August 28, 2015

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, August 27th

by Jeff Moore

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Hitter of the Day: Hunter Renfroe, OF, Padres (El Paso, AAA): 3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, K
A hot summer salvaged a horrible start to the season for Renfroe, who took some time to make the adjustments so many struggle with at the Double-A level. His swing mechanics, namely a lot of movement and a large weight transfer, hinder his overall hit tool and his ability to stay back on breaking balls, but he hits a fastball as well, and as far, as any prospect in the minors. He should do plenty of damage on those alone to warrant everyday playing time in the majors pretty soon, while also having the chance for more production should he continue to adjust to professional pitching.

Pitcher of the Day: Yeudy Garcia, RHP, Pirates (West Virginia, A-): 5 2/3 IP, 6 H, R, BB, 10 K
Garcia is old for his Low-A level at 22, but it’s due mostly to not signing out of the Dominican Republic until he was 20 rather than some kind of developmental stagnation in his early years. In fact, outweighing his advanced age (for his level) is the incredible success he’s had this season while jumping all the way from the Dominican Summer League to full-season ball. Our own David Lee was in attendance for Garcia’s start on Thursday and had him at 90-95 mph with his fastball and showing an impressive breaking ball. It’s been a major step forward for Garcia this season, making a legitimate jump onto the prospect landscape.

Best of the Rest

Brendan Rodgers, SS, Rockies (Grand Junction, R): 3-4, R, 2 2B. Rodgers’ acclimation into professional baseball has gone as smoothly as anyone, including the Rockies, could have realistically hoped for, especially given that they plucked him out of high school and sent him straight to Rookie ball, forgoing the complex level altogether. Rodgers has a tremendous all-around game for a player of his age, and most importantly, the ability to remain at shortstop for the foreseeable future. His bat should be a well-above-average asset at the six spot.

Jomar Reyes, 3B, Orioles (Delmarva, A-): 2-5, 2 2B, 3 K. This is a pretty good example of both the pros and cons with Reyes in the current form. The power potential is there for much more over-the-fence production, but at the moment it manifests itself mainly in doubles form. He doesn’t strike out a ton for a big, young hitter, but his approach is raw. There’s a ton of talent in Reyes’ offensive game, and he’s put together a solid first full-season campaign despite a mid-season injury costing him some time.

Jesse Winker, OF, Reds (Pensacola, AA): 2-2, 3 R, 2B, 3 BB. The final line isn’t going to tell the full story of Winker’s season, as he was hitting just .256 and slugging just .378 at the end of July. But good hitters always seem to get to where they need to be, and Winker’s ridiculous August has ushered in the return of his power production. He’s not your prototypical big corner-outfield masher, but his hit tool and on-base ability will make up for average power at the position.

Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates (Indianapolis, AAA): 6 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Glasnow continues to carve up Triple-A, but the Pirates insist that he’s not a part of their September plans, which is likely the right decision. Despite his success, he’s still got some minor, yet potentially significant, developmental hurdles to overcome, like repeating his delivery more consistently and holding runners more effectively (something the entire Pirates pitching staff struggles with). He’s got the potential to pitch atop their staff, but the Pirates aren’t going to rush things, and they have the organizational depth to get away with that patience.

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays (Port Charlotte, A+): 7 IP, 4 H, R, 0 BB, 6 K. Honeywell is best known for his screwball, but he’s a much more complete pitcher than that. With a swagger on the mound that translates into competitiveness, Honeywell attacks the strike zone repeatedly with an arsenal of average to above-average pitches that complement his plus screwball. His fastball isn’t overpowering, and he may not miss a ton of bats, but he already commands it better than most 20-year-olds and his mechanics suggest that he should only get better in that regard.

Notable Prospect Starters

• Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds (Louisville, AAA): 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K.
• Aaron Blair, RHP, Diamondbacks (Reno, AAA): 6 IP, 6 H, 5 R (4 ER), 3 BB, K.
• Dillon Tate, RHP, Rangers (Hickory, A-): 2 IP, 2 H, R, 0 BB, 3 K.
• Michael Fulmer, RHP, Tigers (Erie, AA): 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, BB, 8 K.
• Beau Burrows, RHP, Tigers (GCL Tigers): 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K.
• Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Phillies (Williamsport, SS): 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K.