2025 Prospects

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Tolle had 19 swings and misses on 83 pitches. That is crazy amazing 

Not even Painter does that!

[Larry Cook]

19 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Not even Painter does that!

I agree with you 100 percent!!! 

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

I agree with you 100 percent!!! 

It does get me wondering, if maybe we have an ace and just don't know it yet.

We never though Houck, Crawford, Bello or Dobbins would amount to all that much. Maybe one of these kids that actually look real good will be the ace we need.

[Larry Cook]

Early working on a no hitter. Left the game after 6 innings. Final line. 6 innings, zero hits, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts!!!  He needs to be in Worcester!!! Great game 

houck lit up like a pinball machine, 

Salem offense with no hits thus far. 

[moonslav59]

Am I getting to gah-gah over a few of our prospect pitchers?

Early is now down to 1.94 after his 6 IP no hit game, today. (.573 OPS Against)

Rivera is at 1.84 with a .452 OPS Against.

Clarke 2.08 with an amazing .336 OPS Against.

(Not sure about including Mullins, but he's at 1.97 and .534.)

[Larry Cook]

9 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Am I getting to gah-gah over a few of our prospect pitchers?

Early is now down to 1.94 after his 6 IP no hit game, today. (.573 OPS Against)

Rivera is at 1.84 with a .452 OPS Against.

Clarke 2.08 with an amazing .336 OPS Against.

(Not sure about including Mullins, but he's at 1.97 and .534.)

Tolle has also been pretty good! 
uberstine is still shaking off the rust, but his stuff is looking sharper!! 
another guy that is starting to figure it out is erhlicher! He may never be an ace, but he could develop into a contributor or trade piece!! 
 

Then there is a true wild card in futrell!!! He has decent stuff and can look good or terrible all in the same outing!!!!

we have much better pitching prospects than we have had in a long time!!!

 

 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Larry Cook said:

Tolle has also been pretty good! 
uberstine is still shaking off the rust, but his stuff is looking sharper!! 
another guy that is starting to figure it out is erhlicher! He may never be an ace, but he could develop into a contributor or trade piece!! 
 

Then there is a true wild card in futrell!!! He has decent stuff and can look good or terrible all in the same outing!!!!

we have much better pitching prospects than we have had in a long time!!!

True on Uberstine, Erhlicher & Futrell. I was just listing the guys that have amazing, season-long numbers. There is also Perales, Valera, Sandlin and maybe even guys like Paez, Monegro, Cason and Delzine that could jump in the ranking with a key adjustment made.

I know I'm a homer. I know I am biased, but I always have been, and I've not felt like this about Sox young pitchers since the Clemens, Hurst and Ojeda days. It's more about how many we have than about 2-3 near sure bet studs.

[Larry Cook]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

True on Uberstine, Erhlicher & Futrell. I was just listing the guys that have amazing, season-long numbers. There is also Perales, Valera, Sandlin and maybe even guys like Paez, Monegro, Cason and Delzine that could jump in the ranking with a key adjustment made.

I know I'm a homer. I know I am biased, but I always have been, and I've not felt like this about Sox young pitchers since the Clemens, Hurst and Ojeda days. It's more about how many we have than about 2-3 near sure bet studs.

So how many prospects are we willing to part with for a number 2 in the rotation?? I have Mayer and Anthony (and narveaz) as untouchable!! 
 

does Pittsburgh agree to Duran, Campbell, arias, tolle, early and Clarke for skenes???

[moonslav59]

12 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

So how many prospects are we willing to part with for a number 2 in the rotation?? I have Mayer and Anthony (and narveaz) as untouchable!! 
 

does Pittsburgh agree to Duran, Campbell, arias, tolle, early and Clarke for skenes???

Wow, I can't see how they say no, even though the three pitchers are kinda far away. That looks like more than the Crochet offer. I think PIT would want Abreu, not Duran due to the money and extra years of control for Abreu.

I'm thinking Abreu, Campbell, Arias, Bleis, and two from Tolle, Clarke, Early and Perales.

[Larry Cook]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

Wow, I can't see how they say no, even though the three pitchers are kinda far away. That looks like more than the Crochet offer. I think PIT would want Abreu, not Duran due to the money and extra years of control for Abreu.

