July 12, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of July 11

by Kevin Goldstein

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Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Angels (High-A Inland Empire): 3-for-4, 2 HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, K.

There have been a lot of young breakouts in the minors this year, and it's almost like Cowart has gotten lost in the shuffle. Promoted to High-A in June just weeks after his 20^th birthday, Cowart is hitting .290/.432/.551in his first 20 California League games, and the scouting reports nearly match the numbers.
He has an good approach, and currently has more walks than strikeouts, and he's a big, athletic switch-hitter who projects as a solid third baseman as well. He's the best prospect in the Angels system, and won't be a relative unknown for long.

Others Of Note:

• Garin Cecchini, 3B, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, SB. Hitting .312/.390/.448 overall, but all of the damage is against right-handed pitching, which is a concern.
• Chelsor Cuthbert, 3B, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI. Some mild signs of life as he's hit .326 in nine July games; still just .236/.299/.320 overall.
• Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Rookie-level AZL Rangers): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (8), 2 RBI, BB, K. Eight home runs and 20 walks in 17 games leads to .315/.500/.870 line.
• Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 1-for-4, 3B, RBI, 2 K, SB. Double-A debut, so of course he steals a base on a pickoff attempt.
• Matt Harvey, RHP, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Dominating performance in Triple-A All-Star game; The Mets say he's not coming, even with Dillon Gee's blood clot, but they shouldn't wait for long.
• Austin Hedges, C, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB. His .261/.319/.445 batting line has exceeded expectations and his defense has been has good as advertised.
• Mike McDade, 1B, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 4-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI. Best performance in Eastern League All-Star game; hitting .292/.369/.459 on the season and some believe in him as potential second-division starter.
• Will Myers, OF, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI. Your Star of Stars (that's what they call it) in the Triple-A All-Star game; really no need to still be in the minors.
• James Ramsey, OF, Cardinals (High-A Palm Beach): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, 2 K. 4-for-20 in first five games but 7-for-15 since; first-round pick has solid tools across the board.
• Yadiel Rivera, SS, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 4-for-4, 2B, HR (10), RBI. Remains interesting because he can play the position, and he has raw power; .235/.269/.417 in 81 games.
• Jordan Shipers, LHP, Mariners (Low-A Clinton): 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K. Short lefty with good fastball, but not much in the way of secondary pitches.
• Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, SB. Snaps out of 3-for-30 slump; .274/.379/.395 overall and many scouts just see a fourth outfielder projection.
• Tyrone Taylor, OF, Brewers (Rookie-level Helena): 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, CS. Second-round pick is big time athlete who has not looked nearly as raw expected.
• Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Cubs (Rookie-level AZL Cubs): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (4), R, 3 RBI, K, SB. Man, I'd love to see him steal a base; .348/.397/.682 in first 15 pro games.
• Michael Wacha, RHP, Cardinals (Rookie-level GCL Cardinals): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Pro debut for first-round pick.
• Kennyn Walker, OF, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 3-for-5, K. Top pick for club in 2011 has shown plus-plus speed, outstanding approach and tons of swing-and-miss; .279/.394/.371 overall.
• Asher Wojciechowski, RHP, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Fastball specialist has a 1.94 ERA in last seven starts; could earn Double-A look, but some see a future reliever.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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