[SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the Toolshed, a podcast covering all levels of professional baseball to help give you the edge in your dynasty leagues.
[SPEAKER_00]: From the MLB draft, all the way to the show, the Toolshed podcast has you covered with rankings, player analysis, and in-depth discussion.
[SPEAKER_00]: And now, here's your host, Eric Cross.
[SPEAKER_01]: What's up everyone, welcome into the episode of the tool shed podcast brought to you by Rotobar.
[SPEAKER_01]: This is episode 430.
[SPEAKER_01]: Thank you for joining me.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm your host Eric Cross.
[SPEAKER_01]: You can find me on Twitter at Eric Cross MLB and the show is at tool shed pod.
[SPEAKER_01]: Continuing the dynasty and prospect ranking series this week is second base.
[SPEAKER_01]: prospects in this episode dynasty later in the week you know second base has gotten better it's not not the offensive death trap it used to be but in the prospect rankings it is kind of interesting and I'll explain why in a minute but before I get into everything the usual housekeeping if you enjoy the podcast please rate and review you can find all the micons and either on
[SPEAKER_01]: And make sure you check out all of the great content over on Rotabarrer with Rotabarrer's Premium Pass, gain access to expert tools and advice from proven winners, including team sync, line up assistant tools, free agent, fine nurse, prop picks, and the number one DFS line up optimizer, Premium Pass, those of you 100% money back guarantee, just go to Rotabarrer.com slash radio and use this count code toolshed at checkout.
[SPEAKER_01]: Venice baseball is coming folks.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's, you know, that middle of the offseason law right now.
[SPEAKER_01]: I know the hot stove has been fragilately cold lately.
[SPEAKER_01]: Usually is around the holidays for the most part.
[SPEAKER_01]: So hope everyone, you know, whatever holiday you celebrate.
[SPEAKER_01]: Hope you had a great one.
[SPEAKER_01]: I appreciate everyone support this is the last episode of 2025.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's been a really good year, obviously, a, you know, a different year for the tool shed, but I appreciate everyone supports and bigger and better things on the horizon for 2026 love doing this podcast love doing tool shed tool shed obviously is my baby.
[SPEAKER_01]: So going to be a great year, hopefully upcoming in 2026, but we end 2025 by talking about second maize prospects.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, my voice is a little off.
[SPEAKER_01]: I apologize.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm dealing with another cold pressure.
[SPEAKER_01]: My kids gave me this one.
[SPEAKER_01]: It was their most secret for Christmas, so I think one of them were both gave it to me.
[SPEAKER_01]: So that's why I'm a little bit later this week on the episode.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's given my voice a little bit of time to recoup.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's still not, you know, 100%, but a little bit better than it was the other day.
[SPEAKER_01]: So we'll touch on and talk about second
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, this position is a little different, a little weird because when you get into these other aviode spots outside of catcher and first you start getting a lot of these guys are just, you know, eligible, I mean, you know, the eligible per se, but like that have played.
[SPEAKER_01]: multiple spots defensively throughout the mind of the season, you know, a lot of these guys are like, oh 25 games here 30 games there 20 games here, whatever it is, so a lot of guys that are just going to be eligible or ranked in a few different spots and I'm going to talk about a few guys that
[SPEAKER_01]: didn't necessarily play primarily second base this past year, but played enough to be ranked here, could be, you know, have a to be in their column, at least, as one of their positions and their column on my spreadsheet.
[SPEAKER_01]: And guys, I do think we'll wind up there or have the highest likelihood of winding up at the second base spot.
[SPEAKER_01]: and you'll see two of those guys right at the top of the rankings here.
[SPEAKER_01]: So let's get right into the top 10, which is JJ Weatherholtz, Luis Pena, Travis Besana, Michael Royo, Jordan Lawyer at five, who I just hope graduates at some point.
[SPEAKER_01]: yet Jet Williams at six.
[SPEAKER_01]: I run Escobar seven, JD Dix eight, Tommy Troy nine, and JD Matthews at number ten.
[SPEAKER_01]: So a couple of Arizona guys there near the end.
[SPEAKER_01]: And you know, some guys that like Jet Williams played three spots.
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, during law or played three spots, weather halt played three spots.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, I was kind of talking about, you know, that have, you know, that multiple position eligibility.
[SPEAKER_01]: But let's start right at the top with weather halt because he's the biggest one there.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's only one in semi top 10 at this position and the only one in semi top 25 actually at this position.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes, he played mostly shortstop with some second base and some third base added in.
[SPEAKER_01]: But I think as of now, I mean, St. Louis is going through a bit of a rebuild right now.
