Caden Lemons and Brendan Murphy

[Mr Southpaw]

Does anyone know what is going on with these two? 2nd and 4th rounders from last year and they are not on a roster anywhere.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I don't have any specific info, but it's likely that both of these guys are in strength and conditioning programs, along with working hard at building more consistent pitching mechanics, without having to pitch in actual games. Both were drafted right out of high school and need time to develop physically before being tossed into regular game situations.

 

Barring any sort of injuries (haven't heard of an issue with either of them), they're probably ticketed for the latter part of rookie ball and fall instructionals, with the plan to start breaking them into lower minor league levels next year.

[Madhawk23]

I want to say that someone posted in another thread that both were working their way back from some type of injury - but I can't recall if any other information was given on any specific timelines on when we might see them this summer?

[And That]

Both are on the 7-day DL (Murphy for Carolina, Lemons for Wisconsin) so they could both pitch "rehab" assignments in rookie ball yet this year if the team chooses. I don't think we know if they are indeed injured or not.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Both are on the 7-day DL (Murphy for Carolina, Lemons for Wisconsin) so they could both pitch "rehab" assignments in rookie ball yet this year if the team chooses. I don't think we know if they are indeed injured or not.

 

As your post suggests - I think the 7 day DL thing doesn't have to do with actual injuries - if either of these guys had something signficant healthwise that has caused them to miss 1/2 a minor league season, we'd have heard about it by now.

[Mr Southpaw]

I don't have any specific info, but it's likely that both of these guys are in strength and conditioning programs, along with working hard at building more consistent pitching mechanics, without having to pitch in actual games. Both were drafted right out of high school and need time to develop physically before being tossed into regular game situations.

 

Barring any sort of injuries (haven't heard of an issue with either of them), they're probably ticketed for the latter part of rookie ball and fall instructionals, with the plan to start breaking them into lower minor league levels next year.

 

2nd and 4th picks need strength and conditioning? Did we actual scout these players? Max Lazar is doing fine in Helana and he is out of the same draft only 10th or 11th round.

[sveumrules]

Here is the FanGraphs write up on Lemons from the Brewers preseason list, where they slotted him at #16...

 

Lemons’ fastball velocity fluctuated throughout the year. He was mostly 90-93 during his senior spring but was touching 97. After he signed he was 89-92 and then 86-90 during instructional league, where focus was on his mechanics rather than results. The hope is that, as his rangy, thin frame fills out, Lemons’ fastball will not only settle but that it will grow into an elite offering.

 

Hope and growth pervade the rest of Lemons’ projection. He has some slider feel — Lemons posted breaking-ball spin rates in the 2500 rpm range as an amateur — but it’s inconsistent. His changeup is even further behind. As one would expect for such a large young man, so too is his control, but Lemons is graceful and athletic for his size and should be granted lots of time to work through what will almost assuredly be a long developmental process. He is a high-upside lottery ticket.

 

Murphy is from Illinois so I wouldn't be surprised if they're just taking it slow with him since cold weather kids generally require more development time than their peers from the warm weather states. The only other cold weather HS arms drafted in a similar range as Murphy in 2017 were Landon Leach (Ontario, pick 37, 1 IP in 2018), John Swanda (Iowa, pick 115, 12.2 IP in 2018) & Charlie Neuwiler (New York, pick 150, 15 IP in 2018).

[Mr Southpaw]

Here is the FanGraphs write up on Lemons from the Brewers preseason list, where they slotted him at #16...

 

Lemons’ fastball velocity fluctuated throughout the year. He was mostly 90-93 during his senior spring but was touching 97. After he signed he was 89-92 and then 86-90 during instructional league, where focus was on his mechanics rather than results. The hope is that, as his rangy, thin frame fills out, Lemons’ fastball will not only settle but that it will grow into an elite offering.

 

Hope and growth pervade the rest of Lemons’ projection. He has some slider feel — Lemons posted breaking-ball spin rates in the 2500 rpm range as an amateur — but it’s inconsistent. His changeup is even further behind. As one would expect for such a large young man, so too is his control, but Lemons is graceful and athletic for his size and should be granted lots of time to work through what will almost assuredly be a long developmental process. He is a high-upside lottery ticket.

 

Murphy is from Illinois so I wouldn't be surprised if they're just taking it slow with him since cold weather kids generally require more development time than their peers from the warm weather states. The only other cold weather HS arms drafted in a similar range as Murphy in 2017 were Landon Leach (Ontario, pick 37, 1 IP in 2018), John Swanda (Iowa, pick 115, 12.2 IP in 2018) & Charlie Neuwiler (New York, pick 150, 15 IP in 2018).

 

Thanks for the info. Never knew so much went into it. Hopefully they can pitch soon.

[Mr Southpaw]

Caden Lemons pitched for the first time this year last night. Two innings and one earned run. Patience is a virtue.