Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Spanky__99]

I fired The Athletic when they fired Stoeten. I loved Stoeten's pieces. Check out his free stuff, now. I love his takes on things. He doesn't do hot takes.

 

lol... this BJMB is his favourite place!

[Deadpool]

40 FV doesn't seem aggressive to me. 45+ would have been eye popping. Clearly I am missing something.

 

You are missing the ETA of 2021, which seems slightly unlikely to me.

[Jimcanuck]

Baseball America doesn't rank and write up ~40 Blue Jays prospects though (really not sure why they haven't expanded their top 10 lists by now with how thirsty the internet is for information).

 

The Athletic has s***** writers too. Jim Bowden is on their staff...

 

Fangraphs is good!

 

BA ranks and writes up a top 30 for each team every year.

[Laika]

BA ranks and writes up a top 30 for each team every year.

 

They don't tend to write up the 11-30 prospects in any detail. They just list them. E.g., the 2020 list:

 

STATE OF THE SYSTEM

 

Entering the year, the Blue Jays had a tremendous system, buttressed at the top by RHP Nate Pearson, who was the second-highest ranked pitching prospect in the game, behind only Padres LHP MacKenzie Gore, talented but injured SS Jordan Groshans, precocious RHP Simeon Woods Richardson and intriguing C Alejandro Kirk. Then the draft dominoes started falling and Vanderbilt’s Austin Martin fell into their laps with the fifth overall pick. Toronto was happy to snap up Martin, whom Baseball America ranked as the draft’s No. 2 overall prospect, and add him to their collection of talent. The quartet of Pearson, Martin, Groshans and Woods Richardson gives the Jays four Top 100 Prospects.

 

1. Nate Pearson, RHP

 

Pearson is a potential frontline starter, armed with some of the best pure stuff of any pitching prospect in the game. He's major league-ready right now and will be a key factor if the Blue Jays are able to sneak their way into a playoff spot during a shortened season.

 

2. Austin Martin, SS

 

The Blue Jays picked fifth overall in the 2020 draft and got the No. 2 player available, with Martin stepping in as a top 25 prospect in baseball already. The Blue Jays plan to develop Martin at shortstop, but he has the versatility to move around the infield or head to center field as well.

 

3. Jordan Groshans, SS

 

Groshans, who didn't play after May 13 last year due to an injured left foot, is in Toronto's 60-man player pool to get much needed development. He might end up moving to third base, but he has the combination of hitting ability and power to be an above-average regular at the position.

 

4. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP

 

Acquired in last year's trade for Marcus Stroman, Woods Richardson is still 19 but likely would have been at Double-A at this point during a normal season. He's a polished strike-thrower with a chance for average to above-average stuff across the board.

 

5. Alejandro Kirk, C

 

Kirk is polarizing and unconventional, which is immediately apparent from his Pablo Sandoval-type body. Like Sandoval, Kirk has an innate ability to barrel baseballs consistently, along with a good sense of the strike zone. He has a chance to stick behind the plate if he can keep his conditioning and mobility in check.

 

6. Alek Manoah, RHP

 

The Blue Jays have a collection of extra-large pitchers, including the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Manoah, their first-round pick in the 2019 draft out of West Virginia. He has a power arm, sitting at 93-96 and touching 98 mph, with a slider that flashes plus.

 

7. Orelvis Martinez, SS

 

Toronto's big-ticket international signing in 2018, Martinez raked last year to become the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and put himself just on the periphery of Top 100 prospect conversations. Yet while other top 2018 international signings like Marco Luciano (Giants), Diego Cartaya (Dodgers) and Noelvi Marte (Mariners) are in their clubs' 60-man prospect pools, Martinez is not in Toronto's pool.

 

8. Gabriel Moreno, C

 

Moreno was one of the big risers in the farm system a year ago after hitting .280/.337/.485 in 82 games for low Class A Lansing. At 20, Moreno is an athletic catcher with the excellent hand-eye coordination to make frequent contact.