[SPEAKER_01]: So this absolutely could change, but as the roster currently sits, I think whether whole is their second
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, Mason wins a short stop and well, he had a little bit of up and down year offensively.
[SPEAKER_01]: Obviously his defensive impact keeps him there.
[SPEAKER_01]: I've been not going to move.
[SPEAKER_01]: Mason went off of short.
[SPEAKER_01]: So barring an injury.
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't believe whether he sees it a lot of time at short stop.
[SPEAKER_01]: And as of now, no one are I know, even though he's been rumored to be traded 450 times over last 18 months or whatever.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's still their third basement and you don't move a gold glove like gold you know a gold glove guy like R. I know I guess you got this one how many gold gloves is R. I don't want it's like obviously not a few I'm going to guess he's up to What nine 10 gold gloves.
[SPEAKER_01]: Let's see.
[SPEAKER_01]: Let's see how close I am he's definitely in the vicinity of 10 if he's already at 10 gold gloves
[SPEAKER_01]: Let's see, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, up, 10 rent rent the dot every year from 2013 through 2022.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, he hasn't went any the last three years, but still a very good defensive short stop even if he is in this mid 30s now.
[SPEAKER_01]: So unless he gets still at that kind of leave second base, which is kind of in a, you know, a bit of a black hole of sorts for the Cardinals, but he may be JJ weather Hulk and can stop that.
[SPEAKER_01]: you know, trend here.
[SPEAKER_01]: Really good here for weatherhole in 2025, between double A and triple A nearly split time between those two levels, 496 combined played appearances where he slashed 306, 421, 510, 17 home runs, 28 doubles and 23 steals only was caught three times.
[SPEAKER_01]: So very efficient year all round, efficient on the base paths, efficient at the plate.
[SPEAKER_01]: had nearly as many walks as strikeouts only as you one fewer walks than strikeouts equates to a 14 and a half percent walk rate and a 14.7% strikeout rate, you know, overall contact rate set right around 80% on the year was around 83% in high a and I mean,
[SPEAKER_01]: And so that blend of contact and power really, really good, and the pat, I mean, though the contact and approach could be in the power, also really good for weather hole.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, he just does so many things well.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, in Triple A, it was a 49% hard hit rate, 12 and a half percent.
[SPEAKER_01]: in a 91.4 mile an hour average exit velocity.
[SPEAKER_01]: So while he might not have that one super loud tool, it's above average contact, it's a elite approach.
[SPEAKER_01]: Maybe that's a loud tool, even though approach per se isn't thought of as a loud tool.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, I might be the loud tool for weather holds, given how elite his approach is.
[SPEAKER_01]: And he's above average power, above average speed.
[SPEAKER_01]: type of player, you know, that can hit for high average, get on base, you know, 2020 or or better type of guy at second base, maybe even with some dual eligibility, I'm not sure what that would be, which, which of those other spots he would add to it, probably third base, before again, I think shortstop as she is the lowest light in the hood at this point, but that's really exciting.
[SPEAKER_01]: So yeah, that's someone to really cover it.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, he's,
[SPEAKER_01]: In semi-Top 10 for a reason, he's a top 100 dinosaur guy overall for me right now and given the fact that he has all that upside high floor as well and he's got a debut at some point early on this season.
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know if it'll be opening day, could be.
[SPEAKER_01]: But regardless, it should be early, it should be up for a good, good chunk of the season and be one of the front runners for the National League rookie of the year award.
[SPEAKER_01]: So JJ Weatherhold is the top dog here and then right behind him, Luis Painjaz and the one where just given all of the,
[SPEAKER_01]: Other options they have, I mean, obviously HACES mod A and all the guys at the corners including, you know, third baseman like Andrew Fisher and Brock will get, you know, plus plus a bunch of others they've got so many corner guys so I don't think third base will be in painous future and if mod A is going to be.
[SPEAKER_01]: the short stop than I see pain you're being over a second, maybe that flip flops and maybe the pain is a short body a second.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's obviously a possible outcome as well, but I want to talk about Luis Pena here because there's so many good short stuff as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, so be plenty of short stuff to talk about and I'll probably still bring him up with my guest on that episode, but you know,
[SPEAKER_01]: Pretty good year from paying you obviously not quite as majestic as his DSL showing in 2024, but still a 270, 335, 422 slash line between low A and high A as an 18 year old, 9 home runs,
[SPEAKER_01]: 18 doubles, six triples, a lot of extra bits hits there, and 44 steals in 51 attempts.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, doesn't walk a ton, I mean, 8% walk rate, not bad by any means, but not a super high walk rate guy, but he puts the ball and play.
