Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Laika]

 

I don't know what Bicep inflamation in the shoulder means.

 

If Shi is not misspeaking there then that might be more concerning than basics biceps inflammation. Because that might mean it has more to do with the biceps tendon that attaches to the shoulder. "biceps tendonitis of the shoulder" or something like that.

[Krylian]

Week to week from the Jays means you won't see him for 2 months

[The_DH]

Don't know why they would hide it. It just comes out afterall.

[Jimcanuck]

It's genetics, just filling out his frame as he becomes a man, Jimbo.

 

That's one part of it.

[Jonn]

If you have bicep inflammation you would certainly feel it in your shoulder. That doesn’t mean the shoulder is damaged.

[Ray]

Damiano Palmegiani has been one of the bright spots in AA: Slashing .253/.443/.392 with as many walks as K's (24).

 

He was lauded for high exit velo's out of the College of Southern Nevada (same Jr. College as Bryce Harper), so it's nice to see him start well.

[Spanky__99]

No. I posted in March 2022 that Orelvis had noticeably filled out. Whether the additional mass (quite bulked up in the upper body) was natural or intentional through workout, it seems to coincide with the onset of increased contact struggles.

 

I see you moved the goalposts, lol.

[TheHurl]

Spanky, gave up my BA sub. Can you post the biggest moves in their update

[Spanky__99]

Spanky, gave up my BA sub. Can you post the biggest moves in their update

 

Yes... hang on a minute.

[Spanky__99]

2023 Top 100 Prospects: Notable Risers And Fallers In May Update

 

 

By BA Staff on May 9, 2023

 

With the arrival of our first significant in-season Top 100 Prospects update, we wanted to also post explanations for why prospects moved up or down significantly and why prospects moved on or off the list.

 

In this case, we do not have any prospect who was dropped from the Top 100 Prospects list. Expect to see some in next month’s update, but as a general rule, we try to be relatively cautious in our moves just a month into the season.

 

But we did have 14 prospects who moved up significantly, three who moved onto the Top 100 Prospects list (additions thanks to recent graduations) and seven who moved down significantly. With one top 10 prospect exception, we highlighted every prospect who moved up or down 10 or more spots. We have included the complete Top 100 with full movement below, so you can see how much every prospect moved, but in the case of players who moved just a couple of spots, please understand that in some cases, it may have nothing to do with the prospect themselves being re-ranked. Every prospect from No. 41 to No. 48 on the new list moved down two spots, but that was a case of prospects leapfrogging them, pushing all of them down two spots apiece.

 

Risers

 

Jackson Holliday, SS, Orioles (from No. 12 to No. 7)

 

Holiday’s inclusion here violates the rule of noting those players who moved up or down more than 10 spots. But moving into the Top 10 is notable in itself. Holliday needed less than a month to show that he was too advanced for Low-A and he’s so far showing he’s fully capable of handling High-A, even though he was playing high school ball at this time a year ago.

 

Evan Carter, OF, Rangers (from No. 22 to No. 11)

 

Entering the year, the biggest question revolving around Carter was whether he’d develop power to go along with his excellent command of the strike zone. So far, the results are positive. His exit velocities are up, and he’s taking advantage of the hitter-friendly environs of the Texas League.

 

Brett Baty, 3B, Mets (Up 10 from No. 26 to No. 16)

 

Baty’s demotion at the end of spring training earned a collective groan from Mets fans, but it didn’t keep the hard-hitting third baseman down for long. After Baty hit .400/.500/.886 over the first nine games of the Triple-A season he earned a promotion to the major leagues. Since that time Baty has hit .286/.344/.446 in 17 games with the Mets and earned regular at-bats. It’s easy to see why Baty is moving up—he’s a potential Rookie of the Year candidate in the early part of the season.

 

Zach Neto, SS, Angels (from No. 47 to No. 26)

 

The Angels' surprise promotion of Neto to the majors less than a year after he was drafted is aggressive, but Neto hasn't looked overawed by the major leagues. His bat may suffer in the short term, but his defense has remained solid and his bat should eventually flourish.

 

Taj Bradley, RHP, Rays (from No. 38 to No. 27)

 

The Rays have gotten excellent work from Bradley when they have brought him up to the majors, although his Triple-A work has been much rockier. He looks to be a fixture in the Rays rotation at some point later this year.

