November 7, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of November 4-6th

by Mark Anderson

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Prospect of the Weekend:

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays (AFL, West Fall Stars): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 5 K. BP’s own Mauricio Rubio was in attendance as Honeywell dazzled scouts as the starter during Saturday’s AFL Fall Stars Game, noting excellent velocity, tons of strikes, and his typically filthy screwball. Honeywell’s stock continues to soar as his stuff ticks up, and what once looked like a potential mid-rotation arm, could be much more than that by the time he reaches Tampa Bay in the not too distant future.

Friday, November 4^th

Carson Kelly, C, Cardinals (AFL, Glendale): 2-4, 2 R, 2 2B, BB. Still relatively new to catching, Kelly has taken to the position quickly and his bat is now catching up as he’s showing gap power and improved contact rates.

Nick Gordon, SS, Twins (AFL, Surprise): 3-5, R, 2 K, CS. Gordon has turned in a solid fall performance and is poised to continue turning his raw athleticism and tools into results next summer. A potential impact player on both sides of the ball, Gordon has all the makings of the Twins shortstop of the future.

James Kaprielian, RHP, Yankees (AFL, Scottsdale): 5 IP, 4 H, R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HRA. A healthy Kaprielian has the BP team figuring out where he stands in a now loaded Yankees system. When healthy, there’s little room to doubt Kaprielian’s ability to pound the strike zone with solid stuff, but he has to stay on the mound to get the most out of his raw stuff.

Jorge Lopez, RHP, Brewers (PRWL, Indios de Mayaguez): 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K. Part of a no-hitter in the Puerto Rican Winter League on Friday, Lopez has premium stuff when he’s on, but he has been far too inconsistent throughout his career.

Giovanny Urshela, 3B, Indians (VWL, Aguilas del Zulia): 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, K. The 2016 season wasn’t what some in the Indians had hoped for with Urshela, though his glove never disappointed. He’s hitting at an exceptional clip this fall and there is some hope that he could carry over this success to the 2017 regular season.

Saturday, November 5^th

Willie Calhoun, 2B, Dodgers (AFL, West Fall Stars): 3-3, 2 R, HR. After a solid season in Double-A in just his first full season, Calhoun has just kept on hitting in the AFL. With three hits and a bomb in the Fall Stars Game Saturday, Calhoun was one of a handful of prospects to really shine on the evening. He may not be a second baseman long-term, but he should hit for average and solid pop, no matter his position.

Michael Kopech, RHP, Red Sox (AFL, West Fall Stars): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K. The AFL Fall Stars Game was another chance for Kopech to air it out in front of scouts and he didn’t disappoint; pumping triple-digit heat on multiple occasions across his two innings of work. With improved command in 2017, Kopech could be one of the game’s breakout stars.

Forrest Snow, RHP, Mariners (DWL, Aguilas Cibaenas): 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R/ER, BB, 10 K. You don’t often see double-digit strikeout games in the offseason leagues, but Snow dominated opposing hitters Saturday thanks to his above-average fastball and quality changeup. His prospect days have largely passed him by, but when you whiff ten in the Dominican Winter League, I’ll give you a mention.

Harold Castro, INF, Tigers (VWL, Leones del Caracas): 5-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 3B. There’s not much to talk about here in terms of prospect stock, but Castro has long been known for a knack of getting bat to ball. He’s turning in a stellar winter season and should reach Triple-A with the Tigers next year. If all goes well, he’s an athletic utility guy with contact ability.

Giovanny Urshela, 3B, Indians (VWL, Aguilas del Zulia): 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, HR. Seriously, he’s just rolling right now in the winter leagues; making up for a “down” season in 2016, and regaining some of his prospect shine.

Sunday, November 6^th

Renato Nunez, 1B, Athletics (VWL, Tigres de Aragua): 3-4, R, 2 2B, BB, K. There’s work to be done in Nunez’s game, particularly after a bumpy 2016 campaign in Triple-A. He brings power to the table, which is always sought after, but he’ll need to hit more if he’s going to spend more time at first base rather than third base long term.

Giovanny Urshela, 3B, Indians (Aguilas del Zulia): 3-4, R. When a 3-for-4 performance is a massive disappointment given the other recent results….

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