2020 Minor League Thread

[dkbldev]

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.

I can't seem to find it but who else do you believe to be a part of your bolded statement

 

[BimboColesHair]

I can't seem to find it but who else do you believe to be a part of your bolded statement

Didn’t mention any names in the previous post.

Jones, Freeman, Valera, Rocchio, Hankins, Espino, McKenzie, Gabby Rodriguez, Bracho, Karinchak, Clase, Vargas. You can make an argument for everyone of those guys that if they hit their ceilings, they are top 5/top 3 at their position talents.

They won’t, we’ll be lucky if 3 or 4 of them become that, but the ceilings in the system right now are huge.

 

[sportscoach]

@BimboColesHair

How do you think the Indians will plan this draft coming up?

 

[BimboColesHair]

@BimboColesHair

How do you think the Indians will plan this draft coming up?

Same way they've gone about every other one.

Lot of info on kids already out there, it will just be from previous seasons instead of the current one. Guys taken in the ~top 10 rounds have a ton of tape and showcases under their belt.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

@BimboColesHair

How do you think the Indians will plan this draft coming up?

There will be far less rounds in the draft. So probably guys with fewer question marks will get drafted. The rest will be free agents. Could be a wild west show out there for free agents working one club against another.

 

[MadThinker88]

There will be far less rounds in the draft. So probably guys with fewer question marks will get drafted. The rest will be free agents. Could be a wild west show out there for free agents working one club against another.

I was catching up on some podcasts on Saturday & was listening to one from Baseball America (posted late Friday) discussing the draft impacts from the MLB-MLBPA deal. One item that gets over looked - the NCAA is supposed to be meeting/ announcing decisions early in the coming week regarding eligibility and scholarship adjustments. Yes a shortened draft will force young players to make some hard choices, but the impact of the NCAA rulings will also have an impact.
- Do they still have a scholarship back at school?
- Will they still be getting playing time (many previously drafted & signed High School players are now heading onto campus)?
- In a situation where money is tighter then the past, can a player really afford to sign for only $20k (spread over multiple seasons) or would entering the real workforce be the route they are forced to take?

 

[MadThinker88]

Another internet search, another prospect list & ranking located.

This time: Last Word on Baseball

#	Player	Pos	#	Player	Pos
1	Nolan Jones	3B	6	Brayan Rocchio	SS
2	Tyler Freeman	SS	7	Aaron Bracho	2B
3	Bo Naylor	C	8	Ethan Hankins	RHP
4	George Valera	OF	9	Triston McKenzie	RHP
5	Daniel Espino	RHP	10	Gabriel Rodriguez	SS/3B

https://lastwordonbaseball.com/2020/03/15/cleveland-indians-2020-top-10-prospects/
This item was posted on 3/15/20 & is FREE content. I hope you enjoy.

The accompanying article also spoke to state of the farm system. To quote:

State of the Cleveland Indians Farm System

Given where the Cleveland Indians are currently in their window, the farm system is surprisingly in good shape. The good news is that it is among the top half in baseball currently.

According to MLB.com, the Indians farm system currently ranks twelfth in all of baseball. One of the more notable characteristics of the Indians farm system is the fact that it does contain some young, promising prospects. Many of those prospects are ones that are viewed as having a high-ceiling or eventual impact on the big league club.

Over the last few years, the strongest quality of the Indians organization has come in the pitching department. The farm system includes some impactful pitching at the top as well as some position players that project to play a significant role in the future.

 

[sportscoach]

Another internet search, another prospect list & ranking located.

This time: Last Word on Baseball

#	Player	Pos	#	Player	Pos
1	Nolan Jones	3B	6	Brayan Rocchio	SS
2	Tyler Freeman	SS	7	Aaron Bracho	2B
3	Bo Naylor	C	8	Ethan Hankins	RHP
4	George Valera	OF	9	Triston McKenzie	RHP
5	Daniel Espino	RHP	10	Gabriel Rodriguez	SS/3B

https://lastwordonbaseball.com/2020/03/15/cleveland-indians-2020-top-10-prospects/
This item was posted on 3/15/20 & is FREE content. I hope you enjoy.

The accompanying article also spoke to state of the farm system. To quote:

State of the Cleveland Indians Farm System

Given where the Cleveland Indians are currently in their window, the farm system is surprisingly in good shape. The good news is that it is among the top half in baseball currently.

