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2020 Minor League Thread

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I was looking for something else on the MLB website & located the following regarding the farm systems & found the results interesting:

Youth movements
The average age of the players on each team's Top 30 list could be an indicator of which farm systems will be next to ascend into the Top 10. Here's a list of the teams with the youngest average age on their Top 30 lists, which suggests that both New York teams, as well as the Padres, could have very good systems for a very long time, the Pirates, Rangers and Indians could rise to the top of the Top 10 list and that we should all keep an eye on the Red Sox and Blue Jays.

1) Angels, 6/15/1999
2) Yankees, 12/29/1998
3) Rangers, 12/23/1998
4) Mets, 10/24/1998
5) Pirates, 8/14/1998
6) Padres, 8/7/1998
7) Brewers, 8/7/1998
8) Indians, 8/2/1998
9) Red Sox, 7/25/1998
10) Blue Jays, 6/23/1998

 
Thanks to another board contributor (DetDawg of IBI), I came across the ESPN rankings for the Tribe.
Here is the copied post:
A few days ago, Kiley McDaniel came out with his Top Prospects' list for each American League team. The number of players in each team's ranking depended on the quality and depth of their minor league systems but, to be honest, the lists seem to employ a haphazard methodology. So rankings appear to list all players having a FV ranking of at least 45, but some teams lowest ranked players have FVs of 40+ or 40. The Indians had the 3rd most players listed as top prospects with 11. The Yankees had 14 and the Rays had 17. The Indians' rankings and FV grades are below. The linked article is behind a paywall.

http://insider.espn.com/mlb/insider...gue-team-team-top-prospect-rankings#ALCentral

1. Nolan Jones - 55
2. George Valera - 50
3. Tyler Freeman - 50
4. Brayan Rocchio - 50
5. Bo Naylor - 50
6. James Karinchak - 45+
7. Triston McKenzie - 45
8. Emmanuel Clase - 45
9. Daniel Espino - 45
10. Logan Allen - 45
11. Daniel Johnson - 45

McDaniel lists Logan Allen as the prospect most likely to make an impact in 2020, Bo Naylor as the top prospect most likely to have a breakout year, and Eli Morgan as the unranked prospect most likely to have a breakout year.
 
I know its jumping out of the division but what are peoples thoughts on Wander Franco?

I snagged a very limited Coby White rookie and traded it to a personal collector for roughly 30 Bowmans (probably 12 chrome) rookie cards (8 graded as 10), 2 Luka rookie cards & cash.
 
As a follow up to earlier postings (early January) regarding Baseball Prospectus, I can now report the top 20 rankings for Tribe prospects. Enjoy.

RkPlayerPosRkPlayerPos
1George ValeraOF11Tristan McKenzieRHP
2Nolan Jones3B12Tyler FreemanSS
3Brayan RocchioSS13Sam HentgesLHP
4James KarinchakRHP14Aaron Bracho2B
5Daniel EspnioRHP15Luis OviedoRHP
6Emmanuel ClaseRHP16Yu ChangINF
7Logan AllenLHP17Will BensonOF
8Ethan HankinsRHP18Lenny TorresRHP
9Daniel JohnsonOF19Oscar GonzalezOF
10Bo NaylorC20Nick SandlinRHP

While surprised by placement of a few names & the inclusion of Hentges/ Benson/ Oscar Gonzalez in the final 8 spots, I would still consider it a solid viewpoint.
 
Anyone get their BA Prospect Handbok yet??
I went to order mine today via Amazon & was told if I ordered today, the delivery would be @4/30. Unless I wanted to pay $8 priority charge. Then I could get it @ 4/21/20. With that long of a delay, I will wait to order. Perhaps find an alternative means to getting the book.

I'm curious to who made the Tribe list #12 thru #30. Can anyone share the info???
 
In the store this evening I spotted another source & top 10 ranking for Tribe prospects.
Here is the opinion of RotoWorld Magazine.

