Midseason Prospect Rankings

July 1. What you boys got? Man we are loaded LOOOOOOOOOOOOADED. I'm going to put some thought to mine over this wonderful long weekend. Anybody done one yet?

I'd have to say EspinGOAT and ValerGOAT are 1 and 2. Beyond that will require some thanking. Maybe Naylor Jr? Maybe Gavin the GASMAN Williams? Brennan has got to be up here somewhere.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWE Let's GO.

DickyLeftridge said:

July 1. What you boys got? Man we are loaded LOOOOOOOOOOOOADED. I'm going to put some thought to mine over this wonderful long weekend. Anybody done one yet?

I'd have to say EspinGOAT and ValerGOAT are 1 and 2. Beyond that will require some thanking. Maybe Naylor Jr? Maybe Gavin the GASMAN Williams? Brennan has got to be up here somewhere.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWE Let's GO.

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I'll try to make a list this weekend too. That said you are going to have a very hard time convincing me Espino and Valera are NOT your top 2 prospects at the moment, though the order is up for debate. I know who I like:

1. Espino
2. Valera
3. Williams
4. Freeman
5. Rocchio
6. Arias
7. Naylor
8. Noel
9. Brennan
More to come, including potential adds/reorder. Looks like my top 10 will pretty much be players at AA and above.. Not too shabby.

Criznit said:

I'll try to make a list this weekend too. That said you are going to have a very hard time convincing me Espino and Valera are NOT your top 2 prospects at the moment, though the order is up for debate. I know who I like:

1. Espino
2. Valera
3. Williams
4. Freeman
5. Rocchio
6. Arias
7. Naylor
8. Noel
9. Brennan
More to come, including potential adds/reorder. Looks like my top 10 will pretty much be players at AA and above.. Not too shabby.

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..you need to move more guys higher up.. and there is no way to know / say who moves down in a corresponding move.. but someone will..

Lets play along.

Off the top of my head...

1) Valera
2) Naylor
3) Freeman
4) Espino
5) Williams
6) Rocchio
7) Noel

A grab bag after that with Jones and Arias in the mix.

I tend towards prospects closer to MLB ready...hence Freeman above Rocchio...contact over power....and position players over pitchers, because of volatility and likelihood of health concerns.

If I KNEW that Espino would hold up, he'd be the #1...but right now he is out due to a sore knee and a sore shoulder...and has lost important development time. Even if he comes back soon, he will have never thrown much over 90 IP in a season, which means he will be limited next year.

CATS44 said:

Lets play along.

Off the top of my head...

1) Valera
2) Naylor
3) Freeman
4) Espino
5) Williams
6) Rocchio
7) Noel

A grab bag after that with Jones and Arias in the mix.

I tend towards prospects closer to MLB ready...hence Freeman above Rocchio...contact over power....and position players over pitchers, because of volatility and likelihood of health concerns.

If I KNEW that Espino would hold up, he'd be the #1...but right now he is out due to a sore knee and a sore shoulder...and has lost important development time. Even if he comes back soon, he will have never thrown much over 90 IP in a season, which means he will be limited next year.

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BOOOOOO THIS MAN

I know Jones fell out of good graces with a ton of us me included but at the moment I think I'd rank him over Noel personally. Tell you what creating a top ten, shit even a top 15 in this organization is incredibly hard at the moment. I've religiously followed the minors since Kinston Indians games on beach vacations with the likes of Ryan Church and Macier Izturis and boy I don't think they've ever had a system this healthy. Going to have to really sit and think on this for a day or two for my midseason. I remember when we were coming in and IBI had some pitchers in the 20-30 range that easily could be guys that could find themselves 8-15 range. Just really so much quality here.

EDIT - Just a correction I meant Gaurdians Prospective not IBI.

Think I'm going w.

1. Espino - for an org that mints pitchers with much lesser raw talent, they finally have a GAS THROWING elite arm to mold. Production has been there. Word we're hearing is less a true injury and more just being cautious, as there's no need to rush him.
2. Valera - probably the best bat to come through the org in the last 10-12 years, at least. Power, average, and at a tough park. Has been MASHING after the thaw in April.
3. Williams - see Espino. Has been dominant and already at AA 1 year into the org. Very exciting prospect.
4. Naylor - where it gets tricky IMO. But the resurgence this year is real. He's still so young. Bat has been great, and he's such a sight for sore eyes in an org where we've been trotting out designated fielders in the lineup at Catcher.
5. Arias - bit by the injury bug, but all of the tools are still there. Still incredibly young. Better defensive tools and success/age combo put him above the other SS in the org. Most likely option to pair with Gimenez going forward IMO.
6. Rocchio - I hope the bat is starting to come back around. But as Naylor has shown, repeating AA at 21 years of age at a premium position is not the end of the world.
7. Jones - been bringing the lumber since he finally returned.
8. Martinez - age, switch hitter, chops to stick at short, and has been the only bat to hit at Lake County. No clue what's going on there, but his .270ish average has to be taken into that context.
9. Freeman - injury bug bit him too, but has hit at every level, every season. Rounding into form in AAA.
10. Brennan - breakout star and best performer in the org. The next Kwan. Unreal numbers this year.
11. Logan Allen Jr. - 106/23 K/BB ratio in 73 and 2/3rds innings this year. What if I told you those were his exact same numbers last year at the lower level?
12. Bibee - High 90s and nothing short of dominant. Behind Brennan as breakout star thus far. Could easily see him eclipsing Allen Jr.
13. Cantillo - pitch factory does not skip shifts. 22 years old, lefty, and dominant. Just building that arm back up and hoping to keep him healthy.
14. Noel - unquestioned power. Early returns but seems to be doing much better in Akron than Lake County. As with Martinez, I think something bad is just in the water in the Lake County batters box this year.
15. Tena - hitting much better than Rocchio at Akron while also being 21 and a MIF. Actually 2 months younger than Rocchio.

