Arizona Fall League Update

by John Sickels on Nov 5, 2025 1:35 PM EDT

A Brief Update from the Arizona Fall League

I haven't totally disappeared on you. I'm here at the First Pitch Arizona Conference that coincides with the Arizona Fall League. The big event is tonight's Future Stars game, which will be televised so most of you can at least take a look.

The main thing I have noticed here is the poor quality of pitching compared to hitting. In fact, the pitching in the games I have seen has been so bad that it makes it hard to properly analyze some of the hitters. That said, I'm getting good data and will have a full report for you when I get back on Monday. A lot of the information will of course be incorporated into the 2012 Baseball Prospect Book.

A few bullet points:

**Nationals superprospect Bryce Harper looks really good. He's toned his swing down just a bit, improving his ability to make contact without sacrificing power.

**A lot of league observers are really impressed with outfielder Tyson Gillies of the Phillies, particularly on defense where he is showing off a very strong and accurate arm. His rust is showing with the bat, but missing two years with injuries will do that.

**Another player generating lots of buzz is Nolan Arenado of the Rockies, who seems to be on everyone's 2012 breakout list. More and more scouts are coming around to the idea that he can remain at third base.

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Read More: Bryce Harper (CF - WAS), Nolan Arenado (3B - COL), Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Colorado Rockies

Comments

"Nationals superprospect Bryce Harper looks really good."

whoa

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
@medical_sword's #1 fan.

by Pikachu on Nov 5, 2025 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Telling insight

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

Anything on Hultzen?

by tarheels24 on Nov 5, 2025 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

I was at the game tonight. Hultzen looked dominant. Nasty curveball + changup. Great control, hitting corners and challenging batterss. Usually at 91-92, occasionally hitting 94+95 twice.

by Markus Potter on Nov 6, 2025 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Are those velos

per the stadium gun? I was watching on t.v. and the gun was all over the place. The same FB from Hultzen seemed to register anything from an 88 to a 95. Hultzen did look good. The called third strikes were a testament to how well he kept hitters off balance. That change to Trout was perfect.

by blackoutyears on Nov 6, 2025 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

Watching it over a few times

I can see why he was #2, looked better than Cole to me for the night at least.

by tarheels24 on Nov 6, 2025 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Different strokes for different folks

I’ll take Gerritt Cole though.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

I was watching the stadium gun and scouts gun in front of me…

by Markus Potter on Nov 6, 2025 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

How close

were the two, Markus? I expect Hultzen to touch mid-90s, but the FBs didn’t look like there were seven mph of separation.

by blackoutyears on Nov 7, 2025 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

Law

was behind home with a gun and said Hultzen was mostly 91-94, which makes sense based on eye-balling his FB.

by blackoutyears on Nov 8, 2025 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

I sooooooo badly hope Tyson will stay healthy this year.

John, do you know if he’s running at full speed? 2 years worth of leg injuries to a speed guy is an issue…

by philiafan14364 on Nov 5, 2025 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

Gillies

His speed looked fine to me, just as good as before the injury. He was having some troubles with his swing though, which you would expect given the layoff.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

Awesome, thanks.

by philiafan14364 on Nov 7, 2025 9:41 PM EST up reply actions

Gyorko and Olt

as good as they are looking? They seem to be crushing it.

by Hairylady on Nov 5, 2025 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

everyone has been crushing it in that league.

saw some of the game last night and other than Hultzen all the pitching was pretty awful.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Nov 6, 2025 6:22 AM EST up reply actions

Jed Bradley

was quite impressive but, otherwise I agree with you.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 6, 2025 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

bradley

I thought Bradley looked excellent and i like his mechanics better than Hultzen’s.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

gyorko and ott

They both looked fine to me, although Ott has a longer swing and seems less likely to hit for average. Olt is better with the glove. I didn’t see anything to contradict the common scouting reports for them.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

Eaton

would love to hear about any comments or observations on Eaton

by blue bulldog on Nov 5, 2025 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

eaton

Like him a lot. Plenty of bat speed, some feel for the strike zone, hustles his ass off. I think he will continue to hit at higher levels. Good fourth outfielder at worst, could probably start in left field for some teams.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

hope you get to see Vitters/Lake

very encouraged by their performances

by PrincetonCubs on Nov 5, 2025 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

saw both

Saw both. Lake…great athlete…but no idea what he’s doing. High ceiling but a very low floor too. Could be a star or a bust or anything in between.

