August 25, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of August 24

by Kevin Goldstein

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Dellin Betances, RHP, Yakees (Double-A Tenton): 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K

On a limited pitch count in his Double-A debut, the 22-year-old righty continued his explosive return from numerous arm problems, striking out eight of the 17 batters he faced while sitting at 95 and touching 97 mph. The Yankees aren't really going to unleash him until next spring, but he could be a only a brief time away from the big leagues when that happens.

Jenrry Mejia, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K

With a 1.32 ERA in six Eastern League starts, an opponents batting average of .200 and a groundball ratio of more than 3-to-1, it's fair to say that Mejia is back on track after his poorly thought out stint in the big league bullpen. His stuff remains the best in the system, and hopefully his future finally resides solely in the realm of starting.

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 8 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K

Almost quietly, Odorizzi has had an outstanding full-season debut, capped off by getting the first 24 outs of a combined no-hitter last night. With plus velocity, plus command and a much improved breaking ball, Odorizzi has 130 strikeouts over 116 innings while allowing 92 hits and walking just 37. He's a fantastic athlete with stamina and silky-smooth arm action, and belongs in the discussion for the top pitchers in the Midwest League this year.

Others Of Note:

• Wladimir Balentien, OF, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 3-for-4, 2 HR (24), 2 R, 4 RBI, SB. Not necessarily a prospect anymore, but a remarkable .468/.522/.785 run in his last 20 games is worth noting.
• Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants (Double-A Richmond): 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB. Still bashing away; three straight multi-hit games and .331/.409/.616 in 45 Eastern Legue games.
• Matt Carpenter, 3B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 2-for-3, R, RBI. Up to .337/.439/.520 in 94 Texas League games; deserves a real look next spring, and shouldn't have much competition.
• Matt Den Dekker, OF, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 5-for-6, 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI, K, SB. Fifth-round pick as cost-effective senior sign is 26-for-61 (.426) in 15 Sally League games; has line drive bat and center field ability, but few secondary skills.
• Robbie Erlin, LHP, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 9 K. Little lefty with good stuff and crazy great command has 115 strikeouts against just 16 walks in 106.1 innings.
• Matt Gamel, 3B, Brewers (Triple-A Nashville): 2-for-4, HR (13), R, 2 RBI, BB, K. Four home runs in last six games; .322/.396/.536 in 76 PCL games.
• Kyle Gibson, RHP, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 5 K. Full-season debut has exceeded all expectations; 2.96 ERA in 26 starts across three levels shows he's been both good and healthy.
• Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 2-for-4, 2B, R, BB, K. 11-game hitting streak has Double-A numbers up to .310/.359/.632; it's coming Royals fan, it's coming.
• Justin Jackson, SS, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 3-for-5, R, K. Almost an ex-prospect at this point, but has adjusted swing and approach to hit .312 in last 20 games.
• Chris Marrero, 1B, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 2-for-3, HR (17), R, 2 RBI, BB. Nine hits and 16 total bases in last four games, but .291/.350/.453 line in only so-so for a first base only prospect.
• Jake McGee, LHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. No reason he can't succeed in big league bullpen right now; 10.2 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 19 K since promotion.
• Steven Parker, 3B, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 2-for-4, 3B, HR (19), 2 R, 2 RBI. Excellent sleeper prospect with hitting ability, power and patience; up to .292/.389/.506.
• Andy Oliver, LHP, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 10 K. Fifth straight quality start for Mud Hens; observers note that he's cranked the velocity down a bit to 93-95 but the end result is a much sharper offering.
• Josh Reddick, OF, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 5-for-5, HR (14), 2 R, 2 RBI, CS. Up to .370/.398/.638 since the break; at this point even his season numbers aren't horrible anymore (.260/.300/.445).
• Will Smith, LHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K. Career-best start for finesse southpaw received from Angels; Fringy stuff but absolutely outstanding command and control.
• Matt Thomson, RHP, Athletics (Short-season Vancouver): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 11 K. 12th-round pick has shown surprising velocity (93-94 mph) and to nobody's surprise, outstanding control; 58 strikeouts and eight walks in 40 innings.  

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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