March 28, 2014

Minor League Update

Spring Training Games of March 27

by Jeff Moore

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• Stephen Piscotty, OF, Cardinals: 1-1, R, 2B. Everyone knows about Oscar Taveras, but Piscotty is the guy fly ng under the radar in the Cardinals system. Piscotty doesn’t have the big-time home run power that is usually desired from a corner-outfield spot, but he’s going to hit .300 with a bunch of doubles and 15-20 home runs, which makes for a pretty good player.
  


• Zoilo Almonte, OF, Yankees: 3-3, 2B. Almonte is going to be the odd man out in a crowded Yankees outfield, despite hitting .410 this spring. He’ll be waiting in Triple-A in case the injury bug hits and should serve as a good depth option.
  


• Jeurys Familia, RHP, Mets: 1 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R. A strong spring for Familia came to a bumpy end, but he’ll still be a part of the Mets bullpen. He still has some work to do on his command, but he showed this spring what his upside is when he’s right. He has a chance to be a closer some day, and with an unsettled bullpen, he could get some chances this year.
  


• Billy Hamilton, OF, Reds: 3-4, R, 2 3B. Watching Hamilton this year is going to be fun. If he hits, it’s going to be really fun.
  


• Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Reds: 2-5, 2B. Rodriguez feels like he’s been around forever, but he’s still just 21. That’s what happens when you sign as a 16-year-old. He still has lots of tools but is still almost as raw as the day he signed, without too many signs that he’s going to improve on things like pitch recognition. He may never get there, but the Reds will have to make a decision on him soon.
  


• Jonathan Schoop, 3B, Orioles: 1-1, 2B. He’s still in camp, still a better hitter than the guys he’s competing with, and still has the versatility to play regularly at second base and fill in at third base while Manny Machado is on the mend. That may be enough to get him a spot on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster, but it’s going to be close—and would probably require the Orioles to DFA Steve Pearce, something they may not be willing to do.