The Dugout: MiLB Thoughts

Minor League Baseball​

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Come and talk about the next upcoming star(s). ​

Where are they?​

Give us an update on their progression, regression, when you think they will debut, etc...​

2020 Top Minor League Systems​

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2020 Top 10 Hitters & Pitchers​

# = Rank out of the top 100​

(Through August 31st, 2020)​

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Hitters​

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Pitchers​

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My boy Noles doing some content!

Prediction: "Spooks" gets traded in the division. Wayne Barnes wins 5 straight MVPs for Baltimore.

He may not win that many in a row. Dave Moore may win 1 or 2 in there too.

I would've paid off your mortgage for Barnes.

You boys better be ready for Felipe Muñoz is all I'm gonna say.

OOTP don't know shit. Ramos will be in the MLB next season less than 2 years after being drafted.

SF Giants

9th overall prospect, P Carl O' Lonergan is progressing nicely through the minors. He started in A ball after getting drafted in the first round last season and is currently in AA ball. He is mowing down hitters efficiently at every stop, but needs to work on his control before he will make his major league debut.

RF Zach Rigbye was slow to develop, but has come around nicely. Rigbye is a power hitter with average fielding skills. He is a September callup and will probably start in RF next season.

RF Harry Williams came over in a trade from Kansas City and has been a pleasant surprise. He was originally a prospect. He now yo-yos between 3 1/2 and 4 stars and has solid overall hitting ability. He should be in AAA next year and we'll see if he continues to improve.

1B Raul Gonzalez was drafted as an 18 year old and started his career slowly. He is projected to be a power hitter, but he has quite a ways to go before he meets his potential. He also needs to work on his fielding, as he has the range of a potted plant.

Keep an eye on...
LF/CF Jorge Valenzuala, 2B / SS Steve Valdaos, SP Ramiro Aguirre, and RP Yoshitoki Ine.

LA Dodgers

1) Jose Ramano: Our best prospect will be moving up to Double AA ball next year after having a pretty good season in Single A. He definitely loves hitting to ever part of the field but the organization would love to see him use his speed more and be aggressive on the base paths.

2) Guibert Cavallaro: He was drafted as the #3 player in the draft and immediately came into Single A. He may stay one more depending on how he improves in the offseason but the left handed slugger right now needs to realize that he is no longer in college.

3) Theodore May: May has definitely landed himself a spot on the 40 man roster and will probably be on the opening day roster as well. He has destroyed pitchers in Double AA and has shown great leadership through out the year. With May possibly coming up what will happen with Lovelass?

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The Detroit Tigers have one player in both said top ten lists. 2B Jesus Lopez was chosen in the 2020 Draft with the supplemental picked given to Detroit via Just Verlander signing in free agency per ryalaman. Lopez spent his entire first year in Rookie ball even at the ripe old age of 22. He crushed the competition leading the rookie ball team into post-season play and a first-round victory. Lopez finished with .311/.500/.484 batting numbers in 57 games. With above average defensive skills paired with being on on-base machine he will quickly find his way to the bigs if his development comes along through the off-season.

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SP Dave "The Enigma" Holland was Detroit's first round with the 13th overall pick. Lucky number 13... Dave was the best available pitcher at the time and although his abilities will not immediately jump out at you, some of his numbers will. The tigers choose their top two picks with the mind-set they would be ready within the first couple years to contribute and Holland should fill that roll. Lord knows the Tigers pitching staff, and Sweet Misery, needs help. Dave started 9 games in rookie ball before being moved up to A ball to start 5 games. Dave posted an 8-2 record with an 2.32 era overall. Dave's control development will decide where end plays next year. Dave is a little younger than Lopez at only 20 years old.

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Good stuff here KnightNoles

My cupboard is BARE

Only in Chicago can you lose so much and have so little talent.

This kid would be my ace right now LOL.

