2021 Prospects

[moonslav59]

The farm has taken a back burner, of course, but here's an update on some good things going on with WOO.

 

Today

Gossett 8.1 IP 1H 0ER 1BB 7K

Cordero 3-5 w 4 RBI and an HR

Arauz 2-2 w 2B, BB

 

Yesterday

Winckowski 6IP 2H 1ER 3BB 7K

Valdez 0.2 IP 0H 1 ER 4BB 1K

Cordero 1-3 w 2B and 3 RBI

Ockimey 1-3, 2B, BB

Duran 1-4 w BB

[Bellhorn04]

How's Winckowski looking?

[moonslav59]

How's Winckowski looking?

 

His numbers look pretty good, but I've never seen him in person. He's Rule 5 eligible, so we may have to protect or lose him.

 

soxprospects.com has this...

 

Physical Description: Tall, sturdy frame. Minimal remaining projection. Looks the part. Solid athlete.

 

Mechanics: Throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot. Varies mound position and arm slot depending on the handedness of the hitter. Starts on the first base side against right-handed hitters and third base side against left-handed hitters. Does not use a wind-up. Medium leg kick. Repeats delivery well. Short, stiff arm action with a stab in the back. Solid-average arm speed. Hides the ball.

 

Fastball: 92-94 mph. Tops out at 97 mph. Will work 94-96 mph in short bursts, but sits 92-94 for the majority of starts. Good control, but fastball command is fringe-average at present. Command should get to at least average at peak. Pitch lacks movement and does not miss as many bats as you would expect given its velocity. Will also show a sinker. Looks to keep the ball down and generate weak contact early in counts. Potential solid-average offering with refined command.

 

Slider: 84-86 mph. Pitch will show hard, late break at its best. Advanced feel and confidence. Will throw in any count to hitters from both sides of the plate. Will vary shape, some are more vertical with longer break and some more horizontal with tilt. Has shown bat-missing ability in the minor leagues. Potential above-average offering.

 

Changeup: 88-91 mph. On the firm side and lacks separation from his fastball. On occasion, will show fade and late drop. Flashes average potential.

 

Split-Finger Fastball: Reportedly started throwing at the 2020 Fall Instructional League, but hard to separate from changeup at times. Career Notes: Grew up in the Ft. Myers area. Acquired by the Red Sox from the Mets as a part of the three-team Andrew Benintendi trade in February 2021. Mets acquired him from the Blue Jays in January 2021 as part of a trade for Steven Matz. Signed away from a commitment to Florida Southwestern State. Spent three seasons in short-season and another in Low-A, while still being relatively young for his level, as he climbed the ladder. Missed time in 2019 with a finger injury that lingered and impacted his stuff throughout the year. Was left unprotected and went unselected in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft.

 

Summation: Potential spot starter and bulk relief type. Ceiling of a back-end starting pitcher. Could be very effective in a bulk role where his lack of strikeout potential with his fastball would not be as much of an issue. Has the velocity you look for, but still learning how to pitch and harness his stuff to miss bats. Slider shows the most potential of his secondary pitches and could develop into a bat-missing pitch at the major league level. Needs to refine his arsenal, find consistency with secondary pitches and improve his fastball command to have a chance to remain in the starting rotation.

[moonslav59]

Sox get the 24th pick, next draft. (The Mets get the 11th pick for not signing Rocker.)

 

We may get a comp pick after the first round, if we offer ERod a QO and he refuses it.

[moonslav59]

Woo wins 10-1.

 

Seabold 5 IP 4H 1ER 2BB 0K

Duran 3-5

Casas 2-6, 2B

Ja. Lopez 3-3

[mvp 78]

No mention of Daniel Gossett's start over the weekend?

 

Player of the Day: When a pitcher carries a no-hitter through eight innings, they're an easy choice for player of the day. Daniel Gossett retired the first 10 hitters he faced, then after a walk, set down 14 consecutive IronPigs before he was done in by a single to lead off the final inning. It was a tremendous outing for the 28-year-old, as it was the first time he pitched even into the eighth inning this season. The Clemson product missed 2019 and had a solid return to baseball in 2021, pitching to a 4.22 ERA across 98 innings.

 

I know he's really in the post-prospect stage of his career, but near no hitters should always get a mention. He missed 2 seasons due to injury and COVID. Maybe he gets another shot on the taxi squad?

[mvp 78]

@IanCundall

The Red Sox AFL contingent has been announced: 1B Triston Casas, SS Jeter Downs, RHP Connor Seabold, RHP Josh Winckowski and C Connor Wong, C Kole Cottam, LHP Brendan Cellucci and RHP AJ Politi.

 

Wow, those are some interesting players right there.

[mvp 78]

2021 SoxProspects All Stars:

C Cottam

1b Casas

2b Yorke

SS Fitzgerald

3b Blaze

OF1 Duran

OF2 Dearden

OF3 Granberg

UTIL Scott

[mvp 78]

@SoxProspects

Triston Casas went 2-for-4 with a long home run and two RBI in his AFL debut for the Scottsdale Scorpions last night.

