2015 Prospect Mega Thread

[Bellhorn04]

LOL Please.

 

We have several kids playing in the bigs, and we still have the best farm system in baseball. I get that you don't like Ben, but give credit where credit is due.

 

I love the reports on our farm system. But it is fair to question why we haven't even produced any good relief pitchers in recent years.

[Kimmi]

I love the reports on our farm system. But it is fair to question why we haven't even produced any good relief pitchers in recent years.

 

It's always fair to question these things. Questioning is not the same as making a blanket statement that Ben has done an awful job developing the farm, when the facts say otherwise. I think a lot of the pitching question can be explained by draft position and by the idea that the Sox draft the best available player, so they are not necessarily looking to draft pitching.

[a700hitter]

LOL Please.

 

We have several kids playing in the bigs, and we still have the best farm system in baseball. I get that you don't like Ben, but give credit where credit is due.

 

Sure he gets credit for the good moves, but pitching wins. And this organizations record in signing, acquiring and developing pitchers has been undeniably dreadful for several years. It is the biggest problem in the organization. The fairest evaluation of Ben's building of the organizational talent is that it has been very unbalanced.

[Kimmi]

Sure he gets credit for the good moves, but pitching wins. And this organizations record in signing, acquiring and developing pitchers has been undeniably dreadful for several years. It is the biggest problem in the organization. The fairest evaluation of Ben's building of the organizational talent is that it has been very unbalanced.

 

Building the organization through the farm system does not mean that all of the team's farm players have to play on the Sox, or that all of the Sox' young players have to have been drafted and developed by the Sox. Having the pieces to trade for team needs is a huge aspect of building a strong farm system.

[a700hitter]

Building the organization through the farm system does not mean that all of the team's farm players have to play on the Sox, or that all of the Sox' young players have to have been drafted and developed by the Sox. Having the pieces to trade for team needs is a huge aspect of building a strong farm system.

 

Pitching is more important than anything else. He did a poor job drafting of, developing it or using our trade chips to acquire it. He is gone for a reason, not because he had done such a great job.

[sk7326]

I love the reports on our farm system. But it is fair to question why we haven't even produced any good relief pitchers in recent years.

 

Of course it is fair.

 

I think a lot of it has to do with the draft. The draft is not a crapshoot - Price went #2, Kershaw went #7, Grienke went #6, Strasburg went #1, Beckett went #2. Hell, Andrew Miller went #2. Premium arms don't show up often and get gobbled up.

 

The Red Sox have clearly tended towards lower risk strategies with earlier picks - position players up the middle (in other words, high caliber athletes) and college arms (who have a solid amount of probability). Prep arms are historically very risky, but alas it is also where you are going to find the star material. I think the risk aversion in the draft is fair game. Now it has allowed the Red Sox to have a remarkable stockpile of middle of the field talent - which is nearly as hard to amass as pitching.

 

Cubs operated more or less the same way - their stockpile is in position talent ... I think just because of the shortage of arms. Their big coup was straightening out Jake Arrieta, along with landing a quality #2 like Lester clearly.

 

What the Red Sox have done wrong with pitching imo has been not to be as aggressive converting starters at the farm level (which is really the best way to find bullpen talent). It was clear as day that Webster was really a potential bullpen weapon but too much time was spent thinking he could be a quality starter. Ranaudo and Barnes as starters are a little different - less wipeout stuff. Barnes will be a perfect fine starter for somebody - not amazing, but a capable workhorse sort. The development has been ok, but I do think there is question on the ceiling they have gotten in on that.

[jacksonianmarch]

The Yankees have had a VERY effective strategy for getting relievers, but it limits our boom or bust prospects. We usually select a couple high velocity arms in the Round 5-10 range who don't have projection as a starter, but have top end reliever potential. And we have hit on a fair amount of those selections. Those are usually the spots where some teams will take higher upside players who might be signability cases or starters. But we take relievers. And it has worked to this point

[sk7326]

The Yankees have had a VERY effective strategy for getting relievers, but it limits our boom or bust prospects. We usually select a couple high velocity arms in the Round 5-10 range who don't have projection as a starter, but have top end reliever potential. And we have hit on a fair amount of those selections. Those are usually the spots where some teams will take higher upside players who might be signability cases or starters. But we take relievers. And it has worked to this point

 

It is a fair way to go - and the big arms in Round 5 to 10 are still being drafted as starters (every pitcher is drafted as a starter). But then you determine quickly - does the guy have the third pitch, can the guy hold his velocity. If the answer is no (the answer is usually no) - then to the bullpen, where you don't have to worry about things like that.

 

The Red Sox if they have erred, is taking high probability starters in those spots - you know, guys with command 88-92, know how to pitch. The ceiling is limited, and the bullpen utility becomes dicier. For a good reliever, you're looking at one or two wipeout pitches, and the other things (great control - still has to be acceptable, third pitch, turning lineup over) are less important.

Edited September 30, 2015 by sk7326

[cp176]

Sam Travis continues to hit in the AFL- In the future, first base won't be a problem with him as well as Travis Shaw. The chances of at least one of them making it looks really good. Travis won't give them a lot of power on the corner but it is very likely that he will hit and hit well.

