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11/30/20

Scouting Report - OF - Joshua Baez

 


Joshua Baez

 

OF     6-3     220     Dexter Southfield HS (MA)

 

PG -

 

Joshua Baez is a 2021 OF/RHP with a 6-3 220 lb. frame from Boston, MA who attends Dexter Southfield. Only 16 years old but has a physically advanced build with plenty of present strength and surprising looseness and twitch. 6.67 runner, attacks the ball with authority in the outfield, has plus raw arm strength with developing timing and fundamentals through the ball, high level right field tools. Right handed hitter, has quick hands and a short hand path through the ball, barrel wrap creates some length, barrel whip when he gets out front, has plus juice when he squares up. Two way prospect on the mound, high leg lift delivery and an over the top arm slot, some energy at release. Fastball topped out at 94 mph with good downhill angle and some late sink. Flashed good power to his curveball. Outstanding young athlete with strength who will continue to improve with repetitions and experience.

 

Prospect Worldwide -

 

Joshua Baez – OF: One of the younger players in the Draft, not even turning 18 before he hears his name called, which I see happening in the 1st Round. The toolset and age are simply too hard to ignore and pass up. The only question is the hit tool, will he strike out too much, as your question with most prep bats with the power he possesses (70 Raw, 60 Game) but he shows it in-game consistently to all fields, as he did at the Area Code Games with a 107 Exit Velocity HR to RCF. A 70 Grade arm, Baez fits naturally as an RF but could see some reps in CF with his strong reads off the bat and speed that should drop from the Plus it currently shows into a 50-55 Runner. Profile similar to Yoenis Cespedes.

 

Prospects Live -

 

Josh Baez: The Boston native was one of the most intriguing names at the PG All American Classic. With arguably the best power tool in the draft (70/80), an arm topping out at 97mph from the outfield, and plus speed (50/60 range), the raw tools that make a superstar corner outfielder are there. As a result, he is widely considered to be a first round pick by the time the 2021 draft rolls around. After reaching the finals of the Home Run Derby pregame, Baez showed out during the classic as well.

 

In his first at bat of the day, Baez adjusted brilliantly to a Max Debiec curveball left up in the zone, blasting the ball to deep right center for a triple. The speed was on full display as he legged it out, and then subsequently scored on a passed ball later in the inning. The rest of Baez’s day was mostly forgettable, though scouts saw everything they needed to see with Baez. He projects first round.

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Scouting Report - OF - Eric Kennedy

 


Eric Kennedy

 

CF 5-11 200 Texas

 

 2020 Texas stat line - 17-G, 59-AB, .288/.380/.356, 1-HR

 

 Prospect Worldwide -

 

7. CF Eric Kennedy, Texas

 

Bat: L. Throw: R. 5’11”, 200 lbs. Born 9/15/1999. Hometown: Tampa, FL

 

2019-2020: 3 HR, .305/.381/.403, 17 SB, 35/30 K/BB in 66 games.

 

The top position player prospect in the Big 12, Kennedy is also our third Longhorn on the list. There really isn’t much going on in terms of impact bats in this conference, especially if you’re looking for power, so the contact-oriented Kennedy rises to the top just based on his consistency. After hitting .310/.382/.418 with a very strong 23/21 strikeout to walk ratio as a true freshman in 2019, he followed it up with a solid, albeit unspectacular, start to the 2020 season with a .288/.380/.356 line and eight stolen bases through 17 games.

 

Kennedy isn’t a power hitter, but he does a lot of everything else well. The Tampa native is a plus runner, and he deploys that speed very well on the bases, swiping nine bags in eleven attempts as a freshman before going a perfect eight for eight as a sophomore. That speed will enable him to stick in center field as well, where his strong arm makes him a valuable overall defender. At the plate, he’s hit over power, employing a quick left handed swing to drive the ball around the yard and to the gaps. His patient approach combined with strong bat to ball skills means there is very little swing and miss in his game, and it gives him a high floor as someone who will for sure hit in pro ball. Whether you see Kennedy as anything more than a fourth outfielder, though, likely depends on how you project his power. At 5’11”, he’s not the biggest guy in the world, and he hasn’t shown much even in the way of simple extra base power so far at Texas. Given his very strong feel for hitting, some swing changes to give him more extension could help him profile for 5-10 home runs per year or more, and he’ll have a chance to show more pure offensive impact in 2021.

