason-top-25-chat/#LyWt7dbK42sxCkFg.99

 

Teddy Cahill has Brady Singer as a potential 1-1 candidate in 2018. That's the Seth Beer draught so probably not going to happen.

 

I like this spelling better.

[King]

http://www.espn.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=6172

 

Keith Law started his top 100, but it's behind a paywall

[Ray]

Vlad just got ranked the 3rd best 3B prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. Meaning he's gonna be Top 100 for sure.

 

2017 Top 10 3B prospects: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017/?list=3b

 

1. Rafael Devers (BOS)

2. Nick Senzel (CIN)

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)

4. Christian Arroyo (SFG)

5. Jeimer Candelerio (CHC)

6. Matt Chapman (OAK)

7. Miguel Andujar (NYY)

8. Austin Riley (ATL)

9. Ke'Bryan Hayes (PIT)

10. Hunter Dozier (KC)

 

Scouting report and grades:

 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55

The Blue Jays traded a pair of prospects in exchange for three international bonus slots to ensure they would sign Vladimir Jr., the son of 2004 AL MVP and nine-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero, during the 2015 international period. He ultimately received a $3.9 million bonus, the second highest in franchise history, and then showcased his huge offensive ceiling last summer in the Rookie Appalachian League, where, as the league's youngest player, he posted an .808 OPS with eight homers, 46 RBIs and 15 steals in 62 games.

 

Following in the footsteps of his father, Vlad Jr. has a preternatural ability to barrel the ball from the right side of the plate and produces effortless raw power to all fields with his combination of bat speed, physical strength and hand-eye coordination. His plate discipline also is impressive, as he walked (33) nearly as often as he fanned (35) during his pro debut. Moved from the outfield to third base ahead before the season, Guerrero shows glimpses of becoming an average defender there in spite of having below-average speed and range, and his arm strength has developed into another above-average tool since signing.

 

As a potential above-average hitter with plus power, Guerrero boasts the offensive profile of a future All-Star who should spend much of his career hitting in the middle of a big league lineup. However, retaining his athleticism without becoming too bulky could pose as a challenge for Guerrero moving forward, and possibly portend a move to the outfield or first base.

 

Good stuff. Nearly all the reports I've read on Vlad have been really positive. He's the crown jewel of our farm.

[King]

Vlad just got ranked the 3rd best 3B prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. Meaning he's gonna be Top 100 for sure.

 

2017 Top 10 3B prospects: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017/?list=3b

 

1. Rafael Devers (BOS)

2. Nick Senzel (CIN)

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)

4. Christian Arroyo (SFG)

5. Jeimer Candelerio (CHC)

6. Matt Chapman (OAK)

7. Miguel Andujar (NYY)

8. Austin Riley (ATL)

9. Ke'Bryan Hayes (PIT)

10. Hunter Dozier (KC)

 

Scouting report and grades:

 

 

 

Good stuff. Nearly all the reports I've read on Vlad have been really positive. He's the crown jewel of our farm.

 

Callis already said he has him at #31 on his own personal top 50

[Ray]

Callis already said he has him at #31 on his own personal top 50

 

Nice.

 

Wonder if Urena sneaks into that Top 10 at SS.

[Grant77]

Nice.

 

Wonder if Urena sneaks into that Top 10 at SS.

 

It would surprise me he didn't. MLB.com has been extremely bullish on Urena in the past.

[L54]

http://www.espn.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=6172

 

Keith Law started his top 100, but it's behind a paywall

 

Bump.

 

He's got 100-61 up so far, anyone willing to help?

[P2F]

Keith Law 100-61

 

100. Brandon Woodruff, RHP, Milwaukee

99. Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati

98. Sam Travis, 1B, Boston

97. Alex Kirilloff, OF, Minnesota

96. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Colorado

95. Zack Collins, C, White Sox

94. Luis Castillo, RHP, Cincinnati

93. A.J. Puk, LHP, Oakland

92. Christin Stewart, OF, Detroit

91. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP, Minnesota

90. Jahmai Jones, OF, Angels

89. Jack Flaherty, RHP, St. Louis

88. Justus Sheffield, LHP, Yankees

87. Kohl Stewart, RHP, Minnesota

86. Dylan Cease, RHP, Cubs

85. Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland

84. Justin Dunn, RHP, Mets

83. Riley Pint, RHP, Colorado

82. Matt Manning, RHP, Detroit

81. Sean Newcomb, LHP, Atlanta

80. Adrian Morejon, LHP, San Diego

79. Luis Ortiz, RHP, Milwaukee

78. Forrest Whitley, RHP, Houston

77. Luiz Gohara, LHP, Atlanta

76. Robert Gsellman, RHP, Mets

75. Yohander Mendez, LHP, Texas

74. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh

73. Jose De Leon, RHP, Tampa Bay

72. Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Toronto

71. Josh Hader, LHP, Milwaukee

70. Lucas Erceg, 3B, Milwaukee

69. Chance Sisco, C, Baltimore

68. Kyle Lewis, OF, Seattle

67. Trent Clark, OF, Milwaukee

66. Franklin Perez, RHP, Houston

65. Fernando Romero, RHP, Minnesota

64. Ariel Jurado, RHP, Texas

63. Ian Happ, 2B, Cubs

62. Tyler Beede, RHP, San Francisco

61. Delvin Perez, SS, St. Louis

[TheHurl]

http://www.espn.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=6172

 

Keith Law started his top 100, but it's behind a paywall

 

They give away insider accounts with ESPN the magazine subscriptions, and I just turned down $12 for the entire year from some site. Next time it comes up I'll buy a BJMB magazine subscription and share the account with all of you. Still pissed that Wilner let his go.

[Laika]

Keith Law's list and prospect opinions are always good for a laugh, but definitely not worth any money.

 

The four pillars are now BP, BA, MLB.com, and 2080.

[burlingtonbandit]

Speaking of Subscription based journalism, anyone sign up for the Athletic? Only around 35$ for the year I think and they Lott, Keri, + a couple of other baseball guys for the Blue Jays season. I went ahead and got it and have been pretty happy so far. The Raptors content is pretty good as well.

 

With the journalism industry in Canada being pretty s***** I'm happy to give a little contribution to some talented writers who got pushed out by the big name newspaper companies.