jays4life19

Havok is up!

I trust someone has e-mailed Spittin.

Well...you did tell him not to draft rookie ball guys who aren't elite prospects. So he went with a non prospect AAA guy. Plus, i'm pretty sure he's just stat scouting and looking at their wRC+ for the year.

The White Sox jumped to a fast start in 2016, staring the season at 23-10 and entering play on May 10 with a six-game lead in the American League Central. Chicago went 22-33 from that point until the all-star break to fall seven games behind the Indians in the division race, though not all hope was lost. 2019 PROJECTED LINEUP C Alex Avila 1B Jose Abreu 2B Brett Lawrie 3B Trey Michalczewski SS Tim Anderson LF Adam Engel CF Jacob May RF Adam Eaton DH Avisail Garcia No. 1 Starter Chris Sale No. 2 Starter Jose Quintana No. 3 Starter Carlos Rodon No. 4 Starter Carson Fulmer No. 5 Starter Spencer Adams Closer David Robertson Despite the fact the White Sox had been outscored by 12 runs in the first half, they remained on the fringes of the AL wild-card race, and with lefthanders Chris Sale and Jose Quintana heading the rotation, they had a 4.34 starter ERA that ranked sixth in the league and within shouting distance of fourth place. However, the White Sox pitching staff overall had performed at a roughly average rate, with a park-adjusted ERA+ of 102. Scoring runs remained a problem for Chicago. After finishing last in the AL in runs scored in 2015, the White Sox ranked 12th out of 15 teams this year, with poor showings in average, on-base percentage and slugging. They promoted top-prospect shortstop Tim Anderson on June 10, and he hit .304 with power in the first half and could be a long-term fixture for the franchise. A 2013 first-round pick, Anderson alone won’t be enough, and addressing the team’s deficiencies could be a challenge for the White Sox at the trade deadline because they lack prospect depth beyond 2015 first-round righthander Carson Fulmer. Chicago cashed in most of its trade chips in the past two offseasons, when they traded prospects Trayce Thompson, Frankie Montas, Micah Johnson and others to acquire veterans like Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie. They previously traded Marcus Semien after the 2014 season. Acquiring an impact talent—ideally in the outfield or at DH—at the deadline probably will require the White Sox to take on salary in a trade, something they might or might not be willing to do. They ranked just 16th in baseball (and behind the division-rival Tigers and Royals) in terms of Opening Day payroll, despite adding plenty of veteran inventory the past two offseasons. MIDSEASON TOP 10 1. Carson Fulmer, rhp The No. 2 college pitcher available in the 2015 draft, Fulmer throws two knockout pitches with a mid-90s fastball and a sharp, power curveball. But his control continues to grade as below-average, and his funky, high-effort delivery leads many scouts to project him to the bullpen. Keep in mind, though, that Fulmer jumped essentially from the Vanderbilt campus in 2015 to Double-A this season and improved his performance in-season after he stopped rushing and stayed taller in his delivery. To wit: he walked 6.7 per nine innings April and May but improved that to 3.7 per nine in June and July. 2. Spencer Adams, rhp While Adams lacks huge stuff, he throws a ton of strikes (1.8 walks per nine innings), keeps the ball on the ground (53 percent groundballs) and takes his turn in the rotation. He pitches at about 90 mph with plus command for a 20-year-old, but he’s still working to rediscover the plus slider he showed in high school. 3. Trey Michalczewski, 3b The 21-year-old switch-hitter hasn’t yet broken out in pro ball, but he does things now that suggest he’ll have a broad skill set when he is fully developed. Michalczewski struggles to keep on weight and muscle during the long season, but he has improved his defensive footwork at third base while also increasing his power output and maintaining a strong walk rate. 4. Adam Engel, of Engel raised his hands in his stance after he endured a rough introduction to Double-A this season. After returning to Birmingham on May 25, he proceeded to hit .292/.370/.453 with 21 extra-base hits and 18 steals in his next 45 games. Engel works hard and receives instruction well, and his exceptional speed and glove in center field make him a potential starter if he continues to get on base. 5. Jacob May, of Though he profiles as a bottom-of-the-order hitter, May plays center field at a high level and has plus speed and bunting skills that could make him a small-ball threat. Making more contact and drawing more walks would help the switch-hitter’s tools play up. 6. Tyler Danish, rhp Danish always has been one of the youngest starters in his league, so the White Sox might have done him a disservice by thrusting him into the big league bullpen in mid-June (he allowed nine of 12 batters to reach base) without any relief experience. He throws a low-90s sinker and plus changeup and could have a career as a groundball reliever along the lines of Matt Albers. 