June 6, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of Wednesday, June 5

by Zach Mortimer

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Pitching Prospect of the Day: Drake Britton, LHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; easy plus fastball; developing slider; average changeup; potential back-end starter or late-inning reliever.

Position Prospect of the Day: Byron Buxton, CF, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 5-6, 2B, 2 3B, 3 R, RBI. The tools are absolutely ridiculous. I have spoken with a few scouts who have seen him, and everything comes back positive. Take a look at what Jason Parks wrote for more info on Buxton; .487/.556/.641 with 2 2B, 2 3B, and 6 stolen-bases in last 39 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances on June 5:

“The Good”

• Ronald Guzman, 1B, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI; plus-plus potential hit tool; easy plus power potential; below-average runner; defensive profile will put pressure on bat; second game back from the disabled-list. Take a look at what Jason Cole had to say about him in a recent Ten Pack.
• Maxwell Muncy, 1B, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 3-5, 3 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI, K; potential plus power; advanced hitter; hit tool should allow him to tap into raw power; limited to first base defensively; will have to reach offensive ceiling to fit the profile.
• Jorge Polanco, 2B/SS, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 4-6, 2 2B, R, 4 RBI, BB; potential solid-average hit tool; solid-average runner; solid-average defensive ability at second; gap power that will provide plenty of doubles.
• Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; easy plus fastball; solid-average changeup; yet to find a consistent breaking ball; acquired for Joel Hanrahan in the offseason.
• Cesar Puello, OF, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB. Puello has hit a home run in three consecutive games. The Mets have been vigorously working to calm down Puello’s swing mechanics in order to help him utilize natural ability; 8-for-13 with 3 2B and 3 HR in last three games.
• Neil Ramirez, RHP, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; plus fastball; plus slider; average curveball; inconsistent changeup; stuff will tick up in bursts; best fit may be as a late-inning reliever.
• Robbie Ray, LHP, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; easy plus fastball; fringy slider; developing changeup; fastball velocity has taken a large step forward in 2013.
• Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K; plus fastball; slider and changeup will both be usable major-league pitches; limited ceiling; back-end profile; 20.1 IP, 15 H, 3 ER, 7 BB, 13 K in last three starts.
• Nick Williams, OF, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 3-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI; potential plus hit tool; solid-average power; developing defensive ability; stock on the rise.

“The Bad”

• Tyson Gillies, CF, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 0-5, 3 K. Gillies was included in the Cliff Lee trade, and was viewed as a toolsy outfielder who needed to slow the game down. Well, a few years later, Gillies still has not slowed the game down.
• Courtney Hawkins, OF, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 0-3, BB, 3 K. Hawkins may end up getting his own section in this column full time. His production can only be described as “bi-polar”.
• Jason Martinson, SS, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 0-4, 2 K. Martinson has plenty of tools, but is a touch on the older side and lacks polish.
• Rougned Odor, 2B, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 0-4, 2 K. Rough night for Odor, but overall he has done an excellent job at the plate this season.

“The Ugly”

Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 0-5, R, 3 K. As I have previously stressed, Gallo will have many days like this. The major concern I had when I saw him was that he was looking to pull everything and had no intention of taking anything to the opposite field.

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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