2017 Prospect Mega Thread

[mvp 78]

True. For a brief moment there last summer it looked like we might have three legitimate blue-chip pitching prospects -- Espinoza, Kopech, and Groome -- to dream on, but now we really have almost all our eggs in the Groome basket. Maybe some of the secondary guys like Lakins or the others Moon named can take a big step forward, but I'm not exactly holding my breath.

 

I don't expect anything from Raudes. If Groome doesn't make it, the next great Sox pitching prospect isn't in the organization yet.

[Fisk]

I'm hopeful at least one from Lakins, Raudes and Anderson can come through. Maybe we can add Cosart and Shawaryn to the list.

 

Cosart is purely a bullpen arm.

[Hugh2]

Outside of Groome I don't think we have one starting pitcher in this system. Perhaps a swing guy, but I see all bullpen arms.

 

Not the worse thing in the world. You can rebuild your farm system trading away top end relief pitching now-a-days

[Hugh2]

I would not be moved in opinion based on an 18 year olds first start. Groome will be fine, he has a long way to go to reaching the minors but I doubt someone with his talents comes close to flaming out in A ball

[Fisk]

Lacking has very good stuff, he is definitely a potential starter.

[Hugh2]

Lacking has very good stuff, he is definitely a potential starter.

 

Do you mean Lakins?

 

He has good stuff, and has a chance but I still think he projects better as a reliever.

[Jack Flap]

For anyone who has not completely deserted the Owens bandwagon:

 

The PawSox won behind a strong start from Henry Owens, who struck out 10 in six innings while allowing just one unearned run. The tall left-hander has been using a new delivery and now has a 0.82 ERA in two starts.

 

http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/04/cup-of-coffee-owens-boyd-lead-pawsox.html?m=1

[moonslav59]

For anyone who has not completely deserted the Owens bandwagon:

 

The PawSox won behind a strong start from Henry Owens, who struck out 10 in six innings while allowing just one unearned run. The tall left-hander has been using a new delivery and now has a 0.82 ERA in two starts.

 

http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/04/cup-of-coffee-owens-boyd-lead-pawsox.html?m=1

 

His biggest issue is BBs. Even with this nice start, he has 6 BB in 11IP.

 

Until he deals with that issue, he'll remain off my radar.

[Fisk]

Do you mean Lakins?

 

He has good stuff, and has a chance but I still think he projects better as a reliever.

 

Auto correct sucks. Yes Lakins his stuff is better this year. Two dominant starts.

[Spudboy]

His biggest issue is BBs. Even with this nice start, he has 6 BB in 11IP.

 

Until he deals with that issue, he'll remain off my radar.

 

Agree. He also ends up throwing way too many pitches early as a result. Owens has has similar success in AAA. Last year he threw up some nice lines in Pawtucket.

 

Until he can do it with a steady diet of MLB hitters I am not counting on him for anything much.

 

I do like the kid, though.

Edited April 16, 2017 by Spudboy

[moonslav59]

Agree. He also ends up throwing way to many pitches early as a result. Owens has has similar success in AAA. Last year he threw up some nice lines in Pawtucket.

 

Until he can do it with a steady diet of MLB hitters I am not counting on him for anything much.

 

I do like the kid, though.

 

For a while I had Owens ranked higher on my list than soxprospects.com. I really liked him early on.

 

I've just about given up on him now, but it's nice to see him doing better.

[Kimmi]

Owens is only 24. As frustrating as he's been, it's too soon to give up on him.

[moonslav59]

Owens is only 24. As frustrating as he's been, it's too soon to give up on him.

 

I know he's there, but he's off my radar right now.

[rkarp1]

usually tall LHP take some time to find themselves. too many examples to name. 24 years old and healthy, no way have I given up on Owens, nor Johnson/Ball (similarly tall)

[Bellhorn04]

usually tall LHP take some time to find themselves. too many examples to name. 24 years old and healthy, no way have I given up on Owens, nor Johnson/Ball (similarly tall)

 

Here's hoping you're right, rkarp.

[moonslav59]

usually tall LHP take some time to find themselves. too many examples to name. 24 years old and healthy, no way have I given up on Owens, nor Johnson/Ball (similarly tall)

 

I haven't "given up", but they are both off my radar right now- Owens more so than Johnson.

[Fisk]

I haven't "given up", but they are both off my radar right now- Owens more so than Johnson.

 

Johnson pitching tomorrow. Put him back on the radar.

[moonslav59]

Johnson pitching tomorrow. Put him back on the radar.

 

Johnson's issue was in his head last year. He's still shown good stuff over the last couple years.

 

I guess I'm seeing a blip on my radar with Johnson approaching the airport.

[Hugh2]

Johnson's issue was in his head last year. He's still shown good stuff over the last couple years.

 

I guess I'm seeing a blip on my radar with Johnson approaching the airport.

 

I still think Johnson can be a BOTRS or a swingman. If he is ready to succeed in that role he could be very valuable to this team this year.

