Prospect Hot Sheet Chat

Keith (Farmington, CT): Thanks JJ. Forrest Whitley's gotten of to a good start in Hi A at age 19. Do you see #2 starter upside, or is that too aggressive?

J.J. Cooper: Hey everyone. Sorry I’m late. Whitley has No. 2 upside, yes. He could be one of the best pitching prospects in baseball at this time next year. He’s not far off of that right now.

Anthony (Maryland): Bo Bichette is a level higher, putting up the same ridiculous, near .400 batting average (albeit small sample size). He's stealing bases, taking walks. If he keeps this up eventually people are going to need to stop worrying about the swing right?

J.J. Cooper: Yes. Hitting is hitting. The jump to Double-A will be a further test, but now we’re talking about how much impact he’s going to have, not whether his hitting approach will work.

Rich (NJ): Darick Hall has put up big power numbers for Lakewood - what are your thoughts on his potential?

J.J. Cooper: I’m still a skeptic. He’s always had big power and it’s a good year, but it’s a very power-heavy approach and scouts aren’t sure it will play at higher levels.

Jose (DC): What do you make of Kopech's fantastic start? Result of a mechanical change and a new approach, or just one of those good outings that control-issue pitchers will give you a couple times a season?

J.J. Cooper: No massive mechanical change. He’s more inline to the plate in recent outings and that’s a point of emphasis for him but it’s not a massive rework or anything. Control is the absolute trickiest thing to project and it does wax and wane (as Betances is showing this year). I expect he’ll fall off the wagon control wise a few more times this year, but he’s making steps forward.

Bill (Delaware): The Braves are getting all the attention for aggressive promotions of Soroka, Acuna, etc. The Astros seem to be getting aggressive too right? Was 12 games really enough for Franklin Perez at A+? Seems like Kyle Tucker could even see a week or 2 in AAA at this rate (provided his current injury isn't serious).

J.J. Cooper: Yes they have been aggressive, although there’s are also leavened by logjams that meant J.D. Davis returned to Double-A, Myles Straw has spent the whole year in high Class A, etc. Perez has moved quickly, but he was above that level in his best outings. Whitley doesn’t seem overtaxed by the jump to HiA either.

Waltharius (Tokyo): If Shohei Otani enters the minors today, where will you place on your ranking? And, what do you think the ceiling is for prep arms Padres have such as Gore, Thompson and Lawson?

J.J. Cooper: No. 1 to me. Better pitching prospect than anyone in the minors right now, although the injury issues this year do dim his star ever so slightly. Gore’s ceiling is as high as almost any pitcher in the minors. Thompson and Lawson’s ceilings are a little lower, but are very, very lofty as well.

Coach (Los Angeles): Scratching my head how Stubbs made BA Top 10 over Martin. Martin's AA line 298/331/578/909. That 578 slugging tops the Texas League and I believe third overall in AA. On the season so far 15 HR's. Obviously, the power that showed up in Lancaster was legit. Defensively, the arm isn't elite but his athleticism and speed enables him to track down and snag balls that most couldn't. Just curious how close he was to making the iist?

J.J. Cooper: He wouldn’t have been No. 11, but that’s a reflection of the depth of the system more than a knock on him. He’s moving up our list obviously. I am a big believer in Stubbs, largely because I believe the value of a legit defensive catcher with bat to ball skills is extremely high. Look at a guy like Tucker Barnhart or Austin Barnes or Manny Pina. Stubbs is a really good defensive catcher and he can hit at least a little, that’s very valuable. Martin is a tweener defensively according to most scouts, better in the corners than center. He may hit enough to make that work, but Stubbs has a much clearer path because of his defensive role.

dave (queens): Overall Outfielders who hit Home Runs seem to be everywhere. JD Martinez who has hit over 30 for a couple of years didn't get top prospects in a trade. Does BA take that into account when ranking prospects? Should you downgrade power hitting OFs since they are so common?

J.J. Cooper: We have had discussions about this in our office and have talked to scouts about it. I don’t think it should lead to downgrading players like Martinez–he can hit and hit for power–but it does mean that players like Matt Davidson are a dime a dozen these days. Davidson could end up with 30 home runs this year, but since he doesn’t walk much and doesn’t have much defensive value most analytical stats have him as a replacement-level player this year.

Skrip (Chicago): Thank you for the time today. The White Sox have really stockpiled the system over the last 7-8 months. Can you rank the their pitching prospects 1-5 for us?

