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#1321 · October 2, 2020, 12:43 pm
I'm very optimistic regarding Abrams but maybe not as high as Lin is on him. I need to see how he handles stuff with a little more movement, i.e., the sliders and changeups, before I go all in for Top 5 in MLB. I would say it is easier if he moves to the OF and doesn't have to handle the pressure of middle infield and I'd also like to see him gain some more wiry strength, like Tatis did, to keep that superior speed but be able to make even more hard contact.
Marcano, Santana and Preciado are three others I really want to see perform as well whether Thompson has finally gotten healthy and what he could bring to the table. Not expecting too much from the recently drafted, but this could be a do or die season for Ruiz, who looks like they've moved permanently to the OF - had to, really bad at 2b. Lots of good young arms, so looking forward to how they do in the Instructional League.
#1322 · October 2, 2020, 12:53 pm
What about Omar Cruz?
Does anyone know if he will be in Az.?
I assume so.....but he's one of the lower level guys I have my eyes on now that Cantillo is gone.
Lefty who took a big leap forward last season...I was really looking forward to seeing if he could take another significant leap this year......."Stupid Covid"!
He will be my Prospect "arm" to Champion next Spring.(so hands off!)
#1323 · October 2, 2020, 8:50 pm
He's on the list to be in Arizona as well as guys like Luarbert Arias, Efrain Contreras and Carlos Guarate and, of course, the recent high profile 2020 draftees.
#1324 · October 3, 2020, 8:32 am
Abrams would have to just murder the developmental league and jump off the field as the best guy out there (i.e. Tatis) for me to rate him in our system above Patino or especially Gore. Campusano has risen too. But sure love the opinions he could potentially be THAT good!
#1325 · October 3, 2020, 8:53 am
Everyone who saw him in person could not stop raving about him. And literally ALL aspects of the game. His speed, defense, power, plate discipline, arm, etc.. Not to mention he dint carry himself in the clubhouse with an air of superiority.
One of the prospect gurus gave a really good comp to Abrams. Trea Turner. If Abrams can be even close to the player Turner is, that would be HUGE
#1326 · October 3, 2020, 9:44 am
Probably #1 Padre prospect by the mid-season update ... good chance Patino, Gore, and maybe Campusano all "graduate".
If impressive as expected in the winter / ST ... that jump directly to AA is possible (no one in his way) ... but do they keep him in 2021 at SS or make the big move to CF?
#1327 · October 3, 2020, 9:53 am
That is high praise indeed to be compared to Turner when Turner was already an accomplished college player when drafted in 2014. Turner came up in 2015 at age 22 with minimal minor league experience, but really didn't settle in until the middle of the next year. Abrams missed an important developmental year at age 19, but if the comps with Turner are on target, he could come up before age 21 after getting a few hundred ABs in the high minors! One difference I might advance, depending upon how he continues to hit mature pitching, is he might even have a lower K rate that Turner because of his elite ability to get the bat on the ball. That type of player would be awesome at the top of the Padres lineup!
#1328 · October 3, 2020, 10:05 am
Abrams in 2021 will the minor league player to watch ... given his high high high ceiling. If he meets expectations ... CF/lead-off with speed and hitting skills followed by Tatis / Machado could be scary to opponents. Grisham slides to LF and maybe 9th in the order would create an outstanding wrap-around line-up.
Pham / Moreland FA after next season ... so would not rule out Abrams in 2022 given how much Preller likes to challenge his elite prospects even if they sign Profar next winter.
The work of Cronenworth at 2B (understanding he has to show it again in 2021) may make the move of Abrams to the OF even more likely and sooner.
#1329 · October 3, 2020, 11:21 am
I think the move is to CF for Abrams. You saw two not so good plays by Grisham against the Cardinals. He, again, went back to the wall and jumped only to have the ball hit the center of the glove and clank off. Either he didn't need to jump or he needed to close the mitt, but I've seen other CF's make that play - some against us - without being such an adventure. He did that 2-3 other times during the season. Further, that poor throw into the infield could have cost us a run. Grisham to LF is a huge improvement over Pham and, at his age, don't think Pham will be with the team after 2021 - maybe even traded at the deadline.
#1330 · October 4, 2020, 11:46 am
Quote from fenn68 on October 3, 2020, 10:05 amAbrams in 2021 will the minor league player to watch ... given his high high high ceiling. If he meets expectations ... CF/lead-off with speed and hitting skills followed by Tatis / Machado could be scary to opponents. Grisham slides to LF and maybe 9th in the order would create an outstanding wrap-around line-up.
Pham / Moreland FA after next season ... so would not rule out Abrams in 2022 given how much Preller likes to challenge his elite prospects even if they sign Profar next winter.
The work of Cronenworth at 2B (understanding he has to show it again in 2021) may make the move of Abrams to the OF even more likely and sooner.
Cronenworth had an utterly amazing & likely hard to sustain /duplicate August followed by a bad September. He was absolutely great in the Wild Card series. My point is: we make the mistake over & over & over on this board of judging players, especially prospects, on small EARLY sample sizes; "he's great/he sucks". What would we think of Cronenworth if he'd been <.200 in August vs it happening in Sept? Wouldn't we then say "jury's out, it might be a fluke?"
JC's an obvious good MLB player, but his long term future value might be as a LH utility INF who can legitimately play all 4 INF positions, and is above average at some of them, complementing potentially 3 RH starters . I don't think he "blocks" a top 25, maybe top 10 MLB range prospect at the position.
I think Abrams best fit WILL be 2B. Remember, now has Hassell (& Head) 1-2 years behind him. Grisham is almost 3 years younger than Cronenworth.... makes more sense that Grisham just "holds down the fort" at CF until Hassell or Head arrive?
It will be interesting to see where they play Abrams next year in field, especially if he's on the "fast track" to MLB. I'd like to see at LEAST 50% of his playing time come at 2B & CF, but still a lot at SS. The more versatile the better; never know what's going to happen with trades, injuries, etc. Don't wait till MLB to start playing him at a different position. Do it now!