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. José Rodríguez, 2B
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 18
Drafted: 1st Round, 2041
Analysis: Rodríguez, a native of Guatemala, was a high school all-star selection last season, earning his league's Platinum Stick Award as the top-hitting second baseman. Rodríguez, who finished second in 2040 voting for the league's Hitter of the Year honors, was the second player at his position taken in the 2041 Draft, one spot behind second baseman Francisco Martínez (Vancouver). Rodríguez relied on his physical skills as a prep star on the defensive side but Boise will need to work on his footwork and fundamentals in the professional ranks. Rodríguez, who teammates call 'Tiny Bubbles', struggled mightily in fifty Single-A games last year (.199/.259/.398), but looked more like a first-rounder during the Florida Prospect League, hitting .390 (ninth-best in the FPL) with fine glove work. Scouts believe the switch-hitting Rodríguez should rack up doubles with his gap power and his outstanding speed will allow him to take the extra base from time to time.
Reminds scouts of: Juan Pablo
BBA ETA: 2044
#2. Jorge Maestas, RHP
2041 Ranking: #3
Age: 20
Drafted: 3rd Round, 2037
Analysis: Initially, Boise planned to move Maestas slowly through the minors, however in 2040, he spent time in three different levels, topping out in Triple A. Last year, Maestas started the year in Salt Lake City's (AAA) rotation, then was called up in late May to join the Boise bullpen. It was there, in 23 games (two starts), that the Cuban hurler showed signs of dominance, going 4-2 with six saves and a 2.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Unfortunately, a torn labrum in August ended Maestas' season. Featuring a good fastball and slider, Maestas has the looks of an elite reliever, however if he can get his change-up to improve, he can be a solid mid-rotation starter. Due to the injury, Maestas will likely spend 2042 out of the Boise bullpen.
Reminds scouts of: Pedro Rocha
BBA ETA: Debuted 2041
#3. Pepe Madrid, 1B
2041 Ranking: #7
Age: 21
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 Dominican left-handed hitter broke out last year in Triple-A, swatting 49 doubles and 24 home runs, topping over 100 runs and RBI each to go with a slash line of .320/.400/.544. 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. This year he'll be given the change to prove his worth on the field, as he's slated to platoon at first base with Yunosuke Terada.
Reminds scouts of: Natanael Barral
BBA ETA: Debuted 2041
#4. Pat Alexander, C
2041 Ranking: #5
Age: 21
Drafted: 3rd Round, 2039
Analysis: Alexander was scout-favorite out of high school despite less-than-lofty production at the plate. After two full-seasons in the minors, some question if his bat will catch up to his impressive defense (Alexander won the high school Best Fielding Award at catcher in 2039). 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
#5. Fernando Rangel, LHP
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 22
Drafted: 1st Round, 2041
Analysis: Boise made one of, if not the most shocking first-round selection in 2041, drafting Rangel 8th overall out of college. Most scouts had given the southpaw a second- or third-round grade as a starting pitcher heading into the draft, however the Spuds front office felt that the 6’3” groundball specialist had greater potential as a multi-inning reliever out of the pen than as a starter. During Rangel’s pro day, he wowed the Boise executives and coaches with his high-effort stuff from the stretch, as well as his one-on-one interviews. Boise scouts immediately upgraded their reports on Rangel, bumping him from a 45-potential starting pitcher to an 80-potential reliever. After signing his professional contract, Boise sent Rangel directly to Double-A, where he tallied 19 saves in 25 games with a 2.88 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Armed with a fastball that sits in the low 90s, Rangel uses a devastating slider that some believe will become his out pitch.
Reminds scouts of: Carlos Sánchez
BBA ETA: 2042
#6. Carlos Díaz, RHP
2041 Ranking: #1
Age: 22
Signed: International Development Academy, 2037 from Mexico
Analysis: After being named the organization's top prospect in 2041, Díaz started the season in Double-A and dominated in his first five starts (4-0, 3.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP), earning a promotion to Triple-A. The young righty struggled in nine starts before being sidelined for the rest of the year after an x-ray in June showed bone chips in his throwing elbow. Was his rough start in AAA due to the injury or was he simply overmatched? Scouts have downgraded Díaz's movement and he's yet to show the strike-out potential many thought he'd flash as an amateur in Mexico. With a third-pitch, a knuckle-curve, is still a work-in-progress but very promising, Díaz will need to show Boise's front office this year that he's still has a future as a middle-of-the-rotation starter in the BBA.
Reminds scouts of: Juan Trujillo
BBA ETA: 2043
#7. Kent Montoya, LHP
2041 Ranking: #6
Age: 21
Drafted: 1st Round, 2039 (Montreal)
Analysis: Montoya was acquired on the eve of the 2041 season in a trade with Montreal. The southpaw was the 17th-overall pick in the 2039 Draft, and quickly reached Triple-A last year where he had an up-and-down season, a few with flashes of dominance. Boise will want Montoya to spend at least another half-season in Salt Lake City to work out his issues, as he's still raw and developing his repertoire as a finesse pitcher.
Reminds scouts of: a left-handed José Ramírez
BBA ETA: 2042
#8. Miguel Angel Perales, 1B
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 23
Signed: International amateur free agent, 2035 from Dominican Republic (Yellow Springs)
Analysis: Perales reached Yellow Springs' Triple-A team as a twenty-year-old in 2039 and after a second season there, Boise snagged the first baseman off of waivers in April of last season. In his third go-around in Triple-A, Perales showed the promise Yellow Springs had in him when they signed him with a $3M bonus. In a platoon-role, Perales slashed .281/.350/.636, which earned him a cup of coffee with Boise late in 2042. Perales' future is limited without a standout skill, but his floor is high and should carve out a career as a back-up 1B/righty pinch-hitter role in the big leagues.
