Edwin Arroyo

[Old school 1983]

I'm all about Marte at 3B, De La Cruz at SS, McLain at 2B and Encarnacion-Strand at 1B. That might be the best infield in the minor leagues.

I’d love to see that. I’d really like to see what Steer has at the mlb level too. Might be another dude in the mix.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Next seasons's Louisville Bats roster could be absolutely stacked:

C Daniel Vellojin, Chuckie Robinson
1B Alex McGarry
2B Matt McLain, Ivan Johnson
SS Elly De La Cruz
3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Nick Quintana
LF TJ Hopkins
CF Noelvi Marte, Mike Siani, Brian Rey
RF Allan Cerda

SP Connor Phillips
SP Levi Stoudt
SP Andrew Abbott

That doesn't include possible AAAA depth guys (Luis Salazar, Michael Byrne, Ryan Hendrix, Ricky Karcher, Joel Kuhnel, Jared Solomon, Dauri Moreta, Carson Spiers, and Evan Kravatz) who could be useful bullpen arms either.

[Reds Freak]

Next seasons's Louisville Bats roster could be absolutely stacked:

C Daniel Vellojin, Chuckie Robinson
1B Alex McGarry
2B Matt McLain, Ivan Johnson
SS Elly De La Cruz
3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Nick Quintana
LF TJ Hopkins
CF Noelvi Marte, Mike Siani, Brian Rey
RF Allan Cerda

SP Connor Phillips
SP Levi Stoudt
SP Andrew Abbott

That doesn't include possible AAAA depth guys (Luis Salazar, Michael Byrne, Ryan Hendrix, Ricky Karcher, Joel Kuhnel, Jared Solomon, Dauri Moreta, Carson Spiers, and Evan Kravatz) who could be useful bullpen arms either.

Thanks for putting that together, really exciting to see. Louisville's roster this season has mostly been nonsense.

If I had to tweak your projections, I'll say Cerda heads back to Chattanooga and Marte starts there as the SS. I'm also hoping at least one of those guys hits his way onto the Reds Opening Day roster a la India in 2021.

[MikeS21]

I think we’re getting too stuck on positions. I want the absolute best defenders at the absolute best possible positions. Right now Arroyo might be the best defensive SS in the system. Surprisingly, Barrero might be number two, but unless he figures out how to swing a bat, he’s odd man out. De La Cruz is a very good defensive SS, but he will end up moving because you can only have one SS.

If EDLC is going to the OF, they need to move him sooner, rather than later. No need to pull a Senzel where you give him a month to learn how to play CF.

Marte could play 3B, but some of the scouting gurus think Collier could be a fast mover and could conceivably factor into the picture by 2024 or 2025. 2B might eventually be Marte’s spot, or as someone mentioned, RF may be a nice position for Marte. McLain could also slide in at 2B, or he could always move to LF. I suspect Steer will end up as a utility guy all around the infield.

At any rate, I think we need to let go of the idea that the guys somehow “lose” value if they get moved off SS or CF. As long as he hits, it really doesn’t matter where Marte, EDLC, or McLain plays.

[icehole3]

Here's a quick look at Edwin Arroyo game winning double.

[Kingspoint]

Where would Marte play?

SS is full-up with De La Cruz and McLain. Unless you want to move at least one of them to 3B or CF, having three guys at one position seems untenable.

Whoever is the best Defender, if it's noticeable, should play there and everyone else find another place to go.

- - - Updated - - -

Here's a quick look at Edwin Arroyo game winning double.

Love the guy stuffing his face with popcorn behind homeplate.

[krm1580]

I would not mind seeing them give DeLa Cruz a look in CF. They are saying he has a 70s grade for both speed and arm and I think it would be less physically taxing than SS. Matte goes to 3rd Arroyo stays at SS.

As far as McLain for me the jury is out. He was drafted as a high floor, good contact, good eye hitter. He ran into a couple of HRs early this year, found out chicks dig the long ball and looks like he changed his approach. His power metrics are up but contact rate, walk rate and K rate have all gone the wrong direction

[wolfboy]

I would not mind seeing them give DeLa Cruz a look in CF. They are saying he has a 70s grade for both speed and arm and I think it would be less physically taxing than SS. Matte goes to 3rd Arroyo stays at SS.

