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ayaghmour2 · 07-18-2020, 03:06 PM

CF Joe Johnson (16th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 17th Overall (1929)
Alma Mater: Central Ohio Aviators
Last Year Rank: 1st

We're quite lucky to have one of the best center field prospects in all of baseball in the form of the speedy Joe Johnson. He's probably ready for the majors, but I don't think he's a better player currently then Cy Bryant. The upside is much higher, however, as the 23-year-old switch hitter should be an elite hitter, base runner, and defender. He's filled to the brim with talent, and got his first taste of AAA baseball last year. He'll be in big league camp as well, but I can't afford to waste his development time with a bench role. Unless Bryant gets hurt, Johnson will be waiting in AAA until I can't justify leaving him down there anymore. There was a rumor that he was included in a mega trade for one of the top 2 picks, but nothing materialized and Johnson will remain in our organization. I think if he reaches his potential, he's going to be our best player for years to come.

SP Tom Barrell (41st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 1st Overall (1929)
Alma Mater: Georgia Baptist Gators
Last Year Rank: 3rd

Oh what could have been... Last year the former #1 overall pick Tom Barrell just made one start before shoulder inflammation ended his season. It's a huge blow for the now 24-year-old as he missed an entire season of development time. Scouts still favor Barrell and think he should be able to lead a rotation and form a nice 1-2 punch with Jim Crawford. He throws a beautiful mid to high 90s fastball with an excellent slider and good change up that keeps batters off balanced. He's got a lot of strikeout potential and almost never allows a home run. If his arm is fine, I think Barrell can debut this season, but we have to hope for no lasting effects. Like Johnson, he was also rumored to be involved in trade talks, something that hasn't happened until this offseason. He's also in big league camp, and ranks as our 7th best starter, which is a good sign that he's still filled with talent.

SP Mel Leonard (52nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 22nd Overall (1930)
Alma Mater: Dallas HS Rangers
Last Year Rank: New

Taken in the 2nd Round last season, Mel Leonard had a really great professional debut. He went 6-6 with a 2.61 ERA (148 ERA+), 1.16 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts in 117.1 innings with Class C La Crosse before earning himself a promotion to Class B San Jose. Even at 19, he did well in the higher level, going 5-6 with a 3.70 ERA (111 ERA+), 1.34 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts in 92.1 innings pitched. Leonard does an excellent job keeping the ball on the ground, and despite being pretty short for a pitcher, he can still hit the 90s with his fastball. He did add a bit of speed in the offseason and has really worked on improving his command. I'd say his future lies comfortably in the middle of a rotation, and he really makes up for us missing with 1st Rounder James Demastus.

C Joe Rainbow (61st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 18th Round, 289th Overall (1931)
Alma Mater: Somerville HS Generals
Last Year Rank: New

I'm not sure it's a good thing that our 4th best prospect is some random guy we got in the 18th Round. I didn't scout this years pool as much as usual because I was so caught up in the pennant race, but I had never even heard of Joe Rainbow before he wound up in my organization after the scout portion of the draft. I guess I'm lucky to have him, as my scout is a pretty big fan. He's got a good sense for the strike zone and excellent bat speed with the potential to be a dependable big league regular. Fred Barrell is currently entrenched behind the plate and I can't see Rainbow surpassing him, but somehow my scout thinks he might be better. My best guess is Rainbow had a random post draft boost because most guys who only make 37 plate appearances as a senior do not turn into superstar catchers.

SP Bill Ross (84th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 42nd Overall (1930)
Alma Mater: Providence HS Hawks
Last Year Rank: New

Drafted the same year as Mel Leonard and a round later, the 6'3'' righty is a very projectable pitcher. He's got a decent mid to high 80s cutter, but I expect him to add more velocity as he's just 19. Since November of 1930 he's already added 3 miles to it and he's really worked hard in the offseason. I'd say he's more back then front of the rotation, but he mixes his pitches well and has excellent command. He can almost place his fastball wherever he wants it and he's got excellent movement on his pitches. He struggled a bit in La Crosse last year, going just 4-16 with a 4.22 ERA (92 ERA+), 1.40 WHIP, and 90 strikeouts in 194 innings pitched, but he'll get another chance this year. He's got a lot of upside, but it is a work in progress at the moment.

