Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[43211234]

2nd one is better, but pretty similar overall

 

Its Luciano

 

137 vs 110 wRC+ is a pretty big difference. It's just part of one minor league season so who cares but just to give an example of the difference between those two numbers: The former is Pete's Alonso's career wRC+ and the latter is Ozzie Albies'.

[Daniel Labude]

Marco Luciano.

 

 

Orelvis is striking out too much but who knows how the robo-umps are affecting things there.

 

He should start getting that back down with more ABs imo

[Spanky__99]

I just listened to the Baseball-America Top 100 podcast, and to say they love Gabriel Moreno would be an understatement:

 

Josh Norris: "Without question the best reviews of any player I've gotten in the entire minor leagues this year, and probably in a while, has been Gabriel Moreno. That guy based on what I'm what I'm hearing from scouts has the word 'stud' written on him in 72 pt font all capitalized, underlined and bolded. I think right now he's the #1 prospect in the Blue Jays system. He can hit, he can hit for power, he has aptitude and attitude, and he can play on both sides of the ball. He can throw, he can defend. There are some fine points of his game that need to be ironed out. They're certainly minor at this point. But the scouts coming out of there (and these are not Blue Jays scouts) are extraordinarily high on this young man.

 

JJ Cooper: "So what is it that stands out?"

 

Josh Norris: "Everything. People are going in there and saying this is a major league ready product right now"

 

JJ Cooper: "So is he big league ready defensively"

 

Josh Norris: "Yeah. He can block, he can throw, he can receive. But right now he needs to work on commanding a pitching staff. That might be the biggest issue at this point but that will come with time. I bet you see him in the big leagues this year. We had him on the fringes of the Top 100 before. And he's all the way up in the 30s. And he'll probably make an even bigger jump in the next update"

 

Goes on to say that he hasn't kept a rostered a minor leaguer on his fantasy team just to keep him away from other people since Fernando Tatis Jr. lol

 

Damn, thanks Ray! So excited for this kid.

[max silver]

He hit another double.

 

4 for 5, HR, 2 2B, BB

 

Disgusting.

 

Moreno is up to a nice tidy 200 WRC+ in AA as a 21 year old. Moreno's emergence with the bat is like adding another Bo Bichette type talent at the catcher position, it's impossible not to be incredibly excited about this level of talent being added to the major league roster in the not too distant future. The club will have some interesting decisions to make before too long, once Kirk returns from the 60 day IL there will be 4 MLB caliber catchers on the 40 man roster. (I'm choosing to ignore McGuire, he's basically waiver wire quality, and any success he's had with the bat looks to be largely undeserved)

 

Somebody will need to be traded soon, who stays and who goes won't be an easy decision to make. Jansen is a nice veteran receiver now who calls a good game, works well with the pitching staff and is a very good defender. Unfortunately he hasn't been able to provide any offense which really limits his value, both to the Jays and as a potential trade chip. Kirk has shown reasonably well behind the plate but to me it looks like he has a ways to go defensively before he's ready for a starting job. The bat is too good to ignore though, he is likely to hit a ton, but if he's not catching he's basically limited to DH on those days. First base wouldn't be an option for a guy of his height, especially given how short his arms are. In the short sample of games where we've seen him behind the plate Adams looks like he's pretty decent behind the plate, and I've liked his game calling for the most part. It remains to be seen how the bat translates to MLB pitching, but he's had good competitive at bats for the most part, and the power was really starting to show up in AAA. Moreno looks to be a star in the making, the future starter's job looks to be his, it's just a matter of when this happens.

 

Would the Jays be willing to go with a tandem of Moreno and Kirk as soon as next season? Having two rookie catchers on the same roster could lead to some serious growing pains, and with the club likely looking to pivot to full contention as early as next season two catchers with so little relative experience could lead to quite a few extra runs being scored by the opposition.

