March 20, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of Tuesday, March 19

by Zach Mortimer

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Prospect of the Day: Yasiel Puig, OF, Dodgers (expected to start the year in Double-A Chattanooga): 4-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B, HR, SB. Puig has turned heads this spring with his football-esque frame and jaw-dropping power. Many in the industry stuck their noses up at the Dodgers for spending $42 million on Puig, at that point an unproven commodity, but all signs now suggest that it will be a worthwhile investment; .500/.489/.804 with three home runs, 13 runs scored, and 10 RBI in 46 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances from March 19:

• Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, Marlins (expected to be the starting shortstop): 1-3, R, RBI. A secondary piece in the package that Miami received from Toronto in the Jose Reyes/Josh Johnson/Mark Buehrle blockbuster, Hechavarria gets rave defensive reviews, but has a multitude of offensive question marks; .175/.227/.250 with only two extra base-hits in 40 at-bats.
   
• Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals (competing for the number-five starter job): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. Big-framed Texan with big fastball and a big-time shot at winning the last spot in the St. Louis rotation; 11 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings this spring.  
   
• Trevor Rosenthal, RHP, Cardinals (expected to be the primary setup man): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K. Rosenthal has an electric arm from which he uncorks an 8 fastball and 6 curveball that many scouts believe should lead to a rotation role; 5 1/3 innings, seven hits allowed, no walks, and seven strikeouts since moving back to the bullpen.
   
• Brock Holt, 2B/SS, Red Sox (expected to start the year in Triple-A Pawtucket): 1-1, R, BB. A throw-in prospect in the Joel Hanrahan trade, Holt has average-at-best tools that play up due to plus-plus makeup; .214/.267/.286 in 42 at-bats.
   
• Jose Iglesias, SS, Red Sox (expected to start the year in Triple-A Pawtucket, unless Stephen Drew starts on the disabled list): 1-2, K. Iglesias is an elite defender, but his slugging percentage in Grapefruit League play is a small-sample-size mirage.; .233/.267/.442 with six extra-base hits 43 at-bats.
   
• Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles (expected to start the year in Double-A Bowie): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K. Baltimore’s 2012 first-round pick is rapidly raising his stock with an impressive fastball-slider-changeup repertoire; 14 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.
   
• Derrick Robinson, CF, Reds (expected to start the year in Triple-A Louisville): 3-3, 3 R, RBI, 2B. Robinson lacks the bat-to-ball skills necessary to secure a role in the majors, and after six years in the Royals’ farm system, he joined the Reds this offseason; .371/.389/.457 in 35 at-bats.
   
• Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Reds (expected to start the year in High-A Bakersfield): 1-2, 2B. A 2008 international bonus baby, Rodriguez has always shown raw power, arm strength, and running ability, but his strikeout rate and questions about his #want prevent him from climbing prospect lists; .350/.435/.800 in 20 at-bats.
   
• Corey Dickerson, OF, Rockies (expected to start the year in Double-A Tulsa): 2-2, 2 2B, 2 RBI. Dickerson has limited projection and a left-field-only defensive profile, but he is scrappy and shows excellent bat-to-ball skills that will enable him to stay on a major-league roster for years; .400/.458/.650 in 20 at-bats.  
   
• Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies (expected to start the year in Triple-A Colorado Springs): 3-4, 2 R, RBI. Arenado is a polished hitter who is now showing the power scouts have long anticipated would come; .314/.314/.743 and four home runs in 35 at-bats.
   
• Luis Sardinas, SS, Rangers (expected to start the year in High-A Myrtle Beach): 1-2, R. A prototypical Venezuelan shortstop, Sardinas has a potential 6 hit tool and 7 defensive profile; 3-for-11 with two RBI and one run scored this spring.  
   
• Nick Franklin, 2B, Mariners (expected to start the year in Triple-A Tacoma): 2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB, SF, SB. As expected, Franklin will need to move to the right side of the infield. Fortunately, his solid contact rates and sneaky power will keep him on the prospect radar; .179/.233/.357 in 28 at-bats. 

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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