August 20, 2014

Minor League Update

Games of Tuesday, August 19

by Jeff Moore

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Hitter of the Night: D.J. Peterson, 1B, Mariners (Jackson, AA): 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR.
Peterson is looking every bit like the impact bat the Mariners were hoping he was when they selected him 12th overall last year. His production hasn't been quite the same since a promotion to Double-A, but that's to be expected after leaving the California League behind.

Pitcher of the Night: Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Red Sox (Pawtucket, AAA): 6 IP, 7 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K.
Ranaudo has had a cup of coffee this year helping to plug the holes in the Red Sox’ leaking starting rotation, but his iffy command profile will probably result in him spending more time in a big-league bullpen. When he throws strikes, however, he can be highly effective in any capacity. Command has always been an issue for the big right-hander, who struggles at times to repeat his delivery.

Best of the Rest

Addison Russell, SS, Cubs (Tennessee, AA): 2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR. Russell continues to hit as a member of the Cubs organization with 10 home runs now in 39 games since the trade. He'll still need time in Triple-A next year, but he may ultimately be the organization's best option at shortstop, though his bat should play just about anywhere.

C.J. Edwards, RHP, Cubs (Tennessee, AA) 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K. It's been a bit of a lost season for Edwards, who has made just eight starts this year thanks to shoulder inflammation. Now back healthy, he hasn't been as dynamic as he was last year with the Rangers, though he’s still very effective. He hasn't missed bats at nearly the same pace as he did in A-ball, partly due to the lack of refinement of his offspeed pitches. As a raw pitcher, the missed time hurts Edwards more than it would other prospects, though it doesn't change his future as a potential mid-rotation starter. It does, however, play into the concerns that he may not be durable enough to handle the rigors of pitching every fifth day.

Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers (Chattanooga, AA) 2-4, R, 2B, BB, K. Seager put up ridiculous numbers in the California League during the first half, enough for us to get even more excited about him than we already were despite the caveat that comes with strong offensive performances in that particular league. All he's done since being promoted, however, is hit .363 in 102 at-bats. The power production hasn't been as prolific and the walk rate has plummeted, but that's nitpicking one of the game’s top hitting prospects, regardless of what position he ends up playing.

Drew Ward, 3B, Nationals (Hagerstown, A-): 1-3, R, HR, BB. Ward looks the part of the prototypical third baseman and has plus raw power, but a poor approach and a propensity for swinging at pitchers’ pitches limits its utility in games.

Alen Hanson, 2B, Pirates (Altoona, AA) 2-4, 2 R, 3B, HR, K. It would certainly fit the Pirates organizational needs better if Hanson could remain at shortstop, but he's not progressing quickly enough to handle the responsibilities defensively and has been shifted over to the other side of the keystone, where his bat will still play and his extra-base potential could be an asset.

Patrick Leonard, 1B, Rays (Charlotte, A+): 3-5, R, 2B K. Leonard continues to progress and show a good approach at the plate with some power potential. Unfortunately it should end up being below-average production for a first baseman, but he should hit enough to be a big-leaguer in some capacity.

Fight Another Day

Chris Reed, LHP, Dodgers (Albuquerque, AAA): 4 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 3 BB, 7 K. Reed has had continued success as a starter throughout the minors despite a lack of command and overall profile that projects him to the back of a major league bullpen. He's had major issues since being promoted to Triple-A, however, with an ERA of 12.71 now through three starts.

Parker Bridwell, RHP, Orioles (Frederick, A+): 2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 2 K. Yet another dip in the roller coaster that is Bridwell's development. Perhaps no pitching prospect in baseball varies in his production as much from start to start, though the stuff typically remains intact.

Kohl Stewart, RHP, Twins (Cedar Rapids, A-): 1 1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 0 K. Stewart was removed in the second inning as a precaution after his velocity dipped into the high-80s and he complained of shoulder tightness.

Notable Pitching Performances

• Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, Cardinals (Palm Beach, A+): 7 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K.
• Aaron Nola, RHP, Phillies (Reading, AA) 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K.
• Sean Manaea, LHP, Royals (Wilmington, A+): 5 1/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 9 K.