August 10, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of August 9

by Kevin Goldstein

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Matt Carpenter, 3B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, K.

A little-known 2009 13th-round pick entering the year, one could make the case that Carpenter deserves consideration for the big league opening at third base created by David Freese's ankle. 13-for-19 in his last five games and up to .341/.436/.520 in 81 Texas League games, scouts are reporting that Carpenter's bat and on-base skills are for real, and enough to make up for power that is a bit below average.

Jesus Montero, C, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre): 3-for-4, HR (13), R, 2 RBI.

The question of when we'll see Montero in the big leagues continues to be one I get a lot via email and Twitter. My answer at this point is, why? Between Lance Berkman and on a lesser level Austin Kearns, the Yankees don't really have a need for an extra bat, and while a September addition in recognition for a job well done is in the cards, don't expect too many plate appearances. Still, he's finally hitting like one expected all along, batting .363 and slugging .657 in his last 30 games. Once all the rentals are gone next spring, the Yankees will figure out how to get his bat in the lineup.

Gio Urshela, 3B, Indians (Short-Season Mahoning Valley): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Chances are good you've never heard of Urshela, but it's time to change that. Signed out of Columbia for $300,000, the 18-year-old has been more than holding his own of late against the more advanced competition of the New York-Penn League, going 16-for-32 in his last seven games to raise his season average to .301/.335/.398 while also flashing outstanding glove work on the hot corner. Right now, he's a nice sleeper in the Indians system, but he has plenty of time to make his case for the actual prospect list in the offseason.

Others Of Note

• Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-for-4, 3B, R. Second straight multi-hit game with a triple; up to .299/.388/.483 in 25 games since promotion.
• Yonder Alonso, 1B, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB. 23-for-49 (.469) in last 12 games and .299/.356/.467 overall; good, but enough to be an elite first base prospect?
• Matt Angle, OF, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk): 4-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. Little spark plug can play any outfield position and run well; should be a good fourth outfielder done the road.
• Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Twins (Rookie-level Elizabethton): 3-for-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI. Up to .402/.445/.783 as explosion continues.
• Blake Beavan, RHP, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 5 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 3 BB, 0 K. One good Triple-A start and one bad; if he can't miss more bats (2 Ks in 11 IP), expect more bad.
• Michael Burgess, OF, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 2-for-3, HR (12), R, 2 RBI. Overall season is a disappointment, but improved approach is finally paying off with .269/.342/.500 line since the All-Star break.
• Ralston Cash, RHP, Dodgers (Rookie-level AZL Dodgers): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Second-round pick has very good velocity; career high in innings and strikeouts.
• Christian Colon, SS, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, BB. Still the highest signed pick from the 2010 draft; third multi-hit game in last four, but still at just .257/.315/.358.
• Kentrail Davis, OF, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB. Seven-figure '09 pick is getting little attention, yet hitting .336/.425/.521.
• Matt Dominguez, 3B, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 K. 7-for-16 in last four games; .247/.327/.409 line isn't great, but he's 20, has in-game power and plus-plus defense.
• Wilmer Flores, SS, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI. Mini-slump is over; 10-for-26 during six-game hitting streak and .321/.339/.451 in 43 games since move up to Florida State League.
• Matt Gamel, 3B/OF/1B, Brewers (Triple-A Nashivlee): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. First game this year at first base; averages up to .306/.381/.479.
• Dee Gordon, SS, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 3-for-5, R, K, CS. Third three-hit game in last five, averages still don't move much at good-not-great .286/.333/.369.
• David Holmberg, LHP, Diamondbacks (Rookie-level Missoula): 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Acquired in Hudson/Jackson deal; lefty is very high on polish, but stuff is lacking.
• Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 1-for-4, HR (9), R, RBI, 2 K. Nine home runs in 97 at-bats since move to Double-A; .299/.364/.629 overall.
• Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, BB. What's more interesting – Jackson's .298/.409/.489 line in 36 games or the fact that he's playing in corners as much as center since his promotion?
• Brian Jeroloman, C, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 1-for-2, HR (2), 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K. Arencibia's future backup is doing his best impression with two home runs in first three Triple-A games.
• Ian Krol, LHP, Athletics (Low-A Kane County): 5 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. As if 18 walks in 113.2 innings isn't impressive enough, how about six in his last 75.2 innings?
• Brett Lawrie, 2B, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 3-for-4, HR (8), 2 R, 3 RBI. 13-for-31 (.419) during seven-game hitting streak and .291/.352/.472 overall.
• J.D. Martinez, OF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, 4 RBI, K. Maybe the Astros really have something in this guy; 14-for-26 in last seven games and .326/.404/.489 in 25 Texas League contests.
• Mike Montgomery, LHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K. Healthy and back on track as one of the best lefty prospects in the game.
• J.R. Murphy, C, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 R, RBI, K. First real hot streak of the year; five multi-hit games in last ten and “up” to .257/.310/.372.
• Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 3-for-4, 3 RBI, BB. 7-for-21 since promotion; might not be room for him until 2012.
• Justin O'Conner, C, Rays (Rookie-level GCL Rays) 2-for-3, 2 2B, 3 R, RBI, BB. First-round pick struggled to reach Mendoza line for first month; now at .238/.326/.398.
• Jimmy Paredes, 2B, Astros (Low-A Lexington): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, SB. Former Yankee who came over in the Berkman trade is hitting .357/.372/.524 in ten games since promotion.
• Wily Mo Pena, 1B/OF, Padres (Triple-A Portland): 4-for-5, HR (5), R, 3 RBI. Up to .385/.438/.631 in 18 games; I just think it's kind of fun.
• Bruce Pugh, RHP, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K. Peripherals are significantly stronger than 4.11 ERA; 96 Ks in 87.2 innings and just 67 hits allowed.
• Aderlin Rodriguez, 3B, Mets (Rookie-level Kingsport): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (11), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. 18-year-old has big power, questionable defensive skills.
• Kyle Russell, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (7), R, RBI, K. Finally getting some results at Double-A; 12-for-31 (.387) with five doubles and four home runs in nine August games.
• Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 3-for-6, 2 R, SB. .300/.400/.488 line still impresses, but has just two home runs in last 39 games.
• Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals (Rookie-level Johnson City): 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR (7), R, 5 RBI, K. Breakout player in a system that desperately needs one; 18-year-old Dominican is batting .345/.381/.601 and showing off some massive raw power.
• Chris Tillman, RHP, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk): 6.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K. Best start since returning to minors; there's still plenty of potential here.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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