2018 Los Angeles Dodgers Top 10 Prospects Chat

Kyle Glaser: Hey everybody, hope you all had a good weekend. Looking forward to chatting Dodgers today. Let’s get started

John (NJ): No love for Dustin May? I'm kind of surprised by his omission. Granted he pitched most of 2017 in Low-A, but still had a nice season while learning a change up. How close was he to the top 10? Thanks for the chat!

Kyle Glaser: Hey John, my pleasure. Dustin May was in the top 10 originally, and he is the first person off the list at present. I was actually surprised in my conversations with Dodgers officials throughout the organization that they didn’t see him as a top 10 guy in their system, and it was virtually unanimous. They all like him a lot, but a lack of conviction that he will put on the weight and strength to add necessary fastball velocity and the rawness of his changeup pushed him below other guys. Dennis Santana’s changeup development at the end of the year at Double-A is what ultimately flipped Santana and May for the final spot at No. 10. That all being said, I think very, very highly of May and it would not shock me if he ends up having a better big league career than a lot of guys on this list. He’s a very, very good prospect who would easily be top 10 in a lot of other systems.

J.P. (Springfield, IL): Thanks for chatting, Kyle. How close was Starling Heredia to this list, and what does he need to improve upon most next year? Finally, what's his ceiling?

Kyle Glaser: Heredia was not particularly close. He has a lot to work on in all aspects of the game, namely managing his energy level. He’s got everyday upside, but there isn’t a lot of conviction he’ll hit for average. Something like a .230, 30 HR hitter is generally seen by evaluators as best-case scenario, and there are a lot of potential pratfalls between now and then. He’s talented, but a long way away

Grant (NYC): Where is Gavin Lux's home likely to be, SS or 2B? Did the Dodgers overdraft him, in your estimation?

Kyle Glaser: There was not a lot of conviction from scouts that Lux will stay at short, mainly because of what they perceive to be a stiff lower half and a wildly inaccurate arm that isn’t all that strong either. There was a strong sense that Lux was an overdraft even by the time his first instructional league rolled around, and that was only amplified this year. That said, Lux made some improvements in the second half, particularly at the plate, and he spent a lot of time in instructs this year working on his shortstop play. It will be interesting to see if the work pays off next year.

Frank (Indianapolis, IN): How many of these guys are likely to make the BA 100 list?

Kyle Glaser: The top four are guarantees. I think you’ll probably see Nos. 5 and 6 on there too.

Paul (Los Angeles, CA): Is Jordan Sheffield's future likely to be a SP or RP?

Kyle Glaser: Reliever is increasingly becoming the answer, even in the minds of the Dodgers front office.

J.P. (Springfield, IL): Looks as though the Dodgers have thrown their hat into the ring for Stanton. If you were in Friedman's shoes, what package of prospects would you offer up for his services?

Kyle Glaser: I wouldn’t hesitate to build a package around Alex Verdugo and Yadier Alvarez if the Marlins would take it. That depends on the $$ factor though.

Harry (LA): How worried should we be about Urias' future? I see you still have him on your lineup card, but I'm reading he (and his shoulder) may never be the same.

Kyle Glaser: Shoulder injuries are always very, very concerning. Gave him the benefit of the doubt just because of his youth and talent level, and he won’t need to rush back, but a certain level of wariness is warranted.

Kelly (St. Cloud, MN): What can you tell us about Romer Cuadrado? Which spot in the outfield does he fit in best?

Kyle Glaser: Cuadrado was interesting. Scouts across the board didn’t care for him and saw him purely as an organizational player. The managers who had to face him liked him better. He’s a big dude with some strength, but he’s stiff and really doesn’t move well. He’s a pure corner outfielder, probably right because he has an arm. There was a sense he’ll get exposed by better pitching in Low A, but he’ll have a chance to prove otherwise next year.

Karl of Delaware (Georgetown, Delaware): Since the Dodgers resigned Winston Sawyer yesterday, and he hit for a respectable average last year, any chance he makes the major league club in 2018?

