Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Laika]

Alex De Jesus a prospect again? Nice

 

Watch him out WAR Frasso

[Spanky__99]

Blue Jays Risers Top 30

 

Kendry Rojas, LHP (No. 21 to No. 6)

 

Rojas is a projectable lefthander who has performed for Low-A Dunedin this season. He’s made 10 appearances and has held opponents to a .218 batting average with 9.5 strikeouts per nine and 2.8 walks per nine. Rojas has added 3 mph of velocity onto his four-seam fastball and slider in 2023 and the improved stuff has led to results. Rojas' fastball has added velocity while maintaining above-average ride on the pitch. With starters traits and improving stuff, Rojas is a big arrow-up name.

 

Leo Jimenez, SS (No. 20 to No. 7)

 

Over the course of his professional career Jimenez has struggled to stay on the field. This season he’s been healthy for Double-A New Hampshire and has hit leadoff while spending time at second base and shortstop. His versatility defensively is an asset but it’s been his combination of strong plate skills, above-average exit velocity data and the ability to find the barrel that has him climbing up the Blue Jays rankings. Jimenez is hitting .301/.361/.451 with 11 doubles and four home runs over 39 games with Double-A New Hampshire. He is difficult to strike out and shows a wide variety of skills that could translate to success sometime in the next few seasons.

 

Chad Dallas, RHP (NR to No. 15)

 

Selected out of Tennessee in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, Dallas has shown improved stuff and gotten results over the first half of the 2023 season. He mixes four pitches led by a sweepy low-to-mid-80s slider and a fastball that sits 92-94 mph. Dallas will mix in some curveballs and changeups but his slider and fastball combination is his bread and butter. After five strong starts with High-A Vancouver, Dallas was promoted to New Hampshire, where he’s been solid against better competition.

 

Connor Cooke, RHP (NR to No. 25)

 

A 10th-round pick in 2021, Cooke has developed into a potential high-leverage reliever who could move quickly to the major leagues. His fastball features above-average velocity and plus shape and release characteristics that make it a swing-and-miss offering. He mixes in a high-spin low-to-mid-80s sweeping slider that may actually be Cooke’s best pitch. He’ll show a changeup but feel for the pitch come and goes.

 

Rafael Sanchez, RHP (NR to No. 28)

 

Signed out of Cuba as an older prospect with professional experience, Sanchez has shown one of the most unique changeups in the Blue Jays system. A low-spin splitter, it's a signature pitch that the rest of his arsenal plays off of. His fastball is fringy but shows average velocity and movement. His slider is his second best pitch and works in tandem with his splitter to miss bats. Sanchez has a back-end starter ceiling with some upside as a reliever with feel for two bat-missing secondaries.

 

Ryan Jennings, RHP (NR to No. 29)

 

Outside of a rough three-start stretch in early-to-mid-May, Jennings has pitched well in 2023, earning a promotion to High-A Vancouver. Jennings mixes a low-to-mid-90s fastball with a mid-80s cutter and a curveball with good depth. He’s a smooth athletic thrower with the potential to add more velocity should he move to the bullpen. He was a good pick for Toronto in the fourth round of the 2022 draft.

 

Peyton Williams, 1B (NR to No. 30)

 

A big-bodied first base-only slugger with advanced plate skills and plus power, Williams took a little while to get his footing this season but over his last month with Low-A Dunedin Williams has hit .337/.417/.615 with seven home runs over 28 games. He’s struggled early with High-A Vancouver but fits the profile of a prototypical lefthanded-hitting and throwing first base-only bat with contact and power.

[Spanky__99]

Blue Jays Fallers

 

Adam Macko, RHP (No. 10 to No. 26)

 

Acquired by the Blue Jays in the Teoscar Hernandez trade with the Mariners in November 2022, Macko has been unimpressive in 2023 as he’s struggled with command and has been hit hard. Over nine starts with High-A Vancouver Macko has a 6.39 ERA and a .279 opponent average.

 

Dasan Brown, OF (No. 13 to No. 20)

 

Few players have the ability to defend in center field the way Brown does. After a step forward with his hitting ability in 2022, however, things have regressed again in 2023. In his second extended run at High-A, Brown isn’t getting on base, hitting for power or contact. Without any offensive upside Brown looks like a standout defender and little else.

[Laika]

I think the people who say that Toronto is having a horrendous year on the farm are just paying too much attention to the pre-season top prospects and not enough to the 2023 risers.

 

It feels like lots of players are breaking out. Yeah, Toronto hasn't found any new top 100 prospects this year but the depth might be filling in nicely. There is a cohort of interest relief pitching prospects in the upper minors now, for one thing.

[Laika]

Here is every arm in the org with 20+ IP, sorted by K-BB%

 

Lots of risers here. The bulk of this list is either a prospect or a fringe prospect.

