BlueRocky

Salazar, Clevinger, now Kluber?

He also said Jays’ prospects are overrated, top heavy and doesn’t have a top 10 farm system. This came around the midseason update after the draft and IFA signings when both BA and MLB Pipeline had the Jays a top 5 farms in baseball.

From Baseball America: From MLB Pipeline: https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/brett-baty/HhJDM_FVEeW-8KA2nzwbTA/gendersport/baseball-stats.htm 3B @ Lake Travis HS, in 26 games he slashed .639/.738/1.361, OPS 2.099 15 HR, 2 triples, 3 doubles, 46 hits, 54 runs, 40 RBI in 107 PA 31 BB, 6 K Varsity baseball must’ve been fun for him

Keith Law is smoking the good stuff. Did someone in the Blue Jays org murder his wife and kids? I mean, I get that Tatis has tremendous talent but Law spares no bullets when throwing shade at the Jays like every opportunity. Until I see some projection models demonstrating his claims, I’ll assume he’s pulling this out of his ass.

We could go down the list and mention guys like Jack Leiter, J.J. Goss, and Hunter Barco but I also have doubts we will grab a prep arm with our 1st rounder. 2nd round though.. would love it if we somehow figure out the signability issues like we did with Adam Kloffenstein. Baty is intriguing, also hearing guys like Kody Hoese with some helium. This front office really likes their power bats. College arm I’m a bit iffy on Alek Manoah despite the success. 6-7 270lbs at 21 is a very THICC boy, unless we’re really hopping on that train of embracing thicc-ness. We might actually have a chance to land Hunter Bishop though, which could turn out to be a serious blue chip lottery ticket. We have a couple teams ahead of 11 that loves drafting arms, there’s chances for a couple bats to slide down. Sometimes you gotta swing for the fences?

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/kiley-mcdaniel-chat-5-1-19/ Fangraphs draft board: https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2019-mlb-draft?sort=-1,1&type=0&pageitems=10000000000000&pagenum=0 Personal note: JJ Bledday’s stock has risen considerably since my last post. Not sure he’ll fall outside top 10. Position player pool is strong in this draft, pitching pool has depth but no run away winners or elite talent like Casey Mize last year. Nick Lodolo, Alek Manoah, and Zach Thompson are the top college arms and prep side it’s between Matt Allan, Brennan Malone, Daniel Espino. Jackson Rutledge & Carter Stewart are juco picks. If OF is the target, with Bledday & Bishop off the board, Corbin Carroll wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize: HS lefty (L/L), elite contact hitter, regarded as one of the top pure bats in the class but some question marks if he can hit for power. Projected MLB center fielder with possibly double plus speed. Only concern is his frame.. 5-10 160lbs. Not ruling out another middle infielder like Bryson Stott, Will Holland, Logan Davidson.. but honestly they don’t intrigue me that much. Perhaps because the bar has been set quite high with our infield prospects. OF Kameron Misner is toolsy and has a lot of upside, could’ve had a better year though. 3B Josh Jung also seems a bit underrated, great college numbers and chance to stick at third. Possibly prospect fatigue.

At one point we had Jose Reyes at shortstop.. let that sink in for a minute.

Pitches per plate appearance!

He might not be our 4th best prospect, but Biggio deserves consideration for backend top 100. We had what.. 7 guys in the BA pre-season top 100? Our farm is scary good

I know it’s a long shot. Imagine Biggio is the top challenger with Vladdy for AL ROTY haha

Is that how it works? He’s technically still not on the 40 man roster. I thought it was date of debut

Alright who had April 26?

Plan the parade

I’m happy with our kids in Lansing. Kirk has demonstrated a solid hit tool and plays a fair defensive catcher. There are some concerns though if you wanna compare him to Groshans as who is a better hitting prospect. First I would point out Groshans is going through his first full year as a pro ball player, literally still in high school 12 months ago. Kirk was signed internationally out of Mexico in 2016, got into a car accident, broke his hand when hit by a pitch and lost a full season. But despite that he’s had more time to marinate under Blue Jays coaches/trainers whereas this is Groshans first rodeo drafted in 2018. Groshans has an ideal body type for an infield prospect, 6-3 205lbs. Most likely third baseman but potential at SS/2B. Where Kirk has a lot of question marks being 5-9 250lbs. Weight issues aside, he does not have the towering power like Rowdy Tellez standing 6-4 220lbs (prob closer to 250). Though Kirk has demonstrated HR potential and good SLG% in Lansing, when I watch his swing I don’t see an elite power hitter at the plate—he’s got some bat speed but it’s more tuned towards contact. Standing only 5-9, He obvious can’t generate the same type of loft compared to Tellez, or the consistent 110mph+ exit velos. But his bat speed also doesn’t scream power hitter, like his teammate Groshans. “Why is this an issue? Kirk can hit. Who cares if he doesn’t hit for power.” The problem is, as of right now, Kirk is a dead pull hitter. Once he goes up the system with better pitchers and fielders preventing base hits, if he can’t start using all fields or generate exit velocities he will have a hard time getting the same success at the plate. Let’s see what happens when he gets shifted every AB. However his walk numbers and lack of strikeouts are very encouraging and indicative of good plate discipline. But it’s also A ball, where many pitchers have no command or even a premium breaking ball that is thrown for strikes. Groshans on the other hand, his bat speed is ELITE for his age. It’s difficult to project a 19 year old but he doesn’t look overmatched playing against older kids in the Midwest league. He has a good approach, and his power tool has been well documented since his draft scouting reports. But his above average hit tool has been a pleasant surprise. For a power hitter, his 19% K rate is very reasonably supported by a 13% walk rate. And unlike Kirk, he uses all fields having pulled 40% and oppo 40%. Groshans has also demonstrated a really good arm and athleticism to possibly stick at short, though most draft scouting reports project him at third. You also look at his swing, the way he strides and generates power you really can see a young Josh Donaldson there. He has middle-of-the-order bat written and stamped on his forehead. The talent there is obvious. You bundle that whole package together, with those tools, that frame, at that age. You have a legit top 100 prospect no questions.

I hope he comes back in a few months

If he keeps hitting like that it doesn’t matter where he plays. I just don’t want people to assume he’s not a shortstop just because he’s 6-3 205lbs. He’s actually been pretty decent at Lansing for a kid that was in high school last year. His bat will carry him up minors, but he’s plenty athletic and has a good arm.

Can’t catch a break

Wow Tepera. Okay.

Smoak is reading the forum and saw those extension talks

Pretty sure Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to people inside the organization. Management, coaches, etc. And April 26 was a good educated guess. That’s a little different from Hector Gomez and his insider info. It’s all speculation atm. But definitely watch for sportsnet social media to pump the tires on his debut, perhaps two days in advance to sellout those tickets and draw eyeballs. I also predicted the Angels series on the other thread but it’s looking more like a home debut.

Hey Jansen, please keep hitting - everyone

Welp there she goes

To put it nicely, his command has not been good.

It’s good to see. Heard he tore up baseballs in spring training.