What Fringe prospects are you watching and why?

[CheezWizHed]

I see nuggets of this here and there, but its always fascinating to see what fringe prospects people are watching and hoping for break-out seasons. Who are those unheralded guys that you always look for in the Link Report every day?

 

I'm watching:

 

Rookie (well, when they start playing anyway):

Malik Collymore - might get lost in the wash of OF prospects we have, but could be decent.

Trey Supak - just height and intangibles alone are interesting. Getting Supak and Diaz as for fringish MLB talent (Rogers and Segura) was brilliant.

Carlos Herrera - my no particular reason choice for the best arm in the Lind trade. Perhaps it was the scouting reports that reminded me of a young Jorge Lopez.

Tyrone Perry - too bad the boxscores don't include current playing weight too...

 

Wisconsin:

Tucker Neuhaus - I watched him closely the last couple years and he really fizzled. But his hot start and being reminded that he is only 20 renewed the interest.

 

 

Brevard:

Dustin Houle - Good catchers are so hard to find. Not a highly touted pick and then was injured for a year. Came back well last year, so it will be interesting to see if he can pair with Nottingham for our catcher tandem of the future.

Carlos Leal - Just a great breakout story on the guy last year. Not sure if he can make it as a prospect, but worth watching (when he gets activated that is).

Bubba Derby - the name alone is interesting. But also nice to find out what we get in these trades.

Jose Cuas - Maybe its just the cool sounding last name. Or maybe a big 3B kid with some possible upside.

 

Biloxi:

Garrett Cooper - We have had a lot of 4th-6th round 1B come and go the last couple years. Cooper's resurgence last year makes me thing he could be a legit MLB 1B. But has this year to prove that it wasn't a fluke last year. Could be a poor man's Lyle Overbay type player. Given our lack of 1B prospects, I'll take that.

Wei-Chung Wang - Could climb the list quickly if he performs this year like second half of last year. Has very high potential arm if it all comes together.

Jorge Ortega - Great breakout year after skipping Wisconsin. Low BB, but also low K rate. Getting out of Brevard will be a good indicator to see if his results can be sustained.

Javier Salas - Someone else mentioned that he looked like Mike Fiers, but threw harder. Poor results in previous years, but that alone has me intrigued.

 

Colorado Springs:

Manny Pina/ Josmil Pinto - For one, I can never keep the two straight, so I watch both. "Free" fringe catchers. Just interesting to see if either will turn into something. And I like catchers...is that so wrong?

 

 

And just to define "fringe", let's exclude everyone in the newly minted top 25:

#1 ( - ) Orlando Arcia, SS, AAA Colorado Springs, Age 21

#2 ( - ) Brett Phillips, CF, AA Biloxi, Age 21

#3 ( - ) Jorge Lopez, RP, AAA Colorado Springs, Age 23

#4 ( - ) Trent Clark, CF, Helena, Age 19

#5 (+1) Josh Hader, LHP, AA Biloxi, Age 21

#6 (new) Jacob Nottingham, C, AA Biloxi, Age 21

#7 (-2) Gilbert Lara, SS, Helena, age 18

#8 (-1) Kodi Medeiros, LHP, Brevard County, Age 19

#9 (new) Isan Diaz, SS/2B, A- Wisconsin, Age 19

#10 (+4) Cody Ponce, RHP, A+ Brevard County, Age 21

#11 (+2) Monte Harrison, OF, A- Wisconsin, Age 20

#12 (-1) Devin Williams, RHP, A+ Brevard County, Age 21

#13 (-1) Clint Coulter, RF, A+ Brevard County, Age 22

#14 (-6) Zach Davies, RHP, AAA Colorado Springs, Age 23

#15 (-1) Demi Orimoloye, OF, Helena, Age 19

#16 (-6) Michael Reed, OF, AAA Colorado Springs, Age 23

#17 (-8) Tyrone Taylor, OF, AA Biloxi, Age 22

#18 (-) Marcos Diplan, RHP, A- Wisconsin, Age 19

#19 (+3) Nathan Kirby, LHP, IR, Age 22

#20 (-4) Jake Gatewood, 3B, A+ Wisconsin, Age 20

#21 (-4) Adrian Houser, RHP, AA Biloxi, Age 23

#22 (new) Keon Broxton, OF, Milwaukee, Age 24.

#23 (+2) Yadiel Rivera, INF, Milwaukee, Age 23

#24 (new) Garni Cecchini, 3B, AAA Colorado Springs, Age 24.

#25 (new) Rymer Liriano, OF, Milwaukee (60 Day DL), Age 24

[JohnBriggs12]

Lots of pitchers were overlooked that I had on my top 25, Magnifico and Wang specifically. How can Wang be considered fringe when just 2 years ago Brewers sacrificed a 25 man roster spot for most of a year they contended just to keep him in the system. I get he wasn't great in 2015, and a few might have passed him but he wasn't bad considering how his development was hurt by the 2014 experiment. Another half dozen or more pitchers at least have the potential to move into the top 25 soon.