According to MLB.com, the Indians farm system currently ranks twelfth in all of baseball. One of the more notable characteristics of the Indians farm system is the fact that it does contain some young, promising prospects. Many of those prospects are ones that are viewed as having a high-ceiling or eventual impact on the big league club.

Over the last few years, the strongest quality of the Indians organization has come in the pitching department. The farm system includes some impactful pitching at the top as well as some position players that project to play a significant role in the future.

Everyone I feel like has the Indians system ranked so differently, but they all state that AZL and A Ball crew could be super good.

I really do feel our transition into the next group of good players will be short and we should stay actually a winning team for a lot of years to come!

 

[bob2the2nd]

Everyone I feel like has the Indians system ranked so differently, but they all state that AZL and A Ball crew could be super good.

I really do feel our transition into the next group of good players will be short and we should stay actually a winning team for a lot of years to come!

i was gettign this feeling as well (about the ranked differently). It seems like some people love the indians farm system while others are very much "meh" about it. Im curious about that, and such the large discrepancy.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Indians are notorious for limiting their access to prospects. The wide range of feelings about it comes from that and that alone.

Unless you are able to follow their system and their system alone, you won't get a good gauge of the talent in it. A lot of other teams promote and send tapes of prospects to publications, especially for lower level guys where TV coverage is just non-existent.

 

[Beanie4Heisman]

Seeing all the infielders in the pipeline, are there any that you could see making a transition to an everday spot in the outfield down the line?

 

[Derek]

Seeing all the infielders in the pipeline, are there any that you could see making a transition to an everday spot in the outfield down the line?

Almost certainly. All the best athletes play SS and CF, so most of the time when position players are drafted, they are playing one of those two positions.

Given the importance of those positions, guys typically stay there until they prove they shouldn't.

Also, most guys simply don't work out or end up getting traded, so no real harm in stockpiling guys.

 

[Gson]

Seeing all the infielders in the pipeline, are there any that you could see making a transition to an everday spot in the outfield down the line?

Current depth at the ML level puts the starting group (Reyes, Mercado, Luplow) as a group entering their second full season. The pair of George Valera (two plus years) and Daniel Johnson (ready now) will be adding to the group of OF'ers. Then there is the return of Naquin and the realistic potential of turning Nolan Jones (ready by traditional Sept 1 call ups in 2020, if a season happens) into a LF'er as he's really not that good with the glove.. but has an excellent eye at the plate and approach.. So, a group of about seven that the Indians control for an average of 5 years each.. should be enough with only the one (jones) position convert..

It should also be noted that there is a strong likelihood the Indians will be focused on OF'ers in the coming Rule IV draft and, of course, the IFA's which will not happen in 120 days?. there about?

 

[sportscoach]

Current depth at the ML level puts the starting group (Reyes, Mercado, Luplow) as a group entering their second full season. The pair of George Valera (two plus years) and Daniel Johnson (ready now) will be adding to the group of OF'ers. Then there is the return of Naquin and the realistic potential of turning Nolan Jones (ready by traditional Sept 1 call ups in 2020, if a season happens) into a LF'er as he's really not that good with the glove.. but has an excellent eye at the plate and approach.. So, a group of about seven that the Indians control for an average of 5 years each.. should be enough with only the one (jones) position convert..

It should also be noted that there is a strong likelihood the Indians will be focused on OF'ers in the coming Rule IV draft and, of course, the IFA's which will not happen in 120 days?. there about?

To me the Indians have focused on just pure talent/athletic potential so with that, the positions will settle themselves. I dont think they will focus on one position, but on guys who fit their drafting styles. I feel they could draft a few maybe college guys this season who may have a base floor but outside of that, I think they will stay with the same strategy since it's been working for them it really feels like.

 

[Gson]

To me the Indians have focused on just pure talent/athletic potential so with that, the positions will settle themselves. I dont think they will focus on one position, but on guys who fit their drafting styles. I feel they could draft a few maybe college guys this season who may have a base floor but outside of that, I think they will stay with the same strategy since it's been working for them it really feels like.

Call it an abbreviated version of the strategy.. with "only" five or ten rounds.. This will permit some of the lower minor league guys (Dominican Leagues, short season, etc) to move up into full season / stateside teams.. Some upward mobility will challenge some.. defeat a few.. but open the lower end of the talent acquisition slots to be opened for new blood.. or, the lifeblood of a small market club... What say you?..