RosterResource Chat - 6/18/26
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AvatarJason Martinez
2:02
Welcome to the RosterResource chat! Vlad Jr. just hit a HR. Guardians' catching prospect Cooper Ingle, who has been playing LF as of late, already has 3 HRs today in AAA. Could be knocking down the door. Lots of fun stuff happening.

Here we go ...
kphan34
2:03
Thanks Jason and Jon. Do you think the Brewers start giving Andrew Vaughn more than just short-side platoon ABs against lefties if he keeps hitting this well?
AvatarJon Becker
2:05
The question with Vaughn is "over whom should he be playing?" The "hitting this well" is because he's being put in favorable matchups, leading to a 304(!!!) wRC+ against LHP and 92 against righties. That's not going to get Bauers benched so the only other option is Bauers in LF and Chourio in CF with Mitchell on the bench, which is a huge drop-off defensively in a way that doesn't even lengthen the lineup.
frank
2:05
Do you see Samad Taylor getting substantial playing time this year, or is it likely to drop off in the coming months?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:09
He's earned the chance to start on most days based on his defense, speed, clutch hitting, quality of at-bats. And there's not really any competition right now. Padres have a huge hole in the lineup for a lefty bat and there is room for that addition (whenever that happens) and Samad Taylor right now.

However, these types of players (guys who have been in the majors but mostly bounced around AAA for years) do have weaknesses that can be exposed the more often they play. I hope he can make adjustments and stick in the lineup, but I think it's more likely that he eventually becomes a valuable bench piece who can start 3-4 days per week. We'll see. He's done enough that I expect him to be a part of the team for a while.
mike sixel
2:10
Once he's healthy, sigh, how much longer do we have to wait for Culpeper to be promoted in Minnesota?
AvatarJon Becker
2:12
My best guess is that they'll want to see him get back into a groove at Triple-A before considering it. Haven't seen a timetable on his injury just yet but I have to think that at absolute minimum he's out until July, and he could still be eased back into games for a bit after, needs to perform at the plate, all that. So I don't think post-Trade Deadline (irrespective of who, if anyone, the Twins move) is unreasonable assuming it's a fairly short-term injury.
soddingjunkmail
2:12
So, Daniel Espino. Discuss.
AvatarJason Martinez
2:14
Promoted earlier than expected just because he had been limited to 1-inning stints and then getting 3-4 days off in AAA. The Guardians' bullpen is strong enough that they can continue to do that with him in the majors but will eventually need to show more often, including back-to-back days and occasional multi-inning stints at some point. He can be an impact arm for them down the stretch.
sun55dance
2:15
When will Detroit bring up Max Clark?
AvatarJon Becker
2:17
I think if they were contending right now this would be more under consideration right now but I don't know that they'd want to push it with the season already seeming lost. He's been better of late (114 wRC+ this month to get his season up to 100 on the nose) but he's not exactly knocking down the door. I could see him as a low-stakes "we've waved the white flag at the Trade Deadline" promotion rather than a "we're promoting him to try to be the savior."
Beer:30
2:19
With the promotion of Pratt, should we expect a Made promotion soon? Also, do you see him as a shortstop going forward or will he be manning a new position come spring 2027? If so, what position do you think he winds up?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:22
At this point, the Brewers are not operating as though a Made promotion is imminent. Pratt playing only SS after the contract extension made it clear that he was going to be their starting SS and Ortiz would be moved to 3B or utility role. Jesus Made has only played SS in AA this season. Pratt and Made are both capable of moving to 3B but I don't think that's the expectation in 2026.

