May 20, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of May 16-19

by Zach Mortimer

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Games of Thursday, May 16

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Rafael De Paula, RHP, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 11 K. De Paula is smoothing out all of his mechanical issues while dominating Low-A with superior stuff; 39.1 IP, 24 H, 12 ER, 17 BB, 69 K in eight starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Maikel Franco, 3B, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; potential solid-average hit tool; easy plus power potential; easy plus arm; .292/.346/.538 with 16 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 13 BB, and 28 K in 171 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances on May 16:

“The Good”

• Greg Bird, 1B, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 2-3, 3B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K; plus power potential; hit tool will be tested at higher levels; 1B-only defensive profile; .286/.424/.443 with 9 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR in 140 at-bats.
• Byron Buxton, CF, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 2-5, HR, R, 4 RBI, SB; setting the world on fire thus far, Buxton hit a walk off grand slam in this one; .321/.426/.551 with 10 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, and 18 SB in 156 at-bats.
• Odubel Herrera, 2B, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 4-5, 2 2B, 3B, 2 R, RBI; quick bat; high-energy type; profiles best as a future utility player.
• Angelo Gumbs, 2B, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, K, SB; plus bat speed; potential solid-average hit tool; plus power potential; plus runner; improving defensive ability; just returning from the disabled list.
• Taylor Rogers, LHP, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; average fastball; average curveball; average changeup; advanced command; back-end ceiling; 29.0 IP, 25 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 17 K in five High-A outings.
• Addison Russell, SS, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 2-4, 3B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB; potential plus hit too; plus power potential; plus arm; soft hands; glove has plus-plus potential; average runner; righting the ship after a tough start to the season; .279/.326/.721 with 3 2B, 2 3B, and 4 HR in 43 at-bats.
• Luis Sardinas, SS, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 4-5, 2B, 3B, R, 5 RBI, SB; hit tool has easy plus potential; defensive profile could be plus plus; working to add mass to hopefully improve the power part of his game; .302/.358/.377 with 6 2B, 3 3B, and 12 SB in 162 at-bats.   
• Ross Stripling, RHP, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K; fastball sitting 92-93; curveball/changeup will both be major-league-level pitches; stock on the rise; back-end profile; 45.2 IP, 37 H, 14 ER, 12 BB, 49 K in eight starts.
• Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 10 K; check out the Monday Morning Ten Pack for Jason Cole’s insight on Syndergaard; 44.2 IP, 42 H, 13 ER, 13 BB, 48 K in eight starts.
• Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; lightning fast arm; changeup has taken strides in 2013; curveball is a hammer; stock on the rise; 40.1 IP, 24 H, 8 ER, 14 BB, 56 K in eight starts.
• Michael Wacha, RHP, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; proving he is ready to be the next man up if the opportunity arises in St. Louis; stock on the rise; 47.2 IP, 29 H, 10 ER, 14 BB, 32 K in eight starts.
• Mike Wright, RHP, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; solid-average fastball with good sink; solid-average slider; average changeup; fills up bottom of the strike zone; back-end starter profile; 41.1 IP, 43 H, 17 ER, 13 BB, and 38 K in eight starts.
• Christian Yelich, LF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 3-4, 2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB; only a matter of time until he finds a home in the Miami outfield; .306/.374/.648 with 9 2B, 5 3B, and 6 HR in 108 Double-A at-bats.

“The Bad”

• Delino Deshields Jr., 2B, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 0-5, 4 K; not an ideal start to the season for DeShields.
• Gregory Lorenzo, CF, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva): 0-5, 3 K; not putting up a lot of production, but has tools; 54 K in 154 at-bats.
• Domingo Santana, RF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 0-5, R, 3 K; quite a bit of swing and miss in his game.
• Andy Wilkins, 1B, White Sox (Double-A Birmingham): 0-4, 3 K;  with a 1B-only profile, Wilkins will have to prove he can really hit.

 “The Ugly”

Rock Shoulders, 1B, Cubs (Low-A Kane County): 0-4, 4 K; say it ain’t so, Rock!

