2021 General Minor League Discussion

andyb 2021-05-14 20:01:09 UTC #142

For those wondering about extended Spring, they are playing games against the Tigers, Yankees, and Blue Jays several days a week. This will continue through 6/26 with the GCL season to start June 28th.

Steve Potter's sites notes some of the players there. Not all destined for GCL. Seems like Kendall Simmons is healthy and is still working on a few things. If you recall he rebuilt his swing pre-Australia and it did not go especially well. Hopefully he does not become a prospect whose development was really hurt by the pandemic.

andyb 2021-05-18 16:27:43 UTC #143

Matt Winkelman's latest weekly update:

Taudawg 2021-05-20 09:35:04 UTC #144

Bryson Stott up to .286 and .464 OBP with 4 dingers in 42 ABs. Too soon to be thinking June promotion?

Austinfan 2021-05-20 12:41:47 UTC #145

I think they'll want to give prospects some time to settle in where they are, see if they're for real, and then start making moves in June and July. But this is the season to be patient and work on accelerated development after a "lost" year. Focus less on production and more on "the process," emphasizing skill development.

zambonir 2021-05-22 05:28:48 UTC #146

Some interesting stuff:

The Pioneer League is going to have a draft and tryout camp for players who don't catch on in MLB/affiliated ball after the big draft. One of their teams is entirely comprised of players assigned by a Mexican League team.

And the Appalachian League is being run by USA Baseball, all college freshman and sophomores (with USA covering all expenses, and of course, no salaries).

bkox 2021-05-23 17:42:51 UTC #147

Team USA rosters announced. Luke Williams is on the team. Says there is a qualifier game next week. Does this mean he will be on and off the LHV roster? Or is he gone til after the Olympics?

Philsmania 2021-05-23 21:15:38 UTC #148

If there still is an Olympics this year.

bkox 2021-05-23 21:22:59 UTC #149

andyb 2021-05-26 16:16:36 UTC #150

Might as well put this here:

This is the schedule and roster for the next round of Olympic qualifying (remember when Bohm struck out against Mexico in an event that seems years ago?). Luke Williams the only current Phillies player on a strange roster of older players and minor leaguers not likely to be called up in the next few weeks. Anthony Gose on the pitching side.

USA plays Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday on ESPN+ next week. Then top 2 play Friday and Saturday in the Super round. I think one team qualifies there, but then the 2nd and 3rd place teams get kicked into yet another tournament June 17-21 where 5 teams (Australia, Taiwan, Netherlands, 2 from the Americas tournament) vie for the actual final spot.

So USA needs to finish in the top 2 of their group this week and then top 3 of the Super Round the next week to stay alive. 2 more spots in the Olympics up for grabs total. Be nice to win one of these (after the Olympic soccer debacle).

Taudawg 2021-05-26 18:16:49 UTC #151

D.J. Stewart should be moved up to Jersey Shore.

Austinfan 2021-05-26 22:16:29 UTC #152

I think I'm withholding judgment until July, so many players off to abysmal starts, let's see if they bounce back or the system is in crisis.
They are getting more consistent instruction, and hopefully better instruction.
But the proof is in the pudding.

bkox 2021-05-27 01:57:48 UTC #153

bkox 2021-05-31 23:14:36 UTC #154

julio 2021-06-01 01:22:00 UTC #155

bkox:

readingeagle.com

Reading must improve stadium or risk losing Fightin Phils, officials say

The Professional Baseball Agreement, which effectively binds the Minor and Major leagues, revised standards for Minor League facilities that could cost the city up to $15 million if it wants

[quote]State Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr. confirmed that an agreement between minor league and Major League Baseball organizations calls for upgrades to minor league facilities.

“It’s true that the Reading Phils with their agreement are requiring updates to the city-owned stadium,” he said. “It is public knowledge.”

The required “modernizations” could cost up to $15 million, he said, and if they are not made, the team could be required to move to another facility or community.[/quote]

Nothing like a little municipal extortion.

zambonir 2021-06-01 01:54:11 UTC #156

Happening in dozens of cities I'm sure, MLB was pretty up front about that when they started doing this whole kill-off (or blackmailing teams with the thread of it). I don't imagine there's much controversy or danger of it not happening in Reading or we would have heard about it before the takeover.

I couldn't read the article but I gather they will be trying to get the $ from the state, not the city (which surely doesn't have any). And of course course, they are owned by the Philadelphia Phillies, for whom $15 million is 60% of a .200 hitter, or maybe one of Middleton's houses, but of course the team won't be paying for it.

andyb 2021-06-01 18:25:18 UTC #157

USA beats Nicaragua in game 1 7-1. Luke Williams did not make the ESPN story but was one of the stars of the game. 3-3 with 2 BBs leading off and playing LF.
https://olympicbaseballqualifier.wbsc.org/en/2021/e-2021-americas-baseball-olympic-qualifier/schedule-and-results/box-score/13267

Former Phillies Jesmuel Valentin and Lisalverto Bonilla playing. Anibal Sanchez gave up 3 runs in 4 IP to Cuba.

bkox 2021-06-03 14:02:41 UTC #158

I spent a few days in extended spring over in Clearwater. A lot of our young hitters have good approaches at the plate w/good swing paths. Some interesting prospects. I’m excited about our talent there. Had a great time working with the staff!
— Charlie Manuel ( @CMBaseball41 ) June 3, 2021

andyb 2021-06-03 17:05:15 UTC #159

USA is playing now against Puerto Rico but they are already in the Super Round so this is a meaningless game (up 6-1 though Williams is 0-2).

Two more games Friday and Saturday against Canada then Venezuela. The US win against the Dominican in the early round counts, so winning those 2 games gets them in the Olympics and going 1-1 still gives them a shot, especially if the win is against Venezuela.

andyb 2021-06-04 04:19:39 UTC #160

This is about a week old, but apparently Yhoswar Garcia is looking good in extended Spring.

6/28 start for GCL. Apparently Haseley was down in extended also, so he has had a little more game time than the AAA time he is now getting. Jamari Baylor playing SS down there. I assume the GCL team will be a little closer to what we usually see in Williamsport this year than typical GCL. No new college draftees, but mostly the best of the 2 GCL teams from last time and DSL promotions. I am guessing the DSL players that might have been promoted to the low end GCL in past seasons will just stay in the Dominican for the year because of the roster limit. We'll get the top prospects like Garcia and then the 20 years olds (but not most of the 17-19 year olds).

andyb 2021-06-04 19:55:28 UTC #161

Not sure who got promoted off the list (Maton?), but welcome to the top 30 Cristian Hernandez. Bio does not mention the injury he had in 2019 that caused him to miss the year, but he is sitting 94-95 in most starts these days and is one of three interesting 20-year-old Latin American pitchers at Clearwater in the top 30 now (Jordi Martinez and Eduar Segovia are the others).