July 12, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of Monday, July 11th

by Wilson Karaman

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Prospect of the Day: Kolby Allard, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Short-Season Danville): 6 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K.
The Braves were aggressive in assigning Allard to full-season ball after his return from two back surgeries, but he’s looked much more comfortable in four starts since jumping back down to short-season. The fastball sat 92-93 out of the gate in this one, and he whiffed the side to start his night.

Others of Note:

Lewis Brinson, CF, Texas Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 4-6, 2 R, HR, RBI, 2 K. It’s been a frustrating season of high-minors adjustment and injury for Brinson, but that doesn’t mean he’s not still awesome. He’s been on a tear since returning from the DL, and yesterday marked his third straight game with a homer.

Franchy Cordero, CF, San Diego Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 3-7, RBI, SB. Franchy has gone off since his promotion to Double-A, hitting .352/.406/.630 with eight extra-base hits and five steals in a dozen games. I’m skeptical it continues, though he has the physical tools to prove me wrong.

D.J. Stewart, OF, Baltimore Orioles (High-A Frederick): 2-4, BB, 3 R, HR, 4 RBI, SB. Stewart’s a stocky guy who doesn’t look fast, yet he steals bases at a solid clip (19-for-25 and counting this year). His notable physical strength projects at least above-average game power, yet he his swing is still pretty linear and he’s hit just 12 homers in almost 600 minor-league plate appearances. Baseball is weird.

Victor Robles, CF, Washington Nationals (High-A Potomac): 1-4, R, HR, RBI. Robles has struggled some since arriving in High-A a couple weeks ago, but whatever, he went yard yesterday and we’re not here to talk about the past. This concludes your Daily Victor Robles Update at Baseball Prospectus.

Mark Mathias, 2B, Cleveland Indians (High-A Lynchburg): 3-4, BB, 2 R, 2 2B, K. Mathias is ripping the ball on a current seven-game hit streak, and there’s a big league profile here. Let’s ask Adam McInturff about him, shall we? “He’s very physical for a second baseman, with raw power and fluidity into the zone. The glove and mobility are a little spotty there, but he’s an athletic build in the middle of the field with some thump.”

Max Pentecost, C, Toronto Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 3-4, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, SB. Pentecost continues to work his way back from gnarly shoulder surgery – two of them in a row, in fact – and the early returns have to be approaching cautiously optimistic territory. Will Siskel didn’t get a great look at him recently, but the pop and production has been there. The real test, of course, will come when he’s finally cleared to once again don the tools of ignorance, as the offensive profile still doesn’t project to be quite as exciting out from behind the dish.

Jonathan Harris, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 7 IP, 4 H, BB, 3 K. Pentecost’s battery-mate had himself a solid day on the bump, too. The Jays’ first-rounder last year, Harris has been impressive in his full-season debut, with Grant Jones recently touting the fastball-curve combo.

Miguelangel Sierra, SS, Houston Astros (Short-Season Greeneville): 2-5, 2B, 2 K, E. This line is notable for not including a homerun, of which he’s hit eight in his first 60 at-bats in the Appy. He was a million-dollar bonus baby out of Venezuela in 2014, and was lauded as one of the more advanced gloves of that J2 class. The power outburst has flown in the face of most early-career scouting reports, so he warrants a “follow with interest” tag to see if it holds up.

Ronnie Williams, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Short-Season State College): 7 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K. The Cardinals snagged Williams out of high school in the second round in 2014, knowing full well he’d be a slow burn, and he’s been true to form thus far. He’s an undersized righty without a ton of projection, but with the athleticism to make an average three-pitch mix play up over time. The command has been there in the early going as has the efficiency, as he’s gone seven-plus in four of his first five starts in the NYPL.

Ian Kahaloa, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Short-Season Billings): 5 IP, 4 H, BB, 3 K. He was the top Hawaiian draft pick last year (fifth round), so automatically he’s awesome. He’s earned the praise though his first four starts out of Extended Spring Training, however, as the four hits he gave up yesterday doubled his total allowed in his first 12 innings. He’s shown advanced pitchability for a prep arm from not a hotbed, and there’s some mild physical projection underneath a fastball that already touches 94.

Brady Aiken, LHP, Cleveland Indians (AZL Indians): 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K. Aiken continues the long slog back from his surgery, and he finished strong in this one, punching out the side in his final frame. He added a bunch of bulk during his rehab, so he has to try and get himself used to the new body while remembering how to pitch against professional hitters. Like I said, long slog.

Andres Gimenez, SS, New York Mets (DSL Mets): 3-5, R, 2 2B, 3 RBI. Oh, hey, it’s another super young and exciting Mets’ shortstop prospect, just what the world needs. New Yorrk ponied up $1.2 million to sign Gimenez out of Venezuela last summer, and he’ll spend the entirety of this season playing at 17. He’s off to a .343/.455/.505 start through his first 27 games, with more walks than strikeouts and a well-regarded line drive stroke. The body is one with room to add some good bulk, and the swing suggests potential for some mild loft down the line as well. There’s speed and a solid instinctual base for the six-spot as well.

Wilson Karaman is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @vocaljavelins
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