Solid catching is at a premium in the pro ball business, and it's a surplus at this position that has me pretty excited.
Reese McGuire: The gem of the bunch, after a rough start at LA, Reese is knocking on the door of a promotion after a monster May, pushing his average close to .300 with a very good obp. A potential plus-plus behind the plate, McGuire is firmly planting himself as a top catching prospect in the game.
Andrew Susac: Someone who has had to prove himself at every level, Susac is in AAA at a young 24 and tuning it up to a .296/.395/.531 slash line. There are some questions if his ultimate home is behind the plate, but if he continues to play to average, someone will put him there.
James McCann: Could not believe when he came available. McCann is a plus glove who would be an MLBer based solely on that...but he won't stop hitting. Won't be 24 for a couple weeks, James is hitting .284/.329/.372, which more than justifies him defensively.
Austin Romine: When pressed into more duty last year, Romine put up over a .700 ops over his last few months on the job. Struggling severely at AAA to start, he has started to hit...and it's important to remember he won't turn 26 until after this season. I think he can play to plus as a backup, or a 2nd division starter.
Following the Baby Nats...
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Team of the First 2 Months:
c: Andrew Susac - AAA - .296/.395/.531 - Narrowly edges Reese McGuire, who is excelling at LA. Susac is proving he's the real deal with a bat in his hands, with defense playing to average.
1b: Allan Dykstra - AAA - .297/.435/.561 - Edges a resurgent Dan Vogelbach, who recovered from a tough start in a big way. Dykstra has more than earned a shot at the MLB level, yet can't find his break.
2b: Sean Rodriguez - MLB - .233/.273/.535 - Rodriguez continues to be one of the most valuable bench bats in baseball, but has probably earned consistent at bats somewhere. #FreeSeanRodriguez
ss: Nick Ahmed - AAA - .298/.385/.371 - The bat has been a very pleasant surprise for Ahmed, who is a plus defensive player. Chris Owings is holding his own at the MLB level, and is a better prospect...which may make Ahmed a valuable trade chip.
3b: Mitch Nay - LA - .261/.328/.346 - This is not a position of strength for me, but could be bolstered once Barreto leaves extended spring training. Nay is a good prospect who is holding his own in his first full year of pro ball...but he is not a short term solution.
of: David Dahl - LA - .274/.320/.514 - Despite a lost year last year, Dahl has popped 27 ebh's already in his first full season. He plays plus defense in cf, and is a true 5 tool player. He still has a lot to prove, but he's off to a heck of a start.
of: Domingo Santana - AAA - .292/.365/.493 - Santana is now raking at his 4th consecutive level, and won't be 22 until August. He may top out as a 4-tool, plus defensive, 30 homer/good obp hitter. That's a hell of a player.
of: Josh Bell - HA - .299/.344/.456 - It's starting to be impossible to ignore this man. An absolute toolshed, the hit tool continuing to develop is leaving a lot of people feeling very excited about when his power comes around. At his best, he flashes 5 plus tool.
sp: Jose Berrios - HA - 5-2, 2.24 era, 1.17 whip - He made top 100 lists last year based on potential he showed last year. We welcome to what that might look like. Playing against older competition, even more impressive than the above stats, Berrios sports a 10.4 k/9 and a 3.82 k/bb.
sp: Matt Wisler - AA/AAA - 1-0, 2.10 era, 1.07 whip AA, 2-3, 7.18 era, 1.82 whip AAA - Don't let the AAA stats scare you, after getting blasted in his first 4 starts at the top MiLB level, Wisler has put together back-to-back excellent starts...and he's still only 21.
sp: Allen Webster - AAA - 3-2, 2.93 era, 1.26 whip - Stuff has never been the issue with Webster, but there were serious questions about his future role...with most thinking reliever. Well Webster has not put those completely out (could use a bump in k rate), but he has certainly quieted them with an outstanding start to his 2014 campaign.
sp: Collin McHugh - MLB - 3-3, 2.80 era, 0.98 whip - After a very solid MiLB career, McHugh has gotten over his MLB yips in a big way to start the 2014 season. While he's still a long term question mark, the 10.0 k/9 and 4.17 k/bb show that the stuff can play.
sp: Jed Bradley - HA - 5-2, 2.98 era, 1.06 whip - The big knocks on Bradley coming into this year were diminished stuff, consistency, and command. Well, while the stuff has returned to plus for a lefty, he has blown the consistency and command out of the park. He sports a 5.30 k/bb ratio, and has increased his k rate as the season has gone on.
