June 2, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of June 1

by Kevin Goldstein

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Dan Moskos, LHP, Pirates (Double-A Atloona): SV (13), 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.

It's bad enough to be thought of as the guy Baltimore took instead of Matt Wieters, but Moskos didn't see himself any favors by getting out of condition, losing his mechanics, and becoming a shell of power lefty from his days at Clemson.  After two unsuccessful years as a starter, Moskos is back in the bullpen, back in shape, and, most importantly, his stuff is back as well, including a fastball that sits in the low 90s and has touched as much as 95 mph.  In 23 2/3 innings as the Curve's closer, Moskos has a 1.52 ERA, more than a strikeout per inning, and has limited Eastern League hitters to a .171 batting average without a home run.  It's one of the better bounce back stories of the year.

Robbie Ross, LHP, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

As if the line isn't good enough, Ross retired 23 straight batters at one point and also generated 16 groundball outs.  Despite his sub-six foot frame, Ross is not a finesse guy, as he'll bump his power sinker into the low 90s while also flashing a plus slider.  Biases against small pitches are often justified but hardly universal.  What is nearly universal is scouts turning Ross in as a future big-league starter.

Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 2-for-3, 2 HR (20), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB

The world seems to be clamoring for a Stanton call-up, like he's a Strasburg-esque big league ready talent, but I would take pause here folks.  He's just 20 years old, and his game, while incredibly impressive, still has some holes in it.  If he's struck out 50 times in 176 at-bats against Double-A pitching, how often you think he's going to strike out against big-league pitching?  I'd set the over/under at 40% of his at-bats, and I might take the over.  Just enjoy the majestic power for now, he'll be ready come 2011.

Others Of Note:

• Engel Beltre, OF, Rangers (High-A Bakersfield): 1-for-3, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.  Beltre is 8-for-16 with two bombs in last four games and is .306/.355/.440 overall as tools start to play.
• Austin Bibens-Dirkx, RHP, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB 4 K.  He was picked up out of the indy leagues, and the semi-sidearmer has been nearly untouchable of late, allowing 16 hits in last 39 innings; future bullpen possibilities.
• Domonic Brown, OF, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 4-for-6, 2B, HR (10), 3 R, RBI.  With his first four-hit game of the year, Brown is slugging .663 since May 1.
• Jarred Cosart, RHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K (CG).  This was a nice bounce-back from worst start of season, and his 60-to-9 K-to-BB ratio in 50.2 innings speaks as loudly as his equally impressive scouting reports.
• Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks (Low-A South Bend): 3-for-5, 3B, R.  One of the best hitters in the Midwest League (.312/.382/.519), scouts wonder if Davidson does anything but hit, as he's slow and a bad defender.
• Alex Gordon, OF, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (9); 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB.  Is there a free Alex Gordon movement yet?  Averages of .376/.515/.733 in 27 games mean he might deserve another shot, no?
• Grant Green, SS, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 2-for-4.  Five straight multi-hit games (15-for-23) have raised his batting line to .306/.354/.410. He also has 14 errors on the year but just one in last 17 games.
• Greg Halman, OF, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 HR (9), 3 R, 7 RBI, K.  Halman also had two outfield assists.  All the tools are still there, but the big problem has not been addressed, with 48 strikeouts in 109 at-bats and a .239/.336/.541 line.
• Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Pitching quite well of late, Heckathorn has allowed just three earned runs in last four starts. He has a great fastball and fastball command but secondary pitches lag.
• Caleb Joseph, C, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 2-for-4, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Joseph is arguably the hottest bat in the system among prospects. Unfortunately, the Orioles need many, many things, but a catcher ain't one of 'em.
• John Lamb, LHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K.  Doesn't turn 20 until July, Lamb has two plus pitches now with his fastball/curve combination and really knows how to pitch.
• Ethan Martin, RHP, Dodgers (High-A Inland Empire): 1.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 0 K.  Dr. Jeykll, meet Mr. Hyde.
• Fabio Martinez Mesa, RHP, Angels (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 7 BB, 8 K.  That's him in a nutshell—some of the best stuff in the league but little idea of where it's going.
• Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI.  Now 32-for-72 (.432) in 20 games including 8-for-16 in last four, dude can hit.
• Scott Sizemore, 2B, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (1), R 2 RBI; 2-for-3, R.  Sizemore seems to have his swing back with .352/.407/.519 line in 14 games since demotion, so don't write him off yet.
• Mike Trout, OF, Angels (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 2-for-4, HR (6), 2 SB (28), 2 R, RBI.  Five straight two-hit games lift his averages to .365/.443/.560. What a crazy outstanding fantastic prospect.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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