May 24, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of May 23

by Kevin Goldstein

Printer-friendly

Contact Author

Danny Hultzen, LHP, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 12 K.

It's been a strange, but ultimately very good debut for Hultzen. The most polished pitcher in the 2011 draft, Hultzen has had some strange bouts of control issues, but he's yet to really be hittable, as after nine starts for the Generals, he has a 1.78 ERA, 56 strikeouts in 50.2 innings and the Southern League is hitting .146 against him. He might not have the upside of other arms from last year's first round, but he's still on pace to be the first to make an impact in the big leagues.

Others Of Note:

• Tyler Anderson, LHP, Rockies (Low-A Ashville): 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 6 K. 2011 first-rounder has strung together three good starts since returning to mound; should be at High-A soon.
• Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 2-for-4, R, RBI. If the Rockies were waiting for consistency before calling him up, he's put together a 12-game hitting streak; .308/.355/.438 in 45 games.
• Trevor Bauer, RHP, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 5 K. After stunning Triple-A debut, the inefficiency continues; just 42 of 89 pitches for strikes.
• Nick Castellanos, 3B, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 2-for-4, K. 8-for-12 in last three games and .413/.474/.552 overall; what is there to say? The kid can flat-out rake.
• Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K. Not many eye-popping outings but consistently good; 2.60 ERA with 46 Ks in 45 innings.
• Christian Colon, SS/2B, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 2-for-3, HR (4), 3 R, RBI, 2 BB. Rebound is one of the better stories of the system this year, and don't be surprised if he ends up the long-term answer at second base; .319/.382/.456 in 43 games.
• Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 1-for-5, HR (10), R, 3 RBI, K. Has slowed down significantly with 3-for-26 slump; still at .285/.398/.539 in 46 games.
• Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 3-for-5, 2B, 3B, R. 12-for-25 during seven-game hitting streak and .321/.376/.472 overall; getting close to deserving a look, but nowhere to put him.
• Rogers Kieschnick, OF, Giants (Triple-A Fresno): 4-for-5, 2 HR (13), 2 R, 6 RBI, K. Yes he's 25, and yes the Pacific Coast League is helping him, but this is still a very athletic outfielder putting up big numbers that deserve attention; .333/.407/.656 in 46 games.
• Mike McDade, 1B, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 2-for-2, 2B, HR (7), R, 2 RBI, BB; 1-for-3, HR (8), R, RBI, K. Knock against him was lack of power for bad body 1B-type, but three home runs in last four games and up to .335/.406/.532 in 43 games.
• Steven Moya, OF, Tigers (Low-A West Michigan): 2-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI. 6-foot-7 Dominican is hard to figure out; poor approach, surprisingly little power for his size, but .319/.349/.445 in 30 games.
• Alex Meyer, RHP, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K. Best pro start for 2011 first-rounder who has been plagues by inconsistencies; 4.36 ERA but 52 Ks in 43.1 innings.
• Will Myers, OF, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-4, HR (2), R, RBI. Home run is thought to be the longest in the two-year history of Omaha's home park; 10-for-24 with 19 total bases in seven games.
• Jimmy Nelson, RHP, Brewers (High-A Brevard County): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 7 K. Last year's second-half breakout has out pitched last year's two first-round picks in the same rotation; 2.13 ERA with 62 Ks in 63.1 innings.
• Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Royals (Triple-A Omaha) 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K. Still missing bats at Triple-A, and in line for September look.
• Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 2-for-4, HR (16), R, RBI, K. With nine home runs in his last 15 games, it's beginning to get ridiculous; .355/.420/.710 in 44 games.
• Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 4-for-4, 2B, HR (1), R, 2 RBI. At .304/.371/.405 in 37 games he just keeps on hitting, and while errors are not the way to judge defense, just two miscues in 37 games is remarkable.
• John Stilson, RHP, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Last year's draft injury case has stayed healthy and pitched relatively well; 2.75 ERA with 34 Ks in 39.1 innings.
• Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, K. Doubles in four straight games and .267/.311/.420 in 42 games; you're guess is as good as mine at this point.
• Zack Wheeler, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 8 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Throwing more strikes than ever, and earning praise from scouts for putting it all together; 1.97 ERA with 51 Ks in 45.2 innings and .175 opponent's average.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
Click here to see Kevin's other articles. You can contact Kevin by clicking here