2024 Minor League Thread

I didn't realize that the Florida Complex League season finished yesterday.

I'm really having a difficult time figuring out how the player development system is supposed to be working throughout baseball. I realize the game has changed dramatically and cost concerns related to player development have resulted in the paring back of leagues and, with that, less opportunities and less development time for young players. I'm still bemoaning the elimination of the Short-Season A ball leagues (Braves always had a team in the Appalachian League) because I thought that league provided a legitimate developmental step for players, especially college players coming right out of the draft.
 
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Count me as the low man on Waldrep.

But in other news, here's a blurb on Baldwin from Longenhagen: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/hitting-prospects-update-notes-on-the-top-100-bats/

"Braves catcher Drake Baldwin is the new name in this group. His minor league Statcast data jives with the impressive BP and in-game performance he had at the Futures Game. There’s enough power here for this guy to be a primary catcher."

That average EV is 92.8.

For reference, here's the EV of the current Braves hitters (min 50 PAs):

Ozuna, Marcell 92.9
Riley, Austin 92.4
Acuña Jr., Ronald 92.2
Olson, Matt 92.0
d'Arnaud, Travis 90.2
Kelenic, Jarred 89.8
Arcia, Orlando 89.7
Harris II, Michael 89.3
Albies, Ozzie 88.6
Murphy, Sean 87.7
Duvall, Adam 87.1

No getting carried away here, but that's a catcher with the #9 EV out of 619 minor league hitters with 50+ PAs (Nacho was #360 at 87.1 and can't play SS). Alex Jackson is #6 on that list, and we all know there's more to hitting than EV, but Baldwin is clearly the best position prospect in the organization assuming he is an actual catcher.
 
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Enscheff said:
Count me as the low man on Waldrep.

But in other news, here's a blurb on Baldwin from Longenhagen: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/hitting-prospects-update-notes-on-the-top-100-bats/

"Braves catcher Drake Baldwin is the new name in this group. His minor league Statcast data jives with the impressive BP and in-game performance he had at the Futures Game. There’s enough power here for this guy to be a primary catcher."

That average EV is 92.8.

For reference, here's the EV of the current Braves hitters (min 50 PAs):

Ozuna, Marcell 92.9
Riley, Austin 92.4
Acuña Jr., Ronald 92.2
Olson, Matt 92.0
d'Arnaud, Travis 90.2
Kelenic, Jarred 89.8
Arcia, Orlando 89.7
Harris II, Michael 89.3
Albies, Ozzie 88.6
Murphy, Sean 87.7
Duvall, Adam 87.1

No getting carried away here, but that's a catcher with the #9 EV out of 619 minor league hitters with 50+ PAs (Nacho was #360 at 87.1 and can't play SS). Alex Jackson is #6 on that list, and we all know there's more to hitting than EV, but Baldwin is clearly the best position prospect in the organization assuming he is an actual catcher.
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I saw Baldwin live when Gwinnett played in St. Paul and it's obviously a very small sample size. Stripers put up a bunch of runs that night and Baldwin didn't have a good night statistically, but he looks the part in the batters' box. Nice approach and nice swing. Smoked a couple of ground balls at guys. He was DHing so I didn't see him behind the plate.
 
Enscheff said:
Count me as the low man on Waldrep.

But in other news, here's a blurb on Baldwin from Longenhagen: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/hitting-prospects-update-notes-on-the-top-100-bats/

"Braves catcher Drake Baldwin is the new name in this group. His minor league Statcast data jives with the impressive BP and in-game performance he had at the Futures Game. There’s enough power here for this guy to be a primary catcher."

That average EV is 92.8.

For reference, here's the EV of the current Braves hitters (min 50 PAs):

Ozuna, Marcell 92.9
Riley, Austin 92.4
Acuña Jr., Ronald 92.2
Olson, Matt 92.0
d'Arnaud, Travis 90.2
Kelenic, Jarred 89.8
Arcia, Orlando 89.7
Harris II, Michael 89.3
Albies, Ozzie 88.6
Murphy, Sean 87.7
Duvall, Adam 87.1

No getting carried away here, but that's a catcher with the #9 EV out of 619 minor league hitters with 50+ PAs (Nacho was #360 at 87.1 and can't play SS). Alex Jackson is #6 on that list, and we all know there's more to hitting than EV, but Baldwin is clearly the best position prospect in the organization assuming he is an actual catcher.
Click to expand...

The one worry is his ground ball/fly ball rate. 58% GB and 22% fly ball rate.
 
I wonder if the emergence of Baldwin will push AA this offseason to do something with one of TDA or Murphy
 
Baldwin is the only guy in the system that I’d be reluctant to part with. He’s certainly can be traded for the right deal, a controlled starter for instance, but the EV is definitely intriguing.
 
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