#PlayerPos#PlayerPos
1Nolan Jones3B6Ethan HankinsRHP
2Tyler FreemanSS7Bobby Bradley1B
3Triston McKenzieRHP8Aaron Bracho2B
4Bo NaylorC9Daniel EspinoRHP
5Logan AllenLHP10James KarinchakRHP
 
Anyone get their BA Prospect Handbok yet??
I went to order mine today via Amazon & was told if I ordered today, the delivery would be @4/30. Unless I wanted to pay $8 priority charge. Then I could get it @ 4/21/20. With that long of a delay, I will wait to order. Perhaps find an alternative means to getting the book.

I'm curious to who made the Tribe list #12 thru #30. Can anyone share the info???
I have a digital edition
Screen Shot 2020-03-22 at 7.57.29 PM.png
 
Here are some various farm system rankings for 2020. There is 1 more source I am searching for but it be a month plus before I get that publication.

RANK​
Avg rankTeam \ SourceBaseball AmericaBaseball ProspectusKeith LawProspect DigestBleacher Reportoverall MiLB.com (3 articles)Street & Smith's Baseball 2020MLB PipelineKiley McDaniel ESPNHLTotal Pts.
1
1.000​
Tampa Bay Rays111111111119
2
2.556​
San Diego Padres2254222222523
3
3.778​
Los Angeles Dodgers3632535342634
4
4.444​
Atlanta Braves4527344832840
5
6.444​
Arizona Diamondbacks1044381336731358
6
7.667​
Florida/ Miami Marlins9881077641041069
7
9.000​
Seattle Mariners53112545109932581
8
10.222​
Minnesota Twins871591191371371592
9
11.111​
Detroit Tigers11171913681556519100
10
11.444​
Chicago White Sox71813191368118619103
11
11.778​
San Francisco Giants14131061011161016616106
12
12.889​
Toronto Blue Jays62378141571620623116
13
14.667​
Baltimore Orioles1214241612101413171024132
14
15.111​
New York Yankees179620211818225522136
15
15.111​
St. Louis Cardinals13209141612191815920136
16
15.111​
Oakland Athletics1510261515161114141026136
17
15.778​
Kansas City Royals1812122391991723923142
18
16.444​
Pittsburgh Pirates23221452314211511523148
19
16.889​
Cleveland Indians1916211120212012121121152
20
19.556​
Los Angeles Angels1615182125171726211526176
21
21.111​
New York Mets2524161728241820181628190
22
21.444​
Texas Rangers2111173022232321251130193
23
21.889​
Philadelphia Phillies2421222618202519221826197
24
22.000​
Cincinnati Reds2819231817282224191728198
25
23.667​
Boston Red Sox2027251226272425271227213
26
25.222​
Houston Astros2726272219252728261928227
27
25.222​
Chicago Cubs2225282827222823242228227
28
26.444​
Colorado Rockies2928202424292927282029238
29
27.889​
Washington Nationals2629292730262629292630251
30
29.778​
Milwaukee Brewers3030302929303030302930268
 
If ever there was a time to answer any questions, the next week would be it. So fire away.
 
If ever there was a time to answer any questions, the next week would be it. So fire away.

I’ve got plenty for you, Bimbo, but I’ll start with this one: Is it too far fetched to project Lindor to be Brayan Rocchio’s ceiling?
 
I’ve got plenty for you, Bimbo, but I’ll start with this one: Is it too far fetched to project Lindor to be Brayan Rocchio’s ceiling?

Lindor is a big reason why projecting prospects is such a hard science. When he was a prospect, he was mostly touted for his glove and was expected to be a decent bat with limited power.

In the MLB his bat has been better than his glove and he’s turned into one of the better power hitting SS’s in the leagues golden era for power from up the middle positions.

Rocchio fits that profile. He’s a glove first guy right now, although he still plays reckless which leads to errors, and is still developing his body and power, but people who do what Lindor and Ramirez have been able to do, show infinitely more consistent power at the MLB level than in the minors, are few and far between.

I think a safer bet for Rocchio’s ceiling right now would be like a Jorge Polanco type with a better glove, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns into Frankie lite. Both have similar builds and make up at 17/18, so I wouldn’t put it past him blowing up into a star. He’s most certainly one of those young kids I mentioned who have superstar, top 3 at their position potential.
 
@BimboColesHair

Some lower-level sleepers?

I've taken a liking to Jhonkensy Noel. He doesn't turn 19 until July and looks like he could develop some serious power.
 
