Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[BlueBaller]

By Kyle Glaser on September 4, 2019

 

Julio Rodriguez played 17 games in the high Class A California League to end the year. That was all he needed to become the talk of the circuit.

 

Rodriguez, the Mariners’ touted 18-year-old outfield prospect, hit .462 with a .514 on-base percentage and .738 slugging percentage over the final three weeks of the season for high Class A Modesto. Promoted from low Class A West Virginia on Aug. 15 to replace fellow top prospect Jarred Kelenic after Kelenic was promoted to Double-A, Rodriguez went 4-for-5 in his Modesto debut and never stopped hitting. He notched six doubles, three triples and two home runs, scored 13 runs, drove in 19 and altogether recorded multiple hits in more than half (nine of 17) of his games.

 

Even though it was a small sample size, nothing was small about the impression Rodriguez made. Listed at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds but really closer to 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Rodriguez’s blend of youth, physicality and performance left observers resorting to metaphor.

 

"He’s a monster,” Visalia manager Shawn Roof said. "I don’t know what it says he’s listed at but when he stands on deck, he’s huge. And he flies. He ran really well. He’s an above-average runner, plays the game hard and seems to have a lot of bat speed.”

 

Rodriguez, the Mariners’ No. 2 prospect, was already highly regarded after signing for $1.75 million as an international free agent in 2017 and tearing up the low Class A South Atlantic League in his full-season debut this year.

 

His stint in the Cal League, however, brought him a new level of acclaim from not only scouts and opposing managers, but fellow players.

 

"We were up in Stockton the second-to-last series and he had a five-hit game,” Modesto manager Denny Hocking said, "Their third baseman just looked at me and goes, ‘He’s just the greatest baseball player I’ve ever seen in my life.’”

 

Rodriguez’s physical skill set was significant, but his positive first impression goes beyond just his tools. On the mental side, he showed the ability to make adjustments within an at-bat and took a mature approach at the plate beyond his years.

 

In terms of personality, Rodriguez is already fluent in English and kept a constant smile on his face, energizing his teammates in the clubhouse as well as on the field.

 

For Hocking, that was as impressive as any of Rodriguez’s on-field feats.

 

"It was a lot of fun watching him walk into that clubhouse with a smile from day one and keep that smile on his face,” Hocking said. "He walked right in and interacted with the guys, and I think energized most of the guys.

 

"Just approach, happiness, fun to be around, his demeanor never changed. When people talk about him they talk about his skill set, but also how much he loves the game and what a big brother he is to some of the Latin kids as well.”

 

Opponents didn’t quite get the same look at Rodriguez. All they saw was a teenaged physical specimen destroying their pitchers, one they’d enjoy watching if he wasn’t causing them so much pain.

 

"Just his presence in the box, he has a different look, a different build to him,” Roof said. "There are guys who come around and play in this league that look like big leaguers. He looks like a big leaguer.”

impressive that the Mariners got him at a relatively low price. looking forward to his arrival.

 

crazy how fast he learned English as well. some guys never do.

[BlueBaller]

Does anyone remember Tyler Kolek? He was the 1-2 selection of the Marlins back in 2014, right out of high school. He's 23 now, apparently literally only throws fastballs, and has like 30 command at best. He's only gotten as far as A, with a shitload of injuries sprinkled in.

 

His numbers this year between short season A and A, as a reliever mind you:

13.2 IP

20 K

27 BB

1 HBP

9 WP (that's wild pitches)

14 ER

His K-BB% in A is -17.3%

 

What a horrendous pick that was for the Marlins.

they also gave the kid a huge signing bonus. super weird for a team so constrained monetarily.

[TheHurl]

they also gave the kid a huge signing bonus. super weird for a team so constrained monetarily.

 

he was $800k under slot. 2014 was one of the worst drafts ever. Oakland's "reach" for Chapman at 24, San Diego took Turner and then traded him in the Wil Myers deal and Aaron Nola was all that came from that draft.

 

which they used to sign two other guys that never did s***.

 

Read the draft report on him though...