[SPEAKER_01]: doesn't strike out much at all.
[SPEAKER_01]: Only a 16.3% strikeout rate that did jump to 24.8% in high A, but that's even not terrible.
[SPEAKER_01]: And again, he is young.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, he was very young for the level.
[SPEAKER_01]: So a 168 to 20 27 slash line and a 42 WRC plus as an 18 year old and 25 high A games.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm
[SPEAKER_01]: because they all run offensive profile is still being intriguing and it can't decorate around 76%.
[SPEAKER_01]: This past year, only 11% swing strike rates.
[SPEAKER_01]: So that's fine.
[SPEAKER_01]: Again, not a high strike out rate.
[SPEAKER_01]: Plenty of speed.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, paying you, you know, 44 steals.
[SPEAKER_01]: This past year, you know, this got it could be a 30 plus steel guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: easily a plus runner.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, maybe double plus.
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know if I'd go quite 70 grade on a speed, maybe, you know, 60s definitely there 60 grade speed.
[SPEAKER_01]: So 30 plus deals definitely possible with a good efficiency as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: So that seems like a near certainty that he could be that type of player as a full time guy in the majors, but the
[SPEAKER_01]: is how much power does paint your tap into.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, right as of now, he's kind of more of a, you know, I'd say more of a fringe average power guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: I do think there's more in the tank.
[SPEAKER_01]: There's more projection in the frame as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, he's run six foot.
[SPEAKER_01]: Maybe a little bit tall or he's listen to five, 11, I don't know that's accurate.
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, it's kind of hard to say, I always miss judge players height and then video, but not only one of my strong suits and admittedly, but it definitely has some a little bit of rum like I could see him adding another good 10 pounds of bulk or sell.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I could see him ticking out to me like an average power bat.
[SPEAKER_01]: So even if he's just like 15 to 18 bombs, something like that, if he's giving you a good average, you know, with plenty of steals as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: We'll see
[SPEAKER_01]: It gets that walk rate up over the next couple of years, but still a lot to like getting in it.
[SPEAKER_01]: If you're getting this from second base, that's really an exciting, you know, all run offensive talent.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I'm probably a little bit lower on him the most.
[SPEAKER_01]: I know most of them, you know, top 10, top 15, top 20.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's 27 and 28 range for me right now in my overall, but doesn't mean I just like him.
[SPEAKER_01]: I definitely still like Luis Pena.
[SPEAKER_01]: I good bet just not over the over the moon for him like some are but Number three here the first like real true sick of basement
[SPEAKER_01]: 2024, number one overall pick out of Oregon state.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's Travis Bazana knocking on the door to Cleveland at this point after spending 26 games and triple A last year not a super sexy slash line, you know, 245, 389, 424.
[SPEAKER_01]: but a 137 WRC plus, you know, this was an 84 games last year added 17 doubles, five triples, nine bombs, and 12 steals in the 14 attempts, 17 and a half percent walk rate, 24.3% strength out rates.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's a guy that, you know, the numbers with Pazana have never been
[SPEAKER_01]: reason, another good example of why we just can't 100% go off of, it's just strictly surface stats.
[SPEAKER_01]: If you go, look, this guy never tore it up in the miners.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, that's fine.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, development is not linear and these guys aren't always going to put up the super elite numbers in the minor leagues for, for one reason or another.
[SPEAKER_01]: So,
[SPEAKER_01]: can't just always go off of just surface stats like I had somebody the other day you know to eat out me saying like oh chase burning sucks to this year and whip last year in the majors even though like all the year a indicators were much much lower you know elite came on a swagger all this and that it's just don't always go off of just the surface stats with with these prospects because Travis Bazana is a very good all-round prospect again similar to
[SPEAKER_01]: outside of maybe the approach and then the ability to get on base, it's not a super like gotty sexy loud profile, but Bizana just does so many things well without having any real like notable red flags that we need to be concerned about, that he just feels like like a safe
[SPEAKER_01]: prospect and not safe as in boring safe, but like safe as in, you know, that I feel pretty good about him becoming a good major leaker more than I do than about the most prospects in the game today.
[SPEAKER_01]: Interplay last year had a contact rate right around 76% average EV a little bit over 89 hours now or 41% hard hit rate 12.
[SPEAKER_01]: And a half percent barrel rate.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's also in above average or better runner.
[SPEAKER_01]: And it's really above average across the board offensively and the context skills have always been good.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, he's never had a contact rate below 76% at any level.
[SPEAKER_01]: So far, swinging strike rates have been like 78% and that's very, very good.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, the walk rates have always been super high, lowest walk rate, the lowest walk rate for him.
