June 8, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of June 7

by Kevin Goldstein

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With the draft still in full effect, we'll keep things brief and resume the full-sized version of these reports on Thursday.

• Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, CS. .383 in last 13 games, up to .278/.367/.519 overall and finally doing damage against LHPs.  The call could come soon.
• Bryan Anderson, C, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (7), 2 R, RBI, K.  That's already a career-high in home runs; having a bounce back year that nobody seems to talk about.
• Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 6 BB, 1 K.  First bomb of a start, only 33 of 72 pitches for strikes.
• Chris Davis, 1B/3B, Rangers (Triple-A Oklahoma City: 4-for-4, 2B, HR (6), R, 2 RBI, BB.  .329/.395/.523 since demotion; whether he's trade bait or bench help is yet to be determined.
• Slade Heathcott, OF, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 2-for-5, 3B, RBI.  Added to roster last week, 2009 first-round pick is 9-for-26 and showing all kinds of tools.
• Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 3-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 SB.  Needs to get going; seems to hit another slump every time he looks like he turned things around.
• Cory Luebke, LHP, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K.  Highly polished lefty is finally healthy; has allowed five hits over 18.1 innings.
• Tim Melville, RHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): Pitching much better of late; 25 IP, 14 H, 5 BB, 23 K in last four starts.
• Michael Pineda, RHP, Mariners (Double-A West Tenn): 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K.  2.10 ERA in 11 starts with 70 Ks in 64.1 IP; fewer scouts projecting him as a reliever.
• Mark Trumbo, 1B/OF, Angels (Triple-A Salt Lake): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR (14), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, K.  Up to .281/.326/.543 and suddenly playing some outfield recently; just sayin' …
• Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 2-for-4, 2 HR (6), 2 R, 5 RBI, K.  Recovering from slow start; five home runs in last nine games.
• Arodys Vizcaino, RHP, Braves (Low-A Rome): The hottest pitcher in the minors?  Last five starts: 33.2 IP, 18 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 31 K.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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