Games of Friday, May 17

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K; most impressive pitcher I have ever seen in person; if you would like to see what I said about him, check out our new OFP series; 46.1 IP, 44 H, 16 ER, 5 BB, 49 K in eight starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Dilson Herrera, 2B, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 4-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI; plus power potential; hit tool will be tested by quality pitching; right-side-of-the-infield defender only; .296/.358/.458 with 7 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR in 142 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances on May 17:

“The Good”

• Bryce Brentz, OF, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; plus power potential; plus arm; lots of swing and miss; fringy runner; struggles against breaking balls; .276/.329/.493 with 10 2B, 1 3B, and 7 HR in 152 at-bats.
• Garrett Gould, RHP, Dodgers (Triple-A Rancho Cucamonga): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; struggling to start the 2013 season; average fastball; solid-average curveball; inconsistent changeup.
• Ryan Jackson, SS, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 3-5, HR, R, 2 RBI; all of the reports I’ve heard on Jackson really make me wonder how Pete Kozma can keep his job; .362/.428/.492 with 11 2B and 2 HR in 130 at-bats.
• Branden Kline, RHP, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva): 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 13 K; I will have a complete report on Kline in the near future.
• Seth Mejias-Brean, 3B, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K; potential solid-average hit tool; fringy power; solid-average defensive profile.
• Jon Moscot, RHP, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; deceptive delivery; fastball sits in the low 90s; average slider; average changeup; 45 K in 43.2 IP this season.  
• Gregory Polanco, CF, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 4-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB; can make loud contact; working to smooth out hitting mechanics; easy plus runner; plus defender in center field; .305/.379/.496 with 12 2B, 5 HR, and 17 SB in 141 at-bats.
• Jose Ramirez, RHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; fastball touches 96 with plenty of sink; plus-plus potential changeup; inconsistent slider that flashes solid average; 24.0 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 33 K in five outings this season.
• Jorge Soler, RF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 4-4. HR, 3 R, RBI; big-league bat speed; easy plus power potential; hit tool will be tested at higher levels; plus arm.
• Christian Villanueva, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 3-4, 2 2B, R, RBI; excellent defensive profile; solid-average power potential; fringy runner; very hard worker.
• Jesse Winker, LF, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 2-5, 3B, HR, R, 2 RBI, K; potential plus hit tool; potential plus power; potential plus hit tool; minimal defensive ability will put major pressure on bat.

“The Bad”

• Ramon Flores, CF, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 0-4, 3 K; limited power; average runner; tough profile.  
• Jason Martinson, SS, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 0-5, 3 K; power potential; still needs to slow down the game; on the wrong side of the age curve.

 “The Ugly”

Lewis Brinson, CF, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 0-5, 5 K; boy, he is fun to watch; crazy torque; big-time bat speed; major swing-and-miss problems; easy plus power potential; plus runner; .231/.289/.451 with 75 K in 173 at-bats.

Games of Saturday, May 18

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Taylor Jordan, RHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; plus fastball; solid-average slider; average changeup; stock on the rise; 46.1 IP, 36 H, 5 ER, 8 BB, and 41 K in eight starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Jurickson Profar, SS/2B, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock): 3-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI; obviously, Profar knew it was one of his final days in the minors. He will be a treat to watch for everyone on television; .278/.370/.438 with 7 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR in 144 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances on May 18:

“The Good”

• Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 4.0 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; fastball up to 94; curveball has easy plus potential; developing changeup; one of the biggest risers this season; 34.0 IP, 14 H, 8 ER, 21 BB, 50 K in eight starts.
• Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, SB; hit tool being challenged at Triple-A; speed is still pretty crazy; developing ability in the outfield.
• Pierce Johnson, RHP, Cubs (Low-A Kane County): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; plus fastball; potential plus curveball; developing changeup; 40.2 IP, 42 H, 15 ER, 12 BB, 45 K in eight starts.
• Robbie Ray, LHP, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 6.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K; fastball can touch 96; inconsistent slider; changeup flashes solid average; 48.1 IP, 28 H, 13 ER, 23 BB, 64 K in nine starts.
• Anthony Rendon, 3B, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 2-4, 3B, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB, K, SB; potential plus-plus hit tool; solid-average power potential; solid-average defensive profile; .350/.485/.660 with 10 2B, 2 3B, and 6 HR in 103 at-bats this season.
• Aderlin Rodriguez, 3B, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 4-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI; plus power potential; free swinger; fringy defender at third; well-below-average runner; hit tool will need to take steps forward; .318/.333/.591 with 3 2B and 3 HR in last 44 at-bats.
• Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 2-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K; bat could be special; elite power; receiving positive reports about his defense; .354/.448/.673 with 10 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR in 147 at-bats.
• Chris Taylor, SS, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, 3 RBI, BB; excellent bat-to-ball ability; below-average runner; limited ceiling; .347/.453/.521 with 12 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, and 13 SB in 167 at-bats.

“The Bad”

Jose Osuna, 1B, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 0-4, 3 K; swings and misses a lot, as he did on this night.

 “The Ugly”

My performance in NBA Street volume 2. I totally choked away a game and nearly broke a controller.

Games of Sunday, May 19

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Kyle Gibson, RHP, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; fastball touched 96; slider/changeup could develop into plus pitches; big-league ready; 52.2 IP, 46 H, 19 ER, 14 BB, 46 K in nine starts this season.

Position Prospect of the Day: Addison Russell, SS, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 3-4, 2 2B, HR, R, RBI; potential plus hit tool; plus power potential; plus arm; soft hands; glove has plus-plus potential; average runner; righting the ship after a tough start to the season; .279/.326/.721 with 3 2B, 2 3B, and 4 HR in 43 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances on May 19:

“The Good”

• Jake Cave, CF, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 4-6, 3 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI, 2 K; quick bat; developing plate discipline; plus power potential; solid-average runner; easy plus arm; .313/.374/.469 with 9 2B and 3 3B in 96 at-bats.
• C.J. Edwards, RHP, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; athletic delivery; fastball up to 95; potential plus curveball; developing changeup; more to come later this week; 48.1 IP, 30 H, 11 ER, 17 BB, 54 K in nine starts.
• Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 2-3, 2B, HR, R, RBI; after the first game, I was badly underwhelmed, but the more and more I watched Gallo, the more I liked him. Gallo busted it harder than any player on the field; extremely loud contact; selling out for power; always will have a lot of swing and miss in his game.
• Josh Hader, LHP, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K; more on this interesting, low-three-quarters-arm-slot lefty to come later in the week; 36.2 IP, 21 H, 8 ER, 18 BB, 39 K in seven starts.
• Nick Kingham, RHP, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; relies on plus fastball; solid-average changeup; developing curveball; mid-rotation profile; 47.1 IP, 39 H, 18 ER, 9 BB, 58 K in nine starts.
• Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; fastball has elite potential; check out what Jason Parks had to say about the rest of Stephenson’s game.
• Marcus Stroman, RHP, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K; fastball up to 95; plus-plus slider; developing changeup with solid-average ceiling; small frame; Jays will give him the opportunity to start.
• Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 6.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 10 K; plus-plus fastball; plus-plus curveball; not consistently locating his curveball right now; solid-average changeup; big frame; 50.2 IP, 48 H, 17 ER, 19 BB, and 57 K in nine starts.

“The Bad”

• Walker Weickel, RHP, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne): 3.1 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 4 K; plenty of stuff, but still looking for consistent command.
• Rougned Odor, 2B, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 0-4, 3 K; tough day at the plate for a player with an advanced hit tool.
• Taijuan Walker, RHP, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 4.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K; check out what Jason Cole said about Walker in our newest series.

 “The Ugly”

Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 5.2 IP, 6 H, 8 ER, 3 BB, 4 K; top-of-the-line stuff; some have questioned his fire on the mound; ceiling is still very high. I want to see what happens when the Pirates challenge him and put him in the big leagues.

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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