2023 Prospects

[moonslav59]

On Farm Building: what grades would you give Bloom in the following areas?

 

1. 2020 Draft (shortened): 17. Yorke, 89. Jordan, 118. Wu-Yelland, 148 Drohan

 

2. 2021 Draft: 4. Mayer, 40. Fabian (DNS), 75. McDonough, 105. ERC, 136. Hickey, 166. McElveny (Kavadas, Uberstine, Guerrero, Webb)

 

3. 2022 Draft: 24. Romero, 41. Coffey, 79. Anthony (Meidroth, Brannon)

 

4. Rule 5/MiLFA: Added Whitlock, Kelly, Ort, T Reed and maybe lost TWard, Politi & Song

 

5. IFA: Bleis, Paez, de Leon, Encarnacion, Ravelo, Mejias, J Garcia, Lira, Chacon, Liu

 

6. Trades: JWinckowski, CWong, EValdez, WAbreu, FGerman, DHamilton, RHernandez, CKoss, ABinelas, MFerguson, CRosier, L de la Rosa + others

 

I'd go with...

 

1. C (Yorke need to rebound.)

2. A (I know Mayer was a no-brainer, but 3 GMs passed on him.)

3. B (Hard to grade. The draft looks deep.)

4. A+ (Whitlock may end up in the top 5 best Rule 5 picks in MLB history.)

5. B (Super high on Bleis.)

6. C- (Most trades involved giving up marginal players or taking back a vet with the prospects.)

 

Overall: B, but almost all on speculation.

Edited January 4, 2023 by moonslav59

[mvp 78]

On Farm Building: what grades would you give Bloom in the following areas?

 

1. 2020 Draft (shortened): 17. Yorke, 89. Jordan, 118. Wu-Yelland, 148 Drohan

 

2. 2021 Draft: 4. Mayer, 40. Fabian (DNS), 75. McDonough, 105. ERC, 136. Hickey, 166. McElveny (Kavadas, Uberstine, Guerrero, Webb)

 

3. 2022 Draft: 24. Romero, 41. Coffey, 79. Anthony (Meidroth, Brannon)

 

4. Rule 5/MiLFA: Added Whitlock, Kelly, Ort, T Reed and maybe lost TWard, Politi & Song

 

5. IFA: Bleis, Paez, de Leon, Encarnacion, Ravelo, Mejias, J Garcia, Lira, Chacon, Liu

 

6. Trades: JWinckowski, CWong, EValdez, WAbreu, FGerman, DHamilton, RHernandez, CKoss, ABinelas, MFerguson, CRosier, L de la Rosa + others

 

 

1. 2020 Draft: B, could have drafted Pete Crow-Armstrong in the 1st round.

2. 2021 Draft: A-, Mayer is a franchise player, ERC, Hickey and Kavadas are intriguing.

3. 2022 Draft: B+, Romero, Anthony, Meidroth, Brannon all performed well in the fall, but too early to tell. Could wind up being his best draft though.

4. Rule 5: B-, Whitlock was a great get, but developed mostly in Sox system with Andriese and the loss of TWard is undetermined, but odd because he at least had some trade value since he was taken first overall.

5. IFA: B+, Bleis could be a franchise player, but it's really too early to tell as these guys are really young. Hardest group to judge.

6. Trades: D+, amassed a lot of talent, but nobody has broken through the ceiling yet. Had a lot of tradeable assets.

[moonslav59]

1. 2020 Draft: B, could have drafted Pete Crow-Armstrong in the 1st round.

2. 2021 Draft: A-, Mayer is a franchise player, ERC, Hickey and Kavadas are intriguing.

3. 2022 Draft: B+, Romero, Anthony, Meidroth, Brannon all performed well in the fall, but too early to tell. Could wind up being his best draft though.

4. Rule 5: B-, Whitlock was a great get, but developed mostly in Sox system with Andriese and the loss of TWard is undetermined, but odd because he at least had some trade value since he was taken first overall.

