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

[Gson]

Pretty good week for the Akron Starting Pitching staff.. Cantillo, Gaddis and T Allen, specifically..

 

[CDAV45]

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???

Maybe you didn't understand my explanation. I said that suggesting Battenfield will be entrenched as the 3 or 4 starter was in reaction to Gson's suggestion that he doesn't profile as a starter which is BS. Hopefully this clears it up a bit.

I'm not concerned with what spot they pitch from really, but how effective they are. So far, you can't expect much more than what Battenfield has done as a SP prospect. No, he's not another Espino or Williams and I would never suggest such, but he's at the top of the next tier of SP prospects in this system. Since being drafted he has a .918 WHIP, 5.9 H9, 2.3 BB9, and 10.4 SO9 all as a starter. He's 6'4" and 240lbs. He has a mid 90's FB with rise, a nice cutter, and good CB, and an average change up. This dude screams MOR SP and is probably ready. Actually, if Pilkington is ready then Battenfield damn sure is.

 

[CDAV45]

The only reason Pilkington or Morgan are pitching in Cleveland instead of Battenfield is because they had to be on the 40 man. Trying to create a pecking order with Pilkington and Morgan ahead of Battenfield is a falsehood. Everyone here knows who the top 2 SP prospects are at this point. They're in a category all by themselves. The next tier has Battenfield and Allen at the top of it. Pilkington is in that mix as well, but I think he rates just below those 2. The SP depth continues to amaze me.

If any of these guys are destined for a BP role it's Morris, Morgan, and Myers.

Again, Plesac and Civale are BOR SP who will be outpitched by better arms coming up. Bieber will not sign an extension and I'm not sure they should even have the desire to do so at this point. So yes, I think it's feasible that the 2024 rotation doesn't have any of Bieber, Plesac, or Civale in it.

I'll be keeping an eye on this Bibee character too.

 

[Gson]

The only reason Pilkington or Morgan are pitching in Cleveland instead of Battenfield is because they had to be on the 40 man. Trying to create a pecking order with Pilkington and Morgan ahead of Battenfield is a falsehood. Everyone here knows who the top 2 SP prospects are at this point. They're in a category all by themselves. The next tier has Battenfield and Allen at the top of it. Pilkington is in that mix as well, but I think he rates just below those 2. The SP depth continues to amaze me.

If any of these guys are destined for a BP role it's Morris, Morgan, and Myers.

Again, Plesac and Civale are BOR SP who will be outpitched by better arms coming up. Bieber will not sign an extension and I'm not sure they should even have the desire to do so at this point. So yes, I think it's feasible that the 2024 rotation doesn't have any of Bieber, Plesac, or Civale in it.

I'll be keeping an eye on this Bibee character too.

hmm...

There might be something more than being on the 40 man that gave Pilk and Morgan their chances.. like their stuff?.. pitching ability?.. other?..

There is nothing false about Battenfield being behind both Morgan and Pilk.. Morgan and Pilk have pitched at the ML level this year.. Battenfield.. hasn't.. If he was the most talented/able.. he would have pitched at the ML level.. that's how a meritocracy works.. Major League Baseball is a meritocracy.. and will always be...

W/R to BP roles.. you're claim that Battenfield isn't suited while Morris/Morgan/Myers are.. is unsupported and/or just plain bananas.. Have you ever watched Battenfield's change up?.. Remember, being able to throw hard isn't the panacea it once was..

Plesac is a BOR SP right now.. There is no question about that.. but, he's young and improving.. You've seen his latest starts.. He could become an MOR SP.. soon if he keeps progressing..

Civale is a BOR SP.. he's a feel pitcher that has to get into a groove for him to be truly effective.. When he does, he can be devastatingly good.. and we've all seen this at the ML level..

These non-top-two-guys currently toiling in the MiLB's.. are not going to supplant these two BOR SP's.. not anytime soon, assuming healthy remains..

Your bro-mance with Battenfield is getting a little weird... imho..

 

[petes999]

hmm...

There might be something more than being on the 40 man that gave Pilk and Morgan their chances.. like their stuff?.. pitching ability?.. other?..

