Howard tosses gas onto the fire at the Grill: OAK @ TEX 7/11-13

[WastinSomeTime]

Still have to send someone down I think. Maybe Allard

I would sure hope so.

 

[saddles]

Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects

Today, I continue with another group of writeups about one of the guys suspected to go early in the draft. Today's post is about Elijah Green, a high school centerfielder from IMG Academy in Miami.


https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/elijah-green-701327

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 60

Green is the son of former NFL Pro Bowl tight end Eric Green, and at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he looks like he could have followed in his father’s footsteps had he not desired a future on the diamond. Green really jumped on the map with a strong performance at the Area Code Underclass event back in the summer of 2020, leading some to wish he'd reclassified for the 2021 Draft, but he’s shown off his tremendous raw tools at IMG Academy this spring to put himself in position to be a very high Draft pick in 2022.

A right-handed hitter, Green is capable of doing just about everything very well. He can make very loud contact and has proven he can drive the ball to all fields and hit the ball out of the park just about anywhere with at least plus raw power, and he’s done that this spring in front of a lot of decision makers. . The one question that had arisen about his offensive upside had been about the swing-and-miss in his game. He’s struggled in the past against elevated velocity and there are some concerns about his ability to adjust to offspeed and breaking stuff, but had assuaged many of those fears with how he has swung the bat this spring.

Green is an elite-level runner who can steal bases and cover a ton of ground in the outfield, where he should be able to man center field, with a plus arm, for a very long time to come. His complete toolset doesn’t come around very often, so it’s likely someone in the top of the first round will call his name even if there are remaining questions about his hit tool.


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Top 30 players in 2022 MLB Draft: Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday have strong bloodlines; Kumar Rocker makes list

Green is a fascinating and polarizing prospect, a walking example of bimodal distribution who seems to inspire forecasts invoking only his left- and right-tail outcomes. To hear most scouts tell it, he's either going to make several All-Star Games, or he's going to wash out before becoming arbitration eligible. His boosters point to his near-elite power and speed combination, as well as his potential to play center field despite being listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds. (This is where we note, to little surprise, that his father Eric played in the NFL.) Conversely, Green's critics say that his game needs a lot of refinement for him to max out his tools, and that his extreme swing-and-miss tendencies will cause him to deviate, from being a red-hot chili pepper to not, more frequently than John Frusciante. He's going to be selected early because perceived ceilings as high as his don't come around often; then again, perceived floors as low as his don't, either.

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MLB Draft Profile: Elijah Green - Prime Time Sports Talk


Height: 6’3″
Weight: 225 lbs.
DOB: 12/04/2003
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Hit: 50
Power: 60
Run: 70
Arm: 60
Field: 60

2021 Stats: 25 G, .321/.449/.666, 6 HR, 10 SB
2022 Stats: 25 G, .462/.592/.1.000, 9 HR, 15 SB

Green is a man among boys, literally. His size makes him an anomaly when playing against other teenagers. As you can see from the scouting grades and the stats he put up, the centerfielder can do it all. He will likely go in the top 5, but will he go number one overall?

Strengths

Green has a rare mix of plus power and elite speed. He hits the ball hard from line to line and has the strength to blast one out opposite field. The ball jumps off his bat and as he makes adjustments, he will not have to sell out for power. His speed not only helps him steal bases, but it also allows him to go gap to gap with ease when tracking down flyballs. Green is one of the fastest players in the draft, and that is something you can’t teach.

The 18-year-old has a strong arm, throwing in the mid-90s from the outfield. It is a weapon that is not common among centerfielders. He will certainly stick in the middle of the outfield and could take home a few Gold Gloves before he hangs them up.

Weaknesses

The only knock on Green is the swing-and-miss in his game. He has improved this spring, but as he moves up through the minors, the higher velocity and better offspeed stuff could give him trouble. He has time to make adjustments and doesn’t have to sell out for power.

Pro Comparison: Starling Marte

While Green is a bit bigger than Marte, their talents are similar. Both have great speed and play an excellent defensive centerfield as Marte has won two Gold Gloves. Green will have some work to do to hit like the Mets outfielder, but the big prepster has more pop. Marte has slashed .288/.344/.450 with 133 home runs and 304 stolen bases so far in his 11 years in the big leagues. I’m sure Green, and the team that drafts him, would take that production.

