August 31, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of August 30

by Kevin Goldstein

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What can I say? Couldn't sleep . . . 

Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (7), 2 R, RBI

When the Royals selection Giavotella with a second-round pick in 2008, it seemed like an overdraft, as the five-foot-eight college product had limited upside. That still seemed like the case after a mediocre full-season debut, but Giavotella is yet another Royal prospect to add to the breakout pile. Batting .404 in August and .323/.395/.448 overall, Giavotella has gap power, and a good approach to go with the kind of scrappy playing style one would expect from a player of his physical stature, and he's firmly back on everyone's radar.

Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 4-for-6, 2B, 3 HR (13), 11 RBI

On the day that he was named Texas League MVP, Moustakas showed why with a career night while also taking over the minor league home run lead with 34 overall. After a slow start with Omaha, Moustakas has gone 11-for-23 with four doubles and six bombs in his last five games, and suddenly his .297/.317/.569 line is right in line, if not exceeding expectations. He's one of the best offensive prospects in the minors, period.

Aderlin Rodriguez, 3B, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 2-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 K

An 18-year-old Dominican who signed for $600,000, Rodriguez was one of the talks of the Appy League with a .312/.352/.556 line in 61 games for Kingsport with 13 home runs, and he continued to hit in his full season debut last night. He's an impressive hitter with plus-plus raw power and a surprising amount of contact ability for a teenage slugger, but he's also a downright bad third baseman who many think project as a one-dimensional slugging first baseman down the road. The good news, of course, is that the one dimension looks like it could be special.

Others Of Note:

• Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants (Triple-A Fresno): 4-for-6, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 4 RBI, K, SB. First big Triple-A game for Giants breakout player of the year; was in 1-for-17 slump before last night.
• Charles Blackmon, OF, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 3-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI. Big, athletic outfielder has decent power and plus speed; .357/.408/.580 line in 27 August games and should have long career as decent starter/outstanding bench outfielder.
• Simon Castro, RHP, Padres (Triple-A Portland): 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 2 K. So-so Triple-A debut for high-ceiling righty; suddenly on pace for 2011 big league debut after spending last year in the Midwest League.
• Hank Conger, C, Angels (Triple-A Salt Lake): 4-for-6, HR (10), 4 R, 3 RBI, K. Hitting .328/.394/.531 since All-Star break, but question remains as to whether Mike Scioscia can handle an offense-first catcher.
• Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 5 RBI, BB. First Cal League home run after big second-half at Low-A; .188/.316/.271 in 14 games since promotion.
• Corey Dickerson, OF, Rockies (Rookie-level Casper): 3-for-5, 3B, HR, R, 3 RBI, K. Toolsy eighth-rounder is 13-for-18 with 26 total bases in last four games; .331/.395/.559 overall.
• Grant Green, SS, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 2-for-4, HR (19), R, 3 RBI, BB, K. 17 home runs in 74 games since calendar flipped to June with .595 slugging.
• Ismael Guillon, LHP, Reds (Rookie-level AZL Reds): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. 18-year-old Venezuelan was one of the most impressive arms in Arizona; Long, projectable lefty who already has plenty of now stuff.
• Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 4-for-5, HR (3), 3 R, 3 RBI, K. So good defensively that almost anything he does offensively is gravy; 9-for-17 in last four games and .283/.318/381 in 54 Eastern League games.
• A.J. Kirby-Jones, 1B, Athletics (Short-season Vancouver): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (13), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Ninth-round pick has massive power, tons of patience (60 BB in 70 G) and little else; .250/.413/.461 with 13 home runs while playing in a home park where home runs go to die.
• Rich Hill, LHP, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K. Keeps getting chances because he's a tall lefty with good velocity and a very good curveball; 30 Ks over 27.2 August innings with .181 opponent's average.
• Lance Lynn, RHP, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 11 K. Disappointing righty has enjoyed late-season surge; 1.74 ERA over last five starts.
• Brett Marshall, RHP, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Has dominated in return from Tommy John surgery to give the Yankees yes another starting pitching prospect; 0.50 ERA in six August starts with 17 hits allowed in 36 innings.
• Jenrry Mejia, RHP, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K. Impressive Triple-A debut; should head into next spring competing for a rotation job.
• Carlos Melo, RHP, Rangers (Rookie-level AZL Rangers): 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 13 K. 19-year-old Dominican has plus velocity, a good breaking ball and command issues; struck out 65 in 51.2 regular-season innings.
• Gio Mier, SS, Astros (Low-A Lexington): 2-for-4, 2B, 3 R, RBI, BB. 2-for-4, 2B, 3 R, RBI, BB. '09 first-rounder is trying to save miserable full-season debut; .299/.375/.402 in 27 August games.
• Jean Segura, 2B, Angels (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, SB. Hitting .305/.354/.450 and what's not to love? Athletic second baseman with gap power and projection for more, crazy bat speed and plus-plus wheels.
• Kyle Skipworth, C, Marlins (Low-A Greensboro): 4-for-5, HR (17), 3 R, 5 RBI. 2008 first-rounder has had a mild comeback year; up to .253/.318/.439 in 102 games with power really blossoming.
• Mark Trumbo, 1B, Angels (Triple-A Salt Lake): 3-for-5, 2 HR (33), 5 R, 4 RBI, BB, K. 12-for-23 in last five games with 24 total bases; .302/.369/.574 overall and deserving of a September audition.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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