July 15, 2015

Minor League Update

Games of Tuesday, July 14th

by Jeff Moore

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It’s a light Update today, with only the South Atlantic and complex leagues in action…

Aramis Garcia, C, Giants (Augusta, A-): 4-5, 2 R, 2 HR. Garcia has been heating up lately, and as our own David Lee pointed out, he’s now 14-for-26 with four home runs over his last six games. He now has 10 on the season and is showing the more consistent all-around game that got him drafted in the second round last year. His defensive abilities will carry him, but he has the offensive potential to be an everyday player. He was thought to be a potential quick-mover when drafted, but hit some early bumps in the road with his bat. Now that that seems to be coming around, he’s a guy who could get to the California League by the end of the season.

Yoan Moncada, 2B, Red Sox (Greenville, A-): 2-5, 2 R, HR. The power has been the last thing to come with Moncada, but it shouldn’t be too far behind the rest of his game, much of which has begun to come around. Whatever adjustments he needed to make to get caught up to the speed of Low-A ball have been made, and he’s now allowing his raw skills to take over. They are still raw, of course, but the all-around talent that he has is beginning to show. He already has the physical development to hit for power (above-average power for a second baseman), and his swing plane from both sides of the plate projects to yield moderate home-run totals. He’ll drive the ball consistently eventually, but for now it’s just good to see him hitting.

Jairo Beras, OF, Rangers (Hickory, A-): 2-4, R, HR, K. Beras has tremendous raw power, but he has trouble keeping all the parts of his 6-foot-5 frame moving in the same direction in his swing. The result is an inconsistent power display in game action that has kept him in Low-A ball for a second straight season without much improvement. His free-swinging approach at the plate doesn’t help things either. The talent is there, but its in-game application is very much in question.

Luis Encarnacion, 1B, Phillies (GCL Phillies): 1-5, R, HR. The Phillies made a rare million-dollar investment in the international market when they nabbed Encarnacion in 2013 and tossed him to the wolves immediately, bringing him stateside last year to play in the GCL at just 16. His struggles there were understandable at that age, but he’s made some adjustments this season to tap into his raw power, already doubling last year’s home-run total. He’s going to have to hit as a limited defensive player, but any power display as a 17-year-old is a good step in that direction.

Daz Cameron, OF, Astros (GCL Astros): 0-4, 3 K. It’s been a rough start in the pros for Mike’s son, who now has eight strikeouts through his first six games. No concern here, though. He’s still every bit the elite talent the Astros were able to nab due to signability concerns. There are always issues adjusting to pro ball, as even the GCL level signifies a huge step up from high-school competition.