2017 White Sox Prospect Notes

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Will we finally get to see what Wander Suero can do in the majors in 2018?

In a brief tweet from the Washington Nationals’ PR department this afternoon, the team announced that reliever Wander Suero has been added to the Nats’ 40-Man roster.

Suero, 26, split the 2017 campaign between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse in the Nationals’ system, posting a 1.96 ERA, 3.14 FIP, five walks (1.96 BB/9), and 23 Ks (9.00 K/9) in 23 innings with the Senators and a 1.70 ERA, 2.79 FIP, 14 walks (2.98 BB/9), and 42 Ks (8.93 K/9) in 42 1â￾„3 IP for the Chiefs.

His 20 saves total on the season, 10 in each stop, were the most among relievers in the Nats’ minor league system, as the Nationals noted in naming the righty the top pitcher in the organization for 2017 in late September.

“Suero did not allow an earned run in 47 of his 54 games between the two clubs and surrendered just three home runs during the 2017 season,” the Nationals added, and, “his 20 saves were tied for 11th in all of Minor League Baseball.”

Suero, who just wrapped up his eighth season in the organization, was originally signed out of Sabana Larga in the Dominican Republic, back on Feb. 2, 2010, as a non-drafted free agent by Nationals’ scout Modesto Ulla.

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3. Chance Adams, RHP
DOB: 8/10/1994
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 210 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: Drafted 5th round of the 2015 draft, Dallas Baptist; signed for $330,000.
Previous Ranking(s): #10 (Org)
2017 Stats: 2.89 ERA, 3.33 DRA, 115 â…“ IP, 81 H, 43 BB, 103 K in 21 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; 1.03 ERA, 4.54 DRA, 35 IP, 23 H, 15 BB, 32 K in 6 games at Double-A Trenton


The Good: All Chance Adams did (again) this year is get batters out. There’s a plus fastball here. He can dial it up to 97, but tends to work 92-95. His uptempo, compact delivery adds some deception to the heater, and it gets on you in a hurry. He changes eye levels effectively with it, and there’s explosive “rise” when he elevates it. Even when the pitch isn’t lighting up radar guns, it is very tricky to square. The slider is his best secondary, a mid-80s offering with late 12-6 action. It’s a potential plus pitch. The curve doesn’t have as lofty a projection, but it features similar shape from Adams’ high-three-quarters slot, and as it comes in 5-10 mph slower than the slider, it works well in concert to give batters a different look. Adams is a bulldog on the mound who goes right after batters, and there isn’t a ton of mileage on his arm since he didn’t pitch much in high school and only started his last year of college. The whole is better than the sum of the parts. It just works.

The Bad: So he doesn’t exactly look the part of top starting pitching prospect, despite the results. He’s a short, stocky righty. The command can waver. He can be inefficient at times. The changeup is a little firm and a little flat despite good velocity separation. The stuff overall doesn’t jump off the scouting report. Does this sort of sound like a fastball/slider short reliever? Yeah, it’s a possibility.

The Role:

OFP 60–No. 3 starter
Likely 50–Not enough command or change to be a no. 3 starter

The Risks: Adams may have already been one of the Yankees five best rotation options this summer when they were giving starts to the Luis Cessas and Caleb Smiths of the world.

Major league ETA: 2018, as needed.

Ben Carsley’s Fantasy Take: If you’ve followed this series for a few years you know the drill, but for the newly enlightened–I hate mid-to-backend dynasty starter prospects. A guy like Adams has tremendous value to a big league organization, but substantially less so to dynasty leagues that only roster 100-150 prospects. His closeness to the majors is a big point in his favor, but there just isn’t enough upside here to justify placing Adams as a top-50-or-so guy. Because of SP attrition rate, I’m a big believer in betting on pitching upside and only gobbling up guys like Adams if they’re on waivers or fall to me late in drafts. I suggest you do the same, because even if it all clicks, Adams will only be a fantasy SP5 as a Yankee.

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2. Brandon Woodruff, RHP

BORN: Feb. 10, 1993.
B-T: L-R | HT: 6-2| WT: 225
DRAFTED: Mississippi State, 2014 (11th round).
SIGNED BY: Scott Nichols.
MINORS: 6-5, 4.30 ERA | 70 SO | 25 BB | 75 IP

Track Record: Woodruff led the minors with 173 strikeouts in a breakthrough 2016 season, then reached the majors a year later. He pitched effectively at Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2017 to earn a mid-June callup, but a hamstring strain delayed his debut by another six weeks. He started hot but recorded a 4.81 ERA in eight starts overall.

Scouting Report: When Woodruff is on top of his game, he pounds hard sinkers at hitters in the 93-95 mph range with good movement. He once had issues with tempo and rhythm but worked those out and his command improved markedly. Woodruff has an above-average slider he throws in the mid-80s and also mixes in an average changeup. He needs to work more on locating his changeup down in the zone. A bulldog on the mound, he pitches with confidence.