rp's:
Carter Capps - AAA/MLB - 1.64 era, 1.27 whip, 13.9 k/9 AAA, 3.00 era, 1.08 whip, 11.1 k/9 MLB
Evan Marshall - AAA/MLB - 0.54 era, 0.90 whip, 10.3 k/9 AAA, 1.42 era, 1.18 whip, 8.5 k/9 MLB
Jose Ramirez - AAA - 0.84 era, 1.69 whip, 11.0 k/9
Ethan Martin - AAA - 1.69 era, 1.22 whip, 9.3 k/9
c: Andrew Susac - AAA - .296/.395/.531 - Narrowly edges Reese McGuire, who is excelling at LA. Susac is proving he's the real deal with a bat in his hands, with defense playing to average.
1b: Allan Dykstra - AAA - .297/.435/.561 - Edges a resurgent Dan Vogelbach, who recovered from a tough start in a big way. Dykstra has more than earned a shot at the MLB level, yet can't find his break.
2b: Sean Rodriguez - MLB - .233/.273/.535 - Rodriguez continues to be one of the most valuable bench bats in baseball, but has probably earned consistent at bats somewhere. #FreeSeanRodriguez
ss: Nick Ahmed - AAA - .298/.385/.371 - The bat has been a very pleasant surprise for Ahmed, who is a plus defensive player. Chris Owings is holding his own at the MLB level, and is a better prospect...which may make Ahmed a valuable trade chip.
3b: Mitch Nay - LA - .261/.328/.346 - This is not a position of strength for me, but could be bolstered once Barreto leaves extended spring training. Nay is a good prospect who is holding his own in his first full year of pro ball...but he is not a short term solution.
of: David Dahl - LA - .274/.320/.514 - Despite a lost year last year, Dahl has popped 27 ebh's already in his first full season. He plays plus defense in cf, and is a true 5 tool player. He still has a lot to prove, but he's off to a heck of a start.
of: Domingo Santana - AAA - .292/.365/.493 - Santana is now raking at his 4th consecutive level, and won't be 22 until August. He may top out as a 4-tool, plus defensive, 30 homer/good obp hitter. That's a hell of a player.
of: Josh Bell - HA - .299/.344/.456 - It's starting to be impossible to ignore this man. An absolute toolshed, the hit tool continuing to develop is leaving a lot of people feeling very excited about when his power comes around. At his best, he flashes 5 plus tool.
sp: Jose Berrios - HA - 5-2, 2.24 era, 1.17 whip - He made top 100 lists last year based on potential he showed last year. We welcome to what that might look like. Playing against older competition, even more impressive than the above stats, Berrios sports a 10.4 k/9 and a 3.82 k/bb.
sp: Matt Wisler - AA/AAA - 1-0, 2.10 era, 1.07 whip AA, 2-3, 7.18 era, 1.82 whip AAA - Don't let the AAA stats scare you, after getting blasted in his first 4 starts at the top MiLB level, Wisler has put together back-to-back excellent starts...and he's still only 21.
sp: Allen Webster - AAA - 3-2, 2.93 era, 1.26 whip - Stuff has never been the issue with Webster, but there were serious questions about his future role...with most thinking reliever. Well Webster has not put those completely out (could use a bump in k rate), but he has certainly quieted them with an outstanding start to his 2014 campaign.
sp: Collin McHugh - MLB - 3-3, 2.80 era, 0.98 whip - After a very solid MiLB career, McHugh has gotten over his MLB yips in a big way to start the 2014 season. While he's still a long term question mark, the 10.0 k/9 and 4.17 k/bb show that the stuff can play.
sp: Jed Bradley - HA - 5-2, 2.98 era, 1.06 whip - The big knocks on Bradley coming into this year were diminished stuff, consistency, and command. Well, while the stuff has returned to plus for a lefty, he has blown the consistency and command out of the park. He sports a 5.30 k/bb ratio, and has increased his k rate as the season has gone on.
rp's:
Carter Capps - AAA/MLB - 1.64 era, 1.27 whip, 13.9 k/9 AAA, 3.00 era, 1.08 whip, 11.1 k/9 MLB
Evan Marshall - AAA/MLB - 0.54 era, 0.90 whip, 10.3 k/9 AAA, 1.42 era, 1.18 whip, 8.5 k/9 MLB
Jose Ramirez - AAA - 0.84 era, 1.69 whip, 11.0 k/9
Ethan Martin - AAA - 1.69 era, 1.22 whip, 9.3 k/9
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Nice write-up on Ian Clarkin...
