December 3, 2013

Minor League Update

International Winter League Games of December 2

by Jeff Moore

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Prospect of the Day: Jorge Polanco, 2B, Twins (Leones del Escogido, DWL): 3-5, R 2 2B. Doubles power is probably the best the Twins are going to consistently get out of Polanco, but he has the bat speed to hit a lot of them. If he hits close to .300 and hits the spacious gaps at Target Field, he could be an above-average offensive player at a key defensive position. That’s a nice player.

Good

• C.J. Cron, 1B, Angels (Leones del Escogido, DWL): 2-4, R, 2 2B, K. Apparently Cron had so much fun raking in the Arizona Fall League that he decided to keep playing this winter. He brought his power stroke with him to the Dominican, ripping a pair of doubles in his second game. Cron must hit for power to have value, but he’s done that this fall after not doing so for most of the regular season.
• Rudy Owens, LHP, Astros (Gigantes del Cibao, DWL): 5 2/3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 8 K. Owens hasn’t been a big strikeout pitcher since he left the Carolina League behind, and it’s limited his ceiling. This winter, however, he’s been missing a lot more bats, with his biggest total coming on Tuesday. He still doesn’t offer a lot of projection, but it’s worth taking note when a pitcher begins doing a lot better at something that’s held him back.

Bad

• Cristhian Adames, SS, Rockies (Toros del Este, DWL): 0-4, BB. Adames is a defense-first infielder who the Rockies hope will hit enough to justify playing time. He’s done so this fall, hitting .293/.333/.466 in the Arizona Fall League before joining the Toros. His poor Tuesday ended a six-game hitting streak.

Random Major Leaguer

• Jordany Valdespin, UTIL, Free Agent (Tigres del Licey, DWL): 0-0, HBP. Valdespin celebrated getting non-tendered by pinch-hitting for the DH and getting hit by a pitch. Somehow I don’t think he should be waiting for a get well card from the Mets.

Former Prospect Names

• Elih Villanueva, RHP, Marlins (Toros de Este, DWL): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. Never a top prospect, Villanueva was a guy who had been worth following as he came up in the Marlins organization. Now 27 and stuck in Triple-A, he’s certainly not a prospect anymore, but he does provide the Marlins with depth and has a 2.08 ERA in seven appearances this winter.

Did Jonathan Singleton Homer? Yes. That’s three in his last four games.