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Post by Addam603 on Feb 2, 2020 11:46:25 GMT -5
We’re less than two weeks from the first players reporting to Spring Training, so who are going to be the breakout prospects that we see this year? Ward, Duran, Gilberto, and Bazardo all broke out in some fashion last year. Who do you think it’s going to be this year? Could be a surprise major league contributor, a 2019 draftee that explodes in their first full season, or someone whose game clicks and they fly up the rankings and the minor league ladder.
My predictions:
Groome stays healthy, pitches around 100 innings and looks like a potential front of the line started in Greenville and Salem.
Nick Decker ends the year deep in the top 10 after mashing in Greenville.
Brandon Howlett and Nick Northcut have bounce back years.
I’m admitting to a cop out on this one, but someone out of the group of Brock Bell, Jorge Rodriguez, Felix Cepeda, Brendan Celucci, and Blake Loubier is going to have a HUGE year in Lowell. I’m going to go with Rodriguez.
Nixson Munoz is a guy that I see as destroying the minor leagues until he gets to a higher level. He wasn’t young for the DSL last year (18) but a 2.40 ERA over 60 innings with 9.3 K/9 and 12.4 K/BB is absolutely ridiculous. I could see him doing the same in the GCL.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
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Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 2, 2020 12:01:08 GMT -5
I believe Antoni Flores and Durbin Feltman will have huge break-outs! I also like Nick Decker to rise up the list and have a big year in Greenville. But I think Flores, especially, will finally show us what we have felt was inside him.
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Post by jimed14 on Feb 2, 2020 12:06:39 GMT -5
This choice won't be the biggest riser in sheer number since he's already #4, but I'm picking Gilberto Jimenez as the first guy since Devers that people start getting excited about. I'll guess he's in the top 50 by the end of the season.
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Post by bellhorndingers21 on Feb 2, 2020 13:55:02 GMT -5
Daniel Baskt. I really have no reasoning as to why. He had some buzz in HS, had a nice freshman year at a solid college program and then injuries derailed him for a year plus.
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Post by sarasoxer on Feb 2, 2020 14:45:03 GMT -5
Lugo...If nothing else, looks the part...a rangy, wiry, oily athlete. I was surprised that he had no homers since he can impart sting to the ball. I believe power numbers will show more in line with the base specimen this year.
Rafaela...surprising muscle in a smaller package. I think that he will prove that last year's pop was no mirage.
Marcus Wilson...a bit older but no cobwebs. I think that he found his niche last year and will advance past marginal into the ML team discussion in late 2020.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Feb 2, 2020 23:13:26 GMT -5
I'll nominate Lugo and Bryan Gonzalez. Marcus Cannon will also look like a guy who can play in the majors even if he doesn't project to be a star.
Casas will break out even further, meaning that he will hit for a higher BA, curb his Ks, and look like a guy who will definitely look like a monster in the middle of the lineup.
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cdj
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Post by cdj on Feb 2, 2020 23:17:50 GMT -5
I'll nominate Lugo and Bryan Gonzalez. Marcus Cannon will also look like a guy who can play in the majors even if he doesn't project to be a star. Casas will break out even further, meaning that he will hit for a higher BA, curb his Ks, and look like a guy who will definitely look like a monster in the middle of the lineup. I’ve got Marcus Cannon as a DH only type, cant have that big load in the field. Cameron Cannon I could see breaking out though  My pick is Brayan Bello. He will build off his strong finish to last season and put himself on the map this year |
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Feb 3, 2020 1:10:04 GMT -5
I'll nominate Lugo and Bryan Gonzalez. Marcus Cannon will also look like a guy who can play in the majors even if he doesn't project to be a star. Casas will break out even further, meaning that he will hit for a higher BA, curb his Ks, and look like a guy who will definitely look like a monster in the middle of the lineup. I’ve got Marcus Cannon as a DH only type, cant have that big load in the field. Cameron Cannon I could see breaking out though My pick is Brayan Bello. He will build off his strong finish to last season and put himself on the map this year Geez, where did I get Marcus Cannon from? I did mean Cameron Cannon, the 1st round pick from last year's draft, the 2b whose fielding isn't great, but should be a functional hitter in the majors, a second division regular. He didn't do much with the bat last season, so I do think he'll put up some numbers in the minors this season. |
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cdj
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Post by cdj on Feb 3, 2020 1:34:07 GMT -5
I’ve got Marcus Cannon as a DH only type, cant have that big load in the field. Cameron Cannon I could see breaking out though My pick is Brayan Bello. He will build off his strong finish to last season and put himself on the map this year Geez, where did I get Marcus Cannon from? I did mean Cameron Cannon, the 1st round pick from last year's draft, the 2b whose fielding isn't great, but should be a functional hitter in the majors, a second division regular. He didn't do much with the bat last season, so I do think he'll put up some numbers in the minors this season. Super bowl sunday, football on the mind I agree about cannon though, I think he’s better than what he showed and I look forward to his first full season in pro ball |
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Feb 3, 2020 3:52:59 GMT -5
I'll go with Groome and Casas in terms of a "breakout".
