2024 Prospects

[mvp 78]

Is "decent" good enough?

 

I haven't seen any of his starts, but he does have mid 90's velo with a very good changeup. His problem wasn't his "stuff" but his control. So far, he's limited his BB's this year.

[mvp 78]

@ByAndrewParker

Red Sox minor league injury update:

 

Spoke with 2023 4th round pick Justin Riemer in regards to when he will be making his Red Sox org debut in 2024.

 

He is aiming to be playing in games in the FCL before the All Star break in early July.

 

Riemer tore his ACL on March 11, 2023.

[Hugh2]

@ByAndrewParker

Red Sox minor league injury update:

 

Spoke with 2023 4th round pick Justin Riemer in regards to when he will be making his Red Sox org debut in 2024.

 

He is aiming to be playing in games in the FCL before the All Star break in early July.

 

Riemer tore his ACL on March 11, 2023.

 

 

When you consider how low guys hit in the draft after the first round, I'd be perfectly happy with the Sox picking several guys EVERY year in later rounds that have fallen in rounds and bonus money due to injury. It's a great way to bring talent into the organization.

 

Of course, its going to be a whole lot better to just nail your first pick or three.

[Larry Cook]

Is "decent" good enough?

 

Decent stuff plays well in Major League Baseball when you have command and control!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Saw Portland prospects up close last night in a 9-6 loss at Hartford. My 13-year old parked next to the visitors' dugout before the game and got autographs: Coffey, Anthony, Jordan, Binelas, Teel ("good guy; he went back in and got two balls to give to little kids")... one who refused to stop and sign was Mayer, who wouldn't look at fans.

 

Sea Dogs batted three lefties in a row at the top of the order vs. a southpaw throwing low-90s: Anthony-Mayer-Teel, followed by Jordan and Yorke. Overall observation -- the first four all look like they're trying to homer their way into the majors, with long violent head-pulling hacks that made them look bad at least once in every AB.

 

Blaze Jordan was the offensive star, pulling an HR, then going oppo for a bases-clearing double. Anthony and Teel were able to adjust to offspeed pitches for singles; they also walked twice each. Teel hit a comebacker to the mound and busted it down the line straight through the bag. Mayer was 0-for-5, but almost killed reliever Jaiden Hill with a liner off 98 mph heat that deflected to shortstop. Yorke's swing was more under control, and he added a bouncer up the middle. Team OPS-leader Lugo pulled a single. Phillip Sikes scored twice and threw out a runner at third from right field.

 

If no one on offense looks quite ready yet for the big leagues, it was at least encouraging to see that they were all solid on defense. Not spectacular, but fundamentally sound. Paulino made the plays at second base. Anthony can play centerfield, with good jumps, routes, and power arm. Portland pitching? Not promising on this night.

[mvp 78]

When you consider how low guys hit in the draft after the first round, I'd be perfectly happy with the Sox picking several guys EVERY year in later rounds that have fallen in rounds and bonus money due to injury. It's a great way to bring talent into the organization.

 

Of course, its going to be a whole lot better to just nail your first pick or three.

 

The only concern with me for Riemer is that this injury has taken him a loooong time to get over. He should have been ready to start the year from what I read. He has a Meidrothy bat, but may be a better defender. We just have enough guys that are perpetually injured that we put into our plans.

[mvp 78]

Saw Portland prospects up close last night in a 9-6 loss at Hartford. My 13-year old parked next to the visitors' dugout before the game and got autographs: Coffey, Anthony, Jordan, Binelas, Teel ("good guy; he went back in and got two balls to give to little kids")... one who refused to stop and sign was Mayer, who wouldn't look at fans.

 

Sea Dogs batted three lefties in a row at the top of the order vs. a southpaw throwing low-90s: Anthony-Mayer-Teel, followed by Jordan and Yorke. Overall observation -- the first four all look like they're trying to homer their way into the majors, with long violent head-pulling hacks that made them look bad at least once in every AB.

 

Blaze Jordan was the offensive star, pulling an HR, then going oppo for a bases-clearing double. Anthony and Teel were able to adjust to offspeed pitches for singles; they also walked twice each. Teel hit a comebacker to the mound and busted it down the line straight through the bag. Mayer was 0-for-5, but almost killed reliever Jaiden Hill with a liner off 98 mph heat that deflected to shortstop. Yorke's swing was more under control, and he added a bouncer up the middle. Team OPS-leader Lugo pulled a single. Phillip Sikes scored twice and threw out a runner at third from right field.

