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2024 Minor League Thread

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thoughtful said:
anyone heard anything about Jhonkensy? He has not been in the line-up for 3 or 4 days.
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Last I heard he was asking Bobby Bradley Jr for tips on balancing work/life as an AAAA player
 
Damage said:
Last I heard he was asking Bobby Bradley Jr for tips on balancing work/life as an AAAA player
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Don't you have to graduate AAA first to be an AAAA player? I love the term but for guys like SpongeBob.
 
Some observations from this week's minors games:

Probably have to stop watching Low A games, lol. Most of it just loos bad, especially hitting and defense. It's probably better to just statline scout this level for now.

I will say this though: I like Tugboat Wilkinson better than Parker Messick, but they're similar, but Tugboat just has a knack for missing bats. FB is around 91. Dude can pitch.

My Guy, Lipscomb isn't even an everyday player in LC. Waste of talent only to get Boyd and Burgos ABs. Eventually talent will prevail, I hope.

Ingle, Kayfus and Lipscomb are the top prospects on this team.

I'm still high on Fox, but he's looked bad at the plate, notoriously slow starter. Needs to get it going and attack better pitches early, Kwany style. Also a lot of bad BIP luck, but for a guy repeating the level, he needs to do better.

On the pitching side, Austin Peterson, Trent Denholm and Zach Jacob's look like underrated, fringe prospect types with a chance to develop into BOR. Messick too, just don't think he's more than that. He's one I'd use as trade chip if he continues to perform. Stats look better than eye test

In Akron, as usual this time of year, pitching looks better than hitters.

DeLauter had some really bad ABs in Friday's game. It's good he struggles and needs to second guess his approach. The BB/K is still solid, so he knows how to grind out good ABs even when he's not at his best.

Like in LC, one of the best bats isn't even a regular. Cairo, by far, has been the best hitter so far this season. Yet, Milan Tolentino gets priority, although he's clearly over matched at the level. He's closing in on 200 PA at the level and his OPS is 507.

Lampe and Planez look terrible at the plate too. Automatic outs terrible.
Frias is getting himself out way too much. It's a shame he can't carry over his winter ball/national team success to the minors consistently. The talent is there.

I like how Huff and Bracho grind out at bats while also attacking pitches. Both hitters with holes in their swing, but they don't swing and miss much. They know who they are and try to maximize their ability. The kind of profiles I like and believe have a chance to translate up the ladder.

Pitching: Out of 493 arms in AA this season, Andrew Walters and Trey Benton are top 5 in SwStr%. Both are ready for AAA test.
Ryan Webb and Tommy Mace with a couple of nice starts to their season.
Webb has a strong mix of getting swing and miss and weak groundball contact. With Nikhazy injured, he should be the first one up to Columbus. Could be fast tracked to Cleveland.

Mace also gets a lot of weak contact but not much swing and miss. I believe his stuff would work better in relief. I see a mix of Gaddis and Clase in his profile, but that's probably a couple years down the road.

Ross Carver will pitch in MLB someday. Durable, rubber arm type. If he continues to limit walks/pitches, he'll get there quickly, because there's high demand for guys like him.

In Columbus, Nic Enright and Zak Kent are ready. They could be called up and I'd feel confident. Good depth to have. We will need it and have a coaching staff who's not afraid to move arms up and down to keep everyone fresh.

Aleman needs more seasoning, but he's MLB bound too. I also believe in Hunter Stanley as innings eater arm a la Kirk McCarty, Tanner Tully etc

Dion will pitch his way to the Majors too. He's struggled to adjust to the auto zone league and would actually perform better in MLB right now with faulty umps. He can pitch, just needs to learn his limits vs better hitters. That's what AAA is there for. Logan Allen went through the same his first time at that level. Fwiw, I see Dion closer to Allen than Eli Morgan, as in: better chance to be a MLB SP.

On offense, Manzardo looked really bad through Thursday, then had a good game yesterday. The general direction of his profile is a good one and looks promising, but the results haven't caught up to it yet and the eye test gives me pause if he's able to close that gap or if that gap will remain an issue.

J. Rodriguez is odd. Hits a lot of low tracers, swings and misses a lot, but is chasing less and less. As it is, it's a mix of Arias and Florial, with both good and bad. I guess he needs to be given a chance at some point, but I wouldn't change anything on the position player side of things in Cleveland (yet).

Brito uncharacteristically has struggled to put up consistent ABs, which has always been his strength. Maybe he's pressing results to get to Cleveland, but he's not helping himself right now with way too much weak contact. The overall batted ball profile points at the right direction, but he needs to square up pitches more often for impact.

Schneemann is just a nice Swiss army knife Util to have in AAA. Good injury replacement. Good story and will absolutely make it to MLB at some point, somewhere. Strongly believe Vogt likes him enough to make him debut under him as soon as someone hits the IL.
 
