January 3, 2014

Minor League Update

International Winter League Games of January 2

by Jeff Moore

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The Good

Leury Garcia, INF, White Sox (Gigantes del Cibao, DWL): 1-3. Garcia probably won’t hit enough to play every day and has virtually no power to speak of, but his versatility could make him a solid utility man, perhaps as soon as this year. He’s been playing all over the infield in the Dominican this winter and has the tools to play multiple middle-of-the-diamond positions at the major-league level.

Heiker Meneses, SS, Red Sox (Tiburones de La Guaira, VWL): 1-3. In most systems, Meneses would get some love as a potential utility man, but in a Red Sox system deep with potential major-league shortstops, he gets overlooked because of doubts about his bat. He’s going to be able to play all three infield positions and probably some outfield if the Red Sox ask him to, but he won’t hit enough to play every day.

The Bad

• Joey Terdoslavich, UTIL, Braves (Aguilas Cibaenas, DWL): 0-4, K. Bad game for Terdo that, of course, means nothing long term.
• Maikel Franco, 1B/3B, Phillies (Gigantes del Cibao, DWL): 0-3, BB, 2 K. After a rough winter, which featured a .624 OPS, Franco will have to prove he can hit Triple-A pitching in 2014. It wasn’t his average that was worrisome this winter, but his lack of power.

No Longer a Prospect

• Gorkys Hernandez, CF, Marlins (Caribes de Anzoategui, VWL): 3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR. Hernandez will probably never be more than a fourth or even a fifth outfielder, but 16 doubles in 56 games this winter is a nice sign that perhaps he has enough pop to start against lefties.
• Marcell Ozuna, RF, Marlins (Gigantes del CIbao, DWL): 0-3, BB. Big-time swing—and-miss potential combined with an undisciplined approach at the plate hurt Ozuna in his premature call-up last season, and it’s not helping him this winter either. His 29-to-3 K:BB ratio has helped lead to a .297 on-base percentage that also sums up his struggles with major-league pitching.

Throwback Time

• Bobby Abreu, DH, Free Agent (Leones del Caracas, VWL): 3-5, 2 R, HR. Even at age 40, Abreu has strung together a line of .322/.416/,461 this winter. Take it with a grain of salt, but… I’m just saying.