Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Blazeit420]

Orelvis just donged. OPS is .904 now in AAA.

[THANOS]

Tiedemann pitching in AA today? I thought he was getting promoted?

 

Not a great line either:

 

2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

[Krylian]

Tiedemann pitching in AA today? I thought he was getting promoted?

 

Not a great line either:

 

2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

 

Maybe Ricky isn't quite the lock some thought he'd be. Really curious to see what he brings next season.

[RustyTrombone]

Tiedemann pitching in AA today? I thought he was getting promoted?

 

Not a great line either:

 

2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

 

He is getting promoted just not yet, apparently closer to the end of the year for like one start.

[WryNGinger]

Tiedemann pitching in AA today? I thought he was getting promoted?

 

Not a great line either:

 

2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

 

AA season is ending. I think they are just moving him up to AAA to get a few more innings in since he lost time due to injury. Wouldn't surprise me if he went to Fall ball as well.

 

Dude has elite talent. There is nothing in his performance so far to suggest he isn't what the Jays project him to be. He is really young, give him time.

[Terminator]

Mitch White had another great start tonight. What the hell got into that guy?

[Ray]

Mitch White had another great start tonight. What the hell got into that guy?

 

He’s had a 1.84 ERA his last 6 starts and was up to 97 mph apparently. In a notoriously hitter friendly AAA environment too.

 

Mitch White was the worst pitcher on the 40-man and decided to figure out what was wrong and make adjustments instead of refusing to report to AAA and sit out because you think you’re entitled to big league salary and service time. Manoah should take notes.

[Jimcanuck]

Ya the development tools have made a huge difference. Teams should be drafting more of the toolsy guys and fewer of the one dimensional Vaughn types.

[metafour]

Mitch White had another great start tonight. What the hell got into that guy?

 

His fastball averaged 95.1 mph and hit 96.8 mph yesterday. He had 15 whiffs and an elite 38% CSW%.

 

This isn't "smoke and mirrors". He's throwing harder than Nick Frasso in AAA.

[max silver]

His fastball averaged 95.1 mph and hit 96.8 mph yesterday. He had 15 whiffs and an elite 38% CSW%.

 

This isn't "smoke and mirrors". He's throwing harder than Nick Frasso in AAA.

 

Does the team retain control over White for next season? I know he's at least out of options but it sounds like he might be a legitimate swing man option again if he's improved his stuff to this degree.

[Grant77]

Does the team retain control over White for next season? I know he's at least out of options but it sounds like he might be a legitimate swing man option again if he's improved his stuff to this degree.

 

They certainly do.

[gruber92]

Orelvis has left the building (11). OPS now at .907

 

Parmesan has also homered

[metafour]

I don't know if we've talked about this yet, but word has circulated the past day or so about the Jays signing Venezuelan SS Kennew Blanco in the January IFA window. There was apparently some confusion as to whether he was a 2024 or 2025 guy, but it looks like he's been confirmed for 2024.

 

Kiley McDaniel named his as one of the Top 3 IFA kids and among the best 2007 DOB players identified in this article from May.

 

MLB Pipeline just released a scouting video two days ago:

 

https://www.mlb.com/video/top-int-l-prospects-blanco-ss?t=mlb-pipeline

[Grant77]

I don't know if we've talked about this yet, but word has circulated the past day or so about the Jays signing Venezuelan SS Kennew Blanco in the January IFA window. There was apparently some confusion as to whether he was a 2024 or 2025 guy, but it looks like he's been confirmed for 2024.

 

Kiley McDaniel named his as one of the Top 3 IFA kids and among the best 2007 DOB players identified in this article from May.

 

MLB Pipeline just released a scouting video two days ago:

 

https://www.mlb.com/video/top-int-l-prospects-blanco-ss?t=mlb-pipeline

 

That would be quite a coup for the FO. We've often had quite a bit of success when getting a top 5 player in an IFA class.

[G-Snarls]

I don't know if we've talked about this yet, but word has circulated the past day or so about the Jays signing Venezuelan SS Kennew Blanco in the January IFA window. There was apparently some confusion as to whether he was a 2024 or 2025 guy, but it looks like he's been confirmed for 2024.

 

Kiley McDaniel named his as one of the Top 3 IFA kids and among the best 2007 DOB players identified in this article from May.

 

MLB Pipeline just released a scouting video two days ago:

 

https://www.mlb.com/video/top-int-l-prospects-blanco-ss?t=mlb-pipeline

 

Oh heck yeah

 

Hope this is for real

[G-Snarls]

Story from the weekend about it:

 

Blue Jays expected to sign shortstop Kennew Blanco, one of the top International Free Agents in 2024

 

https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-expected-to-sign-shortstop-kennew-blanco-one-of-the-top-international-free-agents-in-2024

[Eat My Shatkins]

I see Zulueta didn't pitch from August 12th to September 3rd but since he's returned he's been much better with the walks, in a small sample size.

 

Was he injured or did they get him to work on something at the development complex?

