IBC

That's one way to take a compliment...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/b ... prospects/

Red Sox # 7 prospect per BA

7. Sam Travis, 1b

Born: August 27, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 195. Drafted: Indiana, 2014 (2nd round). Signed by: Blair Henry. Video

Background: A 2014 second-round pick, Travis shined in his full-season debut, batting .307/.381/.452 with nine homers in 131 games at high Class A Salem and Double-A Portland in 2015. He continued hitting in the Arizona Fall League to thrust himself into Boston’s unsettled long-term outlook at first base.

Scouting report: Travis describes his offensive approach as an attempt to “break the white thing into bits,” the brute strength in his gloveless approach described admiringly by evaluators as evocative of a caveman. While he made frequent, hard contact with pitches all over the strike zone, Travis’ willingness to let the ball travel and work to the middle of the field meant that his considerable strength translated to hard line drives rather than homers. That, in turn, creates profile questions given that his likeliest position is first base, even as some believe he has the athleticism to play left field as well. If he develops average power, however, there’s a considerable amount of value to his game. His makeup is a plus.

The future: Travis probably will open 2016 at Triple-A Pawtucket, with a chance to position himself for a callup should the Red Sox need a righthanded bat. He could see time at positions other than first base in an attempt to make him more marketable.

Rockies wrote:

Giants wrote:Loved Jomar, was bummed when you snagged him

He did last what.. 90 something picks? You totally could have had him.

I didn't have a pick between 62 (Blandino) and 115 or so, so no, I didn't really have a shot at him, but I'll get you to throw him into a deal at some point!

Giants wrote:

Rockies wrote:

Giants wrote:Loved Jomar, was bummed when you snagged him

He did last what.. 90 something picks? You totally could have had him.

I didn't have a pick between 62 (Blandino) and 115 or so, so no, I didn't really have a shot at him, but I'll get you to throw him into a deal at some point!

Shoulda taken him at 62!

And sure, make me an offer man!

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/t ... ospects-2/

Blue Jays # 5 prospect per BA

5. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp

Born: Aug. 30, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 216. Drafted: HS–Jacksonville, 2014 (2nd round). Signed by: Matt Bishoff. Video

Background: Born in Guam while his father, a chief warrant officer in the Coast Guard, was stationed there, Reid-Foley grew up in Jacksonville. His older brother David, a converted catcher, pitches in the Dodgers system. The younger Reid-Foley fell in the 2014 draft after being projected as a first-rounder and signed for $1,128,800. He finished his first full season at high Class A Dunedin.

Scouting Report: The ball comes out of Reid-Foley’s hand with life, power and angle to the plate. His fastball has touched 97 mph and often sits 92-95, and at his best he can pitch to both sides of the plate. He has the athleticism to repeat his delivery, which is more drop-and-drive than the average pitcher. He loses command of the strike zone and gives up big innings when his arm is too late at foot strike. When that happens, his arm drags and he loses his release point. His slider flashes above-average as well with depth and low-80s power when he’s on time. His changeup lags behind, and he hasn’t shown the ability to make corrections on the mound himself.

The Future: From his Jacksonville home to his intense demeanor and power stuff, Reid-Foley evokes comparisons with Jonathan Papelbon. The Blue Jays intend to develop him as a starter, returning him to Dunedin to start 2016, but he fits the closer profile well.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/t ... prospects/

Tampa Bay Rays # 3 prospect per BA

3. Brent Honeywell, rhp

Born: March 31, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt: 180 Drafted: Walters State (Tenn.) CC, 2014 (2nd round supplemental). Signed by: Brian Hickman. Video

Background: Undrafted out of high school, Honeywell quickly developed into a top prospect during his lone season at Walters State (Tenn.) CC. He gained fame with his throwback screwball, but he made noise with his loose delivery, plus fastball and promising athleticism. The Rays selected Honeywell in the second round of the 2014 draft, signed him for $800,000 and watched as he quickly developed into one of the top prospects in the organization by recording an elite 1.05 WHIP and strikeout rate of 8.9 batters per nine innings in 2015.

