Post by Commissioner Erick on Mar 7, 2019 21:20:45 GMT -5
Strikeouts were still way down in the West Indian Short League, allowing the hitters to shine. Let's look at the best and most disappointing in the league.
CF: Raysheandall Michel—Braves: Michel has bounced around Atlanta's low minors, only once getting significant at bats before this year. Given a starting not this season, Michel, hit .348 with a .925 OPS. He led the league in both categories, and was the only player to hit for an OPS over .900. He also led the league in hits, RBI, doubles, and WAR.
Michel split time in right, his natural position, and center where he's trying to gain some experience. He just turned 23, and after such a strong season, is marked for full season ball. Scouts don't see much long term potential, and he has some character concerns, but after such a terrific season, he deserves a look during a 100-game season.
CF: Michael Medina—Dodgers: A standout in this space in 2018 when he led the league in virtually every major category, Medina has stayed in Short-Season ball and led the league in home runs for the second time. In fact, Medina is the career WISL leader in home runs and WAR.
Medina is still only 24, though scouts don't see much long term talent in his bat. The Dodgers have promoted him to full season ball as its time to see what he can do at a higher level. If he can't perform in Great Lakes, we may see him return to continue his career as the Caribbean's most feared slugger.
LF: Oscateri Castill—Angels: Blessed with a great name and great speed, Castill's 14 steals led the West Indian League this year. It was Castill's fourth straight year in Trinidad and he went from stealing seven bases at a 77% clip in 2017 to stealing only three bases in six attempts the past two years. However, this year he all his bases without getting caught.
Castill's speed and defense make him valuable in the low minors, though that's likely the only location his bat will play. He may be worth calling up to full season ball, but he's likely only a bit player going forward.
SS: Wander Samuel Franco—Reds: Franco turned in a great season for Cuba last year, earning a Gold Glove in the process. A high-impact glove, Franco also chipped in with a .270 average and nine stolen bases at the plate.
Franco was signed to a $4 million contract as an international free agent in 2017, the kind of money given to someone with MLB aspirations. Franco will turn 20 next year, already demonstrating his worth in short-season ball. There are questions regarding his bat, but he has the glove to warrant at least a backup role in the bigs. If he hits just enough to justify starting, the West Indies League won't be the only place he'll compete for Gold Gloves.
CF: Edwin Mateo—Dodgers: The Jamaica Steel Pans consistently have one of the best offenses in the West Indies League and this year was no exception for the Champions of the league. Mateo was the beneficiary, leading the league in runs with 51. He also stole nine bases and played excellent defense in Center Field. It's been an auspicious start to his career, as he was an All Star in the Dominican Rookie League in 2019 where he hit .305 with eight steals and 12 triples.
Mateo just turned 22 and his glove, wheels, and bat should see him continue to rise up the ranks. It would be a surprise if he didn't start next year in Great Lakes for the Dodgers. Scouts don't see a high-impact bat, though Bill Schmidt sees a good approach at least. With the glove and the speed, that's a ticket to the high minors with some developmental breaks placing him in the show. He's someone to watch.
LF: Axel Aleixo—Reds: Aleixo didn't have the best season in the Dominican League in 2019, but he led the West Indies League in on-base percentage in 2020. Aleixo has a mature approach as he won't offer at pitches he can't damage and is able to use the opposite field. As a result, he hit .300 and drew 53 walks.
Aleixo has good speed though he doesn't get a great jump on the bases or in the field. He has a good arm though, which could make him a solid right fielder. Scouts see him adding enough power to his approach to be a definite player in Triple A. Bill Schmidt loves his gap approach and patience and sees a major league starter. Just 21 and with a weird profile, Aleixa is one of the most interesting players in the low minors.
RP: Guillermo Zuniga—Braves: Zuniga had a terrible year as a reliever in A-Ball in 2019, getting demoted to Barbados in the West Indies League. After a 5.63 ERA last year, he turned in a 2.18 mark this year to lead the league. He allowed just two home runs in 62 innings to fuel the mark.
Zuniga's stuff and movement are too advanced for short-season ball as his fastball and slider carve up undeveloped hitters. It's unlikely he ever carves out a career above Double-A, but deserves another crack at A-Ball.
SP: Confesor Inoa—Dodgers: Inoa had a superficially good year in 2019, but had a negative WAR with a 6-1 record and a 3.14 ERA. He spent 2020 in Short-Season ball, leading the league in wins with eight, and posting a 3.21 ERA.
