Brewers prospect voting, October 2023

[YodaDaSoda]

1. Jackson Chourio
2. Jeferson Quero
3. Jacob Misiorowski
4. Tyler Black
5. Brock Wilken
6. Carlos F Rodriguez
7. Robert Gasser
8. Luis Lara
9. Cooper Pratt
10. Mike Boeve
11. Eric Brown Jr
12. Josh Knoth
13. Eric Bitonti
14. Dylan O'Rae
15. Yophery Rodriguez
16. Juan Baez
17. Logan Henderson
18. Daniel Guilarte
19. Tobias Myers
20. Shane Smith

[BrewersRice]

1. Jackson Chourio
   Exit Velocity Power & Speed with better than average defense. Still hoping to see some improvements in OPS and average at AAA, so I will be curious if the Crew brings him up early, or if they will make him push the issue and prove it at AAA. Plenty of other outfielders to test out as well in 2024, which could lead to Chourio spending the year down there improving so we get closer to peak performance when he is up. So much upside but there is still a risk he is just avg if no improvements.
2. Jacob Misiorowski
   Still a lot to prove with consistence and control. Has great stuff, but if he can reign this in, he has potential to be a #1 and of greater value than Chourio. Depending on trades of our aces, we could see him at American Family Fields halfway through 2024.
3. Jeferson Quero
   Great Defense and offense surge this year. His offense seemed to climb with consistent health leading to consistent at-bats. Had a little dip towards then end, maybe due also to injury time. At His age, I believe there is still progress left in the bat. There is not starter role available, so I expect him at AAA for all of 24 baring injuries to current catchers. That being said, future is really bright and I could see Contreras numbers with better defense in 25.
4. Tyler Black
   Number 4 as far as upside, but number 1 as far as heart and Brewer's needs. I could see him getting more experience at AAA with 1B where I think he would be an above average defender for the position, and better bat then what we have at 1B. They could also start him there right away in 2023 if no FA options look good. I dont think his bat is All star 1B level, but I think it will be a lot better then what we have had, and is already above MLB average.
5. Brock Wilken
   Yes, He proved it at every level so far. Some swing & miss even at the early levels that has me concerned once he gets to higher level pitching and sequencing. I'd say the top 4 picks are at one level and Wilken- Rodriguez are at a second level bordering and squeaking in to top 100 overall.
6. Robert Gasser
   I see lots of strike out potential, and future #3- #5 starter. Unfortunately see a little bit of Later in him as far as consistancy, and a little bit of Ashby in him as far as still needing to put it all together and see the talent translate into numbers.
7. Carlos F Rodriguez
   Great Year and great stuff. I'm not looking too much into the one down AAA performance where some walks hurt him. He does need to improve his walk rate in my opinion.
8. Cooper Pratt
   Youth and talent. Comps to Gunner Henderson might be a little too generous, but still has a great swing and talent for SS.
9. Wes Clarke
   Biggest riser. Yes a little older for a high prospect, but I believe he found something halfway through the year. Brewers home run leader, with High OBP. Needs to improve his fielding but could be starting 1B. He would need to improve a lot at throwing out runners to work behind the plate, but could do it occasionally. Improved every month. Great eye, great swing. Could see him in 2024.
10. Mike Boeve
    While at ACL, where he was older and should be way better than the competition, he showed me his power potential. He also struck out a lot more than advertised at A+, but this might be due to trying to lift the ball too much. He does have more upside than most his age, but could also not ever reach the majors. I see him getting back to an OBP king in 2024, and climbing this list to top 7 next year, but I'm still in a wait and see mode. He has top 100 posibilities.
11. Eric Brown Jr
    Just wishing we got to see more of a healthy Eric Brown Jr. His speed is real and extrapolates to slightly higher amount of steals/onBaseOpportunity than Black had. I'm excited for him and still at number 11, has top 100 potential.
12. Logan Henderson
    If health all year would have been in competition of Brewers minor League Pitcher of the Year. I was a little surprised they didnt move him up a level, so that has me a little concerned that they dont think his stuff may translate to the higher levels. I do think it will, as most with a good Change up do find success at least up to AA. I'm excited for him and could see him reaching AAA next year with continued success and improvements. Could see him as a #3-#5 SP as early as 2025.
13. Juan Baez
    Young, Fast, and incredible at not striking out at the lower levels. Great Avg,, OBP, and OPS. I would like to see him walk more, and he probably has benefited from some good luck, but after a years worth of stats, it might be time to say this is for real. Still has to make some defensive improvements and is a little undersized, but the type that Brewers tend to like. I see flashes of Felix Valerio and flashes of Luis Arraez. Excited to see what next year holds.
14. Josh Knoth
    Hitting 96 @17 is a big deal. Brewers usually like guys with a money S/O pitch and its the curveball for this guy along with his FB. How straight is his FB? and how accurate is his Curve and what can he add to it? Lots of variables and unknown for HS picks, but I trust the brewers scouting for pitchers, and their pitching lab. Secretly can swing the bat as well. at 6' and 160lbs, I expect him gain more strength and to sit 95-97 and touch 100 with improvements, which is great.
15. Luis Lara
    I get it, age, bat speed, good fielder, some speed. But I also think we might get too excited about our internationals too quickly, aka Hedbert. I think he continues to mature and will put up better stats next year, but I dont see the upside that many on here see. To me he still has more to prove to be above 15.
16. Dylan O'Rae
    Another Speed and under average size OBP guy. I would like to see him add some muscle and some pop, but I think he has the best speed in the brewers minor league system and that is saying a lot as the Brewers love speed.
17. Jadher Areinamo
    I hear a lot about his good work ethic, and have seen him in highlight reels on defense. He makes the easy plays easy, and can play multiple positions. Maybe not an all-star, but I could see him being an above average Major Leaguer.
18. Freddy Zamora
    I dont really want Freddy here, Jace Avina wasn't available. Jace had a Great end of the year, finding more discipline at the plate. I'm believing this is sustained improvement and that we will see a big jump next year. Also a legit defender, and could see prospect status rise to top 10 next year.f
19. Bradley Blalock
    Please keep him on the 40man
20. Quinton Low
    Please Quinton, just focus on pitching or 1b and not both. I feel like it might be cutting into your playing time and development.

