LongLiveMaroth

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/max-clark-talks-hitting/

About 2 weeks until the draft. Every mock draft is basically us selecting an up-the-middle, left-handed high schooler, but always a different one. Pipeline has us selecting Jim Thome's kid. https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/mlb-pipeline-2026-mock-draft-june-25?t=mlb-draft-coverage

As we get closer to the 2026 Draft lets take a look at some of the 2025 Draftees Jordan Yost - .261/.398/.359 (More walks than strikeouts and the expectation was not to have a ton of power but a good hit tool) Michael Oliveto - .154/.313/.231 (This is a 5 game sample size as he was injured for the first part of the year with a broken toe) Malachi Witherspoon - 5.12 ERA 58K to 18BB (So far has a real Jekyll and Hyde game log, twirls gems one start and then blows up the next) Ben Jacobs - 4.20 ERA 74 K to 28BB ( The ERA is really inflated by his last outing in which he went 2.2IP with 9ER otherwise has been the darling of this draft so far) Caleb Leys - 5.01 ERA 38K to 22BB (Not great getting lit up like this in the FSL for a college pitcher) Ryan Hall - He has had one start in the FCL did not go well, coming off of an injury Grayson Grinsell - 5.04 ERA 53K to 20BB (Lots of 4 and 5 ERA's here in the FSL) Cale Wetwiska - 3.38 ERA 11K to 4BB (Injured but just started throwing again) Nick Dumesnil - .174/.280/.360 (Yikes, thought he was going to be a steal for this draft, probably why I am not a scout) Trevor Heishman - Injured Edian Espinal - .338/.444/.494 (Almost 50 games in and these are video game numbers, I am guessing the only reason he is still at the FSL is because they want him to focus on defense being he is a converted 2B otherwise no reason he should still be in Low-A) River Hamilton - Injured

The K% is still concerning but to put it into perspective Max Clark had 84 games at Lakeland. Ranier had 46.

Ben Malgeri, Detroit Tigers If I had told you in the spring that I had taken time machine to the future and seen that the Tigers were fighting to stay out of last place in the AL Central after Tarik Skubal had missed significant time with an injury, you probably would have thought that Detroit’s pitching had fallen apart. And also that I was using a time machine in a particularly unambitious way. In fact, it’s been the offense that has been more of a problem for the Tigers, with the team’s outfielders combining for a 93 wRC+ despite a terrific season from Riley Greene. The designated hitters have been even worse, combining to hit an abysmal .215/.295/.324. Nobody’s going to think of Ben Malgeri as a future star, but Detroit needs bats, and Malgeri is a good contact hitter with a hard-hit rate just under 50% in the minors. ZiPS only projects a 101 wRC+ from Malgeri in the majors this year, but the 112 wRC+ against southpaws it forecasts could make him a highly useful role player on a team that’s currently short on productive lefty-mashers. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/assessing-zac-veen-and-six-other-interesting-potential-call-ups/

We have some promotions. Christensen was a 15th Rd pick from last year RHP out of Central Arkansas sporting a 2.55 ERA with a 56/8 K/BB ratio. 06/23/26 RHP Charlie Christensen assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps from Lakeland Flying Tigers. 06/23/26 RHP Eliseo Mota assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps from Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Because I know you all are clamoring to know how the big 2026 IFA signings are doing here is a quick SSS update. Manuel Boliver (C) - .342/.447/.421 Randy Santana (OF) - .237/.442/.368 Oscar Tineo (SS) - .231/.373/.333 This is a 13-15 game snapshot so far but Boliver seems to be as advertised.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/assessing-zac-veen-and-six-other-interesting-potential-call-ups/ Ben Malgeri callout here

Another solid weekend from Ranier, brought his WM statline to .273/.370/.455. His June state line is strong with .340/.429/.623 so far.

The almost 14K per 9 is certainly attractive, unfortunately it is attached to a 5 BB per 9 in WM but if he can get that number lower he'll be shooting up rankings soon.

Rainer has turned it on in June and is now looking more and more like himself from last year with high exit velos.

