2022 Minor League Thread

[BimboColesHair]

When is Espino due back and is his injury serious or are we just be highly cautious?

Which of the 2021 Draft Pick Pitchers, other than the early guys who were already on the MLB prospect radar Williams, Nikhazy, Mace, have the most MLB potential? Bibee? Denholm? Rodney Boone? And why?

Thanks!

Being cautious. Think there is a chance he is back this week, but next week is more likely.

Bibee. Quick mechanicals unlock of velo mixed with what is already good command and a system that tends to develop plus breaking pitches puts him in the same camp as Bieber, Plesac, etc.

 

[Criznit]

@BimboColesHair

A couple more weeks of Oscar Gonzalez knocking on the door before the ML team answers? Seriously though, if he maintains this level of production they have to promote him... Right?

Brennan the 1st bat promoted to AAA?

 

[BimboColesHair]

Reyes choked up on the bat and started to heat up, then promptly stopped choking up and is in a 2-19 stretch. I know this isn’t a “minor league” question, but are folks running out of patience with him?

Absolutely not.

And he didn't choke up and get hot then all of a sudden choke down and start swinging for the fences. Gross mischaracterization of what is going on.

He's tinkering on his swing and approach on the fly during the season. Reverting back to your old mechanics is very easy to do in the heat of competition. Have to trust Valaika and his staff know what they are doing with Franmil.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Deep dive questions:

Tim Herrin: legit, fringe or longshot prospect and why?

Kevin Kelly: I'm irrationally rooting more for this guy than others and he keeps performing, is he still holding the ST velo?

Quietly, Marcos Gonzalez, Raynel Delgado and Yordys Valdes are having decent bounce back seasons. Is there hope left with them as prospects?

Trenton Brooks: is he in the Call/Fermin category within the org or more like M. Rivera/G. Collins?

Will Bartlett: he has one of the lowest SwStr%, yet one of the highest FB%, time to get excited?

1) Legit. This system lacks upper level LH relievers. He is a legit 3 pitch guy who brings it 93-95 from the left side with a real tough to time herky jerky delivery and is finally cutting into his BB rate. Those kind of arms make it to the MLB.

2) Kelly is sitting 90-92. Doesn't matter his fastball velo as long as he can locate his frisbee slider.

3) I am a big proponent of prospects are prospects until they aren't. Of course there is hope for those 3, and they are all still fairly young.

4) Fermin doesn't belong with Call, but yes Brooks falls in that same category as Call. Great upper minors depth piece, but will take a metric ton of unseen moves to make the MLB with Cleveland

5) I've been excited about Bartlett since last season. Have some posts somewhere on this forum about him I am sure.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Thanks for checking in Bimbo. If Williams continues on his current path will he catch up to Espino now? Can we realistically expect to see both of them in Cleveland by 2024?

This Bibbee kid looks like the real deal too. How in the hell do they keep doing this?

How severe is Tanner Burns' injury? I hope it doesn't keep him out long.

1) Yes. I expect both to be in AAA in 2023 and they aren't going to keep those 2 in AAA for over a year, not if they perform how they've been performing and remain healthy.

2) Black Magic and Pagan rituals pre-draft. But really, they target specific skillsets mid round that they feel they can tap deeper into and in a shorter time frame. Command, number of pitches, comfort throwing all of those pitches in any count, mechanics and repeatability of mechanics, arm health, IP in college, etc. They have made a living the last decade turning "low ceiling" college pitchers into perennial Cy Young candidates because they find someone with those skills sets that are hard to develop if you just have a hard thrower who doesn't know where anything is going or how to pitch, and they make those guys throw harder or make their breaking stuff break just a little bit more.

3) Shoulder injuries are going to be treated extra carefully this season. It probably will.

 

[BimboColesHair]

What kind of injuries do A. Planez and Carson Tucker have?

And what's the problem with Petey Halpin? Is he working on a swing change?

Just a wrist strain for Planez. And a forearm strain for Tucker. After his weird year last season they'll be extra cautious with him.

No problem. Similar to Naranjo last year, that is a 19 year old playing on a very aggressive league assignment. Those guys tend to fail, statistically, but that is not the point of them being at that level.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Of the coaches in the minor leagues, anyone that stands out?

The easy answer is Andy Tracy. But I am a big fan of Omir Santos & Jason Esposito.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

@BimboColesHair
How about a lineup with Naylor at 1st. Miller at 2nd, Gimenez art SS and Oscar Gonzalez in RF?
Gonzalez deserves an opportunity.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Angel Martinez is a top 5 prospect in this system if he keeps this up, right?

Best inner system comp for Jake Fox? I keep saying Tyler Freeman, but they have different profiles (though similar low SwStr%)

Any concerns over Arias' very high SwStr rate (22%), highest in the system with D. Johnson, a hitting profile he keeps reminding me of. All the tools, but lacks the contact ability

There is still room aboard the Angel Martinez hype train for people to join me.

I think that is a decent comp, Fox and Freeman. Just one lefty, one righty. Don't think Fox will ever hit as much as Freeman and too much K'ing in his game, but a lot more power potential from Fox.

No.

 

[daddywags]

The easy answer is Andy Tracy. But I am a big fan of Omir Santos & Jason Esposito.

I haven't asked a question but I have read the whole thread today and want to say thanks to @BimboColesHair. Tremendous info and patience. I have learned a lot! Thanks!

 

[BimboColesHair]

Hey @BimboColesHair, what's the staff hoping to see from Battenfield other than consistency at this point? After he throws a few more games and if his performance remains consistent can we expect to see him by the break?

Innings. Command. Command is not there right now, which tells you all you need to know about his stuff considering he's been fighting that all season so far and is sporting a 2.54 ERA. But he hasn't even thrown 200 IP as a pro yet. Kid just needs work.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Is there concern about Bieber’s velocity within the organization, or is the belief that it was due to the shortened spring training and it will ramp up as the season goes on?

In general is there some concern about the pitching staff due to the elimination of sticky stuff?

No.

I said this elsewhere, pitching staff is on training wheels until June at the earliest. They are playing the long game to keep their SP healthy this year after dealing with last year.

 

[BimboColesHair]

I was just thinking about Ken Girffey Jr today. I was watching Tiger practicing for the PGA Championship and I saw his swing is back. And i was thinking his swing is so beautiful, sex with a golf club. Then it made me think of Griff's beautiful swing.

Then I thought they should make a deal where they teach eachother how to swing with a golf club/bat. Then I realized I am an idot, lol.

Mantle is just way to before my time, but I feel you with Griffey, such an amazing athlete and graceful player.

Mantle is way before my time too.

But still convinced he was the most naturally gifted baseball player who has ever lived. If he wasn't a functioning alcoholic during his playing days he would have been one of the top 3 position players to ever play the game, IMO. Guess he'll have to settle for top 25 as a functioning alcoholic.

Also, stuff like this:

 

[BimboColesHair]

@BimboColesHair

A couple more weeks of Oscar Gonzalez knocking on the door before the ML team answers? Seriously though, if he maintains this level of production they have to promote him... Right?

Brennan the 1st bat promoted to AAA?

I think Oscar has a good shot of making it up this year if he continues doing what he has been.

Him or Rocchio.

 

[CDAV45]

Mantle is way before my time too.

But still convinced he was the most naturally gifted baseball player who has ever lived. If he wasn't a functioning alcoholic during his playing days he would have been one of the top 3 position players to ever play the game, IMO. Guess he'll have to settle for top 25 as a functioning alcoholic.

Also, stuff like this:

OK, that's funny as hell!