Kyle Glaser: Sure. Catching depth is always needed. Austin Barnes and Kyle Farmer are first in line (assuming Grandal leaves in FA), but with Will Smith needing some time in AA and Keibert Ruiz still working on some things defensively, wouldn’t be shocked if Sawyer gets a callup if someone gets hurt

Mr Baseball (Albuquerque): Starling Heredia's numbers in the AZL and Pioneer Leagues were unreal, but he fell off noticeably in the Midwest League. I know he's only 18, but how much of him is sizzle and how much is steak? I see he's not in the Top 10. What's up?

Kyle Glaser: There’s some sizzle, he is a real prospect. But as noted earlier, scouts don’t have a ton of belief in him as a hitter. He’s very, very aggressive, with a shortcomings in his approach and breaking ball recognition that are alarming, even in the context of an 18 year old. But, he’s muscular and athletic, shows you flashes of solid play in the outfield (although not consistent) and the power is real. Solid everyday regular is the upside most have on him, but he’s a very, very high risk to get to it

Dan (Augusta, ME): How much of a concern is it for the Dodgers that Morgan Cooper will be 23 next year and hasn't pitched a pro inning yet? Will they aggressively push him by starting his career in High A?

Kyle Glaser: Cooper’s health is more of a concern than his age. He had TJ at Texas, and after signing this year was shut down with shoulder tendinitis. Whether he is 18 or 23, that’s concerning. Where-and when-he starts throwing is going to be determined solely by his health.

Joe (L.A): Are we underrating DJ Peters? Or are the Jayson Werth comps a bit too idealistic?

Kyle Glaser: Werth is a little much. Think more Steven Souza

Jeremy (SD): What's your take on Oneil Cruz? I keep hearing he's a huge, gangly dude with a massive ceiling but a low chance of reaching it. Do you agree? In his prime, what do his HR/SB look like?

Kyle Glaser: Well he’s in Pittsburgh’s system now after being traded for Tony Watson…

Sanders (Washington): It seems Dennis Santana's reliever potential is a lot more severe than I thought. Is that true?

Kyle Glaser: Dennis Santana was 100 percent reliever for most scouts throughout this year. Then, at the very, very end of the year at Double-A, his changeup began to show something. So now you’re talking about 94-95 sinker, knee buckling slider that keeps righties in check, and possibly a solid-average changeup to handle lefties….that CH is going to be key. He still probably ends up relieving, but there is a better chance he starts now than there was in June

Will Smith (Tulsa OK): How much did my AFL performance affect my ranking?

Kyle Glaser: Smith actually stayed in the same spot. Reports were due before the conclusion of the AFL, but obviously that type of offensive comeback coming off a hand injury was incredibly encouraging. Either way, he was a top 10 prospect in a top 10 system

Jeff (Los Angeles CA): Where would Matt Beaty have ranked? Is he ok the 10-15 range?

Kyle Glaser: Beaty is a tad lower. He’s hit everywhere he’s been, has some defensive versatility on the corners and is a really smart, sound ballplayer. At the same time, most evaluators see him as a big league bench guy, not someone who starts at that level.

Rookie Gage (Alabama): Can you comment on the potential of Parker Curry? I know the organization has placed him relief role away from starting. Where do you see his future?

Kyle Glaser: Curry drew a lot of interest from scouts from opposing teams this year. I remember being at Rancho Cucamonga this summer and he came in pumping 94 with a swing-and-miss 87-88 mph slider and the radar guns and notepads came out immediately. He’s got the stuff to be a big league reliever, no question

Owen (NJ): Saw Yusniel Diaz for the first time at AFL. Looked great. Could you put a comp on him? What do you have on the hit/power tools?

Kyle Glaser: He’s looked great ever since May when he adjusted his setup and pre-pitch movement. Most see a .280, 30 2B, 16-18 HR type guy (roughly 55-60 hit, 50 power) but there are scouts out there who think he’ll eventually get to some more power, possibly plus. He’s a really good everyday big leaguer either way, an All-Star if that power a few (but not all) scouts see comes.

