December 19, 2013

Minor League Update

International Winter League Games of December 18

by Jeff Moore

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The Good

• Daniel Santana, SS, Twins (Aguilas Cibaenas, DWL): 2-3, R. The ability to hit from both sides of the plate and play both middle infield positions is tantalizing, but if you’re not good at any of the four, it fails to provide value. Santana is hitting .325 this winter and actually displaying decent power, but his track record suggests that it wouldn’t last if the season did. He’s a speed-based player who has struggled to get on base and show consistency on defense.
• Cesar Puello, CF, Mets (Toros del Este, DWL): 2-3, R, 2B. Puello has tools and had a great season in 2013, but it’s fair to ask how much of it was Biogenesis-fueled. Puello’s strong Wednesday brings him up to .208 on the winter.
• Gregory Polanco, CF, Pirates (Leones del Escogido, DWL): 3-5, 2B. Polanco just keeps hitting, and he’s been hitting for a while now.
• Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Astros (Cangrejeros de Santurce, PRWL): 0-2, R, 2 BB. This isn’t the best night for Singleton, but it’s worth noting that Singleton has seriously increased his walk rate this winter. It’s a small sample size, but a 21 percent walk rate is a significant improvement from someone who has never been over 16 percent in any significant stint at a level. That coupled with the power he’s shown this winter are signs that he could be returning to the form that made him a top prospect.
• Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Indians (Leones del Caracas, VWL): 2-5, R., 2B, K. Aguilar has been unbelievably impressive hitting home runs this winter, but it’s even more impressive to see him being a productive hitter while keeping the ball in the park. The question has been his hit tool, so any time he can have a productive day without going deep, it’s a good sign.

The Bad

• Bryan Holaday, C, Tigers (Tigres del Licey, DWL): 0-3, K. After a short but sweet power binge, Holaday came back down to earth on Wednesday. None of it, the good or the bad, changes his profile as a back-up catcher in the majors.
• Heiker Meneses, SS, Red Sox (Tiburones de La Guaira, VWL): 0-3, BB, 2 K. Meneses’ best tool is his ability to play all over the infield, but he won’t hit enough to play any of the positions regularly.

Major Leaguer of the Day

• Carlos Santana, 3B, Indians (Leones del Escogido, DWL): 3-5, R, HR, K. You read that position correctly: Santana has been playing third base this winter. Unlike some other catchers playing out of position in winter ball, Santana’s move is something the Indians might just consider come March.

No Longer a Prospect

• Gerardo Parra, CF, Diamondbacks (Leones del Caracas, VWL): 1-5, R, HR, K. You can’t be a prospect once you win a Gold Glove, right? Parra, now the Diamondbacks center fielder, is hitting .371 this winter.