Vitters….I know he is too young to write off, but I just don’t see him living up to expectations. He can’t play third and I am doubtful about his bat at other positions. He’s shown very little skill growth and is still relying on that pretty swing to carry him, but without a better approach I can’t see him hitting as necessary for a different corner.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

thanks for the updates

I had heard reports that Vitters’ approach was looking better this season and in AZ (nailing the first pitch if it was in the zone for sure—I think all three of his AZ home runs have been on first pitches—but laying off early in the count a bit better.) I’m interested to see if the Cubs try him in the OF next year.

by PrincetonCubs on Nov 8, 2025 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Vitters

Had noted a similar view of him during the Double AA playoffs.

by RedHopeful on Nov 11, 2025 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

Arenado no mirage

Nolan Arenado is the best hitter in the Rockies’ system and his power is surely evolving. He can be extremely streaky but once focused in he can go on long tears of excellence. The his strike zone defense is outstanding. He loves to swing the bat like most plus-hitters, so he isn’t patient enough to draw many walks. That he hasn’t had the elite-batting average year is the only knock a scout could possibly have against him as a hitter. He could very well land with the Rockies sometime after the All Star break, 2012. He looks like a solid regular to me.

Colorado Rockies’ Prospects Report (google)
and
Rockies Analyst (google)

P.S. a big follower of your work, John

by Mjay424 on Nov 5, 2025 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

arenado

Arenado is an A- prospect for me now. VERY iimpressed with him.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I know Gillies has

missed a lot of time with leg injuries, but didn’t he miss time with off the field issues as well? I can’t find a link but I remember him being caught outside a hotel looking for a ride home and he had some cocaine on him. I liked him when he was in the M’s system but he seems to have a long way to go, but glad to hear his defense might be good enough to take him to the next level.

by Aesop on Nov 5, 2025 6:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

The cocaine charges were dropped. It was just a matter of Tyson being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

by philiafan14364 on Nov 5, 2025 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

the cocaine thing is a mystery, but there is some belief he was set up, perhaps by the cops. No one I know holds it against him.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

Cocaine

I think he was just a big Clapton fan.

by James Westfall on Nov 5, 2025 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

but really

all kidding aside, besides his leg injuries, he has a hearing imparement but i never heard anything about drugs.

by James Westfall on Nov 5, 2025 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Come on, man

JJ Cale cover.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

i was going to..

say it was JJ Cale cover, but i figured nobody would know and then i would have commented three times off my own comment, which is just pathetic. it was a lose lose situation…damn it.

by James Westfall on Nov 7, 2025 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

Understood

Well explained & I completely understand your quandary. All too well!

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

Hicks

Seems to be coming on in the last couple weeks. Tools starting to translate? What have you heard?

by BryceHarper on Nov 5, 2025 7:33 PM EDT reply actions

A small sample in a league where pop-ups leave the ballpark?

I’m a pretty big Hicks fan, but let’s not get carried away…

Founder and Chairman of the Send Dan Some Pizzeria Bianco Commission (SDSPBC). SDSPBC is a totally, definitely for-profit organization.

by Dan Strittmatter on Nov 5, 2025 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

carried away?

Uh, obviously a small sample, but he’s also working on translating his tools with his coaches. I simply asked if John’s heard if he’s been making any adjustments.

by BryceHarper on Nov 5, 2025 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Dan's right

Small sample, with terrible pitching, in what is the hittingest league in the world even when the pitching isn’t awful. There’s not much that can be gleaned from statistics in a league like that, and all the prospect analysts say take those stats with a mountain of salt.

by Flynn Blake on Nov 6, 2025 9:26 AM EST up reply actions

You still are missing his question.

He wants to know if Hicks has made any adjustments.

by mr. maniac on Nov 6, 2025 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

I think the confusion stems from

The OP noted that Hicks has been hitting well the last couple of weeks, and then asked “tools starting to translate?” immediately aftewards, suggesting that the OP thought the two might be related. That’s how I read it, anyways. And yes, “tools starting to translate” or not, two weeks of AFL statistics certainly aren’t going to tell you anything about that. . .but I’m assuming the OP is aware of that.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

Yes.

Thanks mm.

by BryceHarper on Nov 6, 2025 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

Hicks

My faith in Hicks is slipping. The tools still look marvelous but the swing just doesn’t impress me. No loft at all.

43% chance he ends up back on the mound.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

Wow

You’d don’t even think ‘Denard Span Lite’ is that much more probable than the ‘Reverse Adam Loewen (also known as the ’Sergio Santos’)?

(Those descriptions made perfect sense as I typed them btw & I’ll bet to more than a few of you too, ha)

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

link

anybody have a weblink for the game tonight? I can’t seem to find it. Thanks!

by noelman31 on Nov 5, 2025 8:00 PM EDT reply actions

mlb.com

is streaming it live, for free. Also on MLBNetwork

If everybody likes you, then either no one knows anything about you, or you're dead.

by Archie A on Nov 5, 2025 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Where?