[John_Havok]

Orelvis was the International League Player of the Week for last week.

 

9-25 overall and homered in 3 straight games.

[Rafters]

Orelvis was the International League Player of the Week for last week.

 

9-25 overall and homered in 3 straight games.

 

Get rid of the terrible 5/56 for Apr and he is batting .270 on the season as a 21 yr old in AA/AAA with power

[Olerud363]

Get rid of the terrible 5/56 for Apr and he is batting .270 on the season as a 21 yr old in AA/AAA with power

 

Who are the players who hit between 90 and 110 homers in the minors before age 22 and what became of them? Can you name the 5 most recent?

 

A lot of Players, like Vlad and Bo will not get to 100 homers in the minors because they get called up before that... well Bo I guess not exactly as he got called up with 2 months left in age 21 season.

[John_Havok]

article on milb.com about Orelvis today:

 

https://www.milb.com/sacramento/news/the-road-to-the-showtm-toronto-blue-jays-orelvis-martinez

 

By Gerard Gilberto @Gerard_Gilberto

 

Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at Blue Jays’ second-ranked prospect Orelvis Martinez. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here.

 

The Blue Jays’ tremendous eye for talent on the international market seems to have found another gem in Orelvis Martinez.

 

Toronto signed the Dominican infielder when he was 16 years old to a $3.5 million bonus – the most lucrative in the 2018 international class. Martinez ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 international prospect and earned comparisons from scouts at the time to a young Adrián Beltré.

 

Since he’s joined the professional ranks, he’s quietly been one of the best power hitters in the Minors. Martinez’s 86 homers are the most by any player since 2021, and he’s the only Minor Leaguer to hit at least 28 long balls in each of the past three seasons.

 

This year, Martinez repeated a level at Double-A New Hampshire to start the season but advanced to Triple-A Buffalo after the All-Star break. In 119 total games this season, he’s batting .246/.343/.509 with 28 homers, 24 doubles and 88 RBIs.

 

Since being promoted, Martinez has seen an increase in production in most every offensive category, with one important exception.

 

Martinez’s most glaring flaw in 2022 was his 28.5 percent strikeout rate, which likely played a part in anchorin him to the Eastern League for an extra tour. He decreased that figure to 20.5 percent over 70 games with the Fisher Cats this season. But it spiked again in Buffalo, and he’s entering the final week of the regular season with a 27.2 percent punchout rate. Oddly enough, this spike has come at a time when he’s seen an improvement in his average (.273) and on-base percentage (.347).

 

There’s been another interesting development since MLB Pipeline’s No. 88 overall prospect landed in Buffalo – he’s been playing second base for the first time in his career.

 

When Martinez first signed, there was a belief that he would eventually shift from his natural position at shortstop to third base as he grew into his frame. The Blue Jays didn’t wait that long, however, and he’s played both positions on the left side of the infield since his debut in 2019. But with the Bisons, the 5-foot-11, 200-pounder has actually taken most of his defensive reps at second base.

 

“He’s got a lot to learn, but the talent is there and the ability to do damage is there obviously,” Buffalo manager Casey Candaele said in August. “There’s some things that he needs to refine, especially defensively, but he’s willing to work.

 

“He’s not intimidated by any means. He wants to do better. … He’s highly capable of handling it and doing it.”

 

The Santo Domingo native has moved rather quickly through the Minor League ranks. He was the youngest player to open the season on an Eastern League roster last year, and he’s not turning 22 until November.

 

Even his introduction to professional ball could be considered an aggressive assignment. After signing in 2018, he came stateside right away and debuted the following year in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Over 40 games that year, Martinez batted .275/.352/.549 but his game power was more to the gaps than over the fence. He hit seven homers but had eight doubles and five triples.

 

Following the pandemic year, Martinez made his full-season debut with Single-A Dunedin. He was really able to tap into his power in the traditionally pitcher-friendly Florida State League and clubbed 19 homers and 22 doubles while batting .279 with an .941 OPS in his first 71 games of the season. He was promoted to High-A Vancouver in August, and his season was cut short after 27 games due to an injury. But he hit nine more homers over that span and finished with 87 RBIs on the season.

 

Martinez’s 2022 season in New Hampshire was something of a mixed bag. Although he had the high strikeout rate while batting .203 with a 96 wRC+ throughout the season, he also set the Fisher Cats’ single-season home run record with 30 long balls. He was also just 20 years old and was the first player that age to hit at least 30 homers entirely at Double-A since Derrek Lee did it for Memphis in 1996.

 

Martinez has impressed in some manner throughout every aggressive assignment he’s been given. He’s even gotten at-bats in each of the past three Grapefruit League seasons, collecting 15 hits in 45 at-bats (.333) with five homers and 14 RBIs.

 

Martinez, who is on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster as the club enters the postseason, can join Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk as the latest international signing success story in Toronto.

 

Gerard Gilberto is a reporter for MiLB.com.

