September 2, 2011

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of September 1

by Kevin Goldstein

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• Chris Archer, RHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 7 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K. A disappointment for most of the year but finishing with a flurry; one run allowed in two Triple-A starts.
• Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (19), R, 3 RBI, K. Leads the minor leagues in RBIs (118) by nine heading in to the season's final weekend; .297/.349/.485 overall.
• Nick Castellanos, 3B, Tigers (Low-A West Michigan): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, BB. Not only hitting .332 since the All-Star break, but has seen his walk rate increase significantly; .312/.365/.434 in 131 games.
• Sean Gilmartin, LHP, Braves (Low-A Rome): 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K. 30 strikeouts and just two walks in 21.1 Sally League innings; exactly the kind of pitcher to put up great numbers at lower levels while still profiling as a back-end starter.
• Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 2-for-5, HR (3), R, RBI, K. Still stuck at 95 stolen bases, but more importantly, he's hitting .310/.374/.377 since the All-Star break.
• John Hellweg, RHP, Angels (High-A Inland Empire): 5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K. Six-foot-nine righty has converted from closing to starting; 2/12 ERA in rotation with 80 strikeouts in 63.2 IP and upper 90s fastball.
• Starling Marte, OF, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 3-for-5, 2B, R, 2 K. .413 average in his last 30 games has season line up to .335/.373/.510.
• Tyler Matzek, RHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 7 IP, 2 H, 3 R (0 ER), 4 BB, 2 K. There have been some bumps in the road, but second-half turn around after leaving team has been nothing short of remarkable.
• Dustin McGowan, RHP, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 3.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K. From the remember me files; hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2008 due to arm ailments, but showing plus velo with nearly a strikeout per inning.
• Collin McHugh, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 9 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 11 K. System sleeper has five average pitches and good command; 1.45 ERA since All-Star break.
• Joc Pederson, OF, Dodgers (Short-season Ogden): 2-for-3, 2B, R, 3 RBI, 2 SB. 11-for-16 in last four games and .363/.434/.581 overall; Tools are at least average across the board.
• Domingo Santana, OF, Astros (Low-A Lexington): 2-for-4, 3 RBI, K. .397/.462/.707 in 14 games since trade; 19-years-old and physically a monster.
• Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 2-for-4, 2 R. Hitting .342/.408/.538 in 31 games since trade, but with four home runs in 117 at-bats, power is still in the projectable phase.
• Drew Smyly, LHP, Tigers (Double-A Erie): 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 10 K. Has not allowed more than two runs in any of his seven Eastern League starts; 1.21 ERA with 53 Ks in 44.2 IP.
• Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Yeah, he's going to be just fine.
• B.A. Vollmuth, 3B, Athletics (Short-season Vermont): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, CS. NYP debut; third-round pick can drive balls to all fields.
• Kolten Wong, 2B, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 1-for-2, HR (5), 2 R, RBI, 2 BB. 27-for-59 (.458) in last 14 games and .344/.414/.525 overall.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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