I like all these prospects. Wish we had more hitters. I assume identifying traits in the draft is what they lack most from management. They have that down in terms of pitching.
And for reasons that may or may not even be really clear. There's probably dozens of Esmerlyn Valdez's across the game in any given year and we can probably count on one hand those who actually bust out. Like why did Malcom Nunez just flitter away? I don't know!
Dude's just a hoss, and that's my thing. Look at that kid.
On Nunez, I just don't think he was ever much good. His "prospect-y-ness" is based on Cuban refugee hype and one MiL season, the year the Pirates got him. Power was his missing ingredient and over the first four months of that year, he hit 17 dingers. But 16 of them came in his home park, which is one of the biggest HR parks in the minors. Since then, he's slugged .357 and .365.
The risk, of course, is that he turns into Josiah Sightler. So many of these guys just hit a wall somewhere in the middle of the system, mainly because they just don't have fundamentally good approaches.
Watching that video, why would any pitcher give him anything on the inner third of the plate? 22 HR at A tells me he will see more and more breaking pitches middle to outer third of the plate at A+. Can he adjust by staying back and driving that pitch straight out or to Right with authority? If so, we have a keeper who can continue to develop. It will probably also help him to reduce the number of K's.
I like all these prospects. Wish we had more hitters. I assume identifying traits in the draft is what they lack most from management. They have that down in terms of pitching.
There’s a lot of interesting names in the lower levels hitting wise. Could be a different story by the end of the year if some make that next step
I would have included Rivas.
We didn’t forget Esmerlyn!
My boy! Weekend made. ;)
Fwiw, he seems to me to be in this gap where it feels like he’s there but not quite there, if that makes sense. Maybe we’re underselling him.
And for reasons that may or may not even be really clear. There's probably dozens of Esmerlyn Valdez's across the game in any given year and we can probably count on one hand those who actually bust out. Like why did Malcom Nunez just flitter away? I don't know!
Dude's just a hoss, and that's my thing. Look at that kid.
On Nunez, I just don't think he was ever much good. His "prospect-y-ness" is based on Cuban refugee hype and one MiL season, the year the Pirates got him. Power was his missing ingredient and over the first four months of that year, he hit 17 dingers. But 16 of them came in his home park, which is one of the biggest HR parks in the minors. Since then, he's slugged .357 and .365.
Part of me wanted to throw Valdez way up there just because I know he can be a breakout type of guy. That power is legit legit.
But I had to pump the breaks, at least on the rankings. Between the strikeouts and the position.
If he walks into Greensboro and strikes out less and plays better in the OF imma Hail Mary throw him up our mid season update.
The risk, of course, is that he turns into Josiah Sightler. So many of these guys just hit a wall somewhere in the middle of the system, mainly because they just don't have fundamentally good approaches.
Watching that video, why would any pitcher give him anything on the inner third of the plate? 22 HR at A tells me he will see more and more breaking pitches middle to outer third of the plate at A+. Can he adjust by staying back and driving that pitch straight out or to Right with authority? If so, we have a keeper who can continue to develop. It will probably also help him to reduce the number of K's.