Minor league thread 2022
- Thread starter RoDaddy
- Start date
Could this be a dreaded hamate thing? Or does that require the blunt force of a HBP?
Last edited:
I thought the hamate could break just by swinging…. But it’s pretty easily detectable, no?
That's my understanding. And, the hamate is in the palm, not the wrist.
Good news on the Mayer front.
View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1529109714327437315?s=20&t=_zcoawI9ocwLAM3gm4Gzbw
View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1529109714327437315?s=20&t=_zcoawI9ocwLAM3gm4Gzbw
Groome with probably his best start of the year: 6.0 ip, 4 hits, 1r/0er, 2bb/9k. 88 pitches, 54 strikes.
Great day for the farm so far: 11 runs through 5 for the WooSox with 2 doubles and a triple for Duran (why again isn't he playing RF for the big club?), two more hits for everyone's favorite binky Ceddanne Rafaela, and all the teams are winning. Plus as mentioned, "Good" Groome (9 punchouts and no earned runs in 6) today
Last edited:
Bello finishes up his outing in the 6th with strikeouts 9 and 10. He has 20 strikeouts through his first 12 AAA innings, 2 ER allowed in each outing so far.
It does seem kind of bonkers that we have three OFers with an OPS of ~.600 or below, and a 25 year old top-100 prospect with an OPS over .900 in a few hundred PAs at AAA can't get a shot. This recent winning streak might actually have come at a bad time for him. Good to see that he isn't losing focus after his brief call up though, and just keeps crushing the ball.
View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1529287955772280834?s=20&t=lazDWUnZAfnOOfZKaw3mkA
Tweet from Alex Speier:
“WooSox RHP Brayan Bello struck out 10 for the second time in as many starts since his promotion to Triple-A. He's the only pitcher in the International League this year with multiple 10K games.”
Tweet from Alex Speier:
“WooSox RHP Brayan Bello struck out 10 for the second time in as many starts since his promotion to Triple-A. He's the only pitcher in the International League this year with multiple 10K games.”
I didn't see it posted on the previous page, but Casas is on the AAA IL with an ankle issue, retro to the 17th. Might be why Fitzgerald is seeing so much time at 1B.
Or it came at a good time for him where he isn’t expected to turn things around for the big club.
Salem beat Fredericksburg 6-1. Of greater interest, Salem beat Stephen Strasburg. Yes, THE Stephen Strasburg. Making his first rehab appearance since thoracic outlet surgery, the SaleSox got to Strasburg for 3 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out 3. Niko Kavadas got the biggest hit off Stras, a 2-run double.
Clearly, facing a guy in his first rehab outing since major surgery puts an asterisk on it, but still, pretty cool for some of these guys to have success against a top MLB pitcher. They've got to be feeling pretty good about themselves.
Paulino 0-4 with a HBP and a K
Bonaci 1-4 with a line drive single off Stras, a BB, a SB and 3 Ks
Jordan 0-5 with 3 Ks
Hickey 3-4 (including an infield single off Stras) with a 2B and a BB
Kavadas 1-3 with 2 BB
Lopez 1-4 with a BB and a GIDP
Clearly, facing a guy in his first rehab outing since major surgery puts an asterisk on it, but still, pretty cool for some of these guys to have success against a top MLB pitcher. They've got to be feeling pretty good about themselves.
Paulino 0-4 with a HBP and a K
Bonaci 1-4 with a line drive single off Stras, a BB, a SB and 3 Ks
Jordan 0-5 with 3 Ks
Hickey 3-4 (including an infield single off Stras) with a 2B and a BB
Kavadas 1-3 with 2 BB
Lopez 1-4 with a BB and a GIDP
now at 9 games, 2.88 era, 50.0 ip, 36 hits, 20r/16er, 6 HRA, 68k/3bb, 0.780 WHIP. 6.5 H/9, 1.1 HR/9, 0.5BB/9, 12.2k/9. 22.67:1 K:BB ratio. 34.7% K rate, 1.5% BB rate. Hitters are slashing .192/.225/.330 against him in 196 PA. .223 BAbip against.
70% strikes, 19% Strikes looking, 17% Strikes swinging, 53% GB%, 47% FB% (includes PU% and LD%), 18% LD%, 5% Pop Ups.
vs R: .200/.234/.348, 43k/2bb, 141 BF 30.5% K rate
vs L: .170/.200/.283, 25k/1bb, 55 BF 45.5% K rate
Last 2 games: 14.0 ip, 5 hits, 2r/2er, 0bb/19k, 2 HRA. He's given up a HR in each of his last 4 starts, the 2nd start included 3. Something to watch as HRs are usually involved with his dreadful starts but other than that, the dude is lights out.
