2019 Minor League Thread

[AZ_]

I don't see how Tom isn't added at this point.

He's played his way into the conversation, even as an older prospect.

 

[sportscoach]

I don't see how Tom isn't added at this point.

He's played his way into the conversation, even as an older prospect.

What do you see him being going forward? I know he was one of the Indians top 30 prospect year or two ago, but it wasn't til this season that he seemed to put it together. The scouting report I found says a 4th OF type of guy.

Ka'ai Tom Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com

(2022) Avg Exit Velocity: 96.8, Hard Hit %: 100, wOBA: .000, xwOBA: .036, Barrel %: 0.

baseballsavant.mlb.com

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Undrafted out of the Hawaii prep ranks, Tom spent one year at Fort Scott CC before transferring to Kentucky, where he showed improvement over two seasons before going to the Indians in the fifth round of the 2015 Draft. He made his full-season debut with Class A Lake County the next year, but ultimately appeared in just 28 games before requiring season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in July. Fully healthy in 2017, Tom broke out over a full season in the Class A Advanced Carolina League and continued to impress in the Arizona Fall League, showing an intriguing blend of hitting ability, power and speed.

Tom is a sum-of-all-parts player who also has some nice tools. He has feel to hit from the left side of the plate as well as consistent pop to the gaps that translated to more over-the-fence power in the Carolina League, where he delivered a career-high 10 homers. Tom's above-average speed is an asset, one that helped him compile 48 extra-base hits while going 23-for-29 on the basepaths in '17, and he receives high marks for his approach and on-base skills ability despite having some swing-and-miss to his game.

Tom played all three outfield positions in the Carolina League, showing versatility which, along with his solid offensive tools, could help him to carve out a role as a valuable fourth outfielder in the Major Leagues.

 

[Kevalier]

What do you see him being going forward? I know he was one of the Indians top 30 prospect year or two ago, but it wasn't til this season that he seemed to put it together. The scouting report I found says a 4th OF type of guy.

Ka'ai Tom Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com

(2022) Avg Exit Velocity: 96.8, Hard Hit %: 100, wOBA: .000, xwOBA: .036, Barrel %: 0.

baseballsavant.mlb.com

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Undrafted out of the Hawaii prep ranks, Tom spent one year at Fort Scott CC before transferring to Kentucky, where he showed improvement over two seasons before going to the Indians in the fifth round of the 2015 Draft. He made his full-season debut with Class A Lake County the next year, but ultimately appeared in just 28 games before requiring season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in July. Fully healthy in 2017, Tom broke out over a full season in the Class A Advanced Carolina League and continued to impress in the Arizona Fall League, showing an intriguing blend of hitting ability, power and speed.

Tom is a sum-of-all-parts player who also has some nice tools. He has feel to hit from the left side of the plate as well as consistent pop to the gaps that translated to more over-the-fence power in the Carolina League, where he delivered a career-high 10 homers. Tom's above-average speed is an asset, one that helped him compile 48 extra-base hits while going 23-for-29 on the basepaths in '17, and he receives high marks for his approach and on-base skills ability despite having some swing-and-miss to his game.

Tom played all three outfield positions in the Carolina League, showing versatility which, along with his solid offensive tools, could help him to carve out a role as a valuable fourth outfielder in the Major Leagues.

It’s quite the crowded bunch in the outfield, but I think he and Allen will compete for the final outfield spot next spring. If Naquin has recovered, then he, Mercado and Luplow are locks. Zimmer, Bauers and Johnson will probably compete for the last starting job with Allen and Tom up for the bench outfielder spot.

 

[sportscoach]

It’s quite the crowded bunch in the outfield, but I think he and Allen will compete for the final outfield spot next spring. If Naquin has recovered, then he, Mercado and Luplow are locks. Zimmer, Bauers and Johnson will probably compete for the last starting job with Allen and Tom up for the bench outfielder spot.

Torn ACL is usually 8-12 months of recovery, so I don't expect Naquin back anytime soon. That would give Zimmer, Johnson etc a good shot of getting more playing time than projected and to me Mercado isn't a lock next season since he has to make sure he is still working hard and making the adjustments needed to stay in the pros. I like this competition though next season since these guys better be working hard in the off season since the only lock for the roster in my mind isn't there. Luplow may get a spot by default cause of so many lefty OFs we have.

