BlueRocky

Ben Badler MLB Prospects Chat (5/8/19) Lots of Blue Jays prospects related topics here

He generated a lot of whiffs on that heater last night, but I was surprised how often he mixed in sliders for strikes. He’s pitching strictly from the stretch since the end of AFL and apparently it’s given him better command. He used like 1 curveball and 3-5 changeups in that 72 pitches, the rest were 97-100mph fastballs and sliders. Triple digit heaters, paired with an 87mph slider, then an offspeed pitch mixed in with 78mph hook. Doing it with no windup. I’m not sure what batters are supposed to do about that. Should’ve been a 5IP 1 hitter but Kevin Smith derped on a catch that should’ve been made.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-mlb-draft-stock-watch-its-a-bad-year-to-covet-pitching/ Relevant article on BA

Record and standings are meaningless numbers during a rebuild, but this team need to be more watchable next year. If we see waves of young players on their way up, and I expect the core is being added to without solely relying on bargain basement offseason deals, and the likes of Brito/Hanson types taking all the playing time. Then those are good signs next offseason. They might not win 81 games in 2020, but please make it more watchable. When I rather turn on the Lansing Lugnuts or Buffalo Bisons after work and there’s a Blue Jays game recorded on my PVR that’s an issue. The Tampa Bay Rays are an example of how you can make smart trades, call up young players, move the old guys off the ledger without turning into a dumpster fire for 5 seasons. This should be at least an 80 win team by 2021, but I would give until 2022 before reconsidering the Shatkins management regime simply because I have no idea where the future pitching is going to come from. They have to solve the pitching issue. If guys like Stro-chez or Giles refuse to extend on reasonable deals they have to acquire meaningful assets for them and not let their value rot. I’m not saying trade all the vets, but when your biggest need is young pitching, yet your only valuable trade chips are also pitchers in their prime entering last year of arbitration, they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. They will have to get creative. The payroll also needs to be supportive during this rebuild. In this current market, it’s not too hard to get quality vets to complement the core without spending ridiculous money. I hope that remains the case and Rogers open their wallet in 2021-2022.

It’s nice to know he can spot the outfield but you really want to keep Biggio at 2B if possible. Not only is that his most comfortable spot, that’s where he has a chance to be more than just average. I rather have a slight above average 2B than a guy that plays mediocre everywhere. On the other hand, Gurriel has been below average everywhere. The OF experiment in the minors could do him some good. If his glove and range is fine, and throwing accuracy is his only issue, LF might be his best spot long term unless you want him at 1B. He’s too young to just give up on his bat.

End this madness

crazy game. Let’s not do that again.

Some guys have a really punchable face, can’t explain it.

Is it too late to change my vote to yes?

When you draft a prospect projected with five tools, but none of them turn out any good, you get Alen Hanson

He’s quietly put together a 55 wRC+, that’s pretty tough to do considering how much Pillar got hammered for his 82-89 wRC+ seasons. McKinney was basically replacement level last year in 38 games between two teams, with negative value defensively. But to be fair the whole lineup had a rough start in April and this is his first real look up in the big leagues. But he’s not really making a case for himself so far. If Anthony Alford was even half decent, the doors would be wide open for him. Unfortunately.. nope. Jonathan Davis has a hot start in AAA, but he’s a very limited offensive player—basically a 4th OF type with some speed and a glove. There’s a little bit of pop there but he looks like a below average bat to me until proven otherwise, I’ve been following him with the junior trio since double-A Kudos for a hot start in 10 games .357/.538/.679 in Buffalo. At some point he might get a shot to replace Brito as our speedy glove guy off the bench.

He doesn’t have much to work with. The bench is literally Brito, Hanson, McKinney, and Jansen. Sitting on the bench, McKinney has the highest OPS at .581. I would love it for Vlad to get going in Texas. I get he’s struggling, but would still swap him with Grichuk so Smoak bats behind Vlad.

Adams to AA, Kirk to A+. I guess that frees up catching duty for Hagen Danner & Ryan Gold. Maybe even Gabriel Moreno down the road, if he could replicate those GCL numbers up in Appy or Vancouver this year. Catching depth suddenly looks good top to bottom

I just don’t understand the benefit to all this. We should be encouraging more forum activity and various opinions. I get some people are annoying, and sometimes deliberately, but unless it’s offensive or racist I don't really have a problem with it. Why run a forum with three people talking and everyone agreeing with each other, I mean just use a messenger App for that.

Why what did he do?

Urena is 23 but honestly if he’s a solid backup infielder that’s already a win. He’s been decent this year but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Still young though so I can understand the AAA developmental time.

