The Official 2019 Minor League Statline and Prospect Discussion Thread

[Angel Oracle]

Not much more Ward can accomplish in AAA, other than further developing as a LF and 1B option.

Biggest improvement for Anderson over 2018 so far is the BBs (40 in 55.1 innings in 2018, only 5 in 13.1 innings so far in 2019).

By basically cutting the BBs in half so far, his Ks/BBs is sooo much better (67/40 in 2018, 20/5 so far in 2019).

[Warfarin]

9 hours ago, Dochalo said:

Isaac Mattson is the next Justin Anderson.  

now in mobile with 35k in 23ip between AA/A+.  

in 2+ seasons, 2.85 era with 167k in 148.2ip.  

he's a guy that everyone wonders where he came from when in spring of 2020 he impresses and becomes a pen option.  

Thanks for this!  Any reports on how hard he throws and his pitch repertoie?

[Warfarin]

46 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

Not much more Ward can accomplish in AAA, other than further developing as a LF and 1B option.

Biggest improvement for Anderson over 2018 so far is the BBs (40 in 55.1 innings in 2018, only 5 in 13.1 innings so far in 2019).

By basically cutting the BBs in half so far, his Ks/BBs is sooo much better (67/40 in 2018, 20/5 so far in 2019).

I think that versatility is the key thing they're likely working with him on.  Just based on the eye test, he hasn't looked too good at 3B.  I'm guessing he'll get a lot of reps all over the diamond (3B, 1B, LF), such that he can hopefully become a competent defensive option at those positions.  

[Second Base]

9 hours ago, Dochalo said:

Isaac Mattson is the next Justin Anderson.  

now in mobile with 35k in 23ip between AA/A+.  

in 2+ seasons, 2.85 era with 167k in 148.2ip.  

he's a guy that everyone wonders where he came from when in spring of 2020 he impresses and becomes a pen option.  

Mattson has always thrown hard though.  Justin Anderson really didn't start throwing hard until the end of 2017, after he he was moved to the pen and became more comfortable with his stuff. 

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, totdprods said:

I don't think anyone can be the next Justin Anderson...dude came from freaking nowhere. 

In 2017, at A+/AA, his first year in relief, he had a 5.04 ERA, and allowed 60 hits, 31 walks and only 42 strikeouts (5.9 K9!!!) in 64 innings.
Before that, 2014-2016, he had a K9 of 6.5, only striking out 238 in 317 innings - while giving up 381 hits, and walking 114. 

All of the sudden in 2018 and 2019 he's unhittable (only 55 in 81 innings) and striking out twice as many (108, for a K9 of 14.)

Craziest turnaround I've ever seen from a pitching prospect. Mattson has always looked like a great relief prospect.

I saw him when he was a starter.  He was completely unremarkable, throwing 90-92.  Even after he moved to the pen, he still wasn't throwing hard at first, more than likely 93 or 94.  Then something clicked and he was dialing it up in the upper-90's.  Now he's dialing back down into the mid-90's which is where he'll probably stay at because he's having the most success there. 

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, Angel Oracle said:

Not much more Ward can accomplish in AAA, other than further developing as a LF and 1B option.

Biggest improvement for Anderson over 2018 so far is the BBs (40 in 55.1 innings in 2018, only 5 in 13.1 innings so far in 2019).

By basically cutting the BBs in half so far, his Ks/BBs is sooo much better (67/40 in 2018, 20/5 so far in 2019).

Sometimes, AAA is less developmental and more of an extended major league roster.  Offensively, I'd agree, Ward isn't going to gain a ton from Salt Lake.  Defensively, he can definitely improve.  Basically, he's just getting everyday AB's and is in the holding zone, waiting for him MLB promotion.  But as a 1B/3B/LF/emergency catcher, his positional versatility will likely keep him in the majors.  His bat will ultimately dictate the role he'll have in the majors though. 

[totdprods]

1 minute ago, Second Base said:

I saw him when he was a starter.  He was completely unremarkable, throwing 90-92.  Even after he moved to the pen, he still wasn't throwing hard at first, more than likely 93 or 94.  Then something clicked and he was dialing it up in the upper-90's.  Now he's dialing back down into the mid-90's which is where he'll probably stay at because he's having the most success there. 

Exactly. Org filler, at best. He came out of nowhere last ST. Was amazing to see.

Best person to say would be the next Justin Anderson would be someone like Alexander or Krzeminski.

[totdprods]

9 minutes ago, Second Base said:

Sometimes, AAA is less developmental and more of an extended major league roster.  Offensively, I'd agree, Ward isn't going to gain a ton from Salt Lake.  Defensively, he can definitely improve.  Basically, he's just getting everyday AB's and is in the holding zone, waiting for him MLB promotion.  But as a 1B/3B/LF/emergency catcher, his positional versatility will likely keep him in the majors.  His bat will ultimately dictate the role he'll have in the majors though. 