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2022 MLB Draft Top 100 prospects: Keith Law's final rankings ahead of Round 1

Green looks the part of a future star in size, frame, and especially tools, with a strong, athletic 6-3 build, explosive speed, and plus power already that projects to 70 in the future. It’s easy, easy power, with fantastic hand acceleration after a quiet start, and when he gets his arms extended the ball jumps off his bat. All his power comes on pitches on the middle or outer thirds, although he can still make contact on the inner third, just without the same sort of impact. The concern on Green has always been his tendency to swing and miss, especially on stuff in the zone; he doesn’t chase fastballs, but will miss fastball strikes, especially up, and can expand for breaking stuff down and away. He has the most pure upside of the high school position players in the class, with 30/30 potential in a true centerfielder who throws well enough to play right, with a bit more risk than some of the other hitters in the top echelon.

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2022 MLB Draft - Top 600 Prospects — Prospects Live

One of the most exciting players in the country, Green is a do-it-all, powder-keg package of explosivity and bottled energy on the diamond. Already 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he’s a physical specimen built differently than his peers. Simply put, there’s not much Green cannot do. Some evaluators believe he could be a plus hitter with plus-plus raw power, and he’s already tapping into that juice in-game. He’s currently at least a 70-runner with a 70-arm as well. There's definitely some swing and miss in his game, so that’ll be the one thing scouts are keeping an eye on, though it has improved. He gets anxious at the plate and can get greedy early in counts when in ambush mode, susceptible to the breaking ball. There aren’t too many warts in his game. Green is a very special talent, some calling him a generational player, that teams will undoubtedly covet at the top of the draft.

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Baseball America's Carlos Collazo: Elijah Green Has 'Biggest Upside' In 2022 MLB Draft - PressBox

Baseball America draft writer Carlos Collazo says that although Atlanta-area high school outfielder Druw Jones is the best prospect in the 2022 MLB Draft class, Orlando-area high school outfielder Elijah Green has the biggest upside in the draft.

Green is from Windermere, Fla., and plays for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He is the son of former Ravens tight end Eric Green, who totaled 1,173 receiving yards, 114 catches and seven touchdowns in Baltimore from 1996-1998. Eric said last September that it would be “fantastic” if his son were to be drafted by the Orioles.

The 18-year-old Elijah Green has been mentioned as a top-of-the-draft candidate since last summer. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound outfielder is known for his big-time power and ability to run. He is committed to Miami.

“Just physically, Elijah Green is one of the more unique athletes that we have had come out of the draft in a very long time,” Collazo said on Glenn Clark Radio May 26. “You just don’t see baseball players that look like him, who have the sort of power that he has with the speed that he has, and he’s done a fantastic job of showing that power in games throughout the summer showcase circuit last year and this spring against good competition in Florida.

“I think if you look at just in terms of overall upside, if all of these players came out to the best of their tools, his tools are the most explosive.”

But it’s Jones, the son of longtime big leaguer Andruw Jones, who is seen as the top overall player in the class because he “possesses the best combination of future upside, tools and current skills,” according to Collazo. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 180 pounds, Druw Jones is a potential plus-plus defender in center field with the ability to hit for average and power, making him a special prospect in the class.

There’s a little more certainty in Jones’ profile than Green’s, according to Collazo.

“I think the reason you’d have a guy like Elijah below Druw on the board maybe is you have a few more questions about where he’s going to play defensively, the quality of that hit tool,” Collazo said. “How much of his offensive profile is going to come with some swing and miss? Is he just going to be a lower average guy who’s just going to succeed by getting to enough power? Maybe there’s a little bit more risk in his offensive profile, but [in terms of] the tools and the pure upside, I think it’s very easy to say Elijah has the biggest upside overall in the class.”

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Continued below

 

[saddles]

Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects Continued from above --Elijah Green

Scout's View: Breaking Down 2022 MLB Draft Prospect OF Elijah Green


Elijah Green is one of the most exciting athletes that scouts have seen come out of high school in many years, and he currently ranks as the No. 5 prospect on our 2022 draft board and is a consensus top-of-the-first-round talent.

Green has a unique power/speed combination with present physicality that is rare for baseball players and more commonly seen on the football field. Green is committed to Miami but is expected to be one of the first prep players taken in the draft.

Physicality: Superior athlete. Proportioned, strong, physical 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. More coming along the way. Moves extremely well. Boat load of God-given, physical ability.

Hit Tool: Plus bat speed, quickness, strength in hands will produce power numbers. Not a bat-to-ball type approach. Will make the pitcher pay for mistakes. Like any swing built for damage, strikeouts could be a concern but a chance to pay it back 10 fold in power production.

Offensive setup: Strong, wider base. Hands up, relaxed. Pre-pitch operation has its inconsistencies. Not always “on time.” Can get over anxious. Lower half timing varies: no stride, slight stride, toe tap. Doesn’t get off his backside at times. Little more consistent in hand load. Has enough bat speed to compensate for timing discrepancies right now, but as pitching advances a more consistent pre-pitch operation will be needed. However, when relaxed, on time and able to get hands through, sit back and enjoy the fireworks!