 

Tanner Bibee, RHP, Guardians (from No. 78 to No. 29)

 

Bibee took a big jump in stuff last season, and he did it again this season. The Guardians helped the righthander amplify his stuff without sacrificing command of the strike zone and the results have led to a quick jump from Triple-A to the big leagues.

 

Masataka Yoshida, OF, Red Sox (from No. 51 to No. 40)

 

After a difficult stretch to open the season, Yoshida has settled in nicely in his new league. He’s in the midst of a 16-game hit streak that has pushed his overall line on the season to .321/.403/.536. He’s shown elite on-base ability and bat-to-ball skills with at least average power. Yoshida’s wRC+ of 155 ranks 15th among major league hitters. A much maligned signing this offseason, Yoshida is proving to be a smart investment by the Red Sox.

 

Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Rays (from No. 55 to No. 41)

 

For Manzardo to be a useful big leaguer, he’s going to have to be a massive offensive force, as he’s an extremely slow first base/DH who can’t really play anywhere else. The good news for Manzardo is he’s hit everywhere he’s gone. Manzardo showed power and patience in his first month at Triple-A Durham. His career slugging percentage remains right around .600 (.599 as of May 9).

 

Mason Miller, RHP, Athletics (from No. 97 to No. 51)

 

The A’s didn’t get to see Miller pitch much until the Arizona Fall League last October. There, he showed arguably the best stuff in Arizona. After just one start at Double-A this year, he was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas. He needed only one start there to convince the A’s that they needed him in their big league rotation. He’s been the A’s best starter since arriving in Oakland a couple of weeks ago. His continued development of his slider and cutter will be necessary for him to keep dominating, but his high-90s fastball is a true bat-misser.

 

Junior Caminero, 3B/OF, Rays (from No. 98 to No. 52)

 

The Rays are often relatively cautious with how they promote prospects, but Caminero was pushed to High-A after just 117 plate appearances at Low-A last season. He’s more than handled the jump, proving to be one of the best hitters and sluggers in the South Atlantic League. He’s extremely aggressive at the plate, but his bat-to-ball skills and significant power have him bucking for a midseason promotion to Double-A.

 

Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Cardinals (from No. 72 to No. 55)

 

After a mediocre pair of years coming out of the pandemic, Liberatore has taken strides forward in 2023. He’s added velocity onto his fastball, he now sits in the mid 90s and touches 97 mph. He’s leaned into his plus curveball and mixed in his slider and changeup to strong results. It’s only a matter of time until Liberatore earns a permanent role in the Cardinals rotation.

 

Cole Young, SS, Mariners (from No. 90 to No. 75)

 

Young has so far lived up to his reputation as one of the best pure hitters in the 2022 draft class. The 19-year-old shortstop is batting .306/.456/.469 with more walks (21) than strikeouts (20) at Low-A Modesto, showing a precocious mix of strike-zone discipline and contact ability. Young doesn’t have any home runs yet, but he’s shown plenty of extra-base power with eight doubles and four triples and is showing the ability to impact the ball.

 

Bryce Miller, RHP, Mariners (from No. 91 to No. 79)

 

Miller’s magnificent fastball earned him a quick promotion to the majors, where he’s delivered back-to-back dominant starts to begin his big league career. While Miller’s stuff was never in doubt, his continued control improvements have elevated him to another level. Miller has 33 strikeouts and just four walks in 31.2 innings between Triple-A and the majors this year. As he continues to answer questions about his control and durability, Miller keeps asserting that he can remain a starter.

 

Dalton Rushing, C, Dodgers (from No. 96 to No. 80)

 

Rushing immediately impressed in the Low-A California League upon making his pro debut last summer, and he’s continued thriving in the early months in the Midwest League. He’s solidifying his rep as one of the best offensive catching prospects in the minors.

 

Moving On

 

Heston Kjerstad, OF/1B, Orioles

 

Kjerstad is making up quickly after spending his first year of pro ball on the injured list with effects from the coronavirus. His power has returned in 2023, and he's adding some position versatility with significant time at first base to go with his work in the outfield.

 

Ronny Mauricio, SS, Mets

 

Mauricio has long had plenty of tools but his propensity to swing-and-miss has led to doubts about whether he’d turn them into skills. In the early portion of the season, he’s gotten his strikeout rate under control without sacrificing power, which could help him make his big league debut at some point this spring or summer.

