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2020 Minor League Thread

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I really see Morgan closer to the Tomlin type of pitcher in the end. I think as long as he doesn't have injuries that effect his velocity then he should be able to compete in the pros as a 5th guy/long man
I'm not really sure I see the comp. Morgan has struck out more than a guy per inning at every level and Tomlin only ever did that (or even came close) when he was 23-year-old reliever in advanced A.

Despite their difference in statures, his results are similar to Joe Musgrove, who looks like he could be a really solid member of any rotation.
 
Eli Morgan will pitch in the Majors. He has a plus plus pitch with plus command of his arsenal. His FB doesn't have the velocity, but pitching is about FB relative to secondaries or disruption of hitters timing. And he's really good at that. The FB/CH combo has great separation. He can pitch backwards and have similar results like pitchers who have a 70 FB and 40 CH with 55-60 command. SwStr% doesn't lie.

Eli Morgan reminds me of Marco Estrada who's had a long career and some strong seasons at peak.
 
A- and A+ hitters.. are usually overly aggressive free swingers. Anything that any pitcher throws with the slightest wrinkle can confound these guys and make them look bad... By the time these hitters get to AA, they are vastly more selective, have great eyes, and incredible bat speed.. The margin of error for pitchers that arrive at this level begin to shrink and the margin shrinks at an increasing rate unless they have a weapon.. Morgan.. with an 88 mph top end FB, even with great command.. is the next Jeremy Sowers.. all over again.. Eli Morgan.. fits that profile.. exactly.. Time to trade him..is now.. before he's exposed for what he CAN and WILL become..

We'll agree to disagree..
 
A- and A+ hitters.. are usually overly aggressive free swingers. Anything that any pitcher throws with the slightest wrinkle can confound these guys and make them look bad... By the time these hitters get to AA, they are vastly more selective, have great eyes, and incredible bat speed.. The margin of error for pitchers that arrive at this level begin to shrink and the margin shrinks at an increasing rate unless they have a weapon.. Morgan.. with an 88 mph top end FB, even with great command.. is the next Jeremy Sowers.. all over again.. Eli Morgan.. fits that profile.. exactly.. Time to trade him..is now.. before he's exposed for what he CAN and WILL become..

We'll agree to disagree..
IF everyone is healthy, there is a serious question on who would makeup the AAA Clipper starting rotation. In a normal year Morgan might be stuck in AA Akron for another year due to other talent in the organization.

Morgan is eligible for the Rule 5 come Dec 2020 (unless there is a eligibility/rule change agreed to).
A trade for a Morgan to a 2nd division/ rebuilding club might be for the best of everyone (Tribe getting another piece they need (or might need later), Eli makes it to the majors/ another team (like Seattle/ KC/ Detroit/ Baltimore/ Pitts) gets a pitcher they need for now & it allows time for other players to develop..
 
Akron Rubberducks are doing a MLBtheShow version of its home opener on Facebook/ Youtube


Have to honest, its fun to watch & follow along. But I am disappointed how they set up the Akron Lineup. No way this a legit setup (for AA to start this year)

1B - Brayan Rocchio
2B - Aaron Bracho
RF - Mike Papi
C - Bo Naylor
SS - Tyler Freeman (walks in 1st AB)
DH - Ernie Clement
LF - Mitch Longo
3B - Alexis Pantoja
CF - Oscar Gonzalez (walks in 2nd AB)

P - Tanner Tully

Currently Akron leads 1-0 at end of 4th..


Edit/ Update: Akron wins home opener 7-2 over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets affiliate IIRC)
Tully had a no-no going into the 7th. Surrendered a few hits and a run before getting taken out w/ 2 out in 7th. Robert Broom relieved and gave up a double (& an inherited run) before recording K to end the inning. 4-2 going into Bottom of 7th.

Akron with Back-to-Back-to Back homers to ice it opening the bottom of the 8th. Papi/ Bo Naylor (no doubt down RF line) & Tyler Freeman to left center.

Dalbert Siri pitches scoreless 8th & 9th to record a save (4-2 when he entered)...
 
