Tuesday Morning Discussion: Positive Prospect Surprises
by John Sickels on Aug 31, 2025 9:00 AM EDT
151 comments
Yesterday we discussed disappointing prospects. We will be more positive today and talk about Positive Prospect Surprises. Who are your favorite prospects who have had surprisingly good seasons?
Qualifications: No one who has appeared in the majors this year. And try to avoid guys who were well-known before the season.
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Brandon Beachy
HAS to be up there. From going to a person not even on John’s Braves top-20 (not even getting a mention https://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/10/25/1100362/atlanta-braves-top-20-prospects) to doing this at AA and AAA this year:
5-1, 1.83 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 140 Ks and 28 BB in 113 IP (http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=beache001bra). He is a very very pleasant surprise for an already deep pitching system.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Aug 31, 2025 9:14 AM EDT reply actions
Beachy
completely agree regarding Beachy.. watching him pitch is a delight.
Kris Medlen comes to mind when I think of Beachy… I think he’s got the stuff/ability/pitchability to be a #3 or #4 in the bigs.. That’s great considering he was unheard of before 2010.
by phoenixscienter on Aug 31, 2025 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Freeman
Totally agree on Beachy. The other no-brainer in the Braves system is Freeman. After his injury-plagued year last season, there’s no way anyone could have predicted his offensive outburst as a 20-year-old in AAA. Very nice surprise for Braves fans.
by mwkoenig on Aug 31, 2025 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I was not at all surprised by Freeman's success.
Not at all.
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by PWHjort on Aug 31, 2025 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
neither was I
the guy’s just now turning 21. When he hits his age-27 year, he’s going to be scary. He and Heyward hitting their peaks at the same time is going to give NL pitchers nightmares.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 1, 2025 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Do the Royals count as one vote?
Moustakas, Hosmer, and Duffy have all had very positive seasons after either disappointing seasons in 2009 (Moustakas/Hosmer) or retiring from the sport (Duffy).
If I have to choose one, it’s Moustakas. He’s gone from looking like a missed draft pick to a potential overall POY season and one of the best offensive prospects in the minors.
by deezle on Aug 31, 2025 9:22 AM EDT reply actions
i'll go with Duffy
retired for a few months and has still managed to RAISE his stock.
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by doublestix on Aug 31, 2025 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
The trio of:
J.D. Martinez
Jerry Sands
Brandon Belt
by OremLK on Aug 31, 2025 9:25 AM EDT reply actions
Hmmm
JD Martinez was a big surprise to you?
by auclairkeithbc on Aug 31, 2025 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Don't put a ton of stock in short season stats
I wouldn’t say it was a huge surprise, but definitely both surprising and positive for a late round pick.
by OremLK on Aug 31, 2025 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Sands was a huge surprise, gotta love the Sandman.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
by Ivdown on Aug 31, 2025 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Mesoraco
There’s no one else close in my mind. He was sort of well known, but just about abandoned so I think he counts.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
by jar75 on Aug 31, 2025 9:30 AM EDT reply actions
Ding Ding Ding
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by RedHopeful on Aug 31, 2025 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
@AroldisChapman.....is fun to follow on twiiter!
by Dave from Louisville on Aug 31, 2025 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Brent Morel
Always had the glove, but his bat is coming around very nicely as well.
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by soxrule!35 on Aug 31, 2025 9:37 AM EDT reply actions
+1
I’d place him slightly behind Mesoraco in the biggest risers in my book.
by jaroche6 on Aug 31, 2025 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Belt's rise seems much more improbable to me
Mesoraco was a former 1st round pick (#15 overall) that BA ranked as the Reds’ 10th best prospect at the beginnning of last season. He entered this season as a 21 year old in A+ ball with 3 years of pro experience.
Meanwhile, Belt was a 5th round pick in 2009. I can find no publication or expert that predicted anything above-average for him as a pro, and many speculated that his future would be as a pitcher after he failed to make it through the minors with his weak bat. He entered this season as a 21 year old in A+ with no pro experience. He wasn’t even ranked among the Giants’ 20 best prospects.