[Jimcanuck]

132 ABs, .258 AVG, .782 OPS, 11 BBs, 42 Ks, 5 HRs

118 ABs, .271 AVG, .886 OPS, 12 BBs, 25 Ks, 7 HRs

 

Both 19 year old Top 100 prospects at Low A

 

Another 19 yr old Top 100 in Low A

 

130 AB, .315 AVG, .984 OPS, 20 BB, 37 Ks, 8 HRs

[THANOS]

Moreno is up to a nice tidy 200 WRC+ in AA as a 21 year old. Moreno's emergence with the bat is like adding another Bo Bichette type talent at the catcher position, it's impossible not to be incredibly excited about this level of talent being added to the major league roster in the not too distant future. The club will have some interesting decisions to make before too long, once Kirk returns from the 60 day IL there will be 4 MLB caliber catchers on the 40 man roster. (I'm choosing to ignore McGuire, he's basically waiver wire quality, and any success he's had with the bat looks to be largely undeserved)

 

Somebody will need to be traded soon, who stays and who goes won't be an easy decision to make. Jansen is a nice veteran receiver now who calls a good game, works well with the pitching staff and is a very good defender. Unfortunately he hasn't been able to provide any offense which really limits his value, both to the Jays and as a potential trade chip. Kirk has shown reasonably well behind the plate but to me it looks like he has a ways to go defensively before he's ready for a starting job. The bat is too good to ignore though, he is likely to hit a ton, but if he's not catching he's basically limited to DH on those days. First base wouldn't be an option for a guy of his height, especially given how short his arms are. In the short sample of games where we've seen him behind the plate Adams looks like he's pretty decent behind the plate, and I've liked his game calling for the most part. It remains to be seen how the bat translates to MLB pitching, but he's had good competitive at bats for the most part, and the power was really starting to show up in AAA. Moreno looks to be a star in the making, the future starter's job looks to be his, it's just a matter of when this happens.

 

Would the Jays be willing to go with a tandem of Moreno and Kirk as soon as next season? Having two rookie catchers on the same roster could lead to some serious growing pains, and with the club likely looking to pivot to full contention as early as next season two catchers with so little relative experience could lead to quite a few extra runs being scored by the opposition.

 

Moreno & Kirk would be my choice hands down. We need to sign a Vet Ace in the off-season though. Need at least 3 starters who can, more or less, call their own games.

 

1. Vet Ace (my choice is Scherzer)

2. Ryu

3. Ray (extend him)

4. Manoah

5. Pearson

[max silver]

Moreno & Kirk would be my choice hands down. We need to sign a Vet Ace in the off-season though. Need at least 3 starters who can, more or less, call their own games.

 

1. Vet Ace (my choice is Scherzer)

2. Ryu

3. Ray (extend him)

4. Manoah

5. Pearson

 

I'd be very tempted to use Kirk as trade bait. He's likely to be a very valuable commodity if he's made available, guys who can hit like him at the catcher position just don't come around very often. There are still questions about his ability to stay at catcher long term, so I'd let a different organization worry about that potential issue. It certainly is nice to dream on a Moreno/Kirk combination offensively though, given the total black hole of offensive production that the catcher spot has been for the team since Martin was shipped out. At this point Kirk is only rated as a 50 FV prospect by both fangraphs and MLP Pipeline however, so perhaps he would need to be part of a prospect package to bring a good player in return.

[TheHurl]

Another 19 yr old Top 100 in Low A

 

130 AB, .315 AVG, .984 OPS, 20 BB, 37 Ks, 8 HRs

 

19 year old defensive catcher that 3/4 of the fantasy manager didn't want

 

129 AB .310 AVG, .939 OPS, 17 BB, 39Ks, 5 HRs

 

New name...but the Cali is still the Cali

[Spanky__99]

At this point Kirk is only rated as a 50 FV prospect by both fangraphs and MLP Pipeline however, so perhaps he would need to be part of a prospect package to bring a good player in return.

 

A 50 FV prospect is worth well over 25 Million in value, he'd get a very good player alone.

[JFD]

Don't trade Kirk!

[Spanky__99]

Don't trade Kirk!

 

I wouldn't.

[max silver]

A 50 FV prospect is worth well over 25 Million in value, he'd get a very good player alone.

 

Maybe packaged with somebody like Hiraldo Kirk could bring back a Sonny Gray starter type. With Ray and Matz on expiring contracts there are certainly rotation holes to fill next season. Perhaps Pearson is finally ready by then, and Woods Richardson could be a viable option as well, but I would hate for the team to repeat what has happened at the start of the last two seasons and only have 2 or 3 real viable rotation options. It's just played havoc with the bullpen having to cover so many innings.

