April 24, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of April 23

by Kevin Goldstein

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Carlos Pimentel, RHP, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 B, 0 BB, 5 K.

Not that the Rangers exactly need a sleeper, but keep an eye on Pimentel. A 22-year-old Dominican in his sixth year in the system, Pimentel had a 4.74 ERA at Frisco last year and has often struggled with his control, but he has solid stuff with a 90-94 mph fastball, solid slider and good feel for a changeup. After beginning the year in the bullpen, last night was his first start of the season and he's yet to allow a run in 15.1 innings while striking out 20.

Others Of Note:

• Jason Adam, RHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. 0.40 ERA in four starts thanks to improved secondary stuff.
• Cody Buckel, RHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 6.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K. Good stuff and even better polish; has more than four times as many strikeouts (29) as hits allowed (7) in 21.1 innings.
• Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Royals (Double-A Wilmington): 4-for-5, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI. Starting to snap out of it? Batting average up more than 100 points over the week to .259/.359/.333.
• Nick Franklin, SS, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 3-for-5, 2 K. Second straight three-hit game brings average up 50 points to .304/.360/.449 in 17 games.
• Didi Gregorius, SS, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB. Fourth straight multi-hit game (10-for-15) and .403/.461/.403 overall as all 27 hits are singles.
• Ryan Jackson, SS, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 4-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI. Should be ready come the inevitable Furcal injury; .311/.382/.410 in 17 games.
• Ryan LaMarre, OF, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 2-for-4, 2 2B, 3 R, BB, K. Athletic outfielder has yet to put up numbers to match the tools; 11-for-27 during six-game hitting streak and .260/.337/.390 overall.
• Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 0-for-2, BB, K; 1-for-2, HR (8), R, 3 RBI, BB. Home run streak ends at four straight games and then a new one begins; .371/.413/.757 in 18 games.
• Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K. A strange year to be sure, with two dominant starts, one bad one and one disaster in which he didn't get out of the first inning; 4.08 ERA overall with 25 Ks in 17.2 IP.
• Andy Oliver, LHP, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 7 K. If you tilt your head funny, it kind of looks like progress.
• Trevor Reckling, LHP, Angels (High-A Inland Empire): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 4 R, 6 BB, 2 K. Former highly-regarded prospect is in the tallest of weeds at this point.
• Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 2-for-3, 2B, BB. 10 multi-hit games in 18; .380/.429/.718 overall.
• Luigi Rodriguez, OF, Indians (Class-A Lake County): 3-for-5, 3B, HR (1), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 K, SB. Was in attendance and will have more on him and SS Francisco Lindor soon.
• Joe Ross, RHP, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 7 K. Best pro start for last year's first-round pick who has been inconsistent so far as a pro.
• Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K, SB. .333/.424/.526 line is awfully impressive, but with one home run in 57 at-bats, questions about when the raw power shows up in games are still there.
• Cory Spangenberg, 2B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 3-for-5, R, RBI, BB, 2 SB, CS. 2011 first-round pick might be finally coming around; 10 hits in first 15 games but five in last two.
• Jacob Turner, RHP, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K. Successful, albeit somewhat strange season debut.
• Christian Villanueva, 3B, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 2-for-5, HR (1), R, 3 RBI, 2 K. First home run in 14 games with early-season struggles; .255/.345/.412 in 14 games.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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