Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Daniel Labude]

Love the challenge system on balls/strikes. P/C have to do it immediately after a pitch. Can't get help from the dugout or even look to the dugout. Quick and seemingly accurate. Should be in the MLB in a year or 2

[Daniel Labude]

Third inning a mixed bag for Manoah

 

Fastball was lower 90s coming off sitting for the long half inning.

 

Wood poked a cha geup up 5 inches off the plate the oppo way for a single. He stole 2B, Jansen error, he went to 3B (Jansen looking bad today)

 

11 pitch AB to Yepez for an RBI single. 9/11 pitches were strikes

 

Line drive to RF had the RF wanting to dive but pulled off for a short hop off the glove for a double

 

Pop up sac fly against the shift

 

Stikeout

 

Line out to Manoah

 

Lots of fastballs, velo started increasing in the inning by the end

[Daniel Labude]

4th inning Manoah ran out of gas. 2 of his 4 spin outs of his delivery happened. Gave up a double on a first pitch slider over the middle. Then walked the next batter. Slider after the first inning wasn't good, but mainly because they were all over the middle

 

Given the weather the fastball was actually pretty good and accurate for much of the day

[Daniel Labude]

Jansen with another error on a SB. Came up way short on the throw a 2nd time. Essentially 2 errors, a passed ball, a pop up and a K looking in 3.5 innings

[Spanky__99]

I guess a 4/1 K/BB was good...¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Krylian]

Maroudis: 4.1IP, 1H, 1ER, 4BB, 4K.

 

Command not the best today, but everything else seems great

[Eat My Shatkins]

Orelvis just hit his first homer of the year. I think he's now on a 10 game hit streak?

 

Exit Velocity

109.2mph

Distance

425ft

Launch Angle

27deg

 

Bisons up 17-0

 

They've only given up 1 hit with 5 pitchers, but 10 walks lmao

[Ray]

2 homer day for Alan Roden

Another 3 hits for Spencer Horwitz raising his avg to .395

Orelvis homered

Barger, Palmegiani, and Robertson with good days

Landon Moroudis with a pretty good outing

 

Great day for Jays prospects. Org sweep with every affiliate winning too.

[BlueRocky]

 

 

[Laika]

Holy f***ing s*** that is legit. 85 mph slider with no horizontal movement and sharp drop, that is what some guys are calling a "Deathball" now.

 

What is the FB like?

[Ray]

Holy f***ing s*** that is legit. 85 mph slider with no horizontal movement and sharp drop, that is what some guys are calling a "Deathball" now.

 

What is the FB like?

 

He was around 90-93 mph out of high school, but this article I found says he was sitting at 93-94 and maxed out at 96: https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2024/4/10/24125429/taking-wing-landen-maroudis

 

So already a bit of a velo bump, but definitely room for more projection. He's not even turning 20 until December.

 

Beautiful and simple delivery too.

[Jimcanuck]

He's gonna be an early helium guy for sure

[spats]

He was around 90-93 mph out of high school, but this article I found says he was sitting at 93-94 and maxed out at 96: https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2024/4/10/24125429/taking-wing-landen-maroudis

 

So already a bit of a velo bump, but definitely room for more projection. He's not even turning 20 until December.

 

Beautiful and simple delivery too.

 

Hope to see him pitch this week during their home stand

[Daniel Labude]

Tiedemann scratched today. Hopefully weather related

[glory]

[Ray]

2 homer game for Damiano Palmegiani

 

[Eat My Shatkins]

So with guys like Schneider and Clemente making their way to the Jays and actually looking like they might be positive contributors, are we th8nking there might be more to the Jays system than meets the eye?

 

I mean it clearly isn't overflowing with upcoming superstars but might actually be a decent amount of 2-3 fWAR type guys on the way.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Barger and Palmegiani were off to slow starts but both just killing it now.

 

Barger .935 OPS

Palmegiani .853 OPS

Orelvis .875 OPS

Horwitz .1.029 OPS

[Laika]

So with guys like Schneider and Clemente making their way to the Jays and actually looking like they might be positive contributors, are we th8nking there might be more to the Jays system than meets the eye?

 

I mean it clearly isn't overflowing with upcoming superstars but might actually be a decent amount of 2-3 fWAR type guys on the way.

 

Been saying this for a year

 

I think BA just ranked Buffalo as one of the most stacked minor league teams in baseball...

