Post by Commissioner Erick on Jul 26, 2019 17:51:35 GMT -5
The powers that be tweaked the various humidifiers and what not, allowing the parks and the environment to play more naturally in the Canadian League. Teams, however, see something with the ball or the batters eye leading to a third straight paucity of strikeouts. While those tweaks still need to be made, here was this past season's best and most disappointing performers.
2B: Luis Bory—Nationals: A 20-year Dominican, Bory bore through Canadian pitching, establishing himself as an offensive force in the league with a .341 average, to lead the CRL. Bory is a long 6-1, with an elongated face, and a knack for doubles, smacking 21 to finish third in that category.
Bory was discovered by Washington two years ago and is just starting his professional journey. He's not a good defender, and OSA isn't enamored. Bill Schmidt thinks the gap power and ability to avoid strikeouts will play, but little else will. Bory also doesn't have an attitude conducive to growth. On the other hand, why should Bory change his personality? He just led the league in average.
CF: Angel Santos—Padres: Despite playing in a brutal park for home runs, Santos' 19 led the league. He also led the league in RBIs, OPS, runs, and was second in average, allowing him to accumulate the most WAR in the league. He won a championship for Yukon and was the league's MVP.
However, Santos accomplished those feats as a 25-year-old, playing his fifth straight season in the rookie league. He had 21 home runs and 64 driven in back in 2018. Santos turned in the best batting average of his career, but it's time for him to see A-ball. Scouts don't see a big league future for Santos. They also don't see a Rookie Leaguer.
CF: Bob Utley—Cardinals: A fifth round pick out of USC by the Cardinals in 2020, Utley didn't hit a lick in the Gulf Coast League before turning in a nice year in St. John. Utley walked more than he struck out, and stole 24 of 27 bases, giving him the nice combo of getting on and running over. Known more for his outfield prowess, Utley also played some second base to get himself more versatility.
Utley will play most of next season as a 24-year old. His patience and line drive swing are enough to get him out of rookie ball, while his speed, defense, and outspoken nature also strike scouts as a player ready for more challenging pastures. Scouts don't see much upside in the profile, but the legs, combined with a fantastic throwing arm, should carry him to Triple-A at least.
CF: Yolki Pena—Rockies: Pena had the best zone rating in all of the CRL, with a 12.9 mark paired with 10 outfield assists. Pena also walked twice as often as he struck out, swiped 13 bags, and hit .325. He was the All-Star Game MVP, and recovered from a brutal 2020 in the Pioneer League.
Colorado has taken it slow with Pena, starting him in the Dominican Summer League, moving him to the Pioneer League, then sending him to Canada. While he fell apart in the Pioneer League, walking 17 times and striking out on 71 occasions, he had a similar profile in the Dominican League as he had in Canada. His hit tool and approach are advanced, and now he's sufficiently proven it. He'll be in full season ball next year, and the speed, defense, and hit tool have him on the big league's radar.
1B: Federico Pando—Blue Jays: Toronto forked over $5 million dollars in 2019 to sign Pando, then a 17-year-old international free agent. After a middling professional debut across three levels, Pando showcased some of his talents with the East St. Paul LeBrons. In a tough park for homers, Pando led the league in doubles with 28, drove in 46 runs, and hit a strong .296.
Most of Pando's power is geared towards the gaps, but there's enough there to envision a 40-home run hitter at his peak. He currently has good loft on his swing and has a frame that can build muscle. He should be, at least, in short-season ball next year. He profiles as a potential star. OSA sees a .300 hitter who can hit 50 homers, avoid strikeouts, and rack up extra base hits. Bill Schmidt isn't quite as rosy, seeing more doubles than homers assuming Pando doesn't build up enough muscle. Still, the swing, and approach are both plus and should allow his skills to play up. Already the #69 prospect in the PBA, his terrific 2021 could be a stepping stone to greatness.
