May 28, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of May 24-27

by Zach Mortimer

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Games of Friday, May 24

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Jake Cose, RHP, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 13 K; converted infielder; delivery has considerable effort; loose command; future reliever profile; 50.2 IP, 40 H, 11 ER, 19 BB, 59 K in nine starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Mike Zunino, C, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-3, 2B, HR, RBI, BB. Well, Jesus Montero and Dustin Ackley have been sent back to Triple-A, and now it is time for Zunino to get it all together and make his presence felt at the major-league level.  

Other notable prospect performances on May 24:

“The Good”

• Jason Adam, RHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K; fastball can touch plus velocity; curveball flashes solid average; fringy changeup; excellent work ethic; performance much better in May as opposed to April; 25.0 IP, 21 H, 7 ER, 9 BB, 19 K in May.
• Stetson Allie, 1B, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 4-4, 2B, R, 4 RBI, BB; plus-plus raw power; swing has plenty of length; stuck to first-base defensively. He’s going to have to perform at the next level before I become a believer; .346/.425/.643 with 14 2B, 3B, and 13 HR in 185 at-bats.
• Dante Bichette Jr., 3B, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 3-4, HR, R, RBI; trouble making consistent contact; plus raw power; developing ability at third base; fringy prospect for me; .348/.447/.526 with 2 2B, 3B, and HR in last 38 at-bats.
• Jabari Blash, OF, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI; easy plus raw power; plus arm; average runner; overall future will be determined by how much consistent contact he is able to make; .325/.396/.735 with 6 2B, 3 3B, and 12 HR in 117 at-bats.
• Zach Collier, OF, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI; struggled out of the gate; has some bat speed; most likely stuck in left field; fringy prospect; .371/.436/.657 with 2 2B, 1 3B, and 2 HR in last 35 at-bats.
• Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 2-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 K; elite raw power; upper-cut swing; plus-plus arm; improving ability at third; major swing-and-miss in his game; displayed excellent energy during the series I saw; .224/.335/.518 with 9 2B, 1 3B, and 13 HR in 170 at-bats.
• Micah Johnson, 2B, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 4-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB; easy plus runner; below-average defender at second; well-below-average arm; gap power; will need to see hit tool versus quality pitching; .320/.412/.457 with 8 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, and 45 stolen bases.
• Pierce Johnson, RHP, Cubs (Low-A Kane County): 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; plus fastball; potential plus curveball; developing changeup; 47.1 IP, 48 H, 16 ER, 14 BB, 53 K in nine starts.
• Lucas Sims, RHP, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K; plus fastball; potential plus curveball; potential solid-average changeup. The Braves are developing him slowly, they have kept him on the full-season roster from the beginning of the season, but until this point he was used in short stints out of the bullpen ;26.1 IP, 15 H, 9 ER, 15 BB, 28 K in 11 outings.

“The Bad”

• Harold Riggins, 1B, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 0-8, 4 K; not exactly the biggest prospect, but man, that’s a tough night at the office.
• Domingo Tapia, RHP, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 K; tough start for the developing Mets’ farmhand.
• Christian Yelich, LF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 0-4, 3 K; Christian, how could you?
• Austin Wright, LHP, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 3.1 IP, 10 H, 9 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. After taking leaps forward in 2012, Wright has not fared well in 2013; 11.2 IP, 16 H, 20 ER, 16 BB, 8 K in four starts.

“The Bauer”

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 5.2 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 5 K. Bauer misses plenty of bats, but he also misses the zone frequently. His future is still undetermined; if he is able to find any semblance of consistent command, then he could be a contributing starting pitcher. If he doesn’t… who knows.

Games of Saturday, May 25

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; potential elite fastball; potential plus curveball; developing changeup; athletic pitching frame; stock on the rise; 30.0 IP, 20 H, 8 ER, 6 BB, 37  in five May starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Jarrett Parker, OF, Giants (Double-A Richmond): 4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 7 RBI, BB; plus runner; solid-average power potential; will need to prove he can make consistent contact; will profile best in left field defensively.

