A tradition like no other

The Baseball America Prospect book has arrived and that means that baseball season will soon be here.

Prospects Plus: The Top 10

The Minor League Baseball season is almost over. It's been a fun year for us at OTWT. We went to a bunch of Lakewood Blueclaws game as well as a Trenton Thunder. Here is a break down of the 10 best players I've seen this summer.

1. Nick Williams, OF, Reading:  A key piece of the Hammels deal..He looks the part of the an offensive force. Saw him two years ago in the South Atlantic League and he looks like a different player now and I mean that in a good way. I'm a huge Nick Williams fan boy. 
2. JP Crawford, SS Reading: I've seen a bunch of him the last couple of years and he looks the next Phillies SS for the next decade. 
3. Josh Morgan, SS, Hickory: The Texas Rangers prospect looks the part. 
4. Cole Tucker,  SS, West Virginia: I really think him and Morgan where the best Single A players I saw all year. 
5. Spencer Adams, P, Kannapolis: Sat between 92-94 with his fastball. Bad electric stuff when I saw him. 
6. Carlos Tocci, OF, Lakewood: Tocci didn't spend much time in Lakewood this season but  he showed that his bat is starting to develop.
7. Jake Thompson, P, Reading: Good fastball. Good Change up. Could develop into a good 3rd starter. 
8.  Jairo Beras, OF, Hickory: He looks the part of an outfielder. 
9. Cord Sandberg, OF, Lakewood: The former Mississippi State football recruit looks like a player for the future. 
10. Tyler Wade, SS, Trenton: Athletic defender.

Prospects Plus: It's been a long summer

The minor league season is winding down and it's been a blast. I have the rosters and the scouting reports to show it. Sometime during the next week, I'm going to post my 10 best prospect's I've seen this season. So stay tuned.

Prospects Plus: Reading's Jake Thompson

Name: Jake Thompson
Team: Reading Fightins
Organization: Phillies
Position: SP
Organizational Rank: Third ranked prospect in the Phillies system by MLB.com
Saturday vs. Trenton Thunder: 6 innings,  2 earned  runs, 2 hits, 5 walks, 5 Ks.

Positives: Showed some good stuff during this 89 pitch performance Saturday night. Thompson topped out at 93 and  showed a good slider. He seemed to hold base runners well. Thompson has a classic starter's build that should give him durability and allows him to pitch on a tough downhill plane.

Negatives: Walking five batters in six innings is not what people want to see in prospect who was a key part of the Cole Hammels deal. His machanics looked to be all over the place. He is pitcher that I would not rush to the big leagues. Thompson should start the season in AAA next season.    

Prospects Plus: Reading's Nick Williams

Name: Nick Williams
Team: Reading Fightins
Organization: Phillies
Position: CF
Organizational Rank: Fifth ranked prospect in the Phillies system by  MLB.com
Saturday vs. Trenton Thunder: 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and stolen base

POSITIVES: This was my second time seeing Williams. I saw him two years ago vs. Lakewood when he was with the Rangers organization. When I saw on Saturday night, he looked more like a baseball player then an athlete playing baseball. Really did a nice job in center field. Williams was a key player in the Cole Hammels trade.

NEGATIVES: There has been some talk in the local media that Williams might get a September call up,  which is something that I don't understand. He still needs time to develop, I would be be against him playing winter ball to improve his skills.

Prospects Plus: Cole Tucker

Name: Cole Tucker

Position: Shortstop 

Team: West Virginia Power

Organization: Pittsburgh Pirates

Organizational Rank: eighth ranked prospect in the Pirates system, according to Baseball America 

Last Friday vs the Blueclaws: 2 for 4 with a double. 

Positives: Tucker looks the part of a middle infielder. He showed many of the skills that made him a first rounder back in 2014. He has great baseball IQ, including saving a run by gunning a guy at home. Sure he is going to take time but it may be worth it in the end. He looked like the best player on the field on Friday night. 

Negatives: Tucker is never going to be a big time offensive player. His baseball IQ is going to play at any position if he has to be moved off shortstop. 

Prospects Plus: Josh Morgan

Name: Josh Morgan

Position: SS

Team: Hickory Crawdads

Organization: Texas Rangers

Ranking: 10th overall prospect in Rangers organization, according to Baseball America

Friday vs Lakewood Blueclaws: 2 for 5 with 3 RBI

Positives: Of all of the players that I saw on the field last night, Morgan, a former third round draft pick, was by far the most impressive. He looked really good at the plate and looked solid in the field. In the bottom of the seventh, Morgan made a really good back handed stop to prevent a run. Morgan's upside is as a high-OBP SS or 2B who doesn't steal a lot of bases or hit for much power, but who is solid defensively while getting on base at a solid clip.

Negatives: Morgan is going to have to continue to hit as he moves up the ladder, particularly when he gets to higher levels where pitchers can throw strikes more consistently, and will be more likely to challenge him due to his lack of power.  Morgan will have success if he can maintain his good approach at the plate while making solid contact enough to keep pitchers from overpowering him.

