June 1, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May 31

by Kevin Goldstein

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Kyle McPherson, RHP, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 9 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

A 14th-round pick in 2007 out of the University of Mobile, McPherson has made slow a steady progress through the Pirates system, but he's in the midst of a bit of a breakout with a 2.93 ERA in 11 starts and a fantastic 55-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He's had a velocity spike, now consistently sitting in the low-90s while touching 94-95 mph at times, and it plays up from there due to his precision. His secondary offerings are solid, but he's going from a guy barely on the radar to a potential No. 4 starter.

Others Of Note:

• Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (5), R, 5 RBIs. A .408/.451/.606 line in 52 games has earned him a promotion to Double-A.
• Josh Bell, 3B, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk): 1-for-5, HR (9), R, 2 RBI, 2 K. Four home runs in last eight games; still at just .260/.290/.453.
• Joe Benson, OF, Twins (Double-A New Britain): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, K. 15-for-30 in last nine games and up to .296/.382/.492.
• Mike Carp, OF, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 4-for-5, 2B, HR (15), 3 R, 2 RBI, K. Don't be surprised if he gets another look; 10 home runs in his last 18 games and .325/.385/.624 overall.
• Colin Cowgill, OF, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 4-for-5, 2B, HR (9), 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB. 18-for-39 during nine game hitting streak and .340/.412/.563 overall.
• Tyler Flowers, C, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 1-for-2, HR (7), 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB. Having a nice bounce back you with the bat at .272/.385/.472 in 36 games, but defense still lags.
• Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 3-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI, SB, CS. Snapping out of a season-long slump?
• Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB, 3 SB. “Hey, I'm kind of bored. Maybe I'll run a lot today.”
• Slade Heathcott, OF, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 0-for-4, 4 K. Falling into some bad habits that we saw last year; 4-for-29 with 13 strikeouts in his last seven games and down to .287/.363/.444.
• Joe Kelly, RHP, Cardinals (High-A Palm Beach): 7.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 9 K. Second straight start where he's had a no-hitter after seven; plus-plus sinker but doesn't always control it well.
• Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 3-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI. Ten hits in last six games and .306/.388/.494 overall; do Reds fine room for him in Cincinnati in July or is he a great trade chip for a playoff run?
• Jesus Montero, C, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton): 2-for-5, 3B, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI. In the midst of an 11-game hitting streak and it's good to see some power finally; .309/.344/.438 in 43 games.
• Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (9), R, 3 RBI, 2 K. Finished up May with a .321/.382/.560 line for the month; up this month or July?
• Jarrod Parker, RHP, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Best start of the year by a wide margin; 5.25 ERA in 10 starts.
• Brad Peacock, RHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 7 K. 40 strikeouts over 26.2 innings in his last four games while allowing only 11 hits. Arguably has best pitching line at the upper levels with 62 IP, 36 H, 13 BB, 82 K.
• Robbie Ray, LHP, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K. Has allowed one earned run over 24 innings since joining the team three weeks ago; deep arsenal and advanced command for a teenager.
• Trayvon Robinson, OF, Dodgers (Triple-A Albuquerque): 1-for-4, HR (11), R, 3 RBI, K. Home runs in three of last four games and .278/.340/.528 overall in 48 games; deserves a look.
• Robbie Ross, LHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 8 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K. Yet another young Rangers arm with excellent command and control.
• Hayden Simpson, RHP, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 1 K. More and more convinced that something is wrong health-wise.
• Giovanni Soto, LHP, Indians (High-A Kinston): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K. There's a whole lot of smoke and mirrors in his game, as his fastball is 85-88 mph, but somehow he has a 2.44 ERA in ten starts with 54 Ks in 51.2 IP.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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