Author Archive

Revenge of Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat

12:06
Eric A Longenhagen: Good morning, This is the water and this is the well.

12:06
Eric A Longenhagen: Links!

12:07
12:07
Eric A Longenhagen: I have posts in the queue about the Royals/Padres and Braves/Twins trade. If they get posted during the chat, I’ll add them in here.

12:08
Eric A Longenhagen: Also, I’m writing up all the trades that happened while I was away for posterity. Here’s the Quintana deal: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/belated-trade-analysis-white-sox-acquir…

12:08
Eric A Longenhagen: Ok, let’s drink full and descend.

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Belated Trade Analysis: White Sox Acquire Eloy Jimenez and Co.

Several trades occurred while I was on vacation. I’m profiling the prospects involved in those deals in a belated nature. First among these is the deal that netted the Chicago Cubs LHP Jose Quintana. A breakdown of the big league side of that trade is available here.

Just a reminder of the players exchanged:

Cubs get

  • LHP Jose Quintana

White Sox get

The blockbuster’s headliner was power-hitting outfielder Eloy Jimenez, who has arguably the best in-game power projection in the minors. That power was preordained by Jimenez’s broad-shouldered 6-foot-4 frame which, even when he was 16, seemed to promise exceptional future raw pop. Jimenez’s body has developed a bit faster than many had expected (at age 20 he’s already closer to 250 pounds than his listed 205) and helps him generate power from foul pole to foul pole. At times, Jimenez barely squares up pitches and is still able to drive balls to the wall for extra bases, seemingly by accident. He’s very likely to hit and hit for power, the latter perhaps at an elite level, placing him firmly in heart of whatever batting order he occupies as a base-clearing force.

Defensively, Jimenez’s below-average speed and average arm relegate him to an outfield corner and, probably, left field. But the bat is going to profile anywhere Jimenez ends up on the defensive spectrum.

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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat 7/4

12:13
Eric A Longenhagen: Good morning. Quick one today for obvious reasons. Perhaps not so obvious, the AZL schedule is very staggered today giving me a chance to get to four games today. They start at 10am here, so let’s boogie.

12:13
Tommy N.: How far away is Jacob Nix from your top 100?

12:14
Eric A Longenhagen: He’s probably already there

12:14
Steven : Is Alex Speas expected to come up as a reliever for Texas?

12:15
Eric A Longenhagen: Worth trying to develop him as a starter and I think he has a shot, even if it’s only 30 or 40%, to be one.

12:15
Eric A Longenhagen: Also, even if you think the player ends up in the bullpen, starter development gives them more chances to work on the secondary pitches.

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July 2 Sortable Board and Rules Primer

The 2017 July 2 signing period is set to begin on Sunday. Here is the 2017 J2 Sortable Board with tool grades and scouting reports for the players whom I believe to be the best in the class. The changes made to the J2 process when the last Collective Bargaining Agreement was ratified in November are significant and have impacted the way teams approach signing players; altered how a given class’s talent is distributed throughout baseball; changed players’ earning power; and, at least for now, forced prospects to consider how to best time their decision to sign.

Before diving into the details pertaining to this year’s class, allow me to suggest some prerequisite reading should this be your first time navigating FanGraphs’ scouty pages. If the 20-80 scale and scouting terminology is new to you, this piece will be helpful. If you’d like more context on the previous July 2 rules as we discuss the way the new CBA has changed them in this article, I suggest this.

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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat 6/27

12:04
Eric A Longenhagen: Good morning from Tempe, everyone.

12:05
Eric A Longenhagen: Here are today’s notes: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/daily-prospect-notes-627/

12:05
Eric A Longenhagen: Had upload issues with the Norge Ruiz video overnight. I’ll tweet a link when it’s up so you can all get a peak.

12:05
Eric A Longenhagen: Alright, let’s do it.

12:05
Sour beer: Who are some of the biggest non-top-100 prospect movers this year so far?

12:07
Eric A Longenhagen: Bo Bichette, Jesus Sanchez, Jack Flaherty, some of Philly’s arms probably move into the 100. I could sit here and come up with another dozen or so that moved up because of graduations ahead of them.

