May 13, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, May 12th

by Mark Anderson

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Prospect of the Day:

Brett Eibner, OF, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 3-5, 3 R, 3 HR, 6 RBI, K.
Still an injury risk, Eibner offers plus defense and a very strong arm as a backbone for a profile that has been boosted by offensive development over the last two years. He has above-average raw power and a potentially average hit tool, giving him a chance to be a solid regular in Kansas City.

Others of Note:

Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros (Low-A Quad Cities): 2-5, R, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K, SB. One of the Astros first-round picks in 2015, Tucker has gotten off to a roaring start in his first full season. With a well-rounded skill set, lines like this could be pretty common, and the power is still coming.

Max Pentecost, C, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 3-4, R, HR, 2 RBI. This was his first game in quite some time after two shoulder surgeries, and Pentecost flashes the offensive potential that had team salivating at what he could be.

Mike Soroka, RHP, Braves (Low-A Rome): 5.2 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 K. Another fine start for a right-hander that is quickly emerging as one of Atlanta’s top prospects. Soroka could be a household name by this time next season.

Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K. I’m setting the over/under at 79 days until Vogelbach is the property of an American League club; what are you taking?

Trevor Clifton, RHP, Cubs (High-A Myrtle Beach): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 10 K. If it’s possible, Clifton is an unheralded Cubs prospect, but that won’t last long with more performances like this. The owner of a plus fastball and two potentially above-average secondary pitches, Clifton has the starter kit to become a mid-rotation arm if his command can continue to come along.

Cody Reed, LHP, Diamondbacks (Low-A Kane County): 5.1 IP, 4 H, R/ER, BB, 5 K. Yet another exceptional start for Reed…

Trea Turner, SS, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 2-5, R, 3B. This is really a pretty mundane game as far as Turner is concerned, but it’s fun to continue pointing out just how ridiculous it is that he’s still in the minor leagues. Make it stop.

Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 5 BB, K. We’ve seen a lot of the “good Glasnow” this season, but it can still look like this when his mechanics—and ultimately his control—get off track. The upside is outstanding, but there’s enough downside that he might settle as more of a no. 3 starter than a no. 2.

Yoan Moncada, 2B, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 2-2, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB. Another guy in desperate need of a promotion, Moncada stuffs the stat sheet on a consistent basis. Selfishly, I can’t wait to see him in Portland this summer.

Renato Nunez, 3B, Athletics (Triple-A Nashville): 3-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB, K. Nunez continues to show off his raw power and he could give the A’s a solid corner-infield option on top of Matt Chapman, who is coming along right on his heels.

Alex Wimmers, RHP, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, BB, 2 K. I don’t highlight this performance because it is exceptional but rather because Wimmers is a former first-round pick that was nearly out of the game after coming down with a case of the “yips” shortly after being drafted.

Tim Anderson, SS, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 4-5, 4 R, HR, RBI, BB, SB. It’s been a slow start to the season for Anderson, and he remains a highly volatile player, but the White Sox can hope that last night’s game jump starts his ascent to the big leagues.

Jake Cave, OF, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre): 3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI. Recently promoted after a strong start to the season at Double-A, Cave does most things well and should be a big leaguer, even if just as a reserve outfielder.

Ian Clarkin, LHP, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 10 K. Coming back after missing the 2015 season due to injury, Clarkin has been trying to regain his footing as a high-end prospect. Last night’s performance represents the high water mark for Clarkin this season, and it’s a hint at what he is capable of doing.

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