Baseball America 2023 Top 100

[Ripken]

Elias certainly gets an A for the first half of this rebuild.  I sure hope he starts doing the second half one of these days.

[eddie83]

 

[Fiver6565]

Heaven forbid we have a thread where half the posts aren't focused on something negative SMH (yes half is hyperbole).  Excited about the future, even with Adam Frazier on the team!!! LOL.

Thanks to @eddie83 for posting that quick video of Gunnar's interview.  The highlight of his home run literally put a smile on my face.  Can't wait to watch Gunnar and Adley mash for a full season in 2023.

[Aristotelian]

2 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

Ortiz as well.

I can't wait to see what he does this year but he has 26 games in AAA and overall his .774 OPS doesn't blow you away. If he maintains .900 OPS over another 150 AB's, sure. 

Granted I do not like the Frazier signing, I don't think anyone is more than meh about it. 

[Sports Guy]

1 hour ago, Pickles said:

Urias has been more valuable than Santander.  Why wouldn't he have more value?

Frazier, Gibson, Givens, McCann and Santander were named. Not Urias.

[Pickles]

10 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Frazier, Gibson, Givens, McCann and Santander were named. Not Urias.

Well, in that case I agree.

[now]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-baltimore-orioles-top-mlb-prospects/

Have to say, I find it surprising (shocking?) to see they rank Stowers with best power in the system and best OF arm. Really? Maybe I'm obtuse, or uninformed, or biased by eye test, or something... but I just don't see it.

Edited January 18, 2023 by now

[RZNJ]

2 minutes ago, now said:

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-baltimore-orioles-top-mlb-prospects/

Have to say, I find it surprising (shocking?) to see they rank Stowers with best power in the system and best OF arm. Really? Maybe I'm obtuse, or uninformed, or biased by eye test, or something... but I just don't see it.

The power shouldn’t be surprising.  He has a good arm.  I guess the question is, besides Hays, who has a better of arm than Stowers?

[theobird]

Do not sleep on Stowers. Big time power, and a cannon. I think at this time next year, Stowers will be on all of our untouchable lists.

[Moose Milligan]

1 minute ago, theobird said:

Do not sleep on Stowers. Big time power, and a cannon. I think at this time next year, Stowers will be on all of our untouchable lists.

He's got too much swing and miss in his game and not enough walks.  He could be a piece for us but I don't think he's going to be an untouchable one.

[maybenxtyr]

7 minutes ago, theobird said:

Do not sleep on Stowers. Big time power, and a cannon. I think at this time next year, Stowers will be on all of our untouchable lists.

Not going to happen. He's definitely a guy that I'd like to see get a full season of AB's, but he will not be on any untouchable lists simply because he K's too much.

[eddie83]

2 hours ago, eddie83 said:

 

For those who are home they are replaying the full interview on MLB Network in seconds.  

[RZNJ]

52 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

He's got too much swing and miss in his game and not enough walks.  He could be a piece for us but I don't think he's going to be an untouchable one.

The only thing I would say is that Stowers has shown that he can make adjustments each year.   In 2021 he learned how to tap into his power.  In 2022 he cut down his strikeouts at the highest minor league level.  Last year he started slowly at the ML and got better and better.  He has shown decent patience in the minors.  In September/October he struck out 25%. That’s entirely acceptable for a power hittter.   I’m not confident he’ll be a star but I wouldn’t discount the possibility.   

 

[RZNJ]

Average exit velocities for the top 100 hitters.  Gunnar tied for top spot at 92.  Holliday and Westburg at 90.  Norby at 89.  Cowser at 88.   Ortiz at 85.   For perspective, the lowest was #13 Jordan Lawler at 83.   Another notable, Zac Veen at 85.

Average fastball velocity.  Hall at 96.  Rodriguez at 95.  Daniel Espino at 97.  Bobby Miller at 98.

[Frobby]

Gunnar went from 57 to 1.

Grayson held serve at 6.

Colton went from 98 to 41.

DL dropped from 52 to 75.   Still love that 80 grade on the fastball though!