Four to Watch at Johnson City
Posted on July 3rd, 2012 by azruavatar in Johnson City, tags: Carson Kelly, CJ McElroy, Lance Jeffries, Sam TuivailalaThe Johnson City team lacks a premier prospect in 2012 like it had in 2011 (Tyrell Jenkins) or Oscar Taveras (2010) but there are some position players to watch. Add into that the Johnson City version of Batavia’s Yunier Castillo and there should be something to pique your interest.
Carson Kelly, 3B
The 17 year old Kelly is the Cardinals 2nd round draft pick from the 2012 draft. A two-way player in high school, Kelly will come with questions surrounding his defense but his bat is above average. Kelly is young for the draft and don’t be surprised if he repeats Johnson City or winds up in Batavia in 2012. Kelly does have the arm that, should things not work out at 3B, could transition to the mound with a low 90s fastball.
Sam Tuivailala, RP
That transition from 3rd to the mound is the route that the Cardinals 2010 draft pick is currently making. Tuivailala struggled in two seasons in the Gulf Coast League only to be approached by the organization to try his hand at pitching. The Cardinals have a history of converting players (David Carpenter, Jason Motte, Casey Mulligan, Robert Stock) to pitchers so Tuivailala is in the right place to be guided through the transition rather than experimented upon.
Lance Jeffries, OF
C.J. McElroy, OF
The two outfielders, along with now injured Charlie Tilson, were part of a clear and concerted strategy to inject youth and speed into the Cardinals outfield pipeline. Both players are now 19 years old with OPS hovering right at .800 in Johnson City so far. They’re both capable of playing CF though you’ll find McElroy there with Jeffries sliding to right field. Neither player may put up the gaudy offensive stats that will attract lots of attention but with above average defense and superb speed, these players will contribute in ways that are as easily discerned from minor league stats.
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Wasn’t keen on the draft at the time, but I’m really warming to McElroy (despite never having seen him play). His hitting’s obviously a bit more advanced than advertised as he seems to be squaring the ball decently in the Appy league, and that’s a tantalising thing when you factor in his apparent speed and defense. Wonder if he’ll be a top-20 prospect for the Cards come the end of the year.
And if Tilson can come back from injury, he is potentially an above average player. These kids need to be showing the skills to move up to QC next year. McElroy might do it.
Saw McElroy a few weeks ago in JC, dude is fast. He was playing CF, only had two balls hit his way. One looked like a gapper but he got to it in stride. He and Vargas (how did he get left off this list?) were the best players on that particular day.
Is there any reason to think that Kelly isn’t every bit the top prospect that Jenkins was? Kelly was drafted just a hair lower but when you consider his projected draft position and the signing bonus issue it seems to me that he’s the same level of prospect.
Also, does anyone know anything about the international free agents the Cards signed yesterday?
Jenkins has a higher upside for me than Kelly. Not that Kelly isn’t a very good prospect.
I would consider this draft class much weaker than the Jenkins class. As Az said though still a good prospect.
What about Illdemaro Vargas? Heard this kid has plus speed has handled the bat well in only 12 games at JC .354. Also appeared in 7 games at PMB 8-for-22 4 RBI .462 OBP. And is solid with the glove as well.
Not sure if this was said before, but it looks like Adams was taken out of the game the other day because of elbow soreness.
Also, despite ESPN Deportes’s claims, Gustavo Cabrera signed with the Giants. The cards have signed three less well-known prospects in the international draft.
Jonathan Rodriguez is out for the season with a wrist injury, after a collision at first.
Some might find this link interesting from a Panama newspaper with a short article about the newly-signed Edmundo Sosa (I use Chrome as it will translate fairly well into English) here: http://www.critica.com.pa/hoy/sport-interna.php?edition_id=20120703&external_link=panameno_sosa_es_un_nuevo_cardenal
One interesting thing is in one of the pictures he is shown standing next to Arquimedes Nieto who now is apparently a scout for the Cardinals. I was wondering what happened to him. I’m glad to see is still part of the organization if his career is over.
Tyrell Jenkins and Carson Kelly are both high-risk, high upside high schoolers. I hope the org shows as much patience with Kelly as they have Jenkins. With any luck both will be future stars. Kelly is the marquee player, which he will prove in time.
Have to agree that Vargas should be on this list, I think he’s earned it with his performance. Having said that, let’s see if he sustains his efforts for a full year. He is 21 years old.
However, the biggest omission could be Victor De Leon. He was one of the early camp invitees for ESP. This kid could be a Cardinal fan household name by the start of next season. If he has corrected his control issues. Impressive start to the season, but like Vargas, can he keep it going. Let’s hope so.
I like the upside of McIlroy and Jeffries to both make it to the Show, just not sure where they’ll fit in when they get there, but that’s okay, I’m sure there will be room somewhere if they’re good enough.
Sam Tuivailala; You can’t spell his name without looking it up, but it’s a cool name and I was hoping he’d be our shortstop of the future. Not to be, but maybe closer of the future now! Go Sammy!
I don’t think Adams has played since being lifted.
I’m a big CJ fan, he can fly!
It’s early, but Jeffries is striking out in nearly half his PAs.
I will nominate Steven Bean to the JC watch list as well as Vargas and DeLeon. a high school catcher taken with a compensatory pick has to be considered the top catching prospect in the organikzation although he was probably drafted ahead of Kelly because of perceived signability.
What kind of stuff does De Leon have. Seems like I remember him being a guy that was sitting in the low nineties when signed. Anyone know anything else?
De Leon was in Sickel’s Top 30 based soley on the fact that he can hit 96. I saw him this Spring and he was more refined than I thought with a good curveball and slider. Only issues were some wildness but no more than a normal kid who is that age. He has fantastic stuff and the Cardinals think highly of him.
I hear he’s still extremely raw but is one of the best arms in the lower levels off the system. De Leon still needs a lot more innings and experience that’s the short term plan for him as a starter.
Lot’s of upside De Leon has.
Can I nominate Tuivailala to be removed from the watch list :) Sorry, these guys wh switch to pitching after they fail as a position player don’t merit much watching for me until they actually do something.