Our Post Mortem series continues as we take a look at clubs set to miss the 2021 Playoffs and a view of what went right, what went wrong, and what the future looks like for each club.
Today's installment features the Idaho Taters who are closing in on completing their first full season in the Roger Dorn Baseball League after taking ownership of the former Adler's Man Crush franchise. GM Mike Friedrich made it clear from Draft Day that the club was focused on the future, evidence by their decision to deal star shortstop Trevor Story just minutes after the Draft concluded.
While 2021 wasn't successful in the standings, the Taters look to have developed an excellent young core that should give them a chance to contend annually for the foreseeable future.
What Went Right?
1-2 Punch in the Rotation
Kevin Gausman and German Marquez have provided stellar production at the top of the Taters rotation throughout the year. While Gausman has slowed a bit since the break, he still ranks 4th overall in pitching (423.0 points) with a 2.35 ERA and 0.94 WHIP while Marquez is within the top 30 (319.0 points) with a 3.51 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Both should be valued pieces of a 2022 rotation set to also return Chris Sale.
Valuable Catcher Combo
The Taters activated Carson Kelly to start 2021 but a Spring injury to Sean Murphy held him back in his Minor League deal. It's clear both strong values for just a combined $4 in 2022 with both safe bets for Top 15 seasons at the position.
Farm System on the Rise
It's hard to find a prospect in the Taters Farm System that doesn't have the arrow pointing up based on their 2021 production. In a development year, the Taters have been able to get long big league looks at Brendan Rodgers, Casey Mize, Matt Manning, Sean Murphy and Jo Adell (called up Monday) while Nate Pearson will likely have his chance in the coming weeks.
Manning had a rough introduction to the big leagues but looks to be stabilizing on his second stint. Spencer Torkelson looks every bit the part of an elite hitter that could push his way to Detroit for Opening Day next season while Rodgers has found his footing as a valuable asset for 2022 and beyond at second base. New addition Brennan Davis is tearing apart Double-A and looks ready for a new challenge while Jack Leiter and Marcelo Mayer look to have found a great fit in Texas and Boston.
The club figures to make a pair of strong additions in 2022 as well, owning two picks in the 1st Round.
What Went Wrong?
A Do-Over for Hayes
The move to send Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Fightin' Fish for Chris Paddack and Austin Hays was a head scratcher then and looks worse now for the Taters. While Hayes hasn't set the world on fire in his first full year, Austin Hays (.237/.293/.422) and Paddack (5.13 ERA/1.32 WHIP) might both be playing their way into Free Agency for 2022. Hayes would have aligned perfectly for activation with the remainder of the Taters impressive Farm System.
Mid-Tier Keeper Options
The Taters certainly look to have found strong value in Jared Walsh, though a rough June and July dimmed his light a touch heading into 2022. Outside of that investment on the offensive side of the ball, the Taters were hoping for a breakthrough from the likes of Brandon Nimmo ($16), Max Kepler ($14) or David Peralta ($15), but each currently look likely to be headed back into Free Agency at the conclusion of the year.
2022 Early Roster Projection
Few clubs can match the wave of talent the Taters have either in the big leagues or nearing big league starting jobs making 2022 an exciting year for Friedrich. With that in mind, September of this season and 2022 Spring Training will be critical factors in seeing which players emerge as dependable options who earn Opening Day activations.
With Jose Altuve (2/$25) expected to be the highest paid player retained currently, Friedrich figures to have plenty of cap space room to work with. The club can either utilize that cap space in Auction or be a major player in the trade market this off-season, potentially sticking out as a fit for Mike Trout if the Meinert Hops do indeed look to shop the star outfielder.
The Fish can afford to be patient with their stable of pitching prospects as the emergence of Gausman, Marquez and Jordan Montgomery, along with the return of Chris Sale, gives Friedrich plenty of strength in the rotation. Casey Mize has little left to prove to the Taters and looks to be the safest bet for activation while Matt Manning and Nate Pearson will be names to watch through Spring.
All eyes will be on Jo Adell through the remainder of this season. Once viewed as a can't miss prospect, Adell posted ridiculous numbers at Triple-A and will get his shot to carry over that production for the remainder of 2021. Adell would join safe activation bets Sean Murphy and Brendan Rodgers while Spencer Torkelson and Brennan Davis could put pressure on their respective clubs in Spring Training.
Farm System
The Taters have the deepest Farm System in the Roger Dorn Baseball League with six players already having seen time in the big leagues this season. In a best case scenario, eight players could have strong cases for Opening Day activations in 2022 which will put pressure on Friedrich to pull the right strings in their roster construction this off-season.
The acquisition of Mize and a 2022 1st Rounder for Story looks to have been a sound one for the Taters, giving Friedrich a pair of early picks to play with. The club has shown a strong draft acumen already, nailing both of their early picks in 2021 with Jack Leiter and Marcelo Mayer.
2022 looks to be the start of a win-now cycle of the Taters, making it likely this group won't be fully intact at the start of next season if the club gets aggressive with their pursuit of veteran help.
Comentários