Other notable prospect performances on May 25:

“The Good”

• Martin Agosta, RHP, Giants (Low-A Augusta): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; solid-average fastball; plus changeup; slider has a chance to be average; college arm; nearing promotion; 47.2 IP, 35 H, 13 ER, 22 BB, 65 K in nine starts.
• Albert Almora, CF, Cubs (Low-A Kane County): 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Well, there really isn’t anything new to say about Almora’s tools. He has consistently made the MLU since his return from the DL, and has been on fire throughout the early stages of his first full season; 14-for-26 with five doubles to start his season.
• Clayton Blackburn, RHP, Giants (High-A San Jose): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; plus fastball; potential plus changeup; potential solid-average curveball; big frame; high level of polish for age.
• Michael Choice, OF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-5, HR, 2 R, RBI; built like a bowling ball; plus-plus raw power; ultimate future will be determined by the amount of consistent contact he is able to make; .287/.401/.470 with 6 2B and 9 HR in 181 at-bats.
• Kentrail Davis, OF, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 4-5, 3B, 2 R, RBI; potential average hit tool; potential to hit for average power; solid-average runner; leaves a little bit to be desired in center field; profiles best as a future extra outfielder; .278/.397/.426 with 7 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, and 12 SB in 169 at-bats.
• Josh Elander, OF, Braves (Low-A Rome): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 K; potential solid-average hit tool; potential solid-average power; average runner; profiles best in left field defensively; hitting ability will need to reach ceiling for him to be an everyday option; .326/.383/.573 with 14 2B, 3 3B, and 8 HR in 178 at-bats.
• Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-4, HR, R, RBI; spark plug; fringy defensively; shows ability at the plate; will get his shot at some point; .270/.336/.439 with 14 2B and 6 HR in 189 at-bats.
• Kyle Gibson, RHP, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. The stuff has come back in full after his return from Tommy John surgery. Gibson will get his shot to pitch in the Twins rotation at some point this season, and has a number-three-starter ceiling; 60.2 IP, 48 H, 19 ER, 17 BB, 53 K in ten starts.
• Erik Johnson, RHP, White Sox (Double-A Birmingham): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K; plus fastball; potential plus slider; solid-average curveball; fringy changeup; stock on the rise; potential to be in the big leagues at some point this summer; 58.2 IP, 39 H, 14 ER, 15 BB, 58 K in ten starts.
• Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians (High-A Carolina): 3-3, 2B, 2 BB, SB. I’ve seen a lot of baseball this season. I was asked by a scout who the best position player I saw was, and the answer was Lindor. He has the ability to contribute on both sides of the ball at an extremely high level. I look forward to seeing him in again in the next two weeks, and I’ve heard plenty of rumblings that he will be in line to be the big-league shortstop for the Indians in 2014; .326/.398/.455 with 12 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, and 12 SB in 178 at-bats.
• Rafael Montero, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; plus fastball; plus curveball; fringy changeup; excellent feel for pitching; mid-rotation ceiling; 52.2 IP, 44 H, 18 ER, 8 BB, 62 K in nine starts.
• Justin Trapp, 2B, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 3-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, K, 2 SB; solid-average bat speed; aggressive player; potential for average power; good runner. Trapp is not on many prospect radars, and may never be at the top of them, but I feel that he has the ability make it to the majors and hang around for awhile; .280/.361/.456 with 12 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, and 10 SB in 182 at-bats.
• Logan Verrett, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; fringy fastball; solid-average slider; curveball and changeup are both fringy; good command; back-end ceiling; 67.1 IP, 52 H, 23 ER, 14 BB, 54 K in ten starts.
• Patrick Wisdom, 1B/3B, Cardinals (Low-A Peoria): 3-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI, K; potential to be a plus defender at third; plus raw power; needs to prove he can handle quality pitching.
• Alex Wood, LHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K. I talked to one of Wood’s teammates, and he described it better than I believe anyone else could: “Wood throws with that crazy delivery, but he can repeat it and command all his pitches.” Most believe Wood’s ultimate future is in the bullpen, but I’ve heard a few that think he can contribute in the rotation, or at least will be given the opportunity to show he can’t early in his career; 57.0 IP, 41 H, 8 ER, 15 BB, 57 K in ten starts.
• Mike Wright, RHP, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. solid-average sinking fastball; solid-average slider; average changeup; back-end profile ; 52.1 IP, 52 H, 21 ER, 19 BB, 51 K in 10 starts.