 

If no one on offense looks quite ready yet for the big leagues, it was at least encouraging to see that they were all solid on defense. Not spectacular, but fundamentally sound. Paulino made the plays at second base. Anthony can play centerfield, with good jumps, routes, and power arm. Portland pitching? Not promising on this night.

 

Jordan has struggled this year, but his k rate is down. He has a really low BABIP, but is also not consistently making great contact and doesn't pull the ball as much as he should.

[Hugh2]

The only concern with me for Riemer is that this injury has taken him a loooong time to get over. He should have been ready to start the year from what I read. He has a Meidrothy bat, but may be a better defender. We just have enough guys that are perpetually injured that we put into our plans.

 

I think there's a difference between being injury prone, and getting injured. Almost everyone is going to sustain some kind of injury at some point in their career. When it becomes chronic, and injuries pile up, that's an entirely different thing.

 

I wouldn't go wasting my picks in the first couple rounds on guys with injuries but in the middle to later rounds I'd happily snag up guys who have upside and fell due to an injury, which sometimes is just the fact that they weren't able to perform so it's more about other guys passing them rather than them falling.

[mvp 78]

Zanetello made his season debut last night going 1-4.

[mvp 78]

I think there's a difference between being injury prone, and getting injured. Almost everyone is going to sustain some kind of injury at some point in their career. When it becomes chronic, and injuries pile up, that's an entirely different thing.

 

I wouldn't go wasting my picks in the first couple rounds on guys with injuries but in the middle to later rounds I'd happily snag up guys who have upside and fell due to an injury, which sometimes is just the fact that they weren't able to perform so it's more about other guys passing them rather than them falling.

 

Not saying he's injury prone, but that this particular injury was bad enough that he had to take a significantly longer time to rehab than expected. This may impact his overall ceiling going forward.

[moonslav59]

Zanetello made his season debut last night going 1-4.

 

It's hard to know we have with this guy. I hope he impresses us.

[mvp 78]

It's hard to know we have with this guy. I hope he impresses us.

 

5 tool guy with upside. He's probably going to go level to level and it will take time.

[mvp 78]

@SoxProspects

A strong outing for Matt Duffy in his start for @SalemRedSox today- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 43/56 strikes. The 22-year-old righty leaves the gave with a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth.

 

Duffy was last year's 4th rounder. His previous starts this year weren't amazing. Connelly Early was drafted a round later, is the same age, but is starting his first full season in Greenville rather than Salem.

[mvp 78]

@SoxProspects

Chase Meidroth went 3-for-4 and scored a run in today's 5-3 Worcester Red Sox game one loss. The 22-year-old infielder is currently slashing .294/.479/.373.

 

The hits weren't falling in early on this season for Meidroth, but that's turned around. 479 OBP!

 

If only he hit the ball with a little more authority.

[moonslav59]

@SoxProspects

Chase Meidroth went 3-for-4 and scored a run in today's 5-3 Worcester Red Sox game one loss. The 22-year-old infielder is currently slashing .294/.479/.373.

 

The hits weren't falling in early on this season for Meidroth, but that's turned around. 479 OBP!

 

If only he hit the ball with a little more authority.

 

I remember a poster, maybe it was the always right Red, who said we should add him to the 40 as IF depth, and you said he wasn't hitting well. (He did right after that.)

[mvp 78]

I remember a poster, maybe it was the always right Red, who said we should add him to the 40 as IF depth, and you said he wasn't hitting well. (He did right after that.)

 

Well, that wasn't in this post apparently so I can't verify this. He was hitting below 200 with an OBP at 400 at one point, I think. His lack of power does play into how he'd translate at a higher level. He has a great knowledge of the strike zone, but weak contact will only get you so far. He has 9 hits in his last 5 games and only 1 was an XBH (2B), which was the only ball he put in play longer than 220' over that time.

[moonslav59]

Well, that wasn't in this post apparently so I can't verify this. He was hitting below 200 with an OBP at 400 at one point, I think. His lack of power does play into how he'd translate at a higher level. He has a great knowledge of the strike zone, but weak contact will only get you so far. He has 9 hits in his last 5 games and only 1 was an XBH (2B), which was the only ball he put in play longer than 220' over that time.

