Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 6-1-23

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Scheduled Games (Central Time):

Iowa vs. Columbus, 12:08 pm

Tennessee vs. Chattanooga, 6:00 pm

South Bend at Fort Wayne, 6:05 pm

Myrtle Beach vs. Salem, 6:05 pm

Probable Starters:

Iowa: RHP Nick Neidert (34.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 4.87 FIP, 27 K, 12 BB)

Tennessee: LHP DJ Herz (14 IP, 5.14 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 21 K, 12 BB)

South Bend: RHP Connor Noland (32.1 IP, 2.51 ERA, 2.47 FIP, 33 K, 7 BB)

Myrtle Beach: LHP Marino Santy (23.2 IP, 3.42 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 36 K, 21 BB)

[craig]

Scouting question:  Aliendo is 7/37 in CS/SB, ~16%.  I don't know how to find the league SB-success rate, but just going through the individual teams, there are a couple of exceptions but most teams have SB-success in the 79%-83% range.  So, Aliendo is a couple of % below league-norm in throwing guys out.  

Scouting-wise, does he look clunky/slow on his pop-times?  Does his arm-strength look sub-par, or his accuracy?  

How about as a receiver, does he look clunky and like a guy who will unnecessarily allow an unusual amounts of passed balls and wild pitches?  

I'm just kinda wondering whether his catch-and-throw capacity is a problem, and whether his receiving capacity is a problem, in terms of his prospect-hood?  Or if he's pretty much just fine; maybe some of the tall wildmen pitchers don't give him a chance?  Or maybe his receiving is excellent, and he's great with all the soft stuff; so even if his arm is unexceptional it's not at all a show-stopper for becoming a good big-league catcher?  

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Looks like league-wide CS% for the Southern League is 21%, so Aliendo would be about 2 CS off given attempts so far.  Given that his CS% was in the 20s at High A I wouldn't read a ton into it, though worth monitoring given the new environment for SB.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Madrigal is 10 for 20 with 2/0 BB/K and 5 XBH since being demoted.

[CubinNY]

Aliendo- I’ve seen him 5 times in live games between SB and TN. also tv games, but it’s different. The first time I saw him in SB he couldn’t block any pitches and just had a hard time in general keeping the ball in front of him. It was quite noticeable. 
 

this year when I saw him in Montgomery he was much better, but still not good. I don’t know enough about professional baseball standards to make definitive statements, but he does not shine behind the plate. 
 

However, I’ve heard or read or both that he’s a very hard worker and the most popular guy on the team and everyone likes him in both SB and TN. That is an important skill, especially for his position. 
 

if I had to choose, I’d say he’s an organizational guy who will be around the fringes of MLB for a long time. 

Edited June 1, 2023 by CubinNY

[craig]

Thanks for your observations, NY.  I really appreciate that a lot.  Bummer, because I'd had the sense as you mentioned, that he's popular and has good personality qualities that the Cubs seem to prioritize.  So I'd hoped that if pitchers love him, and if he proves to be a good hitter, that being kinda average in terms of catch-and-throw and actually catching/receiving might be enough to allow for a successful career.  Sorry to hear that the actual physical aspects of catching are sub-par.  Disappointing news, but your observations are helpful.   

[craig]

Iowa game is weird.  Tie game, bottom of the 10th, bases loaded with only one out.  Perhaps one pitch from the game being done, but it's delayed by rain.  

[CubinNY]

This umpire behind the plate in TN is atrocious.

[CubinNY]

The Chattanooga pitcher, Phillips, is blowing the Smokies away. Curve ball fastball. 

Edited June 1, 2023 by CubinNY

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[sneakypower]

22 hours ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Madrigal is 10 for 20 with 2/0 BB/K and 5 XBH since being demoted.

well this lets me know to discount any encouraging offensive stats for Iowa players

[PackLandVA]

On 6/1/2023 at 12:09 PM, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Madrigal is 10 for 20 with 2/0 BB/K and 5 XBH since being demoted.

Seems like the perfect level/team for him.