A lot of people love Noel in the organization, his athleticism and strength combo at a young age is scary. Big hole in his swing though, has to clean it up.

As for me, by far my favorite prospect not showing on many peoples top list for the Tribe is Alexfri Planez. Monster power potential, right handed OF bat, solid defender and speed for his size. Went through a growth spurt and is a legit 6’5/6’6. Very much a free swinger, but so young. Kind of like their right handed second chance of Will Benson.

Junior Sanquintin should fly up rankings this year. Indians are almost comically loaded with SS and 2B players right now. He finally comes stateside to play so he’ll rise if he produces like he should. Switch hitter with plus power and approach from both sides. Big signing a few years ago, think he transitions to another position in the next few years.

Brauny Munoz is a pitcher to watch. Kid throws absolute gas, very similar to Espino in that he makes it look easy too. Surprisingly has good control for how young he is and how hard he throws too. Needs to find a feel for some secondary pitches to work off his fastball.

Micael Ramirez is a C who can straight up hit. Needs to stay healthy and progress as a catcher and game manager, but that comes with time. Can see him rising up if he starts in Mahoning Valley and progresses to full season ball.

Think Hunter Gaddis is your next Bieber/Plesac/Civale. He should fly up the system while producing no prospect attention because of his age/draft position. Nasty stuff with great control. Could have seen him making it up to AA ball this year had a full season been played.

Xzavion Curry is an interesting guy to watch who will be making his debut this year. They’ll start him out as a starter, but I believe he ends up in the bullpen like Karinchak progressed as a pro. Very similar deception and herky jerky delivery like Karinchak, but not quite the stuff that Karinchak has, yet.

There are a ton of Dominican League kids coming over to play in the states for the first time this year. That crop of huge, raw athletes are finally going to have access to MLB caliber training regimens and facilities. Good chance you see a lot of young kids in Arizona and Mahoning Valley open up some eyes very wide. Lot of talent coming over from Latin America this year, should there be a year.
 
A lot of people love Noel in the organization, his athleticism and strength combo at a young age is scary. Big hole in his swing though, has to clean it up.

As for me, by far my favorite prospect not showing on many peoples top list for the Tribe is Alexfri Planez. Monster power potential, right handed OF bat, solid defender and speed for his size. Went through a growth spurt and is a legit 6’5/6’6. Very much a free swinger, but so young. Kind of like their right handed second chance of Will Benson.

Junior Sanquintin should fly up rankings this year. Indians are almost comically loaded with SS and 2B players right now. He finally comes stateside to play so he’ll rise if he produces like he should. Switch hitter with plus power and approach from both sides. Big signing a few years ago, think he transitions to another position in the next few years.

Brauny Munoz is a pitcher to watch. Kid throws absolute gas, very similar to Espino in that he makes it look easy too. Surprisingly has good control for how young he is and how hard he throws too. Needs to find a feel for some secondary pitches to work off his fastball.

Micael Ramirez is a C who can straight up hit. Needs to stay healthy and progress as a catcher and game manager, but that comes with time. Can see him rising up if he starts in Mahoning Valley and progresses to full season ball.

Think Hunter Gaddis is your next Bieber/Plesac/Civale. He should fly up the system while producing no prospect attention because of his age/draft position. Nasty stuff with great control. Could have seen him making it up to AA ball this year had a full season been played.

Xzavion Curry is an interesting guy to watch who will be making his debut this year. They’ll start him out as a starter, but I believe he ends up in the bullpen like Karinchak progressed as a pro. Very similar deception and herky jerky delivery like Karinchak, but not quite the stuff that Karinchak has, yet.

There are a ton of Dominican League kids coming over to play in the states for the first time this year. That crop of huge, raw athletes are finally going to have access to MLB caliber training regimens and facilities. Good chance you see a lot of young kids in Arizona and Mahoning Valley open up some eyes very wide. Lot of talent coming over from Latin America this year, should there be a year.
To put into context the ridiculousness of Planez's growth spurt, he was listed at 6'2 180 last year

As for Noel, watching some of his live reps, he swings like his arms aren't connected to his body. He has an open stance and is often stepping sway from where he's swinging. Makes it look like he's constantly lunging.

Being able to make some changes to smooth that out will be what makes or breaks him.
 

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