I can’t find it. I must be blind…

by noelman31 on Nov 5, 2025 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

nevermind

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=23943936&content_id=19973181

by noelman31 on Nov 5, 2025 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

thanks!

Just in time to see Decker come to bat…

by dbreer23 on Nov 5, 2025 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Is that Rany doing the color commentary?

by dbreer23 on Nov 5, 2025 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

nope, it's John Manuel

by dbreer23 on Nov 5, 2025 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Felix says...

Nice to see Hultzen and Nick Franklin shine tonight. Sprinkle in some Taijun Walker and stir with Ackley and Pineda. Let’s Go M’s!

by Con on Nov 5, 2025 10:35 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

I was waiting for this at bat to post ;)

by tarheels24 on Nov 5, 2025 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

How about Franklin tonight?

4-5 with a HR and 2 - Doubles. Even the at bat just now he battled for a long time.

by tarheels24 on Nov 5, 2025 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Great with the bat

Not sure what to think of the issues at SS. Not a great job coming in on balls and drops the arm slot on throws.

by blackoutyears on Nov 6, 2025 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

SS

I think he will adapt and be at least decent with the glove.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

There's something

about the footwork that bugs me, and I really don’t like to see a SS drop his arm on throws (those are murder on the 1B), though that can be corrected as I saw with Cozart after he was promoted to Cincy this year.

Even if he does make it at SS I’m not sure he’ll be anything more than adequate. I mean, we’re envisioning a MIF of Franklin at SS and Ackley at 2B…

by blackoutyears on Nov 7, 2025 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

What's wrong with Ackley at 2B? He plays the position fine.

by Rudy4three on Nov 7, 2025 7:10 PM EST up reply actions

Agree on that

I think Dustin Ackley is only going to get better too. I haven’t seen enough on Franklin defensively to say one way or the other however.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 7:19 PM EST up reply actions

Nothing's "wrong"

with Ackley, but he’s not an above average defender and probably never will be. Franklin doesn’t look like he will either. I think you’ll get great offensive production out of that duo but you’re giving up some defense, and arguing otherwise is to ignore some clear limitations of both guys. It’s fascinating that people seem to beleive either that Ackley can’t play 2B at all, or that he’s really good at it…

by blackoutyears on Nov 8, 2025 9:17 AM EST up reply actions

Agree with you

I think there was a lot of ‘outtasight (outta mind)’ with Nick Franklin this year & the kid is a very compelling prospect (particularly offensively).

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

I think I read something that the aveage OPS at the AFL is hovering around 800.

It really makes the numbers almost pointless.

by FrancoTAU on Nov 5, 2025 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

Tracked down where I read it, via metsminorleagueblog as of Oct31st

“The AFL is bashing at .281/.359/.453. Yeah, the league averages a .172 isolated slugging percentage”

by FrancoTAU on Nov 6, 2025 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

that's actually pretty funny

does it make the numbers of succeeding pitchers relevantt?

Just don't piss her off, otherwise she'll get all Dien Bien Phu up in your Boxer Rebellion - caknuck

btho Iowa State

by MonkeyEpoxy on Nov 6, 2025 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

to a certain extent, yes

Tommy Hanson had an absolutely dominant AFL a few years ago: AFL MVP, 28 2/3 IP, 49 K, 0.63 ERA . . .no, really, he actually put up those numbers. It gave him a huge burst of helium late that year and cemented his status as one of the top couple of pitching prospects in the game.

Of course, the AFL is always weak pitching-wise. Most teams shut down their premium arms, and the ones who do end up there are often just getting in work to bring their innings counts up, working on certain developmental aspects of their games, or getting their feet wet in the pros.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

This is why I'm excited about the Rockies Rob Scahill..

In 7 appearances in the AFL he’s only allowed 1 Earned Run. He also has more strikeouts than hits allowed and his AVG against is lower now than it was in the regular season. He could be springboarding himself into a midseason callup for 2012.

Colorado Rockies Players on Twitter

"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." ~ Red Barber

by Charlie77 on Nov 8, 2025 12:00 AM EST up reply actions

Olt is destroying the AFL

.346/.419/.705, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 10 BB, 24 K

talk about three true outcomes

Just don't piss her off, otherwise she'll get all Dien Bien Phu up in your Boxer Rebellion - caknuck

btho Iowa State

by MonkeyEpoxy on Nov 6, 2025 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

Ks

The strikeouts are somewhat worrisome and I wonder what his BA is going to look like. Could be a .250 hitter although with enough walks to compensate.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:06 PM EST up reply actions