7. Jordan Stephens, rhp A 2015 fifth-round pick from Rice, Stephens showed firm stuff and solid results in his full-season debut in the Carolina League. The 6-foot-1 righty has added a cutter to work inside on lefthanded batters while pitching at 92 mph and rediscovering the shape and power on his slider. 8. Jake Peter, of/2b The lefthanded-swinging Peter hit .304 in 68 games at Double-A Birmingham to earn a late-June bump to Triple-A. He lacks power but exercises plate discipline, sprays the ball around the field and plays four positions: second base, third base and both corner-outfield spots. Peter has a future as a quality super-utility player. 9. Jordan Guerrero, lhp The 22-year-old southpaw ran up a 5.52 ERA in April as he adjusted to Double-A and struggled with fastball command, but Guerrero pitched much better afterward, striking out 61 and allowing 68 hits through his next 77 innings. He throws one of the best changeups in the Southern League, but he needs better command of his average fastball and breaking ball—attributes that make him ill-suited for a bullpen role. 10. Thad Lowry, rhp The 6-foot-4 Texas prep righthander has grown more accustomed to a pro workload and has matured as a pitcher. He fills the zone with a low-90s, sinking fastball and mixes in a changeup, though he needs to tighten a loopy breaking ball that could one day play as average. RISING Connor Walsh has gained control of his delivery this season and is throwing strikes much more consistently. The righthander sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with a plus curveball that clocks in the low 80s. The White Sox selected Walsh in the 12th round of the 2014 draft out of Cincinnati . . . Low Class A Kannapolis shortstop Johan Cruz hit just .243 through his first 51 games, but he has the defensive chops to stick at shortstop. FALLING Double-A Birmingham corner outfielder Courtney Hawkins, the 13th pick in the 2012 draft, continues to scuffle in the Southern League. In 136 games at Birmingham this year and last, he has hit just .228/.281/.381 with 14 homers and 75 RBIs. HURTING Righthander Spencer Adams twisted an ankle in early July and hit the disabled list, but the injury is not considered serious . . . Third baseman Matt Davidson, catcher Kevan Smith and outfielder Jason Coats, all older prospects, received callups to Chicago and almost immediately injured themselves. Davidson broke his right foot running the bases, Smith was diagnosed with sacroiliac joint dysfunction in his back and Coats required five stitches to close a cut in his mouth he suffered in an outfield collision. GRADUATING Shortstop Tim Anderson, the system’s preseason No. 1 prospect, recorded a .506 OPS at Triple-A Charlotte in April before quickly rebounding and earning a big league callup on June 10. He hit .304/.310/.488 (114 OPS+) with 14 extra-base hits in his first 28 games for the White Sox, though he has only one walk against 37 strikeouts in the first half . . . Righthander Michael Ynoa, once most notable for his string of injuries after signing with the Athletics for a then-record $4.25 million bonus in 2008, got a callup to fill a middle-relief need in June and had 11 strikeouts in his first eight innings. COMING ABOARD (Check Draft Database for all picks) The White Sox’s first five picks of the 2016 draft. (s-supplemental round) 1. Zack Collins, c, Miami. The lefthanded-hitting catcher will have to work to stay behind the plate, but he offers some of the best power and plate discipline in the 2016 draft class. 1. Zack Burdi, rhp, Louisville. The rare three-pitch reliever in college, Burdi sits 98 mph with a high-octane fastball and has hit 100, just like his older brother Nick, a reliever in the Twins system. 2. Alec Hansen, rhp, Oklahoma. Hansen recorded a 5.40 ERA as an Oklahoma junior, but the 6-foot-7 righty has an electric, mid-90s fastball, at-times-plus secondary stuff and well below-average control. 3. Alex Call, of, Ball State. Call is a righthanded-hitting corner outfielder who blends potentially above-average power, speed and arm strength. 4. Jameson Fisher, of, Southeastern Louisiana. The former catcher hit .424 this spring with nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts, though the lefty hitter is more of a gap hitter and projected left fielder.

