August 14, 2015

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, August 13th

by Jeff Moore

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Hitter of the Day: Garrett Whitley, OF, Rays (GCL Rays): 3-3, 3 R, 2B, HR, 2 BB.
Drafted 13^th overall this past summer, Whitley was selected that high based partially on his athletic, up-the-middle profile. Being a northern prospect, his exposure to elite levels of competition was limited in comparison to other draftees, which could explain some of his struggles during his initial transition to professional baseball. Still, he’s shown glimpses, and there’s no reason to worry just yet. Games like he the one he had on Thursday provide a strong example of what he can do.

Pitcher of the Day: Corey Littrell, LHP, Cardinals (Palm Beach, A+): 8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K.
Littrell is ready for a new challenge. His ceiling isn’t super-high thanks to limited velocity potential, but a left-hander with a plus breaking ball has a big-league future in some capacity. Littrell is going to throw important innings for the Cardinals at some point in the not-too-distant future, and while he’s not necessarily a key component of their plans, he’s a strong potential role-playing pitcher who is valuable to an organization.

Best of the Rest

Forrest Wall, 2B, Rockies (Asheville, A-): 4-5, R, 2B, K. Wall has the potential to be an offensive-minded second baseman, but that’s not a knock on his glove, which is nothing to be ashamed of. He does have plus offensive potential, and adds plus speed to the mix as well, giving him a strong all-around mix of tools. The hit tool should play even better than it has in his first full season, and he could end up hitting for some more power, giving him a strong profile for a player limited to second base defensively.

Clint Coulter, OF, Brewers (Brevard County, A+): 2-4, 2 R, 2 2B. Coulter has transitioned nicely to the outfield, becoming more than just a placeholder out there, but as a corner player, he’ll need to produce solid power numbers to be an everyday player. He’s off to a good start in that department, with a swing that dedicates most of his weight toward generating power and does so successfully. There is some sacrifice of the hit tool involved, and that will hinder him as he progresses, but maintaining the power production in a pitcher-friendly league is at least a positive sign.

Christin Stewart, OF, Tigers (West Michigan, A-): 3-4, R, 2B, HR, SB. Stewart, a first-round pick last June, is a physically talented hitter who was sought after by many teams as a potential early pick. With a strong build, he should hit for power, but he’s a highly reactionary hitter who struggles at times to recognize the spin on offspeed pitches. He’ll need to hit, as he’s limited to left field, but the power production gives him a chance to reach the offensive ceiling he’ll need to pull it off.

Nick Pivetta, RHP, Phillies (Reading, AA): 5 2/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K. Traded to the Phillies at the end of July in exchange for All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon, Pivetta has a live arm but questionable secondary offerings, leaving him as an enticing hurler to add to a building stable of potential Phillies arms, but one whose future is still up in the air. His changeup has the makings of a solid secondary offering, and that gives him a weapon against hitters from either side, meaning he can potentially remain a starter even if his breaking balls never get to where they need to be.

Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros (Greenville, R): 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, HR. Tucker has had some issues adjusting to professional competition, but he’s hit better now that he’s gotten out of the Astros’ complex. He hasn’t tapped into the power stroke that many believe that he’ll have at some point, but it’s still quite early in his development, so there’s no reason to concern on a player that some scouts believed was the best pure hitter available in this year’s draft.

Notable Prospect Starters

• Tyler Beede, RHP, Giants (Richmond, AA): 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K.
• Sean Newcomb, LHP, Angels (Arkansas, AA): 5 IP, 3 H, R, 4 BB, 6 K.
• Julio Urias, LHP, Dodgers (Tulsa, AA): 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 6 K.
• Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Rockies (New Britain, AA): 5 IP, 3 H, R, 0 BB, 2 K.
• Grant Holmes, RHP, Dodgers (Great Lakes, A-): 2 2/3 IP, 8 H, 7 R (5 ER), 2 BB, K.