October 26, 2015
Minor League Update
Games of Oct. 23-24
by Mauricio Rubio
Friday October 23
Light Friday in terms of notable performances, lets dig in:
Brandon Dixon, 2B, LA Dodgers (Glendale Desert Dogs): 4-5, 2 RS, 1 2B
Good day for a guy without a high OFP. Dixon doesn't have a lot of projection with his bat but there's speed and average defensive tools here. He's not a zero but it's likely that his most favorable projections include the words "seventh inning defensive sub".
AJ Reed, 1B, Houston Astros (Glendale Desert Dogs): 2-5, 2 2B, 1 RS
Reed jumped two levels in 2014 and has settled into an offensive grove in 2015. First base prospects are tough to love because of the position; there's a lack of defensive flexibility so the bat has to be LOUD for it to get exciting, but in Reed's case the power is extremely loud so let's get excited.
Jason Garcia, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (Peoria Javelinas): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 RA, 1 BB, 3 SO
Garcia had a sizable velocity jump coming out of Tommy John and has been seen ticking up into the mid-to-upper 90s in short stints. The secondary offerings aren't all the way there yet but there's potential in the arm.
Jake Reed, RHP, Minnesota Twins (Scottsdale Scorpions): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 RA, 0 BB, 2 SO
Reed is a power arm with a hard fastball and a tight breaking ball combo. He struggled in the Southern League but look for him to get it back together, as he has the potential to pitch in high leverage.
Dom Smith, 1B, New York Mets (Salt River Rafters): 3-4, RS
Development is a funny thing and Smith's development in 2015 has been interesting to track. His profile is pretty well known, as is Jeff Moore's opinion on the player. Smith's not going to hit for above-average power but he has shown an ability to hit for enough power. Smith's game is contact-oriented, but as Jeff's article on the matter showed player profiles are fluid and a guy can always improve.
Saturday October 24
Saturday was loads more interesting:
Renato Nunez, 3B, Oakland Athletics (Mesa Solar Sox): 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B
He's been impressive this fall, but it's important to keep in mind the limitations present within his profile. Yes, there is raw power present, but his contact skills and aggressive approach put his ability to utilize that power in question.
Daniel Robertson, SS, Tampa Bay Rays (Mesa Solar Sox): 2-4, RS
Robertson's ability to play the keystone is still in question. He has the instincts but lacks the first-step athleticism and the arm isn't ideal for the position. He has a solid approach at the plate, which made him an attractive target for Tampa, and he'll hit enough for either short or second base.
Raimel Tapia, CF, Colorado Rockies (Salt River Rafters): 2-4, RS, 2B
Tapia's approach has been called into question which isn't all that surprising given the low walk totals he posted this year. The walks aren't as important as the hit utilization he showed, while also flashing some power as a 21-year-old in High-A. Walk rates are something to look at but don't get carried away with assigning them grand meaning to young players.
Rob Zastryzny, LHP, Chicago Cubs (Mesa Solar Sox): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 RA, 0 BB, 7 SO
Changeup-first left-handed starters have a chance to contribute but a third pitch is needed for starters to survive multiple turns through the order. Zastryzny was lacking a true third pitch last I saw him, his curve was loose and loopy and low-minors hitters weren't paying it much mind. That's changed since then; the fastball-change combo is still his bread and butter but Zastryzny is mixing in a tighter breaking ball these days, lending hope that he can start taking some major steps forward in 2016.
Charlie Tilson, CF, Saint Louis Cardinals (Surprise Saguaros): 3-5, 5 RS, 2 2B, 1 BB
Power isn't part of his game but Tilson offers up a solid hit tool and is a plus runner and defender out in center field. The speed was on display in Springfield last year, when he stole 46 bases and hit nine triples, but he still needs to do some work on the other parts of his game.
Gary Sanchez, C, New York Yankees (Surprise Saguaros): 2-5, 2B, HR
Sanchez is still out there flashing two loud tools that work in his favor: plus power and an elite level arm.
Brett Phillips, RF, Milwaukee Brewers (Surprise Saguaros): 2-5, 2B, 3B
Wilson Karaman has pointed out Phillips' potential over the course of the year but it bears repeating: The Brewers system got themselves a dynamic athlete in Brett Phillips.
Reese McGuire, C, Pittsburgh Pirates (Glendale Desert Dogs): 2-4
There's something endearing about a catching prospect who doesn't let you down. Sure, McGuire isn't going to be a dynamo offensive player but he can hit enough and his defense and leadership qualities lead to a profile that is all at once safe, comfortable and loving.
Robby Rowland, RHP, Saint Louis Cardinals (Surprise Saguaros): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 RA, 1 SO
Rowland throws absolute gas thanks to his quick arm action and he pairs said with a plus slider. Sounds like a solid power reliever to me.
Robinson Leyer, RHP, Chicago White Sox (Glendale Desert Dogs): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 RA, 1 BB, 1 SO
No that's not your imagination, turns out all sorts of orgs have a random guy throwing in the mid-to-upper 90s. Leyer has a chance to separate himself and turn into a solid power reliever.
Christian Arroyo, SS, San Francisco Giants (Scottsdale Scorpions): 3-3
Arroyo has enough feel for the barrel to earn a role-5 player future. It's not a sexy profile but a middle infielder with some semblance of barrel control has worth.
Adam Brett Walker II, OF, Minnesota Twins (Scottsdale Scorpions): 3-5
He's a physical specimen, all arms and legs and a broad-shouldered build to boot. Walker has easy power—I've seen him hit popups that go 330 feet—and zero approach at the plate. It's one thing to be aggressive, and it's quite another to swing at 2-0 changeups and show little feel for the strike zone. It's a shame because the man can really hit for power.
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Went for all positive, no negative this weekend, hope everyone's week is similarly positive!
Mauricio Rubio is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
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