[Spanky__99]

So with guys like Schneider and Clemente making their way to the Jays and actually looking like they might be positive contributors, are we th8nking there might be more to the Jays system than meets the eye?

 

I mean it clearly isn't overflowing with upcoming superstars but might actually be a decent amount of 2-3 fWAR type guys on the way.

 

Haha... Clemente, I read a book on that dude's life many moons ago, what a stud, poor guy.

[G-Snarls]

Whoever Jimmy Robins is, he got traded to the Rangers for cash

[Eat My Shatkins]

Whoever Jimmy Robins is, he got traded to the Rangers for cash

 

26yo lefty reliever in AAA that misses bats....and the strike zone, consistently.

[mphenhef]

Tiedemann scratched today. Hopefully weather related

 

Did anyone see any updates on this?

[Brownie19]

Fangraphs just dropped the article on Colorado's top prospects. I'm saddened to see that Zac Veen appears to be a bust. I do remember salivating over video's of his swing before the draft. Somehow, he has no power?

[mphenhef]

Fangraphs just dropped the article on Colorado's top prospects. I'm saddened to see that Zac Veen appears to be a bust. I do remember salivating over video's of his swing before the draft. Somehow, he has no power?

 

SSS, but he is slugging 719 with 4 doubles, 2 triples and a home in 36 PAs in AA this year.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate named one of the best in MiLB and it's easy to see why

 

The Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, was recently selected as one of the top ten best teams in the minors as per MLB Pipeline. This is an encouraging development for an organization with a minor league system that ranked 24th overall when the team rankings were released in early March.

 

Looking at the Bisons’ roster, it’s no wonder this squad is being recognized because it’s loaded with MLB-ready talent. Ricky Tiedemann, the team’s top prospect, was Buffalo’s Opening Day starter, and while he’s had mixed results early on, there’s been nothing to suggest he won’t be able to help the big-league club if called upon this season.

 

Chad Dallas, the Jays’ #15 prospect per MLB Pipeline, impressed with a strong showing in spring training and is also a part of the rotation. He leads Buffalo in innings pitched and is part of the improved pitching depth the front office strived to improve in recent years. Although he’s struggled with control, reliever Connor Cooke could also find his way to the majors this season.

 

Some of the shine has come off Zach Pop since he was acquired at the trade deadline halfway through the 2022 season. Similarly, Hayden Juenger has gone from a promising prospect to facing a crucial year in his development. Having this pair improve in 2024 will add to the strength of this staff.

 

On the position player side of things, Orelvis Martinez and Addison Barger are on the cusp of reaching the show. They are tied for the second on the Bisons in hits (15) and both have an OPS approaching .900. Leo Jimenez isn’t flashy and is persistently underrated, but considered the best defensive infielder in the system and could debut sometime this year.

 

Spencer Horwitz burst onto the MLB scene and played well in a 39-game stint with the Blue Jays last season. He’s displayed tremendous contact skills and the ability to get on base at a prolific rate. So far, the lefty has 18 hits in 48 at-bats (.375) with 16 walks and just eight strikeouts for an eye-popping OBP of .531.

 

He may not be among the team’s top 30 prospects but Will Robertson is an ascending talent who could get the call sooner rather than later. The left-fielder is batting .467 (11-for-30) with four doubles and a team-high four homers. The brain trust thinks highly of the 26-year-old, proven by his steady playing time in the spring and his inclusion on the Jays’ Arizona Fall League roster, where he flourished. Robertson’s power and natural ability to play corner outfield may give him an edge.

 

Damiano Palmegiani also flashed his skills at the Arizona Fall League and might be next in line after the quartet of Martinez, Barger, Jimenez, and Horwitz. He started slow but has gradually started to raise his average as the days have gone by. He’s been splitting his time in the field between first and third base.

 

Rounding out the roster are players like outfielders Nathan Lukes and Cam Eden, and catcher Peyton Henry, all of whom have experience at the major league level. That speaks to the depth of this team and it has allowed well-regarded prospects like Alan Roden and Josh Kasevich to start their seasons at Double-A New Hampshire.

[glory]

So with guys like Schneider and Clemente making their way to the Jays and actually looking like they might be positive contributors, are we th8nking there might be more to the Jays system than meets the eye?

 

I mean it clearly isn't overflowing with upcoming superstars but might actually be a decent amount of 2-3 fWAR type guys on the way.