Owen (NJ): Does Julio Urias have any future or is he done?

Kyle Glaser: Without having access to (and a complete understanding of) Urias’ medical records, anyone trying to answer this question is irresponsibly posturing

Fred (LA): Does Walker Buehler lack a 3rd pitch or are the Dodgers holding back his slider usage a year removed after TJS?

Kyle Glaser: Nope. Buehler’s got a fastball, curveball, and slider that all project plus to above. He showed his slider plenty this year (including more than a few in the majors). His changeup needs to come along, but he’s in good shape with the three pitches he has

Doug (Centennial): What is Starling Heridias eventual upside look like?

Kyle Glaser: Everyday outfielder hitting .230 with 30 HRs is the hope. Whether or not he gets there, that’s up for debate

Roger H. (Oklahoma City, OK): What have you heard about Melvin Jimenez? Is he a pitcher that could burst onto the scene next year a la Mitch White?

Kyle Glaser: You’ve hit on the sleeper of the system. White, by virtue of being a college draftee with upper 90s velo, was way, way further ahead than Jimenez presently is. That said, there is plenty to like about Jimenez’s potential. Good life on the fastball, developing curveball, lean, athletic build, good control and advanced feel to pitch for someone his age. He’s a very young pitcher with a lot of steps ahead, but he’s definitely a guy to watch moving forward.

Greg (Kellyville, OK): What is a realistic ceiling / projection for Morgan Cooper? Where could he begin the year?

Kyle Glaser: That’s going depend on what the doctor says. If he’s healthy and pitches to his potential, some saw a No. 3 or 4 starter at Texas. But that was when he was healthy and in college, two things he isn’t right now. He may start in extended spring truthfully. Health is what matters for him more than projection right now

Ryan (LA): Is Will Smith athletic enough to be a regular at 2B? His path looks blocked to LA with Grandal/Barnes and Ruiz right behind him.

Kyle Glaser: There is a sense Smith has the athleticism, yes, but truthfully he’s way beyond Ruiz as far as receiving, blocking, controlling the run game, etc. If the Dodgers value catcher defense over the bat, it’s Ruiz that will be moving, not Smith.

Jeff (rey.): How does Keibert compare to other catching uber-prospects like Matt Wieters and Buster Posey?

Kyle Glaser: Those were top 10 guys at their peak. While Ruiz is very talented, no one sees him quite there yet.

Keibert Ruiz (LA): After Francisco Meija graduates to the majors, am I the best catching prospect in all of baseball? My offensive game, especially for the catcher is beyond my years and reports are defense is improving. Do you think I have a chance to be a future top 10 prospect in all of baseball/

Kyle Glaser: The answer is yes to both questions as long as Ruiz continues to fine-tune and strengthen his swing from the right side and keep making improvements defensively, especially as it pertains to controlling the run game.

Michael Stern (Rochester NY): I was very surprised not to see Edwin Rios in the top 10. All he does is hit, and hit for power, everywhere he goes.How do the Dodgers view him, and what do you see for his future with L.A. ?Does he have a fit or will he have to be dealt? Thanks for the chat!

Kyle Glaser: Rios is the first position player off the list. He is blocked with Cody Bellinger at 1B and Justin Turner at 3B, so as long as he is a Dodger he’s limited to a bench bat. There was a sense he has enough power and ability to get to it that he could start for a second division team somewhere, but obviously a trade has to happen to make that occur.

Alex (SF): Thanks for chatting with us today. What have been the scouting reports you've gotten on Keibert Ruiz? He seems to have taken a huge step in 2017 looking good in LoA and actually getting better after moving up to HiA. Is it safe to say that Ruiz will be a top 50 prospect with 2018 rankings come out? Do you think he's playing in AA by July?

Kyle Glaser: The full scouting report on Ruiz is available in our top 10. As long as you subscribe to BA, you can read it. He made a cameo at AA in the playoffs last year, it’s very possible he gets back there by July.

