August 6, 2014

Minor League Update

Games of Tuesday, August 5

by Jeff Moore

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Hitter of the Night:
Tyler O’Neill, OF, Mariners (Clinton, A-): 3-6, 2 R, 2 HR, BB, 2 K.
Undersized and already physically developed, there’s not a ton of projection left in O’Neill, but it’s difficult to ignore power production from teenagers in full-season ball. Tuesday night’s game gives O’Neill eight home runs in 32 games.

Pitcher of the Night
Rafael Montero, RHP, Mets (Las Vegas, AAA): 8 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K. Montero isn’t known for being a big strikeout pitcher, given his lack of a true plus pitch, but his command and his ability to add and subtract keep hitters off-balance. At this point, the Mets are just waiting for a spot to open up in their rotation to re-introduce Montero to major league hitters.

Best of the Rest

Michael Feliz, RHP, Astros (Quad Cities, A-): 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K. An up-and-down season for Feliz hit a few bumps in the road in July, but the turn of the calendar has done wonders for him. There are some control issues to consider, but as long as he’s missing bats at his current level, there’s a lot to like.

Jorge Soler, OF, Cubs (Iowa, AAA): 3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 K. With the promotion of Javier Baez, the future has officially begun for the Cubs. That means players like Soler can’t be too far behind. The issues for Soler that preclude his arrival in the majors are as much maturity-based as they are rooted in baseball development interests. He’s done nothing but hit as a professional athlete and has little left to prove at any place other than the highest level.

Tim Berry, LHP, Orioles (Bowie, AA): 6 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 6 K. Berry isn’t a high-ceiling guy and may end up in a bullpen at the major league level, but for now, in an Orioles system devoid of legitimate prospect arms, Berry still has a chance to make it as a starter.

Trea Turner, SS, Padres (Fort Wayne, A-): 3-5, R, HR, K. Turner will never be confused for a power hitter, but it’s good to see that he has enough pop to keep pitchers honest and to keep the bat from getting knocked out of his hands.

Austin Meadows, OF, Pirates (West Virginia, A-): 3-5, R, HR. After an injury-plagued start to the season, Meadows has held his own in full-season ball, albeit without any power production before Tuesday night. Still, in what will likely go down as a lost season, Meadows has at least proven his lofty draft status wasn’t a mistake.

Eric Jagielo, 3B, Yankees (Tampa, A+): 2-4, R, HR, K. When Jagielo gets a pitch to hit, he can do some damage. He’ll run into 20 home runs over the course of a big league season just based on strength and bat speed alone. He struggles, however, with pitches on the outer half thanks to poor plate discipline. Until he learns to drive pitches on the outer half the other way, he’ll remain a one-dimensional hitter.

Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (Trenton, AA): 2-3, R, HR. Despite him being around for what feels like forever, the Yankees can afford to take their time with Sanchez. That includes waiting for his power to develop, something that could make him a well above-average hitter for the catcher position.

Notable Pitching Performances

• Mark Appel, RHP, Astros (Corpus Christi, AA): 4 1/3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K.
• Lance McCullers, RHP, Astros (Lancaster, A+): 3 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K.
• Zach Lee, RHP, Dodgers (Albuquerque, AAA): 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 0 K.
• Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals (Hagerstown, A-): 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K.
• Alex Gonzalez, RHP, Rangers (Frisco, AA): 6 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 6 K.
• Akeem Bostick, RHP, Rangers (Hickory, A-): 4 2/3 IP, 5 H, R, BB, 7 K.
• Edwin Escobar, LHP, Red Sox (Pawtucket, AAA): 6 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K.
• Jonathon Crawford, RHP, Tigers (West Michigan, A-): 3 2/3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 2 K.