lol

I have a surplus of good SS prospects and looking to move one for a SP. Dansby Swanson + MiLB 52 for a very good pitcher. Or Willy Adames + Jeff Hoffman

The Royals signed C Meibrys Viloria for $460,000 as a 16 year old. He didn't make the mid season top 10 prospects for the Royals but BA did say this.. "RISING Catcher Meibrys Viloria didn’t have an extra-base hit last year. This year the 19-year-old catcher had 14 extra-base hits (and a .424 average) in his first 15 games with rookie-level Idaho Falls . . . Second baseman Corey Toups is a gamer who gets on-base and hits for average."

I don't bet with subject-matter experts.

No i'm saying Collabello has a vagina.

Lol atta girl Collabello

If anyone wants anymore teams, just ask.

Bo you don't. Woops. No you don't*

n a bit of a surprise, the Orioles entered the all-star break on top of the American League East with a 51-36 record and a two-game edge over the Red Sox. To do so, they’ve mashed the ball. 2019 PROJECTED LINEUP C Chance Sisco 1B Chris Davis 2B Jonathan Schoop 3B Manny Machado SS Ryan Mountcastle LF Joey Rickard CF Adam Jones RF Hyun Soo Kim DH Mark Trumbo No. 1 Starter Kevin Gausman No. 2 Starter Chris Tillman No. 3 Starter Dylan Bundy No. 4 Starter Hunter Harvey No. 5 Starter Chris Lee Closer Zach Britton Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis had combined for 50 home runs at the break, and the Orioles led baseball with 137 longballs. Their .800 OPS as a team was second only to the Red Sox. At 28 years old, righthander Chris Tillman put together a sparkling first half as well. He’s 12-2, 3.41 at the break with a team-best 98 punchouts. If general manager Dan Duquette wants to buoy his club for a deep postseason run, however, its moribund farm system might provide a bit of a roadblock. Righthander Hunter Harvey, their prospect with the highest upside, has spent most of his career injured and is pitching in the lowest rungs of the minors after recovering from offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia. The system’s highest riser over the past two seasons has been catcher Chance Sisco, who is hitting very well as a 21-year-old in Double-A and showed off power at this year’s Futures Game with an opposite-field home run at San Diego’s Petco Park. He’s still got a bit of work to do behind the plate, but he’s improved and the market for even average offensive catchers is always open. Of course, with Matt Wieters a pending free agent, Sisco may be more valuable to the O’s as his longterm replacement than as a trade chip. Beyond Sisco and Harvey, the Orioles could offer hard-throwing lefthander Tanner Scott or infielder Jomar Reyes, a hulking youngster with raw power that rates at 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Trumbo, Davis, Tillman and superstar third baseman/shortstop Manny Machado have boosted the Birds into postseason contention, but it might take a little work to acquire the additions to keep them there through the second half. MIDSEASON TOP 10 1. Chance Sisco, c Being a 21-year-old in Double-A is always a challenge. After a cameo in the Eastern League last year, Sisco returned this season and has thrived. He’s among the purest hitters in the minor leagues, with a .326 career average, and has shown the ability to make consistent contact without many strikeouts. His .394 on-base percentage is tied for second in the EL. He doesn’t hit for much power right now, but his opposite-field shot at Petco Park in the Futures Game hinted at his raw pop. He’s improved behind the plate, too, and has made mechanical adjustments to assist his footwork when he gets set to throw to second. 2. Hunter Harvey, rhp Harvey did return to the mound this summer, but it was a brief stay. Harvey had surgery this past offseason to correct a sports hernia and got back on the mound for games in June. His three-pitch mix looked as dynamic as ever, but he was pulled from his July 16 start for short-season Aberdeen after 1 1/3 innings, and he’s having his elbow examined. 3. Jomar Reyes, 3b Reyes’ power is among the best in the system, grading as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. His numbers aren’t the prettiest, but the Orioles say he’s been giving them the competitive at-bats they seek. He’s got a big arm at third base, but his size may mean a move to first in the future. 4. Ryan Mountcastle, ss The Orioles’ second draft pick in 2015, Mountcastle has performed well in his first taste of full-season ball. He’s shown both average and power, and scouts who have seen him buy the bat. There are question marks surrounding his defense, with some evaluators questioning with his arm will be strong enough to stick at shortstop in the long-term. 5. Tanner Scott, lhp A lefthander with big velocity will always be in demand, and Scott fits that bill perfectly. He couples a fastball that can reach triple digits with an above-average slider. There are control issues to iron out, but he has the ingredients to be an impact reliever. 