MLB Lockout and Its Impact on Prospects

It's not breaking news that the MLB is in a lockout but with no spring training games on the horizon it's now time to wonder how a delayed start to the season will impact card prices. For me, I worry about the older prospects missing at bats and time being in the majors. Some of the top prospects could make the Major League roster out of camp. The clock is ticking away. At this point it might be a good idea to focus on younger prospects and projects. Let's hope both sides come to an agreement soon. 

Closer Than You Think: Sal Frelick vs Garrett Mitchell

One thing I wanted to bring up after the release of 2021 Bowman Draft is the comparison between two prospects. Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick. Garrett Mitchell cards were very hot after 2020 Bowman Draft release and still are holding steady selling for $100 for a base auto. At this moment I believe that Sal Frelick is the better prospect. Both are great athletes with a number of tools. My main issue currently with Garrett Mitchell is he has a ton of raw power but in order for this to show in games a swing overhaul must occur. I think at this time that is a risky thing to bet on. I'm not saying it cannot happen but its easier said than done. Expect to see Sal Frelick's cards surpass Garrett Mitchell's cards. This could create a buying opportunity for Garret's cards as prospectors move forward to the next hot prospect in the system. 

2021 Bowman Draft Baseball - Full Prospect Analysis

Hello Readers. A new year of prospecting is here and 2021 Bowman Draft has arrived to get us started. My comments on the checklist are below. Unfortunately Topps released the product without the checklist so that caused a delay in the review. One thing I noticed is that MLB teams are really taking a lot of college players in the earlier rounds. If you think these players will develop quickly I could see why you would purchase. In regards to the pitchers in this product I just cant recommend you purchase guys if they have not played or if they are priced high. Too much risk. Some arms I will wait to see what they can do as I like the talent. For others I passed especially if they seem to be relivers or 4/5 starters. If I missed any games please let me know and thanks again for reading. 

Aaron Zavala - Texas Rangers OF - Not a bad debut. Only 75 PA's but has some talent for a college bat. 

Mitch Bratt - Texas Rangers P - Only pitched 6 innings. I need to see more.

Brendan Beck - New York Yankees P -  College arm that still has yet to debut. It's a wait and see for me.

Andrew Abbott - Cincinnati Reds P - Not a bad talent. Limited innings pitched but I like him. I wouldn't break the bank though.

Jay Allen - Cincinnati Reds OF - Very solid even though the sample is limited. Very athletic high risk high reward type guy. Worth a shot. 

Jose Torres - Cincinnati Reds  SS - Another solid college bat with a great debut. 

Matheu Nelson - Cincinnati Reds C - Catching prospect that is decent. A little older but has a good eye. Catchers just take so much time to develop though. 

Ruben Ibarra - Cincinnati Reds 1B - Decent first basemen. Its a pass for me though. 

Russell Smith - Milwaukee Brewers P - Pitcher from TCU that did have Tommy John in 2019. I would pass because he may not be a starter. 

Alex Binelas - Milwaukee Brewers OF - NOTE - He's now on the Red Sox and I love the talent. Keeping him here because of the team break angle.

Sal Frelick - Milwaukee Brewers OF - I really like this guy. Plays hard and has some power and speed. Exciting athlete. 

Tyler Black - Milwaukee Brewers 2B - Most likely will be a multiple position player. Take a small position if you like him.

Steven Hajjar - Minnesota Twins P - Has not made his pro debut yet. Wait and see.

Chase Petty - Minnesota Twins P - 1st round arm with some good talent. Wait and see for me but if you like the scouting report I understand not waiting. 

Cade Povich - Minnesota Twins P - Another arm that I am passing on. 

Christian Encarnacion-Strand - Minnesota Twins 3B - A little older for my taste but I do like the numbers. 

Tanner Bibee - Cleveland Indians P - Has not played yet. Wait and see.  

Tommy Mace - Cleveland Indians P - See above.

Doug Nikhazy - Cleveland Indians P - See above. 

Gavin Williams - Cleveland Indians P - See above. 

Ryan Webb - Cleveland Indians - See above. 

Adrian Del Castillo - Arizona Diamondbacks C - Another older catcher. Pass. 

Jordan Lawlar - Arizona Diamondbacks SS - 6th overall pick who I think will be a stud. 

Jacob Steinmetz - Arizona Diamondbacks P - Not a big sample here. Wait and see. 

Austin Love - St. Louis Cardinals P - Older arm with limited numbers. Pass for me. 

Ryan Holgate - St. Louis Cardinals OF - College bat with decent numbers. The strikeouts are a concern. 

Michael McGreevy - St. Louis Cardinals P - Its a wait and see for me. 

Zane Mills - St. Louis Cardinals P - Another wait and see. 

Branden Boissiere - Washington Nationals OF - Decent numbers but its a pass for me. 