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A- and A+ hitters.. are usually overly aggressive free swingers. Anything that any pitcher throws with the slightest wrinkle can confound these guys and make them look bad... By the time these hitters get to AA, they are vastly more selective, have great eyes, and incredible bat speed.. The margin of error for pitchers that arrive at this level begin to shrink and the margin shrinks at an increasing rate unless they have a weapon.. Morgan.. with an 88 mph top end FB, even with great command.. is the next Jeremy Sowers.. all over again.. Eli Morgan.. fits that profile.. exactly.. Time to trade him..is now.. before he's exposed for what he CAN and WILL become..

We'll agree to disagree..
Morgan already had a successful season in AA though. His changeup is a swing and miss pitch. He sits 88-91, no need to represent him as topping out at 88. We all know that his velocity isn't a weapon.

I don't know what he'll become. We all know the reality of prospects, so no need to talk to us like we don't, but Morgan has very little value right now.

He didn't even crack our top 30 prospects. What exactly is the reason for your insistence on trading him?
 
There were 41 pitchers in AA in 2019 who were 23yo or younger and threw 100+ innings.
Morgan was 6th in SwSt% just behind top prospect Ian Anderson.
Morgan was 5th in fewest pitches thrown and his SwStr% was by far the best among the top 10 of that list.
This means he's a legit SP prospect that eats innings and throws strikes...quality strikes.
In ST he struck out the side vs the Rangers, including Choo and Danny Santana. His stuff works
 
Morgan already had a successful season in AA though. His changeup is a swing and miss pitch. He sits 88-91, no need to represent him as topping out at 88. We all know that his velocity isn't a weapon.

I don't know what he'll become. We all know the reality of prospects, so no need to talk to us like we don't, but Morgan has very little value right now.

He didn't even crack our top 30 prospects. What exactly is the reason for your insistence on trading him?
Two points...

1. I didn't speak to your understanding of prospect or lack thereof.. that is either inaccurate or a leap to a self created conclusion..

2. My insistence is based upon that reality.. 1 in 100 to 2 in 100 prospects ever become minor contributors at the ML level..and they don't look like this guy.. This guy, with his profile and his stuff says.. ceiling as a middle reliever if all goes well.. The Indians have a LITTANY of literally HUNDREDS of prospects/guys like this.. Given he's #5 in one area and # 6 in another in minor league stats..says he may have some value to someone else.. Not the Indians..

FWiW.. He's smaller than marco estrada, so, I doubt that he'll ever approach being a low mid-fours ERA / third or fourth starter.. As I said.. he might be a poorer version of Jeremy Sowers..and That's my take.. and only MY take.. not yours... and certainly not a projection to whatever you may be thinking (I'm not a mind reader)... and why I stated.. we'll agree to disagree..
 
Two points...

1. I didn't speak to your understanding of prospect or lack thereof.. that is either inaccurate or a leap to a self created conclusion..

2. My insistence is based upon that reality.. 1 in 100 to 2 in 100 prospects ever become minor contributors at the ML level..and they don't look like this guy.. This guy, with his profile and his stuff says.. ceiling as a middle reliever if all goes well.. The Indians have a LITTANY of literally HUNDREDS of prospects/guys like this.. Given he's #5 in one area and # 6 in another in minor league stats..says he may have some value to someone else.. Not the Indians..

FWiW.. He's smaller than marco estrada, so, I doubt that he'll ever approach being a low mid-fours ERA / third or fourth starter.. As I said.. he might be a poorer version of Jeremy Sowers..and That's my take.. and only MY take.. not yours... and certainly not a projection to whatever you may be thinking (I'm not a mind reader)... and why I stated.. we'll agree to disagree..
Where did I say he was going to be any good?

I'm just confused by your insistence on trading a guy who wouldn't return anything.

If he flames out in our system, so be it. It doesn't cost us anything.

I do think you're being quite hyperbolic when you say the Indians have hundred of prospects like him. He had the most productive season of any minor league pitcher we have last year. You might not like his prospects, and I see why you might not, but let's try to stay grounded in reality.
 
