Prospect Hot Sheet Chat (May 5)

Matt Eddy: I’m running late. Please bear with me.

Kobe (Cleveland): Curious to hear thoughts on Marcus Wilson - - Does he have the skill set & showing the type of year to be a top 100 guy? Thanks!
Matt Eddy: It’s not as far-fetched as you might think. D-backs Low-A OF Marcus Wilson looks like a promising prospect who is coming into his own after some physical maturation.

Griff (The Biggity Bay): Do you think Renato Nunez can hold up defensively as a LF in the bigs? If so, would a poor mans Carlos Lee be a good comp?
Matt Eddy: The industry has seen HR output by corner OF shrink in the past decade, which could indicate, among other things, that teams value corner OFs who are a bit more athletic and faster than the Carlos Lee model of the 1990s and 2000s. I would not assess Nunez as particularly good bet to play corner OF for a long period of time. Though it is worth getting his bat in the lineup in Oakland this year if he continues to hit for power.

Greg (Rainy town Ohio): Kieboom was my personal cheeseball from that draft. He showed natural hitting ability and rythem, timing on TV showcase. Value pick.
Matt Eddy: Good scouting on your part. Simply being able to adapt so quickly to the speed of the Low-A game bodes well for SS Carter Kieboom’s development.

Rhys Hiskins (Indy): How come I don't seem to receive enough love? All I do is mash baseballs! I believe I can be the next Goldy (well, maybe not quite that good)!!
Matt Eddy: Paul Goldschmidt is the 99th percentile projection for any right-right minor league first baseman . . . But Phillies Triple-A 1B Ryhs Hoskins has really hit the ball hard (and frequently) for more than a year now. I chose him for the Prospect Team of the Month for April (over Cody Bellinger) if that makes you feel any better!

Jack (Palo Alto): Early thoughts on AJ Puk and Logan Shore in Stockton?
Matt Eddy: Our reports indicate that 2016 second-round RHP Logan Shore is throwing harder this year than he did at Florida. He credits a long rest period after last season and lots of offseason conditioning work. He also scores points for competitiveness and intelligence.

Richard (Roseville CA): Where do you think Kevin Maitan starts and what type of numbers can we expect in his first taste of pro ball ? Have you heard anything about how he has played in EST ?
Matt Eddy: I can’t help you on the EST report. But that’s a great idea for us to pursue! Look for the Braves to try the GCL then Appy League route with Maitan this summer. That is what they have done for years with their brightest international prospects, e.g. Jose Peraza, Ozzie Albies, Cristian Pache.

Rex (Dan Diego): Why aren't the orioles treating international free agency as an actual means of acquiring players?
Matt Eddy: I believe they are justified in one facet of their thinking, and that is that international bonuses *do not* correlate with major league success. However, signing just a handful of players from Latin America, and signing those least in demand, is akin to a team beginning its draft in the 30th round after sitting out the first 10. It would only take one hit from 30 or 40 imported players to make the benefit worth the cost. The Orioles do seem to be more active in terms of signing players who other teams have released in the DSL, e.g. Jesus Liranzo, Yermin Mercedes.

Brian (Greensboro, NC): Thanks Matt! Love these chats. Rome Braves are coming to Greensboro this weekend. Aside from Anderson and Wentz, who else is must see? Also, will the Grasshoppers have any more big time MLB prospects of their own???
Matt Eddy: The Rome catcher Lucas Herbert. Go watch him and tell me I’m an idiot (or an optimist) for thinking that his bat is showing signs of life!

Brent (Arlington): When will Juan Soto get sent to Potomac? What is him majors ETA?
Matt Eddy: The Nationals will probably play their Juan Soto hand like they did their Victor Robles hand last year. If Soto continues to sting the ball, then move him up to the Carolina League for the final four to six weeks of the season.

Steve (Chicago): Jeimer Candalario just keeps hitting. Assuming he gets traded, is he for real? And how good is his defense at third?
Matt Eddy: I like Cubs Triple-A 3B Jeimer Candelario’s chance to be a regular. Good defender with a good arm, good idea from both sides of the plate. He might not be an impact regular, but I like his chances to be worth batting 600 times a year.

Charlie (Alpharetta): I know that Tyler Pike is old for his class, but his peripherals look good with improving Strikeout and walk rates.
Matt Eddy: This is the fourth straight season at which LHP Tyler Pike has spent time at high Class A. Lefties develop later sometimes, so he’s worth monitoring, but I wouldn’t commit all-in just yet.

Nick (LA): If there were a prospect not hot sheet for the season two top prospects in Meadows and Frazier would be on it. SSS is at play but both guys had similar struggles at AAA late last year too. Any concern for either or just part of growing and adjusting?
Matt Eddy: I am surprised that Pirates Triple-A OF Austin Meadows has had so much trouble adjusting. I expected that with his secondary skills and athletic ability — not to mention his IL time last — would prepare him to dominate the league. Indianapolis is one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the league, and perhaps it’s been unusually cold there (?), and maybe the McCutchen trade talk got in his head, but now I’m just making excuses.

Bednarz42 (Bloomfield, NJ): Theres tools and theres results. Does Dustin Fowler have the ability to play is way past Clint Frazier on the depth chart this season?
Matt Eddy: Depending one what the Yankees are looking for on the big league roster, it’s possible. Seeing as they currently have power from RF covered, Dustin Fowler could be more attractive under the right circumstances, which I guess would be injuries to Ellsbury, Hicks, Gardner and possibly Mason Williams (because he’s on the 40-man).

