May 4, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May 3

by Kevin Goldstein

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Long day ahead, so a quicker report with a higher threshold for inclusion . . .

• Brandon Allen, 1B, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 2-for-2, 2B, 2 R, 3 BB, SB. Fifth straight multi-hit game and .305/.396/.474 on the season; deserves another chances as Russ Branyan and Juan Miranda are not the answer.
• Chad Bettis, RHP, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 11 K. 2010 second-round pick has well above-average velocity and movement; 40 Ks in 33 innings.
• Charlie Blackmon, OF, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs) 3-for-4, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, K. Up to .336/.410/.636 in 26 games; no clear opening for now, but on the short list for a call up.
• Jose Cisnero, RHP, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 13 K. Least consistent pitcher ever? 42 strikeouts in 24.1 innings, yet hasn't gotten out of the second inning in two of six starts and his a 6.66 ERA.
• Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 6 RBI, K, SB. Five-foot-eight second baseman who can flat out hit (sound familiar, Red Sox fans?); up to .236/.387/.472 after miserable start.
• Derek Dietrich, SS, Rays (Low-A Bowling Green): 3-for-3, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB. Coming out of a major college program, he should hit well in the Midwest League, but he's doing just that at .323/.387/.615 in 19 games.
• Michael Goodnight, RHP, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 10 K. Sleeper Alert! 2010 over-slot ($315K) 13^th round pick has good size and athleticism to go with average-to-average velocity and true plus breaking ball; 2.27 ERA in six starts while allowing just 17 hits in 31 2/3 innings.
• Garrett Gould, RHP, Dodgers (Low-A Great Lakes): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K. 2009 second-round pick isn't the sexiest arm on the planet, but fastball, curve and command are all a tick above-average; 1.93 ERA in five starts, all of them good.
• Grant Green, SS, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 17-for-38 during nine-game hitting streak has pushed batting average up nearly 100 points from .176 to .274/.333/.396.
• Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 2-for-5, R, RBI, SB. 13-for-25 in last six games and .358/.453/.679 overall in 24 games; 20 strikeouts in 81 at-bats is only minor ding, and considering age and performance, it's a non-issue.
• Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-3, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K. 16-for-26 in last seven games and up to .430/.518/.581 overall; almost get the feeling Royals hoped he wouldn't come this quickly.
• Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 1-for-4, R, BB, 3 K. Fantastic start is keeping season numbers high at .297/.404/.495; 7-for-44 (.159) in last 11 games with 14 strikeouts.
• Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 2-for-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI, 2 K. On base 12 times in last five games and suddenly up to .276/.390/.471 in 24 games. Indians' hot start with Orlando Cabrera could leave him here a while.
• Jose Martinez, OF, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 2-for-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, K. Early candidate for comeback player of the year; .360/.407/.520 in 25 games.
• Rudy Owens, LHP, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 2.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 0 K. Has allowed 15 runs over 13 innings in last three starts as ERA has ballooned to 5.81.
• Brad Peacock, RHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K. More consistent velocity, command and secondary pitches have him looking much improved; 36 strikeouts in 31 innings against just four walks and scouts putting a good No. 3 starter ceiling on him.
• Wily Mo Pena, OF, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 2-for-5, 2 HR (9), 2 R, 5 RBI, K. .337/.391/.723 in 20 games . . . just sayin'.
• Manny Rivera, LHP, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K. More command and control than stuff but dominating of late; 1.45 ERA in six starts with 36 Ks and 4 walks in 31 innings.
• Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Padres (Triple-A Tucson): 3-for-4, HR (8), R, 3 RBI, K, SB. Leads the minor leagues with 36 RBIs in just 25 games; batting .398/.457/.728 on the year.
• Wilin Rosario, C, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 3-for-4, HR (5), R, RBI. Seems to get little fanfare despite being amongst the best catching prospects in the game; .295/.338/.623 in 18 games and adds plus defense to boot.
• Adrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI, SB. Defensive whiz has been shockingly good at the plate; 15-for-30 in last eight games and .337/.382/.410 overall.
• Mike Trout, OF, Angels (Double-A Arkansas): 3-for-4, 2 R, K, SB. Snaps out of 1-for-14 slump; .293/.361/.547 line for a 19-year-old in Double-A . . . not bad, huh?

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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