May 6, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of May 2-May 5

by Zach Mortimer

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Games of Thursday, May 2

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Danny Salazar, RHP, Indians (Double-A Akron): 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K; plus-plus fastball; plus curveball; changeup is developing and shows signs of being at least average; one of the least-talked-about pitching prospects; high-third-starter ceiling; 28.2 IP, 22 H, 9 ER, 9 BB, 43 K in six starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Jonathan Villar, SS, Astros (Triple-A Oklahoma City): 4-4, 2B, HR, 5 RBI; pure shortstop; plus-plus runner; potential average hit tool; can provide gap power; overall first-division ceiling; .314/.357/.495 with 7 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, and 8 SB in 105 at-bats this year.

Other notable prospect performances from May 2:

“The Good”

• Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K; after struggling in spring training and early in the season, Bogaerts has found his swing; middle-of-the-lineup offensive potential; hit and power tools both have easy plus potential; plus arm; long-term defensive position still a question mark; .333/.417/.643 with 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR in last 10 games.
• Archie Bradley, RHP, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; first Double-A start; top-shelf stuff; easy plus-plus fastball; potential plus =-plus curveball; changeup with at least solid-average potential; big frame; ultra athletic; one of the top pitching prospects in the game.  
• Eddie Butler, RHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; check out the Monday Ten Pack for a complete breakdown of Butler by Jason Cole; 35.0 IP, 17 H, 8 ER, 17 BB, 33 K in six starts this season.
• Jabari Henry, OF, Mariners (Low-A Clinton): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI; solid-average raw power; solid-average runner; solid-average arm; hit tool will be put to the test as he advances throughthe minors; .397/.511/.616 with 7 2B, 3 HR, 18 BB, 7 K in 73 at-bats this season.
• K.C. Hobson, 1B, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; good bat speed; can make loud contact; swing will get lengthy; fringy prospect at best.
• Jake Lamb, 3B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 4-6, HR, R, 4 RBI; plus raw power; plus arm; making strides on shortening swing; good baseball instincts; one to keep an eye on; .391/.500/.732 with 5 2B and 3 HR in 41 at-bats.
• Jake Marisnick, CF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 3-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K; centerpiece of the package the Marlins received from Blue Jays; five-tool potential; some scouts believe both hit and power will be plus; plus runner; plus arm; will be able to stay in center; I am a believer.
• Daniel Robertson, SS, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI, K; potential plus hit tool; average runner; average arm; good feel for the game at a young age; one to follow; 10-for-24 with 3 2B, and 2 HR thus far;
• Chris Stratton, RHP, Giants (Low-A Augusta): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; handling Low-A batters; plus fastball; plus slider; curveball and changeup both have big-league potential; 28.2 IP, 18 H, 9 ER, 11 BB, 36 K in five starts this year.
• Blake Swihart, C, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 3-5, 2B, 3B, R, RBI; tracks ball well; potential solid-average hit tool; average power potential; good work ethic; needs to add mass to lower half.
• Oscar Taveras, CF, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 2-3, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB; tools are all still there; monster just waiting for a chance; .294/.341/.447 with 4 2B and 3 HR in 85 at-bats.
• Nik Turley, LHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; solid-average fastball; solid-average curveball; developing changeup; endured a tough start to Double-A season.
• Kelvin Vasquez, RHP, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K; able to handle Low-A hitting with a fastball up to 96; still working to develop secondary offerings; 20.0 IP, 18 H, 11 ER, 15 BB, 16 K in six outings this year.
• Gabriel Ynoa, RHP, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; low 90s fastball with sink; potential average changeup; currently fringy slider with average potential; 28.1 IP, 23 H, 11 ER, 6 BB, 27 K in five starts this year.  

