Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Dr. Dinger]

John Lott ✔@LottOnBaseball

Re: Vlad Guerrero Jr., Atkins said #BlueJays committed to him at 3B, expect also to give him OF reps.

[glory]

Might as well move Vladdy in the next year or two (to 1b or LF) rather than watch him hemorrhage value as a third baseman for years. I can't picture him playing 3b (well).

[Spanky99]

What the f*** even happened to Dalton Pompey? Is he hurt? Mental breakdown? He just fell completely off the map this year.

 

Concussion, first or second game back injured his knee. Hurt all year, again.

[Laika]

BA did an early mock draft for 2018.

 

1. Tigers

 

Detroit's scouting department hasn't had much experience picking this high, but David Chadd—the club's vice president of amateur scouting and special assistant to GM Al Avila—has picked high before, including working with the Marlins when they picked Josh Beckett (No. 2, 1999) and Adrian Gonzalez (No. 1, 2000). Since he's been in Detroit, coming over from the Red Sox in 2005, Chadd has played a part in shaping the club's college-heavy approach to the draft overall despite a nearly 50-50 split of high school and college top picks.

 

Having the Tigers at No. 1 makes Florida's Brady Singer a prohibitive favorite. They value top performers in the Southeastern Conference, and may have struck gold in 2017 when Singer's rotation mate from the spring, Alex Faedo, inexplicably fell all the way to the Tigers at No. 18 overall. The duo could help jump-start a Motor City rebuild.

 

Scouts have some delivery questions, and Singer only got to college because of an issue with his physical with the Blue Jays that scuttled his deal when he was a second-round pick in 2015 out of high school. But he dominated at the end of a 126-inning sophomore season and was the top pitcher in the Cape Cod League in 2016. He has the pedigree and stuff to go No. 1 overall.

 

PICK: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida |

2. Giants

 

Scouting director John Barr and team president Brian Sabean have been involved in high draft picks before, but it was a long time ago. The Giants haven't had the homegrown pitching success in recent years that propelled them to three World Series titles from 2010-2014, led by Madison Bumgarner, the retiring Matt Cain and long-gone Tim Lincecum.

 

This draft class is pitching-heavy, especially on the high school side, with Georgia prep Ethan Hankins poised to become the third prep righthander in five drafts to go out No. 2 overall, joining the Marlins' Tyler Kolek (2014) and Reds' Hunter Greene (2017). Scouts want to see more consistency out of Hankins' breaking ball, but his fastball, size, dominant summer with USA Baseball's 18U national team and makeup all push him toward the top of the draft class.

 

PICK: Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central High, Cumming, Ga. |

 

3. Phillies

 

The Phillies' rebuild gained momentum in the second half, mostly thanks to the arrival of prospects such as Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams and Jorge Alfaro to boost a previously moribund offense. The Phils' last three first-rounders have been outfielders in Adam Haseley, Mickey Moniak and Cornelius Randolph, but their best pick of the last decade was righthander Aaron Nola, a fast mover out of Louisiana State. So the Phillies likely will pay special attention in 2018 to the top tier of college starting pitchers, a group that includes Singer and his rotation mate Jackson Kowar, lefthanders Shane McClanahan (South Florida) and Ryan Rolison (Mississippi) and righthanders Casey Mize (Auburn) and Logan Gilbert (Stetson).

 

However, if the organization liked Moniak, it should love Brice Turnag, who has a similar profile but a longer track record, big league bloodlines and the ability to play shortstop.

 

PICK: Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS, Corona, Calif. |

 

4. White Sox

 

Chicago's rebuilding efforts have moved into overdrive with trade acquisitions and solid early returns from bat-first college first-rounders the last two years in Zack Collins and Jake Burger. If the White Sox continue in that vein, they could pursue college bats such as top Cape Cod League performers Greyson Jenista of Wichita State or Griffin Conine of Duke.

