MLBTR - Michael Stefanic is a hidden gem

[Second Base]

MLBTR used an inflated K/BB ratio against more advanced competition in high minors last year to predict breakouts from guys like Steven Kwan and Isaac Paredes in 2022. 

The first guy they listed for a potential breakout in 2023....Michael Stefanic. 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/trying-to-find-hidden-gems-with-bb-k-2022-23-edition.html

I can see where they're coming from. The kid just keeps getting better and better as a hitter, and the PCL doesn't appear to be aiding it at all as he's not hitting for power. The comp to David Fletcher is a noteworthy one, though in a sense I think it's apples and oranges. Fletcher never walked much and is a far superior defender to Stefanic. But the real difference here is opportunity. Fletcher had it. Stefanic will have to get through Fletcher, Rengifo and Urshela to get it. But if he keeps hitting and getting on base, teams will find a spot for him. 

What do you think? Depth fodder or breakout player? An Angel long-term, or someone they can trade? 

 

[Angels 1961]

Just like Rengifo he would have to play every day to see how good he could be. Maybe he would be trade chip to get upgrade at SS OF or bullpen piece.

[Taylor]

Did they predict any breakouts that didn't pan out?

[Angels 1961]

1 minute ago, Taylor said:

Did they predict any breakouts that didn't pan out?

Eli Grba

[Angelsfan1984]

I think the angels are far better off platooning gio, Stefanic, rengifo, soto and fletcher while going bigger on left field than relying on moniak and adell.

Nimmo at 3 year 60 structured like so.

3 year 60 million with a 4 million buyout in the 3rd. 18/18/24. So he can get his 20m aav if he’s bought out or the new ownership can bite on 24 in the 3rd year.

Not sure he takes that but it would go a long way in allowing the angels young mif time to develop until Neto is ready. 

[BTH]

I saw that article, which led me to look into Stefanic a little further.

One glaring issue: his average exit velocity last season was in the 1st percentile.

He was also very passive at the plate, taking too many pitches in the zone. If he’s gonna be successful, he’s gonna have to walk that fine 2019 Fletcher/Madrigal line with good contact, low chase rates, and walks.

It also hurts Stefanic in that he’s slow and he’s not a great defender.

I still wish he got more run at 2B/3B last season. Giving him 150-200 more PA’s over Rojas/Gosselin/MacKinnon wouldn’t hurt.

[BTH]

9 minutes ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

Nimmo at 3 year 60 structured like so.

3 year 60 million with a 4 million buyout in the 3rd. 18/18/24. So he can get his 20m aav if he’s bought out or the new ownership can bite on 24 in the 3rd year.

Not sure he takes that but it would go a long way in allowing the angels young mif time to develop until Neto is ready. 

No chance Nimmo takes that.

He probably gets close to double that.

[Second Base]

31 minutes ago, Taylor said:

Did they predict any breakouts that didn't pan out?

Yeah but if I mention them, no one will become unrealistically excited for 2023. 

[Angelsfan1984]

57 minutes ago, Trendon said:

No chance Nimmo takes that.

He probably gets close to double that.

You think he’s going to make 40 million a year…? 

[Stradling]

3 minutes ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

You think he’s going to make 40 million a year…? 

No but double the years and dollars. 

[Angelsfan1984]

5 minutes ago, Stradling said:

No but double the years and dollars. 

I can see a 6 year 120 which I would be fine with but in the current scope of new ownership, it would definitely be a solid offer that could work out for both sides.

[BTH]

19 minutes ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

You think he’s going to make 40 million a year…? 

I meant double the total contract prediction.

Closer to 6/$120M than 3/$60M

[Angelsfan1984]

22 minutes ago, Trendon said:

I meant double the total contract prediction.

Closer to 6/$120M than 3/$60M

I can see that for sure. 

[UndertheHalo]

No he’s not. 

[jsnpritchett]

Just now, UndertheHalo said:

No he’s not. 

[Docwaukee]

He'd have already cracked mlb regularly if they had any confidence in him defensively.  The bat probably plays at some point, somewhere, for someone else.  

[Angel Oracle]

Put it this way.

Is he still worth keeping on the 40 man?

[BTH]

4 hours ago, Angel Oracle said:

Put it this way.

Is he still worth keeping on the 40 man?

Yes, for now.

There are multiple other players I’d DFA before Stefanic.

If they continue to add more and more MLB players and need to clear more spots, maybe it becomes a discussion then.

[T.G.]

He's hidden, for sure.

[Blarg]

Zircon is a gem. 

[HaloMilliVanilli]

If I'm voting, probably included in trade to bolster another area.