Oliveto made his season debut today, 0/1 2BB K

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49082474/ranking-mlb-trade-deadline-candidates-top-100-skubal-chapman-peralta-arraez Skubal is #1 obviously but Torres is #14 and Mize is #16, biggest thing is the QO on Mize which will drive his price up as pointed out by the article but I wouldn't be surprised by getting back a fringe top 100 guy for him if Mize continues to pull it together.

One player I have been waiting to come back down to earth but just hasn't yet is Edian Espinal. Drafted last year in the 10th Rd out of UCF, he played 2B and some limited Catcher at UCF but is playing catcher and DH for Lakeland this year. 40 games in, and his stat line looks pretty great. .328/.433/.492. 14.6% walk rate and a 14% K rate good for 153 wRC+. BABIP looks good as well sitting at .362. No idea on his defence or anything but could be someone to keep an eye on and would hopefully see WM soon. He is only 5ft 7 so that is probably a limiting power factor.

The parent team is doing poorly and honestly the prospects aren't doing too hot either, quite a few top ones are injured and the ones that aren't well most of them aren't living up to the biliing but there are some bright spots I want to focus on. Thayron Liranzo - The statline looks not great at first and he was injured to start the year but he has turned it on in May. Sporting a .235/.346/.529 (.875 OPS) line over 19 games, he has 6 HR in that time frame. I think a lot of people were down on him last year due to the performance but I think we have to remember that he is still only 22 and is playing in a league where he is 2 years younger than the average. Ben Jacobs - Last years 3rd round pick, started in Lakeland now in WM, over 8 games he is sporting a 2.05 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP and a 13.2 SO/9 John Peck - Considered the best defensive SS in the system he has turned on the bat a bit. .276/.313/.521 shows a player flexing some power but the lack of walks and the elevated K's are concerning. Jhonan Coba - SSS alert but in the FCL he has a 1.69 ERA with a solid 3 pitch mix. Someone to keep an eye on.

Toledo Mud Hens Triple-A · IL Memphis Redbirds 11, Toledo Mud Hens 4 #2 Max Clark 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K #26 Eduardo Valencia 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K Erie SeaWolves Double-A · EL Erie SeaWolves 4, Harrisburg Senators 2 #7 Thayron Liranzo 0-for-5 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K #15 John Peck 0-for-5 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K (1 SB) #30 Justice Bigbie 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K #30 Peyton Graham 2-for-4 | 2 H, 2 R, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K (2 HR) #30 Izaac Pacheco 2-for-4 | 2 H, 0 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K (1 3B) West Michigan Whitecaps High-A · MWL Dayton Dragons 8, West Michigan Whitecaps 5 #3 Bryce Rainer 0-for-3 | 0 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K #18 Lucas Elissalt 3.2 IP | 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR #23 Jackson Strong 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K Lakeland Flying Tigers Single-A · FSL St. Lucie Mets 1, Lakeland Flying Tigers 4 #11 Malachi Witherspoon 5.0 IP | 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 0 HR #21 Jude Warwick 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K #30 Jack Goodman 1-for-3 | 1 H, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K (1 HR, 1 SB)

Toledo Mud Hens Triple-A · IL Memphis Redbirds 3, Toledo Mud Hens 1 #2 Max Clark 1-for-3 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K #26 Eduardo Valencia 1-for-3 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K Erie SeaWolves Double-A · EL Erie SeaWolves 13, Harrisburg Senators 6 #15 John Peck 2-for-6 | 2 H, 4 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K (1 2B, 1 SB) #30 Justice Bigbie 3-for-6 | 3 H, 1 R, 4 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K (1 2B) #30 Peyton Graham 2-for-4 | 2 H, 4 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K (1 3B, 1 SB) #30 Izaac Pacheco 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K West Michigan Whitecaps High-A · MWL Dayton Dragons 4, West Michigan Whitecaps 3 #3 Bryce Rainer 2-for-3 | 2 H, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K (1 HR) #17 Ben Jacobs 4.0 IP | 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR #23 Jackson Strong 0-for-3 | 0 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K (1 SB) Lakeland Flying Tigers Single-A · FSL St. Lucie Mets 4, Lakeland Flying Tigers 5 #5 Max Anderson 0-for-3 | 0 H, 0 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K #9 Jordan Yost 1-for-4 | 1 H, 1 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K #30 Jack Goodman 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K (1 2B)

