April 25, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of April 24

by Kevin Goldstein

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Jose Fernandez, RHP, Marlins (Low-A Greensboro): 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K.

What's more impressive, Dylan Bundy killing it for three innings at a time, or a guy who while hardly perfect, does it for six? It's a fair question, as there are additional challenges to facing 20 batters a game as opposed to 10 that should not be discounted. Excellent every time out, Fernandez has 33 strikeouts in 23 innings while holding the Sally League to a .120 batting average, and while nobody is saying Fernandez is as good a prospect as Bundy, his 2012 season is arguably just as impressive.

Others Of Note:

• Nick Ahmed, SS, Braves (Low-A Lynchburg): 4-for-5, 4 R, RBI, BB, 2 SB. Second-round pick is batting .338/.434/.477 in 16 games and has impressed scouts with his offensive game.
• Xavier Avery, OF, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk): 1-for-3, RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, K, 3 SB. Tools are starting to play thanks to improved approach; .288/.405/.470 in 17 games.
• Matt Barnes, RHP, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K. And that's arguably his worst start in four; 21 scoreless innings, 34 Ks, 4 BB.
• Jorge Bonifacio, OF, Royals (Low-A Kane County): 3-for-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI, K. Continues to be one of the best pure hitters in the league despite being one of the youngest; .365/.453/.527.
• Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva): 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. That's now 13 hitless innings with 21 strikeouts. Nothing to say really, other than he's remarkable.
• Nick Castellanos, RHP, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 3-for-5, 3 RBI, BB. Has had multi-hit games in half of his starts; .403/.443/.548 in 16 games.
• Jose Cisnero, RHP, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R (0 ER), 4 BB, 12 K. Dominican righty has big velocity but relief profile due to shallow arsenal; 28 Ks in 19.2 IP.
• Pat Corbin, LHP, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. While Bauer and Skaggs are better prospects, don't be surprised if Corbin is first to the big leagues.
• Chelsor Cuthbert, 3B, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 2-for-4, K. Eight hits in three games raise batting average 94 points; .276/.368/.345 overall.
• Brad Eldred, 1B, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 3-for-5, 3 HR (12), 3 R, 7 RBI, 2 K. 31-year-old hit his 13^th today already before this went up.
• Maikel Franco, 3B, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 3-for-5, 3B, HR (3), R, 2 RBI. 19-year-old Dominican with promising bat; .290/.353/.532 in 16 games.
• Nick Franklin, SS, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 3-for-6, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI. Nine hits in last three games lift averages to .320/.370/.480 in 18 games.
• Evan Gattis, C/OF, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-for-5, 2 HR (8), 2 R, 5 RBI, BB, K. For one day, what's more important that another awesome game is the fact that he played left field; moving up soon.
• Anthony Gose, OF, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 2-for-4, 3B, R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 K, SB. Finally starting to hit with five multi-hit games in last seven; .224/.313/.306 overall.
• Alen Hanson, SS, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI. Defensive issues continue with eighth and ninth errors, but 14-game hitting streak has averages up to .410/.446/.756.
• Danny Hultzen, LHP, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K. After giving up five runs in his debut, he has a 0.00 ERA in three starts while allowing just five hits in 17.2 innings; on pace to reach the big leagues this year.
• Jeff Kobernus, 2B, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 2-for-4, 2 R, 4 SB. Second baseman with line drive bat, speed, and little power or patience; .372/.395/.436 in 18 games.
• Matt LaPorta, 1B, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 4-for-5, 2 2B, HR (5), 2 R, 3 RBI. Hitting .344/.394/.656 in 16 games and will likely get another chance at some point.
• Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 3-for-5, 3B, 3 RBI, K, CS. First three-hit game of the year as Double-A struggles have continued; .198/.278/.247 in 20 games.
• Starling Marte, OF, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 2-for-3, 3B, 2 R, 2 BB, SB. Doubles season walk total in one night; .286/.342/.457 in 18 games.
• Carlos Martinez, RHP, Cardinals (High-A Palm Beach): 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K. Looking much better in second Florida State League go-around; 17 IP, 12 H, 6 BB, 20 K.
• Wil Myers, OF, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB. Strikeouts have been a concern but otherwise performing well; .308/.366/.569 in 16 games.
• Derek Norris, C, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-for-4, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. 10-for-21 in last five games and up to .357/.364/.614 in 17 games.
• Mike Olt, 3B, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 1-for-3, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K. Three home runs in last six games and up to .266/.356/.563 in 17 games with the 24 Ks in 64 ABs keeping the batting average down.
• Brian Pointer, OF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, SB. Sleeper is undersized outfielder with approach, solid hit tool and impressive power for size; .316/.397/.632 in 16 games.
• Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K. Fourth straight outing of three shutout innings with one hit allowed; 12 IP, 4 H, 8 BB, 17 K.
• Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Third straight multi-hit game and up to .295/.348/.377 while defensive reviews remain jaw-dropping.
• Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 4-for-4, 3B, 2 HR (3), 2 R, 4 RBI. Yesterday I asked where the power was. There's your answer.
• George Springer, OF, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 4-for-4, 2 3B, R, 3 RBI. Best pro game for 2011 first-round pick who had been struggling; .257/.296/.446 in 18 games.
• Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K. 24-to-3 K/BB ratio in 18.2 innings as he's started to break out the full arsenal.
• Mike Trout, OF, Angels (Triple-A Salt Lake): 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB. Really shouldn't be here any more; .419/.483/.649 in 19 games.
• Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K. Starting to miss bats with not only upper 90s heat but secondary pitches as well; 26 Ks in 16.1 IP.
• Drew Vettleson, OF, Rays (Low-A Bowling Green): 4-for-4, 2 2B, HR (2), 2 R, RBI. Bat needs to carry him a bit but so far, so good; .333/.397/.500 in 19 games.
• Kolten Wong, 2B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 2-for-5, HR (2), 3 R, RBI, BB, 2 SB. Just keeps hitting and could be ready for full time work in 2013; .339/.431/.597 in 17 games.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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