 

But Chicago won't have to limit itself to college bats, and a need for athletes could push it to pick a prep bat this high. If so, the best choice is Nander De Sedas, who attends the same Florida prep school that produced another American League Central shortstop, Francisco Lindor. De Sedas switch-hits like Lindor and has some lightning in his bat to go with middle-of-the-diamond athleticism.

 

PICK: Nander De Sedas, SS, Montverde (Fla.) Academy |

 

5. Reds

 

The Reds last had three straight years of top-10 picks from 1983-85, and they've hit with the last two No. 2 overall picks with Nick Senzel (already in Double-A) and Hunter Greene (the hardest thrower in draft history). Cincinnati employs a Best Player Available philosophy, and in this draft class, that's going to mean a high school player, with more upside available. In other words, even though they have Senzel, that's not going to keep them from pursuing Nolan Gorman, who has the best power bat in the class, high school or college.

 

PICK: Nolan Gorman, 3B, O'Connor HS, Phoenix |

 

6. Mets

 

The Mets have been curiously cautious in recent years, sticking to college picks, and until ownership changes, there's no reason to believe that direction will change. Injury concerns may dog McClanahan (who already has had Tommy John surgery) and Mize (limited to seven innings this summer by a forearm strain), but the Mets have had their eyes on McClanahan for a while. They drafted him in the 26th round out of Cape Coral (Fla.) High in 2015 and will have reason to take him again.

 

PICK: Shane McClanahan, LHP, South Florida

 

7. Padres

 

Yes, the Padres like toolsy players, but they haven't shied away from collegians early, such as 2016 first-rounder Cal Quantrill. Mize has a longer college track record than Quantrill and similarly commands a plus fastball well for his experience level.

 

PICK: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn

 

8. Braves

 

Rocker's father Tracy played in the NFL and was most recently Georgia's defensive line coach, though he's out of coaching now, watching his son's baseball career progress. He'll have plenty of time to get to know Brian Bridges, Roy Clark and the Braves' scouting department, which will be happy to grab a Georgia prep product in a banner year of Peach State prospects.

 

PICK: Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS, Bogart, Ga.

 

9. Athletics

 

Madrigal is a NorCal kid, having played on some loaded Elk Grove High clubs south of Sacramento. If any team is willing to look past his 5-foot-7, 161-pound stature this high, it's a club like Oakland, which values kids who can play. Madrigal can play.

 

PICK: Nick Madrigal, SS/2B, Oregon State |

 

10. Pirates

 

Pittsburgh would do well to land USA Baseball's gold-medal starter for the 18U national team, and that's what Liberatore became in a breakout summer. He's shown a 93-94 mph fastball with angle to go with a fine curveball with depth and a changeup with fade.

 

PICK: Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS, Riverdale, Ariz.

 

11. Orioles

 

This is the first selection that's not protected; in other words, if the Orioles sign a free agent who's received a qualifying offer from his former club, they could forfeit this draft pick. Right now, we're just going off the raw order, but this is where the final order could start to change.

 

In this scenario, the Orioles keep loading up on lefthanded pitching after taking D.L. Hall in the first round in 2017. Rolison shined in the Cape Cod League this summer and is an eligible sophomore for Mississippi next spring.

 

PICK: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi

 

12. Blue Jays

 

This all could line up well for the Jays to take a Canadian in the first round, which has never happened in club history. Tristan Pompey of Kentucky, whose older brother Dalton has played in the majors with Toronto, wouldn't be a big reach here at 12. But other college bats, at this juncture, make more sense, particularly those who performed better with wood in the Cape Cod League this summer. That list starts with Wichita State's emerging Greyson Jenista.

 

PICK: Greyson Jenista, OF/1B, Wichita State |

 

...

 

 

19. Cardinals

 

St. Louis gets back into the first round with a college bat.

 

PICK: Tristan Pompey, OF, Kentucky

[Rusty_Savage]

I see that. They didn't have Seth Beer going in the first round.

