Henderson and Westburg promoted to Norfolk

[ChuckS]

Seeing Prieto suddenly start playing a lot of third base in Bowie makes me think they may be targeting Henderson at SS and Westburg at 2B for Baltimore next season.

I do think Westburg and Prieto are both guys who could end up as utility players rather than everyday guys. One of them becoming an impact regular is probably a good outcome for us with Henderson being the sure thing. 

[Frobby]

3 hours ago, ChuckS said:

Seeing Prieto suddenly start playing a lot of third base in Bowie makes me think they may be targeting Henderson at SS and Westburg at 2B for Baltimore next season.

I do think Westburg and Prieto are both guys who could end up as utility players rather than everyday guys. One of them becoming an impact regular is probably a good outcome for us with Henderson being the sure thing. 

There are no sure things in baseball.  Despite Henderson’s great two months, I still haven’t seen a national source that ranks him as a top 20 prospect.   

[NelsonCruuuuuz]

Assuming this negatively impacts playing time of Grenier, Martin (either of which would likely be better than Owings), Nevin & Guterriez. 

[jamalshw]

2 hours ago, NelsonCruuuuuz said:

Assuming this negatively impacts playing time of Grenier, Martin (either of which would likely be better than Owings), Nevin & Guterriez. 

In the long run, probably, but it looks like Gutierrez is on the IL and with Nevin in Baltimore, there should still be ABs to be had though I agree Grenier and Martin will see less ABs and significantly less time at SS. Bannon will also be impacted.

When Gutierrez is back and when Vavra's rehab ends there will certainly be an infield roster crunch in AAA that will likely see Dorrian and Cullen as casualties (maybe along with Bannon, Grenier, and Long).  In the end, Henderson and Westburg are the priorities. Everyone else will be fitted around them and given ABs as they are available. Once Vavra is back, he is another priority to get ABs though he'll probably split time between 2B and CF which then cuts into an OF that will be light on ABs when/if Diaz and Neustrom come back off the IL. 

[NelsonCruuuuuz]

2 hours ago, jamalshw said:

In the long run, probably, but it looks like Gutierrez is on the IL and with Nevin in Baltimore, there should still be ABs to be had though I agree Grenier and Martin will see less ABs and significantly less time at SS. Bannon will also be impacted.

When Gutierrez is back and when Vavra's rehab ends there will certainly be an infield roster crunch in AAA that will likely see Dorrian and Cullen as casualties (maybe along with Bannon, Grenier, and Long).  In the end, Henderson and Westburg are the priorities. Everyone else will be fitted around them and given ABs as they are available. Once Vavra is back, he is another priority to get ABs though he'll probably split time between 2B and CF which then cuts into an OF that will be light on ABs when/if Diaz and Neustrom come back off the IL. 

Ah yes, Bannon! I knew I was forgetting someone! And Vavra, good call, still at Aberdeen.

Shame about Diaz because he looked really good at the plate this year when he has been playing.

[LookinUp]

8 hours ago, ChuckS said:

Seeing Prieto suddenly start playing a lot of third base in Bowie makes me think they may be targeting Henderson at SS and Westburg at 2B for Baltimore next season.

I do think Westburg and Prieto are both guys who could end up as utility players rather than everyday guys. One of them becoming an impact regular is probably a good outcome for us with Henderson being the sure thing. 

I'd think Henderson at SS and Westburg at 2B would be done because they have Mayo penciled in as 3B of the future. If not, seems like Prieto would play 2B and Westburg/Henderson would fill SS/3B however best they could.

If I were another team, I'd be trying to get Norby in a deal. Seems like we have depth there and he's got some real upside.

[Legend_Of_Joey]

54 minutes ago, NelsonCruuuuuz said:

Ah yes, Bannon! I knew I was forgetting someone! And Vavra, good call, still at Aberdeen.

Shame about Diaz because he looked really good at the plate this year when he has been playing.

Vavra is back in Norfolk now.

[NelsonCruuuuuz]

17 minutes ago, Legend_Of_Joey said:

Vavra is back in Norfolk now.

Thanks! Crowded!!!

[UMDTerrapins]

Cullen back to Bowie…not surprising. Vavra, Henderson, Westburg together in AAA is nice pick-me-up. 

[jamalshw]

16 hours ago, UMDTerrapins said:

Cullen back to Bowie…not surprising. Vavra, Henderson, Westburg together in AAA is nice pick-me-up. 

I was loving the Norfolk lineup yesterday before the postponement: Vavra, Henderson, Westburg, Stowers in the top 4 spots is a nice look. It was interesting to see Martin in CF (as they're apparently trying to turn him into a super utility guy) and interesting to see Long in LF. 

[JustLearning]

On 6/6/2022 at 2:24 PM, RZNJ said:

Welk still not close to coming back?  He was also shaky at 3B but he might be an option at 3B for Bowie at some point.   Until then, you're probably right.  Cullen or Graffanino.

I think he's supposed to be back before the end of June, providing he can run (knee sprain). With Watson and Fontana out on IL, they may put him in the outfield.

[Brooks The Great]

On 6/7/2022 at 9:54 AM, Frobby said:

There are no sure things in baseball.  Despite Henderson’s great two months, I still haven’t seen a national source that ranks him as a top 20 prospect.   

His rise has been meteoric. But I guarantee you he will start skyrocketing up every list, most of which aren't updated until later this summer. All the prospect analysts will have no choice but to rank someone who destroyed AA at 20 years old and NEVER faced a pitcher younger than him in their Top 25, otherwise they risk looking foolish.

[Frobby]

7 minutes ago, Brooks The Great said:

His rise has been meteoric. But I guarantee you he will start skyrocketing up every list, most of which aren't updated until later this summer. All the prospect analysts will have no choice but to rank someone who destroyed AA at 20 years old and NEVER faced a pitcher younger than him in their Top 25, otherwise they risk looking foolish.

BA just updated their rankings and put him 37th, I think.   Eric Longenhagen was asked about Henderson in a Fangraphs chat a few weeks ago and stuck with his no. 68 ranking.  I’m not saying these guys are right, but there’s two prominent sources that haven’t moved him into the top tier when given the opportunity.  

[Brooks The Great]

4 minutes ago, Frobby said:

BA just updated their rankings and put him 37th, I think.   Eric Longenhagen was asked about Henderson in a Fangraphs chat a few weeks ago and stuck with his no. 68 ranking.  I’m not saying these guys are right, but there’s two prominent sources that haven’t moved him into the top tier when given the opportunity.  

Could be wrong, but pretty sure both update again later this summer. Pretty sure they all do after the draft, otherwise they look like an amateur ranking source.

Longenhagen already looks foolish.

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Brooks The Great said:

Could be wrong, but pretty sure both update again later this summer. Pretty sure they all do after the draft, otherwise they look like an amateur ranking source.

Longenhagen already looks foolish.

That's a bit strong.

There isn't normally a huge gulf between say #70 and #20.  Not with the bust rates of even highly touted prospects.