tipmypitch

As stated in my 2017 A.L. rankings, no preamble.

First:  St. Louis (3.4  MLB best).  Only two positions need any hint of improvement (short and third).  St. Louis may have the best catching prospect in all of baseball, Andrew Knizner.  He will arrive no later than 2019.  Though, fear not Cardinal fans, lots of help and choice is on the way for 2018.

Starting pitching rated well.  Relief pitching rated better.

2018 Help:  The previously mentioned Mr. Knizner, Luke Voit (1b, MLB/AAA), Rangel Ravelo (1b, AAA), Alex Mejia (2b, MLB/AAA), Breyvic Valer (2b, MLB/AAA), Nick Martini (lf, AAA/AA), Jose Adolis Garcia (rf, AAA/AA), Jack Flaherty (starter, MLB/AAA/AA), Mark Montgomery (reliever, AAA), Josh Lucas (reliever, MLB/AAA), Sam Tuivailala (reliever, MLB/AAA) and John Brebbia (reliever, MLB/AAA).  A couple of years away help, Magneuris Sierra (cf, AA/A+) and Jacob Evans (reliever, A+).

Second:  Arizona (3.3).  Less third base, all other 2-9 positions rated 4.0.  Lots of candidates to look over during March, 2018.

Starting pitching development is lagging.  Relief development is above average.

2018 Help:  Christian Walker (1b, MLB/AAA.  Good enough to trade Paul Goldschmidt?  Probably not), Ildemaro Vargas (2b, MLB/AAA), Kevin Medrano (2b, AAA/AA), Ketel Marte (ss, MLB/AAA), Rey Fuentes (cf, MLB/AAA), Oswaldo Arcia (rf, MLB/AAA and the best of all Arizona outfield prospects), Jimmie Sherfy (reliever, MLB/AAA), Jacob Miller (reliever, AAA/AA) and Gabriel Moya (reliever, MLB/AA.  No AAA.  Why?  Dumb, dumb, dumb).  2019 or later help, Mark Karaviotis (1b, A+/A), Ramon Hernandez (3b, A), Ben DeLuzio (lf, A+/A, though he played mostly rf in A ball), Yoan Lopez (reliever, A+) and Kirby Bellow (reliever, A+).

Third:  L.A. (3.2).  Not as deep per position as St. Louis or Arizona, but close.  Given the relative youth of the Dodgers, I’m guessing many of the 2018 Help names would be available for trade.

Starting pitching improved, while relief pitching took a step backwards.

2018 Help:  Willie Calhoun (2b, MLB/AAA), Tim LoCastro (2b, AAA/AA, though he logged more games in center than second at the AA level), Jose Fernandez (2b, AA), Max Muncy (3b, MLB/AAA), Rob Segedin (3b, MLB/AAA), Alex Verdugo (cf, MLB/AAA), Henry Ramos (rf, AAA/AA), Yusniel Diaz (rf, AA/A+), Scott Barlow (starter, AA), Tim Shibuya (starter, AA) and Brian Moran (reliever, AA).  2019 help, Jose Brizuela (1b, A+) and Johan Mieses (cf, A+.  One to watch).

Fourth:  Pittsburgh (2.9).  Strength is found at catcher, second and left.  Improvement is needed at short, third, center and right.

Starting pitching holds a strong mix of MLB/AAA and AA/A+ 2017 exposure.  Relief development is not on par with starting pitching.

2018 Help:  Jacob Stallings (c, MLB/AAA), Edwin Espinal (1b, AAA), Jordan Luplow (lf, MLB/AAA/AA), Jordan George (mostly dh at the AA/A+ level.  Perfect trade material for an A.L. team) and Tyler Glasnow (starter, MLB/AAA).  2019/20 help, Stephen Alemais (2b, A+), Hunter Owen (3b, A, but needs to reduce his 16 kicks) and Pedro Vasquez (starter, A+).

Fifth (tie):  Philadelphia (2.8).  The Phils boast the best defensive catchers in development in the N.L.  Six rated catchers have toss rates ranging from 33% to 47%.  Outstanding.  Now that Carlos Santana plays first base in Philadelphia, does Rhys Hopkins return to AAA for left field school or stay in Philly and learn on the job (a shaky proposition)?