 

Colt Keith, 3B, Tigers

 

A shoulder injury cut Keith’s 2022 season short, but he demonstrated in the Arizona Fall League that he was fully recovered. Keith’s one of the better power hitters in the Double-A Eastern League this season. After playing second and third base in past years, the Tigers have let Keith focus on third base full-time this season. If he’s going to stay in the dirt, that’s his best position, as his plus arm helps make up for fringy range.

 

Fallers

 

Druw Jones, OF, D-backs (from No. 20 to No. 32)

 

Jones' swing has never been textbook, but early this season he seems a little lost at the plate. He's generally always figured it out and has shown an ability to adjust and adapt, but his lack of impact in April was notable. He had one extra-base hit in 10 games before going on the injured list with a quad injury.

 

Everson Pereira, OF, Yankees (from No. 71 to 85)

 

Pereira certainly has tools, but he needs to tone down the swing-and-miss in his game to help them play in games. In a return to Double-A after his first test was cut short by injury, Pereira is striking out at a clip of just more than 30%. The figure is almost identical to the one he produced at the same level a season ago. Pereira has missed plenty of time over the course of his career and is still just 22 years old, but he’s going to have to make more contact to reach his ceiling.

 

Elijah Green, OF, Nationals (from No. 53 to 86)

 

Green’s 45% strikeout rate so far this season is not just an unsustainable percentage, it’s one that even if he improved it by 10%, it still would remain a troubling number. Green isn’t chasing out of the zone as much as he is missing pitches to hit in the zone. He’s struck out at least once in 21 of his first 22 games, and already has nine three-strikeout games.

 

Ceddanne Rafaela, 2B/OF, Red Sox (from No. 64 to No. 76)

 

Whether it’s at shortstop or in center field, there’s little doubt that Rafaela will have defensive value once he reaches the big leagues. Now, the question is: Can he rein in his approach to take advantage of his raw tools at the plate? If he does, his stock will rebound.

 

Noelvi Marte, SS, Reds (from No. 57 to No. 84)

 

Early in 2022, there were questions about how big Marte had gotten and whether he’d stick at shortstop. In the Arizona Fall League, he began the transition to third base. Now, there are questions about whether he can hit. He got off to a very slow start in the Southern League, before a monster first week of May. Scout feedback for this list brought back serious concerns about what kind of hitter he can be in the long run.

 

Daniel Espino, RHP, Guardians (from No. 34 to No. 87)

 

Through the early portion of 2022, Espino looked like one of the best prospects in the minor leagues. He hasn’t pitched since April 29 of that year, however, and just had shoulder surgery that will keep him out between 12-14 months.

 

Miguel Bleis, OF, Red Sox (from No. 79 to No. 97)

 

Bleis has plenty of explosive tools, but evaluators early saw a swing with enough flaws that might prevent him from getting the most out of those gifts. The bat speed, foot speed and raw power are there, but he needs to fix his swing mechanics and improve his swing decisions to reach his ceiling.

[Slade]

Pretty slim pickins on the farm now that Tiedemann is out.

[Grant77]

Jim's going to be upset that BA agreed with my assessment from a couple of weeks ago.

[Stangstag]

Jim's going to be upset that BA agreed with my assessment from a couple of weeks ago.

 

Was that about the Redsox system being overrated??

 

I did see Marcelo Mayer is crushing it though, but nice to see some Sox falling on lists

[Ray]

Rough outing for Brandon Barriera in his 2nd start: 3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

[Jimcanuck]

Jim's going to be upset that BA agreed with my assessment from a couple of weeks ago.

 

Red Sox farm is middle of the pack.

[Grant77]

Was that about the Redsox system being overrated??

 

I did see Marcelo Mayer is crushing it though, but nice to see some Sox falling on lists

 

Not necessarily overrated, just him using obsolete rankings and not being aware of how prospects are performing. I agree it's nice to see we're not the only team with the farm struggling.

[Olerud363]

Not necessarily overrated, just him using obsolete rankings and not being aware of how prospects are performing. I agree it's nice to see we're not the only team with the farm struggling.

 

BA seems to be considering Yoshida a "prospect" and have him up considerably, Marcello Mayer is hitting for a bit more power this year and Nick Yorcke is having a nice year. So you have 3 prospects who have improved and 2 who aren't performing. So the only way you get to be "right" is by cherry picking and gas lighting us. Ignore the improvements and only consider the failures. Classic Grant.