 

Drafted in the 1st round (2nd overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2014 (signed for $6,000,000)

Scouts knew about Kolek as one of the top 2014 targets in Texas when he broke his left arm in a collision at first base in March 2013. The injury ended his junior season, but Kolek kept himself in shape. When he went to the tryouts for Texas' Area Code Games team in late May, his fastball popped 99. A three-sport star who was drawing interest as a defensive end, Kolek decided to focus exclusively on baseball after the ACG tryout. Kolek then spent the summer establishing himself as the hardest thrower in a draft class full of velocity, and has maintained triple-digit radar gun readings all spring, hitting 100-102 mph regularly. Kolek's fastball sits 96-98 mph thanks to tremendous strength, coordination in his 6-foot-5, 245-pound body and surprising arm speed. Kolek is very athletic in his delivery has a very long stride, even for his size. Scouts consider Kolek's consistent top-end velocity unprecedented in the draft era for a high school pitcher. His fastball plays up beyond its pure velocity readings because of its heavy plus life, working downhill with sink. His dense fastball will likely be a groundball-inducing offering when hitters make contact. He throws both a curveball and slider, and the slider is a power pitch in the mid-80s that is his best secondary pitch and shows at least plus potential. His curveball has decent shape but he prefers the slider. He repeats his delivery and throws quality strikes. He has shown a changeup in showcases or in the bullpen but hasn't needed it in games. Kolek can lose his direction to the plate, working from the far first base side of the rubber and occasionally landing closed. But he has cleaned up his delivery this spring, leading to the consistent velocity. He has performed as expected as a potential top-five pick against small school Texas competition, striking out 60 percent of hitters against 6 percent walks. Scouts struggle think think of a physical comparison for Kolek and that lack of analogous players make scouts wonder how his body will progress as he ages. Strike-throwing ability and the development of his offspeed stuff will be the keys to his development, as he has the chance to develop into a power pitcher that fronts a rotation.

[Boxcar]

he was $800k under slot. 2014 was one of the worst drafts ever. Oakland's "reach" for Chapman at 24, San Diego took Turner and then traded him in the Wil Myers deal and Aaron Nola was all that came from that draft.

 

which they used to sign two other guys that never did s***.

 

Read the draft report on him though...

 

Drafted in the 1st round (2nd overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2014 (signed for $6,000,000)

Scouts knew about Kolek as one of the top 2014 targets in Texas when he broke his left arm in a collision at first base in March 2013. The injury ended his junior season, but Kolek kept himself in shape. When he went to the tryouts for Texas' Area Code Games team in late May, his fastball popped 99. A three-sport star who was drawing interest as a defensive end, Kolek decided to focus exclusively on baseball after the ACG tryout. Kolek then spent the summer establishing himself as the hardest thrower in a draft class full of velocity, and has maintained triple-digit radar gun readings all spring, hitting 100-102 mph regularly. Kolek's fastball sits 96-98 mph thanks to tremendous strength, coordination in his 6-foot-5, 245-pound body and surprising arm speed. Kolek is very athletic in his delivery has a very long stride, even for his size. Scouts consider Kolek's consistent top-end velocity unprecedented in the draft era for a high school pitcher. His fastball plays up beyond its pure velocity readings because of its heavy plus life, working downhill with sink. His dense fastball will likely be a groundball-inducing offering when hitters make contact. He throws both a curveball and slider, and the slider is a power pitch in the mid-80s that is his best secondary pitch and shows at least plus potential. His curveball has decent shape but he prefers the slider. He repeats his delivery and throws quality strikes. He has shown a changeup in showcases or in the bullpen but hasn't needed it in games. Kolek can lose his direction to the plate, working from the far first base side of the rubber and occasionally landing closed. But he has cleaned up his delivery this spring, leading to the consistent velocity. He has performed as expected as a potential top-five pick against small school Texas competition, striking out 60 percent of hitters against 6 percent walks. Scouts struggle think think of a physical comparison for Kolek and that lack of analogous players make scouts wonder how his body will progress as he ages. Strike-throwing ability and the development of his offspeed stuff will be the keys to his development, as he has the chance to develop into a power pitcher that fronts a rotation.