The Brewers have a deeper farm system than they have had in a long long time. There are arguably 10+ guys that are not on this list that deserve to be in the last 5 and would have been in the top 20 if it were 2-3 years ago. My next 5 to make the list: Freddy Zamora, Aquino, Di Turri, Bitonti, and Birchard. Sorry not sold on Yophery yet.  Biggest riser is by far Wes Clarke. Again, I wish Avina was on the list and I would have put him at 18, just randomly chose Zamora to be a placeholder. I'm hoping we can extend Woodruff and keep Burnes for next year. In those conditions, I would pull up Chourio & Black to start the year. Otherwise I would like to see Mitchell and Perkins, and Frelick get more at bats along with Taylor.

[brooks_quichenick]

1. Jackson Chourio
2. Jacob Misiorowski
3. Jeferson Quero
4. Tyler Black
5. Carlos F Rodriguez
6. Luis Lara
7. Robert Gasser
8. Brock Wilken
9. Luke Adams
10. Cooper Pratt
11. Logan Henderson
12. Mike Boeve
13. Josh Knoth
14. Yophery Rodriguez
15. Eric Bitonti
16. Eric Brown Jr
17. Daniel Guilarte
18. Dylan O'Rae
19. Jesus Rivero
20. Filippo Di Turi

[Joseph Zarr]