Body is close to physical maturity, delivery is athletic, and will have three solid offerings at the big-league level. His command needs to improve but I'm much more comfortable in a guy like Clarkin being able to do so. He repeats well. He works both sides of the plate but simply catches too much of it right now. At worst he is J.A. Happ. At best he's Matt Harrison minus a few mph on the fastball.
Body is close to physical maturity, delivery is athletic, and will have three solid offerings at the big-league level. His command needs to improve but I'm much more comfortable in a guy like Clarkin being able to do so. He repeats well. He works both sides of the plate but simply catches too much of it right now. At worst he is J.A. Happ. At best he's Matt Harrison minus a few mph on the fastball.
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Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins (Fort Myers, A+): 7 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K. I can’t say enough good things about Berrios, who has been the best pitcher in the Florida State League this year (or certainly close to it, and definitely the best pitcher I’ve scouted this season). The only question mark surrounding him is whether or not he’ll be able to hold his velocity throughout this entire season or if he’ll wear down again like he did last year.
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2. Franklin Barreto, ss, Blue Jays
Team: short-season Vancouver (Northwest)
Age: 18
Why He’s Here: .500/.567/.615 (13-for-26), 3 R, 3 2B, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 6 SO, 3-for-3 SB
The Scoop: One of the top talents available on the 2012 international market, Barreto has done nothing but hit in his first two pro seasons, batting .296/.364/.490 in 65 games in short-season ball. He showed off his well-rounded offensive game this week during the first week of the Northwest League season, hitting .500, racking up three extra-base hits and swiping three bags in six games and even showing solid plate patience. The righthanded hitter has impact-regular potential, but he’s obviously far, far away.
5. Domingo Santana, rf, Astros
Team: Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .407/.515/.556 (11-for-27), 5 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 6 BB, 7 SO, 2-for-2 SB
The Scoop: With George Springer and Jon Singleton in Houston, Santana, at just 21 years old, is the prospect star at Oklahoma City, and he played like it this week. He hit in every game this week, including five knocks in his past eight at-bats to go with two walks and only one strikeout. After punching out 34 and 35 times in the first two months of the season, he’s whiffed just 17 so far this month. Santana has as many homers (11) as Javier Baez, the other high-profile 21-year-old in the PCL, but he has walked more than twice as often (34 to 16).
10. Jose Berrios, rhp, Twins
Team: high Class A Fort Myers (Florida State)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 9 SO, 2 BB
The Scoop: Berrios has been nothing but dominant in the first half of the season, whiffing 81 against 19 walks in 70 innings prior to the FSL all-star break and earning himself the starting nod in the midseason showcase. (By the way, he pitched a scoreless inning and struck out Gioskar Amaya and Dalton Pompey at the exhibition.) Though he hasn’t received a second-half promotion—yet—Berrios kept right on mowing down the competition for Fort Myers. This week’s start—seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts, one hit and two walks—marked the eighth consecutive turn in which he’s surrendered two or fewer earned runs and whiffed seven or more.
Team: short-season Vancouver (Northwest)
Age: 18
Why He’s Here: .500/.567/.615 (13-for-26), 3 R, 3 2B, 6 RBIs, 3 BB, 6 SO, 3-for-3 SB
The Scoop: One of the top talents available on the 2012 international market, Barreto has done nothing but hit in his first two pro seasons, batting .296/.364/.490 in 65 games in short-season ball. He showed off his well-rounded offensive game this week during the first week of the Northwest League season, hitting .500, racking up three extra-base hits and swiping three bags in six games and even showing solid plate patience. The righthanded hitter has impact-regular potential, but he’s obviously far, far away.
5. Domingo Santana, rf, Astros
Team: Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .407/.515/.556 (11-for-27), 5 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 6 BB, 7 SO, 2-for-2 SB
The Scoop: With George Springer and Jon Singleton in Houston, Santana, at just 21 years old, is the prospect star at Oklahoma City, and he played like it this week. He hit in every game this week, including five knocks in his past eight at-bats to go with two walks and only one strikeout. After punching out 34 and 35 times in the first two months of the season, he’s whiffed just 17 so far this month. Santana has as many homers (11) as Javier Baez, the other high-profile 21-year-old in the PCL, but he has walked more than twice as often (34 to 16).