CF: Pedro Castillo—Pirates: Tied for the league lead in runs with 58, Pedro Castillo has taken major jumps in his three tours of Lethbridge. Overmatched after being promoted from Pittsburgh's international complex in 2019, he hit .292 without too many walks or home runs in 2020. This year, he batted .316, had more walks than strikeouts, and powered six home runs.
After his strong season, Pittsburgh's announced that they're promoting him to short-season ball for next season. Bill Schmidt thinks his swing will play there, but OSA hasn't yet come around. Schmidt sees a guy with some bat-to-ball skills who can make his way to Triple-A considering Castillo's strong defensive acumen and good wheels. OSA doesn't like the approach as much, but sees a tick more power. It just thinks it'll take Castillo a little longer to ultimately get there.
SP: Sergio Lechuga—Pirates: Despite pitching in a park with a 249-foot right-field line, Lechuga managed to lead the Canadian Rookie League in ERA with a 1.31 mark. Lechuga started nine games, worked in 22, and allowed just a single home run. Lechuga fanned 52 in 62.0 innings, for the second highest strikeout-per-nine-innings mark in the league.
Lechuga made his way up to A-Ball in his rookie season, but was ineffective in three places. He's pitched in Canada the past two seasons, mostly in relief, and has looked great. Lechuga has a 100-mph fastball, and a very good splitter which allows him to overwhelm most hitters in rookie ball. Lechuga doesn't have much command though, and is prone to hanging pitches, clouding his potential outlook. He may be able to make it short-season ball or A-ball, where he can continue to pump gas past hitters, especially as a reliever. However, the Mexican may have better prospects as a professional prospect if he pitches in Mexico.
SP: Anderson Amarista—Rockies: Amarista posted a historic season, joining Michael Gigliotti as Sea Fish of Death who have the best single-season bWAR and pWAR. Amarista also posted the best single-season wins total win 11, and shutouts with two. Amarista allowed just one home run, and combined that ground-ball ability with the best defense in the league to post a 1.59 ERA.
Colorado has taken it slow with Amarista, having him spend four middling years in Grand Junction before being promoted. Just 23, he's proven enough to earn a promotion to short-season Boise. A sharp, three-pitch pitcher, scouts like him enough to project him to make it to Triple-A easily. If his curveball and changeup come around, he may even be able to make a few starts in the majors.
SP: Yogeiry Villar—Cardinals: Villar led the league in strikeouts with 65 punchouts, the result of working 104.0 innings. However, Villar only went 2-8 with a 3.63 ERA. He still posted a 2.2 WAR, fourth best in the league, as a result of the strikeouts.
A 2019 All-Star in the Dominican Summer League with the Angels, Villar was cut in 2020 and signed with St. Louis later that summer. Bill Schmidt sees a guy with a good fastball and cutter, but who won't pitch above the low minors. OSA scouts are very high on Villar's curveball, giving him a chance to pitch in the majors. Still 23 and needing seasoning, Villar's 2022 season will be critical for his development.
SP: Juan Estupinan—Cardinals: Born in the Dominican Republic, but raised in upstate New York, Estupinan made a whopping 25 starts for St. John, with the overworked arm going 3-15 with a 6.35 ERA. The top three innings totals in the league belonged to St. John Whales, showing how the team hammered its arms into the ground.
Estupinan had an ERA of 3-15 last season, so he's really struggling with professional ball after being popped in the 14th round in 2020. Just 19, Bill Schmidt sees nothing more than a rookie-league pitcher. With a sinker, cutter, and curveball, OSA sees a pitcher who can make High-A. St. Louis will have to let Estupinan's arm rest a little bit to know more about what he can become.
SP: Nick Hutchings—Indians: A minor league free-agent signing back in 2018, Hutchings has bounced around the low minors for Cleveland, making two career starts in low-A ball, but bouncing around the rookie leagues aside from that. He applied his trade in Blainesville last year and led the league in saves with 22. The former starter went back to the Arizona League in 2020 to learn how to be a relief pitcher, and excelled this year with a 2.63 ERA.