5. IFA: B+, Bleis could be a franchise player, but it's really too early to tell as these guys are really young. Hardest group to judge.

6. Trades: D+, amassed a lot of talent, but nobody has broken through the ceiling yet. Had a lot of tradeable assets.

 

While I do think not protecting TWard was a mistake, getting Whitlock was one of the best Rule 5 picks in history.

[moonslav59]

When is the last time the Sox farm had so many players who are ML Ready or recent grads?

 

Recent Grads:

Duran 7/22

Crawford 8/22

Winck 9/22

Bello 10/22

Wong 12/22

Ort 12/22

 

MLB Experience Already

3. Casas

22. Seabold

23. German

25. Kelly

 

MLB Ready in 2023

4. Rafaela

6. Mata

8. Walter

13. Murphy

17. E Valdez

26. R Hern

 

I count 16.

[Bellhorn04]

When is the last time the Sox farm had so many players who are ML Ready or recent grads?

 

Recent Grads:

Duran 7/22

Crawford 8/22

Winck 9/22

Bello 10/22

Wong 12/22

Ort 12/22

 

MLB Experience Already

3. Casas

22. Seabold

23. German

25. Kelly

 

MLB Ready in 2023

4. Rafaela

6. Mata

8. Walter

13. Murphy

17. E Valdez

26. R Hern

 

I count 16.

 

How do we categorize ones who have ML experience but really bad numbers, like Duran, Seabold, Ort etc.?

[mvp 78]

How do we categorize ones who have ML experience but really bad numbers, like Duran, Seabold, Ort etc.?

 

AAAA or "org guys." Those 3 probably don't deserve a 40 man spot on a legitimate roster.

[moonslav59]

How do we categorize ones who have ML experience but really bad numbers, like Duran, Seabold, Ort etc.?

 

"Hopefuls"

[Bellhorn04]

"Hopefuls"

 

Now I have to choose between yours and mvp's.

[moonslav59]

Now I have to choose between yours and mvp's.

 

Even if you take the 3 away, there is still 13, which is a third of the 40 man roster and half of the 26.

 

Can anyone remember a time when this number was so high?

 

Also, props to DD for 7 of those 13 being his additions. (8 of the full 16)

[mvp 78]

Missed this news over the weekend.

 

@SPChrisHatfield

Sad news: Per the MiLB transactions, Big Joe Davis has retired.

 

Big Joe was a fan favorite everywhere he played. He was big in size and personality. He hit the ball damn hard. Best of luck to Joe in whatever is next.

[mvp 78]

Listed on MLB Pipeline's 30 prospects that will breakout in 23:

 

Red Sox: Miguel Bleis, OF (No. 5)

Boston's best international prospect since Rafael Devers, Bleis signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2021. A center fielder with the potential for solid or better tools across the board, he's ready for a big full-season debut after batting .301/.353/.542 with 23 extra-base hits and 18 steals in 40 games in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.

[moonslav59]

Listed on MLB Pipeline's 30 prospects that will breakout in 23:

 

Red Sox: Miguel Bleis, OF (No. 5)

Boston's best international prospect since Rafael Devers, Bleis signed for $1.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2021. A center fielder with the potential for solid or better tools across the board, he's ready for a big full-season debut after batting .301/.353/.542 with 23 extra-base hits and 18 steals in 40 games in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.

 

I'm shocked to read this!

[Larry Cook]

On Farm Building: what grades would you give Bloom in the following areas?