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Post by iakovos11 on Feb 3, 2020 7:32:04 GMT -5
I'll say A.J. Politi, who showed real promise at the end of the year after becoming a starter.
I also like Bello & Murphy to really break through. And Nick Decker.
Finally, let's say, YPA
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Post by dmaineah on Feb 3, 2020 8:37:28 GMT -5
Dalbec - I think he crushes in AAA & gets/earns the call up
Casas - Powers his way into the conversation & will have everyone dreaming of what will be
Shugart & Haworth - both pitch & breakout onto everybody’s radar
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Post by James Dunne on Feb 3, 2020 8:58:16 GMT -5
Eduardo Lopez. If he shows some power in-game he'll really take off, but I think he finishes the year in the Top 20 even if he doesn't yet. Good contact skills and defense. Walks in the DSL are funky but he showed good patience - I'm always worried about guys who never walk there since there are so many pitchers who can't find the strike zone.
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Post by chrisfromnc on Feb 3, 2020 10:55:24 GMT -5
Good thread topic.
I'm going with Tanner Houck. I think I read he is going to be a starter (again) in Pawtucket and it looks like SP depth is going to be a thing for the Red Sox this year. If a guy like him can break out, it might lessen the sting of any potential trades that may have been discussed in another thread. His k/9 rate in the AFL leaves one hoping for very good things.
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Post by huskies15 on Feb 3, 2020 11:36:43 GMT -5
I like the Houck "breakout" because I think it becomes apparent what role he can be best weaponized in.
I have to believe that Antoni Flores has a better go of it this year and rises up again. Last year was a big adjustment for a young guy in a new country, and I can see him getting back into the top 10 discussion.
Decker is a popular one, and I'm on him too. Seemed like he generally got good scouting reviews and seems he has a good approach at the plate. Ceiling may be limited but I expect him to do well in Greenville this year.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 3, 2020 11:50:57 GMT -5
Hot take breakout prediction - Mata will shove to start the year in Portland, move up to Pawtucket in June, and be a midseason top 50 prospect.
On the other end, everyone is going to forget about Gilberto Jimenez as his strikeout rate spikes to start the year as he tries to add loft to his swing path from the left side. He will still post a stupid high BA considering that, though, and will steal 50 bags as they finally turn him loose.
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Post by SALNotes on Feb 3, 2020 12:05:21 GMT -5
As strange as it sounds I'll go with Casas. He had a big year in 2019 but I think there's another gear there. The slow start and seperated shoulder muted the numbers some. But in between, for about 2 months he really raked.
I think we see some upward trajectory on prospect lists this Summer. Nothing too crazy because he's limited to 1B.
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Post by jimed14 on Feb 3, 2020 12:19:34 GMT -5
Hot take breakout prediction - Mata will shove to start the year in Portland, move up to Pawtucket in June, and be a midseason top 50 prospect. On the other end, everyone is going to forget about Gilberto Jimenez as his strikeout rate spikes to start the year as he tries to add loft to his swing path from the left side. He will still post a stupid high BA considering that, though, and will steal 50 bags as they finally turn him loose. Maybe they should let Jimenez stick with his spray-type swing. Or even have him work on bunting. |
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Post by mwgray13 on Feb 3, 2020 12:29:46 GMT -5
Post Prospects / MLB - Josh Osich & De La Guerra
Triple A / MLB - Houch & Dalbec
Double A / Triple A - Ward & Wilson
Lower Minors - Bello & Cases
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Post by wcsoxfan on Feb 3, 2020 13:06:03 GMT -5
Could be cheating since he hasn't pitched yet but I'm betting on Chih-Jung Liu.
