TheeAirbender

Fangraphs write up from June this year: Blalock was selected as a safety pick in the 32nd round of the 2019 draft under the assumption that he was heading to school, but at the end of the day, Boston had enough bonus pool money left to sign him for $250,000. He had an inconsistent full-season debut in 2021 but also showed significant growth in terms of velocity, sitting 93-95 mph while touching 97, with the velo complemented by excellent shape, including big hopping action. He entered 2022 as a potential breakout guy, but Blalock had Tommy John in March and never threw a pitch. Recently back from his rehab, Blalock’s made just a few A-ball starts before list publication and things look to be intact, so that breakout may upon us. Blalock is again sitting 93-95 and has been up to 97. It’s easily a plus-or-better pitch, and Blalock’s secondaries (which weren’t great in 2021) have leveled up in quality. This either happened between the end of 2021 and when he had TJ, or during his rehab. His 77-82 mph curveball has huge depth, and Blalock now also has a harder gyro slider. His slider feel isn’t dialed in yet. It’s usually tough for hurlers with extreme vertical slots like Blalock’s to have changeup feel, and he might be able to develop a screwball-style pitch, but because of his ability to spin the baseball, it’s more likely Blalock continues to refine his slider until that’s his third weapon. The 2023 season is Blalock’s 40-man evaluation year and I think this is a guy potentially vulnerable to the Rule 5 if the Red Sox leave him unprotected. Yes, he’s currently at Low-A Salem, but Blalock will be 23 next year, he clearly crushed his rehab program, and he has two pitches that could get big league outs right now in his fastball and curveball. Especially as he’s still building innings coming off the TJ, he could absolutely be popped as a reliever. It might be better for the Red Sox to push Blalock and give him a real shot to earn a 40-man spot. He could be a Fall League candidate to push his innings total.

'So you just like big names it would seem. Hopkins is beyond washed and there's a good chance OBJ coming off his 3rd knee surgery or whatever it is, is just as washed.

Calling someone a failed pickup before the trade has even been announced🤣. Some people just want the team to fail

At minimum it's a better fit for the team down the stretch, and I would venture to say there is way more likelihood in Chafin having good numbers here than Strez returning to form down the stretch. Who knows after this year but it's a risk I'd take.

Yes, as usual.

Wouldn't be shocked if this is some kind of major league return, IMO.

They have him in the minors to limit his innings. I'm guessing he's in AA instead of AAA because the marlins AA affiliate is in Pensacola Florida.

Nice post. Hernandez definitely looks the most intriguing in terms of getting a lefty masher which they definitely need... but I think the offense needs a little more vs RHP too. Tough spot.

I wonder if the writer would be a fan of trading PCA and Horton for HSK. Seriously.. some of these articles.. Next: "Why trading two-way superstar Noah Campbell for Shohei Ohtani is a poor idea"

Can anyone explain why a power hitter *has* to hit 4th/cleanup? It's something I've never understood in baseball. Ideally I would want a contact hitter at that spot. Ability to put the ball in play with 2 outs/ runner on (and in a lot of cases likely with RISP) is exactly the situation I would want a contact hitter up. Something I've always thought about.

🤣

Would you slot him above or below Ernesto Martinez on a hypothetical top 2 Brewers prospect list?

Says in the article linked above that teams were wary they could get him off his commitment in early rounds. Wonder if it was almost a bluff on his behalf to get a higher # but then realized he didn't actually want to go to college. May never know

The concerns about Frelick's defense in the fangraphs article was something I hadn't seen before. Very interesting, and if he does have to play in a COF spot, it would be really disappointing I think. The bat to ball skills seem like they are sure to play, but really wish it would come from CF. Chourio might end up making this point obsolete anyway.

I dont know, Mitchell has been pretty damn good this year, and good when hes been healthy. Was clearly hurting last year when he struggled and sat out a bunch.

Wow. Excited, have to say I expected Frelick before him and Ruiz for that matter but good for him

Might have been posted somewhere else but anyone know why Nashville is doing a double header Sunday as well with no game tomorrow? Expected rain?

That would be aggressive for sure. Wonder if a Frelick/Turang promotion is coming and they are backfilling up? Also in anticipation of losing Reetz? Could be a number of things I suppose Hm. Frelick/Turang both still in the lineup today so probably not that. Curious what this is.

Looks like the Nashville game is free to watch today.

Baseball America moved Chourio upto #2 in their latest top 100 rankings

I know we're more hesitant here after last weeks mishap... but after a peculiar Jeferson Quero instagram story, I replied to it asking if he was going to the Timber Rattlers, and he confirmed he is being promoted.

Good start for Avina with Carolina to say the least. Another homer for him.

I know catchers are handled differently than any other position in terms of promotions.. but any chance of Quero promotion soon? Any catchers in the ACL performing that could backfill? Quero is pretty impressive.

Two homers for Avina. Very nice

My first list here... 1. Jackson Chourio 2. Sal Frelick 3. Jeferson Quero 4. Garrett Mitchell 5. Brice Turang 6. Robert Gasser 7. Tyler Black 8. Joey Wiemer 9. Esteury Ruiz 10. Hendry Mendez 11. Ethan Small 12. Felix Valerio 13. Luis Lara 14. Jacob Misiorowski 15. Eduardo Garcia 16. Justin Jarvis 17. Eric Brown Jr. 18. Hedbert Perez 19. Carlos Rodriguez (RHP) 20. Abner Uribe