Barnold (Dunedin): Whatever happened with Jose Miguel Fernandez? He was cut recently, but did he really have that bad a year?

Kyle Glaser: His defense was really, really, really bad. As in, completely unplayable at every spot on the field. If you’re the Dodgers, no sense keeping a soon-to-be 30 year old with no future in your organization, seeing as you’re an NL team

Dan (Baltimore): Does Kendall carry any Buddy Reed risk (tooled up college player but serious hit tool issues)? I do have faith in the Dodgers given what they were able to do with Cody B

Kyle Glaser: Jeren Kendall is a way, way better hitter than Buddy Reed ever has been. Kendall’s “bad” junior year at Vanderbilt was .307, 15 HR, 53 RBI and a .928 OPS. Reed’s junior year at Florida was .262, 4 HR, 32 RBI, .757 OPS. There was a strong sense that Kendall’s swing-and-miss issues were based in his setup, and they’ve revamped some things in instructs that they hope will allow his natural athleticism and hitting ability flourish. He’s a very, very different, and better, hitter than Reed

Mitchell Baker (Evansville, IN): What kept Dustin May from cracking the top 10? Could he still be a solid mid-rotation guy in the MLB?

Kyle Glaser: We went over that earlier, but yes, May has mid-rotation potential if he adds the necessary weight and strength to improve his velocity

David (St. Louis): Thanks for the chat. Will you guys being doing podcasts for each system again this year? Those were great!

Kyle Glaser: That’s a great question. I will run that up the ladder

DD (The World): Imani Abdullah had an undisclosed injury that cost him most of the season. Any idea what that injury was/is?

Kyle Glaser: Abdullah spent the first part of the year in extended on a strength and conditioning program, and then he had some shoulder issues at the end of the season. Wasn’t considered anything too severe.

DD (The World): Who's someone in the last-third of the Top 30 (or someone outside it) who could jump into the Top 10 prior to the 2019 season?

Kyle Glaser: Melvin Jimenez is a solid bet as any. Jesus Vargas is another young arm worth watching. If Imani Abduallah comes back healthy or James Marinan returns with better control after his first offseason in the Dodger system, both have some potential to move up quickly.

Seth Ferguson (Indiana): How much of Ruiz’s ranking is because of his defense and how much of it is because of his offense?

Kyle Glaser: Offense primarily, but his defense is plenty good for his age. Just has some things to shore up back there.

Brian (Detroit): Thank you for the chat! This has got to be one of the top three systems. Yes? Top five? How many make the top 100? Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving.

Kyle Glaser: It’s a top 10 system, probably not quite top three but it’ll be in the conversation. Our full organizational talent rankings will be out in the spring once everything settles from trades, etc. And Happy Thanksgiving to you as well

Tim (Pasadena): Who is the best LHH in the system not named Verdugo?

Kyle Glaser: Edwin Rios

JaKob (Dallas): What kind of upside does Dustin May have? I was thoroughly impressed a 19yr old was able to pitch 134 innings without wearing down.. (August was one of his better months) Are we looking at a workhorse #3 or does he have #2 upside?

Kyle Glaser: Workhorse mid-rotation if he adds the necessary velocity. But yes, the fact May held up so well (and finished strong too) despite concerns about his durability and frame are incredibly encouraging

Dean Gulberry (Jenks, OK): Any thoughts on James Marinan?

Kyle Glaser: Has the ingredients to be a power starting pitches, but has some delivery issues to work through that led to all those walks in the GCL. That will be his main focus, getting his delivery on line to the plate, in his first full season as a pro. If he can’t do that, his stuff won’t matter. So, we’ll see what that looks like in the spring

Bertram (Taiwan): What can you tell us about Edwin Rios? Was it system depth or lack of a position that kept him out of the top ten?

Kyle Glaser: Mostly system depth. Lefthanded bats with Rios’ type of power generally find their way on to the Top 10 in a lot of systems. Even if he is limited to 1B (which he likely is, based on scouts’ opinions of his 3B play) he has the power bat to make it work.