The Future: Woodruff did not change his game plan during a tough Pacific Coast League assignment. Thus the Brewers were confident starting him in the final weeks of 2017 while battling for a playoff spot. He will challenge for a big league rotation spot in 2018 and has No. 3 starter upside.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2 ... AAXaWAu.99

7. Brandon Woodruff, RHP

DOB: 2/10/1993
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 215 lbs.
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Acquired: Drafted in the 11th round of the 2014 Draft, Mississippi State University.
Previous Ranking(s): N/R
2017 Stats: 4.81 ERA, 5.67 DRA, 43 IP, 43 H, 14 BB, 32 K in 8 games at the major league level; 4.31 ERA, 3.46 DRA, 77 â…“ IP, 80 H, 26 BB, 71 K in 17 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs


The Good: If Rodin were casting a mid-rotation starter in bronze, the sculpture might look a lot like Woodruff. He’s an athletic, well-built six-foot-four, with a repeatable motion and a plus, borderline plus-plus fastball out of that carved right arm. He sits around 95 for the most part and will show sink and run on the pitch. His slider flashes plus in the upper 80s with late, short depth. The change doesn’t show much fade, but it comes out of the hand well and has around 10 mph of velocity separation to keep lefties honest, at least. Woodruff’s a potential 60/55/50 starter built to log innings. And as he’s already logged 43 all right ones in the majors, he’s basically ready for a back-end rotation spot.

The Bad: Woodruff certainly looks the part of a starter, but the stuff doesn’t jump off the page–or scouting sheet–and he may lack a consistent swing-and-miss offering in the majors. The slider and change will both flash that potential, but the slider can come in a little soft at times, and the change lacks the movement to miss bats. The fastball will flash wicked, almost two-seam movement at times, but can flatten out, and the command profile is only average. Woodruff might be better served airing it out in short bursts.

The Role:

OFP 55–No. 3/4 starter
Likely 50–No. 4 starter or set-up

The Risks: Relatively low. It’s a major league arm. It should continue to be a major league arm. If the slider firms up and gets a little more consistent he should be a back-of-the-rotation stalwart.

Major league ETA: Debuted in 2017

Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: I always say that if you’re going to gamble on a potential SP5 or SP6, you might as well take one with as close of an ETA as possible. It doesn’t get much closer for Woodruff, who might have lost eligibility for this list with one more start last season. In mixed leagues, he’s a nice back-end sleeper as someone who could be a good source of wins, but gives some of that value back in ERA. In dynasty leagues, well, he’s still just that.

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... -rankings/
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9. Mickey Moniak, OF

BORN: May 13, 1998.
B-T: L-R | HT: 6-2 | WT: 185
DRAFTED: HS–Carlsbad, Calif., 2016 (1st round).
SIGNED BY: Mike Garcia.
MINORS: .236/.284/.341 | 5 HR | 11 SB | 466 AB

Track Record: Moniak was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft and signed for $6.1 million. His first full season in pro ball was a disappointment, however. Moniak held his own at low Class A Lakewood the first two months before going into a tailspin the rest of the year.

Scouting Report: Moniak is a tricky player to project given his struggles. He still earns praise from scouts for his easy, simple swing that is direct to the ball. He got himself into trouble by getting away from a selective hitting approach and instead rolled over a lot of easy ground balls to the right side. Moniak will need to get stronger, both to handle the rigors of a full season and to add to his power, which for now is mostly limited to the gaps. An above-average runner, he drew mixed reviews for his defense in center field. He at times made good plays with a gliding stride and an above-average arm, though other scouts questioned his reads.

The Future: Moniak's development will require more patience than originally anticipated, but his underlying talent suggests he can be an above-average big leaguer. Now 2018 will be key for him to show that his full-season debut was more fluke than anything.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2 ... Cde3x8A.99

Patrick (Scranton): Just an opinion but I sincerely think ppl are bailing on Moniak way too soon. He was extremely young, body is nowhere near close to filling out, 1st year of extended playing time. Call me naïve?

Ben Badler: I'm probably somewhere in the middle. I liked the Moniak pick at the time, but yikes–what a disappointing year. I don't think anyone's writing him off completely, but his stock definitely tumbled. The optimistic view is that his first couple months were more in line with Moniak's true talent level before fatigue set in, and the sweet swing is still there, but the overall body of work for a player who was supposed to be an advanced hitter for his age was rough.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1509306407

9. Mickey Moniak, OF

DOB: 5/13/1998
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 185 lbs.
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Acquired: Drafted 1st overall in the 2016 Draft, La Costa Canyon HS (Carlsbad, CA); signed for $6.1 million.
Previous Ranking(s): #4 (Org), #56 (Top 101)
2017 Stats: .236/.284/.341, 5 HR, 11 SB in 123 games at Low-A Lakewood

The Good: Moniak has extremely good barrel control considering his age and the rest of the profile, and to the extent he kept his head above water in 2017, that’s how he did it. So there’s some hit tool potential here, even with all the problems we’ll rattle off below. He’s pretty athletic with a good body, although he’s not going to be confused with Jose Pujols any time soon. He’s an above-average runner down the line, and has a decent shot to remain in center field all the way up the ladder.

The Bad: [breathes in deeply] His swing is long, choppy, and frequently off-balance, and it led to a slap-happy game approach. In dozens of looks across the whole season as a prospect team, we can count the number of balls he barreled with force on one hand. He’s completely unable to identify pitches from lefties. He struggles horribly with spin. His over-the-fence power has been largely theoretical in games, and while it’s average in batting practice, it’s only average. While he has the range necessary to be a good center fielder, his instincts and routes are not up to par for the position yet. His baserunning instincts aren’t particularly good. Even his arm wasn’t as good as advertised. Just to top it all off, he looked gassed by the middle of the summer and staggered to the finish line as one of the worst regulars in the league. This is pretty much the definition of a lost season that doesn’t have an injury excuse tagged to it. So how much do we look back at the older scouting reports here?