For a guy who dominated a level of competition much higher than most of our prospects have seen, he's really not getting much fanfare.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 3, 2020 16:06:16 GMT -5
Could be cheating since he hasn't pitched yet but I'm betting on Chih-Jung Liu. For a guy who dominated a level of competition much higher than most of our prospects have seen, he's really not getting much fanfare. What level is that? Honest question making sure I haven't missed something. |
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 3, 2020 16:07:47 GMT -5
Hot take breakout prediction - Mata will shove to start the year in Portland, move up to Pawtucket in June, and be a midseason top 50 prospect. On the other end, everyone is going to forget about Gilberto Jimenez as his strikeout rate spikes to start the year as he tries to add loft to his swing path from the left side. He will still post a stupid high BA considering that, though, and will steal 50 bags as they finally turn him loose. Maybe they should let Jimenez stick with his spray-type swing. Or even have him work on bunting. Disagree completely. I guess I should've added that in that scenario, those who forget about Jimenez would be wrong to do so. He's legit been hitting from the left side for like 2 years. They should absolutely be trying to get him to do more than slap the ball. |
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Post by thegoodthebadthesox on Feb 3, 2020 16:12:06 GMT -5
I'm really tempted to say Pedro Castellanos finally taps into his raw power but he's playing in Portland so I'm not sure it'll translate from a home runs perspective even if he does.
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Post by James Dunne on Feb 3, 2020 16:17:12 GMT -5
Maybe they should let Jimenez stick with his spray-type swing. Or even have him work on bunting. Disagree completely. I guess I should've added that in that scenario, those who forget about Jimenez would be wrong to do so. He's legit been hitting from the left side for like 2 years. They should absolutely be trying to get him to do more than slap the ball. And for those unaware, "slap the ball" here isn't like, a line drive gap-to-gap approach that drives the ball all over the field that you'd be worrying about screwing up - something you might see with someone like Jarren Duran, for example. For Jimenez, it's more like a rudimentary meet-the-ball approach, but with exceptional hand-eye coordination and athleticism. Speaking of Duran... I think people might've fallen asleep on him a little bit. And I'll include myself on that, he's not really someone I've talked about at all in the offseason. He struggled pretty badly after his promotion, but that's in large part because he got all the way to Double-A the year after he was at LBS and was totally going back to his more natural approach that he'd gotten away from in college. Last season was really a tremendous breakout that was tempered by a pretty challenging placement. From 7/21 on, he hit .292/.343/.398. Those aren't along his Salem numbers, but for a first-year pro at Double-A already? Really solid. I don't see him as a breakout candidate in the same sense, because he's already in the Top 10, and I don't see him being like a Top 50 prospect in baseball type (which is what Jimenez could be if things click). But as a guy who was getting stop Top 100 buzz at midseason last year, I think he could re-establish that for sure. |
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Post by ramireja on Feb 3, 2020 16:17:32 GMT -5
Some scattered breakout thoughts:
- I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Brainer Bonaci yet…figured he’d be a site favorite for a topic like this. I love the profile because its solid wherever you look statistically and the scouting reports from Ben Badler seem to match. He doesn’t strike out a lot, he can drive the ball pretty well especially considering he’s not a big guy, he can steal a few bases, and on top of it, apparently his defensive actions and instincts are strong with a rocket arm that might be his strongest tool. He’ll only play in shortseason (likely GCL unless he gets the Gilberto treatment) so hype will be limited, but I could see him being in the 10-15 range in our system at the end of the year.
- Like others, I’m pretty bullish on Decker. Love the flyball tendencies and early power that he’s showing plus the reports on his approach. His swinging strike rate suggests he might be able to decrease his K%. By all indications, he’s got great makeup too so I like his odds to improve and see an offensive profile that should put him pretty clearly in a Top 10 that will look a bit more loaded in a year.
- I also agree on Liu. There will probably be long-term questions of starter vs. reliever on the basis of his frame, experience, third/fourth pitch….but he has the kind of stuff that should mow down Low-A/shortseason batters, and he’s unlikely to be rushed through the system so I could see a strong statistical season from him that results in some hype.
- Cameron Cannon had a pretty disappointing debut last summer, one that doesn’t align with his Arizona career. One thing I haven’t seen anyone talk about is that he was slow to make his debut and appeared in GCL games to rehab a bout of turf toe before moving up to Lowell. I really want to believe that turf toe was lingering to a degree and impacted his debut (including the atrocious reports of his defense by Keith Law). The optimistic side of me is hoping Cannon will be healthy this year and more closely resemble the high BA middle infielder with enough doubles power and (occasional HR) to put up an ISO between .125-.150 at lower levels (maybe translating to something more w/ juiced balls).
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