2022 Minor League Week 05 Games Thread (5/3-5/8/22)

[sportscoach]

Yeah really. You’re wrong and it’s that simple. He has 4 pitches and they’re all average or better. He has excellent control. Gives up very few walks, has a high strikeout rate and keeps hits at a minimum. Factor in his FB has touched 98 this season and sits 94-95 with good movement and you have a damn good SP prospect. This conversation is silly.

I feel like @Gson is to low on Battenfield while you are too high on him. We all hope you are right CDav but we shall see

 

[CDAV45]

I feel like @Gson is to low on Battenfield while you are too high on him. We all hope you are right CDav but we shall see

How am I too high on him? He’s a MOR SP prospect that has performed spectacularly since turning pro and becoming a starter full time. Please explain how I am too high on him.

 

[Gson]

How am I too high on him? He’s a MOR SP prospect that has performed spectacularly since turning pro and becoming a starter full time. Please explain how I am too high on him.

He'll find his niche as a middle reliever to spot starter.. probably, like his history has shown by being with three clubs already.. with another club... If he commits to being the best middle reliever he can be, then it could be on the north coast.. otherwise.. history repeats..

 

[CDAV45]

He'll find his niche as a middle reliever to spot starter.. probably, like his history has shown by being with three clubs already.. with another club... If he commits to being the best middle reliever he can be, then it could be on the north coast.. otherwise.. history repeats..

He’ll be entrenched as the Guardians #3 or #4 by the 24 season if not sooner.

 

[MadThinker88]

He’ll be entrenched as the Guardians #3 or #4 by the 24 season if not sooner.

I find that doubtful but we shall see..
So many good arms at the majors already and coming thru the minors that even with some shifting to the bullpen, there will be a surplus of options/ depth for the team for multiple seasons..

 

[MadThinker88]

Well the Sunday games are now concluded. Sunday was not kind to the CLE affiliates as they went 1-4 with a -1 run diff.
On the week the group went 9-13 with a -9 run diff.

Hopefully the group can turn it around next week as the top 3 levels will be at home and Lynchburg will be on the road.
Overall the 4 full season affiliates a combined 57-52 with a run diff of +49..

 

[CDAV45]

I find that doubtful but we shall see..
So many good arms at the majors already and coming thru the minors that even with some shifting to the bullpen, there will be a surplus of options/ depth for the team for multiple seasons..

You can doubt it if you like, but I highly doubt any of Bieber, Plesac, or Civale are here in 24. Outside of Espino and Williams, point to a SP prospect that has performed any better. Look at all the peripherals and the arsenal. Battenfield will either be in the rotation or traded for a need. Personally, I think he could take the place of Plesac or Civale and do just as well or better. Much in the same way Pilkington did today only Battenfield has better stuff and command.

 

[CATS44]

I like Battenfield, but lets look at the present situation and then two years from now.

Biebs
TMac
Plesac
Civale
Quantrill
Morgan
Pilkington

Thats the present pecking order, and all are under control thru at least 2024.

Then there are Morris and Myers already on the 40 man.

Then there is Espino, who will be in Columbus this season, and probably Cleveland in late 2023.

Then there are Allen, Curry, Cantillo, Burns, and Gaddis...all in Akron right now, and should have full seasons in Columbus next year.

Unless the entire rotation is traded away in the next 18 months, its gonna be difficult for anybody not already in the MLB rotation and not named Espino to be entrenched as a MOR in Cleveland.

Not talking about right now, but two years from now, how does anybody rate the rotational depth chart for 2024?

Without trades or injuries...

The current rotation.
Espino
Morris
Pilkington
Morris

Battenfield would have to pass six of those guys to get to #3. Plus fend off youngsters, like Allen, Curry, Cantillo, Gaddis, and Burns.

Its a great problem to have, and there will be trades and injuries...but its a long shot that any particular one will be entrenched as a MOR in 2024.

 

[MadThinker88]

You can doubt it if you like, but I highly doubt any of Bieber, Plesac, or Civale are here in 24. Outside of Espino and Williams, point to a SP prospect that has performed any better. Look at all the peripherals and the arsenal. Battenfield will either be in the rotation or traded for a need. Personally, I think he could take the place of Plesac or Civale and do just as well or better. Much in the same way Pilkington did today only Battenfield has better stuff and command.

We do not know the future on any of the current arms but I can agree with multiple options getting ahead of Plesac/ Civale by then.
I would think it likely that Espino & Gavin Williams are part of the mix in 24.

That still leaves Logan T Allen/ Tanner Burns/ Cantillo/ Curry/ others in the mix with Battenfield.

I am not knocking or rooting against any of the arms. For all we know Battenfield is the equivalent of the horse that won the Kentucky Derby.. It might have started the race as a 80-1 long-shot but when the race was over, it not only won the race, it had the energy to go after the pony escort heading to winners circle.

 

[CATS44]

If Bieber, Plesac, and Civale are all traded by the end of next year, we will have at least three additional SP candidates, all top 100s and MLB ready.

This FO doesn't trade rotational pieces without getting top tier pitching prospects in return.

But we are not trading away 60% of our rotation, so it doesn't matter.

 

[Gson]

We do not know the future on any of the current arms but I can agree with multiple options getting ahead of Plesac/ Civale by then.
I would think it likely that Espino & Gavin Williams are part of the mix in 24.

That still leaves Logan T Allen/ Tanner Burns/ Cantillo/ Curry/ others in the mix with Battenfield.

I am not knocking or rooting against any of the arms. For all we know Battenfield is the equivalent of the horse that won the Kentucky Derby.. It might have started the race as a 80-1 long-shot but when the race was over, it not only won the race, it had the energy to go after the pony escort heading to winners circle.

