Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Pendleton]

 

Martinez in April (55 ABs):

.236/.271/.327

 

In May (38 ABs):

.395/.410/.605

 

Has at least one hit in all nine games so far in May, and multiple hits in five of those games.

[glory]

9HR's with an obp under .200. That is a crazy statline. Hard to have a lot of expectation for him but also hard to give up on him as well.

 

If you told me before the season that Orelvis' BB% would be around 8.0, K% around 23.0, and ISO over .300, I would think he's in the midst of a breakout season. It's crazy how bad his numbers are even after the last couple of games.

[Terminator]

So Orelvis has 12 hits this year and 9 of them are homers to go with a triple and 2 singles.

 

He's batting .132 with a .451 slugging for an ISO of .319.

 

This is crazy. Not sure if anyone remembers this guy but he reminds me of former Jays farmhand Ryan Schimpf who had a crazy high launch angle and was an interesting player for a brief period of time.

[Terminator]

If you told me before the season that Orelvis' BB% would be around 8.0, K% around 23.0, and ISO over .300, I would think he's in the midst of a breakout season. It's crazy how bad his numbers are even after the last couple of games.

 

I know he's an extremely low BABIP guy due to all the flyballs (a lot of infield flies too) but a .051 BABIP entering today has to be at least a little bit unlucky. Those BB and K rates look pretty good. Hopefully he can keep this hot streak going.

[Pendleton]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/blue-jays-kendry-rojas-builds-toward-a-bright-future/

 

Kendry Rojas had only been pitching for a few months when the Blue Jays signed him for $215,000 in the fall of 2020, after the international signing period was extended due to the pandemic.

 

A converted outfielder, the lefthanded Rojas featured a live arm, athletic frame with room to build strength and a pitch mix that screamed potential.

 

Now 20, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Cuba native is building upon a strong foundational 2022 season mostly spent at Low-A Dunedin. He was off to a strong start back in the Florida State League, recording a 1.56 ERA through four appearances while striking out 21 and walking six in 17.1 innings.

 

More important than Rojas' pitching line is a tick up in his velocity. He topped out near 97 mph with his sinker during his first start on April 12 versus Tampa and was sitting 93.5 with room to grow.

 

Driving that jump is a “commitment to his routines—he’s still learning what that looks like as a pitcher—and a full commitment to his physical programming this offseason,” Blue Jays farm director Joe Sclafani said.

 

“He definitely has the frame to throw pretty hard. As he gains strength and continues to get comfortable with those routines he’s seen some positive gains.”

 

Also positive has been the progress on his slider, which generated a high whiff rate. He generated eight during a scoreless four-inning, one-hit, four-strikeout gem on April 26 against Bradenton, when he also mixed in his changeup effectively, getting three whiffs on three swings.

 

All that gives Rojas a “definite chance to be a traditional starter,” said Sclafani, which is why building up his workload is also a priority this season.

 

A lat injury cost Rojas a couple of months last season, when had three outings of five innings in 13 total games. He already has one five-inning start under his belt, versus Palm Beach on April 19, after throwing a season-high 82 pitches over 4.1 innings in his season debut.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kendry-rojas/sa3016746/stats?position=P

Might be the most interesting young arm in the system that hasn't been discussed much to this point.

[Pendleton]

[Terminator]

What happened to Bowden Francis? He threw a good ~10 innings this year after a good summer but he hasn't pitched since.

[Spanky__99]

What happened to Bowden Francis? He threw a good ~10 innings this year after a good summer but he hasn't pitched since.

 

Injured, bruh, obviously.

[Terminator]

Injured, bruh, obviously.

 

[MikeM3]

Something I don't recall seeing discussed here is how AA is using a pre-tacked baseball this season. This makes it much harder to properly evaluate both hitter and pitcher performance from this league as this baseball has had a noticeable effect increasing spin rates for the pitchers. I wonder if this could be factoring in to Kloffenstein's resurgence and Orelvis Martinez's struggles this season (one could only hope).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/new-enhanced-grip-baseball-raising-concerns-strikeouts-in-double-a-southern-league/

 

Yes some AA SPs are ripping huge fastballs and coming back to earth in AAA stuff wise like Abbott did. They still might be good but hard to get a good read.

[max silver]

I know he's an extremely low BABIP guy due to all the flyballs (a lot of infield flies too) but a .051 BABIP entering today has to be at least a little bit unlucky. Those BB and K rates look pretty good. Hopefully he can keep this hot streak going.