Beetle is nice only time will tell

BATTERS:

RF Ken Simpson - was a key component of the Kyle Drabek trade to the Brewers a year ago. Simpson looks to have serious power and batting potential, though he doesn't appear to be very patient at this stage. Still, he's answered every challenge so far (hit .320 with 21 HRs and 22 SBs in AA) and looks like he's going to be in AAA with a chance to make the majors at some point. ETA: 2021

3B Armando Garcia - is a high ceiling prospect, though his development has been somewhat slow. He's still only 21 years old and split time at both single-A levels this season. Right now, he performs like a #2 hitter with solid bat control and the ability to draw a walk, but he's projected to develop good power as well. He's also a plus fielder at the hot corner. ETA: 2023

CF Lou Thomas - another youngster, this 20-year old played in rookie ball and advanced to low-A this season. He provides very good defense in center field and doubles power. Coaches strongly believe Thomas will develop some solid bat control and patience as well as some home run power. Thomas would be a consumate 5-tool guy, but his baserunning is not his strong suit. Definitely one to watch in the future. ETA: 2023

LF Victor Guillen - two seasons ago, Guillen was drafted because he's very similar to former Twins AL ROY Arthur Lawson (now with the Reds), which is high praise. Of course, he has a ways to go, but it looks like might meet those lofty expectations. Guillen played at high-A and posted a .290 BA and had 57 RBI in 109 games. Guillen is a 5-tool prospect with great bat control, good power, very good speed and has also developed into a plus defender as well. ETA: 2022

RF Juan Sandoval - big time power prospect, though he's still a ways away from the bigs. He played rookie ball this year and struggled, only posting .366 SLG. Still, scouts rave about his power potential as well as his cannon of an arm in right field. He's definitely a developmental guy, but could be a star if he's not rushed. ETA: 2024

2B Mike Farott - was drafted out of high school this season. He's still only 17-years old but played very well in rookie ball, hitting .319 BA with a .441 OBP. Farott still has a lot of work to do, especially with his bat and his glove, but he has elite speed and baserunning already. ETA: 2024

C Jose Fernandez - there's a chance he's the heir apparent to Skipworth behind the plate. He's a 20-year old in rookie ball and had a .441 OBP this season. He's a great defender and if his bat develops, he's got a chance to be a very solid catcher. ETA: 2024

3B Eric Manley - this is a very solid player that is even money on winning a starting spot with the Twins next season. While he doesn't have the ceiling of the aforementioned Garcia, it's hard to ignore a player that hit .510 SLG in AAA with 98 RBI. On top of that, he's a good defender, which means he's exactly what current Twins third baseman Zach Cox is not. ETA: 2021

SS Tom Tenbrink - this is a guy who's ready to be a solid major leaguer right now, though he hasn't had too much time above AA. Tenbrink is a very good baserunner and fielder and yields a solid lefty bat with doubles power. He was forced to play AA most of the year because of another prospect, but he's ready for the bigs. However, with Garabez Rosa dominating at short in Minneapolis, Tenbrink is a trade candidate this offseason. ETA: 2021

SS Jose Gonzalez - here's the guy that forced Tenbrink into AA last year. Gonzalez will not be a star, but will be a very solid player in the league, especially because he can draw a walk, field well and has very good speed. He had a mediocre year at AAA last year, but still appears to be ready for the majors skill-wise. He's also a trade candidate, lest he be a backup for the Twins. ETA: 2021

PITCHERS:

SP Maurice Wells - has the chance to be a solid starter in the league, but likely won't become elite. Wells boasts solid control and a decent arm, as well as a 4 pitch arsenal. Wells progressed through both single-A levels and through AA this season, with very good results in each. Wells will be in AAA this upcoming season, with an outside chance of making the bigs. ETA: 2022

SP Rupert Ljankes - the Twins were ecstatic to have Ljankes slip to the end of the first round. There's still plenty of development to do, but he possesses a plus arm and, if he develops control, has a 3-pitch arsenal that will translate in the big leagues. The knock on Ljankes is his stamina, but coaches think he will be fine, since he will throw less pitches per inning once he develops some control. ETA: 2024

SP Manny Valentin - another back of the rotation guy. Valentin has 5 pitches, though none is a knockout weapon, Valentin relies on control. He played AAA last year and did a solid job, but is slated for another year to see if he develops further. ETA: 2022

SP Rafael Garcia - a very solid pitching prospect. Garcia played low-A and won 16 games, though posted a mediocre 4.28 ERA. Still, he developed his skills and coaches think 4 of his 5 pitches translate into the bigs. He's only 20 years old, so he won't be rushed through the system. ETA: 2023

SP Anastasio Holguin - has a shot, but needs a lot of work. Holguin is a 20 year old that played rookie ball last year, winning 6 and posting a 3.91 ERA. Holguin has 3 major league pitches but struggles with his control, though coaches believe he will make the proper adjustments. ETA: 2024

