2025 Minor League/Prospects Discussion Thread

[Lateral Quicks]

None of Jansen, McGuire, or Adams should prevent the FO from promoting Moreno to AAA. He raked in the VZL, and now in AA. Unless he's got some gaping holes to work on, I don't see much point in keeping him in AA much longer. The way our MLB catchers aren't hitting, you could make a case for him to go straight to the bigs. But with Kirk back soon (he will be back soon, right? Right?) we can roll with Kirk/(one of Jansen/McGuire/Adams) the rest of the year and Moreno can get the bulk of the C at-bats in AAA.

[Lateral Quicks]

Taylor and Smith have been pleasant surprises, Smith especially. Taylor's K rate is a big problem. When's the last time a guy hit .300 and struck out a third of the time? How much worse would that K rate be at AAA or MLB? He's never struck out even remotely that much in prior seasons, so it seems like there's been a change to the approach. At 5-10, the power is impressive. He's going to need to cut that K rate down though if he's going to make it. I'd be happy with doubles power and a good OBP from him.

[JaysRule15]

I think Kirk's DL stint takes him until the first week of July. So he's still a couple weeks away. They haven't really talked much about Kirk's injury progress, but I think he's playing some rehab games. Hopefully he's good to go by the time he's eligible to come off the DL. I really hope Kirk used the time off to improve his conditioning too.

[polo007]

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[dagger]

Yes, quite the game for New Hampshire

This lineup feasted on goat. 15 runs on 22 hits.

Taylor 4-5, BB, 4 RBIs
Martin 5-6 4 RBIs
Lopez 3-5, BB 2 RBIs
Moreno 2-5 3 RBIs
Capra 4-5
Pruit 2-4

[dagger]

Taylor and Smith have been pleasant surprises, Smith especially. Taylor's K rate is a big problem. When's the last time a guy hit .300 and struck out a third of the time? How much worse would that K rate be at AAA or MLB? He's never struck out even remotely that much in prior seasons, so it seems like there's been a change to the approach. At 5-10, the power is impressive. He's going to need to cut that K rate down though if he's going to make it. I'd be happy with doubles power and a good OBP from him.

If you look at Taylor's progression over the seven weeks of the season, he had 33 Ks in May, 16 so far this month, so likely to finish in the 20s for the month. Not unusual to see a high first month K rate, and it roughly correlates with his move from the ninth spot to leadoff. He had something like a 43% K rate in May. For June to this point, he has a 21% K rate, likely less when tonight's game is factored in. OPS in June, 1.387.

He walked four times in April, nine times so far in May. He hit .250 in May, and .377 so far in June (actually, a bit better since I don't think that's been adjusted for tonight's game). He's playing five defensive positions and can play a sixth - SS - in a pinch. He leads the league in stolen bases. If his stats suggest a comp, let me suggest Marcus Simeon for power, speed and position, which might come in handy because it might be a stretch for the Jays to meet Simeon's price next winter. With what he's doing this month, I'd at least like to see Taylor and couple of others at NH moved to AAA by the beginning of July. Maybe this is just a version of 13-day Bargnani, but it if it isn't, it's well worth testing Smith at the next level where he'll see some AAAA pitching.

[guvernator]

How long does Kevin Smith need to keep this up until he is seen as a serviceable MLer? (with his defensive pedigree, he won't need much offense to begin with)

[Randle McMurphy]

It’s looking more and more likely than Moreno is going to be the Jays’ starting catcher next year.

[Lateral Quicks]

Taylor and Smith have been pleasant surprises, Smith especially. Taylor's K rate is a big problem. When's the last time a guy hit .300 and struck out a third of the time? How much worse would that K rate be at AAA or MLB? He's never struck out even remotely that much in prior seasons, so it seems like there's been a change to the approach. At 5-10, the power is impressive. He's going to need to cut that K rate down though if he's going to make it. I'd be happy with doubles power and a good OBP from him.

If you look at Taylor's progression over the seven weeks of the season, he had 33 Ks in May, 16 so far this month, so likely to finish in the 20s for the month. Not unusual to see a high first month K rate, and it roughly correlates with his move from the ninth spot to leadoff. He had something like a 43% K rate in May. For June to this point, he has a 21% K rate, likely less when tonight's game is factored in. OPS in June, 1.387.

He walked four times in April, nine times so far in May. He hit .250 in May, and .377 so far in June (actually, a bit better since I don't think that's been adjusted for tonight's game). He's playing five defensive positions and can play a sixth - SS - in a pinch. He leads the league in stolen bases. If his stats suggest a comp, let me suggest Marcus Simeon for power, speed and position, which might come in handy because it might be a stretch for the Jays to meet Simeon's price next winter. With what he's doing this month, I'd at least like to see Taylor and couple of others at NH moved to AAA by the beginning of July. Maybe this is just a version of 13-day Bargnani, but it if it isn't, it's well worth testing Smith at the next level where he'll see some AAAA pitching.