 

 Hookem -

 

Among Big 12 freshmen, Kennedy ranks first in batting average (.311), runs (27) and RBIs (20). Kennedy has registered more walks than strikeouts. The Big 12’s reigning player of the week is also six-for-six on his attempted steals.

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Mets360 - Where does Luis Guillorme fit into the Mets infield puzzle?

 


By John Fox November 30, 2020

Sorting out the 2021 Met infield is somewhat like assembling a puzzle. There is an array of pieces, and where they are going to fit is yet to be determined. First base is up for grabs, with Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith duking it out for playing time. The Robinson Cano piece fell off the table, due his suspension for using banned substances. Now Jeff McNeil could slide into second base full time… maybe. At shortstop there is Amed Rosario trying to fend off Andres Gimenez, and third base is uncertain. J.D. Davis, or perhaps a trade target/free agent could end up playing there. Then we have the interesting puzzle piece of Luis Guillorme, who could fit in at 2B, 3B, or short, although perhaps not as a starter at any of those spots.

Guillorme first came to prominence in Spring Training of 2017, when he snatched an errant bat in mid air as it rocketed into the Mets dugout, saving a player or two from a collision with said bat. That incident is in the past, since then the 10th round draft choice has shown he is a major leaguer.

Guillorme has always been known as a defensive force. He has decent range, a good infield arm and off the charts quickness in his hands. He’s made more than his share of highlight level dazzling defensive plays in his years in the minors and with the Mets.

As to batting, Guillorme made big strides last year, although his stats are likely unsustainable. In limited play in the shortened season, he slashed .333/.426/.439 in 68 PA. Guillorme was frequently overmatched by MLB pitching prior to last year, which resulted in his altering of his swing for 2020.

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The Sports Daily - Mike Phillips' Mets Player Review Series: Rick Porcello

 


By  | 

2020 Stats: 12 Starts, 59.0 Innings Pitched, 1-7 Won-Loss Record, 5.64 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 54:15 K:BB Ratio, 0.1 WAR

Story: Needing a starter to fill the void following Zack Wheeler’s departure, the Mets signed Rick Porcello to a one-year deal worth $10 million. The theory was that Porcello, a former Cy Young award winner, would give New York reliable innings while bouncing back from a rough 2019. Porcello delivered on the innings, making every start he was scheduled to take in 2020, but he was not entirely effective. Poor defense behind Porcello, a noted ground ball pitcher, certainly hurt him and Porcello admitted after the season that he felt disappointed he wasn’t able to perform better for his hometown team. 

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Prospect Profile: Francisco Alvarez Catcher


Francisco Alvarez, Catcher, is #1 or #2 on just about everyone's Mets Top Prospect List.  

Mack had Francisco Alvarez as his #1 prospect. Tom had him at #2. 

About Francisco Mack said: "In my opinion, no one will have the impact of this guy when he gets his shot around three seasons from now.  Will be our starting catcher for many years to come."

Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 11/19/2001, Signed by the New York Mets as an International free agent out of Venezuela for $2.9 million on July 2, 2018. 

At the time of the signing, this is what SNY.TV had: “Alvarez is ‘one of the strongest players in the class,’ according to Baseball America. ‘He has a stout, blocky frame, although he moves surprising well underway for his size. Alvarez's swing starts with a small toe tap and he generates big raw power with an aggressive hack.’"

Francisco is projected to be a catcher that can hit and field.  In 2019 as an 18 year, playing for the Gulf Coast and Kingsport Mets, he had 157 At-Bats in 42 games, 7 HR, 26 RBI, .312 BA/ .407 OBP/ .510 SLG.  He can hit.  

Out of the 42 games, he caught in 27 of those (229 innings) catching 9 out of 31 base stealing attempts (29%), 4 errors, 15 pass balls, .983 fielding percentage. 

Last word on Baseball had this quote from an anonymous Appalachian League manager: “That’s what shocked me when I found out he was 17…You don’t see kids that young who can catch that well usually. Tremendous arm strength, and (he) shut down our running game.”