 

I admit it is debatable whether Yoshida should be a prospect or not, at 29, but if we are looking at players who will help the next 5 years, Red Sox are way ahead of the Jays. The only thing standing in the way of the Red Sox having the number one prospect in baseball in a month (when graduations kick in) is Jackson Holliday.

 

Anyway you can gaslight all you want, but I have many Red Sox friends, friendly but confident, joy in their hearts knowing Marcello is their next great star, confident in their management. Knowing they will never have a barren farm system, never have to panic, never have to think about a "window", just successful years pretty much 3/4, with the occasional down year used to get the next Red Sox legend (not converting a 5 pick and Stroman Trade and 100 million into Berrios) (of course if you cherry pick you will find Red Sox mistakes too I guess, and you are good at cherry picking).

[Jimcanuck]

BA seems to be considering Yoshida a "prospect" and have him up considerably, Marcello Mayer is hitting for a bit more power this year and Nick Yorcke is having a nice year. So you have 3 prospects who have improved and 2 who aren't performing. So the only way you get to be "right" is by cherry picking and gas lighting us. Ignore the improvements and only consider the failures. Classic Grant.

 

I admit it is debatable whether Yoshida should be a prospect or not, at 29, but if we are looking at players who will help the next 5 years, Red Sox are way ahead of the Jays. The only thing standing in the way of the Red Sox having the number one prospect in baseball in a month (when graduations kick in) is Jackson Holliday.

 

Anyway you can gaslight all you want, but I have many Red Sox friends, friendly but confident, joy in their hearts knowing Marcello is their next great star, confident in their management. Knowing they will never have a barren farm system, never have to panic, never have to think about a "window", just successful years pretty much 3/4, with the occasional down year used to get the next Red Sox legend (not converting a 5 pick and Stroman Trade and 100 million into Berrios) (of course if you cherry pick you will find Red Sox mistakes too I guess, and you are good at cherry picking).

 

Well said. All correct with respect to Grant, along with misrepresenting what people have posted.

[Olerud363]

Spencer Horwitz is like the only guy who isn't a big disappointment.

 

What do people think his chances are of putting up some ok years, something like Lyle Overbay or Yandy Diaz? Professional hitter type with a late start.

[Pendleton]

[THANOS]

Spencer Horwitz is like the only guy who isn't a big disappointment.

 

What do people think his chances are of putting up some ok years, something like Lyle Overbay or Yandy Diaz? Professional hitter type with a late start.

 

Stranger things have happened, he always seems to adjust to each new level.

 

Also, some of our other guys are coming around now finally. Gabe Martinez, Manuel Beltre, Rainer Nunez are all hitting now. There are probably others I'm forgetting as well.

[Brownie19]

Spencer Horwitz is like the only guy who isn't a big disappointment.

 

What do people think his chances are of putting up some ok years, something like Lyle Overbay or Yandy Diaz? Professional hitter type with a late start.

 

About a 3% chance.

[Pendleton]

Pretty solid line for Chad Dallas again last night.

 

6IP 4H 6K 3BB and the lone run scored came off a solo HR.

[Laika]

Spencer Horwitz is like the only guy who isn't a big disappointment.

 

What do people think his chances are of putting up some ok years, something like Lyle Overbay or Yandy Diaz? Professional hitter type with a late start.

 

not enough power

 

more likely, he is some kind of platoon player on a cheap team. he'd be a nice Oakland A for exactly three years (his cheap season).

[Olerud363]

not enough power

 

more likely, he is some kind of platoon player on a cheap team. he'd be a nice Oakland A for exactly three years (his cheap season).

 

Same could have been said about Yandy Diaz. Overbay looks like he had power in the minors but was playing in extreme hitters leagues.

 

So yeah, given he doesn't have a lot of power what are the chances he becomes a .280 .380 .440 guy and puts up 2.5 WAR a year.

 

And is a needed piece on a team with the 8th highest payroll but needs all the payroll space they can get to sign some guys long term and avoid 50 wins a year from 2026-30 (as another poster mentioned).

 

(though if we want a Baltimore like team the 2026-2030 dark years will be part of that recipe).

 

Spencer - hitting .280 .390 .460 with good defense replacing Vlad for the 2026 Blue Jays, they are working hard to get a surprising 77 wins and the 14th overall pick.

 

In that case Spencer is not helping the 2032 super-team come to existance.