I mean that Top 15 is as good as it gets. I see all as well within the realm of being every day major leaguers. Maybe not in this org given the depth, but wow. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAADED.

Receiving votes: Curry, Gabby Rodriguez, Tolentino, Will GOAT Benson, Tanner Burns, Cody Morris, Lavastida, Gaddis

Your breakout this year has to be Milan Tolentino - though it's not earth shattering or Tanner Bibee perhaps.

IMO - Micah Pries has gone up about 30-50 spots and sits on the edge of the top 20. Looks like he is going be around a 30/30 player over 162 games. I know he is older but he has also only played 2 minor league seasons with a little less than half of his games (60) in AA.

Gives me Joey Wendle vibes in a way. Different toolboxes but similar drive.

Alright, let's go by logic and numbers to say who is where so I am not great at scouting, but good with reports and numbers...

1) RHP Espino
2) OF Valera
3) RHP Williams
4) 2B/SS Freeman
5) SS Arias
6) SS Rocchio
7) RF Jones
8) LHP Allen
9) SS Martinez
10) C Naylor
11) SS Tena
12) C Lavastida
13) RHP Burns
14) 1B Noel
15) OF Brennan
16) RHP Bibee
17) RHP Morris
18) RHP Battenfield
19) RHP Curry
20) LHP Nikhazy
21) SS Tolentino
22) SS Fox
23) OF Halpin
24) LHP Cantillo
25) RHP Mace
26) RHP Hankins
27) SS Tucker
28) OF Greene
29) RHP Myers
30) RHP Mikolajchak

If I went by MLB.com top 30 list and adjusting some guys...

Brennan, Cantillo, and Bibee are big jumps, Tucker, Halpin and Myers are the fallers...

sportscoach said:

Alright, let's go by logic and numbers to say who is where so I am not great at scouting, but good with reports and numbers...

1) RHP Espino
2) OF Valera
3) RHP Williams
4) 2B/SS Freeman
5) SS Arias
6) SS Rocchio
7) RF Jones
8) LHP Allen
9) SS Martinez
10) C Naylor
11) SS Tena
12) C Lavastida
13) RHP Burns
14) 1B Noel
15) OF Brennan
16) RHP Bibee
17) RHP Morris
18) RHP Battenfield
19) RHP Curry
20) LHP Nikhazy
21) SS Tolentino
22) SS Fox
23) OF Halpin
24) LHP Cantillo
25) RHP Mace
26) RHP Hankins
27) SS Tucker
28) OF Greene
29) RHP Myers
30) RHP Mikolajchak

If I went by MLB.com top 30 list and adjusting some guys...

Brennan, Cantillo, and Bibee are big jumps, Tucker, Halpin and Myers are the fallers...

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I have no disagreement with your top ten.

1) RHP Espino
2) RHP Williams
3) SS Rocchio
4) OF Valera
5) SS Martinez
6) C Naylor
7) CF Brennan
8) 2B Freeman
9) RF Jones
10) 2B Fox


Espino and Williams have FOR potential, both high floors and ceilings, easy 1-2 punch at the top, arm risk included.
Rocchio over Valera due to defense and what I believe is a safer profile (higher floor). I've comped Rocchio to Gimenez right after we got him in the trade and stuck to both being our best hitting prospects. How you like Gimenez now?
There's still some risk with Valera and his profile is all about the bat, but it looks like it will play, that is a strong no4.
Martinez is a 5 tool player and in the Gimenez, Rocchio mold, maybe minus the defense, no info there (Bimbo?). He still goes under the radar.
Naylor at 6 feels low, but he's made a huge jump and needs to prove it, but another prospect that has future building block potential.
Brennan/Freeman are your up the middle plus bats, some speed, some defense, OBP. Brennan gets the nod due to position and more secondary tools (speed, power, OBP).
I'm still a Jones skeptic, being burnt by the high K rate likes of Zimmer and B. Bradley, but he's still a top 10 guy. Arias is not for me. That SwStr% has bust written all over him. Imagine Amed Rosario with out the contact ability.
Fox is my sleeper top 10 prospect nobody seems to have on their radar yet. Elite in his age/class with Top prospects like M. Mayer/J. Dominguez.

