hawk1689 said:
Not to distract from the Odor sucks conversation (he doesn't btw). We seem to have a plethora of pitching prospects hitting a wall once they get to Frisco. I was really excited about Jonathan Hernandez this year and thought he might even be able to break through to the big club because of the crap staff they had assembled in the offseason. In addition to Hernandez, we have Edgar Arredondo, Tyler Phillips, Jason Bahr, and Brock Burke. All are between the ages of 21 to 24 and have seen a solid workload in the minors. All seem to have hit the wall. Joe Palumbo has pitched ok, but he can't seem to get out of the 5th inning. Richelson Pena did good last year, but he's fallen off a cliff. My question that I pose to the group: Do we have an instructional problem at the upper levels of our farm?
After that last post of mine, I had actually pulled up the Rangers' minor league pitching and was going to create a post on some of the key prospects. I wasn't ready to do it, but will likely do it in the next day or two. I usually do it right before the trade deadline, as we consider whom we might trade. I also include Rule V status, because that weighs heavily, IMO.
I never consider the instruction, or coaching, mostly just progress and numbers. It is something I post once or twice a month. What has made it discouraging is the number of TJ surgeries.
Hernandez is only 22 (5.68 ERA). I expected his numbers to be better this season, not sure what is going on with him. He will be 23 in the next week or two, and is
on the 40.
Arrendondo (22 - 4.82 ERA) - I think he is probably where he should be. I'd expect him to be in Frisco next year, with a sub 4.00 ERA, and might get a peak in Arlington late in the year. Likely a 2021 guy. I don't think he is a Rule V guy... and just turned 22, so he is about a year younger than Hernandez. I've always thought Hernandez was more highly touted than Hernandez, but the numbers this year may suggest that has changed.
Tyler
Phillips (21-4.32) - I don't know much about him, although he got my attention based on his early start at A+ ball.
Bahr (24-5.40 in AA) - Like Phillips, his A+ stats (1.71 ERA) got my attention. He was the guy we got, when we took on Austin Jackson's salary from SFG. I didn't know much about him then, but apparently that was whom JD wanted. It has been right at a year since getting him. His poor AA numbers are likely a reflection of his limited time in the organization. He was a college guy drafted in 2017.
Burke (22-4.58 ERA in AA) - Burke was a guy we got for Profar, in Dec 2018. There was much specualation about his progress. IIRC, unless I'm confusing him with someone else, there was some fantasy that he might compete for a rotation spot. Burke came from Tampa, and the guy I'm thinking of, I thought came from the Yankees (Note: Ronald Herrera was whom I was thinking. Another disaster). Regardless,
Burke is on the 40. He is almost 23.
Palumbo (24-3.86 in AA) - He was one of the TJ guys. They are probably going to let him progress. So, if he isn't going 5.0 IP, it wouldn't surprise me. He likely has a way to go, to build up inning strength.
He is on the 40.Pena (25) - Disastrous numbers. I had high hopes for him, this season. I was actually expecting him to be in Arlington, at some point. Not sure the deal... but yikes. I see that he pitched in the Dominican Winter League. Makes me wonder if he needs to be shutdown and reset.
Some positives:John King (24- A+, A) 2.42 ERA
Yerry Rodriguez (21-A) 2.08 ERA
Pedro Payano (24-AA, AAA): 3.91 ERA. Rule V guy will likely be a trade piece.
JD will likely be comparing the off-season 40, the Rule V guys, and how to maximize the assets.
Cabrera, Chris Martin and Forsythe are our only FAs. He'll likely try to trade any guy he thinks might be taken, beyond what we can protect.
