November 25, 2013

Minor League Update

International Winter League Games for Nov. 22-24

by Jeff Moore

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Friday, November 22

• Gregory Polanco, CF, Pirates (Leones del Escogido, DWL): 2-4, BB. The power/speed combo that Polanco offers is what makes him such a dynamic prospect, but what can allow the Pirates to count on him for production as soon as the 2014 season is the way he controls the strike zone.
• Adam Duvall, 3B, Giants (Bravos de Margarita, VWL): 2-2, 2 R, 2 HR. Duvall has solid power and can put together impressive streaks, as he did in one game on Sunday and has done over the course of this winter, during which time he now has seven home runs.
• Ender Inciarte, CF, Diamondbacks (Aguilas del Zulia, VWL): 0-4, 2 R, 2 BB. The key to being a good leadoff hitter is being able to have an impact on the offensive game even when you don’t get hits. Inciarte is still learning how to do that, but Friday was a good example of what he can do, even when he doesn’t hit.

Saturday, November 23

• Rafael Ynoa, 2B, Rockies (Aguilas Cabaenas, DWL): 3-4, 2 R, 2B. The 26-year-old Ynoa doesn’t have a true prospect ceiling, but now that he’s out of the Dodgers organization, he has a shot to stick as a utility player, perhaps as early as this season.
• Reymond Fuentes, CF, Padres (Leones de Ponce, PRWL): 2-4, R, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 K. Fuentes has virtually no home run power to speak of, but he has shown good gap power with gives him a chance to be an everyday player.
• Chris Reed, LHP, Dodgers (Tiburones de La Guaira, VWL): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K. In his longest start of the winter, Reed demonstrated better control than he did during the regular season while still missing bats. He still profiles as a relief arm, but success in longer outings like this in encouraging.
• Ender Inciarte, CF, Diamonbacks (Agulas del Zuila, VWL): 3-5, 2 R, 2B. One day after being a catalyst with his batting eye, Inciarte used his bat to pace the offense. He has almost no power so even a double is a good sign.

Sunday, November 24

• Christian Bethancourt, C, Braves (Tigres del Licey, DWL): 2-3, R. Bethancourt isn’t quite ready for the major leagues offensively, but he can play defense in Atlanta right now and may get that shot this spring now that Brian McCann is in the Bronx. The Braves may not want to jump Bethancourt straight to the majors this season and want to give him some time in Triple-A, but he’ll be in the bigs at some point in 2014.
• Japhet Amador, 1B, Astros (Algodoneros de Guasave, MWL): 2-3, R, HR. After a solid AFL season that showed off his power production, Amador got on the board in the Mexican League with his first home run.
• Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds (Cangrejeros de Santurce, PRWL): 2-4, SB. Fast Billy isn’t hitting much this fall (just .211), but he does have 11 steals, showing that even when he gets on base infrequently, he makes in impact when he’s out there. He’ll provide baserunning value that is among the league's best, but whether or not that’s worth playing him every day depends on how much he can get on.