Tondo said:

1) RHP Espino
2) RHP Williams
3) SS Rocchio
4) OF Valera
5) SS Martinez
6) C Naylor
7) CF Brennan
8) 2B Freeman
9) RF Jones
10) 2B Fox


Espino and Williams have FOR potential, both high floors and ceilings, easy 1-2 punch at the top, arm risk included.
Rocchio over Valera due to defense and what I believe is a safer profile (higher floor). I've comped Rocchio to Gimenez right after we got him in the trade and stuck to both being our best hitting prospects. How you like Gimenez now?
There's still some risk with Valera and his profile is all about the bat, but it looks like it will play, that is a strong no4.
Martinez is a 5 tool player and in the Gimenez, Rocchio mold, maybe minus the defense, no info there (Bimbo?). He still goes under the radar.
Naylor at 6 feels low, but he's made a huge jump and needs to prove it, but another prospect that has future building block potential.
Brennan/Freeman are your up the middle plus bats, some speed, some defense, OBP. Brennan gets the nod due to position and more secondary tools (speed, power, OBP).
I'm still a Jones skeptic, being burnt by the high K rate likes of Zimmer and B. Bradley, but he's still a top 10 guy. Arias is not for me. That SwStr% has bust written all over him. Imagine Amed Rosario with out the contact ability.
Fox is my sleeper top 10 prospect nobody seems to have on their radar yet. Elite in his age/class with Top prospects like M. Mayer/J. Dominguez.

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I typed about Jake Fox and then posted, then I see your list, lol! Only 19, more walks than strikeouts, steals some bases, power may be on its way. Lots to like.

You mentioned power in your comment about Brennan. To me he doesn’t seem like there’s very much power there, his stats are very similar to Kwan - his stats this year are almost a carbon copy of Kwan’s in AAA last year.

Also not big on Arias. Not sure what everyone sees in him to rate him above Gimenez or Martinez. Rocchio is maybe coming around, but I’m not sure about him - maybe the concussion ramifications are to blame.

Nice to see Freeman heating up. Why wait 4 pitches to get on base via a walk when you can just have the same result by facing one pitch and getting plunked!

And Jones is on fire. Hopefully the new stance will have big results. Any reports on his defense in right field?

Tondo said:

1) RHP Espino
2) RHP Williams
3) SS Rocchio
4) OF Valera
5) SS Martinez
6) C Naylor
7) CF Brennan
8) 2B Freeman
9) RF Jones
10) 2B Fox


Espino and Williams have FOR potential, both high floors and ceilings, easy 1-2 punch at the top, arm risk included.
Rocchio over Valera due to defense and what I believe is a safer profile (higher floor). I've comped Rocchio to Gimenez right after we got him in the trade and stuck to both being our best hitting prospects. How you like Gimenez now?
There's still some risk with Valera and his profile is all about the bat, but it looks like it will play, that is a strong no4.
Martinez is a 5 tool player and in the Gimenez, Rocchio mold, maybe minus the defense, no info there (Bimbo?). He still goes under the radar.
Naylor at 6 feels low, but he's made a huge jump and needs to prove it, but another prospect that has future building block potential.
Brennan/Freeman are your up the middle plus bats, some speed, some defense, OBP. Brennan gets the nod due to position and more secondary tools (speed, power, OBP).
I'm still a Jones skeptic, being burnt by the high K rate likes of Zimmer and B. Bradley, but he's still a top 10 guy. Arias is not for me. That SwStr% has bust written all over him. Imagine Amed Rosario with out the contact ability.
Fox is my sleeper top 10 prospect nobody seems to have on their radar yet. Elite in his age/class with Top prospects like M. Mayer/J. Dominguez.

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I might not agree with everything you said and I don't know much about Fox, but I'm not making a list because Tondo has nailed. The only difference I might make is swapping Fox with Bibee. This system is loaded and I don't know how they'll get everyone an opportunity. Some will come from injury. Some will come from failure. Either way, there are some guys in the MLB roster that have to be feeling a bit uneasy.

It's hard for me to rank pitching and position player prospects together so I'll make a list of both.
Pitchers(Starters):
1. Espino
2. Williams
3. Hankins
4. Bibee
5. Cantillo
6. Burns
7. Curry
8. Allen
9. Morris
10. Battenfield

Position players:
1. Valera
2. Naylor
3. Rocchio
4. Martinez
5. Brennan
6. Tena
7. Arias
8. Jones
9. Freeman
10. Fox(because I trust you guys)

Well MLB.com updated their top 100 prospect list...

11 Espino
34 Valera
81 Gavin Williams
83 Arias
88 Rocchio
89 Freeman