July 18, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of July 17.

by Kevin Goldstein

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• Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 2-for-5, HR (15), R, 3 RBI, 3 K. 23 total bases in last four games have his numbers approach levels of ridiculous; .363/.391/.693 in 47 games.
• Jorge Alfaro, C, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI. 19-year-old has been troubled by approach issues; .269/.331/.448 in 38 games.
• Domonic Brown, OF, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 3-for-5, R. Playing well at the right time and up to .276/.325/.420, but the Phillies aren't buyers anymore.
• Gary Brown, OF, Giants (Double-A Richmond): 2-for-4, HR (5), 3 R, RBI, BB, SB. All of the questions about his slow start have disappeared; 30-for-66 (.454) in last 15 games and suddenly up to .292/.357/.401 overall.
• Matt Den Dekker, OF, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo):
  3-for-5, HR (7), 3 R, 4 RBI. Remember how awesome he was at Double-A? This game lifted OPS 42 points to .219/.248/.445 in 31 International League games.
• Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB. Just keeps hitting and seemingly being ignored by Royals; 12-game hitting streak has averages up to .329/.417/.506 in 60 games.
• Brian Goodwin, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 2-for-5, HR (9), R, 2 RBI. CS. Really not sure why he's still at this level; three home runs in last four games and .324/.438/.542 in 58 games.
• Jeremy Hazelbaker, OF, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 3-for-3, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 SB. Athletic has all sorts of tools but questions about hitting; .249/.332/.427 in 80 games.
• Luke Jackson, RHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 12 K. Highly inconsistent, but still has the ability to do this once in a while.
• Max Kepler, OF, Twins (Rookie-level Elizabethton): 2-for-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, K. Home runs in back-to-back games and .307/.455/.477 line with 18 walks and just 10 strikeouts in 88 at-bats.
• Jake Marisnick, OF, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI. Fourth straight two-hit game; up to .277/.320/.426 in 12 games.
• Tyler Marlette, C, Mariners (Rookie-level Pulaski): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Sleeper catcher in the system with compact swing and arm strength; .299/.330/.425 in 23 games.
• Nick Maronde, LHP, Angels (High-A Inland Empire): 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 10 K. Full-season debut has been injury-plagued, but he's still showing plus velo and a good slider.
• Francisco Martinez, 3B, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 3-for-5, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI. First game for Jackson in almost six weeks (hamstring), but still a disappointing .261/.335/.354 on the season.
• Hunter Morris, 1B, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 1-for-3, HR (15), R, RBI, K. Trying to prove he can hit enough at a first base-only prospect; .390/.435/.750 in 26 games since the All-Star Break and .314/.369/.552 overall.
• Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI. Very streaky hitter on another run; hard to get that excited about a 23-year-old in High-A hitting .281/.380/.397.
• Michael Taylor, OF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-for-6, HR (9), R, 2 RBI, K. Another hot streak with a 12-game hitting streak and home runs in three of his last four games; .316/.420/.490 overall.
• Tyrone Taylor, OF, Brewers (Rookie-level Helena): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, BB. Second-round pick has huge tools and is hitting much more than expected; 14-for-30 since move to Pioneer League.
• Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Cubs (Rookie-level AZL Cubs): 2-for-5, 3B, HR (7), R, 3 RBI. Has impressed with contact ability; .360/.423/.779 in 20 games.
• Tony Wolters, SS/2B, Indians (High-A Carolina): 4-for-5, R, RBI. Recovering from ugly first half with .356/.396/.500 line in 22 games since All-Star break; .262/.321/.377 overall.
• Mike Zunino, C, Mariners (Short-season Everett): 3-for-4, 2 HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI. So far so good for third overall pick; 17 total bases in first four pro games.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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