 

[KluberSociety]

Out of curiosity I looked him up and Bradley with 8 BB's and 8 K's in his last 10 games. Has anyone seen if his approach has looked improved recently?

 

[Derek]

It’s quite the crowded bunch in the outfield, but I think he and Allen will compete for the final outfield spot next spring. If Naquin has recovered, then he, Mercado and Luplow are locks. Zimmer, Bauers and Johnson will probably compete for the last starting job with Allen and Tom up for the bench outfielder spot.

I don't expect Naquin to be back until late next season, and I don't think Mercado is a lock at all. He's been below average offensively and defensively this year.

Luplow should still have a role against lefties, but I think Zimmer has the best chance of being a starter to begin next season.

 

[sportscoach]

I don't expect Naquin to be back until late next season, and I don't think Mercado is a lock at all. He's been below average offensively and defensively this year.

Luplow should still have a role against lefties, but I think Zimmer has the best chance of being a starter to begin next season.

I disagree on Mercado, you are being a bit too harsh on the guy since he does have above average defensive stats in CF but below average in LF/RF, and his bat hasn’t been all that bad (especially compared to what he replaced) that being said I do agree with him not being a lock for the roster. He wasn’t good in Aug at the plate and so-so so far in September hence why he has gotten less playing time of late. For him to make the team next season he has to improve in the corners and has to improve his bat overall as well. He is doing fine for a rookie that wasn’t expected to do much before spring training started.

 

[Derek]

I disagree on Mercado, you are being a bit too harsh on the guy since he does have above average defensive stats in CF but below average in LF/RF, and his bat hasn’t been all that bad (especially compared to what he replaced) that being said I do agree with him not being a lock for the roster. He wasn’t good in Aug at the plate and so-so so far in September hence why he has gotten less playing time of late. For him to make the team next season he has to improve in the corners and has to improve his bat overall as well. He is doing fine for a rookie that wasn’t expected to do much before spring training started.

He's absolutely been fine for a rookie, but ultimately he's been a slightly below-average performer. I'll give him average in CF, which doesn't matter since Zimmer should bump him to LF, but his bat has been solidly below average.

 

[sportscoach]

He's absolutely been fine for a rookie, but ultimately he's been a slightly below-average performer. I'll give him average in CF, which doesn't matter since Zimmer should bump him to LF, but his bat has been solidly below average.

First monthish his bat was good but the second part of his season up, it hasn’t been good. The question is what will Zimmer bring next season since his bat wasn’t all that great to begin with? I know we can defend in the OF the question is who will be the guys who can hit for average to above average everyday?

 

[Derek]

First monthish his bat was good but the second part of his season up, it hasn’t been good. The question is what will Zimmer bring next season since his bat wasn’t all that great to begin with? I know we can defend in the OF the question is who will be the guys who can hit for average to above average everyday?

It was good, but it was also ballooned by a .361 BABIP over his first two months. I think his season-long stat line is more in line with where he is as a player right now.

If our OF can defend, I don't need any more than average production at the plate out of them. It's a shame Naquin got hurt, but I loved the idea of Mercado in left, Zimmer in center, and Naquin in right with Luplow/Allen off the bench.

It may seem like I'm a Mercado hater, but I'm just stating what he's done this year. I actually think he has a lot of upside, and he reminds me a lot of a great former Indians hitter.

First full season:
Mercado - .270/.319/.420 with an 89 wRC+
Mystery player - .266/.318/.384 with a 95 wRC+

Both guys started in CF to mixed results

 

[sportscoach]

It was good, but it was also ballooned by a .361 BABIP over his first two months. I think his season-long stat line is more in line with where he is as a player right now.

If our OF can defend, I don't need any more than average production at the plate out of them. It's a shame Naquin got hurt, but I loved the idea of Mercado in left, Zimmer in center, and Naquin in right with Luplow/Allen off the bench.

It may seem like I'm a Mercado hater, but I'm just stating what he's done this year. I actually think he has a lot of upside, and he reminds me a lot of a great former Indians hitter.