Baseball America recently wrote: Francisco Alvarez Has The Right Hitting Approach. "“For a young kid, he’s always displayed a good command of the strike zone,” [Mets assistant general manager at the time Allard] Baird said. “He’s got a very good approach in terms of it’s, ‘Yes, yes, yes, no, take.’ "He goes in there to hit. He’s not going in there to walk. He’s going in there with a very good, aggressive approach, but has the ability to make early recognition and if he doesn’t get his pitch will accept the walk.”



Francisco recently signed up to play this winter in Australia.  We plan to have updates on his progress throughout the season.     


Here is Francisco Alvarez’s FANGRAPHS page.

Here is Francisco Alvarez’s Baseball Savant page.     



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Reese Kaplan -- The World Has Other Infielders for the Mets



During the gray and ghostly Wilpon years there were many things you could count on happening.  There was the inevitable avoidance of the top free agents and trade targets readily available on the open market.  There was the systemic avoidance of anyone from outside the major and minor league editions of the 29 other affiliated major league teams. 



There was the slow speed with which they went after roster improvement.  Finally, there was the spending limit imposed upon the front office which made it an exercise in creative expression to announce proudly that three to four forgotten and unwanted free agents would equal the risk associated with one who actually had real star level talent.  


With a new regime climbing out of the rubble (with more front office folks to follow) it’s time to ponder whether or not the Mets will actually have the chutzpah to change any of the familiar and gut wrenching Wilpon moves that have become a part of our DNA (and psychotherapy).  The one in which I’d like to concentrate today has to do with broadening the perspective that talent can and does exist outside of 15 year olds playing in South & Central America and adults playing in the USA.  




While a great many people are obsessed with making Francisco Lindor get a United Van Lines tractor trailer truck to carry his goods to Queens, the fact is that you really have to give to get.  You’re going to have to sacrifice some significant talent to get the Indians to part ways with their All Star, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove shortstop.  Then the work is only one third over. 



You get him here but then you have to convince him to stay.  That’s job number two.  Then you have to create the right kind of extremely expensive contract for a great many years with or without escape clauses to entice him to put his name to the paper and become a Met for his prime time years.  


Making these moves are not as difficult nor as expensive as they seem on the surface.  After all, even with his poor 2020 abbreviated season, he averages a WAR rating over 4.7 per season.  If you factor in the $8 million per WAR standard, that makes him a ballplayer worth well north of $37 million per year.  It’s easy to make the argument that whatever you give up in talent and risk that he’ll sign the new contract is worth it given the output you can reasonably expect.


What if a somewhat lesser total output was available on the free agent market where the only issue would be price without sacrificing current talent and without the risk associated with a will he or won’t he sign a contract issue?  No, it’s not a question about D.J. LeMahieu either.   Who we’re here to talk about today is younger than Lindor and available to whomever has the deep enough pockets and the open mindedness to consider talent from across the Pacific.




Kim Ha-Seong is the Korean Baseball Organization’s version of Francisco Lindor.  He started his career directly from high school as a professional at just age 18.  Since then he has quickly grown into a regular who hits for power, drives in runs, steals bases, fields with the best that league has ever seen and he actually walks more than he strikes out. 



Those attributes are just what teams seek when referring to a five-tool player, and he actually is one.  His home run totals have continued to climb as the KBO has taken steps to suppress power by playing with the composition of the ball.  While a guy with 30 HR, 30 steal power with Gold Glove defense is enticing enough, it’s the ability to hit for contact while taking walks that really catches my eye.


Now many people feel that although he’s a primary shortstop in South Korea, the speed of the game is much higher in the USA and thus it may be that he’s better off at second base or third base in the Major Leagues.  Guess what?  The Mets have needs in both of those positions, too.  




As outlined recently, the KBO requires a posting fee for an MLB team to open up negotiations with Ha-Seong.  Now that fee is to me a fairly low-risk variable as it is not payable unless the man signs a contract.  If he does, just factor in the fee as if it was a contract-term extra fee added to each year’s salary.  Say, for example, the contract proffered to the turning-25 year old is for a five-year $40 million deal.  That’s $8 million per year. 



Even if his fee hit the maximum $20 million, that money could be spread over the course of the contract.  For the sake of easy math, assume his contract is in the amount projected by MLB.  So the $8 million per year really becomes $12 million per year once you prorate the transfer fee.  So for less than half of what it would cost to obtain Lindor and with no Jeff McNeil or others leaving the NY Mets roster, you get someone who is likely worth 3 WAR per season -- $24 million -- for half price. 