My assumption is that Made gets to AAA later this season and makes his MLB debut in early-to-mid 2027. The Brewers can figure out which position he will play over the offseason and then either get him or Pratt ready for the move.
Christopher
2:22
Do you think Jasson's days in CF are over?  Be nice to keep Belli in left against lefties, but maybe they need Jasson to just focus on playing one position well enough?  Maybe this changes when Judge is back
AvatarJon Becker
2:23
I think so. I remember reading sometime last year that they actually thought he'd be better in CF than the corners because there's a lot less slice on the ball out there, but it's hard to justify putting a guy who's looked that out-of-sorts in the corner OF in center. Even with Grisham on the IL they've still got Bellinger and Jones as better options.
AutomatedTeller
2:25
It looks to me like the Nationals are now committed to use Mead and Crews.  Do they have enough backing to keep PT even through a slump by now?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:28
Yeah, those two seem locked in for now and that probably won't change anytime soon. It's a great fit with those right-handed bats producing in between all of their lefties (Wood, Abrams, Garcia, Lile).

Mead seems fine defensively at 3B. Brady House isn't forcing his way back to the majors anytime soon. And the prospects who are making the most noise in AAA fit best at 1B (Yohandy Morales) and 2B/SS (Seaver King) so Mead/Crews should have plenty of runway.
sammysamsam
2:28
What is the likelihood that the Os are sellers, and do they really have anybody of value to move?
AvatarJon Becker
2:31
Right now their playoff odds are at 29%, so there's a lot that can happen between now and August 3 for a buy/sell decision — but things are certainly trending that way. It'd be interesting to see if they'd only want to move rentals (Helsley, Kittredge, Ward, Rogers, Akin) and try again next year, or go bigger. If they go bigger, would have to think Adley would be on the table (FA after 2027).
drplantwrench
2:32
where do you think christian moore will end up playing? is he a future LFer?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:35
Seems like it's been a pretty even split between 2B/3B/LF over the past few weeks, which makes sense because there really isn't an obvious path to regular playing time in the majors at one spot right now. And I don't think they're getting him ready to be a super-utilityman. Still looks like an everyday bat. They have to be very encouraged by what he's been doing in AAA. He's been a hit machine with good BB/K numbers.

Ideally, they could find a trade partner for Jo Adell, which could open up some LF at-bats. The emergence of Grissom/Peraza and the arrival of Denzer Guzman has made 2B/3B a bit crowded.They're also a bit right-handed heavy at the moment. Adding Moore to the current group over guys like Meckler/Walton make them even more vulnerable to RHP.
Beer:30
2:37
With Lara locked up, it would appear to remove him from trade packages and make him the CF of the future. As you said, Pratt is locked in at SS and Made moves to third, leaving Jett without a position. Does it seem he is the prospect who will be included in any trade offers in the next month or is there another option?
AvatarJon Becker
2:38
They've got plenty of non-extended prospects that things would like, even if we assume Made and Peña are off the table. Though Jett's versatility and closeness to the majors would certainly make him attractive. It'll be interesting to see how willing the Brewers are to push chips in at the deadline, both from a prospect and payroll standpoint.
Broken Bat
2:38
your thought on who to cut: in running to Win championship. 4x4… cut ? Elvis Alvarado, Edgardo HENRIQUEZ, Cory Vest, Tony Santillan? Need saves.
AvatarJason Martinez
2:41
Henriquez has been great and could be a future closer but Tanner Scott should continue to get the majority of save chances and Edwin Diaz will be back at some point.

Vest has been shaky. As long as Jansen is healthy, he is going to get the majority of save chances.

Alvarado has emerged as the A's best closer option. Still not enough of a track record to trust him 100% but he has the best chance of becoming their closer and keeping the job. Seems to have figured something out in AAA. We'll see if it can carry over.