[cp176]

Bottom line - Sam Travis can hit. If Swihart is not catching - if someone wants to reposition him, I would say that he is replacable by better hitters. I like Swihart but if he isn't catching he becomes like a bunch of other prospects - no better no worse.

[cp176]

I am a surprised that no one is commenting on the fact that 3 of our top ten prospects are now pitchers.

[Meh]

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/12/6/9855842/boston-red-sox-top-20-prospects-for-2016

 

I really like Moncada, Benintendi, and Espinosa. I think they all are good grades. I'm not as high on Devers as everyone else. Still a strong system. Side note I think Cecchini gets claimed, maybe by the A's? Kind of high on Longhi, not saying he's a B or higher guy, but I think he could become better.

[cp176]

Moncada and Benintendi will be moving on up I think. Espinoza is a promising young arm but his age keeps him a long way away. Really just a kid. I like Deevers, Chavis, and Travis. I like the fact that we have 2 potential third baseman ranked that high. It could be an area of need. I also like Kopech's potential. He has made some mistakes along the way. has a live arm.

[cp176]

There is a chance now that Vazquez may be ready earlier than previously expected.

[cp176]

Our top 4 prospects look right now like they could be the real deals. Valued highly by everyone. If the Sox keep them all, we will know how much they are valued in New Engalnd as well.

[cp176]

Now it seems that 3 of our top 6 prospects are starting pitchers. Not sure how these changes and upgrades happen during the off season but still looks good. If the farm system is as good as some people think that it is then it looks pretty good for us. I choose to subscribe to the theory of show me don't tell me. I choose to not blindly believe it.

[a700hitter]

Now it seems that 3 of our top 6 prospects are starting pitchers. Not sure how these changes and upgrades happen during the off season but still looks good. If the farm system is as good as some people think that it is then it looks pretty good for us. I choose to subscribe to the theory of show me don't tell me. I choose to not blindly believe it.

I've lived too long to expect that we have 3 pitchers in our system who will become special major league pitchers. If they are legitimately in our top 6 prospects, I don't feel warm and fuzzy about the stock on the farm.

[cp176]

I've lived too long to expect that we have 3 pitchers in our system who will become special major league pitchers. If they are legitimately in our top 6 prospects, I don't feel warm and fuzzy about the stock on the farm.

 

I don't think that we are as loaded up as people think we are. Like everybody else, we have potential good ones.

[cp176]

I don't think that we are as loaded up as people think we are. Like everybody else, we have potential good ones.

 

Been doing a little research lately and Benintendi looks like close to a sure thing. The awards that he has recieved in addition to the numbers that he has put up tell quite a story. He could be very close to race ready. I see him moving very quickly through our system. There has also been some chatter about taking a look at Moncada at third base. Outfielder, second baseman, third baseman, I hope that they settle on one for him and give him a chance to master it. A star in the very near future. It is conceiveable that Devers gets moved as well. A potential first baseman or dh. I am anxious to see our top young talents play at whatever level they start this season in.

[Spudboy]

I read that Moncada is now looking much more like a NFL linebacker than a second baseman.

[cp176]

I read that Moncada is now looking much more like a NFL linebacker than a second baseman.

 

it is just so impressive for me to read the actual scouting reports about Moncada, Benintedi, and Devers written by people who actually do the scouting and have seen these kids play. One thing that they all have in common is that they can hit. Lots of pop as well. Moncada has some obvious fielding issues that he will have to work out but I would hate to be the one trying to determine which of these two (Benintendi and Mocacada) is the better athlete. All honesty I am as excited to see these two play as I am most of the guys on the Red Sox roster.

[a700hitter]

it is just so impressive for me to read the actual scouting reports about Moncada, Benintedi, and Devers written by people who actually do the scouting and have seen these kids play. One thing that they all have in common is that they can hit. Lots of pop as well. Moncada has some obvious fielding issues that he will have to work out but I would hate to be the one trying to determine which of these two (Benintendi and Mocacada) is the better athlete. All honesty I am as excited to see these two play as I am most of the guys on the Red Sox roster.

Will either of them be at the big league camp in March?

[cp176]

Will either of them be at the big league camp in March?

 

 

Don't think so. Not yet. Sam Travis will be there. I don't think any of the top 5 prospects (latest list) will be there. If they are as good as advertised, it won't be long for them though.

[a700hitter]

Don't think so. Not yet. Sam Travis will be there. I don't think any of the top 5 prospects (latest list) will be there. If they are as good as advertised, it won't be long for them though.

I will keep an eye out for Sam Travis.

[cp176]

I will keep an eye out for Sam Travis.

 

That's right - you will be there. Everything says that he is the real deal - a pure hitting machine. He sounds like the kind of kid that no one has ever expected too much from but when they see him play, they just know that he is a player. Not real big- not a lot of power - not a lot of speed - pretty good first baseman and a great contact hitter. I bet that he turns out to be the type of player you will really enjoy watching. He has always had to work for his recognition but he has always produced.

[cp176]

I'm ready for some real baseball and I don't care who our President of gm might be. Time for some real baseball and real baseball talk!