Post by Commissioner Erick on May 21, 2020 20:58:13 GMT -5
A number of players in the Canadian League have spent a few seasons in Canada, and a few of them dominated the season. The most disappointing thing isn't that so many of the stars from Edmonton should have graduated the league, it's that Edmonton couldn't take home a title.
1B: Iraj Serrano—Athletics
Serrano had a terrific season in helping Edmonton make it to the Canadian World Series with a .364 average to lead the league. It was Serrano's seventh consecutive season in the CRL, and the fourth in five years where he hit over .300 as he's proven himself to be one of the league's greats.
Serrano is still young and will spend most of next season as a 25-year-old. Scouts don't see him as more than a lower-minors hitter. With a swing too advanced for Rookie ball, and with Bill Schmidt seeing a good approach and gap skills, Short-Season ball may be a better environment for him. On the other hand, with no major league future on the horizon, it may be best for Oakland to leave him in Edmonton and let him continue as a local legend.
LF: David Daniels—Athletics
David D.J. Daniels was traded to Oakland an eternity ago in the deal that brought Rajai Davis and Daniel Coulombe to Toronto in 2017. He was in the Arizona League for six years before moving over to Canada and leading the league with 19 home runs.
Now 25, Daniels is mostly developed and doesn't have a future beyond A-ball. But his approach and eye are too good for Rookie ball, and he has good power and defense for the low minors. Without the history someone like Serrano has in Edmonton, it's time for Daniels to take his bat to Short-Season Vermont.
2B: Jhoan Arias—Athletics
Arias spent most of the season as a 24-year-old and led Canada in WAR with 3.6. Arias presented a balanced approach to the league, striking out only 30 times, stealing 16 bases in 20 attempts, batting .331, and posting an 8.4 zone rating.
Like a number of his teammates, Arias has been in Edmonton since 2017 or 2018 and doesn't have much of a feature beyond the level, with scouts projecting a player who wouldn't really cut it in High-A. Arias will be 25-years old next year, which gives him another year or two if he wants to continue to be a star in the low minors before he'll need to find a new career path.
RF: Dylan Stephanic—Rockies
An 8th rounder in 2021, Stephanic stole a whopping 74 bases in Grand Junction in 2022 before leading Canada with 28 steals in 30 attempts this year. The bat came along as well with Stephanic hitting .311 with eight triples and 10 doubles.
At 24-years-old, Stephanic is old for the low minors and will be pushed to Short Season-A ball next year, or to A-ball. His speed and quick twitch muscles make him a tremendous defender, and his intelligence allows him to max out an unimpressive skill set aside from his speed. Stephanic's speed and defense may allow him to reach Double-A someday, but unless the hit tool improves, he has a backup in Double-A as a ceiling.
SS: Juan Pacheco—Nationals
A minor league free agent signing, Pacheco was discovered in 2018 by the Padres organization, never amounted to anything, and was released after a -0.3 WAR year in 2022 in the Dominican League. The Nationals took a chance on him and he led the league in zone rating with + 7.9 at Second Base and +1.6 at Shortstop.
Pacheco's .288 average was mostly fueled by bad defense and infield hits as he is a truly inept offensive player. The defense is special but the bat wouldn't play above Rookie ball. Only 21, it may be worth it to have him help out Washington's developing pitchers while hoping some semblance of offensive skill develops.
1B: Sergio de los Santos—Padres
A 10th rounder in 2020, de los Santos played four years in the Yukon with offensive success every season. This year, he led the league in slugging with a .617 percentage, and OPS, with a 1.067 mark. De los Santos produced 1.8 WAR before being promoted to Low-A ball as a result of his play late in the season.
OSA sees a good eye and a bit of power, but since de los Santos can only play First Base, de los Santos is likely a Double-A hitter at best. Bill Schmidt agrees with the verdict. Still, both agree de los Santos should have success in Low-A.
SP: Ismael Castillo—Indians
Cleveland's prize for trading away Dylan Bundy, Castillo' second season in professional baseball was as strong as his first. He had a 2.34 ERA in 11 starts in the Arizona League in 2022 and followed it up with a league-leading 1.79 mark for Blainesville. He didn't allow a home run, had a 1.8 WAR, and was called up to Short-Season-A ball at the end of the year.
Castillo has a straight fastball so he may be homer prone as he climbs the ladder. He can hit the mid-90s with his fastball though and projects to have a good circle change and curveball. It's a fringe major league profile, and Castillo hasn't worked hard to overcome his straight fastball. He may top out at Triple-A with his work ethic regarding his fastball the deciding factor.
