2016 Prospects Thread

[Hugh2]

I'm surprised Brentz is still on the 40-man roster.

 

Me too, something tells me that won't last for too much longer. Brentz strikes me as the type of guy who inevitably gets released, maybe MAYBE he's a throw in in a trade in the sense that a team just needs another body and perhaps they think they can fix his swing.

 

But if we were taking bets, I'd wager he's not on the 40 man by the end of the year.

[moonslav59]

Me too, something tells me that won't last for too much longer. Brentz strikes me as the type of guy who inevitably gets released, maybe MAYBE he's a throw in in a trade in the sense that a team just needs another body and perhaps they think they can fix his swing.

 

But if we were taking bets, I'd wager he's not on the 40 man by the end of the year.

 

As much as I've dissed Brentz over the years, I could see him going to another team and having a few stretches of goodness.

[mvp 78]

While I agree, our system has not been even decent at producing top quality pitchers- even the ones rated highly by national services. There's a part of me that has begun to just not listen to any hype about our pitching prospects, I realize we haven't had a prospect ranked as highly as Espinoza in quite some time, but he's so damn young and far from a MLB mound. I'm not saying I want to trade him, but I do wonder...

 

Here's a list of our highest ranked pitching prospects on soxprospects.com:

 

2016: 3 Espinoza

2015: 1 ERod (not from our system), 3 Owens, 5 Johnson

2014: 2 Owens, 4 Webster (not from our system), 5 Ranaudo

2013: 3 Barnes, 4 Owens, 5 de la Rosa

2012: 2 Barnes, 2 Ranaudo

2011: 2 Ranaudo, 3 Doubront, 5 Pimental

2009: 1 Kelly, 2 Bowden, 5 Tazawa

2008: 1 Masterson, 2 Bowden, 5 Kelly

 

Then, there's recent higher draft picks Kopech 33, T Ball 7, Stanki 45, Johnson 31, Light 37, Barnes 19, Owens 36, Ranaudo 39, Kelly 30, Price 45, Hagadone 55, Bard 28, K Johnson 39, C Clay 43, C Hansen 26, Buchholz 42, Bowden 47 and Abe Alvarez.

 

I'm not trying to put Espinoza down. I think he's a gem, but part of me is saying "yeah right".

 

 

I somewhat agree. However, none of the prospects you mentioned were as highly regarded as Espinoza.

 

Casey Kelly was overhyped, but wasn't he drafted as a SS and converted? Craig Hansen was rushed as a late inning reliever, which is not what Espinoza's ceiling is.

[cp176]

As much as I've dissed Brentz over the years, I could see him going to another team and having a few stretches of goodness.

 

An awful lot of ifs with him but if he stays healthy and continues to produce as he has been, there will be a lot of teams licking their chops for a chance to get at him if the Sox release him. I think that he gets a chance either through a trade or with a call up.

[moonslav59]

I somewhat agree. However, none of the prospects you mentioned were as highly regarded as Espinoza.

 

Casey Kelly was overhyped, but wasn't he drafted as a SS and converted? Craig Hansen was rushed as a late inning reliever, which is not what Espinoza's ceiling is.

 

I certainly have a better feeling about Espinoza than anyone else on the list above, but I do believe Kelly reached the top 25 in baseball America. The Padres obviously liked him a lot, so maybe hindsight is being applied here.

 

Barnes and TBall ere drafted in the top 20.

 

I think it might be unfair to compare Espinoza to these guys as our scouts have changed over the years, and he was an international signing not a draft pick.

 

I really think he's going to be a very good to great starter someday. He's just so damn far away from MLB.

[moonslav59]

An awful lot of ifs with him but if he stays healthy and continues to produce as he has been, there will be a lot of teams licking their chops for a chance to get at him if the Sox release him. I think that he gets a chance either through a trade or with a call up.

 

I'm pretty sue multiple teams would have interest in acquiring Brentz when he is DFA'd, but I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying they'd be "licking their chops". If that were the case, they'd probably be calling and asking about a trade.

[cp176]

I'm pretty sue multiple teams would have interest in acquiring Brentz when he is DFA'd, but I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying they'd be "licking their chops". If that were the case, they'd probably be calling and asking about a trade.

 

They may be. Note the word if in my statement. If he continues to hit at or right around .300, they would be licking their chops. I'm not suggesting that I think he is going to win the minor league player of the year award but if they decide to move another outfielder up and in he deserves a chance more than most based on his performance.