Scouting Report: Honeywell has a chance to develop a deep, four-pitch arsenal. His fastball routinely works at 90-95 mph, though he touched as high as 97 during his draft year, and the pitch shows explosive life as it approaches the strike zone. He has feel for his changeup down in the zone, and it’s an upper-70s offering with bat-missing ability. He throws his changeup to both lefties and righties. Honeywell’s screwball shows similar velocity and movement to his arm side but with more depth. His curveball shows tight spin, though the pitch sometimes breaks too early, allowing hitters to recognize it before it enters the zone. Honeywell has a slight head whack to his delivery, but he repeats his stride and arm action well and has shown the ability to navigate either side of the plate.

The Future: Honeywell spent the second half of 2015 at high Class A Charlotte, where he recorded a 3.44 ERA in 12 starts, and he should open 2016 at that level before moving to Double-A Montgomery at age 21. If he maximizes his stuff and athleticism, he could develop into a No. 3 starter.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/t ... prospects/

Tampa Bay Rays # 10 prospect per BA

10. Daniel Robertson, ss

Born: March 22, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht: 6-0. Wt: 190 Drafted: HS–Upland, Calif., 2012 (1st round supplemental). Signed by: Eric Martins (A’s).

Background: Robertson played third base for much of his high school career, but he showed well enough at shortstop for the Athletics to take a shot on him with the 34th overall pick in 2012. He led the California League with 37 doubles at high Class A Stockton in 2014 before Oakland traded him to the Rays in January 2015 to acquire Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar. Robertson played well at Double-A Montgomery in 2015, but a broken hamate in his left hand limited him to 78 games.

Scouting Report: Robertson’s high baseball IQ and advanced internal clock allow his tools to play up. He lacks the range to be a flashy defender at shortstop, but he has smooth hands to makes routine plays. He shows above-average arm strength, and his tools could make him an adequate defender at either second or third base. At the plate, Robertson has a tendency to put himself in hitter’s counts. He has shown the ability to drive the ball up the middle or stay inside and pepper the opposite field. He has the ability to hit home runs if he runs into a pitch, and some scouts see him hitting 10-15 home runs per season.

Background: Robertson might not be an ideal fit defensively at shortstop, but he should hit enough to hold down second base if he has to move. Positional versatility could be his key to breaking into the big league lineup as he begins 2016 in the upper minors, possibly at Triple-A Durham.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/160039/

Kansas City Royals # 5 prospect per BA

5. Nolan Watson, rhp

Born: Jan. 25, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS–Indianapolis, 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Mike Farrell.

Background: For the second straight year, the Royals used their first two picks on high school pitchers. Both times Kansas City paired a riskier, higher-ceiling arm with a more polished strike-thrower. The 2015 duo–the more-polished Watson and the harder-throwing Ashe Russell–played down the road from each other in Indianapolis. Watson’s stock rose significantly once the Vanderbilt commit’s fastball jumped from 86-88 mph in the summer of 2014 to the 90-93 he showed before the 2015 draft.

Scouting Report: Watson is an advanced pitcher for his age who repeats his delivery and has a present plus fastball. He touched 95 mph in his pro debut at Rookie-level Burlington, and some scouts think he’ll settle at 92-95 mph. His fastball is a power sinker that lives in the bottom of the zone. The Royals asked Watson to limit the use of his potentially above-average slider in favor of a curveball. Watson took to the new pitch quickly, and he could develop a low-80s, power curve in time. His changeup took off in instructional league when he threw it regularly.

The Future: Watson has a chance to have three average or better pitches and at least average control, giving him a shot of being a future No. 3 starter. The Royals may hold him back from low Class A Lexington until May, but he’s ready for full-season ball in 2016.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/h ... prospects/

Houston Astros # 4 prospect per BA

4. Kyle Tucker, of

Born: Jan. 17, 1997. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 190. Drafted: HS–Tampa, 2015 (1st round). Signed by: John Martin. Video

Background: Kyle’s older brother Preston made his big league debut in May 2015, a month before Kyle joined him in the Astros organization. Kyle has his brother’s power potential, but he brings with it more bat speed, a better body and more athleticism. Tucker broke his brother’s Plant City High career home run record and was the BA High School Player of the Year in 2015.