1. Jackson Chourio
2. Jacob Misiorowski
3. Tyler Black
4. Jeferson Quero
5. Robert Gasser
6. Brock Wilken
7. Eric Brown Jr
8. Carlos F Rodriguez
9. Luis Lara
10. Cooper Pratt
11. Josh Knoth
12. Luke Adams
13. Eric Bitonti
14. Yophery Rodriguez
15. Logan Henderson
16. Mike Boeve
17. Daniel Guilarte
18. Dylan O'Rae
19. Jadher Areinamo
20. Edwin Jimenez

Making this list, I leaned heavier than I typically do on youth and upside. Saying this, I love the depth we have 20-30 in the system. Heck, I could give meaningful depth through 50 if I felt so inclined (I don't, I'm lazy and it's early in the morning). Needless to say, this season was immensely enjoyable to watch and the system is back to top 5 prominence nationally - as it likely should be. 

As per usual, my addendum is: my list doesn't mean all that much and I can give several reasons for many more players beyond my selections here that can make their mark and get a chance at the MLB level. 

[Ro Mueller]

1. Jackson Chourio
   19!!
2. Jeferson Quero
   Top defensive catcher, plus surprising pop. Tailed off a bit after some minor injuries. I pray the bat is still solid in AAA in 2024
3. Tyler Black
   Top notch hitter with terrific speed
4. Robert Gasser
   Time for MLB
5. Jacob Misiorowski
   Nice rise in 2023. Needs to improve control and hopefully dominate AA ball in 2024
6. Carlos F Rodriguez
   Keeps preventing runs. Now has to do it in 2024. Just 21 years old
7. Brock Wilken
   Surprising (to me) on-base percentage, after so much draft-time emphasis on his power
8. Mike Boeve
   Acclimated extremely well to High-A ball
9. Bradley Blalock
   Expected 40-man add. Hope he's healthy, after his season ended early
10. Logan Henderson
    One of the top pitchers in all of Low-A ball in 2023
11. Evan McKendry
    Amongst top 100 International League pitchers by innings thrown, McKendry had the third best WHIP. Likely 40-man add
12. Luis Lara
    On-base, stolen base machine who plays a fine center field and is always hustling. Okay, he was caught stealing 25% of the time. But he's only 18!
13. Daniel Guilarte
    Needs to get back to pre-injury form, when he was getting hits every day. Solid shortstop. Just 19
14. Luke Adams
    Hope he keeps it up in High-A next year. Still looks a bit raw. Maybe because he's 19
15. Josh Knoth
    Not seen him yet! But a $2 million signing bonus should portend something great
16. Patricio Aquino
    Similar results as Henderson, though without as many strikeouts
17. Juan Baez
    18!!
18. Cooper Pratt
    Looking forward to seeing him play SS in Carolina next year
19. Dylan O'Rae
    On-base and stolen base machine. Is he now a center fielder? Left fielder? Second baseman?
20. Shane Smith
    What a year for Mr. Smith

[Spencer Michaelis]