 

There it is

[glory]

[Deadpool]

Guys, we can pack this thread up now, apparently we might not even need the MiLB...

 

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/do-we-even-need-minor-league-baseball/

[Angrioter]

I feel like we're going to end up with better pitching than hitting.

 

I don't think so

 

Do you remember Drabek, Hutchison, Cecil, Jansen, HenAlvarez?

[flafson]

I don't think so

 

Do you remember Drabek, Hutchison, Cecil, Jansen, HenAlvarez?

 

Aside from Drabek, they weren't all that bad... Maybe not front of the rotation guys but they were serviceable major leaguers for some time.

[Barkerfan23]

I distinctly remember driving in my car, circa 2009, listening to Wilner teling me that Brett Cecil was going to be the 1B to Roy Halladays 1A. Cecil was a tremendous prospect in AA, I think we all expected him to be a good starter and from that perspective he was disappointing. If you look at his prospect numbers up until 2008, you would think you are looking at a top 20 prospect in baseball.

[Barkerfan23]

19. Toronto Blue Jays

PREVIOUS 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

RANKINGS 25 26 25 15 8

State of the System: The Blue Jays have built an improved system, with better talent at the upper levels such as Travis Snider, J.P. Arencibia and Brett Cecil. The Jays have produced some solid pitching of late, such as Shaun Marcum, Jesse Litch and David Purcey, and Snider and Arencibia should be able to improve one of the big league team's biggest weaknesses, a lack of home run power. The system is still largely dependent on the development of the large 2007 draft class with infielders Kevin Ahrens, Justin Jackson and John Tolisano.

Best-Stocked Position: The Jays have drafted a lot of lefthanders lately, with Cecil—a 2007 supplemental first-rounder—the best of the lot. Ricky Romero has been maligned as the sixth-overall pick in 2005 but the Jays still like his power arm, and Brad Mills and Matt Rzepczynski give the Jays four southpaws among their Top 10 prospects.

Prepare For Takeoff: While he's a shorter righthander Alan Farina has power stuff, including the system's best fastball, a 92-95 mph explosive four-seamer. Ankle and elbow injuries have held him back as a pro, but he's got the power equipment to race through the system if he's healthy in 2009.

At A Crossroads: The Jays passed on a lot of talent to take Romero sixth overall, and he's still yet to reach the majors. At some point, his three-pitch mix has to produce better results than they have to this point, and with Toronto's big league pitcher injuries (Marcum, Dustin McGowan), now would be a good time.

[Laika]

I don't think so

 

Do you remember Drabek, Hutchison, Cecil, Jansen, HenAlvarez?

 

How could you not include Purcey and McGowan on this list?

[Laika]

"While he's a shorter righthander Alan Farina has power stuff, including the system's best fastball, a 92-95 mph explosive four-seamer."

 

What a time it was

[Olerud363]

I distinctly remember driving in my car, circa 2009, listening to Wilner teling me that Brett Cecil was going to be the 1B to Roy Halladays 1A. Cecil was a tremendous prospect in AA, I think we all expected him to be a good starter and from that perspective he was disappointing. If you look at his prospect numbers up until 2008, you would think you are looking at a top 20 prospect in baseball.

 

 

Brett Cecil's 2008 is about as close as you can get to Kay's 2019... there are some differences, Kay a bit older, I'm sure differences in what they throw... but if Kay=Cecil that's not horrible.

 

I don't know any of those guys are comparable to Pearson, Koff, Manaoh, Richardson.... They were more control guys with lower k-rates if I remember...

[Barkerfan23]

"While he's a shorter righthander Alan Farina has power stuff, including the system's best fastball, a 92-95 mph explosive four-seamer."

 

What a time it was

 

Interesting, he retired and got an economics degree. Has some sort of health company now, Minor though

[Krylian]

Interesting, he retired and got an economics degree. Has some sort of health company now, Minor though

 

It's nice to hear stories of athletes that don't make it, but are still able to walk away and have success in other fields. Good for him.

