Minor League Musings

[Little Slide Rooter]

Even our depth is awesome.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Sobering thought that it's probably going to be in the next year or 2 that the first players born in the new millennia start to pop up in the Rookie leagues.

[Regular Show]

I don't know how many people here go to Fangraphs, but I figure it has to be a good amount since we care WAY too much about baseball, prospects, prospect rankings, sabermetric analysis, and articles gushing over how dominant the Cubs are now.

 

So they just hired E. Longenhagen to be their Lead Prospect Analyst and I'm pretty excited by that news. I liked what he wrote for ESPN during his brief time there and he seems better than the previous guy, D. Farnsworth. I really didn't like D. Farnsworth and disagreed with his assessments. Obviously, no one will be able to replace Kiley McDaniel sadly....MAN do we all miss Kiley McDaniel and his amazing analysis.

 

I think or hope that Longenhagen will be better and provide good amateur draft and AFL coverage going forward. Fangraphs has done a piss poor job covering this year's amateur draft with under 3 weeks to go!

[Tedward]

Keith Law updated his top 25 prospect list. Not going to post entire list since it's premium content but two Cubs have moved up. Especially nice to see a jump for Willson, now firmly in his top 25:

 

14. Gleyber Torres, SS

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 15

Current level: High-A

 

Torres will play this entire year at 19 and is already in high-A, where he had a slow April but has hit .320/.363/.533 so far in May, along with continued strong defense at shortstop. The Cubs are going to get a lot of calls about this guy in July.

 

18. Willson Contreras, C

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 27

Current level: Triple-A

 

Since the start of 2014, Contreras has hit .332/.415/.478 between Double- and Triple-A while throwing out 29 percent of opposing runners. He's a very athletic catcher but is considered a poor framer, though that seems to be a skill that can be improved, at least sometimes, with good coaching. I think teams would live with some below-average framing if they're getting a star-caliber bat behind the plate.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Keith Law updated his top 25 prospect list. Not going to post entire list since it's premium content but two Cubs have moved up. Especially nice to see a jump for Willson, now firmly in his top 25:

 

14. Gleyber Torres, SS

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 15

Current level: High-A

 

Torres will play this entire year at 19 and is already in high-A, where he had a slow April but has hit .320/.363/.533 so far in May, along with continued strong defense at shortstop. The Cubs are going to get a lot of calls about this guy in July.

 

18. Willson Contreras, C

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 27

Current level: Triple-A

 

Since the start of 2014, Contreras has hit .332/.415/.478 between Double- and Triple-A while throwing out 29 percent of opposing runners. He's a very athletic catcher but is considered a poor framer, though that seems to be a skill that can be improved, at least sometimes, with good coaching. I think teams would live with some below-average framing if they're getting a star-caliber bat behind the plate.

 

Nice! Though it's important to remember Law was the most bullish media member on the farm this past offseason.

[David]

And he still thinks Buxton is gonna be a star.

[sneakypower]

Keith Law updated his top 25 prospect list. Not going to post entire list since it's premium content but two Cubs have moved up. Especially nice to see a jump for Willson, now firmly in his top 25:

 

14. Gleyber Torres, SS

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 15

Current level: High-A

 

Torres will play this entire year at 19 and is already in high-A, where he had a slow April but has hit .320/.363/.533 so far in May, along with continued strong defense at shortstop. The Cubs are going to get a lot of calls about this guy in July.

 

18. Willson Contreras, C

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 27

Current level: Triple-A

 

Since the start of 2014, Contreras has hit .332/.415/.478 between Double- and Triple-A while throwing out 29 percent of opposing runners. He's a very athletic catcher but is considered a poor framer, though that seems to be a skill that can be improved, at least sometimes, with good coaching. I think teams would live with some below-average framing if they're getting a star-caliber bat behind the plate.

interesting that Raffy Devers jumped to the top 5 with a 60 wRC+ start to the season

 

also that Joey Gallo corrected his discipline/K problems in a major way and essentially dropped from preseason ranks

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Keith Law updated his top 25 prospect list. Not going to post entire list since it's premium content but two Cubs have moved up. Especially nice to see a jump for Willson, now firmly in his top 25:

 

14. Gleyber Torres, SS

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 15

Current level: High-A

 

Torres will play this entire year at 19 and is already in high-A, where he had a slow April but has hit .320/.363/.533 so far in May, along with continued strong defense at shortstop. The Cubs are going to get a lot of calls about this guy in July.