I'd guess he's in AAA by the end of June if not sooner. Just like last year, he has 2 starts masking otherworldly performances. Of course, you can't just ignore those starts. It's 4 in 24 games since he moved to the rotation in 2021.
But just for fun, taking out his 2 bad starts this year: 8 games, 0.84 era 43.0 ip, 22 hits, 5 runs/4er, 2 HRA, 58k/1bb, 0.63 WHIP. 39.7% K%, 0.7% BB%.
Another drawback are the PC this year. They've let Bello go into the 90s but here are Walter's: 62, 76, 83, 73, 78, 55, 89, 79, 76. Bello's: 73, 76, 85, 92, 96, 89, 95, 97.
Pretty significant, me thinks. Though the 89 3 starts ago gives me hope. He went 7.0 ip in each of his last 2 starts despite the 79 and 76 pitch counts. That's going to happen when you don't walk anyone and throw 70% strikes.
Last edited:
Marcelo Mayer is back in the lineup today for Salem and playing SS.
It is being reported that Brandon Walter is being promoted to AAA, which is good since AA didn't seem to challenge him.
Potential WooSox rotation of Bello, Crawford, Seabold, Walter and Winckowski, with Mata rehabbing in Florida and joining later in the year. Pretty, pretty good.
It is being reported that Brandon Walter is being promoted to AAA, which is good since AA didn't seem to challenge him.
Potential WooSox rotation of Bello, Crawford, Seabold, Walter and Winckowski, with Mata rehabbing in Florida and joining later in the year. Pretty, pretty good.
Alex Speier
@alexspeier
58s
Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata threw 2 2/3 innings today in extended spring training and was up to 98. 15 months after Tommy John, he may be nearing a rehab assignment
@alexspeier
58s
Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata threw 2 2/3 innings today in extended spring training and was up to 98. 15 months after Tommy John, he may be nearing a rehab assignment
That's such good news. Do we think Mata is a reliever now? Mata won't really have enough time to get up to a starters innings workload before he runs out of options next year. The iffy command profile with potential plus fastball and slider but just ok other secondary pitches makes me think thats the route. Am I overthinking that?
I think they run him out as a 3-5 inning starter for a while to see where his command profile stands and to allow him to build up some innings this year. I'd then expect him to throw some winter ball innings to push up his workload. They can then make a decision next year as to starter-reliever, assuming good health.
With a healthy Mata, the Red Sox will have a plethora of upper minors arms to trade from and/or to fill out the rotation and bullpen, even if everyone doesn't pan out.
Nice piece by Chad Jennings on the state of Sox pitching prospects in the Athletic ($) today https://theathletic.com/3341326/2022/05/31/red-sox-worcester-pitchers-brandon-walter/. Its mostly about current AAA starting rotation but this bit is consistent with amfox1's take on how they will manage Mata -- build him up as a starter; decide later on his ultimate MLB role (assuming he continues to develop to that outcome):
(Red Sox minor league pitching coordinator is Julio Rangel.)
The legend of Ceddanne Rafaela continues: 3 more hits including a triple and double plus SB #12. OTOH, Jeter Downs continues to struggle with 4 more Ks. Demote him and promote Koss?
Koss has been hot. After a meh April (.286/.315/.400/.715) he had a whoa! May (.317/.352/.524/.876). His BB/K rate needs a lot of work: 0 BB/24 K in April, slightly better 4 BB/20 K in May. He's also 6/7 on the year stealing bases.
Nick Yorke hasn't played since last Wednesday, the 26th. I can't find any info about why he's not playing, but he hasn't been placed on the IL.
After a rough April (.232/.338/.268/.606 over 65 PA) he warmed up a bit in May (.253/.306/.418/.724 over 98 PA). His BB/K is 16/32 for the season. At 20 years old he's young for the A+ level.
After a rough April (.232/.338/.268/.606 over 65 PA) he warmed up a bit in May (.253/.306/.418/.724 over 98 PA). His BB/K is 16/32 for the season. At 20 years old he's young for the A+ level.
Speaking of Rafaela, he has been Mr. Consistent. April OPS of .945 in about 90 PA; May OPS of .950 in 100 PA. 5 doubles and 6 HRs in April on 25 hits; 9 doubles, 3 triples and 3 HRs in May on 32 hits. The kid loves to swing it -- only 9 BB on the year against 45 Ks. He's 12/14 stealing bases. He'll be 22 in September.
