Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of April 12

by Kevin Goldstein

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Cody Buckel, RHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K

The Rangers are loaded with young pitching, and Buckel has now begun the year with two fabulous starts, striking out 16 over 10 shutout innings while allowing just four hits. A second-round pick in 2010 out of a California high school, Buckel ranked as just the No. 11 prospect in the system despite striking out 120 over 96.2 innings last year at Low-A, as he's a command and control specialist more than someone who lights up a radar run, and last night he was 88-94 mph with a deep and solid secondary repertoire that includes and curveball, change and cutter. He could see his stock rise by keeping this up and proving himself at the upper levels in 2013.

Others Of Note:

Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 4-for-5, 2B, RBI, K. Hitting .419 (13-for-31) in eight games with three home runs as doubters continue to fall by the wayside.
Nick Ahmed, SS, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-for-6, 2 R, K, 2 SB. 2011 second-round pick is hitting .320 with four stolen bases in eight games; might not be a shortstop in the long run.
Manny Banuelos, LHP, Yankees (Triple-A Empire State): 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 6 BB, 0 K. The stuff has been fine, but he continues to be plagued by control issues.
Jeremy Barfield, OF, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 1-for-4, HR (1), R, 4 RBI. Former podcast guest hits a granny.
Dante Bichette, 3B, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K. Proving so far that last year's GCL showing was no fluke; 10-for-29 (.345) in seven games.
Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 3-for-6, 2 2B, R, RBI. 19-year-old still looking for first home run; .273/.385/.409 in six games.
Jackie Bradley, OF, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 3-for-6, R, 2 RBI. First big game for 2011 pick; was 2-for-16 entering the game.
Nick Castellanos, 3B, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 3-for-5, R, RBI, K. Seven-game hitting streak to start the season and .429 (12-for-28) overall.
Andrew Chafin, LHP, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K. Supplemental first-round pick has 18 Ks in 11 innings after two starts; Has good velo for a lefty and plus slider.
Christian Colon, SS, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 3-for-5, RBI, SB. 8-for-14 in last three games to raise average to .313; is repeating level and Royals should be happy for him to turn into good utility player at this point.
Hank Conger, C, Angels (Triple-A Salt Lake): 3-for-6, 2B, 2 R. Not pouting after being sent back to the minors; 11-for-27 with 20 total bases in six games.
Bobby Crocker, OF, Athletics (Low-A Burlington): 3-for-4, 3B, R, 2 RBI, CS. Big, athletic outfielder needs refinement; .350 in six games.
Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 2-for-4, 2B, RBI. Fifth straight multi-hit game and eight-game hitting streak to start the season; 13-for-29 overall.
Jose Fernandez, RHP, Marlins (Low-A Greensboro): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. 2011 first-round pick was chosen as a player to watch in recent podcast; 18 Ks in 11 innings.
John Gast, LHP, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K. Second straight seven-inning, one-run start; lefty has at least No. 4 starter potential, and maybe more.
Tyler Goeddel, 3B, Rays (Low-A Bowling Green): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, K, SB. Supplemental first-rounder has impressed with raw hitting ability; 9-for-22 (.409) overall.
Didi Gregorious, SS, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 4-for-5, 2 R, RBI, K. Raises batting average (.281) 96 points in one game; still looking for first extra-base hit.
Alen Hanson, SS, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 3-for-4, 3B, HR (3), 3 R, RBI, BB, K. Shocking power so far for a 160-pound teenager with little pop; had speed and good approach, but profiles better as a second baseman.
Miles Head, 1B, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 2-for-5, HR (2), 2 R, RBI. Beefy first-baseman came over as part of Andrew Bailey deal; .345/.387/.690 in first seven games.
Aaron Hicks, OF, Twins (Double-A New Britain): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (3), R, 2 RBI. Three home runs in last four games after hitting five all of last year; time to get excited yet?
Jose Iglesias, SS, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 3-for-5, R, RBI, K, SB. Was 2-for-18 entering the game.
Roger Kieschnick, OF, Giants (Triple-A Fresno): 2-for-5, HR (3), R, 2 RBI, 2 K. 25-year-old outfielder has size and athleticism; among strongest starts in baseball at 17-for-34 with eight extra-base hits.
Alex Lavisky, C, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI, 2 K. Disappointing million-dollar player from 2010 draft has RBIs in every game so far while hitting .389.
Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 3-for-4, 2B, R. As good as advertised so far; 12-for-34 (.353) with two doubles and two triples.
Chris Marlowe, RHP, Giants (Low-A Augusta): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K. 2011 fifth-round pick is small righty with big velocity; 0.00 ERA in nine innings while allowing just three hits.
Trevor May, RHP, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K. Top prospect in the system is adjusting quickly to upper levels; 12 Ks in 12 innings while limiting hitters to .175 batting average.
Aaron Miller, LHP, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 10 K. 2009 sandwich pick has battled through injury issues, but remains power lefty with low 90s heat and good slider.
Tyler Moore, 1B, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 2-for-4, 2 HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Four home runs in last three games; blocked as long as LaRoche keeps hitting.
J.R. Murphy, C, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 3-for-4, 3B, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI. Playing exclusively catcher so far and slugging .545 in six games.
Sean Nolin, LHP, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K. 2010 sixth-round pick is huge southpaw with more deception and angles than stuff; 13 scoreless innings in two starts.
Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K. After a sparking debut, he whiffed the first two players of the game and then didn't record another out.
Chris Owings, SS, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 3-for-5, R. Repeating High-A after big approach problems last year; hitting .226 with one walk and 10 strikeouts in 31 at-bats.
Francisco Peguero, OF, Giants (Triple-A Fresno): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, 3 RBI. Biggest shock of the year is the three walks in seven games.
Jace Peterson, SS, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne): 3-for-5, 3B, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Supplemental first-round pick snaps out of 0-for-10 slump; .346 (9-for-26) in seven games.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 3-for-4, R, RBI. Hitting .387 with three home runs in eight games; getting him to the big leagues requires some complicated roster shuffling for now.
Mel Rojas, OF, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 3-for-3, 2B, 3B. Had ugly full-season debut last year, but the tools are still there.
Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 4 K. How very Enny Romero.
Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Astros (Low-A Corpus Christi): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 3B, 3 R, BB. 0-for-7 in first two games of the season, but 9-for-18 since.
Julio Teheran, RHP, Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Good sign after failing to get out of the second in his first start.
Chris Tillman, RHP, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. Ex-prospect has re-found some of his velocity and bears keeping an eye on.
Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI. Fourth-straight two hit game and 11-for-24 overall with three walks and just two strikeouts. Turning a corner?
Keenyn Walker, OF, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 5-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 SB. Top pick in 2011 draft had five hits in first seven games of the season to go with 15 strikeouts in 29 at-bats before last night.
Kolten Wong, 2B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 2-for-5, 2B, RBI. Fourth multi-hit game in six starts and 11-for-25 overall.