As far as McLain for me the jury is out. He was drafted as a high floor, good contact, good eye hitter. He ran into a couple of HRs early this year, found out chicks dig the long ball and looks like he changed his approach. His power metrics are up but contact rate, walk rate and K rate have all gone the wrong direction

On McLain his K% has gone up but his BB% is identical. I want to believe his issues stem from his injury back at the end of June, beginning of July. He was very good in April and July after his return. May was okay. June was pretty terrible. I think it will be interesting to see how he finishes out the season.

[corkedbat]

Two-Deep By '24-25
1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand / Alex McGarry
2B Spencer Steer / Ivan Johnson
SS Edwin Arroyo / Victor Acosta
3B Noelvi Marte / Reece Hinds
LF Matt McLain / Hector Rodriguez
CF Elly De La Cruz / Mike Siani
RF ????? / Jay Allen
CA ????? / Daniel Vellojin

Stephenson (moving off CA to 1B/DH before being dealt) & India eventually headlining deals netting a stud RF, an all-round frontline catcher and pitching. EDLC may well stick at SS, but I think he has the speed, arm, length & bat to profile as a perennial standout CF/RF.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Two-Deep By '24-25
1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand / Alex McGarry
2B Spencer Steer / Ivan Johnson
SS Edwin Arroyo / Victor Acosta
3B Noelvi Marte / Reece Hinds
LF Matt McLain / Hector Rodriguez
CF Elly De La Cruz / Mike Siani
RF ????? / Jay Allen
CA ????? / Daniel Vellojin

Stephenson (moving off CA to 1B/DH before being dealt) & India eventually headlining deals netting a stud RF, an all-round frontline catcher and pitching. EDLC may well stick at SS, but I think he has the speed, arm, length & bat to profile as a perennial standout CF/RF.

You forgot Cam Collier at 3B. Hinds plays RF, fwiw.

[corkedbat]

You forgot Cam Collier at 3B. Hinds plays RF, fwiw.

Collier's just 17 and raw. He's more than likely the next wave ('25-'26). Stewart too. I was project '24.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Collier's just 17 and raw. He's more than likely the next wave ('25-'26). Stewart too. I was project '24.

Then 18-year-old Victor Acosta, Hector Rodriguez, and Jay Allen probably don't belong on your list.

[757690]

https://twitter.com/nicholaspkirby/s...pU1WkBE7cQ2amA

Kiley McDaniel’s new top 50 list has Elly Del La Cruz at #20 and Edwin Arroyo at #36. Wow.

[Benihana]

I think everything stems from Elly’s best position. He is the best prospect, and is closest to the bigs (McLain aside). Therefore it purely comes down to two questions:
1. Is Barrero the long term answer at SS? (As much of a fan as I’ve been, I’m beginning to fear the answer)
2. What is Elly de la Cruz’s best position? (I think it’s either SS or CF)

Once THAT has been established, everything flows from there:

Arroyo and Collier look very promising but are too far away to plan around at the big league level.

Marte can hit but either belongs at 3B (unless Steer proves next year he’s the long term answer there) or RF.

McLain is likely the most versatile and therefore should plug in wherever needed after everyone settles in- likely at 2B or LF. Possibly CF if Elly sticks at SS.

[Kc61]

I think everything stems from Elly’s best position. He is the best prospect, and is closest to the bigs (McLain aside). Therefore it purely comes down to two questions:
1. Is Barrero the long term answer at SS? (As much of a fan as I’ve been, I’m beginning to fear the answer)
2. What is Elly de la Cruz’s best position? (I think it’s either SS or CF)

Once THAT has been established, everything flows from there:

Arroyo and Collier look very promising but are too far away to plan around at the big league level.

Marte can hit but either belongs at 3B (unless Steer proves next year he’s the long term answer there) or RF.

McLain is likely the most versatile and therefore should plug in wherever needed after everyone settles in- likely at 2B or LF. Possibly CF if Elly sticks at SS.

Generally agree. I view De La Cruz and Marte as the best all around prospects. I would not move either to the OF if possible. I’d let them stay in or close to their comfort zone. Elly at short and Marte at third, presumably.

Barrero could force the issue, he will get the first shot. But if there’s doubt I’d let him compete in CF where he’s already shown some aptitude. I’d prioritize the best all around players for their natural positions.