[Laika]

Interesting, he retired and got an economics degree. Has some sort of health company now, Minor though

 

It's nice to hear stories of athletes that don't make it, but are still able to walk away and have success in other fields. Good for him.

 

He tested positive for roids twice. The health company is probably a front! BALCO 2.0.

[Krylian]

He tested positive for roids twice. The health company is probably a front! BALCO 2.0.

 

Well. So much for that.

[Deadpool]

Brett Cecil's 2008 is about as close as you can get to Kay's 2019... there are some differences, Kay a bit older, I'm sure differences in what they throw... but if Kay=Cecil that's not horrible.

 

I don't know any of those guys are comparable to Pearson, Koff, Manaoh, Richardson.... They were more control guys with lower k-rates if I remember...

 

Nobody we had over 10 years ago was comparable with Pearson or Manoah. Brandon League and Billy Koch are probably the only guys the Jays have ever had who could hit triple digits, and they were both relievers.

[Abomination]

Nobody we had over 10 years ago was comparable with Pearson or Manoah. Brandon League and Billy Koch are probably the only guys the Jays have ever had who could hit triple digits, and they were both relievers.

 

Koch was a starter in the minors. It's kind of interesting. He never made a relief appearance in the minors (with the exception of 4 appearances in 2003), and never made a start in the majors.

[Grant77]

Nobody we had over 10 years ago was comparable with Pearson or Manoah. Brandon League and Billy Koch are probably the only guys the Jays have ever had who could hit triple digits, and they were both relievers.

 

Sergio Santos could get it up there but we didn't know it at the time.

 

You have to keep in mind that velocity has gone wayyyy up recently. Kelvim Escobar was a major flamethrower when he was pumping in 94-95 as a starter when he came up.

[Deadpool]

Sergio Santos could get it up there but we didn't know it at the time.

 

You have to keep in mind that velocity has gone wayyyy up recently. Kelvim Escobar was a major flamethrower when he was pumping in 94-95 as a starter when he came up.

 

But that's why I said nobody we had 10 years ago is comparable to those guys, it's a whole different game velocity wise now.

[Laika]

But that's why I said nobody we had 10 years ago is comparable to those guys, it's a whole different game velocity wise now.

 

Well in context some of them might be comparable.

 

Grant77 is actually right here, as per usual.

[keggy]

Nobody we had over 10 years ago was comparable with Pearson or Manoah. Brandon League and Billy Koch are probably the only guys the Jays have ever had who could hit triple digits, and they were both relievers.

 

This is an aside, but I very distinctly remember Aaron Sanchez and Liam Hendriks of all people touching 100 during the 2015 playoff run. Harold Reynolds was drooling over Sanchez's stuff out of the pen.

[Boxcar]

This is an aside, but I very distinctly remember Aaron Sanchez and Liam Hendriks of all people touching 100 during the 2015 playoff run. Harold Reynolds was drooling over Sanchez's stuff out of the pen.

 

Was probably a sign that he wouldn't amount to much

[Captain Adama]

Was probably a sign that he wouldn't amount to much

 

Harold Reynolds was also drooling over Ryan Goins and Rougned Odor during those playoffs as well.

[Todd]

look at that Anthony Alford proves my point ever f***ing day. Should

not be in the top 30 or even in the show. Batting .111

Dalton f***ing Pompey all over again.

[AintNoThang]

look at that Anthony Alford proves my point ever f***ing day. Should

not be in the top 30 or even in the show. Batting .111

Dalton f***ing Pompey all over again.

 

Todd, Alford is batting .500, OPSing at 1.167, and has a wRC+ of 241 in tonight's game.

[Todd]

really excuses. Guy has falling out of grace. Other players should be ahead of him.

[Krylian]

Any way we can load Alford and Todd into a canon and fire them both into the sun?

[wamco]

Great idea . We will attach you to them to make sure they get there. Don’t call us, we’ll call you.