2021 Minor League Thread

[AZ_]

Worth filing away for the 40-man decisions ahead of the Rule V Draft.

These players are all among the group which will be eligible, so all will be closely watched this season:

 

[CDAV45]

Gimenez is the better overall athlete when comparing him and Arias, but Arias will be bigger hence why I move him over to 3B and keep Gimenez at SS. Freeman and Miller are likely going to end up off of SS, so 2B/3B. Valera is supposed to end up with one of the OF spots. On paper we should have a good problem of too much talent for not enough spots.

Sorry Coach, but I have to disagree. Gimenez is not a better overall athlete and that size advantage that Arias has only adds to his intrigue. Should he maintain his defensive prowess and continue to display his offensive upside then he's the SS of dreams. His upside is higher than Gimenez's and that's not a shot at Gimenez who I really, really like. Arias was the main get in the Clevinger deal, and there's good reason for that.

I find more value in AA than AAA honestly so I have no problem with Arias staying there all of the 21 season. That's where the better pitching is anyway and that's the most difficult jump in the minors. Besides, like you said, there is no reason to be in a hurry with him. SS is more than adequately.

Wholeheartedly agree that Freeman and Miller are not SS going forward. Both are 2B IMO. Miller's arm is slightly stronger than Freeman's so that may favor him in a utility role, but I think Freeman's glove is ever so slightly better than Miller's. One thing that Freeman can do is transfer the ball to his throwing hand extremely quickly. I don't know which one will end up winning 2B, but I'm not concerned about that because I'm high on both. If they do make a big trade, the value of Freeman's prospect hype could come into play. That's entirely theoretical on my part.

I don't even look at this as a dispute between opinions. It's just too good of a problem to have and however it shakes out should provide this team with a damn good SS and 2B.

 

[MadThinker88]

Complete farm system rankings, 1-30

The most efficient way to build a winning big league club is by constructing a strong farm system. Since MLB Pipeline began ranking farm systems biannually in 2015, every organization that claimed the top spot has enjoyed plenty of on-field success. The first three teams to sit atop our rankings

www.mlb.com

They have the Indians ranked as the 13th farm system...

I think people will want to read the companion piece released late on Monday 3/22/21..

https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-top-30-prospects-lists-breakdown?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

A lot of interesting references to the Tribe system throughout the article (free content).. While I was disappointed CLE was ranked 13th (IMHO it is already somewhere in the top 10), J Mayo seems to indicate that a rise into top 10 is very possible as minor league play resumes and the continued development of the prospects is seen/ measured...

A fun fact he noted is that CLE has the 3rd youngest group of top 30 prospects..

 

[sportscoach]

Sorry Coach, but I have to disagree. Gimenez is not a better overall athlete and that size advantage that Arias has only adds to his intrigue. Should he maintain his defensive prowess and continue to display his offensive upside then he's the SS of dreams. His upside is higher than Gimenez's and that's not a shot at Gimenez who I really, really like. Arias was the main get in the Clevinger deal, and there's good reason for that.

I find more value in AA than AAA honestly so I have no problem with Arias staying there all of the 21 season. That's where the better pitching is anyway and that's the most difficult jump in the minors. Besides, like you said, there is no reason to be in a hurry with him. SS is more than adequately.

Wholeheartedly agree that Freeman and Miller are not SS going forward. Both are 2B IMO. Miller's arm is slightly stronger than Freeman's so that may favor him in a utility role, but I think Freeman's glove is ever so slightly better than Miller's. One thing that Freeman can do is transfer the ball to his throwing hand extremely quickly. I don't know which one will end up winning 2B, but I'm not concerned about that because I'm high on both. If they do make a big trade, the value of Freeman's prospect hype could come into play. That's entirely theoretical on my part.

I don't even look at this as a dispute between opinions. It's just too good of a problem to have and however it shakes out should provide this team with a damn good SS and 2B.

Arias will be bigger and stronger of the two, but he will also always be a little slower than Gimenez who is actually one of the fastest, if not the fastest, guy on the team. If I am choosing between SS and 3B between the two, the stronger numbers defensively have always been in Gimenez's favor.

