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National Media and other poster's 2023 Prospect Lists

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I think the only problem with Bibee and future success is the lack of a track record with his new found speed. IF he has a good 2-3 months to start the season, people are going to have their jaws just drop. It is easy to write him off as a one year wonder, especially has his July and August are based on sub .260 BABip. However, all the other months, are around .300 or over. However, his OPS steadily declined through the year mainly because of that elevation that hitters can get on his fastball (his weakness) seemed to correct itself even in AA with bigger hitters. His May numbers show 5 HRs in 5 games. However, in the rest of the year, he limited his HRs to 2 per month or less (0 in Sept with 3 games). As long as that trend continues, he will do just fine. And, as others said, keeping his K/W ratio around 5-6+ for whole season, keeps him from getting into trouble with big innings.

Guys, this is why the Guardians appear to just be treading water a bit for now and not going after big names. We can criticize them for not adding a big 3rd pitcher to add to Bieber and McK to do an extended playoff run (having the guns to match the #1/#2 seed when you have to throw your #3/4 pitcher against their Ace due to bye scheduling). Yet, even if Bieber does not sign a contract, if things play out, you have McK as your 4th best pitcher (but Ace in leadership). That is why they are holding off and other teams are testing their resolve in not trading one of them even for a Murphy (willing to gamble and take less than fold for one of the 3 because you pushed to hard).

Honestly, I can see why Bibee was left off the top 10 list. I didn't really expect it. I can see him around 60-70 prospect level with top 100 comes out. However, come next year, if we don't have a WS type run coming this year (where they risk rookie eligibility on one of these 3), you have the possibility to have 3 of the top 5-8 pitcher prospects going into next pre-season. Lefties -- Harrison & Tiedemann (Liberatore will lose eligibility this year) and Righties -- Painter, Perez, Abel, Miller/Stone (and a couple of these will lose eligibility) - that would be 3 of top 30 prospects in all of baseball where the success ratio that Cats hates is much higher. But, Espino needs to be healthy and Williams will be control as his walk rate/home run ticked up in AA.
I wouldn't be against adding another good pitcher, but I'd prefer some control and there aren't many out there that fit that description. Besides, do they really need to add one? I think they actually have a SP that is every bit as capable as McKenzie. All they have to do is keep him healthy.

They'll see what becomes of Pilkington and Battenfield. If Battenfield starts the season strong with his new mechanics, velocity and spin then they have another good one. If he struggles then he'll fade away into Cleveland's pitching depth. All Pilkington has to do is demonstrate better control and limit his walks. There is real potential with both these guys and what better organization to help them realize it.

So there is still some "things" to find out/discover/realize with this team before I view it as a WS contender. Things could click though and surprise myself and others that feel the Guardians' time will begin in 24. The problem with my take on how they should do things is that it is perceived as throwing in the towel for 2023, but `I don't see it like that at all. I see it as loading up and getting prepared for a long sustained run with incredible talent. You know what they say about opinions.
 
I wouldn't be against adding another good pitcher, but I'd prefer some control and there aren't many out there that fit that description. Besides, do they really need to add one? I think they actually have a SP that is every bit as capable as McKenzie. All they have to do is keep him healthy.

They'll see what becomes of Pilkington and Battenfield. If Battenfield starts the season strong with his new mechanics, velocity and spin then they have another good one. If he struggles then he'll fade away into Cleveland's pitching depth. All Pilkington has to do is demonstrate better control and limit his walks. There is real potential with both these guys and what better organization to help them realize it.

So there is still some "things" to find out/discover/realize with this team before I view it as a WS contender. Things could click though and surprise myself and others that feel the Guardians' time will begin in 24. The problem with my take on how they should do things is that it is perceived as throwing in the towel for 2023, but `I don't see it like that at all. I see it as loading up and getting prepared for a long sustained run with incredible talent. You know what they say about opinions.
The "throwing in the towel" comment is along the lines of an ultimatum that has no validity.. If the Guardians don't trade six prospects for one guy, then, they're not serious about winning.. and they're going to get nothing for all the Guardians' investment.. what a waste !

