June 6, 2014

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, June 5

by Jeff Moore

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Hitter of the Night: Rymer Liriano, OF, Padres (San Antonio, AA): 3-4, R, 2B, HR.
It took some time for Liriano to get his timing back after a year lost to Tommy John surgery, but when he did, the power grew into his swing much like scouts believed it always would. His approach may keep him from being a star, but he should be an above-average regular at a corner outfield spot.

Pitcher of the Night: Jose Urena, RHP, Marlins (Jacksonville, AA): 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K.
Urena’s peripherals have taken a step back since a promotion to Double-A, but he still profiles as a mid-rotation starter. You can read a full report on him from Ethan Purser here.

Best of the Rest

Deck McGuire, RHP, Blue Jays (Buffalo, AAA): 7 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 10 K. An uncharacteristic high-strikeout performance on Thursday is nice, but it’s not McGuire’s game. The former first-rounder gets by throwing a ton of strikes and sinking the ball, and thereby generating poor contact. He’s finally out of Double-A and will provide the Blue Jays with depth this season. He profiles as a back-end starter.

Orlando Arcia, SS, Brewres (Brevard County, A+): 4-4, 2 R, 2B, BB, SB. Arcia will always be glove-first, and there won’t be much power to go with it, but there is a chance the hit tool comes around enough to warrant everyday playing time.

Arismendy Alcantara, 2B, Cubs (Iowa, AAA): 2-4, R, HR, K. The approach is still a little aggressive for my liking and is getting exposed against Triple-A pitching, but the power is coming in nicely and will play beautifully at second base even if he ends up having a low on-base percentage.

Julio Urias, LHP, Dodgers (Rancho Cucamunga, A+): 3 IP, 4 H, R, 0 BB, 4 K. The control has taken a step back this year, but not to the point where it’s any concern for a 17-year-old traversing the California League. The overall package is still just as appealing as ever.

D.J. Peterson, 3B, Mariners (High Desert, A+): 2-4, R, HR, K. Peterson is doing everything that was expected out of him, especially given his assignment to the California League. The true test, as with so many young bats, will come when he leaves High Desert. Until then, he’ll probably just keep raking.

Josh Bell, OF, Pirates (Bradenton, A+): 5-5, 2B, SB. Bell can look incredible one day and terrible the next. He still has some strides to make in the refinement of his swing, but the tools are loud and the production is catching up in volume.

Nomar Mazara, OF, Rangers (Hickory, A-): 2-5, R, 2B, HR. The average remains low, but Mazara is hitting for power and improving his patience at the plate—both of which are good signs.

Patrick Leonard, 1B, Rays (Charlotte, A+): 3-5, R, HR, K. The tools aren’t loud, but the production has been solid thus far. Unfortunately, if he’s going to land at first base, he probably doesn’t have enough power to be an impact player.

Juan Duran, OF, Reds (Pensacola, AA): 4-4, 4 R, 2 HR, BB. The big-time tools that got Duran a big-time signing bonus have never turned into big-time production, but now and then, tools take over in a game, and this is what happens.

Fight Another Day

Dalton Pompey, OF, Blue Jays (Dunedin, A+): 0-5, 4 K. Pompey does not have major strikeout issues, so a game like this should be nothing more than a minor blip on the radar for what has otherwise been a fantastic breakout season.

Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals (Peoria, A-): 3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 8 R (6 ER), 4 BB, 2 K. Entering the season, it was Reyes’ fastball command that was the only thing holding back his power arsenal from dominating in full-season ball. That command has taken a step back this season, with his walk rate increasing to over 6.0 per nine.

Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets (Las Vegas, AAA): 2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Syndergaard failed to get out of the first inning and left with an apparent shoulder injury. Not good.

Notable Pitching Performances

• Michael Feliz, RHP, Astros (Quad Cities, A-): 4 IP, 3 H, R, 4 BB, 6 K.
• Jason Hursh, RHP, Braves (Mississippi, AA): 7 IP, 5 H, R, BB, K.
• Chi Chi Gonzalez, RHP, Rangers (Myrtle Beach, A+): 4 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K.
• Jonathan Gray, RHP, Rockies (Tulsa, AA): 5 1/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 3 K.