Made perfect sense last year to throw him into the fire at 3B. We were extremely thin top-to-bottom in the org at that position, it’s a logical place to play a catcher, and it’s a challenging enough position to keep you on your toes. Pushing him to learn more positions on top of that and growing as a hitter was unrealistic.

This year is completely different. La Stella, Rengifo, Fletcher, and Cozart are interchangeable at 3B. Rojas has emerged. Jones was in theory close to pushing for 2B. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ward is primarily a LF/1B, seeing less time at 3B, by end of the year, maybe even sooner. The defense is less critical and he can keep honing his offense, which seems to be emerging as his best skill for future value.

If his offense comes around, Ward might lock down 1B before the season is out and be our primary guy there 2020+.

[Second Base]

10 minutes ago, totdprods said:

Made perfect sense last year to throw him into the fire at 3B. We were extremely thin top-to-bottom in the org at that position, it’s a logical place to play a catcher, and it’s a challenging enough position to keep you on your toes. Pushing him to learn more positions on top of that and growing as a hitter was unrealistic.

This year is completely different. La Stella, Rengifo, Fletcher, and Cozart are interchangeable at 3B. Rojas has emerged. Jones was in theory close to pushing for 2B. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ward is primarily a LF/1B, seeing less time at 3B, by end of the year, maybe even sooner. The defense is less critical and he can keep honing his offense, which seems to be emerging as his best skill for future value.

If his offense comes around, Ward might lock down 1B before the season is out and be our primary guy there 2020+.

Yeah.  Like you said before, I think it comes down to Thaiss or Ward.  One of them will stay and one of them will go and ultimately, it'll come down to offense.  Ward is clearly outperforming Thaiss right now.  We'll see how it rolls out long term.  As long as one of them ends up hitting in the major leagues, I'm happy. 

[totdprods]

3 minutes ago, Second Base said:

Yeah.  Like you said before, I think it comes down to Thaiss or Ward.  One of them will stay and one of them will go and ultimately, it'll come down to offense.  Ward is clearly outperforming Thaiss right now.  We'll see how it rolls out long term.  As long as one of them ends up hitting in the major leagues, I'm happy. 

There's just so much to like to Ward's offensive game right now. Thaiss has plenty of encouraging signs still, but Ward's upside is far, far above. Being on the 40-man already helps a lot too.

Should Ward stake a claim playing primarily 1B (though I've liked what I've seem from him in LF too), it makes total sense for Thaiss to pick up some time at 3B to help his chances. 

Now that Jared Walsh is on the 40-man though, he presents a really interesting wild card. If he comes up and mashes, it really starts to create a (very positive) logjam. 

[Angel Oracle]

1 hour ago, Second Base said:

I saw him when he was a starter.  He was completely unremarkable, throwing 90-92.  Even after he moved to the pen, he still wasn't throwing hard at first, more than likely 93 or 94.  Then something clicked and he was dialing it up in the upper-90's.  Now he's dialing back down into the mid-90's which is where he'll probably stay at because he's having the most success there. 

Mid 90s combined with that slider and good command = potential K-Rod II ?   K-Rod was also a starter until beginning of the 2002 season in the minors.

[Angelsjunky]

 

4 hours ago, Second Base said:

Sometimes, AAA is less developmental and more of an extended major league roster.  Offensively, I'd agree, Ward isn't going to gain a ton from Salt Lake.  Defensively, he can definitely improve.  Basically, he's just getting everyday AB's and is in the holding zone, waiting for him MLB promotion.  But as a 1B/3B/LF/emergency catcher, his positional versatility will likely keep him in the majors.  His bat will ultimately dictate the role he'll have in the majors though. 

As I see it:

Rookie ball: first taste of pro ball; see how amateur skills translate, determine what needs to be worked on.

A/A+: Work on baseball skills through experience and coaching. 

AA: Face higher competition - how does the work at A/A+ translate vs. better pitchers or hitters?

AAA: Polish skills, extended major league bench.

[rafibomb]

Jose Soriano had a solid start once again. 

5.0 IP  6 SO  2 ER  3 BB  3 H

[Vlad27Trout27]

42 minutes ago, rafibomb said:

Jose Soriano had a solid start once again. 

5.0 IP  6 SO  2 ER  3 BB  3 H

His command/ Control needs working but he's going towards the right direction! he's another top 100 prospect by the end of the year.

[Docwaukee]

Jam Jones looks to have gone back to his previous setup.  Hands higher and more back with the bat angle parallel to the ground as opposed to perpendicular.  

the other thing I felt was odd is that there was a lead off double in the 6th and they had him attempt to bunt a runner over with no outs in a game where the Bears were down 1-0.  He failed on two attempts and ended up popping out.  Personally not a fan of that.  

[Docwaukee]

Marsh getting ready to break out.  

watch him the next month.  

[Inside Pitch]

So -- as all of you probably know...  AAA is now using MLB issue baseballs.   The talk around MLB is that the baseballs are juiced again -- so the following bit of information is pretty interesting.

