2023 Prospects

[mvp 78]

Waiver deadline for Rule 5 draft is November 14.

[mvp 78]

Bonaci has been removed from the AFL.

[moonslav59]

soxprospects reports...

The highlight of the first week-plus of the AFL season has been the play of outfielder Corey Rosier. The 24-year-old, acquired in the deal with San Diego that included Jay Groome and Eric Hosmer, has hit safely in each of his six starts for the Desert Dogs. He is 9 for 24 (.360) with a double, triple, and three stolen bases. He has seen time at all three outfield positions, getting three starts in center field, two in left field, and one in right.

 

Nathan Hickey has also seen significant playing time in the desert, getting starts in five of Glendale's eight games. He is just 2 for 14 but has drawn 8 walks in 22 plate appearances, good for a .455 on-base percentage.

 

Lefty Zack Penrod drew the opening day start, getting the loss despite allowing just one run on three hits in four innings. He came back with a victory on October 9, giving up just one hit across four scoreless frames, striking out five. Felix Cepeda has twice worked a scoreless inning, getting credit for a save on Monday. Wyatt Olds has three scoreless frames across his two outings. Bryan Mata has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen, going a scoreless inning in his first appearance and surrendering a pair of runs his second time out. Christopher Troye has allowed one run on three hits in three innings, striking out four.

 

 

[Larry Cook]

Bonaci has been removed from the AFL.

 

He was sent home because of the Minor League Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy,

[mvp 78]

He was sent home because of the Minor League Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy,

 

Well, he’s no longer on the 40 man bubble.

[Larry Cook]

Well, he’s no longer on the 40 man bubble.

 

Too bad too. This kid can really hit!

[moonslav59]

Well, he’s no longer on the 40 man bubble.

 

I doubt he would have been protected, anyway.

[moonslav59]

Soxprospects.com released a podcast that discusses how it looks like an overhaul of the pitching development system is underway.

 

http://news.soxprospects.com/2023/10/podcast-ep-298-search-is-on.html

[moonslav59]

The podcast spoke of players facing a "pivotable off season:"

(Some points and quotes)

 

Bryan Mata: out of options, so he needs to make the 26 man roster. Could he be traded? Might we keep him on the 40, until ST'ing, at least?

 

Bleis: Did not look all that good, last ST'ing, and now the injury "dropped his stock" quite a bit.

 

Hickey: His time as a catcher might be over. 129 SB Against with just 10 CS.

 

Drohan: Needs to find a 4th pitch or choose between the slider and cutter and perfect one.

 

Song: needs to put in some work to get back to close to his 2019 self. He turns 27 in May. Needs to "figure out who he is..."

 

[mvp 78]

The podcast spoke of players facing a "pivotable off season:"

(Some points and quotes)

 

Bryan Mata: out of options, so he needs to make the 26 man roster. Could he be traded? Might we keep him on the 40, until ST'ing, at least?

 

Bleis: Did not look all that good, last ST'ing, and now the injury "dropped his stock" quite a bit.

 

Hickey: His time as a catcher might be over. 129 SB Against with just 10 CS.

 

Drohan: Needs to find a 4th pitch or choose between the slider and cutter and perfect one.

 

Song: needs to put in some work to get back to close to his 2019 self. He turns 27 in May. Needs to "figure out who he is..."

 

 

They also mentioned Yorke as he changed his swing last offseason and then reverted back to an older swing during the season. He needs to find a swing and stick with it. Very weird for a guy with the great "bat to ball skills" that we were told about. His defense is good enough to be passable at 2B, but his bat is further behind than most of us expected.

[moonslav59]

SP's breakdown of this week in the AFL:

 

Boston's contingent of prospects had its fingerprints all over this successful run for Glendale. Corey Rosier led the way offensively, going 6 for 14 (.375) with two doubles, two RBIs, six runs scored, two stolen bases, five walks, and four strikeouts in four games. The left-handed hitting outfielder is currently batting a stout .333/.424/.412 with a team-leading five stolen bases in his first 13 games (59 plate appearances) with the Scorpions. He has already seen playing time at all three outfield positions.

 

Tyler McDonough has made his impact felt at the plate as well. Despite being a late addition to Glendale's roster, the versatile 24-year-old reached base in 10 of his 24 plate appearances last week while swiping three bags. He broke out for three doubles, one walk, and three runs scored (including the game-winner) as part of a come-from-behind, 10-9 victory over the Salt River Rafters this past Thursday.

 

Nathan Hickey enjoyed less success as far as offensive production is concerned. The 23-year-old backstop went 3 for 15 (.200) with two runs scored, three walks, and six strikeouts to drop his slash line on the season to just .182/.386/.182 in 10 games (44 plate appearances). Defensively, he has thrown out two of 11 potential base stealers while splitting time behind the plate with Kevin Parada of the Mets and Andrew Cossetti of the Twins.

