May 20, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May 19

by Kevin Goldstein

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Hey folks, getting ready to head to Boston for the Saber Seminar, so just a quick look at players who really caught my eye yesterday.

• Brandon Belt, OF/1B, Giants (Triple-A Fresno): 1-for-4, HR (4), R, 2 RBI, 2 K. Back in the big leagues soon? Up to .380/.519/.620 in 25 games.
• Charles Blackmon, OF, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI. Five straight multi-hit games and 15-for-31 during seven-game hitting streak; .337/.400/.598 overall.
• Bobby Borchering, 1B/3B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 3-for-4, HR (7), R, RBI, K. Home runs in back-to-back games and hitting .324/.385/.521 in May; needs to hit as fewer and fewer scouts think he has any chance to stick at third base.
• Gary Brown, OF, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K, 2 SB. Ten hits in last four games and .378/.449/.529 overall in 40 games; definitely on the All “Need A New Challenge” team.
• Eduardo Escobar, SS, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI. Slugging .492 in May; plus glove with surprising pop for his size and position; on-base skills are an issue.
• Bill Hamilton, SS, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 1-for-4, R, BB, K, 3 SB. Still hitting just .204, but wanted to point out eight stolen bases in last three games. On base 45 times this year and 38 stolen base attempts (32-6).
• Brad Holt, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 4 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 8 BB, 1 K. Early-season gains seem to be out the window; 18 BB over 10.1 IP in last three starts.
• Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR (6), 3 R, RBI, SB. Batting .356 in May and .297/.403/.500 overall; at some point the Rays have to realize he's the better option than Sam Fuld, right?
• Matt Lipka, SS/2B, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3-for-6, 2B, R, RBI. Now 8-for-14 with five doubles in last three games after nothing but singles in first 36.
• Kyle Lobstein, LHP, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K. Far more command than stuff, but Florida State League hitting just .175 against him.
• Eury Perez, OF, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. 14-for-23 in his last six games and .341/.365/.415 overall; can hit and can run, but approach (2 BB in 82 AB) needs fine-tuning.
• Henry Rodriguez, 2B, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 3-for-4, 3 2B, R, 2 RBI, K. Plus bat for a middle infielder with gap power; .308/.344/.456 in 40 games.
• Tyler Thornburg, RHP, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. 2010 third-round pick is small righty with velocity and a good breaking ball; 41 Ks in 36 innings with 1.75 ERA.
• Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI. 10-for-22 in last four games and .264/.304/.443 in 39; that's progress, but not as much as you'd like to see.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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