I'm thinking Abreu, Campbell, Arias, Bleis, and two from Tolle, Clarke, Early and Perales.

I think bres-slow needs to swing for the fences this offseason in his pursuit of skenes!!  We have more than enough assets to give Pittsburgh some offense as well as future pitching 

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

I think bres-slow needs to swing for the fences this offseason in his pursuit of skenes!!  We have more than enough assets to give Pittsburgh some offense as well as future pitching 

I'm not sure PIT is willing, but we should try. Skubal from DET, too.

TOP fWAR pitchers since 2023:

14.3 Wheeler (not available)

13.4 Skubal (Det is a contender)

12.7 Logan Webb (not available)

11.6 Sonny Gray (past prime)

11.0 Sale (LOL)

10.8 Valdez (FA will be 32)

10.4 Cease (FA will be 30)

9.7 Gausman (not available)

9.4 P Lopez (trade with MIN?)

8.8 C Sanchez (PHI- not available)

8.6 C Ragans (KC traded for him in 2023 for Chapman)

8.6 Kirby (not available)

8.5 Lugo (FA will be 36)

8.1 Fried & Gilbert (not available) 

8.0 R Suarez (FA will be 30)

7.3 to 7.9: Skenes, Kikuchi, Burnes, Wacha, Steele, M Keller, Gallen, Ryan, M King, Nate, Luzardo, Gore.)

2024-2025:

10.1 Skubal

8.9 Sale

8.4 Wheeler

8.0 Crochet

7.8 Webb

7.7 Skenes

7.0 Sanchez

6.8 Cease (FA)

6.5 Ragans

6.4 Valdez (FA)

15. Seth Lugo (5.6 FA)

16. Ranger Suarez (5.5 FA)

17. M King (5.3 FA)

I'm thinking it's time we take the plunge on a top FA starter.

 

 

 

[Larry Cook]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'm not sure PIT is willing, but we should try. Skubal from DET, too.

TOP fWAR pitchers since 2023:

14.3 Wheeler (not available)

13.4 Skubal (Det is a contender)

12.7 Logan Webb (not available)

11.6 Sonny Gray (past prime)

11.0 Sale (LOL)

10.8 Valdez (FA will be 32)

10.4 Cease (FA will be 30)

9.7 Gausman (not available)

9.4 P Lopez (trade with MIN?)

8.8 C Sanchez (PHI- not available)

8.6 C Ragans (KC traded for him in 2023 for Chapman)

8.6 Kirby (not available)

8.5 Lugo (FA will be 36)

8.1 Fried & Gilbert (not available) 

8.0 R Suarez (FA will be 30)

7.3 to 7.9: Skenes, Kikuchi, Burnes, Wacha, Steele, M Keller, Gallen, Ryan, M King, Nate, Luzardo, Gore.)

2024-2025:

10.1 Skubal

8.9 Sale

8.4 Wheeler

8.0 Crochet

7.8 Webb

7.7 Skenes

7.0 Sanchez

6.8 Cease (FA)

6.5 Ragans

6.4 Valdez (FA)

15. Seth Lugo (5.6 FA)

16. Ranger Suarez (5.5 FA)

17. M King (5.3 FA)

I'm thinking it's time we take the plunge on a top FA starter.

 

 

 

How do we outbid the dodgers and Mets???

I would love to trade for skenes and sign cease!!!!  

[moonslav59]

32 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

How do we outbid the dodgers and Mets???

By bidding $5M more, no matter what.

I see 3-4 FA pitchers that would be good enough #2 for us. Let them have 2 and we should be able to get 1.

If not, trade for pitching and sign Bregman and Tucker, or Bregman and Alonso or Bregman and ____.

[Hugh2]

21 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

I think bres-slow needs to swing for the fences this offseason in his pursuit of skenes!!  We have more than enough assets to give Pittsburgh some offense as well as future pitching 

BTV accepts the deals

Juan Valera/Wilyer Abreu/Payton Tolle/Roman Anthony for Skenes

Jarren Duran/Brayan Bello/Marcelo Mayer/Justin Slaten

Luis Perales/Roman Anthony/Kristian Campbell.