Hutchings also got some work in as a hitter, batting .305 in 121 plate appearances as a second baseman. He doesn't really have the defensive chops or batting upside to advance past rookie ball as a hitter, though four pitches and great control could allow him to have a nice future on the mound. Bill Schmidt sees a guy who should be in Double A, and maybe top out in Triple A. OSA likes the breaking balls a little more and sees Hutchings as a Triple-A lock, and maybe even a major leaguer. The Australian may pitch for the Australian National Team this upcoming World Baseball Classic.
SP: Nick Gruener—Orioles: Gruener was second in the league in WAR, working to a 1.79 ERA to amass 2.5 WAR. However, he also did so as a 26-year old, well above his peers. He got demoted to Rookie Ball after posting negative WAR seasons in three of his first four campaigns, but he's too old for the league and made things obvious last year.
Neither Bill Schmidt, nor OSA, sees much of a future for Gruener at all. Perhaps he can continue to be a Rookie-League ringer or he can continue to struggle in some form of A-Ball. The destination best suited for him may be out of baseball.
CF: Bob Lacy—Red Sox: Despite The Cobra Pit being one of the only ballparks in the Canadian League that can be described as hitter-friendly, with its 299-foot foul poles and 345-foot power alleys, Lacy was awful in his professional debut. Boston's 3rd Round pick last year, Lacy hit .201 with a .530 OPS. He didn't get on base, didn't hit for power, and turned in a disaster of a season.
Only 19-years-old, Lacy's almost certainly going to need to repeat the level and prove himself. OSA scouts are really excited by Lacy's swing, they think he can add power, and they view his speed as an additional benefit on the bases and the field. Bill Schmidt sees a fifth-outfielder, but a major leaguer nonetheless. Nowhere close to maxing out, Lacy has time on his side.
RF: Dusty Koch—Padres: After a horrendous -2.4 WAR season in Yukon last year, Koch improved to -0.8 WAR for the Grey Birds in 2021. The ball doesn't travel well in the cold air in Golden Sky Ballpark, but that didn't stop Koch's teammate, Angel Santos, from winning the MVP. Koch hit just .217 with a pair of homers after dealing with a sore elbow. The only saving grace is Koch's .345 average during the Canadian Championships.
Koch's a smart baserunner who makes a lot of gutty plays, but his lack of speed puts a lot of pressure on his bat to produce, something that hasn't happened yet. Bill Schmidt likes the profile, but the lack of power and the lack of speed limit his major league viability. OSA sees that power, envisioning the Padres 2020 2nd rounder as a future starter. He's one to watch if he can ever learn to hit in the great Northwest. If he doesn't, his sullen face will continue to look forlorn into the future.
SP Shamar Polite—Giants: Cupcakes Polite earned his nickname in Vancouver this year, working to a 1-8 record and a 5.28 ERA for the Octopi. While the artificial turf of The Aquarium didn't really do him in, 39 walks in 61.1 innings led to too many baserunners and too many losses.
The first round pick of San Francisco last season has four tantalizing pitches, projecting Polite to be a hurler with good stuff. OSA projects Polite to get good movement and control of his secondaries, making him a very exciting starting pitching prospect. Bill Schmidt forecasts strikeouts, but also walks and cupcakes. Only 19 and needing to work on his changeup, Polite will likely return to the level next year.
SP Juan Contreras—Mariners: The Canadian League has become a league heavily geared towards pitching, making Juan Contreras' awful numbers the past two seasons pretty damning. Seattle's fifth rounder in 2020, Contreras turned in a 5.81 ERA for Prince Albert last season, before rocking a 6.11 mark this year. Contreras allowed seven homers this year, which is far too many in 45.2 innings, and was the primary driver of the poor numbers.
Contreras throws three pitches, but everyone foresees his changeup to be too firm to ever be reliable, meaning he's effectively a two-pitch pitcher. OSA thinks the fastball and slider could be enough to carve out a career in the upper minors, but Bill Schmidt sees a guy who won't make it past the AquaSox. Not blessed with a good head on his shoulders, and already struggling, Schmidt's prediction may be the stronger bet at this point.