Prospect Plus: Best Class Ever

In honor of this years rookie class Baseball America posted this epic photo on their Instagram. The four hotshots all on their cover. 

Prospects Plus: My MLB Mock Draft

Doing a MLB Mock Draft is probably the hardest thing in sports to do, but over the last couple of years I've given it a shot and I will again this year. So Here we go: 

1. Diamondbacks: Dansby Swanson,SS, Vanderbilt    
2. Astros: Alex Bregman, SS, LSU
3. Rockies: Dillion Tate, RHP, UCSB
4. Rangers: Brandan Rodgers, SS, California HS
5. Astros: Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt
6. Twins: Tyler Jay, RHP, Illinois
7. Red Sox: Daz Cameron, OF, Georgia HS
8. White Sox: Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville
9. Cubs: Garrett Whitley, OF, New York HS
10. Phillies: Kyle Tucker, OF, Florida HS
11. Reds: Walker Buehler, RHP, Vanderbilt
12. Marlins: Trenton Clark, OF, Texas HS          
13. Rays: Andrew Benintendi, OF, Arkansas
14. Braves: Carnelius Randolph, SS, Georgia HS
15. Brewers: Ian Happ, OF, Cincinnati
16. Yankees: Tyler Stephenson, C, Georgia HS
17. Indians: Nick Plummer, OF, Michigan HS
18. Giants: Alex Young, LHP, TCU
19. Pirates: Mike Nikorak, RHP, Pennsylvania HS
20. Athletics: James Kapriellian, RHP, UCLA
21. Royals: Brady Aiken, LHP, IMG
22. Tigers: Ashe Russell, RHP, Indianapolis HS
23. Cardinals: Jon Harris, RHP, Missouri State
24. Dodgers: Kolby Allard, LHP, California HS
25. Orioles: Beau Burrows, RHP, Texas HS
26. Angels: Phil Bickford, RHP, JC of Southern Nevada
27. Rockies: Nathan Kirby, LHP, Virginia      
28. Braves: Dakota Chalmers, RHP, Georgia HS
29. Blue Jays: Michael Matuella, RHP, Duke
30. Yankees: Donny Everett, RHP, Tennessee HS
31. Giants: DJ Stewart, OF, Florida State
32. Pirates: Kevin Newman, SS, Arizona
33. Royals: Cody Ponce, RHP, Cal Poly Pomona
34. Tigers: Jacob Nix, RHP, IMG
35. Dodgers: Chris Shaw, OF/1b, Boston College
36. Orioles: Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3b, Texas HS
37. Astros: Donnie Dewees, OF, North Florida
38. Rockies: Justin Hooper, LHP, De La Salle HS
39. Cardinals: Kyle Holder, SS, San Diego
40. Brewers: David Hill, RHP, San Diego
41. Padres: Juan Hillman, LHP, Canada HS
42. Indians: Scott Kingery, 2B, Arizona

Prospects Plus: Cord Sandberg

NAME: Cord Sandberg 

TEAM: Blueclaws 

POSITION: Outfield

PROSPECT RANKING: 21st ranked player in the Phillies system, according to Baseball America. 

FRIDAY VS. AUGUSTA: 1-5 with an RBI and run scored. 

POSITIVES: the former Mississippi State QB commit is a plus athlete. Right now is best tool is his speed. He has a body that could put on more muscle as he gets older. When developed he could be a 20-25 HR type of player. 

NEGATIVES: Still incredibly raw. Right now he is a athlete playing baseball, not a baseball player. During the game against Augusta he looked bad a couple of change ups. With any two sports star it's going to take time for them to develop just ask the Royals when it comes to Bubba Starling. 

Prospects Plus: Carlos Tocci

Two weeks ago, I went and saw the Lakewood Blueclaws twice in a matter of five days and one thing stood out to me: OF Carlos Tocci looks like a totally different player.

For the last couple of years, Tocci has been the youngest player in the South Atlantic League but this years it looks like it's all paying off. Through nine games, Tocci was heading .361 while slugging .565. 

While it's never good for a prospect to repeat a level, it might have been needed for Tocci. When Tocci got to Lakewoof late three seasons ago he looked like a kid. This year he looks like more put together. With Tocci you have to remember that he is still only 20 years old. Despite being sent back to Lakewood this year, talent evaluators still hold Tocci in high regard and that will continue as he continues to develop. 

Prospect Plus: White Sox's Spencer Adams

Name: Spencer Adams

Team: Kannapolis Intimidators 

Organization: White Sox

Position: Pitcher 

Organizational Rank: third ranked prospect in White Sox organization by Baseball America. 

Friday vs. Blueclaws: 4 innings, 7 hits, 1 ER, 2 ks. 

Positives: Adams is a real battler and that shower on Friday night. On a couple of different opportunities the Blueclaws put runners on and Adams found a way to get out of it. The lanky right handed has an easy motion and touches 92 mph. Adams slider is one of the best in the system.  I really liked what I saw when he was out there. 