There is nothing false about Battenfield being behind both Morgan and Pilk.. Morgan and Pilk have pitched at the ML level this year.. Battenfield.. hasn't.. If he was the most talented/able.. he would have pitched at the ML level.. that's how a meritocracy works.. Major League Baseball is a meritocracy.. and will always be...

W/R to BP roles.. you're claim that Battenfield isn't suited while Morris/Morgan/Myers are.. is unsupported and/or just plain bananas.. Have you ever watched Battenfield's change up?.. Remember, being able to throw hard isn't the panacea it once was..

Plesac is a BOR SP right now.. There is no question about that.. but, he's young and improving.. You've seen his latest starts.. He could become an MOR SP.. soon if he keeps progressing..

Civale is a BOR SP.. he's a feel pitcher that has to get into a groove for him to be truly effective.. When he does, he can be devastatingly good.. and we've all seen this at the ML level..

These non-top-two-guys currently toiling in the MiLB's.. are not going to supplant these two BOR SP's.. not anytime soon, assuming healthy remains..

Your bro-mance with Battenfield is getting a little weird... imho..

It was one thing if Battenfield was needed that first go in April with Pilk around when we needed 28 on the 40 .... now that Bradley, Zimmer and Allen Sr are off the 40 and we got 3 easy cuts in Chang, Oviedo (at some point he will be cut) and even Castro, they will promote the guy that has the best chance to win (especially for 1-2 games like Arias did just to give them a glimpse of what they need to work on next). If Battenfield is the next Allen Jr, he would have been called up on that Saturday in NY or even this Sunday over McCarty (at least) -- as that was a free look that day in NY due to COVID -- and McCarty is not surviving the year on the 40 (as it is now official that he wasn't just a COVID callup). At this point, they need to start looking at their 40 for November (a lot of dead weight will come off) and Battenfield is a sure add so why not now? Maybe they are working on something or they have Pilk and him even... If Battenfield ahead, he would have started over Toronto or been added over McCarty who will be cut at some point.

Guardians Select Kirk McCarty

Prior to yesterday's contest with the Blue Jays, the Guardians selected left-hander Kirk McCarty onto the major league roster. It's the …

www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

[sportscoach]

Honestly @Gson @petes999 @CDAV45

First of Cdav is high on Battenfield and feels he is the next one long term to fill in a MOR type of role if Plesac, Civale etc are moved... Nothing wrong with that projection, while Gson doesn't have that high of opinion and doesn't expect him to do anything as a starter when it comes to the bigs. Nothing wrong with that projection either. We all have our projection on players and it is a we will see who is right and who is wrong in due time...

When it comes to McCarty, my guess is he is replacing Allen, so I am guessing they preferred a left handed guy who could start or relieve for them to replace the guy who had no options. He just fills a role, while they likely want Battenfield to stay starting normally. McCarty's promotion had nothing to do with whether or not Battenfield is ready or not. He just was promoted to fill a role that would have never went of Battenfield since he isnt a lefty...

 

[petes999]

Honestly @Gson @petes999 @CDAV45

When it comes to McCarty, my guess is he is replacing Allen, so I am guessing they preferred a left handed guy who could start or relieve for them to replace the guy who had no options. He just fills a role, while they likely want Battenfield to stay starting normally. McCarty's promotion had nothing to do with whether or not Battenfield is ready or not. He just was promoted to fill a role that would have never went of Battenfield since he isnt a lefty...

Note, Allen was cut 6 days ago ... he was the 14th pitcher to get to 13. McCarty isn't the lefty to replace Allen for me. They brought up Castros twice for double headers before they brought up McCarty (just as they needed some length this time). But, if they need a lefty for lefty role, why not Pilk? He has started and relieved, quite well and per others he is behind Battenfield, so a good swing guy like Morgan (with a bit more power).

Part of this is just to play devil's advocate. I like differences in opinions as then others can see both sides and judge for themselves. Yet, by year end, we should have Battenfield and Miko on the 40 man. I was actually surprised that Miko is only pitching 1 out of every 3 days or so. I just assumed they would be nearing the Guardians radar by now and getting them ready. Yet, if Battenfield is all that (not saying he is not good), I would have looked for him to have come up at least for a few innings (like an Arias) as he has to be added by year-end anyways. Just give him a taste of the bigs as McCarty is not going to survive the year sorry .... he is just the sacrificial lamb for now. He will be cut by November for Gaddis, Curry, Cantillo, Hankins ...

