June 25, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of Monday, June 24

by Zach Mortimer

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Pitching Prospect of the Day: Alberto Cabrera, RHP, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 13 K; plus-plus fastball with life; potential solid-average slider; potential average changeup. The problem with Cabrera is that he has been very inconsistent in his minor league career. Cabrera has performed well thus far in 2013 and will hope to stay as a starter moving forward; 91.2 IP, 88 H, 36 ER, 34 BB, 94 K in 15 starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Willy Garcia, OF, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 6-6, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI. Potential average hit tool; solid-average power potential; average runner; solid-average arm. After jumping onto the prospect radar in 2012, Garcia has shown some power in the Florida State League. Some scouts wonder if the hit tool will ever be good enough for him to play every day at the big league level; .378/.439/.622 with 3 2B and 2 HR in last 37 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances on June 25:

“The Good”

• Carlos Contreras, RHP, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; plus-plus fastball; plus changeup; fringy curveball. Contreras has used his fastball/changeup combination to keep hitters off balance in the hitter-friendly California League. Contreras should be nearing a promotion to the much more pitcher-friendly confines in Pensacola.
• Micah Johnson, 2B, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 3-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, K, SB. I know Micah Johnson is not a good defender and needs to develop his skills on both sides of the ball. I know Joey Michele is a prospect that can also only play second base at High-A. I also know that Micah Johnson has nothing left to prove offensively at Low-A; .341/.422/.527 with 16 2B, 9 3B, 6HR, and 56 SB in 279 at-bats.
• Robert Refsnyder, 2B, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 2-4, 2B, 3B, 3 R, BB, K. Only a year ago Mr. Refsnyder was tearing it up in Omaha. It has been a pleasant transition to the pro game for him as he continues to show off the ability to hit. Refsynder may never have much over-the-fence power, but he will spray it from gap to gap. He is emerging as a very high-quality utility-type prospect; .344/.475/.531 with 4 2B and 1 3B in last 32 at-bats.
• Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB. Yankees have cleared the Double-A catching position of prospects, so I assume Sanchez will be heading north in the near future. He offers big power and the ability to hit for power. He has made improvements in 2013 behind the plate, but some still question whether he will be able to stick behind the plate long term; .269/.335/.478 with 18 2B and 11 HR in 245 at-bats.
• Dwight Smith Jr., LF, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, HR, RBI, K. Smith has never been my guy. I’ve seen him many times and I question the ability to hit, and he does not offer big power and is not a burner; .259/.339/.352 with 7 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, and 13 SB in 193 at-bats.
• Trayce Thompson, OF, White Sox (Double-A Birmingham): 3-6, 3 2B, 2 R, RBI, K; Trayce Thompson is my guy. He has a swing that can get long. The hit tool may never be more than a high-3 type, but he offers easy plus power and is a good athlete. He has a second gear that allows him to glide to cover ground in the outfield, and he has plenty of arm if he has to move to right. Trayce is very high risk, but I think at some point in his career if he can find the right fit he can be an everyday player.

“The Bad”

• Kelly Dugan, OF, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 0-5, 4 K. Dugan has been able to stay on the field, and is performing well enough to put himself back on the prospect radar.
• Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 0-4, 3 K. Gallo will always be a streaky hitter; when it goes wrong it will go wrong.
• Matt Reynolds, SS, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 0-4, 3 K. Reynolds’ calling card is hitting, not defense, so he will need to avoid nights like this.

“Two Parting Thoughts”

The Update was a little thin tonight because the Texas League was off and a lot of prospects had minimally productive nights. I have two thoughts to leave you with.

First: Make sure you go check out the Midseason Top 50.

I know I may be biased, but the Prospect Team that Jason Parks has put together is second to none. I know the great deal of work that has gone into the development of this list and hope everyone enjoys it.

Second: I had a conversation tonight with my girlfriend, a college softball coach, on what type of talent we would like to acquire for our team. She went for the high-floor/low-ceiling type, and I could not have disagreed more because as we all know I am a high-ceiling/low-floor type all the way. I know the third option is to acquire a variety, which is most likely the best way, but what way do you want your team to acquire talent? I will look forward to reading and responding the responses.

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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