“The Bad”

• Cito Culver, SS, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 0-4, 2 K: Well, Yankees fans, I’m done with him. Officially a non-prospect for me.
• Odubel Herrera, 2B, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 0-4, 3 K; has some swing and miss in his bat; can speed up the game.
• Clay Holmes, RHP, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 4.0 IP, 8 H, 8 ER, 3 BB, 1 K; large frame; command has lagged behind in 2013; 27.0 IP, 27 H, 18 ER, 22 BB, 15 K in six starts.
• Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 0-4, 3 K; has tools, but has yet to harness them; tons of swing and miss; stock in decline; .239/.314/.435 with 29 K and 7 BB in 92 at-bats.  
• Trevor Story, SS, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 1-5, 3 K; has not started the year well; plate discipline has been questioned; .146/.234/.240 with 41 K and 9 BB in 96 at-bats.

“The Ugly”

Jason Esposito, 3B, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 0-6, 4 K; the former second-rounder is currently a very fringy prospect at the very best; .206/.252/.299 with 30 K and 4 BB in 97 at-bats this season.

Games of Friday, May 3

Pitching Prospect of the Day: A.J. Cole, RHP, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; fastball can touch plus-plus velocity; curveball has plus potential; changeup has solid-average potential; frame has room to add mass; secondary offerings still in development phase; 32.0 IP, 34 H, 14 ER, 6 BB, 34 K in six starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Nolan Fontana, SS, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 4-5, HR, 3 R, RBI; strong college pedigree; physically mature; solid-average potential hit tool; will provide gap power; limited over-the-fence ability; grinder type; defensive skills profile better on right side of infield; .373/.507/.569 in 102 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances from May 3:

“The Good”

• Chris Bassitt, RHP, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; deceptive delivery; fastball up to 94; slider with average potential; effort in delivery; will move to the bullpen; profiles best as a middle-innings guy; 37.0 IP, 26 H, 8 ER, 10 BB, 36 K in six starts.
• Alberto Cabrera, RHP, Cubs  (Double-A Tennessee): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; fastball can touch plus velocity; slider has plus potential; changeup is a work in progress; command is below average; majority of evaluators feel he will end up in a bullpen role; 35.1 IP, 29 H, 13 ER, 13 BB, 34 K in six starts.
• Ji-Man Choi, 1B, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI; limited to first base defensively; only average raw power; average hit tool; fringy prospect; .319/.398/.585 with 10 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR in 94 at-bats.
• Michael Choice, CF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-4, HR, R, RBI, K; built like a bowling ball; plus-plus raw power; swing has plenty of miss in it; average arm; average runner; will need to make more contact to allow power to play; .302/.420/.528 with 6 2B and 6 HR in 106 at-bats.
• Tyler Cloyd, RHP, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K; below-average fastball; fringy cutter; get-me-over curveball and changeup; will have to have elite command to get hitters out in the majors.
• Brandon Drury, 3B, Diamondbacks (Low-A South Bend): 2-4, HR, R, RBI; plus raw power; developing defensive ability; will need to show an adequate contact rate for power to play; .339/.364/.530 with 12 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, and 19 K in 115 at-bats this season.
• Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians (High-A Carolina): 4-6, 3B, R, RBI; major-league tracking ability; hit tool will be at least plus at highest level; developing power; plus-plus defensive profile; excellent intangibles; .367/.430/.532 with 7 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 7 SB, 3 CS in 109 at-bats.
• Jose Peraza, SS, Braves (Low-A Rome): 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K; easy plus defensive profile; easy plus runner; potential average hit tool; will need to show growth in power department; .318/.348/.386 in last 44 at-bats.
• Jorge Polanco, 2B, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 3-5, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI; solid-average hit potential; solid average run; solid-average defensive profile; will have to play on the right side of the infield; more gap power than over-the-fence power; .350/.380/.500 with 8 2B, 2 3B, HR, 5 BB, 10 K in 100 at-bats this season.
• George Springer, CF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K; easy plus power; plus speed; plus arm; has swing and miss in his game but hit tool may eventually be average; .294/.389/.624 with 9 2B and 9 HR in 109 at-bats.
• Kennys Vargas, 1B, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 4-4, 2 2B, R, RBI; easy plus raw power; developing hit tool; limited to first base; high-maintenance body; .279/.336/.500 with 9 2B, 4 HR, 8 BB, 22 K in 104 at-bats this season.
• Allen Webster, RHP, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; fastball touches 97; slider up to 88 with plus potential; changeup with easy plus potential, and maybe even a little more; stock on the rise; 20.0 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, 6 BB, 26 K in four starts.  
• Alex Wood, LHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; check out Jason Cole’s report on him in Scouting the Southern League: Mississippi and Jackson; 31.0 IP, 23 H, 2 ER, 7 BB, 38 K in six starts.