Bill (Toronto): Omar Estevez was young for his level, but put up a pretty poor stat line. Does he look like a future utility guy or is there enough potential with the bat where he could be an everyday 2B?

Kyle Glaser: Most see Estevez as a Triple-A player. tops. He is way heavier than his listed weight, doesn’t project to ever really hit and his defense went from horrible to playable, but no better. Two straight years now that’s been the report, there isn’t really a reason to expect him to be a big leaguer

Todd (Midland, MI): Imani Abdullah was signed with some fanfare and has been lauded in some circles as a possible MLB starting pitcher down the road. But he's struggled with injuries and hasn't been able to stay on the field. What are scouts and managers saying about him?

Kyle Glaser: He’s so, so, so raw you really just need to take it step by step with him. Remember he never even really pitched until his junior year of high school, so even among HS standards he was raw. His body, his mechanics, it’s all a long, long ways away. He’s a long-term project to keep an eye on, but don’t get overly excited or overly disappointed with the inevitable peaks and valleys

David Hutchinson (Bentonville, AR): Should we expect to see Jeren Kendall in Tulsa next season? Thanks!

Kyle Glaser: Only if he rakes in Great Lakes and Rancho Cucamonga. Kendall really needs to go step by step to ensure the setup and mechanical changes in his swing take hold and he doesn’t regress into his old ways

Dane (Riverside): Scott Barlow put up excellent numbers in Tulsa, but he was repeating AA and struggled upon his call-up to AAA and was sent down. Would it be correct to assume the stuff is too light for him to be promoted? How does he profile?

Kyle Glaser: The Dodgers let Barlow go as a minor league free agent earlier this month. I think that answers your question

Kyle W. (Jacksonville, FL): Coming out of the amateur draft, scouts compared Mitchell Hansen to Shawn Green. Three years later, he's never played above low-a ball as guy who turns 22 next spring. Any chance he turns into a big league regular? What's the report on him?

Kyle Glaser: Considering Green was the 16th overall pick in a very strong 1991 draft and Hansen was 67th in his draft, that comparison was off-base from that start. Hansen in all honesty has become a non-prospect in the eyes of most evaluators. Physical and athletic, but his lack of hitting ability is overwhelming

Josh (LA): How close was Heredia to making the top 10? Could he make a solid jump up the list with a strong showing in the MWL?

Kyle Glaser: Potentially with some graduations as well. Heredia is a talented kid, but pretty consistently he gets a solid everyday grade with high risk. Not a standout grade with high risk or a solid everyday grade with low/medium risk. It seems to me Dodgers fans expectations are a little over the top, based on the enthusiasm I sense compared to the consistent reports from evaluators, even the ones who saw him great in the Pioneer League

Andrew (Toronto): What gradet would you put on DJ Peter's power for the future? Is it potentialy a 70 or even an 80? Also, is he a top 100 prospect right now?

Kyle Glaser: Peters is a 60 power, maybe have a 70-type season once in a while. Definitely not 80. And no, he is not a top 100 prospect. The swing-and-miss in his game is alarming. That said, a 21-year-old with his mix of size, physicality, athleticism and power he can get to is not someone you ever want to doubt. If it all comes together, think Steven Souza’s line last year (.239/.351/.459, 30 HR, 29 pct K rate)

Minorkle (OshKosh): Will Alex Verdugo be trade bait?

Kyle Glaser: He’ll certainly be discussed. Dodgers will have plenty of options depending on what they want to do

Wesley (Racine, WI): How far off the Top 10 are Starling Heredia and Cristian Santana?

Kyle Glaser: I’m glad you asked about Santana, who quite a few people actually liked better than Heredia. Both are in the Top 30 and rank fairly well. You can find out exactly where when our Prospect Handbook comes out

Aaron (Kenosha, WI): Does Gavin Lux still have a chance to be an MLB shortstop? How far off this list has he fallen, and how do you like his chances of a rebound year?