Negative: like most athletes playing baseball it will take Adams time to be ready for the show. He is considered a high risk/high reward type of prospect by Baseball America.

Baseball season is coming

Went to the mailbox this afternoon and found this. It's always a highlight of year.

Prospects Plus: Marlins Austin Dean

Name: Austin Dean 
Organization: Marlins 
Team: Greensboro Grasshoppers 
Position:  Outfield  
Organizational Rank: 14th ranked prospect in the Marlins system, according to Baseball America. 
Stats vs. Lakewood Blueclaws: 0-4 Friday night. 


Positive:  He is a good hitter with very good power potential. Dean has one of the quickest bats in the Marlins organization. Dean has good bat control and is more of a line drive hitter than a home run hitter at this point, but could develop into a 15-20 home run guy, according to Baseball America. 

Negative: Has a below average arm and he is not the fast person in the world. 

Prospects Plus: Marlins Avery Romero

Name: Avery Romero 
Organization: Marlins
Team: Greensboro Grasshoppers
Position:  second base
Organizational Rank: 9th ranked prospect in the Marlins system, according to Baseball America.
Stats vs. Lakewood Blueclaws: 3-4 with two double Friday night. 

Positives: He's almost as valuable a prospect as a second or third baseman, because his bat is the real appeal here.  He has good bat speed which should give him above average power down the road.  

Negatives: Romero doesn't have a true position. Scouts don’t believe that Romero has the athleticism and quickness needed to play shortstop in the pros. Scouts do believe he has adequate talent to handle the hot corner or play second, as well as provide enough offense to play either position.

Prospects Plus: Red Sox Wendell Riijo

Name: Wendell Rijo
Organization: Red Sox
Team: Greenville Drive
Position: 2B
Organizational Rank:18th best prospect according to Baseball America
Stats vs. Lakewood Blueclaws: 1-2 with a homerun and two walks

Positives: In his first at bat Friday night, Rijo fell behind 0-2 and then was able to turn on a fastball from Yacksel Rios and hit it over the left field fence. Hits from a wide-open stance, with his hands high, before taking big step to close to even in his stride. Quick hands, solid batspeed.

Negatives:  Is prone to lazy mechanics and will tend to field balls off to the side that he has time to field in front. 

Prospect Plus: Red Sox's Trey Ball

Name: Trey Ball
Organization: Red Sox
Team: Greenville Curve
Position: Left handed starting pitcher
Organizational rank: 10th ranked prospect in Red Sox system.
Friday night's stats vs Lakewood: 6 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned, 5 walks, 5 strikeouts




Positives: Projectable left-hander with great athleticism. Thin frame with lots of room to fill out. Efficient, low-effort delivery. Repeats delivery well for his age. Not a lot of miles on his arm. Fastball sits around 90-93 mph and tops out around 95 mph.When thing I noticed when I was watching him Friday night was that he looks the part, has the body of the starting pitcher. 

Negative: So raw. Coming from Indiana, he did not faced the toughest competition when he was in high school. When a couple of infielders made errors, Ball didn't seem to deal with it well, the mistakes seem to bother him. 

I love Minor League Baseball

My love affair with Minor League Baseball and this is my hat collection. 

Prospects Plus: My Summer of Baseball

Over the last couple of months, I've seen my fair share of baseball from major to minors. From New Jersey to Florida. Here are my three favorite players that I've seen in person. 

1. Adam Brett Walker II, OF, Fort Myers Miracle: Looks like a man among boys in the Florida State League. I know scouts differ on his long term development. He has all of the physical skills you could ask for in a player.
2. JP Crawford, SS, Lakewood BlueClaws: Looked over matched last year in the South Atlantic League, this year it was a different story. He looks the part of a middle infielder at the major league level. 
3. Nick Petree, RHP, Palm Beach Cardinals: During his five innings against Fort Myers, Petree looked solid. While his fastball is nothing special, his change up already looks like a plus pitch, and he shows great command in deploying a decent slider and curve when necessary to further confuse hitters.

Prospects Plus: Phillies Dylan Cozens

Name: Dylan Cozens
Organization: Philadelphia Phillies 
Team: Lakewood Blueclaws
Position: Outfield
Stats Friday: 2-2 in before the game was called due to fog. 

Positives: The raw power is impressive and he gets it from everywhere in his swing and strength.Cozens is a giant human being with a classic slugger profile, with nothing left to projection at this point.    At the plate he has huge raw power and a good approach, he made decent contact in his debut but he will need to make more to reach his power ceiling. Regardless of what position Cozens finishes at his bat will be the tool that carries him.

Negatives: The problem is there is some natural swing and miss because his arms are so long.  He doesn’t have crazy bat speed and the swing can get a bit long.  He is mostly a pull hitter and so it will remain to be seen if he can adjust and go the other way at higher levels.