I hope they're fairly aggressive in a promotion to Altoona, not meaning he starts there in 24. If the bat remotely plays he could be a very good utility man able to handle 3rd, SS and 2nd. If his bat really struggles next year, it might be good to reintroduce him to the mound.
It's not going to happen but it would be interesting if he becomes the reverse Ohtani. A relief pitcher/defensive replacement maybe pinch runner and occasional pinch hitter.
Not really. Lorenzon was always a pitcher first after callup to the majors. And he’s been a starter as much as a reliever. And he never got regular defensive starts for even a full season let alone two in a row. A true reliever/OF defensive replacement doesn’t exist.
Very nice article Anthony, but did you discuss the big red flag that is keeping him off prospect lists? There just aren't examples of guys that K over 30% in A ball making it as quality big leaguers. I'd love to hear thoughts on how that can get fixed quickly given his age.
Point well made, buuutttt things seem to be changing a bit at the extremes.
The upper range of big league strikeout rates has remained remarkably stable, it's not like you're seeing guys succeed at 40%, but it does seem that more of the highest-strikeout hitters have hovered within a handful of percentage points throughout their minor league careers.
I'm more used to seeing guys in A-ball increase their k-rate as they advance, so I totally get your point. Just seems to be a sliver of hope for these types that didn't use to be there.
I hope they're fairly aggressive in a promotion to Altoona, not meaning he starts there in 24. If the bat remotely plays he could be a very good utility man able to handle 3rd, SS and 2nd. If his bat really struggles next year, it might be good to reintroduce him to the mound.
It's not going to happen but it would be interesting if he becomes the reverse Ohtani. A relief pitcher/defensive replacement maybe pinch runner and occasional pinch hitter.
that would be Lorenzon
Not really. Lorenzon was always a pitcher first after callup to the majors. And he’s been a starter as much as a reliever. And he never got regular defensive starts for even a full season let alone two in a row. A true reliever/OF defensive replacement doesn’t exist.
I imagine Brannigan will start 2024 in Greensboro and could get promoted to Altoona if things go well. Looks like he has some pop in his bat.
That sounds about right
I think he will play in MLB by 2025
Very nice article Anthony, but did you discuss the big red flag that is keeping him off prospect lists? There just aren't examples of guys that K over 30% in A ball making it as quality big leaguers. I'd love to hear thoughts on how that can get fixed quickly given his age.
Re: quick fix
Brannigan K’d 30% of the time as a Sophomore at Notre Dame
Cut that to 20% as a Junior
IMO a bigger concern would be a low BB rate
I don’t keep a list but Brannigan will be a quality big leaguer
Times change
In 1950, Yogi K’d 12 times in over 650 PAs
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/berrayo01.shtml
Point well made, buuutttt things seem to be changing a bit at the extremes.
The upper range of big league strikeout rates has remained remarkably stable, it's not like you're seeing guys succeed at 40%, but it does seem that more of the highest-strikeout hitters have hovered within a handful of percentage points throughout their minor league careers.
I'm more used to seeing guys in A-ball increase their k-rate as they advance, so I totally get your point. Just seems to be a sliver of hope for these types that didn't use to be there.