 

As for hitters, I'm keeping an eye on Troy Stokes. He was a fairly high pick (4th round) and has performed well so far.

[Scooter102783]

Well now, you say to exclude the top 25, and then mentioned Diplan on your Wisconsin list

 

I agree with Collymore, Houle, Salas, and Cooper. I check for them regularly. I'll add the following:

 

David Denson, Wisconsin -- I just can't forget the raw power. Hopefully the light just goes on someday.

 

George Iskenderian, Brevard -- There's potential in his bat, and if he can stick at 2B he could be interesting.

 

Chris McFarland, Biloxi -- Dude has just steadily climbed and flashed some speed (72 career steals) and some contact skill.

Victor Roache, Biloxi -- I don't know if he's "fringe" as a former first-rounder, but I can't ignore the power.

 

Jacob Barnes, Colorado Springs -- His 2015 AFL stint sparked my interest; hopefully he can be an effective bullpen piece for us.

[CheezWizHed]

How can Wang be considered fringe

 

I just picked a cut-off point to avoid everyone saying that they are following Arcia everyday. But Wang really did fall off the map last year.

 

Well now, you say to exclude the top 25, and then mentioned Diplan on your Wisconsin list [smile]

 

DOH! Corrected now. Had to catch a couple guys at the end of the list that I removed before publishing. Just missed that one.

 

Denson, McFarland, and Roache were all on "last years" watchlist for me. But I've become less interested in them this year.

- Denson's bat just hasn't improved and his move to OF makes me less interested (indication that "utility" is his best asset).

- McFarland was one of my daily watchers when he was at A-ball. He might be ok as a utility INF, but only plays 2B. Bat hasn't developed too much either.

- Roache might still stick with power, but I just doubt he will make enough contact to stick at the MLB level.

I check these three occasionally, but not ones I watch regularly.

 

I also have a hard time being too interested in BP pitchers.

[Outlander]

Wang can be considered fringe because last year he was removed from the 40 man and anybody could have picked him up that had a free spot. With that said Wang is one of the fringe guys I am watching along with Dustin Houle, Garrett Cooper, Jorge Ortega and Nate Orf. Brent Suter as well but they are pretty tempered compared to Clancy.

[sveumrules]

I will second Stokes. Was really impressed by him when I went out to Helena/Missoula for a few games last summer. Definitely seemed like he had an idea up at the plate and that has showed up in his walk rate so far. Also did not think he looked that much smaller than Trent Clark even though their listed height/weight can be pretty far apart depending on which source you use.

[FVBrewerFan]

Brandon Diaz- toolsy OF are always fun to watch develop

 

Carlos Luna- Dominating performance in DSL, k rate dazzling. Now if only we knew where he is and if he's healthy.

 

Brandon Woodruff- Under the radar. Found something last year in his delivery and has quietly Benn really good ever since.

 

A few others were mentioned above, so I won't repeat them.

[SRB]

I had lost track of him during the flurry of roster moves, but thanks for reminding me that Josmil Pinto ended up staying in the system. He's not really a "fringe" prospect (made some top-100 lists pre-2014), but I'm excited to have him and think he could be a good offense-first catcher if/once Lucroy gets traded.

[reillymcshane]

For some reason I have my eye on Garrett Cooper. I just look at what he did in the pitcher friendly FSL last year, and wonder/hope he might emerge as a 1B who could help us - sort of a Overbay light. Maybe hit 10-15 HR and .280 at 1B - nothing special - but a guy who might produce a .780-.800 OPS for a few years of his prime.

 

Just a hope and a prayer.

[Yolk]

Jose Cuas and Nash Walters

[Eye Black]

Among guys not mentioned yet I would include Franly Mallen, Karsen Lindell, Gentry Fortuno, Miguel Diaz, Freddy Peralta, Joantgel Segovia, Eric Hanhold, Angel Ventura, Jon Olczak, Dustin DeMuth, Hobbs Johnson.

[fondybrewfan]

I like to think I follow the minors pretty well but I didn't have the faintest idea who Karsen Lindell was.

 

David Denson is probably the main guy for me; the pure power is still enticing but he hasn't really shown it at all so far.

[Jenkins5]

I like to think I follow the minors pretty well but I didn't have the faintest idea who Karsen Lindell was.

 

David Denson is probably the main guy for me; the pure power is still enticing but he hasn't really shown it at all so far.

 

Lindell had a pretty nice debut last year and hope he takes a big step in Helena along with Fortuno. Walters is a guy I think has a chance to really improve if he can get the ball over the plate. His command was awful last season. Looking at pictures of him from this spring and post off-season, he has began to fill out a ton! Hopefully we will see a hike in his velocity to go along with it.