 

1. 2020 Draft (shortened): 17. Yorke, 89. Jordan, 118. Wu-Yelland, 148 Drohan

 

2. 2021 Draft: 4. Mayer, 40. Fabian (DNS), 75. McDonough, 105. ERC, 136. Hickey, 166. McElveny (Kavadas, Uberstine, Guerrero, Webb)

 

3. 2022 Draft: 24. Romero, 41. Coffey, 79. Anthony (Meidroth, Brannon)

 

4. Rule 5/MiLFA: Added Whitlock, Kelly, Ort, T Reed and maybe lost TWard, Politi & Song

 

5. IFA: Bleis, Paez, de Leon, Encarnacion, Ravelo, Mejias, J Garcia, Lira, Chacon, Liu

 

6. Trades: JWinckowski, CWong, EValdez, WAbreu, FGerman, DHamilton, RHernandez, CKoss, ABinelas, MFerguson, CRosier, L de la Rosa + others

 

 

1.) I give a C grade. I am still baffled why we did not know that Jordan can not hit 94 plus mph fastballs.

2.) I give an A grade. Mayer looks to be a franchise player,

3.) I give a B grade. I think Brannon’s bat could develop into something.

4.) I give an A grade. Whitlock was a wow type move,

5.) I give an A grade. Blies looks like a franchise type player.

6.) I give a C grade. Garbage in -garbage out,

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Interesting prospect list by one website, dated 1/5/23. After Mayer-Casas-Rafaela, they have #4 Niko Kavadas, #5 Yorke, #6 Matthew Lugo, and #7 Bleis.

 

It's a fantasy site, so Niko's .437 OBP is big... also, noted is Lugo's rise after shifting full-time to third base (he's 21, so there's still time to move him to another position, unless he can wait until he's 32 and Raffy's gone).

 

https://www.pitcherlist.com/boston-red-sox-top-fantasy-baseball-prospects-2023/

[notin]

Interesting prospect list by one website, dated 1/5/23. After Mayer-Casas-Rafaela, they have #4 Niko Kavadas, #5 Yorke, #6 Matthew Lugo, and #7 Bleis.

 

It's a fantasy site, so Niko's .437 OBP is big... also, noted is Lugo's rise after shifting full-time to third base (he's 21, so there's still time to move him to another position, unless he can wait until he's 32 and Raffy's gone).

 

https://www.pitcherlist.com/boston-red-sox-top-fantasy-baseball-prospects-2023/

 

 

Think Devers plays third for the next decade?

 

He’ll be in a new position by 2025…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Think Devers plays third for the next decade?

 

He’ll be in a new position by 2025…

 

Only two more years at third? After all his progress last season? DH at age 28? We'd better pray not, but he won't be replacing lockdown discount candidate Casas, who's already as good as any Sox first baseman since Mientkiewicz stole the game ball (unless he's traded for Alcantara).

 

Maybe Raffy won't be the next Adrian Beltre, but he won't be the next Adrian Balboa.

[notin]

Only two more years at third? After all his progress last season? DH at age 28? We'd better pray not, but he won't be replacing lockdown discount candidate Casas, who's already as good as any Sox first baseman since Mientkiewicz stole the game ball (unless he's traded for Alcantara).

 

Maybe Raffy won't be the next Adrian Beltre, but he won't be the next Adrian Balboa.

 

 

Why you gotta smear Adrian Balboa like that?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Why you gotta smear Adrian Balboa like that?

 

Sorry, still can't forgive her for poisoning the cannoli in GF III.

 

All the technology in weaponry by then and she has to go ruin a good pastry.

 

Clemenza was turning over in his gravy.

[moonslav59]

If Brasier and Taylor make the opening day roster, we may see our minor league rosters include these players and prospects:

 

AAA: Mata, Walter, Wink, Murphy, Seabold, Santos, Crawford, Kelly, German, Ort

Dalbec, RHern (hot winter), Hamilton, Koss, Rafaela, EValdez

 

AA: Drohan, Van Belle, Ryan Fernandez, Broadway, Webb

Kavadas, Scott, Yorke, Lugo, Abreu, Fergi=uson, McDonough, Binelas

 

A+: Wikelman, Uberstine, Bastardo, Dobbins, Encarnacion, Guerrero, Olds

Hickey, Jordan, Bonaci, Paulino, Mayer, Sikes, Meidroth

 

A-: Perales, Paez, E R-C

McElveney, Salazar, Romero, Anthony, Bleis

 

[Bellhorn04]

Sorry, still can't forgive her for poisoning the cannoli in GF III.