T.J. White - Washington Nationals OF - Not a bad debut by a fifth round pick. Will be interesting to follow him.

Andrew Painter - Philadelphia Phillies P - 1st round arm. Wait and see. 

Ethan Wilson - Philadelphia Phillies OF - Decent numbers but too old for my taste. 

Jordan Viars - Philadelphia Phillies OF - Younger talent that I do like. Youth is on his side.

Micah Ottenbreit - Philadelphia Phillies P - 4th round pitching talent that is a wait and see. 

Ben Casparius - Los Angeles Dodgers P - 5th round pitching talent. Pass for me because of age. 

Maddux Bruns - Los Angeles Dodgers P - 1st round talent that is another wait and see. 

Anthony Solometo - Pittsburgh Pirates P - Has not played. Wait and see.

Bubba Chandler - Pittsburgh Pirates SS/RHP - I really like Bubba. 

Henry Davis - Pittsburgh Pirates C - Stud. I would be surprised if he stays at catcher.

Lonnie White Jr. - Pittsburgh Pirates OF - Two sport athlete that I hope Pit can develop. I do like the talent here as well.

Sean Burke - Chicago White Sox P - Pass.  

Wes Kath - Chicago White Sox 3B - Strikeouts were high but he is young. I just wonder if Chicago can develop him properly. Worth a shot though. 

Cody Morissette - Miami Marlins SS - A little older but can hit. He will hit a ton of doubles. 

Joe Mack - Miami Marlins C - Catching prospect that I will pass on. 

Jordan McCants - Miami Marlins SS - Speed player who is an athlete. I like the upside. 

Tanner Allen - Miami Marlins OF - Too old for my taste. 

Cooper Kinney - Tampa Bay Rays 2B - I like the player wont be a superstar but has some good tools. Small position if you are interested. 

Carson Williams - Tampa Bay Rays SS - Not a bad player. I would focus on the power. Would make sense to buy now if you think he can tap into it. 

Kyle Manzardo - Tampa Bay Rays 1B - Has some tools but its a pass for me. 

Ryan Spikes - Tampa Bay Rays SS - Another athlete with some pop. I like him.

Ky Bush - Los Angeles Angels P - Pass. 

Landon Marceaux - Los Angeles Angels - Pass. 

Luke Murphy - Los Angeles Angels P - Pass. 

Sam Bachman - Los Angeles Angels P - Pass. 

Carter Jensen - Kansas City Royals C - A catching prospect that can hit. Another guy that I hope moves to another position.

Eric Cerantola - Kansas City Royals P - Pass. 

Frank Mozzicato - Kansas City Royals P - Has not played yet. Wait and see. 

Shane Panzini - Kansas City Royals P - Has not played yet. Wait and see. 

Benny Montgomery - Colorado Rockies OF - High upside. Potential stud. 

Hunter Goodman - Colorado Rockies C - Older catcher. Its a pass. 

Jaden Hill - Colorado Rockies P - Dropped because of injury history. Its a wait and see for me. 

Joe Rock - Colorado Rockies - Pass. Great name. 

McCade Brown - Colorado Rockies P - Pass. 

Spencer Schwellenbach - Atlanta Braves P - Pass. Has not played but that was not a factor in my statement.

Ryan Cusick - Atlanta Braves P - Pass. 

Colton Cowser - Baltimore Orioles OF - Solid debut from a college prospect. I would not mind a small position. 

Connor Norby - Baltimore Orioles OF - Norby is kind of similar to Cowser. Same comments apply. 

Will Bednar - San Francisco Giants P  - 1st round draft pick that will be high priced. I will pass.

Matt Mikulski - San Francisco Giants P - Pass.

Mason Black - San Francisco Giants P - Pass.

Kevin Kopps - San Diego Padres P - Pass.

Max Ferguson - San Diego Padres 2B - Seems to have a good eye at the plate. Worth a small position.

Robert Gasser - San Diego Padres P - Pass. 

Harry Ford - Seattle Mariners C - Stud that I hope does not stay at catcher. 

Michael Morales - Seattle Mariners P - Pass.

Bryce Miller - Seattle Mariners P - Pass.

Izaac Pacheco - Detroit Tigers SS - Nice talent. I cant wait to see how he develops. 

Jackson Jobe - Detroit Tigers P - Stud but remember that all arms are high risk. 

Christian Scott - New York Mets P - Pass for me. 

Calvin Ziegler - New York Mets P - Pass for me. 

Drew Gray - Chicago Cubs  P - Pass for me. 

Marcelo Mayer - Boston Red Sox SS - STUD 

Tyler McDonough - Boston Red Sox 2B - Older but check out the numbers. The extra base hits are looking good. 

Gunnar Hoglund - Toronto Blue Jays P - Had Tommy John surgery recently. Pass for me as people know where I stand with pitchers in general.