Scouting Report: Tucker is athletic and somewhat slender, but he is expected to fill out into a profile corner outfielder’s frame. He generates 60 hit and 60 power grades from scouts who are sold on his bat. Tucker’s swing starts with low hands and an arm bar, but his swing gets more fluid as he brings the bat head through the zone and the bat stays in the zone a long time. He has excellent bat speed and has present pull power, although opposite-field power will have to wait until he adds strength. Tucker is an average runner who runs the bases well. He played a little center field in 2015, but long-term, he’s a corner outfielder who has a chance to be above-average defensively. His average arm means he’ll slide to left on a team with a true right fielder.

The Future: Tucker’s unconventional swing causes slight concern, but he has a chance to be a middle-of-the-order hitter. He’s ready for low Class A Quad Cities.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/h ... prospects/

Houston Astros # 6 prospect per BA

6. Joe Musgrove, rhp

Born: Dec. 4, 1992. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 255. Drafted: HS–El Cajon, Calif., 2011 (1st round supp). Signed by: Andrew Tinnish (Blue Jays).

Background: Musgrove was part of the 10-player Blue Jays-Astros trade that sent J.A. Happ to Toronto. It took Musgrove a long time to blossom. A sprained rotator cuff cost him almost all of the 2012 season, and he missed time in 2013 with a sprained UCL elbow ligament.

Scouting Report: Finally healthy, Musgrove dominated three levels. He has plus command/control already–at one point he had a 66-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He owns the inner half of the plate with boring life on his 90-93 mph fastball that reaches 95 whenever he needs it. Musgrove’s fastball is a plus pitch thanks to its movement and his command. His 80-85 mph slider is an average offering but it also plays up because he can spot it so well–he’ll backdoor it, make it a chase pitch and generally make hitters defend both sides of the plate at all times. His 80-85 mph changeup is an average offering as well.

The Future: Musgrove has a strong body and clean delivery, and his injury issues are now several years in the past. He was shut down in August just to limit his innings. He could eventually be a No. 3 starter and he could reach Houston in 2016.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/o ... prospects/

Oakland Athletics # 8 prospect per BA

8. Dillon Overton, lhp

Born: Aug. 17, 1991. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 172. Drafted: Oklahoma, 2013 (2nd round). Signed by: Yancy Ayres.

Background: One of the premier college arms leading into the 2013 draft, Overton had Tommy John surgery after signing with Oakland that summer. Now two years removed from the operation, Overton made it unscathed through his first full minor league season in 2015, reaching Double-A Midland. He was at his best late, reeling off a 19-inning shutout streak over his final four starts in August.

Scouting Report: The A’s still hold out some hope Overton can regain more of the mid-90s velocity he had at Oklahoma, but he works 87-90 now. He touched 91 mph late in the season. Learning to pitch without his old heater, Overton has developed excellent command and feel. He throws across his body, which doesn’t look picturesque but gives him some deception. His fastball comes in with armside run and his fading changeup has become his best secondary weapon. He spots his curveball to both sides of the plate and varies its shape as well. The A’s would like to see him add some bulk to his wiry frame, but he hasn’t kept any weight on so far.

The Future: The A’s consider Overton close to a finished product, with how much velocity he ends up with the only real remaining X-factor. If he can get into the low 90s consistently, he could at least be a mid-rotation starter. Otherwise, he’s a finesse, back-of-the-rotation lefty.

Top 101 Prospects Per BP for 2016:

31. David Dahl - OF, Rockies
40. Grant Holmes - RHP, Dodgers
43. Aaron Blair - RHP, Braves
47. Cody Reed - LHP, Reds
52. Brent Honeywell - RHP, Rays
88. Daniel Robertson - SS, Rays
93. Kyle Tucker - OF, Astros
99. Trent Clark - OF, Brewers

Top 100 Prospects Per BA for 2016:

34. Cody Reed, lhp, Reds
Fastball: 70. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. ETA: 2017. Age: 22

39. David Dahl, of, Rockies
Hit: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 55. ETA: 2017. Age: 21

49. Trent Clark, of, Brewers
Hit: 60. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 50. ETA: 2018. Age: 19

60. Aaron Blair, rhp, Braves
Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 45. Changeup: 60. Control: 50. ETA: 2016. Age: 23