10. Jose Berrios, rhp, Twins
Team: high Class A Fort Myers (Florida State)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 9 SO, 2 BB
The Scoop: Berrios has been nothing but dominant in the first half of the season, whiffing 81 against 19 walks in 70 innings prior to the FSL all-star break and earning himself the starting nod in the midseason showcase. (By the way, he pitched a scoreless inning and struck out Gioskar Amaya and Dalton Pompey at the exhibition.) Though he hasn’t received a second-half promotion—yet—Berrios kept right on mowing down the competition for Fort Myers. This week’s start—seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts, one hit and two walks—marked the eighth consecutive turn in which he’s surrendered two or fewer earned runs and whiffed seven or more.
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Not really a baby, but still counts. Mechanics King Thorburn is a big believer in Collin McHugh...touching on a small comparison to CLAYTON KERSHAW!!!
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... leid=24018
OrioleDog (MD): Thanks for the Astros piece. Fair to say the overall conclusion is both guy's success is real and the org can "set and forget" a couple rotation slots the next few years?
Doug Thorburn: I am more of a believer in McHugh's success than that of Keuchel. I prefer the delivery and the stuff, and McHugh has made legitimate strides in both departments over the past couple of seasons. Keuchel lives on the margins, and I think that his performance is going to hit a speed bump in the near future.
On the jukebox: Tool. "Eulogy"
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... leid=24018
OrioleDog (MD): Thanks for the Astros piece. Fair to say the overall conclusion is both guy's success is real and the org can "set and forget" a couple rotation slots the next few years?
Doug Thorburn: I am more of a believer in McHugh's success than that of Keuchel. I prefer the delivery and the stuff, and McHugh has made legitimate strides in both departments over the past couple of seasons. Keuchel lives on the margins, and I think that his performance is going to hit a speed bump in the near future.
On the jukebox: Tool. "Eulogy"
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Highlighting two advanced prospects who are putting the wood to it right now:
Nick Ahmed - The terrific defensive shortstop was drafted out of UCONN with the thought that there was a hit tool and patience in there somewhere. His glove brought him to AAA, but his bat is doing some talking now. He went 4-4 last night with his 20th double of the season, and is not slashing .327/.393/.435, with only 41 k's to 33 bb's...and 10 steals.
Domingo Santana - The man dubbed one of the better prospects no one's talking about this week...by two different people, Santana keeps hitting and hitting and hitting. He went 4-5 with his 12 homer, pushing his slash to .303/.382/.505. While he will k, Santana has also shown he can take a walk...and he's been punishing AAA pitching and won't be 22 for another month and a half. He's also a plus fielder, but that just seems like bragging.
Nick Ahmed - The terrific defensive shortstop was drafted out of UCONN with the thought that there was a hit tool and patience in there somewhere. His glove brought him to AAA, but his bat is doing some talking now. He went 4-4 last night with his 20th double of the season, and is not slashing .327/.393/.435, with only 41 k's to 33 bb's...and 10 steals.
Domingo Santana - The man dubbed one of the better prospects no one's talking about this week...by two different people, Santana keeps hitting and hitting and hitting. He went 4-5 with his 12 homer, pushing his slash to .303/.382/.505. While he will k, Santana has also shown he can take a walk...and he's been punishing AAA pitching and won't be 22 for another month and a half. He's also a plus fielder, but that just seems like bragging.
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Nice article on up-and-coming catching prospect Luis Torrens...
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/luis-torrens/
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/luis-torrens/
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Cubs 2B Arismendy Alcantara: “You hear all about the guys like Bryant, Almora, Baez, and now Russell, and rightfully so, but Alcantara might be the most complete player in their system. He brings advanced hitability, plus-plus speed, and impact defense. He's an exciting guy to watch and reminds me a little of Jose Reyes. I saw they said they aren't going to send Alcantara down just yet, and I would be surprised if he ever made it back to Iowa.”
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Nice article featuring all my children in Jose Berrios, Ryan Rua, and Luis Torrens.