Tondo said:
Some observations from this week's minors games:

Probably have to stop watching Low A games, lol. Most of it just loos bad, especially hitting and defense. It's probably better to just statline scout this level for now.

I will say this though: I like Tugboat Wilkinson better than Parker Messick, but they're similar, but Tugboat just has a knack for missing bats. FB is around 91. Dude can pitch.

My Guy, Lipscomb isn't even an everyday player in LC. Waste of talent only to get Boyd and Burgos ABs. Eventually talent will prevail, I hope.

Ingle, Kayfus and Lipscomb are the top prospects on this team.

I'm still high on Fox, but he's looked bad at the plate, notoriously slow starter. Needs to get it going and attack better pitches early, Kwany style. Also a lot of bad BIP luck, but for a guy repeating the level, he needs to do better.

On the pitching side, Austin Peterson, Trent Denholm and Zach Jacob's look like underrated, fringe prospect types with a chance to develop into BOR. Messick too, just don't think he's more than that. He's one I'd use as trade chip if he continues to perform. Stats look better than eye test

In Akron, as usual this time of year, pitching looks better than hitters.

DeLauter had some really bad ABs in Friday's game. It's good he struggles and needs to second guess his approach. The BB/K is still solid, so he knows how to grind out good ABs even when he's not at his best.

Like in LC, one of the best bats isn't even a regular. Cairo, by far, has been the best hitter so far this season. Yet, Milan Tolentino gets priority, although he's clearly over matched at the level. He's closing in on 200 PA at the level and his OPS is 507.

Lampe and Planez look terrible at the plate too. Automatic outs terrible.
Frias is getting himself out way too much. It's a shame he can't carry over his winter ball/national team success to the minors consistently. The talent is there.

I like how Huff and Bracho grind out at bats while also attacking pitches. Both hitters with holes in their swing, but they don't swing and miss much. They know who they are and try to maximize their ability. The kind of profiles I like and believe have a chance to translate up the ladder.

Pitching: Out of 493 arms in AA this season, Andrew Walters and Trey Benton are top 5 in SwStr%. Both are ready for AAA test.
Ryan Webb and Tommy Mace with a couple of nice starts to their season.
Webb has a strong mix of getting swing and miss and weak groundball contact. With Nikhazy injured, he should be the first one up to Columbus. Could be fast tracked to Cleveland.

Mace also gets a lot of weak contact but not much swing and miss. I believe his stuff would work better in relief. I see a mix of Gaddis and Clase in his profile, but that's probably a couple years down the road.

Ross Carver will pitch in MLB someday. Durable, rubber arm type. If he continues to limit walks/pitches, he'll get there quickly, because there's high demand for guys like him.

In Columbus, Nic Enright and Zak Kent are ready. They could be called up and I'd feel confident. Good depth to have. We will need it and have a coaching staff who's not afraid to move arms up and down to keep everyone fresh.

Aleman needs more seasoning, but he's MLB bound too. I also believe in Hunter Stanley as innings eater arm a la Kirk McCarty, Tanner Tully etc

Dion will pitch his way to the Majors too. He's struggled to adjust to the auto zone league and would actually perform better in MLB right now with faulty umps. He can pitch, just needs to learn his limits vs better hitters. That's what AAA is there for. Logan Allen went through the same his first time at that level. Fwiw, I see Dion closer to Allen than Eli Morgan, as in: better chance to be a MLB SP.

On offense, Manzardo looked really bad through Thursday, then had a good game yesterday. The general direction of his profile is a good one and looks promising, but the results haven't caught up to it yet and the eye test gives me pause if he's able to close that gap or if that gap will remain an issue.

J. Rodriguez is odd. Hits a lot of low tracers, swings and misses a lot, but is chasing less and less. As it is, it's a mix of Arias and Florial, with both good and bad. I guess he needs to be given a chance at some point, but I wouldn't change anything on the position player side of things in Cleveland (yet).

Brito uncharacteristically has struggled to put up consistent ABs, which has always been his strength. Maybe he's pressing results to get to Cleveland, but he's not helping himself right now with way too much weak contact. The overall batted ball profile points at the right direction, but he needs to square up pitches more often for impact.

Schneemann is just a nice Swiss army knife Util to have in AAA. Good injury replacement. Good story and will absolutely make it to MLB at some point, somewhere. Strongly believe Vogt likes him enough to make him debut under him as soon as someone hits the IL.
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Great recap Tondo, thanks!

I thought Carver would have been up by now and if I'm being honest I kinda forgot about him.

I have faith that Manzardo and Brito's discipline will win out.

JRod hits the ball often and hard. If he can translate that it will play even with his swing and miss tendencies. The problem with getting him to Cleveland right now is that you don't want him in a part time role. The OF could use the profile if it translates, but I don't know how to fit him in at the moment.

