Prospect Hot Sheet Chat (June 3)

Steve (San Diego): Taking stolen bases out of the equation, who has the better offensive profile...Trea Turner or Willy Adames?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Hello, hello … Good Friday everyone. For me and just me probably, I like Turner. I love the speed and I think the hit tool is better. Adames will have more power, but I like Turner’s hit tool and defense.

Cole (Chicago): Hunter Renfroe's changes have produced positive results. What's his ETA and upside?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: I think it’ll be this year. For me, he’s a .250, 20-80 guy, with a prototype right fielder’s arm. Maybe an all-star appearance here or there.

satchel (las Vegas): Hi Vince, Astros farm is loaded with arms, how do you rank Paulino, Abreu and Musgrove? Any of the three a frontline ace type of arm? Thanks
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Sorry, sidetracked by podcast from Would-Be Comedians In Cars Driving To Raleigh. Check it out (https://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/baseball-america-draft-podcast-12/#MdOSSoY0JcmFBwbe.97) Aces are rare, ultra-rare. I think you’ve got three mid-rotation types at their best. For me, Musgrove’s command and physicality put him at the top of this list. I saw Abreu about a month ago, so I’d put him next then Paulino. But that’s me.

Paul Reiter (Cleveland, Oh): I caught a start a month ago and last week from Albert Abreu. So far in my opinion Anderson Espinoza and Junior Fernandez are the 2 highest upside pitching prospects in the LOWER levels this year. But what I saw in Albert Abreu was a future #1 SP. Obviously his secondaries are below average right now but his ability to throw them is great so I believe it's just a matter of time before they become above average to plus pitches. What is your take on 'the great Albert Abreu'?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Espinoza probably has the highest upside and is the most polished. Fernandez is in a group with his Peoria brethren such as Sandy Alcantara and Derian Gonzalez. No. 1 guys are really hard to find. How many are there in the majors? Five-10? Abreu has a good fastball, but the secondary stuff needs polish. He rushes the delivery at times. No. 1? Not likely. I think the ceiling is more mid-rotation.

Ken (Lakewood CA): With the Cubs in a pennant chase and 2 experienced catchers in Montero and Ross, does Contreras get brought up to the major leagues in 2016? Without an injury, where does he fit in? I know he needs to work on defense. That doesn't seem to help his chances either.
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: I think the most widely-accepted answer came from Joe Maddon, who said, and I’m sure I’m paraphrasing, “we want to make sure when he comes up, he stays.’ There’s no urgency for Contreras at this point. I’m not sure he fits without an injury. That said, a few at-bats when the division is wrapped up is probable.

Salvador G. (New Mexico): Who is Brock Stewart, I have been looking for a current scouting Report on him everywhere. He just keeps dominating, and not just lightly, he gives up very few hits, doesn't walk anyone really and continues to get 8 or 9 strikeouts a game. What do you know about his arsenal especially his fastball? Very gratful 4 u taking questions.
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: He was a two-way guy at Illinois State, but mostly played third. The Dodgers liked his arm strength in the few times they saw him pitch. They liked that he had a fresh arm. His fastball has been up to 96 this year, according to someone who’s seen him, and he now throws a couple of different sliders, with a changeup that can now be called near-average. He’s probably more a reliever, but the Dodgers will continue to develop him as a starter, as most teams do. Hard to find starters. He is 24 already however.

Samuel Kinison (Humboldt): White Sox's Matt Cooper - Who is this guy? He is striking out everyone. Do you know anything about him? That would be much appreciated, tnks for taking time to answer our questions!
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Yep, had someone who saw him last night say the fastball was at 89-92—coupla ticks above college—and that was in some pretty heavy rain. His secondaries are fringe-average but he spots three pitches well. Remember, like Stewart, he’s a 24-year-old guy pitching at Winston-Salem, so it’s important to have that age context.

tatum (clearwater): Vince, If Texas has one OF spot open, Mazara and Desmond have the other two, how do you rank the farm options: Hoying, Brinson, Cordell? All three look solid, especially Cordell. Thanks
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: I am a big believer in the outstanding tools of Brinson. I ranked him higher than Mazara last season in the Texas League, when one manager called him Nick Williams 2.0. Mazara is far more polished, however. But Brinson’s raw tools are far above Hoying and Cordell.

stacy (Paris, FR): Vince, is Matt Chapman the starting 3b in Oakland opening day 2017? What expectation do you have from me once in the bigs, 25 hr, 80 RBI, .260 seem appropriate?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: it’s tough to predict that high a homer total, especially in Oakland. But he has the power to reach it. The average seems in line with what I’ve been told. Average hitter, maybe a tick above. There will be competition for the third base job between him and Renato Nunez, but Nunez likely is a first baseman going forward.

