Top MLB Prospects Chat (6/11/19)

Image credit: Mitch Keller (Photo by Brad Krause/Four Seam Images)

Justin Coleman: Ok everyone, lets get to the chat!

Seth Beer (Corpus Christi): 

IS there room for me to have a future in Houston with Alvarez basically filling the same roll I would?

Justin Coleman: Well, Alvarez will obviously get the first look at that role for Houston. Gotta see what kind of fire power he can provide at the big league level. Seth Beer is still a distance away, and plenty of things can happen roster-management wise between now and then.

Joe C. (Charlotte): 

I know it is early, but do you see any similarities between Groshans and someone like Bregman? Is that kind of upside there for Groshans?

Justin Coleman: Groshans is a hit-over-power type with advanced feel at the plate. He plays a sound shortstop and has feel to defend off the bat. If the body gets bigger he may have to move off the position long term, though. Bregman is a special ball player, and I think Groshans doesn’t have enough track record or performance to compare him to Bregman at this point.

Mitchell (Indy): 

How have the reports been on Sixto Sanchez’s shoulder and performances? Does he still have one of the highest ceilings in the minors?

Justin Coleman: I can’t comment on his injury issues, but his ceiling is still high for a pitcher. He still has a quality three-pitch mix, but there are concerns about his stuff holding up with the workload of a starting role. He may be best suited as a back-end bullpen arm.

Oliver (Boston): 

Drew Rom takes the mound later today. His results compare favorably to Grayson Rodriguez, same age, same team. How big is the gap in stuff and talent?

Justin Coleman: G-Rod looks more like a mid-rotation type of starter, Rom fits somewhere closer to the backend. Rodriguez has more of a power profile, and Rom doesn’t have that kind of velocity but throws with an easy arm action and quality breaking ball.

Wow wow Wubzy (Wuzzleburg): 

What are the reports you are getting on Triston Casas? He had himself a night yesterday.

Justin Coleman: Casas has been excellent so far. His calling card will be his power, and he grinds out at-bats with good knowledge of the strike zone. Not out of the question that he could hit 30+ bombs down the road. While he is athletic, it looks doubtful that he sticks at 3B long term. Probably fits better at first, but grabs a game here or there at the hot corner.

David Owens (Indiana): 

With Trent Grisham (Clark) on fire of late, do you think his overall stock has risen to a level where he may live up to draft spot or is he still just organizational depth in your opinion? Thanks! Good work as always

Justin Coleman: I think some of this question depends on how you view his defense. He has played a lot of center field this year, but his below-average arm would probably be best suited to play left. If that was the case, the bat will have to tick up to be a big-league regular. I know he has a good eye at the plate, but the power would have to keep trending positive while continuing to cut down on strike outs.

Juan peguero (Dominican Republic): 

Si Dermis Garcia a prospect???

Justin Coleman: Big bonus guy, athletic dude with serious power. Not much speed or defense, arm is good though. He has to cut down on the strike outs and take better quality at-bats.

Jay (Seattle): 

Between Jo Adell and Jarred Kelenic, who is most likely to remain a centerfielder when the reach the majors?

Justin Coleman: Kelenic could, but I don’t think he is a plus defender in center. Adell received positive reviews playing CF last season as well. My vote would be Adell.

Orlando (San Antonio): 

Kyle Tucker had a slow start then heated up. What’s more likely to expect? The former or the latter? Which major leaguer can you compare him to?

Justin Coleman: Tucker can be a bit polarizing amongst evaluators, so this question is tough to answer. I think he probably ends up as an average big leaguer.

Charles (Atlanta): 

Out of the high potential prospects debuting in short-season ball as well as Julio Rodriguez of SEA, who is your favorite to jump high up lists starting 2020? Thank you!

Justin Coleman: I’m a fan of J-Rod, and he certainly fits that bill. Mature approach and has power, plus arm with good instincts. He is one to watch!

Alan (Nashville): 

Who’s injury history scares you the most between Alex Reyes, Adrian Morejon, Triston McKenzie, and Jesus Luzardo? Basically who of them would you want stock in and who would you be trying to sell, if any? Thanks!

J.J. Cooper: Hey everyone JJ stopping by to answer a few questions as well. There is no really right answer here, but personally my concern with McKenzie is his frame may make it harder for him to have durability.

Jeff (Chicago): 

Is Pete Alonso a good comp for Andrew Vaughn?

J.J. Cooper: No. Better hit tool for Vaughn I would say and a better defender at first base. Power wise, matching what Alonso has done so far would be an excellent result for most anyone.

Brian (Denver): 

The 2017 draft had several exciting first round 1B prospects at the time with Pavin Smith, Evan White and Nick Pratto. All have disappointed to some extent since then. What makes Vaughn more of a sure thing considering his size and right handed swing?

J.J. Cooper: Vaughn is way better than any of those three were at that time. I was a big Evan White believer. That said, White hit 15 home runs in his final two seasons at Kentucky combined. Vaughn hit 15 this year and 23 the year before. There’s way more power in Vaughn’s bat than any of those three. Similarly Smith never slugged .600 in college while Vaughn slugged over .700 in each of his final two seasons at Cal. He’s just a better hitter and slugger coming into the draft than any of that trio was when they headed into the draft and the resume (and exit velos) are better.

Bill (Missouri): 

I’m having a hard time getting excited by the Cardinals first round selection. Thompson seems like the typical college lefty performer except he lacks the plus command that usually carries that profile. How much of a concern is his command?

J.J. Cooper: I think that’s selling Thompson a little short. There were few if any dominating college starters this year, but Thompson’s stuff is better than just a lefty performer. He’s more of a lefty with an ability to miss bats whose command/control made strides this year.

J.J. Cooper: Hey everyone. Thanks for coming out.