Now this is factoring in Gimenez being a legit hitter and JRam getting traded as well. If Gimenez doesn't become a good hitter then Arias can take SS from him without a doubt, but on paper Gimenez will also be slightly stronger defensively.

 

[CATS44]

The question between Arias and Gimenez is the same debate we always seem to have...power vs the ability to make consistent contact.

Gimenez has a plus hit tool, doesn't K nearly as much, and should put up a much higher OBP.

Arias has a negative hit tool, but more pop. He Ks a lot, and inspire of consistently higher BABIP, has had much lower OBPs.

Everybody knows by now that I favor contact and bat control in a prospect over power and Ks.

By statcast measurements, Gimenez and Rosario would have been the two fastest players on our team last year. They both have plus speed.

 

[Lee]

The question between Arias and Gimenez is the same debate we always seem to have...power vs the ability to make consistent contact.

Gimenez has a plus hit tool, doesn't K nearly as much, and should put up a much higher OBP.

Arias has a negative hit tool, but more pop. He Ks a lot, and inspire of consistently higher BABIP, has had much lower OBPs.

Everybody knows by now that I favor contact and bat control in a prospect over power and Ks.

By statcast measurements, Gimenez and Rosario would have been the two fastest players on our team last year. They both have plus speed.

Isnt Gimenez also special in the field?

 

[sportscoach]

Isnt Gimenez also special in the field?

He's well above average at SS, if not close to gold glove caliber there. He has the same type of scouting report you would have saw from an Omar type of player, Can field with the best of them, but will his bat produce well enough?

Worst case scenario is Erik Gonzalez type of guy, while best case is closer to Omar since he isn't probably ever gonna have a ton of power but should have good bat control/contact.

 

[sportscoach]

@Lee

Arias I have seen more of a Correa type of comparison. He isn't as big, but similar type of swing and whatnot.

I mean if you had Omar in his prime with Correa in his prime, who is at SS and who is at 3B since you gotta keep both right? That's on paper what the debate is in my mind since that is what type of potential each one of those guys have with a quick reference. So either way it could be a win win but Omar usually will take SS defensively over Correa.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Absolute fact.

Gimenez has a shot to move Arias off of SS. He continues to perform the way he has in the Spring while playing defense like he can and he won't be moved off SS. He's already at the MLB level and is under control for 5 more seasons. He performs and we could see a JJ Hardy/Machado situtation.

Already some chatter about trying Arias out at some other positions, though I expect they hold off on that with Gimenez still not a fully known commodity.

It's a difference of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" for the 2 defensively. They are both pretty equal on that level. Gimenez has better hands, Arias has a significantly better arm. About the only differences between them. Gimenez has the herky-jerky look to his style that Andrelton Simmons made popular, whereas the Padres literally tried to clone Arias to be Tatis Jr. so he's smooth and makes everything look easy and relaxed.

Offensively its already been touched on.

I will continue to say this until I'm blue in the face. Feel bad for the decision makers over the next few years. Going to be a big bottleneck of prospects all playing the same position. Good ammo to move for a position of need or move guys off of positions, which will 100% happen to guys like Freeman, Miller, and Gabby Rodriguez.

 

[Criznit]

Absolute fact.

Gimenez has a shot to move Arias off of SS. He continues to perform the way he has in the Spring while playing defense like he can and he won't be moved off SS. He's already at the MLB level and is under control for 5 more seasons. He performs and we could see a JJ Hardy/Machado situtation.

Already some chatter about trying Arias out at some other positions, though I expect they hold off on that with Gimenez still not a fully known commodity.

It's a difference of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" for the 2 defensively. They are both pretty equal on that level. Gimenez has better hands, Arias has a significantly better arm. About the only differences between them. Gimenez has the herky-jerky look to his style that Andrelton Simmons made popular, whereas the Padres literally tried to clone Arias to be Tatis Jr. so he's smooth and makes everything look easy and relaxed.

Offensively its already been touched on.

I will continue to say this until I'm blue in the face. Feel bad for the decision makers over the next few years. Going to be a big bottleneck of prospects all playing the same position. Good ammo to move for a position of need or move guys off of positions, which will 100% happen to guys like Freeman, Miller, and Gabby Rodriguez.

Nice post Mr. Bimbo.

A couple thoughts/questions.

