October 14, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of October 13

by Kevin Goldstein

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Charlie Cublerson, 2B, Giants (AFL: Scottsdale) 2-for-6, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, RBI, 2 K

A supplemental first-round pick in 2007, Culberson was all but off the map entering the 2010 season after spending two years at Low-A Augusta with identical 609 OPS each year. So don't be alarmed if the industry is still skeptical of Culberson after a .290/.340/.457 showing in the California League this year in a season that included 16 home runs after his previous career high was three. Has has a lot to prove, and with 10 total bases in his first two Arizona Fall League games, and he's doing it so far.

Others Of Note

Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (AFL: Peoria J): 1-for-1, 2B, 2 R, RBI. Off to a great start in Arizona, but the bad news is that he jammed a finger on a fielding play. Good news? It's not considered serious.

Randall Delgado, RHP, Braves (AFL: Surprise): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Doesn't have nearly the upside of Julio Teheran or Arodys Vizcaino, but could beat both to the big leagues.

Brandon Guyer, OF, Cubs (VEN: Aragua): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (1), 3 R, 2 RBI, BB. Cubs breakout player of the year keeps breaking out in the LVBP.

Casey Kelly, RHP, Red Sox (AFL: Peoria J): 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 3 K. Throwing strikes with plus stuff; scouting reports are far more impressive than his Double-A numbers.

Cole Kimball, RHP, Nationals (AFL Scottsdale): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Power reliever is one of the better sleepers in the system; mid-90s heat and 101 strikeouts in 78.1 innings this year.

A.J. Pollack, OF, Diamondbacks (AFL: Scottsdale): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB. Like yesterday's featured player, Jared Mitchell of the White Sox, Pollack is a 2009 first-round pick who missed the entire year (elbow surgery).

Michael Taylor, OF, Athletics (AFL: Phoenix): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB. After two days, this is your league MVP with 12 total bases in two games while making just three outs in nine plate appearances.

Tom Wilhelmsen, RHP, Brewers (AFL: Peoria J): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K. At almost 27, he's one of the older players in the league, but hadn't pitched organized ball for over six years and has the velocity to be a real sleeper.

Brandon Wood, 3B, Angels (AFL: Mesa) 2-for-4, HR (1), R, RBI. Still respect him for playing here. Says a lot about the kid. He played in the big leagues nearly all year and took the assignment, while Brett Lawrie of the Brewers, on the verge of the big leagues after a year at Double-A, chose not to play this year. Talent trumps makeup, but that's not to say it doesn't matter at all.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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