August 22, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of Wednesday, August 21

by Zach Mortimer

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Pitching Prospect of the Day: Jayson Aquino, LHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K. Aquino flies a little bit under the radar in the Rockies system. He offers a fastball that works in the low 90s, and has the potential to add velocity as his body matures. The secondary offerings show signs of life, led by a changeup that flashes plus. The curveball has its moments, but is highly inconsistent.

Position Prospect of the Day: Javier Baez, SS, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 4-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI. Baez has the tools to be a no-doubt top-tier prospect. The bat speed is off the charts and Baez also shows a feel for hitting. I understand that Baez will need to slow the game down consistently, but when and if he really gets it, watch out—he could be a franchise-type player.

Other notable prospect performances on August 21:

“The Good”

• C.J. Cron, 1B, Angels (Double-A Arkansas): 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Cron’s power is undeniable, but I really wonder how much consistent hard contact he will make against quality pitching. The first-base-only profile always frightens me, and Cron may end up not being a major contributor if the bat does not reach its ceiling.
• Rougned Odor, 2B, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 2-5, HR, R, 4 RBI, K. Odor has incredible baseball feel and work ethic. He understands exactly what he wants to do at the plate and has the potential to be a plus-plus hitter. He is not going to be a huge power/speed guy, but he will always provide enough of each. Defensively, Odor could be a passable shortstop in the minors, but the Rangers are letting him play second and show off his plus defensive ability there.
• Matt Olson, 1B, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K. Olson provides easy plus raw power, and a feel for hitting. However, Olson has not created a large amount of contact this season in Low-A, and with the first-base-only profile, it will be difficult for him to stay on prospect radars if he does not put together a strong start to next season.
• Ariel Pena, RHP, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. Pena has major stuff: a fastball that can touch the upper 90s and a slider with easy plus potential. However, he does not have much of a changeup, and the command can get away from him quickly. Ultimately, he's likely to just gas it up out of the bullpen.
• Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Romero has a fastball that can be devastating and work in the mid-to-upper 90s. He mixes that with a curveball that has plus potential and a changeup that is a little further behind. The Rays have a surplus at starting pitcher, and I would not be surprised if they do not either try to ship Romero, or let him help them as an asset out of the bullpen.
• Lucas Sims, RHP, Braves (Low-A Rome): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. Sims offers a plus fastball, a potential plus curveball, and a potential solid-average changeup. The thing that sets Sims apart from others in his age group is that he is a much more polished pitcher than most at the Low-A level. Sims has planted himself squarely on the prospect radar.

“The Bad”

• Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 0-3, 3 K. Coyle shows promise so many times that you just want to hold on, but the hit tool may never be enough to get him to the next level.
• Brett Eibner, CF, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 0-3, R, BB, 3 K. Eibner is a difficult one to grade because he offers value in so many different ways. However, if he doesn’t cut the strikeout rate to a respectable level, it will not matter.
• Charles Jones, RF, Giants (Low-A Augusta): 0-4, 3 K. Well, Mr. Jones, you run into a few every once in a while, but I feel like this line is much more customary for you.

“The Ugly”

• Terrance Gore, OF, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 0-5, 4 K. Gore offers speed and a contact-oriented swing, but on this night, he was not seeing the ball well.

“The Sano Factor”

I will be traveling tomorrow night to see Miguel Sano, and it looks like, sadly, this may be the last MLU of the week.

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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