Santillan is starting to figure things out and has re-emerged as the Reds' closer. In the meantime, he's probably the best bet out of this group until Emilio Pagan returns (maybe in 1 month).
ankoalec
2:41
Colorado has a handful of outfielders out with relatively lower-risk injuries, but in their absence Cole Carrigg has provided an extra-base spark. When the likes of Beck, Doyle, and Moniak return, do you expect Carrigg to be sent back down to AAA where he put up a .930 OPS over 250 at-bats this year, or is he in Colorado to stay?
AvatarJon Becker
2:43
Carrigg has provided a spark, shown great tools, and can play all over the place, so I think there's a decent chance he sticks around as a super-utility guy and still plays plenty. But there's still time before the whole cavalry comes off the IL and by that point he could be slumping and look like he needs more time in the minors.
Biscuit
2:44
If can the Guardians continue to justify running out negative WAR catchers with Ingle sitting at AAA with a WRC+ of 150
AvatarJason Martinez
2:48
They've made it pretty clear what the priority is for their catching position with the acquisition of Patrick Bailey and continuing to bring back Austin Hedges as their backup. When the offense struggles, the lack of production from Bailey/Hedges will be magnified a bit but the Guardians really aren't too worried about the No. 9 spot in their lineup.

Ingle continues to get starts at catcher in AAA but the Guardians have been forced to see what he can do in LF now that it seems like the bat is close to MLB-ready. Not sure it's imminent but he could be an option later in the season.
yochuckie
2:49
Red Sox in *blow up* mode? And should they be?
AvatarJon Becker
2:51
I think they will be and should be somewhere in the middle. They're not going to move Roman Anthony or anything like that but I'd be somewhat surprised if they stopped at just trading Sonny Gray, their only rental of value. (Aroldis has a very easy to reach vesting option.) I have to think they'll at minimum entertain offers on Contreras as a sell-high during a career year, and I'm sure you'll hear Jarren Duran's name pop up as a trade candidate for something like the 20th year in a row now.
sun55dance
2:52
When will St Louis CALL UP Baez?
AvatarJason Martinez
2:56
The fact that he's been playing mostly CF in AAA leads me to believe there is a path. Not sure how he looks out there but Nootbaar/Walker have LF/RF locked down. Victor Scott II could get another shot if he shows improvement in AAA and Church should have some runway to show what he can do. It's only 31 PA since he returned from the IL but he has a .387 OBP.

Baez is also striking out a ton (30% K rate) so I don't think there is a change coming anytime soon unless he improves in that area. I thought 2027 was always more likely but he's at least in the mix to get a look at some point in 2026.
AvatarJon Becker
2:59
Before I answer my last question of the day, I'd like to plug the Feature Focus series that I started a couple weeks ago! Every Tuesday and Thursday I'll be highlighting a littler-known or underutilized feature at FanGraphs. Tuesday's was on WAR Graphs, and today's was on the Coaches Table.
Seuss2004
2:59
The Andrew Painter question. They dont need a savior at the 5th starter spot, but 5 innings of a 5 ERA would be a huge improvement. Alan Rangel for a month or so?
AvatarJon Becker
3:00
About five minutes ago they selected Bryse Wilson from LHV since he had an upward mobility clause. At minimum he's going to soak up bullpen innings for a bit but he might just get the next turn in the rotation if he doesn't pitch and they'd rather not send someone down to bring Rangel up or lose Wilson to a DFA. The Athletic reported yesterday that they're looking outside the organization for options, but it's pretty uncommon to make a trade for even a backend SP this early. (No, I do not think they'll be calling the Angels about Taijuan Walker.)
AutomatedTeller
3:01
Is Bret Baty going to figure things out?   he makes me sad...
AvatarJason Martinez
3:04
The good news is that he figured it out last season, slashing .308/.370/.496 in 146 PAs in August/September. Not enough of a track record to just expect that to happen again. And when Lindor returns and Bichette moves back to 3B, there might not be as many at-bats for Baty if he hasn't turned things around. But he's been a very good MLB hitter at times.
Beer:30
3:04
Is there a place on the site you can compare prospect grades? Within a team or player to player? I think it would be cool to have a page with all the prospects, like the leaderboards, with only their grades, while also being able to find historical comparisons to prospects via their grades.
AvatarJason Martinez
3:05
I think this is what you're looking for ...

The Board with Scouting + Stats: https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board-scouting-and-stats?sort=...
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