August 21, 2015

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, August 20th

by Jeff Moore

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Hitter of the Day: Daniel Robertson, SS, Rays (Montgomery, AA): 4-6, 4 R, 2 2B, HR
Robertson is a shortstop who shows plus contact skills. In an age when players strike out at massive rates, Robertson manages to make contact better than most and has generally done it with more authority than most middle infielders. Some will question whether or not he can remain at shortstop, but his arm will allow him to stay on the left side of the infield.

Pitcher of the Day: Josh Hader, LHP, Brewers (Biloxi, AA): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 4 BB, 10 K
Lefties who strike out bats at the rate Hader has are rare in minor-league baseball, and that’s why the Brewers were so enticed by his abilities. That said, there’s no guarantee that he’s a starter. His pure stuff should still work in the big leagues in some role, but that role is still very much undetermined.

Best of the Rest

Brendan Rodgers, SS, Rockies (Grand Junction, R): 3-4, R, 3B, K. Nothing Rodgers does this year really matters, at least statistically, so long as he’s healthy and getting his feet wet in professional ball, which he is. That said, the fact that he’s holding his own anywhere away from the complex leagues less than three months after his high-school graduation Is a testament to his ability.

Chance Sisco, C, Orioles (Bowie, AA): 2-5, R, HR, 2 K. No one has doubted Sisco’s ability to hit. What’s been in question is his ability to remain a catcher. Now getting his first taste of Double-A, his bat is certainly being challenged as a professional. His contact skills have always been on display, though his power production will need to get closer to its in-game ceiling if he’s going to have to move out from behind the plate.

Manuel Margot, OF, Red Sox (Portland, AA): 3-5, R. Margot has elite talent. He’s 20 and in Double-A, which naturally elicits some struggles unless your last name is Mazara, but Margot has done more than hold his own at the advanced level. Even in his worst slumps, Margot has made contact better than most. That’s a testament to his hit tool, which borders on elite and will be his carrying tool for the future.

Colin Moran, 3B, Astros (Corpus Christi, AA): 3-5, R, K. You can’t argue with Moran’s hot streak. He’s always been a plus hitter, even dating back to his days at the University of North Carolina and into his selection with the sixth-overall pick in 2013. His issue has always been utilizing his pop because of a passive approach that limits his opportunities to hit the ball over the fence in games. He’s shown more gap power this season than he had in the past, which is an excellent sign to complement his natural bat-to-ball skills. Even as is, he should have enough power for third base, but the question is whether or not he can play there. He can fake it, catching the balls he gets to, but his range is limited and he’s best suited for the other side of the diamond, where his power production would need to be even greater.

Wuilmer Becerra, OF, Mets (Savannah, A-): 3-4, R, SB. It’s not often Becerra does something noteworthy without hitting a home run, but he’s doing his best to be more than just a one-trick poney. Becerra has a big swing with big power, but in his first full season, he’s showing an ability to make that power work even in a tough offensive environment. There’s a long journey in front of Becerra, but raw power is tough to teach.

Notable Prospect Starters

• Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals (Springfield, AA): 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 9 K.
• Keury Mella, RHP, Reds (Daytona, A+): 5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 7 K.
• Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals (Harrisburg, AA): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 5 K.
• Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays (Port Charlotte, A+): 6 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 2 K.
• Beau Burrows, RHP, Tigers (GCL Tigers): 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.