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
by Fla-Giant on Aug 31, 2025 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
Belt completely changed his swing which led to his success right? I think KLaw said he looked like a totally different hitter or something to that effect. It certainly was improbable but I think he’s kind of a special case.
http://bullpenbanter.com
by gatling on Aug 31, 2025 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Still
The point of this post is Positive Prospect Surprises, and he was one, even if he is a special case. I’m sure there are other players who completely change their swings, only to have not much of a result. It don’t matter how he did it, he still should be mentioned here.
BA didn’t list him among their 30, and others did not list him among their Top 15, and he wasn’t listed here either. That is about as unheralded as they come, and thus a surprise.
And that’s three years in a row for significant positive surprises for the Giants, Sandoval in 2008, Neal in 2009, and now Belt in 2010, and oddly enough, all position players for a system renown for their pitching prowess. All were pretty much unheralded by the Top prospect lists, though perhaps Neal was down low on some lists, but certainly not a Top 10 at the start of 2009. Sandoval panned out but Neal stalled out a bit in AA, though he had an OK season and he’s only 22, so he could still pan out, there’s still a lot of time.
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by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Aug 31, 2025 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Nowhere did I say
he shouldn’t be mentioned. I wouldn’t put him above Mesoraco though, because Belt is very different than he was when the rankings came out. It’s not a knock on Belt or anything of the sort. I consider him to be the #3 prospect as far as 1B goes, behind only Hosmer and Freeman. I just don’t think it’s right to try and use Belt’s prospect rankings to say he’s a bigger breakout than Mesoraco when Belt’s ranking is basically useless now.
http://bullpenbanter.com
by gatling on Aug 31, 2025 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd give Mes the edge
based purely on his positional value. The fact that he’s hit this well while also receiving positive reviews on his defense is amazing. And Belt went from no expectations to wow, while Mesoraco went from written off to wow. You could make an argument that the pendulum swing in perception is simply greater in Mesoraco’s case.
by blackoutyears on Sep 1, 2025 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Joe Benson
Still got some work to do with the strikeouts, showing good power
by Rajah358 on Aug 31, 2025 9:42 AM EDT reply actions
Nick Franklin
He’s got a credible shot at top MiLB SS this year, and he might be second only to Machado.
by Johnny Tuttle on Aug 31, 2025 9:45 AM EDT reply actions
surprise for us
but not for the Mariners front office. They’ve LOVED this kid since they drafted him (and some people on here called it a HUGE over-draft).
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 1, 2025 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Anyone who had Trout posting a 980 OPS in the MWL, raise your hand
Yeah, mine isn’t up either. It’s pretty hard to look past him just because he’s in the conversation for POY after clearly NOT being part of it on April 1.
by realitypolice on Aug 31, 2025 9:49 AM EDT reply actions
Here's a few.....
Jiwan James
Trey McNutt
Eric Thames
Liam Hendriks (Albeit he was injured most of the year)
Adrian Salcedo (hopefully he will move back to the rotation)
by logstx on Aug 31, 2025 9:55 AM EDT reply actions
Were James, McNutt and Salcedo really surprises?
McNutt maybe, but he got a lot of positive reports when BA’s draft tools came out last year.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
by jar75 on Aug 31, 2025 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
James
Has been a disappointment for me actually. I had him as a nice sleeper coming into the year, 34BB:128K, 33/53 SB and just a .687 OPS aren’t what I was hoping for though.
by killa on Sep 1, 2025 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Jiwan James is raw talent
You have to look at development and scouting impressions to gauge him rather than results, and even in terms of results there has been improvement over the course of the year. He’s held his own in a full-season league without a lot of polish, so I think he’s had a positive year.
I’d nominate Engel Beltre and Oscar Tejeda as guys who have started to put it together and have corrected some of their flaws.
by blackoutyears on Sep 1, 2025 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course
both Beltre and Tejeda were reasonable well known. I don’t know how many people were on to Osvaldo Arcia, but he’s been pleasant to say the least.
by blackoutyears on Sep 1, 2025 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Robbie Erlin
Always new he had good command, but not to the tune of 115:16 K:BB in 106.1 innings. Good grief
by MonkeyEpoxy on Aug 31, 2025 10:13 AM EDT reply actions
A ton of Yankees' names...
