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2022 Minor League Thread

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Since things turned out this way, I figure I'll make a rough list but I won't follow a traditional ranking format just because I don't see the purpose of differentiation in a lot of ways.

1. Espino
2-3. Valera, Rocchio,
4-5. Freeman, Arias
6-10. Williams, Noel, Jones, Tena, LT Allen
11-14. Martinez, Morris, Palacios, Kwan
15-16. Lavastida, Naylor

I really just have a bad feeling on Naylor... hopefully I'm wrong.
 
My point was more focused on Morris being next to OGon. I think OGon at 16 is a much bigger error than Morris at 15. I think a strong case could be made where OGon isn't in the top 30. This author also has Planez pretty high who seems like a younger OGon, not sure why he would be seen as similar value to Halpin for instance. But at least I think it shows a bias - the author is a bit HR obsessed at the expense of defense, speed, and plate discipline.

However the way I'm seeing things I'd have him ahead of Naylor, Lavastida and maybe Martinez (don't know enough about) and Palacios. So that'd have him more in the #12-13 range.

As far as I'm concerned, those top 5 are fairly interchangeable although Espino being low seems the most unreasonable. They all have stuff to work on or concerns.
I think we all agree that OGon is a long shot to ever make it, but remember he is only 23 and even the slightest improvement in plate discipline could produce huge results. This system is loaded and you could have 20 lists and I don't know if one would be anymore legit than another. Having said that, there are a few things that influence a prospects rankings to me. Talent, physicality and performance. With that in mind Cody Morris is definitely in my top 10. This kid isn't smoke and mirrors and he checks all the boxes. He's listed at 6'4" and 205lbs. I'd guess he's closer to 220. His FB sits around 95 and he touches 97 frequently. It's not straight either. His breaking ball has been vastly improved. His change up is at least average. He controls all of them. Those are all fantastic attributes, but the performance needs to follow. Cleveland has worked their magic on him by shortening his arm action and reshaping his breaking ball. The results were about 6 hits, 2.9 walks, and almost 13 strikeouts per 9IP at the highest minor league level. So, for me he's in front of Jones, Naylor, Allen, and right there with Freeman. I view him as our 2nd best SP prospect right now behind Espino. I firmly believe that he could out pitch 2-3 of our current rotation. That isn't a knock on our current starters, Morris just has better tools to work with. The issue for him will be his innings limit in 2022.

My list would be:
1. Espino
2. Rocchio
3. Valera
4. Arias
5. Freeman
6. Morris
7. Williams
8. Battenfield
9. Jones
10. Lavastida

After my top 3 I wouldn't even waste my time arguing with any disagreements/differences. This system is loaded and there's enough "fat" to insulate us from probability of failure.
 
I know he's not listed here due to still being projected as a starting pitcher, but I would expect Carlos Vargas to be used as a reliever this year to accelerate his arrival time in Cleveland.
Agreed.. he may be eligible for a "mercy" year of club control after missing so much time.. At the end of the day.. if C-Var can get out of his own way (mentally), he's going to be a stud.. if he lets his lack of maturity get in his way.. think "The Salazarian"...
 
Since things turned out this way, I figure I'll make a rough list but I won't follow a traditional ranking format just because I don't see the purpose of differentiation in a lot of ways.

1. Espino
2-3. Valera, Rocchio,
4-5. Freeman, Arias
6-10. Williams, Noel, Jones, Tena, LT Allen
11-14. Martinez, Morris, Palacios, Kwan
15-16. Lavastida, Naylor

I really just have a bad feeling on Naylor... hopefully I'm wrong.
There's a first for everything !!... :bleh:
 
^^ sheesh....o_O
 
Agreed.. he may be eligible for a "mercy" year of club control after missing so much time.. At the end of the day.. if C-Var can get out of his own way (mentally), he's going to be a stud.. if he lets his lack of maturity get in his way.. think "The Salazarian"...

Vargas is mostly going to be a reliever this season in my mind anyways. He will get stretched out but I doubt he sees more than 80-90 innings total this season...
 
Just in case people here are unaware...
One of the posters on this board has used different moniker for years on another site. He has started posting his top 100+ prospect rankings for 2022. So far the list is at #41 (and further down)....

