Prospect News: Stash List #10: Ralphy’s Rocking In Columbus

Graduated from Stash List #9: A New King In Washington or Tibbs Not Included: Kade Anderson, Walker Jenkins

1. Guardians 1B Ralphy Velazquez (21, AAA)

This one, I don’t get. Not that I grok the concept behind all these other non promotions. “Grok” by the way, used to exist exclusively in the world of Stranger In A Strange Land by Robert Heinlein; It referred to something like a deep, complete understanding. Super cool of Elon to kill that word. Velazquez has 21 home runs in 73 Triple-A games, and he’s hit 17 of those home runs in his last 25 games, including another one during a three-hit game on Friday. He’s the hottest hitter on the planet right now, and Cleveland is 1.5 games ahead of Texas for the final wild card spot. Seems like they could use a hot hitter.

2. Nationals SS Seaver King (23, AAA) 

Slashing .307/.384/.535 with 13 home runs and nine stolen bases in 57 Triple-A games. With CJ Abrams switching to second base, King figures to be the opening day shortstop in 2027. May as well get him set up with a locker in Washington.

3. Red Sox SS Franklin Arias (20, AAA) 

In 26 games at the Triple-A level, Arias is slashing .297/.360/.485 with four home runs and a 17.5 percent strikeout rate. Roman Anthony is on his way back, and there’s a chance the club wouldn’t want to rock the boat by turning over two lineup spots, but I suspect Arias is part of Boston’s best lineup and could be part of the playoff roster.

4. Padres C Ethan Salas (20, AAA) 

You can’t have too many catchers on a postseason roster, and Salas is slashing .325/.402/.554 with more walks than strikeouts through 22 Triple-A games. He’s been a major league ready defender for a while now and would be a welcome receiver for the pitching staff.

5. Giants OF Bo Davidson (24, AAA) 

Davidson has hit the whole way up the chain since signing with San Francisco after going undrafted: a nice organizational win for an organization that needs all the wins it can get these days. Davidson looks ready for his next challenge, slashing .419/.493/.823 with six home runs and an 11.3 percent strikeout rate over his last 15 games.

6. Mariners OF Lazaro Montes (21, AAA) 

Seattle may have erred when the team traded for OF Taylor Ward this summer. He hasn’t had a hit since August 19th and has just six hits (five singles and a triple) in his 16 games with the club, good for a .143 slugging percentage. Granted, Lazaro Montes would probably continue to strike out around 30 percent as a major leaguer, but he’d certainly have that slugging percentage off the interstate. In 42 Triple-A games, he’s slashing .266/.356/.550 with 12 home runs.

7. Twins OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (23, AAA)

The oft-injured E-Rod is healthy and hitting. He’s got four home runs and three steals in his last eight games along with eight walks against six strikeouts over that same stretch. Minnesota just recalled OF Walker Jenkins, so it’s a little bit crowded out there at the moment, but Byron Buxton seems to be on the verge of another trip to the injured list, and there’s just not much downside to getting Rodriguez up to the majors while he’s on the field and feeling good.

8. Dodgers OF James Tibbs III (23, AAA) 

9. Dodgers OF Zach Ehrhard (24, AAA) 

Los Angeles recalled OF Alek Thomas when OF Andy Pages went to the injured list, but I’m thinking there’s another move coming when the rosters expand from 26 to 28 total players on September 1st. Tibbs III has earned the chance with the bat, but Ehrhard has a 124 wRC+ in his own right and provides better defensive versatility and a more realistic shot to defend a big-league center field.

10. Rockies 1B/OF Charlie Condon (23, AAA) 

Condon had something of an empty August but has picked things up over the past eight games, slashing .310/.459/.414 with an 18.9 percent strikeout rate: good process stats. He’s gotta be part of their opening day roster next year, right? Let’s get him familiar with the clubhouse already. 

Thanks for reading!