Kyle Glaser: Not many believe Lux will be an ML shortstop, but he’s put in the work this fall to allay those concerns, so it will be interesting to see what he looks like at Rancho Cucamonga next year. He hit a lot better in the second half, and if he can carry those adjustments forward into the Cal League, a rebound-type year is definitely in the cards.

James (Los Angeles): Will Zach Reks hit enough to be a major league starting outfielder or more of a utility guy?

Kyle Glaser: To be perfectly honest, Reks did not come up once, with anyone inside or outside the org, as a future big leaguer.

Wyatt Logan (Fresno, CA): Seems like Trayce Thompson is not in the team’s crowded Outfield plans. Joc, Puig, Verdugo, Toles, etc, all Rank ahead of him. As such, how about trading him to the A’s, so that he can be near his brother Klay? Might as well try and get a Single A prospect for him before he gets too old or worse, waived or released.

Kyle Glaser: It is difficult to find a place for Trayce, although a righthanded platoon/bench bat is where he fits best anyway, and he’d be one of only two RHHs in that group. Might be worth hanging on to as that RHH platoon OF bat, wouldn’t give him away just for an organizational arm

Ben (Montreal): Hi Kyle, I was wondering if Yadier Alvarez has a strong start in 2018, do you think he could make it to the show by september ? And what about his future : starter or reliever long term? Thanks ! Ben

Kyle Glaser: Hi Ben, Alvarez is a pure reliever, 100 percent. It’s interesting to me watching the discourse about him among Dodgers fans, when for evaluators it’s a slam dunk that he is a late inning bullpen arm. The command, control and third pitch just aren’t there and don’t ever project to be there for Alvarez to start. So, if the Dodgers make the move by May, he takes to the bullpen and cruises up through AAA, could he get a September callup? Sure. Even if they start him as long as possible, there still is a decent shot he gets a callup as a reliever.

Trevor (Stockton, CA): Will Smith was rated as the Best Defensive Catcher in the California League? Really? I saw a pretty good one here in Stockton named Sean Murphy. Can you elaborate on their differences?

Kyle Glaser: Sean Murphy is an absolute stud. Best Tools are voted on by managers in the league, and Smith simply got more votes. At the same time, you’re talking about two of the best defensive catchers in the minors. Smith is a little more agile side-to-side, Murphy has the better arm, both are excellent relievers who have caught elite stuff, and both know how to call a game. Smith got a few more plaudits for his leadership, captain of the infield, etc, but no one dinged Murphy for that, it just wasn’t brought up as frequently

Randy (So Cal): Did White do enough to overtake Alvarez or did Alvarez just not take a step forward?

Kyle Glaser: White is the better pitcher, pure and simple. His arsenal is deeper, his control is better, he misses more bats, he’s more durable (which is saying something, because durability is White’s biggest concern). White’s a full half grade higher of a ceiling, with a better chance to start. Diaz at 6 was closer to Alvarez at 5 than Alvarez at 5 is to White at 4.

Vivek (Maryland): Will Trevor Oaks be protected from Rule 5? How do you see the Dodgers making space on the 40 man?

Kyle Glaser: We’ll find out tonight. I’d be very surprised if Oaks wasn’t be added, although how healthy he is (he missed the second half with a strained oblique) could play a role.

Randy (So Cal): In the short time that Kendall has been in the org, has he improved his contact?

Kyle Glaser: There was a sense Kendall made some strides in instructs, but again, it was instructs. We won’t really know until the actual games start next spring

Anthony (Buffalo): What do you make of Yadi Alvarez's poor season?

Kyle Glaser: People consistently underestimate how poor a level of baseball Low A is and get way too overexcited about guys who show well there. If you throw hard in low A, hitters with no plate discipline will swing through it no matter where the ball is pitched. They don’t do that in high A and especially not in Double-A. Guys get revealed for who they really are at higher levels. This is who Alvarez is, a power arm with limited control and secondaries who can do some damage at the end of games but doesn’t have the components to start.