SP: Devin Meyer—Padres
Meyer was featured in this space last season, and with an 11-2 record, led the Canadian Rookie League in wins. He allowed only one home run and struck out 83 hitters in 83.2 innings. He walked only 15 and had a 2.15 ERA. After putting up 2.8 WAR in 2022 and producing 2.7 WAR this year, he now has 3.0 WAR more than Andy Cruz for most career WAR for the league.
Meyer still doesn't project to have much a professional future, but will spend next year as a 27-year-old. With no future and such a track record for Yukon, expect him to return to the Great Northwest next season.
SP: Miguel Peek—Rockies
Peek led the league in Innings, Wins, and RA-9 WAR. The 20th rounder in 2022, Peek had a 1.84 ERA allowing only one home run in 98 innings, with 81 strikeouts. His WHIP was 1.03 as he kept baserunners off the bases all season.
There's a big divergence in Peek's projected outcome. OSA doesn't even expect Peek to succeed in Rookie Ball, but Bill Schmidt sees someone with good stuff who can succeed in A-Ball. Given his success this year, he'll get a trip to short-season A ball next year.
RP: Juan Jusino—Orioles
The half-Dominican, half-Cuban Jusino led Canada in WAR with a 3.4 mark for the Quebec City Happy Dude Guys. He fanned a whopping 112 in 80.2 innings and issued just one home run, leading to a 1.90 ERA.
Jusino's changeup is wildly underdeveloped making him a relief pitcher unless it changes. Both Bill Schmidt and OSA love his fastball, knucklecurve and makeup, finding him advanced for Rookie ball. He should get to Triple-A and may be good enough to pitch in full-season ball next year.
CL: Angello Infante—Athletics
With 22 saves in 32 games, Infante led the league in closing-out wins. Infante's trick was exceptional control as he issued only six walks in 30.2 innings. With four pitches, he also had enough variety to keep hitters from hitting him hard and he posted a 0.95 WHIP and 1.76 ERA.
OSA likes Infante's long term stuff a bit more than Bill Schmidt, but Schmidt prefers the control more than OSA. Either way, Infante should hit the upper minors in his career, and A-Ball next season.
SP: Dave Morales—Phillies
A 23rd rounder in 2020, Morales got hitters to pop balls up on the way to leading the league in WHIP. Morales walked only 14 and yielded a .255 BABIP to fuel the low WHIP, and the low WHIP in turn fueled a 7-3 record and 2.65 ERA.
Neither OSA nor Bill Schmidt predict Morales will do anything past A-Ball, but he's succeeded in two different leagues of Rookie Ball the last three seasons. Morales will work as a 22-year old next year, and it may be time to do it in short-season play.
1B: Aaron Allen—Giants
Allen performed well in his second year in the Dominican Summer League, but struggled when moved to the Canadian Rookie League, hitting only .254 with two home runs. Allen did club 16 doubles, but a .390 SLG as a First Baseman wasn't good enough to return a positive WAR.
At 6-9, 245 pounds, Allen has huge power potential, but spent the season playing as an 18-year-old. He has a long development path ahead of him, so a poor season isn't the worst thing.
LF: Gil Caldwell—Red Sox
The 2021 4th round pick had a nightmare season with -1.5 WAR. Caldwell hit .263, but with 16 walks to 73 strikeouts and only four home runs, that wasn't enough production as a designated hitter. Caldwell had a 73 OPS+ and had a negative WAR in both professional seasons.
Caldwell doesn't have a great defensive profile, though might be able to stick as a Second Baseman. OSA likes the potential but feels Caldwell needs a lot of development. Bill Schmidt doesn't like the potential and feels Caldwell needs a lot of development. It wouldn't be a surprise if Caldwell moves slowly through the system.
SP: Willie Roldan—Giants
Roldan had a good season in terms of WAR by keeping the ball on the ground. He allowed only one home run over 39.2 innings, leading to a 0.8 WAR. However, he struck out only 28 over 39.2 innings. Combined with a .412 BABIP, Roldan had a 6.58 ERA in a rough season. Roldan's lack of impactful stuff allowed hitters to hit him hard.
Only 19, Roldan may be served well by repeating the level next year and improving his slider. Roldan has a good two-seam fastball, but working for strikeouts may be something he'll need to do to develop. Eventually, he has a major league future once the slider comes around.
RP: Lupe Cervantes—Orioles
A 4th rounder in 2021, Cervantes pitched in 27 games with very wild stuff. The 23-year-old walked 16 hitters in 19.2 innings, undoing 26 strikeouts. With 17 hits allowed as well, Cervantes had a 7.32 ERA and 1.68 WHIP.