 

If Tyrone Perry was taking care of his body and treated it like he was a professional athlete who is not a Defensive Tackle....he would top my charts but simple fact we was completely healthy (I tweeted multiple people all saying he was indeed not injured) and did not appear in one single game this spring....something doesn't add up. Drafted at 260, was 305 for Fall league, really wonder what he reported to camp at.

 

Carlos Belonis is a big sleeper for me and has been since his first DSL game. I have just been waiting for him to put all his tools together, seems like he is getting there.

 

Dustin Houle is 100% healthy and proving himself again this season! He is solid behind the plate and his bat has just been really good since last season. He has a chance to at least be a backup to Nottingham in the future.

[CheezWizHed]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I like hearing the reasons as it gives a bit of a glimpse of possibilities.

[CheeseheadInQC]

Most of mine have already been said, so I'll just add that despite him being sent to the purgatory that is the bullpen on a tandem starting team, I'm bizarrely intrigued by Conor Harber. The draft write-up made him sound like a guy with a decent arm who hadn't put it all together yet, and he has pitched well since joining the organization. Probably not a future top prospect, but maybe a guy who could be in roughly the spot Barnes is in now in a few years.

[clancyphile]

My five:

Brent Suter - I think he's a late-round steal, a left-handed Mike Fiers.

Jorge Ortega - Want to see what he does after a breakout 2015.

Troy Stokes - OBP skills, speed, and doubles power

1B/3B Garrett Cooper - A right-handed Lyle Overbay

UT Nate Orf - Versatile infielder with beaucoup OBP skills

[MrTPlush]

My five:

Brent Suter - I think he's a late-round steal, a left-handed Mike Fiers.

 

You think the best prospect in our system is a left-handed Mike Fiers?

[FVBrewerFan]

My five:

Brent Suter - I think he's a late-round steal, a left-handed Mike Fiers.

 

You think the best prospect in our system is a left-handed Mike Fiers?

 

Cool, maybe Astros think so too. Let's trade Suter and Broxton for 4 more top Astros prospects.

[DHonks]

My five:

Brent Suter - I think he's a late-round steal, a left-handed Mike Fiers.

 

You think the best prospect in our system is a left-handed Mike Fiers?

 

 

The topic Clancy responded to was his sleepers, not who the best prospects are.

[clancyphile]

My five:

Brent Suter - I think he's a late-round steal, a left-handed Mike Fiers.

 

You think the best prospect in our system is a left-handed Mike Fiers?

 

 

The topic Clancy responded to was his sleepers, not who the best prospects are.

 

I did put Suter on the top of my last two "Top 25" ballots.

 

Honestly, I think 2015 was a huge breakout for him, and I think he probably can put up similar numbers to Fiers. Now, I think he could be eclipsed by Jorge Ortega.

 

Why? If Suter is a left-handed Fiers (a #2/#3 starter), Ortega could be a Greg Maddux in the making.

[logan82]

My five:

Brent Suter - I think he's a late-round steal, a left-handed Mike Fiers.

 

You think the best prospect in our system is a left-handed Mike Fiers?

 

 

The topic Clancy responded to was his sleepers, not who the best prospects are.

Clancy has ranked Brent Suter as our #1 prospect at least twice now over Arcia.

[TheCrew07]

The best pitching prospect that hardly anyone is talking about is Angel Ventura which makes me sad considering I thought he was the best all around pitcher on the Rattler staff last year. I think he's got a legit shot at a MLB future.

 

Of the hitters I've watched Elvis Rubio, Brandon Diaz, David Denson, Angel Ortega, and Sthervin Matos have the most unfulfilled potential whom aren't high on prospect lists. I also find players like Carlos Belonis and Joantgel Segovia intriguing.

 

The Brewers have done a much better job bringing tools into the organization over the last 4 years. There's really no shortage of interesting players to follow depending on how one chooses to value players.

[Jenkins5]

Angel Ortega is starting to catch my eye! Already a defensive Ace, if his bat keeps looking this good, he could still at least be a Rivera type prospect. Already 25% of the way to his yearly walk total

[CheezWizHed]

Some interesting comments on Brandon Woodruff in the 4/17 Link Report:

 

As the Brevard County bats came alive, Manatees pitcher Brandon Woodruff shut down St. Lucie over five innings (2 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts). Woodruff was working quickly between pitches and throwing a mid-90's fastball that touched 96 mph. He kept hitters guessing with an 87 mph changeup that was described as having lots of sink. The St. Lucie broadcaster and team staff member that joined him both noted that Woodruff's pitches had plenty of movement and that he had the "best stuff" St. Lucie has faced so far this year.

I'll continue to push the Woodruff bandwagon...going back to last season, his last 8 starts: 1.16 ERA .96 WHIP 9.06 K/9 1.92 BB/9.

[Boomer5]

Herrera, Peralta, Supak, and Missaki because that will tell me a bit about Stearns' ability to judge talent and the direction of the rebuild.