[SPEAKER_01]: at any level 12.7% in AA this year.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, in 2024 is debut in high a 13.9% walk rate, then 12.7% AA this year, 24.2% in triple A this year, 24.2% so yeah, you only get 225 in triple A, but he had a 420 OBP at a level.
[SPEAKER_01]: So,
[SPEAKER_01]: I feel, you know, him pushing 2020 or like 2025, something like that is possible, you know, maybe he's not a 300 hitter, but 27275 with a possibility of being a guy that pushes a 400 OVP, I mean, I don't say that.
[SPEAKER_01]: about many prospects, but I do think Bazon is one of those guys that is always in the you know, the upper echelon of prospects or between of major league players in OPP every year, just because he's probably going to run a 12, 13, 14% walkeray, you know, to go along with a decent average.
[SPEAKER_01]: So he'll have that 360, 373, 80, maybe even higher.
[SPEAKER_01]: OPP to go that nice power speed blend from second base another guy that is going to spend more time in the majors than the minors this year.
[SPEAKER_01]: I do think whether the holds up first, but I do imagine that.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I might even switch these two by the time I do my next, you know, overall update in the next couple of weeks.
[SPEAKER_01]: Still going to finish my positional series, which I don't even got, it's a picture left.
[SPEAKER_01]: I just released outfield today on Tuesday to 30th outfield projects top 150 of those.
[SPEAKER_01]: So if you miss that, check out the Patreon.
[SPEAKER_01]: So once I get the printing process done, which hopefully be early to mid next week, then I'll get the updated 500 out in early part of January.
[SPEAKER_01]: And so maybe I'll have Pizana head of Pina by then, but you know, these are easily my top three right now.
[SPEAKER_01]: Ginger weather holds Luis Pina and Travis Pizana, but right after them, you know, Michael Royale, he's a solid prospect as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'd have to feel like he gets pretty undervalued and not really talked about enough.
[SPEAKER_01]: When you're talking about the top prospects at this position,
[SPEAKER_01]: But, you know, there's a good set of skills here with a royal.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, it's above average contact.
[SPEAKER_01]: He was around 77% this year, quoting 79% in double a was around 75% in high a and that's been pretty consistent.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's been like right around anywhere from make a 75 to around like a 77 78%
[SPEAKER_01]: Contact each the last three seasons and every level within each season has been right in that range as well Like his contact rate range is very very tight which is good to see.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, that shows like there's a lot of consistency there You know, it doesn't strike out too much this year was 18.7% to go along with a 12 and a half percent walk rate
[SPEAKER_01]: guy that had a 401 OBP this year, 400 OBP on the nose last year, 403 in 2023.
[SPEAKER_01]: So those consistent OBPs as well, you know, though the average has fluctuated a little bit, but 255 to 85 last year.
[SPEAKER_01]: Orange assuming in 2024 and then 262 last year added 17 homeruns 12 steels 24 doubles.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I think this is, you know, above average contact, above average approach.
[SPEAKER_01]: And I think he's average to above average raw power as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I think over, you know, full season, maybe not 30 homers, but you know,
[SPEAKER_01]: with range for him, settle into.
[SPEAKER_01]: And I think that enough speedier for double digit steel is as well, not thought of as a runner and not a burner by any means, but I do think there's enough speed here to be a 10 to 15 steel guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: Especially early on in his career, we've probably got to run a little bit and he's always run these in the minor leagues.
[SPEAKER_01]: Again, not supply numbers in the stolen base column,
[SPEAKER_01]: eight steals in 2023 and 61 games, 18 steals and 120 games in 2024 and 12 and 12 and 12 and 121 games last year.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I think you know 20 plus 10 plus hitting 260 ish with you know a high OEP.
[SPEAKER_01]: you know, that's still a really solid player.
[SPEAKER_01]: Not sure how much time he gets in the majors this year.
[SPEAKER_01]: And Seattle is contending and they have guys ahead of him.
[SPEAKER_01]: I think Colt Emerson could take over at second base earlier this season.
[SPEAKER_01]: I didn't include him here because you know, he hasn't only played taking base in the minor leagues, but you know,
[SPEAKER_01]: not sure when we see a rollo up with Seattle or an animal capacity when she is up.
[SPEAKER_01]: But I think he's still for top 100 guys.
[SPEAKER_01]: I think he's a pretty undervalued.
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't think many have him inside the top 40 like I do.
[SPEAKER_01]: So still a big rollo guy always kind of have them like him a good bit and half him as the fourth guy at the second May spots.