The Role:

OFP/Likely – ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Risks: It is a testament to our belief in an old Al Skorupa adage that someone smarter than you saw something to draft this dude first overall that we’re even ranking Moniak in the top ten at this point. We might as well throw a dart on grades; if he reverts to a 1-1 candidate type of form, he’s at least an OFP 60, and if he doesn’t make very substantial progress, he’s not going to make it at all. –Jarrett Seidler

Major league ETA: sometime between 2021 and never

Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: This was not the start to his pro career that those who spent high draft picks on Moniak last year were hoping for. That said, it’s not a good idea to give up on prospects with the kind of pedigree Moniak has in dynasty leagues after one season, no matter how rough it was. Clearly he’s a worse bet to be a fantasy producer now, but the OF3 upside that existed is still there somewhere. Then again, Tywin Lannister’s enemies didn’t know the Casterly Rock mines were empty until years later either.

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
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Tom Eshelman, RHP, Triple-A Lehigh Valley

The Phillies knew what they were getting when they acquired Eshelman in the trade that sent Ken Giles to Houston two winters ago. He was the inverse risk-wise of Mark Appel, who they also acquired. It’s become clear now which pitcher is likelier to make it to the big club in 2018. Eshelman displays plus-plus control, and he put up cartoon-like strikeout-walk numbers at Cal State Fullerton before being drafted by the Astros in 2015. He began 2017 at Double-A Reading, then advanced to Triple-A Lehigh Valley early on in a roster shuffling/injury fill-in scenario. He never had to go back. Eshelman started 23 games and tossed 150 innings across two levels, walking just 18 batters while striking out 102. Nothing in his arsenal stands out as a plus offering, but the fastball sits a respectable 91-92, and he can work it well throughout the zone. The changeup still looks like it will be his best secondary, though he continues to tinker with a curve and slider. Eshelman won’t wow anyone on the radar gun, but the guy just flat out doesn’t walk anyone. He profiles well as a no. 5 starter, and could be with the Phillies by the middle of 2018. –Victor Filoromo

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2 ... etRZMir.97

Frankie (Chicago, IL): Can Eshelman succeed in the bigs as a #5 with his current arsenal?

Ben Badler: Yeah, I think his fastball command and ability to change speeds and read hitters' swings are polished enough for him to get to that role and carve out a Kevin Slowey type of career.

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Thyago Vieira, RHP

Age: 24

Vieira, a Brazilain native, is one of the hardest throwing pitchers in baseball and he joins a team that collects triple-digit pitchers (Michael Kopech, Zack Burdi and Reynaldo Lopez). Vieira touched 100-101 mph in his lone big league appearance and he’s regularly reached triple digits in the minors, including a 104 mph pitch in the Arizona Fall League in 2016.

“The day before I saw in the World Series I saw Chapman throwing hitting 104. I said, I’m going to do this the next day (in the Arizona Fall League)," Vieira said. “I said ‘I’m going to throw as hard as I can.’ But when it happened, I didn’t believe it. When they told me, it was amazing."

Vieira’s fastball alone could help him carve out a role in a big league bullpen if he can throw with even fringe-average control, but to have long-term big league success, he’s going to have to find a second pitch.

He’s worked on sharpening his fringy slider and he’s toyed with a split-fingered fastball as well as a changeup, but none grade out as more than a 40 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale right now. If he’s going to work in higher-leverage situations he’ll have to develop an offspeed pitch to keep hitters from just looking for his fastball.

Vieira has less than 60 innings above Class A, so he could use some additional refinement, but with the rebuilding White Sox looking to bolster their bullpen, he heads to spring training with a pretty clear shot at a big league job.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/ ... 0fG1ejr.99

JJ Cooperâ€￾Verified account @jjcoop36
1h1 hour ago

This White Sox system is probably the first ever to have 3 pitchers who have touched 102+ mph in game action before. Some FO official with Trackman access might be able to correct me (my DMs are open).
5 replies 37 retweets 72 likes

JJ Cooperâ€￾Verified account @jjcoop36
1h1 hour ago

If every one of the White Sox pitchers let it rip for five pitches, I would expect Michael Kopech would throw the hardest, but Vieira would give him a good battle.
2 replies 20 retweets 61 likes

JJ Cooperâ€￾Verified account @jjcoop36
2h2 hours ago

JJ Cooper Retweeted Chicago White Sox

If you held a competition for hardest throwing pitcher in the White Sox's system, don't bother showing up if you can't get to triple digits. Kopech/Viera/Burdi/Lopez can bring it.

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10. Carson Fulmer, RHP

DOB: 12/13/1993
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 195 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: Drafted 8th overall in the 2015 Draft, Vanderbilt University; signed for $3.4706
Previous Ranking(s): #7 (Org)
2017 Stats: 3.86 ERA, 5.97 DRA, 23 â…“ IP, 16 H, 13 BB, 19 K in 7 games at the major league level; 5.79 ERA, 5.77 DRA, 126 IP, 132 H, 65 BB, 96 K in 25 games at Triple-A Charlotte


The Good: Fulmer is one of those guys with The Good Stuffâ„¢. His fastball generally ranges from 91-95 as a starter, but mostly works at the upper end of that band and it has explosive arm-side movement. At its best he can dominate with just that pitch. Fulmer’s cutter can touch the low-90s and is a potential 7 with hard slider depth when it’s on. He also has an above-average curve that sits in the low-80s with tight 12-6 action. That’s three above-average or better pitches.

