August 17, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of August 16

by Kevin Goldstein

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• Chad Bettis, RHP, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K. Outstanding fastball and decent secondary pitches have led to 165 strikeouts in 154.2 innings; Double-A will be bigger test for depth of arsenal.
• Dante Bichette, 3B, Yankees (Rookie-level GCL): 2-for-3, RBI, BB, K. Hitting machine with plenty of walks and a .344/.458/.519 line as a pro; third base is still a work in progress.
• Sean Gilmartin, LHP, Braves (Low-A Braves): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. It's not a huge shock that he's dominating the Sally League, but he's looked exceptionally sharp in two brief outings.
• Robbie Grossman, OF, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB. Hitting .326/.453/.527 in his last 50 games. There are worse things than on on-base machine with gap power and average-to-above speed.
• Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas); 3-for-4. 12-for-21 in the Pacific Coast League with five straight multi-hit games; what do you mean a .667 BABIP isn't sustainable?
• Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI, K. Snaps out of 1-for-13 slump but has still whiffed nine time in last four games and 42 times in 118 at-bats; .297/.382/.576 overall.
• Tommie Joseph, C, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, K. Among the hottest hitters around by going 15-for-28 with six home runs in his last six games; .271/.312/.465 overall with improved defense.
• Jake Lemmerman, SS, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K, SB. Nine total bases in four Southern League games after hitting .293/.379/.420 in Cal League; the bad news is that he's probably a second baseman in the end.
• Mark Lombardozzi, SS/2B, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 3-for-5, 2B, 3 R, RBI. Third three-hit game in last five and .326/.367/.446 overall; now where does he fit in Washington?
• Manny Machado, SS, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 2-for-3, 2B, RBI. First multi-hit game in two weeks; .256/.328/.402 in 44 Carolina League games.
• Starling Marte, OF, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, SB. 18-for-32 (.563) during seven-game hitting streak to lift batting average 18 points to .330/.363/.496; approach is only concern in offensive game, but it's a big one.
• Francisco Martinez, 3B, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 4-for-5, RBI. Best game since arriving from Detroit via trade; .276/.300/.414 in 15 games.
• Tyler Matzek, LHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 7 BB, 6 K. Certainly progress; but hardly without some bumps in the road.
• Logan Morrison, 1B, Marlins (Triple-A New Orleans): 1-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB, K. First minor league game since controversial demotion.
• Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-for-5, 3 R, K, SB. .303/.341/.388 line remains among the most pleasant surprises in the Braves system; true shortstop with plus range, hands and arm strength.
• Trevor Story, SS/3B, Rockies (Short-season Casper): 2-for-5, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI. Home runs in back-to-back games and .305/.390/.505 overall; supplemental first-round pick is outstanding athlete with no tool that's below average.
• Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 3-for-5, 2B. .252/.282/.395 line in month-plus of Florida State League play has cooled hype down to more appropriate levels.
• Josh Vitters, 3B/1B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. .287/.321/.452 line at Double-A qualifies as progress, but is it enough?
• Christian Yelich, OF, Marlins (Low-A Greensboro): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, SB. The 28 stolen bases in 33 attempts might be a bigger surprise than the .306/.377/.466 batting line; scouts are convinced more power is coming.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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