[Spanky__99]

Maybe packaged with somebody like Hiraldo Kirk could bring back a Sonny Gray starter type. With Ray and Matz on expiring contracts there are certainly rotation holes to fill next season. Perhaps Pearson is finally ready by then, and Woods Richardson could be a viable option as well, but I would hate for the team to repeat what has happened at the start of the last two seasons and only have 2 or 3 real viable rotation options. It's just played havoc with the bullpen having to cover so many innings.

 

I'd rather extend Ray, and keep those guys to be honest, and sign a FA as well, it's all conjecture obviously and who knows what Atkins has up his sleeve.

[RobinThicc]

Moreno's gotta be in triple A by the end of the month.

[max silver]

I'd rather extend Ray, and keep those guys to be honest, and sign a FA as well, it's all conjecture obviously and who knows what Atkins has up his sleeve.

 

I'd like the club to extend Ray as well, he just keeps getting better and better as the season goes on. If he can keep the homeruns under control he's basically a very good number 2 starter, but even with the homeruns being an issue he's like a decent number 3. I'd love the club to use some of the available payroll going forward to make an attempt to retain Semien and use the minor league system to trade for another starter. With milb being in swing plenty of Jays prospects have been able to raise their relative trade value, so a decent starter should be attainable without decimating the minor league system to a large degree. The Jays have a wealth of good catcher and middle infielder prospects, and sooner or later it will be time to leverage that strength in order to fill needs on the major league squad.

[Jimcanuck]

Catchers being a bit less volatile than relief pitchers, would have no problem trading from the Jays catching surplus. At this point, Moreno might be 2nd after Vladdy in terms of players I would be most hesitant to move, though.

[Spanky__99]

I'd like the club to extend Ray as well, he just keeps getting better and better as the season goes on. If he can keep the homeruns under control he's basically a very good number 2 starter, but even with the homeruns being an issue he's like a decent number 3. I'd love the club to use some of the available payroll going forward to make an attempt to retain Semien and use the minor league system to trade for another starter. With milb being in swing plenty of Jays prospects have been able to raise their relative trade value, so a decent starter should be attainable without decimating the minor league system to a large degree. The Jays have a wealth of good catcher and middle infielder prospects, and sooner or later it will be time to leverage that strength in order to fill needs on the major league squad.

 

Well said... good post.

[Spanky__99]

Speaking of Kirk, he's been DH'ing at extended spring training since the 9th of this month. Glad he's swinging it this early, good news.

[max silver]

Speaking of Kirk, he's been DH'ing at extended spring training since the 9th of this month. Glad he's swinging it this early, good news.

 

That should certainly help him hit the ground running with the bat when he's able to return to catching duties. There will be very limited DH opportunities on the major league squad once he returns, so any playing time Kirk received will likely be at catcher only. Once Springer returns there Gurriel and his three blind mice routine will likely see very limited time in the outfield aside from days where Springer needs a day off at DH, and if Tellez is still on the roster at that point then that further reduces the DH at bats which will be available.

[Spanky__99]

That should certainly help him hit the ground running with the bat when he's able to return to catching duties. There will be very limited DH opportunities on the major league squad once he returns, so any playing time Kirk received will likely be at catcher only. Once Springer returns there Gurriel and his three blind mice routine will likely see very limited time in the outfield aside from days where Springer needs a day off at DH, and if Tellez is still on the roster at that point then that further reduces the DH at bats which will be available.

 

He'll get plenty of AB's when he gets back, as long as he keeps hitting. He'll stick behind the plate for a handful of years at least, too

[InsideThePark]

I'd be completely fine with rostering all of Jansen/Moreno/Kirk in the big leagues next year. Getting Kirk a bunch of at bats at DH in the process. If someone is willing to pay full value for Jansen then that's something I'd be willing to explore and run Kirk/Moreno, but I'd rather not trade either of those 2 guys before they get a chance to stick at the majors, and I'd rather not sell low on Jansen either. Adams meanwhile I'm fine leaving him in AAA for another year or 2. Obviously not ideal, but when you're deep like this the high end guys get priority when they're ready. Adams feels like eventual trade bait after just not having room but it gives you time to find a perfect trade fit for someone else if you want to go that route and he can then be a fine backup at the MLB level.

