2019 Minor Leagues/Prospect Discussion Thread

[dagger]

Man, the Nationals handle prospects so much differently than us. When you compare how they’ve handled Juan Soto and Carter Kieboom compared to how we’ve handled Guerrero and Bichette.

What's the problem - the end game is what counts, not the timeline necessarily? Is Vlad not a good prospect? Might it have been productive to bring along his defence? If we can keep him at 3B, that's golden. And Bo is right about where you'd expect him in a moderately conservative development program. It's not like we're suffering at 2B or SS. (No surgery for him, BTW, so he's out 4-6 weeks).

If you want to compare to other systems, you have to take a more systemic POV. Are we being smart overloading on infielders with our high picks and international signings (;probably). How is our record on bringing along pitchers? Are we successful at developing secondary pitches needed to get them to the majors? We see Tampa Bay has a pitching philosophy that they apply, with success, from top to bottom in the organization? Do the Jays have any such philosophy?

Besides, I'd rate an organization not by getting top prospects to the bigs - if you draft or sign a Vlad Jr or a Juan Solo, he'll probably get to the bigs, and be a star, no matter what. It's the ability to turn lower picks into assets - not necessarily stars but desirable, trade-able commodities, that helps define the success of a team's development program. For example, I don't know if Josh Winckowski, the Lansing starter, will get to the majors, but as a 15th round pick, he's excelling in full season A. Some day, he might be a nice piece in a package for a veteran to put us into real contention. Last night, he threw six shutout innings (five hits, 0 walks, 8K). He's given up three runs in five starts. This was his second straight shutout. He was a 15th-round pick.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=670174#/gamelogs/R/pitching/2019/MINORS

We need to see more such possible breakouts. Right now, the pitching depth isn't there.

[vaff87]

Man, the Nationals handle prospects so much differently than us. When you compare how they’ve handled Juan Soto and Carter Kieboom compared to how we’ve handled Guerrero and Bichette.

What's the problem - the end game is what counts, not the timeline necessarily? Is Vlad not a good prospect? Might it have been productive to bring along his defence? If we can keep him at 3B, that's golden. And Bo is right about where you'd expect him in a moderately conservative development program. It's not like we're suffering at 2B or SS. (No surgery for him, BTW, so he's out 4-6 weeks).

If you want to compare to other systems, you have to take a more systemic POV. Are we being smart overloading on infielders with our high picks and international signings (;probably). How is our record on bringing along pitchers? Are we successful at developing secondary pitches needed to get them to the majors? We see Tampa Bay has a pitching philosophy that they apply, with success, from top to bottom in the organization? Do the Jays have any such philosophy?

Besides, I'd rate an organization not by getting top prospects to the bigs - if you draft or sign a Vlad Jr or a Juan Solo, he'll probably get to the bigs, and be a star, no matter what. It's the ability to turn lower picks into assets - not necessarily stars but desirable, trade-able commodities, that helps define the success of a team's development program. For example, I don't know if Josh Winckowski, the Lansing starter, will get to the majors, but as a 15th round pick, he's excelling in full season A. Some day, he might be a nice piece in a package for a veteran to put us into real contention. Last night, he threw six shutout innings (five hits, 0 walks, 8K). He's given up three runs in five starts. This was his second straight shutout. He was a 15th-round pick.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=670174#/gamelogs/R/pitching/2019/MINORS

We need to see more such possible breakouts. Right now, the pitching depth isn't there.

I didn’t say there was a problem, I said it was “different”.

[Schad]

Alford’s numbers are not encouraging. Ugh.

Alford's closer to being dropped from the 40-man than being a fixture on the 25-man at this point. Not that I expect either in the near future, but he's getting close to ex-prospect status.

[vaff87]

Alford’s numbers are not encouraging. Ugh.

Alford's closer to being dropped from the 40-man than being a fixture on the 25-man at this point. Not that I expect either in the near future, but he's getting close to ex-prospect status.

On the other side of the coin, Gurriel has been raking since he’s been down there. Hopefully he’s recalled soon.

[dagger]

Good pitching performances have been few and far between in the system, so the work three different pitchers put in in Dunedin's 3-0 win yesterday deserves recognition.

Maximo Castillo threw six innings of one-hit ball with 7K. He turns 20 the week after next, so he's age appropriate. Not a top 30 prospect in the current rankings. He's listed by milb.com at 6'2" 252 lbs. Seriously? 252? I hope that's an error. If not, he's the ideal battery mate for Alejandro Kirk on Team Vladdy, or maybe that should be Team Weight Watchers.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=666721#/career/R/pitching/2019/ALL

[Schad]

I've been trying with no luck to get some sort of update on Castillo's stuff, because those numbers are really impressive given his age and level.

And yeah, he's a pretty big boy, though not as big as his listed weight would suggest.

[dagger]

Patrick Murphy's start today at New Hampshire was nice:

8IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 7K

[-MetA4-]

Maximo Castillo has gotten writeups in the past regarding his legitimate arm despite shaky results. He's been up to the mid 90's IIRC. He might actually be turning into a legitimate prospect if these results are for real.

[Fairview4Life]

Good pitching performances have been few and far between in the system, so the work three different pitchers put in in Dunedin's 3-0 win yesterday deserves recognition.