Reminds scouts of: Phil Smith, both on the diamond and in the clubhouse
BBA ETA: Debuted 2041
#9. Dave Richards, 3B
2041 Ranking: #8
Age: 21
Signed: 4th Round, 2039
Analysis: Richards isn't the most exciting prospect, which mirrors his own low-key personality. He does a lot of things well, but nothing great aside from his rocket arm at third base. An above-average athlete, Richards held his own in his first taste of Triple-A last year where he slashed .272/.323/.479. The Michigan native will need to either up his power levels in order to be seen more than just a back-up corner infielder. His .930 OPS during the 2041 Florida Prospect League is a good start.
Reminds scouts of: a poor man's Kiichi Suzuki
BBA ETA: 2043
#10. Mitch Freemann, RHP
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 22
Signed: 2nd Round, 2041
Analysis: Drafted out of college, the 6’4” Canadian righthander had one of the best fastballs in his entire draft class, topping out at 101 MPH. Freemann pitched will in Single-A after being selected 57th overall, then struggled in a late-season promotion to Double-A. In the Florida Prospect League, Freemann was the team’s ace and his WHIP (1.13) and K/BB ratio (4.7) was a great sign of what may come. He’ll need to work on his command with all three of his pitches, but profiles as a potential back-of-the-rotation starter in the bullpen.
Reminds scouts of: Stephen Clulow
BBA ETA: 2044
#11. Ismael Alfonzo, COF
2041 Ranking: #9
Age: 21
Signed: 4th Round, 2038
One Sentence Analysis: Suspect corner outfielder finally broke out (.306/.333/.531) but is young enough to figure it all out before a potential move to DH or 1B.
Reminds scouts of: Benton Allen
BBA ETA: 2043
#12. Elliott Stewart, LHP
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 22
Signed: 2nd Round, 2041
One Sentence Analysis: A former Navy Midshipman, the lefty relies on a hard forkball and cutter with a potential plus-changeup to pound the strike zone and keep batters off-balance.
Reminds scouts of: Pierre Legrand
BBA ETA: 2044
#13. Craig Gregory, LHP
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 22
Signed: 2nd Round, 2041
One Sentence Analysis: With a good batting eye and speed, Gregory profiles to hit atop a line-up but has the makings of an above-average utility infielder in the majors.
Reminds scouts of: a righthanded-hitting Claudio Defazio
BBA ETA: 2045
#14. Bob Dempsey, 1B
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 16
Signed: International Development Academy, 2041 from Canada
One Sentence Analysis: Broad-shouldered teenager has raw power but shows an advanced offensive approach as he continues to work on pitch recognition.
Reminds scouts of: fellow Canuck Tommy Cochran
BBA ETA: 2047
#15. Ramón Miranda , CF
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 21
Signed: 13th Round, 2038
One Sentence Analysis: A late-blooming prospect, Miranda looks like a future fourth outfielder with above-average defense, excellent speed and solid left-handed bat.
Reminds scouts of: Mitch Dalrymple
BBA ETA: 2043
#16. Alexandre Larga, RHP
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 21
Signed: 4th Round, 2041
One Sentence Analysis: Decent four-pitch repertoire with average control and decent stuff, the Brazilian is likely a spot-starter or long reliever in the majors.
Reminds scouts of: Keith Howard
BBA ETA: 2044
#17. Seitaro Ugaki, LHP
2041 Ranking: #14
Age: 24
Drafted: International Development Academy, 2035 from Japan
One Sentence Analysis: Lefty starter with three above-average pitches held his own in cup of coffee call-up to Boise as a specialty reliever.
BBA ETA: Debuted 2041
#18. Toshikuni Kubo, LHP
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 16
Signed: International Development Academy, 2042 from Japan
One Sentence Analysis: Built like a ramen noodle (6’7”, 200 lb), he has swing-and-miss potential that projects as that of a #4/#5 starter with some upside.
Reminds scouts of: Josh Brown
BBA ETA: 2046
#19. Gerardo López, RHP
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 19
Signed: International Development Academy, 2040 from Puerto Rico
One Sentence Analysis: Armed with a still-developing explosive fastball that he keeps up in the zone to set-up his knuckle-curve, Lopez could reach the majors as a spot-starter one day.
Reminds scouts of: Mario Villarreal
BBA ETA: 2047
#20. Cisco Júlio, 1B
2041 Ranking: unranked
Age: 23
Signed: 19th Round, 2038
One Sentence Analysis: 33 HR as a 22-year-old repeating Single-A isn’t that exciting but the slugger without a defensive home could move quickly up the minors this year.
Reminds scouts of: Enrique Gómez
BBA ETA: 2043
Gone from 2041: Ricardo Ruíz, #2 (promoted); Robin Cooper, #4 (promoted); José Hernández, #10 (minors); Frank Metcalf, #11 (promoted); Leroy Hoffman, #12 (promoted); Júlio Rivera, #13 (minors); Jared Hicks, #15 (trade, Brooklyn); Jude Carter, #16 (minors); Emílio Medina, #17 (minors); Alfonso Jaramillo, #18 (minors); Francisco Acosta, #19 (minors); Pedro Santos, #20 (minors)
System review: With recent top prospects graduating to Boise, the organization lacks depth but still boosts a handful of intriguing arms and well-rounded infielders. Look for General Manager Joe Lederer to continue to make improving the farm a high priority via trades and the draft, especially at pitching.