Cervantes has an excellent sinker that dives off the plate, plus a strikeout pitch with an excellent curveball. He hasn't found a way to throw the sinker for strikes though, hindering his effectiveness. Already 23, nobody thinks Cervantes has the control to be effective, which means that he may be destined for the Mexican League.
1B: Iraj Serrano—Athletics
Serrano had a terrific season in helping Edmonton make it to the Canadian World Series with a .364 average to lead the league. It was Serrano's seventh consecutive season in the CRL, and the fourth in five years where he hit over .300 as he's proven himself to be one of the league's greats.
Serrano is still young and will spend most of next season as a 25-year-old. Scouts don't see him as more than a lower-minors hitter. With a swing too advanced for Rookie ball, and with Bill Schmidt seeing a good approach and gap skills, Short-Season ball may be a better environment for him. On the other hand, with no major league future on the horizon, it may be best for Oakland to leave him in Edmonton and let him continue as a local legend.
LF: David Daniels—Athletics
David D.J. Daniels was traded to Oakland an eternity ago in the deal that brought Rajai Davis and Daniel Coulombe to Toronto in 2017. He was in the Arizona League for six years before moving over to Canada and leading the league with 19 home runs.
Now 25, Daniels is mostly developed and doesn't have a future beyond A-ball. But his approach and eye are too good for Rookie ball, and he has good power and defense for the low minors. Without the history someone like Serrano has in Edmonton, it's time for Daniels to take his bat to Short-Season Vermont.
2B: Jhoan Arias—Athletics
Arias spent most of the season as a 24-year-old and led Canada in WAR with 3.6. Arias presented a balanced approach to the league, striking out only 30 times, stealing 16 bases in 20 attempts, batting .331, and posting an 8.4 zone rating.
Like a number of his teammates, Arias has been in Edmonton since 2017 or 2018 and doesn't have much of a feature beyond the level, with scouts projecting a player who wouldn't really cut it in High-A. Arias will be 25-years old next year, which gives him another year or two if he wants to continue to be a star in the low minors before he'll need to find a new career path.
RF: Dylan Stephanic—Rockies
An 8th rounder in 2021, Stephanic stole a whopping 74 bases in Grand Junction in 2022 before leading Canada with 28 steals in 30 attempts this year. The bat came along as well with Stephanic hitting .311 with eight triples and 10 doubles.
At 24-years-old, Stephanic is old for the low minors and will be pushed to Short Season-A ball next year, or to A-ball. His speed and quick twitch muscles make him a tremendous defender, and his intelligence allows him to max out an unimpressive skill set aside from his speed. Stephanic's speed and defense may allow him to reach Double-A someday, but unless the hit tool improves, he has a backup in Double-A as a ceiling.
SS: Juan Pacheco—Nationals
A minor league free agent signing, Pacheco was discovered in 2018 by the Padres organization, never amounted to anything, and was released after a -0.3 WAR year in 2022 in the Dominican League. The Nationals took a chance on him and he led the league in zone rating with + 7.9 at Second Base and +1.6 at Shortstop.
Pacheco's .288 average was mostly fueled by bad defense and infield hits as he is a truly inept offensive player. The defense is special but the bat wouldn't play above Rookie ball. Only 21, it may be worth it to have him help out Washington's developing pitchers while hoping some semblance of offensive skill develops.
1B: Sergio de los Santos—Padres
A 10th rounder in 2020, de los Santos played four years in the Yukon with offensive success every season. This year, he led the league in slugging with a .617 percentage, and OPS, with a 1.067 mark. De los Santos produced 1.8 WAR before being promoted to Low-A ball as a result of his play late in the season.
OSA sees a good eye and a bit of power, but since de los Santos can only play First Base, de los Santos is likely a Double-A hitter at best. Bill Schmidt agrees with the verdict. Still, both agree de los Santos should have success in Low-A.
SP: Ismael Castillo—Indians
Cleveland's prize for trading away Dylan Bundy, Castillo' second season in professional baseball was as strong as his first. He had a 2.34 ERA in 11 starts in the Arizona League in 2022 and followed it up with a league-leading 1.79 mark for Blainesville. He didn't allow a home run, had a 1.8 WAR, and was called up to Short-Season-A ball at the end of the year.
Castillo has a straight fastball so he may be homer prone as he climbs the ladder. He can hit the mid-90s with his fastball though and projects to have a good circle change and curveball. It's a fringe major league profile, and Castillo hasn't worked hard to overcome his straight fastball. He may top out at Triple-A with his work ethic regarding his fastball the deciding factor.
SP: Devin Meyer—Padres
Meyer was featured in this space last season, and with an 11-2 record, led the Canadian Rookie League in wins. He allowed only one home run and struck out 83 hitters in 83.2 innings. He walked only 15 and had a 2.15 ERA. After putting up 2.8 WAR in 2022 and producing 2.7 WAR this year, he now has 3.0 WAR more than Andy Cruz for most career WAR for the league.
