June 4, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of June 3

by Kevin Goldstein

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Note: Because of draft craziness, we're going to go with all short notes today.  Don't think it's because I don't love you.

• Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants (High-A San Jose): 3-for-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB.  What pair of "I'm not being challenged at this level" isn't being understood here?
• Domonic Brown, OF, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 3-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB, CS.  Officially out of slump by going 9-for-18 in least four games; .317/.392/.610 season line remains eye-popping.
• Engel Beltre, OF, Rangers (High-A Bakersfield): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, K.  10-for-22 in last five games; the Rangers top position prospect?
• Drew Cumberland, SS, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 4-for-5, HR (7), 3 R, 2 RBI, CS.  16-for-29 with three home runs in last seven games has him flirting with .400 (.388/.429/.612)
• Chun-Hsiu Chen, C, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 5-for-5, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI.  21-year-old Taiwanese import signed for 300K two years ago; batting .338/.397/.570 but defense behind the plate is a bit rough.
• Chris Dwyer, LHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K.  Best start of year for big-bonus fourth-rounder; plus velo and curve, could be outstanding with more strikes.
• Brad Emaus, 3B, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI.  Nine total bases in first three games since promotion.
• Wilmer Flores, SS, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 2-for-5, 2 2B, RBI, K.  Bat has slowed down significantly since hot start, calming ridiculous calls to move him up; remember he's still one of the youngest players in the league.
• Scooter Gennett, 2B, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 3-for-5, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI.  One of the smallest players around (he sure looks like a scooter), but his bat is the real deal; 13-for-25 in last six games and .358/.418/.497 overall.
• Brandon Laird, 3B, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (11), 2 R, RBI, K.  Can we officially call this a breakout now?  Obviously doesn't fit into Yankee future, other than as a trade chip.
• Brad Lincoln, RHP, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.  Might be up if his schedule didn't line up for a big league debut vs. Strasburg; Maybe one or two more starts at Indy.
• Tyler Matzek, LHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K.  15 innings, 10 hits, 18 strikeouts in first three starts, other than disturbingly high flyball rate, he's been fantastic.
• Jake McGee, LHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K.  Turning a corner? 13 shutout innings in last two starts with 15 Ks.
• Mike Minor, LHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K.  Seriously, who had Minor leading all of the minors in strikeouts on June 4 (91 in 63 2/3 IP).
• Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 2-for-4, HR (13), R, RBI.  Up to .371/.452/.765; man it's been a great year for the Royals system.
• Wilson Ramos, C, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 5-for-5, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI.  As impressive as he was in the big leagues, that's how bad he's been at Triple-A; five-hit game finally brought his batting average over .200.
• Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.  It's was fun for a while, but then it got kind of boring, as all along he has a big league star just biding his time; I'm kind of glad it's over in a weird way.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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