Inoa gets good late movement on his pitches and with a fastball in the low 90's, scouts foresee a career in the upper minors, though not quite a big league career. However, Inoa will be 25 next year and will need to show he can dominate full season ball soon.
SP: Jeremy Null—Royals: Null flamed out of the Cubs organization, but signed a minor league deal with the Royals before 2020. He spent the season in Short-A as a 26-year old, predictably dominating the league and leading it in both strikeouts and innings.
Null holds the ignominious mark of losing 40 games in 2018, so it's nice that he has a record for leading a league in a positive category instead. Still, with his age and lack of potential, there was no reason for Null to pitch for the Puerto Rico Sol. He's already been granted Free Agency.
CL: Keiber Arredondo—Reds: A former closer, Arredondo was acquired by the Cubs in the trade that sent Chicago Jose Bautista and Felix Hernandez. Arredondo plied his trade as a starter this past season though, pitching in three levels. While he struggled in High-A, Arredondo struck out 46 in 68.2 innings, in the West Indies Short League, an impressive mark for the level. He posted a 2.75 ERA and a league-leading 2.1 WAR.
Arredondo has four pitches that flash plus, including an upper 90's fastball. He can't go deep into games, which is why people see his ultimate future in the bullpen. Scouts see big strikeout potential that will have him as a potential big leaguer, and he'll almost certainly find himself in A-Ball yet in whatever role is decided for him.
RP: Elio Serrano—Dodgers: Serrano had a decent 2019 in Jamaica, but excelled last year, leading the league with 21 saves. He pitched to a 1.25 ERA as he really locked down the late innings. He walked only four batters, showing off advanced control for the low minors.
After the year he just had, Serrano has far too much control and command for short-season ball. OSA is more sanguine on his stuff than control, while Bill Schmidt believes he'll continue his path as a command-oriented righty. He may not top out above Double A, but at 22, he still has development time ahead of him.
RP: Alfredo Tavarez—Dodgers: Tavarez went 5-1 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 starts, leading the league with a 1.07 WHIP. He got sent down to Short-A despite a 1.75 ERA in six starts in A-Ball.
Tavarez has four pitches, three of which are excellent for the low minors. As a result of a two-seam fastball, curveball, and slider, he gets excellent movement and is very tough to take deep. Now 23, Tavarez needs development time in full season ball. There's enough there to make the fringes of a major league roster.
LF: Randor Vargas—Brewers: Vargas was released from the Kansas City organization in 2018, but latched on with Milwaukee. He's been sub-replacement level in all four years he played Rookie Ball, then turned in the worst WAR in the West Indian Short League. Vargas hit for just a .554 OPS, and while his defense was fine, that number tanked his value.
Just 21, Bill Schmidt sees a hitter with enough of a hit tool to reach the upper minors, but OSA sees a talentless hack justifying the bad performance. Given his inability to crack positive WAR, there's likely nothing there.
CF: Pablo Abreu—Brewers: Abreu was a 2019 All Star in the West Indies Short League before producing a .516 OPS and a -0.4 WAR campaign this year. Just 21 he'll have time to make up for the lost year, but such a poor offensive performance was disappointing for a player who had some helium in Milwaukee's organization.
Abreu profiles as a great defender, and Bill Schmidt sees enough in his patience and gap power to get to the upper minors. Nobody sees much power in him, though, so the hit tool will need to come around for Abreu to advance.
RP: Shakiro Pena—Angels: A year after producing a 6.40 ERA in Trinidad, Pena followed up with a 6.75 ERA. That was good for a -1.1 WAR, second worst in the league. Pena gave up 10 home runs in 44 innings, just a ghastly number in an environment not conducive to power.
Pena is 24 next year and trending backwards. He's pitched in the West Indies League for three years so it's possible he's just board of the level. He has a good fastball and curveball that can get strikeouts. He has no control though, so he got hit hard. OSA sees him putting it together to get to the upper minors and to the fringe of the bigs, while Bill Schmidt sees him washing out in A ball.
RP: Kota Chiba—Braves: After a decent year in Barbados last season, Chiba's second go around for the Tridents resulted in a 9.35 ERA, a 2.20 WHIP, and -1.3 WAR, worst in the league. Chiba allowed 13 home runs and a 3.83 BABIP as he couldn't get anybody out.
