Ray R. Rardin II

Page covers minor league baseball in Arizona - Spring Training, Arizona Complex and Fall Leagues. Containing original photos, video, and reporting.

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

Two additional problems:
1. ACL now starts in early May and ends in late July; instead of, early June through late August.
2. MLB draft is now held in July instead of June.

Before, the draft would happen during the 1st/2nd of week of the ACL and teams had an influx of drafted and non-drafted players to use for almost the whole season.
This year's draft is happening on July 11th/12th, the last game of the ACL is on July 23rd. Good luck getting pitchers into games with the amount of time they had off before the draft.

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

I was at the game, should be noted, it was only 7 innings. The Dodgers had their RF pitch in the 5th - in a 1/3 of an inning he gave up 2 hits, 5 walks, and 4 ER. Dodgers then had their LF pitch the 6th.
Couple of factors for the score:
1. Dodgers are having pitching problems - they forfeited a game a week prior on May 6th due to lack of pitching.
2. The Giants have 2 of the best ACL prospects in Gonzales and Hernandez. Both of them had career nights. Hernandez should easily be in the top 25 by season end.

2 Reasons why teams are having pitching problems:
1. Cutting the number of minor league players per team.
2. ACL starting in May (used to be June) and having the draft at the All-Star break. There isn't the influx of new pitching like their used to be.

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

Mason being in his 4th season as a professional with a lot of time being missed due to injuries; being promoted to A+ and having pitched at MB (known as one of the friendliest pitcher parks) is the reason he isn't getting much prospect attention.
Josiah looked good in Spring Training - don't see him passing Rojas, Wiggins, and Alcantara as the top prospect. Definitely should pass Ethan Conrad who shouldn't be in top 10.

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

05-23-2026; #ArizonaComplexLeague (#ACL)

Giants @ Cubs (Sloan - Field 1)

#JosuarGonzalez led off the game with a flyball to left center field and a stand up triple. Sadly, while jogging into 3B you could see he was in pain with a possible hamstring pull.
He was taken out of the game.

@MiLB @SFGiantsFans @SFGiants @SFGigantes @SFGiantsMedia @RoundTheFoghorn @SFGProspects @SleeperSFGiants @TheAthleticMLB

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

05-19-2025; #ArizonaComplexLeague (#ACL)

Guardians @ Rockies (Salt River)

The Guardians 2025 CB-B draft pick (#70), #WillHynes, pitched four innings (5 hits, 1 run, 0 ER, 1 BB, and 3 SO).
What caught my eye was his groundouts (7) to flyouts (0).
This was his 2nd profession start (May 11), going 1 inning. At only 18, he looks impressive.

@MiLB @CleGuardians @CleGuardPro @GuardsInsider @FSAwayBackGone

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

05-13-2026; #ArizonaComplexLeague (#ACL)

Dodgers@Giants (Papago)

#LuisHernández and #JosuarGonzalez had career days last night. Both of them are very impressive.
Luis (SS) - 5 for 5 (2 singles, 2 doubles, home run), with 3 runs, a walk, and 9 RBI. He is batting .406 with a 1.380 OPS.
* Has easy power and uses the whole field.
** See him eventually moving to 3B.
Josuar (2B) - 3 for 3 (3 singles and a double), with 6 runs, 3 walks, a stolen base, and 4 RBI. The switch hitter is batting .412 with a 1.094 OPS.
* Looks well defensively at both SS and 2B - above average arm and defense - athletic with speed.
** See him staying at SS.

@MiLB @SFGiantsFans @SFGiants @SFGigantes @SFGiantsMedia @RoundTheFoghorn @SFGProspects @SleeperSFGiants @TheAthleticMLB

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

05-13-2026; #ArizonaComplexLeague (#ACL)

Dodgers@Giants (Papago)

Entering the bottom of the 4th, #LuisHernandez had a single, double, and home run.
In his first at-bat of the inning he hit a line drive single to left field; in his second at bat of the inning he hit a line drive to left field and was inches away from a triple and the cycle.
Hopefully, he gets another at-bat in this 7 inning game.
He is 5 for 5 - 2 singles, 2 doubles, and a home run. And he has a few RBI as well - 8.

@MiLB @SFGiantsFans @SFGiants @SFGigantes @SFGiantsMedia @RoundTheFoghorn @SFGProspects @SleeperSFGiants @TheAthleticMLB

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

05-12-2026; #ArizonaComplexLeague (#ACL)

#StevenZobac, the Royals 2022 4th round draft pick (#115), made a rehab start last night against the Diamondbacks.
* Started the game, going one inning with 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and 2 SO.
** Even though he pitched 1 inning, spent a lot of time in the bullpen.

@MiLB @MLB @Royals @RoyalsFarm @KCRoyalsPD @royalsminors @RoyalRundownPod @farmtofountains

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

Extended Spring Training; 04-09-2026

Cubs (Field 1)

#TrentThornton - 15 minutes of defensive drills. Doesn’t look to have any restrictions on running.

@MiLB @cubprospects @realcubsinsider @Cubs @BleacherNation @brendan_cubs @crawlyscubs @CubsCentral08 @CubsZone

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

Extended Spring Training; 04-09-2026

Cubs (Field 1)

#TrentThornton - consistently getting first pitch strikes and a lot of ground ball outs. Batters are making a lot of contact.

@MiLB @cubprospects @realcubsinsider @Cubs @BleacherNation @brendan_cubs @crawlyscubs @CubsCentral08 @CubsZone

[Ray R. Rardin II @AZProspectWatch]

Extended Spring Training; 04-09-2026

Cubs (Field 1)

#PierceCoppola - not getting ahead in the count, a lot of swing and miss, batters with zero hits.

@MiLB @cubprospects @realcubsinsider @Cubs @BleacherNation @brendan_cubs @crawlyscubs @CubsCentral08 @CubsZone