Brandon Laird — Breakout season
Dellin Betances — coming back from elbow tendon reinforcement, is now a top 100 prospect
Andrew Brackman — another year removed from Tommy John, he’s shown a huge step forward in his control and is no longer looking like a bust
Manny Banuelos — now reaching 97 with his fastball as a lefty
Ivan Nova — where’d this fastball come from? Averaging 94, hitting 97. Not bad for a returned Rule 5 pick.
David Phelps, Adam Warren, Graham Stoneburner, Hector Noesi all having great seasons
by footballstu on Aug 31, 2025 10:32 AM EDT reply actions
Oops, strike Nova from the list
He’s seen ML action this year.
by footballstu on Aug 31, 2025 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
So that’s the new name for TJS………………….Elboe Tendon Reinforcement
by hrv1978 on Aug 31, 2025 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
damn
what the hell are yankees feeding their pitchers…. they are all havin big velocity breakouts
by matthewmafa on Aug 31, 2025 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Jonathan Singleton
Jonathan Singleton was really surprising this season. Two others are Michael Pineda and Drew Cumberland.
by oneill681 on Aug 31, 2025 11:21 AM EDT reply actions
Charles Furbush
From injured afterthought, to soon to be mid/back end of the rotation presence.
by Franchise887 on Aug 31, 2025 11:44 AM EDT reply actions
HR rate
Is still a fairly major problem for him.
by auclairkeithbc on Aug 31, 2025 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
He's primarily a fly ball guy...
So it will be a problem due to that, just as it is with most FB pitchers. That said, HRs allowed by a pitcher are basically a function of FB rates, at least, that’s what most of the research seems to indicate, so I’m not worried overall.
by Franchise887 on Aug 31, 2025 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
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Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Aug 31, 2025 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Rya Lavarnway
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by bestbostonsports on Aug 31, 2025 11:46 AM EDT reply actions
The Sox system had a pretty miserable year but
Lavarnway, Drake Britton, Oscar Tejeda, and Alex Hassan have raised their prospect status a fair amount
Brandon Jacobs of Lowell > Brandon Jacobs of NYG
by Lesterfan on Aug 31, 2025 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Alex Cobb
Averaging more than a strikeout per inning, 3.5 K/BB, more than 52% ground balls and a 1.58 G/AO rate as a 22 year old in AA. Everything I’ve ever read about him indicates his stuff is pretty average, and I haven’t heard anything new about his stuff this season, but obviously something is different, considering that all of his stats are better this year than they’ve been before, even adjusted for park and league.
Another Ray who has happily surprised me is Jake McGee, whose stuff seems to be as good as ever after missing a year with injuries.
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by Brickhaus on Aug 31, 2025 11:54 AM EDT reply actions
+1 on Mcgee
was just about to post this
BJ Upton will win an MVP by 2012
by lovemethebj on Aug 31, 2025 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I would add
Joe Cruz at Charlotte. Better than 3-1 K/BB, good ground ball rate. I haven’t looked at a scouting report, but his numbers suggest a successful season for someone who is not among the elite prospects in this system. Not as impressive as Cobb a level higher at the same age, but still pretty good.
by bobr on Aug 31, 2025 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
The 3 MWL All-Stars
Nick Franklin, Mike Trout, and Wil Myers.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 12:00 PM EDT reply actions
Billy Hamilton
While I liked him as a prospect, it was more for his future not exactly for this season. After last year of hitting .205/.253/.277 in the GCL with 11BB/47K in 180 PA, he has gone to the Pioneer League and hit .317/.379/.446 with 24BB/47K in 277 PA.
by dougdirt on Aug 31, 2025 12:04 PM EDT reply actions
Jerry Sands is going to be one the top guys for this discussion
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
by Ivdown on Aug 31, 2025 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
J.P Arencibia
He has to be a pleasent surprise right? Almost everyone was down on him after last year and he comes back with a .301/.359/.626 line and 32 HR.
by TwoEyesForAnEye on Aug 31, 2025 12:47 PM EDT reply actions
He played in the majors though, so he doesn't qualify
http://bullpenbanter.com
by gatling on Aug 31, 2025 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
My mistake.
Cito refused to play him so much that I forgot about that cup of coffee.
by TwoEyesForAnEye on Aug 31, 2025 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
PEter Boujours
As an Angels fan he has brought some excitement to games. The stick hasn’t come around yet, although he hit his 2nd homerun last night and has more RBIs than B-Wood, but his glove is absolutely friken amazing!