“The Bad”

• Gregory Bird, 1B, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 0-5, R, 4 K; the swing can show some length, and he will have to really hit to fill the profile.
• Zeke DeVoss, CF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 0-4, 3 K; not the start to the season that the Cubs or DeVoss were hoping for; .219/.374/.305 with 37 K in 151 at-bats.
• Trevor Story, SS, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 0-4, 3 K; Story’s start to the season has confused many scouts that were so high on him after his 2012 campaign; .196/.266/.304 with 62 K in 168 at-bats.

 “He’s Back!”

Nick Williams, OF, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 3-5, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, K. Williams made his return from the DL, and immediately showed off his very-good ability at the plate.

“The Classic Case of the Triple-As”

• Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pirates (Triple-A Indianpolis): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.
• Wil Myers, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI, K.

I am going to go on a mini side-rant. I still believe in these two guys. I couldn’t care less what type of numbers they put up in Triple-A. Sure, it is always nice to see your prized prospect come out and destroy Triple-A, but that is not always the case. Triple-A is a game like no other; it is filled with players who understand what their skills are, and are hoping a big-league team needs a player like them to fill a need. I could be very wrong, but I would think that the light switch will go on once these two get their call to the show at some point this summer.

Games of Sunday, May 26

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Sonny Gray, RHP, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; potential plus-plus fastball that is already easy plus; fringy changeup; small frame. From what I have gathered, the A’s feel that Gray is a starter. He has the potential to pitch in the middle of the rotation, but if that does not work, he should be able to pitch high-leverage innings at the back end of the bullpen; 56.2 IP, 51 H, 15 ER, 19 BB, 58 K in nine starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K; plus defender; potential plus hit tool; potential to hit for average power. Mondesi looked to be in good physical shape—specifically, he looked like he has been putting the work in to add the necessary mass (strength) to his frame.

Other notable prospect performances on May 26:

“The Good”

• Kole Calhoun, OF, Angels (Triple-A Salt Lake): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB; profiles best as a fourth outfielder; limited power potential; grinder type; high intensity; .385/.467/.590 with 2 2B and 2 HR in 39 at-bats.
• C.J. Cron, 1B, Angels (Double-A Arkansas): 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI; plus-plus raw power; potential average hit tool; bottom-of-the-scale runner; will have to have hit at a very high level to profile at first; .313/.356/.475 with 15 2B, 1 3B, and 4 HR in 179 at-bats.
• Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K; plus fastball; average curveball; fringy changeup; 49.1 IP, 39 H, 19 ER, 27 BB, 40 K in ten starts.
• Duke von Schamann, RHP, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; take a look at what my good friend Chris Rodriguez wrote about him; 54.1 IP, 45 H, 22 ER, 15 BB, 45 K in nine starts.
• Trevor Story, SS, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 3-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, K; this is what Trevor Story is supposed to do; plus power potential; solid-average hit tool; solid-average defensive profile; let’s see what happens going forward.
• Julio Urias, LHP, Dodgers (Low-A Great Lakes): 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K; this from a 16-year-old pitching in full-season ball. The Dodgers prospect from Mexico will show scouts what he has at a very young age.

 “The Bad”

• Miguel Almonte, RHP, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 2.0 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 3 K; tough outing for a very good pitching prospect.
• Aaron Westlake, 1B, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 0-5, 3 K. The Tigers’ first-base prospect has had a very good season thus far, but will show some swing and miss at times.

“The Ugly”

Oswaldo Arcia, RF, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 0-3, 2 K; back riding the bus in the minor leagues.

Games of Monday, May 27

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; elite fastball; easy plus curveball; changeup has made great strides and should be solid average. The question is whether his small frame will be able to withstand the rigor of starting every fifth day at the big-league level. I believe the Royals will give him a chance to contribute if the opportunity arises; 52.2 IP, 37 H, 15 ER, 17 BB, 68 K in ten starts. 