Swing Itself: Built for damage. Compact stroke with lift. Obliterates pitches he can handle out and over the plate. Does have a tendency to pull off the down-and-away breaker. Just like almost every amateur hitter, consistency in spin recognition and ability to stay on it will be a part of his education as he continues to grow and develop into a professional hitter. Plenty of tools there to expedite his growth as an offensive force as his journey proceeds.

Defense: Very good defender. Ability to stay in center field long term. Has a chance to outgrow it and move to a corner spot. Adequate, proper reads off barrel. Speed makes up for any late jump. Above-average arm, accurate.

Running: Elite 60-yard dash runner that translates well on base paths. Potential there to collect a high number of stolen bases if he chooses to do so.

Outlook: Elite talent that doesn’t come around often. Makeup and tools are there to contribute at the big league level, in a big way. Will take some time to come into his own offensively, but would be wise to bet on the athleticism, strength and overall package to assist in his development along the way.

 

[donaldson79]

What was the criteria for a decision being ranked as "poor?" And how do the Rangers compare to all other MLB teams when it comes to the % of their decisions being "poor?"

Gzee Eph......I'm just a part-timer here bro.....But seriously, it certainly doesn't seem to me we've developed most of our draft picks since JD was put in charge.

 

[Bmurph]

I didn't hear anything out of line. They're a very bad team. Could end up being historically bad. Nothing wrong with pointing that out.

They absolutely without a shadow of a doubt, intended for themselves to be that way too. They are trying to also continue to trade away their better players in order to get worse but improve for years to come, while having a lower payroll. Tanking at it's finest. Astros did a. pretty good job of it but then they eventually had to increase their payroll. The A's will repeat his when they have to sign the young prospects they are acquiring now, to more expensive contracts.

 

[saddles]

Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects


This one focuses on a guy who has been moving into the conversation as of late, Cam Collier. He is a very young 3B from Chipola College.


https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/cam-collier-702253

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60

The son of former big leaguer Lou Collier, Cam began the summer as one of the more intriguing prospects for the 2023 Draft. But the Georgia high school standout decided to reclassify for the 2022 Draft, get his GED and head to Chipola Junior College for his spring season. After a summer of showing off impressive offensive skills and a strong showing at Chipola’s scout day this fall, Collier has been watched as one of the more intriguing -- and one of the youngest -- bats in this Draft class.

Most of the excitement about Collier centers around his left-handed bat. He has a loose stroke with outstanding bat speed and uncanny bat-to-ball skills. For most of the summer, he squared just about everything up, using the whole field and not being bothered by premium velocity, and he continued to show professional at-bats this spring. There’s good raw power in his swing, with more likely to come. While he’s not a burner, he’s a solid runner.

With an arm that has hit the low-90s from the mound, Collier has the chance to fit nicely at third base, where his offensive upside could fit well. If the hot corner doesn’t work, a move to an outfield corner or first base could be in his future, but it’s the Louisville recruit’s bat that will carry him and puts him in conversations about the first round.

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2022 MLB Draft - Top 600 Prospects — Prospects Live


Collier comes packed into a physical frame with big strength in his lower half and core. Collier reclassified from the 2023 class into this years class and because of it will be one of the youngest draft-eligible players in July. In fact, he'll be just 17 years old and 7 months on draft day. Collier is one of the smoothest players you'll find. At the plate, it's effortless and fluid with an all-fields approach and big pull-side power. Collier has a bat path that big league scouts drool over. He doesn't sell out for loft and instead generates his power inducing backspin on the baseball and driving through pitches in the zone. On the dirt, Collier is certainly destined for third base where his plus arm and soft hands project well for the position. Collier is a below average runner, though his money will be made with the bat and with his throwing arm.

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Top 100 prospects for the MLB Draft


Collier finished high school early to go to two-year Chipola, probably the best junior college baseball program in the country. As a 17-year-old, he hit .333/.431/.525 despite facing pitchers who were mostly two-to-four years older. He has a plus-plus arm and the athleticism to stay at third base, although ultimately it’s his feel to hit that makes him a top-five talent in this draft. Look for teams that weigh age heavily in their draft models to target him in July.

