Bernie on the Scene: A New Idea

LEADING OFF

So I have a new idea. If the baseball season begins in July, why not play games in home parks until October? Then finish the final two months in Arizona and Florida when it gets too cold to play in northern cities in November and December. That would allow for a full six-month schedule. Just a thought. Probably not a good one, but I want to see a full season of baseball. The schedule will likely be altered anyway. Just factor in the last two months in those warm weather states.

There has been plenty of talk about the decision regarding the Red Sox and the club's cheating incidents. While the results may not have been to the baseball public's liking, none of us really know the facts unless we are in the rooms where the evidence is discussed. For that reason, I can't say the Red Sox were treated too harshly or too lightly.

I was fortunate to have had many discussions with Bob Feller during the times he was in the the Indians press box and at their spring training sites in Winter Haven, Fla., and in Goodyear, Ariz. To say that Feller was both opinionated and a bit harsh in his demeanor would be an understatement.  One story I never got to corroborate with Feller regards his alleged "cheating" when he returned from World War II.  

There is a frequently repeated story that Feller, and perhaps fellow starter Bob Lemon, used to sit in the vast bleachers of old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland with a flashlight or a mirror and flash signals to Indians hitters if a breaking ball was coming. They never got caught.

My point is this: as Commissioner Rob Manfred well knows, communicating pitch types to hitters is probably as old as the game itself. Now we can move on. The Astros and Red Sox decisions are in. That's a wrap.

THE STARTING LINEUP

Julio Rodriguez, Mariners, OF, BR, 6-4, 225, Age 19

Rodriguez was an international signing by the Mariners in 2017. He and prospect Jarred Kelenic (previously profiled) should play together in a revised and revamped Mariners outfield for years to come. But first, Rodriguez has to complete his developmental program.

Invited to spring training this year, Mariners' unmet needs dictate that Rodriguez is on the Mariners fast track. He won't turn 20 until December.

I was fortunate to scout Rodriguez during this past Fall League when he was still only 18, and with little professional experience. I was surprised the Mariners exposed Rodriguez to that advanced league so soon. The results weren't overwhelming, but the tools were obvious.

Rodriguez played at Low-A West Virginia and High-A Modesto last season. When one thinks about those classifications at age 18, it really is incredible. He did more than hold his own, hitting a combined .326 with 12 homers and 69 RBIs. 

Rodriguez doesn't bring a long, loopy, upper-cut swing to the plate. Instead, he has a level stroke that finds the barrel more often than not. Rodriguez is a legitimate gap hitter with home run upside as he progresses. Take it to the bank that Rodriguez will add more loft and lift on the ball with tweaks to his swing as he gets deeper into development.

Rodriguez will gain power and continue to build on his solid hit tool. Those two tools as well as an ability to run well for his size helps make him a very talented future star for Seattle. He is a better than average defender in the outfield.

Rodriguez can be counted upon to put up a very solid at-bat with his good hitting mechanics. He's patient, knows the strike zone and makes solid contact. For a potential power hitter, his strike out rate is admirable. He isn't afraid to reach base by accepting a base on balls, an admirable trait. He could explode once he gains maturity and experience. GRADE: 60

Nolan Jones, Indians, 3B, BL, 6-2, 185, Age 21

The Indians took Jones in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Holy Ghost Prep High School in Philadelphia. Now, after parts of four minor league seasons, Jones is ranked as the best Indians prospect my many analysts. I wish I could get more excited about him.

Jones made it to Double-A last year, hitting eight home runs in his 211 plate appearances. He was promoted from High-A Lynchburg, where he hit four homers in 324 trips to the plate.  I would like to see more power from Jones, and I guess that's why I'm not as bullish on him as a third base power-hitting prospect. 

He looked athletic at the plate when I saw him play in the 2019 Fall League. He hit four homers and drove in eight runs, but he struck out 31 times in his 68 plate appearances, and that did not sit well with me. He didn't look as athletic and lithe and agile on defense.

I think Jones places too much emphasis on hitting home runs. As a result, his overall hit tool suffers. Going for the long ball makes little sense to me, as Jones is big and strong and could use natural power as opposed to forcing the issue.

I'm not sold on Jones as a third baseman. He doesn't have the best reaction time or range at the position. He's worked hard to improve, but he is still challenged at the position. I see him moving to first base eventually, just as Jim Thome did with the Indians.

