May 28, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May 27

by Kevin Goldstein

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Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K

It's remarkable how all the Strasburg hype has led to this guy being almost forgotten about.  And while he hasn't been nearly as dominant, he's been very good in five of nine outings and has struck out 55 in 45 2/3 innings.  He's likely in the big leagues come September, and likely for good.

Jose Iglesias, SS, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 3-for-3, 2B, 2 R

Remember when the Red Sox signed Iglesisas and it was one of those really can pick it but might not hit situations?  Forget about that.  Iglesias has live up to every expectation defensively, but the bat has been nothing short of a revelation.  He's 19 years old and hitting .303/.338/.408 in Double-A – that's a guy who can hit.

Ethan Martin, RHP, Dodgers (High-A Inland Empire): 9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K

The 2008 first-round pick is the Jekyll and Hyde of pitching prospects.  See him on the right day, and he looks like the top prospect in the system.  On the wrong day, he looks like a mistake pick.  Clearly, last night was the right day, as he had the best start of his career, but his ERA on the season is 4.76, which speaks to his nature.  This optimist would say that him merely proving he can be great is enough for now.

Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

This is the second time in his last three starts that Pimentel has gone six hitless innings, yet like Martin, there's inconsistency here, as in his other eight starts his ERA is over five.  His fastball and changeup are true plus pitches, and when his command is on, he's, well, unhittable.

Others Of Note:

• Pedro Alvarez 3B, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 4-for-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI.  Has yet to really go on a tear, but you look up and he's slugging .517.
• J.P. Arencibia, C, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 4-for-4, 3 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.  Hard to ignore a 10 total base game; former first-rounder is 9-for-18 in last four.
• Nevin Ashley, C, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 3-for-4, 2 R.  Love him as a sleeper in Rays system; very good defender who's hitting .352/.404/.466.
• Andrew Cashner, RHP, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K.  Not a notable performance as much as a notable role, as move to the pen indicated the big leagues are calling soon.
• Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks (Low-A South Bend): 2-for-2, HR (7), 4 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB.  Best of the 2009 first-round core at South Bend; up to .298/.367/.506.
• Mychal Jones, SS, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, CS.  Overall numbers still look poor because of miserable April; hitting .365/.417/.554 in May.
• Liam Hendriks, RHP, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K.  21-year-old Aussie is one of the better finesse pitchers around; neither A-level team providing much of a challenge.
• Caleb Joseph, C, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI.  Recovering nicely from slow start; 16-for-39 in last ten games.
• Fabio Martinez Mesa, RHP, Angels: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K.  Arguably the best stuff in the Midwest League; 71 K in 48 1/3 IP.
• Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds (High-A Lynchburg): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (10), R, 2 RBI, BB.  That's already a new career-high in home runs.  It's May, people.
• Mike Montgomery, LHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  Mortal alert?
• Ben Revere, OF, Twins (Double-A New Britain): 4-for-4, BB, R, CS. Both OBP and SLG are over .400 now at .329/.403/.401; don't focus on what he can't do.
• Dayan Viciedo, 1B, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 2-for-4, HR (10), R, RBI.  Hit just 12 home runs in 130 games last year; batting .326/.375/.618 in May.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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