 

9. Miguel Hiraldo, SS/2B

 

Hiraldo, 19, has shown why several scouts considered him one of the best hitters available in the 2017 international class, hitting .300/.348/.481 last year in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. His range probably fits better at third base, but he has the hitting skill and ability to drive the ball with impact to profile there.

 

10. Anthony Kay, LHP

 

Acquired with righthander Simeon Woods Richardson in the Marcus Stroman deal a year ago, Kay sits in the low 90s and can reach 96. He doesn't have a plus pitch among his secondary weapons, but they can flash average and should allow him to slot in as a back-end starter as soon as this year.

 

Adam Kloffenstein, RHP

C.J. Van Eyk, RHP

Otto Lopez, SS/2B

Estiven Machado, SS

Eric Pardinho, RHP

Shun Yamaguchi, RHP

Kendall Williams, RHP

Griffin Conine, OF

Leonardo Jimenez, SS

Rikelvin De Castro, SS

Patrick Murphy, RHP

Victor Mesia, C

Santiago Espinal, SS/2B

Alberto Rodriguez, OF

Dasan Brown, OF

Reese McGuire, C

Anthony Alford, OF

Kevin Smith, SS

Joey Murray, RHP

Yennsy Diaz, RHP

SYSTEM STRENGTHS

 

The Blue Jays have an exciting young nucleus of hitters in the major leagues with more on the way on the farm. Between Austin Martin and Jordan Groshans, the Blue Jays have two shortstops ranked among the top 35 prospects in baseball. With catchers Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno, Toronto has a pair of promising backstops who have reached the Class A levels, while shortstops Orelvis Martinez and Miguel Hiraldo are two of the best hitters who would have played at low Class A during a normal season. They're part of a strong group of Latin American prospects throughout the lower levels of the organization.

 

SYSTEM WEAKNESSES

 

The Blue Jays don't have a glaring hole in their minor league pipeline, which is part of why they have one of the game's best farm systems. The organization as a whole needs more pitching, though, and especially after Pearson graduates, they will need to get more from their hurlers. They started bolstering their arms last year by drafting Alek Manoah in the first round and trading for Simeon Woods Richardson and Anthony Kay. Righthanders Adam Kloffenstein and Kendall Williams would have been breakout candidates during a normal year, though neither of them is in the team's player pool.

 

PLAYER POOL TIDBITS

 

The Blue Jays stacked their prospect pool with the majority of their top prospects who have full-season experience. RHP Nate Pearson should be in the big leagues soon, with the Blue Jays holding him down temporarily to gain an extra year of service time from him. First-round pick Austin Martin is here, joined by fellow SS Jordan Groshans, who missed most of last season due to a foot injury. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson and C Alejandro Kirk are fellow top 10 prospects in the pool. SS Orelvis Martinez and Miguel Hiraldo—two younger prospects who haven't reached full-season ball—are not in the player pool. Neither is RHP Alek Manoah, the team's 2019 first-round pick out of West Virginia.

 

HURTING

 

RHP Eric Pardinho is out for the season after having Tommy John surgery. That's not a total surprise and it doesn't ding Pardinho's value as much as it would for a pitcher coming off a normal season, since some of that injury risk was already baked into his projection. A sore right elbow kept Pardinho out last year until the end of June, and when he returned, his stuff wasn't as crisp as what he showed the year before. The surgery drops Pardinho's value some, but it's possible his stock could rebound higher than it was coming into the year if he comes back healthy in 2021 and shows the stuff that helped him dominate in 2018.

[Jimcanuck]

If you go to the player page, there is a writeup.

