June 29, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of June 28

by Kevin Goldstein

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David Holmberg, LHP, Diamondbacks (Low-A South Bend): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

While White Sox fans are already upset to see former top prospect Daniel Hudson succeeding in Arizona, Holmberg, who was including in the Edwin Jackson deal, has the potential to rub salt in the wound. Entering the year as a plus command-and-control lefty with mediocre stuff, Holmberg has learned how to use his 6-4, 220 frame to generate more power in his arsenal, and what was once a 88-90 mph fastball is now 90-94; and when combined with a good breaking ball and outstanding location, his stock is soaring. He's the hottest pitching prospect in the minors right now, firing 34 scoreless innings in his last five starts while allowing 10 hits and one walk.

Eddie Rosario, OF, Twins (Rookie-level Elizabethton): 1-for-3, HR (3), R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K.

A fourth-round pick last year out of Puerto Rico, Rosario has been on fire in his first week of official games, going deep in three straight to give him an early-season line of .371/.450/.743. A compactly built six-foot outfielder, Rosario generates big leverage from the left-side, has a good approach and solid wheels. While he's playing center now, he profiles more as a corner outfielder has he matures, but he's quickly proving that the bat will play.

Others Of Note:

• Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, K. 3-for-13 in three games since moving up to High-A.
• Jesse Biddle, LHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K. 23 strikeouts over 15.2 innings in last three starts with season ERA down to 3.55.
• Kyle Blanks, 1B/OF, Padres (Triple-A Tucson): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (6), 2 R, 2 RBI. Up to .397/.470/.822 in 19 games; there are many ways to read into the fact that the last four games he's played have been at first base.
• Bobby Borchering, 3B/1B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 2-for-4, HR (15), R, 2 RBI, K, CS. Six home runs in last ten games have lifted slugging 70 points; .275/.322/.492 season-line showcases approaches issues (19 BB, 93 K in 295 ABs).
• Caleb Cowart, 3B, Angels (Short-season Orem): 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI. Now 18-for-33 in nine games and hitting over .500 against both lefties and righties.
• Cito Culver, SS, Yankees (Short-season Staten Island): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, K. Best game as a pro; .234/.321/.277 in 11 games overall.
• Chris Davis, OF/3B, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock): 3-for-5, 2 HR (19), 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 K. 19 home runs in 131 at-bats to raise Triple-A line to a crazy ridiculous .374/.421/.878.
• Ryan Flaherty, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, Cubs (Double-A Cubs): 3-for-4, HR (14), 2 R, 5 RBI. Has to be confused as to why he didn't get the call when LeMahieu did; .315/.389/.567 on the season with more positional flexibility.
• Yasmani Grandal, C, Reds (Double-A Carolina): 2-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI. 8-for-22 (.364) with four doubles in six Double-A games.
• Rosell Herrera, SS, Rockies (Short-season Casper): 3-for-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI. First home run in the United States for 18-year-old Dominican shortstop loaded with potential.
• Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 2-for-4, 2 HR (11), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K. Now hitting .309/.404/.608 in 26 June games and well-deserving of a big league look.
• Starling Marte, OF, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, SB. Hitting .357 in June and .337/.368/.483 overall; with hitting skills, plus speed, gap power and center field skills, could he be in for a long look next spring?
• Griffin Murphy, LHP, Blue Jays (Rookie-level GCL): 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K. 2010 second-rounder has 14 strikeouts over nine innings.
• Rafael Ortega, OF, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 2-for-5, 2B, 2 R. Ten hits in last four games to raise batting average 20 points to .289/.326/.398.
• Miguel Sano, SS/3B, Twins (Rookie-level Elizabethton): 4-for-5, 2 2B, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Home runs in back-to-back games and .324/.351/.559 overall.
• Kyle Seager, 3B/2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-for-5, 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI, 2 K. Hitting machine is now 14-for-27 in six games; with more time at third, is he in Seattle soon?
• Drew Smyly, LHP, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K. Projects as back-end starter and has dominated in three of last four starts.
• Cory Spangenberg, 2B, Padres (Short-season Eugene): 2-for-2, 2B, R, RBI, 3 BB. Highest signed pick from this year's draft is 17-for-39 (.436) with 16 walks for a silly .603 on-base percentage.
• Ronald Torreyes, 2B, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 2-for-5, R, K, CS. 7-for-13 in last three games and .414 in seven games total; there is no debate over hitting ability, but questions about secondary skills.
• LeVon Washington, OF, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 2-for-4, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB. Has just not hit like expected, but three straight multi-hit games has him up to .230/.352/.327.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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