2022 Minor League Thread

[olpapa]

A couple former Astros farmhands combined to shutout Sugarland yesterday:

Corbin Martin - 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
J B Bukauskus - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

[thomasj13]

Jul 15, 2022 7:38:58 GMT -6 olpapa said:

A couple former Astros farmhands combined to shutout Sugarland yesterday:

Corbin Martin - 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
J B Bukauskus - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Bunch of turncoats.

[unionstation82]

Jul 15, 2022 8:30:23 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Jul 15, 2022 7:38:58 GMT -6 olpapa said:

A couple former Astros farmhands combined to shutout Sugarland yesterday:

Corbin Martin - 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
J B Bukauskus - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Bunch of turncoats.

You’re just mad you don’t get to say “bukkake” as much.

[thomasj13]

Jul 15, 2022 10:34:59 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Jul 15, 2022 8:30:23 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Bunch of turncoats.

You’re just mad you don’t get to say “bukkake” as much.

You know me too well....And I like Beer as well.

[Ashitaka]

The Draft starts tonight at 6 PM CT. Astros will have the 28th overall pick (Round 1), 64th overall pick (Round 2), and 80th overall pick (compensation for #CarlosWho), which will also be the final pick of the first night. Astros select 27th in each round to follow. Rounds 3-10 will stream online on Monday at 1 PM CT, and 11-20 on Tuesday at 1 PM CT.

With the lost picks due to the scandal punishment, the failure to sign last year's 4th rounder Alex Ulloa, and last year's 3rd rounder Tyler Whitaker absolutely dying in A-ball right now, this draft is critical. Need to have a good, deep crop here or the farm could be in serious trouble for the next 3-5 years. Tune in to find out which prospects will be shattering your hopes and dreams over the next half decade!

[Ashitaka]

A few guys that could be available round the Astros' first pick that interest me, along with reports. I've listed them roughly in order of who I think is most likely to still be available at our 28th pick. I'd sure love for one of the college OF bats at the end of my list to still be available...

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3B Tucker Toman, switch-hitter, high school

MLB.com: "A switch-hitter, Toman shows better bat speed with his left-handed stroke but is proficient from both sides of the plate. He understands his swing and barrels balls with ease when he just concentrates on making hard contact to all fields. He got too aggressive and pull-happy at times last summer but has the hittability, bat speed and strength for at least average and perhaps plus power without swinging for the fences. Toman has the bat to profile all over the diamond, but it's unclear where he'll wind up with below-average speed and average arm strength. The best-case scenario would be third base, where his arm and hands might be a little light but he has the work ethic to possibly make it to happen. Second base seems like a bigger stretch with his lack of quickness, and he could wind up on an outfield corner."

CBSSports: "Toman is one of the higher upside hitters in the draft class. If there were more certainty about his long-term defensive home, Toman might have found himself in the top 10-15 picks somewhere."

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C Logan Tanner, RH hitter, college

MLB.com: "Tanner has one of the strongest arms in the college ranks, earning plus-plus grades from most evaluators and top-of-the-scale 80s from some, and he shuts down the running game. He can get more consistent with his receiving and blocking but is solid in both regards. He works well with pitchers, has handled Mississippi State's live arms with ease and shows promising leadership and game-calling abilities. Tanner's strength and bat speed give him legitimate power to all fields from the right side of the plate, and he might provide 20 homers per year if he can lift more balls in the air. He draws walks, makes contact and has done damage against quality pitching at the college level. He's a well below-average runner but that's excusable for a catcher."

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LHP Carson Whisenhunt, college

MLB.com: "Whisenhunt has one of the best changeups in his Draft, an 82-85 mph weapon that drops at the plate and generated a 59 percent swing-and-miss rate in 2021. He sets it up with a 91-95 mph fastball with the same arm speed, though his heater features more downhill plane than life and gets hit if he doesn't locate it well. While scouts rate his upper-70s curveball as average at best and he doesn't use it very much, it dodges more than its share of bats. Whisenhunt's classic pitcher's build, athleticism and delivery all endear him to evaluators. He shows some feel for working both sides of the plate with his fastball, and his control and command should continue to improve with more experience. A potential mid-rotation starter with a high floor, he showed he hadn't lost his stuff during a stint in the Cape Cod League this summer."

