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California Prospect Watch 2034
With another long BLB season underway in California, we take a look back on a minor league season for a system that will hopefully bear some serous fruit in the coming years!
AAA Level - Bakersfield 43-77 (35 games back of the lead)
AA Level - Sacramento 59-61 (5 games back of the lead)
A Level - Moose Jaw 64-56 (9 games back… 20 games better than 2033)
RL Level – 39-49 (14 games back… 9 games better than 2033)
Top Pitching Prospects
RP Ian Rudlaff made the jump to the BLB in July after two successful seasons in AA and AAA. The former 10th pick in round three has settled in to a key setup role and has responded with a 1.82 ERA, and even picked up 6 saves while Ed Tesluk was sitting on the DL.
Tony Ramos has taken a major step in his first full BLB season. Under a watchful pitch count he has been great, and even dominant at times. Featuring 4 plus pitches he leads the Kodiaks with a 10-5 record, 2.71 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.07.
Jayden Adams appears to have taken a step back in his first full BLB season. He continues to show flashes, but he continues to get bitten by the home run ball, as he has already allowed 27 big flies in 23 starts.
Players That Appear to be Ready
LF Alex Lezama got the call up to the big club in May after hitting over 0.300 in A/AA/AAA the last few seasons. His stellar defence has not yet translated to California, but he has put up a respectable 0.247/0.296/0.382 line in his rookie campaign.
C Jimmy Wellborn was also promoted to California and has struggled to find the hitting shoes tat he so often wore in the minor leagues. He has provided solid defensive play, but is really hoping to build on a lackluster 0.182 average next year.
1B Ed King The former 4th overall pick may finally be ready to be a BLB player after joining the Kodiaks in June. His first three months was a very solid 0.290 before appearing to wear down during the final weeks of the 2034 season. With Morla destined to be a very expensive PH next year, King looks to slot into the full time DH role in his first full season.
Players That are Getting Closer
3B Logan Jacobi is rising quickly through the California minor league system. At 21 years of age, the former #3 overall pick smashed and incredible 40 doubles, 1 triple, and 10 home runs while sharing time between A and AA. He looks to ready to start at 3B in AAA next year.
2B Brendan Santoro was drafted one spot ahead of Jacobi and is developing at a slower pace. He finished a lackluster AA season with a robust August of 0.292 with 4 home runs and 18 RBI. He’ll likely start next season in AA and hopefully join his draft partner sooner rather than later.
RF Brevin Guo also from the same draft, is not highly thought of, but raked his way through A ball with 0.301 average, 14 home runs, and 76 RBI, while trying to learn to play all three outfield positions. He will join Santoro next year in AA.
This Year's Drafted Players to be Excited About
CF Joey Robertson struggled mightily in his first professional season. The first overall pick’s future looks extremely bright, but his first season will be one to forget, as he batted 0.191 with a -0.8 WAR. At only 17 years of age, another season in RL will be in the near future for Robertson.
SP Harold Valentine, the #3 overall pick, struggled just as much as Robertson in his first season. The 17 year old got battered by more mature hitters and finished with a robust 8.23 ERA before being shutdown with two weeks to go in the season. Another year of season in RL is on the horizon for Crabman as well.
1B Coleman Conaway provided some good draft news from this year’s crop. The 20 year old, 9th overall pick only spent 25 games in RL, before moving up to A ball and responded with a 0.289 average and very respectable OPS+ of 98. Hopefully his maturity and batting potential will see him rise quickly through the ranks.
IAFA Players to Watch
RF Jaren Muga was a $2M bonus baby that our scout rely likes and at 17 hit a very solid 0.272 with an OPS+ of 105, while developing his defensive skills at all three outfield positions. He currently ranks as the Kodiaks #10 prospect and Is off to a great start in his professional career.
CF Neel Benarrivo was a $2.02M bonus baby that is more potential that anything else. Not much to report here on the Kodiaks #13 overall prospect as he spent the year in the California International Complex.
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