May 4, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May 3

by Kevin Goldstein

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Adys Portillo, RHP, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K.

Portillo was one of the top international signings four years ago, but he's become all but forgotten, mostly because he's just never pitched well for an extended period of time. He's also still only 20 years old and has one of the best arms in the system. Sitting in the mid-90s with an explosive fastball and suddenly showcasing a promising slider, Portillo is starting open eyes in the Midwest League with a 1.72 ERA in six starts and 32 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. Yes, it's been four years, but he's still exceptionally young.

Others Of Note:

• Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Indians (High-A Carolina): 2-for-4, 2 HR (5), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Four home runs in last five games have lifted OPS more than 200 points; .333/.400/.586 in 25 games.
• Dellin Betances, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Empire State): 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 6 BB, 2 K. In his last five starts he's walked 26 and struck out 15 and it might be time to be concerned.
• Archie Bradley, RHP, Diamondbacks (Low-A South Bend): 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 4 K. Yes there have been control issues, but he's also allowed a grand total of nine hits in 31 innings.
• Jackie Bradley, OF, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 2-for-3, HR (2), 2 R, RBI. Zero home runs in first 21 games but two in last three; .360/.470/.539 overall.
• Cody Buckel, RHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K. ERA down to 1.31, opponent's average down to .167; Double-A seems like a rush for a 19-year-old, but the Carolina League isn't challenging him.
• Nick Castellanos, 3B, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 3-for-5, 2B, R. Fifth straight multi-hit game (12-for-22) and now up to .426/.459/.594 overall.
• Vinnie Catricala, 3B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 4-for-5, 2B, HR (1), R, 3 RBI. Best game of the year gets him over the Mendoza line; just .225/.279/.294 in 26 games.
• Grayson Garvin, LHP, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 10 K. Best pro starts for last year's 59^th overall pick; long lefty with velo who needs to deepen arsenal.
• Jedd Gyorko, 2B, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 3-for-3, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB. Hitting .326/.420/.605 since move to second base, and housecleaning in San Diego could be coming.
• Ryan Jackson, SS, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. Defense has always been great, and offense seems to keep getting better; .313/.374/.417 in 26 games.
• Miles Jaye, RHP, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K. Athletic power arm acquired from Blue Jays in Santos deal; promising but raw.
• Jake Lemmerman, SS, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (2), 3 R, 2 RBI, BB. Home runs in back-to-back games and 15-for-28 in last eight; .304/.385/.493 overall.
• Tyler Matzek, RHP, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 3 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 8 BB, 4 K. For every encouraging sign, there's also a start like this; 36 Ks and 24 BB in 27.2 innings.
• Tanner Scheppers, RHP, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Has not allowed a hit or a walk in his last three appearances while the dominating stuff looks like it has returned; don't be shocked if he gets to Texas this year.
• Cory Spangenberg, 2B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, K. Bat finally hitting its' stride with 12-for-26 run during six-game hitting streak; .264/.307/.321 overall.
• Dan Straily, RHP, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 11 K. Power arm with velo; 46 strikeouts in 35 innings.
• Cory Vaughn, OF, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 1-for-4, HR (7), R, RBI. Five home runs in last seven games and up to .293/.381/.587 overall; the tools are certainly there.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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