[G-Snarls]

[Angrioter]

MLB.com top-10 SS https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2021/ss/

 

1 Wander Franco SS Tampa Bay Rays A (Adv) 2021

2 Bobby Witt Jr. SS Kansas City Royals A (Full) 2022

3 CJ Abrams SS San Diego Padres A (Full) 2022

4 Marco Luciano SS San Francisco Giants ROK 2023

5 Royce Lewis SS Minnesota Twins AA 2021

6 Austin Martin SS/OF Atenienses de Manati - 2022

7 Jordan Groshans SS Toronto Blue Jays A (Full) 2022

8 Jeter Downs SS/2B Boston Red Sox AA 2021

9 Oneil Cruz SS Pittsburgh Pirates MLB 2022

10 Jazz Chisholm SS Miami Marlins MLB 2021

[vaff]

How is Oneil Cruz on that list? That guy is more likely to be in prison than playing baseball.

[Angrioter]

How is Oneil Cruz on that list? That guy is more likely to be in prison than playing baseball.

 

what about our next 3B (Groshans) and RF (Martin)?

[Krylian]

what about our next 3B (Groshans) and RF (Martin)?

 

I don't think Martin has the arm for RF

[Carlos Danger]

How is Oneil Cruz on that list? That guy is more likely to be in prison than playing baseball.

 

Negative Ghostrider, he was cleared, the org is cool with him and he has Yuge potential. However, just like 2-3 other players on that list, he is not going to be a SS. He will most likely play OF for the Pirates. Liover will play SS, Gonzalez will play 2b and Cruz will move to the OF, he has the bat for it..

[Spanky__99]

Negative Ghostrider, he was cleared, the org is cool with him and he has Yuge potential. However, just like 2-3 other players on that list, he is not going to be a SS. He will most likely play OF for the Pirates. Liover will play SS, Gonzalez will play 2b and Cruz will move to the OF, he has the bat for it..

 

This poster tries(judge and jury) people on very little knowledge, well in the first few posts I've seen, I call a lying bitch trying to pin s*** on Bauer for his attacking her online and I'm a bad man, for suggesting as much(f*** that bitch, she went after him unprovoked). Now he has a young man tried as a murderer/criminal over an accident with 3 PEOPLE riding a motorcycle at night on a highway, who was intoxicated in this scenario? Wasn't Cruz as far as I've read, I'm glad Cherington and the Org backs the kid.

[Angrioter]

I don't think Martin has the arm for RF

 

but Springer is in the house.

 

 

 

or Biggio RF, Martin 2B

[Krylian]

but Springer is in the house.

 

 

 

or Biggio RF, Martin 2B

 

Possibly. Or someone gets traded.

[glory]

https://www.usabaseball.com/news/topic/general/mlb-and-usa-baseball-schedule-evaluation-and-showcase-events-for-2021-2022-mlb-d

 

Major League Baseball and USA Baseball today announced enhancements to the joint Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) to feature a lineup of evaluation and showcase events for 2021 & 2022 MLB Draft prospects, including the first-ever MLB Draft Combine for high school and college baseball players. Additionally, the PDP League, a development & assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s Draft, will return following the cancellation of the 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These programs, which will be hosted at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, will strictly adhere to health protocols and other safety measures that are consistent with all state and local regulations, protect all participants and on-site personnel, and maintain the integrity of the individual player assessments.

 

The inaugural MLB Draft Combine (June 20th-28th) will feature top high school and college baseball prospects, as identified by MLB Clubs, who will have the opportunity to participate in a series of medical & performance assessments as well as educational programming designed to prepare them for a career in professional baseball. As part of the Combine experience, the top 88 high school players eligible for the 2021 MLB Draft will be selected to participate in a unique showcase tournament from June 20th through 26th. The tournament will feature eight games, including “bronze medal” and “gold medal” games, as well as PDP Performance Assessments and a pro-style showcase workout. Medical and performance assessments for all athletes will be conducted June 24th-28th. Additionally, all participants of the newly formed MLB Draft League will have the opportunity to participate in Combine assessments and evaluations through special events in Draft League communities during the month of June. The MLB Draft Combine will be an integral part of the identification and development process for future USA Baseball national teams. MLB and USA Baseball are in communication with the NCAA to ensure athlete eligibility requirements are met overall.

 

Draft combine sounds interesting.