Position Prospect of the Day: Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 4-4, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI. So Mondi, you want to follow your two-homer game by hitting for the cycle? Did I leave out the part where I thought this guy has a chance to be very special? I compared him to Jimmy Rollins; I’m not saying it is a perfect comparison, but that the type of player I believe he will be.  

Other notable prospect performances on May 27:

“The Good”

• Tyler Austin, RF, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI; potential plus hit tool; potential solid-average power; below-average runner; solid-average defensive profile; high baseball IQ; will be a very nice major-league player; .278/.378/.500 with 2 2B and 2 HR in 36 at-bats.
• Jackie Bradley, CF, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI, BB; potential plus hit tool; fringy power; slightly better-than-average runner; plus-plus defensive profile; will eventually be a very good player who adds more to a team than just his ability on the field; .360/.461/.547 with 6 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, and 2 SB in 75 at-bats.
• Carlos Correa, SS, Astros (Low-A Quad Cities): 3-6, 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI, K; quietly having a very nice season; developing power that could play above plus after maturation; elite-level arm; big-time makeup; .284/.406/.411 with 7 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, and 5 SB in 141 at-bats.
• Adam Duvall, 3B, Giants (Double-A Richmond): 3-6, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI; fringy hit tool; plus power potential; fringy defender; below-average runner; fringy prospect; .324/.403/.618 with 7 2B, 2 3B, and 3 HR in 68 at-bats.
• Wil Myers, RF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 2-5, 2B, HR, R, 5 RBI, K; plus power potential; plus hit tool; plus arm. Myers is getting near the point where he may be promoted to help the Rays at the major-league
• Yasiel Puig, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI. Puig, the 2013 spring training darling, has gone to Double-A Chattanooga and done very well to start the season. The power-speed combination has the chance to be pretty special; .308/.384/.556 with 11 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, and 11 SB in 133 at-bats.
• Domingo Santana, RF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 4-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, RBI, SB; plus-plus raw power; plus arm; classic right-field profile; stock on the rise; .268/.371/.523 with 14 2B, 8 HR, and 6 SB in 149 at-bats.
• George Springer, CF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 3-6, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 K; plus power potential; above-average defensive profile; will always have swing and miss in his game; .301/.418/.618 with 10 2B, 15 HR, and 15 SB in 173 at-bats.
• Chris Stratton, RHP, Giants (Low-A Augusta): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; college arm; plus fastball; plus slider; curveball and changeup have average potential; will most likely get a promotion at some point in the next month; 54.2 IP, 41 H, 19 ER, 19 BB, 57 K in nine starts.
• Danry Vasquez, OF, Tigers (Low-A West Michigan): 3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, RBI; plus potential hit tool; plus raw power; fringy runner; most likely stuck in left field.
• Dan Vogelbach, 1B/DH, Cubs (Low-A Kane County): 3-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI; plus-plus raw power; potential plus hit tool; defense may never be good enough for him to stick with a National League team; ability at the plate will have to reach ceiling for him to be an everyday player ; .292/.356/.438 with 10 2B and 6 HR in 192 at-bats.
• Brandon Workman, RHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; scouting report here; 57.2 IP, 48 H, 24 ER, 15 BB, 69 K in 10 starts.

“The Bad”

• Stetson Allie, 1B, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 0-3, 2 K; I fear the strikeout numbers will increase mightily at the higher minor-league levels.
• Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 0-4, 3 K. The swing and miss numbers are extreme.
• Christian Yelich, LF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 0-4, 3 K; not in a good way right now at the plate; .119/.140/.190 with 14 K in last 42 at-bats.

“The Rehab”

James McDonald, RHP, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 0.2  IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 0 K; Well, that isn’t something Pirates fans wanted to see.

“The Injured”

Albert Almora, CF, Cubs (Low-A Kane County): Almora was removed from the game after an apparent leg injury. Let’s hope it’s not serious; more news to come. 

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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