Blaze Jordan scouting report

[renostl]

compilation of Blaze's HR's this year

https://x.com/CardsPlayerDev/status/1950949598572240960

2-3 right of center of the 12.

He does it seemingly with little effort, minimal movement, and
to different pitch locations.

Put him in RF a long-standing issue may disappear.

[Strummer Jones]

Like this WAAAY better than the Helsley trade.

I’m m constantly amazed at how bad the baseball knowledge is on this forum.

Nope, sorry.

I don't know how anyone can argue that three A guys (and the headliner struggling in A-ball with a bum knee) is a good return for a guy who just last year was one of, if not THE most dominant closers in the game. And while he was not as dominant this year, was also not bombing either. I get the the return wasn't going to be Francisco Lindor or Juan Soto. But could it at least be ONE kid in AA with some helium? And not three kids scuffling in A-ball?

But, man, it needs to be more than three dudes in A-ball who very likely might not put it all together. Yeah, they've got some tools, but I'm tired of tools. Tools are nice, but for Helsley, I think it needs to be kids with those tools that are showing that they can use them at a level higher than A-ball. We've got enough of those guys already.

That we got someone who could even help out this year for Steven Matz, who's been hurt a lot, and not terribly effective when he was healthy over the course of this contract is a steal.

It's less about how the Cardinals used a player and more about how the acquiring team sees him.

IF Hels is seen as a setup guy and not a closer wherever he was wanted then that levels the value of both
pitchers. Both have been hit by RHB an OPS >.800. Matz better vs LHB by .442 OPS vs .580.

Add Matz is a in demand LHP and can start, it was always possible that he could return more
when going to a contender who may already have their closer, 100% opinion.

I don't buy that.

Let's say we were REALLY going to tear down to the studs, Rockies-style. We're going to part off ANYTHING that has ANY value.

And some team has a Luken Baker-type player that will play first base. Big time power, but absolutely cannot and will not make enough contact to make a difference with it. That's going to be our guy while we tank and accrue draft picks. He'll probably be our #3 hitter.

You gonna pay MOTO bat prices for a AAAA guy?

[sdaltons]

Like this WAAAY better than the Helsley trade.

I’m m constantly amazed at how bad the baseball knowledge is on this forum.

What are you even saying with this?

[An Old Friend]

I don't see how Blaze could be that good if he's still the 20th or 24th prospect for the Red Sox. But Matz was an injury-prone, lousy soon-FA pitcher, so it's a good return.

That's just how rankings work when you're basically a 1-2 tool player. The path to being valuable is much narrower - you have to hit, a lot, as a DH/1B only.

[Clubmaker2]

comparison ..."Burleson is a better athlete with more power".... per 101 guest 12;23 local time. (Geoff Pontes)

[renostl]

Like this WAAAY better than the Helsley trade.

I’m m constantly amazed at how bad the baseball knowledge is on this forum.

Nope, sorry.

I don't know how anyone can argue that three A guys (and the headliner struggling in A-ball with a bum knee) is a good return for a guy who just last year was one of, if not THE most dominant closers in the game. And while he was not as dominant this year, was also not bombing either. I get the the return wasn't going to be Francisco Lindor or Juan Soto. But could it at least be ONE kid in AA with some helium? And not three kids scuffling in A-ball?

But, man, it needs to be more than three dudes in A-ball who very likely might not put it all together. Yeah, they've got some tools, but I'm tired of tools. Tools are nice, but for Helsley, I think it needs to be kids with those tools that are showing that they can use them at a level higher than A-ball. We've got enough of those guys already.

That we got someone who could even help out this year for Steven Matz, who's been hurt a lot, and not terribly effective when he was healthy over the course of this contract is a steal.

It's less about how the Cardinals used a player and more about how the acquiring team sees him.

IF Hels is seen as a setup guy and not a closer wherever he was wanted then that levels the value of both
pitchers. Both have been hit by RHB an OPS >.800. Matz better vs LHB by .442 OPS vs .580.

Add Matz is a in demand LHP and can start, it was always possible that he could return more
when going to a contender who may already have their closer, 100% opinion.

I don't buy that.

Let's say we were REALLY going to tear down to the studs, Rockies-style. We're going to part off ANYTHING that has ANY value.

And some team has a Luken Baker-type player that will play first base. Big time power, but absolutely cannot and will not make enough contact to make a difference with it. That's going to be our guy while we tank and accrue draft picks. He'll probably be our #3 hitter.

You gonna pay MOTO bat prices for a AAAA guy?

I'm not 100% sure of your point, isn't conversation better?

Are you saying Blaze is Luken? a 4A guy? Perhaps true but he has more upside being 6
seasons younger. I think he has more upside. Legit 3,4, or 5 IF he makes it.
Hès #19 on the Cards prospect list today.
As to price for Blaze it was Matz as you're aware. IF you're looking at it from Boston's
side they don't see Blaze cracking their current group. An easy price for some piece they wanted.

My comments were to the Bolded comment of your post. Simply why I thought Matz this season could have
similar or better value than Hels this season IF the receiving team sees them as not being a closer.

The draft pick tanks don't work as well as the past. Cards already got lucky and compensation picks
don't look to be soon on the horizon.