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?co ... d=20140723
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?co ... d=20140723
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Featuring one of the new IBC Nats:
9. Joe Ross, rhp, Padres
Team: Double-A San Antonio (Padres)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.38, 13 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 13 SO, 1 BB
The Scoop: The 2011 first-rounder has taken a quantum leap forward this season with his control and ability to miss bats, and he now profiles as a potential four-pitch starter. Ross has the arm strength to bump 95 mph and back it up with a power slider, but he also shows feel for varying shape on his breaking ball and taking steam off his changeup. His 3.6 SO/BB ratio and 1.24 WHIP at two levels speak to his growth and advancement.
9. Joe Ross, rhp, Padres
Team: Double-A San Antonio (Padres)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.38, 13 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 13 SO, 1 BB
The Scoop: The 2011 first-rounder has taken a quantum leap forward this season with his control and ability to miss bats, and he now profiles as a potential four-pitch starter. Ross has the arm strength to bump 95 mph and back it up with a power slider, but he also shows feel for varying shape on his breaking ball and taking steam off his changeup. His 3.6 SO/BB ratio and 1.24 WHIP at two levels speak to his growth and advancement.
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Downloaded BA's Mid-Season team top 10's...here's what we got:
James McCann – DET #10
Reese McGuire – PIT #6
Christian Walker – BAL #6
Dan Vogelbach – CHC #10
Arismendy Alcantara – CHC #4
Nick Ahmed – AZ #5
Daniel Robertson – OAK #1
Matt Davidson – CHW #9
Mitch Nay – TOR #7
Slade Heathcott – NYY #10
Michael Taylor – WAS #3
David Dahl – COL #2
Domingo Santana – HOU #4
Hunter Renfroe – SDP #4
Harold Ramirez – PIT #8
Jose Berrios – MIN #3
Edwin Diaz – SEA #5
Max Fried – SDP #3
Lucas Sims – ATL #1
Ian Clarkin – NYY #6
ChiChi Gonzalez – TEX #4
Matt Wisler – SDP #2
Joe Ross – SDP #6
James McCann – DET #10
Reese McGuire – PIT #6
Christian Walker – BAL #6
Dan Vogelbach – CHC #10
Arismendy Alcantara – CHC #4
Nick Ahmed – AZ #5
Daniel Robertson – OAK #1
Matt Davidson – CHW #9
Mitch Nay – TOR #7
Slade Heathcott – NYY #10
Michael Taylor – WAS #3
David Dahl – COL #2
Domingo Santana – HOU #4
Hunter Renfroe – SDP #4
Harold Ramirez – PIT #8
Jose Berrios – MIN #3
Edwin Diaz – SEA #5
Max Fried – SDP #3
Lucas Sims – ATL #1
Ian Clarkin – NYY #6
ChiChi Gonzalez – TEX #4
Matt Wisler – SDP #2
Joe Ross – SDP #6
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Highlighting a couple other newbies:
Christian Walker, 1b, Norfolk (Orioles): Very quietly, Walker has put up a fine season. The South Carolina product swatted 20 homers in 95 games in the Eastern League and has started hot in the IL as well. He went 3-for-4 against Buffalo on Tuesday, including his third longball as a member of the Tides. He leads all Orioles minor leaguers in home runs, and the next closest player, Michael Burgess, is eight behind. Moreover, he’s got 10 more homers this season than he did in his 125 career games entering the year.
Daniel Robertson, ss, Stockton (Athletics): Even if Matt Olson and Renato Nunez took a day off, there’d still be plenty of talented players to watch on this Stockton club. With Addison Russell out of the picture, Robertson might be Oakland’s shortstop of the future. He’s not a flashy ballplayer with that one particularly overriding tool, but he went 3-for-5 with a run and two RBIs last night, and his overall package makes him an attractive prospect. An average hitter with average power and a plus arm at short, Robertson has hit .297/.395/.462 with 26 doubles, 15 homers and 49 RBIs with the Ports this season.
Christian Walker, 1b, Norfolk (Orioles): Very quietly, Walker has put up a fine season. The South Carolina product swatted 20 homers in 95 games in the Eastern League and has started hot in the IL as well. He went 3-for-4 against Buffalo on Tuesday, including his third longball as a member of the Tides. He leads all Orioles minor leaguers in home runs, and the next closest player, Michael Burgess, is eight behind. Moreover, he’s got 10 more homers this season than he did in his 125 career games entering the year.