[mvp 78]

He's a 27 year old with a .780 OPS in AAA. Brentz is only 1 year older than Ryan Kalish who was hitting .980 in AAA. Kalish was DFA'd in May and passed through waivers without a fuss. I'm not sure anyone cares about Brentz at this point.

[cp176]

He's a 27 year old with a .780 OPS in AAA. Brentz is only 1 year older than Ryan Kalish who was hitting .980 in AAA. Kalish was DFA'd in May and passed through waivers without a fuss. I'm not sure anyone cares about Brentz at this point.

 

You may be right for sure. What I would say is that he is the pick of the current litter if you aren't going to go really young as in Benintendi. Castillo out there is ultimately a waste of time. Don't care how much $ they owe him. Brentz has earned a shot if you are going fishing for a left fielder inside the program. I don't like Brentz anymore than anyone else does but he deserves a shot if you are going on a fishing expedition.

[mvp 78]

If they liked him, we would've seen him by now.

[moonslav59]

We have enough guys in the OF already, and when Holt returns, I can't see Brentz ever getting a look, even if he was hitting .375 at AAA.

[cp176]

I spoke up long and hard for both Hernandez and Shaw last year and I will probably continue to advocate for giving players who have earned the right to be out there to get their chance. I'm pretty much a results oriented kind of person. Could care less about what people's projections are for future players. It always makes for entertaining reading but usually I'm for the guys who are getting the job done and not so much for the guys that have been over paid to begin with before they have done anything. Once again, I'm not a big Bryce Brentz fan. I'm for anyone who is getting the job done not so much for those people someone hopes might get the job done.

[cp176]

If they liked him, we would've seen him by now.

 

 

I tend to agree with you here. I think that Castillo is also lucky to get a whiff of playing time. I don't think that they really like him much at all either. Left field is not an area of deep concern for sure, but the revolving door out there should send the message that ultimately they are not totally satisfied with anybody that has been out there just yet.

[Bellhorn04]

I tend to agree with you here. I think that Castillo is also lucky to get a whiff of playing time. I don't think that they really like him much at all either. Left field is not an area of deep concern for sure, but the revolving door out there should send the message that ultimately they are not totally satisfied with anybody that has been out there just yet.

 

I think they were quite happy with the Swihart-Young tandem until Swihart's unfortunate injury.

[moonslav59]

I spoke up long and hard for both Hernandez and Shaw last year and I will probably continue to advocate for giving players who have earned the right to be out there to get their chance. I'm pretty much a results oriented kind of person. Could care less about what people's projections are for future players. It always makes for entertaining reading but usually I'm for the guys who are getting the job done and not so much for the guys that have been over paid to begin with before they have done anything. Once again, I'm not a big Bryce Brentz fan. I'm for anyone who is getting the job done not so much for those people someone hopes might get the job done.

 

Well, the weird thing is Shaw wasn't "getting the job done" before he got called up last year. He was actually doing kinds badly the first half of 2015, and his numbers at AA and AAA were not that impressive, especially for a 1B/3Bman.

[moonslav59]

I tend to agree with you here. I think that Castillo is also lucky to get a whiff of playing time. I don't think that they really like him much at all either. Left field is not an area of deep concern for sure, but the revolving door out there should send the message that ultimately they are not totally satisfied with anybody that has been out there just yet.

 

I'm pretty happy with Young and his .915 OPS in LF. Although he is more of a platoon player, I think once Swihart gets back, we'll be more than fine in left.

 

(Note: Young has actually faced more RHPs than LHPs this year and still is over .900!)

[Hugh2]

I'm pretty happy with Young and his .915 OPS in LF. Although he is more of a platoon player, I think once Swihart gets back, we'll be more than fine in left.

 

(Note: Young has actually faced more RHPs than LHPs this year and still is over .900!)

 

Well that's because he is batting a respectable .725 vs RHP and absolutely destroying LHP.

[moonslav59]

Well that's because he is batting a respectable .725 vs RHP and absolutely destroying LHP.

 

Yes, and .725 is respectable on it's own, but when Swihart returns, we can probably do better than that.

[cp176]

I think they were quite happy with the Swihart-Young tandem until Swihart's unfortunate injury.

 

Do you think so reallY?

[moonslav59]

I do. That's why they paid so much for Young.