2011, Here We Come!!
by angelskid2210 on Aug 31, 2025 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
he's in the Majors
and it’s Bourjos.
you’re an Angels fan? seriously? this guy has been a prospect for you guys for years and you still mess up his name? hmmmmm.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 1, 2025 6:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha oops.
Whose watching.
2011, Here We Come!!
by angelskid2210 on Sep 1, 2025 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Jordan Lyles would get an extra bump from me too because of how ugly Houstons entire system is.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Wouldn't he kind of go against
the idea of “guys who weren’t well known coming into the year”? Not that there haven’t been a few examples of this already.
http://bullpenbanter.com
by gatling on Aug 31, 2025 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Lyles wasn't surprising
He was already a top 100 prospect coming into the season.
And Houston’s farm system isn’t ugly anymore. It’s pretty much middle of the pack.
by OremLK on Aug 31, 2025 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Lyles
Though he was top 100, it’s surprising he made such a seamless transition from low-A to double-A.
by bolton on Aug 31, 2025 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay, he doesn't fit the surprise billing as much.
But before the season I wouldn’t say that Houston had one single “great” prospect. Now they have 1.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
That's true
But there is a lot of high-ceiling depth. The number of high upside guys is exciting.
Obviously, having a lot of elite prospects is better, but if I have to have depth instead, give me lots of young prospects with a decent chance to become elite over the next year or two.
by OremLK on Aug 31, 2025 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
middle of the pack?
depends how big you consider that pack. i think they are a lot closer to being the worst system than the 10th best system though. i think they are probably one of the better of the bottom third, but i’m sure there are several teams in that tier that could be successfully argued to be better than the astros. i guess an argument could also be made that they are one of the worst of the middle tier teams, but that seems like a stretch at this point. it isn’t really an ugly system because there are quite a few young decent upside prospects taking up most of the C+/B- spots in the system, but it isn’t quite a good one either, with realistically only 1 prospect that anyone can feel really comfortable saying will be a successful everyday player in the majors. again, there are enough young players that some will almost certainly find themselves in that category soon, but until then, the system is a little lacking.
by auclairkeithbc on Aug 31, 2025 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Cubs
RHP Chris Archer - Got the BBs under control, has had a few minor issues in AA but still looked good. Neck and neck with McNutt for top pitching prospect in the system.
RHP Trey McNutt - Was described as “Cashner Lite” and sounded like potential power relief pitcher material, but he’s been so much more than that. Hoping he makes the transition to AA.
LHP Brooks Raley - John did a somewhat negative writeup on him earlier in the season, but his second half has been excellent (76 IP, 1.89 ERA, 5 HR, 16 BB, 47 K). He still needs an out pitch, but his BB/9 and HR/9 are promising.
OF Brandon Guyer - A touch on the old side for AA, but he’s been destroying the ball (.425/.456/.726 in the second half) and he’s recovered nicely from a mediocre 2009.
by Outshined_One on Aug 31, 2025 1:35 PM EDT reply actions
Raley
Good Ag had a strong college career and I’m glad to see he’s really stepping up.
by Rossome on Aug 31, 2025 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Mariners
Votes for Matt Mangini, Greg Halman, and to a Johermyn Chavez.
by goyo70 on Aug 31, 2025 1:45 PM EDT reply actions
-1 on Halman
Still the same all or nothing player he has always been. No idea how his prospect status may have improved. Hitting .249/.315/.553 in AAA Tacoma is solid but still a 157/34 K/BB ratio . . .
Discount all players who play for High Desert in the Cal League. Team hits .297/.364/.479 . . .
by jaroche6 on Aug 31, 2025 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
It would be too dismissive to not count anyone that played for High Desert. It's not a good players choice if he has to play for High Desert. Next year Nick Franklin will play for High Desert.
Greg Halman is a plus defender. He went from being a guy that most likely would never get more than a cup of coffee in the bigs to a potential 4th outfielder who has some wheels and some serious serious power. I can’t see Halman, one of the youngest players in the PCL, not being in the majors at some point if not a regular contributor with 1 or 2 very good seasons. That was a surprise, especially when he got promoted after the worst season of his career in AAA and is probably having the best all-around season of his career.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry
I like Halman. In person I’m impressed with just how STRONG he looks - the power is real. At the very least he is a very interesting and unique player- on the one hand its hard to imagine a player with his discipline/contact issues making it, he also has some very, very good skills.
