March 29, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, March 28

by Zach Mortimer

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Prospect of the Day: Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Astros (expected to report to Triple-A Oklahoma City once reinstated) 2-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB. The centerpiece of the Hunter Pence trade between the Astros and Phillies, Singleton will have to serve a 50-game suspension to start the 2013 season. Singleton is the premier first-base prospect in the minors because of his near-elite raw power and solid-average hitting ability. He has been consistently making positive steps toward translating the raw pop into game power.

Other notable prospect performances from March 28:

• Jackie Bradley, OF, Red Sox (in contention for a starting role in the Red Sox outfield): 1-1, 2 R, RBI, SB. Bradley, who appears to have come away with the Opening Day left-field job, shows outstanding plate discipline and great instincts on the base paths;  .441/.521/.644 in 59 spring at-bats.
• Delino DeShields, 2B, Astros (anticipated to start the season in High-A Lancaster): 1-1. The Son of former major leaguer Delino Lamont DeShields, Delino Diaab DeShields was a first-round selection in 2010. He shows elite speed with the potential for a plus hit tool; 5-for-13 with two stolen bases this spring.
• Zeke DeVoss, 2B/CF, Cubs (anticipated to start the season in High-A Daytona): 1-3, R, RBI, 2 K, SB. DeVoss, a former Miami Hurricane, has plus speed and shows the potential to be an everyday leadoff batter.
• Jeurys Familia, RHP, Mets (anticipated to start the season in Triple-A Buffalo): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, K. Familia features a plus-plus fastball and a sharp breaking slider, and he will eventually slide into a late-inning relief role; 12 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.
• Jae-Hoon Ha, OF, Cubs (anticipated to start the season in Triple-A Iowa): 0-1, K. Ha, a good defensive center fielder, has a short swing and plus running ability, but limited power projection. Ha appeared in the 2012 Futures Game and will look to progress up the minor-league ladder in 2013.
• Justin Nicolino, LHP, Marlins (anticipated to start the season in Double-A Jacksonville): 5 IP, 6H, ER, BB, 3 K. Nicolino, acquired in the Jose Reyes/Josh Johnson/Emilio Bonifacio/John Buck trade, is a highly polished left-hander with a fastball/changeup/curveball arsenal.
• Rougned Odor, 2B, Rangers (anticipated to start the season in High-A Myrtle Beach): 1-3, R, 3B. Odor features excellent bat control and plus baseball instincts; 2-for-6 this spring.
• Paulo Orlando, OF, Royals (anticipated to start the season in Triple-A Omaha): 2-2, RBI. Orlando, a high-profile Brazilian signee, has limited power and slightly above-average running ability; four hits in seven spring at-bats.  
• Hyunjin Ryu, LHP, Dodgers (will start the season in the Dodgers’ starting rotation): 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.  The high-priced Korean international signee is rounding into form as spring training winds down; 23 strikeouts in 23 spring innings pitched.
• George Springer, OF, Astros (anticipated to start the season in Double-A Corpus Christi): 2-4, 2B. Springer, a former University of Connecticut standout, shows plus power and running ability, but swings and misses at an alarmingly high rate; .316/.435/.684 with two home runs and seven strikeouts in 19 spring at-bats.

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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