LookinUp

Yeah. Westburg is an impactful player. He's my choice here. As an aside, I love that every player on that list above is in this org. We're at #8 and they're still on the board. And there's more that aren't there that will be fun to watch.

I'm not sure what will be more impactful, Tony's glowing write-up or Stowers on the field. ? In all seriousness, highest exit velocity "by a lot", "could very well be underrated on this prospect list", his power potential in Camden Yards could be "enormous" and he has "superstar potential." I love it all and hope Tony's on the mark here. I have no reason to doubt him. The one surprise was the "solid-average" arm. I thought he had the best OF arm in the org, so that was a bit of a letdown. Also, nobody has mentioned this dude's blonde locks. He looks like he walked off the set of Pointe Break and into a baseball uniform. The ladies will love him.

It actually wasn't just from that interview. Nothing in the interview was problematic to me. Like I said, I don't know anything about the guy. Probably shouldn't have said anything. It's just a vibe I've picked up when he's struggled this year. I do think he carries himself like a dude though. Thinks he's badass. Probably is badass. Again. Just the very distant vibe I get. No inside info or anything.

Correct. That was news to me and I can understand how that would be frustrating. It's not just that the ball was different, it's that the ball was different within AAA.

I don't mean to stir the pot because I know nothing about him, but I get the feeling that he has a sour attitude. I get the feeling that he thinks he's really good and was very frustrated with the ball in AAA this year. I hope he's right about the first part and gets over the second part. Lol.

Absent some serious physical development, I doubt he'd get claimed and kept in the Rule V draft. Nevin's highest OPS month was actually in June (.821). His September OPS was .794. So my read on this kid is if the defense adjustments are real, some physical growth might make that bat playable. Never say never, but I'd have to see it to believe it. https://www.milb.com/player/tyler-nevin-663527?stats=splits-r-hitting-mlb&year=2021

I have to wonder if Bradish's late season surge has Tony reconsidering his thoughts that he's probably headed for relief. Sounds like an exciting arm to me right now.

I was sad they let Patrick Jones go. Dude seems like such a great guy.

No offense, but I hear this stuff every year about non-top draft picks. The success or failure of Elias will ultimately be driven by how many of these guys are actually good versus how many go into yesteryear's hype vault. So far it looks good with Stowers, Henderson, Westburg and Mayo. Early returns on Norby are good. So I have more enthusiasm than I probably should have had for Avery, Hoes, et al.

Kyle Stowers: 23. .897 OPS across 3 teams. (A+, AA, AAA). Corner Outfield Jordan Westburg: 22. .868 OPS across 3 teams (A-, A+, AA). SS I'm not exactly complaining about either of them, but I take Westburg.

I think the k rate would be the problem, just like it is with Stowers. They're similar athletes, I think. Stowers might even be a better outfielder. Both powerful. It's the k rate and worry about how that'll translate to MLB that knocks Stowers. Not his draft status. JMO.

The thing about Kjerstad is the O's know much more about his status than we do. It's just not something they choose to talk about publicly, likely for many reasons.

Real interested to see where you put him.

Yeah, I think it misses those key developmental years. There are two things about Tony's write-up re: Henderson that stood out from the defensive side of things. First is throwing. That doesn't worry me very much to be honest. Big strong guy. Strong arm. A lot about throwing is mechanical and I think good athletes can refine that aspect of their games. The second was the stiff hands part. That does worry me more. Reps and mechanics can help there too, but it's hard to teach soft hands. I do think it's kind of telling that Tony's downside prediction is 2b and not RF. I guess that means they think Henderson can stay on the dirt somewhere. That's pretty valuable given his upside with the bat.

I'm not sure what the rankings will look like, but guys that are really interesting to me after Westburg and Stowers are: Pinto, Norby, Basallo, Rom and Ortiz. Then there are a couple really young international guys, Willems and the outfielders we selected this year that are also pretty darn interesting. Not saying that's what the order should be. Guys like Bradish, Baumann, and Neustrom will be sprinkled throughout because they deserve to be. So I'm at about 19 guys I'm quite interested in. Pretty cool. Anyone know if Lowther's still eligible? If so, I still have him higher than I'd guess the consensus will be.

Wouldn't be shocked if Tony chose Stowers, but this is Westburg for me. Putting Baumann in these polls is interesting. Making me look forward to his write-up.

Yep. I think it's a very fair write-up. I think they'll have to shorten his swing over time. My guess is that's a priority this offseason. It will have to be, because the pitching isn't getting any easier.

I completely disagree. Outside of the yips, fielding is always something that progresses through the minors. It takes reps.

I don’t think there’s a shot they sign him to any extension before the next trade deadline. More likely they have a tough conversation after next season.

I think is a question of development. Henderson has exceptional physicality but isn’t as refined. If you assume he does refine his fielding and his hitting approach, you love him. I think I fall in the middle. I love him, but think the refinement he needs will slow his ascent. But 3 years from now i think we have a stud on our hands. Westburg also has tremendous physical gifts. I think he’s a bit underrated because people forget that part.

I don’t think this is a crazy position. The consensus seems to be that Henderson’s upside is pretty elite. I’m not sure he has a high probability of getting there. I think Westburg’s probably more likely to be valuable. Look forward to seeing Tony’s write-ups on them.

He always releases them on Monday through Friday.

I sure would like a stud SP pitcher to become apparent. Not sure what it would take Elias to draft him, but I'd love it if we did.

I know the answer, but kind of feel it's closer than some might think. The hope is Henderson can clean up his game. If he does, his power is just too tantalizing to pass over.

It's the age though. That's the difference. Henderson's essentially 2 years ahead of Westburg, even if he wasn't as good this year.