[jw0595]

Another player I've scouted in person numerous times when he was in HS and a couple times in 2023.This is a really good pull for the Cards given they gave up pretty much nothing to get him.This is your future starting 1B.Think a RH version of Tino Martinez.
.

Without the incessant whining I hope. He should get some credit for a great baseball name.

[ecleme22]

I just assumed with the first name Blaze he was either Latino or Black. After googling him I'm astonished the kid is white. He looks like Alec Burleson's little brother

I assumed his ethnicity was American Gladiatorian

[Rosie's Rule]

The Cards can now platoon 2 players with beer league type physiques at DH or 1st base.

My apologies to those who play in beer leagues!

[okcardfan]

Like this WAAAY better than the Helsley trade.

I’m m constantly amazed at how bad the baseball knowledge is on this forum.

Nope, sorry.

I don't know how anyone can argue that three A guys (and the headliner struggling in A-ball with a bum knee) is a good return for a guy who just last year was one of, if not THE most dominant closers in the game. And while he was not as dominant this year, was also not bombing either. I get the the return wasn't going to be Francisco Lindor or Juan Soto. But could it at least be ONE kid in AA with some helium? And not three kids scuffling in A-ball?

But, man, it needs to be more than three dudes in A-ball who very likely might not put it all together. Yeah, they've got some tools, but I'm tired of tools. Tools are nice, but for Helsley, I think it needs to be kids with those tools that are showing that they can use them at a level higher than A-ball. We've got enough of those guys already.

That we got someone who could even help out this year for Steven Matz, who's been hurt a lot, and not terribly effective when he was healthy over the course of this contract is a steal.

Two months.
TWO MONTHS! What did you expect for giving up a two-month rental (whom you can re-sign if you wish and aren't too frickin stingy)??!!
Jeez Louise . . .

[Strummer Jones]

Like this WAAAY better than the Helsley trade.

I’m m constantly amazed at how bad the baseball knowledge is on this forum.

Nope, sorry.

I don't know how anyone can argue that three A guys (and the headliner struggling in A-ball with a bum knee) is a good return for a guy who just last year was one of, if not THE most dominant closers in the game. And while he was not as dominant this year, was also not bombing either. I get the the return wasn't going to be Francisco Lindor or Juan Soto. But could it at least be ONE kid in AA with some helium? And not three kids scuffling in A-ball?

But, man, it needs to be more than three dudes in A-ball who very likely might not put it all together. Yeah, they've got some tools, but I'm tired of tools. Tools are nice, but for Helsley, I think it needs to be kids with those tools that are showing that they can use them at a level higher than A-ball. We've got enough of those guys already.

That we got someone who could even help out this year for Steven Matz, who's been hurt a lot, and not terribly effective when he was healthy over the course of this contract is a steal.

Two months.
TWO MONTHS! What did you expect for giving up a two-month rental (whom you can re-sign if you wish and aren't too frickin stingy)??!!
Jeez Louise . . .

Well, for the two month rental of the Ghost of Jon Lester, we traded Lane Thomas. A player who had been in the majors, but hadn't gotten much traction. He had some good time in Washington. I see the Matz trade as similar to that. Not a perfect parallel, but similar. Lester was clearly on his last run. Lane hadn't really broken through here.

I absolutely cannot believe that you couldn't have gotten something similar for Helsley. Before some Sammy Smartypants tries to (it's been done a lot in retorts to how much I hate the Helsley trade) strawman me, no, I am well aware that we weren't going to reel in Lindor or Soto from the Mets for Helsley. Or a Francisco Alvarez or Brett Baty.

But what about some kid who's kinda on that AAA/MLB shuttle? Like a Mets' version of McGreevy or Saggese? Neither are blue-chip guys, but guys you can reasonably count on to see some MLB time.

[ClassicO]

I don't see how Blaze could be that good if he's still the 20th or 24th prospect for the Red Sox. But Matz was an injury-prone, lousy soon-FA pitcher, so it's a good return.

As for Helsley, I'm surprised they got what appears to be not a good return, but Hels' fastball has been hammered. Do people really think there were a lot better offers out there, and the Cards said, "nah, we love Baez?"

Best do your homework on Blaze.

Ha. As if you’ve personally scouted him and watched him play a lot!
Tell me why you know so much about him other than reading articles.
I’ve learned the hard way not to hype anyone I haven’t seen play a decent amount — in games not highlight videos.

[ClassicO]

I don't see how Blaze could be that good if he's still the 20th or 24th prospect for the Red Sox. But Matz was an injury-prone, lousy soon-FA pitcher, so it's a good return.

That's just how rankings work when you're basically a 1-2 tool player. The path to being valuable is much narrower - you have to hit, a lot, as a DH/1B only.

Agree. And the Cards have a lot of those already.

[An Old Friend]

I just assumed with the first name Blaze he was either Latino or Black. After googling him I'm astonished the kid is white. He looks like Alec Burleson's little brother

I assumed his ethnicity was American Gladiatorian

Must've been named after his mother!

[Quincy Varnish]

You know this was a Bloom move ‘cause Mo couldn’t get a BJ

[ecleme22]

I just assumed with the first name Blaze he was either Latino or Black. After googling him I'm astonished the kid is white. He looks like Alec Burleson's little brother

I assumed his ethnicity was American Gladiatorian

Must've been named after his mother!

LOL!