2023 Minor League Thread

[Lee]

I'm still baffled by the collapse of Battenfield.

You know what they say....Love is a Battenfield.

 

[CDAV45]

You know what they say....Love is a Battenfield.

You're silly!

 

[Gson]

You're silly!

Sounds a bit like a "heartache" to me..

 

[petes999]

So, just a little write-up on our 5th prospect per MLB pipeline (best non-100 prospect by team - as we have 4, he is 5th, unless they do upside over Brito high floor?)

Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez, C/1B
Few players in the 2023 Draft offered a better combination of hitting ability and power than Velazquez, whom the Guardians scooped up with the 23rd overall selection. The California high school product went 8-for-23 with two homers in Rookie ball during his brief pro debut. He's a work in progress behind the plate, but his solid arm strength is an asset.

 

[Gson]

So, just a little write-up on our 5th prospect per MLB pipeline (best non-100 prospect by team - as we have 4, he is 5th, unless they do upside over Brito high floor?)

Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez, C/1B
Few players in the 2023 Draft offered a better combination of hitting ability and power than Velazquez, whom the Guardians scooped up with the 23rd overall selection. The California high school product went 8-for-23 with two homers in Rookie ball during his brief pro debut. He's a work in progress behind the plate, but his solid arm strength is an asset.

From what I've seen.. Ralphy has good/soft hands and a not overly strong & accurate arm.. His movements behind the dish can/should be better for someone as agile as he claims to be... That movement includes being able to slide laterally in both directions to block pitches in the dirt. Pop times for throws are not great, but, he makes up for that to a small degree with his strong arm. In summary, his defensive techniques as a catcher are wanting.. It's going to take some time to develop these skills.. There is no question that his bat is legitimate.. no one doubts that.. Because his best speed is trotting around the bases after hitting it over the fence.. he either stays/works at becoming an at least average defender behind the dish or he is a DH.. Right now.. I'd opine that it's going to be the latter..

Thoughts?

 

[Criznit]

A few more releases, a couple of these names are a bit more familiar to me.

 

[MadThinker88]

A few more releases, a couple of these names are a bit more familiar to me.

Sad to see Will Bartlett depart. Always felt he should use the theme to ‘The West Wing’ as his walk up music.

 

[Criznit]

 

[Damage]

Me, calling & canceling Pier W reservations after sexy time

 

[macbdog]

From what I've seen.. Ralphy has good/soft hands and a not overly strong & accurate arm.. His movements behind the dish can/should be better for someone as agile as he claims to be... That movement includes being able to slide laterally in both directions to block pitches in the dirt. Pop times for throws are not great, but, he makes up for that to a small degree with his strong arm. In summary, his defensive techniques as a catcher are wanting.. It's going to take some time to develop these skills.. There is no question that his bat is legitimate.. no one doubts that.. Because his best speed is trotting around the bases after hitting it over the fence.. he either stays/works at becoming an at least average defender behind the dish or he is a DH.. Right now.. I'd opine that it's going to be the latter..

Thoughts?

As David Fry is showing, he doesn't have to catch all that much for it to be a bonus. So if he can become passable there, great, even if he is just a part timer. Secretly hoping for Mike Piazza 2.0. While the Gs would prefer that he gets to the bigs at an older age so they control his prime, I think there is a chance his bat forces a position change. Will be a fun one to watch.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Just a reminder, if you have MLB.TV, you can also watch the Columbus Clippers today at 5:00 pm. (weather permitting).
Keep an eye on Manzardo and Straw.

 

[Criznit]

Just a reminder, if you have MLB.TV, you can also watch the Columbus Clippers today at 5:00 pm. (weather permitting).
Keep an eye on Manzardo and Straw.

Game was cancelled yesterday.

Will Dion will be starting too.

 

[Criznit]

 

[petes999]

 

[Criznit]

Too bad they couldn't knock this out last year when they were doing ulnar nerve decompression surgery on his right elbow.