[Angrioter]

Some Jays in the DWL:

 

Reese McGuire

Vladimir Guerrero Jr

Chris Smith

Jason Leblebijian

[Laika]

I see that. They didn't have Seth Beer going in the first round.

 

They are comping Beer to guys like AJ Reed and Brent Rooker.

 

Expecting him to go outside the top 30.

[P2F]

I found this funny:

 

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: chat_time, bgcolor: #CECECE]12:44[/TD]

[TD=class: chat_desc]Eric: What kind of offensive player do you see JP Crawford developing into?

 

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: chat_time, bgcolor: #CECECE]12:45[/TD]

[TD=class: chat_desc]Eric A Longenhagen: .270/.340/.400 but hey, with the new ball, maybe he’ll hit 30 homers.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[Jimcanuck]

just noticed http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=tor does not have Reese McGuire in the Jays top 30

 

134 wRC+ in Eastern League as 22 yr old

 

defense considered ahead of the bat

 

are they out to lunch?

[THANOS]

just noticed http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=tor does not have Reese McGuire in the Jays top 30

 

134 wRC+ in Eastern League as 22 yr old

 

defense considered ahead of the bat

 

are they out to lunch?

 

And they have Jansen at #17. Catchers that hit are a rarity. Not sure why they wouldn't shoot them up the ranks, one-season sample size or not.

[Dr. Dinger]

just noticed http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=tor does not have Reese McGuire in the Jays top 30

 

134 wRC+ in Eastern League as 22 yr old

 

defense considered ahead of the bat

 

are they out to lunch?

 

It's a small sample. No one believes he will be a league average bat. He's going to get the stick knocked out of his hands by major league pitching and be a career backup.

[P2F]

just noticed http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=tor does not have Reese McGuire in the Jays top 30

 

134 wRC+ in Eastern League as 22 yr old

 

defense considered ahead of the bat

 

are they out to lunch?

 

They'll publish a new list over the winter. I'll be surprised if he isn't on it.

[Jimcanuck]

It's a small sample. No one believes he will be a league average bat. He's going to get the stick knocked out of his hands by major league pitching and be a career backup.

 

Sure i can see that happening. But outside the top 30?

[Dr. Dinger]

Sure i can see that happening. But outside the top 30?

 

I feel like those rankings are probably very arbitrary outside the Top 5-10.

[Jimcanuck]

Best ranking is by BJMB

[TheHurl]

Mets bought Syracuse...move there permanently in 2019. Will the Nats be the team left out in the cold and have to move to Vegas?

 

Mets probably will have the best set up minor league system once the move takes place (geographically and no contracts expiring until 2023). A Double A and Triple A team an hour away from each other is great for the players.

[G-Snarls]

Mets bought Syracuse...move there permanently in 2019. Will the Nats be the team left out in the cold and have to move to Vegas?

 

Mets probably will have the best set up minor league system once the move takes place (geographically and no contracts expiring until 2023). A Double A and Triple A team an hour away from each other is great for the players.

 

Great move by the Mets

 

Man, no one wants their AAA team in Las Vegas LOL

[Terminator]

Great move by the Mets

 

Man, no one wants their AAA team in Las Vegas LOL

 

Even the players hate it. I was on a flight from Vegas to TO once and Joe Inglett was on it. He said he hated playing in Vegas. The park and facilities suck and it's way too hot there to play baseball in the summer.

[burlingtonbandit]

Mets bought Syracuse...move there permanently in 2019. Will the Nats be the team left out in the cold and have to move to Vegas?

 

Mets probably will have the best set up minor league system once the move takes place (geographically and no contracts expiring until 2023). A Double A and Triple A team an hour away from each other is great for the players.

 

Have to think they reshuffle some of the minor teams. Nats aren't going to want any part of Vegas.

[TheHurl]

Even the players hate it. I was on a flight from Vegas to TO once and Joe Inglett was on it. He said he hated playing in Vegas. The park and facilities suck and it's way too hot there to play baseball in the summer.