1. Jackson Chourio
   Stud. Superstar. Best position prospect the Brewers have had in decades. Barring injury, we will see him next year.
2. Jeferson Quero
   Always has been one of my favorites, had him top 3 early on in the 2022 season. He's a stud defender, great leader, and the bat could be quite good. Likely see him in 2024 as well.
3. Jacob Misiorowski
   The arm talent is insane. Probably the best of any pitcher in the minor leagues. Can he hold up as a starter and can the command be serviceable? I lean more toward yes than no, but they're real concerns.
4. Tyler Black
   He's ready for MLB at bats, wouldn't totally shock me to see him make the 26 man out of spring training next season. Potentially at first base with Santana and (likely) Rowdy gone.
5. Luis Lara
   I think this is a 70 grade defender in center field with hit-ability traits and more power that he will tap into as he matures. 60 grade baserunner but he's faster than that. Just needs to work on his jumps and that could turn to a 70 as well. Even if the power doesn't come, it's easy to see a lot of similarities to Sal Frelick, but as a switch hitter.
6. Robert Gasser
   Most seasons we would have already seen him in MLB. If the Brewers do trade Burnes (which I expect), I think Gasser will get a real chance to make the rotation out of Spring Training.
7. Eric Brown Jr
   Still a huge believer. Excited to see him in the AFL, hopefully the start of better injury luck and overall health. I think he's an electric player to watch on the bases and in the field and that the bat is going to be there for him once he gets consistent reps.
8. Brock Wilken
   If you read my draft breakdown, you know I was a little down on Wilken's fit with the Brewers. Having seen him play in person twice while he was in Appleton, and watched him at all three levels... He's grown on me. I still worry about the defense (though less than at draft time), and I think the K's are going to start to show more at the upper levels. But he's more of a gamer than I expected, showing some great instincts on the bases. and the hit tool is better than I thought as well.
9. Carlos F Rodriguez
   I think we will see Carlos in MLB next season as well. Southern League Pitcher of the Year, the command will need to continue to get better, but he's a bulldog competitor with really good stuff and a starters mix.
10. Cooper Pratt
    Still hard to believe the Brewers got Pratt where they did. Huge upside in pretty much every facet. Will need to be patient with him, but the payoff could be a Gunnar Henderson type.
11. Josh Knoth
    Ceiling wise, only Miz has a higher ceiling in the system. Mid-Upper 90's fastball with great life, two nasty breaking balls. Really just need to see how it looks in pro ball, but he's one that has TOR stuff, which isn't easy to find.
12. Luke Adams
    I remain extremely high on Adams, I think both his glove and his baserunning are heavily underrated. He might not be the most visually appealing player of all time, but I expect him to be able to get it done as he climbs the ladder.
13. Logan Henderson
    I'm surprised we never saw him in Appleton. I think they just wanted him to lead the Mudcats rotation during their playoff push. Best changeup in the system, fastball with ride that has jumped in velo since draft day. I want to see how it goes at tougher levels and if he can continue to stay healthy like he did in 2023. But this is a potential mid-rotation arm.
14. Yophery Rodriguez
    Slowed down toward the end of the DSL season. Not uncommon for players in their first season. I think he's the guy this far down that could make the leap to top 5 or so in the system by next year.
15. Mike Boeve
    Big time hit tool, started to tap into the power more in pro ball. I think it's there, but it may not be there consistently for a year or so. Similar hitter to Tyler Black, but not going to steal bases like Black. Likely a better defender at third and second though, has cleaner actions, though still needs some work to be sure.
16. Eric Bitonti
    Huge raw power, the strikeouts will be something to monitor. A very good athlete for his size, he's likely a third baseman. Really one that I am in wait and see mode on, but the ceiling is very high if he can make contact consistently.
17. Ryan Birchard
    I liked Birchard as a potential Brewers target from the start and I really loved this pick. He shows 60 grade stuff across the board in his FB/CV/SL mix. The fastball had an induced vertical break of 20" in the MLB Draft League which is elite. He can touch up to 98 with the fastball. The curve is a near 3000 RPM hammer and the slider is a 2500 RPM pitch with 12-15" of horizontal break. It's a tiny sample, but I'm hoping we get some video from instructs. Big time ceiling.
18. Patricio Aquino
    Great slider that carries the repertoire. He strikes a lot of people out, he limits walks decently, he's young for the level and can get into the mid-90's with his fastball. A lot to dream on, hopefully the success can continue as he climbs the ladder.
19. Bradley Blalock
    Didn't really get to see him throw much in Appleton and when he did, he may have been battling an injury that eventually shut him down. Wait and see on this one.
20. Dylan O'Rae
    Lots of similarities to Sal Frelick, especially now that he's playing the outfield. He has even less pop than Frelick though. The ceiling is probably a Frelick type, but the total lack of ability to drive the ball currently does make the floor a punchless hitter that fades in the upper minors.