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MLB Draft Profile: Cam Collier - Prime Time Sports Talk

Height: 6’2″
Weight: 210 lbs.
DOB: 11/20/2004
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Hit: 60
Power: 50
Run: 50
Arm: 60
Field: 50

2022 Stats: 52 G, .333/.419/.537, 8 HR, 5 SB, 35 R, 47 RBI

The son of former major league utility man Lou Collier, Cam has impressed scouts with his production at such a young age. He will still be just 17 years old when he hears his name in July. That gives him an edge over some other draft prospects as Collier is younger and has a year of college experience. Chipola has turned out a few MLB players in the past, namely Jose Bautista and Russell Martin.

Strengths

Collier’s bat is what stands out to anyone who has seen him play. He barrels the ball well, making loud contact consistently. His setup is very calm holding his bat in front of him. Collier employs a leg kick and loads up well, keeping his hands back a long time as he strides toward the pitcher. This helps the Louisville recruit to recognize pitches better as he can wait on them and explode. While his power is average right now, many believe Collier could have above-average pop with some added muscle as he gets older.

Defensively, he is a solid third baseman with a strong arm. He also threw 11.1 innings for the Chipola Indians this season and struck out 16 batters while hitting 93 on the gun. Collier’s throwing definitely fits the hot corner, and he looks comfortable there. He displays quickness and good instincts fielding his position. There is a strong possibility he stays at third, but with kids his age, Collier could be moved to first or even a corner spot in the outfield. Either way, his bat plays anywhere on the diamond.

Weaknesses

With at least average tools across the board, there isn’t much not to like about the teenager. However, while adding strength to his already solid 6-foot-2 frame may produce more home runs, Collier may be a little slower on the bases and in the field. He isn’t a burner now anyway but losing a step could make his wheels slightly below average. It may force him out of the outfield conversation and keep him at third or first.

Pro Comparison: Freddie Freeman

Although Freeman is a first baseman, there are a few similarities here, especially if we look back at the beginning of his journey to the majors. He was 17 when he played his first professional baseball for the Atlanta Braves. Collier will likely do the same this year. The former Braves’ slugger always hit but wasn’t a huge power threat earlier in his career, although he averaged a respectable 21 HRs a season in his first five years. Freeman also slashed .286/.368/.467 during that span. With Collier’s approach and quick bat, he should be able to match that production.

 

[saddles]

I have made posts over the last four and a half months where I have taken an extensive look at 8 guys who were projected to go early in the first round. One of the eight has since fallen much further down in the rankings. In a few days I will make a new thread and copy and paste all seven of the other extensive looks on one thread. I will include the following seven guys.

Druw Jones -- CF Wesleyan High School
Termarr Johnson -- 2B/SS Mays High School Atlanta
Cam Collier -- 3B Chipola Junior College
Jackson Holliday -- SS Stillwater High School
Brooks Lee -- SS Cal Poly
Elijah Green -- CF IMG Academy Miami
Kevin Parada -- C Georgia Tech

 

[jta4437]

He may be worth more as a trade piece, if he's considered a premier 3B or shortstop. IDK, just a thought and I realize that playing multiple positions, is beneficial to a team that may need to move a guy, to the OF but some teams may view a stud 3B more valuable, than a guy who plays just a decent 3B or SS and is a mediocre OF'er.

6 starts in CF, 4 at SS and 2 at 3B, the starts at SS seem odd to me

 

[jta4437]

i feel the same way but some others are constantly complaining if someone isn't used in a way that satisfies them

Like you don't do that??? LOL

 

[jta4437]

I see Woody is still committed to Duggar.

Day off for Heim and Calhoun it seems, as long as Huff isn't sitting for Duggar, I'm good

 

[jta4437]

He has played 6 games in CF, 5 at SS and 2 at 3B for Round Rock.

Beat me to it, was working my way through the posts

 

[jta4437]

Although I'm not here all that much, I still 'semi' keep up via the box scores, an occasional watch, the Ticket, etc. Anyway, the other day the Ticket sorta touched on the number of poor decisions we've made under JD's guidance. And then there was an article - I'm assuming in retrospect it was from E Grant at the News - and he listed how poorly we've drafted and cultivated our minor league players.

My question is, since Chris Young is now on board, do any of ya think JD's days are numbered?

Not really because Young is already the GM and clearly he's making different decisions than the previous regime, does JD play a role, but I really don't think he's nearly as influential as he once was, more of a face and talking head than actual decision maker

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

This strategy to combat the shift is very difficult to explain.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Gzee Eph......I'm just a part-timer here bro.....But seriously, it certainly doesn't seem to me we've developed most of our draft picks since JD was put in charge.

You're a veteran of the board, it's like riding a bike!

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I say if it works for the remainder of the year then as the old saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

 

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

Made it

 

[WastinSomeTime]

View attachment 301892

Made it

Hope you get to see a good one.