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2021 Minor League Thread

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Glaser isn't the only one.

Eric Longenhagen, when asked by one our very own board members about how he felt about our plethora of MIFs, said this about Rocchio...

You would have to pry him from my cold, dead hands
What if this Longenhagen guy is like Norm McDonald and keeping a terminal cancer diagnosis to himself? Or if he catches a bad case of COVID? Would hate to lose Rocchio just because of this stipulation.
 
You may be right, but consider these moves the FO made in the last eight months.

It traded for not one, but two, young shortstops. It has called up two MIFs from Columbus. It is still looking at Chang. Both the FO and Hale have said that the last few months of the season are being used to give everybody an opportunity to show what they can do at the MLB level...both at 2B and in the corner outfield spots.

Although we have Jose, Jones has still played the majority of games at third, and Arias has played his second most games at third.

Although we have a big question mark at first, Jones has only played one game there.

If you look at 2022, it is obvious that we need to find answers at second and in the outfield. Miller, Clement, Gimenez, Chang, Zimmer, Harold, and Mercado are all having tryouts. Which two names are missing?

Both Jones and Arias have spent the entire year at one level, while nearly every other prospect we have has moved up at least one level.

Both Antonetti and Tito have remarked upon the increasingly wide gap for hitters between AAA and MLB...and yet neither Arias nor Jones has been brought up to get thru their first growing pains, and its too late to do it now.

Palacios is now in Columbus and tearing it up. (128 wRC+) Rocchio is in Akron and tearing it up. (136 wRC+) Freeman is in Akron, and was tearing it up. (129 wRC+)

Maybe all these performances by the other MIF prospects and the corresponding decisions by the FO mean nothing.

Maybe...
All that stuff you mentioned is completely meaningless in regards to how the organization views Arias and Jones.

Hell, you dinged them for not playing multiple levels when they’re both playing in AAA for the first time! Why would they prematurely start their service clock? Calling either of them up this year would make no sense.

Outside of Gimenez and Miller, all the guys you mentioned that are getting “tryouts” are guys that might get DFA’d or non-tendered.
 
All that stuff you mentioned is completely meaningless in regards to how the organization views Arias and Jones.

Hell, you dinged them for not playing multiple levels when they’re both playing in AAA for the first time! Why would they prematurely start their service clock? Calling either of them up this year would make no sense.

Outside of Gimenez and Miller, all the guys you mentioned that are getting “tryouts” are guys that might get DFA’d or non-tendered.
We shall see, but we need a starting 2B and two corner outfielders by opening day, and the only two that aren't being looked at are Jones and Arias.

Actions speak louder than words.

We've seen this play out before. A fan favorite prospect gets moved to AAA. The FO says all the right things about them. Then, as they languish thru multiple option years, they either get passed by by other prospects, or the FO makes several trades for youngsters who play the same position.

It happened to Chang. It happened with Aguilar. Its happened to a whole bunch of pitchers...Plutko, Morimando, Merritt, and Guthrie. James Ramsey, Mike Papi, Dorssys Paulino, Ronnie Rodriguez.
 
We shall see, but we need a starting 2B and two corner outfielders by opening day, and the only two that aren't being looked at are Jones and Arias.

Actions speak louder than words.

We've seen this play out before. A fan favorite prospect gets moved to AAA. The FO says all the right things about them. Then, as they languish thru multiple option years, they either get passed by by other prospects, or the FO makes several trades for youngsters who play the same position.

It happened to Chang. It happened with Aguilar. Its happened to a whole bunch of pitchers...Plutko, Morimando, Merritt, and Guthrie. James Ramsey, Mike Papi, Dorssys Paulino, Ronnie Rodriguez.
Comparing Jones and Arias to any of those guys is ridiculous. None of those were high level prospects and nationally lauded like Jones and Arias.
 
We shall see, but we need a starting 2B and two corner outfielders by opening day, and the only two that aren't being looked at are Jones and Arias.

Actions speak louder than words.

We've seen this play out before. A fan favorite prospect gets moved to AAA. The FO says all the right things about them. Then, as they languish thru multiple option years, they either get passed by by other prospects, or the FO makes several trades for youngsters who play the same position.

It happened to Chang. It happened with Aguilar. Its happened to a whole bunch of pitchers...Plutko, Morimando, Merritt, and Guthrie. James Ramsey, Mike Papi, Dorssys Paulino, Ronnie Rodriguez.
You’re imagining things, and quite frankly, you’re making no sense at all. I can’t believe you’re comparing Jones and Arias to Mike Papi, Dorssys Paulino, and a bunch of other guys the organization never paid much mind to outside of Guthrie.