 

He's only managed a 9.4% line drive rate which is the most likely contact type to fall in for a hit. I can't help but wonder if spending how ever much time it takes in the hitting lab to flatten out his swing/approach angle a bit would be a prudent course of action. The guy obviously has crazy power but his contact profile seems to lead to the type of boom/bust types of seasons for several years now.

[max silver]

 

Trenton Wallace has been enjoying a nice run of success in Vancouver as well. After a nice start yesterday he's sitting 1.80 ERA/2.57 FIP with great peripherals as well, 10.8 K/9, 1.44 BB/9, 0.36 HR/9.

 

Wallace has a four-pitch mix, a fastball that sits low 90s and has touched 94.1 mph and had a 39 whiff % in Low-A. He features a changeup, curveball, and a wipeout slider, which had a 40 whiff % in Dunedin.

 

Scouting report:

Wiry frame with long limbs, there is projectability remaining. Wallace has a funky delivery as he’s a left-handed sidearmer with a large arm circle, which gives him incredible deception. Paired with his unusual delivery, Wallace’s wipeout slider has plenty of sweep with downward action. His changeup has two variations, with one having a glove side fade and the other with a significant drop. His fastball has a sinking action, while his curveball is tight. Control can be lost from time to time.

 

https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-2023-preseason-top-50-prospects-35-31

[Pendleton]

Trenton Wallace has been enjoying a nice run of success in Vancouver as well. After a nice start yesterday he's sitting 1.80 ERA/2.57 FIP with great peripherals as well, 10.8 K/9, 1.44 BB/9, 0.36 HR/9.

 

 

 

https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-2023-preseason-top-50-prospects-35-31

 

I can't make sense of keeping a 24 year old down to dominate A Ball much longer, should see him up to AA soon

[max silver]

I can't make sense of keeping a 24 year old down to dominate A Ball much longer, should see him up to AA soon

 

I do recall the organization sets goals/milestones for the players in the minor league system for them to reach before being promoted to the next level. This includes things like overall routine, strength and conditioning, diet etc. and goes well beyond just the results being posted. Hopefully sooner or later Wallace can make his way up to AA. The AA rotation is pretty full as currently Robberse, Kloffenstein, Robbins, Schultz and an injured Tiedemann populate the rotation. I could see Kloffenstein earning a promotion to AAA to help out a struggling Bisons rotation at some point.

 

Another guy that could earn himself a promotion to AA at some point is Chad Dallas as he's been overmatching High A hitters early on this season as well. Aside from one bad start where he appeared to struggle with command he's been filthy. Over 4 starts he's at 22 IP with only 10H, 6BB and 32 SO.

[Pendleton]

I do recall the organization sets goals/milestones for the players in the minor league system for them to reach before being promoted to the next level. This includes things like overall routine, strength and conditioning, diet etc. and goes well beyond just the results being posted. Hopefully sooner or later Wallace can make his way up to AA. The AA rotation is pretty full as currently Robberse, Kloffenstein, Robbins, Schultz and an injured Tiedemann populate the rotation. I could see Kloffenstein earning a promotion to AAA to help out a struggling Bisons rotation at some point.

 

Another guy that could earn himself a promotion to AA at some point is Chad Dallas as he's been overmatching High A hitters early on this season as well. Aside from one bad start where he appeared to struggle with command he's been filthy. Over 4 starts he's at 22 IP with only 10H, 6BB and 32 SO.

 

Yeah I'm sure the decisions have more depth to them than just the numbers. But at least statistically speaking, it would appear we have some pitchers who may be ready for a bigger challenge.

 

Kloff AA to AAA

Dallas and Wallace HiA to AA

Rojas A to HiA

[max silver]

Yeah I'm sure the decisions have more depth to them than just the numbers. But at least statistically speaking, it would appear we have some pitchers who may be ready for a bigger challenge.

 

Kloff AA to AAA

Dallas and Wallace HiA to AA

Rojas A to HiA

 

Hopefully these guys can continue to find success once they move up the ladder. In particular the AAA rotation/depth options have all been positively awful so far.

[Pendleton]

https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/analysis/five-under-the-radar-blue-jays-prospects-off-to-hot-starts

 

5 Under-The-Radar Blue Jays Prospects Off To Hot Starts (from SI.com)

[Jonn]

Jays have been aggressive with promotions in recent Seasons. I am sure a lot those moves will be made soon.

[Jimcanuck]

Ceddanne Rafaela, a Red Sox prospect, stole 7 bases in an AA game today.

 

Most SB in a MLB game is 7, by Billy Hamilton, in 1894.