Chiba doesn't have anything going for him according to scouts, and his terrible 2020 has convinced the same of mathematicians. If Chiba were released, it would be hard to even see him pitching for a team in his native Japan.
CF: Raysheandall Michel—Braves: Michel has bounced around Atlanta's low minors, only once getting significant at bats before this year. Given a starting not this season, Michel, hit .348 with a .925 OPS. He led the league in both categories, and was the only player to hit for an OPS over .900. He also led the league in hits, RBI, doubles, and WAR.
Michel split time in right, his natural position, and center where he's trying to gain some experience. He just turned 23, and after such a strong season, is marked for full season ball. Scouts don't see much long term potential, and he has some character concerns, but after such a terrific season, he deserves a look during a 100-game season.
CF: Michael Medina—Dodgers: A standout in this space in 2018 when he led the league in virtually every major category, Medina has stayed in Short-Season ball and led the league in home runs for the second time. In fact, Medina is the career WISL leader in home runs and WAR.
Medina is still only 24, though scouts don't see much long term talent in his bat. The Dodgers have promoted him to full season ball as its time to see what he can do at a higher level. If he can't perform in Great Lakes, we may see him return to continue his career as the Caribbean's most feared slugger.
LF: Oscateri Castill—Angels: Blessed with a great name and great speed, Castill's 14 steals led the West Indian League this year. It was Castill's fourth straight year in Trinidad and he went from stealing seven bases at a 77% clip in 2017 to stealing only three bases in six attempts the past two years. However, this year he all his bases without getting caught.
Castill's speed and defense make him valuable in the low minors, though that's likely the only location his bat will play. He may be worth calling up to full season ball, but he's likely only a bit player going forward.
SS: Wander Samuel Franco—Reds: Franco turned in a great season for Cuba last year, earning a Gold Glove in the process. A high-impact glove, Franco also chipped in with a .270 average and nine stolen bases at the plate.
Franco was signed to a $4 million contract as an international free agent in 2017, the kind of money given to someone with MLB aspirations. Franco will turn 20 next year, already demonstrating his worth in short-season ball. There are questions regarding his bat, but he has the glove to warrant at least a backup role in the bigs. If he hits just enough to justify starting, the West Indies League won't be the only place he'll compete for Gold Gloves.
CF: Edwin Mateo—Dodgers: The Jamaica Steel Pans consistently have one of the best offenses in the West Indies League and this year was no exception for the Champions of the league. Mateo was the beneficiary, leading the league in runs with 51. He also stole nine bases and played excellent defense in Center Field. It's been an auspicious start to his career, as he was an All Star in the Dominican Rookie League in 2019 where he hit .305 with eight steals and 12 triples.
Mateo just turned 22 and his glove, wheels, and bat should see him continue to rise up the ranks. It would be a surprise if he didn't start next year in Great Lakes for the Dodgers. Scouts don't see a high-impact bat, though Bill Schmidt sees a good approach at least. With the glove and the speed, that's a ticket to the high minors with some developmental breaks placing him in the show. He's someone to watch.
LF: Axel Aleixo—Reds: Aleixo didn't have the best season in the Dominican League in 2019, but he led the West Indies League in on-base percentage in 2020. Aleixo has a mature approach as he won't offer at pitches he can't damage and is able to use the opposite field. As a result, he hit .300 and drew 53 walks.
Aleixo has good speed though he doesn't get a great jump on the bases or in the field. He has a good arm though, which could make him a solid right fielder. Scouts see him adding enough power to his approach to be a definite player in Triple A. Bill Schmidt loves his gap approach and patience and sees a major league starter. Just 21 and with a weird profile, Aleixa is one of the most interesting players in the low minors.
RP: Guillermo Zuniga—Braves: Zuniga had a terrible year as a reliever in A-Ball in 2019, getting demoted to Barbados in the West Indies League. After a 5.63 ERA last year, he turned in a 2.18 mark this year to lead the league. He allowed just two home runs in 62 innings to fuel the mark.
Zuniga's stuff and movement are too advanced for short-season ball as his fastball and slider carve up undeveloped hitters. It's unlikely he ever carves out a career above Double-A, but deserves another crack at A-Ball.
SP: Confesor Inoa—Dodgers: Inoa had a superficially good year in 2019, but had a negative WAR with a 6-1 record and a 3.14 ERA. He spent 2020 in Short-Season ball, leading the league in wins with eight, and posting a 3.21 ERA.