 

[Eat My Shatkins]

There is a cohort of interest relief pitching prospects in the upper minors now, for one thing.

 

Yep, and given that some of the relievers I was expecting big things from this season are not performing very well, it's nice to see several others making their mark.

 

Adrian Hernandez, Zulueta and Eisert not impressing, but Juenger, Danner, Cooke, Fluharty, Brock and Francis are definitely on the radar now.

[AMS528]

I think the people who say that Toronto is having a horrendous year on the farm are just paying too much attention to the pre-season top prospects and not enough to the 2023 risers.

 

It feels like lots of players are breaking out. Yeah, Toronto hasn't found any new top 100 prospects this year but the depth might be filling in nicely. There is a cohort of interest relief pitching prospects in the upper minors now, for one thing.

 

It's not a complete disaster, and there are some bright spots, but from like a entire organizational perspective the lack of potential call-ups with the combination of no real pieces that can be dealt to improve the big league team sucks. Long term hopefully more pieces pan out, but obviously the minors act as a tool with multiple purposes for the big league team. And the minors this year are, in the two biggest ways they potentially could be, not helpful at all for the Jays.

 

There's no one knocking on the door to help with the pitching since Tiedemann has lost some significant time to injury. And I'm not sure I see guys like Schneider, Palmagiani or Leo Jimenez being particularly enticing to other teams if we were looking to trade.

 

It would hurt less if the Jays were having a more successful year. Then it's fine if you're going to have a barren year, like the Braves currently since they both graduated a bunch of guys, and then dealt the rest to max out the roster.

[max silver]

It's not a complete disaster, and there are some bright spots, but from like a entire organizational perspective the lack of potential call-ups with the combination of no real pieces that can be dealt to improve the big league team sucks. Long term hopefully more pieces pan out, but obviously the minors act as a tool with multiple purposes for the big league team. And the minors this year are, in the two biggest ways they potentially could be, not helpful at all for the Jays.

 

There's no one knocking on the door to help with the pitching since Tiedemann has lost some significant time to injury. And I'm not sure I see guys like Schneider, Palmagiani or Leo Jimenez being particularly enticing to other teams if we were looking to trade.

 

It would hurt less if the Jays were having a more successful year. Then it's fine if you're going to have a barren year, like the Braves currently since they both graduated a bunch of guys, and then dealt the rest to max out the roster.

 

I think a very large part why the system appears so disappointing is injuries to a lot of the top prospects. All of Tiedemann, Barger and Barriera have missed significant time due to injury. Another top prospect in Bonilla has just started playing recently as well so he's another big name that hasn't provided much hype yet.

 

I think there is plenty of prospect capital to improve the big league club as it stands presently. There might not be enough prospect capital to add a big name starting pitcher or position player but unless there is a long term injury to a key contributor I don't know if the team would be looking to add this level of impact or not. Adding the likes of a lefty mashing outfielder, leverage reliever or depth starters will be easily in reach with the names you've mentioned.

[Terminator]

I think the people who say that Toronto is having a horrendous year on the farm are just paying too much attention to the pre-season top prospects and not enough to the 2023 risers.

 

It feels like lots of players are breaking out. Yeah, Toronto hasn't found any new top 100 prospects this year but the depth might be filling in nicely. There is a cohort of interest relief pitching prospects in the upper minors now, for one thing.

 

Yeah the top guys got off to AWFUL starts. Tiedemann and Barriera with minor injuries. Zulu looks like he sucks. Orelvis off to a slow start. Barger with a slow start and hurt. Gabriel Martinez sucks. Otto Lopez off to a slow start. The list goes on.

 

But beyond the familiar names there's been a shitload of guys who look like they will contribute to the org in some capacity. Francis looks to have #5 potential. Davis Schneider has come out of nowhere and looks like a possible starter. Horowitz looks like a contributor. Orelvis has had a huge rebound and if it continues will be back on the Top 100 lists. Otto Lopez has rebounded. Leo Gimenez continues his slow and steady climb toward big league relevance. De Jesus has rebounded.

 

And then there has been a system wide step forward among the arms. Seems like there are 8+ arms that weren't on the radar at all that are now at least fringe prospects.

[Pendleton]

I think the people who say that Toronto is having a horrendous year on the farm are just paying too much attention to the pre-season top prospects and not enough to the 2023 risers.

 

It feels like lots of players are breaking out. Yeah, Toronto hasn't found any new top 100 prospects this year but the depth might be filling in nicely. There is a cohort of interest relief pitching prospects in the upper minors now, for one thing.

 

 

Exactly this, there are some really interesting prospects popping up at just about every level. The wrong couple of top guys had slow starts and/or injuries and it's creating an over abundance of Debbie Downerism.