I wasn't aware how he was trending, so that's very encouraging indeed. Looks like his May was very pedestrian and his June has been scorching hot. Probably needs another 100+ plate appearances in AA before we know if this is a fluke or he's really turned a corner, but it'd be great if he could finish the year in AAA with an eye towards the bigs sometime in 2022.

I don't expect we'll be getting a Semien replacement through free agency, as management needs to start budgeting for big raises and extensions for Vladdy, Bo, and maybe a few of the other guys. Also, starting pitching is a greater need. I expect the battle for 2B next year will be between Biggio and possibly Smith (given the way he's playing in Buffalo). Taylor will insert himself into that discussion very quickly at this rate.

[dagger]

Taylor and Smith have been pleasant surprises, Smith especially. Taylor's K rate is a big problem. When's the last time a guy hit .300 and struck out a third of the time? How much worse would that K rate be at AAA or MLB? He's never struck out even remotely that much in prior seasons, so it seems like there's been a change to the approach. At 5-10, the power is impressive. He's going to need to cut that K rate down though if he's going to make it. I'd be happy with doubles power and a good OBP from him.

If you look at Taylor's progression over the seven weeks of the season, he had 33 Ks in May, 16 so far this month, so likely to finish in the 20s for the month. Not unusual to see a high first month K rate, and it roughly correlates with his move from the ninth spot to leadoff. He had something like a 43% K rate in May. For June to this point, he has a 21% K rate, likely less when tonight's game is factored in. OPS in June, 1.387.

He walked four times in May, nine times so far in June. He hit .250 in May, and .377 so far in June (actually, a bit better since I don't think that's been adjusted for tonight's game). He's playing five defensive positions and can play a sixth - SS - in a pinch. He leads the league in stolen bases. If his stats suggest a comp, let me suggest Marcus Simeon for power, speed and position, which might come in handy because it might be a stretch for the Jays to meet Simeon's price next winter. With what he's doing this month, I'd at least like to see Taylor and couple of others at NH moved to AAA by the beginning of July. Maybe this is just a version of 13-day Bargnani, but it if it isn't, it's well worth testing Smith at the next level where he'll see some AAAA pitching.

I wasn't aware how he was trending, so that's very encouraging indeed. Looks like his May was very pedestrian and his June has been scorching hot. Probably needs another 100+ plate appearances in AA before we know if this is a fluke or he's really turned a corner, but it'd be great if he could finish the year in AAA with an eye towards the bigs sometime in 2022.

I don't expect we'll be getting a Semien replacement through free agency, as management needs to start budgeting for big raises and extensions for Vladdy, Bo, and maybe a few of the other guys. Also, starting pitching is a greater need. I expect the battle for 2B next year will be between Biggio and possibly Smith (given the way he's playing in Buffalo). Taylor will insert himself into that discussion very quickly at this rate.

Another reason why re-signing Semien might be a long shot is the plethora of internal candidates for 2B/3B. You have Smith at AAA, Lopez, Martin and Taylor at AA. I'd guess Groshans needs a full AA season and then a start at Buffalo next season, but longer-term, he profiles at those positions, espy 3B. Even longer term, you have Martinez.

So two of those four might make it to the majors at those positions some time next season, and considering the weak situation at 3B at the MLB level, whatever we lose at least in the short term offensively at 2B while a young player adapts we might make back at 3B. And the catching situation ought to be an offensive upgrade as well; can't be any worse.

[vaff87]

Moreno is playing third base today. First time in his career. He has a double in his first at bat.

[Lateral Quicks]

Moreno is playing third base today. First time in his career. He has a double in his first at bat.

Interesting... whatever the reason, it hasn't hurt his bat today - 2 for 2 so far with a 2B and HR.

Can we just promote this kid already?

[Randle McMurphy]

Moreno is playing third base today. First time in his career. He has a double in his first at bat.

Interesting... whatever the reason, it hasn't hurt his bat today - 2 for 2 so far with a 2B and HR.

Can we just promote this kid already?

He basically has "Vlad in AA" type numbers right now. I can't imagine he'd be there much longer.

[JaysRule15]

This New Hampshire team is stacked man. What a killer lineup.

[polo007]

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[dagger]

This New Hampshire team is stacked man. What a killer lineup.

As potent offensively as the Bo/Vlad/Cavan championship team, but the pitching is not as good. They mirror the big league club in that respect.

[Lateral Quicks]

This New Hampshire team is stacked man. What a killer lineup.

As potent offensively as the Bo/Vlad/Cavan championship team, but the pitching is not as good. They mirror the big league club in that respect.

You know your pitching sucks when you have that potent lineup yet your record is 17-24.

[polo007]

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[vaff87]

Buffalo’s game tonight was postponed because of covid.