Keith Law: "Whisenhunt didn’t pitch for East Carolina this spring after testing positive for a banned substance in the offseason, so he didn’t make his 2022 debut until June 12 when he pitched for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League. He looked good despite some rust, sitting 92-93 mph and touching 95 mph with an improved curveball and a changeup that flashed plus. It’s a paradox of sorts but he might be better off having missed the spring. While many other first-round contenders among college pitchers have had Tommy John surgery, Whisenhunt is healthy and relatively fresh, making him likely to pitch for most of the remaining minor-league season after the draft. He was ruled ineligible for the NCAA season after testing positive for a banned substance. That left his team without its best pitcher this year, as East Carolina ultimately fell in the super regionals to Texas — perhaps it would be in Omaha if Whisenhunt had been around. However, he is the best healthy college left-hander in the draft right now, with mid-rotation upside."

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SS Peyton Graham, RH hitter, college

MLB.com: "Though Graham has good feel for the barrel, he struggled at the beginning of this season when he became too aggressive with his right-handed swing and didn't make consistent contact against anything beyond fastballs. He made adjustments in the final three months, doing a better job of staying back on breaking pitches and understanding that his combination of bat speed and projectable strength will allow him to develop into a solid power hitter without swinging for the fences. He's also a plus runner who's dangerous on the bases. Graham has drawn some comparisons to Brian Anderson and his defensive versatility adds to his appeal. His quickness, reliable hands and strong arm make him an average defender at shortstop, where he moved this season, and solid at third base, where he spent his first two years at Oklahoma and likely will return in pro ball if he slows down as he matures physically. He might be able to handle second base at the next level and impressed scouts when he played the outfield in the Cape."

CBSSports: "A sluggish start to the spring had Graham on the outside of the first-round mix at one point, but by the end of the season he was back in first-round consideration because he does many things well. The Astros are not as analytics model-reliant as they were under the previous front office regime but they certainly lean on measurables. Graham offers them in his contact rates and hard-hit ability, and he passes the eye test too."

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RHP Kumar Rocker, indy

MLB.com: "Rocker's velocity fluctuated during the 2021 season, with his fastball averaging 93 mph, sitting in the low 90s at times and touching 99 at others. His heater features some run and sink but also flattens out on occasion. All 19 of his strikeouts against Duke came on his slider, a mid-80s wipeout pitch with power and depth when at its best, and he also employs a low-80s curveball with more vertical break. Rocker also has a sinking mid-80s changeup that shows signs of becoming an average offering, though it gets too firm at times and he doesn't use it much. The son of former NFL defensive lineman Tracy Rocker, he's a physical right-hander who throws strikes but possesses just average command. Even though teams were getting more details about his health, and some information about a September shoulder surgery was made public weeks before the Draft, it's still difficult to figure out where he'll fit into the 2022 Draft. Rather than return to Vanderbilt, he opted to go to the independent Frontier League, where he showed his high-end stuff during controlled outings leading up to the Draft."

Keith Law: "Rocker was the 10th-overall pick last year, selected by the Mets, but the team declined to offer him a contract after finding something they didn’t like in his post-draft physical. Rocker left Vanderbilt to pitch for the independent Tri-City ValleyCats in upstate New York, where he was 95-98 in his first outing with two above-average breaking balls and an adequate changeup, showing a lower arm slot than he had last year. Rocker has shown a plus-plus slider at times in the past, and there’s no reason to think his fastball is back but his slider isn’t. He has always had better control than command, and while he’s shown incredible competitiveness in some games — like the no-hitter he threw in 2019, when he was pushed to 131 pitches — he’s also had outings where he seemed to struggle to adjust mid-game. He has No. 2 starter upside, if healthy, but the risk associated with his medicals may make him a better bet for some team’s second pick."