 

It's easy to forget that for a lot of prospects getting to Vancouver, NH or Buffalo, when the season kicks off in April, it could be their very first time ever playing cold weather ball at all. Some slow starts should be expected, most of the key guys have come around.

[Pendleton]

Yeah the top guys got off to AWFUL starts. Tiedemann and Barriera with minor injuries. Zulu looks like he sucks. Orelvis off to a slow start. Barger with a slow start and hurt. Gabriel Martinez sucks. Otto Lopez off to a slow start. The list goes on.

 

But beyond the familiar names there's been a shitload of guys who look like they will contribute to the org in some capacity. Francis looks to have #5 potential. Davis Schneider has come out of nowhere and looks like a possible starter. Horowitz looks like a contributor. Orelvis has had a huge rebound and if it continues will be back on the Top 100 lists. Otto Lopez has rebounded. Leo Gimenez continues his slow and steady climb toward big league relevance. De Jesus has rebounded.

 

And then there has been a system wide step forward among the arms. Seems like there are 8+ arms that weren't on the radar at all that are now at least fringe prospects.

 

Can't forget Rojas as well, if he keeps this up the rest of the season, he's a pre season top 100 guy next year.

[Spanky__99]

Top 30 Jays prospect injuries...

 

Blue Jays

 

LHP Ricky Tiedemann (1) missed the first week of the season with shoulder soreness and has been out since May 4 with biceps inflammation. He is week-to-week.

 

LHP Brandon Barriera (3) was shut down in late May with elbow soreness. He is currently throwing from 90 feet and preparing for bullpen sessions.

[John Balkabella]

I think people who say the draft/development of this system are being pessimistic don’t know their hole from a hole in the ground.

 

Give your f***ing head a shake.

 

How many years do you give these guys?

 

Draft, say four. International, say six. I will be kind, and even extend that a year.

 

How many millions, and how many whiffs?

 

It is fine if you think those in the system now are more than JAGs, but their minor league numbers pretty much ensure that.

 

Buffalo, where “high velocity” pitchers, gimme a break, relievers go to die. Yeah, they miss some bats, but the bats get them a lot more than that.

 

Silly me, I was expecting more from this front office. Think the leash is long enough.

 

It is obvious many of you don’t know how businesses work. You don’t have to trust me on anything I say, I did pretty well, but Shapiro is the problem here. He is a bullshitter, hey, give me a billion, and I’ll make the Rogers Centre look good, too. Spends millions on crap,and we buy it every year.

 

I am not satisfied by that.

 

I look at my Dodgers, and when a catastrophe happens, they have three minor league starters able to take the bit.

 

Oh, we’re not the Rays or the Dodgers developing pitchers,

many say, as if that is a given. If we want to win the the World Series, we better be as good as them.

 

Just got to be better. I am not happy with mediocraty.

Edited June 24, 2023 by John Balkabella

[Spanky__99]

I think people who say the draft/development of this system are being pessimistic don’t know their hole from a hole in the ground.

 

Give your f***ing head a shake.

 

How many years do you give these guys?

 

Draft, say four. International, say six. I will be kind, and even extend that a year.

 

How many millions, and how many whiffs?

 

It is fine if you think those in the system now are more than JAGs, but their minor league numbers pretty much ensure that.

 

Buffalo, where “high velocity” pitchers, gimme a break, relievers go to die. Yeah, they miss some bats, but the bats get them a lot more than that.

 

Silly me, I was expecting more from this front office. Think the leash is long enough.

 

It is obvious many of you don’t know how businesses work. You don’t have to trust me on anything I say, I did pretty well, but Shapiro is the problem here. He is a bullshitter, hey, give me a billion, and I’ll make the Rogers Centre look good, too.

 

I am not satisfied by that.

 

I look at my Dodgers, and when a catastrophe happens, they have three minor league starters able to take the bit.

 

Oh, we’re not the Rays or the Dodgers developing pitchers,

many say, as if that is a given. If we want to win the the World Series, we better be as good as them.

 

Just got to be better. I am not happy with mediocraty.

 

[John Balkabella]

What, exactly, makes you say that Spank?

 

Refute it point by point.

Edited June 24, 2023 by John Balkabella

[Pendleton]

[Pendleton]

I think people who say the draft/development of this system are being pessimistic don’t know their hole from a hole in the ground.

 

Give your f***ing head a shake.

 

How many years do you give these guys?

 

Draft, say four. International, say six. I will be kind, and even extend that a year.

 

How many millions, and how many whiffs?

 

It is fine if you think those in the system now are more than JAGs, but their minor league numbers pretty much ensure that.

 

Buffalo, where “high velocity” pitchers, gimme a break, relievers go to die. Yeah, they miss some bats, but the bats get them a lot more than that.

 

Silly me, I was expecting more from this front office. Think the leash is long enough.