The Bad: The changeup isn’t much to write home about, leaving him overly dependent on throwing fastballs at the front hip of major-league lefties. The curve and cutter don’t seem as tight in the middle innings. The command profile is below-average, and he struggles to throw enough strikes. He’s a shorter, stockier righty with some effort in the delivery, so it all looks like a late-inning reliever on the bump.

The Role:

OFP 55–Bounces between the eighth and ninth inning
Likely 45–Inefficient back-end starter or 7th/8th inning guy

The Risks: Low. Fulmer has major-league stuff and is ready for a major-league role now.

Major league ETA: Debuted in 2016

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... prospects/
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Solid AFL performance to wrap a solid 2017 for Seby but 2018 when he should be the starting Catcher for the AA Birmingham Barons will be his real test given his age:

Seby Zavala: Hit .326/.407/.435 with two doubles and a homer over 13 games. One of the few guys to outhit him on Glendale was Dodgers catching prospect Will Smith, who led the Desert Dogs in playing time at the position. It certainly doesn’t hurt Zavala’s sleeper stock after posting an .851 OPS and 21 homers over 107 games between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem, although he turned 24 at the end of the season.

https://www.southsidesox.com/minors/201 ... ague-recap
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D.J. Snelten has become a name to watch after the lefty reliever put together a fantastic season in 2017. In 51 games between Double-A and Triple-A, he pitched to a 2.20 ERA, 1.086 WHIP, and .206/.269/.278 slash-line. He’s a groundball pitcher by trade (63 percent groundball rate in 2017), but can also get strikeouts when necessary (8.7 K/9).

He’s continued that momentum in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.167 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts in 12 innings. In eight appearances, he’s pitched two innings four times, and hasn’t allowed a run in those four games. Snelten has certainly turned himself into an option, and the Giants can’t ignore him heading forward.

https://goldengatesports.com/2017/11/17 ... e-bullpen/
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BA is higher on DJ then BP ...

8. DJ Peters, OF

BORN: Dec. 12, 1995.
B-T: R-R | HT: 6-6| WT: 225
DRAFTED: Western Nevada JC, 2016 (4th round).
SIGNED BY: Tom Kunis.
MINORS: .236/.333/.536 | 8 HR | 5 SB | 110 AB

Track Record: Peters grew up in Glendora, Calif., 30 miles east of Dodger Stadium, and joined his hometown team when the Dodgers drafted him in the fourth round out of Western Nevada JC in 2016. He signed for $247,500 and went on an immediate tear, winning MVP of the high Class A California League in 2017 after finishing third in home runs (27), second in walks (64) and first in slugging (.514)–but he also ranked second in strikeouts (189).

Scouting Report: Peters is a tantalizing mix of size, power and athleticism. He is a muscular 6-foot-6 and a tick above-average runner capable of playing center field. He carries his explosiveness into the batter's box. Peters' strength and long levers create tremendous impact, and he crushes anything left out over the plate with present plus power to all fields. He identifies pitches well and rarely chases, but he swings and misses through above-average velocity on the inner half at an alarming rate. Peters projects as a right fielder, where his plus arm fits.

The Future: Peters' ability to reach his middle-of-the-order upside depends on whether he closes the holes in his swing. He will try with Double-A Tulsa in 2018.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... b5dHKgP.99

DJ Peters, OF, High-A Rancho Cucamonga

6-foot-6 right-handed outfielders with strong #flow are bound to draw Jayson Werth comps, and Peters fits the bill as well as anyone. He showed arguably the best playable power potential in the California League this year, with a long swing that generates quality bat speed and extension to the ball. His hit balls carry with loft and backspin, and his exit velocity can light up a radar gun when he gets one on the screws. That caveat is important, however, as a sizeable swing-and-miss component is inevitable given his long frame and deep-count approach. Peters spent a good amount of time in center this year, where he showed improvement with his reads and jumps as the season progressed. The gap-to-gap range is borderline but if and when he does migrate to a corner, he’s got plenty of arm for right, with easy raw plus-or-better arm strength. The hit tool development may very well slow down under greater scrutiny in the high minors, but there’s a solid fourth-outfielder floor here with plenty of room for more. –Wilson Karaman

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... r-alvarez/


Joe (L.A): Are we underrating DJ Peters? Or are the Jayson Werth comps a bit too idealistic?

Kyle Glaser: Werth is a little much. Think more Steven Souza

https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... ZzWmuLd.99
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I have been intrigued by Austin Allen's bat and potential power since he was drafted and it is not hard to find articles about how hard he works to remain a viable Catcher:

San Diego Padres: Austin Allen makes his case to stay behind the plate with a career year in Lake Elsinore

By Bobby DeMuro 

Posted on August 26, 2017

Rancho Cucamonga, California –– Talk to any prospect evaluator that is familiar with San Diego Padres catcher Austin Allen, be they public-facing or within an organization, and the prevailing thought is the same: huge power, big guy, almost certain to end up at first base. Scouts are near unanimous in that thought, arguing Allen soon won’t be able to handle the physical duties catching requires. I’ve even pondered the same, assuming he’ll one day find a role catching part-time while playing more first base (and, if he ever gets to an American League organization, finding time as a designated hitter).

In fact, there’s really only one person who believes Austin Allen will stay behind the plate for the rest of his career – and that’s Austin Allen.