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OF Jacob Melton, LH hitter, college

MLB.com: "Melton has the chance to do some damage from the left side of the plate. He has an advanced approach at the plate and makes a ton of contact. He also has a good amount of juice to his pull side, and he’s tapped into that power even more in 2022, leading some scouts to think he might have better than average pop in the future. A plus runner, Melton can take the extra base and is an efficient basestealer as well. In 2021, Melton showed that not only is he capable of playing center and the outfield corners, but he saw a good amount of time at first base as well. He has a good chance of sticking up the middle now, however, with a strong enough arm for right should the need arise."

CBSSports: "Melton doesn't have DeLauter's or Jones' raw pop, but he has strong contact rates and some believe he's a swing tweak away from really discovering his power stroke. Milwaukee could pivot to a college arm, like Blade Tidwell or Oklahoma State's Justin Campbell, if there are no model-friendly bats available."

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LHP Connor Prielipp, college

MLB.com: "Prielipp's slider is one of the most devastating pitches in the college class, sitting in the mid-80s and touching 90 mph with two-plane break that has it drop off the table as it approaches the plate. He also can elicit swings and misses with a low-90s fastball that peaks at 95 mph with run and downhill plane. He has a quick arm and could add more velocity after completing his rehabilitation from elbow reconstruction. Prielipp hasn't used his changeup much but shows feel for an 82-85 mph offering with some sink. He pitches with confidence and while he doesn't have the smoothest delivery, he's athletic and locates his pitches where he wants. Assuming a return to full health, he has all the ingredients to become a frontline starter."

Keith Law: "Prielipp had Tommy John surgery at the end of May 2021, ending his college career after just seven starts and 28 innings across two seasons. He returned to throw a bullpen right before the SEC tournament, mostly 90-92 with flashes of the slider he’d had before the injury, when the slider was plus and his changeup was good enough to project him as a starter. He cuts himself off when he lands, coming back a little across his body, although that and the low 3/4 slot also add to his deception. He might have been in consideration for the first-overall pick had he stayed healthy — and performed — but now seems more likely to get a deal in the second half of the first round. As for his future, he could be a high-end starter, and he could easily end up in the bullpen. He’s thrown so little in games that the range of his potential outcomes is huge."

CBSSports: "Once a candidate to go No. 1 overall, Prielipp had Tommy John surgery last May and recently began throwing showcases for scouts. All indications are he's looked very good and has a chance to go in the back half of the first round."

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OF Sterlin Thompson, LH hitter, college

MLB.com: "Thompson has long shown a good feel to hit from the left side of the plate with a very good approach. He can use the whole field and drive the ball to the gaps, rarely missing a fastball, though he struggles a bit more with softer stuff. The question in terms of his offensive profile comes in trying to project how much power he’ll have. There’s plenty of raw pop there and a sense there will be strength gains in his 6-foot-3 frame, but he has more of a hit over power approach. A shortstop in high school, Thompson played right field with Florida as a freshman and saw time there and at third this past fall, but most scouts feel an outfield corner is his best long-term home at the next level. Wherever he plays, it’s his left-handed bat that will carry him and potentially get him drafted in the top three rounds."

Keith Law: "Thompson is a draft-eligible sophomore with a pretty left-handed swing and the potential for plus power, showing a solid two-strike approach for the Gators this spring while hitting well even in SEC play. He’s a below-average runner who’s limited to an outfield corner and could end up at first base, which definitely caps his value upside. His best tool is the hit tool, which is the hardest one to evaluate, and if he doesn’t in fact end up with a 55 or 60 hit tool, he’s not going to have much of a role in the majors. Primarily a corner outfielder, Thompson has played a lot of second base this year for the Gators, and improved enough as the season has gone on that many scouts believe he’ll be able to stay there in pro ball. He’s shown he can hit good velocity with doubles power right now, enough that he should be a mid first-rounder this July."

