May 8, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May 7

by Kevin Goldstein

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Wil Myers, OF, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 2-for-5, HR (10), R, RBI. 2 K.

Myers made yesterday's Ten Pack, but look it's another home run. That's three in three days and four in five and now he's hitting a whopping .339/.390/.705 in 28 games. This note isn't necessarily about Myers, it's about call-ups. Myers' hot start has led to plenty of questions on Twitter about the possibility of seeing him in Kansas City this year. On first glance, it makes sense. Hot hitter, upper levels, bad team, worth a look, and all that stuff. But before you start thinking about a call-up, always refer to a team's 40 man roster, as often that's the deciding factor. It's hardly universal, but 40-man moves require far more machinations than call-up from players on the 40-man. Just something to keep in mind when you are wondering if/when a player is hitting the big leagues. Always check the 40-man roster first for additional guidance.

Others Of Note:

• Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva):
  3 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 8 K. If you are keeping score at home, the season tally is now 20 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 33 K.
• Nick Castellanos, 3B, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 2-for-3, 3B, R, RBI, BB. 17-for-35 during nine-game hitting streak and up to .421/.469/.596 in 29 games.
• Garin Cecchini, 3B, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI, K. Among the best pure hitters in the system and showing why of late; hitting .339 in last 15 games and .290/.350/.402 overall.
• Michael Choice, OF, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 3-for-4, 2 R. He's been hitting of late but the power outage is a bit of a mystery; .267/.356/.336 in 30 games.
• Caleb Cowart, 3B, Angels (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 2-for-3, HR (5), R, RBI, CS. Four home runs in last seven games but swinging at everything; .263/.300/.456 in 29 games.
• Corey Dickerson, OF, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 4-for-5, 3B, R, 4 RBI, CS. Was expected to put up huge power numbers in the Cal League, but is instead just flat-out raking; .362/.415/.606 in 32 games.
• Nick Franklin, SS, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K. Healthy and hitting again; 6-for-12 in last three games and .314/.371/.467 overall.
• Evan Gattis, OF/C, Braves (Double-A Mississippi) 1-for-3, HR (4), R, RBI, 2 BB. Four home runs and 23 total bases in his first seven Southern League games; the clock is ticking and another move up could be in short order.
• Anthony Gose, OF, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 2-for-5, HR (2), R, 3 RBI. Modest eight-game hitting streak (11-for-33) and home runs in back-to-back games have numbers up to still ugly .238/.329/.338.
• Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 10 K. Seems to get better every time out; 1.96 ERA in five games with 23 Ks in 23 IP.
• Jake Lemmerman, SS, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-2, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB. Proving to be more than a California League fluke and starting to profile as an offensive second baseman; 9-for-15 with three home runs and five walks in last six games to lift averages to .333/.418/.551.
• Carlos Martinez, RHP, Cardinals (High-A Palm Beach): 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K. Most encouraging aspect is number of strikes he's been throwing; 2.17 ERA in six games with 30 Ks, 9 BB in 29 IP.
• Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. Encouraging . . .
• Telvin Nash, 1B, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (10), R, 2 RBI, K. Tons of power but tons of strikeouts with 42 in 101 at-bats; .238/.322/.574 in 26 games.
• Marcel Ozuna, OF, Marlins (High-A Jupiter): 1-for-4, HR (7), R, RBI, 2 K. Four home runs in last six games, but that's the only positive on his season;. .231/.272/.436 in 30 games overall.
• Martin Perez, LHP, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Oh, who knows anymore? Let me know when he reels off three of these in a row.
• Donn Roach, RHP, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K. Padres system debut; groundball machine with outstanding low 90s sinker.
• Josh Sale, OF, Rays (Low-A Bowling Green): 2-for-3, 2B, R, K, SB. 2010 first-round pick was drafted for bat, but has yet to hit; 3-for-7 in three games since joining team.
• Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, K. Eight-game hitting streak has averages up to .354/.407/.465 in 25 games; he's ready for Tampa.
• Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins (Low-A Beloit): 2-for-4, HR (9), 2 R, RBI, K. Leads the Midwest League in both on-base percentage and slugging as an 18-year-old (he turns 19 in three days); .306/.426/.658 in 31 games.
• Moises Sierra, OF, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 3-for-4, HR (6), R, RBI, SB. Sturdy outfielder with real plus power; .302/.382/.509 in 30 games.
• Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 7 K. 43 strikeouts against just seven walks in 32.1 innings; dominating Double-A and still two months short of his 21^st birthday.
• Cory Spangenberg, 2B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI. Bat coming alive after slow start; 17-for-41 (.414) in last ten games and up to .273/.315/.364 overall.
• Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 3-for-4, 2B, RBI. 7-for-13 in last three games; .256/.353/.355 in 30 games overall.
• Christian Yelich, OF, Marlins (High-A Jupiter): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (3), R, RBI, 2 K. 7-for-11 in last three games; .313/.402/.538 in 22 on the season.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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