June 17, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, June 16th

by Mark Anderson

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Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 12 K.
Word of Reid-Foley’s promotion trickled out during the day on Thursday, along with word that he was starting for Dunedin last night. That first start in High-A didn’t prove to have much of an adjustment, as Reid-Foley torched the opposition, allowing just two hits and striking out 12 while demonstrating just how electric his stuff can be when he’s on top of his game.

Others of Note:

Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 6 IP, H, 0 R/ER, BB, 6 K. A smaller right-hander, Peralta can show an above-average fastball that reaches 95 mph when he needs a little extra, along with a potentially plus changeup. Scouts I’ve spoken with this year are split about whether he fits better in the rotation or the bullpen, but the two-pitch combination, along with a reasonably slider, makes him an intriguing arm regardless.

Luke Weaver, RHP, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 8 IP, 7 H, R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K. Just three starts into his 2016 season, Weaver appears poised to fly through the Cardinals’ system. Armed with a four-pitch mix and an ability to throw everything for strikes, Weaver is a cerebral pitcher with the raw stuff to back it up, making him a candidate to help fill an integral role in St. Louis’ rotation as early as 2017.

Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Cardinals (Low-A Peoria): 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 12 K. Much has been said about Alcantara this season, most of it dealing with his triple-digit velocity, and his breakout has had several strong starts along the way; including this one. Punching out 12 hitters in just five innings is eye-popping, but only walking three is a strong statement for Alcantara as well.

Eloy Jimenez, OF, Cubs (Low-A South Bend): 2-4, R, 2B, RBI, K. Nothing fancy here, just Eloy Jimenez doing Eloy Jimenez things.

Alex Jackson, OF, Mariners (Low-A Clinton): 3-5, R, HR, 4 RBI, 2 K. There were plenty of questions surrounding Jackson after he was held back in extended spring training for so long, but he’s done nothing but rake since joining the Midwest League.

Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 7 K. By Giolito’s standards, this is a pretty pedestrian effort, but it still represents a very strong outing and evidence of his potential dominance. I can’t wait until he’s in the big leagues.

Jake Thompson, RHP, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 8 IP, 5 H, R/ER, 2 BB, 4 K. I’ve always been the low man on Thompson, dating back to his days in Low-A, but I think he’s going to end up between my projection (no. 4/5 starter) and where fans hoped he would be (no. 2 starter). Thompson can eat innings when he’s commanding his stuff like last night, and he should be a valuable member of the Phillies rotation.

Austin Meadows, OF, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB, K, SB. The full skillset of Austin Meadows on display: power, speed, approach, everything.

Clay Holmes, RHP, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 9 K. It’s been a rough go for Holmes in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, but that’s to be expected; particularly when that first full season back includes an aggressive jump to Double-A. Armed with a three-pitch mix, command projection, and a high pitching IQ, Holmes could be a strong no. 3/4 starter if he can get things going post-surgery.

Kevin Newman, SS, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 2-3, 2B, 3B, 5 RBI, K. Included purely so my BP friend Christopher Crawford doesn’t disown me.

Joe McCarthy, 1B, Rays (Low-A Bowling Green): 2-5, 3 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K. I really like what McCarthy can do at the plate—command the zone, hit for average, and drive the ball to the gaps—but he needs to do more if he’s going to be relegated to first base because of his below-average arm and history of back trouble.

David Dahl, OF, Rockies (Double-A Hartford): 2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB. Dahl has been able to stay healthy this season and his breakout is well underway. With 13 home runs, 16 doubles, the highest OBP of his full-season career, and even 14 steals, Dahl has the look of a well-rounded player that could be really impactful playing half of his games at elevation.

Joe Jimenez, RHP, Tigers (Double-A Erie): 1 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K. More innings and more strikeouts for Jimenez, who continues to dominate the opposition despite a promotion to Double-A. If he keeps this up and if the Tigers stay in the hunt, it’s hard not to see him in their bullpen by season’s end.

Derek Hill, OF, Tigers (Low-A West Michigan): 2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SB. Jumping ship on Hill after a rough—and injury-riddled—first full professional season is going to make a lot of folks look really dumb. He’s a big league thanks to his speed and glove alone, and as the bat continues to develop, doubles and home runs are going to become a bit more routine.

James Reeves, LHP, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 5.1 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K. A low-slot lefty that can reach 91 mph with plenty of deception, Reeves isn’t a starter long term (and he’s pitched most of his professional games in relief), but he’s throwing strikes and missing bats. He should see Double-A this season and could be yet another strong reliever in the Yankees bullpen in due time.

Enyel De Los Santos, RHP, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 5.1 IP, 6 H, R/ER, 3 BB, 7 K. Part of the Joaquin Benoit trade, De Los Santos has developed tremendous stuff, including a fastball that reaches 97-98 mph at its best, as well as two potential quality secondary pitches in his curveball and changeup. Some scouts question his durability given his thin frame, but if he continues to put up starts like this he may change more minds.

Yeudy Garcia, RHP, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 6 K. Garcia signed extremely late by most the standards of most international prospects, inking his inaugural deal at 20 years old. He’s made up for lost time by showing mid-90s stuff along with an above-average slider and changeup that can both miss bats.

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