May 7, 2014

Minor League Update

Games of Tuesday, May 6

by Jeff Moore

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Hitter of the Night: Rougned Odor, 2B, Rangers (Frisco, AA): 3-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 K.
Odor’s home run on Tuesday puts him more than halfway to his 2013 mark of 11. The doubles power has always been there, but if they continue to go over the wall like this, the Rangers are going to have one heck of a player on their hands.

Pitcher of the Night: A.J. Cole, RHP, Nationals (Harrisburg, AA): 6 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.
Cole, who has been talented but inconsistent throughout his career, is beginning to give us a glimpse of what he can do when he’s on. He’s got premium stuff and could be a no. 2 starter if he can keep this up.

Best of the Rest

Wilmer Flores, SS, Mets (Las Vegas, AAA): 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR. Omar Quintanilla and Ruben Tejada have a combined OPS+ of 102. That’s not the average between them. That’s their OPS+ numbers added together. No, Flores isn’t going to be a good shortstop, but the overall package will be better than what the Mets have now.

Kyle Parker, OF, Rockies (Colorado Springs, AAA): 2-4, R, HR. Parker has taken a methodical journey through the minor leagues, and the breakout of Charlie Blackmon could continue that trend, but Parker offers good power without big strikeout numbers, which is always an attractive quality.

Andrew Heaney, LHP, Marlins (Jacksonville, AA): 6 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BB, 4 K. Heaney is cruising through Double-A much the way he did High-A ball last year. His strikeout rate is where it needs to be, as is his walk rate. He’s not getting hit. All the boxes are checked. It’s only a matter of time.

Cam Bedrosian, RHP, Angels (Arkansas, AA): 1 IP, 3 K. Bedrosian is Troy Tulowitzki-level hot right now. It’s hard to maintain a two-strikeout-per-inning pace, so he decided to just strike everyone out instead.

Hunter Dozier, SS, Royals (Wilmington, A+): 2-3, R, HR, 2 BB. In addition to running into a few home runs, Dozier is controlling the strike zone exceptionally well and getting on base a ton in a pitcher-friendly league. He’s not looking like the reach pick many thought he was.

Clint Frazier, OF, Indians (Lake County, A-): 3-4, 2B, BB. Bat speed goes a long way, my friends. He’s controlling the strike zone much better than he did in the Arizona League, too, which is a strongly positive indicator.

Fight Another Day

Javier Baez, SS, Cubs (Iowa, AAA): 0-4, 2 K, BB. Well, he walked. That’s something. It’s not time to panic yet, but as these ridiculous strikeout numbers continue to rack up, it’s time to at least begin to scratch our heads. We need to see an adjustment here sometime soon.

Rock Shoulders, 1B, Cubs (Daytona, A+): 0-4, 2 K. The strikeouts are getting more and more frequent for Rock, who may be reaching the limits of how high a cool name can take him.

Notable Pitching Performances

• Matt Barnes, RHP, Red Sox (Pawtucket, AAA): 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K.
• Eddie Butler, RHP, Rockies (Tulsa, AA): 7 IP, 5 H, 2 , 3 BB, K.
• Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds (Pensacola, AA): 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 9 K
• Steven Matz, LHP, Mets (St. Lucie, A+): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 2 K.
• Miguel Almonte, RHP, Royals (Wilmington, A+): 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K.
• Victor Payano, LHP, Rangers (Myrtle Beach, A+): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K.
• Josh Hader, LHP, Astros (Lancaster, A+): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K.