“My expectations for myself are higher than what anybody else thinks I can do,” the catcher told Baseball Census in a conversation before the Lake Elsinore Storm’s Thursday afternoon road game at LoanMart Field. This isn’t a new desire, of course; Allen has been very vocal in the past about staying behind the plate, and while time and positional need will ultimately tell the tale, a very good 2017 season buoyed by a strong finish the last few weeks is making the catching case for the San Diego Padres prospect.

“Honestly, I feel great,” Allen said, ironically just hours before he blasted his third home run in three days while also catching Jerry Keel’s complete game two-hitter against Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday night. “Other than the little inevitable dings, the foul balls and stuff, I really feel great. This offseason, I trained extremely hard every single day in order to catch as many games as I possibly can, and [field manager] Edwin [Rodriguez], he’s done a great job of mixing me in at DH, giving my legs a little break.”

“I had a weak stretch right before the All-Star Break where my legs were dead, but other than that brief period, I’ve felt the best I think I’ve ever felt [in pro ball],” he continued, noting the last few weeks have been particularly strong even as the dog days of August wear on around him. “I’ve been managing everything better. Last year helped with this. By August of last year, I couldn’t move. My knees hurt, my arm hurt, I didn’t feel good mentally. I was exhausted. But this year, I’ve looked forward to coming to the field every day and playing as hard as I can.”

That in and of itself is a critical hurdle to jump for any catcher, and especially a broad-shouldered, 6’4”, 225 lb. one like Austin Allen. The San Diego Padres prospect has spent three-quarters of his time in 2017 behind the plate, and learning how to manage his body in a full-season role like this is unquestionably a feather in the cap as he makes a case to the Padres to remain in a catching role as 2018 looms.

“This past winter, I trained for 140 games, and [this coming offseason], I’ll be training for 174 games,” Allen noted. “Remember when [Yadier Molina] came out and commented about him supposedly being tired? He said he trains for 174 games, and I took that, and I was like ‘wow, I should be doing that.’”

If staying on top of the position is particularly key for a catcher the size of Austin Allen, so too is staying below it all – the baseball, that is. Here – watch this video of the San Diego Padres prospect receiving and framing this week during Lake Elsinore’s series in Rancho Cucamonga, and you’ll quickly see the unique way Allen must come set and show a target because of his size: [video]

As you might expect, Allen’s focus centers on picking up strikes across the lowest band of the strike zone – the most important place for his pitchers to work.

“I’ve struggled with that low strike because of my size,” Allen readily admitted, noting knee-high strikes have been his primary focus throughout 2017. “It’s harder for me to get that, so I really have to work on that a lot. My hot zone is up. I know I’ve got a really good chance on getting a call on [higher pitches], even if they are out of the zone, but I’m a little cold on the bottom of the zone.”

There are ways around this, of course, and Austin Allen has found two of them: beating the ball to the spot to help with framing, and experimenting with new lower sets in body position to start low and work up. Both are works in progress, especially considering Allen credits this summer as the first where he’s really honed in on a new level of specific, nuanced defensive work behind the plate. But the development of both more than anything else in his game will dictate whether Austin Allen can stay behind the plate for years to come.

“I’m very confident beating the high pitch to the spot, but sometimes it’s been tough to beat the low ball down to the spot, and the prep before the pitch is the biggest key,” Allen said. “Focusing on prepping down. Not putting my glove on the ground, but starting very low and coming up through it, and timing it right. Some days, it’s easier than others. If you’ve got a guy who has his command that day, you can trust yourself to stay as low as possible for as long as possible and then come up. But that’s been the big focus, beating the ball to the spot.”

To help with that is the second part of Allen’s summer development behind the plate: a significantly lower set than in years past, including going far below the crouch with nobody on base.

“John Nester and Ryley Westman, two of our catching coordinators, they’ve really got me going to one knee as much as possible with no one on base, even on breaking balls,” Allen said. “That gets me lower, it gets the target lower, and it clears the left knee so I have more room to move. I’ve become really comfortable going to one knee no matter who is throwing. I wasn’t comfortable at first in spring training, but they have emphasized doing it as much as possible. And it saves my legs a little bit. That’s huge, because I want to be able to produce offensively all year, too.”

Let's talk a little bit about that offensive production Allen mentions, because lost in this tale of his catching challenges and development is one big aspect of the prospect’s season: he’s putting up impressive numbers at the plate with yet another late power surge now even as August winds down. Entering play on Saturday night, Allen has 21 homers, 29 doubles, and a .505 slugging percentage in 432 at-bats – an impressive showing for a guy arguably robbed of a postseason All-Star nod in the California League this week.

“Our assistant farm director, he came into town one day,” Allen recalled, “and he was like ‘I haven’t looked at your average once, but I do know you’re hitting for more power than last year, you have more doubles than last year, and you’re walking more. We can’t ask for anything else. Keep trending on that, and you’ll be fine.’ Ever since then, I’ve been like, ‘OK, I can buy into that.’”

That’s not the only thing Austin Allen has bought into, either. You can now count him among the game’s launch angle acolytes in fully understanding that his future, regardless of defensive position, rests on how often he can hit the ball hard in the air.