 

18. Willson Contreras, C

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 27

Current level: Triple-A

 

Since the start of 2014, Contreras has hit .332/.415/.478 between Double- and Triple-A while throwing out 29 percent of opposing runners. He's a very athletic catcher but is considered a poor framer, though that seems to be a skill that can be improved, at least sometimes, with good coaching. I think teams would live with some below-average framing if they're getting a star-caliber bat behind the plate.

interesting that Raffy Devers jumped to the top 5 with a 60 wRC+ start to the season

 

also that Joey Gallo corrected his discipline/K problems in a major way and essentially dropped from preseason ranks

 

Is Gallo completely off the list and, if so, is it because of his promotion? That's a glaring omission.

[Cubswin11]

Keith Law updated his top 25 prospect list. Not going to post entire list since it's premium content but two Cubs have moved up. Especially nice to see a jump for Willson, now firmly in his top 25:

 

14. Gleyber Torres, SS

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 15

Current level: High-A

 

Torres will play this entire year at 19 and is already in high-A, where he had a slow April but has hit .320/.363/.533 so far in May, along with continued strong defense at shortstop. The Cubs are going to get a lot of calls about this guy in July.

 

18. Willson Contreras, C

Chicago Cubs

Previous rank: 27

Current level: Triple-A

 

Since the start of 2014, Contreras has hit .332/.415/.478 between Double- and Triple-A while throwing out 29 percent of opposing runners. He's a very athletic catcher but is considered a poor framer, though that seems to be a skill that can be improved, at least sometimes, with good coaching. I think teams would live with some below-average framing if they're getting a star-caliber bat behind the plate.

interesting that Raffy Devers jumped to the top 5 with a 60 wRC+ start to the season

 

also that Joey Gallo corrected his discipline/K problems in a major way and essentially dropped from preseason ranks

 

Is Gallo completely off the list and, if so, is it because of his promotion? That's a glaring omission.

He's #10

[sneakypower]

he's #10 now, and he was #12 on the preseason list, but Seager, Buxton, Mazara all exhausted eligibility so effectively among the same group of players, he actually placed down a spot which is remarkable considering he has seemingly made as big a tangible skills improvement as anybody in all of the minors

 

but Torres' high placement, Giolito over Urias, Devers over Moncada are all relative stunners also

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I don't understand how Rafael Devers is top 5.

[TruffleShuffle]

Albert Almora, CF, Chicago Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)

There's a lot to like about Almora at the plate. He gets his hands in position early, and has a quick bat with a tremendous feel for contact. He gets good arm extension and he makes a lot of loud contact on pitches he can drive. This season, he's tapped into his above-average raw power more often than before, and despite pedestrian power numbers throughout his minor-league career, it's easy to imagine him regularly hitting double-digit homers as a big leaguer. Almora is still prone to expanding the zone—it's been a problem since he was drafted—and his bat-to-ball skills are almost too good: Rather than swing and miss a pitch in the dirt or a breaking ball that catches him off balance, he simply flicks his wrists and puts the ball in play. Big-league pitchers are going to exploit that, especially given his aggressiveness early in counts. Defensively, he's one of the best center fielders I've ever seen in person. His routes are seamless, his first step is always in the right direction, and he's at least an above average runner. In my viewings, he reached two balls that most center fielders simply can't get to. —Brendan Gawlowski

 

Carl Edwards, Jr., RHP, Chicago Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)

Edwards only needed 11 pitches in his only work of the series in Tacoma, but it was enough time to make a favorable impression. He's still extremely slight for a pitcher, but he generates plus velocity with a lightning-quick arm, and he gets deception by hiding the ball and throwing with a moderate crossfire. At 6-foot-3, he's got long levers and he gets good plane on his pitches. He sat 93-95 mph with his fastball, an offering he commanded well and threw with late natural cut. He complemented the pitch with a sharp 12-6 curve in the 79-81 range. He replicates his arm speed well and throws the curve for strikes with plus movement that induced a couple of whiffs. Edwards has been wild in the past, but threw mostly strikes in my viewing; he's got good enough stuff to get people out in the zone, and if he can tighten his control a bit, he should have a bright future as a late-innings reliever. —Brendan Gawlowski

 

Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Chicago Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)

Power is Vogelbach’s calling card, and he has a lot of it. He launched a homer off of a curveball from lefty James Paxton, and while the 23-year-old didn’t get the best part of the barrel on the ball, he still sent it comfortably over the right-center field fence. He generates his power from above-average bat speed, a leveraged swing with a lofted finish, and a large frame conducive to hitting home runs. He also gets himself into good counts: a patient hitter, Vogelbach shrinks the strike zone early in counts, and he isn’t easily enticed to chase a breaking pitch off the plate. He is sometimes guilty of pulling his head, and he’ll have his share of swings and misses. Still, he covers the plate well, and should be a well above-average hitter at the next level.

