2022 Minor League Thread

[Wham with the Right Hand]

From The Athletics' weekly minor leauge roundup column:

Joey Cantillo was a 16th-round draft pick by the Padres out of a Hawaii high school in 2017, and then he was part of the package that netted San Diego ace Mike Clevinger from Cleveland. And now, Cantillo looks like another interesting pitching prospect in a system that has produced many of them. The 22-year-old Cantillo hasn’t allowed a run in his last five starts at Double-A Akron, spanning 22 innings. In his last three starts, a 13-inning span, he’s allowed just three hits. During that scoreless streak, he’s struck out 42 percent of his batters. He’s sitting 92-95 mph, a jump of about two ticks from last year. The Guardians seem to be slow-playing him, though — Cantillo has yet to throw more than 83 pitches in a game.

 

[Tondo]

@Tondo

Where do you think Kelly ends up in the organization? In the bullpen?

Yeah, pure reliever. Sidearmer'ish iirc, probably middle reliever ceiling

 

[CDAV45]

I do not think " he is looking a lot better and he is going towards the positive side of things." at all.

Also looking at the simple box score is not looking into the numbers too much, but keep telling yourself whatever nonsense you want.

I am not a Myers fan and the only "good" thing he did in his lousy 4 innings is not give up a homer.

Hey, if you want to ignore the entirety of his work that's your choice. Cast him aside after 38 inconsistent IP and ignore his 117.2 quality IP last season. Better shit can Battenfield, Pilkington, Plesac, and Civale while you're at it. They've been utter garbage.

 

[sportscoach]

Hey, if you want to ignore the entirety of his work that's your choice. Cast him aside after 38 inconsistent IP and ignore his 117.2 quality IP last season. Better shit can Battenfield, Pilkington, Plesac, and Civale while you're at it. They've been utter garbage.

@Criznit

I actually have a hunch they are reworking something with Myers, if you look at his previous numbers, his walk rate is double of last season and his SO rate is half of last season. You don't get such a change unless there is either an injury or something is being changed. I sincerely would wait to see how he pitches in the second half of the season. IT is way too soon to judge one way or the other.

@BimboColesHair do you know any of the plans with Myers?

 

[BimboColesHair]

250 IP for the 2021 draft class to this point.

250 IP, 3.42 ERA, 1.268 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 3.7 BB/9.

Not half bad.

Update:

432 IP, 3.42 ERA, 1.187 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 3.3 BB/9

Been a while since a class as a whole has been this good, and a lot of that has to do with the extended time spent in the developmental site last year post-college ball and during the offseason, thanks in part due to Covid. Only 3 kids pitched last year, Davenport, Dion, and Abney. Might be a new move you see more frequently with classes moving forward even as the team and college ball/minors ball moves back to more normal operations.

 

[CDAV45]

@Criznit

I actually have a hunch they are reworking something with Myers, if you look at his previous numbers, his walk rate is double of last season and his SO rate is half of last season. You don't get such a change unless there is either an injury or something is being changed. I sincerely would wait to see how he pitches in the second half of the season. IT is way too soon to judge one way or the other.

@BimboColesHair do you know any of the plans with Myers?

Battenfield is going through what seems like the exact same thing even though his overall results are better. The issues are centered around control and neither has historically had control problems.

 

[Criznit]

Hey, if you want to ignore the entirety of his work that's your choice. Cast him aside after 38 inconsistent IP and ignore his 117.2 quality IP last season. Better shit can Battenfield, Pilkington, Plesac, and Civale while you're at it. They've been utter garbage.

I am not ignoring the entirety of his work.. I am suspect of it. Also, clearly not as high on Battenfield as you are, in fact you are his numero uno fan on this board.

It's also disingenuous/catlike to interject other players when talking about a specific player. Shade all you want, I am talking about Tobias Myers.

Glad you and others like Myers. I've certainly been wrong before. Also his game on 5/30 wasn't solid. Point stated. Leave it at that.

 

[sportscoach]

Battenfield is going through what seems like the exact same thing even though his overall results are better. The issues are centered around control and neither has historically had control problems.

They also started late this season cause of them being on the 40 man roster... I am not even really looking at their first halfs this season as indications for anything in the future going forward. I am waiting for their second half before I say anything about either guy...

@Criznit

I think we can both agree his 5/30 game seemed to be a step in the right direction not giving up runs. BB sometimes in minor league games happen because they are working on something specific, so you have to take some things with a grain of salt as well. His BB rate is abnormal so we have to take that with a grain of salt as well.

This is an argument we need in Aug and not now either way from us.

 

[CDAV45]

I am not ignoring the entirety of his work.. I am suspect of it. Also, clearly not as high on Battenfield as you are, in fact you are his numero uno fan on this board.

It's also disingenuous/catlike to interject other players when talking about a specific player. Shade all you want, I am talking about Tobias Myers.

Glad you and others like Myers. I've certainly been wrong before. Also his game on 5/30 wasn't solid. Point stated. Leave it at that.

You're projecting your thoughts into my posts and I'm not a fan of it. This isn't about if I do or don't like Tobias Myers. It's more about the fact that you don't and you're using a small sample to make your case. I'm simply stating that he's having issues in this small sample that hasn't been an issue in the past. I'm not the one jumping to conclusions here. I do feel like he has potential and a lot of that is based upon his past performance and the fact that Cleveland had interest in him.

I am a Battenfield fan because he has done nothing but perform marvelously since being drafted. Even in his current struggles with control look at his results. That in itself should tell you something. If I'm his "numero uno fan" than so be it, but I'd guess there are a few more than me that think highly of him.

