June 17, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of June 14-16

by Zach Mortimer

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Pitching Prospect of the Day: C.J. Edwards, RHP, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 12 K. Edwards, one of my favorite prospects, has an easy plus fastball that can touch 95 with life. In addition to the fastball, Edwards has a curveball with plus potential and a changeup that is still developing; 10.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 20 K in two April starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Jonathan Garcia, OF, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 4-5, 2B, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI, K. Garcia has good bat speed with solid-average power potential. However, this is his second go-around in the California League so I would proceed with caution; .488/.500/1.000 with 3 2B, 2 3B, and 5 HR in last 43 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances on June 14:

“The Good”

• Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 2-5, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 K. Bogaerts was called up to Triple-A and some in the industry feel that if the opportunity arises he will given a chance to produce at the major-league level this season.
• Adam Conley, LHP, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; Conley is a left-handed pitcher with a deceptive delivery and a plus fastball. Conley uses a slider and a changeup as his go-to secondary offerings, and both will be at least usable at the major-league level; 66.1 IP, 63 H, 28 ER, 15 BB, 64 K in 13 starts.
• Robby Hefflinger, OF, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 4-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI. If I were to say Hefflinger was physically mature it would be somewhat of an understatement. Hefflinger has easy plus raw power, and is also a good athlete that will have no problem finding a home defensively in the outfield. He is a touch behind the age curve, but the Braves have to be pleased with the strides he has made thus far in 2013; .298/.351/.593 with 17 2B and 18 HR in 248 at-bats.
• Micah Johnson, 2B, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R, BB, K, SB. Johnson is an aggressive player that knows what his role is offensively: a top-of-the-lineup catalyst. The problem is that Johnson struggles defensively, and his well-below-average arm would force him to left field if he can’t stick at the keystone; .332/.418/.522 with 15 2B, 9 3B, 5 HR, and 53 SB in 253 at-bats this season.
• Steven Matz, LHP, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K. Matz’s fastball can touch plus velocities, and he also mixes in an average curveball and changeup.
• Rougned Odor, 2B, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 2-4, 2 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Rougned is keeping the sweet aroma around. He is showing the ability to hit, hit for enough power, and run; .278/.354/.440 with 19 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, and 16 SB.
• Joc Pederson, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI. Pederson is thought of as the ultimate grinder. He is going to provide enough power, and he will hit enough to keep him in the lineup at the big-league level at some point next season; .302/.382/.502 with 16 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, and 19 stolen-bases in 245 at-bats.
• Chris Stratton, RHP, Giants (Low-A Augusta): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K. Stratton features a plus fastball/slider combination, and will mix in a usable curveball and changeup. Stratton was a college arm (Mississippi State) and should be looking for a higher-level test in the near future; 65.2 IP, 58 H, 26 ER, 23 BB, 72 K in 11 starts.
• Taijuan Walker, RHP, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Take a look at Jason Cole’s video of Walker and let me know what you think; 77.1 IP, 52 H, 22 ER, 30 BB, 84 K in 13 starts.
• Tony Wolters, C, Indians (High-A Carolina): 3-6, HR, R, 3 RBI, K. Wolters is an intriguing prospect—a very scrappy player with average tools. However, Wolters profiles much better as a catcher than a middle infielder.

“The Bad”

• Dorssys Paulino, SS, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 0-5, 3 K. Paulino received a lot of praise entering the 2013 season, and he has been underwhelming thus far.
• Rangel Ravelo, 1B, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 0-4, 3 K. I’ve seen him enough now to know that he has a little something in his bat. Ravelo will always have a good amount of swing and miss, but when he squares it up it has a different sound.

“The Ugly”

Larry Greene, LF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 0-5, 4 K. Greene, the 2011 supplemental first-round selection keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole; .187/.302/.258 with 62 K in 155 at-bats.

Games of Saturday, June 15

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Brandon Workman, RHP, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 6.1 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K. Take a look at what the “Prospect Team” recently wrote about Workman.

Position Prospect of the Day: Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 3-5, HR, R, 4 RBI, 2 K. Well, Mr. Gallo, this is what the real you looks like? It could be crazy with Gallo—like, 5 hit/8 power crazy; .450/.488/1.150 with 4 2B and 8 HR in last 40 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances on June 15:

“The Good”

• Chris Bostick, 2B, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 3-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI. Bostick has gap power and is a solid-average runner, giving him a future utility-man profile; .274/.358/.478 with 11 2B, 4 3B, and 9 HR in 226 at-bats.
• Jayce Boyd, 1B, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 3-4, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI. Boyd is one of those typical very-good-contact hitting minor-league first basemen. The problem is that he will have to keep up the pace in order to ever profile as a major leaguer; .356/.431/.490 with 16 2B, 1 3B, and 5 HR in 247 at-bats.
• Jason Martinson, SS, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, 2 BB. Martinson has plenty of tools, which include solid-average power potential. I would expect the Nationals to challenge Martinson in the second half of 2013; .344/.450/.781 with 1 3B and 4 HR in last 32 at-bats.
• Rafael Montero, RHP, Mets (Triple-A Las Vegas): 5.1 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K. A great quote from a front-office member about Montero: “Sure, this guy may not have elite stuff, but he can really pitch. I’ll take that guy on my team every day.”
• Edward Salcedo, 3B, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 3-4, 2B, HR , R, RBI. Salcedo has plus bat speed, but currently only has power to the pull side. He also has a plus arm, but struggles a bit with the glove.
• Daniel Winkler, RHP, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; Winkler uses a fastball/slider combination to dominate hitters in the California League. The slider has easy plus potential, and some feel that Winkler will ultimately be a late-inning reliever; 83.2 IP, 47 H, 20 ER, 21 BB, 98 K in 14 starts.
• Patrick Wisdom, 3B, Cardinals (Low-A Peoria): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI. Wisdom has always had the two things you look for in a third-base prospect: plus raw power and plus arm strength. Wisdom’s hit tool still needs refinement, but the recent success is a very positive sign; .351/.400/.676 with 4 2B, 1 3B, and 2 HR in last 37 at-bats.