 

It is obvious many of you don’t know how businesses work. You don’t have to trust me on anything I say, I did pretty well, but Shapiro is the problem here. He is a bullshitter, hey, give me a billion, and I’ll make the Rogers Centre look good, too. Spends millions on crap,and we buy it every year.

 

I am not satisfied by that.

 

I look at my Dodgers, and when a catastrophe happens, they have three minor league starters able to take the bit.

 

Oh, we’re not the Rays or the Dodgers developing pitchers,

many say, as if that is a given. If we want to win the the World Series, we better be as good as them.

 

Just got to be better. I am not happy with mediocraty.

 

[Spanky__99]

What, exactly, makes you say that Spank?

 

Refute it point by point.

 

No.

[John Balkabella]

Didn’t expect so, Spank.

 

When a guy is wrong, he is wrong, thanks for being a man and admitting it.

 

Or would you prefer to discuss Irv Carter?

[Spanky__99]

Didn’t expect so, Spank.

 

When a guy is wrong, he is wrong, thanks for being a man and admitting it.

 

Or would you prefer to discuss Irv Carter?

 

It's nonsensical, why should I respond. Have at it, bro.

[max silver]

It's nonsensical, why should I respond. Have at it, bro.

 

Totally agree with the decision to shut this so-called debate invitation down. There's really no sense in trying to discuss anything with dudes who are just irrationally angry. These guys should be more concerned about seeing their shrink for anger management purposes instead of spending their time online attempting to spread their rages to others.

[John_Havok]

Totally agree with the decision to shut this so-called debate invitation down. There's really no sense in trying to discuss anything with dudes who are just irrationally angry. These guys should be more concerned about seeing their shrink for anger management purposes instead of spending their time online attempting to spread their rages to others.

 

I would gladly refute his statment, point by point, except he never made a point. Just random bitching

[max silver]

I would gladly refute his statment, point by point, except he never made a point. Just random bitching

It's almost like there is a plague of online Blue Jays critic zombies. These people exist solely to spread their hatred of the front office. Their doctrine is largely based on worshiping the altar of Alex Anthopoulos. This directly leads to a tendency to hate everything about the current front office, and this extends all the way down to the manager whose sole purpose is to be a slave of the front office. I think one of the foremost board members of this zombie cult is Gruber who is constantly complaining about how Ross Atkins directly sets the daily lineup.

[John_Havok]

It's almost like there is a plague of online Blue Jays critic zombies. These people exist solely to spread their hatred of the front office. Their doctrine is largely based on worshiping the altar of Alex Anthopoulos. This directly leads to a tendency to hate everything about the current front office, and this extends all the way down to the manager whose sole purpose is to be a slave of the front office. I think one of the foremost board members of this zombie cult is Gruber who is constantly complaining about how Ross Atkins directly sets the daily lineup.

 

It's fine to prefer one over the other, but id prefer people do so while making actual points. AA had several strengths, but also left the entire system gutted and the roster aged and declining. He pushed the chips in, and ultimately failed. All of AA's credit was building up the system to the point where he could go all in. He was also great at gaming the Comp A and B system when it was still around which one could argue was alrgely responsible for having such a full system. Getting 2-4 extra picks in the top 2-3 rounds never hurts.

 

I dont even know why people bitch about Shapiro when it comes to team and roster, he has nearly nothing to do with that. Shapiro is probably the best front office guy the Jays could hope to have right now to do what they need doing from a business and Rogers Center building perspective.

[Pendleton]

[gruber92]

It's almost like there is a plague of online Blue Jays critic zombies. These people exist solely to spread their hatred of the front office. Their doctrine is largely based on worshiping the altar of Alex Anthopoulos. This directly leads to a tendency to hate everything about the current front office, and this extends all the way down to the manager whose sole purpose is to be a slave of the front office. I think one of the foremost board members of this zombie cult is Gruber who is constantly complaining about how Ross Atkins directly sets the daily lineup.

 

Who is this f***ing Karen anyway? Zombie cult? So people now don't have a right to their opinion? You sir are a prime example on what is wrong with society today.

[max silver]

Who is this f***ing Karen anyway? Zombie cult? So people now don't have a right to their opinion? You sir are a prime example on what is wrong with society today.

 

Is Karen honestly the best you can come up with? On second thought that's about par for the course so carry on.

[gruber92]

Is Karen honestly the best you can come up with? On second thought that's about par for the course so carry on.

 

Here's a thing.. Why don't you keep me out of any conversations that don't involve me?

[Jimcanuck]

Who is this f***ing Karen anyway? Zombie cult? So people now don't have a right to their opinion? You sir are a prime example on what is wrong with society today.

 

lol, so much bad with this post but the bold is way over the top

[Krylian]

Here's a thing.. Why don't you keep me out of any conversations that don't involve me?