.250 with a lot of walks and a good amount of homers to go with good D

i’ll take it

Just don't piss her off, otherwise she'll get all Dien Bien Phu up in your Boxer Rebellion - caknuck

btho Iowa State

by MonkeyEpoxy on Nov 7, 2025 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

hit HR number 9 yesterday

Just don't piss her off, otherwise she'll get all Dien Bien Phu up in your Boxer Rebellion - caknuck

btho Iowa State

by MonkeyEpoxy on Nov 8, 2025 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Sammy Solis impressive

To me, the most impressive thing I’ve seen at AFL was the Sammy Solis’ start last night.
He had a significant increase in velocity since last year hitting 94-95. Lights out change up and curve and hitting all corners. Electric stuff last night. The off speed stuff looked devastating. Thoughts a a big break out possible here?

by Markus Potter on Nov 6, 2025 12:27 AM EDT reply actions

I would love that.

by tarheels24 on Nov 6, 2025 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

yes

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 6, 2025 7:02 AM EST up reply actions

"Sammy Solis’ start"

Well, I think you know he didn’t start, right? To the point, I haven’t heard anything about Solis this year that says he was consistently hitting mid-90s in starts this summer. Rather, the reports I found said he was his usual 90-93.

by blackoutyears on Nov 6, 2025 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

interesting

He only threw 96 innings this year, though, and only pitched 4 innings in the start you mention. Seems more likely to me that he’s just got some extra gas in the tank and is letting it fly . . .any sources on other outings? Maybe more importantly, where was he sitting velocity-wise?

Of course, Sammy Solis with a fastball creeping into the mid-90s would be a beautiful thing.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

He was sitting at 92, but the buzz from scouts around AFL is that a velocity up tick is real…

by Markus Potter on Nov 6, 2025 11:46 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting

I liked him a lot at USD, and with slightly better stuff he’d be a viable MoR starter. Gotta like what the Nats have done with their pitching drafts the last couple of years.

by blackoutyears on Nov 7, 2025 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

yah

Yeah Solis looked GREAT. Velocity uptick looks real and he’s in better physical shape

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

Would love to hear about Hechavarria

He’s quite the enigma with the bat; horrid season at AA, hits well the last month at AAA.

by gabrielsyme on Nov 6, 2025 2:35 AM EDT reply actions

Looks tiny and over matched. I am still with most who worry about the bat…

by Markus Potter on Nov 6, 2025 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

His AFL numbers are pretty neutral.

by gabrielsyme on Nov 6, 2025 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

hech

I still doubt his bat. A lot.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

...and in a close race, the MVP goes to,..Wil Myers!

…who leads the AFL in OPS and OBP .384/.505/.685

by dooblay on Nov 6, 2025 2:57 AM EDT reply actions

he's been good

but arenado has been better

by Wheelhouse on Nov 6, 2025 7:27 AM EST up reply actions

Am with you

Big Nolan Arenado guy & I think some are more than a little dismissive about his eventual upside.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

He doesnt walk

I would take Myers every day of the week over arenado because he cant get on base. Or at least he wont be able to in the bigs. If he hits .290, is he really going to be that good with a .318 OBP? The answer is no.

by dooblay on Nov 8, 2025 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

Boy, that Wil Myers is something else. And I'm not just gushing cause he's hitting in the AFL.

One of the best prospects I’ve seen in awhile. That kid’s got star written all over him.

"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."

by padmadfan on Nov 6, 2025 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

it's going to be really interesting to see how he turns out

Some guys just show the “it” factor at the plate, and for all of his struggles this year, Myers definitely has that.

I have no doubt he’s going to turn out to be an absolute slugger. I know there are some who have expressed concern about his physical projection going south and limiting him defensively, hard to say at this point of course. I will say that I like that we no longer have to pretend he’s a catcher - I know that dings him in some eyes, but that was always going to be an uphill battle, and I feel much better about taking the sure thing.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

Last night he hit a low, line drive that nearlytook Junior lake’s head off, then rolled all the way to the wall. My impression of his phsysical projection is that it leaves him short of being a Centerfielder and, perhaps short of being a great Rightfielder but, squarely enough to be good out there.

He renminds me some of Corey Hart, which is a very good thing.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 6, 2025 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

interesting comp

I think they’ll be considerably different players (Myers = less usable speed, but better plate approach), but I guess you could suggest that Myers is a slightly physically smaller version of Hart.

I think he’ll be a solid RF all things considered. I’d like to see the Royals stabilize his OF position next year so he can work on throwing accuracy.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

Actually

Though you are certainly correct about the speed, I think Myers has a good chance to be a better pure hitter than Hart. He also reminds me somewhat of another guy who started out as a Catcher, Dale Murphy :)

It doesn’t mean much in the long run but, It was nice to see a couple guys I put in my top 10 last year, Myers and Franklin, perform well last night. They both had rough seasons but, I don’t think any less of them for it.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 6, 2025 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

Murphy

that’s exactly what BA said about Myers before he was drafted.

by another know it all on Nov 6, 2025 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

Corey Hart

Could see that - a bit smaller but potentially similar primes.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

It's the first time I've seen him.

