October 19, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of October 18th

by Mauricio Rubio

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It’s not always about the flash and sizzle with prospects, sometimes that slow-burning everyday kind of dependable love is what you need. Two solid players headline the top players of the day today.

Hitter of the day

Gleyber Torres, SS, New York Yankees (Scottsdale Scorpions) 2-2, 2B, HR, 2 BB. The centerpiece of the Aroldis Chapman trade, Torres has made a solid and steady first impression for the Yankees. There’s a lot of talent here and at peak Torres projects to be a dependable, above-average, everyday player with a good approach, bat-to-ball skills and some occasional pop at the plate.

Pitcher of the day

Austin Gomber, LHP, Saint Louis Cardinals (Glendale Desert Dogs) 4 IP, 4 H, 3 RA, 1 BB, 4 SO. 90-92 from the left side with plus command will always be an asset in this game and Gomber pairs his fastball with a changeup that shows some fade and deception. His breaking ball needs some shoring up but it has enough utility to be sprinkled in as an off pitch for Gomber as he turns lineups over. There’s no star potential here but Gomber profiles well as a steady back-end guy.

Best of the Rest

Franklin Barreto, SS, Oakland Athletics (Mesa Solar Sox) 4-4, 2B, 2 RS. Barreto frequently shows off his natural bat-to-ball skills and flashes a little power every now and again. Exciting prospect with a serious stick.

James Kapriellian, RHP, New York Yankees (Scottsdale Scropions) 3 IP, 2 H, 3 RA, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO. Less command than his previous dazzling start, Kapriellian just needs to stay healthy at this point.

Andy Ibanez, 2B, Texas Rangers (Surprise Saguaros) 2-4. He’s had a pretty solid showing in the Arizona Fall League so far. Ibanez has some barrel ability but he likely doesn’t have enough strength to stick as an everyday guy.

Javier Salas, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers (Salt River Rafters) 3 IP, 5 H, 1 RA, 0 BB, 3 SO. Salas hits the low 90s with his fastball and his secondaries aren’t quite there. Good outing last night though.

Cody Bellinger, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Glendale Desert Dogs) 1-2, HR, 2 BB. Bellinger has some raw pop that he has issues actualizing in game because of his contact rates. He shows a solid approach at the plate so he should have a major league future.

Tyler O’Neill, OF, Seattle Mariners (Peoria Javelinas) 1-3, HR, BB. The big strong man went yard again. He’s going to have his issues with strikeouts but when the man connects it is a beauty to watch.

Jacoby Jones, CF, Detroit Tigers (Salt River Rafters) 2-3, 2B. Jones has a ton of speed and his approach looked like it made some strides in a suspension-shortened 2016 season. Plus speed with a glove is a solid template for a center fielder; it remains to be seen if he can keep the contact gains.

Franchy Cordero, OF, San Diego Padres ( Peoria Javelinas) 1-3, 2B. Long ago, during the very beginning stages of his development when the Padres still thought he could be a shortstop he made 51 errors in 56 games played. His defense was so poor it necessitated a move to left where his bat will have a ton of pressure placed on it.

Fight another day

No fight another day section today, let’s keep it positive on hump day.

Mauricio Rubio is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @MRubio52
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