We also have Holt returning at some point.

[Spudboy]

Holt, while having resumed on-field activities, is still a mess.

 

Three days ago Farrell offered that he is not sure about Holt's ability to make in-game decisions and that he is still somewhat dizzy.

 

Holt won't be back anytime soon. Probably not within three more weeks. He could remain damaged for longer. Just my opinion.

 

As far as I know, you can't get "treatment" in the clubhouse for a bruised brain.

 

Who knows about Swihart. His hard boot was removed but he is still in a walking cast. Or whatever!

 

Blake is another candidate for a lost season. I hope not.

[Jack Flap]

Blake is another candidate for a lost season.

Those are really piling up, aren't they?

[cp176]

I do. That's why they paid so much for Young.

We also have Holt returning at some point.

 

I don't think that anyone (very few people at least) truly believes that going forward Young is our guy in left field. Holt could still be an excellent utility infielder for us. Who really knows what to make of Swihart at this time. Left field still looks like a pin the tail on the donkey for us to me. Before it is over, it would not surprise me if a trade is made to firm up that situation along with the eventual moves to improve our pitching staff. We all realize that pitching is and should be a priority but if that young cost controlled future ace isn't up for grabs I doubt that DD sits still. if a left field upgrade is out there and the price doesn't include too many of our best youngsters, I wouldn't be surprised at all if a deal gets done.

[moonslav59]

I don't think that anyone (very few people at least) truly believes that going forward Young is our guy in left field. Holt could still be an excellent utility infielder for us. Who really knows what to make of Swihart at this time. Left field still looks like a pin the tail on the donkey for us to me. Before it is over, it would not surprise me if a trade is made to firm up that situation along with the eventual moves to improve our pitching staff. We all realize that pitching is and should be a priority but if that young cost controlled future ace isn't up for grabs I doubt that DD sits still. if a left field upgrade is out there and the price doesn't include too many of our best youngsters, I wouldn't be surprised at all if a deal gets done.

 

I realize Young has a poor history vs RHPs, but the guys in the midst of putting together 2 straight pretty good seasons. I know he hasn't hit 20 HRs since 2011, but he did hit 20+ 4 times in his career.

 

Out of 100 OF'ers with 450+ PAs since 2015, Young's .808 OPS places him 29th.

 

I'm not saying he's great or will continue over .800 the rest of 2016, but I feel pretty good with him in LF vs RHPs and very very good with him out there vs LHPs.

[cp176]

I realize Young has a poor history vs RHPs, but the guys in the midst of putting together 2 straight pretty good seasons. I know he hasn't hit 20 HRs since 2011, but he did hit 20+ 4 times in his career.

 

Out of 100 OF'ers with 450+ PAs since 2015, Young's .808 OPS places him 29th.

 

I'm not saying he's great or will continue over .800 the rest of 2016, but I feel pretty good with him in LF vs RHPs and very very good with him out there vs LHPs.

 

I hope that you are right. One key will be if he stays healthy and on the field.

[cp176]

Heading down to the big city this weekend. Have to see Moncada and Benintendi. Glad to see that they both will get a good touch of Maine at least for a little while.

[Spudboy]

Heading down to the big city this weekend. Have to see Moncada and Benintendi. Glad to see that they both will get a good touch of Maine at least for a little while.

 

Have fun!

[cp176]

Have fun!

 

ty Spud - I've seen some really great ones go through Portland over the years. These two could some day be right up there with the best of them.

[a700hitter]

ty Spud - I've seen some really great ones go through Portland over the years. These two could some day be right up there with the best of them.

I look forward to your observations. Have fun.

[cp176]

I look forward to your observations. Have fun.

 

Yikes - Wasn't prepared for what I saw in Portland. There really isn't a whole lot there. I was surprised to see Dubon at short. I haven't been paying attention. I think that he will be a nice player but he has a lot of growing to do. He looks years away from the the big time. Benintendi is obviously gifted - very smooth with great range in the field. He is very fluid at the plate and is a contact hitter. Personally I wish that he looked just a little more enthusiastic to be here. I also did not realize how small he is. He looks more like a marathoner than a big time major league prospect.

Moncada sadly did not play but physically he definitely stands out. His body looks major league ready right now.

 

My first impression tells me that out of this group, you have to try to keep Moncada. Wish I had seen him play but he has a powerful body at a young age. he has done some serious work already.