Schneeman is a good story. I just wish he hit from the other side.

Edited to ask how they're going to fit guys like Manzardo, Brito and Rodriguez in when they're deemed "ready"? Even guys like Tena and Pries could be deserving of a shot, but with such a young roster already they may find it difficult to get an opportunity.

Also, we need a good SP prospect or 2 in Columbus and/or Akron IMO.
 
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@Tondo "..Mace also gets a lot of weak contact but not much swing and miss. I believe his stuff would work better in relief. I see a mix of Gaddis and Clase in his profile, but that's probably a couple years down the road..."

..Mace & Nikhazy were those guys that fit the Guardian's college arm with control that they love to "coach up" with added velo and refined off speed stuff.. Nikhazy has progressed.. Mace has been that guy in fits and starts.. Your assessment of him as a bulk reliever makes sense.. He should scrap that lousy curveball and stay with the slider. If he can take a little more off that pitch, it will have more depth and bring more swing and miss... It's already his best weapon.. The 4 seam is pretty flat (small IVB) & doesn't have the high velo, but, because he extends so well.. it gets on the hitters pretty quickly.. It's his sinker that is a much better weapon.. IF he were to be an RP, the four seam velo would play up giving him three at least average to approaching plus pitches.. He has a future in MLB in the pen.. As a starter.. the second time through the opposition's order will see a LOT of pain.. a lot indeed..
 
Tondo said:
Some observations from this week's minors games:
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Talk to me. Excellent updates, thank you. Few observations.
  1. Incredibly high on Kayfus and given his position I think he's going to fly through the system
  2. Ralphy & Chourio are fantastic prospects but I'm paying extra attention to Angel Genao
  3. Chase & Manzardo have been struggling but it could be (hopefully) one of those Grady Sizemore instances where they're just better equipped in the majors vs the minors (Manzardo has been hitting much better as of late)
  4. Walters is another guy who's going to fly through our minors.
  5. It's early, but Cairo and Yordys are finally starting to show their pedigree.
 
JRod had another 2 hit game with his 4th HR. He's up to .318 with an OPS of .999.

Manzardo with 3 hits and he's up to .306 with an OPS of .935.

Pries sitting at .293 and .980.

Noel is struggling badly thus far.
 
Soar said:
Chourio with 2 doubles and a HR tonight...
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Both doubles should have been caught, especially the first one which was a pop up lost in the sun, the second was a warning track flyball, so regardless of outcome a good AB.

Really tough to watch games from that level. It gets much more professional in A+, big jump.
 
Real Deal said:
Was I really reading somewhere on here how Manzardo could very well be AAAA quality and we should've held onto Civale? I must be dreaming right??

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His ABs have been much better the past two games. Bat speed seems quicker or at least he's getting the bat out in front of the ball. Before this weekend he looked reactive and the bat was late a lot.

If he can be that going forward, he'll impact the ML club in some capacity, but that doesn't erase a sub league avg stretch of 15 games before. Consistency is the name of the game. And the bar for a 1B/DH profile is high.

The mix of selectivity and high EV impact will probably work in MLB, but I just don't see the hit tool as good as it's made out to be. He's not a Josh Naylor type but that's what some reports suggest. It's a somewhat grooved swing and he'll struggle to impact or get to pitches at the corners. I'm just not seeing that sort of plus bat control yet. Bat speed? Yes. Bat control? Not so much.
 
Tondo said:
His ABs have been much better the past two games. Bat speed seems quicker or at least he's getting the bat out in front of the ball. Before this weekend he looked reactive and the bat was late a lot.

If he can be that going forward, he'll impact the ML club in some capacity, but that doesn't erase a sub league avg stretch of 15 games before. Consistency is the name of the game. And the bar for a 1B/DH profile is high.

The mix of selectivity and high EV impact will probably work in MLB, but I just don't see the hit tool as good as it's made out to be. He's not a Josh Naylor type but that's what some reports suggest. It's a somewhat grooved swing and he'll struggle to impact or get to pitches at the corners. I'm just not seeing that sort of plus bat control yet. Bat speed? Yes. Bat control? Not so much.
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Seems the most likely scenario is Laureano being dealt when they're ready to get a look at Manzardo. The problem with promoting Manzardo is that he will be sharing 1B/DH duties with Naylor which will cut into flexibility of the current DH situation. I don't think you call up one of your top prospects and not give him a fulltime role.

There could be an injury that opens up an opportunity and the OF ranks need thinned IMO. Hard to make any decisions not knowing if Florial will turn back into a pumpkin.

However it works out it sure seems like Manzardo be a boost to an already potent offense. You get him, DeLauter and Rodriguez mixed in some how and I think we're banging with the likes of Baltimore.
 
So what the hell is going on with Will Dion?

Tommy Mace is a name to keep an eye on
 
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