 

https://twitter.com/SoxProspects/status/1448634035882926085

[mvp 78]

A look at how other Sea Dogs fared:

Kole Cottam 0-for-1

Andrew Politi: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 SO, 0 BB

[mvp 78]

@SoxProspects

Jeter Downs went 2-for-4 with a home run (3) and a walk in yesterday's 11-9 Scottsdale Scorpions loss. The 23-year-old shortstop has gotten off to a hot start in the AFL slashing .357/.550/1.000 over 20 PA. He's homered in three consecutive games.

 

It was nice to hear that Jeter really wanted to go to the AFL. It's even nicer to see the results. Fingers crossed for 2022.

[moonslav59]

@SoxProspects

Jeter Downs went 2-for-4 with a home run (3) and a walk in yesterday's 11-9 Scottsdale Scorpions loss. The 23-year-old shortstop has gotten off to a hot start in the AFL slashing .357/.550/1.000 over 20 PA. He's homered in three consecutive games.

 

It was nice to hear that Jeter really wanted to go to the AFL. It's even nicer to see the results. Fingers crossed for 2022.

 

Good news!

[notin]

@SoxProspects

Jeter Downs went 2-for-4 with a home run (3) and a walk in yesterday's 11-9 Scottsdale Scorpions loss. The 23-year-old shortstop has gotten off to a hot start in the AFL slashing .357/.550/1.000 over 20 PA. He's homered in three consecutive games.

 

It was nice to hear that Jeter really wanted to go to the AFL. It's even nicer to see the results. Fingers crossed for 2022.

 

He was put in a rough situation in 2021 and did not respond well. But it does seem like he is a talented player and can and will adjust as he needs to...

[mvp 78]

https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-arizona-fall-league-overview-2021?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

[moonslav59]

Good read.

[mvp 78]

@SoxProspects

Jeter Downs went 1-for-3 with a grand slam (5) and a walk in yesterday's 7-6 Scottsdale Scorpions loss. The 23-year-old infielder is off to a hot start in the Arizona Fall League slashing .333/.517/1.048 while leading the league in home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS.

[moonslav59]

@SoxProspects

Jeter Downs went 1-for-3 with a grand slam (5) and a walk in yesterday's 7-6 Scottsdale Scorpions loss. The 23-year-old infielder is off to a hot start in the Arizona Fall League slashing .333/.517/1.048 while leading the league in home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS.

 

Raising his trade value.

[moonslav59]

soxprospects.com has shuffled some players around, but they have yet to complete there End of Year Rankings. Here is what they have, right now:

 

https://soxprospects.com/index.html

 

1. Casas

2. Mayer

3. Yorke (up from #10)

4. Duran

5. Downs (down from 2)

6. Bello (up from 24)

7. Jimenez

8. Seabold

9. Jordan (up from 17)

10. Groome (up from 13)

11. Mata

12. W Gonzalez (up from 48)

13. Murphy (up from 23)

14. Winckowski (up from 27)

15. Bleis (up from 40)

16. Wong

17. B Walter (up from NR)

18. Song (down from 12)

19. Ward (down from 9)

20. Bonaci (down from 16)

21. McDonough (NR)

22. Rafela (up from 43)

23. Paulino (NR)

24. R Hernandez (down from 14)

25. Lugo (down from 15)

26. Crawford (NR)

27. Hickey (NR)

28. Decker

29. Bazardo

30. Lira (NR)

31. V Santos (rule 5 protectee?)

 

34. Feltman

 

[mvp 78]

soxprospects.com has shuffled some players around, but they have yet to complete there End of Year Rankings. Here is what they have, right now:

 

https://soxprospects.com/index.html

 

1. Casas

2. Mayer

3. Yorke (up from #10)

4. Duran

5. Downs (down from 2)

6. Bello (up from 24)

7. Jimenez

8. Seabold

9. Jordan (up from 17)

10. Groome (up from 13)

11. Mata

12. W Gonzalez (up from 48)

13. Murphy (up from 23)

14. Winckowski (up from 27)

15. Bleis (up from 40)

16. Wong

17. B Walter (up from NR)

18. Song (down from 12)

19. Ward (down from 9)

20. Bonaci (down from 16)

 

I'm not a Brandon Walter believer. He should be 20 or below. Chris Murphy seems high to me too.

 

I'd go:

Casas

Mayer

Yorke

Duran

Downs

Bello

Jordan

Jimenez

Seabold

Groome

Gonzalez

Mata

Winckowski

Bleis

Song

Ward

Murphy

Wong

Bonaci

Walter

[moonslav59]

I'm not a Brandon Walter believer. He should be 20 or below. Chris Murphy seems high to me too.

 

I'd go:

Casas

Mayer

Yorke

Duran

Downs

Bello

Jordan

Jimenez

Seabold

Groome

Gonzalez

Mata

Winckowski

Bleis

Song

Ward

Murphy

Wong

Bonaci

Walter

 

I'd go...