Jones and Arias are very clearly highly regarded by the organization, and in their plans for the future.
 
@BimboColesHair has flat out told us that Andy Tracy has taken Jones and Arias under his wing at the behest of the FO.

If you want to debate whether or not that’s warranted, and whether they’ll turn out to be high quality players, I’ll hear that, but to pretend that they’re getting passed over, or that the FO doesn’t think much of them is just absurd.
 
@BimboColesHair has flat out told us that Andy Tracy has taken Jones and Arias under his wing at the behest of the FO.

If you want to debate whether or not that’s warranted, and whether they’ll turn out to be high quality players, I’ll hear that, but to pretend that they’re getting passed over, or that the FO doesn’t think much of them is just absurd.

True facts here.
 
@CATS44

Most of those guys you named flamed out at or before AAA, so they were never in contention... Arias and Jones haven't even come close to flaming out at all. Also like others have said i think they felt Jones and Arias would develop better staying at AAA with Tracy than in the pros...
 
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All that stuff you mentioned is completely meaningless in regards to how the organization views Arias and Jones.

Hell, you dinged them for not playing multiple levels when they’re both playing in AAA for the first time! Why would they prematurely start their service clock? Calling either of them up this year would make no sense.

Outside of Gimenez and Miller, all the guys you mentioned that are getting “tryouts” are guys that might get DFA’d or non-tendered.
Arias is the best defensive SS in Cleveland's system and that is no secret or new revelation. Along with being the best defensive SS, he also has the highest offensive upside as well. We're talking about a kid with the potential to win a GG at SS and hit like a corner player. That's the advantage of being 6'2" 220lbs with his skillset. There are some things that influence a player's ability that cannot be coached. Size, athletic ability, and arm strength are among them.

Jones hit a couple of bumps in the road this season, but he is still young. Jones' SO rate looks to be inline with the previous 2 seasons, but his BB rate is down. That's not unheard of when young players reach the higher levels of the minors, especially when they are as young as he is. Nobody will give a single shit about his SO if he continues to get on base while pummeling 30 HR. He easily has that potential.

I'll be very surprised if Rosario isn't dealt this offseason. I love the guy, but his value will probably never be higher while in Cleveland and there is a plethora of talent right behind him. I expect Gimenez to be the opening day SS in 22 with Freeman at 2B, but neither may be long there with the likes of Arias, Freeman, and Rocchio breathing down their necks.
 
Rocchio is the best defensive SS...and has both more upside and a higher floor than Arias with a bat.

***********

Paulino was a BP top 100 prospect at age 18.

********

Like I said, the FO said all the right things about everybody I mentioned, while it kept moving others past them.

Unless Arias is brought up soon, he will be playing a different position once Rocchio gets to Columbus next year.
 
Rocchio is the best defensive SS...and has both more upside and a higher floor than Arias with a bat.

***********

Paulino was a BP top 100 prospect at age 18.

********

Like I said, the FO said all the right things about everybody I mentioned, while it kept moving others past them.

Unless Arias is brought up soon, he will be playing a different position once Rocchio gets to Columbus next year.

Arias is a plus defensive SS as well... both guys are

Paulino never really made it to AA though...
 
The man who inspired this list is Nolan Jones himself. He’s had a good run in the minor leagues so far, hitting .257, .317, .283, and .272 in each of his first four seasons with the Indians minor league team. In 2021, however, he completely forgot how to hit at the plate.

Jones is hitting just .238 so far in 2021. His on-base and slugging aren’t great either, with a .356 OBP and a .431 SLG. That has brought his OPS down to .787. The lowest of any full season he’s had since 2016. His saving grace for this year has been the fact his power numbers have all stayed on pace or improved but for the number one overall player in the minors, he has to be better than staying on pace.

Jones’ biggest issue since getting called up to High-A ball has been strikeouts. He strikes out at an obscene rate. He’s striking out 35% of the time at the plate and while that’s about 5% more than average, his walks have declined as well. He’d average a base-on-balls around 20-22% of the time. In 2021, that’s fallen to 17%.

With his declining ability to stay patient at the plate, his higher rate of strikeouts, and his declining average, Jones’ 21 has been one of the more dreadful parts of the season regardless of player or team.

Many thought Jones would be ready to be called up for the 2021 season but he’s far from ready as of right now.

Bolded my favorite parts. Man that .787 OPS season sure is dreadful
 
Fear not everyone... Karinchak finally pitched down in Columbus last night. Went one inning allowing one hit and striking out two.
 

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