Yeah... that pony wanted to bite something or someone.. quite the show...

T Allen and Cantillo are both looking like the real thing.. indeed..

..but I will provide an insight that might not be too well received.. Plesac is getting better.. more mature.. more consistent.. Better sequencing.. Better teammate... He might become a guy that stays a while...

 

[CDAV45]

We do not know the future on any of the current arms but I can agree with multiple options getting ahead of Plesac/ Civale by then.
I would think it likely that Espino & Gavin Williams are part of the mix in 24.

That still leaves Logan T Allen/ Tanner Burns/ Cantillo/ Curry/ others in the mix with Battenfield.

I am not knocking or rooting against any of the arms. For all we know Battenfield is the equivalent of the horse that won the Kentucky Derby.. It might have started the race as a 80-1 long-shot but when the race was over, it not only won the race, it had the energy to go after the pony escort heading to winners circle.

Unless injury or unforeseen poor performance gets in the way, I expect Espino and Williams to be at the top of this rotation in 24.

I'm not rooting against any of the arms either, but Battenfield is more advanced and has better stuff than Pilkington. Both have better stuff than Plesac and Civale. Historically, Pilkington's BB9 were a little higher than I like, but it didn't seen to effect his R9 much at all. Battenfield's numbers are extremely good.

My reply to Gson was an opposite take because he hasn't been a reliever and he doesn't profile as one either. There is a lot of SP talent in this organization so it's hard to know what will happen. If Battenfield isn't in the rotation by next year it's probably because he's been dealt or injured.

I will predict that Bieber will not sign an extension and at this point I'm not sure we should want him to. Plesac and Civale are not as good as Miller, Battenfield, Allen, Curry or Burns IMO. Point being, there could be more SP turnover in the next 2 yrs than many expect.

There is nobody keeping Espino or Williams out of the rotation when they're ready.

 

[MadThinker88]

Unless injury or unforeseen poor performance gets in the way, I expect Espino and Williams to be at the top of this rotation in 24.

I'm not rooting against any of the arms either, but Battenfield is more advanced and has better stuff than Pilkington. Both have better stuff than Plesac and Civale. Historically, Pilkington's BB9 were a little higher than I like, but it didn't seen to effect his R9 much at all. Battenfield's numbers are extremely good.

My reply to Gson was an opposite take because he hasn't been a reliever and he doesn't profile as one either. There is a lot of SP talent in this organization so it's hard to know what will happen. If Battenfield isn't in the rotation by next year it's probably because he's been dealt or injured.

I will predict that Bieber will not sign an extension and at this point I'm not sure we should want him to. Plesac and Civale are not as good as Miller, Battenfield, Allen, Curry or Burns IMO. Point being, there could be more SP turnover in the next 2 yrs than many expect.

There is nobody keeping Espino or Williams out of the rotation when they're ready.

Maybe this is semantics, but I think it is the point that I (& others) are responding to..
You suggested Battenfield entrenched as 3 or 4 starter.
You make the point of Bieber being gone & Battenfield being ahead of both Plesac & Civale. Understood & got it.
However that still leaves TMac & Cal Q. We add in Espino & Williams. Thats 4 (in some order). Which of those is Battenfield ahead of???

 

[Benway]

Yeah... that pony wanted to bite something or someone.. quite the show...

Actually deserves its own thread!

Edit: So I drank some wine and made one.

 

[sportscoach]

Maybe this is semantics, but I think it is the point that I (& others) are responding to..
You suggested Battenfield entrenched as 3 or 4 starter.
You make the point of Bieber being gone & Battenfield being ahead of both Plesac & Civale. Understood & got it.
However that still leaves TMac & Cal Q. We add in Espino & Williams. Thats 4 (in some order). Which of those is Battenfield ahead of???

I completely agree here, plus I agree with @CATS44 we aren't just going to let guys go without filling in holes/getting other prospects back for them from the SPs we currently have...

@CDAV45 we are also talking about a bunch of arms that don't actually look like they will be relievers, if anything we may have drafted and traded to well and now we have a bottleneck of pitchers who all look like starters and we only got so many spots. Also @Gson I think you are being to harsh towards Battenfield, I have no doubt he can make it as a starter in the bigs, but I don't have him currently in front of Civale. I actually think Civale could end up towards a FOR not a MOR when it's all said and done. He doesn't have the arm that some others have, but his ability to actually pitch, will end up higher than others.

Either way let's look at it this way...

Bieber, Civale, Plesac I believe had a FV of 40 Civale out of college was the highest rated of those three and Bieber and Plesac weren't even ranked in our top 30 until they hit the bigs...

TMac was a FV of 55, Quantril a FV of 50 (Allen was ranked higher but he flopped)... Morgan I think was a FV of 40.

Current group... Espino is a 55, Williams, Allen, Burns are all 50 then Morris, Battenfield, Curry, Mace, Nikhazy, Myers are all 45. Hankins, Pilkington are a 40 (which I think thay crew included 10+ odd pitchers in that ranking).

Shoot, that's a good problem to have, these are ranking as starters and some of them like a Morris would have an even higher ranking in the bullpen. Cleveland has been drafting and acquiring almost exclusively pitchers with a command rating of 50 or higher and I think they will continue to do so normally, they might pick the occasional Joyce type gping forward, fastball rating of 80 to mix in, but their focus will be, plus command with or without good velo.

Then long term, if they don't make it here as a starter, do we go with Hentges or McAllister road with them, trade them or make an opening for them? Not all prospects make it in the bigs, but honestly I'd be very surprised if 70%+ of our prospects don't make it to the bigs.