June 24, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of June 23

by Kevin Goldstein

Printer-friendly

Contact Author

Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 3-for-6, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI, K.

It's almost shocking to see Gyorko still in the California League, but moving him up would require other corresponding moves, as there is no room for him at Double-A unless James Darnell moves up, and the hot corner at Triple-A is manned by Jesus Guzman, who is one of the better insurance bats in the minors. The two doubles last night were his 33^rd and 34^th of the year, which leads the minor leagues by six, and with his .383/.445/.653 line, he now leads the California League in hits, doubles (of course), runs, RBIs, extra-base hits and total bases.

Others Of Note:

• Raul Alcantara, RHP, Red Sox (Rookie-level GCL): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Keep an eye on this one. $500,000 18-year-old is projectable as all get out, already at 91-95 mph and has feel for both a breaking ball and a changeup.
• Blake Beavan, RHP, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K. Starting to look like a big league back-end starter again; 1.85 ERA in five June starts while figuring out how to miss more bats with 29 strikeouts in 34 innings.
• Jesse Biddle, LHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 6 K. Tough to wrap your head around as the stuff hasn't been as good as expected but he's pitching well.
• Kyle Blanks, 1B/OF, Padres (Triple-A Tucson): 2-for-3, 3B, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. .390/.429/.780 in 15 games; playing more left field of late, which could lead to big league return.
• Lorenzo Cain, OF, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-4, 3B, R, 2 RBI, K. Has a 993 OPS in June and hitting .308/.370/.520 overall; should get a look once Royals make July moves.
• Zack Cox, 3B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): Nothing go well at the upper levels; .217/.300/.311 in 29 games with 10 errors.
• Jeff Decker, OF, Padres (Double- A San Antonio): 3-for-4, RBI, BB. Still showing progress after ugly early-season slump; 11-for-26 with 10 walks in last eight games and up to .248/.398/.457 overall.
• Wilmer Flores, SS, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI. Batting average by month: .323, .214, .317; just .276/.321/.384 overall.
• Jio Mier, SS, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 2-for-4, R, RBI, K, SB. High-A debut for 2009 first-round pick; .245/.354/.380 line in Sally League just proved he has a good approach.
• J.R. Murphy, C, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI. High-A debut; was showing much improved bat at Low-A but defense still needs work.
• Guillermo Pimentel, OF, Mariners (Rookie-level Pulaski): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (1), 3 R, 4 RBI, K. First big game of year for high-ceiling Dominican with crazy raw power.
• Drew Robinson, 3B, Rangers (Rookie-level AZL): 2-for-2, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB. 2010 fourth-round pick has definite hitting ability; ultimate defensive home still up in the air.
• Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Orioles (Rookie-level GCL) 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K. 18-year-old Venezuelan has average velo now, projects for more, with good sink and run.
• Kyle Seager, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-4, R. Triple-A debut after .312/.381/.459 line at Double-A; seems stuck here with Ackley in the bigs.
• Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 3-for-3, 2B, 2 HR (6), 3 R, 2 RBI, BB. 8-for-11 with 19 total bases in last three games has lifted OPS 100 points in three days; .270/.388/.402 overall.
• Cory Spangenberg, 2B, Padres (Short-season Eugene): 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI, 2 BB, K, SB. On-base percentage now .636 in first seven pro games thanks to 12 walks against just 18 at-bats.
• Donavan Tate, OF, Padres (Short-season Eugene): 2-for-5, 3B, 2 R, RBI, K. 8-for-19 in last four games with two doubles and two triples; feels like he's been around forever but still just 20 years old.
• Alex Torres, LHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 12 K. Best start of the year for lefty that slumped in May; 3.69 ERA in 14 starts with 84 strikeouts in 75.2 innings.
• Cory Vaughn, OF, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 3-for-3, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. High-A debut after .286/.405/.408 line in Sally League and home run in All-Star game.
• Tony Wolters, SS, Indians (Short-season Mahoning Valley): 2-for-4, 2 3B, R, K. 2010 third-round pick who got first-round money; Can hit, and has up-the-middle tools.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
Click here to see Kevin's other articles. You can contact Kevin by clicking here