Anthony (Buffalo): Does Yusniel Diaz stay in CF? Do you see him having enough in-game power to run a .180-.200 ISO annually?

Kyle Glaser: Diaz is more of a right fielder who can play some center as needed. And he may, but it will be doubles driven more than home runs driven

Jeff (CA): Other publications I’ve read ranking Dodger prospects always have Alvarez ahead of White. Why did you rank Mitchell White ahead of Yadier Alvarez?

Kyle Glaser: I can’t speak to the scouts other publications spoke to or what they saw in their looks. Everything we do at BA – aggressive digging and hours of conversations with scouts and managers and front office people around the game, taking hard looks at guys for ourselves, comprehensive statistical analysis driven by our numbers man Matt Eddy – made it clear cut that White is the better prospect moving forward, and it was not close. To be honest, we gave Alvarez credit ranking him as high as we even did. Ranking him below Yusniel Diaz would have been more in line with every input of information received over the course of the year

Nate (Denver): How close was Caleb Ferguson to making the cut? He seemed to do pretty well for a 20 year old in the CAL league. Wondering if you could share your thoughts on this pitcher. Thanks!

Kyle Glaser: Caleb Ferguson is interesting. Young lefties who can run it up to 94, show you a 12-to-6 downer curveball and keep runs off the board in the California League are very, very intriguing. At the same time, evaluators saw a late arm that lends itself to poor control, and he gets caught in between a curveball and slider a lot and doesn’t really snap off his best curveball with a ton of consistency. He also nibbles too much and has problems staying on the attack. Ferguson’s shortcomings with his arm action, control and secondary consistency had most evaluators penciling him in as a AAA bullpen guy, but lefties with his stuff generally get moved a tick higher, and he has a shot as a lefty specialist down the road

AQ (Bay Area): Ruiz is only 18.. think LAD rush him or start him at Single A?

Kyle Glaser: There is zero reason to rush him when you have Austin Barnes in the big leagues, Kyle Farmer ready at Triple-A/majors and Will Smith – who is the better defensive catcher anyway – a level higher. Ruiz will move up when he shows he’s ready. There is no organizational need for him to move quicker than that

Jeff (CA): Is DJ Peters projected to be a high strikeout, high homerun hitter in the majors?

Kyle Glaser: Yup. 25 home runs and “a jilluon” strikeouts in the words of one evaluator. Another noted that he doesn’t like the way today’s game is going – HR, BB or SO – but Peters fits it.

Phillip (SD): Any chance at all Ibandel Isabel ever hits enough to be a big leauger? I've heard tales of incredible power!

Kyle Glaser: Haha there we go. Someone asked about 80 power earlier, and there is one guy in the Dodgers system who has it, and his name is Ibandel Isabel. We received some exit velos this year…they were in line with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge (not exaggerating). The problem is…..he has “no chance” to hit at higher levels in the words of one evaluator, with all others agreeing. There’s a ton of swing and miss, zero pitch recognition, and his bat only really gets to one specific spot in the strike zone. But many when he gets a hold of one, he goes 450-plus. I’ve got confirmation of him hitting it out of at least three Cal League stadiums this year. Even evaluators lament they don’t think he’ll hit, because in their words its “fun” to watch him get a hold of one.

Connor (Boston): Heard the BA podcast in late June when you, JJ and Josh talked Alvarez. Some things that were said were "30 control, 30 command. Fringe-average at best at peak. Has the FB and nothing else going for him". That's harsh; I know this was simply just relayed information from scouts, but that doesn't sound like all that great of a prospect. Were there improvements made during the season? or do most of these criticisms still hold true?

Kyle Glaser: That’s the information relayed from scouts, the quality that was witnessed firsthand, and it was confirmed throughout the year again and again. You are correct that Alvarez’s prospect status before the year was overblown – again, I blame overexcitement based on not understanding how low a quality of baseball low Class A is – but you still see a power fastball and workable slider that, if he can get that control or command to fringe-average, still make him a nice option to have at the end of games.

Jose (Louisville): Where would Willie Calhoun have ranked if he hadn't been traded?

