Quote from Notmyopic on August 17, 2023, 8:19 am

I’m wondering if Bush Jr might end up being a steal.  He isn’t striking out much, and seems to have much more pop in his bat then advertised.  How is he defensively?

Quote from Stergios on August 17, 2023, 8:34 am

https://twitter.com/doyalikedagss/status/1691823454528622945?s=20

I’ll just leave this here for you ladies and gentlemen.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 17, 2023, 9:54 am

In my opinion, Homer Bush, Jr. is still in that after-glow from a very good year at Grand Canyon, which was by far his best year in college.  He's a mature 21 year old and will be 22 in October, so the ACL and LE is where you think these kinds of draftees will do well for short period - remember Doersching when he first came out?  Bush, however, is a much better athlete than Doersching with a lot more skills albeit power may not be one of them.  So far I see a good hit tool with average power but a good eye and patience at the plate with very good base running skills.  Hasn't had many opportunities to show what he can do in the OF, but I look at him as a corner outfielder with probably above average skills there.  Don't know if he is a steal yet, but if he is assigned to Ft. Wayne to start 2024 and hits well there with at least average power, he could be one - sort of what Jakob Marsee is showing this year.

Got to like that little bat twirl as he comes to the plate - don't know how long he'll keep that up but it is unique!

Quote from fenn68 on August 17, 2023, 10:21 am

Quote from Randy Manese on August 17, 2023, 9:54 am

In my opinion, Homer Bush, Jr. is still in that after-glow from a very good year at Grand Canyon, which was by far his best year in college.  He's a mature 21 year old and will be 22 in October, so the ACL and LE is where you think these kinds of draftees will do well for short period - remember Doersching when he first came out?  Bush, however, is a much better athlete than Doersching with a lot more skills albeit power may not be one of them.  So far I see a good hit tool with average power but a good eye and patience at the plate with very good base running skills.  Hasn't had many opportunities to show what he can do in the OF, but I look at him as a corner outfielder with probably above average skills there.  Don't know if he is a steal yet, but if he is assigned to Ft. Wayne to start 2024 and hits well there with at least average power, he could be one - sort of what Jakob Marsee is showing this year.

Got to like that little bat twirl as he comes to the plate - don't know how long he'll keep that up but it is unique!

Even if he is not going to pan out as a ML average starter (or better) ... as the Padres have seen this season ... having a versatile (and capable) bench piece is critical for a winning team over a full season. Best if that comes internally at a low cost and long control. Hopefully Bush (and some of the others) show enough next season to list their floors and having a projected value on the ML 26 man at some point.

Put Marsee and Pauley in the same category ... even lacking some skills that might make the top prospects ... maybe enough to benefit the ML team. Always hope for the super star but for a team have to embrace a full set of worker bees to win.

Side ... do you think they make a run at Pauley full time in the OF next season especially if his bat is considered legit? Clock it ticking on Soto and Grisham and right now no reserves ... so more options in the OF mix for 2025-6 would seem appropriate ... the INF is not going to open up for him.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 17, 2023, 11:35 am

Pauley has played in the OF this year and could be good at the corner.  Key will be whether that new uppercut power swing carries over into a decent average rather than just pop ups to the infield and fly balls to medium-deep outfield.  Showed at Lake Elsinore that he has good reads most of the time and can draw a walk although walk rate cut in half with move to Ft. Wayne and K rate increased from 14% to 22%.  He only had 11 HRs in his 2 years at Duke, but did have an OBP of .385.  If he finishes the season with the increased slugging average while maintaining a batting average in the 270's to 280's, he will get a long look in spring training but they don't have to put him on the 40 man yet.  More likely he starts in San Antonio in 2024 with more time in the OF but not full-time; as a utility piece, probably can play anywhere in the infield besides the corner spots in the outfield.  Has a real chance if his bat to ball skills, barreling up, hold steady.  Proving to be a pretty good pick in the 13th round, #390 overall in the 2022 draft.  Watching his facial expressions on TV, he seems to have a real competitive spirit and has shown to be a heady ballplayer in the games I've watched.

Quote from sportwarrior on August 17, 2023, 12:23 pm

MLB Pipeline ranked Nathan Martorella as the 8th best 1B prospect in MLB. Sort of a thin position as far as prospects go, but still a nice surprise.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 17, 2023, 2:45 pm

Martorella is starting to slip a bit as the long grind of a full season takes affect on his body.  Nonetheless, he has shown solid skills that are deserving of this high prospect ranking and even if he does falter a little, he should be up at San Antonio next year for a long look.  They've played him a little in the OF, but he's a 1b/dh type and doesn't have the foot speed to remain in the outfield although he is maybe just a little bit below average in running the bases.  Unless you consider Albert Fabian as a first baseman, it's a very long drop in the system to find the next legitimate major league prospect - maybe all the way down to the ACL or Dominican.  Fortunately, the first base position is fairly easy to fill with free agents or conversions from other positions so Martorella pretty much has the upper minors to himself to see if he can make the grade.  I like him a lot but he does seem to be wearing down like a few other guys in the system after playing almost every game in a full season.

Quote from sportwarrior on August 17, 2023, 3:01 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on August 17, 2023, 2:45 pm

Martorella is starting to slip a bit as the long grind of a full season takes affect on his body.  Nonetheless, he has shown solid skills that are deserving of this high prospect ranking and even if he does falter a little, he should be up at San Antonio next year for a long look.  They've played him a little in the OF, but he's a 1b/dh type and doesn't have the foot speed to remain in the outfield although he is maybe just a little bit below average in running the bases.  Unless you consider Albert Fabian as a first baseman, it's a very long drop in the system to find the next legitimate major league prospect - maybe all the way down to the ACL or Dominican.  Fortunately, the first base position is fairly easy to fill with free agents or conversions from other positions so Martorella pretty much has the upper minors to himself to see if he can make the grade.  I like him a lot but he does seem to be wearing down like a few other guys in the system after playing almost every game in a full season.

Love your insights, Randy! Thank you!

Quote from Notmyopic on August 17, 2023, 3:28 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on August 17, 2023, 2:45 pm

Martorella is starting to slip a bit as the long grind of a full season takes affect on his body.  Nonetheless, he has shown solid skills that are deserving of this high prospect ranking and even if he does falter a little, he should be up at San Antonio next year for a long look.  They've played him a little in the OF, but he's a 1b/dh type and doesn't have the foot speed to remain in the outfield although he is maybe just a little bit below average in running the bases.  Unless you consider Albert Fabian as a first baseman, it's a very long drop in the system to find the next legitimate major league prospect - maybe all the way down to the ACL or Dominican.  Fortunately, the first base position is fairly easy to fill with free agents or conversions from other positions so Martorella pretty much has the upper minors to himself to see if he can make the grade.  I like him a lot but he does seem to be wearing down like a few other guys in the system after playing almost every game in a full season.

First base is easy to fill?  Tell the padres that. You were quite wrong about Jake doing the job randy, maybe time to admit 1B isn’t that easy to fill.