2B: Luis Bory—Nationals: A 20-year Dominican, Bory bore through Canadian pitching, establishing himself as an offensive force in the league with a .341 average, to lead the CRL. Bory is a long 6-1, with an elongated face, and a knack for doubles, smacking 21 to finish third in that category.
Bory was discovered by Washington two years ago and is just starting his professional journey. He's not a good defender, and OSA isn't enamored. Bill Schmidt thinks the gap power and ability to avoid strikeouts will play, but little else will. Bory also doesn't have an attitude conducive to growth. On the other hand, why should Bory change his personality? He just led the league in average.
CF: Angel Santos—Padres: Despite playing in a brutal park for home runs, Santos' 19 led the league. He also led the league in RBIs, OPS, runs, and was second in average, allowing him to accumulate the most WAR in the league. He won a championship for Yukon and was the league's MVP.
However, Santos accomplished those feats as a 25-year-old, playing his fifth straight season in the rookie league. He had 21 home runs and 64 driven in back in 2018. Santos turned in the best batting average of his career, but it's time for him to see A-ball. Scouts don't see a big league future for Santos. They also don't see a Rookie Leaguer.
CF: Bob Utley—Cardinals: A fifth round pick out of USC by the Cardinals in 2020, Utley didn't hit a lick in the Gulf Coast League before turning in a nice year in St. John. Utley walked more than he struck out, and stole 24 of 27 bases, giving him the nice combo of getting on and running over. Known more for his outfield prowess, Utley also played some second base to get himself more versatility.
Utley will play most of next season as a 24-year old. His patience and line drive swing are enough to get him out of rookie ball, while his speed, defense, and outspoken nature also strike scouts as a player ready for more challenging pastures. Scouts don't see much upside in the profile, but the legs, combined with a fantastic throwing arm, should carry him to Triple-A at least.
CF: Yolki Pena—Rockies: Pena had the best zone rating in all of the CRL, with a 12.9 mark paired with 10 outfield assists. Pena also walked twice as often as he struck out, swiped 13 bags, and hit .325. He was the All-Star Game MVP, and recovered from a brutal 2020 in the Pioneer League.
Colorado has taken it slow with Pena, starting him in the Dominican Summer League, moving him to the Pioneer League, then sending him to Canada. While he fell apart in the Pioneer League, walking 17 times and striking out on 71 occasions, he had a similar profile in the Dominican League as he had in Canada. His hit tool and approach are advanced, and now he's sufficiently proven it. He'll be in full season ball next year, and the speed, defense, and hit tool have him on the big league's radar.
1B: Federico Pando—Blue Jays: Toronto forked over $5 million dollars in 2019 to sign Pando, then a 17-year-old international free agent. After a middling professional debut across three levels, Pando showcased some of his talents with the East St. Paul LeBrons. In a tough park for homers, Pando led the league in doubles with 28, drove in 46 runs, and hit a strong .296.
Most of Pando's power is geared towards the gaps, but there's enough there to envision a 40-home run hitter at his peak. He currently has good loft on his swing and has a frame that can build muscle. He should be, at least, in short-season ball next year. He profiles as a potential star. OSA sees a .300 hitter who can hit 50 homers, avoid strikeouts, and rack up extra base hits. Bill Schmidt isn't quite as rosy, seeing more doubles than homers assuming Pando doesn't build up enough muscle. Still, the swing, and approach are both plus and should allow his skills to play up. Already the #69 prospect in the PBA, his terrific 2021 could be a stepping stone to greatness.
CF: Pedro Castillo—Pirates: Tied for the league lead in runs with 58, Pedro Castillo has taken major jumps in his three tours of Lethbridge. Overmatched after being promoted from Pittsburgh's international complex in 2019, he hit .292 without too many walks or home runs in 2020. This year, he batted .316, had more walks than strikeouts, and powered six home runs.