Kyle Glaser: Calhoun would have ranked No. 3. The reports out of Oklahoma City were he was actually proving playable in LF, and no one has ever questioned the bat. He would have ranked very well

JOSE (Santa Ana Ca.): what is your opinion of 3B Rylan Bannon? I know he was old for his level, but he put numbers that very similar to what he did in college. Very impresive.

Kyle Glaser: Bannon got a lot of love from managers and scouts. He’s short but strong, twitchy and plays a ridiculous third base, can really throw. He’s athletic enough to play 2B or C if they wanted to do that. Main thing with him is evaluators want to see the bat against similar-aged competition outside of the Pioneer League before they bite, but he showed a lot to like after being drafted

AJ (Orange County): Noticed that Yadier Alvarez did not crack your projected 2021 rotation. Is it more for his somewhat behind the curve development, or Mitchell White's positive progress? Can you elaborate more on them? Thanks.

Kyle Glaser: It’s because Alvarez will be relieving in the 7th or 8th inning.

Nolan (NY): I love cristian santana’ swing! But I wonder what is his long term position?

Kyle Glaser: Cristian Santana actually showed really, really well at third base for scouts at Great Lakes. A few put plus defender with a plus arm at third base for him. That’s his long-term position

Nolan (NY): Casey Donovan or Rylan Bannon.. who is better prospect?

Kyle Glaser: Rylan Bannon, but Casey got a lot of positive reviews for his athleticism, speed, arm and ability to turn his tools into production

Tommy Lasorda (Columbus MO): Thanks for all the great work. Why are all the other chats behind a Paywall this year?

Kyle Glaser: At BA we bring together a lot of information culled from scouts, managers, front office officials and more, and at a management level the determination was made that information was valuable enough to put behind the paywall. I strongly encourage you to subscribe. We work hard to bring you all more information than ever

AJ (Orange County): Is Scavuzzo still capable of developing into a major leaguer, or is he more or less tapped out in high minors?

Kyle Glaser: Scavuzzo is seen as an organizational player at this point. That said, a trade to a team with lesser glut of outfielders could get him a better opportunity.

Jacob (Dallas, TX): What have you heard about Julio Urias' recovery? One person's opinion is that "He would be surprised if he pitched again." Was the injury that severe?

Kyle Glaser: Unless that person has direct access to Urias’ medical records, it’s pointless posturing. We’ll see what he looks like when he gets back, and go from there

Matt (LaLa Land): Keibert Ruiz looks like the real deal. His offensive game seems to be extremely polished for a 19 year old catcher. He thrived in stops in LoA and HiA in 2017. Do you think Ruiz opens 2018 in HiA and ends the year in AA or even a taste of AAA? Is he tracking to become the best catching prospect in baseball?

Kyle Glaser: Breakout players always arise, but once Francisco Mejia (and maybe Carson Kelly and Chance Sisco because they’re closer) graduate, it is very viable for Ruiz to be the top catching prospect in the game

Peter (SC): A bit surprised by Dustin May’s omission. Performed strongly as a 19-yo in full season ball. I know he has some concerns about frame but he’s doing about as well as could be asked. Just a matter of seeing him do it at High-A?

Kyle Glaser: A lot of it is just waiting for the velocity to jump. He was 89-91, a couple 92s and the occasional 93 for scouts, and while you can project that to go up as he gets bigger and stronger, some prefer to wait for it to happen before running him up, especially when the guy whose spot he was competing with (Santana) already mastered HiA and sits 94-95 and touches 97 with sink. (And has a better CH). But again, May is a very, very good prospect who could have a better career than a lot of the guys on this list, and it wouldn’t be a shock

Frank (Indianapolis IN): When does the prospect handbook release? Already pre-ordered a copy.

Kyle Glaser: The Prospect Handbook goes to press Dec. 22 and is shipped mid-January I believe, so keep an eye out around then

Kyle Glaser: Alright everyone, I think that will about do it. Thanks so much for your questions, and hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving