June 19, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of June 18

by Kevin Goldstein

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Just a quickie with several leagues off for All-Star game travels.

Ryan Lavarnway, C, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR (7), R, RBI, K.

Lavarnway has heated up at the right time. He still has work to do defensively, and with Jarrod Saltalamacchia having a breakout season, there's no room for him behind the plate in Boston anyway. As a first baseman, he's one of those players who is good, but maybe not good enough for the Red Sox. He could be a key trade chip for Boston over the next six weeks, as he has an 1.141 OPS in June to push his averages up to .291/.382/.462 overall, but all of a sudden, is there any need for the Red Sox to even be buyers?

Others Of Note:

• Stetson Allie, 3B, Pirates (Rookie-level GCL Pirates): 2-for-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB. Also made an E in first game as third baseman.
• Bryan Brickhouse, RHP, Royals (Rookie-level Idaho Falls): 1.2 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 3 BB, 1 K. Rough pro debut for 2011 third-round pick who signed for $1.5 million.
• Carlos Correa, SS, Astros (Rookie-level GCL Astros): 1-for-5, SB, BB, K. Pro debut for No. 1 overall pick.
• Matt Den Dekker, OF, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (2), R, 2 RBI. One single in six Triple-A games but three doubles and two home runs; .261/.308/.652 in 26 plate appearances.
• Jake Lamb, 3B, Diamondbacks (Rookie-level Missoula): 4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI. Pro debut for sixth-round pick with size and athleticism, but questions about the bat.
• Raul Mondesi, OF, Brewers (Rookie-level Helena): 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K. U.S. debut; 19-year-old with big league bloodlines is compact athlete with tools.
• Mike Olt, 3B, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (20), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. Would seem to be more in line for a big league look if he was playing more first base; nine home runs in 16 games and .317/.423/.622 overall.
• Jonathan Pettibone, RHP, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 8 K. Season-high strikeouts for righty with plus command of average stuff; 3.43 ERA with 56 Ks in 86.2 innings.
• Tyler Rahmatulla, 3B, Cardinals (High-A Palm Beach): 1-for-3, RBI. High-A debut; hit .322/.389/.546 at Quad Cities, and while undersized and a bit old for the level, the bat earned some praise from scouts.
• Rob Rasmussen, LHP, Marlins (High-A Jupiter): 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 7 K. Best start of year for short lefty with power stuff; 4.26 ERA and most see future in the bullpen.
• Jean Segura, SS, Angels (Double-A Arkansas): 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 SB. Coming on strong of late and looking much improved since move from third in the lineup to leadoff; .288/.330/.401 overall.
• Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 2-for-3, HR (13), R, RBI, BB. If anything, he's getting better; hitting .372 in last 20 games and .328/.384/.587 in 67 games.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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