61. Kyle Tucker, of, Astros
Hit: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50. ETA: 2019. Age: 18

65. Brent Honeywell, rhp, Rays
Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 60. ETA: 2017. Age: 20

72. Grant Holmes, rhp, Dodgers
Fastball: 60. Curveball: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 45. ETA: 2018. Age: 19

83. Joe Musgrove, rhp, Astros
Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 70. ETA: 2016. Age: 23

90. Touki Toussaint, rhp, Braves
Fastball: 70. Curveball: 70. Changeup: 55. Control: 40. ETA: 2018. Age: 19

Mostly the same group of prospects, with a good showing here of Joe Musgrove.. Nice.

I'm bored. So here is rankings from Z's favorite guru, John Sickels.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/3/2 ... s-for-2016

36) Joe Musgrove, RHP, Houston Astros, Grade B+
42) Cody Reed, LHP, Cincinnati Reds, LHP, Grade B+
43) Aaron Blair, RHP, Atlanta Braves, Grade B+
54) Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays, Grade B+
69) David Dahl, OF, Colorado Rockies, Grade B+
96) Grant Holmes, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers, Grade B
101) Sam Travis, 1B, Boston Red Sox, Grade B
116) Daniel Robertson, SS, Tampa Bay Rays, Grade B
121) Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros, Grade B
136) Trent Clark, OF, Milwaukee Brewers, Grade B
161) Jomar Reyes, 3B, Baltimore Orioles, Grade B-

In the conversation:
Miguel Castro, RHP, Rockies
Jharel Cotton, RHP, Dodgers
Marco Gonzales, LHP, Cardinals
Alen Hanson, INF, Pirates
Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Blue Jays
Touki Toussaint, RHP, Braves
Nick Travieso, RHP, Reds

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... 3Y5GV7a.97

2. Brent Honeywell, rhp, Rays

Team: high Class A Charlotte (Florida State)
Age: 21.
Why He’s Here: 0-0, 0.75, 2 GS, 12 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 11 SO, 1 BB

The Scoop: The Rays like to move their pitchers slowly, so don’t be surprised by Honeywell’s assignment back to the Florida State League. But don’t expect him to stick around Charlotte for too long, because he has looked sharp in the early going. Honeywell throws his screwball only sporadically, but when he has used it this year, no one is hitting it. His varied arsenal may be too much for FSL hitters, and he’s now using a high-80s cutter to further mess with opponents. (J.J.C.)

14. Grant Holmes, rhp, Dodgers

Team: high Class A Rancho Cucamonga (California)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 2 GS, 11 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 12 SO

The Scoop: Holmes has terrific stuff, but his lack of command got him behind in a lot of counts and allowed too many free baserunners last year, which could become problematic in the less-forgiving ballparks of the California League. So far, the higher run environment hasn’t bothered Holmes one bit. He has overmatched hitters with his plus fastball, power curve and a changeup that has made major progress over the last year. (B.B.)


17. David Dahl, of, Rockies

Team: Double-A Hartford (Eastern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .276/.323/.828 (8-for-29), 7 R, 1 2B, 5 HR, 10 RBIs, 2 BB, 13 SO, 1-for-1 SB

The Scoop: In an injury-plagued 2015 season, Dahl hit six home runs. He has connected for a minor league-leading five in his first eight games of 2016. When healthy, Dahl hits, but he does need to prove that he can stay healthy, for he has played 100 games in a season only once in his four-year career. Dahl has an intriguing power-speed profile as a true center fielder, though he appears to be selling out for power thus far with a strikeout rate of 42 percent. (J.J.C.)

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... CMetmm0.97

1. Aaron Blair, rhp, Braves

Team: Triple-A Gwinnett (International)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 10 SO, 1 BB

The Scoop: With seven no-hit innings against Durham on Tuesday, Blair turned in the finest start in the minors this week, according to at least one advanced pitching metric. His 10 strikeouts, one walk and no hits allowed added up to an 86 game score, which narrowly edged the Phillies’ Zach Eflin (83), who threw eight shutout innings with five stikeouts and two hits.