 

All the technology in weaponry by then and she has to go ruin a good pastry.

 

Clemenza was turning over in his gravy.

 

Eli Wallach being cast in that role was cool though.

[notin]

Sorry, still can't forgive her for poisoning the cannoli in GF III.

 

All the technology in weaponry by then and she has to go ruin a good pastry.

 

Clemenza was turning over in his gravy.

 

 

Be fair. Most of Godfather III was unforgivable…

[mvp 78]

Think Devers plays third for the next decade?

 

He’ll be in a new position by 2025…

 

He’ll be the 3B through 2027 at least.

[Larry Cook]

If Brasier and Taylor make the opening day roster, we may see our minor league rosters include these players and prospects:

 

AAA: Mata, Walter, Wink, Murphy, Seabold, Santos, Crawford, Kelly, German, Ort

Dalbec, RHern (hot winter), Hamilton, Koss, Rafaela, EValdez

 

AA: Drohan, Van Belle, Ryan Fernandez, Broadway, Webb

Kavadas, Scott, Yorke, Lugo, Abreu, Fergi=uson, McDonough, Binelas

 

A+: Wikelman, Uberstine, Bastardo, Dobbins, Encarnacion, Guerrero, Olds

Hickey, Jordan, Bonaci, Paulino, Mayer, Sikes, Meidroth

 

A-: Perales, Paez, E R-C

McElveney, Salazar, Romero, Anthony, Bleis

 

 

Seabold is no longer on the 40.

[moonslav59]

Seabold is no longer on the 40.

 

Yes, that post was from 3 days ago.

[mvp 78]

Don't remember if I've actually seen Paulino highlights before:

 

https://twitter.com/Hunter_Noll/status/1613992796175880192

[notin]

He’ll be the 3B through 2027 at least.

 

I smell a wager…

[Larry Cook]

Don't remember if I've actually seen Paulino highlights before:

 

https://twitter.com/Hunter_Noll/status/1613992796175880192

 

Paulino could take a Rafeala type leap in 2023.

[moonslav59]

Paulino could take a Rafeala type leap in 2023.

 

Agreed, and while judging a farm is highly speculative, we have several players like Paulino and Rafaela.

 

We might also see Bleis take another big step up.

 

Maybe I'm just pink galling it here, but...

[moonslav59]

I'm no expert on prospects, even our own. I was high on Seabold, last winter. LOL!

 

Here are a few prospects I think might take a big step up, next season:

 

soxprospects.com ranking

 

3. Bleis- It's hard to imagine taking another big step, but this 18 year old looks to be a true 5 tool wonder.

 

8. Walter- His next step should be at the ML level. The guy put up some impressive numbers at AA/AAA: .585 OPS Against and 75 Ks to 7 BBs in 58 IP. He's 26 and does not have to really improve on his numbers; he just needs to translate his skills to the bigs. I know- easier said than done.

 

7. Romero- He was a surprise pick in the first round in '22, but he looked very impressive.

 

10. Perales- Seems like he might be poised to bust out in '23.

 

14. Lugo- He's my sleeper pick, this spring. He had some early hype and took a while to start showing promise, but he's still only 21.

 

6. Mata might end up being a solid MLB pitcher as early as this season.

 

11. Paulino- He's just 20 and seems like he could be a plus in the IF or OF. Kinda raw.

 

5. Yorke- He did not look all that good, last year, but I'm expecting a bounce-back. The fact that SP's kept him at #5 shows they still have faith, too.

 

16. Bonaci- He's only 20 and looked much better in '22.

 

9. Anthony- I admit I don't know much about this guy, but he got an overslot bonus picked in the 3rd round. Let's hope Bloom & Co. knew what they were doing.

 

19. Elmer Rodrigues-Cruz is supposed to start in Salem, this season. He's 19 and has some serious upside.

 

18. Hickey- Despite being 23, he put up some nice numbers, last year, including almost as many BBs as Ks. If he can stick at catcher, maybe we found someone good.

