Said this about Chase DeLauter in Spring Training, “Saw his ESPN rank of 233rd overall and figured I needed to look at DeLauter. I don’t know what ESPN knows, but no one else I’ve talked to thinks he’s breaking camp. Earliest ETA is June, and a lot can happen between now and June. With that […]
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We (me, but I’ll include you) get into these posts in different ways. Some guys stats are just so undeniable; some guys are so close to the majors or have already debuted; some guys hit the ball 507 feet. It goes on like that for a solid 12 pages of Google. Because I know you’re […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?1. C Samuel Basallo | 20 | AAA | 2025
Basallo has virtually zero chance of unseating Adley Rutschman while Adley is in town, which isn’t the end of the world because he could still sub there while mixing in at first base and DH. Nonetheless, the Inn is pretty crowded in Baltimore, and they love their reclamation projects, so who knows how long Basallo will have to wait for some extended playing time. I’m trying not to let that detract too much from a guy who I think will really hit. He even swiped ten bags last year as a 6’4” 190 lb catcher, an interesting development for an average runner playing against guys who are much older than him. He’s a good throwing catcher, so perhaps he pays a little more attention to who else might be full of openings.
Please, blog, may I have some more?Last thing Itch said on him, “Emmanuel Rodriguez made his Triple-A debut this week at age 21, and while he hasn’t been my favorite bet to thrive at the highest level, there’s no denying what he’s put on film to this point. In 37 Double-A games, he slashed .298/.479/.621 with eight home runs and nine steals. […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?Welcome back to another installment of Top Dynasty Keepers for 2025. We have made our trip around the infield as we highlight the third basemen this week.
This is an interesting position. There is some solid depth as you can land a good starter from the Tier 2 group or even Tier 3 if one of those players has a breakout year. But the top talent skews toward the older side as six of my top 20 players are 31 years old or older.
There are some solid players who are in their 20s, but there is no Bobby Witt Jr. or Gunnar Henderson in this group.
Overall, it is a position with one great player, a lot of above average players and then a gaggle of players who have the potential to be above average but are not there yet.
Please, blog, may I have some more?1. 1B Bryce Eldridge | 20 | AAA | 2026
Here’s what I said on August 28 in Prospect News: Bryce Eldridge Brings The Horror:
“Giants 1B Bryce Eldridge (19, A+) is making a push for consensus Top 25 prospect status heading into the off-season. In 42 High-A games, he’s slashing .307/.421/.503 with seven home runs and three steals. His 16.3 percent walk rate and 24.7 percent strikeout rate are incredibly exciting numbers for a 6’7” high-school draftee with 80-grade power.”
The big lefty then spent September split between Double and Triple-A, spending nine games with Richmond and then the final eight with Sacramento. Tough to say where he’ll open 2025, but he could wind up in the majors by season’s end.
Please, blog, may I have some more?Went to look at where people ranked prospects traded at the deadline to get an idea where Deyvison De Los Santos going from the Diamondbacks to the Marlins ranked in people’s thoughts, and a lot of prospect guys are just out there throwing darts. Listen, I get it, no one knows anything. I say this […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?Jumped the gun a little on Christian Moore during the year. I was told by someone in the Angels’ Know-What that Christian Moore was being called up at the end of the year, then [raspberries lips]. Think it had less to do with me or that person in the Know-What being wrong and Moore’s non-promotion […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?Tigers C Josue Briceño won the triple crown, a first for the AFL, slashing .433/.509/.867 with ten home runs and 27 RBI in 25 games. He looked good during his 40 games in Low-A this season, posting a .381 on base percentage and 14.8 percent strikeout rate, but he only hit two home runs. If he’d been healthy all season, he would probably open 2025 in Double-A, and I expect this Arizona explosion accelerated his timeline at least a little. He’ll get a look with the big boys in spring training, and if he plays well there, he’ll be on the escalator with his bat racing his behind-the-plate game to the show. He’s a big dude at 6’4” 200 lbs, so he might not be donning the tools of ignorance for much longer.
Please, blog, may I have some more?Already gave you my Bubba Chandler fantasy, there’s gonna be some random Braves’ rookie who dons the Shroud of Touki and becomes a number two starter for 2025 and here’s Rhett Lowder. I’m not sure I’m going to write up another rookie pitcher. Just filling you in on my thought process. Rookie pitchers can be […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?In our 68th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the Roki Sasaki posting along with awards and Angels news. Then we overview two Topps sets releasing this week, Chrome Update and Holiday, which hit shelves on Nov. 13 and Nov. 15, respectively. You can find us on bluesky at @cardscategories.bsky.social, @mcouill7.bsky.social, and @jbrewer17.bsky.social. Email […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?Welcome back to another week of Top Dynasty Keepers for 2025. The spotlight turns to shortstops this week.
Unlike second base, which has a pretty steep drop off in talent outside the top 15 or so players, the shortstop position is loaded with talent, the type of talent that is ranked among the best in baseball, not just this position. The players ranked in Tier 2 will still provide solid production and that continues into the players ranked in Tier 3.
And this talent is young. Of the 30 players ranked in Tiers 1 through 3, 23 of them are under the age of 30. Missing out on a Tier 1 player is not going to cripple your team.
Now, let’s get to the rankings.
Please, blog, may I have some more?