Starting pitching development is one of the best in the N.L while relief pitching is just a step behind.

2018 Help:  Scott Kingrey (2b, AAA/AA), Drew Stankiewicz (2b, AA/A+), Andrew Pullin (lf, AA), Carlos Tocci (cf, AA), Thomas Eshelman (starter, AAA/AA) along with fellow starters (Nick Pivetta and Ben Lively who did not pitch quite enough in Philadelphia during 2017 to lose their prospect status), Jesen Therrien (reliever, MLB/AAA) and Yacksel Rios (reliever, MLB/AAA/AA).  Distant help, Jesus Alastre (rf, A) and the A+ relief quartet of Luke Leftwich, J.D. Hammer, Austin Davis and Trevor Bettencourt.

Fifth (tie):  Colorado (2.8).  First, short and center offer immediate help.

Both types of pitching are solid if unspectacular.

2018 Help:  Jordan Patterson (1b, MLB/AAA), Ryan McMahon (1b, MLB/AAA), Brian Mundell (1b, AA/A+), Daniel Castro (ss, MLB/AAA), Mike Tauchman (cf, MLB/AAA), Raimel Tapia (cf, MLB/AAA), Noel Cuevas (rf, AAA), Ryan Carpenter (starter, AAA), Sam Howard (starter, AAA/AA) and the AA relief trio of James Farris, Shane Broyles and Matt Pierpont.  2019 or so help, Hamlet Marte (c, A+), Tyler Nevin (1b, A), Colton Welker (3b, A), Brendan Rogers (ss, A+), Jose Gomez (ss, A), Wes Rogers (lf, A+) and Sam Hilliard (rf, A+).

Sixth:  NYM (2.7).  Enough depth to earn no less than average at all 2-9 spots.  Hardly a ringing endorsement, but they could be worse (as you will soon read once we get to #10).

Both starting and relief pitching rated above average.  Given the Mets recent arm woes (the Angels of the N.L.), the Mets organization could afford no worse than a 3.0 rating for both types of pitching.

2018 Help:  Kevin Plawecki (c, MLB/AAA.  Kevin can hit, but he can’t throw out a baserunner for a cold beer during a July day game.  How about first base or left?), Dominic Smith (1b, MLB/AAA), Ahmed Rosario (ss, MLB/AAA), Christopher Flexen (starter, MLB/AA), Marcos Molina (starter, AA/A+), Tim Peterson (reliever, AA), Alberto Baldonado (reliever, AA), Drew Smith (reliever, AA) and Kyle Regnault (reliever, AA).  2019 forward help, Anthony Dimino (c, A+), Jeff McNeil (2b, A+) and Austin McGeorge (reliever, A+).

Seventh:  San Diego (2.5).  2-9 spots bounce from 1.0 (second and right) to 4.0 (center).

Starting and relief both rated above average.

2018 Help:  Jose Pirela (1b, MLB/AAA), Rafael Ortega (cf, MLB/AAA), Franchy Cordero (cf, MLB/AAA), Kyle McGrath (reliever, MLB/AAA/AA.  Mr. McGrath threw a whopping 6 innings in AAA), Joey Lucchesi (reliever, AA) and Rafael DE Paula (reliever, AA).  2019/2020 help, Austin Allen (c, A+).

Eighth (tie): Atlanta (2.1).  I thought the Padres were thin, then I finished Atlanta.  Only one 2-9 spot rated higher than above average; center.  Three positions (first, short and third) have only two prospects per.

Starting pitching development offers at least two prospects while relief pitching is mostly face down in an algae laced lake.

2018 Help:  Austin Riley (3b, AA), Ronald Acuna (cf, AAA/AA/A+.  Atlanta bound in 2018), Xavier Avery (cf, MLB/AAA), Lucas Sims (starter, MLB/AAA) and Luis Gohara (starter, MLB/AAA/AA/A+.  As rapid a rise as Mr. Acuna).  Dots on the horizon of help, Alay Lago (2b, A+), Tyler Neslony (rf, A+) and Jon Kennedy (reliever, A).

Eighth (tie):  Cincinnati (2.1).  Maybe four guys who aren’t pitchers get a call during 2018.  Development at short, third and left has mysteriously been put on hold.