Right now, they are at 14 pitchers. Who do they cut when Chang is ready to come back (and his .176 avg)? And, with Kar coming back maybe in 2-4 weeks (assuming he is throwing some pen sessions by now), McCarty has no room over Morgan ... He isn't the Allen replacement .... other than as I said, Allen had a role at the end as an inning eater in blow out type games (whether he was a righty or lefty).

 

[CDAV45]

Note, Allen was cut 6 days ago ... he was the 14th pitcher to get to 13. McCarty isn't the lefty to replace Allen for me. They brought up Castros twice for double headers before they brought up McCarty (just as they needed some length this time). But, if they need a lefty for lefty role, why not Pilk? He has started and relieved, quite well and per others he is behind Battenfield, so a good swing guy like Morgan (with a bit more power).

Part of this is just to play devil's advocate. I like differences in opinions as then others can see both sides and judge for themselves. Yet, by year end, we should have Battenfield and Miko on the 40 man. I was actually surprised that Miko is only pitching 1 out of every 3 days or so. I just assumed they would be nearing the Guardians radar by now and getting them ready. Yet, if Battenfield is all that (not saying he is not good), I would have looked for him to have come up at least for a few innings (like an Arias) as he has to be added by year-end anyways. Just give him a taste of the bigs as McCarty is not going to survive the year sorry .... he is just the sacrificial lamb for now. He will be cut by November for Gaddis, Curry, Cantillo, Hankins ...

Right now, they are at 14 pitchers. Who do they cut when Chang is ready to come back (and his .176 avg)? And, with Kar coming back maybe in 2-4 weeks (assuming he is throwing some pen sessions by now), McCarty has no room over Morgan ... He isn't the Allen replacement .... other than as I said, Allen had a role at the end as an inning eater in blow out type games (whether he was a righty or lefty).

You are right about McCarty. He’s expendable. Battenfield isn’t going to be added to the 40 man unless he has a permanent spot. There’s no need to lose that flexibility until absolutely necessary IMO. Besides, the rotation is pretty solid with Pilk and Morgan already on the roster.

I don’t mind a difference of opinion either, but to say Battenfield is more suited for the BP has no basis at this point. He’s been a SP since being drafted and a pretty damn good one at that. That’s all I’m saying.

 

[CDAV45]

hmm...

There might be something more than being on the 40 man that gave Pilk and Morgan their chances.. like their stuff?.. pitching ability?.. other?..

There is nothing false about Battenfield being behind both Morgan and Pilk.. Morgan and Pilk have pitched at the ML level this year.. Battenfield.. hasn't.. If he was the most talented/able.. he would have pitched at the ML level.. that's how a meritocracy works.. Major League Baseball is a meritocracy.. and will always be...

W/R to BP roles.. you're claim that Battenfield isn't suited while Morris/Morgan/Myers are.. is unsupported and/or just plain bananas.. Have you ever watched Battenfield's change up?.. Remember, being able to throw hard isn't the panacea it once was..

Plesac is a BOR SP right now.. There is no question about that.. but, he's young and improving.. You've seen his latest starts.. He could become an MOR SP.. soon if he keeps progressing..

Civale is a BOR SP.. he's a feel pitcher that has to get into a groove for him to be truly effective.. When he does, he can be devastatingly good.. and we've all seen this at the ML level..

These non-top-two-guys currently toiling in the MiLB's.. are not going to supplant these two BOR SP's.. not anytime soon, assuming healthy remains..

Your bro-mance with Battenfield is getting a little weird... imho..

What a bunch of BS. I can’t stop laughing. Their “stuff”? If you think their “stuff” is better than Battenfield’s then I’d like to know wtf you base that on. I like Pulk and Morgan(Pilk more), but they don’t have the “stuff” Battenfield does and to this point they can’t locate it like him either, especially Pilk. I think Battenfield and Pilkington have gone underrated by many and will have good MLB careers, but I take Battenfield every time right now.