Some guys just show the "it" factor at the plate

That nails it. That’s exactly how I felt watching his AB’s. I’m a little surprised he struggled at all. Hopefully he bounces back some next season, but I think the talent is there. We’ll see how it translates to baseball.

"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."

by padmadfan on Nov 7, 2025 6:40 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not too surprised, actually

Myers can decimate good fastballs, but I noticed that he seemed to be having some issues with hitting the kind of quality breaking stuff a guy sees day in and day out in the upper minors. I’m not sure if I still have it (can’t remember if I transferred it out or not prior to my previous computer biting the dust), but I had some tape of him looking absolutely baffled by Simon Castro’s slider - repeatedly.

It’s not a major issue or even an unexpected one; it’s the sort of thing that comes up when you put a 20 year old kid in Double A for a full season. It’s one of those situations that isn’t too much fun for prospect hounds (who tend to gravitate towards instant gratification), but I think time will show that it was the right developmental decision. VERY talented bat.

by mrkupe on Nov 7, 2025 8:29 AM EST up reply actions

myers

He looked excellent down here….whatever was bugging him in AA seems to have passed. I suspect he wasn’t healthy in AA and he was showing more bat speed compared to when I saw him in August.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

For the future

It boils down to whether he can remain consistently healthy.

by RedHopeful on Nov 11, 2025 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Awesome to hear all this talk about Myers.

Was said he could be better than both Hosmer and Moustakas. Can’t wait to have a lineup with those 3 topped off with Gordon and Butler. Should be fun.

Really glad the talks about trading him have calmed down. Thinking that would be a huge mistake.

by vic1124 on Nov 9, 2025 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

Jedd Gyorko

is en fuego out there.

by Hairylady on Nov 6, 2025 6:21 AM EST reply actions

Gyorko's Numbers

BA .426
OBP .500
OPS 1.189

by Hairylady on Nov 6, 2025 6:24 AM EST reply actions

yeah

I think we established that people hit well in the AFL already . . .and Gyorko’s skillset is perfectly tailored for crushing it out there.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 6:49 AM EST up reply actions

Is that a knock on him?

What kind of big leaguer do you think he’ll be?

"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."

by padmadfan on Nov 6, 2025 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

it's not a knock on him at all

I like Gyorko, probably more than most around here, with the caveat that I’ve gotten to size him up in person so accusations of proximity bias may apply.

There isn’t much doubt that he’ll hit, the big two questions of course are how much power he’ll have and where he plays. I don’t anticipate more than average power, and he probably needs to get a little stronger to reach that. Defensively, he lacks athleticism but has solid skills. I know somebody here (SoCalSoxFan?) mentioned that he’d like to see Gyorko try 2B.

I’m sure he’s going to get like a million and a half Joe Randa comps, so sure, why not, run with that one.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

Joltin' Joe Randa, huh. Yeah, I was thinking the same. Or Corey Koskie.

Not a star, but a useful player. I like that 2nd base idea. I’d be afraid his lack of athleticism would hurt him but the bat could be plus for the position. I wish they would do that in minors more. Cross train players with a backup position, let them get some instruction in an alternate position just in case they become blocked. So many times players are forced to learn a new position at the major league level. It’s just not prudent. They should have strong positions and backup positions. But that’s another rant.

"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."

by padmadfan on Nov 6, 2025 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

Plus

Gyroko played 2B and SS in college. So on the one hand - he has experience there. On the other - they moved him off of Ss and 2b because he didn’t have the athleticism for them in the first place :)

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 6, 2025 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

Well, yeah, there's that.

If you wanna get technical, lol.

"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."

by padmadfan on Nov 6, 2025 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

Lol

Well, you’ve actually probably hit on something. His best big league use may be If he can play all of the infield positions a little maybe.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 6, 2025 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

are you sure on 2B in college?

I know he played shortstop, but I don’t recall hearing about him playing second base there. I do remember there were some concerns about his agility preventing him from playing up the middle and perhaps that is why he ended up at 3B in the Padres org.

I don’t see him having quite the bat you’d want for 1B, and the Padres are loaded with youngsters there anyways (Rizzo, Blanks, maybe Darnell in the case of flop/injury). Corner outfield wouldn’t make sense in SD either as the Padres like to emphasize OF defense and his power isn’t good enough to make up for it. He needs to stick at 3B or move to 2B . . .fortunately, the way things are shaking out, I think he’s going to have a good shot at picking up the 3B job sometime in the next couple of years.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

Half right

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=Jedd-Gyorko

It says he a was feshman “All-Big east” at 2b but, he played SS the next two seasons. I did here an interview the other day where he talked about playeing 2b and SS in college but, I couldn’t find it.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 6, 2025 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

thanks

I did a quick search but forgot to check the Cube.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I'd figure Gyorko to have the job by 2013.