 

Turning to the pitching, Bryan Mata made a pair of scoreless relief appearances for the Desert Dogs on Monday and Thursday of last week. The 24-year-old righty allowed just one hit and did not issue a walk while striking out five of the eight batters he faced over 2 1/3 innings of work. A member of Boston's 40-man roster, Mata now owns a 6.75 ERA with eight strikeouts to zero walks in five outings (5 1/3 innings) this fall.

 

On the topic of relievers, fellow right-handers Felix Cepeda, Wyatt Olds, and Christopher Troye each appeared in two games for Glendale as well. Cepeda, 23, allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in two innings. Olds, 24, put up zeros in his two outings and picked up the winning decision by tossing a 1-2-3 ninth inning in Saturday's extra-innings victory over the Mesa Solar Sox. Troye, also 24, went 2 for 2 in save opportunities without giving up a run.

 

Zach Penrod, meanwhile, got start for the Desert Dogs in their matchup against the Solar Sox at Sloan Park on Saturday night. The 26-year-old lefty went three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits (one home run), two walks, and two strikeouts. Of the 53 pitches he threw, 31 went for strikes and nine elicited a swing-and-miss. Through three starts this fall, Penrod is 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA and 11 strikeouts to seven walks over 11 innings in which he has held opposing hitters to a .184 batting average against.

[moonslav59]

Also...

 

Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM)

 

The 2023-2024 LIDOM season began this past Thursday. Enmanuel Valdez appeared in three games for Toros del Este and went 1 for 5 with two RBIs, one run scored, five walks, and two strikeouts. The 24-year-old second baseman was also hit by a pitch on four separate occasions, leading to a sky-high .714 on-base percentage so far.

[moonslav59]

Could this be soxprospects.com's next top 20?

 

1. Anthony

2. Mayer

3. Teel

4. Cespedes

5. Bleis

6. Rafaela

7. Wikelman

8. Yorke

9. Abreu

10. Perales

11. Zanetello

12. Monegro

13. Joh Garcia

14. Castro

15. EValdez

16. Anderson

17. Meidroth

18. Romero

19. Drohan

20. Gambrell (Drohan?)

 

 

[mvp 78]

Could this be soxprospects.com's next top 20?

 

1. Anthony

2. Mayer

3. Teel

4. Cespedes

5. Bleis

6. Rafaela

7. Wikelman

8. Yorke

9. Abreu

10. Perales

11. Zanetello

12. Monegro

13. Joh Garcia

14. Castro

15. EValdez

16. Anderson

17. Meidroth

18. Romero

19. Drohan

20. Gambrell (Drohan?)

 

 

 

No, Cespedes wouldn't jump that high.

[moonslav59]

No, Cespedes wouldn't jump that high.

 

Maybe to 8th or 9th?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

No, Cespedes wouldn't jump that high.

 

It's hard to appreciate him as a prospect until we actually see him competing; the only consensus is that he's a "pure hitter." And 5'9"...

 

... soxprospect report: "solid-average raw power with the potential for more as he fills out... average arm, average speed."

 

Sounds like a righty Yoshida.

[mvp 78]

It's hard to appreciate him as a prospect until we actually see him competing; the only consensus is that he's a "pure hitter." And 5'9"...

 

... soxprospect report: "solid-average raw power with the potential for more as he fills out... average arm, average speed."

 

Sounds like a righty Yoshida.

 

He's a good prospect, but they'll be hesitant to pump him up until he's at least competed stateside. And why do so over the offseason? I think he could be that high midseason next year maybe.

[Hugh2]

No, Cespedes wouldn't jump that high.

 

It also does not sound like they're going to flip Mayer with Anthony.

 

I also don't think they're going to move Abreu up, I think they already did since the season ended, I think he stays at 12, maybe he moves to 11. Not sure what they do with Bonaci, we don't know how serious this is or isn't. Also no way Monegro makes that kind of jump.

 

I don't think we see a lot of movement at all, outside of the AFL not much has happened since the last rankings.

[mvp 78]

If Anthony starts off '24 hot, he'll be #1 in May or June. I would also say to watch out for Teel as he could leap ahead of Mayer too.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If Anthony starts off '24 hot, he'll be #1 in May or June. I would also say to watch out for Teel as he could leap ahead of Mayer too.

 

Which one is called up first? In a normal, non-contending year, I'd say the catcher gets a cup of coffee in September (there's always room for a back-up on the bench or in the bullpen).