First full season:
Mercado - .270/.319/.420 with an 89 wRC+
Mystery player - .266/.318/.384 with a 95 wRC+

Both guys started in CF to mixed results

Actually in my opinion Mercado is absolutely dreadful in LF and should never play there again! Bit of an exaggeration but it does look pretty bad out there. Do you have Mercado's defensive stats for CF? and Zimmer's career stats in CF? I am wondering what the difference is in the end. I do not like Mercado in LF and if Zimmer's and Mercado's numbers are similar in CF, I would rather put Zimmer on the corners because of how much I dislike Mercado in the corners and I feel Zimmer will be plus in LF without a doubt. Also with Naquin out to start the season, I feel it will play out more of the Bauers in LF, Mercado in CF, Zimmer in RF (because of his arm) with Luplow and maybe Allen on the bench. You then have Tom and Johnson on the 40 man with Reyes who could also fill in at 1st/OF next season as well. Thats the way I see next seasons tea, but honestly Luplow may be the surest bet in the OF starting next season, the starting spots are really up for grabs and who knows maybe Luplow can earn one of them himself.

 

[Derek]

Actually in my opinion Mercado is absolutely dreadful in LF and should never play there again! Bit of an exaggeration but it does look pretty bad out there. Do you have Mercado's defensive stats for CF? and Zimmer's career stats in CF? I am wondering what the difference is in the end. I do not like Mercado in LF and if Zimmer's and Mercado's numbers are similar in CF, I would rather put Zimmer on the corners because of how much I dislike Mercado in the corners and I feel Zimmer will be plus in LF without a doubt. Also with Naquin out to start the season, I feel it will play out more of the Bauers in LF, Mercado in CF, Zimmer in RF (because of his arm) with Luplow and maybe Allen on the bench. You then have Tom and Johnson on the 40 man with Reyes who could also fill in at 1st/OF next season as well. Thats the way I see next seasons tea, but honestly Luplow may be the surest bet in the OF starting next season, the starting spots are really up for grabs and who knows maybe Luplow can earn one of them himself.

There is a huge difference between Mercado and Zimmer in CF. Zimmer was borderline GG caliber, and Mercado is merely average. Moving Zimmer out of CF for Mercado would be inexcusable defensively.

LF is monumentally easier, especially in Cleveland, and with a little practice, that should be Mercado's home.

 

[Urban]

Keep in mind, Mercado didn't start playing OF until 2016, where he split innings between OF and SS

No reason to think he can't play the corners, despite looking ugly out there at times this year. He's looked ugly at times in CF.

 

[sportscoach]

There is a huge difference between Mercado and Zimmer in CF. Zimmer was borderline GG caliber, and Mercado is merely average. Moving Zimmer out of CF for Mercado would be inexcusable defensively.

LF is monumentally easier, especially in Cleveland, and with a little practice, that should be Mercado's home.

When ya get a chance, do you have their Zone ratings and whatnot for Mercado since I am not 100% sure where to get that since via Mercado's range factor in CF, he is actually above average in CF hence why my confusion when you say he's average when basic stats say he is average to above average. His Rtot is 5 , Rdrs is 7 so all positive numbers when it comes to factors like that so I want to see other factors to actually compare him to the other guys in question.

Keep in mind, Mercado didn't start playing OF until 2016, where he split innings between OF and SS

No reason to think he can't play the corners, despite looking ugly out there at times this year. He's looked ugly at times in CF.

I am aware of both his history and the fact he is still learning the OF, but to me it just doesn't look like one of those guys who will never be great on the corners in the OF. I mean I could be wrong, and this is just my opinion, but he just feels like that guy who plays much much better when it comes to reading the ball and whatnot from the center of the diamond. I don't think he reads the ball well nor understands how to play LF/RF all that well either so there is two things against him. I know in due time he will get better at that, but I was really asking what is the difference between Zimmer and Mercado's zone ratings (aka I want some actual stats) and whatnot in CF since I know Zimmer will be plus in the corners so to me if Zimmer is plus anywhere and Mercado is only plus in CF, I would rather have Zimmer in the corner and not put Mercado in a position he is less than average at.

 

[Derek]

Keep in mind, Mercado didn't start playing OF until 2016, where he split innings between OF and SS

No reason to think he can't play the corners, despite looking ugly out there at times this year. He's looked ugly at times in CF.

Absolutely, and if we didn't already have a great defensive CF in Zimmer, I'd be more than willing to give him time to grow there. He certainly has the physical tools.

I know Zimmer will be plus in the corners so to me if Zimmer is plus anywhere and Mercado is only plus in CF, I would rather have Zimmer in the corner and not put Mercado in a position he is less than average at.

But Mercado isn't a plus in CF, at least not yet. Downgrading your defense in center to upgrade in a corner makes no sense to me.