7/24 Gameday Thread: Johnson, Atkins, Kent, DeJesus, Steen

Not sure when it happened (due to Devers' slow start I had not been paying close attention), but with a .356 wOBA this season, he passed last year's wOBA of .347, all while playing in one level higher and in a more pitcher friendly league. His effort last season got him a #14 ranking in BA. I wonder how high he will be placed after this season.

Brakeman to Greenville DL, as of 7/15.

A couple of bad days.  I think he's K'd seven times in the last 11 at bats.

There are some minor but legitimate risks with Moncada (right-handed swing, defense, strikeouts). But he hits for average, hits for power, has shown great plate discipline/pitch recognition (not just walk-rate-wise-- it also comes across from a scouting POV (see last SoxProspects podcast)), and is an elite baserunner. I think he's legitimately a tier above Benintendi and Devers.

It seems that, right now, Dubon is adjusting to AA better than either Moncada or Benintendi.

Is he at least a AA defensive SS right now?

Sight unseen, I agree with jmei -- there are too many pluses to Moncada for him not to be ranked far beyond the other prospects.  And with his elite speed/stealing abilities, you have a bankable quality -- that won't go away when he gets promoted.  Even if his hitting disappoints, a .260 hitter who walks (who was it who said his eye might get better as he rises with better umping?) and steals like he can is a great addition to the big club and worth holding.  I put him in the Betts/Bogaerts category of no-way-no-how.  Only player in the minors I see that way.  

Yeah, it does. Folks like to hate on MLB umpires, but it is intrinsically an extremely challenging job, and the umpiring in the minors is much more inconsistent.

There's going to be a point where Moncada will have to give up batting for the right side, I think its what's holding him back from a MLB or AAA call up. But as far as our top 3 goes (based on baseball age where he won't be 20 until the season is over) Devers is 2 yrs younger than Moncada and 3 yrs younger than AB. He has one of the most beautiful swings I have seen and has incredible power playing a very good third base, so I would not be eager to trade him any time soon. Two years from now (at his current pace) he will be Yoan's age and I am betting he won't be in AA.

jeez, a few days ago, people were crying for Moncada and Beni to get called up directly to Boston in Sep, bypassing AAA, and a few days later, people are crying bust.
The Mets figured out Moncada has trouble with offspeed (I am not sure about Beni). Fine, let him figure out how to hit breaking balls, or atleast recognize them.
Take all this year and most of next year if necessary.

PawSox ‏@pawsox 8m8 minutes ago
Final line for Brian Johnson on a steamy Sunday in Columbus: 3 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 1 K, 78 pitches. Keith Couch comes on in relief.

I agree with the part that ranks him behind Devers and Benintendi but I think his problems are fixable, he still needs at least 1 more year of MiLB at bats to work on those issues.

That's a little less hyperbolic than desired, but Couch threw 3.1 innings of 1 run ball, with a single HR given up before toughing it out a few more outs. Fun fact: Michael Choice hit the HR, I remember when he used to be a good prospect but I forgot he was drafted 3 picks ahead of Chris Sale, 5 picks after Pomeranz and 403 picks before Keith Couch. I have absolutely no idea what I'm trying to say.