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OF Drew Gilbert, LH hitter, college

MLB.com: "A fiery competitor who plays with a lot of emotion, Gilbert has an aggressive approach but also the hand-eye coordination to regularly barrel balls. His left-handed swing can get big when he gets too concerned with home runs, and he'd be a better hitter if he focused more on making quality contact. His bat speed and strength give him enough raw pop to hit 15-20 homers per season without selling out. Gilbert has solid to plus speed and will steal and take extra bases. While he's not a true burner, his quickness and instincts allow him to run down balls from gap to gap in center field. His plus arm strength would allow him to play anywhere in the outfield, and he also showed feel for spinning a curveball and aptitude for throwing a changeup while drawing some Tim Collins comparisons in high school."

Keith Law: "Gilbert was a two-way prospect out of a Minnesota high school but had a strong commitment to Tennessee, so he wasn’t drafted until the hometown Twins took him in the 35th round in 2019. He’s only thrown 16 innings for the Vols, none this spring, but he’s turned into a premium defensive center fielder with a strong eye at the plate and ability to hit for average. Gilbert rarely swings and misses, staying back even through contact, with minimal weight transfer — possibly an avenue for a player development group to try to get another half-grade of power out of him. In center, he’s a 6 defender with a 6 arm, doing it more with reads and instincts than pure speed, as he’s just a tick above average as a runner. The defense and contact skills give him a good chance to be a regular, although there’d have to be something more — more power, greater patience — to make him a star."

[Ashitaka]

Final mock from the MLB.com duo:

28. Astros
Callis: Jordan Beck, OF, Tennessee (No. 23)
The Astros are another club that could dip into the deep college outfielder pool with Beck, Thompson, Spencer Jones, Melton or Stanford's Brock Jones. They also could shop in the Tommy John surgery bin (Lesko, Mississippi State right-hander Landon Sims) and could consider Tidwell, who missed the first six weeks of the season with shoulder problems.

Mayo: Sterlin Thompson, OF, Florida (No. 29)
College bats are still the talk here. Thompson’s name was popping up higher, but he’s the best pure one on the board over Melton or Beck.

[m240]

This will be an interesting draft because we have no idea what Click will do.  Luhnow was known for reaching a bit to take a guy they could get under slot and then using the money later on a guy who was slipping due to sign ability issues.  

[thomasj13]

I'm going to guess a college OF that might have a short route through the minors. Astros have Barber, Leon and maybe Valdez that have shown major league potential....The rest of their alleged top OF prospects seem to be underperforming: Whitaker and Brewer

[thomasj13]

Is Corey Julks like Taylor Jones, above average in the minors, but really his ability will not be enough for the majors....maybe he might produce in the majors for a short stint, but overall, the MLB is above his pay grade.

[m240]

Jul 17, 2022 6:33:55 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

I'm going to guess a college OF that might have a short route through the minors. Astros have Barber, Leon and maybe Valdez that have shown major league potential....The rest of their alleged top OF prospects seem to be underperforming: Whitaker and Brewer

That would be my guess as well but you have to keep in mind Clicks obsession with pitching.  

[thomasj13]

Jul 17, 2022 8:15:13 GMT -6 m240 said:

Jul 17, 2022 6:33:55 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

I'm going to guess a college OF that might have a short route through the minors. Astros have Barber, Leon and maybe Valdez that have shown major league potential....The rest of their alleged top OF prospects seem to be underperforming: Whitaker and Brewer

That would be my guess as well but you have to keep in mind Clicks obsession with pitching.  

Do you think he would gamble on taking Rocker in the 1st round?

[thomasj13]

Astros better take Bregmanfan's son, if and when he wants to be drafted.

[m240]

Jul 17, 2022 8:28:24 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Jul 17, 2022 8:15:13 GMT -6 m240 said:

That would be my guess as well but you have to keep in mind Clicks obsession with pitching.  

Do you think he would gamble on taking Rocker in the 1st round?