 

I know it's BTV, but that's the level of talent we would likely have to consider to get the talks moving. 

[Hugh2]

22 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

Wow, I can't see how they say no, even though the three pitchers are kinda far away. That looks like more than the Crochet offer. I think PIT would want Abreu, not Duran due to the money and extra years of control for Abreu.

I'm thinking Abreu, Campbell, Arias, Bleis, and two from Tolle, Clarke, Early and Perales.

My only issue with this is you have 6 players going back for 1, not sure I should throw rocks after putting out a bunch of 4 for 1s.  But we have seen that before.  But at some point you can't just add QTY, even if they're all really good prospects.  Every teams has some guys in there system and they're just creating either a current or future 40 man roster crunch by taking on QTY.  

This is why I think the deal would get done with big names.  I'm thinking they need MLB ready level talent at the top, Maybe Bello to give them a pitcher + Roman Anthony, the Perales/Arias to sweeten the pot. 

[Hugh2]

22 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

So how many prospects are we willing to part with for a number 2 in the rotation?? I have Mayer and Anthony (and narveaz) as untouchable!! 
 

does Pittsburgh agree to Duran, Campbell, arias, tolle, early and Clarke for skenes???

As I said to Moon, and I could be wrong but I can't remember a time I've seen it, I'm not sure how realistic a 6 for 1 deal is.  

[moonslav59]

50 minutes ago, Hugh2 said:

BTV accepts the deals

Juan Valera/Wilyer Abreu/Payton Tolle/Roman Anthony for Skenes

Jarren Duran/Brayan Bello/Marcelo Mayer/Justin Slaten

Luis Perales/Roman Anthony/Kristian Campbell.

 

I know it's BTV, but that's the level of talent we would likely have to consider to get the talks moving. 

I do think it would cost 2 of out big 3 to get Skenes. If I had to keep one, I'd keep Mayer, despite thinking Anthony will be better. We need a middle infielder, badly, and I don't see Campbell as that guy.

I'm curious how much value BTV gives JH Garcia. The idea of adding quantity over quality appeals to me, but likely not to PIT. I'm thinking adding 2 prospects from the 4-6 range (Garcia, Arias and Perales) might equal Anthony. I don't see Garcia or Arias in any of these offers.

Would Campbell, 2 from Perales, Garcia, Arias and Abreu get it done, per BTV? Would all 3 do it? (We might have to sub Tolle for Perales.) I'd prefer subbing Duran for Abreu, but he's more expensive to PIT.

[Hugh2]

17 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I do think it would cost 2 of out big 3 to get Skenes. If I had to keep one, I'd keep Mayer, despite thinking Anthony will be better. We need a middle infielder, badly, and I don't see Campbell as that guy.

I'm curious how much value BTV gives JH Garcia. The idea of adding quantity over quality appeals to me, but likely not to PIT. I'm thinking adding 2 prospects from the 4-6 range (Garcia, Arias and Perales) might equal Anthony. I don't see Garcia or Arias in any of these offers.

Would Campbell, 2 from Perales, Garcia, Arias and Abreu get it done, per BTV? Would all 3 do it? (We might have to sub Tolle for Perales.) I'd prefer subbing Duran for Abreu, but he's more expensive to PIT.

BTV calculates Arias/Tolle/Campbell/Abreu as a slight underpay but it accepts it as a fair trade for Skenes. 

But ultimately it would come down to competitors bids and how Pitt likes those guys.  If Pitt really likes those prospects that's a strong offer, if they're not so high on a few of those guys then they're going to take someone else's offer. 

From a value stand point, it's certainly not a crazy proposal. 

[Larry Cook]

Mullins on the mound tonight!  Chance to see how his stuff plays!!  

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

BTV calculates Arias/Tolle/Campbell/Abreu as a slight underpay but it accepts it as a fair trade for Skenes. 

But ultimately it would come down to competitors bids and how Pitt likes those guys.  If Pitt really likes those prospects that's a strong offer, if they're not so high on a few of those guys then they're going to take someone else's offer. 

From a value stand point, it's certainly not a crazy proposal. 