“The whole launch angle thing you hear? I’ve bought into that, because the money is in the air,” Allen acknowledged. “I’ve changed my approach a little bit, not just hitting the ball hard, but looking more so into the flight of the ball. And if somebody says ‘oh, you’re a 15-20 homer guy,’ I want to be a 30-homer guy. If they see me as a .250 hitter, I want to be a .300 hitter. I haven’t really been looking at my stats, but it’s like what we were talking about back at Inland [Empire], my main focus is hitting it hard.”

And hit it hard, he shall.

There’s little question that Austin Allen will keep doing that – but if he continues to prove himself behind the plate against all odds and virtually every evaluation pegging him for first base, watch out; the San Diego Padres may yet have a bona fide catching prospect on their hands here.

http://baseballcensus.com/2017/08/26/sa ... interview/

And ...

This year, Austin Allen is finishing strong

By Jeff Sanders-Contact Reporter

August 5, 2017, 9:35 AM

A .460 hitter at the end of April in 2016, Austin Allen was never going to keep up that blistering pace. To the extent he tired down the stretch in his first full season of pro ball, the 23-year-old Allen is getting stronger as he rolls through this summer.

Allen hit more homers in July (10) than he did in all of 2016 (8) and is hitting .355/.394/.663 at high Single-A Lake Elsinore since the All-Star break. The surge not only earned Allen back-to-back California League player of the week nods, it thrust the left-handed hitting Allen into a four-way tie for the organization lead for home runs with 18.

Austin is a confident kid who’s starting to realize who he is as a player,” said Ryley Westman, coordinator of instruction. “He’s a good hitter, has a good eye at the plate and has a good path through the zone. He’s a strong kid, his body is in better shape than in the past and he is realizing that he just needs to hit what the pitcher provides. When he does that, he’s having a lot of success.”

The body is one reason Allen is picking up steam as the season drags on.

A fourth-rounder as a big-bodied catcher out of the Florida Institute of technology in 2015, the 6-foot-4 Allen shed 15 pounds working out alongside the likes of Francisco Lindor heading into the his first full season. He doubled down on that regimen over this offseason after watching his on-base-plus slugging plummet from an outlandish 1.143 his first month at Fort Wayne to .583 in May and settle at .790 by season’s end.

Through 96 games in the California League, Allen has paired 190 total bases, second-most in the farm system, with a .297/.364/.518 batting line and new career-highs in runs (56), doubles (25), homers (18) and RBIs (68).

The slimmed-down body has also helped Allen behind the plate, where improved quick-burst action enables him to unleash 2.0-second throws to second base when his mechanics are sound. The Padres have also focused on Allen’s hip flexibility, framing borderline pitches as strikes and streamlining his momentum to work toward second base on throws to keep his times from slipping above 2.0 seconds as they occasionally do.

“He came in as a very average body guy, but from the work that he's shown every offseason, he takes the offseason very serious,” Westman said. “It's very valuable to him. He reports back in better and better shape very year. It's fun to see him grow and build.”

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/spo ... story.html

But yesterday during the BA Padres Top 10 prospect chat I learned the real reason Allen is struggling as a backstop:

... Jake (Still not San Diego): The farm seems weak on LHH, any potential big league impactful LHH? Any sleepers to keep an eye on?

Kyle Glaser: Franchy Cordero is a LHH who will play a role on their ML roster for a lot of years to come. In terms of everyday impact Josh Naylor is your hope if he can figure everything out. Austin Allen can really thump. There are guys there, they just all have question marks.


Jim in Maine (Maine): Will Austin Allen be able to remain a backstop? In your 11-20 range or 21- 30?

Kyle Glaser: There is not a ton of conviction Allen will because he just can’t control the run game. His receiving in the strike zone is fine and he isn’t a butcher back there, but you can’t allow 119 stolen bases in 150 attempts (as he did in 2016) and follow it up with 100 more allowed in 126 attempts in 2017. That isn’t viable behind the plate.


Johnny (San Diego): Can you talk about a couple of guys we saw in Lake Elsinore this season- Austin Allen showed some pop and Gerardo Reyes throws hard but seems to struggle with command. Where do those two fit in to the MLB picture, whether for San Diego or elsewhere?

Kyle Glaser: Allen has to control the run game better as discussed. He probably needs a trade to an AL team and can rise as a lefthanded C/1B/DH type. Reyes was not protected on the Padres 40 man for the Rule 5 draft, which I think tells you what you need to know.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... 2stBwzW.99

Emphasis above is mine ... Still inclined to hold onto him and see how he does outside of the California but it looking like he is not a future Catcher for the IBC White Sox ...
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I do believe Welker will be my future 3B ...

4. Colton Welker, 3B

BORN: Oct. 9, 1997.
B-T: R-R | HT: 6-2| WT: 195
DRAFTED: HS–Parkland, Fla., 2016 (4th round).
SIGNED BY: Rafael Reyes.
MINORS: .350/.401/.500 | 6 HR | 5 SB | 254 AB

Track Record: Welker led Stoneman Douglas High to its first Florida state championship in 2016 and a No. 1 ranking in BA's final national poll. The Rockies drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for $855,000. Welker impressed immediately and was en route to the South Atlantic League batting title in his first full season, but an abdominal strain shelved him for two months and cost him the necessary at-bats.

Scouting Report: Welker's bat is his best asset. He has impressive knowledge of the strike zone, particularly for a young power hitter, and makes full use of the entire field. His swing has some length to it and a bit of a hitch, but he makes up for it with advanced feel to hit, above-average power potential and limited swing-and-miss. A high school shortstop, Welker moved to third base as a pro and has shown above-average potential there. He has a good first step, is quick on his feet and possesses a plus, accurate arm, although his below-average speed and fringy athleticism cuts into his range.