None of the above is measurable other than the action not happening.. & it's silliness..

Your comment isn't throwing in the towel.. It's the timing that is the question.. If Batts and Puke and Canti and Xzavion and Morris.. and.. and.. and... don't provide run prevention in their starts while going 5 or more innings.. by the all star break.. then it is time to do something...

That can be a deal with another club...

That can be a promotion of the next guys..

That can be to wait while keeping after the guys & having faith in the group that broke camp..

These guys are at the highest level because they are talented.. The first go around in the Show.. the second.. and sometimes, the third is needed to unleash their talent.. For the patient fan, this is fine.. that's about 2 % of anyone who knows where Cleveland is..
 
Wow.

That is very exciting to hear about with Bibee, thank you for the input! That got me really excited for what the rotation may look like in a few seasons. Last time we had the power arms (Bauer, Clevinger, Carrasco, Kluber, Salazar) we went to a World Series. Been missing that with the softer throwing starters lately.

And how do we keep doing this with college pitchers? Our secret sauce with pitchers has to be the closest guarded secret in the sport.
 
Wow.

That is very exciting to hear about with Bibee, thank you for the input! That got me really excited for what the rotation may look like in a few seasons. .ast time we had the power arms (Bauer, Clevinger, Carrasco, Kluber, Salazar) we went to a World Series. Been missing that with the softer throwing starters lately.

And how do we keep doing this with college pitchers? Our secret sauce with pitchers has to be the closest guarded secret in the sport.

Honestly they keep going for a certain type a pitcher and as long as they are available plus willing to work with the development crew of Cleveland, they will keep producing them.

Eventually the value of a big arm without command will go down and you will see the plus command types go up in value...
 
Ok, here is the listing for everyone. Enjoy & have at it...

Prospects Live
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS 2023 TOP 30 PROSPECTS
Posted: January 16, 2023 By: Prospects Live Staff

#Player#Player#Player
1Daniel Espino, RHP11Will Brennan, OF21Jaison Chourio, OF
2Gavin Williams, RHP12Angel Martinez, INF22Petey Halpin, OF
3Tanner Bibee, RHP13Xzavion Curry, RHP23Nate Furman, 2B
4Bo Naylor, C14Parker Messick, LHP24Juan Brito, 2B
5Brayan Rocchio, SS15Jose Tena, 2B/SS25Doug Nikhazy, LHP
6George Valera, OF16Gabriel Rodriguez, 3B26Angel Genao, SS
7Chase DeLauter, OF17Tanner Burns, RHP27Hunter Gaddis, RHP
8Logan T. Allen, LHP18Jacob Zibin, RHP28Peyton Battenfield, RHP
9Justin Campbell, RHP19Gabriel Arias, INF29Bryan Lavastida, C
10Cody Morris, RHP20Jhonkensy Noel, 1B/OF30Jack Leftwich, RHP
 
Ok, here is the listing for everyone. Enjoy & have at it...

Prospects Live
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS 2023 TOP 30 PROSPECTS
Posted: January 16, 2023 By: Prospects Live Staff

#Player#Player#Player
1Daniel Espino, RHP11Will Brennan, OF21Jaison Chourio, OF
2Gavin Williams, RHP12Angel Martinez, INF22Petey Halpin, OF
3Tanner Bibee, RHP13Xzavion Curry, RHP23Nate Furman, 2B
4Bo Naylor, C14Parker Messick, LHP24Juan Brito, 2B
5Brayan Rocchio, SS15Jose Tena, 2B/SS25Doug Nikhazy, LHP
6George Valera, OF16Gabriel Rodriguez, 3B26Angel Genao, SS
7Chase DeLauter, OF17Tanner Burns, RHP27Hunter Gaddis, RHP
8Logan T. Allen, LHP18Jacob Zibin, RHP28Peyton Battenfield, RHP
9Justin Campbell, RHP19Gabriel Arias, INF29Bryan Lavastida, C
10Cody Morris, RHP20Jhonkensy Noel, 1B/OF30Jack Leftwich, RHP

Rodriguez, Furman, Brito and Leftwich getting the love... No Fox, Tolentino or Cantillo though?