Tyler (San Diego): What are the chances we see Renfroe and Margot both in San Diego come September? The team needs to try to make room for them at the trade deadline right?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Chances are very high, I would think. They’re both performing well and the Padres could use the jolt.

fisher (kansas city, mo- home of the world champs): Vince, what is going on with Kyle Zimmer- there seems to be little activity and little information on his status, and progress, or lack thereof. Will he get or stay healthy, and when there, where do you see him in the rotation #2 type starter?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: It’s been reported that Zimmer was dealing with some shoulder soreness, although he wasn’t placed on the disabled list. It’s clear he’s been slowed by something. It’s a shame—he just cannot seem to stay healthy.

David B. (Durham, NC): When is Snell moving to the show? Moore could be traded to create room. Then of course the question of what they will do with him when Cobb returns.
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: He’s already been up, of course, and impressed. The Rays have plenty of pitching depth, even beyond Snell with Jaime Schultz, Honeywell, Hunter Wood, Jacob Faria, Greg Harris, Yonny Chirinos. I mean, they are loaded.

Tony Gelati (Queens, NY): Aaron Judge has continued to struggle. Has he been moved back to 2017 for arrival to the Show?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: He might be up in September. He’s already 24, and Beltran’s gone after the season, so a toe in the water’s a good idea. But his prospect stock has taken a little bit of a hit this year.

Brian (Greensboro, NC): Thanks for the chat Vince! Is the talk of the Braves trading Teheran analysts having fun or is there a chance he will be moved? Anticipate the Braves wanting someone along the lines of Austin Meadows or Joey Gallo as hitters. Potential deal or idle talk?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: John Coppolella has said it’s time to hold on to guys like Teheran. It really makes no sense to trade him, unless you’re rebooting the 2017 reboot. That said, if the Pirates offer Meadows and Taillon, sure, you’d listen.

Jason (Seattle): Has Franklin Barreto's stock dropped this year and where do you see him playing long term?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Not to me. He’s really young for Double-A. Let’s see how he does in second half. He’s always been a third baseman long-term for me.

Jackson Ritter (Sacramento, CA): Matt Chapman is a great defensive player with power at the plate. Do you think he makes it as a MLB regular down the road? Will be transition to 1B with Valencia playing well at 3B?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Yes, I think he can be a big league regular. I think he’ll play third, with Nunez or Olson, or Healy at first or LF or DH.

Dave (Denver): How real is Willy Adames breakout and how does he stack up against all the other top shortstop prospects?? Thanks for the chat!
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: It’s interesting because we were discussing this the other day in context of middle infielders with the best ISO (which you can read right here! https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/list-10-powerful-middle-infielders/) I wouldn’t call it a breakout so much as a power surge. It has been projected that Adames would hit for more power as he matures. To me, he ranks behind Dansby Swanson, Bregman, Albies, Rodgers and maybe Mateo, just because of Mateo’s top-scale speed. But he’s good.

Zack (Minnesota): Hey, I'm in my second year of a keeper fantasy league where I had to start from scratch. I decided to stockpile as much talent from the minors as I possible. I currently have Moncada, Snell, Alex Reyes, Swanson, Robles, and Honeywell. Are there any under the radar guys that will be up with in the next year that could make an impact with the bat? I have some interest in Chris Shaw from San Fransisco.
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Not sure Harrison Bader is under the radar anymore, but he’s a guy who could move quickly, especially because he plays center field.

John Rier (Albany, NY): When do you expect Mateo to be moved to AA? Will it be at SS or 2B?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: If you believe what you read, it could come after the league all-star break. The move to 2b was clearly intentioned to make him versatile enough to play both. He’ll probably do that at Double-A as well.

Jeff (The Park): Please rank these 1B prospects: Bobby Bradley, Josh Naylor, and Josh Ockimey. Has Ockimey taken the top spot?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: It’s an interesting question. Naylor has the best hit tool of the three, Bradley has the most power, but Ockimey has had the loudest season of the three. It’s still low A, so excitement should be tempered, but right now, you’d probably have more evaluators pick Ockimey, given the choice of the three.

Bill B (Glen Allen, VA): Two prospects - Socrates Brito and Wilson Contreras - oare n teams going in very different directions - Diamondbacks and Cubs. Are the players and their situations so different that they would have different potential benefits and drawbacks to bringing them both up at the All Star break?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Not sure it’s so much about different drawbacks. I think it’s just about team need. The Cubs don’t need Contreras to play a part-time role right now. They’d rather he continue regular playing time. Brito’s pushing for time, but then so was Peter O’Brien.

Christopher Eliyahu Bierenbaum (Monsey, NY): Sorry im resubmitting my question because I forgot to write the players name in the question so here it is again....Ronald Acuna, How is this kid not hyped up. His tools are off the charts. I am absolutely crazy about Victor Robles, the one knock on Robles is his lack of power. Every tool I love in Robles, Acuna has except he's got plus raw power. So he's basically another Victor Robles but with future power. How high are you on Acuna, and do you see what I see in Acuna?, a future superstar! Tnks again
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: He gets plenty of hype, for sure. Check this out: http://bba.am/jJnUXz. Not sure if he’s another Robles. Ask @BenBadler on Twitter. He’d know.

