Quote from fenn68 on August 15, 2020, 9:44 am

Random thought about prospects and the 2021 minor league season.

Clearly 2020 has created split profiles ... prospects that sat out the entire season vs. prospects that were training at the alternates site (most of the top SD prospects).

Wonder if prospects who have been "developing" at the alternate site and getting even superior reps than if they had been in the minors (especially the low minors). Daily they are facing the better hitters / pitchers in the system with some veterans from the ML/AAA vs. being in A ball seeing that level maybe one a series / week?

Will that allow them to jump to a higher level in 2021? Thinking someone like Campusano who was ticketed for AA starting 2021 in AAA or Abrams ticketed for A or A+ vaulting to AA?

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On the other hand ... not sure how missing a season may lead to regression for the others ... e.g. the likes of Potts. Plus, will there be a higher than usual number of minor league players who choose to retire given they just got older without progressing? Probably the fringe guys ... but still.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 15, 2020, 11:07 am

I am SO missing the 2020 minor league season and seeing what kind of progress some of these kids are making as they debut or move up the organizational ladder.  From Preciado and Mena in the Dominican to Hassell, Caissie and Lange in the AZL to Wilcox at Yeisson Santana Tri-City, etc.  Now that my wife and I are retired we had planned to visit all the Padres minor league affiliates this year (except the Dominican Republic) and see these great venues and great prospects.  I hope all continue to stay healthy and we don't lose too many in Rule 5/FA.  Still the #2 farm system in MLB with a solid draft and some decent international signings lined up for the next eligible signing period (1 Jan 21?)  The waves of talent are coming but still need to be grounded and surrounded by experienced consistently performing veterans.  Abrams is closer than we think.  Campusano just needs some fine tuning defensively but that offense potential is enticing.  Gore needs to be a little more consistent with his offerings and maybe toss out the one that's not working so well for him; also, I think needs to put on a few strategically placed pounds in his lower core to add to his velocity as long as it doesn't inhibit his athleticism.  Maybe time to adjust that high leg kick a little bit.  Those are the 3 not currently on the roster that I'm looking forward to see sooner than later.  BUT, there are so many more!

 

Quote from Randy Manese on August 20, 2020, 12:35 pm

For those that look down the road, the biggest question that needs to be answered is whether or not Cronenworth's performance is for real and can be sustained.  For argument's sake, let's say it is and although he won't be a 300+ hitter, we can be satisfied with him hitting around 280 and giving us premium defense at 2b.  Given that scenario, that puts a lot of decision-making as what to do with others in the system that may have been targeted for 2b in the short run - the next 3-4 years.  Among those affected would be Abrams, G Arias, Marcano and Owen Miller.  The answer to Abrams is relatively easy - he would be a superior CF, better than Grisham, faster than Grisham and the penultimate lead-off hitter ahead of Tatis and Machado; he doesn't have to be protected on the 40 man but may force his way on it as early as 2021.  The others, save Miller, have to be protected in December so they provide great depth and possible trade chips, although their real value is probably more to San Diego right now than to other teams since none have performed above AA.   With even more middle infielders in the pipeline, it is a good problem to have and it is likely we'll see some of these kids develop in other systems, ala Luis Urias and Xavier Edwards.   This has a domino effect on players like Trammell and J. Rosario and even guys on the left side like Potts, if he rebounds.  Should be an interesting off-season when all of these guys I mentioned in the last sentence need to be protected or face loss by Rule 5.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 20, 2020, 1:55 pm

As you say....good problem to have.Trades can be made.....positions changed.

Also,the DH is here to stay and there's no rule it can't be filled by a leadoff hitting speedster!

 

Quote from hoffy51 on August 22, 2020, 9:18 am

Ben Davey,

With the mid-point in the season approaching, do you think we could get an update on the prospects at USD?

Quote from Ben Davey on August 24, 2020, 9:21 pm

Quote from hoffy51 on August 22, 2020, 9:18 am

Ben Davey,

With the mid-point in the season approaching, do you think we could get an update on the prospects at USD?

I'll see what I can find out.  The Padres have been very closed door with their practices.  I have gotten the impression that their have been some players that have really excelled and that information has been leaked (Morejon, Weathers, Campy) while they have been EXTREMELY quiet on some other big names...

One thing to note, I keep on hearing that MLB is going to try and put an expanded AFL season together (expanded as in instead of 5 MLB teams per AFL club its 2 or 3 meaning more players, some even arguing for one "org team" per club with some teams playing in Florida).  Either way expect to see a lot of Weathers, Head, Abrams, etc.. in a month or so in the AFL.

Quote from hoffy51 on August 25, 2020, 8:15 am

Yeah, like extremely quiet on Gore, Trammel and Arias

Quote from hoffy51 on August 25, 2020, 8:19 am

Quote from Ben Davey on August 24, 2020, 9:21 pm

Quote from hoffy51 on August 22, 2020, 9:18 am

Ben Davey,

With the mid-point in the season approaching, do you think we could get an update on the prospects at USD?

I'll see what I can find out.  The Padres have been very closed door with their practices.  I have gotten the impression that their have been some players that have really excelled and that information has been leaked (Morejon, Weathers, Campy) while they have been EXTREMELY quiet on some other big names...

One thing to note, I keep on hearing that MLB is going to try and put an expanded AFL season together (expanded as in instead of 5 MLB teams per AFL club its 2 or 3 meaning more players, some even arguing for one "org team" per club with some teams playing in Florida).  Either way expect to see a lot of Weathers, Head, Abrams, etc.. in a month or so in the AFL.

What MLB does with the minor leagues next season will be extremely interesting. I have no confidence that the Covid19 thing is going to turn around dramatically in the next six months. Then what? Two minor league teams per club (AA and low A) in the bubble somewhere? There is not way that the minor miss a second season IMHO.

Quote from fenn68 on August 25, 2020, 9:29 am

With COVID lingering still unknown factor and MLB - MiLB in negotiation on how minor leagues will work ... I would expect something different than we have seen in the past BUT do expect some form of minor league development play.

Minor League owners can't survive by playing games without fans in the stands ... very hard (and costly) to keep minor league players protected against COVID moving from city to city ... on buses ... staying in less than the top line hotels.

Would guess the fallback position would be for a series of bubbles at the spring training facilities ... forget leagues ... since they all have multiple diamonds for games to occur at the same time with multiple teams.

So, maybe SD is at Peoria with all its minor leaguers ... and so is Seattle. Down the road a bit is another dual facility ... etc with two other teams. At that point they could just play all the desired games for development purposes at all levels with competition with other franchises. Maximum isolation (never have to change living accommodations) and minimal travel plus a better chance (and cost profile) of maintaining a concentrated facility such as in Peoria.

Expect we have the minor leaguers playing in 2021 ... not confident the leagues will be running ... and probably now a better chance that MLB owners just take over the individual franchises and effectively can subsidize running them in time such as this and have them survive without fans in the stands. Minor league franchises are not that expensive to own ... and in an environment with low interest, ML clubs worth billions can float that loan to buy those assets without much strain. Guessing buying the four full time Padres' affiliates would be $100-150MM (if the current owners will sell). Remember, this is not coming from the free cash position (used for payroll, etc.), but a long term loan ... so not a cash flow issue.