 

But if a new boss shakes up half the roster to go for it, sheer talent could be rushed, especially if the guy opens eyes in big league camp and grapefruit games.

[Hugh2]

If Anthony starts off '24 hot, he'll be #1 in May or June. I would also say to watch out for Teel as he could leap ahead of Mayer too.

 

But what if Mayer starts off hot too?

[Hugh2]

Which one is called up first? In a normal, non-contending year, I'd say the catcher gets a cup of coffee in September (there's always room for a back-up on the bench or in the bullpen).

 

But if a new boss shakes up half the roster to go for it, sheer talent could be rushed, especially if the guy opens eyes in big league camp and grapefruit games.

 

My money is on Anthony or Mayer getting the call first. I think Teel gets a full year in the minors and makes a debut sometime in 2025.

[mvp 78]

But what if Mayer starts off hot too?

 

But what if he doesn't?!?!?!

 

I was just conjecturing about possible movement at the top of the rankings, that's all.

[mvp 78]

Which one is called up first? In a normal, non-contending year, I'd say the catcher gets a cup of coffee in September (there's always room for a back-up on the bench or in the bullpen).

 

But if a new boss shakes up half the roster to go for it, sheer talent could be rushed, especially if the guy opens eyes in big league camp and grapefruit games.

 

Sox already have a SS and 2 decent defensive C's. I think Anthony has the best shot at an early callup.

[moonslav59]

Sox already have a SS and 2 decent defensive C's. I think Anthony has the best shot at an early callup.

 

If we end up signing Duval or a RHB who plays OF, we'd need quite a few to not do too well to create the need for a call-up, but I guess if Anthony is raking, we'll just "make room."

 

Yoshida to DH?

 

Dugo traded?

 

Both could make room for another OF'er.

 

Here is the depth charts for the OF:

 

LF:

Yoshida (DH)

Duran (v R only?)

Refnsyder (v L only?)

Abreu

 

CF:

Duran or Rafaela (AAA?)

Abreu (AAA?)

Anthony

 

RF:

Dugo (or Duval, if we trade Dugo & sign Duval)

Abreu (AAA?)

(Refsnyder/Duran- YUCK!)

Anthony/Rosier

 

 

[Hugh2]

But what if he doesn't?!?!?!

 

I was just conjecturing about possible movement at the top of the rankings, that's all.

 

Same thing that could happen if Teel starts off cold or Anthony. What if Anthony takes a big step back like Yorke did?

 

I don’t think that’s going to happen though.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If we end up signing Duval or a RHB who plays OF, we'd need quite a few to not do too well to create the need for a call-up, but I guess if Anthony is raking, we'll just "make room."

 

 

This is my point about Anthony or Mayer, or even Teel, if he somehow gets a call-up by midseason.

 

All three are hyped by both the Red Sox and fans like us as future big league stars... not just prospects who'll make the majors.

 

None of Boston's players on the parent club at catcher, shortstop or in the outfield are All-Stars. But all have flaws, and deficient tools of some sort...

 

Last winter, when Bloom told Red Sox Nation, "You know what's coming!" he didn't mean more mediocrity. Then again, maybe he was so far off, they decided to can him...

[moonslav59]

This is my point about Anthony or Mayer, or even Teel, if he somehow gets a call-up by midseason.

 

All three are hyped by both the Red Sox and fans like us as future big league stars... not just prospects who'll make the majors.

 

None of Boston's players on the parent club at catcher, shortstop or in the outfield are All-Stars. But all have flaws, and deficient tools of some sort...

 

Last winter, when Bloom told Red Sox Nation, "You know what's coming!" he didn't mean more mediocrity. Then again, maybe he was so far off, they decided to can him...

 

Agreed. I was just trying to say OF has a bunch of guys ahead of Anthony, so OF is not really more crowded than MI or Catcher. You are right, none are filled with someone we can't replace or move to another position.

 

Mayer to SS> Story to 2B (or 3B- GASP!)

 

Teel to C> McGuire gets traded and Wong is the #2.

 

Anthony to CF or RF> We force out the lowest performer or move them to an easier OF position, like LF. (Refsnyder is an easy player to replace on the 26, despite his useful splits.)

[moonslav59]

No, Cespedes wouldn't jump that high.

 

Probably not, but he did jump from #48 to #10 after just 21-22 games.

 

He did very well after those first games, too.

 

Maybe #10 to #7 or 8 is more realistic.

[mvp 78]

Probably not, but he did jump from #48 to #10 after just 21-22 games.

 

He did very well after those first games, too.

 

Maybe #10 to #7 or 8 is more realistic.

 

But there's no reason to bump him up that much over the offseason. What new info is there on him? Until additional games are played, I don't see him making a huge jump.