After his strong season, Pittsburgh's announced that they're promoting him to short-season ball for next season. Bill Schmidt thinks his swing will play there, but OSA hasn't yet come around. Schmidt sees a guy with some bat-to-ball skills who can make his way to Triple-A considering Castillo's strong defensive acumen and good wheels. OSA doesn't like the approach as much, but sees a tick more power. It just thinks it'll take Castillo a little longer to ultimately get there.
SP: Sergio Lechuga—Pirates: Despite pitching in a park with a 249-foot right-field line, Lechuga managed to lead the Canadian Rookie League in ERA with a 1.31 mark. Lechuga started nine games, worked in 22, and allowed just a single home run. Lechuga fanned 52 in 62.0 innings, for the second highest strikeout-per-nine-innings mark in the league.
Lechuga made his way up to A-Ball in his rookie season, but was ineffective in three places. He's pitched in Canada the past two seasons, mostly in relief, and has looked great. Lechuga has a 100-mph fastball, and a very good splitter which allows him to overwhelm most hitters in rookie ball. Lechuga doesn't have much command though, and is prone to hanging pitches, clouding his potential outlook. He may be able to make it short-season ball or A-ball, where he can continue to pump gas past hitters, especially as a reliever. However, the Mexican may have better prospects as a professional prospect if he pitches in Mexico.
SP: Anderson Amarista—Rockies: Amarista posted a historic season, joining Michael Gigliotti as Sea Fish of Death who have the best single-season bWAR and pWAR. Amarista also posted the best single-season wins total win 11, and shutouts with two. Amarista allowed just one home run, and combined that ground-ball ability with the best defense in the league to post a 1.59 ERA.
Colorado has taken it slow with Amarista, having him spend four middling years in Grand Junction before being promoted. Just 23, he's proven enough to earn a promotion to short-season Boise. A sharp, three-pitch pitcher, scouts like him enough to project him to make it to Triple-A easily. If his curveball and changeup come around, he may even be able to make a few starts in the majors.
SP: Yogeiry Villar—Cardinals: Villar led the league in strikeouts with 65 punchouts, the result of working 104.0 innings. However, Villar only went 2-8 with a 3.63 ERA. He still posted a 2.2 WAR, fourth best in the league, as a result of the strikeouts.
A 2019 All-Star in the Dominican Summer League with the Angels, Villar was cut in 2020 and signed with St. Louis later that summer. Bill Schmidt sees a guy with a good fastball and cutter, but who won't pitch above the low minors. OSA scouts are very high on Villar's curveball, giving him a chance to pitch in the majors. Still 23 and needing seasoning, Villar's 2022 season will be critical for his development.
SP: Juan Estupinan—Cardinals: Born in the Dominican Republic, but raised in upstate New York, Estupinan made a whopping 25 starts for St. John, with the overworked arm going 3-15 with a 6.35 ERA. The top three innings totals in the league belonged to St. John Whales, showing how the team hammered its arms into the ground.
Estupinan had an ERA of 3-15 last season, so he's really struggling with professional ball after being popped in the 14th round in 2020. Just 19, Bill Schmidt sees nothing more than a rookie-league pitcher. With a sinker, cutter, and curveball, OSA sees a pitcher who can make High-A. St. Louis will have to let Estupinan's arm rest a little bit to know more about what he can become.
SP: Nick Hutchings—Indians: A minor league free-agent signing back in 2018, Hutchings has bounced around the low minors for Cleveland, making two career starts in low-A ball, but bouncing around the rookie leagues aside from that. He applied his trade in Blainesville last year and led the league in saves with 22. The former starter went back to the Arizona League in 2020 to learn how to be a relief pitcher, and excelled this year with a 2.63 ERA.
