August 12, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of August 11

by Kevin Goldstein

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Jake McGee, LHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

While it would be wrong to say McGee could potentially be this year's version of David Price circa '08, the Rays certainly seem to be lining him up for a late-season bullpen role that could spread into the playoffs. The Tommy John surgery survivor finally found his command again this year, and his mid-90s velocity is rare for a lefty. Many scouts have always believed he'd be better of in short stints, and by striking out seven of the 12 batters he's faced in Triple-A, they're looking prophetic.

Others Of Note:

• Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants (Double-A Richmond): 2-for-6, HR (7), R, 3 RBI. Home run was 14th-inning walk-off; .341/.403/.652 in 34 Double-A games and it's time to stop calling him a fluke.
• Andrew Brackman, RHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Double-A showing has been marked by inconsistency; No earned runs in three of ten starts, ERA of 5.94 otherwise.
• Johermyn Chavez, OF, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 3-for-4, 3B, HR (28), 3 R, 2 RBI. 20 of 28 home runs have come at High Desert, but also has 20 home runs in last 53 games and overall line of .317/.384/.586.
• Michael Choice, OF, Athletics (Short-season Vancouver): 2-for-3, RBI, BB, K. Tenth overall pick with back-to-back multi-hit games; already has five walks in four contests.
• James Darnell, 3B, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 3-for-4, R, RBI, K. Showing first signs of life with the bat all year; batting .405/.488/.784 in ten August games.
• Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks (Low-A Diamondbacks): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (16), R, 2 RBI. Has out-hit Borchering all year; slugging .721 in 11 August games and .293/.373/.508 overall.
• Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Astros (Rookie-level Greenville): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Best pro outing for 19^th overall pick in June has had more struggles than anything else (5.52 ERA).
• Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett): 2-for-5, RBI, BB, K. A lot of talk about him coming up now that Chipper is out for the year, but that doesn't fill the third-base hole (and don't suggest Troy Glaus).
• Mat Gamel, 3B/1B/OF, Brewers (Triple-A Nashville): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, SB. Three straight three-hit games moves OPS up 44 points to .319/.392/.502; Brewers will find him at-bats in '11.
• Dee Gordon, SS, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-5, R, K. Fourth straight multi-hit game; batting .316/.350/.421 since All-Star break.
• Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 4-for-5, 2 R. It sounds weird, but this is the hottest hitter in the Royals system; 36-for-78 (.462) in last 21 games and .316/.394/.436 overall.
• Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 1-for-3, HR (32), R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, K. Takes over minor league home run lead; overall line of .303/.367/.599.
• Jeremy Jeffress, RHP, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Now eight scoreless innings at Double-A without a walk; possible surprise September look?
• Mychal Jones, SS, Braves (High-A Myrtle Beach): 2-for-3, HR (6), 3 R, RBI, BB. Of six home runs in 53 games, three have come in last two to raise averages to .284/.350/.437.
• J.D. Martinez, OF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 4-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. You want hot? How about 18-for-31 in eight games to raise Double-A averages to .351/.422/.515.
• Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K. For a guy with 110 strikeouts in 84.1 innings and upper-90s heat, he gives up a surprising amount of hits (84) and runs (3.84 ERA).
• Adys Portillo, RHP, Padres (Short-Season Eugene): 4.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 8 K.
• Henry Ramos, OF, Red Sox (Rookie-level GCL Red Sox): 2-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB, SB. Long, toolsy fifth-round pick is batting .313/.364/.444; offers plenty to dream on but still very raw.
• Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 1-for-3, HR (15), R, 3 RBI, BB. Four home runs in last seven games and .272/.324/.489 overall; Big second-half is boosting prospect stock.
• Blake Smith, OF, Dodgers (Low-A Great Lakes): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR (16), 2 R, 3 RBI. Went ten games without a home run; up to .295/.380/.518 overall.
• Michael Taylor, OF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-for-5, 2B, 3 R, RBI, SB. Was in ugly 5-for-34 slump before this; still just .269/.345/.394 overall.
• Shane Victorino, OF, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 3-for-4, 3B, HR (1), R, 3 RBI. It was fun watching Domonic Brown in the big leagues for a while . . .
• Jonathan Villar, SS, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 3-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, SB. 19-year-old acquired in Oswalt deal; .286/.357/.408 in 11 games.
• Kolbrin Vitek, 3B, Red Sox (Short-Season Lowell): 2-for-4, 3B, R, 2 K. First-round pick was in ugly 5-for-44 (.114) slump; just .246/.335/.374 overall.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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