Maximo Castillo threw six innings of one-hit ball with 7K. He turns 20 the week after next, so he's age appropriate. Not a top 30 prospect in the current rankings. He's listed by milb.com at 6'2" 252 lbs. Seriously? 252? I hope that's an error. If not, he's the ideal battery mate for Alejandro Kirk on Team Vladdy, or maybe that should be Team Weight Watchers.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=666721#/career/R/pitching/2019/ALL

The large lads.

[Skin Blues]

Good pitching performances have been few and far between in the system, so the work three different pitchers put in in Dunedin's 3-0 win yesterday deserves recognition.

Maximo Castillo threw six innings of one-hit ball with 7K. He turns 20 the week after next, so he's age appropriate. Not a top 30 prospect in the current rankings. He's listed by milb.com at 6'2" 252 lbs. Seriously? 252? I hope that's an error. If not, he's the ideal battery mate for Alejandro Kirk on Team Vladdy, or maybe that should be Team Weight Watchers.

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=666721#/career/R/pitching/2019/ALL

They rebranded. It'd be Team WW now; fewer letters, twice the syllables & confusion.

[Schad]

Sean Reid-Foley is a complete disaster at the moment. He has more walks than innings pitched, and he's getting crushed when he's in the zone. His transition to the 'pen probably isn't far off, but even that requires some semblance of control.

[dagger]

Sean Reid-Foley is a complete disaster at the moment. He has more walks than innings pitched, and he's getting crushed when he's in the zone. His transition to the 'pen probably isn't far off, but even that requires some semblance of control.

It's not a surprise that he isn't ready, but he's not even pitching well enough to hang at lower levels. Probably should park him on the IL and send him to the coaches at extended spring. Velocity isn't the issue. He still strikes guys out, but five walks again last night? And so every AB turns into a hitter's count. Meanwhile, Biggio had another homer yesterday, and the top five of the Buffalo order last night are all hitting over .300. But the pitching is disastrous.

[dagger]

The lack of good pitching news causes me to grasp at straws right now, until we see Zeuch in NH or BUF, until Pardhino makes it out of rehab and starts throwing (apparently soon) for Lansing, and Adam Kloffenstein starts for his short season team. Yes, Patrick Murphy and Nate Pearson are coming off good starts, as is Nick Allgeyer at DUN. So here's one to watch for the bullpen, which is how he's being groomed at DUN. RHP Brad Wilson, 22, Jays' 13th round pick last June.

http://jaysprospects.com/2019/04/29/brad-wilson-dunedin/

[Trilogy]

Sean Reid-Foley is a complete disaster at the moment. He has more walks than innings pitched, and he's getting crushed when he's in the zone. His transition to the 'pen probably isn't far off, but even that requires some semblance of control.

Hector Perez also went last night in NH and is barely doing any better. He's at 8.44 BB/9 while SRF is at 9.47 BB/9.

At least they are both K'ing the crap out of people, although perhaps that is because the hitters are terrified of where the ball might go. Easier to K someone when they are having their life flash before their eyes during the AB, lol.

[dagger]

Sean Reid-Foley is a complete disaster at the moment. He has more walks than innings pitched, and he's getting crushed when he's in the zone. His transition to the 'pen probably isn't far off, but even that requires some semblance of control.

Hector Perez also went last night in NH and is barely doing any better. He's at 8.44 BB/9 while SRF is at 9.47 BB/9.

At least they are both K'ing the crap out of people, although perhaps that is because the hitters are terrified of where the ball might go. Easier to K someone when they are having their life flash before their eyes during the AB, lol.

Paulino was a little bit better today for BUF, no runs through five before giving up three runs in an error-filled 6th. Gurriel eventually walked off Pawtucket with a single. He and Biggio are hitting up a storm.

[vaff87]

Can we call Gurriel back already?

[Black Watch]

Read on Twitter

[dagger]

Biggio finished April with his fifth homer of the month, another 3 run job.


for the month, he had a line of ,361/.495/.625/1.120, 17 RBIs, 20 walks and 17 Ks. He played at least four positions (1B, 2B, RF and 3B). He had one error in 11 games at 2B, and no errors at the other positions. Maybe he ends up as our Marwin Gonzales.

[Al_Oliver]

Biggio finished April with his fifth homer of the month, another 3 run job.


for the month, he had a line of ,361/.495/.625/1.120, 17 RBIs, 20 walks and 17 Ks. He played at least four positions (1B, 2B, RF and 3B). He had one error in 11 games at 2B, and no errors at the other positions. Maybe he ends up as our Marwin Gonzales.

Good call on Gonzales. That would be a perfect addition to Jays with that type of bat and positional flexibility...

[dagger]

Biggio finished April with his fifth homer of the month, another 3 run job.


for the month, he had a line of ,361/.495/.625/1.120, 17 RBIs, 20 walks and 17 Ks. He played at least four positions (1B, 2B, RF and 3B). He had one error in 11 games at 2B, and no errors at the other positions. Maybe he ends up as our Marwin Gonzales.

Good call on Gonzales. That would be a perfect addition to Jays with that type of bat and positional flexibility...

He also DH'd last month, and in the Arizona Fall League, he played both corner outfield positions. So yes, flexibility.