July & August & September Minor League game thread
- Thread starter Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat
- Start date
There are some negatives in this tiny sample. His K rate has gone from 1 K every 4.7 PA to 1 K every 3.6 PA and his walk rate from 1/6.3 PA to 1/24.7 PA.
This is not disqualifying stuff. But between these indicators and the spike in HR power, his approach seems completely different right now. It could be that AA pitchers are more around the plate and he is being aggressive. It may be that pitchers are trying to get away with shit since he's a kid just called up. I might let him work through that before a promotion.
This is not disqualifying stuff. But between these indicators and the spike in HR power, his approach seems completely different right now. It could be that AA pitchers are more around the plate and he is being aggressive. It may be that pitchers are trying to get away with shit since he's a kid just called up. I might let him work through that before a promotion.
He's played 16 games in AA and there is no clear need at the ML level asking for him to be on an expedited path to the majors. He and Benintendi are fast risers no matter what, better to avoid rushing already accelerated schedules when the only thing we get out of it is starting their service clocks that much sooner.
Interestingly, neither Moncada nor Benintendi played in either game of the double header in Binghamton against Hartford today (if the box scores are to be believed). Nick Lovullo got the start at 2nd in both games.
The sample is tiny and probably not even worth looking into much, but the spike in HR power could also be stadium related. Most of our prospects have faired better hitting HRs in Portland than Salem. That could also be a maturation issue. Power is the last thing to develop, etc. There is no need to promote him yet, though. He doesn't even have 100 PA in AA, and the difference between AA and AAA isn't all that meaningful unless you are Garin Cecchini. DD also isn't opposed to players skipping AAA. I'd guess right now we are seeing "hot" Moncada, so the walks will be lower and the strikeouts will be higher. He's swinging the bat phenomenally well so he is being aggressive at the plate. Let's see how he adjusts to AA pitching when he isn't in the midst of an 8 game tear where he is 13/32 with 2 2bs, 2 3bs, and 4 HRs. .406/.457/2.385. Yeah, he has an OPS of 2.841 over the last 8 games. Sick.
Moncada with a great Futures game and named MVP. Plus he's been phenomenal so far in AA. Isn't it time to start planning his Red Sox major league future and move him to another position?
Looks like thats it. All Ks swinging, only one ball hit to the outfield.
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If Kopech can keep his shit together, and Groome signs, the profile of the pitching prospects changes dramatically.
A little bit. Groome will be in rookie ball, Kopech is still in A+. Espinoza is doing fine for his age at his level but seems to have fallen off the fast track. He'll likely be in A+ next year. Meanwhile, everyone in AA or AAA is either a never will be or has regressed terribly. And, Trey Ball has been absolutely putrid lately. Running out of excuses. Until they get some pitching prospects into the high minors, they're going to have to keep hoping to swing a trade for an impact starter to get one anytime soon.
There are a few potentially interesting relievers who've advanced more quickly than expected or performed well above expectations, in Chandler Sheppard, who is succeeding in AAA, and Ben Taylor, who has been borderline dominant for Portland so far. He's supposedly seen his fastball jump from 92-94 to 95-97 with a switch to the bullpen. I've been keeping an eye on both of them with the hopes that they can deepen and expand the bullpen to offset the weakness in the rotation, and allow the Red Sox to save the $10 million or so usually spent on journeymen relievers for starting pitching help.
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Typical Gammons tweet, teasing 2 things at once. Can anyone verify a legit report of 105, like with a scouts gun.
I guess it's possible there is a player on Salem with the nickname "105"
I guess it's possible there is a player on Salem with the nickname "105"
I was just coming to post that.
I very seriously doubt the legitimacy of that. Regardless the guy is throwing unreal gas.
I very seriously doubt the legitimacy of that. Regardless the guy is throwing unreal gas.
Speier's column has it at 103. I'd be inclined to believe north of 100, but 105 is getting into Sid Finch category.
I thought that was some classic Gammons prospect nonsense when I saw it, but then there is this:
Chris Hatfield @SPChrisHatfield
Have heard this was on both home and away guns where pitchers were charting behind plate. I'm still skeptical tho. https://twitter.com/pgammo/statuses/753603640565305344 …
So I don't know what to think. Listening to the broadcast last night, the highest velo they mentioned was in the 90s. If he's throwing 105 he should knock it off.
Chris Hatfield @SPChrisHatfield
Have heard this was on both home and away guns where pitchers were charting behind plate. I'm still skeptical tho. https://twitter.com/pgammo/statuses/753603640565305344 …
So I don't know what to think. Listening to the broadcast last night, the highest velo they mentioned was in the 90s. If he's throwing 105 he should knock it off.
“@jjcoop36: Kopech’s 105 mph pitch last night was recorded by multiple radar guns in stands. Not a stadium gun reading. https://t.co/YlwV0XHvMC
If its on multiple scout guns, its legit. Those guys all carry calibrated Stalkers. I assumed some kooky stadium gun posted a number and twitter ran with it. Good news.
The 10 months off, 3 starts a year schedule seems to be ideal for maximizing velo. /sarcasm
The 10 months off, 3 starts a year schedule seems to be ideal for maximizing velo. /sarcasm
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That basically means he's in the 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of arm talent.
We're talking Noah Syndergaard stuff here
We're talking Noah Syndergaard stuff here
Is Kopech going to be challenged at that level if he's throwing that hard? What's the timeframe before a promotion is due? I know all the reports says he's got to develop his command, but would that happen if batters can't even make contact with his FB?
He'd be a 2 true outcome pitcher. Pretty sure that 105 was not in the zone. He's a Adv-A pitcher with two years in a row where he's playing half a season.
A ball is loaded with guys who can throw hard and don't know where it's going. AA is where you start to see the combo of Velo and command of the zone and command of additional pitches.
He needs some time.
A ball is loaded with guys who can throw hard and don't know where it's going. AA is where you start to see the combo of Velo and command of the zone and command of additional pitches.
He needs some time.
Moncada: 2B, 2BB so far today.
July:
.417 BA, 4HR, 12RBI, 10/10 K/BB (8BB in his past 4 games).
At what point does he move over to 3B? If there're any injuries, and he keeps up anything resembling this pace for the next few weeks, it'll be hard to deny him a spot.
July:
.417 BA, 4HR, 12RBI, 10/10 K/BB (8BB in his past 4 games).
At what point does he move over to 3B? If there're any injuries, and he keeps up anything resembling this pace for the next few weeks, it'll be hard to deny him a spot.
These next couple of weeks in AA will be a test for him. It sure appears AA pitchers are avoiding him so he likely won't get too much to hit. So far he has avoided chasing and getting himself out, hopefully he can keep it up.
I would also agree it is about time to give him some reps at 3B.
I would also agree it is about time to give him some reps at 3B.
I really wish they would give up on him as a pitcher already. Seems like Casey Kelly lite at this point. Lets see what he can do in the field.
And the guy SOSH would have picked is tearing up AA. It really hurts when you completely blow top picks like that. Terrible luck + scouting + decision making.