Brandon Walter had an inauspicious Worcester debut. After a clean 1st inning, he couldn't get out of the 2nd. Four singles, a double, a walk and a hit batter, along with a ground-out and a K; 6 runs allowed. Worcester loses 8-4. Duran was 2-4 with a K.
In New Hampshire, Chris Murphy turned in a solid start for the Sea Dogs, giving up just one hit and one run over 6.1 innings with 2 BBs and 9 Ks. He was pulled with one out in the 7th after walking the second batter of the inning, who came in to score when reliever Mosqueda gave up a double and threw a wild pitch.
The Sea Dogs led 5-1 at that point, but the Fisher Cats clawed for 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie it, and outscored the Dogs 3-2 in the 10th to win 8-7.
David Hamilton was 2-5 with 2 Ks.
The Sea Dogs led 5-1 at that point, but the Fisher Cats clawed for 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie it, and outscored the Dogs 3-2 in the 10th to win 8-7.
David Hamilton was 2-5 with 2 Ks.
Salem won a rain-shortened 4.5 inning game, 4-2. Mayer was 1-2 with a 2-run double.
Greenville's game in Winston-Salem was suspended in the top of the 3rd with the score 0-0. The Drive and Dash will finish that game tomorrow, then play the regularly scheduled game.
* I'll be going to the Saturday night game in Winston-Salem. If any other SOSH will be there, let's meet up.
Greenville's game in Winston-Salem was suspended in the top of the 3rd with the score 0-0. The Drive and Dash will finish that game tomorrow, then play the regularly scheduled game.
* I'll be going to the Saturday night game in Winston-Salem. If any other SOSH will be there, let's meet up.
Unfortunately he seems prone to laying a goose egg every now and then.
I’m at the Drive game in Winston-Salem.
Rafaela at bat, top 9th, down a run with Ty McD on first. And he just struck out with the runner going and got all tangled up with the catcher resulting in batters interference and two outs.
Rafaela at bat, top 9th, down a run with Ty McD on first. And he just struck out with the runner going and got all tangled up with the catcher resulting in batters interference and two outs.
What I saw:
Binelas made a couple nice plays at third.
Jimenez gunned a runner trying to go first to third on a single to right.
Binelas made a couple nice plays at third.
Jimenez gunned a runner trying to go first to third on a single to right.
Mata with a pretty good first rehab start with Salem:
2 IP
45 pitches
0 hits
0 runs
2 K
2 BB
He was facing low-A hitters, of course, but apparently touched 98 mph. Overall, pretty encouraging.
2 IP
45 pitches
0 hits
0 runs
2 K
2 BB
He was facing low-A hitters, of course, but apparently touched 98 mph. Overall, pretty encouraging.
Re: Those Binelas plays. One was a bare-handed grab and throw on a bunt (very fast runner) -- do or die, and he did. A+ play. The other was a hot shot coming at him on an in-between hop. He showed good footwork taking a step or two back and still had a tough hop to handle. Made it looks easy. He didn't have to make any plays to either side, so I can't say anything about his lateral skill, but he looked good on those other tough plays.
On the other hand, he struck out with runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out in the 7th. Bad situational hitting. And struck out to end the game. Would've liked to see him come up clutch in at least one of those spots.
Another hit today (double) for Ceddanne who by my count is now off on an 11 game hit streak after our earlier season raves about him. It will be interesting to see if he cracks the top 10 when Sox Prospects updates the next time. I mean, a .951 OPS with speed and defense and only 21 in high A...c'mon!
Duran will graduate from prospect status soon (edit: as of this morning, Duran was eight plate appearances shy of losing prospect status). Ceddanne will likely pass Downs at some point this season. That puts him up to 12. That's probably Ceddanne's ceiling until the trade deadline or his promotion to Portland (while putting up similar numbers). Keep in mind that the draft is before the trade deadline and, with two top 41 picks, those players may be slotted ahead of Ceddanne.
Last edited:
Chris Hatfield
@SPChrisHatfield
3m
Confirmed w/ a source that CF/SS Ceddanne Rafaela is being promoted to Portland. .330/.368/.589 in 209 PA w/ typical slick D for High-A Greenville this year. Currently 14th (& rising) on the #SP60.
As excited as I am about him, this seems like a fast promotion - and AA is a big leap. What's the rush? While young, he wasn't anything exceptional in previous years as he's been this year, so we only have a 2 month break out period to go by. Couldn't we wait longer to be sure it's real - and also for him to improve his plate patience, which seems critical for a speed guy like him?