Some Minor League Mentions Via Baseball America

Each offseason, Baseball America lists their top 20 prospects in each minor league, and then holds a “chat” between the writer and readers. As you might expect, ATVL culls through the lists and chats to see if any former Valley Leaguers have been mentioned in either medium. So to speak.

So let’s take a look, eh?

• First of all, Ryan Yarbrough (Luray 2012) was named the Northwest League’s #12 prospect. He was not mentioned in the chat. Ryan was

  

  great for Everett, the Seattle Mariners’ Northwest League affiliate. He went 0-1, 1.40, with a 0.75 WHIP, 4 walks, and 53 strikeouts in only 38 2/3 innings pitched. Wow!

• Ryan McBroom (Haymarket 2011-12) did not make the top prospects list, but he was mentioned in the Northwest League chat with John Manuel. Ryan hit 297/339/502 in 273 at-bats for the Vancouver Canadians. Here is the question and answer:

Jon (Florida): Do you have any info on Ryan mcbroom 1b with Vancouver? Is he a prospect for the bluejays?
John Manuel: McBroom definitely had his supporters. He has present power, with a pretty aggressive approach that allowed him to succeed in his debut. He hit some long home runs that impressed managers as well as fans. He needs to shorten his swing some, and his bats-right, throws-left profile is worth mentioning because it’s fairly rare. He might have had a chance to try third base is he threw righthanded. Some managers knocked him as a below-average defender at first. L.B. Dantzler put up similar numbers in the league last year and wasn’t able to follow up this year. McBroom will see if he’s up to the challenge.

•  Thirdly, Max Povse (Staunton 2013) and Jordan Edgerton (Woodstock 2013) were mentioned in the same answer during Clint

  

  Longenecker’s Appalachian League chat. Both players had solid pro debuts for Danville. Max went 4-2, 3.42, with 11 walks and 37 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings pitched. Jordan hit 275/347/385 in 218 at-bats. Here’s the question:

Keith H (Syracuse NY): Did any other Braves prospect get consideration for the top 20 list? Thanks
Clint Longenecker: Two college draftees from the 2014 class who are from the Carolinas, compliments of their area scout Billy Best, who cleaned up in the Carolinas this year (also getting 4th rounder Chad Sobotka and first rounder Braxton Davidson). Third rounder Max Povse is one to watch with a 6’7 body and fastball that sits in the low 90s. Corner infielder Jordan Edgerton (9th round) posted superhuman numbers in college and continued to control the zone in pro ball while hitting for some power. Both are legit prospects.

• Logan Moon (Winchester 2012) was also mentioned in the same chat as Povse and Edgerton. Logan had a great pro debut for Burlington, hitting 332/357/447 in 226 at-bats. The question and answer:

Chad (Des Moines): Logan Moon was a relative unknown before the Royals drafted him in the 6th round this year. He is old for the league, but put up some great numbers. Did he receive any consideration for this list?
Clint Longenecker: He was on the radar but didnt receive strong support from those in the league. He was two years older (22) than the league average (20.3) as a senior sign (5K). But he could become a valuable piece of the organization. He has a chance to be a 5th OF at the ML level. He has intelligence and leadership skills. He is a 50 to 55 runner with a plus arm who can play all 3 OF positions.

• There was one last tiny mention of a VBLer- Dale Carey (Luray 2011), who was a 7th round draft pick of the Washington Nationals. Dale

  

  hit 248/353/357 in 157 at-bats. Here he is in the New York-Penn League chat:

Jeff (Miami): Your opinion on the talent core Nats sprinkled into auburn From NCAA ranks ?
Aaron Fitt: Honestly, uninspiring. I’ve always liked Austin Davidson’s swing — he’s one of those guys scouts keep saying is going to hit, but I’m still waiting for him to really do it (he was just a .276 career hitter in three years at Pepperdine, and his hit tool is supposed to be his calling card). Dale Carey is really athletic — he’s got legitimate raw power, speed and defensive ability, but I don’t think I really believe in the bat long term. Drew Van Orden was a nice college senior sign with a fastball up to about 93 and feel for a quality slider and changeup, but it’s not knockout stuff. I would say I’ve always liked Van Orden a bit more than scouts, but the Nats clearly liked him even more than I did. He’s got a shot.

Congratulations to all players mentioned! Hopefully we’ll be able to watch each of these guys move up through the ranks and make the major leagues!