[Terminator]

https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/analysis/five-under-the-radar-blue-jays-prospects-off-to-hot-starts

 

5 Under-The-Radar Blue Jays Prospects Off To Hot Starts (from SI.com)

 

Kloff is looking good. He's got some pedigree and is performing well as an age appropriate 22 year old in AA. Hopefully he can keep it going. We need to do a better job of churning out some rotation pieces, even if they are backend types.

[Terminator]

He's only managed a 9.4% line drive rate which is the most likely contact type to fall in for a hit. I can't help but wonder if spending how ever much time it takes in the hitting lab to flatten out his swing/approach angle a bit would be a prudent course of action. The guy obviously has crazy power but his contact profile seems to lead to the type of boom/bust types of seasons for several years now.

 

Yeah you are right. 9.4% LD rate with a 25% IFFB rate. Yikes.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Hagen Danner is back healthy again and has a 16.2 K/9 over 6.2 IP in AA so far.

 

Man it'd be nice if some of these guys would work their way to MLB and become homegrown stud S&M cheap relievers with control.

 

They always seem to either get injured or fizzle out. Remember Adrian Hernandez the last couple years racking up the K's? He f***ing sucks now lol

[Jonn]

Hagen Danner is back healthy again and has a 16.2 K/9 over 6.2 IP in AA so far.

 

Man it'd be nice if some of these guys would work their way to MLB and become homegrown stud S&M cheap relievers with control.

 

They always seem to either get injured or fizzle out. Remember Adrian Hernandez the last couple years racking up the K's? He f***ing sucks now lol

 

Danner looks legit. Just needs to pitch more. But I would imagine he’s one of the first guys they call upon when they need another reliever.

[Pendleton]

[Laika]

Also on that box score is CJVE on rehab, shoving

[Olerud363]

Looks like Orelvis hit a single and a double tonight so far.

 

A lot of players lose some average going to the majors and gain power. What will Orelvis do?

 

Like if he loses a little average and gains power where would that put him?

 

Like will he he hit .100, 60 for 600, 50 homers 8 double a triple and a single? lol.

 

So maybe he'll just .220 .300 .500 and be an OK player if he can play a decent 3rd.

 

Got to think he is an absolute wild card and maybe still a prospect just because he has an odd profile, like you can't do the usual take away some average with him.

 

Has there ever been a .220 hitter with great power in the minors who got an extended look in the majors?

[L54]

Looks like Orelvis hit a single and a double tonight so far.

 

A lot of players lose some average going to the majors and gain power. What will Orelvis do?

 

Like if he loses a little average and gains power where would that put him?

 

Like will he he hit .100, 60 for 600, 50 homers 8 double a triple and a single? lol.

 

So maybe he'll just .220 .300 .500 and be an OK player if he can play a decent 3rd.

 

Got to think he is an absolute wild card and maybe still a prospect just because he has an odd profile, like you can't do the usual take away some average with him.

 

Has there ever been a .220 hitter with great power in the minors who got an extended look in the majors?

 

Joey Gallo is pretty close to that criteria

[Laika]

Looks like Orelvis hit a single and a double tonight so far.

 

A lot of players lose some average going to the majors and gain power. What will Orelvis do?

 

Like if he loses a little average and gains power where would that put him?

 

Like will he he hit .100, 60 for 600, 50 homers 8 double a triple and a single? lol.

 

So maybe he'll just .220 .300 .500 and be an OK player if he can play a decent 3rd.

 

Got to think he is an absolute wild card and maybe still a prospect just because he has an odd profile, like you can't do the usual take away some average with him.

 

Has there ever been a .220 hitter with great power in the minors who got an extended look in the majors?

 

Not that I can remember but Joey Gallo was close. Like a .240 hitter in the upper minors???

[John_Havok]

Looks like Orelvis hit a single and a double tonight so far.

 

A lot of players lose some average going to the majors and gain power. What will Orelvis do?

 

Like if he loses a little average and gains power where would that put him?

 

Like will he he hit .100, 60 for 600, 50 homers 8 double a triple and a single? lol.

 

So maybe he'll just .220 .300 .500 and be an OK player if he can play a decent 3rd.

 

Got to think he is an absolute wild card and maybe still a prospect just because he has an odd profile, like you can't do the usual take away some average with him.

 

Has there ever been a .220 hitter with great power in the minors who got an extended look in the majors?

 

Let’s all keep in mind that Orelvis is in the infancy of trying to make significant adjustments with his approach and swing, which are not easy things to do. We may want to give him more than a month into that process before making too many judgments. I’ve probably been the most vocal critic of the kid over the past few seasons too

[Pendleton]

 

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/analyzing-spring-trainings-exit-velocity-leaders-part-2/