FYI

Toledo W 8-3 Malgeri 3/5 Clark 0 for 4 BB Workman 2/4 Valencia 4/4 2 2B BB #7 Thayron Liranzo 0-for-4 | 0 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K #15 John Peck 2-for-4 | 2 H, 1 R, 4 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K (1 HR) #30 Justice Bigbie 2-for-3 | 2 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K (1 2B) #30 Peyton Graham 0-for-3 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K #30 Izaac Pacheco 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K West Michigan Whitecaps High-A · MWL West Michigan Whitecaps 5, Cedar Rapids Kernels 7 #3 Bryce Rainer 1-for-4 | 1 H, 1 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K #18 Lucas Elissalt 3.2 IP | 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HR #23 Jackson Strong 0-for-1 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K Lakeland Flying Tigers Single-A · FSL Lakeland Flying Tigers 6, Bradenton Marauders 13 #5 Max Anderson 2-for-3 | 2 H, 2 R, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K (2 HR) #9 Jordan Yost 0-for-2 | 0 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K #11 Malachi Witherspoon 4.0 IP | 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR #21 Jude Warwick 1-for-5 | 1 H, 0 R, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K #30 Jack Goodman 0-for-1 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K

Toledo Mud Hens 3, Columbus Clippers 1 #2 Max Clark 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K (1 SB) #26 Eduardo Valencia 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K Erie SeaWolves Double-A · EL Chesapeake Baysox 3, Erie SeaWolves 7 #7 Thayron Liranzo 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K #15 John Peck 2-for-4 | 2 H, 2 R, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K (1 2B, 1 HR, 1 SB) #30 Justice Bigbie 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K #30 Peyton Graham 1-for-3 | 1 H, 2 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K (2 SB) #30 Izaac Pacheco 1-for-4 | 1 H, 1 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K (1 HR) West Michigan Whitecaps High-A · MWL West Michigan Whitecaps 3, Cedar Rapids Kernels 4 #3 Bryce Rainer 2-for-2 | 2 H, 2 R, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K (1 2B) #17 Ben Jacobs 5.0 IP | 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 0 HR #23 Jackson Strong 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K (1 SB) Lakeland Flying Tigers Single-A · FSL Lakeland Flying Tigers 1, Bradenton Marauders 5 #21 Jude Warwick 0-for-3 | 0 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K #30 Jack Goodman 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K

Toledo Mud Hens Triple-A · IL Toledo Mud Hens 6, Columbus Clippers 8 #2 Max Clark 1-for-4 | 1 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K #20 Ty Madden 2.2 IP | 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR #26 Eduardo Valencia 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K Erie SeaWolves Double-A · EL Chesapeake Baysox 11, Erie SeaWolves 3 #7 Thayron Liranzo 2-for-4 | 2 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K (2 2B) #15 John Peck 3-for-4 | 3 H, 2 R, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K (2 2B, 1 HR) #30 Justice Bigbie 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K #30 Peyton Graham 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K #30 Izaac Pacheco 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K (1 2B) West Michigan Whitecaps High-A · MWL West Michigan Whitecaps 2, Cedar Rapids Kernels 3 #3 Bryce Rainer 1-for-3 | 1 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K (1 3B) #23 Jackson Strong 0-for-4 | 0 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K Lakeland Flying Tigers Single-A · FSL Lakeland Flying Tigers 4, Bradenton Marauders 1 #9 Jordan Yost 1-for-3 | 1 H, 2 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K #21 Jude Warwick 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K #24 Grayson Grinsell 5.0 IP | 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 HR #30 Jack Goodman 1-for-4 | 1 H, 0 R, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K