[vaff]

This poster tries(judge and jury) people on very little knowledge, well in the first few posts I've seen, I call a lying bitch trying to pin s*** on Bauer for his attacking her online and I'm a bad man, for suggesting as much(f*** that bitch, she went after him unprovoked). Now he has a young man tried as a murderer/criminal over an accident with 3 PEOPLE riding a motorcycle at night on a highway, who was intoxicated in this scenario? Wasn't Cruz as far as I've read, I'm glad Cherington and the Org backs the kid.

 

How is she a “lying bitch”? Also, how is it okay to call a woman a bitch?

 

This is the encounter. He clearly wanted his followers to go after her.

 

 

As for Oneil Cruz, the last I heard he was arrested for the deaths of the three people. I literally hadn’t heard anything since then. I never looked into the story any further. So I apologize for saying he’ll probably be in prison. Jeez.

[Spanky__99]

How is she a “lying bitch”? Also, how is it okay to call a woman a bitch?

 

This is the encounter. He clearly wanted his followers to go after her.

 

 

As for Oneil Cruz, the last I heard he was arrested for the deaths of the three people. I literally hadn’t heard anything since then. I never looked into the story any further. So I apologize for saying he’ll probably be in prison. Jeez.

 

Geez whiz... Oggie! She messaged on his platform slagging the man, he has every right to say stuff back at her, he didn't tell anyone to attack her ya froot loop. Lying bitch, why's it okay to call one an ******* or a douchebag, yet not a beeeyotch? You assumed and profiled a black dominican a murderer. Yay! Racist!

 

Honestly, do you not know how to follow those tweets?

Edited January 27, 2021 by Spanky99

[Laika]

Is Groshans the new Biggio?

 

Keith Law top 100 came out today. Pearson, Martin, Manoah, Orelvis, and Kirk all ranked.... No Jordan Groshans!

[Krylian]

Is Groshans the new Biggio?

 

Keith Law top 100 came out today. Pearson, Martin, Manoah, Orelvis, and Kirk all ranked.... No Jordan Groshans!

 

I'm surprised he has Kirk up there. I'd have guessed he would've gone with the 'Kirk will eat himself out of baseball in the next 3 years' stance.

[JG34]

5. Nate Pearson, RHP, Toronto, Age: 24

 

Pearson’s debut in the majors was tantalizing, but as with his first full pro season in 2018, it was interrupted by injury, leaving him still eligible for these rankings. Pearson averaged 96.3 mph on his four-seamer, showed a full four-pitch mix, all three of which at least missed bats, although he leaned most on his slider and the pitch wasn’t as consistent as it has been in the past. He’s 6 feet 6 inches and 250 pounds, with a good delivery that he has learned to repeat since the Jays signed him, so in theory he should be durable. Still, he had several fluky injuries in 2018 that limited him to one inning, and a flexor strain sent him to the injured list in late August, after which the Jays used him for just a single relief appearance. If he can stay healthy, there are very few starting pitching prospects who can match his stuff and size, which give him the ceiling of a No. 1 starter.

[JG34]

14. Austin Martin, SS, Toronto, Age: 22

 

The best prospect in the 2020 draft class slipped to the Blue Jays, who picked fifth and were probably delighted to have a player with his kind of potential get to their selection. Martin has exceptional hand-eye coordination and plus-plus bat speed, striking out only 36 times with 50 walks in 392 PA over his last year-plus at Vanderbilt. He’s probably best suited to third base, but the Jays intend to try him out at shortstop — which he has the athleticism and foot speed to handle — with third, second or even center field all possibilities. He did have some throwing trouble in the brief college season in 2020, but it’s not supposed to be a long-term issue and the Jays seem comfortable with his throwing post-draft. This bat at a skill position is pretty unusual and gives him some MVP upside, although we should be a little cautious since he has yet to take a pro at-bat.

[Orgfiller]

I'm surprised he has Kirk up there. I'd have guessed he would've gone with the 'Kirk will eat himself out of baseball in the next 3 years' stance.

 

That opinion is too mainstream. Law always has to be the odd man out.

