Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Muck Bartinez]

He's one of those toolsy players who if they ever did put it together is probably a really good player, but like a vast majority of toolsy players he didn't. Can't fault the pick in hindsight though I think the consensus was like the Romero pick there were better players on the board at the time.

 

It is frustrating to know that the next guy picked was Corey Seager (followed by Michael Wacha). We did also nab Stroman a few picks later, but other than those 3 guys, the rest of the 1st round after Davis is fairly uninspiring.

 

Edit: I also remember thinking Giolito would fall to us, but got picked one pick before (Washington). You'd have to think AA would have grabbed him if given the chance, based on the "upside" and also the Hoffman pick later on.

[G-Snarls]

[Bobthe4th]

 

Author concludes article with "get the sense that the Blue Jays feel it would be best for Gurriel Jr.’s development to focus on one position and master it" but doesn't give any evidence for why he thinks the Jays are focusing on that, other than the general feeling that you'd rather have a star positional player than a flexible role player.

 

Depends on how well he settles in this season and his development but the possibilities are exciting:

 

could be the roster replacement for Barney next year, i.e utility guy and first reserve when someone goes down;

 

if at shortstop could make Tulo expendable, meaning we could trade Tulo to save payroll (for extensions / arbitration costs);

 

if at second base could make Travis expendable (only a desirable option if Travis has another injury filled season);

 

if at outfield covers for the fact that we currently have only Pillar coming back next year unless Bautista's option is picked up (and he can still play OF next year).

 

 

Would be nice if he showed enough this season to have the ability to fill more than one of the above, giving us more options of who to target in free agency / trades.

[KingKat]

Author concludes article with "get the sense that the Blue Jays feel it would be best for Gurriel Jr.’s development to focus on one position and master it" but doesn't give any evidence for why he thinks the Jays are focusing on that, other than the general feeling that you'd rather have a star positional player than a flexible role player.

 

Depends on how well he settles in this season and his development but the possibilities are exciting:

 

could be the roster replacement for Barney next year, i.e utility guy and first reserve when someone goes down;

 

if at shortstop could make Tulo expendable, meaning we could trade Tulo to save payroll (for extensions / arbitration costs);

 

if at second base could make Travis expendable (only a desirable option if Travis has another injury filled season);

 

if at outfield covers for the fact that we currently have only Pillar coming back next year unless Bautista's option is picked up (and he can still play OF next year).

 

 

Would be nice if he showed enough this season to have the ability to fill more than one of the above, giving us more options of who to target in free agency / trades.

 

Middle infield depth is good. If he can be a good shortstop and/or second baseman that's great but I wouldn't push Travis or Tulo out if that were the case. I'd rather have the flexibility to use all three. If he can be developed as an in-house Zobrist type, that would be amazing because it's very hard to buy middle infield depth (anyone really good wants to start and you're usually left with fairly one dimensional players for backup roles). If he can also cover 3B on odd Donaldson day off, he would probably find more than enough at bats given Tulo's age and injury history and lingering question about Travis's durability. There's a chance he's not a starting caliber player anyways and is more of a utility role talent in the first place but even if he is a starting caliber player, I don't see really any advantage to not trying to benefit from his flexibility.

Edited February 28, 2017 by KingKat

[KingKat]

Some of Callum's writing is really cringe worthy.

 

Here are Mop-up Duty, we have a small amount of expertise when it comes to Cuban baseball. We’ve been on baseball-related journeys to Havana, Cuba twice; once in 2010 and another time in 2013. One of our most popular posts is about the former farm club of the Cincinnati Reds, the Havana Cuba Sugar Kings. We’re well-read on Cuban baseball history and have a fundamental understanding of the brand of baseball that Cubans play, and the contextual factors that influence both the players and the sport iteself (sic).

 

Looks it's cool that Cuban baseball is a niche interest of Callum but there's a way to talk about it without self-aggrandizing.

 

Another adjustment Gurriel Jr. will no doubt have to face is rooted in the fundamental way he plays the game. Cubans are passionate baseball players and their passion is evident in their body language. Gratuitous displays of emotion, bat flips, and hot-dogging are all hallmarks of the Cuban brand of baseball. At the Major League level, Gurriel Jr. is going to be subject to pressure from his veteran teammates and opposing players to “play the game the right (read: white) way.” He’ll be pushed to curb his enthusiasm, at least outwardly, for the game he grew up playing. Fortunately, the Cuban baseball brotherhood is a close-knit group; he can look to Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, and Yunel Escobar for guidance on how to adapt. Of course, the Blue Jays’ own Jose Bautista has extensive experience in this regard as well.