Meyer still doesn't project to have much a professional future, but will spend next year as a 27-year-old. With no future and such a track record for Yukon, expect him to return to the Great Northwest next season.
SP: Miguel Peek—Rockies
Peek led the league in Innings, Wins, and RA-9 WAR. The 20th rounder in 2022, Peek had a 1.84 ERA allowing only one home run in 98 innings, with 81 strikeouts. His WHIP was 1.03 as he kept baserunners off the bases all season.
There's a big divergence in Peek's projected outcome. OSA doesn't even expect Peek to succeed in Rookie Ball, but Bill Schmidt sees someone with good stuff who can succeed in A-Ball. Given his success this year, he'll get a trip to short-season A ball next year.
RP: Juan Jusino—Orioles
The half-Dominican, half-Cuban Jusino led Canada in WAR with a 3.4 mark for the Quebec City Happy Dude Guys. He fanned a whopping 112 in 80.2 innings and issued just one home run, leading to a 1.90 ERA.
Jusino's changeup is wildly underdeveloped making him a relief pitcher unless it changes. Both Bill Schmidt and OSA love his fastball, knucklecurve and makeup, finding him advanced for Rookie ball. He should get to Triple-A and may be good enough to pitch in full-season ball next year.
CL: Angello Infante—Athletics
With 22 saves in 32 games, Infante led the league in closing-out wins. Infante's trick was exceptional control as he issued only six walks in 30.2 innings. With four pitches, he also had enough variety to keep hitters from hitting him hard and he posted a 0.95 WHIP and 1.76 ERA.
OSA likes Infante's long term stuff a bit more than Bill Schmidt, but Schmidt prefers the control more than OSA. Either way, Infante should hit the upper minors in his career, and A-Ball next season.
SP: Dave Morales—Phillies
A 23rd rounder in 2020, Morales got hitters to pop balls up on the way to leading the league in WHIP. Morales walked only 14 and yielded a .255 BABIP to fuel the low WHIP, and the low WHIP in turn fueled a 7-3 record and 2.65 ERA.
Neither OSA nor Bill Schmidt predict Morales will do anything past A-Ball, but he's succeeded in two different leagues of Rookie Ball the last three seasons. Morales will work as a 22-year old next year, and it may be time to do it in short-season play.
1B: Aaron Allen—Giants
Allen performed well in his second year in the Dominican Summer League, but struggled when moved to the Canadian Rookie League, hitting only .254 with two home runs. Allen did club 16 doubles, but a .390 SLG as a First Baseman wasn't good enough to return a positive WAR.
At 6-9, 245 pounds, Allen has huge power potential, but spent the season playing as an 18-year-old. He has a long development path ahead of him, so a poor season isn't the worst thing.
LF: Gil Caldwell—Red Sox
The 2021 4th round pick had a nightmare season with -1.5 WAR. Caldwell hit .263, but with 16 walks to 73 strikeouts and only four home runs, that wasn't enough production as a designated hitter. Caldwell had a 73 OPS+ and had a negative WAR in both professional seasons.
Caldwell doesn't have a great defensive profile, though might be able to stick as a Second Baseman. OSA likes the potential but feels Caldwell needs a lot of development. Bill Schmidt doesn't like the potential and feels Caldwell needs a lot of development. It wouldn't be a surprise if Caldwell moves slowly through the system.
SP: Willie Roldan—Giants
Roldan had a good season in terms of WAR by keeping the ball on the ground. He allowed only one home run over 39.2 innings, leading to a 0.8 WAR. However, he struck out only 28 over 39.2 innings. Combined with a .412 BABIP, Roldan had a 6.58 ERA in a rough season. Roldan's lack of impactful stuff allowed hitters to hit him hard.
Only 19, Roldan may be served well by repeating the level next year and improving his slider. Roldan has a good two-seam fastball, but working for strikeouts may be something he'll need to do to develop. Eventually, he has a major league future once the slider comes around.
RP: Lupe Cervantes—Orioles
A 4th rounder in 2021, Cervantes pitched in 27 games with very wild stuff. The 23-year-old walked 16 hitters in 19.2 innings, undoing 26 strikeouts. With 17 hits allowed as well, Cervantes had a 7.32 ERA and 1.68 WHIP.
Cervantes has an excellent sinker that dives off the plate, plus a strikeout pitch with an excellent curveball. He hasn't found a way to throw the sinker for strikes though, hindering his effectiveness. Already 23, nobody thinks Cervantes has the control to be effective, which means that he may be destined for the Mexican League.