 

Defensively, his best position is hitter. His feet aren’t quick, his range is well below-average, and he doesn’t get great reads on pop ups. Still, Vogelbach looks like he’s in much better shape than when I last saw him four years ago and he looks better around the bag because of it. While he’s not really a first baseman long term, he won’t kill all of his value if he has to play there. Worse defenders have held a glove. —Brendan Gawlowski

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Albert Almora, CF, Chicago Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)

There's a lot to like about Almora at the plate. He gets his hands in position early, and has a quick bat with a tremendous feel for contact. He gets good arm extension and he makes a lot of loud contact on pitches he can drive. This season, he's tapped into his above-average raw power more often than before, and despite pedestrian power numbers throughout his minor-league career, it's easy to imagine him regularly hitting double-digit homers as a big leaguer. Almora is still prone to expanding the zone—it's been a problem since he was drafted—and his bat-to-ball skills are almost too good: Rather than swing and miss a pitch in the dirt or a breaking ball that catches him off balance, he simply flicks his wrists and puts the ball in play. Big-league pitchers are going to exploit that, especially given his aggressiveness early in counts. Defensively, he's one of the best center fielders I've ever seen in person. His routes are seamless, his first step is always in the right direction, and he's at least an above average runner. In my viewings, he reached two balls that most center fielders simply can't get to. —Brendan Gawlowski

 

Carl Edwards, Jr., RHP, Chicago Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)

Edwards only needed 11 pitches in his only work of the series in Tacoma, but it was enough time to make a favorable impression. He's still extremely slight for a pitcher, but he generates plus velocity with a lightning-quick arm, and he gets deception by hiding the ball and throwing with a moderate crossfire. At 6-foot-3, he's got long levers and he gets good plane on his pitches. He sat 93-95 mph with his fastball, an offering he commanded well and threw with late natural cut. He complemented the pitch with a sharp 12-6 curve in the 79-81 range. He replicates his arm speed well and throws the curve for strikes with plus movement that induced a couple of whiffs. Edwards has been wild in the past, but threw mostly strikes in my viewing; he's got good enough stuff to get people out in the zone, and if he can tighten his control a bit, he should have a bright future as a late-innings reliever. —Brendan Gawlowski

 

Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Chicago Cubs (Triple-A Iowa)

Power is Vogelbach’s calling card, and he has a lot of it. He launched a homer off of a curveball from lefty James Paxton, and while the 23-year-old didn’t get the best part of the barrel on the ball, he still sent it comfortably over the right-center field fence. He generates his power from above-average bat speed, a leveraged swing with a lofted finish, and a large frame conducive to hitting home runs. He also gets himself into good counts: a patient hitter, Vogelbach shrinks the strike zone early in counts, and he isn’t easily enticed to chase a breaking pitch off the plate. He is sometimes guilty of pulling his head, and he’ll have his share of swings and misses. Still, he covers the plate well, and should be a well above-average hitter at the next level.

 

Defensively, his best position is hitter. His feet aren’t quick, his range is well below-average, and he doesn’t get great reads on pop ups. Still, Vogelbach looks like he’s in much better shape than when I last saw him four years ago and he looks better around the bag because of it. While he’s not really a first baseman long term, he won’t kill all of his value if he has to play there. Worse defenders have held a glove. —Brendan Gawlowski

 

 

Good stuff. Nothing on Contreras, though?

[David]

I don't mind Almora getting tagged with above average power potential by a national outlet, but the key in there to me is the note on his plate discipline.

 

The key in the Edwards one for me was that his stuff is good enough to get guys out in the zone. That's something I believe is true of him and no one else in the system right now.

 

The key in the Almora report is the negative and the one in the Edwards one is the positive??! No horsefeathering way man

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA Prospect Hot Sheet: It's Eloy's second straight week on this list. This time he's #1 and Jeimer also comes in at #6.

