2025 Prospects Thread

[Donn Beach]

Supposedly they are going to take at bats away from Freddie Freeman, try playing Rushing at first. You can rationalize that because of freeman's age but he's still raking, what a situation to be in, polar opposite of the mariners and Ford isn't interested in another position, go figure

[Donn Beach]

Yorger Batista

https://x.com/ChrisCleggMiLB/status/192 ... mer-league

[D-train]

Yorger Batista

https://x.com/ChrisCleggMiLB/status/192 ... mer-league

He has had an ok start.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/regi ... utis000yor

[Seattle or Bust]

Can anyone justify Colt Emerson being a higher rated prospect than Michael Arroyo?

Arroyo is about 300 days older, but man... do 300 days make that big of a difference? Between May and June Arroyo has an OPS around 1.200 with 12 homers.

[Donn Beach]

Let's ask Google

AI

Colt Emerson is generally rated higher as a prospect than Michael Arroyo due to a combination of factors, including Emerson's established track record, higher ceiling, and projected position as a shortstop. While Arroyo has shown impressive offensive production, particularly in 2024, Emerson's overall prospect profile is seen as more well-rounded and potentially impactful.

Track Record and Scouting:
Emerson has been on scouts' radars for longer, notably as a prominent member of USA Baseball's 18U National Team in 2022 and a top prospect for the 2023 draft. This long-standing recognition suggests a higher level of consistent performance and potential.
Position:
Emerson is projected to stick at shortstop, a premium defensive position, while Arroyo is likely to move to second base. This difference in projected position adds to Emerson's value, as shortstop is typically considered a more impactful defensive position.
Ceiling:
While Arroyo had a strong 2024 season with impressive power and speed, Emerson is seen as having a higher overall ceiling, potentially developing into a more well-rounded offensive player with a combination of power, hitting ability, and on-base skills.

You could say it's bias, there more familiar with Emerson. Seems Emerson is stronger defensively. Should give the mariners some credit for signing Arroyo. I understand teams were not very familiar with him since he's from Colombia, not the DR.

[GL_Storm]

I have read that Arroyo is an adventure at second base. Maybe that's wrong though.

[Donn Beach]

I have read that Arroyo is an adventure at second base. Maybe that's wrong though.

Okay, Emerson sounds to be more advanced defensively. Also Emerson has a low strikeout rate. I think they give that a lot of consideration as opposed to like ops perhaps. A guy might show power but there's going to be concern about making contact at the ML level, the "advanced approach" deal, like with Ford. Zunino being pretty much the poster child for getting burned over that.

[Seattle or Bust]

I have read that Arroyo is an adventure at second base. Maybe that's wrong though.

Okay, Emerson sounds to be more advanced defensively. Also Emerson has a low strikeout rate. I think they give that a lot of consideration as opposed to like ops perhaps. A guy might show power but there's going to be concern about making contact at the ML level, the "advanced approach" deal, like with Ford. Zunino being pretty much the poster child for getting burned over that.

Interesting that Emerson's "advanced approach" has led to a 30 point deficit in BA, 80 point deficit in OBP, and 150 point deficit in slugging. They have K'd and walked at roughly the same rate.

As for Emerson's "track record." Arroyo has a far better track record in pro ball this far.

IMO Emerson is overrated. Don't see much of a difference between him and Cole Young.

[GL_Storm]

Fangraphs is out with their take on the Mariner's system and top prospects: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/seattle-mar ... prospects/

Here is an excerpt from Longenhagen's take on Colt Emerson:

So why then isn’t Emerson hitting for power? As sexy as his hands are, his bat path is long and really only explosive when he’s cutting through the bottom two thirds of the zone. Opposing pitchers can get him to swing underneath elevated fastballs, and can neuter his contact quality by locating pitches down and away from him. This has been evident to the eye for the last couple of seasons, but not really on paper. Emerson can’t turn on fastballs at all right now; every airborne ball in play of his versus heaters is shot down the left field line. It takes him too long to get on plane with fastballs in a way that allows him to do damage, and he drives them into the ground most of the time. His average launch angle as of list publication is one degree, while his groundball rate is up over 50%. None of this means that Emerson is bad, it just means he’s not a fully actualized threat as a power hitter right now.

This is the most detailed prospect evaluation I've read on Emerson and it absolutely screams for an offseason reworking his swing. Hopefully the Mariners are on top of that.

[Donn Beach]

Fangraphs is out with their take on the Mariner's system and top prospects: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/seattle-mar ... prospects/

Here is an excerpt from Longenhagen's take on Colt Emerson:

So why then isn’t Emerson hitting for power? As sexy as his hands are, his bat path is long and really only explosive when he’s cutting through the bottom two thirds of the zone. Opposing pitchers can get him to swing underneath elevated fastballs, and can neuter his contact quality by locating pitches down and away from him. This has been evident to the eye for the last couple of seasons, but not really on paper. Emerson can’t turn on fastballs at all right now; every airborne ball in play of his versus heaters is shot down the left field line. It takes him too long to get on plane with fastballs in a way that allows him to do damage, and he drives them into the ground most of the time. His average launch angle as of list publication is one degree, while his groundball rate is up over 50%. None of this means that Emerson is bad, it just means he’s not a fully actualized threat as a power hitter right now.

This is the most detailed prospect evaluation I've read on Emerson and it absolutely screams for an offseason reworking his swing. Hopefully the Mariners are on top of that.

That Link doesn't work for me, at least in terms of the mariners system. It's interesting take, don't get me wrong but is anybody else getting tired of ... fastballs in a way that allows him to do damage... that phrase to me is such dipoto speak, I cringe when he uses it