“The Bad”

• Lane Adams, CF, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 0-3, 3 K. Adams is a player I get to see on a regular basis. He does not receive the credit he deserves. Adams is an excellent athlete with plenty of tools. The major issue is that the hit tool is still fairly raw, but I believe he will be able to carve out a role in the major leagues.
• Dillon Maples, RHP, Cubs (Low-A Kane County): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 0 K. Well, Cubs fans, it’s better to miss bats as opposed to missing the zone. Maples did the opposite in this outing.
• Jiovanni Mier, SS, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 0-4, 4 K. The former first-round pick is not exactly wowing any scouts.
• Boss Moanaroa, 1B, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 0-4, 4 K. Rough night, but man, what a great name.

“The Ugly”

Matt Wright, LHP, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 3.1 IP, 13 H, 12 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. This is why LOOGYs are only used against left-handed batters.

Games of Sunday, June 16

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Parker Bridwell, RHP, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva): 8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K. The 2010 bonus baby has had a rough go of it so far in his professional career; let’s hope this is a step in the right direction.

Position Prospect of the Day: Mike Olt, 3B, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI. I hope Olt can return to his previous prospect form. He has easy plus power potential, and will offer a plus defensive profile at third base.

Other notable prospect performances on June 16:

“The Good”

• Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Rays (Low-A Bowling Green): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Guerrieri features an easy plus fastball and a curveball that receives plus-plus grades. Guerreri is still working on his third offering, a changeup, and most feel it will develop to at least major-league average. Guerreri has advanced pitchability, and profiles to be a very good number-two starter; 54.0 IP, 43 H, 15 ER, 10 BB, 43 K in 11 starts.
• Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-4, HR, R, RBI, K, SB. Hamilton set the world on fire with his speed in 2012, and he is rounding back into form after a rough April; .252/.312/.352 with 11 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, and 43 SB in 270 at-bats.
• Devin Jones, RHP, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 9 K. Jones profiles best as a future reliever; his fastball can touch plus velocity and he uses a solid-average slider to complement the fastball.
• A.J. Jimenez, C, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 5-6, 2 2B, 5 R, 3 RBI. Excellent defensive catcher; some question how much he will ultimately hit, but he is a future big leaguer.
• Juan Silverio, IF, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 3-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI. After being a top-tier prospect in the White Sox system, Silverio was traded to the Reds for “future considerations.” Most scouts believe that Silverio will struggle mightily against advanced pitching.
• Bubba Starling, CF, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 5-5, 2B, RBI. I liked Bubba a lot more than most in the industry. I know the hit tool lags far behind, but I still believe.
• Trayce Thompson, CF, White Sox (Double-A Birmingham): 3-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI. I love Trayce, I really do. He may never get it, but I love the “idea” of what Trayce Thompson could be; .351/.375/.622 with 1 2B, 3 HR, and 2 SB in last 37 at-bats.
• Julio Urias, RHP, Dodgers (Low-A Great Lakes): 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. What were you doing when you were a sophomore in high school? Well, Urias is that age, and he is getting hitters out in the Midwest League.
• Asher Wojciechowski, RHP, Astros (Triple-A Oklahoma City): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. Wojciechowski has a four-pitch arsenal and is a competitor on the mound. He should receive an opportunity after the Astros deal any person on their major-league roster with a pulse; 50.2 IP, 43 H, 17 ER, 18 BB, 44 K in nine Triple-A starts.
• Alex Yarbrough, 2B, Angels (High-A Inland Empire): 2-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI, K. Yarbrough has solid bat-to-ball ability and developing over-the-fence power; .316/.340/.493 with 16 2B, 5 3B, and 8 HR in 282 at-bats.

“The Bad”

• Nick Castellanos, OF, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 0-5, 4 K. Well, the trade winds are swirling. The Tigers need a closer and Castellanos is the name that is being thrown out there.
• Tyler Collins, OF, Tigers (Double-A Erie): 0-4, 3 K. The transition to Double-A has not been a good one for Collins; .218/.332/.413 with 55 K in 206 at-bats.
• George Springer, CF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 0-4, BB, 4 K; A player who has swing-and-miss problems always will go through rough patches; .205/.295/.333 with 17 K in 39 at-bats.

“The Call Up”

Wil Myers, OF Rays (MLB Tampa): Come on now, I told you guys Wil Myers would be getting called up in the near future. When it comes to players like Myers, it does not matter if there is a spot available: You make a spot for a players like Myers, especially if you are a team like Tampa.

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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