June 30, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of June 29

by Kevin Goldstein

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Wilmer Flores, SS, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 3-for-5, R

It's impossible to argue with the results, but what Flores is doing since his move up to High-A is at least a bit weird, 10-for-15 in his last three games and 13-for-27 overall, Flores is whatever the opposite is of a three-true-outcome guy, as he has no extra base hits, one walk, and just two strikeouts.  It's a small sample size not worth over-analyzing, and it's still a 18-year-old who can more than hold his own with the bat at High-A, and that's a rare thing indeed.

Hector Noesi, RHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

He doesn't have a ton of stuff, but he sure knows how to pitch.  He doesn't have a pitch that any scout would put a 60 on, but his fastball has average to plus movement with some cutting action, his curveball is solid, his change is good, and he absolutely pounds the strike zone and pitches without fear.  After giving up five runs over six innings in his Double-A debut, Noesi's ERA in 1.17 in seven games, including 44 whiffs and just seven unintentional walks in 46 innings.  It's not a crazy high ceiling, but Noesi sure looks like a major-league starter and could be a nice trade chip in the coming month.

Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (Rookie-level GCL Yankees): 1-for-2, HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB

You don't want to get too worked up over seven games, but so far Sanchez is living up to the hype created by last year's $3 million bonus.  Still just 17, the Dominican native is 11-for-26 with six extra base hits and five walks.  It's early, but wow.

Jerry Sands, 1B, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-4, HR (4), R, 4 RBI, BB, K

When Sands was demolishing the Midwest League to the tune of .333/.432/.646, it was easy to take it with a grain of salt, as he was a 22-year-old beating up on a level he had no right to be in.  Moved up two levels to the Southern League, he's now bashed four home runs in five games, and we don't have that grain of salt anymore.  He's a bad outfielder and even worse first baseman, so he has to keep mashing. But just one week against more reasonable competition has done wonders for his prospect status.

Others Of Note:

• Lars Anderson, 1B, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K.  Seems to be finally out of miserable slump; 10-for-22 in last six games.
• Josh Bell, 3B, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk): 2-for-5, 2 HR (10), 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 K.  More slumps that hot streaks and big problems against lefties.
• Engel Beltre, OF, Rangers (High-A Bakersfield): 2-for-5, K, SB.  .329/.376/.453 including .406 in June; expect move to Double-A soon.
• Christian Colon, SS, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 0-for-5, 2 K.  Pro debut for fourth overall pick; baseball is very, very hard.
• Cito Culver, SS, Yankees (Rookie-level GCL Yankees): 4-for-5, 2B, RBI, K, SB.  First big game for surprise first-round pick; don't be surprised if nobody is mocking it by the end of the year.
• Brody Colvin, RHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K.  Seven-round pick from '09 who got $900,000 to sign seems to be figuring things out; 1.97 ERA in five June starts to go with good stuff and a ton of athleticism and projection.
• Joe Cruz, RHP, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K.  Bit of a sleeper in loaded system; big guy with arm strength (up to mid-90s) and command; but limited secondary stuff has many profiling him as a reliever.
• Chase D'Arnaud, SS, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 2-for-5, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, K.  Got off to horrible start but hitting .303/.374/.495 in 26 June games.
• Corey Dickerson, OF, Rockies (Short-season Casper): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K.  Eighth-round pick who got $125K is advanced hitter and proving it so far by going 15-for-33 with 31 total bases.
• Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (8), 3 R, 3 RBI, K.  Home runs in back-to-back games; .279/.342/.470 line isn't mega-awesome, but quite impressive for a 20-year-old at Triple-A.
• Cedric Hunter, OF, Padres (Triple-A Portland): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, K.  8-for-17 in five games since promotion; certainly has ability hit for average, but what else does he do?
• Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-5, R, RBI, BB, 2 K, SB.  Yup, still hitting.
• Chad Jenkins, RHP, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K.  '09 first-round pick has been solid but unspectacular in pro debut; few walks, lots of groundballs.
• Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, RBI, 3 K. First home run since September 2^nd of last year (58 games); batting .353/.407/.549 in June.
• Marc Krauss, OF, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 4-for-4, 2B, HR (12), R, 5 RBI, K.  Bat-only prospect is the hottest hitter in the Cal League; 21-for-40 (.525) in last nine games with four doubles and five home runs; .312/.378/.516 overall.
• Maverick Lasker, RHP, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 9 IP, 4 H, 3 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 8 K.  Beyond having one of the best names in baseball, '08 fifth-rounder has good velocity, improving breaking ball and 0.89 ERA in 30.1 June innings.
• Brett Lawrie, 2B, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 2-for-4, R, RBI, SB. 16-for-37 (.432) in last nine games and .302/.361/.492 overall; has added a new dimension to game with 18 stolen bases and is one of the better pure hitting prospects out there.
• Nick Longmire, OF, Cardinals (Short-season Batavia): 2-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, SB, CS.  Fifth-round pick continues to impress; .409/.453/.841 line in 11 games.
• Wade Miley, LHP, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 5 K.  Second straight good start since move to Double-A; supplemental first-round pick from '08 has back-of-the-rotation possibilities.
• Brent Morel, 3B, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 2-for-4, 2 HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI, K.  Finally starting to heat up after miserable start at Triple-A; 9-for-19 in last five games and could get a long look next spring.
• Trayvon Robinson, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB.  Hitting .368/.445/.442 in June while focusing more on contact than power.
• Cory Vaughn, OF, Mets (Short-season Brooklyn): 2-for-3, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB.  Fourth-round pick is hitting like his dad Greg; homers in three straight games and .279/.385/.651 line in 12 games.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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