I do not think he will.  I also do not think he will get the chance.  I hope he sticks with an outfield bat with a plus hitting tool. 

[Ashitaka]

Jul 17, 2022 5:53:02 GMT -6 m240 said:

This will be an interesting draft because we have no idea what Click will do.  Luhnow was known for reaching a bit to take a guy they could get under slot and then using the money later on a guy who was slipping due to sign ability issues.  

Click's first draft unfettered by draft pick penalties (which killed the bonus pool as well as the lost picks themselves) and the weirdness of COVID forcing everyone to go in blind with limited scouting.

[Ashitaka]

Jul 17, 2022 6:38:29 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Is Corey Julks like Taylor Jones, above average in the minors, but really his ability will not be enough for the majors....maybe he might produce in the majors for a short stint, but overall, the MLB is above his pay grade.

Yes, IMO. Matijevic is in the same boat too. They'll likely be up and down, and maybe head to Japan or Korea at some point.

[Ashitaka]

Jul 17, 2022 9:09:49 GMT -6 m240 said:

Jul 17, 2022 8:28:24 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Do you think he would gamble on taking Rocker in the 1st round?

I do not think he will.  I also do not think he will get the chance.  I hope he sticks with an outfield bat with a plus hitting tool. 

Same. Rocker may fall to us but after the last two drafts have been so sparse for various reasons, taking someone as risky and bust-probable (for health reasons) as Rocker would not be wise. I want one of those polished college OF bats.

[Ashitaka]

[thomasj13]

Jul 17, 2022 10:42:55 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Jul 17, 2022 9:09:49 GMT -6 m240 said:

I do not think he will.  I also do not think he will get the chance.  I hope he sticks with an outfield bat with a plus hitting tool. 

Same. Rocker may fall to us but after the last two drafts have been so sparse for various reasons, taking someone as risky and bust-probable (for health reasons) as Rocker would not be wise. I want one of those polished college OF bats.

I hope the same.... Now would you take him with the compensation pick?

[m240]

Jul 17, 2022 10:43:07 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

the answer to that question obviously is "patience grasshopper"

[Ashitaka]

Jul 17, 2022 11:09:50 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Jul 17, 2022 10:42:55 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Same. Rocker may fall to us but after the last two drafts have been so sparse for various reasons, taking someone as risky and bust-probable (for health reasons) as Rocker would not be wise. I want one of those polished college OF bats.

I hope the same.... Now would you take him with the compensation pick?

Absolutely. Talent would be too great to pass up at that point. But I'm guessing there's little chance he gets past the second round. Probably goes in the first still even.

[Ashitaka]

Jul 17, 2022 12:50:26 GMT -6 m240 said:

Jul 17, 2022 10:43:07 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

the answer to that question obviously is "patience grasshopper"

"Stop walking four batters per nine" would be another good one.

[Ashitaka]

Mike Elias takes the bat with Jackson Holliday.

[Ashitaka]

Holy smokes, Rocker 3rd overall!?

[thomasj13]

Jul 17, 2022 17:28:47 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Holy smokes, Rocker 3rd overall!?

Gotta love them Rangers

[Ashitaka]

Jul 17, 2022 17:44:28 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Jul 17, 2022 17:28:47 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Holy smokes, Rocker 3rd overall!?

Gotta love them Rangers

It's amazing how many talented guys are in this draft, and the Rangers went with a guy who has had multiple injuries, including a shoulder surgery, before even getting out of college. Maybe it works out but wow, just very stupid.

[Ashitaka]

Mets have to be thrilled to get Parada at 11th. Thought he would go in the top 5 for sure

[Ashitaka]

Angels get Neto. Great pick, sadly. Some people had Neto in their top 5. Great bat potential.

[abregmanfan]

Jul 17, 2022 8:31:25 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Astros better take Bregmanfan's son, if and when he wants to be drafted.

The only team that has contacted us is Arizona. Who wants to pitch in Arizona?

[Ashitaka]