[SPEAKER_01]: dual and triple eligibility guys, at least on my spreadsheet, we'll see if that turns into dual or tri eligibility in the majors, like even Marcel and Meyer, who I actually still have on my sheet, I didn't say him in my rankings because most sites have taken him off.
[SPEAKER_01]: And I'm not sure if he's in a play-sick in base, we'll see what the RedSucks do.
[SPEAKER_01]: But he's a guy that played some second-based last year.
[SPEAKER_01]: in the minors as well and maybe he does play second base if they bring back a third basement like Alex pregnant or whatever maybe mine was over the second base but you know Jordan Loller not sure where he winds up I mean at this point third base probably is more so his home so I'm not really gonna go super into Jordan Loller right now but all I want to say in regards to Jordan Loller
[SPEAKER_01]: is don't give up on him yet.
[SPEAKER_01]: I know it's been really frustrating him and just a lot of it like the really frustrating and makes you want to pull your hair out where you see the upside, you see where they're capable of and they give you glimpses of that and just can't stay healthy and
[SPEAKER_01]: that causes wide swings in production because they're on the field, then on the IAL, back on the field, back on the IAL, it's hard to really get like a momentum, ain't a momentum going when you're on the IAL so many times throughout the season.
[SPEAKER_01]: So that's why Jordan Law or Surface Satsup have been kind of all over the place, but he's way too talented to write off yet.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, still 23 years old, might have a chance this year at third base.
[SPEAKER_01]: If they trick, tell Marte,
[SPEAKER_01]: which now is kind of looking like they won'ts, but who knows?
[SPEAKER_01]: So probably third base, but if they do trademark today, maybe second base, you know, obviously Perdomo is short stop now or, I don't know, he has been, but, you know, especially locked in now after his huge offensive outburst last year to go on with his defensive stats.
[SPEAKER_01]: So he's eight and eight, we would Perdomo anytime soon.
[SPEAKER_01]: So second major third base probably lawless home with third base being most likely, but I still have them as a top 50 guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: And I would even buy low because the
[SPEAKER_01]: Proceed value is as really been shot on on law or so.
[SPEAKER_01]: I think he's actually a pretty good value right now.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, Runezka bar and the two Arizona guys, JD Dix, Tommy Troy, come in behind them.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, Runezka bar was an interesting little breakout hitter this past year.
[SPEAKER_01]: Not really.
[SPEAKER_01]: super high on prospect rankings and during the season, but he had a really good showing to open the year.
[SPEAKER_01]: Then he kind of fizzled out later in the year.
[SPEAKER_01]: So hard one to rank.
[SPEAKER_01]: because a lot of his, you know, production and a lot of the, you know, quote unquote breakout was primarily in low A or any slash 285, 377, 452, 11 homeruns, 10 steals, 10% walk rate, 16% strikeout rate in 69 aims.
[SPEAKER_01]: but then slash 256 348 369 and 46 high-a games and only 182 252 73 but that was just in five double games.
[SPEAKER_01]: So once you got up past low-way production went down but it was still a decent amount of stuff
[SPEAKER_01]: Overall, again, a good walk rate, good strike out rate.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's the above average runner at 24 steals this year, was when he caught five times.
[SPEAKER_01]: So solid efficiency there as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: And I think there's a round average power.
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't think he's much more than like a 15 to 18 homework guy, but
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, 15 to 18 homeruns, 20 or so steels with a solid average and a solid OBP, I mean, again, nothing really stands out here, but, you know, there's a few average tube of average tools here with a runesque bar.
[SPEAKER_01]: So he's one of the, I'll be really monitoring closely to start the years because of how he performed after low A this past year.
[SPEAKER_01]: So if he, you know, gets off to a
[SPEAKER_01]: That'll kind of reassure me that, hey, this wasn't just a low A breakouts that got squashed after that.
[SPEAKER_01]: I want to see if he can bounce back and perform better at the, you know, once he gets a full year, you know, at the, you know, double A level, which is really certain, all right, these are the upper minors.
[SPEAKER_01]: Now, so I think the first month or two of 2026 will be a pretty telling for a Rune Escobar.
[SPEAKER_01]: But for now, he is inside my top 10 prospects at this position.
[SPEAKER_01]: All right, let's move on to the next 10, but to recap the top 10, JJ Weatherhold, Luis Pena, Travis Pazana, Michael Royo, Jordan Lawler, Jet Williams, Arun Escobar, JD Dix, Tommy Troy, and Bryce Matthews, 11 is Sam Antonachi, 12, Arana Strada, 13 Alks
[SPEAKER_01]: 15 James Triantos, 16 Max Anderson of Detroit, 17 Josh Adam Sheski with Milwaukee, 18, the 78 year old, where feels like it.