SP Jesus Villa - 21 year old who played in low-A last season, Villa seems to have found his stride. He only started 10 games but had a 1.13 WHIP. Villa's fastball tops at 90mph, so he doesn't have a big arm, but he relies on a decent screwball and good control. Has a shot. ETA: 2024

Others not on the top-20 list:
C Landon Morton (almost the starter in Minnesota until Skipworth resigned)
C Phil Lambright (solid platoon catching candidate)
C Doug Brantley (had a decent season in rookie ball)
1B Alejandro Garcia (looks like he will develop some power)
2B Antonio Silva (leadoff type that appears to be developing)
3B Tom Johnson (good fielder at the corners, decent bat, looks like a future bench player)
3B Miguel Delgado (speedster at the hot corner)
LF Theodore Whitaker (former top-20 Twin prospect, appears to have regressed a bit with contact)
LF Lorenzo Tavares (low minors guy who's ceiling is rising)
CF Alfaro Rosado (speedster starting to show some bat control)
CF Ernie Starks (17 year old draftee, struggled in rookie ball)
RF Ricardo Gutierrez (low A bat that's about to blow up, will be in the top-20 next year)
CL Michael Allison (good success in single-A, looks like a MR/setup guy in the bigs)
CL Bill McDonald (good stuff, good control, has a chance as a future middle reliever)

Great work man! This is awesome.

The Whitesox have a potent farm that is deep at all positions. So keeping this short but sweet with a scouting report on the top 4 in the system. Having 4 guys in the top 11 in baseball's minors is a spot I am enjoying. Having a owner who understands the design we are sticking too and at the same time putting up with the mess of the last 9 seasons is a blessing to say the least. With a great market and a nice stable of players already in MLB the future is very bright and the fans are loving what is being done and are eager to see how it finally plays out.





1. (Ranked #2) Marcos Romero.....The #1 pick in the 2019 Draft hasn't disappointed. What i love the most with this guy is he keeps the ball in the park with a mind boggling 0.31 HR/9 this season in 24 starts. His K rate is impressive also and will only climb as he harnesses his control. He has a long way to grow as his control is only 35 of a possible 70. Will be building his confidence in the minors so do not expect to see him in a city near you anytime soon as he just turned 19. Development has been more then what could of been asked this early on in his career. He is looking every bit his #2 ranking by OOTP to this point.
2021 A
2022 AA
2023 AAA
2024 MLB








2. (Ranked #6) Chris Campbell.....Was drafted 44th overall in the 2018 draft. Chris was acquired in a 3 team deal with the Mets and Cubs during the 2019 season. Just turning 20 he is very raw he has had 2 very nice seasons in rookie ball so far and is showing a ability to hit the long ball and get on base. Another guy the Sox see with a gigantic ceiling he has progressed a bunch in 2020 and is playing hard every game. With fantastic leadership ability the Sox hope to keep the franchise tradition of big time 1st basemen alive.
2021 A
2022 AA
2023 AAA
2024 MLB








3. (Ranked #9) Alejandro Paez.....The #5 pick in the 2020 drafted again is just so raw and playing at half his future potential. What is making the Sox happy is his development. He is not hitting a ton and has spent half the season dealing with a broken finger yet he has done nothing but go up in progression. What is also surprising is his ability to get on base being so raw. It is very early but the look of what might be with this guy is exciting. He along with the other 3 guys in this scouting report have time on there side and there gonna use it.
2021 A
2022 AA
2023 AAA
2024 MLB






4. (Ranked #11) Randall Walker.....The #2 overall int he 2019 draft was picked up via a trade for the stud Ramon Ocampo. This 20 year old is very promising along with Romero he keeps the ball down and in the park. His 0.55 HR/9 rate is very promising. His K rate isn't what Romero's is ,but being a lefty he seems to have a bit more handle on his control this early on then Romero. He is also half way to his control potential so his numbers should only improve with experience. His progression has been a beautiful thing as he has grown his potential since becoming a Soutsider.
2021 A
2022 AA
2023 AAA
2024 MLB

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Top 100 Prospects​

16th Best Farm​

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If you have seen the prospect watch on mlb.com, that was what I was going for here​

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2013/​

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2021 Top Minor League Systems​

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March 2, 2025​

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