I think there is more depth coming to Jones' frame. I think he'll add even more strength and weight. Overall, third base is waiting for Jones, but with Jose Ramirez at the position now, he may have to continue to work on developing his skills in the minor leagues. GRADE: 55

Drew Waters, Braves, OF, BB, 6-2, 183, Age 21

Waters is an intriguing outfielder in a Braves system that also features outfield prospect Cristian Pache, who is considered a better prospect than Waters.

Waters was a second-round pick out of Etowah High School in Woodstock, Ga. 

A switch-hitter, Waters hits better against right-handed pitching, which bodes well as he will see more right-handed pitching. That said, he is a solid hitter from both sides of the plate and should not be subject to a platoon. He has eliminated a high leg kick that reduced the productivity of his lower half in his swing. His hands are plenty quick, but he has to get some of the quirkiness out of his swing. He does hit solid line drives.

Waters has completed three seasons of minor league baseball, finishing last year at Triple-A Gwinnett in the International League. He played only 26 games there, but got a look at better pitching. He hit .271 with two homers. For the season, he hit seven homers in 573 plate appearances, with five homers being hit at Double-A Mississippi.

Waters carries a very typical center-fielder profile. He is fast, runs good routes and is better than average on defense. Truth be told, he is probably a better overall defender than hitter. He doesn't have much power, and he can hit for a solid average, but his calling card may be his fielding ability — and a good enough hitter to draft for average and stolen bases.

In parts of three minor league seasons covering 298 games and 1295 plate appearances, Waters has hit 20 home runs. I don't see much more power coming as he develops. He's just more of a good hitter, good runner type player. Some analysts feel he will be a power-hitting outfielder. I just can't say I agree. A good hitter? Yes. A home run hitter? Not so fast.

Both Waters and Pache play center field as their primary positions. In the Braves planning, I would guess Pache would play center and Waters would have to look elsewhere. Waters does have good arm strength, so he could play any corner outfield position, with Ronald Acuna taking the other corner.  But Marcell Ozuna still looms in the picture.

For fantasy purposes, Waters should be able steal bases, if he can get on base. But I do worry about his high strikeout rates. I do like the fact he knows how to accept a base on balls and get on base that way. GRADE: 55 (with defense factored in.)

Jo Adell, Angels, OF, BR, 6-3, 215, Age 21

Jo Adell is one of the brightest lights in the prospect galaxy. He is a true five-tool player with above average skills across the board.

Adell was a first-round pick in the 2017 draft from Ballard High School in Louisville, Ky.

I have been fortunate to scout Adell a number of times in his development, including his appearance in the Arizona Fall League. Playing for Mesa, he hit .273 with three homers and nine RBIs in 111 plate appearances. Adell really seemed to be trying way too hard. He's a better hitter than I saw last fall.

The only real flaw I have seen in Adell is his desire to hit the ball out of the park in what seems to be an overly aggressive approach at times. He is such a good athlete, he should let his natural talent prevail.

Adell has a very well-proportioned frame that just oozes power. He may even add more strength, as he just turned 21 earlier in April.

I believe if the season does begin, Adell will find his way to the major league club at some point. However, he is likely to start the season at Triple-A and further refine his game.

Adell makes very hard contact and punishes the baseball. He can hit both gaps and uses the entire field when he controls his at-bats. He has to make more consistent contact and pick up the spin on balls quicker. There are, and will be, plenty of swings and misses in his offensive game.

One of Adell's greatest assets is speed and quickness on the bases. He knows how to run and he has the ability to take an extra base or steal. During the Futures Game, Adell told me the Angels were working with him on base stealing and that running technique is a priority in the club's minor league program.

Last year, Adell played at three classifications: High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. He finished with 340 plate appearances and hit .289 with 10 homers and 36 RBIs. He had 27 doubles and walked 30 times.

I caution not to go too far "in" on Jo Adell until he finds his way against top quality pitching. The tools are evident. The skill is evident. But the aggressiveness may cause some initial hiccups, requiring time for adjustment and settling in. However, with physicality like his, and with his overall strength, the results will come. He has the upside of a game-changing impactful and  consistent All-Star.  GRADE: 65

HEADING TO THE DUGOUT

Please let me know if there is a major league player or prospect you wish me to profile. I can't guarantee it, but I will do my best to include your requests in this column. I am often asked to include players who have been already been profiled in previous weeks. Those columns are available in the archives.

Have a great week and — stay safe.

Follow me on twitter @BerniePleskoff and read my baseball columns at forbes.com.