Daniel Robertson, ss, Stockton (Athletics): Even if Matt Olson and Renato Nunez took a day off, there’d still be plenty of talented players to watch on this Stockton club. With Addison Russell out of the picture, Robertson might be Oakland’s shortstop of the future. He’s not a flashy ballplayer with that one particularly overriding tool, but he went 3-for-5 with a run and two RBIs last night, and his overall package makes him an attractive prospect. An average hitter with average power and a plus arm at short, Robertson has hit .297/.395/.462 with 26 doubles, 15 homers and 49 RBIs with the Ports this season.
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Down and dirty on my SS situation, as all had a good night last night:
Daniel Robertson - Robertson went 5-5 with a walk last night, upping his slash stats to .305/.401/.470. Not incredibly highly regarded coming into the season, Robertson has opened a lot of eyes and is probably the A's best prospect at the moment. He's average at short, and may move off it down the line, but he's giving the A's no reason to think about it right now.
JaCoby Jones - Jones is a big time athlete doing big time athlete stuff. He was a two sport athlete at LSU, and has only really started focusing on baseball. His talent is starting to play across the board, as he can flash all five tools. He's still a little erratic at short...but getting better. His plate discipline is still raw...but it's getting better. What is already there is his ability to hit the baseball consistently hard. He's slashing .289/.350/.485 in his first full season with his 18th homer yesterday, and 41 overall extra base hits.
Nick Ahmed - Ahmed acquitted himself ok in his first MLB call-up (0.2 WAR in 16 games), but he is making noise for himself at AAA. He's slashing .320/.389/.435, while still flashing his trademark double plus defense. Scouts thought the hit tool may come when he was drafted out of UCONN, but it hadn't really played in the minors until this year. His defense will make him an MLBer, if he keeps making hard contact, he could be an easy starter.
Daniel Robertson - Robertson went 5-5 with a walk last night, upping his slash stats to .305/.401/.470. Not incredibly highly regarded coming into the season, Robertson has opened a lot of eyes and is probably the A's best prospect at the moment. He's average at short, and may move off it down the line, but he's giving the A's no reason to think about it right now.
JaCoby Jones - Jones is a big time athlete doing big time athlete stuff. He was a two sport athlete at LSU, and has only really started focusing on baseball. His talent is starting to play across the board, as he can flash all five tools. He's still a little erratic at short...but getting better. His plate discipline is still raw...but it's getting better. What is already there is his ability to hit the baseball consistently hard. He's slashing .289/.350/.485 in his first full season with his 18th homer yesterday, and 41 overall extra base hits.
Nick Ahmed - Ahmed acquitted himself ok in his first MLB call-up (0.2 WAR in 16 games), but he is making noise for himself at AAA. He's slashing .320/.389/.435, while still flashing his trademark double plus defense. Scouts thought the hit tool may come when he was drafted out of UCONN, but it hadn't really played in the minors until this year. His defense will make him an MLBer, if he keeps making hard contact, he could be an easy starter.
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If the man can find his way to staying at short, he could be a star...and while the odds are against him, he's giving some good reasons for hope this year.
3. JaCoby Jones, ss, Pirates
Team: low Class A West Virginia (South Atlantic)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .400/.464/1.000 (10-for-25), 8 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 1-for-1 SB.
The Scoop: Quietly, Jones is having a remarkable season in the South Atlantic League. With 13 home runs since July 1, he now has 21 home runs this season, second-most in the league. It’s a pretty impressive accomplishment for a shortstop. Jones never got to focus on playing shortstop in college, but scouts who have seen him this year give him at least a chance at staying at the position.
3. JaCoby Jones, ss, Pirates
Team: low Class A West Virginia (South Atlantic)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .400/.464/1.000 (10-for-25), 8 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 1-for-1 SB.
The Scoop: Quietly, Jones is having a remarkable season in the South Atlantic League. With 13 home runs since July 1, he now has 21 home runs this season, second-most in the league. It’s a pretty impressive accomplishment for a shortstop. Jones never got to focus on playing shortstop in college, but scouts who have seen him this year give him at least a chance at staying at the position.
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Yankees
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Nice stuff on a lot of my prospects in Wittmann's chat...but liked this one especially:
Thomas (NY): Why is Michael Taylor not talked about as 1 of the best OF prospects? He seems very similar to George Springer to me.
CJ Wittmann: Taylor was a toolsy OF that many didn't see putting the total package together. He did and it is loud. He will always strike out but he can play defense and the power has shown up along with the stolen base utility taking a step forward. Legit prospect.
Thomas (NY): Why is Michael Taylor not talked about as 1 of the best OF prospects? He seems very similar to George Springer to me.
