2016 Prospects Thread

[cp176]

thanks Kimmi - As kind of an aside though, i do really like some of these young guys.

[cp176]

Another good win for Salem. Top 3 continue to hit that ball. Speaking of ball, how about Trey Ball! Great performance last night. Injuries behind him, maybe we will see a developing pitcher!

[moonslav59]

I'd fast track Benintendi & Moncada. Take our time with Espinosa and Devers.

[Emp9]

http://www.outsidepitchmlb.com/boston-red-sox-top-prospects-continue-to-improve-salem/47083

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats Moncada was sick of boringly OBPing .500.... so he's now hit 3 HR in 5 days.

[cp176]

Once again - the same 3 guys at the top of the order. No one saying much about Dubon. Great start for him as well. based on what we are seeing out of AA and AAA, I would think that promotions might be coming.

[cp176]

Nice games for Owens and Castillo yesterday.

[Jack Flap]

Oh, the Henry Owens experience...

 

7 shutout innings, 4 hits (), 5 BB (), 5 K

[Jack Flap]

Lolwut:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/05/mlb-investigating-red-sox-international-signings.html

[Hugh2]

Nice games for Owens and Castillo yesterday.

 

From what I heard it was 2 ground ball doubles and a weak hit....more luck than anything. A real shame too because I'd love to have an outfield of Castillo/JBJ/Betts.

 

Also as far as Dubon goes the guy has zero power and is OBPing more than he's slugging. That suggests a struggle at the MLB level. I actually like him and think he's got a good MLB future but I think he doesn't get a lot of hype because no one thinks he's a starter type. He's viewed more of as a bench type guy.

Edited May 11, 2016 by A Red Sox fan named Hugh

[Emp9]

Apparently the Red Sox are being investigated by MLB for "Questionable International Signings". http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/05/11/report-the-red-sox-are-being-investigated-by-mlb-for-questionable-international-signings/

 

Figured this is the best place to post this. I question it deserves its own thread. If there were more details maybe? It has a good link to another article tackling bonus pools and how teams skate around the supposedly written, but not enforced rules. A few thoughts from me:

1) I thought MLB was moving toward a International Draft to correct these known issues w/ signing International players. Why an investigation, when everbody and their great-grandmother knows it's always been a bit shady?

2) If they do find anything light-years shadier from the normal shadiness from the Red Sox Organization with respect to signing International players, given the time frame, wouldn't that blame mostly fall on a guy who doesn't even work here anymore? I think he's busy holding class right now i believe.

3) I hope this doesn't turn into another Deflate-gate because its a Boston team. The St Louis Cardinals hacked the Houston Astros' entire system and have yet to be punished for it. In fact, it hasn't even been a major story and I scratch my head thinking if Boston did that, it would be enormous. The Cardinals' Hack-Gate STILL has been so disgustingly under-reported on by the media and under-addressed by MLB and it's commissioner that I find any new investigation a little insulting. A little closure about the major scandal that happened would be nice, but evidently not the right people give two shits about it.

[cp176]

From what I heard it was 2 ground ball doubles and a weak hit....more luck than anything. A real shame too because I'd love to have an outfield of Castillo/JBJ/Betts.

 

Also as far as Dubon goes the guy has zero power and is OBPing more than he's slugging. That suggests a struggle at the MLB level. I actually like him and think he's got a good MLB future but I think he doesn't get a lot of hype because no one thinks he's a starter type. He's viewed more of as a bench type guy.

 

I have not heard that about Dubon. Actually I brought him up initially because he is playing and hitting as well as Guerra was before the trade for Kimbrel. I'm also ok with his lack of power as long as he pick em at short. I agree with you that he could have a major league future as well. With respect to Castillo - in all honesty I don't think that there is enough time for him to actually learn how to play the game. His instincts just aren't there for someone who was so highly regarded.

[Jack Flap]

Apparently the Red Sox are being investigated by MLB for "Questionable International Signings". http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/05/11/report-the-red-sox-are-being-investigated-by-mlb-for-questionable-international-signings/

 

Figured this is the best place to post this. I question it deserves its own thread. If there were more details maybe? It has a good link to another article tackling bonus pools and how teams skate around the supposedly written, but not enforced rules. A few thoughts from me:

1) I thought MLB was moving toward a International Draft to correct these known issues w/ signing International players. Why an investigation, when everbody and their great-grandmother knows it's always been a bit shady?

2) If they do find anything light-years shadier from the normal shadiness from the Red Sox Organization with respect to signing International players, given the time frame, wouldn't that blame mostly fall on a guy who doesn't even work here anymore? I think he's busy holding class right now i believe.

3) I hope this doesn't turn into another Deflate-gate because its a Boston team. The St Louis Cardinals hacked the Houston Astros' entire system and have yet to be punished for it. In fact, it hasn't even been a major story and I scratch my head thinking if Boston did that, it would be enormous. The Cardinals' Hack-Gate STILL has been so disgustingly under-reported on by the media and under-addressed by MLB and it's commissioner that I find any new investigation a little insulting. A little closure about the major scandal that happened would be nice, but evidently not the right people give two shits about it.

 

From what I understand, the "package deal" tactic used by the Red Sox and other clubs to get around the $300k signing limit is neither a secret nor explicitly against the rules...the issue would be if a player signed for $300k but actually received more (i.e., a group of guys sign for the limit and money is then funneled to the top players the team actually wanted), which is presumably why the investigators were looking at players' bank accounts. Just speculating at this point, but that would indeed be pretty shady.