That’s what we’re hoping for anyway, Gyorko at 3rd and Spangenberg at 2nd. Jesus Guzman came up and threw a kink in the plans for Rizzo at 1st. Guzman hit .320/.384/.476 when he took over 1st in the second half. Of course, his defense leaves some to be desired, he’s below average but not by that much. He really can’t man any other position, so trying Rizzo in right makes sense for a team desperate for offense.

"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."

by padmadfan on Nov 7, 2025 6:08 AM EST up reply actions

2B would probably work in lots of orgs, not sure how it would work here

The Padres have a lot of dudes who could play 2B as is. At the major league level alone, you have Hudson, Bartlett, Cabrera. Forsythe I guess, but I’ve never liked his bat. Then in the minors you have some interesting names . . .Vince Belnome is a saber-sleeper and obviously Cory Spangenberg has a chance to move quickly. Neither is a 2B lock, but seeing as they’re there now you’d have to think they have the inside edge on Gyorko there.

I don’t think the athleticism is all that big a deal in this case - it’s not like you’re asking him to play a plus center field or something, and he shows good defensive fundamentals. It was interesting to compare him to his predecessor at 3B in San Antonio, Darnell, with all the talent but lacking the skills. I don’t believe myself to be all-knowing or anything, but I’ll admit to some pride at being “ahead of the curve” so to speak about Darnell @ 3B.

One guy that I was a little surprised the Padres got rid of was Cedric Hunter. Zero power, but good feel for hitting and gave a lot of tough ABs. Loved his hustle, and while I can’t think it was ever talked about, I would have liked to have seen him worked out at 2B.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

Still, I wouldn't mind trading Headley for prospects and giving Darnell a look for a season.

I think he’s on the bubble whether or not he has enough athleticism for the position, but I’m curious to see how good the bat is. At least he wouldn’t be stealing AB’s from Blanks in left. The sooner we find out if he can hit or not, the better.

Forsythe is pretty good defender at 3rd and 2nd. I kinda see him with a similar problem to Jaff. They both seem a little overly infatuated with the walk. Forsythe can crank it when he wants to. I just wish he wanted to a little more. Regardless, he’s a decent backup and I think he ultimately ends up a utility infielder.

The problem for Cedric is that the Padres are flush with 4th OF’s at the moment. Venable, Blanks, Tekotte, Cunningham, Denorfia, Hermida and even Darnell are ahead of him on the depth chart. He probably would’ve been blocked at 2nd here too. I’m glad the A’s picked him up, in a way. He probably has a good chance of starting for them as they have jack squat at CF right now.

"When you find your way. Then you see it disappear."

by padmadfan on Nov 7, 2025 6:33 AM EST up reply actions

I don't think athleticism is the problem for Darnell

He’s actually a good athlete given his size, and tools-wise he should be a prototype 3B. His problem at third base is that, to be blunt, he sucks there. But sure, I can buy that the best way for the Padres to find out what they have here is to have him replace Headley rather than to throw him into the San Diego OF maelstrom. I’m pretty solid on his bat, although I was surprised to see him struggle after getting promoted from SA.

I’m not a fan of Forsythe at all. He’s an okay defender, but he just really isn’t a good hitter other than having patience. You are right in that he shares Decker’s weakness of being overly passive, but Decker has much more power and a better two-strike approach. I had Forsythe projected as a fringe MLBer last year . . .I’m not sure how much enduring appeal he’ll have as a utility infielder who can’t play shortstop.

by mrkupe on Nov 7, 2025 8:18 AM EST up reply actions

Dead on in every regard

Darnell is athletic… from the wrists and ankles up. Unfortunately, his hands and footwork are entirely awful. That said, if they had a really good defensive shortstop, I might take the gamble on seeing what he could do over a season. But they certainly don’t have that, so I can’t see configuring a roster without Headley as the starting 3B for 2012.

Forsythe is a mediocre utility infielder if everything goes right for him.

Not a coincidence that Hunter wound up back in an organization where Grady Fuson has some sway… Grady was always overly-enamored with him.

by realitypolice on Nov 7, 2025 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

anyone have a report on Mahtook?

he has a nice average but it seems a bit empty just looking at the line.

by Dbullsfan on Nov 6, 2025 8:10 AM EST reply actions

well

. . . he’s a good sized, strong kid who hit 14 homers each of the past two seasons at LSU. He also wallked a good amount those past two years as well - 79 BB in 435 ABs.

