Posted 19 November 2019 - 11:44 PM
Still would like to keep all 8 at the top of the list even though I know that's improbable/impossible. Not sure a couple weeks from the original post has clarified things, but reflection does offer up new perspective.
Duran is a clear given. Maybe the only true given.
I was wavering on Blenkenhorn for a while until I re-read his 2019 and did my own reflection. Where be "setttles" as a position player may be a moot point. Flat out, he is a talented athlete who offers up a lot of potential. There is no such thing as having too much talent on your roster. I know POTENTIAL is an ugly word at times, but even if he never becomes Sano's replacement, or the next 1B, etc, and even though there are other very talented corner OF in the system, he has real "potential" to be a 5 position player on this team. There is real value in that.
Maybe I'm the only one, but I see Raley as a combination of Wade and Cave. A guy who can hit, make some contact, provide power, run the bases a little bit, and play 3 spots, maybe 4. Tne Twins played him a lot in CF last year to see what he could do. Call me crazy, but I think they like him. His strong finish in the AFL also looks good.
I am extremely hopeful on Chalmers. He has a way to go. I'm not sure how other teams view his last 3 starts at Ft Myers and his AFL performance. But I know this FO is big on potential, while the previous FO seemed to look more at "polished" players. If that makes sense. Pitching wise, it feels this FO really loves big arms and wants to work with them and take their "shot" at developing them.
I think 6 is about right and max. That leaves 2 spots left.
Jax is finally getting a chance to play and develop. The SO numbers aren't there, and that is concerning. But look how far he has come with so limited opportunity. Again, this FO loves arm talent and the opportunity to develop it. Sure wish I knew how they view him as he wasn't a draft selection of theirs.
They didn't draft Rijo, but they went out and got him. The early results look really good. But he has yet to appear above low A ball.
We talk about how deep OF is the system, but I'm not certain how deep CF is. After the OK combination of Cave and Wade, each of whom still offers up some potential as solid backup options, your CF prospects are all in A ball and lower, unless you include Lewis as a potential there. Celestino offers up a ton of potential, and finished the season strong, and was acquired by this FO. But 30 AB at high A? Does that really make him enticing to anyone out there as a stash player?
You could make arguments for each of these 3 guys to be protected or not. And really, you wouldn't be wrong. In order of priority, all things considered, I'd say:
Jax....close enough you keep based on potential.
Rijo...big arm you traded for and want to develop.
Celestino....tons of potential but willing to lose with other A players in the system.
The elephant in the room, of course, is Javier. No mistake being made, there is NO-ONE who wants to lose him. But reality is, he just isn't ready. Not close. Despite all his talent and potential, could any ML team find reason or room to stash him on their roster for a full season in hopes of what he might become given time to flounder?
The smaller elephant is Tyler Wells. I know he had a great season a year ago and won organizational pitcher of the Year. I know there is potential there. But if a team wants to draft a AA pitcher coming off surgery to stash for a whole season, then bless the team and player. I just don't see it.
IMO, the rest are guys you expect to not be drafted or returned. Weil is the one guy who could potentially come back to bite you. But again, the depth potential should make you feel really good if that happens.
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"Nice catch Hayes...don't ever f*****g do it again."
--Lou Brown