[Hugh2]

usually tall LHP take some time to find themselves. too many examples to name. 24 years old and healthy, no way have I given up on Owens, nor Johnson/Ball (similarly tall)

 

I was listening to the Soxprospects podcast yesterday and they were talking about Balls starts. I was a little encouraged at the stat line of his last start but the scouting on him was the same old stuff. No uptick in his stuff, no added velocity. They mentioned that if you look at Ball and envision him as a young 17 18 year old it would be easy to be high on him. A tall LHP with a projectable frame who could be dangerous if he's added velocity. The problem is his projectable body isn't filling out, he's not adding any velocity and he just isn't really developing.

 

Best case scenario I see a #4 starter for Ball if he puts it all together, and while that may be dissapointing for a #7 pick when you consider 1/2 the top ten guys don't even make it that's not half bad.

[mvp 78]

usually tall LHP take some time to find themselves. too many examples to name. 24 years old and healthy, no way have I given up on Owens, nor Johnson/Ball (similarly tall)

 

I wouldn't give up on him per se, but guys like Randy Johnson and James Paxton had stuff that could fool MLB guys. All Owens has is an offspeed pitch that is decent, but is paired with a very poor fastball that won't fool many major league hitters. That doesn't really translate for long term success.

[mvp 78]

I was listening to the Soxprospects podcast yesterday and they were talking about Balls starts. I was a little encouraged at the stat line of his last start but the scouting on him was the same old stuff. No uptick in his stuff, no added velocity. They mentioned that if you look at Ball and envision him as a young 17 18 year old it would be easy to be high on him. A tall LHP with a projectable frame who could be dangerous if he's added velocity. The problem is his projectable body isn't filling out, he's not adding any velocity and he just isn't really developing.

 

Best case scenario I see a #4 starter for Ball if he puts it all together, and while that may be dissapointing for a #7 pick when you consider 1/2 the top ten guys don't even make it that's not half bad.

 

I think he fails to develop at all this year and they try to make him an everyday player in the offseason.

[Hugh2]

I think he fails to develop at all this year and they try to make him an everyday player in the offseason.

 

I disagree. Ball was considered a much lesser talent as a hitter than he was as a pitcher. The success rate of high school position players who project as 2nd round or lower pick, is very bad.

 

Even if all Ball is, is nothing more than a #5 swing man starter type, that is still tremendously more valuable than a guy who never makes it to the majors.

 

Also, he's lost a ton of developmental time with the bat, and that really matters a lot to these young players. It's also much easier to switch from hitting to pitching than it is from pitching to hitting. For these reasons when organizations bring in two way players they often have them hit first because if they fail there it's easier to move them to the mound than the other way around. A perfect example of this is Bobby Dalbec.

 

I think we have to shake off the 1st round pick shine from this kid and take him for what he is. If he has a chance to be a MLBer as pitcher, even as a 6th or 7th inning reliever then we keep him there.

[mvp 78]

I disagree. Ball was considered a much lesser talent as a hitter than he was as a pitcher. The success rate of high school position players who project as 2nd round or lower pick, is very bad.

 

Even if all Ball is, is nothing more than a #5 swing man starter type, that is still tremendously more valuable than a guy who never makes it to the majors.

 

Also, he's lost a ton of developmental time with the bat, and that really matters a lot to these young players. It's also much easier to switch from hitting to pitching than it is from pitching to hitting. For these reasons when organizations bring in two way players they often have them hit first because if they fail there it's easier to move them to the mound than the other way around. A perfect example of this is Bobby Dalbec.

 

I think we have to shake off the 1st round pick shine from this kid and take him for what he is. If he has a chance to be a MLBer as pitcher, even as a 6th or 7th inning reliever then we keep him there.

 

I'm just not sure his ceiling is even as a 6th inning guy.

[Hugh2]

Perhaps not, but so do must prospects. We've known Ball has been a bust for years. It happens, even to the best drafting teams and those who constantly pick on the top ten. I still think he has a much greater chance of adding MLB value on the mound. That might not be saying much, but we need to forget the first round shine.

[moonslav59]

Sox middle IF outlook....

 

http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/04/system-restart-17-middle-infield.html

[Fisk]

Good day in the minors yesterday. 3 homeruns in Salem for Chavis, to put that in perspective Devers was the team leader in homeruns in that ballpark last year he hit 3. Workman faced 6 batters and struck out 5 of them.

[moonslav59]

Beni graduates from prospect status today.

 

Read about our other OF prospects....

 

http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/04/system-restart-17-outfield.html

[mvp 78]

Beni graduates from prospect status today.

 

Read about our other OF prospects....

 

http://news.soxprospects.com/2017/04/system-restart-17-outfield.html

 

Granger Studdard

 

Now that's a baseball name!

[Hugh2]

Good day in the minors yesterday. 3 homeruns in Salem for Chavis, to put that in perspective Devers was the team leader in homeruns in that ballpark last year he hit 3. Workman faced 6 batters and struck out 5 of them.

 

Aaron McFarling‏ @aaronmcfarling 1h1 hour ago

Red Sox prospect Michael Chavis 2 dongs tonight -- exit velocities of 114 mph and 115 mph. Stanton territory. Hit dong last nite too.

 

 

 

It's worth noting Chavis allegedly played hurt all year last year. I'm not saying he's a guy again....but he's someone intriguing