6. Trey Mancini, 1b After tearing up Double-A in a return there to start this season, Mancini moved to Triple-A and continues to put up numbers. He’s improved his defense to make evaluators he could hold down first base adequately. With Chris Davis in Baltimore, his future might be elsewhere, though. 7. Chris Lee, lhp A lefthander acquired from the Astros, Lee is currently on the disabled list with a lat strain. When healthy, he combines a fastball that can reach into the mid-90s with a slider and changeup that he throws for strikes. He projects to have a ceiling of a No. 3 starter. 8. Garrett Cleavinger, lhp A closer at Oregon, the Orioles have stretched Cleavinger out for multiple innings in an attempt to further develop his offspeed offerings, particularly a seldom-used changeup. His primary weapons are a low-90s fastball with sink and tail and a two-plane curveball, helping him earn a promotion to high Class A. 9. Ofelky Peralta, rhp The Orioles are high on Peralta, a 19-year-old with a big body and a fastball that can sit in the mid-90s. He has a changeup that is average now and a curveball that needs to develop further. His command also remains raw, but he’s taken every turn in low Class A. 10. Jonah Heim, c The best defensive catcher in the system, Heim has required patience, as the Orioles have waited for him to gain strength. That, combined with his contact ability, should help his offense as he moves up the ladder. RISING Righthander Matthew Grimes has shown improved velocity two years off of Tommy John surgery. He sits in the low-90s and can touch 94-95 mph. He was recently promoted to Double-A Bowie . . . Catcher/first baseman Alex Murphy, strong-bodied at 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, has work to do defensively but has 14 home runs to rank fourth in the SAL. FALLING Outfielder D.J. Stewart, a first-round pick just a year ago, has struggled offensively while alternating between the squat stance he employed in college and the more upright version the Orioles would prefer . . . Outfielder Josh Hart, repeating a level at high Class A, has hit less than .200 and has just five stolen bases after swiping 30 bags last year. HURTING Lee has been shelved with a strained lat muscle and hasn’t pitched since May 23. He’s moving toward a rehab assignment, however . . . Righthander Harvey, who had sports hernia surgery in the offseason, is having his elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews after he left a start with arm soreness. . . Righty Parker Bridwell missed nearly two months with a broken rib. GRADUATING Baltimore has gotten bang for its buck from several rookies. Righthander Dylan Bundy, the team’s No. 1 prospect entering the season, was out of options and earned a spot in the team’s bullpen, and looks to be moving into the rotation . . . Righthander Mychal Givens has also been one of Baltimore’s bullpen stalwarts this season, while righty Tyler Wilson has eaten some back-of-the-rotation innings . . . Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim, whom the team attempted to send to the minors out of spring training, has been a pleasant surprise . . . Outfielder Joey Rickard, the team’s Rule 5 pick from Tampa Bay, has slugged five homers in earning an everyday role. COMING ABOARD (Check Draft Database for all picks) The Orioles’ first five picks of the 2016 draft. (s-supplemental round) Cody Sedlock, rhp, Illinois. Thrust into the Friday starter’s role at Illinois after Tyler Jay and Kevin Duchene were high drafts in 2015, Sedlock this year showed improvement across the board. He starts his mix with a low-to-mid-90s sinker and complements with two potentially above-average breaking balls and an average changeup. Keegan Akin, lhp, Western Michigan. A smaller lefthander, Akin’s primary draw is a fastball that sits around 92-94 mph and has touched as high as 97. He also throws an average slider and a changeup that can be average as well. Matthias Dietz, rhp, John A. Logan (Ill.) JC. Dietz’s fastball—and thus his draft profile—jumped this year when his fastball started touching the mid-90s. He grew a bit between his junior and senior years of high school, which explained the uptick in stuff. His offspeed pitches need work, but his slider has a chance to be average. Austin Hays, of, Jacksonville. After transferring to Jacksonville from Seminole State (Fla.) JC, Hays proved his offense would translate against a higher caliber of pitching. He showed excellent contact skills and started hot in pro ball. Brenan Hanifee, rhp, Turner Ashby HS, Bridgewater, Va. A four-sport player in high school, Hanifee jumped up draft boards when he started touching 93 with his fastball. He’s an athletic righthander with room to fill out, so the Orioles can dream on him a bit. Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/midseason-prospect-update-orioles-2/#6Dx6U4eKcSMVeagX.99