[Hugh2]

From what I understand, the "package deal" tactic used by the Red Sox and other clubs to get around the $300k signing limit is neither a secret nor explicitly against the rules...the issue would be if a player signed for $300k but actually received more (i.e., a group of guys sign for the limit and money is then funneled to the top players the team actually wanted), which is presumably why the investigators were looking at players' bank accounts. Just speculating at this point, but that would indeed be pretty shady.

 

This was my understanding as well. They weren't exactly trying to cover up or discretly do what apparently a lot of teams were doing to circumnavigate the rules.

 

Why are they coming down on the Red Sox for this??? Did the MLB hire Rodger Goddell???

[Hugh2]

Alex Speier ‎@alexspeier

Michael Chavis, out since April 23, will not need surgery for his left thumb ligament sprain. He's resumed baseball activities.

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats Moncada 2-2 2B, 2 BB, 2 SB

[Emp9]

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2016/05/15/sunday-red-sox-farm-report-eduardo-rodriguez-loses-fourth-rehab-start-andrew-benintendi-walks-it-off-in-salem/

 

Moncada & Benintendi are leading the league in almost every single offensive category and if they're not leading they're a close 2nd.

 

Plus... Castillo waking up a little?

[Hugh2]

Benintendi in Salem feels like a joke at this point, a promotion has to be imminent??? I could see Moncada being more of a mid season promotion or even mid summer but Benintendi clearly has nothing to learn at the level, I'd be very surprised if he spends one more week in Salem. Edited May 15, 2016 by A Red Sox fan named Hugh

[cp176]

it would sure help Portland if some of these guys were to move up.

[Jasonbay44]

http://news.soxprospects.com/2016/05/red-sox-promote-andrew-benintendi-to.html

 

Beinintendi promoted to AA. Not surprising, he clearly proved he was ready to move up.

[moonslav59]

I'd move Moncada up to AA very soon.

[cp176]

He could be on his way soon. Dubon as well possibly.

[Hugh2]

I'd move Moncada up to AA very soon.

 

I think Moncada will be promoted this year but I see less of a rush with him. Probably some time in early July to August for him. He's a full year younger than Benintendi, is currently blocked and still has things to work on. His swing from the left side of the plate is more advanced than his swing from the right side and I would say his K rate is still high but it's been coming down lately (at about 22% now). It wouldn't be unreasonable to promote even now however IMHO but I don't think there is as much a rush and I don't think the Sox will rush him either.

[cp176]

I think Moncada will be promoted this year but I see less of a rush with him. Probably some time in early July to August for him. He's a full year younger than Benintendi, is currently blocked and still has things to work on. His swing from the left side of the plate is more advanced than his swing from the right side and I would say his K rate is still high but it's been coming down lately (at about 22% now). It wouldn't be unreasonable to promote even now however IMHO but I don't think there is as much a rush and I don't think the Sox will rush him either.

 

I agree that there is no need to rush these young guys along but there is always the fine line as to what level is best for them to be playing at. You reach a point where you really aren't doing their potential progress any good if they aren't challenged at the appropriate level. The success might make everybody feel good but it doesn't amount to anything. If Moncada and Dubon continue to perform the way they have been, I think that they get moved fairly soon.

[cp176]

Hernandez, Travis, and Swihart with big days yesterday. Travis with two homers. Good to see Swihart starting to hit.

[Hugh2]

I agree that there is no need to rush these young guys along but there is always the fine line as to what level is best for them to be playing at. You reach a point where you really aren't doing their potential progress any good if they aren't challenged at the appropriate level. The success might make everybody feel good but it doesn't amount to anything. If Moncada and Dubon continue to perform the way they have been, I think that they get moved fairly soon.

 

I agree, there is a certain point where a guy has nothing to learn and keeping him at the level is a waste. However I do think it can be hard to determine exactly when a guy has crossed that line by scouting a box score because there are so many other things to consider but it was hard to see why it wasn't Benintendis time. I think Moncada goes in a month or two, and Dubon I can see getting a month in Portland at the end of the year if he keeps it up too. I wish he could put on some muscle and develop a little power. Power isn't everything and sometimes over rated but you don't have to hit home runs even just a little gap power and doubles power can go a long way.

[Hugh2]

Joshua Ockimey is a guy I've had my eye on and he was my sleeper candidate over the winter as well. The K rate would normally concern me but 23% isn't really all that concerning when it's matched with a high average, power, and a walk rate that is almost comparable 20%. Still given his age and the fact that this is his first taste of success I could see the Sox keeping him in Greenville all year but I don't think they will. He's probably a guy that could move up at the end of the year. Perhaps sooner, I could see him getting promoted to Salem when Longhi goes up to Portland if he keeps raking as well.

[cp176]

I like Ockimey as well. It is fun to watch these guys develop. In the case of these 3 prospects, common sense combined with posted results tells us quite a bit. We saw them in the spring and unless something dramatic has happened since everything seems to be pointing in the same direction. They just don't seem like borderline prospects for the next move up.

[Emp9]

Well shhhit its about time. I missed this yesterday somehow. Between watching the Sox, managing my Fantasy team, that Tor/Tex brawl, and of course GOTs... oh and finding my winter hat because of the North East temp drop. I do find it interesting by comparison only, that Mookie a HS bat getting cups of MLB coffee at the age of 21, and here we have Benny a College bat at the age of 21 just getting promoted to AA. Do we see Benintendi in Sept? Is it really delusional on my part to even ponder that? I'll accept a yes or a no. AA should get us closer to that answer anyhow. Either way, exciting times are upon my friends!

[cp176]

glad to see hernandez moving back up. i've followed this kid for two years and he ain't bad. think he has potential that no one has seen yet. i don't think that he is destined to be just a utility guy either. Maybe for somebody else but i think he will surprise when he gets a real shot.