Not saying those numbers mean a ton but, they probably mean more than 54 Abs in the AFL.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 6, 2025 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

what a well-measured response

Somebody switch your coffee with decaf? :)

But seriously now, agreed. I think it’s best to assume that he is in the AFL to shake off rust . . .for the most part, just as we can’t read too much into really good AFL numbers, we usually can’t read too much into really bad ones, either. The only bad AFL numbers I really pay attention to are those that suggest a continuation of a trend of poor performance.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not trying to be negative with Mahtook

more trying not to get too excited, MM got off to a pretty rough start the first week and has hit ~.400 since the first week and I want to temper myself from the whole another superstar Rays prospect talk yet.

by Dbullsfan on Nov 6, 2025 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

well then

Why not just split the difference? He’s obviously good, even if it will take some time to see just how everything shakes out. He was a stellar add for the Rays, of course.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, agreed

Still can’t believe that Mike Mahtook was the 31st pick in the Draft.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

measuredness

is that a word? Anyways, I only lose it when I am really, really passionate about a player’s abilities, you might notice. I’m not particularily passionate about Mahtook, though I do like him.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 6, 2025 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Don't worry

I border on passionate re: Mike Mahtook. I’ll take the lead there, ha.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

Lol

Go get ‘em Matt! I’ll back you up.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 7, 2025 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Does anyone know

what the injury is that kept him out of the game?

by bobr on Nov 6, 2025 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

mahtook

I am disappointed that I did not get to see him play in Arizona.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

question on Harper, John

You mentioned that he’s toned down his swing (surprise, right? this kid seems to make great adjustments in his sleep), but what I’m really interested in is his defense. When he was drafted, he was being described as a prototype corner OF, but the buzz about him these days seems to bring up center field a lot. Is he showing legitimate CF skills, and does he project to stick there for the foreseeable future?

I’m not sure what is more amazing about Bryce Harper: the pre-draft scouting reports about what he could be, or how he has seemingly managed to justify all the positives and then some while overcoming most of his weaknesses in a single season. We haven’t seen this kind of development curve in a LONG time. At this point, I’d be tempted to stick him in Washington to start the season. Will he struggle at first? Almost certainly. Will he make adjustments and improve rapidly? Well, I think we can all figure that one out . . .

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 11:50 AM EST reply actions

harper

I only saw him in left field so I can’t judge this directly, but I think there are few things beyond Bryce Harper’s capabilities and that if he worked enough at it, he could be at least an average CF.

He showed pure hitting skills in the at-bats I saw. I think he’s going to hit for average too in addition to huge power.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

Jeffress was interesting

Threw the curve mostly, and it was a plus pitch. Located very well and hitters couldn’t get a bat on it. The curve had great break but wasn’t commanded when I saw him with MIL, so if last night was the norm he’s going to be tough. He, Herrera and Crow give KC some impressive bullpen options next year.

by blackoutyears on Nov 6, 2025 12:57 PM EST reply actions

Holland!

R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
http://twitter.com/doublestix

by doublestix on Nov 6, 2025 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

A lovely country...

Yeah, Holland is definitely established, and Crow probably is for that matter. I’m thinking more about new faces.

by blackoutyears on Nov 7, 2025 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

and FWIW...

Jeffress commanding anything last year was not the norm. if he can command one of his pitches on a given night he’ll do well.

R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
http://twitter.com/doublestix

by doublestix on Nov 6, 2025 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

Not surprising

Two plus pitches but he was in and out with command every time I saw him, though his control wasn’t horrendous.

by blackoutyears on Nov 7, 2025 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

Jeffress

He looked great in the Rising Stars game last year too. He seems to do well in games like that, but his focus wanders in “normal” games.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

Not to mention if Collins can find some control.

He was only 21 years old and has great stuff. Could be legit if he starts hitting the strike zone.

by vic1124 on Nov 9, 2025 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Jed Bradley

showed solid stuff as well. The command wasn’t great but the build and arsenal that got evaluators excited after his 2010 CCL stint were on full display. I still think he and Jungmann were great gets by MIL. Could move pretty quickly and ameliorate any failure to sign one or both of Marcum/Greinke.

by blackoutyears on Nov 6, 2025 1:50 PM EST reply actions

bradley

I like Bradley a lot better than Jungmann at this point.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

That's interesting

How come? I know Bradley has the great build and solid delivery, but his pitches and feel for pitching are well behind both Jungmann’s and Hultzen’s, two guys you compare him favorably to. I know the latter two have funky deliveries, but both can pitch circles around Bradley at this point, and it’s not like his ceiling is miles higher than either.

by blackoutyears on Nov 7, 2025 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

How does Andy Oliver look?

From what I’ve heard his control is still garbage.