The Future: Nolan Arenado is a free agent after 2019, and Welker is in line to be Arenado's eventual replacement if the Rockies are unable to resign him. For now, Welker will head to high Class A Lancaster.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... Bo1ASjj.99

Judy (Oakland): What kind of offensive player does Colton Welker project to be? Plus hit and plus power?

Tracy Ringolsby: Well, he's ranked No. 4 in a deep farm system. He has been among the youngest players in each league he has played and it hasn't affected him at all.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1511903843

6. Colton Welker, 3B

DOB: 10/9/1997
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 195 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round of the 2016 draft, Stoneman-Douglas HS (Parkland, FL); signed for $855,000.
Previous Ranking(s): Others of Note
2017 Stats: .350/.401/.500, 6 HR, 5 SB in 67 games at Low-A Asheville


The Good: Welker swings hard and hits balls hard. There’s plus bat speed here and he controls the barrel well. He goes the other way naturally due to a little inside out in the swing, so he uses all parts of the field. He should grow into at least average power at maturity, and the ball already jumps off his bat at present. Welker was a high school shortstop, and the glove profiles well at the hot corner. He shows good hands and a plus arm. It’s a balanced tools profile and he handled an aggressive Sally league assignment well.

The Bad: Welker swings hard, and he swings a lot. His present barrel control is good enough to handle Sally League pitching, but the approach might get exposed against better arms. He’s a below-average runner and should probably stop trying to steal bases. While it’s a nice tools profile, nothing really stands out, so it’s a somewhat limited ceiling at present unless he’s a .300 hitter.

The Role:

OFP 55–Above-average third baseman
Likely 50–Average third baseman

The Risks: High, but not as high as you’d think. Welker’s aggressive approach may get tested in the upper minors, and obviously there isn’t a long pro track record yet, but he has a broad base of baseball skills already.

Major league ETA: 2020

Ben Carsley’s Fantasy Take: An infielder with a good hit tool who might be a Rockie? *Faints* There’s an argument to be made that Welker is the fourth-best fantasy prospect in the system. I prefer him to lots of the bats we just saw drafted early in 2017, and he could end up as a less patient version of Matt Carpenter. Just please, please, please don’t compare him to Nolan Arenado.

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... n-mcmahon/
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4. Chance Adams, RHP

BORN: May 13, 1996.
B-T: R-R | HT: 6-0 | WT: 215
DRAFTED: Dallas Baptist, 2015 (5th round).
SIGNED BY: Mike Leuzinger.
MINORS: 15-5, 2.45 ERA | 135 SO | 58 BB | 150 IP

Track Record: Adams moved back and forth between the rotation and bullpen during a collegiate career that saw him transfer from Yavapai (Ariz.) JC to Dallas Baptist after his sophomore season. The Yankees believed in Adams as a starter and took steps to establish him in that role after making him a 2015 fifth-round pick. He has excelled in that role as a pro.

Scouting Report: Returned to Double-A Trenton in 2018, Adams continued increasing his workload and earned a quick promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He headlines a four-pitch arsenal with a 92-97 mph plus fastball and an plus slider. His fringe-average curveball and changeup rank third and fourth in his repertoire, and he spent time in 2017 working on refining his changeup. He already throws the pitch with the same conviction and arm speed as his fastball. A new two-seam fastball grip could lead to further improvement. Despite some of the best stuff in the system, Adams shows a tendency to nibble for the corners rather than attacking.

The Future: With two plus pitches and above-average control, Adams profiles as a potential mid-rotation starter. He faces a probable return to Triple-A in 2018.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... c2iWh3R.99
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9. Cedric Mullins, OF

BORN: Oct. 1, 1994.
B-T: B-L | HT: 5-8 | WT: 175
DRAFTED: Campbell, 2015 (13th round)
SIGNED BY: Rich Morales.
MINORS: .265/.319/.460 | 37 HR | 9 SB | 309 AB

Track Record: Despite his 5-foot-8 frame and small-college pedigree out of Campbell, Mullins has been a dynamic presence in the Orioles' system since they selected him in the 13th round of the 2015 draft. He was one of eight minor leaguers to reach double-digits in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases while hitting .273 for low Class-A Delmarva in 2016, and jumped to Double-A Bowie in 2017, where hamstring issues led to two disabled list stints.

Scouting Report: Mullins impressed the major league coaching staff in limited spring training looks with his calmness and range in the outfield, showing the ability to play solid-average defense in center field and above-average defense in left. His above-average speed is enough to cover ground at all three spots, but his below-average arm will limit him. At the plate, he's a switch-hitter with average potential and a line-drive swing from the left side who is still developing as a righthanded hitter. But his quick-twitch swing and reactions at the plate intrigue scouts.

The Future: With just 76 games at Double-A, Mullins could return there to start 2018, though he'll likely get a chance to make another impression in major league camp. His defensive profile and speed are such that he should get the opportunity to hold down an every-day outfield job at his peak.

Read more at https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... ITcXI0v.99


Erik (Maine): Can Cedric Mullins develop into a dynamic talent similar to say; Mookie Betts? Seem to have like playing styles.

Jon Meoli: Grouping this together with another…

Hey Steve (Seattle, WA): When do you see Cedric the Entertainer Mullins making up to the major league level?