Much like Atlanta, thank goodness for starting pitching or the mound is a vacant lot.

2018 Help:  Nick Senzel (2b, AA/A+.  He has the bat and the glove), Juan Perez (ss, AAA), Tyler Goeddel (cf, AAA/AA), Jesse Winkler (rf, MLB/AAA.  Jay Bruce is long gone.  Your time is upon you, Mr. Winkler) and Tyler Mahle (starter, MLB/AAA/AA).  2019-ish help, Shedric Long (2b, A+), Taylor Trammell (3b, A) and the A ball relief trio of Jesse Adams, Ryan Hendrix and Dauri Moreta.

Ninth:  Milwaukee (2.0).  First, short and third each rated 1.0, and there go the Brewers.

Starting pitching has prospects.  Relief is in tatters and scored a 0.  Why?  One AAA guy, one AA guy, four A+ guys, two A guys and the last two spots were not filled.  That’s why.

2018 Help:  Two guys could offer substantial help.  Lewis Brinson (cf, MLB/AAA) and Brett Phillips (rf, MLB/AAA).  Nathan Orf (2b, AAA) is the only other 2-9 player likely to live in Milwaukee during the summer of 2018.  Cody Ponce (starter, AA/A+) and Corbin Burnes (starter, AA/A+) both need a full year in AAA, but probably won’t get it.  Future help, Keston Hiura (dh, A) and Brad Kuntz (reliever, A+).

Tenth:  Miami (1.9).  One guy each at second, short and right.  Average at catcher and first.

Both starting and relief earned 1.0.  Boo.  What exactly do system wide pitching coaches do?

2018 Help:  Brian Anderson (2b, MLB/AAA), Christian Colon (2b, MLB/AAA), Eury Perez (lf, MLB/AAA), Dillon Peters (starter, MLB/AA.  Skipped AAA) and James Buckelew (reliever, AA).  2019 and beyond help, Ben Meyer (starter, A+).  Nobody else.

Eleventh:  Washington (1.8).  Second, short, third and right have one or two candidates at A+  or A ball.  That is not depth.  That is indicative of wasting time and money while pretending to have a development system.

Starting pitching earned a 1.0 while relief was average.

2018 Help:  Victor Robles (cf, MLB/AA/A+.  Granted, I believe Mr. Robles is a future top-notch MLB player, but why he was rushed to Washington – a playoff team – is the definition of thoughtless development) and John Sims (starter, AA).  Future help, Juan Soto (rf, A), Grant Borne (starter, A+) and R.C. Orlan (reliever, A+).  Refer to my final sentence regarding the Marlins.

Twelfth:  Cubs (1.7).  Lots of average and below average development.  As an example, catching finished with six guys rated, but nobody was more than serviceable.  First and short had similar results.  In the corporate world, the Cubs system would be loaded with middle management.

Starting pitching is as bad as Miami’s and Washington’s.  Relief pitching scored above average (one of two positions to do so).

2018 Help:  Victor Caratini MLB/AAA.  He can hit, but finds baserunners impossible), Brad Markey (reliever, AAA/AA) and Daury Torrez (reliever, AA).  2019/2020 help, Viamel  Machin (3b, A), Roberto Caro (rf, A), Michael Rucker (starter, A+), Pedro Araujo (reliever, A+) and Craig Brooks (reliever, A+).  The Cubs and Nats are addicted to free agency.  These two organizations abide by the dictum of “play catch” in their respective player development systems.

Thirteenth:  San Francisco (1.6).  Not a single candidate at first or center.  Nobody.  Zero.  Nada.  Zilch.  One guy at short.  Two guys each at catcher, second, and left.  Three guys at third.

Starting pitching earned a 1.0.  Relief a 2.0.

2018 Help:  Ryder Jones (3b, MLB/AAA) and Austin Slater (rf, MLB/AAA).  2019+ future help, Ryan Howard (ss, A+), Bryan Reynolds (rf, A+), Ryan Halstead (reliever, A+), Dustin Knight (reliever, A+) and Pat Ruotolo (reliever, A).  The Giants are the bottom of bottoms in player development.  Cold winds blow off San Francisco Bay.  So, too, throughout the development levels of AAA, AA, A+ and A ball.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.