Redszone 2023 Top 40 prospects Poll: #15

[podgejeff_]

We're having a run on pitchers as Levi Stoudt joins the rankings. Up next is Javi Rivera.

01. Elly De La Cruz SS/3B AA 20
02. Noelvi Marte SS A+ 21
03. Cam Collier 3B ROK 17
04. Edwin Arroyo SS A 19
05. Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B/3B AA 22
06. Matt McLain SS AA 23
07. Chase Petty RHP A+ 19
08. Spencer Steer INF MLB 24
09. Brandon Williamson LHP AAA 24
10. Connor Phillips RHP AA 21
11. Sal Stewart 3B ROK 18
12. Andrew Abbott LHP AA 23
13. Joe Boyle RHP AA 23
14. Levi Stoudt RHP MLB 24

[*BaseClogger*]

It’s a good list and doesn’t differ much from my own rankings. That said, I think it’s time to add Siani and then the high upside OF: Allen, Hendrick, and Hinds…

[Bourgeois Zee]

What might be helpful is breaking these guys down into separate categories. Here's some of the admittedly limited information I could find:

Closest to the majors
Mike Siani
Alex McGarry
Rece Hinds
Christian Roa

Best Fastball
Lyon Richardson (Recent reports near triple digits)
Javi Rivera (touches 97, sits mid-90s)
Bryce Bonnin (touches 97, sits mid-90s)
Christian Roa (touches mid-90s, sits 92-95)
Jose Acuna (touches mid-90s, sits 91-94)

Best Breaking Ball
Bryce Bonnin (60 slider)
Christian Roa (55 slider)

Most "50" or Better Pitches
Christian Roa (4)
Lyon Richardson (3)
Jose Acuna (3)

20 and under
Ricardo Cabrera (Just turned 18)
Leonardo Balzazar (18)
Victor Acosta (18-- 7 days older than Balcazar)
Ariel Almonte (18)
Carlos Jorge (19)
Yerlin Confidan (19-- for another 10 days, at least)
Jay Allen (Just turned 20)
Jose Acuna (20-- a month older than Allen)
Note: Interestingly (at least to me), Sal Stewart is older than half of these guys.

Highest Batting Average (Career)
Carlos Jorge (.309)
Leonardo Balcazar (.294)
Yerlin Confidan (.291)
Airiel Almonte (.281)
Tyler Callihan (.261)

Highest Slugging Percentage
Carlos Jorge (.558)
Yerlin Confidan (.513)
Leonardo Balcazar (.502)
Alex McGarry (.491)
Rece Hinds (.467)

BB/K (Career)
Carlos Jorge (0.67)
Michael Siani (0.52)
Jay Allen (0.50)
Ariel Almonte (0.47)
Leonardo Balcazar (0.44)

2022 OPS
Carlos Jorge (.935)
Leonardo Balcazar (.886)
Ariel Almonte (.883)
Alex McGarry (.880)

[HokieRed]

Cabrera this time on upside. Then Hendrick. Then gets more complicated for me: Allen, Siani, the pitchers. I think we may be undervaluing Richardson.

[Mitri]

Thanks for that breakdown, BZ, that's helpful. I'll be voting from that "20 and Under" group for the next few picks. Lots of interesting talent in there.

Jay Allen II is still the first choice for me.

[marcshoe]

Since I was the only vote for Bonnin last time, I switched to Allen. He's the most intriguing left, I think. I don't have much confidence, but it would be nice to see him turn into something.

[Betterread]

BZ, can you provide a date for the recent report that Lyon Richardson is nearly hitting 100 mph? I though he was still recuperating from TJ surgery, and he had arm problems before that so I am under the impression that he was touching 95 mph in 2019, the last year he was healthy.

[Bourgeois Zee]

BZ, can you provide a date for the recent report that Lyon Richardson is nearly hitting 100 mph? I though he was still recuperating from TJ surgery, and he had arm problems before that so I am under the impression that he was touching 95 mph in 2019, the last year he was healthy.

It was just about 10 days ago in an article about why the Reds chose to protect him in the Rule 5 Draft.

Fwiw, Richardson was healthy late last season, but the Reds chose not to send him out to a minor league club.

[Betterread]

I like Bryce Bonnie in this range. He’s pretty similar To Joe Doyle, with less velo (but still up to 98 mph) and less walks. And he has what is called a crossfire delivery. He even broke a rib and then had it removed to be able to keep up using the crossfire delivery.
Makes me think of “ I was born in a crossfire hurricane..” first few lines of “jumping’ jack flash” and the code name for the FBIs investigation of collusion between Donald Trump 2016 campaign and the Russians.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I like Bryce Bonnie in this range. He’s pretty similar To Joe Doyle, with less velo (but still up to 98 mph) and less walks. And he has what is called a crossfire delivery. He even broke a rib and then had it removed to be able to keep up using the crossfire delivery.
Makes me think of “ I was born in a crossfire hurricane..” first few lines of “jumping’ jack flash” and the code name for the FBIs investigation of collusion between Donald Trump 2016 campaign and the Russians.

Bonnin has a major issue staying healthy.

I think he might be a Scott Williamson-esque reliever if he can find some innings this season.

[podgejeff_]

Gonna need somebody to break this tie here...

[bah1286]

Gonna need somebody to break this tie here...

I already voted for Cabrera, but have stated before my next vote would go to Allen, if you want to use that as the tiebreaker.

[Betterread]

This is a poll, right? A tie is a tie. There doesn’t have to be one winner. Make both #15 and move on to #17.

[Kinsm]

This is a poll, right? A tie is a tie. There doesn’t have to be one winner. Make both #15 and move on to #17.

I've only voted in 2 polls, both times to break a tie. I'll do it again in a few hours if necessary.