07-18-2020, 03:06 PM	#165
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 1-5 CF Joe Johnson (16th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 17th Overall (1929) Alma Mater: Central Ohio Aviators Last Year Rank: 1st We're quite lucky to have one of the best center field prospects in all of baseball in the form of the speedy Joe Johnson. He's probably ready for the majors, but I don't think he's a better player currently then Cy Bryant. The upside is much higher, however, as the 23-year-old switch hitter should be an elite hitter, base runner, and defender. He's filled to the brim with talent, and got his first taste of AAA baseball last year. He'll be in big league camp as well, but I can't afford to waste his development time with a bench role. Unless Bryant gets hurt, Johnson will be waiting in AAA until I can't justify leaving him down there anymore. There was a rumor that he was included in a mega trade for one of the top 2 picks, but nothing materialized and Johnson will remain in our organization. I think if he reaches his potential, he's going to be our best player for years to come. SP Tom Barrell (41st Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 1st Overall (1929) Alma Mater: Georgia Baptist Gators Last Year Rank: 3rd Oh what could have been... Last year the former #1 overall pick Tom Barrell just made one start before shoulder inflammation ended his season. It's a huge blow for the now 24-year-old as he missed an entire season of development time. Scouts still favor Barrell and think he should be able to lead a rotation and form a nice 1-2 punch with Jim Crawford. He throws a beautiful mid to high 90s fastball with an excellent slider and good change up that keeps batters off balanced. He's got a lot of strikeout potential and almost never allows a home run. If his arm is fine, I think Barrell can debut this season, but we have to hope for no lasting effects. Like Johnson, he was also rumored to be involved in trade talks, something that hasn't happened until this offseason. He's also in big league camp, and ranks as our 7th best starter, which is a good sign that he's still filled with talent. SP Mel Leonard (52nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 22nd Overall (1930) Alma Mater: Dallas HS Rangers Last Year Rank: New Taken in the 2nd Round last season, Mel Leonard had a really great professional debut. He went 6-6 with a 2.61 ERA (148 ERA+), 1.16 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts in 117.1 innings with Class C La Crosse before earning himself a promotion to Class B San Jose. Even at 19, he did well in the higher level, going 5-6 with a 3.70 ERA (111 ERA+), 1.34 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts in 92.1 innings pitched. Leonard does an excellent job keeping the ball on the ground, and despite being pretty short for a pitcher, he can still hit the 90s with his fastball. He did add a bit of speed in the offseason and has really worked on improving his command. I'd say his future lies comfortably in the middle of a rotation, and he really makes up for us missing with 1st Rounder James Demastus. C Joe Rainbow (61st Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 18th Round, 289th Overall (1931) Alma Mater: Somerville HS Generals Last Year Rank: New I'm not sure it's a good thing that our 4th best prospect is some random guy we got in the 18th Round. I didn't scout this years pool as much as usual because I was so caught up in the pennant race, but I had never even heard of Joe Rainbow before he wound up in my organization after the scout portion of the draft. I guess I'm lucky to have him, as my scout is a pretty big fan. He's got a good sense for the strike zone and excellent bat speed with the potential to be a dependable big league regular. Fred Barrell is currently entrenched behind the plate and I can't see Rainbow surpassing him, but somehow my scout thinks he might be better. My best guess is Rainbow had a random post draft boost because most guys who only make 37 plate appearances as a senior do not turn into superstar catchers. SP Bill Ross (84th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 42nd Overall (1930) Alma Mater: Providence HS Hawks Last Year Rank: New Drafted the same year as Mel Leonard and a round later, the 6'3'' righty is a very projectable pitcher. He's got a decent mid to high 80s cutter, but I expect him to add more velocity as he's just 19. Since November of 1930 he's already added 3 miles to it and he's really worked hard in the offseason. I'd say he's more back then front of the rotation, but he mixes his pitches well and has excellent command. He can almost place his fastball wherever he wants it and he's got excellent movement on his pitches. He struggled a bit in La Crosse last year, going just 4-16 with a 4.22 ERA (92 ERA+), 1.40 WHIP, and 90 strikeouts in 194 innings pitched, but he'll get another chance this year. He's got a lot of upside, but it is a work in progress at the moment.