J.J. Cooper: That’s pretty easy as we just did it with our White Sox Top 10. We lined it up Kopech, Lopez, Giolito, Cease and Dane Dunning.

Iggy (Denver): Great list and thanks for taking my question! How does a guy like Ryan McMahon miss the list? He had a better week with AVG, XBH, etc then say a Tyler O'Neill. Second part, if he played in the Yankee organization, is it safe to say the 22 year old would be getting way way more hype then what his .379 average is currently getting at AAA? Thanks again love you guys!!

J.J. Cooper: McMahon has been on here a number of times this year but McMahon had three extra base hits this week, O’Neill had five home runs, so it’s fair to say his week was good this week but not as good as the guys who made the list. It’s a great year and that’s why he’s on the Top 100.

John (Louisville): You have some regional guys on vacation this week? Seems like you missed some strong performances. brendan Rodgers making the AA adjustments...Joey Wentz (like the braves need another arm) need a promotion? Videos of that curve look plus-plus...thoughts?

J.J. Cooper: I put together the full list this week and did the same last week, so maybe I’m just slipping. Rodgers hit .258 this week, that’s not Hot Sheet worthy. Wentz isn’t really in need of a promotion yet.

Rod (Sao Paulo): Fanti, JoJo and Sixto are putting great numbers. Who is the better prospect, why and is there much separation between them?

J.J. Cooper: Sixto. His stuff is at a different level.

Dave (Williamsburg): Who is your favorite prospect outside the top 50 that you think is a star in the making?

J.J. Cooper: I’ll go deeper. I think Dodgers catcher Keibert Ruiz might be the top catching prospect in baseball at this time next year.

llya (New York): It appears that the Yankees soured on Rutherford. Did they something the rest of us didn't? He seemed to look like a future stud.

J.J. Cooper: They have other guys with as much potential. The emergence of Florial made it easier to trade him.

Tito (Philly): Is it absurd to think Cornelius Randolph could turn into a Bobby Abreu-type for the Phils? And yes, I know Bobby was a fringe HOF candidate

J.J. Cooper: I like the thinking as like Abreu, Randolph is a hit first corner outfielder, but his defense isn’t at Abreu’s level and I don’t know if he’ll eventually get to Abreu’s power.

Kevin (Ardsley NY): JJ, what is your take on Pete Alonso? Is he the better projected first baseman in the majors than Dominic Smith?

J.J. Cooper: No. He has more power, but Smith is more well rounded and amazingly enough is younger than Alonso.

Jimbo (Texas): Out of the following 3 disappointing players so far in their young careers who do you think has the best chance to turn things around? Daz Cameron, Trent Clark or Forest Wall?

J.J. Cooper: Cameron. He has the most defensive value which gives him more opportunities to earn a big league job while continuing to figure out the hitting.

Danny V (Glastonbury, CT): Any love for Dodgers C Keibert Ruiz tearing up the CAL at 19? How does he compare to Will Smith off/def?

J.J. Cooper: See my answer above. Smith is better defensively, Ruiz has more offensive potential.

Keith (Syracuse): Can you please give me the name of a Bat and an Arm that not enough people are talking about, guys that in the next season or two could climb to the top of your top 100 prospects list?

J.J. Cooper: I’m trying not to cheat and pick guys who just missed the Top 100. How about 2 guys who won’t make midseason top 10s. I’m sticking with Keibert Ruiz for the hitter. Could go a thousand ways on the pitcher, but I’ll throw out Mason Thompson of the Padres. Just needs to be healthy for a full season and could really take off.

greg (Fallsington): Nick Fanti's ceiling?

J.J. Cooper: Back end lefty who succeeds based on guile and a good changeup.

Ben (Miamisburg, OH): Do you think we could see Tyler Mahle in the big leagues this year, or with him only being 22 and not yet on the 40 man will they wait until a month or so into 2018?

J.J. Cooper: No reason to push him onto the 40-man when you don’t need to.

Handrich (Wauwatosa, WI): Corbin Burnes is the best pitcher in the minors that very few people know about. True or False?

J.J. Cooper: Best or most effective? I’d agree on most effective.

JB (Iowa): Could a mix of Candelario and Almora get Darvish from Rangers?

J.J. Cooper: No. Not close in my mind.

Ryan (DC): Why not Jake Rogers over Stubbs? Similar defensively and he's crushing it, not enough track record with the bat?