I feel like out top 8 is the same 8 guys for the most part... just in different orders

@petes999 do you have most of the prospect rankings handy? I am curious what the average is for each guy
 
Ok, here is the listing for everyone. Enjoy & have at it...

Prospects Live
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS 2023 TOP 30 PROSPECTS
Posted: January 16, 2023 By: Prospects Live Staff

#Player#Player#Player
1Daniel Espino, RHP11Will Brennan, OF21Jaison Chourio, OF
2Gavin Williams, RHP12Angel Martinez, INF22Petey Halpin, OF
3Tanner Bibee, RHP13Xzavion Curry, RHP23Nate Furman, 2B
4Bo Naylor, C14Parker Messick, LHP24Juan Brito, 2B
5Brayan Rocchio, SS15Jose Tena, 2B/SS25Doug Nikhazy, LHP
6George Valera, OF16Gabriel Rodriguez, 3B26Angel Genao, SS
7Chase DeLauter, OF17Tanner Burns, RHP27Hunter Gaddis, RHP
8Logan T. Allen, LHP18Jacob Zibin, RHP28Peyton Battenfield, RHP
9Justin Campbell, RHP19Gabriel Arias, INF29Bryan Lavastida, C
10Cody Morris, RHP20Jhonkensy Noel, 1B/OF30Jack Leftwich, RHP
That's pretty um, interesting???

Most love Gabe Rod at #16 has seen in awhile, Tanner Burns (#17) as well. Curry at 13 seems bold, and I think I'm bullish on him. Brito at 24, is too low and I also definitely like Noel (#20) a lot more... Pretty sure Arias (#19) is the lowest I have seen him ranked anywhere.
 
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I just don't see it with Curry.

3.65/3.75/3.96 ERA/FIP/xFIP in AA

4.58/4.98/4.96 in AAA

Steamer projection for 2023: 4.70/4.77/4.53

Gaddis beats him at both levels and has better projections
 
I could be wrong but,,,,
I don't recall Cleveland having SEVEN prospects on the Top 100 list - EVER.
Congrats to the G's.

But here's the thing - I always say MLB is a game of talent and opportunity.
Those top 3 pitchers, there is no question they have talent. They all may get an opportunity sometime in 2023.
I just don't see 3 rookie pitchers getting a FAIR opportunity with veterans in front of them.
 
I could be wrong but,,,,
I don't recall Cleveland having SEVEN prospects on the Top 100 list - EVER.
Congrats to the G's.

But here's the thing - I always say MLB is a game of talent and opportunity.
Those top 3 pitchers, there is no question they have talent. They all may get an opportunity sometime in 2023.
I just don't see 3 rookie pitchers getting a FAIR opportunity with veterans in front of them.

Also, we got a tidbit a while ago from our ex-insider who said with the top-3 ROY if on top-100 lists getting an extra draft pick for award, don't be surprised if there is some manipulation to get that extra pick whether a Naylor if close enough is on April roster or if we aren't going far in playoffs, one of 3 pitchers just waits to next year to burst their rookie eligibility.

What surprises me is the disparity in Allen ... He wasn't even on Pipeline top-10 for LHP after being 6th last year. They hinted that only top-4 LHP are top-100 when released. So, nowhere close but 85th per BA (was 65th on updated FG towards end of year). Guardians do shoot themselves in the foot by not promoting their guys to these agencies and by having them actually round out their stuff as they know they will be on their team vs being traded (where you only focus on your strengths to boost value).
 
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And, no love for Naylor at Pipeline either. Was 8th on their catcher list last year and 8th this year after a great year. Got jumped by Rodriquez. Will be tight if they have him on the top-100 for draft compensation.. was 75th at end of last year with a 55 Grade. Bibee was 99 with 55 grade. He kept that 55 grade so should be top 100 but we will see.

 

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