April 19, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of April 18th

by Steve Givarz

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Pitcher of the Day:

Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians (High-A, Lynchburg): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB 8 K
The concern with McKenzie isn’t so much stuff—he has plenty in his arsenal—it's his size and whether he can add weight. His stuff is gaudy—a plus fastball with dominant life, a curveball with tight spin and lots of depth, a changeup with fade and run, and he throws all of them for strikes. But at 6-foot-5 and 165 pounds, he needs to add more to his frame.

Hitter of the Day:

Andrew Stevenson, OF, Washington Nationals (Double-A, Harrisburg): 5-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Well then, back-to-back five-hit performances for Stevenson. Maybe he took offense to me not naming him the Hitter of the Day the first time. He sure showed me.

Other Notable Performances:

Lewis Brinson, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (Triple-A, Colorado Springs): 4-6, 2B, 2 R, HR, 5 RBI, K
We’ve talked a lot about Brinson, and rightfully so. He has tools and impact potential in center field, plus he has also cut down on his strikeouts. All of this could force Milwaukee’s hand sooner rather than later.

Ryan Boldt, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (High-A, Port Charlotte): 4-5, R, 2B, HR, 6 RBI
Tampa Bay second rounder last year, the former Cornhusker can cover ground in the outfield, as he's a plus runner and could be a future above-average defender in center field. He has a compact stroke with feel to hit, but the swing lacks loft, which limits his overall power. Boldt might be more of a reserve than an everyday player.

Nick Gordon, SS, Minnesota Twins (Double-A, Chatanooga): 3-4, RBI
Gordon has been seeing about half of his time at second base, as the Twins discussed during spring training. When I saw Gordon in the FSL last year, I felt as if he would be an above-average defender at shortstop.

Bobby Bradley, 1B, Cleveland Indians (Double-A, Akron): 1-2, R, HR, RBI, 3 BB, K
Bradley has lots of power and an advanced approach. It helps to have those things when you are a first base-only prospect with issues against lefties and rising strikeout rates.

Sean Newcomb, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Triple-A, Gwinnet): 4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
It never has been the stuff that worries scouts about Newcomb; it is whether he can throw enough strikes as a starter. It is looking more and more like he is a reliever, albeit a potentially dominant one from the left side.

Alex Winkelman, LHP, Houston Astros (High-A, Buies Creek): 6 IP, H, 0 ER, 10 K
A 21st rounder back in 2015, Winkelman throws strikes and competes, but his average fastball velocity and sweepy breaking ball lacks bite, which leaves him more likely as a LOOGY if anything.

Grayson Long, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (High-A, Inland Empire): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
Long was a high-ranked player, albeit in a weak Angels system, and has some major-league value. He has a big, durable frame, throws three pitches for strikes, and can get swings and misses with his slider.

Teddy Stankiewicz, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Double-A, Portland): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 5 K
The MLB journey for Theodore, the former second rounder, hit a snag after a rough go-around at Double-A last season. While he lacks swing-and-miss stuff, he has been doing a better job of throwing strikes.

Dane Dunning, RHP, Chicago White Sox (Low-A, Kannapolis): 6 IP, 4 H, BB, 5 K
The former Nationals first rounder was sent to Chicago as part of the Adam Eaton trade. While he never got a chance to show his stuff in the rotation at Florida, he has looked the part thus far this season.

Fight Another Day:

Justin Maese, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Low-A, Lansing): 4.2 IP, 10 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Sometimes days like this happen. But there is still a lot to like with Maese, starting with a plus fastball with plus life due to a low three-quarters slot. His slider is a potential plus offering with velo in the upper 80s and late bite. His overall athleticism and those two promising pitches give Maese potential to break out soon.

Joshua Lowe, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (Low-A, Bowling Green): 0-3, 3 K
Lowe has tremendous power, athleticism, size, bat speed, and a plus arm. But he also has a lot of length in his swing and has struggled with making contact thus far in his pro debut.

Steve Givarz is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @SteveGivarz
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