Did not include Uribe because he graduated, but he would've been #13 and 50+ OFP as a future closer. I'll give a quick run down of my tiers and then I'll extend to the rest of the last tier containing my top 20. I lean a little more toward the ceiling on OFP than someone like Fangraphs does with FV. Especially after the top 30 or so, the tiers are way more important than the ranking that goes with them.

Tier 1 (70 OFP)

Chourio

Tier 2 (60 OFP)

Quero

Tier 3 (55 OFP)

Misiorowski at 3 through Lara at 5

Tier 4 (50+ OFP)

Gasser at 6 through Adams at 12

Tier 5 (50 OFP)

Henderson at 13 through Bitonti at 16

Tier 6 (45+ OFP)

Birchard at 17 through O'Rae at 20

AND

21 Daniel Guilarte SS

22 Jadher Areinamo INF

23 Juan Baez INF

24 Jace Avina OF

25 Tyler Woessner RHP

26 Hendry Mendez OF

27 Matthew Wood C

28 Jesus Rivero RHP

29 Will Rudy RHP

30 Robert Moore 2B

31 Freddy Zamora SS

32 Blake Perkins OF

33 Evan McKendry RHP

34 Tayden Hall C

35 Alexander Cornielle RHP

36 Shane Smith RHP

37 Wes Clarke 1B

38 Filippo Di Turi SS

39 Quinton Low Two Way

40 Stiven Cruz RHP

41 Edwin Jimenez RHP

42 Luis Castillo OF

43 Gregory Barrios SS

44 Satchell Norman C

45 Kevin Ereu SS

46 Noah Campbell UTIL

Tier 7 (45 OFP)

47 Bishop Letson RHP

48 Josh Adamczewski SS

49 Joseph Hernandez RHP

50 Ernesto Martinez 1B

51 Craig Yoho RHP

52 James Meeker RHP

53 Cameron Wagoner RHP

54 Ethan Small LHP

55 Zavier Warren 1B

56 Yorman Galindez RHP

57 Cam Devanney UTIL

58 Harold Chirino RHP

59 Darrell Thompson LHP

60 Kay-Lan Nicasia OF

61 Ethan Murray SS

62 Yeison Perez OF

63 Ryan Middendorf RHP

64 Johan Barrios SS

65 Carlos Rodriguez OF

66 Darrien Miller C

67 Aidan Maldonado RHP

68 Eduardo Garcia SS

69 Justin Chambers LHP

70 Hedbert Perez OF

71 Ryan Brady RHP

72 Cam Robinson RHP

73 Clayton Andrews LHP

74 Max Lazar RHP

75 Manuel Rodriguez RHP

76 Nate Peterson LHP

77 Justin Yeager RHP

78 Tanner Shears RHP

79 Adam Seminaris LHP

80 Alexander Vallecillo RHP

81 Felix Valerio 2B

82 Jheremy Vargas 3B

[SF70]

On 10/5/2023 at 8:38 AM, Brewcrew82 said:

1. Jackson Chourio
   The GOAT. Nothing else to say. I'll take him over Holliday any day.
2. Jacob Misiorowski
   Best stuff in the minors alongside Skenes. Right-handed Randy Johnson? Please stay healthy.
3. Jeferson Quero
   A defensive whiz, his bat keeps improving. Love the power surge. Tailed off a bit in the second half, but likely injury related.
4. Tyler Black
   Professional hitter. Dude gets on base with the best of them. As always, where will he play?
5. Robert Gasser
   Grew so much over the course of the season, reigning in his control issues. I think he's a back end top 100 guy and a future mid rotation starter.
6. Brock Wilken
   Big time power. Great patience. Fast start. Will he sneak onto top 100 lists this winter?
7. Carlos F Rodriguez
   I'm lower on Rodriguez than most due to his stuff, but can't ignore his production at AA. Another guy who should be able to slot into the back-end to middle of your rotation, perhaps as soon as next year.
8. Luis Lara
   So advanced as a hitter for his age. Will the power come? If/when it does, he'll move up the rankings.
9. Cooper Pratt
   Likened to Gunnar Henderson on draft day and he's done nothing to make those prognostications look silly so far. I could see him topping this list a year from now presuming the graduations of Chourio and Misiorowski.
10. Mike Boeve
    He's a hitter. Though, I worry about a Keston Hiura outcome with him.
11. Eric Brown Jr
    Gets on base and fields a premium position. But you'd like to see more from someone who had the reputation of an advanced hitter. Next season will be telling.
12. Eric Bitonti
    Second youngest on this list after Chourio. Decent showing in Arizona. Could rise up the list depending on how he shows in full season ball.
13. Josh Knoth
    Highest upside pitcher in the system after Misiorowski, armed with a big-time curveball. Reminds me of Ben Sheets. Only 18, so still a wide variance in potential outcomes and will take some time.
14. Yophery Rodriguez
    This is about as high as I'll go for someone yet to play stateside. I'm not saying it will happen and he doesn't have quite as loud of tools, but he's the one in this system who could experience a Chourio-lite rise. I can't help but imagine him in LF next to Chourio and break a smile. Youngest player on my list.
15. Logan Henderson
    How did he not get the call to high A is beyond me. Recovered from injury and dominated the Carolina League. But isn't that to be expected from a 21 year old? If he can replicate that performance next season across multiple levels, he'll move into my top 10.
16. Luke Adams
    Great showing in low A as a 19 year old. You love to see that kind of patience and power from someone so young. His set-up terrifies me though not unlike Wiemer. This is one where our hitting development staff will have to do some developing.
17. Daniel Guilarte
    Promising start, but finish left a little to be desired, and there's little power. Still only 19 and has a great eye at the plate.
18. Filippo Di Turi
    Only 17. You can't help but be thrilled with what you saw from him in the DSL. Will the Brewers be aggressive with him like Chourio and potentially Yophery? Power questions, but the glove is there.
19. Bradley Blalock
    Two plus pitches with an average third and solid control. That's starter material. Good results. Let the Brewers pitching development system eat.
20. Dylan O'Rae
    Love everything about him. EXCEPT for one caveat and it's a major one: He has yet to hit a single HR. in the minors.

Top 5 farm system in baseball undoubtedly. What Montgomery and co. did this past draft was criminal. It's at a point where I'm comfortable holding onto Burnes, Woodruff, and Adames for one last run. 

It’s Tod Johnson & co. running the amateur draft since 2017. Montgomery’s last draft was in 2016.

[SF70]

The farms pitching is about ready to breakout in a big way and when it does this system will be absolutely monstrous, and not just for a little bit, not with this team’s prospect procurement skill.

Gasser-CRod-Misiorowski-Birchard-Henderson-Knoth, the young internationals and then the rest of the HS arms from last years draft have really turned around the farms pitching depth.

[CheeseheadInQC]

Looking at the votes (note, all these numbers are really unofficial, just me doing rough calculations by hand):

1. You want clear early tier breaks, we've got clear early tier breaks. If my calculations are correct, 19/27 votes had the same top 4 in some order and 18/27 had the same top 7 in some order. Guys other than the big 4 who had multiple top-4 votes: Gasser had five and Wilken had two. Guys outside the top 7 who had multiple top 7 votes: Lara (3), Pratt (3), Brown (2).

2. No one else was really that close to cracking the top 20, but Areinamo and Clarke appear to be the top ones who missed.

3. I counted 42 different players getting votes

4. The "We Like You But We Don't Love You" award goes to Shane Smith, who made four ballots but always in the 20th position.

Among the guys who didn't get a vote, in my opinion:

Best hitting prospect: Hendry Mendez

Most surprising they didn't get a vote (other than above) among hitters: Isaac Collins, Pedro Ibarguen

Best pitching prospects: Yerlin Rodriguez, Tyler Woessner

Most surprising they didn't get a vote among pitchers: Bishop Letson

Overall:

Underrated: I can understand the reasons, but I'm a bit surprised Aquino didn't get more support

Overrated: He performed really well, and I ranked him in my top 20 because of it, but I still can't shake the thought that we could easily be talking about Boeve being the seventh best prospect from his draft class this time next year. Hopefully if that is the case, it is just because Wilken, Knoth, Pratt, Bitonti, Birchard and one of the other high school pitchers all really broke out.

