November 14, 2016

Minor League Update

Games of November 11th-13th

by Mark Anderson

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Prospect of the Weekend:

Kade Scivicque, C, Braves (AFL, Salt River): 4-5, R, 2B. A relatively known prospect that the Braves received in exchange for Erick Aybar last summer, Scivicque does enough well on the field that he should find his way to the big leagues. Known more for his hitting and on-base ability, Scivicque can manage behind the dish and should carve out a career as a backup catcher.

Friday, November 11^th

D.J. Stewart, OF, Orioles (AFL, Peoria): 2-4, R, 2B, SB. Stewart’s performance as a pro has not lived up to his draft status as a first-round pick. There’s little doubting his ability to control the strike zone and put the bat on the ball, but with a left field-only profile, Stewart has to hit at a much higher level to have a chance for a substantial career.

Harrison Bader, OF, Cardinals (AFL, Glendale): 3-5, 2B, SB. A solid all-around player, Bader can drive the ball to the gaps, swipe a base, play solid defense, and generally provide a little bit of everything. He has advanced quickly since being drafted in the third round, and Bader could be a nice piece for the Cardinals sometime soon.

Michael Kopech, RHP, Red Sox (AFL, Surprise): 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 6 BB, 2 K. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Kopech’s future, whether you believe he is a starter or reliever, but the control and command must continue developing for him to reach his ceiling. Kopech struggled to throw strikes Friday night, but he was still able to keep his opponent off the board.

Francis Martes, RHP, Astros (AFL, Glendale): 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 4 K. One of the emerging prospects from the 2015 season, Martes hit a few bumps along the way in 2016. This looks more like the potential frontline starter that people were expecting.

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Rays (AFL, Peoria): 3.2 IP, 2 H, R/ER, BB, 6 K. Reports I received from this start indicate Honeywell was just as electric as when I wrote him up in this space last week. He could reach the big leagues at some point in the 2017 season, and he could pair nicely with Chris Archer at the front of the Rays’ rotation.

Saturday, November 12^th

Greg Allen, OF, Indians (AFL, Mesa): 2-3, BB, 2 SB. The speedy Allen added two more steals on Saturday as he continues to put together a strong fall season. Allen is an intriguing outfield prospect that could pop up a bit in 2017.

JaCoby Jones, INF/OF, Tigers (AFL, Salt River): 2-5, 2B, CS. With Cameron Maybin dealt away, the Tigers are currently without a center fielder, unless you consider Anthony Gose or Tyler Collins viable alternatives. In the absence of another move this offseason, Jones would enter spring training with a chance to earn at least part of a center field platoon, if not the outright starting job.

Carlos Tocci, OF, Phillies (VWL, Tigres de Aragua): 2-4, 2 R, BB. Anybody that follows prospects knows the story with Tocci; he has to prove he’s not going to have the bat knocked out of his hands at the highest level. If he can do that, he has a future as a table-setting leadoff hitter. Without the strength, Tocci looks more like a reserve player.

Sunday, November 13^th

Gabriel Guerrero, OF, Diamondbacks (DWL, Estrellas Orientales): 3-5, R, 2B, K. Guerrero’s tools continue to inspire hope that he can figure things out and become an impact player. When you offer 70-grade raw power and arm strength, along with defensive ability in right field, you will remain an intriguing player with the hope the bat can find the ball enough for it all to matter.

Javier Betancourt, 2B, Brewers (VWL, Leones del Caracas): 2-3, R, BB. Traded to the Brewers in exchange for Francisco Rodriguez, Betancourt relies on contact ability to try and buoy a game that is fringe-average, at best, across the board.

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