Not sure whether this has been noted here, but BA has an updated list of the top 50 expected int'l bonuses. Note that they're listed in order of bonus amount, not expected talent. The Pirates have two, both of which I think we've heard about.
12. Brailyn Brazoban, OF. Power/speed guy, good arm, expected to stay in CF. Uncertain about the hit tool.
34. Abdiel Feliz, SS. Flashy, glove-first guy. Hit tool is "solid . . . for his age," but he's a slap hitter.
I know that early extension contracts that work out well are hugely under market and team friendly, but I dont think that players should ever be punished for securing generational wealth early on. Maybe I am just conservative, but I really find it hard to believe I would pass on a guarantee of $100M or whatever in my mid 20s with all the risk that entails. Why punish a guy for being comfortable in his org and making a huge sum of money even if that sum of money couldve been much larger?
Hayes is a perfect example, signing his $70 mil contract at age 26, and he will look extremely club friendly especially since it was front-end loaded. He opted to provide his family and generations moving forward with financial stability rather than gambling. Smart kid.
His defense alone is going to have him on this list or close for his whole career. But his offense started to take off in 2023:
I would argue that his improvement in production at the plate can be almost 100% explained in a full 8.0 percentage points increase in launch angle; that’s bonkers!
Ethan, I have a question for you about the MiLB CBA, jsut followed you on twitter - possible to get a follow back?
Not sure whether this has been noted here, but BA has an updated list of the top 50 expected int'l bonuses. Note that they're listed in order of bonus amount, not expected talent. The Pirates have two, both of which I think we've heard about.
12. Brailyn Brazoban, OF. Power/speed guy, good arm, expected to stay in CF. Uncertain about the hit tool.
34. Abdiel Feliz, SS. Flashy, glove-first guy. Hit tool is "solid . . . for his age," but he's a slap hitter.
Dropping in to throw Ethan some love. Keep doing your thing!
I know that early extension contracts that work out well are hugely under market and team friendly, but I dont think that players should ever be punished for securing generational wealth early on. Maybe I am just conservative, but I really find it hard to believe I would pass on a guarantee of $100M or whatever in my mid 20s with all the risk that entails. Why punish a guy for being comfortable in his org and making a huge sum of money even if that sum of money couldve been much larger?
Hayes is a perfect example, signing his $70 mil contract at age 26, and he will look extremely club friendly especially since it was front-end loaded. He opted to provide his family and generations moving forward with financial stability rather than gambling. Smart kid.
His defense alone is going to have him on this list or close for his whole career. But his offense started to take off in 2023:
2022 - 505 AB, 24 Doubles, 3 Triples, 7 HR, 41 RBI, .659 OPS
2023 - 494 AB, 31 Doubles, 7 Triples, 15 HR, 61 RBI, .762 OPS
I would argue that his improvement in production at the plate can be almost 100% explained in a full 8.0 percentage points increase in launch angle; that’s bonkers!
Now when 2024 hayes gets some down ballot mvp votes, we are really going to be happy with that deal
I had to laugh because there are . . . uh . . . certain people out there who think anybody can do this.