October 28, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of October 27th

by Mauricio Rubio

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Hitter of the Day

Michael Gettys, CF, San Diego Padres (Peoria Javelinas) 2-5, 3B, HR. Gettys is just one of those fun players with an enticing set of skills on defense and loud power at the plate. His profile hinges on making consistent contact.

Pitcher of the Day

Michael Kopech, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Surprise Saguaros) 4 IP, 3 H, 1 RA, 0 BB, 4 SO. Kopech broke his hand in a fight with a teammate, missed three months due to the injury, and then came back throwing absolute gas with a heater that reaches the upper 90s. Some reports had him hitting 105 mph, which I don’t quite buy, but his effective velocity might run all the way up there thanks to his excellent extension with the fastball. Kopech backs up the heat with a good slider and a change that’s improved over the year.

Best of the Rest

Mauricio Dubon, SS, Boston Red Sox (Surprise Saguaros) 2-4, 2B, 3B. Dubon showed off his contact skills and some of his speed with the triple last night. Gifted hitter, even if the power is light.

Luiz Gohara, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Peoria Javelinas) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 RA, 0 BB, 3 SO. Armed with a big body and a bad goatee, Gohara provides a fastball that hits the mid-90s and a slider that shows major-league utility. His mechanics are all over the place, though, so the lack of command really cuts into his effectiveness.

Yu-Cheng Chang, SS, Cleveland Indians (Mesa Solar Sox) 2-3, 2B. Another solid night for a perfectly solid player.

Yairo Munoz, SS, Oakland Athletics (Mesa Solar Sox). 2-4, BB, SO. When Munoz gets his swing under control he makes hard contact and flashes some power.

Taylor Ward, C, Los Angeles Angels (Scottsdale Scorpions) 0-3, BB, SO. He’s not known for his bat, but Ward’s arm strength is strong and he shows a lot of ability defensively.

Isan Diaz, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Salt River Rafters) 2-2, 3 BB. Diaz consistently works good counts and shows a lot of ability covering the lower part of the strike zone. Professional approach.

Fight Another Day

Alex Verdugo, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Glendale Desert Dogs) 0-3, BB, SO. Just one of those nights. Verdugo has excellent arm strength and he hit well in 2016.

Grayson Long, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Scottsdale Scorpions) 3.1 IP, 0 H, 3 RA, 3 ER, 6 BB, 2 SO. Long’s command gets away from him at times, but he has three average-or-better pitches, making him a very interesting prospect in a thin system.

Conner Greene, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Mesa Solar Sox) 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 RA, 5 BB, 1 SO. Big time fastball when he wants to run it up, he has more command than the five walks he issued last night. Profiles well as a backend arm.

Tim Tebow, OF, New York Mets (Scottsdale Scorpions) 1-4, 3 SO. Tebow is lauded as an excellent athlete, but it has yet to translate over to baseball. He has good bat speed and big-time raw power, but he’s stiff in his swing and his running style is upright and rigid. Sources have called Tebow the worst player in the Arizona Fall league.

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