Here are links to the postings so far...
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2...ns-top-100-prospects-periphery-and-org-filler

https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2021/12/13/22831855/2022-guardians-top-100-prospects-depth

https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2021/12/21/22848257/2022-guardians-top-100-prospects-65-75

https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2021/12/30/22859683/2022-guardians-top-100-prospects-53-64

https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2022/1/5/22868200/2022-guardians-top-100-prospects-41-52

Enjoy... and thanks DelGua.. :thumbup1:
 
@BimboColesHair and anyone else who may know

When you have a chance everyone would love a preview of the international signing thats starting up next week.

Also in some ways going forward I think a lot of us would like to hear about more AZL guys to keep eyes on in the off seasons. This doesnt have to be done any time soon, but it would be cool to hear about guys who could be the next Jose Ramirez in a sense...
 
Looks like a small group at 14 but they usually sign others especially pitchers later for smaller $$$s

Also bimbo did say
"Also the 22 & 23 international signing classes are going to be the 2 most talented groups they've ever brought in, top to bottom. Jaison Chourio and Welbyn Francisca are the 2 big boys, but there is a lot of talent coming in those classes in the OF and MIF."

Now Churio is in 21-22 class so Francisca is next year 22-23 class in Jan 23 (as PG list him as 15&7 now a SS).

In this group, Churio is #20 MLB pipeline. Isturiz at catcher is #40. This seems strange that its one of best as we usually get 2 to 20ish prospects but can we trust these ratings anymore as Valera and Bracho were supposedly top prospects in that class with Rocchio and others. If this group is 1/2 as good as Valera class, kudos to the scout ... Would like to know who is resoonsible for uncovering it as we lost someone a couple years ago ... so I thought things we going to take a hit on finding 14 year old gems to commit early.


Edit -- looked at fangraph. Churio is listed as 40 FV (same as Geano). Welbyn is already a 40+ with year to go.
 
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I’m on my annual baseball purge. I’ll get back to you in February.

Quality over quantity these next few cycles. By product of Covid and a smaller scouting apparatus in LA. Francisca is the best international prospect they’ve signed in a long, long time though. IMO he is a much better prospect than Valera at this same stage.

Also, said this a number of times over the years here. MLB Pipeline blows. They’re by far the worst site, as far as free ranking sites go for fans. Good for info and the see where guys are at, but always by far the slowest to catch on to busts or guys out performing their prospect status. Always incredibly reactionary with new draft picks and signees too.
 
In case anyone is interested in participating, Covering the Corner has started its annual fan-sourced CLE prospect ranking. So far:
George Valera took the top spot via vote on Monday 1/10/22.
Brayan Rocchio is currently leading the vote for #2 spot on Tuesday 1/11/22.

Feel read to join in (or review the various comments) on the who/ why for each spot in the rankings..

 
In case anyone is interested in participating, Covering the Corner has started its annual fan-sourced CLE prospect ranking. So far:
George Valera took the top spot via vote on Monday 1/10/22.
Brayan Rocchio is currently leading the vote for #2 spot on Tuesday 1/11/22.

Feel read to join in (or review the various comments) on the who/ why for each spot in the rankings..

Pretty good "mechanics" overview of Daniel Espino.. was posted at the CTC site.. @jup would appreciate this..especially from about the seven minute point in the video onward..

 
Looks like a small group at 14 but they usually sign others especially pitchers later for smaller $$$s

Also bimbo did say
"Also the 22 & 23 international signing classes are going to be the 2 most talented groups they've ever brought in, top to bottom. Jaison Chourio and Welbyn Francisca are the 2 big boys, but there is a lot of talent coming in those classes in the OF and MIF."

Now Churio is in 21-22 class so Francisca is next year 22-23 class in Jan 23 (as PG list him as 15&7 now a SS).

In this group, Churio is #20 MLB pipeline. Isturiz at catcher is #40. This seems strange that its one of best as we usually get 2 to 20ish prospects but can we trust these ratings anymore as Valera and Bracho were supposedly top prospects in that class with Rocchio and others. If this group is 1/2 as good as Valera class, kudos to the scout ... Would like to know who is resoonsible for uncovering it as we lost someone a couple years ago ... so I thought things we going to take a hit on finding 14 year old gems to commit early.


Edit -- looked at fangraph. Churio is listed as 40 FV (same as Geano). Welbyn is already a 40+ with year to go.
Quietly intrigued by all the Y names and the dude named Nomar. Also interesting they were able to ply Batista away from the Yankees, would have thought he was a shoo-in to sign with them.
 

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