Phillies Prospect Lists

[LoneStarPhan]

Just read somewhere in the past day or so that the ball for AA and below is different than the AAA and ML ball. Article was about a pitcher having to adjust to the different feel of the ball when promoted to AAA.

[Jeff05]

The AAA leagues are now using the same ball as MLB. See the Baseball America article for details.

[schooldoc]

Alec Bohm ranks 47th on Keith Law's top 50 midseason prospects list. He's the only Phillie representative.

[zambonir]

It seems bonkers to me that they use different balls based on what that pitcher (it was Hammer) said but I bet the reason is just cost. Do the MLB teams even pay for the equipment as part of their affiliation agreement or is that an operating expense for the teams or leagues?

[allentown]

That makes sense with Howard losing time to injury and Medina taking some lumps.

[allentown]

It is more bonkers that with the amount of shuttling back and forth between AAA and the majors in recent years that this is the first year that AAA has used the MLB baseball.

[zambonir]

True, in that sense it is a plus but why not just have the same ball? Also it's just another thing that shows how funny it is (to me) that we think of baseball statistics as sacred when there have been so many physical variables over the history of the game, including mount, park construction, baseballs, schedule length and of course, drugs.

[Austinfan]

That explains the slow starts for Dohy and Leftwich when they got promoted, normally if you dominate AA you don't get pounded in AAA, but if the balls are different, then you'd expect an adjustment period, so this year you should probably dismiss the first few appearances when a player gets promoted.

Dohy last ten games: 13.2 9 6 20 2.32
Leftwich last eight games: 13.0 11 2 19 1.39

[julio]

You should expect not only a period of adjustment when pitchers are promoted to AAA and encounter the ML ball - you should expect them to be less effective, as measured by ERA, WHIP, SLG against, etc. The fact that this ball has caused a spike in offense at the major league level (and the AAA level) indicates that pitchers are just less effective, as a group, with this ball.

Of course, that's not going to impact all pitchers the same way. My guess is that pitchers who depend on pinpoint location, on consistent breaking pitches, are likely to be in more trouble than flamethrowers, because this ball is slicker, harder to control consistently, and apparently doesn't break the same way as a result of spin even when controlled.

Probably the only way to evaluate pitchers in this environment is by comparison to the same season's league averages - season-to-season comparisons look to be pretty much useless, because the change in "environment" (e.g., the baseball) is evidently significant.

[Austinfan]

The fact that both pitchers approached their AA performance after getting pounded their first few appearances suggests it's the ball, not the promotion, that is, they needed to get used to pitching with the ML ball, making adjustments to their breaking pitches, etc.

[phillychuck]

The fact that both pitchers approached their AA performance after getting pounded their first few appearances suggests it's the ball, not the promotion, that is, they needed to get used to pitching with the ML ball, making adjustments to their breaking pitches, etc.

And it's really positive news on player mind-set that they appeared to be able to make those changes! Kudos to them.

[nycphils]

I think the most critical thing the Phils need to decide before the end of the season is whether or not Bohm can handle 3B in the majors for at least 2-3 years.

If not, they should deal him ASAP for a controllable starting pitcher because if that becomes obvious in the majors, he will never garner a big return because the league will know that there is nowhere for him to play with Hoskins at 1B.’

If he can, then great, our lineup will look great with Bohm-Harper-Hoskins at 3/4/5

[allentown]

I think the most critical thing the Phils need to decide before the end of the season is whether or not Bohm can handle 3B in the majors for at least 2-3 years.

I don't see why he can't be our 3B for several years -- at least. Not really all that material anyway -- this is the team that believes just about any player can play just about any position. At least they seem to have recognized that Listi can't be a 3B. Bohm is more nimble than Listi and has a better arm than Kingery or Hernandez. I think he can be playing in Philly some time in 2020. That gets him to Philly probably just before or just after he turns 24. That gets him his 3 years in Philly before he turns 28, He may well get bulky/slow enough as he ages to have to move off of 3B, but I think it reasonably to assume that doesn't happen at age 28. More importantly, if Bohm can be in Philly by this time next season, then we can simply stick with Franco for the next 162 games and not fill that 'hole' outside the organization. That is a very good thing, because we have little to trade, have to start thinking of our position relative to the luxury cap, and really wouldn't want a guy for more than a year. A FA you can sign for a single season isn't likely to be all that good, likely not as good as Franco has been thus far this season.

[andyb]

Bohm could also be a candidate for LF like Burrell was if he has to move off of 3B. MIght have a DH by then too.

[nycphils]

I’m assuming Harper will need to DH within a few years.

I would also assume Franco is a non tender candidate unless they can trade him over the winter.

[zambonir]

Yeah, that seems overly optimistic about Franco though it's a sensible scenario. But it only works if Bohm is actually here by next July, what if he's not ready and Franco remains replacement level (he's a +0.2 right now but could just as easily fall back into negative).

I think it's more likely Kingery plays 3B (Hernandez will still be here), perhaps with a new LHB who can also handle the position (if Franco stays they'll also want that).

[allentown]

what if he's not ready and Franco remains replacement level (he's a +0.2 right now but could just as easily fall back into negative).

I'm not sure we can sign a FA for a single year who will be any better than that. Sign a FA for longer than that and you mess up Bohm, as failing to trade Hernandez messed up the integration into MLB of Kingery and Crawford.

[Austinfan]

Harper could stay in RF until his mid-30s, he's an above average athlete with a cannon for an arm.
As long as they have CFs who are average or above in terms of range, he can lose a step and be fine.

[Austinfan]

Stott also enters into the equation, he should be in Reading by next summer, and Segura is signed for three more years.
So someone is probably a candidate to slide to 3B if Bohm isn't ready.
Better a crowd than a vacuum.

It won't surprise me if Stott is cross trained at all three IF spots, and Bohm at 1B and LF.
The optimal lineup is 10-11 guys with a number who can play multiple positions so you're covered for injuries and can give players a day off on a regular basis without weakening your lineup.
Bruce has 1 year, Cutch 2 years, and Franco and Hernandez will be year to year, so it won't be hard to gradually work the kids into the lineup without rushing them.

[zambonir]

Hey, don't rule out signing Rendon and trading Bohm.