1. Does Arias's 40 man status "speed up" his arrival to the ML team?
2. He seems like a natural fit at 3B given our current roster and anticipated need for a 3B in a year or 2. Do you think he should be able to slide in there without having to spend an extended period of time/games acclimating him?

 

[MadThinker88]

Nice post Mr. Bimbo.

A couple thoughts/questions.

1. Does Arias's 40 man status "speed up" his arrival to the ML team?
2. He seems like a natural fit at 3B given our current roster and anticipated need for a 3B in a year or 2. Do you think he should be able to slide in there without having to spend an extended period of time/games acclimating him?

@Criznit
Arias could always get reps at 3B (& other positions) while still in the minors this season.. especially with others in AAA Columbus/ AA Akron that can play SS (Ernie Clement/ Tyler Freeman/ Brayan Rocchio)...

 

[Criznit]

@Criznit
Arias could always get reps at 3B (& other positions) while still in the minors this season.. especially with others in AAA Columbus/ AA Akron that can play SS (Ernie Clement/ Tyler Freeman/ Brayan Rocchio)...

That's what I think will happen, I expect him to get 30ish or more games worth of time at other positions with 3rd being the obvious spot.

 

[Gson]

That's what I think will happen, I expect him to get 30ish or more games worth of time at other positions with 3rd being the obvious spot.

His average speed and HOWITZER arm says.. don't over look a chance to try him in RF.. One of the things that makes drafting middle infielders & specifically short stops.. they're usually the best athletes on the team and can play ANYWHERE inside the white lines.. (yes.. this excludes catching.. only brainless dopes like did that)..

 

[CDAV45]

Arias will be bigger and stronger of the two, but he will also always be a little slower than Gimenez who is actually one of the fastest, if not the fastest, guy on the team. If I am choosing between SS and 3B between the two, the stronger numbers defensively have always been in Gimenez's favor.

Now this is factoring in Gimenez being a legit hitter and JRam getting traded as well. If Gimenez doesn't become a good hitter then Arias can take SS from him without a doubt, but on paper Gimenez will also be slightly stronger defensively.

This is simply not true and either way, some players will have to learn other positions or be traded. If Gimenez keeps Arias from playing SS that either means that Arias didn't continue hitting well or Arias simply outgrew SS. As of right now, I'd say Arias has the leg up defensively. Their range is similar, but their arms are not. Arias has an absolute cannon and Arias has an advantage on plays deep and toward 3B.

Offensively, Arias is still more in a development phase, for lack of a better description, but Gimenez was not a better hitter as a minor leaguer. In fact, the opposite may be true. The one thing Arias clearly has an advantage in is power and it shows in their OPS. Their averages are similar. Their OBP is similar. Simply put, Arias' upside is huge, but none of this is a knock on Gimenez and I think we're very fortunate to have both.

Bimbo had mentioned trading some of the MIF surplus to possibly address a need, and of course I love that idea, but what are the needs? We wanted corner OFers, but it appears that LF and RF have Naylor, Jones, Valera, and maybe Johnson just about ready to varying degrees. They'll have to trade Ramirez to create a need for a 3B. SS and 2B are more than covered. When Rosario gets enough reps we won't need a CFer anytime soon. 1B should be covered between Bradley or Jones unless they decide that a RHH 1B is needed. The one thing that you can never have enough of is SP I guess, so that could be a target. My point is that they are on the verge of a crunch and I'm not so sure they'll want to block some of their well thought of players/prospects. Are we looking at acquiring lower level, high upside prospects?

 

[Criznit]

His average speed and HOWITZER arm says.. don't over look a chance to try him in RF.. One of the things that makes drafting middle infielders & specifically short stops.. they're usually the best athletes on the team and can play ANYWHERE inside the white lines.. (yes.. this excludes catching.. only brainless dopes like did that)..

OF in general is possible, and i wouldn't be surprised to see him get some reps out there in the minors. But Valera isn't far behind and RF is "his" spot. Oh and he is one of those MIF types I think could play catcher, but his talents are better suited as a fielder.

Very curious to see the MILB rosters when they come out. No need to be timid this year and the upper levels should eventually showcase some of our most promising talent. I envy anyone who gets to go to Akron games this year.