[Olerud363]

Spent the morning looking over minor league stats, not just Jays but Mayer's and Matt Holiday's son's.stats.. Given Francos' 14 year 88 million dollar contract or whatever the f*** those *******s signed him to, opening day 2024 Red Sox/Rays/Orioles may have trinity-2 -- potentially better then Nomar/A-Rod/Jeter trinity.

 

and Jays are a couple of days from last place with the most miserable farm system I can remember.... hmmmm...

 

The only hope might be the dark years. Not my idea, saw another poster come up with it last night. 2026-2030 looking very dark. Idea would be to use the Dark years to create an Orioles like team for 2031

 

Jays "Dark Years" key players

 

Orelvis Martinez - if playing everyday could challenge Jose Canseco's record for lowest WAR with 45+ homers.

Jordan Romano - Nice Canadian boy to market with, if he get's a little worse he could be a 2-7 4.24 ERA closer, 27 for 38 in saves and avoiding fluking to the 11th pick with 1 run wins

Santiago Espinal - Apparently John Schneider's nieces favourite player or something. Could hit .220 with 6 homers.

Alan Roden - Could be a solid .240 .340 .380 line drive first basemen.

Addison Barger - Apparently sucks at defense according to Jonn? I think. Could be a 20-30 guy (20 homers with 30+ errors, as long as he keeps the on base percentage down a good dark years player).

Tiederman/Barriera - showing enough injury potential and maybe lack of control that they could be reliable 100 innings 5.33 ERA guys, but with enough promise Jays don't sign starting depth.

George Springer - only signed for first year of the dark years, but on pace to rival Joe Carter's 1997 by then.

 

For Maximum pain Jays win 80, 82, and 81 next 3 years, Bo/Vlad go to Red Sox/Orioles

[Laika]

Spent the morning looking over minor league stats, not just Jays but Mayer's and Matt Holiday's son's.stats.. Given Francos' 14 year 88 million dollar contract or whatever the f*** those *******s signed him to, opening day 2024 Red Sox/Rays/Orioles may have trinity-2 -- potentially better then Nomar/A-Rod/Jeter trinity.

 

and Jays are a couple of days from last place with the most miserable farm system I can remember.... hmmmm...

 

The only hope might be the dark years. Not my idea, saw another poster come up with it last night. 2026-2030 looking very dark. Idea would be to use the Dark years to create an Orioles like team for 2031

 

Jays "Dark Years" key players

 

Orelvis Martinez - if playing everyday could challenge Jose Canseco's record for lowest WAR with 45+ homers.

Jordan Romano - Nice Canadian boy to market with, if he get's a little worse he could be a 2-7 4.24 ERA closer, 27 for 38 in saves and avoiding fluking to the 11th pick with 1 run wins

Santiago Espinal - Apparently John Schneider's nieces favourite player or something. Could hit .220 with 6 homers.

Alan Roden - Could be a solid .240 .340 .380 line drive first basemen.

Addison Barger - Apparently sucks at defense according to Jonn? I think. Could be a 20-30 guy (20 homers with 30+ errors, as long as he keeps the on base percentage down a good dark years player).

Tiederman/Barriera - showing enough injury potential and maybe lack of control that they could be reliable 100 innings 5.33 ERA guys, but with enough promise Jays don't sign starting depth.

George Springer - only signed for first year of the dark years, but on pace to rival Joe Carter's 1997 by then.

 

For Maximum pain Jays win 80, 82, and 81 next 3 years, Bo/Vlad go to Red Sox/Orioles

 

I'm not worried about the Blue Jays to that extent.

 

Yeah the farm at this precise moment in time does not look good but that can turn around somewhat quickly.

 

The front office has also shown a continued ability to improve the MLB team, swing creative trades, etc.

[Spanky__99]

If Shi is not misspeaking there then that might be more concerning than basics biceps inflammation. Because that might mean it has more to do with the biceps tendon that attaches to the shoulder. "biceps tendonitis of the shoulder" or something like that.

 

Yeah, he did, everyone else reported bicep inflammation.

[Spanky__99]

I agree with Olerud. Yoshida shouldn't be considered a prospect at 29, it's absurd, all of the industry does this, not just BA. He's played professionally for a long time, MLB should have an age cutoff for international players. Like ROY, f*** off.

[Spanky__99]

Red Sox farm is middle of the pack.

 

Is that what BA had them at? They'll fall back once Yoshida is ineligible, that aspect really bothers me, lol.