Hutchings also got some work in as a hitter, batting .305 in 121 plate appearances as a second baseman. He doesn't really have the defensive chops or batting upside to advance past rookie ball as a hitter, though four pitches and great control could allow him to have a nice future on the mound. Bill Schmidt sees a guy who should be in Double A, and maybe top out in Triple A. OSA likes the breaking balls a little more and sees Hutchings as a Triple-A lock, and maybe even a major leaguer. The Australian may pitch for the Australian National Team this upcoming World Baseball Classic.
SP: Nick Gruener—Orioles: Gruener was second in the league in WAR, working to a 1.79 ERA to amass 2.5 WAR. However, he also did so as a 26-year old, well above his peers. He got demoted to Rookie Ball after posting negative WAR seasons in three of his first four campaigns, but he's too old for the league and made things obvious last year.
Neither Bill Schmidt, nor OSA, sees much of a future for Gruener at all. Perhaps he can continue to be a Rookie-League ringer or he can continue to struggle in some form of A-Ball. The destination best suited for him may be out of baseball.
CF: Bob Lacy—Red Sox: Despite The Cobra Pit being one of the only ballparks in the Canadian League that can be described as hitter-friendly, with its 299-foot foul poles and 345-foot power alleys, Lacy was awful in his professional debut. Boston's 3rd Round pick last year, Lacy hit .201 with a .530 OPS. He didn't get on base, didn't hit for power, and turned in a disaster of a season.
Only 19-years-old, Lacy's almost certainly going to need to repeat the level and prove himself. OSA scouts are really excited by Lacy's swing, they think he can add power, and they view his speed as an additional benefit on the bases and the field. Bill Schmidt sees a fifth-outfielder, but a major leaguer nonetheless. Nowhere close to maxing out, Lacy has time on his side.
RF: Dusty Koch—Padres: After a horrendous -2.4 WAR season in Yukon last year, Koch improved to -0.8 WAR for the Grey Birds in 2021. The ball doesn't travel well in the cold air in Golden Sky Ballpark, but that didn't stop Koch's teammate, Angel Santos, from winning the MVP. Koch hit just .217 with a pair of homers after dealing with a sore elbow. The only saving grace is Koch's .345 average during the Canadian Championships.
Koch's a smart baserunner who makes a lot of gutty plays, but his lack of speed puts a lot of pressure on his bat to produce, something that hasn't happened yet. Bill Schmidt likes the profile, but the lack of power and the lack of speed limit his major league viability. OSA sees that power, envisioning the Padres 2020 2nd rounder as a future starter. He's one to watch if he can ever learn to hit in the great Northwest. If he doesn't, his sullen face will continue to look forlorn into the future.
SP Shamar Polite—Giants: Cupcakes Polite earned his nickname in Vancouver this year, working to a 1-8 record and a 5.28 ERA for the Octopi. While the artificial turf of The Aquarium didn't really do him in, 39 walks in 61.1 innings led to too many baserunners and too many losses.
The first round pick of San Francisco last season has four tantalizing pitches, projecting Polite to be a hurler with good stuff. OSA projects Polite to get good movement and control of his secondaries, making him a very exciting starting pitching prospect. Bill Schmidt forecasts strikeouts, but also walks and cupcakes. Only 19 and needing to work on his changeup, Polite will likely return to the level next year.
SP Juan Contreras—Mariners: The Canadian League has become a league heavily geared towards pitching, making Juan Contreras' awful numbers the past two seasons pretty damning. Seattle's fifth rounder in 2020, Contreras turned in a 5.81 ERA for Prince Albert last season, before rocking a 6.11 mark this year. Contreras allowed seven homers this year, which is far too many in 45.2 innings, and was the primary driver of the poor numbers.
Contreras throws three pitches, but everyone foresees his changeup to be too firm to ever be reliable, meaning he's effectively a two-pitch pitcher. OSA thinks the fastball and slider could be enough to carve out a career in the upper minors, but Bill Schmidt sees a guy who won't make it past the AquaSox. Not blessed with a good head on his shoulders, and already struggling, Schmidt's prediction may be the stronger bet at this point.