Quote from Randy Manese on March 24, 2023, 8:34 am

Nice article on Robby Snelling today although didn't talk about what kind of pitcher he is.  Per Baseball America in its pre-draft assessment last year, he had one of the better curveballs in the draft class, throwing it with a spike grip and a lot of spin - they rated as potentially plus.  His fastball (didn't say what type) was normally in the low to mid-90's but hinted that once he dropped football and matured a little, mid-90's could be his norm, occasionally touching the upper 90's; this was also rated as potentially plus.  Change up was described as a work in progress and that he'll need to develop this as he moves forward.  Control was said to be good with a clean repeatable delivery, i.e., good mechanics.  If he is going to start at Lake Elsinore, certainly worth a drive up there to catch a start or two.  Maybe the best young LHP we've had since Gore and may sooner than later move past Morejon and Weathers as a prospect to be counted on in the 2025-2026 rotation if he remains healthy and shows good command.

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 24, 2023, 10:57 am

Quote from Randy Manese on March 24, 2023, 8:34 am

Nice article on Robby Snelling today although didn't talk about what kind of pitcher he is.  Per Baseball America in its pre-draft assessment last year, he had one of the better curveballs in the draft class, throwing it with a spike grip and a lot of spin - they rated as potentially plus.  His fastball (didn't say what type) was normally in the low to mid-90's but hinted that once he dropped football and matured a little, mid-90's could be his norm, occasionally touching the upper 90's; this was also rated as potentially plus.  Change up was described as a work in progress and that he'll need to develop this as he moves forward.  Control was said to be good with a clean repeatable delivery, i.e., good mechanics.  If he is going to start at Lake Elsinore, certainly worth a drive up there to catch a start or two.  Maybe the best young LHP we've had since Gore and may sooner than later move past Morejon and Weathers as a prospect to be counted on in the 2025-2026 rotation if he remains healthy and shows good command.

And my "prospect to Champion".

But probably not worth a drive for me.....:)

 

Quote from JasonE135 on March 24, 2023, 2:23 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on March 24, 2023, 8:34 am

Nice article on Robby Snelling today although didn't talk about what kind of pitcher he is.  Per Baseball America in its pre-draft assessment last year, he had one of the better curveballs in the draft class, throwing it with a spike grip and a lot of spin - they rated as potentially plus.  His fastball (didn't say what type) was normally in the low to mid-90's but hinted that once he dropped football and matured a little, mid-90's could be his norm, occasionally touching the upper 90's; this was also rated as potentially plus.  Change up was described as a work in progress and that he'll need to develop this as he moves forward.  Control was said to be good with a clean repeatable delivery, i.e., good mechanics.  If he is going to start at Lake Elsinore, certainly worth a drive up there to catch a start or two.  Maybe the best young LHP we've had since Gore and may sooner than later move past Morejon and Weathers as a prospect to be counted on in the 2025-2026 rotation if he remains healthy and shows good command.

When the Padres drafted Robby Smelling, I immediately looked up all of the information that I could find on him. One thing that I found scared me badly, but it was the only article I could find that disliked his curve ball.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/profiles/NV/Robby-Snelling-3859704261-3574986021&ved=2ahUKEwiZ6LaTvfX9AhVZmWoFHbCzBMoQFnoECAwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1kiVqOA5_o5TAJ7azQxGt6

When your best pitch is a CB is averaging below 2000 rpms, that's a major problem. Hopefully this article is wrong. It probably is, considering every other article grades his CB as plus. Just something to keep an eye on.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 27, 2023, 1:01 am

I read where Snelling actually has two types of curveballs - a slower, sweeping curve with much less rotation and then a harder two plane break curve with excellent rotation (which is probably north of 2750 rpms).  We should get to see both soon at Lake Elsinore!

The other possible news could be starting Ethan Salas at LE at only 16 years of age!  Lizarraga played the whole season at 18 and Zavala was promoted to LE just after he turned 18 and played well until injured.  If you don't do that, the other route would just to have him sit in extended for almost 3 months vice going down to the Dominican League (which also opens in June but a couple of weeks earlier).  I think the feeling is that Salas is so advanced for his age that he can handle Low A but won't be the everyday starter, at least to start the season.  Probably be behind one of the older catchers in the system like Bender or Kerner or even Alvarez-Lopez if he still is in the system.  Salas may start slowly but it seems you want to let him reach his talent level slowly by playing rather than sitting him in extended.  I don't think it will damage his psyche if he doesn't blow everyone away at the get go but I think he will just be even be more determined to succeed because he is very mature for his age and grew up in a baseball environment.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on March 27, 2023, 4:54 am

Quote from Randy Manese on March 27, 2023, 1:01 am

I read where Snelling actually has two types of curveballs - a slower, sweeping curve with much less rotation and then a harder two plane break curve with excellent rotation (which is probably north of 2750 rpms).  We should get to see both soon at Lake Elsinore!

The other possible news could be starting Ethan Salas at LE at only 16 years of age!  Lizarraga played the whole season at 18 and Zavala was promoted to LE just after he turned 18 and played well until injured.  If you don't do that, the other route would just to have him sit in extended for almost 3 months vice going down to the Dominican League (which also opens in June but a couple of weeks earlier).  I think the feeling is that Salas is so advanced for his age that he can handle Low A but won't be the everyday starter, at least to start the season.  Probably be behind one of the older catchers in the system like Bender or Kerner or even Alvarez-Lopez if he still is in the system.  Salas may start slowly but it seems you want to let him reach his talent level slowly by playing rather than sitting him in extended.  I don't think it will damage his psyche if he doesn't blow everyone away at the get go but I think he will just be even be more determined to succeed because he is very mature for his age and grew up in a baseball environment.

I am going to go out on a limb and tell everyone not only is Salas starting at A ball LE.. BUT he will end the season at Ft Wayne at 17 yrs old...

Quote from Notmyopic on March 27, 2023, 1:07 pm

So I keep seeing people saying Salas will be at LE, I hope it’s true but where is this rumor coming from?  Last I heard he would most likely start in the AZL but nothing would be ruled out

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 27, 2023, 1:43 pm

Dennis Lin said that they hadn't ruled out the possibility of starting him in Lake Elsinore in a recent article on The Athletic. That's where I first saw it anyway. Since then I've seen reports that he's been working with the Lake Elsinore group in minor league camp.

 

Quote from Notmyopic on March 27, 2023, 2:01 pm

I saw the Lin article, but it also said he will most likely be starting in extended.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 27, 2023, 2:13 pm

When you see the fire and passion to go along with burgeoning talent and a great work ethic, you challenge that individual.  I think that's what parents do with their kids under those circumstances, at least I hope they do, so let the kid play!  I'll be making several of those trips to Lake Elsinore up the 15 to see what I expect will be a young and very exciting team.