I am going by way of Arizona Fall League withdrawal now that I am again house, however at the least I can live-stream nearly all the motion. Let’s dive into some AFL questions within the newest Pipeline Inbox…
“Which prospects within the AFL that aren’t on the Prime 100 Prospects checklist have the perfect likelihood to be on the checklist because of their efficiency within the AFL?” — @StevieDAles97 on X
We cannot replace the Prime 100 once more till we unveil a wholly new checklist in January, and the Fall League is such a hitter-friendly surroundings and comparatively small 30-game pattern dimension that efficiency there will not actually transfer the needle a lot. However taking a look at this query from the standpoint of which gamers have regarded good early and will turn out to be Prime 100 Prospects in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, I instantly considered Dodgers outfielder Zyhir Hope and Tigers catcher Thayron Liranzo. Each have been acquired in trades this yr.
A part of the Michael Busch/Yency Almonte cope with the Cubs in January, Hope could have the perfect all-around instruments within the Fall League with plus uncooked energy, double-plus pace and effectively above-average arm power. He hit essentially the most spectacular house run (470 toes) and made the perfect defensive play (crashing into the center-field fence to snare a line drive and deny an extra-base hit) that I noticed through the first week of the season.
The highest prospect within the commerce that despatched Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers in July, Liranzo is an offensive-minded catcher with energy from either side of the plate and the persistence to attract walks. He additionally options plus arm power however nonetheless wants to shine his protection.
Braves catcher Drake Baldwin, Diamondbacks left-hander Yu-Min Lin and Brewers third baseman Brock Wilken are three extra potential Prime 100 Prospects. Additionally regulate outfielders Kemp Alderman (Marlins) and Denzel Clarke (Athletics) and right-hander Grant Taylor (White Sox).
“When this time of yr rolls round, it’s a blast to listen to you speak about how a lot you like the AFL. Do you’ve gotten a favourite story or second you’d need to share on the inbox?” — @Blahbla92342524
I’ve seen so many cool issues within the Fall League, and the primary one which leapt to thoughts was Pete Alonso’s monstrous homer to middle area off a 103-mph fastball from Nate Pearson within the 2018 Fall Stars Sport. Alonso tied for the AFL house run lead that fall and was a delight to cowl all the season.
The earliest Fall League reminiscence that actually sticks with me is watching Max Scherzer attain 98 mph whereas dominating briefly reduction appearances in 2007, when 98 was far much less widespread than it’s immediately. I noticed the quickest pitch I’ve ever seen when Ray Black clocked 105 mph in 2015.
I watched Braxton Davidson hit a walk-off house run to win the 2018 AFL championship recreation, then break his foot whereas rounding the bases. I bear in mind Kris Bryant (2013) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2018) dominating to the extent that they regarded instantly prepared for the massive leagues. I noticed Josh Hader (2015) foreshadow the elite nearer he would turn out to be, whereas star-crossed Forrest Whitley (2018-19) was essentially the most constantly spectacular pitcher I’ve seen within the Fall League.
“Who’s a prospect who you suppose shall be moved this offseason and can make an affect within the MLB subsequent yr (i.e. Joey Ortiz, Michael Busch final offseason)?” — @88OriolesFan88
Two groups that must be trying to make offseason strikes after disappointing seasons (for differing causes) are the Orioles and Cubs. Each groups have extra superior younger place gamers than they’ve openings of their lineup, additional growing their motivation to deal.
Baltimore nonetheless is determining the right way to get at-bats for Jackson Holliday and Heston Kjerstad after they graduated to the Majors this yr, and third baseman/first baseman Coby Mayo (No. 8 on the Prime 100) and catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo (No. 13) are almost prepared as effectively. Mayo and Basallo each look extra more likely to wind up at first base than their best-case positions, so that they could possibly be fodder in trades for pitching.
Chicago has all 4 of its beginning infielders and all three of its beginning outfielders from this season beneath management for at the least two extra years, plus Cody Bellinger (who bounced between first base, all three outfield spots and DH) can return on a participant possibility. The Cubs even have 5 place prospects on the Prime 100 who completed the yr in Triple-A or the massive leagues: infielder Matt Shaw (No. 22), outfielders Owen Caissie (No. 34) and Kevin Alcántara (No. 67), catcher/first baseman Moises Ballesteros (No. 44) and second baseman/outfielder James Triantos (No. 55). Triantos, who’s extra outfielder than infielder in the long term, and Alcántara may have essentially the most tough time cracking Chicago’s lineup of the current or future and could possibly be expendable.
The Phillies are all in and president of baseball operations David Dombrowski by no means is afraid to maneuver prospects for veterans. So I would not be shocked if he swapped slick-fielding shortstop Starlyn Caba, who’s No. 81 on the Prime 100 however at the least three years away from the Majors, for extra speedy assist.
“Would love to listen to a dialog about how a lot the protection and arm grades play into rating Prime 100 and Prime 30. How a lot would guys like Laz Montes or Moises Ballesteros transfer up in the event that they have been elite defenders or how a lot is it holding them again from being high 20?” — @bnb_Wes
Protection does play a big half in our rankings. Arm power is an element, however what issues extra is essentially the most demanding place {that a} prospect can deal with and the way effectively he can play there. As an illustration, we give Carson Williams (Rays) and Ryan Clifford (Mets) the identical hitting (45) and energy (60) grades on the 20-80 scouting scale, however Williams is a considerably higher prospect as a result of he is a talented shortstop whereas Clifford is a primary baseman/nook outfielder.
Montes’ restricted pace and vary on the outfield corners may ultimately land him at first base or DH, although the Mariners slugger’s huge energy ought to enable him to suit the offensive profile at any place. He is at the moment at No. 47 on the Prime 100, whereas Caissie has comparable upside on the plate however will get the sting as an athlete and defender and ranks No. 34.
Ballesteros often is the greatest defensive conundrum on the Prime 100. He is one of many extra gifted hitters on the checklist, he ought to have common energy and possibly extra, and he dealt with Triple-A at age 20. If he have been a slam-dunk catcher, he’d in all probability match among the many high 20 prospects within the recreation. However there are questions on his potential to remain behind the plate, and his solely different options are a 5-foot-8 first baseman or as a DH, in order that’s why he sits at No. 44.