Inoa gets good late movement on his pitches and with a fastball in the low 90's, scouts foresee a career in the upper minors, though not quite a big league career. However, Inoa will be 25 next year and will need to show he can dominate full season ball soon.
SP: Jeremy Null—Royals: Null flamed out of the Cubs organization, but signed a minor league deal with the Royals before 2020. He spent the season in Short-A as a 26-year old, predictably dominating the league and leading it in both strikeouts and innings.
Null holds the ignominious mark of losing 40 games in 2018, so it's nice that he has a record for leading a league in a positive category instead. Still, with his age and lack of potential, there was no reason for Null to pitch for the Puerto Rico Sol. He's already been granted Free Agency.
CL: Keiber Arredondo—Reds: A former closer, Arredondo was acquired by the Cubs in the trade that sent Chicago Jose Bautista and Felix Hernandez. Arredondo plied his trade as a starter this past season though, pitching in three levels. While he struggled in High-A, Arredondo struck out 46 in 68.2 innings, in the West Indies Short League, an impressive mark for the level. He posted a 2.75 ERA and a league-leading 2.1 WAR.
Arredondo has four pitches that flash plus, including an upper 90's fastball. He can't go deep into games, which is why people see his ultimate future in the bullpen. Scouts see big strikeout potential that will have him as a potential big leaguer, and he'll almost certainly find himself in A-Ball yet in whatever role is decided for him.
RP: Elio Serrano—Dodgers: Serrano had a decent 2019 in Jamaica, but excelled last year, leading the league with 21 saves. He pitched to a 1.25 ERA as he really locked down the late innings. He walked only four batters, showing off advanced control for the low minors.
After the year he just had, Serrano has far too much control and command for short-season ball. OSA is more sanguine on his stuff than control, while Bill Schmidt believes he'll continue his path as a command-oriented righty. He may not top out above Double A, but at 22, he still has development time ahead of him.
RP: Alfredo Tavarez—Dodgers: Tavarez went 5-1 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 starts, leading the league with a 1.07 WHIP. He got sent down to Short-A despite a 1.75 ERA in six starts in A-Ball.
Tavarez has four pitches, three of which are excellent for the low minors. As a result of a two-seam fastball, curveball, and slider, he gets excellent movement and is very tough to take deep. Now 23, Tavarez needs development time in full season ball. There's enough there to make the fringes of a major league roster.
LF: Randor Vargas—Brewers: Vargas was released from the Kansas City organization in 2018, but latched on with Milwaukee. He's been sub-replacement level in all four years he played Rookie Ball, then turned in the worst WAR in the West Indian Short League. Vargas hit for just a .554 OPS, and while his defense was fine, that number tanked his value.
Just 21, Bill Schmidt sees a hitter with enough of a hit tool to reach the upper minors, but OSA sees a talentless hack justifying the bad performance. Given his inability to crack positive WAR, there's likely nothing there.
CF: Pablo Abreu—Brewers: Abreu was a 2019 All Star in the West Indies Short League before producing a .516 OPS and a -0.4 WAR campaign this year. Just 21 he'll have time to make up for the lost year, but such a poor offensive performance was disappointing for a player who had some helium in Milwaukee's organization.
Abreu profiles as a great defender, and Bill Schmidt sees enough in his patience and gap power to get to the upper minors. Nobody sees much power in him, though, so the hit tool will need to come around for Abreu to advance.
RP: Shakiro Pena—Angels: A year after producing a 6.40 ERA in Trinidad, Pena followed up with a 6.75 ERA. That was good for a -1.1 WAR, second worst in the league. Pena gave up 10 home runs in 44 innings, just a ghastly number in an environment not conducive to power.
Pena is 24 next year and trending backwards. He's pitched in the West Indies League for three years so it's possible he's just board of the level. He has a good fastball and curveball that can get strikeouts. He has no control though, so he got hit hard. OSA sees him putting it together to get to the upper minors and to the fringe of the bigs, while Bill Schmidt sees him washing out in A ball.
RP: Kota Chiba—Braves: After a decent year in Barbados last season, Chiba's second go around for the Tridents resulted in a 9.35 ERA, a 2.20 WHIP, and -1.3 WAR, worst in the league. Chiba allowed 13 home runs and a 3.83 BABIP as he couldn't get anybody out.
Chiba doesn't have anything going for him according to scouts, and his terrible 2020 has convinced the same of mathematicians. If Chiba were released, it would be hard to even see him pitching for a team in his native Japan.