May 13, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May12

by Kevin Goldstein

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Leonys Martin, OF, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 3-for-5, 2 2B, R, RBI, SB CS

It's fun to get a new prospect before the draft and international signing period, and that's what we have in Martin, who signed a five year deal out of Cuba that included a $5 million bonus. After getting his feet wet in extended spring training, the 23-year-old made a dynamic pro debut last night, but let's temper expectations a bit. He's not a toolsy monster as much as he's a classic centerfielder with above-average speed and defensive skills. He's not Carlos Beltran, he's more the player people hoped Julio Borbon could be with a better approach. He's good, but tap on the breaks a bit, folks.

Others Of Note:

• Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-3, 2B, R, 3 BB, K. Starting to show some signs of life with .319/.450/.596 mark in 12 May games; maybe they just shouldn't play him in April after two straight brutal starts.
• Brandon Allen, 1B, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 3-for-4, 2 HR (5), 3 R, 3 RBI, BB. At times, I get the idea that he's not getting another shot in Arizona no matter how well he hits; .310/.400/.532 in 34 games.
• Yonder Alonso, 1B, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-for-3, 2 BB. On base 14 times in last five games to up averages to .322/.378/.534 in 31 games; deserves big league look in left field.
• Tim Beckham, SS, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, SB. 12-for-26 (.462) in last seven games and .302/.378/.397 in 33 games; scouts note true progress at the plate, but is it enough?
• Charlie Blackmon, OF, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (7), 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, K. While .317/.388/.570 line in 35 games looks like a breakout year at first glance, .290/.351/.464 road numbers a better gauge of his true talent.
• Bobby Borchering, 3B/1B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 3-for-5, K. 20-for-53 (.377) in last 13 games and .276/.315/.433 overall; continues to split time between both corner infield slots with Matt Davidson, while neither looks good at the hot corner.
• Bryce Brentz, OF, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 4-for-6, 4 R, RBI, SB. Want a brief, but insane run? How about 14 hits and 24 total bases in just four games? .393/.448/.679 overall, and adds solid all-around tools to go with the bat.
• Yordy Cabrera, SS, Athletics (Low-A Burlington): 2-for-3, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, BB, K. He's been rough around the edges at shortstop, but that bat his impressed; .293/.363/.463 in 22 games.
• Adrian Cardenas, 3B/OF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 4-for-4, 2B, HR (2), 3 R, RBI. Certainly looks like he's finally solved Triple-A with .354/.407/.488 line; playing more left field than anything else, which hurts chances for big league look.
• Zack Cox, 3B, Cardinals (High-A Palm Beach): 3-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, 3 RBI. First professional home run comes in 140^th at-bat; .312/.333/.368 in 31 games as the guy can hit, but showing surprisingly little in the ways of power and patience.
• Travis D'Arnaud, C, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 2-for-4, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI. Hitting well since returning from the disabled list (again), but still at just .230/.277/.393 on the season.
• Khris Davis, OF, Brewers (High-A Brevard County): 2-for-4, HR (7), R, 2 RBI, K. Home runs in back-to-back games and .315/.367/.568 in 31 games; a bit old for the level, but keeps on hitting.
• Robbie Erlin, LHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K. Arguably has the best peripherals in the minors at 42 IP, 17 H, 5 BB, 47 K; also outdueled Indians prospect Drew Pomeranz.
• Pedro Florimon, SS, Orioles (Double-a Bowie): 2-for-3, 3B, 2 RBI. BB. Remains a nice sleeper with .260/.357/.410 line in 32 games and very good defense.
• Nick Franklin, SS, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 3-for-4, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Still waiting on the breakout; .245/.371/.400 in 29 games.
• Todd Frazier, 3B, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (8), R, 2 RBI, BB. Impressive comeback season continues; 11-for-25 with 25 total bases in last five games and .283/.361/.575 overall.
• Kyle Gibson, RHP, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Not the savior in Minnesota as much as he's a middle-rotation starter who can get hit around when the command is off.
• Michael Givens, 2B, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva): 4-for-4, 3 R, SB. Even with a flawless night, he's hitting just .186/.260/.204 in 30 games.
• Anthony Hewitt, OF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 3-for-5, HR (4), R, 3 RBI, K. I don't want to say he's getting it yet, but he is hitting .289/.357/.605 in 10 May games.
• J.J. Hoover, RHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K. Yup, another good Braves pitching prospect; more command than stuff but hardly a pure finesse arm.
• Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, K. .296/.414/.472 line in 34 games; deserves a big league look now that the bloom is off the Sam Fuld rose.
• Erik Komatsu, OF, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (2), 2 R, RBI. He's little, he's not especially good against lefties and he doesn't have power, but he's a good runner with excellent contact skills and batting .347/.438/.495 in 28 games.
• Alex Liddi, 3B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-6, 2B, HR (7), 2 R, RBI, 2 K. Five home runs in last 12 games and slugging .627 in May.
• Matt Lipka, SS/2B, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3-for-6, 3 R, RBI, CS. Top Atlanta pick from 2010 draft was in 4-for-40 slump before last night; .231/.295/.231 in 32 games. That's right, 31 hits, all singles.
• Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 3-for-4, HR (5), R, 5 RBI, BB. Hitting .336/.370/.545 while showing his usual plus defense at third base. Only three months older than Brentz, and a much better prospect.
• Andrew Miller, LHP, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 5 IP, 1 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 6 K. International League is hitting just .143 against him, but he's also walked 24 in 30.2 innings.
• Jesus Montero, C, Yankees (High-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre): 1-for-4, HR (2), R, 3 RBI, 2 K. First home run in 25 games; .327/.347/.425 overall.
• Gift Ngoepe, SS/2B, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 3-for-5, R. Sleeper Alert! 21-year-old South African is good athlete who is still learning the game; .316/.373/.487 in 23 games.
• Juan Nicasio, RHP, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K. 1.90 ERA in seven starts; average stuff that plays up on plus command and control.
• Roy Oswalt, RHP, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Velocity rarely topped 90 in rehab outing.
• Chris Parmelee, 1B, Twins (Double-A New Britain): 3-for-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB. Fomer first-round pick is batting .331/.399/.480 in 32 games; still just in Double-A in his sixth pro season, so take it with a grain of salt.
• Edward Salcedo, 3B/SS, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3-for-6, 2 R, 3 RBI. Last year there was just tools, but now there are tools and performance; 7-for-12 in last three games and .311/.391/.451 overall.
• Julio Teheran, RHP, Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett): 7.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 7 K. Career-high 120 pitches.
• Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 1-for-2, HR (1), 2 R, RBI, BB, K. First rehab game.
• Cory Vaughn, OF, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 3-for-4, 2 BB. Certainly hitting and getting on base, but just one home run in 111 at-bats for weird line of .333/.460/.441 in 33 games; scouts are crazy mixed on him.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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