I know adding one more piece to my offer may still get a big NO from PIT, but I'd do it. 

It's hard to know who PIT likes over others. They might love a prospect like Bleis or Cespedes, or prefer Perales or Clarke to Tolle. I'd do any of those swap outs.

By addition, I could see us adding Mullins or Romy.

What about Abreu, Campbell, Garcia, Perales?

[moonslav59]

This week saw the Sox play Campbell and Tibbs at 1B.

Word is the added a cutter to Harrison's pitch mix and are having him focus on his sinker more.

Yoshida begins his Woo rehab, tonight. Does anybody know why it took so long?

Sox announced Judice will miss the whole season.

Moran was activated from the 60 Day IL for Woo. 

GRE added two demoted players: Jacob Webb from Woo and Juan Montero from POR. 3 players promoted from SAL to GRE: Sprague, Medina and K diaz.. Labriola promoted from FCL to SAL.

SP's players of the week:

Early- 6 no hit innings

Hector Ramos (DSL): BA: .556 / 1.636 OPS in 5 games (just 1 K)

 

 

[Larry Cook]

Mullins with an immaculate inning tonight. Pretty cool!!!

[Larry Cook]

Ehrhard with a 3 run tater!!  Good night for Romero and Gibbs and Castro as well!!!

[moonslav59]

12 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

Mullins with an immaculate inning tonight. Pretty cool!!!

Here's another guy with some serious upside- most likely as a RP'er. The amount of injuries he's had, through college and the pros has kept his skill level a secret. He's 24, now.

[Hugh2]

16 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I know adding one more piece to my offer may still get a big NO from PIT, but I'd do it. 

It's hard to know who PIT likes over others. They might love a prospect like Bleis or Cespedes, or prefer Perales or Clarke to Tolle. I'd do any of those swap outs.

By addition, I could see us adding Mullins or Romy.

What about Abreu, Campbell, Garcia, Perales?

Well that's just the thing I was getting at earlier.  If they have a 4 player deal and a 5 player deal they value the same....why not go with the 4 player?

At a certain point just adding more pieces to a deal is also creating a 40 man crunch for a team 1-3 years down the road.  I think you need to up the anti by quality of player....not number of players.  

I think to keep it realistic, 4-1 should be our max for player deals. 

[moonslav59]

4 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Well that's just the thing I was getting at earlier.  If they have a 4 player deal and a 5 player deal they value the same....why not go with the 4 player?

At a certain point just adding more pieces to a deal is also creating a 40 man crunch for a team 1-3 years down the road.  I think you need to up the anti by quality of player....not number of players.  

I think to keep it realistic, 4-1 should be our max for player deals. 

I prefer 5 over 4, if we don't have to part with a higher ranked prospect, as a result. To me, our top 3 prosects are worth more than the next 2 combined.

Arias, Garcia and Tolle are close to worth more than any two combined, lower than them or lower than Perales & Valera. For example, I'd rather give Bleis & Cespedes than Arias or Garcia. I'd rather give Valera & Dandlin than Tolle, Perales or early.

[moonslav59]

MLB.com released its updated Top 100 Prospects List:

100 Jh Garcia

40 Arias

6 Mayer

1 Anthony

(Graduated: Campbell)

 

[Larry Cook]

Gonzales with his second Salem tater 

 

[Hugh2]

Baseball America also just recenlty updated their top 100. 

 

1. Roman Anthony

8. Marcelo Mayer

49. Payton Tolle

57. Franklin Arias

74. Brandon Clarke

88. Jhostynxon Garcia.

6 guys in the top 100 after recently graduating Campbell ain't too shabby.  You'd have to believe Valera is close as well and Perales could be in there if he was healthy

And in case you were wondering. 

35. Kyle Teel

53. Braden Montgomery

 

[Hugh2]

Hector Ramos hit a ball with an exit velo of 107.7 yesterday.  Ramos is 17. 

 

I'm trying to do some research on the hardest hit ball ever by a kid under 18 years old.  I'm sure this is not a record but so far I can't find anyone 17 and under who has ever hit a ball that hard. 

He might be the next big thing, keep your eyes open.