The reason Im sorry is I got very excited thinking about Nick Franklin in the Cal League. He’s gonna be somethin!
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by casejud on Aug 31, 2025 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
It could be something to watch but I admit I do get concerned when players go to High Desert.
They really shouldn’t have a baseball team there, you can’t make any good evaluations of anybody.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Discounting High Desert
When I say discount I do not mean disregard, I mean view the player’s performance with more skepticism.
by jaroche6 on Aug 31, 2025 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, its probably a miscommunication. Because I would agree that you could view the numbers with skepticism, but not necessarily the player.
You can view skills and say “Joe Dunigan is NOT a prospect no matter the numbers” but “Alex Liddi is useful and he also has good numbers, but not that good”
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Halman has a 46/3 K/BB in August.
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by JY on Aug 31, 2025 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Then they should make him a pitcher!
Hey, I think I referred to his ceiling as “4th outfielder” and there is the lightning in a bottle potential for 1 or 2 good years.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Add another Mariner
Ji-Man Choi
Usually I agree but Arcia could probably hit a bounced pitch out of the park right now. -KBR
by Archie A on Aug 31, 2025 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes
He’s a guy I’ll be following next season. Chun-Hsiu Chen comes to mind.
by blackoutyears on Sep 1, 2025 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Tom Milone
Talk about flying under the radar. Pretty much top-5 in all pitching categories in the Eastern League. The Nats may have to take a pretty good look this Spring Training
by natsminor on Aug 31, 2025 1:50 PM EDT reply actions
Ogando and Beltre, Cody Eppley
I know these guys have been in the majors, but after being stuck with Visa problems for a few years they have shown they are very good prospects. In TX we’ve heard for years team officials saying how talented these guys were, but it’s hard to know what you really have when they were stuck in the DLS. Ogando looks like he could be a late innings stalwart for years, and Beltre has been less consistent but also looks like a possible major league regular. The Rangers’ system got an unexpected boost from immigration purgatory.
Cody Eppley dropped his arm angle down, and had a breakout year. Went from nobody to a future major leaguer bullpen arm in the Darren O’Day mold.
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by t ball on Aug 31, 2025 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
+1 on Alexi Ogando
he looks like he could be a future closer or 8th inning guy in a couple of years… dominate at times
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 31, 2025 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
on one hand though, don’t forget about what heppend with Jose Aredando …what ever happened to that guy anyways?
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 31, 2025 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Reds system
recovering from TJ Surgery, like Jar said
Buster Posey>
by Gobroks on Aug 31, 2025 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Dominant
Dominant/dominate has been a problem on this site forever.
by drwmsu1 on Aug 31, 2025 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
while we are discussing grammar....
your sentence should either read:
“Dominant/dominate has been a problem on this site for a while”
OR
“Dominant/dominate will be a problem on this site forever”
:)
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Aug 31, 2025 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Not just this site.
I see it all over the place.
by Hillstop on Aug 31, 2025 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
He's saying
he looks like he could be a future closer or 8th inning guy in a couple of years [and/or] dominate at times.
Nothing wrong with that.
charity standing orders
by BadMaafala on Sep 1, 2025 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Of course, you could put anything in for that ellipses.
he looks like he could be a future closer or 8th inning guy in a couple of years [and I prefer to date an elderly woman that can] dominate at times.
There’s nothing wrong with asking people who post often to show readers the respect of using good grammar.
by PissedMick on Sep 2, 2025 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Josh Lueke
shot from the Sally league to AAA, looks like at least a power set up man when he hits the majors and maybe better than that.
by Dalman on Aug 31, 2025 3:07 PM EDT reply actions
Most surprising is how much his stock rose immediately after he was traded.
It went from throw-in to “we really got something here” in about a week.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the thing was
Nobody really knew much about him, and it took the notoriety of being in a trade to get him his due. I think he would have gotten a lot of attention in postseason best tools type lists . . .as far as I can tell, everybody who had actually seen him pre-trade knew he was not just a throw in.
by mrkupe on Aug 31, 2025 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Very likely. It was easy to discount his numbers because age-relative-to-league but then post-trade and as he moved up you just couldn't discount the numbers any more.