For BTS and Hurl. The 2016 season has not gone as the Rays hoped it would. After going 31-32 through June 15, Tampa Bay has fallen on hard times and plummeted to dead last in the American League East. 2019 PROJECTED LINEUP C Nick Ciuffo 1B Casey Gillaspie 2B Logan Forsythe 3B Evan Longoria SS Willy Adames LF Jake Bauers CF Kevin Kiermaier RF Steven Souza No. 1 Starter Chris Archer No. 2 Starter Blake Snell No. 3 Starter Brent Honeywell No. 4 Starter Chih-Wei Hu No. 5 Starter Jacob Faria Closer Ryne Stanek Injuries are part of the problem. Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier hasn’t played since May 21. Incumbent closer Brad Boxberger has appeared in just one game due to abdominal and oblique injuries, after being used heavily last season. Logan Forsythe and Alex Colome have both missed time, though they are healthy in July. Steve Pearce has battled a hamstring injury. Aside from injuries, many of the Rays’ key contributors haven’t lived up to expectations, particularly on the pitching front. High home run rates have ballooned the ERAs of Chris Archer, Drew Smyly, Jake Odorizzi and Matt Moore. While pitching is usually a strength for Tampa Bay, the Rays are among the worst in baseball in run prevention so far this season. One silver lining has emerged with top prospect Blake Snell’s ascent to the majors. Snell has added some stability to a rotation that desperately needed help. Behind Snell, the Rays have a handful of prospects who could develop into starters, with potential back-of-the-rotation starter Jacob Faria ringing the doorbell in Triple-A and Brent Honeywell and Chih-Wei Hu also taking steps forward. The Rays also have help on the way in the bullpen, with Ryne Stanek making quick progress after transitioning from a starting role. The Rays’ system has a solid blend of safe, high-floor players who lack impact potential and uber-risky, high-ceiling players with volatile future projections. As the team’s record approaches the worst in baseball, rumors have begun to swirl about the direction the team will go in at this year’s deadline. There’s plenty of demand for starting pitching, and the Rays could find a partner if they are willing to sell low on some of their starters. Tampa Bay has typically had success with trades for prospects. Four of the organization’s top seven prospects were acquired via trade, with top prospect Willy Adames showing the potential to make the David Price trade look like a victory. If the Rays do decide to sell at the deadline, they could supplement an already solid farm system and build for the future. MIDSEASON TOP 10 1. Willy Adames, ss Adames, still 20, is enjoying another solid season in 2016, this time at Double-A. Leading up to the season, Adames took fellow Dominican shortstop Adrian Rondon under his wing. Perhaps as a result, Rondon’s overall approach to baseball improved significantly after he spent time learning from Adames. There is still debate about Adames’ ultimate ability to handle shortstop long term, but he has the arm strength for the left side of the infield, so he should fit at third base if he’s forced to move. Adames’ offensive approach is still developing, as he can sometimes expand the strike zone and neutralize hitter-friendly counts. Adames has increased his power production this season; he had matched his previous career-high home run total (eight) by June. 2. Brent Honeywell, rhp Honeywell replaces the graduated Blake Snell as the top pitching prospect in the system. He dominated at high Class A Port Charlotte to start the season, and had not allowed more than two runs in a single start through the first month of the season. Honeywell experienced some arm soreness and was sidelined for six weeks, but there is no structural damage and he resumed his dominance with a strong start on June 25, when his fastball velocity was in the mid-90s. 3. Jake Bauers, of/1b Bauers has taken well to his transition to the outfield and profiles as a productive corner outfielder. His offense should carry him up the ladder. Still just 20, he’s shown the athletic ability to handle the move to the outfield. His last step will be handling lefthanded pitching better. 4. Jacob Faria, rhp Faria’s performance earned him a promotion to Triple-A Durham in June. His stuff is not explosive or overpowering, but he mixes four pitches well and has a deceptive delivery. Faria is more of a high-floor prospect, but he is relatively safe as a player with experience in the upper-minors and a strong track record of improvement. 