Rookie Ramblings - Issue #1
Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon
Here's some guys with a chance of moseying on into the "Big Show" sometime soon:
P Wilmer Flores, DET - No, the veteran INF hasn't decided to change positions midway through his career, this is his brother. Flores the Younger is a tantalizing arm, showing swing & miss stuff (32.5% CSW at Lakeland) through two levels of pro ball this year.
2B/SS Luke Waddell, ATL - A contact and defense guy at GA Tech, Waddell went undrafted in 2020, returned to school, and then was picked by the local Braves. After hitting 12 homers in 4 years of college, he's shown a sudden power stroke (6HRs in 29 games total) that could cause him to rise up the ranks.
C/INF/OF Cooper Hummel, INF Buddy Kennedy, OF Dominic Canzone, ARI - OK, a bit of a cheat here but these are the names that really popped the last month and a half in Reno.
Acquired in the trade that sent Eduardo Escobar to Milwaukee, Hummel looks to replicate the early success the D'Backs have had with multi-hyphenate ball player Daulton Varsho. A switch-hitter, Hummel has put up numbers between Nashville and Reno (21 doubles, 12 HRs) that should attract attention. Kennedy may never have a defensive home to become an everyday player but his bat (17HRs, 14% BB rate at AA) could be enough to grab ABs around the infield.
Arizona already has a couple of fourth OF types in Stuart Fairchild and Jake McCarthy but Canzone may be the most dynamic of the bunch. Steals below the Double A level, I take with a grain of salt due to the talent level/rule changes but he did swipe 18 bags. Important to note that he only attempted twice once he was promoted to Amarillo. But there's still a 10+ HR/15SBs profile here that catches my eye.
Headed to the "Last Chance" Inn
Keeping the Western theme, here's some prospects that might be at the end of the rope with their respective teams:
OF Mickey Moniak, PHI - The former #1 pick looked like he had played himself into a starting role during this year's Spring Training but it wasn't to be. A season spent in Lehigh resulted in sub-average numbers (91 wRC+). I like Matt Vierling but the fact that he's found a way to stick with the big league club says as much about Moniak's lack of production as it does Vierling's skills.
OF Yusniel Diaz, BAL - The jewel of the Machado trade that's looking worse by the day, Diaz has shown little development even as he's been pushed through the Orioles' system (over 1000 ABs). Thank God for Adley & Grayson 'cuz there doesn't seem to be any quality coming from that deal at all.
SS Jeter Downs, BOS - This one is a bit premature and there's always a chance that this year was a fluke, destined for a "Hey, remember when..." type anecdote. But it can't be ignored how bad Downs was (32.3% K rate, 62 wRC+!) at a time when the Sox are looking for the next generation of Boston talent to step up.
P MacKenzie Gore, SDP - I try to avoid cross-sport references but Gore's career is becoming Markelle Fultz-ian. If he can't iron out his command/control issues (2021 season: 4.47 BB/9, 1.83 K:BB) in AZ, I don't know what the future holds for the young man.
Happy Trails
Well that's all I got compadres (sorry still stuck in Western mode). I hope you enjoyed and please let me know your thoughts. I'm not exactly sure how often I'll be publishing (probably monthly but who knows).
See you next time!