CJ Wittmann: Taylor was a toolsy OF that many didn't see putting the total package together. He did and it is loud. He will always strike out but he can play defense and the power has shown up along with the stolen base utility taking a step forward. Legit prospect.
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Yankees
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Nick Ahmed, ss, Reno (Diamondbacks): After spending 19 games in the majors, Ahmed is back in Triple-A, presumably working to up his offensive game. The Diamondbacks believe he can hit, but he put forth just a .228/.254/.316 line in his trial run with the big club. He’s got plenty of athleticism, which he shows with range to both sides and a solid-average arm. He was 2-for-5 with an RBI in Reno’s loss to New Orleans. He’s hitting .315/.375/.419 in Triple-A, which is the kind of hitter Arizona believed it was getting when it acquired him as part of the Justin Upton deal.
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Yankees
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I have thought, a lot, about dropping Skole throughout the course of this season...having to constantly remind myself this is his first season back from TJ.
On Wednesday I watched him hit a home run off of his own face on the jumbotron in Manchester, NH and remembered why he should probably get another look in 2015. He has big power.
9. Matt Skole, 1b/3b, Nationals
Double-A Harrisburg (Eastern)
Age: 25
Why He’s Here: .370/.469/.778 (10-for-27), 8 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 5 BB, 4 SO
The Scoop: In his first season back from Tommy John surgery, Skole is playing the same power-and-patience game that enabled him to stand out at low Class A in 2012. That was readily apparent this week with five extra-base hits and five walks in seven games. The lefty-hitting Skole turned 25 in the second half and still has work to do, however, after hitting .246/.354/.406 in 128 Double-A games.
On Wednesday I watched him hit a home run off of his own face on the jumbotron in Manchester, NH and remembered why he should probably get another look in 2015. He has big power.
9. Matt Skole, 1b/3b, Nationals
Double-A Harrisburg (Eastern)
Age: 25
Why He’s Here: .370/.469/.778 (10-for-27), 8 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 5 BB, 4 SO
The Scoop: In his first season back from Tommy John surgery, Skole is playing the same power-and-patience game that enabled him to stand out at low Class A in 2012. That was readily apparent this week with five extra-base hits and five walks in seven games. The lefty-hitting Skole turned 25 in the second half and still has work to do, however, after hitting .246/.354/.406 in 128 Double-A games.
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Yankees
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Congrats to Michael Taylor for making BA's All-MiLB 1st Team.
Taylor excites scouts with a complete tool set, including plus speed, range and arm strength that could make the center fielder one of the better all-around players in the majors if he can continue to rein in his strikeout rate. Even with a strikeout rate hovering near 30 percent at Harrisburg, he already makes enough hard contact for scouts to buy into his potential to hit for average, while his power output grows each season. In fact, Taylor and Joc Pederson were the only minor leaguers to hit at least 20 homers and steal at least 30 bases this season.
Congrats to Christian Walker and Jose Berrios for making the 2nd Team.
Taylor excites scouts with a complete tool set, including plus speed, range and arm strength that could make the center fielder one of the better all-around players in the majors if he can continue to rein in his strikeout rate. Even with a strikeout rate hovering near 30 percent at Harrisburg, he already makes enough hard contact for scouts to buy into his potential to hit for average, while his power output grows each season. In fact, Taylor and Joc Pederson were the only minor leaguers to hit at least 20 homers and steal at least 30 bases this season.
Congrats to Christian Walker and Jose Berrios for making the 2nd Team.
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Yankees
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Nice shout out for the newest IBC Nats prospect:
The Riser: Anthony DeSclafani, RHP: DeSclafani is another former Toronto farmhand but he was acquired in the big Mark Buehrle/Jose Reyes deal as one of the lesser known pieces in the deal. He’s actually been more successful than the more heralded (southpaw hurler) Justin Nicolino, who’s still in the minors. DeSclafani originally looked like a future reliever but he’s worked hard to round out his repertoire and could be a solid No. 4 starter.
The Riser: Anthony DeSclafani, RHP: DeSclafani is another former Toronto farmhand but he was acquired in the big Mark Buehrle/Jose Reyes deal as one of the lesser known pieces in the deal. He’s actually been more successful than the more heralded (southpaw hurler) Justin Nicolino, who’s still in the minors. DeSclafani originally looked like a future reliever but he’s worked hard to round out his repertoire and could be a solid No. 4 starter.