[SPEAKER_01]: Shea Whitcom, 19 How You Lee, and 20 Dari for Nandes with Cleveland.
[SPEAKER_01]: All right, let's start with Sima Tanachi, because I
[SPEAKER_01]: was 100% guilty of underranking.
[SPEAKER_01]: Sam Antonachi, you know, he is not the biggest power guy which is part of the reason I wasn't as high as I probably should be on him, but even though I don't think he's a 20 homer guy, I think I was understanding the power until I saw him out in Arizona.
[SPEAKER_01]: he was a guy that performed very well in my life looks out there and a guy that was really just hitting the ball hard all over the field like he was driving the ball to all fields and you know a lot of doubles and and gap shots stuff like that but
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, still a guy that was really just hitting the ball hard, a lot of loud contact from Antonachi.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, you know, you look at the numbers last year, you only hit five home runs in 116 games, but I think there's definitely more home run upside in the tank.
[SPEAKER_01]: And even if that's just like 12, 13, 14, 15, there's something like that.
[SPEAKER_01]: Home runs when you factor in the speed he provides, not a burner, but above average to plus runner, good athlete at 48 steals this year, caught 10 times.
[SPEAKER_01]: So that's, you know, good efficiency there.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's over 80% efficiency and has it willingness to run.
[SPEAKER_01]: So a lot of
[SPEAKER_01]: some possible high-stolen based totals down the line.
[SPEAKER_01]: 13.3% walk rate, 14.1% strike rate, slash 291, 433, 409, 84% contact rate in AA, even higher in an high A was 89% or 80% excuse me, in high A overall around 86% contact
[SPEAKER_01]: So, you know, even now when I'm talking about him and just kind of saying all the metrics here, I'm kind of feeling bad that I didn't put him in my top 10 and probably will bump him up even further before my next update because there's a lot of good here.
[SPEAKER_01]: Contact, really good, that's plus contact.
[SPEAKER_01]: Maybe even slightly above plus.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm not going double plus, I rarely ever do and especially with contact,
[SPEAKER_01]: That's at least plus contact, you know, 85, 86% with that swing strike rate, the approach, also plus speed above average to plus there as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: So all he needs to do is give me double digits, which I think is possible.
[SPEAKER_01]: And after seeing him, I think that's definitely possible.
[SPEAKER_01]: Even if it's, you know, low to mid teens at best,
[SPEAKER_01]: given what he can provide you an average OBP and steels.
[SPEAKER_01]: I think he's got a hits at the top of the order.
[SPEAKER_01]: First of the second, line up in front of Murakami and front of Montgomery and whoever else ends up being in the middle of that line up, right up Montgomery, Kyle Teele, et cetera.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I think you got to go score a lot of runs.
[SPEAKER_01]: It may be not the biggest home run in our BI guide, but I think there's a good like three category base there and runs in average or LBP depending on the league and steals and I think he won't be a zero in power, which is kind of what I thought he was gonna be more of a single digital home run guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: Saw him live.
[SPEAKER_01]: Now I think he's double the digital home run.
[SPEAKER_01]: So that's all it takes sometimes, you know, seeing a guy live and kind of giving you a look
[SPEAKER_01]: in numbers.
[SPEAKER_01]: So that's why I think there's always to be an important part of any prospect analysis as seeing these guys and that might be you know watching video too.
[SPEAKER_01]: I know that everybody can get out the games, but when you can, I just love learning the game and love seeing these things with my own two eyes and it really really really opened your eyes for lack of a better term.
[SPEAKER_01]: to some of these players that, you know, you didn't see it before.
[SPEAKER_01]: And that's definitely in the case with Sam Anthony actually.
[SPEAKER_01]: So he's he's a strong buy in Dynasty for me right now.
[SPEAKER_01]: Like I think one of the one of the better buys and the same thing going to be said like very some more situation here with this next guy at different type of player, you know, not super similar
[SPEAKER_01]: Max Anderson is a guy that I moved way up after seeing him out in the AFL and I probably should move him up even sooner because this guy had a really good year.
[SPEAKER_01]: in the minor league's last year, 296 350, 478 slash line, 19 home runs, 80 RBI, you know, not a speed guy, so that's where he's really different from ontononchi and not really a big walk rate guy either.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's been really around that 67% walk rate range, but keeps the K rate in check was 15.8% this past year, you know, and there's some solid power there, too.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean,
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, he is, you know, hit over power, but far from, like he's not a blow average power bat.
[SPEAKER_01]: There's actually some sneaky good power with Max Anderson, you know, look at what he did last year in triple A.
