20 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

BSL: https://www.baltimor...ing-2019-30-21/

 

(#20) Robert Neustrom, OF

Ceiling: 45        Risk: High         ETA: 2022        Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 208 lbs.          B/T: L/L         Highest Level: SS-A          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 4m
Video #1 | Video #2

Neustrom boasts good size and strength with an ability to impact the game both at the plate and on an outfield corner. The former Hawkeye shows plus raw power from the left side which should play to at least average in-game pop, and there is room for the young outfielder to push that projection out some as he continues to mature physically and tighten his approach. Neustrom can get a little overly aggressive in the box, at times drawing contact on sub-optimal pitches, but he shows some feel for putting together at bats and making adjustments — an area he could continue to improve upon in a pro development system. He moves well enough to cover good amounts of grass on the outfield corner and has enough arm to handle right field, though left is probably the cleaner fit.

[BobPhelan]

A: .344/.405/.563 (.968), 1 double, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB, 32 AB

[BobPhelan]

A: .295/.413/.525 (.938), 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 3 SB, 61 AB

[BobPhelan]

On the 7 day IL.

 

A: .329/.429/.529 (.957), 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 5 SB, 70 AB

[BobPhelan]

In Aberdeen’s opening night lineup tonight.

[BobPhelan]

A: .270/.366/.450 (.817), 6 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 5 SB, 111 AB

 

Short A: .063/.063/.063 (.125), 1 RBI, 16 AB

[BobPhelan]

A: .277/.367/.445 (.812), 12 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 5 SB, 155 AB

 

Short A: .063/.063/.063 (.125), 1 RBI, 16 AB

[BobPhelan]

Promoted to A+ Frederick

[BobPhelan]

A+: .234/.287/.330 (.617), 6 doubles, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 94 AB

 

A: .285/.364/.453 (.817), 13 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 5 SB, 179 AB

 

Short A: .063/.063/.063 (.125), 1 RBI, 16 AB

[BobPhelan]

A+: .238/.285/.344 (.629), 7 doubles, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 122 AB

 

A: .285/.364/.453 (.817), 13 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 5 SB, 179 AB

 

Short A: .063/.063/.063 (.125), 1 RBI, 16 AB

 

             A+       A

wRC+:  82       136

wOBA: .294    .371

BB%:    6.2%   10.6%

k%:       23.1% 17.9%

[BobPhelan]

Promoted to AAA Norfolk.

 

Underrated outfield prospect hit .284 (.831), 30 R, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HR, 50 RBI, 28 BB, 7 SB with the Baysox, really heating up lately.

[RichardZ]

Underrated because he was nothing before this year.   One of the biggest improvements in the system.   Taking walks and producing power.   He and Stowers were really hot lately but Neustrom looks to make a lot more contact.     Some of these stories scream out "development".   

[BaltBird 24]

He was a fairly high draft pick (5th round in 2018) and played well his first year and when he was at Delmarva on 2019. He really faltered when he got to Frederick in 2019 and obviously last year was a total missed year.

I wouldn't exactly say he was a nothing until this year.

[Mackus]

He was a fairly high draft pick (5th round in 2018) and played well his first year and when he was at Delmarva on 2019. He really faltered when he got to Frederick in 2019 and obviously last year was a total missed year.

I wouldn't exactly say he was a nothing until this year.

 

Low 700s OPS for a 21 y/o in the NYPL isn't playing well, IMO.

 

Low 800s as a 24 y/o in AA this year isn't particularly great, either.  But I realize he's been hot (~950 OPS) since May, so that certainly justifies the callup.  Maybe he's a Christian Walker comp? 

[RichardZ]

He was a fairly high draft pick (5th round in 2018) and played well his first year and when he was at Delmarva on 2019. He really faltered when he got to Frederick in 2019 and obviously last year was a total missed year.

I wouldn't exactly say he was a nothing until this year.

 

 

Would he have been included on any Orioles top 30 prospect lists?   Everyone has there own definition of "nothing".     That would be mine.   He went from someone probably not in the top 30 to suddenly being a top 15 kind of guys who might just put himself into the top 10 by the end of the year if he finishes strong in Norfolk.    I'd say Cadyn Grenier was a nothing entering this year as well.   I don't think he's raised his status as much as Neustrom but he's another from nothing to something story.

[NickStevens]

Top 10-15 in this system is a bit of a stretch and I've been high on Neustrom since he came out of college.

[RichardZ]

Top 10-15 in this system is a bit of a stretch and I've been high on Neustrom since he came out of college.

 

 

Neustrom has reportedly made some swing changes and if you follow his month by month numbers it sure looks like a player coming into his own.   Would a .900 OPS in his last 30 games at Norfolk change your mind at all? 

 

Neustrom after a .608 OPS in May with 5 walks and 20 strikeouts, followed that up with a .909 OPS in June with 13 walks and 16 strikeouts.   Pretty good.   In July he's got a 1.035 OPS with 10 walks and 8 strikeouts.     I

 

I realize he's a corner outfielder and Terrin Vavra is a 2B but you've got Vavra at #10 in your rankings.    I think Neustrom's offensive profile is pretty exciting right now.   Of course, what he does at Norfolk from here until the end of the season will make a significant difference to how he is views but I dare say, that a 900+ OPS to end the season at Norfolk puts him clearly in position to make an impact next season at the ML level at some point.

 

Neustrom is one of the few hitters in the system who is taking walks but not striking out a ton.   As exciting as it is to see players like Stowers, Henderson, Vavra, etc, take walks, right now they accompanied by a huge number of strikeouts which is a concern.   Neustrom is the one guy who is making consistent contact along with improving his power numbers and plate discipline.

[NickStevens]

I would love it if Neustrom finished his season in Norfolk hitting like he did in Bowie, I'm just skeptical. I do think he can be a good piece to have off the bench in the big leagues. A lefty with power who doesn't strike out at a high rate? Yes please. I just don't know how high is ceiling is. I don't think it matches that of a Vavra or Stowers. 

[RichardZ]

Is there anything that Neustrom can do over his last 30 games at Norfolk to elevate your opinion of him to top 15 prospect with future regular as a realistic expectation?

[BobPhelan]

AAA: .232 (.748), 32 R, 16 doubles, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 29 BB, 5 SB

 

Walk Rate: 11.3%

Strikeout Rate: 24.5%

ISO: .192

wRC+: 101

 

AA: .284 (.831), 30 R, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HR, 50 RBI, 28 BB, 7 SB

 

Walk Rate: 10.7%

Strikeout Rate: 16.9%

ISO: .183

wRC+: 126