Now I ask the question, would a hopefully no longer xenophobic team be shrewd to consider all available options and not just the ones they read about regularly in the media?   Once again, no players leaving town, no risk about a free agent contract being signed, less than half of what Lindor would garner in his deal and a marketing opportunity to have their own Ichiro type who flourished when he was imported from Japan to the USA.  I’d seriously have to consider it. 


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John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 11/30/2020

 



Good Morning.  Happy Birthday Craig Swan and Juan Berenguer. Sandy Alderson talks on Satellite Radio, and Bruce Maxwell has a good day in the Dominican.

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, Winter Baseball, and This Day in Mets History.

Mets Links:

Sandy Alderson was on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM Sunday morning and everybody had the quotes:



MLB Trade Rumors: Alderson: Mets Will Focus More On Free Agency Than Trades.

SNY.TV: “the market is slow moving with the exception of mid-level starting pitching" but "we're not being cautious or letting the market develop." Sandy also said “'We don't want to give up our young guys'…you have to allow these players to develop.  So we're going to sort of recommit to our farm system and try to stay away from those prospects and our really good prospects in significant trades.” 

MLB Trade Rumors: Royals To Sign Mike Minor.



Metsmerized Online: 2020 Mets Report Card: Franklyn Kilome. Primary Stats: 4 G, 11.1 IP, 0-1, 11.12 ERA, 5 HR, 9 BB, 13 SO, 2.029 WHIP. 

Rising Apple: Mets can obliterate Brodie Van Wagenen’s trade deadline further. “Relief pitcher Miguel Castro is a potential non-tender candidate…[The player the Mets traded for Castro] Former Mets prospect Kevin Smith looks like a good arm the club could use in the near future. It would be a shame if Castro leaves and Smith develops into even a serviceable big leaguer. 

Rising Apple: NY Mets should stay away from a Nolan Arenado trade. They site Arenado’s Home and Away splits - Home: .322/.376./.609, 136 HR, 461 RBI; Away: .263/.322/.471, 99 HR, 299 RBI. 

Rising Apple: Five of the best moments at Citi Field so far. Johan Santana’s No Hitter, Game 3 of the 2015 WS; The Wilmer Flores 2015 Walk Off after the near trade; Matt Harvey’s All Start Game; Yoenis Cespedes’ Moon Shot. 

Rising Apple: Front office should consider a reunion with Bartolo Colon. 


ICYMI: Yesterday at Mack’s Mets: 

Mack – Weekly Draft Notes. 

Mack - 2021 Top Draft Targets - Luke Leto, Levi Prater, Thomas Dilandri, Carter Holton, Izacc Pacheco. 

Mack - Scouting Report - RHP - Aidan Maldonado. 

Mack - Scouting Report - RHP - Anthony Susac. 

MLB Links:

MLB.com: Every team's biggest free agent after 2021.  For the Mets - Michael Conforto, OF (age 29) – “Noah Syndergaard is the bigger name out of Flushing, but might Conforto end up being the more valuable free agent?”

MLB.com: Red Sox can shake up market with Bauer deal.

CBS Sports: MLB rumors: Blue Jays pursuing free agents George Springer, Michael Brantley; Brewers want to improve offense.

MLB.com: NLBM closes temporarily due to COVID-19. “The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will be closed for at least 10 days after it was revealed on Sunday that two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. The NLBM hopes to reopen on Dec. 8, according to NLBM president Bob Kendrick.”

MLB Trade Rumors: KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes Not Re-Signing Addison Russell, Jake Brigham.


MLB Trade Rumors: Trevor Williams Elects Free Agency.

QCTimes: Bandits set to move one step closer to the majors. “One likelihood of the reorganization of minor-league baseball that remains a work in progress is that the Midwest League would shift from being classified as a low-A league to becoming a high-A league.”

Auburnpub.com: Auburn Doubledays merchandise sale beginning of the end of our team.

Winter Baseball:

As we previously noted, the Venezuelan Baseball Season is now underway.  So far we have seen two Mets prospects on the rosters. 