"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz

"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching

Contributor, Bless You Boys

by David Tokarz on Nov 6, 2025 3:40 PM EST reply actions

oliver

Hitting 92-94 with lots of fastball movement, but his slider was mediocre at best. I’m probably going to revise his grade down a notch

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

Oliver's Army

Man, I still really like this kid (well, his talent). He had a somewhat abnormal developmental path & I like his talent a lot - especially compared to many college LHPs the last half decade or so. He’s never had much feel for breaking pitches but he used to have a better than serviceable CH.

I think at the very least he’s a supremely interesting LH bullpen guy & he’d be a potential target of other GMs to me if he were available.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

Thoughts on Robbie Grossman anyone?

by BadAndy on Nov 6, 2025 7:30 PM EST reply actions

grossman

He doesn’t have the tools of some other guys, but he’s not a bum tool-wise either and has really improved his skills.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:13 PM EST up reply actions

Ceiling? Floor?

Would Grossman’s ceiling be Rusty Greer?

by slacker george on Nov 7, 2025 10:51 PM EST up reply actions

would seem like less pop, more speed would be big differences between the two

by mrkupe on Nov 7, 2025 10:59 PM EST up reply actions

does anyone have a report on Tyler Bortnick at 1B

I don’t think he has ever played that for the Rays but has seen a good amount of action there for Surprise.

by Dbullsfan on Nov 6, 2025 7:54 PM EST reply actions

He is a good fielder anwhere from what I have heard.

by mr. maniac on Nov 6, 2025 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

Taveras

Any thoughts on Oscar Taveras’s AFL season? Does he look promising, or is he overmatched as the stats seem to indicate?

by rlwhite on Nov 7, 2025 11:31 AM EST reply actions

I have some

“It’s only 57 at bats” being my first one but, after a slow start he has hit pretty well. I suppose it would be fairly understandable for the youngest kid there to have a bit of a slow start.

Looking at the positves here, he has 15 hits compared to 8 K’s and, almost as many Xbh’s (5) as K’s as well. He also had a string of 5 multi-hit games out of 6 earlier so he is showing what he does best, putting the bat on the ball squarely.

" I too love everthing that flows: rivers, sewers, lava, blood, bile, words, sentences . ." - Henry Miller

by casejud on Nov 7, 2025 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

taveras

His swing has a lot of moving parts, but his bat speed is excellent. I also don’t know where this stuff about him having just fair tools comes from. He runs well, throws well, and looked pretty toolsy to me.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

speed tool

His speed may have been hampered by his hamstring injury for a good bit of the regular season.

by rlwhite on Nov 7, 2025 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

'(D)on’t know where this stuff about him having just fair tools comes from'

Me neither. Thanks for bringing that up as I haven’t seen anything to the contrary of real substance either.

by Matt0330 on Nov 7, 2025 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

Started 2-16, batting .317 (.488 slg) since

Also, he’s gunned down three runners in just 11 games in the outfield. All in all, doing fine for a 19-year-old in the AFL.

I wonder if StL will start him in AA next year…?

by Mekonsrock on Nov 7, 2025 12:06 PM EST reply actions

AA

Not impossible but I think High-A with a mid-season promotion to AA is more likely.

by John Sickels on Nov 7, 2025 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

That's funny

Another player generating lots of buzz is Nolan Arenado of the Rockies, who seems to be on everyone’s 2012 breakout list. More and more scouts are coming around to the idea that he can remain at third base.

I just got baseball mogul 12 this weekend, and traded for Arenado, thinking he was a fake player drafted after the 2012 season. He went on to hit .330 for me twice in 4 seasons so far and be one of my best hitters. Now that I know he’s an actual player I think it would be cool to follow how he’s doing.

TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion

by Ivdown on Nov 7, 2025 12:16 PM EST reply actions

you play Baseball Mogul?

I thought it was okay, but the player development system drove me nuts. OOTP is still my drug of choice there.

by mrkupe on Nov 7, 2025 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah I played Baseball Mogul 08 or 09 a few years ago in a league with some friends

which was really enjoyable until everyone lost interest after a season or two, lol. Yeah I know what you mean, prospects just aren’t developing in my system even when they are guys with low 90s in potential, they just end up low 80s in potential and low 70s after a few seasons more often than not, something like 5:1.

I’ve never played OOTP, but I’ve heard good things.

TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion

by Ivdown on Nov 7, 2025 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

ah

If you like Baseball Mogul, you’ll love OOTP. The customization and immersion is sooooo much better, along with a much more realistic player development and performance engine. It’s pretty neat to watch a player develop in high school, want too much money to sign, head off to college for three years, get drafted again . . .

by mrkupe on Nov 7, 2025 11:06 PM EST up reply actions