NEWS/RUMORS/AROUND MLB Thread

It's incredibly hard.

 

heh, good one

 

https://www.google.com/amp/www.true...-dodgers-mariners-drew-jackson-aneurys-zabala

 

VERY interesting trade. In the MiLB for MiLB category, this FO has generally gotten the better of the opposition, while Dipoto has low regards for his own crop of carryovers. Jackson is rated at ++ in both arm and speed. I've been out drinking with my new business partner, so I may have misinterpreted this as I was confused as hell when I saw it, but I believe I saw a report say that Zabala also has shown an 80 FB and flashing a new 60 grade slider this spring. This was before I saw there was a trade and was wondering why this dude was getting tweeted into my timeline. There are a couple lights flashing for me right now, the club opened up a 40 man spot with this trade AND were willing to trade from the SP depth that they have attributed so much value to. Both the guys they acquired have higher ceilings than De Jong, but it's a bit of a head scratcher. If they could fix Jackson, he would be the perfect SS for this team in the future with say a Seager at 3B, Calhoun at 2B and Bellinger at 1B.

BP Report
10. Drew Jackson, SS
DOB: 07/28/1993
Height/Weight: 6’2” 195 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired/Bonus: Drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB Draft, Stanford University; signed for $335,400
Previous Ranking(s): #7 (Org.)
2016 Stats: .258/.332/.345, 6 HR, 16 SB in 124 games at High-A Bakersfield

The Good: Jackson is a quality athlete with a high waist and fluidity in his movements on the dirt. He breaks well on balls, and raw speed that pushes plus-plus translates well to above-average range at the six spot. His arm rates as a second double-plus tool. It’s a weapon from the left side, affording him cover to convert outs even when he lacks efficiency in his gather and transfer. He’ll show signs of an approach and stay in the zone, and there is bat-to-ball skill to produce consistent contact.

The Bad: The quality of that contact is not always the best, and Jackson’s swing is a complex flower. The load is long and stiff, with an arm bar and plenty of rigidity to where his timing is often compromised. He doesn’t engage his lower half well, and his flat swing path lacks for much at all in the way of ability to drive the ball with any authority. His reads and first step are both raw on the bases, and the foot speed fails to translate into quality breaks on stolen base attempts at present. He’ll struggle to read and anticipate hops in the field, leading to inconsistent footwork and body control in his fielding technique.

The Irrelevant: He’s a true “Drew,” not one of those Andrew Jacksons, though his middle name is Hamilton, so the moniker doesn’t lack for patriotism. Also, he’s the younger brother of former first-rounder Brett Jackson.

The Role:

OFP 45—Second-division everyday shortstop
Likely 40—Speed-and-defense backup infielder

The Risks: Jackson is a higher risk prospect whose game has enough holes—particularly with the bat—that there will be significant lag time and a longer developmental path than your typical college draftee.

Major league ETA: 2018 —Wilson Karaman

Ben Carsley’s Fantasy Take: If only defense were a fantasy category and AVG, HR and RBI were not. Jackson might be good for cheap steals some day, but that’s probably about it.

BA Report
Jackson, the younger brother of former Cubs outfielder Brett Jackson, was drafted in the fifth round out of Stanford in 2015 and has ranked as one of the Mariners’ Top 10 Prospects going into each of his first two full professional seasons. Jackson is one of the fastest players in the minors, earning 70 grades on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, and has an arm routinely described as a “cannon.” His supreme athleticism and arm strength helped him be named the high Class A California League’s best defensive shortstop in Best Tools balloting last season. As exciting as those attributes are, Jackson is considered a fringe-average hitter with below-average power at best. He struggled in the hitter-friendly Cal League, performing worse as the year went on, and hit just .149 (7-for-47) in the Arizona Fall League. Few evaluators believe in his bat, but Jackson’s speed and defensive potential give him a chance to reach the majors as a utility infielder. He will likely open his Dodgers career at Double-A Tulsa.


Zabala BA Report
The Mariners signed Zabala out of the Dominican Republic as part of their 2013-14 international class and have moved him slowly. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound reliever repeated the Rookie-level Arizona League this season and showed a fastball up to 99 mph, but struggled with poor control. His 5.4 BB/9 rate was actually worse than his first go-round in the AZL, although his strikeouts rate increased as well. Zabala’s main secondary pitch is a low-80s curveball that some evaluators project to average. Zabala is one of many hard-throwing relievers in the low minors without much control, but is worth a flyer as a raw project who could become a late-inning reliever with a breakthrough. He has a chance to open the 2017 season at low Class A Great Lakes.
Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/majo...la-dodgers-chase-de-jong/#UdFDcgTyM555Gedg.99

 

For reference, MLB.com had DeJong at # 16 for us at the end of last season and I would argue that he should probably be #22 or #23 going into this season. That is not a hit on his stuff or the great year that he had, just the organization added/developed guys with considerably higher ceilings than he.

 

Pretty sure they said the same about Ethier last year. Nek minute, September.

 

Whoa boy, David Price is going to see Dr Andrews for a second opinion on his elbow. The need for a second opinion is never good.

 

Price has had elbow flare ups in the past with nothing ultimately coming of them, but yeah, far more wear and tear on his arm at this point.
Could look back and say that Sale trade was mandatory for them if Price needs TJ surgery

 

You usually don't go to Andrews for a second opinion unless there is something not good coming out of the first. It has also been said that the pain is worse than ever

 

New rules just came across. One in particular is the no markers on the field rule which the Dodgers and other heavy analytical clubs used to place outfielders.

 

Knew that one was coming
Way too much bitching about it from the orgs that aren't progressive

 

That'd be a cute story.
I prefer the thriller/horror where Manny Machado is signed to play 3B or SS, joining Seager/Bellinger and maybe Forsythe on a new deal in the IF.

 

Let's make Kazmir a Red Sock!

 

Can you still place markers on your home field?

 

I feel like there was some talk that they were dangerously thin in the rotation. I could be wrong, but I would not be shocked if they did come a calling if Price is out longterm

 

My understanding is not at all anywhere