June 26, 2015

Weekly Wrap

June 26, 2015

by Craig Goldstein

Welcome one and all to a new series that aims to cover some of the minor gaps in our coverage of all things prospects. To be clear, this will not cover promotions to the majors (there's The Call-Up for that), but will cover notable prospects who receive promotions, get hurt, or return from injury. We hope you like it.

On The Shelf

Orioles pitcher Dylan Bundy is still out with persistent inflammation following an MRI. He's scheduled to see Dr. Andrews. He won't be alone, as Hunter Harvey will also visit, as part of a follow-up appointment. Harvey received a platelet-rich plasma injection in May.

Third baseman Jomar Reyes (Orioles) will miss at least a month with a sprained thumb.

Phillies center fielder Roman Quinn will be on the disabled list longer than originally expected.

Top prospect Jameson Taillon's (Pirates) return from Tommy John surgery was waylaid by an abdominal injury.

Former first-round pick Luis Ortiz (Rangers) has been shelved with a strained flexor muscle, though the MRI showed no issues with the elbow ligament. He won't throw for three weeks.

Congrats on Your New Job

Brewers outfielder Victor Roache was promoted to Double-A. Roache isn't striking out any less often this year, but he's making better contact when he does connect. He's a one-dimensional player, but it's possible that is enough to be a fringe big-leaguer.

The Tigers have brought shortstop Anthony Pereira from the Venezuelan Summer League to the Gulf Coast League, following major strides in the last year. Here's the skinny from our own Mark Anderson:

Pereira is an emerging prospect for the Tigers and could be the next in a long line of inexpensive Venezuelan signings that emerge as legitimate prospects in the States. Buoyed by a strong offensive profile with good bat-to-ball skills, an improving approach, and good raw power for a player his age, Pereira has a chance to have an impact bat, particularly as a middle infielder. There's a solid chance Pereira sticks at shortstop as well, showing quality actions and instincts, good hands, and an above-average arm. Though he's still light years from the big leagues, and there are bound to be ups and downs during his last minute Stateside debut, Pereira is a new name to watch in a very thin Tigers system.

The Yankees promoted Aaron Judge to Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre. Judge is a large human, and while he has a low-key approach both at the plate and in the field, there's nothing low-key about his results. He's got huge raw power and, while he's not fast, he's not lumbering in the field either. He will also show off an above-average arm in right field.

Houston promoted starting pitcher Adrian Houser to Double-A Corpus Christi. While Houser sports a low-90s heater with some movement, his secondaries lag a bit. There's back-end starter potential if it all clicks. He'll do his best to replace Mark Appel, who was promoted to Triple-A Fresno. No word on whether Appel stopped at Minute Maid for a side session.

Portland finally received a couple prospects, as the Red Sox promoted outfielder Manuel Margot (Eyewitness Report) and first baseman Sam Travis (Eyewitness Report) to Double-A. Salem won't be left bereft, however, as infielder Mauricio Dubon was promoted to High-A (Eyewitness Report).

Toolsy Rangers utilityman Ryan Cordell (Notes from the Field) will continue to ply his trade all over the field; that field will now be in Frisco (Double-A).

Walking portmanteau Mallex Smith (outfielder, Braves) was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett. He was acquired from the Padres in the Justin Upton trade, and he's quite fast.

The Reds promoted outfielder Kyle Waldrop to Triple-A Louisville, where they'll probably struggle to correctly say his name.

Rays starter Brent Honeywell (Eyewitness Report) has more confidence than a lion in space, and he'll take it to High-A Charlotte. He won't be able to share any tips with first baseman Jake Bauers (Ten Pack) though, as he'll take his keen eye and high contact rate to Double-A Montgomery.

More like Trea-ple-A, amirite? Turner has barely been in the Nats organization but they've seen enough to promote the speedy shortstop to Syracuse.

Back in Action

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre received two-thirds of a new outfield with Tyler Austin returning from the DL to go with Judge's promotion.

Royals starter Sean Manaea returned to competitive activities by making a rehab start in the AZL on June 23rd.

Craig Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @cdgoldstein
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