[max silver]

I'd be completely fine with rostering all of Jansen/Moreno/Kirk in the big leagues next year. Getting Kirk a bunch of at bats at DH in the process. If someone is willing to pay full value for Jansen then that's something I'd be willing to explore and run Kirk/Moreno, but I'd rather not trade either of those 2 guys before they get a chance to stick at the majors, and I'd rather not sell low on Jansen either. Adams meanwhile I'm fine leaving him in AAA for another year or 2. Obviously not ideal, but when you're deep like this the high end guys get priority when they're ready. Adams feels like eventual trade bait after just not having room but it gives you time to find a perfect trade fit for someone else if you want to go that route and he can then be a fine backup at the MLB level.

 

Something else that might be a good option would be to option Jansen down to AAA once one of Kirk/Moreno/Adams shows that they are ready for starting catching duties. Jansen still has a few options remaining, and working on his swing in a less pressure packed situation could be of great benefit to his career. The minor league swing doctors in Buffalo had a lot of success with helping out Gurriel, Teoscar and Tellez reworking their swings and approaches, so taking the same approach with Jansen may be worth a shot to help him take the next step forward.

[Spanky__99]

Something else that might be a good option would be to option Jansen down to AAA once one of Kirk/Moreno/Adams shows that they are ready for starting catching duties. Jansen still has a few options remaining, and working on his swing in a less pressure packed situation could be of great benefit to his career. The minor league swing doctors in Buffalo had a lot of success with helping out Gurriel, Teoscar and Tellez reworking their swings and approaches, so taking the same approach with Jansen may be worth a shot to help him take the next step forward.

 

Jansen is too good defensively, I find that highly unlikely.

[max silver]

Jansen is too good defensively, I find that highly unlikely.

 

Aside from his gold glove nominated season he's been more of the very good variety defensively rather than elite. The bat right now just isn't good enough to carry him as a starting catcher option going forward. To keep his starting job he'll likely need to at least provide the average level of offense for a catcher, otherwise he's going to eventually find himself as the backup.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Nice to have a pending log jam behind the plate. Great problem to have. Hopefully Jansen can figure out how to hit better and build some value.

 

In the meantime, I wonder if Adam's can hit at MLB the way he has hit all the way up the ladder do they maybe try to convert him to a 3B?

 

Just thinking he might be more valuable if he can play both C and 3B to not only the Jays but also trade value wise.

[Laika]

Nice to have a pending log jam behind the plate. Great problem to have. Hopefully Jansen can figure out how to hit better and build some value.

 

In the meantime, I wonder if Adam's can hit at MLB the way he has hit all the way up the ladder do they maybe try to convert him to a 3B?

 

Just thinking he might be more valuable if he can play both C and 3B to not only the Jays but also trade value wise.

 

Too early to call it a logjam since McGuire and Jansen suck and kind of suck. Adams is a bit of a longshot prospect. I do agree with you though that it makes sense to give some of these guys reps at other positions, in case several work out and trades just don't materialize. Adams and Moreno might be able to handle 3B and 1B, I dunno. But Adams is very likely to not hit enough for his bat to play anywhere but C - he's probably a JPA type hitter if he works out. Kirk will get DH reps obviously.

 

I think the catching tandem in 2023 will more likely that anything be Moreno and Kirk.

[Spanky__99]

Aside from his gold glove nominated season he's been more of the very good variety defensively rather than elite. The bat right now just isn't good enough to carry him as a starting catcher option going forward. To keep his starting job he'll likely need to at least provide the average level of offense for a catcher, otherwise he's going to eventually find himself as the backup.

 

A very good defensive back stop, that's par for the course.

[Spanky__99]

Too early to call it a logjam since McGuire and Jansen suck and kind of suck. Adams is a bit of a longshot prospect. I do agree with you though that it makes sense to give some of these guys reps at other positions, in case several work out and trades just don't materialize. Adams and Moreno might be able to handle 3B and 1B, I dunno. But Adams is very likely to not hit enough for his bat to play anywhere but C - he's probably a JPA type hitter if he works out. Kirk will get DH reps obviously.

 

I think the catching tandem in 2023 will more likely that anything be Moreno and Kirk.

 

Adams' will likely be a high OBP, high K Catcher with power, he'll likely pass at the position. Easily better than Mac.

[jaysguy44]

8 Blue Jays in Baseball America's top 83 prospects, crazy.

 

Moreno now sits at 36(previously at 94)

[THANOS]

Orelvis today:

3-5, 2 2B, 2 BB, 0 SO

 

Great line!