September 9, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of September 8

by Kevin Goldstein

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Dellin Betances, rhp, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K

I can't remember a system having so many pitchers taking a big step forward in one season like this year's Yankees crop, and Betances leads the charge. Finally healthy, the six-foot-eight righty as been nothing short of dominant, touching the mid-90s with his fastball and backing it up with a true plus curveball. If he can stay healthy, his ceiling is up there with nearly any pitching prospect around.

Others Of Note:

• Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB, CS. Final Triple-A line was .274/.338/.439, which about sums up his season; solid to be sure, but little evidence of future stardom.
• Tim Beckham, SS, Rays (High-A Charlotte); 2-for-3, 3B, 3 R, RBI, BB, CS. Scored three runs in a game only twice during the regular season (.256/.349/.359); scouts did see some improvements during second half of season.
• Drake Britton, LHP, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K. Tommy John survivor has plus-plus velo for southpaw; scouts can't wait for 2011 when the leash is loosened a bit on his pitch counts.
• Darrell Ceciliani, OF, Mets (Short-season Brooklyn): 2-for-3, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 SB. True burner developed some real baseball skills this year; with improved approach, he's legit.
• Johermyn Chavez, OF, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 4 RBI, K. Hit .335/.410/.629 during the second half with 20 home runs in 275 at-bats; now has to prove he can do it away from High Desert.
• Chris Davis, 1B/3B, Rangers (Triple-A Oklahoma City): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (1), 3 R, RBI. Has possibly run out of chances in Texas.
• Corey Dickerson, OF, Rockies (Rookie-level Casper): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 3B, 3 R, RBI. Toolsy eight-round pick has been nothing short of a monster in pro debut; 31-for-58 (.534) during current 14-game hitting streak and .351/.416/.642 overall.
• Kyle Drabek, RHP, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K. First loss in nearly two months obviously wasn't has fault; should be in Toronto rotation early in 2011.
• Matt Lollis, RHP, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne) 6 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Massive righty (6-8, somewhere around 280 pounds) is generating a lot of buzz with late-season showing.
• Trevor May, RHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 13 K. Low-A's most dominant arm during the second-half of the season continues into the playoffs; will get second crack at High-A next spring with lessons learned in command and control.
• Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 13 K. Best start of career; I was behind home plate for it (my fourth time seeing him) and subscribers get a full scouting report tomorrow.
• Derek Norris, C, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 2-for-3, HR (1), 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K. Could be primed for a big 2011 if the hand is finally healthy.
• Marcell Ozuna, OF, Marlins (Short-season Jamestown): 3-for-6, HR (1), 2 R, RBI, K, SB. Regular season home run champ (by seven) keeps it up in playoff opener.
• Aderlin Rodriguez, 3B, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 2-for-4, 2B, R. 18-year-old Dominican is on the radar as one of the higher ceiling bats in the system; full-season in 2011 will be closely watched.
• Justin Smoak, 1B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-2, 4 BB. Reached base six times yet didn't score a run; scouts still see a productive big league first baseman.
• Mike Trout, OF, Angels (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 3-for-6, HR (1), 2 R, RBI, K. Finished regular season on a 12-for-26 run and takes hot streak into post-season.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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