Below is an analysis of the top twenty prospects in the Boise Spuds farm system. Scouting reports are compiled with information provided by industry sources, Baseball News Network writers, and observations by Will Bigby, lead baseball correspondent for Treasure Valley Sports.#1. Carlos Díaz, RHP
2040 Ranking: #6
Age: 21
Signed: International Development Academy, 2037 from Mexico
Analysis: Ranked the system's third-best pitcher last year, Díaz started the season in Single-A and put up impressive numbers (6-6, 3.88 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) before being promoted to Double-A, where he more than held his own in 13 starts (6-3, 3.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP). An extreme fly-ball pitcher, Díaz has succeeded in the lower minors by keeping the ball in the park (1.1 HR/9) with good control (1.7 BB/9) and decent dominance (7.6 K/9). Still raw, scouts believe his stuff and control has yet to mature, while his third-pitch, a knuckle-curve, is still a work-in-progress.
Reminds scouts of: a healthy Juan Trujillo
BBA ETA: 2041
#2. Ricardo Ruíz, LF
2040 Ranking: #3
Age: 22
Signed: International amateur free agent, 2035 from Venezula
Analysis: Ruíz has been ranked in the Top 100 by Baseball News Network for four years in a row and has shown incredible consistency while moving up minor league levels. Drafted as a toolsy gap hitter with good speed, Ruíz has shown some improved pop in his bat, most recently his breakout last year in Triple-A (.327/.364/.587). Ruíz has the arm to play right but with Dennis French and Felix Román already entrenched in the Boise outfield, Ruíz will likely find a home as a left fielder with .300/20 HR/20 SB potential.
Reminds scouts of: Grant Lee
BBA ETA: 2041
#3. Jorge Maestas, RHP
2040 Ranking: #4
Age: 19
Drafted: 3rd Round, 2037
Analysis: Maestas has a projectable body (6'4", 185) and Boise hopes he continues to fill out and add velocity. Initially, Boise planned to move Cuban hurler slowly through the minors, however in 2040, Maestas spent time in three different levels, topping out in Triple A. Featuring a good fastball and slider, Maestas could become a dominate reliever unless his his change-up improves, where he can be a solid mid-rotation starter. Maestas has shown signs of immaturity, including a suspension in high school following throwing punches at opposing players in a bench-clearing brawl that earned him the nickname "Fury".
Reminds scouts of: Pedro Rocha
BBA ETA: 2041
#4. Robin Cooper, LHP
2040 Ranking: #5
Age: 20
Drafted: 1st Round, 2039
Analysis: Cooper, the first draft pick under Joe Lederer's role as general manager, was panned at the time of his selection as "one of the two worst first round picks" of the 2039 Draft. In two professional seasons, Cooper has proven doubters wrong, including last year's breakout in Single-A where the southpaw put up 4.9 WAR (8-6, 3.71 ERA, 1.21 WHIP). With a plus-sinker, Cooper puts the ball in play and keeps it in the yard, allowing his defense to do most of the work. Cooper lacks impressive stuff and control, but is advanced for his age and could carve out career as a starter for a dozen seasons or so. Cooper will likely repeat in Double-A this year but is expected to be a mainstay in the Spuds' rotation perhaps as early as this year.
Reminds scouts of: a left-handed Maxence Mace with more upside
BBA ETA: 2042
#5. Pat Alexander, C
2040 Ranking: unranked
Age: 20
Drafted: 3rd Round, 2039
Analysis: Alexander was a fan of scouts out of high school despite less-than-lofty production at the plate. After his debut professional season in which the catcher hit only .202/.235/.352 in Rookie Ball, some were questioning if his bat would catch up to his impressive defense (Alexander won the league's Best Fielding Award at catcher). Alexander played the entirety of 2040 in Short Season-A, where his batting improved to a slashline of .275/.354/.410 and maintained his plus-game calling skills. Alexander will likely have a career in the Brewster of at least a back-up catcher, but has the potential to be a second-division starter.
Reminds scouts of: Francisco Salazar with an 80-grade mustache
BBA ETA: 2043
#6. Kent Montoya, LHP
2040 Ranking: unranked
Age: 20
Drafted: 1st Round, 2039 (Montreal)
Analysis: Montoya was acquired on the eve of the 2041 season in a trade with Montreal for former Boise starting 1B/DH Carlos Muñoz. The left-handed youngster has shown glimpses of stardom that made him the 17th-overall pick in the 2039 Draft, but is still extremely raw. A finesse pitcher, Montoya will need to improve his control and continue to keep his homerun rate below 1.5 per 9 IP as he moves up in the minors.
Reminds scouts of: a poor man's Héctor Amaral
BBA ETA: 2043
#7. Pepe Madrid, 1B
2040 Ranking: #7
Age: 20
Signed: International amateur free agent, 2037 from Dominican Republic (Twin Cities)
Analysis: Traded in 2037 from Twin Cities for starting pitcher Cris Riós, the Spuds liked what they saw in the 6'4" first baseman. Since then, the Boise front office has changed but executives and management still have high hopes for Madrid. The lefty-batting first bagger has the ability to spray the ball to all fields however he'll need to improve against southpaw pitchers to improve beyond a future platoon option. Madrid looks like he'll hit with a decent average with plenty of doubles and the organization continues to work with his defense, which has improved since being acquired, leaving some to think he's not just a designated hitter.
Reminds scouts of: Willie Carter without the glove
BBA ETA: 2042
#8. Dave Richards, 3B
2040 Ranking: unranked
Age: 20
Signed: 4th Round, 2039
Analysis: Richards does a lot of things well, but nothing great. Richard's rocket arm plays at third base, however his offensive profile is not that of a slugger or batting champ. An above-average athlete, Richards saw time in three levels, plus the Florida Prospect League during the off-season where he slashed .362/.434/.670. The Michigan native will need to either up his power levels in order to be seen more than just a back-up corner infielder. Richards spent only six games at Double-A last year but is expected to start the season as the starting 3B in Triple A.
Reminds scouts of: discount Kiichi Suzuki
BBA ETA: 2042
#9. Ismael Alfonzo, COF
2040 Ranking: #14
Age: 20
Signed: 4th Round, 2038
Analysis: Scouting reports out of high school touted Alfonzo's "effortless swing that produces excellent contact with above-average power." Two-and-a-half minor league seasons later, maybe Alfonzo should put a little more effort, as the tall (6'6") outfielder has yet to hit .250 or a slugging percentage over .500, wondering if there's a hole in his effortless swing. Still just 20 years old and with Boise loaded with outfielders, Alfonzo will be given every opportunity to figure it all out.
Reminds scouts of: a less athletic Benton Allen
BBA ETA: 2043
#10. José Hernández, 1B
2040 Ranking: unranked
Age: 23
Signed: 3rd Round, 2036
Analysis: At 6'8", Hernandez is one of the bigger prospects in the Brewster, but unfortunately he doesn't have the power to match his stature. The Nicaraguan-born prospect repeated Double-A last year, putting together his best full season in the minors to date, slashing .265/.340/.516. At 23 years old, Hernandez is running out of time to prove he can hang in the majors. If he can hit 20+ HR with a respectable batting average in Triple-A this upcoming season, he may carve out a career as a back-up first baseman and right-handed pinch-hitter with moderate pop. Otherwise, he'll have a fine ten year career in the UMEBA.
Reminds scouts of: Benjamin Dale if you squint
BBA ETA: 2042
#11. Frank Metcalf, RHP
2040 Ranking: #9
Age: 23
Drafted: 1st Round, 2037
One Sentence Analysis: Former #6 overall pick lives and dies on the corners of the plate and could eventually be a swingman in Boise.
BBA ETA: 2041
#12. Leroy Hoffman, RHP
2040 Ranking: #17
Age: 22
Drafted: 18th Round, 2038
One Sentence Analysis: An 18th-round steal, Hoffman will likely spend his career split in three places: the majors, Triple-A and the injured list.
BBA ETA: 2041
#13. Júlio Rivera, LF
2040 Ranking: #15
Age: 20
Drafted: 7th Round, 2038
One Sentence Analysis: Hitting .270 isn't bad but when it's your on-base percentage, it's time to improve or look for a new line of work.
BBA ETA: 2043
#14. Seitaro Ugaki, LHP
2040 Ranking: #16
Age: 23
Drafted: International Development Academy, 2035 from Japan
One Sentence Analysis: Giving up long balls is his Achilles' heel, however a lefty with three above-average pitches can make a good, long career in the BBA as a specialty reliever.
BBA ETA: 2042
#15. Jared Hicks, LHP
2040 Ranking: N/A
Age: 19
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2040
One Sentence Analysis: Drafted while recovering from ulnar nerve entrapment, Hicks could one day make the majors as a lefty reliever if his health holds up along the way.
BBA ETA: 2043
#16. Jude Carter, OF
2040 Ranking: #19
Age: 20
Drafted: 5th Round, 2038
One Sentence Analysis: Popular with teammates, Carter's breakout in 2040 (.782 OPS at Single-A) is a sign he may carve out a career as a 5th outfielder with good speed and a strong glove.
BBA ETA: 2043
#17. Emílio Medina, 3B
2040 Ranking: unranked
Age: 20
Drafted: 11th Round, 2038
One Sentence Analysis: Extremely raw with lots of development time needed, Medina's path up the minor league ladder will be helped if he can continue to hold his own at multiple infield positions.
BBA ETA: 2043
#18. Alfonso Jaramillo, LHP
2040 Ranking: #19
Age: 23
Drafted: 9th Round, 2036
One Sentence Analysis: Jaramillo will be given every opportunity to make it as a starter, however he'll likely need to up his velocity as a reliever to reach the bigs.
BBA ETA: 2042
#19. Francisco Acosta, RHP
2040 Ranking: unranked
Age: 23
Drafted: 7th Round, 2036
One Sentence Analysis: Mid-season he was moved to the bullpen, where he showed promise and will need to keep the ball down to be considered for a major league bullpen.
BBA ETA: 2042
#20. Pedro Santos, CF
2040 Ranking: N/A
Age: 19
Drafted: 5th Round, 2040
One Sentence Analysis: A toolsy centerfielder with excellent speed and defense, Santos has a long way to go at the plate to even be considered a minor league starting outfielder.
BBA ETA: 2043
Gone from 2040: Felix Román, #1 (promoted); Motonobu Yamashita, #2 (promoted); Jim Des Jardien, #8 (trade, Yellow Springs); Gui Jen, #10 (Rule 5, Jacksonville); Faical Engeitado, #11 (trade, Portland); Shannon Morrison, #13 (trade, Chicago); Jim Luby, #18 (minors); Cisco Julío, #20 (minors)
System review: With recent top prospects graduating to Boise, the organization lacks depth but still boosts a handful of intriguing arms, the greatest asset in the Brewster. Look for Lederer to make improving the farm a high priority via trades and the draft, especially at pitching.