 

Ugh. What does this paragraph have to do with Lourdes as an individual? What does Callum really know (if anything) about Lourdes' style of play? Yes he comes from a different baseball culture but that doesn't mean he's like Yunel, Yasiel or Yoenis and, frankly, while all those players have had to adjust to a more buttoned down baseball culture, it's really reductive to imply that their personal experiences were the same. They were in fact very different and they have adapted in different ways and with differing levels of success. To not acknowledge that is really sloppy and borderline insulting to the players. Lourdes is his own person and has his own path to follow. Reaching out to other Cuban players might be part of that but what does Callum really know about it? He's talking through his ass here and randomly adding Bautista to the paragraph is just more sloppiness.

[Bobthe4th]

Middle infield depth is good. If he can be a good shortstop and/or second baseman that's great but I wouldn't push Travis or Tulo out if that were the case. I'd rather have the flexibility to use all three. If he can be developed as an in-house Zobrist type, that would be amazing because it's very hard to buy middle infield depth (anyone really good wants to start and you're usually left with fairly one dimensional players for backup roles). If he can also cover 3B on odd Donaldson day off, he would probably find more than enough at bats given Tulo's age and injury history and lingering question about Travis's durability. There's a chance he's not a starting caliber player anyways and is more of a utility role talent in the first place but even if he is a starting caliber player, I don't see really any advantage to not trying to benefit from his flexibility.

 

Yeah it's the flexibility and the possibilities that are exciting. If he's good enough to start every game (by no means guaranteed) then that gives us options as above.

 

I agree ideally he'd be an upgraded Barney mainly rotating with Travis and Tulo but starting every day. But if we need to reduce payroll then Tulo is an obvious candidate if we have a cheaper replacement (as much as I love Tulo, he is one of the best paid players and isn't getting any younger). And if Travis has another injury marred season (hopefully he doesn't of course) then it's quite possible the front office will look to replace / upgrade him.

[KingKat]

Yeah it's the flexibility and the possibilities that are exciting. If he's good enough to start every game (by no means guaranteed) then that gives us options as above.

 

I agree ideally he'd be an upgraded Barney mainly rotating with Travis and Tulo but starting every day. But if we need to reduce payroll then Tulo is an obvious candidate if we have a cheaper replacement (as much as I love Tulo, he is one of the best paid players and isn't getting any younger). And if Travis has another injury marred season (hopefully he doesn't of course) then it's quite possible the front office will look to replace / upgrade him.

 

I'm hoping that the team stays competitive and doesn't have to contemplate dumping Tulo's contract. There's a scary amount of money left on it but as long as he keeps playing a competent shortstop, he'll still be a contributor.

[Bobthe4th]

I'm hoping that the team stays competitive and doesn't have to contemplate dumping Tulo's contract. There's a scary amount of money left on it but as long as he keeps playing a competent shortstop, he'll still be a contributor.

 

Don't get me wrong, I hope so too and wouldn't want to simply get rid of Tulo as simply a salary dump, or if we didn't have a quality replacement lined up. But with arbitration rises due, and if we want to extend certain players (like JD), we may have to be flexible salary wise.

 

I mean obviously ideally we win the World Series this year and Rogers authorises a $180m+ payroll negating any issue! But more realistically, it's good to have options.

[L54]

KATOH loves Vladdy Jr.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/katohs-2017-top-100-prospects/

[Dr. Dinger]

Holy s***, a teenager at #2?

[THANOS]

KATOH loves Vladdy Jr.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/katohs-2017-top-100-prospects/

 

Damn #2 and #3, that's nuts!

[John_Havok]

Damn #2 and #3, that's nuts!

 

Swanson is 23.

[Laika]

It's one swing, but 19 year old free agent Cuban OF Luis Robert certainly *looks* good.

 

 

Not yet a free agent. Scouts love him.

[Angrioter]

It's one swing, but 19 year old free agent Cuban OF Luis Robert certainly *looks* good.

 

 

Not yet a free agent. Scouts love him.

 

Scouts here RD "Best Cuban player ever"

[Orgfiller]

Swanson is 23.

