September 9, 2014

Minor League Update

Games of Monday, September 8

by Jeff Moore

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Viosergy Rosa, 1B, Marlins (Jacksonville, AA): 2-5, 2B. Rosa isn’t much of a prospect, but the playoffs make for a slow time for the Update, and I saw Rosa about 20 times this year, so this seems like a good time to talk about him. He’s old for a prospect and is limited to first base, but he lacks the massive power production required out of the spot. Power is his calling card: He has some, but not enough to profile as an everyday first baseman. He’s limited defensively, so the bat will have to carry him, but it’s probably not going to be able to carry him far enough.

Rob Zastryzny, LHP, Cubs (Daytona, A+): 3 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K. Coming from the left side with a little cross-fire delivers, Zastryzny brings some deception and a changeup with some diving action that gives him a chance. The offspeed pitch needs become more consistent, and he needs a breaking ball that he can trust, but Zastryzny has a chance to be a back-end starter if it all comes together. That ceiling, however, is still quite far from being a reality.

Raimel Tapia, David Dahl, and Ryan McMahon, Rockies (Asheville, A-): 8-15, 6 R, 2 2B, 3 BB, 2 K. The Rockies started three of their top hitting prospects together in Asheville this year, and while Dahl left for a stint in the California League, he’s returned to finish what they started together, hitting atop the Tourists order and doing a ton of damage. Dahl is probably the most advanced of the three, but Tapia has the highest ceiling as a pure hitter. McMahon, on the other hand, has the most present game-ready power, and he showed it off this year with 67 extra-base hits. The trio could move through the organization together and provide the Rockies with their next influx of strong hitting talent.

Rafael Bautista, OF, Nationals (Hagerstown, A-): 3-5, R, SB, 2 K. Speed is Bautista’s best tool, but it’s not his only one. A strong hitter with plus bat speed, Bautista will hit for more power than some of the speed-only prospects he gets lumped in with because of his gaudy stolen-base totals. He may never reach double-digits in home runs, but he doesn’t get the bat knocked out of his hands either, attacking pitches with the same authority with which he runs the bases.

Max Kepler, OF, Twins (Fort Myers, A+): 2-4, BB, CS. Kepler didn’t perform this year the way many thought he would, coming up short of expectations for the second straight season. He simply looks like he ought to hit better than he does, but he hasn’t for two years now. He did pick it up down the stretch for Fort Myers and is headed to the Arizona Fall League, so, at just 21, there’s still time. But we need to start seeing some production to match the package.