July 29, 2016

Weekly Wrap

July 29, 2016

by Will Haines

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The ball keeps rolling the realm of minor league transactions as the Indians promote two future stars, and the Mets try to manage injuries in their crop of talent. Mixed in are some overlooked prospects who’ve earned the nod after proving themselves. Let’s get to it!

On The Shelf

The much-beloved shortstop prospect Amed Rosario has been placed on the Disabled List with a minor hamstring strain. This news appeared imminent after Rosario had missed consecutive games and reportedly had been seen limping. Rosario, the Mets product who recently arrived at Double-A, had been tearing it up in his first 111 PAs, slashing. 354/.405/.525, reinforcing the praise and adulation he had received from evaluators in the Florida State League earlier this season. The hope is that Rosario can return as soon as possible and resume his encouraging pace, though hamstring strains can be a nagging injury, and New York might just want to play it safe with their prized prospect.

A tough break for Wuilmer Becerra, who is preparing to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn labrum that’s been affecting him throughout this year. Becerra, a Venezuelan native, first popped up on the mainstream radar as a return to the Mets in the R.A. Dickey trade. in 2016, he managed to hit for a .312 average but hit only one home run, likely an effect of the labrum injury, which has been known to sap power and affect players’ throws on the field. Becerra is only 21 and still has plenty of potential, but this is definitely a setback for the young outfielder.

Movin’ On Up

The Indians have decided to steal this week’s show by promoting not just one, but two major prospects in the wunderkind Clint Frazier and fellow former first-rounder Bradley Zimmer. Frazier, who posted a pleasant .276/.356/.469 slashline at Double-A, has been checking all the boxes, including cutting down on his strikeout rate and being more selective at the plate. There’s still some risk in Frazier’s profile, and it’s possible the swing-and-miss element in his game caps his hit tool, but Frazier has all the makings of an impact player, waiting in the wings for the call from the pennant-chasing Indians.

Joining Frazier at Triple-A Columbus is his counterpart, Bradley Zimmer. While perhaps lacking some of the flash of Frazier, Zimmer has the maturity and polish to stand out in his own right. A center fielder, Zimmer has the speed to patrol the deep outfield in Progressive Field and be a threat on the basepaths. At the plate, he uses plus bat speed and an all-fields approach to hit for both power and average. Like Frazier, Zimmer profiles as an impact talent in nearly every aspect of his game. This double promotion is one of the most exciting in all of the minors this year, and Cleveland fans should take note and be ready.

Edwin Rios more than earned his promotion Double-A Tulsa after slashing (get this guys) .367/.394/.712 with 16 HRs in 188 PAs. The Dodgers corner infield prospect has turned the page on his low prospect pedigree that stemmed from him going undrafted out of high school and a lack buzz despite intriguing numbers at the lower levels. At High-A Rios proved his potential is for real, and fans should be taking notice. Our own Wilson Karaman wrote him up (with video) in an excellent MMTP that I couldn’t recommend more.

The criminally under-discussed Joe Jimenez has been promoted up to Triple-A Toledo after a ridiculous campaign in 2016. The relief prospect began the year at High-A, and in 17 games posted a 0.00 ERA, 2.6 H/9, and a 14.5 K/9. After the Tigers front office picked their collective jaw off the floor, they promoted to Double-A Erie, because, maybe this is a competition thing, High-A hitters and all. In 21 games at Double-A, Jimenez finally allowed his first run of the year, but also posted those wild 5.2 H/9 and 14.8 K/9 numbers we’ve come to love. Now on his way to Triple-A, Jimenez could be arriving in a major league bullpen, 80 grade fastball in hand, whenever the Tigers beckon.

The Phillies have bumped Scott Kingery to Double-A Reading. Kingery, the second base prospect the Phillies drafted with their second round pick in 2015, bounced back at High-A after struggling last season. While Kingery projects to have an above-average hit tool and a decent glove at second, a power surge at Double-A would be the best way to give his prospect stock some helium.

After a solid campaign in Low-A South Bend, the Cubs have promoted Donnie Dewees to High-A Myrtle Beach. Dewees, the Cubs’ second round selection in 2015, has shown his potential this season after a down year in 2015 in Eugene. An excellent runner with plus-plus speed, Dewees is a capable defender in center and projects to have an above-average hit tool, though a lack of power and throwing strength might limit his long term potential.

Will Haines is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @cubstruction
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