5. Chih-Wei Hu, rhp The Rays acquired Hu in a trade for Kevin Jepsen in 2015, and he’s quickly established himself as one of the more prominent prospects in the system, earning a Futures Game nod. Hu throws four pitches for strikes, and he’s been able to limit walks despite fringe-average command. He impressed in San Diego, hitting 97 mph and getting ugly swings with his changeup. 6. Garrett Whitley, of The developmental process for a player of Whitley’s ilk can be slow and steady. A lingering hamstring slowed Whitley out of the gate and sidelined him for much of spring training. The Rays opted to send him to short-season Hudson Valley, where he continues to flash the bat speed and foot speed that made him the Rays’ top pick in 2015. 7. Adrian Rondon, ss Rondon remains far from his lofty ceiling, but he’s shown flashes of brilliance in the Rookie-level Appalachian League this summer. In one game, Rondon smashed three home runs. He has bat speed, raw power and the arm strength for the left side of the infield. 8. Ryne Stanek, rhp After an underwhelming 2015 season, a midseason move to the bullpen this year has allowed Stanek to maximize his upper-90s to 100 mph fastball in short stints. He could elevate through the system quickly, with some evaluators believing he’s near ready to contribute to the Rays’ bullpen. 9. Daniel Robertson, ss/3b Robertson isn’t flashy, but he earns strong reviews for his baseball instincts and intangibles. Scouts see him as an average hitter with the chance to bat .270 with modest power as he matures, though he’s struggled in his first shot at Triple-A so far. His arm strength can play on the left side of the infield, and he could develop into an average regular. 10. Jaime Schultz, rhp An undersized righthander with power stuff, Schultz has reigned in his control a bit in 2016. Evaluators are still split on whether his ultimate role will be out of the bullpen or as a starter, but he’s shown encouraging signs at times this season. RISING Low Class A Bowling Green catchers Brett Sullivan and David Rodriguez have established themselves as prospects. Sullivan converted from shortstop to catcher last offseason, and he shows lefthanded power . . . Righthanders Yonny Chirinos and Greg Harris have shown improved velocity . . . Catcher Nick Ciuffo has improved his contact skills and continues to impress with his overall defensive game . . . Undersized righthander Austin Pruitt continues to perform despite a fringe-average fastball, showing a good curveball, changeup and command. FALLING Righthander Taylor Guerrieri has become more of a pitch-to-contact pitcher, and neither of his pitches has stood out for evaluators this season. On a positive note, Guerrieri has stayed healthy and made every start . . .Richie Shaffer has not shown the game power that he did in 2015 . . . Ryan Brett and Justin O’Conner have both missed the whole season due to injuries, adding significant risk to their prospect statuses. HURTING In addition to the previously mentioned injuries to Brett, O’Conner, Wood and Whitley, Ciuffo will be sidelined for some time with a hand injury . . . Righthander Hunter Wood has also progressed well, and earned a mid-season promotion to Double-A before a comebacker broke his thumb and sidelined him. GRADUATING Top prospect Blake Snell has acclimated to the majors well . . .Utilityman Taylor Motter and outfielder Mikie Mahtook (before landing on the disabled list) have been solid role players. Former Rays prospects Tyler Goeddel and Joey Rickard have contributed to major league teams as Rule 5 draft picks. COMING ABOARD (Check Draft Database for all picks) The Rays’ first five picks of the 2016 draft. (s-supplemental round) 1. Josh Lowe, of, Pope High, Marietta, Ga. The Rays bet on Lowe’s ceiling, as a player who has shown plus raw power and speed, but whose bat was little inconsistent this spring. He also has excellent arm strength and could fall back to pitching if the bat doesn’t work out. 2. Ryan Boldt, of, Nebraska. Boldt has some feel for hitting and his fans think he can stick in center field. 2s. Jake Fraley, of, Louisiana State. Gifted with natural instincts in center field, Fraley has a high floor. He was a solid performer at LSU. 3. Austin Franklin, rhp, Paxton (Fla.) High. Franklin has shown a low- to mid-90s fastball, though he remains raw and will need to improve his consistency as a pro. 4. Easton McGee, rhp, Hopkinsville (Ky.) High. McGee has a tall, wiry frame and has shown the ability to run his fastball into the low 90s. The development of his offspeed pitches will dictate his ceiling. Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/midseason-prospect-update-rays-2/#6005ap4sGb4okTzB.99