 

I think he means #2 on the list which includes Top-100 rankings and #3 on the list which is purely stats.

[Laika]

Scouts here RD "Best Cuban player ever"

 

There are scouts that like him more than Otani - best player not in MLB.

 

We'll see...

 

Sometimes these Cubans pop up to so much excitement and then the shine wears off. See - Lazarito.

[Angrioter]

There are scouts that like him more than Otani - best player not in MLB.

 

We'll see...

 

Sometimes these Cubans pop up to so much excitement and then the shine wears off. See - Lazarito.

 

I saw him last week,and he doesnt look like 19 years old kid.

[John_Havok]

I think he means #2 on the list which includes Top-100 rankings and #3 on the list which is purely stats.

 

That would make sense.

[John_Havok]

There are scouts that like him more than Otani - best player not in MLB.

 

We'll see...

 

Sometimes these Cubans pop up to so much excitement and then the shine wears off. See - Lazarito.

 

How dare you call down the Cuban Bryce Harper

[P2F]

Some pretty high praise here for Amed Rosario today...

 

65 FV Prospects

1. Amed Rosario, SS

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2012 from Dominican Republic

[TABLE=width: 579]

[TR]

[TH]Age[/TH]

[TD]21[/TD]

[TH]Height[/TH]

[TD]6’2[/TD]

[TH]Weight[/TH]

[TD]170[/TD]

[TH]Bat/Throw[/TH]

[TD]R/R[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Tool Grades (Present/Future)

[TABLE=width: 579]

[TR]

[TH]Hit[/TH]

[TH]Raw Power[/TH]

[TH]Game Power[/TH]

[TH]Run[/TH]

[TH]Fielding[/TH]

[TH]Throw[/TH]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]40/60[/TD]

[TD]50/55[/TD]

[TD]40/50[/TD]

[TD]60/60[/TD]

[TD]55/60[/TD]

[TD]60/60[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

Relevant/Interesting Metrics

Slashed .324/.374/.459 between High-A and Double-A in 2016.

Scouting Report

When Rosario was a teenager, he was a messy amalgam of limbs, athleticism and clearly present baseball instincts that were all wholly unsupported by a lack of physical strength. As he has started to fill out (it was easy to see, even back in 2012, that he was going to) and gotten stronger, he has become more explosive, his actions more refined, and he’s begun to hit. And indeed, at just 21 years old with more room for mass on the body, Amed Rosario has just begun.

Rosario is so exceptionally athletic that he’s likely to be a plus defender at short even if he adds another 10-15 pounds into his 20s. His first-step quickness, range and ability to make strong throws from strange platforms are all excellent. He’s remarkably flexible for such a tall, gangly infielder and has a quick transfer allowing him to scoop tough hops and hose baserunners all in one motion.

Rosario’s newfound offensive prowess is a substantial layer of icing piled onto a favorable and cakey defensive profile. He did not look out of place taking batting practice at the Futures Game among some of the best power-hitting prospects in baseball and planted a few shots of his own deep into the Petco Park bleachers. His swing has natural loft and he’s so flexible that his extension through contact often results in a 360-degree journey for his bat. There’s a chance he has plus raw power at maturity. How much of that power he’s able to utilize depends on some refinement to Rosario’s contact skills. There is some stiffness in his hands prior to their acceleration, and he pushes far too much weak contact the other way right now, but he has good bat control, plus-plus bat speed and a decent idea of what he’s doing at the plate.

We’ve seen several different iterations of Rosario’s footwork in pro ball. At times there’s a big leg kick, others there’s not. Sometimes there’s a kick until he’s got two strikes. Despite these constant alterations, Rosario hits. He and the Mets are still clearly searching for something that they think works for him. When they do, I think we’re looking at a plus hitter with average game power and plus defense at short. This is my pick to appear No. 1 on my overall top-100 list next offseason barring some disaster that forces him onto the big-league roster for an extended period of time this year.

KATOH+ Projection for first six years: 7.5 WAR

http://cdn.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Amed-Rosario-Likelihood-of-Outcomes.png

[John_Havok]

Some pretty high praise here for Amed Rosario today...