Michelle McNealy (Dearborn Mich.): James Reeves looks like a future strikeout machine reliever, in a couple of outings I caught on milb.tv, he was throwing 3 pitches which all flashed plus. Do you think the Yankees will give him a shot at starting? since the Yankees need more starters then relievers for now and the future. I think not only can he start but that he could be a huge strikeout mid rotation starter
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Scouts believe in the deception more than the stuff. The reports are much less sanguine than what you say. He’s a low slot guy who’s touched 91 who probably is a reliever.

Handrich (Wauwatosa, WI): Dylan Cozens reminds me a lot of Mike Stanton....a big athletic kid with tons of power who is starting to learn to be a good hitter. Is that an appropriate comparison?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: There’s really no analog for Stanton. Not Aaron Judge and not Cozens. I mean, he’s a big dude, a former football defensive end. But no. No hitter is an appropriate comp for Stanton.

Chad Pinder (Oakland): What is my offensive upside in the big leagues?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: .260, 15, 75? Maybe 10, 70? There won’t be big power, but he’s a steady player.

Skip S. (Columbia, MO): After Giolito and Reyes, who are some pitchers that scouts are raving about in terms of stuff and ceiling?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Well, surely you know of Julio Urias? Blake Snell? Tyler Glasnow? Jameson Taillon? Anderson Espinoza? Urias and Snell have already made big league debuts this season.

Ken (I'm in a place called Vertigo): With the First-Year draft coming next week, who from last year's MLB draft top five picks do you feel have justified their team's top pick and who do you feel, if any, is making their team regret the pick?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: This is a fun exercise. Really, the top three guys have been great. Fair to say Swanson, Bregman and Rodgers have been great picks. Andrew Benintendi’s already at Double-A and Tyler Jay just struck out 11 at High A. Really too early for regrets.

Hank (Salem): Does anyone know why the Mariners are converting Edwin Diaz to the pen? I mean, he had/has the potential to be a #2 type starter, doesn't he? Do they just want to limit his innings?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: No, they really felt the changeup wouldn’t come for him. Without that pitch, he cannot be a big league starter. But the velo’s been up to 98 out of the pen. He could help them this year, although their bullpen’s been good.

George (Brew City): When will the Brewers unleash Marcos Diplan, and take the kid gloves off? Seems like he could be the next great P prospect everyone talks about!
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: These tandem systems are nothing new. David Stearns had a tandem system in Houston, so Diplan’s pitching in one at Beloit. It’s a good way to limit innings for a young pitcher but still get regular turns. He might go longer later in the season, but no need to rush it.

Buff (Colorado): I can see why Josh Hader didn't make the list this week --only 5.1 innings (4h, 1r, 1bb, 6k). But he threw 86 pitches, 66 for strikes. What's he got to do to get called up?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Called up? To the majors? The Brewers really want Hader to continue developing. They are being careful with his pitch counts. Maybe if they needed a lefty reliever and they’re in contention, he’s a September callup. But no urgency for a callup.

bryan (franklin): What are the chances Hunter Renfroe exceeds 20 HR? Seems the raw power is there and scouts say he has a sweet swing.
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Oh sure it’s possible. I think on average he’s a 20-homer guy, but he could exceed that. Depends on where he plays, how much playing time, where he bats in order, guys around him.

Tyler (Toronto): Who is the better overall prospect Orlando Arcia or Alex Bregman? I understand that Arcia was rated higher at the beginning of the year, though do you see Bregman becoming the better player in the long run?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: I do. I love Bregman’s bat and approach. He’s so polished already and the power’s been a real surprise. Maybe he’s a third baseman, especially in Houston, but I’d take him over Arcia.

Jose (San Diego): Why haven't the padres called up Asuaje? Do you think he will be an everyday player for SD?
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: He might be at first, but Asuaje profiles more as a utility guy, a bat-first one at that. The reason he won’t be a regular is he’s a fringe-average defender. You’ve got to hit a bunch to be a middle infielder who’s just OK defensively. See Murphy, Daniel.

TD (Philadelphia): Of the young starters at Fort Wayne (Logan Allen, Austin Smith, Enyel de los Santos, and Jacob Nix) who has the highest upside and who will rise through the system the fastest? It seems as though the Padres lack quality pitching prospects in the upper minors.
Vincent Lara-Cinisomo: Probably Logan Allen, and I’m not sure that means he’ll be the best of those guys. He’s just the most advanced, the most polished of the ones you mention. His stuff is short of theirs, however. But he’s the only lefty and there’s value in that. That’s it for me, folks. Enjoy all the regional action, which you can follow here: https://www.baseballamerica.com/college/regional-scoreboard/#H2hwwfoFtl07Rwz5.97