PARK FACTORS (LHB / RHB)
K:	98	90		nB:	99	104
gbH:	109	111		ofH:	111	106
1B:	106	107		GB:	98	97
2/3B:	121	109		FB:	97	111
HR:	83	89		LD:	109	108
Runs:	100	105		IF:	111	91

SLC is keeping the ball in the park -- it's still making magic happen when it comes to 2/3Bs but the run index is WAY down and the HR index is extremely down.

Available updated info on the other parks

AA

PARK FACTORS (LHB / RHB)
K:	97	101		nB:	101	97
gbH:	105	100		ofH:	103	95
1B:	100	94		GB:	100	100
2/3B:	119	108		FB:	102	100
HR:	89	120		LD:	104	102
Runs:	96	114		IF:	87	98

A+

PARK FACTORS (LHB / RHB)
K:	106	111		nB:	97	98
gbH:	91	89		ofH:	100	100
1B:	94	95		GB:	98	96
2/3B:	98	101		FB:	98	96
HR:	83	81		LD:	99	98
Runs:	88	92		IF:	104	104

High and and AA are both murdering LHBs right now -- AA is RHB friendly..

Edited May 16, 2019 by Inside Pitch

[Docwaukee]

7 minutes ago, Inside Pitch said:

So -- as all of you probably know...  AAA is now using MLB issue baseballs.   The talk around MLB is that the baseballs are juiced again -- so the following bit of information is pretty interesting.

PARK FACTORS (LHB / RHB)
K:	98	90		nB:	99	104
gbH:	109	111		ofH:	111	106
1B:	106	107		GB:	98	97
2/3B:	121	109		FB:	97	111
HR:	83	89		LD:	109	108
Runs:	100	105		IF:	111	91

SLC is keeping the ball in the park -- it's still making magic happen when it comes to 2/3Bs but the run index is WAY down and the HR index is extremely down.

Available updated info on the other parks

AA

PARK FACTORS (LHB / RHB)
K:	97	101		nB:	101	97
gbH:	105	100		ofH:	103	95
1B:	100	94		GB:	100	100
2/3B:	119	108		FB:	102	100
HR:	89	120		LD:	104	102
Runs:	96	114		IF:	87	98

A+

PARK FACTORS (LHB / RHB)
K:	106	111		nB:	97	98
gbH:	91	89		ofH:	100	100
1B:	94	95		GB:	98	96
2/3B:	98	101		FB:	98	96
HR:	83	81		LD:	99	98
Runs:	88	92		IF:	104	104

High and and AA are both murdering LHBs right now -- AA is RHB friendly..

Marsh hit an absolute rocket to RCF last night that I thought was certainly a hr off the bat and it hit off the wall for a double.  

[Inside Pitch]

19 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

Marsh hit an absolute rocket to RCF last night that I thought was certainly a hr off the bat and it hit off the wall for a double.  

Its nice to see the information make sense out of some of what we are seeing.  Agree with you that Marsh looks poised to go apeshit.

[Second Base]

The balls are juiced again....at least I think they are.  In 2017 HR's skyrocketed upward at an unheard of rate, right after the ball was changed.  MLB sees the effect and goes back to a more deadened ball for 2018 and sees the HR's level out.  2019 rolls around and here they are flying out at a pace even higher than before.  Pitchers aren't getting worse.  Hitters aren't getting better at a rate that quickly.  Ball park dimensions aren't changing en masse.  That leaves bats and balls as the main culprits.  

[Angelsjunky]

20 hours ago, Dochalo said:

Marsh getting ready to break out.  

watch him the next month.  

I certainly hope so. He's 0-4 with 4 strikeouts today (and just walked). Ugly line.

[Chuck]

20 hours ago, Dochalo said:

Marsh getting ready to break out.  

watch him the next month.  

Oh, you said next month.  

[UndertheHalo]

I think they pushed Jones along too quickly.  

[Angelsjunky]

1 minute ago, UndertheHalo said:

I think they pushed Jones along too quickly.  

He hit .302/.368/.488 in 41 games in A+ in 2017 at age 19, so there was good reason to think that he'd do OK in AA the following year. And he did "OK": .235/.338/.383. The conventional wisdom was that he didn't hit as well as hoped because he transitioned (back) to 2B, but that always rang a bit hollow to me.

He's been showing signs of life and is still just 21 years old. But yeah, I think the prospect sparkle has dimmed a bit. 

[Second Base]

1 minute ago, Angelsjunky said:

He hit .302/.368/.488 in 41 games in A+ in 2017 at age 19, so there was good reason to think that he'd do OK in AA the following year. And he did "OK": .235/.338/.383. The conventional wisdom was that he didn't hit as well as hoped because he transitioned (back) to 2B, but that always rang a bit hollow to me.

He's been showing signs of life and is still just 21 years old. But yeah, I think the prospect sparkle has dimmed a bit. 

It most certainly has. He did well in the AFL which is a comparable level to AA, so it isn't as if he's incapable. He's just struggling for an extebded period of time. I'm sure he'll pull out of it, though the overall line won't look as good because the damage has been done.