“The Bad”

• Keury De La Cruz, OF, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 0-4, 3 K; a very violent swing brought him to his knees twice on the night I saw him.
• Joc Pederson, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 0-4, 3 K; A grinder type, Pederson rarely has nights like this.
• Carlos Tocci, CF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 0-4, 3 K; has been expanding the zone and making week contact in his first year of full-season ball; only 17, so patience is key; .213/.253/.245 with 15 K in 94 at-bats.

“The Ugly”

Raul A. Mondesi, SS, Rays (Low-A Lexington): 0-5, 4 K, 3 fielding errors; I was so impressed with Mondesi’s skills that this performance in this one was an afterthought; 17-year-old playing in cold conditions; that’s not an excuse, but think about what you were doing when you were 17. Most impressive player I saw on my trip to watch Low-A Lexington.

Games of Saturday, May 4

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Henry Owens, LHP, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K; east plus fastball with life; curveball has plus potential; changeup could be a monster with easy plus potential; still developing glove-side command of pitches; I really like him; number-two ceiling; 32.0 IP, 17 H, 8 ER, 11 BB, 40 K in six starts.  

Position Prospect of the Day: Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI; hit tool has solid-average potential; plus power potential; plus runner; will be fine at second defensively; first-division potential; .324/.372/.789 with 4 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, and 6 SB in 71 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances from May 4:

“The Good”

• Jason Adam, RHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; fastball can touch plus velocity; solid-average curveball; changeup will be a usable major-league pitch; developing command; perfect pitcher’s frame; back-end starter profile.
• Humberto Arteaga, SS, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 2-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI; can flat-out pick it; easy six glove; minimal power potential; hit tool will play below average; fringy runner; may make it to the show solely on defensive ability.
• Dylan Baker, RHP, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; fastball sits in the low 90s; solid-average curveball potential; developing changeup.
• Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI; balanced swing; solid-average power potential; well-below-average runner; plus arm; can lose focus; has looked better this year compared to last.
• Maikel Franco, 3B, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 3-6, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K; major-league bat speed; plus power potential; plus arm; gets the job done at third; stock on the rise; .311/.364/.571 with 13 2B, 6 HR, 9 BB, 20 K in 119 at-bats this season.
• Todd Glaesmann, OF, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; plus power with a plus arm. The Rays can develop pitchers, but will need to show they can develop hitters.
• Garrett Gould, RHP, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; has struggled thus far in 2013; fastball sits in low 90s; curveball has solid-average potential; inconsistent changeup.
• Devin Lohman, SS, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 3-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB; average hit tool; fringy power potential; solid-average arm; solid-average glove; potential to stay at short; skills still need to mature.
• Renato Nunez, 3B, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 3-4, 2B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI; someone I know and trust saw Nunez firsthand, and his thoughts were: “He’s a hacker, he has skills, but boy that swing will be tested at the next level. Defensively I’m not sure he has much feel for the third base, but he has enough arm”; .318/.383/.600 6 2B, 6 HR, 23 K in 85 at-bats this season.
• Kyle Parker, RF, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI; plus power potential; solid-average arm; hit tool is only average; below-average runner; tough profile in right; former college quarterback at Clemson; .279/.330/.510 with 4 2B, 3B, and 6 HR in 104 at-bats this season.
• Kevin Pillar, OF, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 4-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB; short swing; can get barrel to ball; average speed; excellent baseball instincts; gap power; can play center in a pinch; super grinder; fringy prospect who will profile as a backup at the absolute best; .339/.393/.484 with 7 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR with 124 at-bats.
• Kevin Plawecki, C, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI; well, folks he has proven that he can handle Low-A pitching; the defense, however, is still a work in progress; .416/.470/.733 with 17 2B, 5 HR, 13 K and 7 BB in 101 at-bats.
• Luigi Rodriguez, OF, Indians (High-A Carolina): 3-4, 3B, 2 R, K; early-season promotion from Low-A to High-A; plus-plus runner; plus defensive profile; still refining hit tool from right side (better from left); bat has sneaky power; pitch recognition still a work in progress.
• Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, K; top-shelf power; hit tool will play at least average; arm is easy plus-plus; actions at third are improving; stock was already high, and it is rising; .377/.446/.755 with 8 2B, 10 HR, 12 BB, 32 K in 106 at-bats this year.
• Daniel Stumpf, LHP, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; plus fastball; slider and changeup both show at least average potential; stock on the rise; 26.1 IP, 18 H, 3 ER, 12 BB, 25 K in five starts.
• Michael Taylor, CF, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 3-5, 2 2B, R, RBI, K; plus potential defensive profile; plus speed; still a lot left to prove with the bat; fringy power; a lot of swing and miss.