In 2015, the Blue Jays ended 20-plus frustrating years with their first playoff berth since 1993, winning the American League East with the game’s most robust offense. 2019 PROJECTED LINEUP C Max Pentecost 1B Rowdy Tellez 2B Devon Travis 3B Josh Donaldson SS Richard Urena OF Anthony Alford OF Dalton Pompey OF Michael Saunders DH Vladimir Guerrero Jr. No. 1 Starter Marcus Stroman No. 2 Starter Aaron Sanchez No. 3 Starter Sean Reid-Foley No. 4 Starter Conner Greene No. 5 Starter Jon Harris Closer Roberto Osuna The key pieces of that lineup, assembled over several years, returned for 2016, and with trade acquisitions Josh Donaldson (2014-15 offseason) and Troy Tulowitzki (July 2015) joining Edwin Encarnacion and world-champion bat-tosser Jose Bautista in the lineup, the Jays are set up to contend now. The key for the rest of the ’16 season will be how Toronto’s rotation, keyed by a healthy Marcus Stroman, lefty J.A. Happ and injured all-star Marco Estrada, responds. Finding talent hasn’t been the problem for the Jays; assembling it and keeping it have. Last season’s playoffs didn’t just include Toronto but also two key Mets who were once Jays farmhands in righthander Noah Syndergaard and catcher Travis d’Arnaud, traded together for R.A. Dickey. This year’s Futures Game included two Toronto pitchers on the World Team but also unsigned 2013 first-rounder Phil Bickford and since-traded 2014 first-rounder Jeff Hoffman. Toronto’s farm system depth has suffered as a result of all the trades, with no rookie ready to help the big league club in a significant way for 2016. But the Jays’ top 10 remains robust, even with last year’s top prospect, outfielder Anthony Alford, struggling in an injury-plagued season. Righthander Sean Reid-Foley has improved significantly and could be a rotation factor by the second half of 2017, while first baseman Rowdy Tellez and 2015 first-rounder Jon Harris also have had strong seasons. With the big league club in third place at the all-star break, behind Baltimore and Boston, Toronto has fodder for more trades, if new general manager Ross Atkins and team president Mark Shapiro so desire, with a solid draft class augmenting the system. Few other organizations have seen both the positives the right deal can make and the negatives in terms of a lack of system depth. MIDSEASON TOP 10 1. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp Reid-Foley and Toronto were surprised when he fell to the 49th pick of the 2014 draft; he was rumored to be a strong contender for the back half of the first round. Some clubs had questions about his price tag at the time but also about his delivery and wondered whether or not Reid-Foley could remain a starter, and his first pro season stoked those fears as he averaged 6.1 walks per nine innings. Reid-Foley has gotten into better shape, showing more body control (particularly with his leg kick, improving his direction to the plate) and has streamlined his delivery this year, resulting in better control of his lively mid-90s fastball and hard slider. Gains remain to be made, as Reid-Foley can learn how to use his stuff better and add some more touch and feel, but he’s trending up as a power arm with front-of-the-rotation potential. 2. Anthony Alford, of The organization’s top prospect entering the season, Alford retains athletic gifts even through two difficult injuries, one to his knee and one a concussion. His offensive approach and production have suffered, though he still shows raw power and plus speed. He has worked hard to improve his center-field defense, but there’s no getting around his offensive struggles 3. Conner Greene, rhp After speeding through the system to finish in Double-A last year, Greene applied some brakes and went back to high Class A to start 2016 before getting back to Double-A in July. His athleticism and arm strength carried the day in 2015; Greene has focused on improved practice regimens and has added strength to help him maintain his stuff this season. He’s still pitching with a plus fastball and inconsistent secondary stuff that flashes above-average. 4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3b An outfielder like his father as an amateur, Guerrero has smoothly transitioned to third base as a pro. His defense is unpolished, but he has shown arm strength, instincts and good enough hands to continue the experiment. Guerrero was working on improving his short-area quickness and adjusting to pro pitching, but his raw power potential remains obvious. 5. Richard Urena, ss Just 20, Urena isn’t flashy but has continue to polish his skills that will allow his best tools—his power potential and feel for hitting—to shine. He has an aggressive approach but good power for a shortstop, and he ranked second in the pitcher-centric Florida State League in hits. He’s a steady shortstop with a plus arm who still adding polish on both sides of the ball. 6. Rowdy Tellez, 1b A Sacramento prep product, Tellez has the best present power and hitting ability of any Jays prospect and was having a breakout season at Double-A New Hampshire. He’s patient and powerful, but scouts do have their doubts about his athleticism and ability to stick defensively at first base. His lefthanded bat could compliment the righthanded-heavy Jays lineup soon if there’s a spot for him at first base or DH. 7. Jon Harris, rhp Last year’s first-round pick only moves down from his preseason No. 6 rankings because other younger prospects have moved ahead of him. Harris has shown improved stamina in his first full season, allowing him to repeat his delivery and work downhill more consistently. He’d allowed one home run in his first 14 starts and throwing quality strikes with all four pitches, though none is truly plus. 8. Max Pentecost, c/dh The good news: Pentecost, after three shoulder surgeries, is playing most of the time for low Class A Lansing, and the 23-year-old was one of the Lugnuts’ better hitters, showing a solid approach, at least average power and feel for the barrel. The bad news: After three shoulder surgeries, Pentecost doesn’t even throw every day on the side, though he does catch pitcher’s side and bullpen sessions, and he’s spent the entire season at DH. 9. Justin Maese, rhp The Jays have moved the El Paso prep righty slowly, even though Maese’s stuff is probably ready for full-season ball. The 2015 draftee was pounding the bottom of the strike zone with a sinker than can sit in the low-to-mid-90s and taking advantage of spacious digs at short-season Vancouver. 