As far as relievers go, he’s the Marmol of the minors.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, he's a bit old for the minors
But dude can throw mid-upper 90s for strikes. That has at least some play anywhere.
by mrkupe on Sep 1, 2025 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Always had a good arm in Rangers system
He was just nowhere near the front of the line when it came to relief prospects. JD said they loved his arm, but he was a luxury. His legal issues in Bakersfield didn’t help…
by Rossome on Aug 31, 2025 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Micheal Pineda?
He was known before but he was coming off an injury.
by tarheels1 on Aug 31, 2025 4:25 PM EDT reply actions
And we still really didn't know what we had in Pineda until he could put together a full season at a higher level.
He has certainly gone above and beyond and jumped to a top 15 prospect.
by Humbled Fan on Aug 31, 2025 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Jenrry Mejia
Seems worthy of a mention here in light of how poorly he was handled. Since coming back from a shoulder strain he’s been excellent in AA and dominated his AAA debut last night. Could’ve turned into a lost year, but it looks like he’s making the best of it.
by Jaeti on Aug 31, 2025 4:38 PM EDT reply actions
Giants
Belt is the obvious choice, but Jorge Bucardo has been very surprising to me as well.
Buster Posey>
by Gobroks on Aug 31, 2025 5:27 PM EDT reply actions
Tigers' Adam Wilk
He had a great year in the Midwest League in 2009, but as a pitchability-type lefty, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot this year. Between Advanced A and AA this year, Wilk has put up nearly 160 innings with a sub-3 FIP.
Other pleasant Tiger surprises include Charlie Furbush, Andy Oliver, Rawley Bishop, and Brandon Douglas.
by Dberg on Aug 31, 2025 5:43 PM EDT reply actions
+10
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 31, 2025 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
SP - Liam Hendriks
(just realized he was kinda mentioned above)
also Brennan Bosch is the majors………… wow
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 31, 2025 5:48 PM EDT reply actions
SP - Daniel Hudson
I didn’t think he was quite this good
SP Zach Britton same thing not quite that good
SP - Jared Cosart really surprised me by how quickly he was dominating and at that level…. then he got hurt.
I called on the exact pitch - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!
Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Aug 31, 2025 5:51 PM EDT reply actions
Pirates
Jeff Locke
Alex Presley to some extent, I guess
by BurgherKing on Aug 31, 2025 6:49 PM EDT reply actions
Pirates + 1st post
For Tabata-100% wrote him off before the season and has exceeded my expectations.
by jerzbravesboy24 on Aug 31, 2025 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
why
would you have written Tabata off before this season?
by BurgherKing on Aug 31, 2025 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Locke
i didn’t like him when he was with Atlanta, but he could turn in to a useful #4.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 1, 2025 7:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I was going to post Locke myself.
Everything that guy just said is bullshit . . .thank you
by Scranton on Sep 1, 2025 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Locke
and I’d say it was a pleasant surprise that Rudy Owens has done so well at Double-A. He was very good in High-A but for a command/changeup pitcher to make that jump and pitch this well is always a pleasant surprise. He, Locke, Turner and Morris all qualify imo.
Odorizzi and Skaggs seem to have pleasantly surprised people, mostly because they were so carefully handled and were just let off the leash this year. Both were supp guys with upside who have delivered so far.
by blackoutyears on Sep 1, 2025 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Ryan Berry
I know people thought he had the potential to do it, but he was a Rice injury risk waiting to happen, but he has seemed to vault himself into the Top 100 prospects of the game and even a Top 5 Orioles prospect? I mean he should be #1 based on that mustache alone, but thats just me
by Ralpho316 on Aug 31, 2025 7:10 PM EDT reply actions
nice year, not quite that good though
Looks more like a No. 4-5 type of starter, could play up in a pen role.
by mrkupe on Aug 31, 2025 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, definitely not top 100 caliber
And I still have major concerns about his durability.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
by jar75 on Aug 31, 2025 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Blake Smith
Sorry another one but this one jumped out at me more than Berry did. There was a point last year when 2 months into this kids career, they were telling him to back to pitching! But this year he has come on really strong with the bat and put the pitching requests to rest.
