You bring up some good points, one especially that I've been struggling with. I keep reading how he's bad behind home plate, but did anyone expect him to step in and be a Molina back there in his first year? That's what I'm struggling with in these reports. No one is writing about whether or not the issues are fixable. I get that the chances of him sticking are low and have been all along, but I just want to know if the flaws can be fixed. Especially considering most people are getting their first look at him now at the end of his first year catching.
Braves in the AZL
- Thread starter Enscheff
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You bring up some good points, one especially that I've been struggling with. I keep reading how he's bad behind home plate, but did anyone expect him to step in and be a Molina back there in his first year? That's what I'm struggling with in these reports. No one is writing about whether or not the issues are fixable. I get that the chances of him sticking are low and have been all along, but I just want to know if the flaws can be fixed. Especially considering most people are getting their first look at him now at the end of his first year catching.
Ben: What’s your opinion on Alex Jackson behind the plate after seeing him in the AFL? Seems like everyone is saying he struggled behind the plate, and if you agree, is it fixable? I’d imagine it’s probably expected that a guy would struggle in his first year transitioning back to catcher.
12:06
Eric A Longenhagen: Yeah and Fall League catchers are particularly tough to evaluate because they’re here after a long season and catching an entirely new staff of pitchers. You take it with a grain of salt because catchers really get beat up during the year and the position requires a lot of energy to do competently, let alone well. And I think you’re right that these issues are compounded by it being Jackson’s first year back. But his catching has been, at best, of mixed quality in my looks so far.
Logan: Is Max Fried showing the kind of stuff in Arizona that made him sound so exciting at the end of the Rome playoff run last year? The results certainly have been strong so far.
12:09
Eric A Longenhagen: Stuff is great — like 92-96 with a plus curveball and average changeup — but still needs to improve command which, at age 23, is still possible but perhaps not very likely. He did miss time recovering from TJ so maybe the command is coming later.
Logan: Has Austin Riley done anything in Arizona to enhance your opinion of him?
12:10
Eric A Longenhagen: He looks more loose and fluid than he has in the past but hasn’t moved the needle all that much.
Starter or Relievers: Max Fried and Sandy Alcantara. Starters or relievers for you?
12:59
Eric A Longenhagen: I have both projected as starters but am less confident about Fried
12:06
Eric A Longenhagen: Yeah and Fall League catchers are particularly tough to evaluate because they’re here after a long season and catching an entirely new staff of pitchers. You take it with a grain of salt because catchers really get beat up during the year and the position requires a lot of energy to do competently, let alone well. And I think you’re right that these issues are compounded by it being Jackson’s first year back. But his catching has been, at best, of mixed quality in my looks so far.
Logan: Is Max Fried showing the kind of stuff in Arizona that made him sound so exciting at the end of the Rome playoff run last year? The results certainly have been strong so far.
12:09
Eric A Longenhagen: Stuff is great — like 92-96 with a plus curveball and average changeup — but still needs to improve command which, at age 23, is still possible but perhaps not very likely. He did miss time recovering from TJ so maybe the command is coming later.
Logan: Has Austin Riley done anything in Arizona to enhance your opinion of him?
12:10
Eric A Longenhagen: He looks more loose and fluid than he has in the past but hasn’t moved the needle all that much.
Starter or Relievers: Max Fried and Sandy Alcantara. Starters or relievers for you?
12:59
Eric A Longenhagen: I have both projected as starters but am less confident about Fried
Are there any Braves pitching prospects you don't think can be TOR pitchers?
msstate7
Well-known member
You positive he starts at miss? Could be Gwinnett
Very well could. Think they will yske it slow because of his injury issues last year.
salmagundy
Boras' Client
Peoria beat Surprise 6-4 on 15 hits lead by Braves players.
Acuna 1-4(single), BBs, 2 Ks(.286)
Jackson 4-5, 2 Dbls, HR, single(.381), PB
James 2-4, 2 Dbls, 1 BB, 1 K(.333)
No Braves pitchers in game.
Acuna 1-4(single), BBs, 2 Ks(.286)
Jackson 4-5, 2 Dbls, HR, single(.381), PB
James 2-4, 2 Dbls, 1 BB, 1 K(.333)
No Braves pitchers in game.
I don't think there's any way he starts at Gwinnett. The bat could maybe handle it, but there is zero reason to rush him defensively.
He will probably just start on the NL all star team. If he bats any lower than 5th it's a sham.
They'll want to have Sanchez or another vet like him on the roster and Kade should also be slated for Gwinnett. We should have Ajax and Cumberland in MS all year next year working with the best catching instructor we can find.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
Why rush these guys? I put little stock in the Arizona Fall League stats. I worry more about guys getting injured. Riley has plenty to work on. I'd start him at Mississippi. AAA has become somewhat of an elephants' graveyard with a ton of older guys who still project as 24th or 25th guys on a roster and are hanging on for their dear baseball life. It makes little difference (at least to me) for development purposes to put young guys in AAA as some sort of proving ground. It's more about total minor league ABs with at least a year at AA or above in my eyes.
Tapate50
Well-known member
Great post. Agreed