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Day 2 Draft Standouts, American League

See also: National League.

Below are some notable selections from the draft’s second day. I chatted live for the first three hours of Day 2 here. If you missed any Day 1 analysis, the draft live stream is located here and analysis of the first day is available here for the American League and here for the National League. My top 100 with tool grades, scouting reports, etc., is here.

The numbers in parentheses beside each name indicate the round in which the relevant prospect was drafted.

Baltimore Orioles

Michael Baumann (3), a right-handed pitcher from Jacksonville, was just off my draft top 100. He’s got a strong build, above-average fastball, potential above-average slider, and had enough of a curveball and changeup to project as a starter on basis of repertoire depth.

There are concerns about the length of his arm action and the way it limits his command. CF Lamar Sparks (5) from Seven Lakes HS (TX) has a projectable frame, above-average bat speed, and runs well enough to stay in center field for a while. He’s the athletic, projectable sort of athlete on which Baltimore’s system is currently short. He’ll have to overcome his swing’s length.

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Day 2 Draft Standouts, National League

Below are some notable selections from the draft’s second day. I chatted live for the first three hours of Day 2 here. If you missed any Day 1 analysis, the draft live stream is located here and analysis of the first day is available here for the American League and here for the National League. My top 100 with tool grades, scouting reports, etc., is here.

The numbers in parentheses beside each name indicate the round in which the relevant prospect was drafted.

Arizona Diamondbacks

High school pitchers Matt Tabor (3) and Harrison Francis (4) both have promising physical projection, and Tabor’s velocity was already starting to climb this spring.

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Day 1 Draft Recap, American League

Also see: National League.

Below are brief summaries of each American League team’s draft class following the end of the event’s first day. The numbers in parentheses beside each name indicate where the prospect was ranked on my top-100 list, which is also where players’ scouting reports can be found. Players who were not on my top 100 and were drafted yesterday have brief reports in this post.

Baltimore Orioles

Round 1, Pick 21 — D.L. Hall, LHP, Valdosta HS (GA) (10)
Round 2, Pick 60 — Adam Hall, SS, A.B. Lucas Seconday (ON, Canada) (NR)
Hall runs well enough to play up the middle but scouts question his athleticism, physicality, and swing. He’s an interesting developmental project.
Comp B, Pick 74 — Zac Lowther, LHP, Xavier Univ. (89)

Thoughts
The first Hall was great value and, I think, immediately became the organization’s best prospect; the second seemed a bit of a reach.

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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat, MLB Draft Day 2

12:16
Eric A Longenhagen: Hi everyone. Today’s chat is going to be a slow burn, but hopefully active through much of Day 2 of the draft.

12:16
Eric A Longenhagen: We’re going to start in a few, but first, I desperately need coffee. Some I’m going to quickly acquire it.

12:18
Eric A Longenhagen: Okay, I have returned.

12:18
Eric A Longenhagen: Links: Day 1 draft recap for NL clubs: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/day-1-draft-recap-national-league/

12:18
Eric A Longenhagen: Cistulli sounds nearly done editing the AL piece, I’ll post when it’s ready.

12:19
Babe Lincoln: Best Day 1?

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Day 1 Draft Recap, National League

Also see: American League.

Below are brief summaries of each National League team’s draft class following the end of the event’s first day. The numbers in parentheses beside each name indicate where the prospect was ranked on my top-100 list, which is also where players’ scouting reports can be found. Players who were not on my top 100 and were drafted yesterday have brief reports in this post.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Round 1, Pick 7 — Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia (20)
Round 2, Pick 44 — Drew Ellis, 1B/3B, Louisville (84)
Comp B, Pick 68 — Daulton Varsho, C, UW-Milwaukee (NR)
Varsho’s a stocky, plus-running catcher with high-effort, above-average bat speed. He has some catcher’s traits but his arm strength might not fit behind the plate. Some have concerns about strikeouts.

Thoughts
Three college performers, two whose futures likely lie at first base.

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