[glory]

Mitch White tonight: 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K, 0 HR

[Laika]

Call him up

[Eat My Shatkins]

Mitch White might be the 5th starter next year, seems to have unlocked something late this season.

[John_Havok]

Mitch White tonight: 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K, 0 HR

 

Until I see some spin data or something that indicates a legit change in something, I’m reserving judgement here.

[THANOS]

Until I see some spin data or something that indicates a legit change in something, I’m reserving judgement here.

 

One thing I've seen reports of is an uptick in velo. He's hitting 97 now and sitting 94-96. Not sure about anything beyond that though.

[keggy]

Could very well also be regained command.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Zulu with another good outing today too.

 

3 K's 0 walks in 1.1 IP

 

Back into the convo for potential MLB high leverage reliever again.

[L54]

It would be nice if Mitch White made me eat my words

[spats]

article on milb.com about Orelvis today:

 

https://www.milb.com/sacramento/news/the-road-to-the-showtm-toronto-blue-jays-orelvis-martinez

 

By Gerard Gilberto @Gerard_Gilberto

 

Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at Blue Jays’ second-ranked prospect Orelvis Martinez. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here.

 

The Blue Jays’ tremendous eye for talent on the international market seems to have found another gem in Orelvis Martinez.

 

Toronto signed the Dominican infielder when he was 16 years old to a $3.5 million bonus – the most lucrative in the 2018 international class. Martinez ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 international prospect and earned comparisons from scouts at the time to a young Adrián Beltré.

 

Since he’s joined the professional ranks, he’s quietly been one of the best power hitters in the Minors. Martinez’s 86 homers are the most by any player since 2021, and he’s the only Minor Leaguer to hit at least 28 long balls in each of the past three seasons.

 

This year, Martinez repeated a level at Double-A New Hampshire to start the season but advanced to Triple-A Buffalo after the All-Star break. In 119 total games this season, he’s batting .246/.343/.509 with 28 homers, 24 doubles and 88 RBIs.

 

Since being promoted, Martinez has seen an increase in production in most every offensive category, with one important exception.

 

Martinez’s most glaring flaw in 2022 was his 28.5 percent strikeout rate, which likely played a part in anchorin him to the Eastern League for an extra tour. He decreased that figure to 20.5 percent over 70 games with the Fisher Cats this season. But it spiked again in Buffalo, and he’s entering the final week of the regular season with a 27.2 percent punchout rate. Oddly enough, this spike has come at a time when he’s seen an improvement in his average (.273) and on-base percentage (.347).

 

There’s been another interesting development since MLB Pipeline’s No. 88 overall prospect landed in Buffalo – he’s been playing second base for the first time in his career.

 

When Martinez first signed, there was a belief that he would eventually shift from his natural position at shortstop to third base as he grew into his frame. The Blue Jays didn’t wait that long, however, and he’s played both positions on the left side of the infield since his debut in 2019. But with the Bisons, the 5-foot-11, 200-pounder has actually taken most of his defensive reps at second base.

 

“He’s got a lot to learn, but the talent is there and the ability to do damage is there obviously,” Buffalo manager Casey Candaele said in August. “There’s some things that he needs to refine, especially defensively, but he’s willing to work.

 

“He’s not intimidated by any means. He wants to do better. … He’s highly capable of handling it and doing it.”

 

The Santo Domingo native has moved rather quickly through the Minor League ranks. He was the youngest player to open the season on an Eastern League roster last year, and he’s not turning 22 until November.

 

Even his introduction to professional ball could be considered an aggressive assignment. After signing in 2018, he came stateside right away and debuted the following year in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Over 40 games that year, Martinez batted .275/.352/.549 but his game power was more to the gaps than over the fence. He hit seven homers but had eight doubles and five triples.

 

Following the pandemic year, Martinez made his full-season debut with Single-A Dunedin. He was really able to tap into his power in the traditionally pitcher-friendly Florida State League and clubbed 19 homers and 22 doubles while batting .279 with an .941 OPS in his first 71 games of the season. He was promoted to High-A Vancouver in August, and his season was cut short after 27 games due to an injury. But he hit nine more homers over that span and finished with 87 RBIs on the season.

 

Martinez’s 2022 season in New Hampshire was something of a mixed bag. Although he had the high strikeout rate while batting .203 with a 96 wRC+ throughout the season, he also set the Fisher Cats’ single-season home run record with 30 long balls. He was also just 20 years old and was the first player that age to hit at least 30 homers entirely at Double-A since Derrek Lee did it for Memphis in 1996.

 

Martinez has impressed in some manner throughout every aggressive assignment he’s been given. He’s even gotten at-bats in each of the past three Grapefruit League seasons, collecting 15 hits in 45 at-bats (.333) with five homers and 14 RBIs.

 

Martinez, who is on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster as the club enters the postseason, can join Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk as the latest international signing success story in Toronto.

 

Gerard Gilberto is a reporter for MiLB.com.

Call him up. Might add a little pop to this lineup