Blair hasn’t allowed a run since the sixth inning of his first start of 2016 and, using a quality three-pitch mix, has authored 13 straight scoreless frames. In other words, it won’t be too long before fans see Blair in the Atlanta rotation. The Braves could use the help–they have allowed five runs per game with an adjusted-ERA+ of 87. (ME)


Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... C51Cfcy.99

15. David Dahl, of, Rockies

Team: Double-A Hartford (Eastern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .417/.632/.917 (5-for-12), 4 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 6 BB, 1 SO, 3-for-4 SB

The Scoop: Dahl had an amazingly quick recovery last season from a splenectomy and has begun 2016 in powerful fashion. He has blasted seven homers already–halfway to his career best–and is showing improved plate awareness. Scouts projected the power would come, and it’s beginning to play this season. Dahl appears to have toned down the aggressiveness, and he could reach Triple-A Albuquerque at some point this season, barring any health issues. (VLC)


Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... FJk7u1i.99

6. Chad Kuhl, rhp, Pirates

Team: Triple-A Indianapolis (International)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 SO, 1 BB

The Scoop: Armed with a heavy, low- to mid-90s fastball, slider and changeup and a simple, repeatable delivery, Kuhl this year has stymied hitters in the International League after receiving effusive praise from evaluators last season. He gets plenty of grounders and has surrendered just 22 hits in 40 innings, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is nearly 3-to-1. Also, the 2013 ninth-rounder from Delaware leads the IL with a 0.91 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. (JN)


Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... CTBYKS6.99

17. Nick Travieso, rhp, Reds

Team: Double-A Pensacola (Southern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: The Reds are right to be excited about their stash of pitching prospects. Cody Reed, Robert Stephenson and Amir Garrett are all promising arms in the upper minors, with Reed and Garrett in particular off to excellent starts. The next highest-ranked arm in the system belongs to Travieso at No. 7, but he hasn’t had the same early success. He does have 34 strikeouts in 33 innings, but he has a 4.68 ERA and 18 walks. (BB)


Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... CTBYKS6.99

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/m ... De4SF0E.97

A fair showing for the IBC Rockies, with 8 players on the list.

16. David Dahl
28. Brent Honeywell
32. Joe Musgrove
35. Kyle Tucker
57. Trent Clark
60. Grant Holmes
84. Sean-Reid Foley
95. Touki Toussaint

Michael Fulmer - S - Tigers

The BBWAA on Monday announced that Michael Fulmer was chosen as the American League Rookie of the Year.

Some thought that Gary Sanchez might give Fulmer a run for his money for the award, but the voting wound up being not all that close. Fulmer received 26-of-30 first-place votes, with Sanchez getting the other four. Tyler Naquin was the third-place finisher. Fulmer certainly deserved the honor after putting up a 3.06 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 132/42 K/BB ratio across 159 innings for the Tigers.

Rockies wrote:Michael Fulmer - S - Tigers

The BBWAA on Monday announced that Michael Fulmer was chosen as the American League Rookie of the Year.

Some thought that Gary Sanchez might give Fulmer a run for his money for the award, but the voting wound up being not all that close. Fulmer received 26-of-30 first-place votes, with Sanchez getting the other four. Tyler Naquin was the third-place finisher. Fulmer certainly deserved the honor after putting up a 3.06 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 132/42 K/BB ratio across 159 innings for the Tigers.

Nice work turning Brach into Fulmer. I was close at the time in a deal for Strop.

Tigers wrote: Nice work turning Brach into Fulmer. I was close at the time in a deal for Strop.

Thanks, I guess I got lucky on a couple of counts then..

He wasn't a primary target for me.. I was really hoping to land a Benintendi but he got dealt before I had a chance to respond. Fulmer was more a consolation prize for me and it turned out great.

1. Brent Honeywell, rhp, Rays (22)

Double-A Montgomery (Southern)
Why He’s Here: 20 SO/13 IP

The Rays are flush with pitching at the upper levels of the minor leagues, and Honeywell might have the brightest future of the bunch. His 20 strikeouts in 13 innings this season are the second-most in the minors. (JN)

Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/p ... Dri8Iq1.99