MINOR LEAGUE/PROSPECTS Thread

Once again, if he's so "ready" he should be able to do better than a .765 OPS in an offensive league.

 

You don't think his illness in mid-late July has had anything to do with his recent struggles?

 

Stop scouting the stat line @Dodgers99

 

Not necessarily, but okay

 

This.

 

So, we have all these new stats we now swear by, but in some cases don't use them? That's what we call a contradiction.

 

Thought this was a great read:

Cal notes: Quakes' Bellinger breaking out

With 26 homers, Dodgers youngster climbing prospect lists
By Alex Espinoza / Special to MiLB.com




In 98 games at Rookie ball the previous two seasons, Cody Bellinger totaled just four home runs.

In 114 contests with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Bellinger has belted a Cal League-best 26 homers. Not bad for a kid who made the jump to Class A Advanced ball as a teenager this year.

So, where did the big spike in power come from?

"Honestly, the game really slowed down for me this year," Bellinger said. "Skipping a level, it was a little bit of an adjustment period to start. I have to give a lot of credit to our hitting coordinator, we were working on my swing all offseason. I always had the power -- it was just a matter of time before I developed. He really helped me incorporate my hands into my swing. I'm using my hands a lot more, and the pitches I was hitting last year in the gap are going over the fence this year."

Speaking of his hands, Bellinger has been out of action since he was hit by a pitch near his right little finger on Saturday, but he's expecting to return to the field soon.

It's easy to focus on Bellinger's gaudy home run total, but he isn't just a one-trick pony. Aside from sharing the Cal League lead in long balls, he also ranks first in runs scored (84) and third in RBIs (87) while posting a .256/.328/.526 slash line for the Quakes.

"Obviously, you always want more, but I couldn't have asked for much more [this season]," Bellinger said. "Except for this hand, I've been healthy all year and obviously that's the biggest thing. I've had fun this year and I've learned a lot about myself and about the game. I'm excited to see what's to come."

Bellinger started the season as the Dodgers' No. 21 prospect but his big year has moved him up the board to No. 9. Since being selected by Los Angeles in the fourth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, Bellinger has added about 15 pounds to his body, saying he's up to about 195.

"I don't have to use my whole body to get it out any more," Bellinger said. "I'm still young and I know more weight will come as I fill out naturally. I'm excited to see what happens when I do."

Bellinger, who turned 20 on July 13, has spent most of his career at first base but also has 26 games under his belt in center field this year. Despite having nine stolen bases and the speed to handle the outfield, Bellinger said he expects to stay at first base in the long term.

"They told me, the more positions you can play the better," Bellinger said. "So I was all up for it, accepted it, and we'll see where it goes. But definitely see myself as a first baseman and I think they do, too."

Bellinger has baseball roots. His father, Clay, spent four years in the Majors and won two World Series titles with the New York Yankees, playing every position except pitcher and catcher during the 2000 season.

"He's been there by my side my whole life," Bellinger said. "I have to thank for all his time. He was always helping me in the cage, helping me with my swing. When I'm feeling down or whatnot, he always helps me through the mental grind and tells me to stay strong."

 

Bingo. Stats mean everything until they don't support your argument.

 

Use the stats, but consider the guy's health as well. That's just being fair. You don't just ignore when a guy is hit with a virus and loses strength and weight. His OPS was right at .800 before he got sick and he was hitting in the low .280's with 8 or 9HRs and 20 doubles in 60 somethin games. He was doin fine.

Now, it was reported way back in December that the FO felt that Seager should be ready by June and he didn't disappoint in those regards. He murdered AA, where the most talent is.

The way I see it, his bid in AAA provides him with some competition while he bides his time and waits for the SS spot to open up.

 

First of all OPS isn't a new stat the nerds swear by. They have other internal analytics that can determine
future value, or how ready a player is for the next level. Stuff that the general public don't have access to.
Second, a 25 year old 6'7 ex football player can crush 30 bombs in double-A and be a non-prospect in the eyes of scouts and front office folks. Seager is not that, but just because his stats are below your standard doesnt mean he's not ready and vice versa. You want your top prospects to crush it and force your hand (Kris Bryant) but it doesn't always work out that way.

 

Where did I call him a non-prospect? I simply said he has underperformed, and the front office obviously felt the same way when Rollins wasn't providing anything offensively the first 90 games and they didn't make the jump.

I'm not even saying that he is less of a prospect than many think, just that maybe he isn't as much a finished product.

 

I never said he was a non-prospect?

Of course he's not the finished product he's 21 lol. He's not coming in here like Puig, it's going to take some acclimating.

 

That's what some people on here need to hear.

 

That's the whole point... he's barely 21 years old, he's still extremely advanced.

 

I don't really care if he's 12. What's simply been said is for the one of the best prospects in baseball, his AAA stats are ordinary. Not riding the guy, so don't jump on the offensive, just from the little information I can see it's a little underwhelming.

 

And he'll probably be underwhelming when he gets to the big leagues. Just saying, the ceiling is Evan Longoria but left handed. the stats don't change his prospect status.

 

Idk Dodgers99, nobody called Seager a non prospect
you basically said hes not ready because of his OPS

Sure the stat line is something to consider, especially if a player is close to the majors, but how u finna say that OPS is indicative of player readiness

So is a player with a high AAA OPS ready for the majors?
Should the Astros have waited until Correia's OPS was .900 until they called him up instead of .800?

And on top of everything OPS is a bogus stat. It overemphasizes power (1 pt slg=1 pt obp but in reality 1 pt obp > 1 pt slg)
So youre not telling me much of anything about Seager by sayin dudes OPS is .765
Seagers power will play if thats what youre worried about
You actin like Seager got a 60% K rate and cant get on base

 

No he's not, lol.

 

no hes not?
what u tombout fam

edit: didnt see the bold part
Obvi was a bit exaggerated