Grichuk has traditionally been s*** in April, hold judgement till summer. I agree with most of the points above, will add a couple: Pitching - They look intent on the Elvis Luciano project, there’s a chance they’re stubborn enough to carry him all year. He hasn’t been as bad as I thought. - All our AAA pitching “projects” are looking like bullpen arms. Let’s see what happens when Julian Merryweather joins the fun. - Not having Shoemaker, Borucki, Richards might complicate things in May & beyond - Please keep Sanchez in full time bubble wrap - Stroman looks like juicy trade bait unless we extend him - Joe Biagni has actually been good Hitters - I feel like the front office’s plans this year is literally throwing s*** on the wall and see what sticks. They’re trying to catch lightning in a bottle with Socrates Brito and Allen Hanson. But they’re also giving significant playing time to Teoscar, Drury, McKinney to see if they can breakout. Are any of these guys realistically part of the core for 2021? - Not surprised Vladdy needed time to adjust. Not pushing any panic buttons. - Jansen has been okay, but his arm is a little bit of a concern in that Angels series. I feel like he needs to throw a bit closer towards 1B. Our pitchers haven’t really been helping but it’s worth noting. - Encouraging signs and surprises from both Sogard and Galvis. Not expecting this to last all season. Galvis is a good stop gap even if his bat comes back down to Earth, it’s refreshing to have a shortstop that has four healthy limbs (for the most part) - Tellez has real power, and hasn’t embarrassed himself against lefties. A little bit more comfortable at 1B if Smoak does get dealt or leaves next year. - I’m still not high on Teoscar but our OF options are brutal Some notes on our prospects & farm system - Cavan Biggio needs to be up here. .351/.495/.636, OPS 1.131 in 25 games, 101 PA. wRC+ 188 in triple-A. 27 hits, 23 walks to 18 strikeouts. He may or may not be something, and there’s only one way to find out. Call him up and let him play. - I still believe in Gurriel’s bat, he’s been solid since getting demoted to Buffalo. But I’m not sure defensively how you’re going to fit him in a very crowded infield in 2021-2022. Left field might not be a bad option for Gurriel as pinpoint throwing accurately may not be as big of a concern than 2B. - Kevin Smith is having a slow start in AA, way too many strikeouts. Still high on him, hopefully he can put it together during the second half. - Nate Pearson is showing front of the rotation potential. The 5 inning / 2 inning schedule is a bit strange, hope it’s just a short term thing to buildup his arm strength. - Josh Winckowzki has been dealing. 2-0 in 5 starts. ERA 1.04, WHIP 1.115, 9K/9, 3.12 BB/9. 69.2% GB% - Pitchers like Nick Allgeyer (A+), Maximo Castillo (A+), and Zach Logue (AA) also deserve a bit more recognition as prospects. Castillo is only 19 and showing results in Dunedin. - Andrew Sopko from the Russell Martin trade has been pretty good in AA. Ronny Brito hasn’t played so no comment. - Reggie Pruitt is finally showing life in Lansing, we drafted him back in 2015. Not sure it’s enough to regain prospect status but it’s nice to see. He’s still only 21. - I’m still high on Otto Lopez. He was off to a hot start and cooled off, we’ll see what happens. - The bang bros in Lansing have been raking and Groshans is getting recognized on BA’s top 100 list with a slight bump to no. 65. Captain Kirk should be a top 15 prospect in our farm if this keeps up. - Nice to see Riley Adams getting promoted to AA. Both him and Cullen Large are off to a great start in Dunedin. - Ryan Noda has actually been pretty decent, though his walkrates are down and K% is up. wRC+ in 190 in rookieball, 160 in Lansing, and 150 in Dunedin. He’s played 12 games in OF and 11 games at 1B. Looking for more HR power as weather heats up.

I wouldn’t put Riley Adams in the Danny Jansen category just yet, but this is a pleasant surprise. Cullen Large shouldn’t be too far behind the promotion list—they’ve both been raking in Dunedin. And Pearson is due for some better competition. I’ve only heard good things about Adams behind the plate, so we’ll get to see it in AA. There isn’t terrific catching talent in NH so it’s a clear upgrade. I’m not too sure about Alberto Mineo yet, he’s put up decent numbers since he came over from the cubs, but that strikeout rate is Alford-esque. It’s been a bit hard to watch the Fisher Cats this year as their offense has been slow to start.

Baty’s age isn’t that big of a deal if his bat is legit. The risk is that HS competition isn’t a great sample since he’s older than his competition, which might not be indicative of his real hitting ability. The question mark becomes how he’ll handle A ball when he’s playing against college kids and wooden bats. Carroll’s size also shouldn’t make or break his career, an 18 yr old at 5-10 isn’t a midget. The kid is a teenager and will grow out that frame by the time he reaches the majors. If his bat is real, actually elite at CF, and the foot speed is real.. that’s a blue chip prospect we can get behind in a system thin on OF talent. I feel like if he was 2 inches taller and weighed 180-200lbs scouts would be raving like they do with Bobby Witt jr and CJ Abrams. At the very least he would get the hype Jared Kelenic did last year before the draft. Even with the nitpick of his size, he’s been considered a top 10 pick in most mocks throughout the whole year. Here’s the BA write up on Corbin Carroll:

Ben Badler lurks BJMB confirmed

Predict Bigio’s debut /thread I got May 20 vs Red Sox

Fourth pint of guinness by the 3rd inning will do that

Fielders are colluding against Stroman on his birthday?

I hope he throws the same meatballs to Vlad