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Looking at that Akron lineup posted above, it features two of my favorite non prospects: Tanner Tully and Alexis Pantoja. Two org guys that have the best shot at a cup of coffee in the Bigs.
Tully has a decent fringe arsenal with elite command. He has thrown 147 and 144 innings the past two seasons, including a lot of quality starts. Very consistent and reliable. His FIP/xFIP have been better than his actual ERA. He's buried on the depth chart, but he might sneak in some spot starts with another org in the future.
A. Pantoja had a "breakout" season in Akron last year at age 23. His 83 wRc+ was the best of his minors career. His calling card is ML ready defense at several infield spots, so Util ceiling. He has no power and no other plus tools, but if he keeps improving at the plate, he could've been another Stamets.

Org Guys like this lose the most (because little window of chance to begin with) by what looks like a lost milb season. Instead of getting one final look, they might be on the chopping block next spring.
 
Looking at that Akron lineup posted above, it features two of my favorite non prospects: Tanner Tully and Alexis Pantoja. Two org guys that have the best shot at a cup of coffee in the Bigs.
Tully has a decent fringe arsenal with elite command. He has thrown 147 and 144 innings the past two seasons, including a lot of quality starts. Very consistent and reliable. His FIP/xFIP have been better than his actual ERA. He's buried on the depth chart, but he might sneak in some spot starts with another org in the future.
A. Pantoja had a "breakout" season in Akron last year at age 23. His 83 wRc+ was the best of his minors career. His calling card is ML ready defense at several infield spots, so Util ceiling. He has no power and no other plus tools, but if he keeps improving at the plate, he could've been another Stamets.

Org Guys like this lose the most (because little window of chance to begin with) by what looks like a lost milb season. Instead of getting one final look, they might be on the chopping block next spring.
Tondo - I get what your saying about org guys & chances being lost. No argument there.

My disappointment with the simulation is projecting multiple players that haven't played a game (or inning) at High A Lynchburg & putting them into the AA starting lineup. Rare does the Tribe have a player skip High-A entirely (I recall 1 player - JRam) but the sim game has 3 guys like that (Naylor/ Rocchio (as a 1B no less)/ Bracho).

And using Ernie Clement as the DH to boot.. Jodd Carter & host of others would make a ton more sense in that role.
 
Tondo - I get what your saying about org guys & chances being lost. No argument there.

My disappointment with the simulation is projecting multiple players that haven't played a game (or inning) at High A Lynchburg & putting them into the AA starting lineup. Rare does the Tribe have a player skip High-A entirely (I recall 1 player - JRam) but the sim game has 3 guys like that (Naylor/ Rocchio (as a 1B no less)/ Bracho).

And using Ernie Clement as the DH to boot.. Jodd Carter & host of others would make a ton more sense in that role.
Those are simply the guys who are actually in MLB The Show. The game doesn't have Rocchio as a 1B, but they wanted to make sure the actually recognizable names (somewhat at least) would be in the lineup.
 
Derek - I have never played on Nintendo/ play station/ xbox. I have no idea who is (or is not) available in the MLB the Show 20.
Yes I am as old as dirt as Atari was released while I was in middle school.

All that said, I just wish the sim game was more realistic. I am part of the many people hoping that real games get played at most levels this year. Prior to the shutdown I was making plans with buddies to attend the Akron Conetown promotion in early June. I really want one of those orange & brown hats..

 
Derek - I have never played on Nintendo/ play station/ xbox. I have no idea who is (or is not) available in the MLB the Show 20.
Yes I am as old as dirt as Atari was released while I was in middle school.

All that said, I just wish the sim game was more realistic. I am part of the many people hoping that real games get played at most levels this year. Prior to the shutdown I was making plans with buddies to attend the Akron Conetown promotion in early June. I really want one of those orange & brown hats..

That's why I thought I'd explain.

This game actually has far more actual minor league players in it than any game before, so we should at least be happy for that.
 
He didn't even crack our top 30 prospects. What exactly is the reason for your insistence on trading him?
Derek - Just a word of explanation about GSon..

He is a knowledgeable poster/ fan but I think he would make more trades/deals than Jerry DiPoto & Trader Lane combined if given a chance to GM a real ballclub.
 

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