July 12, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of July 11

by Kevin Goldstein

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Vincent Catricala, 3B/1B/OF, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 2-for-5, HR (4), R, 4 RBI, 2 K

It might be time to start taking this name a little more seriously. A tenth-round pick in 2009 out of Hawaii, Catricala had a very good .302/.386/.488 line at Low-A Clinton last year, but as a college product in the Midwest League, many saw him as simply holding serve, while his defense at third base was lacking. A .351/.421/.574 line during the first half of the season at High Desert was equally no surprise, considering the environment, but now he's at Double-A and showing no signs of slowing down, hitting .388/.444/.776 in his first 12 games for the Generals. He's probably no more than a first baseman in the end with an outside chance to figure something out in left field, but he's gaining more and more believers in the bat as the season rolls on.

Others Of Note:

• Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 2-for-3, R, CS. Back from the Futures Game and back to hitting; .360/.388/.554 line at Double-A and leads all of the minor leagues in overall average (.389) and hits (137).
• Johermyn Chavez, OF, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 2-for-4, 2 HR (10), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Has been unable to repeat Cal League showing in Double-A; .224/.310/.385 in 84 games.
• Tony Cingrani, LHP, Reds (Rookie-level Billings): 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Third-round pick has struck out 12 over 6.2 shutout innings in first three pro appearances while allowing just two hits; big lefty with easy plus velocity.
• Brody Colvin, RHP, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 8 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K. Best start of the year for high-upside righty who has been more good than great; 3.82 ERA in 70.2 innings with 52 Ks.
• Noel Cuevas, OF, Dodgers (Rookie-level Odgen): 2-for-5, 2 HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, 3 K. 19-year-old outfielder has tremendous raw power and lots of swing-and-miss; above is one-game microcosm of the good and the bad.
• Adam Eaton, OF, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 3-for-4, 2 RBI, SB. Small outfielder with gap power and outstanding bat speed; .366/.458/.537 in 10 Double-A games after huge showing in Cal League, but has problems profiling as every day player because he's limited to a corner.
• Brett Eibner, OF, Royals (Low-A Kane County): 2-for-4, HR (7), R, 3 RBI, K, CS. The good news: seven home runs and 15 walks about 100 at-bats; the bad: everything else in a .200/.310/.450 batting line.
• Jeremy Hazelbaker, OF, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 2-for-5, 2 HR (5), 2 R, 6 RBI, K. Too many holes in swing have hampered him at upper levels; .245/.355/.383 in 47 Eastern League games.
• Mark Krauss, OF, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 2-for-4, HR (12), 2 R, RBI, K. Continues to make up for low average with power and patience; .240/.332/.463 in 79 games.
• Jose Martinez, OF, White Sox (Double-A Birmngham): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R. Hitting .300/.344/.367 in first seven Double-A games.
• Tyler Moore, 1B, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 2-for-4, HR (18), R, 3 RBI. Everyone loves the power, but swing-at-everything approach has led to ugly and somewhat weird .254/.285/.506 batting line.
• J.R. Murphy, C/3B, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. First home run in 15 games since promotion; .273/.288/.436 overall.
• Jose Osuna, OF, Pirates (Rookie-level GCL): 4-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI. Big (6-2, 213), physical 18-year-old Venezuelan might be bat-only type in the end, but opening eyes with .421/.460/.702 line in 17 games.
• Nick Ramirez, 1B, Brewers (Rookie-level Helena): 3-for-3, HR (2), R, 4 RBI. Third-round pick is raking, but as a Cal State Fullerton product in the Pioneer League, he should be.
• Dae-Eun Rhee, LHP, Cubs (High-A Dayton): 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K. Korean lefty has been flashing signs of pre-Tommy John form; Solid fastball, plus changeup.
• Matt Rizzotti, 1B, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 2-for-4, HR (17), R, 2 RBI, BB, K. Hitting .386 in July and .296/.382/.520 overall; is it enough to make him a trade chip since he has no future in Philly?
• Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 2-for-3, 2B, R. Would be a more well-known name if not for all the hamstring issues this year; .359/.401/.500 in 34 games.
• Mason Williams, OF, Yankees (Short-season Staten Island): 4-for-6, 2B, 3B, RBI, K. Over-slot, speedy center fielder from 2010 draft continues to shine; .337/.369/.505 in 22 games.
• Kolten Wong, 2B, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 2-for-5, 2 K, CS. Third straight multi-hit game; .302/.391/.453 in first 14 pro games without an error as well.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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