July 29, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, July 28th

by Mark Anderson

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Prospect of the Day: Luiz Gohara, LHP, Mariners (Low-A Clinton): 6 IP, 4 H, R/ER, BB, 10 K.
It doesn’t seem like that long ago that I was in Arizona, bouncing around from game to game on the back fields, following every rumor we heard to try to be in the right place, at the right time, to see Gohara throw in his first spring after signing with the Mariners. It was like we were chasing a ghost. Some of our crew caught him in limited action that spring, and it was easy to see the raw talent. That talent is obvious at this point, particularly when he turns in outings like this. There’s still a lot of development remaining, but the Mariners appear on track to make good on their investment in Gohara.

Others of Note:

David Paulino, RHP, Astros (Rookie GCL Astros): 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K. Paulino emerged as a serious prospect over the last 12 to 18 months, and as he works his way back up the minor-league ladder after an injury, performances like this can serve to remind folks of his potential.

Richard Urena, SS, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 4-5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, K. After an uneven season between two A-ball stops in 2015, Urena has righted the prospect ship this season, showing plenty of bat speed, an improved approach, and even some hope for his ability to stick at shortstop.

Guadalupe Chavez, RHP, Blue Jays (Rookie GCL Blue Jays): 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K. Chavez is repeating the GCL this season as an 18-year-old, and so far he has completely dominated the competition and looks ready for a trip to the Appy League down the stretch. An athletic righty with projection on his average fastball and a potential plus (or better) changeup, Chavez’s breaking ball and polish will determine whether he profiles better in the rotation or in relief.

Luke Weaver, RHP, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 8 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 0 BB, 8 K. Weaver has done nothing but dominate since returning to the bump after injury. He should be helping in St. Louis sometime next year and he has a chance to peak as a mid-rotation starter.

Albert Almora, OF, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 3-4, 2 2B. Almora has blossomed in 2016, adding a developing offensive game to his stellar defensive resume. It’s now as though the Cubs need more talent close to the big leagues, but they have it in Almora.

Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 9 K. At his best, Kilome can run his fastball up to the upper-90s while showing a dominating curveball, but he hasn’t had his best stuff as often as the Phillies would like in 2016. Control is the most glaring developmental need for Kilome, but if he can harness his stuff and gain consistency, he could be a scary prospect.

Kevin Newman, SS, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 3-4, R, 2B, BB, K. More hits, more hits, more hits.

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 5 IP, 4 H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. Back from injury, Honeywell has turned in five stellar starts in six attempts since coming off the disabled list. Part of the reason the Rays may be willing to part with pitchers like Jake Odorizzi or Matt Moore involves Honeywell’s development and his potential to help replace them in 2017.

Aristides Aquino, OF, Reds (High-A Daytona): 5-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, RBI. Aquino looks the part of an intriguing outfield prospect, standing an impressive 6-foot-4 and nearly 200 pounds, lean and strong throughout. Aquino has solid contact ability, plus raw power, big arm strength, and average speed. He still needs two to three years of development, but he could be a solid corner outfielder.

Ismael Guillon, LHP, Reds (High-A Daytona): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, BB, 10 K. Guillon has seemingly been around forever and it’s hard to believe he’s still a prospect at this point. There have been bumps in the road, including injuries and control problems, but when you have great arm speed and intriguing velocity from the left side, chances will be there. I couldn’t begin to predict what’s to come for Guillon at this point, but he’s still hanging around with big-league potential.

Tom Murphy, C, Rockies (Triple-A Albuquerque): 2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI. Murphy is among a group of players—including Jeff Hoffman, David Dahl, Raimel Tapia, and Ryan McMahon—that will likely be the core of the next contending club in Colorado. He’s nearly ready for big league action, and when he arrives, he should become a quality all-around backstop with hitting ability, power, and solid defensive skills.

Joe Jimenez, RHP, Tigers (Double-A Erie): 1 IP, 1 K. Jimenez has had better relief appearances in 2016, but he earns a note here just as much for his post-game promotion to Triple-A Toledo as he does for his strikeout in one inning of work. One of the top relief prospects in the game, fans are clamoring for Jimenez to help the Detroit bullpen, and he’s one step closer to just such a promotion.

Christin Stewart, OF, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 2-4, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI. Yesterday, my friend Mr. Crawford noted that all he does his hit home runs and walk. Well, today he skipped the walk and just decided to pound a double with his home run. Stewart has flaws—namely his defense, arm strength, and propensity to swing and miss—but he also has a knack for piling up extra-base hits, which is a very valuable skill.

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