J.J. Cooper: He’s right behind him to me and could pass him eventually as he is bigger/more traditionally sized. But Rogers’ track record is shorter and I’m not forgetting what Stubbs did last year just because his numbers have dipped this year.

Bruce (New York, NY): After trading Rutheford and Clarking, are the Yankees still a top 3 farm system like they were preseason. If not where are they and who's ahead of them?

J.J. Cooper: Top 5 at least to me. Clarkin was a 10-20 prospect at best in their system right now, so losing him doesn’t ding it too much to me. As much as trading Rutherford does hurt, the rise of Florial makes up in many ways for losing him. Losing Judge (Top 100 preseason) hurts more.

Danny (Philly): What is kind of buzz is Jhailyn Ortiz getting? Granted he's years away but so far so good, no?

J.J. Cooper: Big power, better athlete than his body would seem to indicate.

Rodrigo (Sao Paulo): Teoscar and Martin are doing well. Better long term (cielling) any of them or Yordan Alvarez?

J.J. Cooper: Alvarez has the best combo of power/hit to me, but he also has much less defensive value.

Tyler Mahle (Still in Louisville): Why do my teammates get invited to Cincinnati but not me?

J.J. Cooper: 40-man roster spot is the big reason. Also a good answer to why we have seen Ariel Hernandez in the big leagues and not Jimmy Herget.

Casey (Morgantown): Give me some information on Michel Baez with the Friars. I realize he's only had four starts and is older than the A competition but the dude is dominating. Add to that his 6'8 frame with some serious heat. Signed for 4 million out of Cuba. Is it a reach to consider him a sleeper frontline type starter if everything clicks?

J.J. Cooper: Hard to call him a sleeper, especially when you see our updated Padres Top 10.

David (STL): Austin Hays has cut back on his K rate in a seemingly meaningful way this year, taking into account his cozy (future) home confines, what is a realistic outcome?

J.J. Cooper: Everyday outfielder with the bat to have all-star seasons at his best. He’s a good bat. Great pick by the Os.

Ben (Miamisburg, OH): A little surprised Jose Siri made the Reds top 10. The tools are off the charts and he's hitting well, but that plate discipline is still pretty brutal and he turns 22 tomorrow and is still in Low A. Do you think he can make (another) big improvement in his K to BB ratio?

J.J. Cooper: I think he can. The improvements from day one of this year to now are pretty significant. And his tools give him a higher floor than many may expect because he provides defensive value as well.

Brian (Bigdaddy,USA): Besides for Reed, do you see the Mets' getting any possible impact prospects back in trades?

J.J. Cooper: Reed probably brings the best haul. If J.D. Martinez brings back Dawel Lugo, etc., what does Jay Bruce bring back?

Noel (Portland): How many Astros on this hot sheet are still with the team 2 weeks from now?

J.J. Cooper: A majority, but if I need an outfielder, I’m talking to the Astros. They have more in the high minors than they could possibly fit onto the big league roster. Not all will work out obviously, but some deals can be had.

Nathan (Las Vegas): Is Billy Eppler turning the Angels organization in the right direction? Has the Angels farm system improved since Eppler took over?

J.J. Cooper: Yes. As we wrote in today’s Hot Sheet the farm system is improving. It’s slow improvement but it is improving.

Steve (Chicago): Is Kopech's walk rate any concern? Overall his BB/9 is very high

J.J. Cooper: Absolutely. If not for his below-average control Kopech would likely be the best pitching prospect in baseball. He throws extremely hard, has a quality breaking ball and everything other than his control projects as that of a front-end starter.

Jason L. (Pleasant Hill, CA): Much better job at spreading the wealth this week between prospects at all 3 Levels of the Minors. Last week's Hot Sheet had 15 of the 20 players playing at Single A or lower. Kind of need to come up with some kind of weighted scale, favoring Triple and Double A, to prevent so many lower lever prospects from dominating the weekly list.

J.J. Cooper: Jason that was because AA and AAA took part of the week off for all-star games. If you don’t play games you can’t crack the Hot Sheet.

Brian (Greensboro, NC): How good will the Braves rotation be in a few years with Folty, Allard, Soroka, Wright, and Anderson/Wentz/Newcomb??

J.J. Cooper: Could be quite good, but good they have numbers because with pitchers some will get hurt, some will fail to progress and some will surprise in a good way.

J.J. Cooper: Thanks everyone for the questions. We’ll be back next Friday with another Hot Sheet.