[JG34]

79. Alek Manoah, RHP, Toronto, Age: 23

 

Manoah was the top college right-hander in the 2019 draft but the Blue Jays got him with the 11th pick on some concerns about his size and minor health issues before his draft year. It looks like a steal now as Manoah continues to stay healthy and throw hard, while improving his conditioning over the course of 2020 and the last two offseasons. Manoah sits 93-94 and can touch 98, with an above-average slider and above-average changeup as well as a curveball he can land for strikes. He is big, 6-6 and 260 in college, and only pitches from the stretch, but he throws strikes and attacks guys consistently with his fastball, an approach that should continue to serve him well as he moves up the ladder. He does have to keep his body in shape, but if he stays healthy he should be in the Blue Jays’ rotation within the next two seasons, with mid-rotation upside.

[JG34]

92. Alejandro Kirk, C, Toronto, Age: 22

 

Kirk got a surprise call-up to the majors and was very impressive for a kid who’d never played above High A, and had just 151 professional games total before he reached the big leagues. His bat-to-ball skill and swing decisions are both excellent, leading to very low strikeout rates, while he’s got explosive acceleration at the plate and showed in the majors he can hit for power the other way and turn on 97 in. He’s a solid catcher who can frame, block and throw well, but he’s on the big side already for a catcher at age 22 and has to maintain his conditioning. He was listed at 5-8 and 265 pounds last year, and while he’s apparently lost weight heading into spring training, that’s going to be an ongoing issue for him so he can stay behind the plate, as there’s no other position for a player with his build. His bat will make him a longtime regular as a catcher, with a chance to be a star if he keeps his body in shape for it.

[JG34]

98. Orelvis Martinez, SS, Toronto, Age: 19

 

Martinez is still just 19 but finished the summer at the Blue Jays’ alternate site, impressing the team with his production against older pitching. The ball explodes off his bat thanks to his plus bat speed and present power, while he has already shown glimpses of advanced plate discipline. In the field, he’s got a plus arm and great hands, still playing shortstop but with a body that might eventually push him to third base. I noted last winter that he might be the Jays’ best prospect in a year, but with no minor league season to show progress and the addition of the best player in the 2020 draft in Austin Martin, Martinez has to wait a year for any such coronation. He has an enormous ceiling as a strong OBP guy with 25-30 homers and plus defense at third. We just need to see how the bat plays at higher levels.

[Brownie19]

92. Alejandro Kirk, C, Toronto, Age: 22

 

Kirk got a surprise call-up to the majors and was very impressive for a kid who’d never played above High A, and had just 151 professional games total before he reached the big leagues. His bat-to-ball skill and swing decisions are both excellent, leading to very low strikeout rates, while he’s got explosive acceleration at the plate and showed in the majors he can hit for power the other way and turn on 97 in. He’s a solid catcher who can frame, block and throw well, but he’s on the big side already for a catcher at age 22 and has to maintain his conditioning. He was listed at 5-8 and 265 pounds last year, and while he’s apparently lost weight heading into spring training, that’s going to be an ongoing issue for him so he can stay behind the plate, as there’s no other position for a player with his build. His bat will make him a longtime regular as a catcher, with a chance to be a star if he keeps his body in shape for it.

 

first time I've read anyone suggest Kirk lost weight this offseason...good stuff if true.

[Krylian]

first time I've read anyone suggest Kirk lost weight this offseason...good stuff if true.

 

Maybe he's training buddies with Vladdy.

[Virgil_Hiltz]

Maybe he's training buddies with Vladdy.

 

Wonder if this off-season if he's been under watch by the Jays in their Dunedin facility. For having the state of the art facilities now and with the "Shatkins show" that they may put in place some

professional help for diet, nutrition and other healthy lifestyle choices?

[jerb]

[Krylian]

 

Any chance this was a month ago? I mean...it's great to see him in the gym...but I unreasonably want him slimmer heading in to the season.

 

I guess I need to expect that this is a long term goal and small victories are important.