23 Year old RHP Jaison Vilera is on the Caribes de Anzoategui.  After pitching to a 5-2 record with a 1.83 ERA with Brooklyn in 2018, Jaison split 2019 with Brooklyn, Binghamton, St. Lucie, and Columbia going 5-8 and a 5.25 ERA. I have not seen him get any action yet this winter.

22 LHP Cesar Loaiza who was 1-4 with a 5.71 ERA with the Kingsport Mets in 2019 is on the Aguilas de Zulia.  Cesar saw action in Saturday’s game and did not record an out as he was charged with 3 runs on 2 walks and a hit in a 10-4 Aguilas loss (Box Score).

Here is the full Venezuelan Scoreboard from Sunday.

In the Dominican Republic –

Toros del Este 8 Leones del Escogido 4 (Box Score) Bruce Maxwell had one of his best offensive games this winter, 2 for 3 with a walk, and RBI, and a run scored raising his winter average up to .136.  Pedro Payano got the save coming in with the bases loaded and no one out and retired the side with no runs scoring.  Adonis Uceta was one of the pitchers for Leones, 1 scoreless inning, 1 walk, 2.45 ERA this winter.

In the Mexican Pacific League:

Naranjeros de Hermosillo 7 Los Caneros de los Mochis 6 (Box Score).  Juan Uriarte did not start for Los Caneros but came in later and was 0 for 1. This Winter in 25 games he has 2 HR, 6 RBIs, .233 Avg. in 73 At-Bats. Fernando Salas picked up his 9th save this Winter for Los Naranjeros.

Here is the full Mexican Pacific League Scoreboard from yesterday.

AP News: Venezuela’s baseball season kicks off but virus takes a toll.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

Transactions:

New York Yankees drafted Duke Carmel from the Mets on November 30, 1964.

New York Mets traded Joe Christopher to the Boston Red Sox for Ed Bressoud on November 30, 1965.

New York Mets released Ralph Terry on November 30, 1966.

Washington Senators drafted Joe Foy from the Mets on November 30, 1970.

New York Mets traded Dave Marshall to the San Diego Padres for Al Severinsen on November 30, 1972.

New York Mets signed free agent Elliott Maddox of the Baltimore Orioles on November 30, 1977.

New York Mets traded Fernando Vina and Javier Gonzales to the Milwaukee Brewers for Doug Henry on November 30, 1994.

Baltimore Orioles signed Chad Bradford of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 30, 2006.

New York Mets signed free agent Argenis Reyes on November 30, 2007.

New York Mets traded Lastings Milledge to the Washington Nationals for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider on November 30, 2007.

New York Mets signed free agent Jesus Feliciano on November 30, 2009.

Pittsburgh Pirates signed Nick Evans of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 30, 2011.

Manny Acosta granted free agency on November 30, 2012.

New York Mets sold Logan Verrett to the Baltimore Orioles on November 30, 2016.

Centerfield Maz: Remembering Ray Daviault Upon His Passing: The First Canadian Born Mets Player & An Original Met (1962).

Centerfield Maz: Craig Swan: 1978 N.L. ERA Leader (1973-1984).

National Pastime.com:

1977

Dave Kingman, joining his fifth team this year, signs as a free agent with the Cubs. Sky King, put on waivers in September by the Padres after a midseason trade with the Mets was selected by the Angels, who dealt the much-traveled slugger to the Yankees a week later.

2007

The Mets trade highly-touted prospect Lastings Milledge to the Nationals in exchange for fly chaser Ryan Church and catcher Brian Schneider. Although the transaction helps New York fill its immediate needs behind the plate and in the outfield, the trade appears to favor Washington due to Milledge's perceived potential.

 

2012

David Wright, who signed an eight-year, $138 million contract in November, is named the captain of the Mets, joining John Franco, Keith Hernandez, and Gary Carter as the fourth player honored by the franchise.

Baseball Reference:

1965 - The Red Sox trade shortstop Eddie Bressoud to the Mets for outfielder Joe Christopher. 

1994 - The Brewers trade P Doug Henry to the Mets in exchange for Javier Gonzales and infielder Fernando Vina. Vina will play 140 games at 2B and hit .283 while Henry will be 2-8 with the Mets.

2012:- The Mets sign 3B David Wright to an eight-year extension for $138 million, the largest contract in team history.

Breakfast Links One year ago today - 11/30/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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