Nick (LA): Not in the hot sheet (did he even pitch this week!?!?) but what do you think of Franklin Perez? Nice start to season. Is his ETA mid next year or could he push that? And what's his long term likely outcome? Solid #3 or more?
Matt Eddy: Astros High A RHP Franklin Perez is dealing with some knee issues. That’s why he hasn’t pitched. Credit: Josh Norris.

Mike (Brooklyn, NY): Hi, I didn't expect to see Andres Gimenez with Columbia. He's only 18. Thoughts? Thanks.
Matt Eddy: I too am surprised that Mets SS Andres Gimenez made his 2017 debut at Columbia. I would have guessed a Brooklyn track was possible given that’s how the Mets promoted Amed Rosario a few years ago. The Mets love Gimenez, though, and so does our Ben Badler. You should read his top DSL prospects piece that ran a few weeks back.

David F (Miami): How many White Sox pitching prospects have a legitimate shot at being an aces!
Matt Eddy: Double-A RHP Michel Kopech sure has two ace-quality pitches. But command and makeup are two *huge* questions he has to answer.

Satchel; (Las Vegas): Hey Matt, I like Fowler's motor, is he closer an Ellsbury type of player or Gardner. Does he get to Yankee stadium this year?
Matt Eddy: I don’t think Dustin Fowler, as talented as he is, has the impact ability of either Ellsbury or Gardner. Those guys could FLY when young and are still strong runner. Fowler strikes me as more of an across-the-board contributor, though he has time to develop a plus tool.

Bo (Myrtle Beach): Mitch Keller - The kid is crazy good. How fast does he move? What's his ultimate ceiling? Any comps?
Matt Eddy: The Pirates tend to be conservative with high school arms, and Keller isn’t too far removed from serious elbow trouble (he avoided surgery), so I would expect him to spend most of the year in Bradenton. Best case might be a September callup in 2018, but even that might be aggressive.

Tatum (Clearwater, Fla): Matt, Depending on what KC does with sell-off, if it occurs, what are your expectations for Hunter Dozier? And what kind of offensive player is he in 5 years, thanks
Matt Eddy: I am not convinced that Hunter Dozier will be a first-division guy. However, he has inflicted a lot of damage on minor league lefthanders and has played all four corner positions, so a utility-platoon role is not out of the question.

Erik (New Jersey): What is Franklin Barreto's ceiling and do you have a player comp?
Matt Eddy: Athletics Triple-A SS Franklin Barreto is one player I struggle to rank based on his underlying performance. He typically hits for a high average and runs pretty well, but he strikes out a bit more and walks a bit less than is ideal for a player of his skill set (unless he develops plus power). Others at BA like Barreto more than me. You can ask them for optimistic comps.

Wayne (Mpls): So - Danny Jansen - he's been derailed by injury for two years straight - has he had the ability in him all along, or is this just a fluky run?
Matt Eddy: Blue Jays High-A C Danny Jansen has been on our prospect radar for a few years. While hitting .400 for any stretch of multiple weeks is definitely fluky, he does have the sort of offensive tools to profile as average or above for catcher.

Jonathan (NYC): Has Patrick Mazeika improved enough defensively behind the plate to stay there? And if he continues to hit do you see him moving up prospect lists or be more of a TJ Rivera who never got much list love? Thanks!
Matt Eddy: Patrick Mazeika is way ahead of T.J. Rivera in terms of prospect love. I have ranked Mazeika on the last two Mets top 30s, the only two for which he has been eligible. His big league chances will boil down to his proficiency behind the plate, though he could possibly fit at 1B in the right situation because of his LH bat, track record for hitting and advanced plate discipline.

psw (long beach,ca): When do you think Vladimir Guerrero, gets promoted
Matt Eddy: I could see Vlad Jr. getting significant time at High-A Dunedin this year based on his performance, the fact that he is physically mature and his obvious adaptability.

NeVyBEAR (NYC): How many changes would there be to your top 20 list based off of the early results/feedback?
Matt Eddy: The two biggest puzzle pieces for us are: What to do with Alex Reyes post-TJ? And how much do we penalize Austin Meadows, if at all? How reactionary do we want to be?

Satchel; (Las Vegas): Matt, After Moncada, on the AL side, who is the next speed-power big-time prospect? Thanks
Matt Eddy: If you really want to buy low, you could look at Raul A. Mondesi of the Royals. I know he hasn’t done a thing this year, but he flashed power and speed just last year. And being at Triple-A is more or less his “natural” level anyway based on his age and signing year.

JOhn (Cincinatti): Any chance we so Allard in the braves rotation in 2018?
Matt Eddy: Skipping Kolby Allard to Double-A this year does open the window a crack to that possibility.

Dave (Mpls): With Mazeika, why is he at single-A when he'll be 24 later this year? Shouldn't the Mets move him up sooner rather than later?
Matt Eddy: In the Mets’ situation I would say no. Tomas Nido at Double-A and Kevin Palwecki at Triple-A need reps too. And with a raw defensive catcher like Mazeika, any time behind the plate is valuable, regardless of level. You may choose to discount Mazeika’s offensive output based on age, but his bat and glove are at different stages of development.

Matt (Toronto, ON, Canada): Just a California-league thing or is there a reason Yadier Alvarez, RHP LAD, has been hit so hard at HiA? Thanks.
Matt Eddy: Sounds like it’s a command issue that needs to be ironed out. He will fall behind batters, then miss his spot and get punished. If you liked Alvarez him coming into the year, then stick with him.

Matt Eddy: Thanks for the great questions. Prospect Hot Sheet returns next Friday.