Prospectus Perspective... (10/12)
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October 13, 2010 Future Shock BlogMinor League Update: Games of October 12
Jared Mitchell, OF, White Sox (AFL: Peoria S): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, K, CS The White Sox do not have a very good minor league system, and it took a huge hit when Mitchell, the club's first-round pick in 2009, tore an ankle tendon in spring training and missed the entire regular season. Mitchell wasted no time getting back in the swing of things in the AFL opener, and the toolsiest player in the system has an excellent chance of regaining his prospect status with a strong showing. Martin Perez, LHP, Rangers (VEN: Magallanes): 1.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 1 K The Rangers continue to challenge the talented 19-year-old, and he continues to struggle to live up to expectations. Pitching in the veteran-laden Venezuelan league as a teenager is unquestionably a tough assignment, but at some point, we have to stop giving Perez a Mulligan and start expecting more. Just one start, so way too small a sample size, but after a year of inconsistency in the Texas League, the results have to start showing up eventually. Others Of Note Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (AFL: Peoria J): 1-for-4, HR (1), R, RBI. Scouts are looking for the power he showed in college, so it's a good start. Erubiel Durazo, 1B (MEX: Hermosillo): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (1), R, RBI, BB, K. I just like the fact that I get to include Erubiel Durazo in a daily. The Gusave/Mochis matchup featured Dan Serafini vs. Mac Suzuki while we're at it. Scott Elbert, LHP, Dodgers (AFL: Phoenix): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB. First outing since leaving organization in June for personal reasons. Wilmer Flores, SS, Mets (VEN: Margarita): 3-for-4, RBI. Great test for his bat against more advanced pitching; not exactly the traditional Venezuelan shortstop. Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds (AFL: Peoria S): 3-for-4, HR (1), R, 3 RBI, K. Breakout season continues in the desert; How quick to the majors in '11? Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, Mets (AFL: Mesa) 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. Scouts will be paying more attention to him defensively to see if he can play center in the big leagues. Derek Norris, C, Nationals (AFL: Scottsdale): 1-for-2, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K. If fully recovered from hand problems and power returns, he's one of the top offensive catching prospects around. Michael Taylor, OF, Athletics (AFL: Phoenix): 2-for-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI. Athletics would love for him to find the power than abandoned him in the regular season. Brandon Wood, 3B, Angels (AFL: Mesa): 3-for-5, RBI. Surprising to see him in here and one has to give him credit for continuing to work at it. One scout recently classified him as, “the kind of player I'd love to pick up cheap.”
Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
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Kevin, will you share with us what you know about Tigers 3B Francisco Martinez who went 2 for three yesterday with a 2B and a 3B? He went from the GCL to the FSL to the AFL. Does he have the kind of tools/polish to merit this kind of push at 20 years old or am I just wishing for a legit Detroit position prospect?
There are certainly some tools to grow into, but I've been very surprised at how Detroit has developed him. The FSL was very aggressive based on his age/experience, and he only did so-so there, and now he's getting thrown to the AFL wolves. Again, the tools are there.