From The Desk - Ryley Gilliam, Gavin Cecchini, C.J. Abrams, Pete Alonso, Jays

21. Ryley Gilliam, RHP Video

Drafted: 5th Round, 2018 from Clemson (NYM)

Age     22.4    Height 5′ 10″  Weight            170     Bat / Thr         R / R   

Tool Grades (Present/Future)

Fastball          Curveball       Command      Sits/Tops

   55/60              55/55               40/45           92-94 / 96

          Gilliam was the ace starter for one of the most prospect-laden prep teams in the country in 2015, Kennesaw Mountain HS, which was led by 11th overall pick catcher Tyler Stephenson (Reds) and center fielder Reggie Pruitt (Blue Jays), who got a $500,000 bonus in the 24th round. Gilliam could’ve received a low-to-mid six figure bonus out of high school, but instead went to Clemson, where he mostly relieved, a role that agrees with his aggressive approach and standout fastball/curveball combination. Gilliam’s command backed up a bit in 2018, which is why he lasted until the fifth round despite being the sort of up-in-the-zone four-seam fastball and power curveball reliever that clubs now favor due to TrackMan data. If he can dial in his delivery and command, there’s quick-moving setup man potential for the 22-year-old.

35+ FV Prospects -

22. Gavin Cecchini, 2B

Drafted: 1st Round, 2012 from Barbe HS (LA) (NYM)

Age     25.0    Height 6′ 2″    Weight            196     Bat / Thr         R / R    FV       35+

         

PC - Reese Kaplan

Cecchini posted promising strikeout and walk rates in the early part of his career and then suddenly began hitting for power in 2015 and 2016 at Vegas before returning to career norms in 2017. On paper, Cecchini was very intriguing as a young pro because he played shortstop and had such terrific control of the strike zone, but eyeball evaluations were more generic, indicating a bench role at best, and were incongruous with Cecchini’s performance, especially when he suddenly had power. He was sidelined for much of 2018 after he was struck by a pitch on the foot, but he put enough balls in play to note that his pull rate was up and his ground ball rate was down, and a hitter with this kind of innate talent would suddenly become very interesting if a swing change were to coax out some more power. At 25, Cecchini is probably just an up/down utility type, but that’s also what we thought about Jeff McNeil at this time last year.

Baseball America  -

            Top 10 High School MLB Draft Prospects For 2019

2. C.J. Abrams | SS

Blessed Trinity HS, Roswell, Ga.

At least a plus-plus runner, Abrams is a lefthanded-hitting shortstop with the defensive skills to stick at the position and fantastic feel for the barrel offensively. His speed allows him to rack up extra bases but he hasn’t shown big-time raw power. Defensively, Abrams has a quick exchange, advanced body control and above-average range.

These 9 spring stat lines  shouldn't be ignored –

        

PC - Ed Delany

    Pete Alonso, Mets

Spring line: .356/.396/.644, 3 HR, 8 K in 45 AB

Alonso’s competition with Dominic Smith is one of the best position battles across the game, with each first basemen putting his best foot forward this spring. Smith’s defense and value as a left-handed hitter could give him the leg up for Opening Day, and service time considerations might also keep Alonso in Triple-A Syracuse to start the year. But general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and manager Mickey Callaway insist they will put the best 25 players on the opening roster, and it’s hard to argue that Alonso isn’t one of them at this point.

Jays  praised for raising minor league pay by half –

           Union head Tony Clark lauded the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for giving minor league players a 50 percent raise, and he hopes other clubs do the same.

Representatives from the players' association visited the Blue Jays' spring training camp a day after The Athletic reported the team planned to boost pay for all minor leaguers, with some making as little as $1,100 a month in recent seasons.                

Minor league players are not paid during spring training or the offseason. Those who don't receive lucrative signing bonuses often struggle to afford meals, rent and basic equipment like cleats and bats.