 

They approved the new stadium yesterday. Being built in Downtown Sumerlin. Indoor batting cages finally (probably the worst part about Cashman was the batting practice as games were almost always played at night). New location will be beside the Red Rock (and the new LGK practice arena City National Arena). The City of Vegas bought the naming rights for 20 years $80M

[TheHurl]

Have to think they reshuffle some of the minor teams. Nats aren't going to want any part of Vegas.

 

There is always going to be one team left out. Mets bought a team to make sure they weren't that team. 2018 is a host of teams coming up for new contracts. It's going to come down to Baltimore (Norfolk), Arizona (who might happily move to the new park in Vegas from Reno), Nats (no team), Twins (Rochester). Most of the others appear to be happy in their locations or part own their teams.

 

Edit forgot the A's who are in Nashville and might also be more interested in Vegas.

[TheHurl]

Own (or part own) Teams

 

SWB Yankees

Albuquerque Dodgers

Gwinnett Braves

Memphis Cardinals

Syracuse Mets

 

Signed through 2020

 

Indianapolis Pirates

Albuquerque Rockies

Charlotte White Sox

Lehigh Valley Phillies

Iowa Cubs

New Orleans Marlins

Sacramento Giants

 

Have already agreed to extend (All part of the agreement for the Rangers to move Colorado Springs)

 

Colorado Springs (and moved team to San Antonio) Rangers

Fresno Brewers

Round Rock Astros

 

All others might be SOL

[G-Snarls]

Have to think they reshuffle some of the minor teams. Nats aren't going to want any part of Vegas.

 

Shouldn't a west coast team use it? LA, ARI, SD or SF??

[burlingtonbandit]

There is always going to be one team left out. Mets bought a team to make sure they weren't that team. 2018 is a host of teams coming up for new contracts. It's going to come down to Baltimore (Norfolk), Arizona (who might happily move to the new park in Vegas from Reno), Nats (no team), Twins (Rochester). Most of the others appear to be happy in their locations or part own their teams.

 

Edit forgot the A's who are in Nashville and might also be more interested in Vegas.

 

Yeah makes way more sense for a Western team to be there. The As and Nashville makes sense to switch geographically.

[bendera3]

Do the Jays own any of their teams? Would it make sense?

[TheHurl]

Do the Jays own any of their teams? Would it make sense?

 

Dunedin, GCL and DSL I believe. I can't say I know the financial advantages and disadvantages of owning but I'm sure it's out there in an article somewhere.

[P2F]

Vote for the MiLBYS!

 

https://secure.milb.com/news/awards/y2017/?category=breakout

 

Bichette is nominated for breakout player and top offensive player.

 

Vlad is nominated for top offensive player as well.

 

Also, the Jays are nominated for best farm system.

[Omar]

Vote for the MiLBYS!

 

https://secure.milb.com/news/awards/y2017/?category=breakout

 

Bichette is nominated for breakout player and top offensive player.

 

Vlad is nominated for top offensive player as well.

 

Also, the Jays are nominated for best farm system.

 

Best farm system, wow that was fast even for a nomination. The road to glory begins on the farm. I am really hopeful for entertaining Jays teams in future.

[Angrioter]

Teoscar Hernandez DWL "Jays from office want i improve my contact here (DWL)"

 

"I wil fight for an OF spot next season. The team want to be more younger than this season"

[Terminator]

They approved the new stadium yesterday. Being built in Downtown Sumerlin. Indoor batting cages finally (probably the worst part about Cashman was the batting practice as games were almost always played at night). New location will be beside the Red Rock (and the new LGK practice arena City National Arena). The City of Vegas bought the naming rights for 20 years $80M

 

Nice I didn't know that. I went to a few games there before and it was brutal. Stadium sucks and it's in a bad location. Add in the summer heat and the only time anyone went was Thirsty Thursdays when beers were a dollar. Even then people would only go when it was relatively cool out. If it's near Red Rock (a really nice casino for locals) and the stadium is better they should get more buzz.