Beck's Minor League Threecap: 7/6/2024

Beck breaks down three major things you need to know from yesterday's MiLB action.

Gooood morning! Or afternoon, or late evening – there’s really no telling when I’ll publish and frankly no telling when you’ll choose to read. In any event, it’s nice to have you here. I’m spending part of my day at the pool with friends to celebrate a birthday so I’m currently writing to you in the morning. Let’s get after it!

Would You Like De Vries With That?

Every conversation about Leodalis De Vries (SDP) should start with two facts; that he was the top ranked international free agent in the 2024 class and he’s a 17-year-old playing full-season ball without any prior professional experience. It’s been a slow start for him, but again, please refer to points one and two. Reports coming into the year noted that he’s a very polished hitter, has a knack for contact and inherent on-base ability, and is very projectable at 6-foot-2, 183 pounds. He may just be hitting his stride now after a two home run game on Thursday, and I really think we’re closing in on the last window to acquire for a reasonable price. There is the potential for plus hit and plus power while carrying an up-the-middle profile. International free agents were eschewed by the fantasy community for a few years in favor of prospects with greater proximity to MLB, but the tide seems to be turning again. If nothing else I expect his perceived value to grow from here.

Mandatory Viewing.

Both of the pitchers I’m writing about today were on Thursday’s viewing guide, starting with Carson Palmquist (COL). I’ve written about him a number of times before which really says a lot more about the season he’s having than it does my proclivity for Rockies pitching prospects. He gets a lot less fanfare than Dollander (and rightfully so, I might add), largely because he comes with less pedigree and has far less potent stuff, but he’s found a unique mix of characteristics that make him more effective than the sum of his parts. He’s a tall lefty which is inherently valuable, but has also dropped his arm slot to be nearly side-arm. He describes it as what’s most comfortable to him and it’s an added bonus that it allows him to hide the ball longer and be more deceptive. He also sets up on the third base side of the rubber, a tweak meant to influence his mechanics such that he was comfortable throwing to lefties. His concern was that he was coming nearly from behind the batter given his arm slot, and the change to the third base side of the mound allows for more rotation. He had one of the best outings of any pitcher all year on Friday, going 7.0 innings with just two base runners (a double and a walk), no runs allowed, and 13 strikeouts. 

Caden Dana (LAA) had exactly one poor outing before returning to his regularly scheduled dominance. One of my favorite things about him – and to be clear I’m not sure if this is to his credit or detriment developmentally – is that he’ll go as long as the manager will let him. Even in his previous outing when he only made it through 4.0 innings and allowed six earned runs he still threw nearly 80 pitches. No such issue on Thursday as he completed a full 6.0 innings and allowed just one earned while striking out eight, ultimately finishing with 98 pitches on the evening. It represented his eighth appearance with 95 pitches or more this year and his fifth such start in his last seven. I’m becoming quite the fan and feel strongly that he’ll feature in the top 100 of my next update.

You Winston, You Lose Some.

The day really got away from me and I am almost entirely out of witty things to say. Carson Palmquist went to town and came back with a baker’s dozen strikeouts, Jackson Jobe was fantastic in his sixth start for Double-A Erie and currently has a 2.05 ERA on the year, and Winston Santos bounced back from a really rough Double-A debut to throw a dandy on his second go-around.

There are only two games in Minor League baseball on Sunday and they combine for just two listed starters. If you have any interest in watching Randy Dobnak for the St. Paul Saints (he’s got a really awesome story) or Karl Kauffman for the Albuquerque Isotopes (I know much less of his lore), feel free. Otherwise enjoy your day!