[markedman5]

I don’t subscribe but BA has taken notice of Birchard.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/ryan-birchard-may-be-the-next-brewers-junior-college-gem/

[brewerralph]

1-Jackson Chourio

2-Tyler Black

3-Jeferson Quero

4-Jacob Misiorowski

5-Robert Gasser

6-Brock Wilken

7-Luis Lara

8-Carlos F Rodriguez

9-Cooper Pratt

10-Mike Boeve

11-Juan Baez

12-Wes Clark

13-Bradley Blalock

14-Eric Brown Jr

15-Ryan Birchard

16-Josh Knoth

17-Evan McKendry

18-Dylan O'Rae

19-Luke Adams

20-Logan Henderson

 

[Joseph Zarr]

On 10/5/2023 at 5:38 AM, CheeseheadInQC said:

1. Jackson Chourio
2. Jeferson Quero
3. Jacob Misiorowski
4. Tyler Black
5. Carlos F Rodriguez
6. Brock Wilken
7. Robert Gasser
8. Josh Knoth
9. Yophery Rodriguez
10. Luis Lara
11. Cooper Pratt
12. Luke Adams
13. Eric Brown Jr
14. Jadher Areinamo
15. Logan Henderson
16. Mike Boeve
17. Patricio Aquino
18. Alexander Cornielle
19. Bradley Blalock
20. Shane Smith

Lots of really interesting prospects here and pretty far down the list.

Notes:

1. Wilken is in the tier with the two pitchers rather than vaulting above them simply because I'm holding off until pitchers have a chance to adjust to him. He moved up so fast because of his stellar play that that really never happened.

2. O'Rae and Baez were considered for the top 20, but the fact that offensive numbers were so absurd in the ACL (I don't think Galindez pitching better in Carolina was a fluke) hurt both in my eyes. Plus, I worry that O'Rae's walk totals are likely to drop as he moves up the ladder because the number of really wild pitchers will keep dropping, and he hasn't thus far had the ability to consistently showcase doubles power like Areinamo has.

3. The system flattens out after the top 7, but there are more than 50 players here that I am legitimately intrigued by.

4. Like I said in the other thread, I gave a fair amount of consideration to Luiyin Alastre, who came a few extra base hits away from reaching the 15/10/.1 marks I like to look at (less than 15% strikeout rate, more than 10% walk rate and a .1 or better ISO.

You'll like this @CheeseheadInQC:

Shane Smith Piece - He's Working on His Slider in Arizona and Has 1 K Already

Quote

Off the field, Smith loved connecting with his teammates while golfing and going to team scrambles. The biggest thing he learned over the course of the summer was pitch sequencing and honing his curveball location.

I can attest, by late summer the curve was straight filthy. 

Quote

“Moving up is not something you think about, but you also kind of realize you’re part of a pool of arms that could be getting a shot,” said Smith, who is also working on a slider and got a strikeout with the pitch in one of his early Arizona appearances.

[markedman5]

Some good write ups here on our top guys

 

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/mlb-top-100-prospects-2023/

[Ro Mueller]

Adam McCalvy summarizes the evolution of the farm system in 2023, highlighting six players.

I love this quote from farm director Tom Flanagan about RHP Logan Henderson: “He’s set up in a really good spot heading into 2024, Do you start him at Appleton, maybe [Double-A] Biloxi? Who knows. We’ll see in Spring Training. But he’s in a really good spot the way he’s throwing the ball -- and he’s 100 percent healthy.”

Note: Flanagan’s actual title is Vice President - Player Operations and Baseball Administration.