 

1. Mayer

2. Casas

3. Yorke

4. Bello

5. Duran

6. Seabold

7. Downs

8. Jordan

9. Groome

10. Winckowski

11. Jimenez

12. Mata

13. Bleis

14. Song

15. Gonzalez

16. Wong

17. Murphy

18. Bazardo

19. McDonough

20. Bonaci

21. Walter

22. Ward

[notin]

I'm not a Brandon Walter believer. He should be 20 or below. Chris Murphy seems high to me too.

 

I'd go:

Casas

Mayer

Yorke

Duran

Downs

Bello

Jordan

Jimenez

Seabold

Groome

Gonzalez

Mata

Winckowski

Bleis

Song

Ward

Murphy

Wong

Bonaci

Walter

 

You're also not a Gilberto Jimenez Believer, yet you have him in the top ten...

[mvp 78]

You're also not a Gilberto Jimenez Believer, yet you have him in the top ten...

 

Anyone after Blaze comes with some questions IMO. Scouts are still high on Jimenez so I believe he has trade value. His floor is pretty scary.

[notin]

Anyone after Blaze comes with some questions IMO. Scouts are still high on Jimenez so I believe he has trade value. His floor is pretty scary.

 

Eh. His floor is career minor leaguer, just like the rest of them. Except for former Giants prospect Angel Villalona, whose floor was accused murderer...

[mvp 78]

Eh. His floor is career minor leaguer, just like the rest of them. Except for former Giants prospect Angel Villalona, whose floor was accused murderer...

 

Disagree. There is a difference between organizational player and someone who is out of baseball at 24.

[moonslav59]

Disagree. There is a difference between organizational player and someone who is out of baseball at 24.

 

So, Jimenez might be out of baseball at 24/25?

[mvp 78]

So, Jimenez might be out of baseball at 24/25?

 

Yeah, he could stick around a little longer than Antoni Flores, another recent "toolsy" guy that isn't really putting it together.

[moonslav59]

Yeah, he could stick around a little longer than Antoni Flores, another recent "toolsy" guy that isn't really putting it together.

 

We should have traded Flores when his value was high.

 

LOL.

 

[moonslav59]

Here is the complete list of Sox Rule 5 Players:

 

December 2021

 

Brayan Bello

Kutter Crawford

Jeter Downs

Durbin Feltman

Victor Santos

Josh Winckowski

 

Cole Brannen

Franchy Cordero

Kole Cottam

Tyler Dearden

Tyler Esplin

Frank German

Devlin Granberg

Kyle Hart

Gilberto Jimenez

Kaleb Ort

AJ Politi

Tyreque Reed

John Schreiber

Thaddeus Ward

 

Jose Adames

Marco Cardoso

Pedro Castellanos

Felix Cepeda

Ricardo Cubillan

Osvaldo De La Rosa

Jonathan Diaz

Ryan Fernandez

Ryan Fitzgerald

Antoni Flores

Rio Gomez

Geoff Hartlieb

Zack Kelly

Dominic LoBrutto

Bryan Lucas

Charlie Madden

Elih Marrero

Joan Martinez

Alexander Montero

Oddanier Mosqueda

Brendan Nail

Yusniel Padron-Artiles

Aaron Perry

Antonio Police

Ceddanne Rafaela

Oscar Rangel

Jesus Rosillo

Roniel Raudes

Yasel Santana

Zach Schellinger

Gregori Segovia

Chase Shugart

Caleb Simpson

Miguel Suero

Jake Thompson

Grant Williams

[mvp 78]

Here is the complete list of Sox Rule 5 Players:

 

December 2021

 

Brayan Bello KEEP

Kutter Crawford KEEP

Jeter Downs KEEP

Durbin Feltman KEEP

Victor Santos MAYBE

Josh Winckowski KEEP

 

Cole Brannen NO

Franchy Cordero NO

Kole Cottam MAYBE (currently at AFL)

Tyler Dearden NO

Tyler Esplin NO

Frank German NO

Devlin Granberg NO (had an impressive 2021)

Kyle Hart NO

Gilberto Jimenez NO (so far away that I can't imagine another team trying to stash him)

Kaleb Ort MAYBE

AJ Politi MAYBE (currently at AFL)

Tyreque Reed NO

John Schreiber NO

Thaddeus Ward MAYBE (TJS is a huge ? for him)

 

Ryan Fitzgerald NO (but is closer to a maybe than some of the others above, may turn into decent UTIL guy)

 

 

KEEP: Protect from the draft

MAYBE: Could go either way

NO: No reason to protect them this offseason

[notin]

KEEP: Protect from the draft

MAYBE: Could go either way

NO: No reason to protect them this offseason

 

I honestly see no reason to protect Ward.

 

He's out until probably at least August, if not beyond. Any team selecting him would have to keep him on the active roster until 1 year after the date when he returns to being an active pitcher again, which puts his "get to keep him" date in late 2023 at the earliest. That seems like a pretty big commitment for a guy with 8 IP above A ball. Certainly there will be other teams with more intriguing and less injured pitching prospects available for the Rule 5 Draft...