 

You really don't remember?

[Old Red]

I remember a poster, maybe it was the always right Red, who said we should add him to the 40 as IF depth, and you said he wasn't hitting well. (He did right after that.)

 

Pay NO attention to the man behind the curtain, or in your case keyboard, whose number 1 song is I’m always wrong. As for me I had no comment on Meidroth. WRONG AGAIN! Maybe , or not.

[mvp 78]

You really don't remember?

 

Nope. I'll admit to him hitting below 200 with an OBP above 400 at one point and struggling to get the ball out of the IF. It's so early in the season, any good stretch will skew the numbers one way or the other. His approach is still lacking hard contact. I love his batter's eye and patience, but I don't know how well that would translate. I think his defense is much better than what was originally advertised too.

 

Like with Blaze and Kavadas who struggle mightily with velo, when a player gets to MLB the book will get around and that weakness will be exploited over and over and over.

[mvp 78]

Pay NO attention to the man behind the curtain, or in your case keyboard, whose number 1 song is I’m always wrong. As for me I had no comment on Meidroth. WRONG AGAIN! Maybe , or not.

 

You really don't remember?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Portland bounced back with the longball last night. With the wind blowing out in Hartford, three home runs reached right field's upper deck by Mayer, Yorke and Decker.

 

Mayer signed a few pregame autographs, and the good vibes carried over at the plate with two extra-base liners to right and a single to center. He looked good at shortstop; his error came after a diving stop up the middle when he bounced a throw from his belly.

 

Jordan and Anthony both signed again, and Blaze had another good night with a single and double. Roman's swing was more contained, and produced a single and two opposite field deep drives that were caught. Paulino whiffed three times, but slammed a 390-foot double to CF. Yorke looked ok in LF and added two nice hits, as did Binelas. Teel walked twice and is a fast runner for a catcher.

 

This Seadogs line-up may produce half a dozen big league regulars, but Portland's pitching is suspect. Penrod's mix was all over the place. Olds, Webb and Cepeda had better velo and were harder to hit.

[mvp 78]

I appreciate the scouting for the autograph hounds.

[mvp 78]

Nick Yorke upper deck oppo shot

 

Mayer tater

[mvp 78]

Mayer:

 

“That’s why I shaved my head. It’s all business now. I’m [expletive] ready to go, ready to ball out, play hard. For my standard, it was a bad year for me. I was hurt, didn’t play the way I wanted to. So this year, it’s a fresh start and I’m ready to just get out there and compete.”

[mvp 78]

Jordan mashing a 90 mph meatball

[Larry Cook]

Mayer:

 

“That’s why I shaved my head. It’s all business now. I’m [expletive] ready to go, ready to ball out, play hard. For my standard, it was a bad year for me. I was hurt, didn’t play the way I wanted to. So this year, it’s a fresh start and I’m ready to just get out there and compete.”

 

His swing is so much better and faster this year. He still struggles low and outside, but he has been amazing so far this year

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Kyle Teel may not make the majors and become a star catcher, but it won't be for lack of effort.

 

During a pregame ceremony in Hartford Wednesday honoring students and teachers, there was only one ballplayer on the field. Keel knelt in front of Portland's dugout, while a coach at the other end used a pitching machine to fire balls in the dirt at him. Keel was honing his craft, practicing blocking "pitches"... warming up to be a big leaguer.

[moonslav59]

Kyle Teel may not make the majors and become a star catcher, but it won't be for lack of effort.

 

During a pregame ceremony in Hartford Wednesday honoring students and teachers, there was only one ballplayer on the field. Keel knelt in front of Portland's dugout, while a coach at the other end used a pitching machine to fire balls in the dirt at him. Keel was honing his craft, practicing blocking "pitches"... warming up to be a big leaguer.

 

It's hard to select and develop top catchers. It seems like a position with more misses than most others.

[notin]

It's hard to select and develop top catchers. It seems like a position with more misses than most others.

 

Pitcher can certainly give it a run for its money...

[moonslav59]

Pitcher can certainly give it a run for its money...

 

They are likely 1-2.

 

I'm just thinking of a few Sox catchers who came up short:

 

RHern

Swihart

Lavarnway

Kottaras

 

(I'm sure there are more)