[SPEAKER_01]: It was a 90.8 mile an hour average exit velocity and a 45.8% hard hit rate.
[SPEAKER_01]: overall.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's generally been in like the mid up or 70s with the contact rate.
[SPEAKER_01]: It was around 77% this past year.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's pretty good above average in zone as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I got that is a little bit more on the aggressive side.
[SPEAKER_01]: He said, doesn't walk.
[SPEAKER_01]: a, you know, whole lot and swing rates are, you know, in the 56, 57% range.
[SPEAKER_01]: So he is a bit aggressive.
[SPEAKER_01]: But he makes it work.
[SPEAKER_01]: He makes the work with the context skills.
[SPEAKER_01]: It doesn't not swing a missed too much.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's never had a key rate at any level above 19%.
[SPEAKER_01]: So he makes it work.
[SPEAKER_01]: And there's 20 homer pop there as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: So get to 70, 20 type of guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm not sure exactly where he ends up on the on the
[SPEAKER_01]: He's played some third base as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: I do think I probably would say second base is the most likely outcome for Mac Anderson, but we shall see, but yeah, I know the guy that, you know, just like a above average bat, you know, in terms of, you know, keeping the key right and check, the raw powers above average, and context skills are also above average.
[SPEAKER_01]: Just to guide that, I think, so to keep surprising people, you know, me included, well, not anymore.
[SPEAKER_01]: I moved Anderson up accordingly, but another guy like Antonachi, that was way too low on and then saw him out in Arizona and, you know, got much, much higher on Max Anderson.
[SPEAKER_01]: So another guy that I'll probably continue to move up on my rankings.
[SPEAKER_01]: But another guy that I think
[SPEAKER_01]: I got it might not be like the sexiest fantasy player, but just a guy that is going to be amazily catered.
[SPEAKER_01]: Sometimes when he get down, you know, outside of, you know, even outside the top 100, you get into the, you know, guys that, you know, it's no, I mean, there's no guarantee with any prospect, but especially these non, you know, top prospects that, okay, just
[SPEAKER_01]: become a major league hitter, a major league regular.
[SPEAKER_01]: Some guys are just destined to be part-time guys, or they'll never make it in the major leagues at all, sort of me me a cup of coffee here and there, but Josh Adam Cheski with Milwaukee, I mean, there's so many infielders in that system, I don't know how it all works out.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, you know, maybe some of them get shipped out to other situations, other teams.
[SPEAKER_01]: Maybe Adam Shesky is one of those guys that get shipped out, but he is just, he's a header through and through.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, there's no better way to describe Adam Shesky than he's just a header.
[SPEAKER_01]: last year in 71 games across three levels complex low-way high-a most of that two-thirds of that was in low-a.
[SPEAKER_01]: He saw us 320, 420, 490 with a 155, WRC plus 14 percent, walk rate 17, 0.2 percent
[SPEAKER_01]: and I think he's, you know, even better contact hitter than that.
[SPEAKER_01]: I think you see that rate took up before it ticks down.
[SPEAKER_01]: Just given, he's a very patient hitter.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's a very, you know, in control of his a bad.
[SPEAKER_01]: So you don't see him, you know, get fooled or are swinging a bad
[SPEAKER_01]: The swing rates mid 40% or so keeps the K rate in check.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's been, you know, really in that 16 to 18% range for the most part, just not a big power speed I.
[SPEAKER_01]: I do think there could be average power with Adam Sheski to the point where, you know, maybe, you know, that same range with Anthony, she's possible, like they're 12 to 15 home runs or so.
[SPEAKER_01]: And maybe gives you double adjust heels.
[SPEAKER_01]: So maybe that 10 to 15 range for both.
[SPEAKER_01]: I went really go much higher than that.
[SPEAKER_01]: unless he adds a little bit of bulk.
[SPEAKER_01]: I do think there's some projection left on the frame.
[SPEAKER_01]: Not a ton.
[SPEAKER_01]: And he's not like just not, you know, one of those 6, 3, you know, 160 pound short stuff.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's up to anything that but, you know, he's 6 foot.
[SPEAKER_01]: I think he could add a little bit of bulk.
[SPEAKER_01]: Maybe he gets up to not 15, 18 homerange, maybe.
[SPEAKER_01]: I wouldn't go more than that.
[SPEAKER_01]: But, you know, if he just gives you double digits and both homeruns and steel is to go with a good average to go with a good
[SPEAKER_01]: And you know, maybe you got to have seen the top of the order because, you know, Milwaukee has a lot of kind of those corner infielders guys that are more so like, you know, sluggers or stuff like that.
