Hitter of the Day: Rowdy Tellez, 1B, Blue Jays (Lansing, A-): 3-3, 3 R, 2 2B, BB, SB. Now, let’s not get too rowdy (see what I did there?) about the stolen base, but the extra-base power has been evident this year in his first extended look at full-season ball. Just 20, Telez has gotten himself in shape, and the power production has improved accordingly. The raw power is there, so it’s just a matter of translating it to in-game application.
Pitcher of the Day: Luis Severino, RHP, Yankees (Trenton, AA): 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K. The jury is still very much out on whether or not Severino will remain a starter, but no one doubts the stuff, and five strong innings is a good start in his first appearance off the disabled list. He misses a ton of bats and throws a lot of strikes, so there’s a lot to like about the 21-year-old. The only question is whether or not it will hold up over 200 innings per season.
Best of the Rest
Ryan McMahon, 3B, Rockies (Modesto, A+): 2-5, R, HR, 2 K. Much of what we knew about McMahon from last year is still applicable this season. He still offers good power, though he hasn’t left the yard as often this year as he did last season. He still shows a patient approach at the plate which leads to a strong walk rate, but also a high amount of swings and misses. The hit tool may be just average, but that also may be enough to get McMahon where he needs to be to produce somewhere in the middle of the Rockies lineup one day.
Dylan Cozens, OF, Phillies (Clearwater, A+): 3-4, R, 2B, K, SB. There aren’t too many strong games for Cozens that don’t include a home run. That’s because power is Cozens’ only real tool, and it’s application is still quite raw. His power was still able to be shown off last season despite the other flaws in his game, but High-A ball has exposed the contact issues that come with his approach and one-dimensional swing.
Jake Gatewood, SS, Brewers (Wisconsin, A-): 1-3, R, HR, BB, K. The tradeoff for the massive amount of strikeouts that come with Gatewood’s game is supposed to be the power production, but to this point, it hasn’t come. There’s really no reason for Gatewood to be in full-season ball right now, as these extreme strikeout rates are somewhat to be expected. We knew this about him. Still, they’re worrisome, and we can’t dismiss them solely because he’s being challenged.
Casey Meisner, RHP, Mets (Savannah, A-): 7 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 10 K. This season for Meisner is about developing his command, continuing to build strength, and the development of his off-speed pitches. His changeup has had potential, and it’s enough to give Sally League hitters a hard time. That, coupled with good command for a player his size make him a formidable force for his current level of competition. There is still some projection left, but his arsenal and frame set him off to a good start.
Sean Newcomb, LHP, Angels (Indland Empire, A+): 5 2/3 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. You may not have expected last year’s first-rounder to be as polished as other collegiate pitchers because he came from a northeast mid-major conference, but that America East Conference has produced some serious baseball talent in the past. Newcomb, fresh out of the University of Hartford, showed far too much polish for the Midwest League and hasn’t been tested yet in two California League starts.
Jose Peraza, 2B, Braves (Gwinnett, AAA): 2-5, R, HR. Peraza continues to hit at every level, and got his yearly home run out of the way early on Thursday night. He has elite contact skills, which allow him to get away with an aggressive approach, as does his speed. He has to put the ball in play and run in order to be successful, but those skills have translated into Triple-A success, which is a strong step in the right direction.
Tony Renda, 2B, Nationals (Harrisburg, AA): 2-4, 4 R, HR, BB, SB. Despite no standout tools, Renda impressed this fall in the AFL. He does offer good speed, which allows his hit tool to play close to its ceiling, but he offers little in the way of over-the-fence power despite Thursday’s events. Renda controls the strike zone well, however, and shoots the gaps with regularity, giving him something to offer with the bat.
Nick Williams, OF, Rangers (Frisco, AA): 1-2, R, HR, 2 BB, K. I don’t know if Williams has genuinely improved his approach or if he took a page out of the Monstars book and stole the ability of someone with some plate discipline, but whatever the case, it’s working. He’s still not Rickey Henderson, but he’s gotten his approach to where it needs to be in order to let his pure hit tool play naturally, which is a huge step forward.
Raul Mondesi, SS, Royals (Northwest Arkansas, AA): 2-5, R, 2B, HR, 2 K. Getting a late start to the season, Mondesi is already finding it easier to hit now that he’s away from Wilmington, though the sample size has been incredibly small thus far. He’s squeaked out some hits thus far, though it would have been nice to see him have success at his previous levels before being thrown a new challenge at age 19.
Fight Another Day
Jacoby Jones, SS, Pirates (Bradenton, A+): 0-5, 4 K. It’s not always going to be pretty for Jones, who has some strange baseball actions despite being a plus athlete. But he’s going to have his struggles against same-side pitching, especially with breaking balls. He does have the ability, however, to do some damage when used in the right spots.
Notable Prospect Starters
- Jorge Lopez, RHP, Brewers (Biloxi, AA): 5 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K.
- Rafael De Paula, RHP, Padres (Lake Elsniore, A+): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 8 K.
- Luis Heredia, RHP, Pirates (Bradenton, A+): 4 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 2 K.
- Jacob Faria, RHP, Rays (Charlotte, A+): 6 IP, 4 H, R, 4 BB, 4 K.
- Jonathan Gray, RHP, Rockies (Albuquerque, AAA): 6 2/3 IP, 6 H, R (0 ER), BB, 3 K.
…and Carlos Correa did awesome things (2-4, R, HR).
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