10. Francisco Rios, rhp The breakout of the organization in 2016, Rios was having his best season as a pro as all his pitches have improved, as has his command of them. He’s a three-pitch righty whose fastball touched 95 mph in the Futures Game and sits 91-92 with life. He’s shown the ability to get swings and misses with both his spiderish breaking ball and changeup at times, but neither is consistently above-average. RISING Lefthander Angel Perdomo struggled in the Futures Game, but the appearance was a revelation for the gangly, tall southpaw in his first full season. He led the low Class A Midwest League in average against (.183) and ranked in the top five in strikeouts with 96 in 73 innings . . . Outfielder Jonathan Davis has had his best pro season with high Class A Dunedin, adding a career-high 11 home runs to his above-average speed and basestealing ability. He’s 24 but also is healthy for the first time, leading to his breakout . . . Righthander Dustin Antolin had never pitched above Double-A before 2016, when he found the strike zone more with a 91-95 mph fastball and hard slider to earn his first big league callup and spot on the 40-man roster . . . Infielder Jason Leblebijian has had his best season, earning a promotion at Double-A. He’s an above-average runner and solid middle-infield defender who can fill in at shortstop ably, giving him future utility value as long as he keeps hitting . . . Lefties Tim Mayza, with better control of his mid-90s fastball, and Matt Dermody, who has a cleaner delivery that has added deception to his low-90s fastball and low-80s slider, have a chance to be bullpen options soon. FALLING Outfielder D.J. Davis, a 2012 first-round pick, continues to lag behind with his offensive approach and was struggling in his first trip to high Class A Dunedin in his 40-man protection year . . . Outfielder Roemon Fields still has fourth-outfielder skills with his speed and defense, but his bat hasn’t come around yet . . . Righty Clinton Hollon was suspended for a second positive test for a drug of abuse after being suspended in 2015 for amphetamines use. HURTING Alford missed time twice, first thanks to a knee injury, then a concussion that set him back significantly. He’s handled the lost time professionally, but concussions are scary . . . Catcher Danny Jansen can’t quite shake the injury bug; after missing time in 2015 with a broken hand, he lost most of the first half with a broken hamate in his left hand before returning with a rehab stint in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in July. He then hit safely in six of his first seven games back with high Class A Dunedin. GRADUATING The only rookie to be a significant contributor in Toronto this year is Rule 5 draft pick Joe Biagini, a righthander who has proven an effective middle reliever who can get ground ball outs and keep the ball in the ballpark; he had not given up a home run in his first 34 innings. COMING ABOARD (Check Draft Database for all picks) The Blue Jays’ first five picks of the 2016 draft. (s-supplemental round) 1. T.J. Zeuch, rhp, Pittsburgh. For the second straight year, the Jays got a college righty with a chance to start. Like 2015 pick Jon Harris, Zeuch has some physical projection left and is young for the class (still just 20), but he has more fastball velocity than Harris did at the same stage, with less feel for his secondaries. 2. J.B. Woodman, of, Mississippi. A high school quarterback, Woodman added considerable polish as a junior, leading the Southeastern Conference in home runs, and has a chance to stick in center field, with enough arm for a move to right if needed. 2. Bo Bichette, ss, Lakewood HS, St. Petersburg, Fla. The son of ex-big leaguer Dante and younger brother of Yankees farmhand Dante Jr., Bo Bichette has raw power, solid athleticism and a chance to stick in the infield, likely at second or third base. 3. Zach Jackson, rhp, Arkansas. Jackson had a rough junior season, as did the Razorbacks, as he tried to adjust to starting. He had one of the best curveballs in the draft, a low-80s power breaking ball, but lacks command of his low-to-mid-90s fastball. 4. Josh Palacios, of, Auburn. Originally from the Bronx, Palacios was having a strong season playing mostly left field before a wrist injury ended his college year in April before he returned to the field, playing center field, in July. Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/midseason-prospect-update-blue-jays-2/#fPaP1B5DB0b6yW0V.99

Fine.

Fair enough.

I like this for Abom. I'm pretty high on Bickford. Also, BTS, Do you value Napoli more then Beltran? I was really on Bickford but you seemed to have no interest in moving him for Beltran.

Agreed.

It must really suck being a mod on this board. rofl. f***ing no matter what you do people are going to bitch.

What a clutch GDT performance. Pulled this amazingness off at work. 8-2 Bitches.

And with that trade... Willy Adames OTB for a similar ranked pitching prospect. lol.

Confirmed. With Kershaw dead, it was the final straw to look towards 2017.

Org, did you e-mail Havok?

Carlos Beltran could be had.