September 5, 2014

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, September 4th

by Jeff Moore

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Garin Cecchini, 3B, Red Sox (Pawtucket, AAA): 4-4, 2 R, 3B. The biggest knock, and really the only knock, is that Cecchini doesn’t profile as your typical third baseman because he doesn’t have the kind of power usually associated with a corner infielder. What he lacks in power, however, he makes up for in plate discipline. No, it’s not the same, but it does allow him to produce value nonetheless.

Matt Barnes, RHP, Red Sox (Pawtucket, AAA): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Barnes has never quite put it all together this year, but that doesn’t mean he can’t end up being the mid-rotation starter everyone has projected him to be for some time. His strikeout rate dipped this season in Triple-A, yet he remained effective.

Kyle Crick, RHP, Giants (Richmond, AA): 1 IP, 0 H, BB, 3 K. Crick has been used in relief in his last two appearances, though that’s not necessarily a sign of a change in philosophy by the Giants, as Crick missed time due to injury in late August. For what it’s worth, Crick hasn’t given up a hit in either outing and has struck out five batters.

Tyler Anderson, LHP, Rockies (Tulsa, AA): 7 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 6 K. Despite limited exposure in 2013, the Rockies pushed Anderson in 2014 with an assignment to Double-A, and he flourished in the task. He was poised to move quickly when healthy, and he got back to being healthy in 2014, so he could be an option for big-league help by next season.

Austin Barnes, 2B, Marlins (Jacksonville, AA): 3-4, R, 2B, HR, BB. Getting Barnes out of the Florida State League, where he was repeating the league due only to an organizational backlog and out from behind the plate everyday, did wonders for Barnes’ bat. He began to show the pop that many scouts believed was there all along and increased his versatility by seeing time at second and third base. He could end up being a very valuable super-utility guy with some pop.

Adam Brett Walker, OF, Twins (Fort Myers, A+): 3-4, R, 2B, HR. Watching Walker hit a fastball is one of the prettier things you’ll see on the prospect scene, but watching him flail at breaking balls is one of the more frustrating. The pitch recognition just isn’t there, but he manages to do a lot of damage in the meantime.

Nick Ahmed, SS, Diamondbacks (Reno, AAA): 3-5, 2 R, HR. Ahmed has had no trouble hitting in the Pacific Coast League despite having never hit well at any other level, including a brief stint in the majors.

Andrew Chafin, LHP, Diamondbacks (Reno, AAA): 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K. Command issues and a plus slider still profile Chafin as more of a reliever than a starter long term, but if he continues to throw strikes like he did on Thursday, he has a chance to remain in a rotation.

Notable Pitching Performances

• Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (Durham, AAA): 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K.
• Archie Bradley, RHP, Diamondbacks (Mobile, AA): 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, BB, 8 K.
• Jose Urena, RHP, Marlins (Jacksonville, AA): 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, BB, 7 K.