Jon Meoli: So to address the Mookie Betts comparison, there are a few separators early on. One, Betts was in the majors at 21, whereas Mullins just turned 23. He could have made it this year if not for injuries, but the point still stands. Secondly, and this is a big one, is Betts is a premier right fielder because of his arm and has the ability to play center field, where Mullins also has the ability to play center field but would be limited to left field, not right field, as the position he could play at an elite level because of a lack of raw arm strength. There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s just like has been the case with so many of these players. The Orioles have too many LF/1B/DH prospects/big leagues. and can only play three at a time. As for when he can make the big leagues, I think he’s the type who could be up early in 2018 if he replicates his spring and April results again. Just as a theoretical, he could be the type of like-for-like replacement the Orioles bring up when they don’t have to carry Anthony Santander anymore and option him to the minors. Mullins would be a left-handed bat option who can run and play defense, something the Orioles are looking for currently. He just may not fit onto the roster in April.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... MXOvW5Y.99
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3. Chance Sisco, C

B-T: L-R| HT: 6-2 | WT: 195
DRAFTED: HS–Corona, Calif. (2nd round).
SIGNED BY: Mark Ralston.
MINORS: .267/.340/.395 | 7 HR | 2 SB | 344 AB

Track Record: The Orioles saw in Sisco a natural hitter who had taken well to catching duties once he picked up the position as a senior in high school, signed him to a $785,000 bonus, and may now have their catcher of the future. A career .311 minor league hitter, Sisco represented the Orioles in the last two MLB All-Star Futures Games, and made his major league debut in September.

Scouting Report: Sisco has a calm lefthanded swing with fluid hands, and projects to be an above-average hitter with the potential for average power as he continues to add strength to his slight frame and improve on his gap power. While the team touts improvement in all facets of his defensive game, including receiving, blocking and game-management, the running game has always challenged Sisco's average arm strength. Sisco threw out 41 percent of would-be base stealers in the second half at Triple-A Norfolk, but that only raised his season rate to 22.6 percent. He'll need to have perfect footwork and transfers to consistently lower his pop times below 2.0 seconds.

The Future: The Orioles believe that Sisco is ready to contribute in the majors, though his defense will dictate how comfortable manager Buck Showalter is in using him. Average defense will make him an every-day catcher due to his offensive abilities, especially against righthanded pitching, and he'll enter spring training with the chance to make the Opening Day roster.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... wLgMyi1.99


Jacob (Dallas, TX): A little surprised to see Sisco behind Mountcastle. What was the deciding factors that warranted the rankings? Can Sisco turn in 15-20 HR annually in the big leagues at his peak?

Jon Meoli: On having Chance Sisco at No. 3 and Ryan Mountcastle at No. 2, several factors came into play. Sisco didn’t do anything to drop in terms of his own performance—his power seems to be developing, his approach is still strong, and his defense is slowly ticking in the right direction. But it’s more about what each player’s carrying tool is and how it can influence a game at the big league level. The defensive questions are so significant with each that my thinking turned into the following: In a worst-case defensive scenario, who is the better player? In that case, where they both might end up in left field or at first base, that answer is Mountcastle, who’s just 20 and got his first taste of Double-A after a terrific season. Sisco will be more impactful if he stays behind the plate and plays strong defense, but Mountcastle’s bat, regardless of position, jumped him at this point.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/ ... cwcFVRx.99
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10. Alec Mills, RHP

DOB: 11/30/1991
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 190 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: Drafted in the 22nd round in the 2012 draft, from the University of Tennessee-Martin; signed for $70,000; Acquired via trade from Kansas City Royals.
Previous Ranking(s): Others of Note (KC)

2017 Stats: 3.21 ERA, 3.27 DRA, 14 IP, 12 H, 3 BB, 7 K in 3 games at Triple-A Iowa; 3.00 ERA, 3.39 DRA, 9 IP, 8 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 2 games at High-A Myrtle Beach; 0.00 ERA, 4.48 DRA, 5 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 2 games at complex-level AZL


The Good: I thought Mills was a nice little get for the Cubs when they did an “others of note” swap for him with Donald Dewees last offseason. I was also intrigued when they decided to keep him stretched out as a starter instead of looking to him for immediate swingman help in a Mike Montgomery type role. While the overall arsenal seems a bit short to start, Mills has a very effective low-90s fastball with heavy sink. When he’s spotting it low in the zone it’s incredibly effective, and it pairs well with his changeup, which projects as above-average and he is comfortable throwing it to both righties and lefties.

The Bad: Mills was limited to just 28 innings by an early-season ankle injury. It’s not an injury that really worries you–he was fine in the Arizona Fall League–nor is the lost development time that much of an issue for a 25-year-old with major-league per diems under his belt. He is 26 now though, so he’s unlikely to take further developmental jumps. Anyways, the issues here haven’t changed much either. The overall stuff is fringy, neither breaking ball looks unlikely to get to average, and if he isn’t spotting his fastball down, it can be very hittable.

The Role:

OFP 50–No. 4 starter
Likely 40–Swingman/middle reliever

The Risks: Mills was major-league-ready at the beginning of 2017. It’s still the case now. Otherwise almost everything I wrote for Tseng also applies here.

Major league ETA: Debuted in 2016

Ben Carsley’s Fantasy Take: /puts on “I Miss You” by Blink-182 and stares at Cubs 2015 Top-10 list.

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/pros ... -albertos/
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