 

65 FV Prospects

1. Amed Rosario, SS

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2012 from Dominican Republic

[TABLE=width: 579]

[TR]

[TH]Age[/TH]

[TD]21[/TD]

[TH]Height[/TH]

[TD]6’2[/TD]

[TH]Weight[/TH]

[TD]170[/TD]

[TH]Bat/Throw[/TH]

[TD]R/R[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Tool Grades (Present/Future)

[TABLE=width: 579]

[TR]

[TH]Hit[/TH]

[TH]Raw Power[/TH]

[TH]Game Power[/TH]

[TH]Run[/TH]

[TH]Fielding[/TH]

[TH]Throw[/TH]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]40/60[/TD]

[TD]50/55[/TD]

[TD]40/50[/TD]

[TD]60/60[/TD]

[TD]55/60[/TD]

[TD]60/60[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

Relevant/Interesting Metrics

Slashed .324/.374/.459 between High-A and Double-A in 2016.

Scouting Report

When Rosario was a teenager, he was a messy amalgam of limbs, athleticism and clearly present baseball instincts that were all wholly unsupported by a lack of physical strength. As he has started to fill out (it was easy to see, even back in 2012, that he was going to) and gotten stronger, he has become more explosive, his actions more refined, and he’s begun to hit. And indeed, at just 21 years old with more room for mass on the body, Amed Rosario has just begun.

Rosario is so exceptionally athletic that he’s likely to be a plus defender at short even if he adds another 10-15 pounds into his 20s. His first-step quickness, range and ability to make strong throws from strange platforms are all excellent. He’s remarkably flexible for such a tall, gangly infielder and has a quick transfer allowing him to scoop tough hops and hose baserunners all in one motion.

Rosario’s newfound offensive prowess is a substantial layer of icing piled onto a favorable and cakey defensive profile. He did not look out of place taking batting practice at the Futures Game among some of the best power-hitting prospects in baseball and planted a few shots of his own deep into the Petco Park bleachers. His swing has natural loft and he’s so flexible that his extension through contact often results in a 360-degree journey for his bat. There’s a chance he has plus raw power at maturity. How much of that power he’s able to utilize depends on some refinement to Rosario’s contact skills. There is some stiffness in his hands prior to their acceleration, and he pushes far too much weak contact the other way right now, but he has good bat control, plus-plus bat speed and a decent idea of what he’s doing at the plate.

We’ve seen several different iterations of Rosario’s footwork in pro ball. At times there’s a big leg kick, others there’s not. Sometimes there’s a kick until he’s got two strikes. Despite these constant alterations, Rosario hits. He and the Mets are still clearly searching for something that they think works for him. When they do, I think we’re looking at a plus hitter with average game power and plus defense at short. This is my pick to appear No. 1 on my overall top-100 list next offseason barring some disaster that forces him onto the big-league roster for an extended period of time this year.

KATOH+ Projection for first six years: 7.5 WAR

http://cdn.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Amed-Rosario-Likelihood-of-Outcomes.png

 

And pretty much the poster boy for why teams draft the tools athletes over others. Becasue IF they develop the tools into skills....

[P2F]

And pretty much the poster boy for why teams draft the tools athletes over others. Becasue IF they develop the tools into skills....

Exactly. Every once in a while, it all just comes together for the toolsy types. I'm really curious to follow Rosario into the big leagues and see how he does.

[TwistedLogic]

Going to assume this was already posted here, but in case it wasn't:

 

[Maahfaace]

Going to assume this was already posted here, but in case it wasn't:

 

 

Did Vladdy switch to batting gloves full time this spring? He wasn't wearing them at the start of the video, but was after the yanks game.

[43211234]

Plus no braces and he's FAT.

[Boxcar]

God bless Chris Mitchell. I don't care how many people hate KATOH, it always has a special place in my heart.

[Dr. Dinger]

God bless Chris Mitchell. I don't care how many people hate KATOH, it always has a special place in my heart.

 

Yeah, he really nailed it last year when he put Ramon Flores and Gavin Cecchini ahead of Trea Turner.

[Dr. Dinger]

BTS, maybe don't read this one.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-consensus-top-prospect-katoh-hates/

[King]

Alex Kirilloff TJS and out for the year

[KingKat]

Yeah, he really nailed it last year when he put Ramon Flores and Gavin Cecchini ahead of Trea Turner.

 

He doesn't put anyone anywhere. It's a statistical model. That's like saying Steamer is garbage because if failed to predict so and so's breakout.