 

20. Kavadas- He struggled after his promotion, but his numbers were off-the-charts. I still have hopes this fellow Domer can keep rising.

 

Older prospects like #17 EValdez (24 yrs old) hit the ball real well in '22, #25 Zach Kelly (27) might end up being a key piece in the Sox pen and #23 Frank German (25 yrs old)showed serious numbers in the minors, last year (.495 OPS Against was the lowest of any Sox pitcher with 49+ IP), There are also Abreu, Murphy, Drohan, Ro Hern and a couple other older prospects that might step up.

 

Other younger prospects that may shine:

 

12. Wikelman (20)

15. Jordan (20)

21. Coffey (18)

28. Brannon (18)

29. Paez (18)

32, Guerrero`(22)

35. F Encarnacion (17)

 

[Larry Cook]

I'm no expert on prospects, even our own. I was high on Seabold, last winter. LOL!

 

Here are a few prospects I think might take a big step up, next season:

 

soxprospects.com ranking

 

3. Bleis- It's hard to imagine taking another big step, but this 18 year old looks to be a true 5 tool wonder.

 

8. Walter- His next step should be at the ML level. The guy put up some impressive numbers at AA/AAA: .585 OPS Against and 75 Ks to 7 BBs in 58 IP. He's 26 and does not have to really improve on his numbers; he just needs to translate his skills to the bigs. I know- easier said than done.

 

7. Romero- He was a surprise pick in the first round in '22, but he looked very impressive.

 

10. Perales- Seems like he might be poised to bust out in '23.

 

14. Lugo- He's my sleeper pick, this spring. He had some early hype and took a while to start showing promise, but he's still only 21.

 

6. Mata might end up being a solid MLB pitcher as early as this season.

 

11. Paulino- He's just 20 and seems like he could be a plus in the IF or OF. Kinda raw.

 

5. Yorke- He did not look all that good, last year, but I'm expecting a bounce-back. The fact that SP's kept him at #5 shows they still have faith, too.

 

16. Bonaci- He's only 20 and looked much better in '22.

 

9. Anthony- I admit I don't know much about this guy, but he got an overslot bonus picked in the 3rd round. Let's hope Bloom & Co. knew what they were doing.

 

19. Elmer Rodrigues-Cruz is supposed to start in Salem, this season. He's 19 and has some serious upside.

 

18. Hickey- Despite being 23, he put up some nice numbers, last year, including almost as many BBs as Ks. If he can stick at catcher, maybe we found someone good.

 

20. Kavadas- He struggled after his promotion, but his numbers were off-the-charts. I still have hopes this fellow Domer can keep rising.

 

Older prospects like #17 EValdez (24 yrs old) hit the ball real well in '22, #25 Zach Kelly (27) might end up being a key piece in the Sox pen and #23 Frank German (25 yrs old)showed serious numbers in the minors, last year (.495 OPS Against was the lowest of any Sox pitcher with 49+ IP), There are also Abreu, Murphy, Drohan, Ro Hern and a couple other older prospects that might step up.

 

Other younger prospects that may shine:

 

12. Wikelman (20)

15. Jordan (20)

21. Coffey (18)

28. Brannon (18)

29. Paez (18)

32, Guerrero`(22)

35. F Encarnacion (17)

 

 

I think everybody will be watching Blies as he is a potential future cornerstone.

 

The guys that I think can take a huge step in 2023 are:

 

Bonaci- he walks a lot and his second half of 2022 had more power than the first half. I think he could end the year in Portland.

 

Yorke - I think in 2022, he tried to play through a wrist injury and then a toe injury and then a leg injury, if he stay healthy, he ends the year in Worcester,

 

Perales - really good stuff, but can he throw strikes? Could end the year in Greenville

 

Cruz - see Perales

 

Brannon - a masher. Should end the year in Greenville with calks for a Portland call up