 

Schneider and Clement turning into big leaguers is definitely a success story for this FO as both players prior to 2023 did not look like they had this in them. Looks like they tinkered with Barger and Orelvis too, and both of them have greatly improved their plate discipline and contact rates while maintaining hard contact (though they might be sacrificing some home runs/fly balls in the process). We will see if both contribute this season and beyond. You could certainly see a scenario where all of Barger, Martinez, and Horowitz are on the 2025 team. Whether the team can remain a playoff contender while incorporating the young talent in is the question. That would definitely be the ideal scenario rather than trading them for short term vets as I don’t think this big league core (Vlad/Bo) is the one you should be going all in for.

[The_DH]

For Barger, he had some arm problems right after spring training last year so that might have had impact on his last year. I remember in spring he was something.

[Laika]

Schneider and Clement turning into big leaguers is definitely a success story for this FO as both players prior to 2023 did not look like they had this in them. Looks like they tinkered with Barger and Orelvis too, and both of them have greatly improved their plate discipline and contact rates while maintaining hard contact (though they might be sacrificing some home runs/fly balls in the process). We will see if both contribute this season and beyond. You could certainly see a scenario where all of Barger, Martinez, and Horowitz are on the 2025 team. Whether the team can remain a playoff contender while incorporating the young talent in is the question. That would definitely be the ideal scenario rather than trading them for short term vets as I don’t think this big league core (Vlad/Bo) is the one you should be going all in for.

 

They have enough interesting hitters now in AAA that some of them NEED to get traded.

 

RF - Springer through 2026

CF - Varsho through 2026

C - Kirk through 2026

SS - Bo through 2025

1B - Vlad through 2025

2B - ?

LF - ?

DH - ?

3B - ?

 

BN - Biggio through 2025

BN - Schneider through 2029

BN - Clement through 2028

3B/BN - IKF through 2025

 

Of course the guys on this 2025 bench could slot into all those open starting positions but you get the point. There will not be a lot of opportunities for the Buffalo crew over the next two years unless there are some major injuries. And obviously the team will be actively trying to upgrade the depth chart and sign or trade for some impact bat(s) at some point.

 

Horwitz - deserves a shot as a platoon 1B, at least

Barger - deserves a shot as a platoon UTIL, at least

Orelvis - will deserve a shot as a starting IF at some point

Jimenez - will deserve a shot as a bench SS at some point

Robertson - will deserve a shot as a platoon OF, at least

Palmegiani - may deserve a shot as a stop-gap 3B or something at some point

 

And then guys like Kasevich, Roden, Gabriel Martinez will need to move up the ladder too.

 

I just don't see how all of these guys get a fair shake before 2026 so we may need to dump 2 or 3 of them. Maybe one big trade, ideally a Chapman or Donaldson style deal lol.

[Eat My Shatkins]

They have enough interesting hitters now in AAA that some of them NEED to get traded.

 

RF - Springer through 2026

CF - Varsho through 2026

C - Kirk through 2026

SS - Bo through 2025

1B - Vlad through 2025

2B - ?

LF - ?

DH - ?

3B - ?

 

BN - Biggio through 2025

BN - Schneider through 2029

BN - Clement through 2028

3B/BN - IKF through 2025

 

Of course the guys on this 2025 bench could slot into all those open starting positions but you get the point. There will not be a lot of opportunities for the Buffalo crew over the next two years unless there are some major injuries. And obviously the team will be actively trying to upgrade the depth chart and sign or trade for some impact bat(s) at some point.

 

Horwitz - deserves a shot as a platoon 1B, at least

Barger - deserves a shot as a platoon UTIL, at least

Orelvis - will deserve a shot as a starting IF at some point

Jimenez - will deserve a shot as a bench SS at some point

Robertson - will deserve a shot as a platoon OF, at least

Palmegiani - may deserve a shot as a stop-gap 3B or something at some point

 

And then guys like Kasevich, Roden, Gabriel Martinez will need to move up the ladder too.

 

I just don't see how all of these guys get a fair shake before 2026 so we may need to dump 2 or 3 of them. Maybe one big trade, ideally a Chapman or Donaldson style deal lol.

 

I think Bo and Vlad will be traded before next season so that could open up a spot for Horwitz and Jimimez.

 

Of course there will be money to spend if they deal those two so I could see them shooting for guys like Adames/Soto/Bregman too.