 

[mopete12]

Update:

432 IP, 3.42 ERA, 1.187 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 3.3 BB/9

Been a while since a class as a whole has been this good, and a lot of that has to do with the extended time spent in the developmental site last year post-college ball and during the offseason, thanks in part due to Covid. Only 3 kids pitched last year, Davenport, Dion, and Abney. Might be a new move you see more frequently with classes moving forward even as the team and college ball/minors ball moves back to more normal operations.

Obviously the pitching in the org is stellar, but do you know if there has been a general drop in offense in the minors this year like in the MLB? Minor leaguers (except for AAA) don’t use the same ball, right? Which is dumb.

 

[Tondo]

Update:

432 IP, 3.42 ERA, 1.187 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 3.3 BB/9

Been a while since a class as a whole has been this good, and a lot of that has to do with the extended time spent in the developmental site last year post-college ball and during the offseason, thanks in part due to Covid. Only 3 kids pitched last year, Davenport, Dion, and Abney. Might be a new move you see more frequently with classes moving forward even as the team and college ball/minors ball moves back to more normal operations.

Good info, thanks. Makes sense, especially after contraction and so many DSL guys coming over needing reps, so there's isn't enough roster spots available for the new draftees. Speaking of DSL specs, you owe us your take on this year's group or have I missed it?

Loved the college pitching heavy 21 class. Can you give us anything on how Ventimiglia looks in EST or what he's working on? He was a pre draft target of mine simply because of age/northern background. I was happy they got him signed and surprised about the low bonus.

Oh, and as a draft nut: any hints/thoughts on their upcoming draft targets? Kinda like college bats (Collier, Delauter, Neto), but they haven't had much success with that demographic early (though lately with Kwan, Brennan, Palacios, Lavastida etc)

 

[Criznit]

They also started late this season cause of them being on the 40 man roster... I am not even really looking at their first halfs this season as indications for anything in the future going forward. I am waiting for their second half before I say anything about either guy...

@Criznit

I think we can both agree his 5/30 game seemed to be a step in the right direction not giving up runs. BB sometimes in minor league games happen because they are working on something specific, so you have to take some things with a grain of salt as well. His BB rate is abnormal so we have to take that with a grain of salt as well.

This is an argument we need in Aug and not now either way from us.

I agree not giving up runs is a good thing, step in the the right direction??? Nope - we'll just disagree on that... Whether or not his 0ER was a result of his ability or his defense backing him up I don't know.

Nothing about his 5/30 game impressed me. Nothing about it was solid, considering the fact he was walking 1 per inning while giving up 3 hits, I suggest he was lucky he didn't end up coughing up a few earned runs.

But to each their own. Not a fan, haven't been and lets hope you all can throw this in my face. Doubt it but I'm game.

 

[CDAV45]

I agree not giving up runs is a good thing, step in the the right direction??? Nope - we'll just disagree on that... Whether or not his 0ER was a result of his ability or his defense backing him up I don't know.

Nothing about his 5/30 game impressed me. Nothing about it was solid, considering the fact he was walking 1 per inning while giving up 3 hits, I suggest he was lucky he didn't end up coughing up a few earned runs.

But to each their own. Not a fan, haven't been and lets hope you all can throw this in my face. Doubt it but I'm game.

Did you see the game? Was he hit hard and extremely lucky or was it a bunch of soft contact with too many walks?

I ain't mad at ya because you're not a fan of Myers. Again, all I'm saying is that the issue that is catching the brunt of your disdain for him hasn't been an issue in the past. Factoring in that he had no access to the facilities or the staff might suggest he'll be a little late coming around. If he doesn't then I'll be right there with you. It's not about being right or wrong about him, it's waiting to gather all the facts.

 

[Criznit]

Did you see the game? Was he hit hard and extremely lucky or was it a bunch of soft contact with too many walks?

I ain't mad at ya because you're not a fan of Myers. Again, all I'm saying is that the issue that is catching the brunt of your disdain for him hasn't been an issue in the past. Factoring in that he had no access to the facilities or the staff might suggest he'll be a little late coming around. If he doesn't then I'll be right there with you. It's not about being right or wrong about him, it's waiting to gather all the facts.

Yeah - I wasn't a fan of this trade at all.. I see a guy on the cusp of MLB action get traded by the Rays.. That is something I see as mildly alarming. I see a guy who gets hit a lot and gives up homers. A guy who lives or dies on the command of his questionable arsenal.. They get fat, flat and spat out over the fence. Now he is giving up a lot walks.. Let's hope it's working on stuff and not loosing it. He knows he needs to make adjustments and hopefully that is what's happening here. Again - never been a fan and have always been suspect of his "stuff".

Guess we'll see in a few months. Maybe he has the stuff to overcome or make a bullpen

 

[CDAV45]

Yeah - I wasn't a fan of this trade at all.. I see a guy on the cusp of MLB action get traded by the Rays.. That is something I see as mildly alarming. I see a guy who gets hit a lot and gives up homers. A guy who lives or dies on the command of his questionable arsenal.. They get fat, flat and spat out over the fence. Now he is giving up a lot walks.. Let's hope it's working on stuff and not loosing it. He knows he needs to make adjustments and hopefully that is what's happening here. Again - never been a fan and have always been suspect of his "stuff".

Guess we'll see in a few months. Maybe he has the stuff to overcome or make a bullpen

I see a guy that is 2+ yrs younger than each level he's pitched at. I see a kid that in 117 IP last season between AA and AAA as a 22 yr old had a combined 7.7 H9 2.1 BB9 11.2 SO9 and a WHIP of 1.096. I also saw an organization renowned for getting pitchers and tuning them up to be better than anyone expected acquire him. I guess it's all in how we choose to view things.