MINOR LEAGUE/PROSPECTS Thread

They are rehabbing him as a starter to get his innings and arm strength up. If when they're ready to let him loose there is a desperate need in the bullpen, the word is they will bring him in for that purpose. Just realize that he may be 4-5 starts away from that as this is currently his "spring training".

Don't look to the MiLB for reinforcements in the offensive department this year. Barnes is the only one there right now who could potentially be helpful. Thompson and Johnson were looked at as potential replacements as well, but one is already up and the other has really come out of the gate struggling. The reason the Dodgers FO was so heralded by most services for their MiLB development was how they stockpiled immediate pitching, which could have been a need later in the season(then that all went to hell in about a week), while loading up their offensive weapons in time for all of the clubs big expiring contracts. Not many folks could have predicted, Yaz, Puig, Turner, Kendrick and AGon to look so terrible or see their power zapped, or then see SVS, Ethier and Guerrrero all miss significant time from injury. The bullpen has been a problem, but it is only been such a big problem is thanks to the offense being a flipping train wreck. If the offense can get it going here soon, the arms on the farm should be coming in the coming weeks to start filling in the pen. I saw a scout say this weekend that Calhoun, Bellinger and Verdugo are all future major leaguers, but are all at least 1+ years away.

I think his thing is that the club wants him to get regular AB's. The reports on him are all pretty good, but on the offensive and defensive sides of the game. He can play multiple positions, but would be 3rd or 4th on the depth chart on all of them, C, 2B, 3B and LF. I'd expect him to be up next year full time.

 

Competing against a hapless Grandal, and an aging AJ Ellis will help his cause.

 

In saying that, hasn't impressed me with his limited majors playing time.

 

Yeah, he looked inept at the plate before getting sent back down, but Grandal and Ellis look inept at the plate right now too.

 

But still with the option of him ultimately being a starter after this season, correct?

 

Yes, but if they do that, it will be hard to bring him back as his innings will get dragged WAY down.

 

Gotcha, so what do you think?
He sticks as a reliever for the long haul?

 

I really really really hope not. His ceiling is a frontline starter and his ability to throw gas late in the game would be huge with the way this game is going. Montas, De Leon, Urias, Alvarez and Holmes have all shown 1-2 potential, would hate to see any of them go to the pen this early.

 

Agreed

 

I say let him start in MiLB until July and if the team absolutely needs him, bring him up for the month and then try to land another arm in FA so he can go back to starting for a month and then make an impact for the postseason. It's a good way for him to keep his secondary pitches crisp. Could be fun to see Urias and Montas come in to the pen at the end of the season as a couple big arms to lock things down... need to be in contention at that time though here first.

 

Like that plan, you meant land another arm at the deadline tho, right?
Depending on Ryu, Bolsinger and McCarthy doesn't sound all that good I suppose.
Raid Tampa?
With his numbers looking the way they are this season, maybe the time is now to buy Archer?

 

Sounds like 4th place in the division.

 

Yeah, I meant BP arm at the deadline. They could send either Ryu or McCarthy to the pen and either would probably be fine in that roll. I'd almost prefer McCarthy there due to the 15 months it usually takes to gain full strength from TJ. I think Bolsinger will spend a good chunk of the year in AAA as there won't be a need for him unless someone gets hurt. I don't see the team pursuing a SP at the deadline since Kersh, Maeda, Wood, Kazmir, McCarthy, Ryu, Urias, De Leon, Montas, Lee and Stripling are all under contract or viable rotation options through next season. I also don't see them giving up the pieces it would take to get another big arm for the front of the rotation as nobody decent is on an expiring contract so those guys are going at a premium. I think Urias and Verdugo are the two absolute untouchables on the farm and I'm guessing that teams will try to start any conversation with them.

 

Wow, this is a really good review for a guy that is believed to be outside the clubs top 20 prospects by many
http://2080baseball.com/reports/johan-mieses/

 

Gotcha
So Verdugo's made it to untouchable status for you?
Think Bellinger finishes the year at AA?