 

[sportscoach]

Note, Allen was cut 6 days ago ... he was the 14th pitcher to get to 13. McCarty isn't the lefty to replace Allen for me. They brought up Castros twice for double headers before they brought up McCarty (just as they needed some length this time). But, if they need a lefty for lefty role, why not Pilk? He has started and relieved, quite well and per others he is behind Battenfield, so a good swing guy like Morgan (with a bit more power).

Part of this is just to play devil's advocate. I like differences in opinions as then others can see both sides and judge for themselves. Yet, by year end, we should have Battenfield and Miko on the 40 man. I was actually surprised that Miko is only pitching 1 out of every 3 days or so. I just assumed they would be nearing the Guardians radar by now and getting them ready. Yet, if Battenfield is all that (not saying he is not good), I would have looked for him to have come up at least for a few innings (like an Arias) as he has to be added by year-end anyways. Just give him a taste of the bigs as McCarty is not going to survive the year sorry .... he is just the sacrificial lamb for now. He will be cut by November for Gaddis, Curry, Cantillo, Hankins ...

Right now, they are at 14 pitchers. Who do they cut when Chang is ready to come back (and his .176 avg)? And, with Kar coming back maybe in 2-4 weeks (assuming he is throwing some pen sessions by now), McCarty has no room over Morgan ... He isn't the Allen replacement .... other than as I said, Allen had a role at the end as an inning eater in blow out type games (whether he was a righty or lefty).

McCarty is a guy, who isn't really going to develop any farther. They want Pilk to be a starter while McCarty doesn't profile to really get any better. Pilk will be the guy who is sent down to keep working on his craft while Chang is activated and McCarty is in the long relief, mop up role. If you only have Right handed starters you want a left handed mop up guy in my mind... I always try to set it up that way since normally starting lineups will have platoon guys. That's why McCarty now has the role Allen was doing, but he has his options so if they need a fresh arm he can be sent down...

 

[sportscoach]

You are right about McCarty. He’s expendable. Battenfield isn’t going to be added to the 40 man unless he has a permanent spot. There’s no need to lose that flexibility until absolutely necessary IMO. Besides, the rotation is pretty solid with Pilk and Morgan already on the roster.

I don’t mind a difference of opinion either, but to say Battenfield is more suited for the BP has no basis at this point. He’s been a SP since being drafted and a pretty damn good one at that. That’s all I’m saying.

Stephan never came out of the pen until we acquired him by the way... Pilk they want to start right now which means the McCarty promotion is the bullpen arm rather than Pilk.

I agree Battenfield is a starter at the moment, and that's final. Where he ends up though isn't set in stone, but he has a couple seasons before starter or reliever long term is set in stone.

 

[sportscoach]

What a bunch of BS. I can’t stop laughing. Their “stuff”? If you think their “stuff” is better than Battenfield’s then I’d like to know wtf you base that on. I like Pulk and Morgan(Pilk more), but they don’t have the “stuff” Battenfield does and to this point they can’t locate it like him either, especially Pilk. I think Battenfield and Pilkington have gone underrated by many and will have good MLB careers, but I take Battenfield every time right now.

Not sure who Pulk is... lol

Also I think Morris is the best bet to be very legit out of the pen since he has upper 90s with his fastball and had injury concerns...

 

[Gson]

Honestly @Gson @petes999 @CDAV45

First of Cdav is high on Battenfield and feels he is the next one long term to fill in a MOR type of role if Plesac, Civale etc are moved... Nothing wrong with that projection, while Gson doesn't have that high of opinion and doesn't expect him to do anything as a starter when it comes to the bigs. Nothing wrong with that projection either. We all have our projection on players and it is a we will see who is right and who is wrong in due time...

When it comes to McCarty, my guess is he is replacing Allen, so I am guessing they preferred a left handed guy who could start or relieve for them to replace the guy who had no options. He just fills a role, while they likely want Battenfield to stay starting normally. McCarty's promotion had nothing to do with whether or not Battenfield is ready or not. He just was promoted to fill a role that would have never went of Battenfield since he isnt a lefty...