“The Bad”

• Jesse Biddle, LHP, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 0 K; all good things must come to an end; stock still on the rise.
• Wil Myers, RF, Royals (Triple-A Durham): 0-4, R, BB, 3 K; patiently waiting in Triple-A, which will result in nights like this.

“The Ugly”

Larry Greene, LF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 0-5, 3K; saw him all spring and in a game in Lakewood; do not see the power potential; bails out on everything; well below average in the outfield; non-prospect for me; 26 strikeouts in 48 at-bats.

Games of Sunday, May 5

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Lance McCullers, RHP, Astros (Low-A Quad Cities): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; plus-plus fastball; plus curveball; developing changeup; major-league bloodlines; 26.2 IP, 24 H, 5 ER, 9 BB, 29 K in seven appearances this year.

Position Prospect of the Day: Josh Elander, OF, Braves (Low-A Rome): 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB; compact swing; good bat speed; solid-average power potential; average runner; will only profile in left field defensively; fringy prospect; .318/.377/.573 with 9 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR in 110 at-bats this season.

Other notable prospect performances from May 5:

“The Good”

• Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; potential plus fastball; both secondary offerings have plus potential (curveball/changeup); working on commanding all of his pitches; 17.2 IP, 17 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 21 K in three starts.
• Matt Lipka, CF, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-5, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI; has shown flashes, but overall production has not been what the Braves were hoping for.
• Aaron Northcraft, RHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K; check out Jason Cole’s Scouting the Southern League: Mississippi vs. Jackson (linked above) for full scouting report; 26.0 IP, 15 H, 10 ER, 8 BB, 26 K in five starts.
• Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 7.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K; ultra-athletic delivery; plus fastball; solid-average curveball projection; changeup and slider will both be major-league average; close to big league ready.
• Joc Pederson, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 4-6, 2B, HR, 4 R, RBI, 2 K; hit tool has plus potential; average runner; average raw power; max-effort player; .301/.365/.593 with 8 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, and 7 SB in 113 at-bats this year.
• Gregory Polanco, CF, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, K; solid-average hit tool; plus runner; solid-average arm; fringy power potential; can show all five tools; .321/.377/.486 with 9 2B, 3 HR, and 10 SB in 109 at-bats.
• Luigi Rodirguez, OF, Indians (High-A Carolina): 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI; see report above.
• Blake Swihart, C, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI; see report above.
• Brandon Workman, RHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; fastball works in the low 90s but can touch 95; curveball with solid-average potential; plus potential cutter; fringy changeup; some mechanical flaws may push him to the bullpen; BP’s own Chris Mellen was in attendance and will have a report in the Ten Pack.

“The Bad”

• Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 0-5, 2 K; still has a little swing and miss in his game.
• Mason Williams, CF, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 1-5, 3 K; after tearing up the South Atlantic League, Williams has not come out of the gates strong in 2013; .241/.352/.361 in 108 at-bats.

“The Ugly”

Renato Nunez, RHP, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 0-4, 3 K, 2 errors (fielding and throwing; Nunez’s violent approach to the game will induce nights like this

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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