 

1. Eloy Jimenez, of, Cubs

Team: low Class A South Bend (Midwest)

Age: 19

Why He’s Here: .385/.484/.846 (10-for-26), 4 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 4 BB, 3 SO, 0-for-1 SB

 

The Scoop: Jimenez’s stats above don’t even include his May 19 game in which he cranked two home runs, or the day before when he had four hits, or the previous four games when he combined for seven hits. Jimenez ranked as the No. 1 prospect on the international market in 2013, when the Cubs signed him for $2.8 million and envisioned him as a potential middle-of-the-order masher. Now, he looks like he’s in the midst of a breakthrough season, batting .335/.378/.553 with seven home runs in 43 games. There’s still some swing-and-miss to his game, but his combination of hitting ability and power that’s now showing up in the games is exciting for a player who’s remarkably athletic for his size. (BB)

 

6. Jeimer Candelario, 3b, Cubs

 

Team: Double-A Tennessee (Southern)

Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .440/.500/.720 (11-for-25), 3 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO

 

The Scoop: After a torrid spring training spent mostly with the big club, Candelario scuffled a bit to begin the year. He has picked it up of late, and it shows in his power numbers. He hit four doubles and a homer this week, and he has shown impressive plate discipline all year with just six more strikeouts than walks. (JN)

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-hot-sheet-may-27/#P7WRmjvmSRJbPkof.97

[toonsterwu]

Since this is a musings thread ... I know I really shouldn't be intrigued with Zagunis. He's exactly the type of guy that in the past, I wouldn't be that intrigued with. Still ... I can't help but be intrigued with him. He's hitting .333/.444/.520 in May. He's hitting for enough power, showing the same solid approach. He should be strong defensively. Perhaps he never becomes a star, but I can't help but think there's a potentially solid pro that has the chance to be more than a depth OF. He just does enough of everything ... dunno, I really shouldn't like him as much as I do. As intriguing as Candelario has been this month, Zagunis has been that much better.

 

I really do hope Candelario keeps it up. Still think he could be our most intriguing non-Torres trade chip if he keeps hitting - 3rd base still isn't a deep and strong position.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Another Contreras piece

 

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2016/05/30/willson-contreras-journey-big-leagues-close-complete/85128190/

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Has anyone made one of those FanGraphs pages with all the stats of the notable players for this year?

[sneakypower]

here's one with most of the hitters worth a damn (and even some who are not)

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/minorleaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2016&team=0&players=sa506657,sa657859,sa597757,sa549381,sa596954,sa737618,sa508176,sa658166,sa858802,sa550326,sa827194,sa830373,sa914203,sa737528,sa658226,sa830372,sa505993,sa597778,sa875023,sa829085,sa827207

[sneakypower]

Willson Contreras since the start of 2015 (184 G): .329/.411/.504, .417 wOBA, 157 wRC+ (11% BB, 12% K)...and his May line is very NSFW

 

now we all give a list of minor leaguers with zero service time that you'd trade him for straight-up

[Tim]

Willson Contreras since the start of 2015 (184 G): .329/.411/.504, .417 wOBA, 157 wRC+ (11% BB, 12% K)...and his May line is very NSFW

 

now we all give a list of minor leaguers with zero service time that you'd trade him for straight-up

I'll start. Moncada. Now it's someone else's turn.

[davell]

Willson Contreras since the start of 2015 (184 G): .329/.411/.504, .417 wOBA, 157 wRC+ (11% BB, 12% K)...and his May line is very NSFW

 

now we all give a list of minor leaguers with zero service time that you'd trade him for straight-up

I'll start. Moncada. Now it's someone else's turn.

 

That'd be it for me.

[David]

JP Crawford? Maybe?

[David]

Willson Contreras since the start of 2015 (184 G): .329/.411/.504, .417 wOBA, 157 wRC+ (11% BB, 12% K)...and his May line is very NSFW

 

now we all give a list of minor leaguers with zero service time that you'd trade him for straight-up

I'll start. Moncada. Now it's someone else's turn.

 

Oh man, without thinking twice...I'd probably consider Benintendi, Zimmer, or Clint Frazier, but yeah Moncada is the one no doubter I can think of.

 

why do you hate willson contreras?

[Tim]

Depending on the latest scouting reports on respective defense ability, Bregman.