August 29, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of August 28

by Kevin Goldstein

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• Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 3-for-5, HR (12), 2 R, 2 RBI. Never really surged after entering the year with big expectations; .277/.331/.421 in 129 games.
• Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 6 K. And that's 5 1/3 more innings he can't pitch in the big leagues; still could take on a '08 David Price role come September.
• Byron Buxton, OF, Twins (Rookie-level Elizabethton): 2-for-4, 2 R, BB, 2 SB. No. 2 overall pick enjoying first extended hot streak of career; 15-for-38 (.395) in last ten games and .286/.368/.429 overall.


• David Dahl, OF, Rockies (Rookie-level Grand Junction): 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB. Has somehow gotten hotter by going 16-for-33 in his last eight games; .377/.424/.607 overall.
• Khris Davis, OF, Brewers (Triple-A Nashville): 3-for-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB. Bat-only type has hit at every level and may have earned a September look; .290/.405/.490 in 28 games since promotion.
• Robbie Erlin, LHP, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K. Trying to end on a strong suit after missing nearly three months with elbow issues; 2.66 ERA with 63 Ks and 13 BB in 47.1 innings.
• Maikel Franco, 3B, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 4-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB. A tale of two halved for just-turned-20 Dominican; .207/.268/.338 before the All-Star break, .333/.387/.523 since.
• Wilmer Flores, INF, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, K. 19-for-35 (.548) during nine-game hitting streak that has seen OPS go up 137 points; .328/.376/.515 in 60 Double-A games.
• Tyson Gillies, OF, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 3-for-5, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Becoming a prospect again if he can stay healthy; .357 since the All-Star break and .306/.371/.452 overall.
• Anthony Gose, OF, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, SB. Looked overmatched in big league stint; .290/.372/.430 at Triple-A.
• Courtney Hawkins, OF, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 1-for-4, HR (4), R, 3 RBI. First-round pick has homered in three of last five games; .308/.352/.631 in 16 full-season games.
• Miles Head, 3B, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 4-for-5, R, K. On first-extended hot streak (.333 in August) since moving away from California League; .281/.349/.427 in 51 games.
• Travis Jankowski, OF, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne): 4-for-5, 2 R, RBI, K, CS. Supplemental first-round pick is hitting just .269/.301/.361, but batting average is up 48 points during 11-game hitting streak (20-for-44, .455).
• Max Kepler, OF, Twins (Rookie-level Elizabethton): 2-for-5, HR (10), R, 2 RBI, SB. .298/.387/.539 line in 59 games as 19-year-old has begun to translate athleticism into skills.
• Leonys Martin, OF, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (12), 2 R, RBI; 1-for-4, R. Has yet to get going in the big leagues, but has been a monster at Triple-A; .365/.425/.622 in 53 games.
• Jimmy Nelson, RHP, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Best start in what has been up-and-down Double-A stint; 3.91 ERA in 46 innings with 34 H, 42 K, but 37 BB.
• Rafael Ortega, OF, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 3-for-5, 3 R, RBI. Small but athletic CF with plus defense, speed and gap power; 10-for-23 in last five games and .285/.345/.418 overall.
• Marcel Ozuna, OF, Marlins (High-A Jupiter): 2-for-4, HR (23), 2 R, 2 RBI, K; 0-for-2, R, BB, K. Has saved season with 1066 OPS in August; .264/.327/.470 overall.
• Joe Panik, SS, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB. Has been the player expected during second half with .333/.402/.444 line since the break; still profiles better at second base.
• Yasiel Puig, OF, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 2-for-4, HR (1), R, RBI, K. First Cal League home run in 12 games; .386/.471/.500 overall.
• Kyle Parker, OF, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 2-for-5, 3B, R, 4 RBI, 2 K. Among best hitters during second half with 1057 OPS since the All-Star break; .308/.415/.558 overall in season that has helped stock, but left others wanting to see him prove it at Double-A.
• Joe Ross, RHP, Padres (Short-season Eugene): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K. 2011 first-round pick trying to save season that had him mostly on the sidelines.
• Darin Ruf, OF/1B, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 1-for-4, HR (37), R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K. 19 home runs in 26 games is as remarkable a power run as we've seen in recent memory; .317/.408/.625 in 133 games.
• Addison Russell, SS, Athletics (Low-A Burlington): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K, SB. 18-year-old first round pick seems to be just fine at every level he plays; .286/.366/.429 in 10 games.
• Luis Sardinas, SS, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB. Outstanding defense and speed puts fewer expectations on the bat; .296/.352/.355 in 91 games.
• Logan Watkins, UT, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): Sleeper in system with versatility, lefty bat, and lots of patience; .280/.381/.410 in 128 games.
• Allen Webster, RHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K. Mostly successful system debut; 80 pitches, 46 strikes.
• Jesse Winker, OF, Reds (Rookie-level Billings): 3-for-4, 2 HR (4), 3 R, 3 RBI, K. Supplemental first-round pick has good approach and impressive bat from the left side; .335/.448/.482 in 54 games.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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