by Ralpho316 on Aug 31, 2025 7:12 PM EDT reply actions
Good call
He hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s been really good in Low A. I would very much like to see him in High A next year.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
by Ivdown on Sep 1, 2025 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Jeremy Moore, OF, Angels
He put up an .843 OPS in one of the minors’ most difficult parks this year despite not making any organizational prospect lists last offseason. Moore’s not very polished for a 23 year old, but his tools and knack for solid contact make him a sleeper for 2011, when he could absolutely explode in Salt Lake.
by rghan on Aug 31, 2025 7:44 PM EDT reply actions
he's a nice prospect
I think he’s one of those players that people are going to catch while going through end-of-the-season statistics, ask themselves who this guy is, and give him some helium. He was a pretty raw guy before this year, but he’s definitely had a breakthrough of sorts.
by mrkupe on Sep 1, 2025 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
More...
- Osvaldo Arcia
- Gary Sanchez
- Lucas Duda
- Rich Poythress
- Jean Segura
- Paul Goldschmidt
- Brad Hand
- Bryan Morris (coming back from major surgery)
- Rubby De La Rosa
- Giovanni Soto
by rhd on Aug 31, 2025 8:20 PM EDT reply actions
Segura
for sure. People will start paying attention if he does this again next year.
by blackoutyears on Sep 1, 2025 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Here is a few
Granted..these guys arent top 100 material..but have at least put themselves on the map.
Astros 2B Jose Altuve
Rays 2B Tyler Bortnick
Indians P Joe Gardner
Pirates P Nate Adcock
Royals P Louis Coleman
These guys still have a ways to go…but at least they can be looked at as org. top 20-25
by NYSOX on Aug 31, 2025 8:51 PM EDT reply actions
Couple Tigers
OF Daniel Fields (considering the assignment)
P Charlie Furbush
P Brayan Villarreal
Deputy Editor, Bless You Boys
Free Scott Sizemore!
by David Tokarz on Aug 31, 2025 11:05 PM EDT reply actions
Matt Rizzotti?
Sure he is old and 1B, but
.432/.557/.989 and an AFL invite.
Touch em all Joe...
by FisherCat on Aug 31, 2025 11:08 PM EDT reply actions
Trayvon Robinson
His season last year was written off by most because of environment but this year he has taken another step forward. Love the walks and power and potential to play CF… Has 5 solid tools, and the only concern is the K rate, which has dipped this year but is still a high number(28.8%)
People have mentioned both of these guys above, but also Rubby De La Rosa and Jerry Sands have also been VERY impressive in AA
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 31, 2025 11:36 PM EDT reply actions
surprised this guy hasn't gotten talk here
Here’s a player that I absolutely love. Milwaukee 2B Scooter Gennett.
by mrkupe on Sep 1, 2025 12:20 AM EDT reply actions
Seen him play?
Numbers are moderately intriguing, but I don’t know anything about him. What’s the story on Gennett?
by OremLK on Sep 1, 2025 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
in honor of recent news...
How about Chris Balcolm-Miller?
by DenverBears on Sep 1, 2025 6:50 AM EDT reply actions
I wouldn't call him a surprise given his great season at Casper last year.
If you’re looking at the Rockies system, guys like Charlie Blackmon, Eliezer Mesa or Thomas Field would fall into the surprise category for me. Also, I knew Wilin Rosario was good, I just didn’t know he was this good.
by Rox Girl on Sep 1, 2025 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Jason Kipnis
Along with Ackley, probably the best second base prospect in the minors.
by BryceHarper on Sep 1, 2025 8:51 AM EDT reply actions
Oswaldo Arcia
below .800 OPS in DSL and GCL the past two years followed by a 1.096 OPS in the Appy league this year? Call me surprised, dang. I also see he’s played over half his minor league games in CF. While he likely won’t stick there that makes me think he’ll have good range for a corner OF if he can continue to the bigs.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
by halfchest on Sep 1, 2025 11:49 AM EDT reply actions
Engel Beltre
My first MiLB draft pick ever has been much improved this season.
by i r noobie on Sep 1, 2025 12:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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