McCarty was promoted because he has three minor league options.. he is in no danger of being lost to the numbers game..

You're right about one pitcher not having anything to do with another.. it's strictly the numbers.. Battenfield would need a roster spot and the ability to stick if promoted.. if he blows.. he can't go back as he has no minor league options.. the Guardians don't want to risk what they don't know what they have.. The Guardians continue to develop Battenfield as an SP because that gives him the best chance to put inning on his ledger and a chance to improve to the point where he can stay/stick in the ML's. So far.. that hasn't happened.. Battenfield has been well thought of by three different organizations.. two of which decided he wasn't worth keeping.. The Guardians are the third.. they may unlock something the other two clubs couldn't/didn't.. or.. Battenfield may be off to organization # 4.. He's either going to swim or swim someplace else.. His 50 FB/50 CB/45 CH/55 Cu and marginally improved command say he's worth keeping at AAA with the hope he can make that cutter a weapon..

we'll see.. but he's going to be 25 around just after the all star break.. and hasn't shown he is a force to be reckoned with.. at least so far.. and it's his marginal command of his "non-fastball" that has kept him from succeeding.....or succeeding wildly..

That's why he doesn't fit the Guardians profile.. Not his velo on his FB.. not his breaking stuff.. Battenfield can't command his change up to where it needs to go and it gets too firm/hittable.. & he's just recently developed a cutter [I think it might become his best pitch].. That is, it's something with a wrinkle that keeps hitters uncomfortably off his FB.. THAT's A DEATH KNELL for an organization that demands command and control as a skill...

Can he get better.. perhaps.. but why hasn't he by now?..

 

[sportscoach]

McCarty was promoted because he has three minor league options.. he is in no danger of being lost to the numbers game..

You're right about one pitcher not having anything to do with another.. it's strictly the numbers.. Battenfield would need a roster spot and the ability to stick if promoted.. if he blows.. he can't go back as he has no minor league options.. the Guardians don't want to risk what they don't know what they have.. The Guardians continue to develop Battenfield as an SP because that gives him the best chance to put inning on his ledger and a chance to improve to the point where he can stay/stick in the ML's. So far.. that hasn't happened.. Battenfield has been well thought of by three different organizations.. two of which decided he wasn't worth keeping.. The Guardians are the third.. they may unlock something the other two clubs couldn't/didn't.. or.. Battenfield may be off to organization # 4.. He's either going to swim or swim someplace else.. His 50 FB/50 CB/45 CH/55 Cu and marginally improved command say he's worth keeping at AAA with the hope he can make that cutter a weapon..

we'll see.. but he's going to be 25 around just after the all star break.. and hasn't shown he is a force to be reckoned with.. at least so far.. and it's his marginal command of his "non-fastball" that has kept him from succeeding.....or succeeding wildly..

That's why he doesn't fit the Guardians profile.. Not his velo on his FB.. not his breaking stuff.. Battenfield can't command his change up to where it needs to go and it gets too firm/hittable.. & he's just recently developed a cutter [I think it might become his best pitch].. That is, it's something with a wrinkle that keeps hitters uncomfortably off his FB.. THAT's A DEATH KNELL for an organization that demands command and control as a skill...

Can he get better.. perhaps.. but why hasn't he by now?..

What are you talking about? Maybe we need your name to be LostMarbles rather than GSon lol Battenfield would have all his options if he was added to the 40 man roster... Why add a starter to the 40 man roster if we have a ton of starting depth and don't need his position added and waste an option year on a promising prospect? He was an older draftee in a sense and though he has been traded twice, I think he ended up with the right organization in the end...

@CDAV45 Battenfield was a reliever in college and didn't actual starting until he got to the minors, btw... That being said @Gson his K per 9 has gone up since drafted and his BB per 9 has gone down, while he has been converted over to being a starter. His numbers are actually better as a starter which is unusual. So those numbers actually support Battenfield being a starter over being a reliever so you have to side with CDav on this argument since it's rare a reliever actually has better numbers as a starter later...

 

[Martyinnewyork]

WTF does ANY of this have to do with the minor league games thread?