I am going with Jase Bowen. He 'broke out' some last year but in hindsight I am surprised he hasn't made the conversation somewhere (I may have missed it) in the Top 25 and related conversations. In my ONE official scouting trip each year to Rome, GA to see the Grasshoppers I described him as a BallPlayer. It is the same description I gave Triolo a few years prior. There are some players who look the part with significant holes (Gorski maybe?) and others who just seem to check all the boxes as very good but nothing great. For now, I'll plug him in the second category and see what happens now that he has hit the real test level of AA.
Being recognized as a "ballplayer" is very high praise - some just have that natural ability to carry themselves that way within the game! We have already seen that level of play and security it provides to have two infielders like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Jared Triolo. I have not seen Bowen that much, but if he can show well in CF early, he could be a nice addition to the Pirates.
If we are given odds, my longshot bet for this year is a 22 year old Malcom Nunez. He was a top 20 prospect in the Cardinals organization 4 years in a row before coming over with Oviedo in the Quintana deal. I'm guessing he is going to come back healthy and a lean mean fighting machine... or at least not too overweight.
I'm gonna say Tres. Only cause he hit the ball with more authority than I expected from his original scouting report. Also a very low swinging strike rate.
I’ll back this. That was one of my biggest takeaways from my GBO trip outside Bubba is REALLY good. I was shocked at how much Tres really drove the ball while I was there. Even hit a home run while I was there.
As I’m sure you know, he made changes last offseason and I was looking forward to seeing them, then injured right away…..but I’m not even sure if he is a good defensive catcher anymore.
Small sample size but some of the base defensive numbers improved. 2022 he was really bad defensively. Was mashing in the AFL but barely played. I like spicy picks, and this really spicy.
It's probably not too far out there he sees playing time this year, just not sure if that'd be good or bad though
I am going with Jase Bowen. He 'broke out' some last year but in hindsight I am surprised he hasn't made the conversation somewhere (I may have missed it) in the Top 25 and related conversations. In my ONE official scouting trip each year to Rome, GA to see the Grasshoppers I described him as a BallPlayer. It is the same description I gave Triolo a few years prior. There are some players who look the part with significant holes (Gorski maybe?) and others who just seem to check all the boxes as very good but nothing great. For now, I'll plug him in the second category and see what happens now that he has hit the real test level of AA.
Being recognized as a "ballplayer" is very high praise - some just have that natural ability to carry themselves that way within the game! We have already seen that level of play and security it provides to have two infielders like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Jared Triolo. I have not seen Bowen that much, but if he can show well in CF early, he could be a nice addition to the Pirates.
My darkest of dark horses. Jack Herman and/or Brennan Malone find the fountain of health, and take the minors by storm!
If we are given odds, my longshot bet for this year is a 22 year old Malcom Nunez. He was a top 20 prospect in the Cardinals organization 4 years in a row before coming over with Oviedo in the Quintana deal. I'm guessing he is going to come back healthy and a lean mean fighting machine... or at least not too overweight.
That's my dude for my question below!
Alright fellas, now a challenge: breakout player in Greensboro or higher.
Terms and conditions: at least one full grade jump between pre and postseason future value staring out no less than a 35.
2024 is Rodolfo Nolasco’s year
He’s on my short list!
Sullivan. He's not going to get a bump in prospect ranking but will make his debut and become a viable backend starter/quality depth by seasons end.
BLINK TWICE IF NOLA IS IN THE ROOM WITH YOU
*wink wink*
Nicolas does a Robert Stephenson, only before going to Tampa.
Technically I wrote about this with regards to his Stuff+ lol
LOVE this one
I'm gonna say Tres. Only cause he hit the ball with more authority than I expected from his original scouting report. Also a very low swinging strike rate.
I’ll back this. That was one of my biggest takeaways from my GBO trip outside Bubba is REALLY good. I was shocked at how much Tres really drove the ball while I was there. Even hit a home run while I was there.
Esmerlyn Valdez
Esmerlyn Valdez
Tony Blanco is my pick for breakout
Pick cleanup hitter would be just what the doctor ordered
I have an article coming out on him next week. Baseball America talked about him a bit last week.
I can't name a specific player to breakout but I sure would love to see the Pirates player development team breakout in 2024, lol.
I want to see Carlos Castillo and David Matoma in Florida and hopefully dominating the competition.
Not giving up on Carlos Jimenez just yet, he might do fine if he gets his control up to a 40 grade…….ok 45.
Wait, a dark horse, Carter Bins.
I like that dark horse
As I’m sure you know, he made changes last offseason and I was looking forward to seeing them, then injured right away…..but I’m not even sure if he is a good defensive catcher anymore.
Small sample size but some of the base defensive numbers improved. 2022 he was really bad defensively. Was mashing in the AFL but barely played. I like spicy picks, and this really spicy.
It's probably not too far out there he sees playing time this year, just not sure if that'd be good or bad though
Hope he sees playing time, I’m thinking Sánchez is gonna see the bulk