May 3, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of Monday, May 2nd

by Mark Anderson

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Prospect of the Day:

Daniel Robertson, SS, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 4-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, BB.
We can all stand here and doubt his ability to play shortstop every day, or point out some of his other limitations, particularly while he’s struggling at the plate in his Triple-A debut, but Robertson has legitimate major-league potential. He can hit enough, including the strength to find the gaps for extra-base hits, to justify being in the lineup regularly, and he could have the versatility to be a really intriguing utility player.

Others of Note:

Renato Nunez, 3B, Athletics (Triple-A Nashville): 3-4, R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, K. Nunez is off to a nice start in Triple-A, nearly equaling the rate stats he posted last year in Double-A. Reports from scouts at his games this season have been promising, and there is still hope he could be a supporting piece in Oakland once he smooths out the remaining rough edges in his game.

Franklin Barreto, SS, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 3-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 SB. Barreto’s package of tools is so enticing: he has the power to drive the ball out of the park, the speed to steal bases, and the glove to play shortstop. I adore him.

Angel Perdomo, LHP, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K. Still extremely raw after four seasons in short-season ball, Perdomo has a great frame (6-6, 200), a low-90s heater with life, and a potential above-average slider.

Eloy Jimenez, OF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 2-4, R, 2B, K, SB. As the Cubs continue to build their big-league roster with an enviable combination of prospects and free agents, Jimenez is slowly developing into an impact player that could be a featured prospect in the system.

Adam Plutko, RHP, Indians (Double-A Akron): 6.2 IP, 5 H, R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K. Plutko uses excellent command and a great feel for his craft to continue putting up big numbers in the Indians system. His fastball works 90-92 and his changeup is very good, allowing him to mix and match to keep hitters off balance.

Wuilmer Becerra, OF, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 3-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI. I talked about Becerra the last time I put together the MLU, and I recognize how much of a long shot he is. That said, he has offensive potential that could develop to the point that he can’t be ignored.

Andy Oliver, LHP, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk): 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K. I don’t highlight Oliver because he is some intriguing pitching prospect, but more because I like seeing him do well, even if it is in limited spurts. Oliver represents one of my biggest failings as a scout. I was convinced his big-league career would be long and prosperous.

Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 K. Another really strong outing for one of the Phillies’ emerging young arms. They’re surprising at the big league level this year, and though a long way off, Kilome could develop into a nice piece for their next truly competitive club.

Amir Garrett, RHP, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 7 K. I’ve been slow to come around on Garrett as an impact arm, and I’m still not quite there, but he put together a fine outing last night. The reports on his stuff from this game match some of the best he’s shown this season.

Luis Alexander Basabe, OF, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 0-1, 2 BB. Nothing sexy here, but part of Basabe’s breakout will center on his ability to control at-bats, work counts, and take what pitchers give him. Nights where he walks a couple of times are hints that his development is progressing.

Steven Moya, OF, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 3-3, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB. Yes, Moya has massive holes in his swing. No, Moya doesn’t walk enough. Yes, Moya continues to punish baseballs this season. I’m going to die as the last guy on this bandwagon.

Dansby Swanson, SS, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 1-5, 2 RBI. Slacker.

Adam Ravenelle, RHP, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 2 IP, BB, 2 K. It’s hard for a non-closer relief prospect to draw much attention, but a finally healthy Ravenelle was working upper-90s last night, touching 99, and did the same in his previous two outings. With that kind of raw stuff, he might be on the radar as a potential closer sooner than later.

Adrian Sampson, RHP, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 7 IP, 6 H, R/ER, 0 BB, 7 K. Still a potential back-end starter, starts like this could have Sampson helping in Seattle later this summer after joining the organization at the trade deadline last year.

Victor Robles, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 3-7, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI (double header). Watching Robles last season in the NYPL was a treat. It’s been equally fun talking to scouts in the South Atlantic League who are getting their first extended looks at him. Lots of jaw-dropping references.

Yohander Mendez, LHP, Rangers (High-A High Desert): 5 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 8 K. Mendez has taken a while to put things together, and you could argue he still hasn’t yet. If starts like this represent a player still in development—which I’m positive they do—then it’s a little scary to think about what this 6-foot-5, 200-pound 21-year-old could become.

Mark Anderson is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @ProspectMark
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