[SPEAKER_01]: So Adam Shesky is kind of a different prospect from a lot of their top prospects at the moment.
[SPEAKER_01]: So.
[SPEAKER_01]: You'll see how it all works out with that interview again, so many options, but you know, whether it's Milwaukee or elsewhere, I think Josh Adam Sheski has a good chance of being a major league regular.
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, he is just a hitter through and through and you know, a couple of other guys here is one dimension real quick.
[SPEAKER_01]: tools there.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, Freeline, you know, good hard hit rate.
[SPEAKER_01]: It has really had a chance to play regularly with the loaded Dodgers.
[SPEAKER_01]: Gotta complain multiple infield positions, solid field of hit, as well.
[SPEAKER_01]: So maybe it takes a trade to get him into a better spot, but I went right off.
[SPEAKER_01]: Alex Freeland yet and same with Shay Whit come I mean he made some kind of improvements in contact and approach you know that really vaulted him for the last couple of years and he kind of went back a little bit on those but not back to like where he was previously which was.
[SPEAKER_01]: kind of concerning and plus there's a you know that fun power speed blend there.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes, he's 27.
[SPEAKER_01]: I get it, you know, it's not really exciting and go after a 27 year old prospect.
[SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, I'm not, you know, counting him out yet.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, I'm not saying he's a turn into something, but
[SPEAKER_01]: Just, you know, keep those two guys on your radar, I'll just say that, don't completely forget about them because if they get into regular playing time, whether it's with their current organization or elsewhere, I think they could still be fantasy relevant, especially in deeper formats.
[SPEAKER_01]: All right, so recap the top 20.
[SPEAKER_01]: Again, one through ten was JJ Weatherhold Luis Pena, Travis Pazana, Michael Royo, Jordan Law, or Jet Williams, Rune Escobar, JD Dix, Tommy Troy, and Bryce Matthews, 11 through 20.
[SPEAKER_01]: Same on Tanachi, around Astrada, Alex Freeland, to meet your
[SPEAKER_01]: got to end the show here with a breakout pick for this spot.
[SPEAKER_01]: This guy I haven't talked about yet.
[SPEAKER_01]: And that guy who actually accelerated his 18th birthday four days ago on the day after Christmas, Ilorkey or Rod Regas with the Texas Rangers,
[SPEAKER_01]: played some second base some outfield last year in the DSL and pretty good showing 337 to 473 506 slash line in 226 plate appearances at 10 doubles six home runs nine steals was caught eight times that's
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, that's a concern with, you know, how generally not great the catching is in a DSL.
[SPEAKER_01]: So a bit of red flag there, but, you know, more walks of strikeouts so that that's a fun, you know, 30-9 walks to 38 strikeouts.
[SPEAKER_01]: helped him feel that super high OBP, you know, good feel to hit for a lorky Rodriguez, you know, easy, a lefty, plenty of bat speed, kind of a pretty fun frame.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's also that 5-10-1-70.
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know if that's completely accurate or not,
[SPEAKER_01]: plenty of projection on his frame.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's not super tall yet, you know, so it's time to grow a little bit.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's still, again, just turn 18.
[SPEAKER_01]: So it won't be surprised if he shot up a few inches, but I do think he adds some bulk to that frame and potentially isn't above average power guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: We'll see what that does to his speed.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's already not, you know, the fastest guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right now, he's probably more of an average runner, I'd say, so I don't know if he ends up losing a step and being more of a low average speed guy.
[SPEAKER_01]: We shall see, but if he does add more power in the future to go along with a good field of hit, he uses all fields pretty well.
[SPEAKER_01]: Though he did get a bit pull happy at times last year, but he hasn't shot the opposite field too, so that's good to see.
[SPEAKER_01]: you know, the ability to work the count more walks and strikeouts.
[SPEAKER_01]: So really that that's kind of what you're looking at here.
[SPEAKER_01]: Looking at with these breakout guys, especially guys like the DSL, we don't have a ton of data to go off of looking is just for a few positives.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right, and with him, it's some power projection, good field of hits and good approach at the plate.
[SPEAKER_01]: So maybe it doesn't work out, but, you know, in deeper leagues, you know, we were year 250 plus prospect for ostrich, maybe still sitting on the wave of a wire for you.
[SPEAKER_01]: Got you can pick up or just get for cheap and, you know, maybe enjoy a nice breakout in 2026.
[SPEAKER_01]: That is going to wrap up the second base prospect position, hope everyone has a great and safe new years.
[SPEAKER_01]: And I'll be back with you in a couple of days with second base dynasty, but until then everyone take care.