April 27, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of April 26

by Steve Givarz

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Pitcher of the Day:

Cody Reed, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Low-A, Kane County): 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 11 K
After suffering through a dead arm period last July, the other Cody Reed has gotten off to a quality start in Kane County. While his arsenal is average, his advanced strike-throwing ability has flummoxed hitters thus far.

Hitter of the Day:

Gift Ngoepe, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates: 1-2, BB, K
In a remarkable moment in baseball history, Gift is the first African-born player to play in the major leagues. The Pirates have been known to find players in different places, with Dovydas Neverauskas being the first Lithuanian-born player to play in the majors. Players from Poland, Moldova, and other nations have started to produce minor-leaguers and the hope is that with Ngoepe and Dovydas leading the way, baseball can spread around the globe.

Other Notable Performances:

Erick Fedde, RHP, Washington Nationals (Double-A, Harrisburg): 7 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
After suffering multiple injuries through the years, including Tommy John during his draft year, it is good to see Fedde pitching. Armed with a plus fastball and slider combination, Fedde could see time in the big leagues this season if they wish to use him.

Merandy Gonzalez, RHP, New York Mets (Low-A, Columbia): 7 2/3 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
The owner of a 0.00 ERA through 28 innings, in Jeffrey Paternostro’s words, “Shorter, stocky, and some effort, basically a two-pitch guy, but Fastball/curve is good enough to kill that level.”

Shawn Morimando, LHP, Cleveland Indians (Triple-A, Columbus): 7 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BB, 5 K
An overslot 19^th rounder in 2011, Morimando has quietly worked his way through the minor leagues with success at every level. While the fastball velocity is only average, his slider is a true swing and miss offering. He doesn’t have the greatest control and could fit better in a bullpen role.

JoJo Romero, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Low-A, Lakewood): 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 5 K
A 4^th rounder from Yavapai CC (AZ) in 2016, while he might not be the biggest in size, he has a big fastball to make it up. He can pitch at 92-94, and shows a future average slider and average changeup.

Louis Silverio, OF, Chicago White Sox (High-A, Winston-Salem): 6-7, 3 R, 2 2B, 7 RBI (DH)
Originally born in the Dominican Republic, his father, Luis Silverio played for almost a decade with the Royals. He is also the son-in-law for former Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa. Louis has some athleticism and tools but is very raw and hasn’t had much time to work on those tools in pro ball.

Sandro Fabian, OF, San Francisco Giants (Low-A, Augusta): 4-5, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, SB
After a breakout season in the AZL last season, Fabian is holding his own thus far in full-season ball. He profiles best in RF given his plus arm and plus raw power.

Jesus Sanchez, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (Low-A, Bowling Green): 3-5, 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Jesus Sanchez has a chance to break out this season as he is as tooled as up they come. His smooth left-handed swing gives him a chance to be a plus hitter to pair with plus arm, plus speed, and plus raw power.

Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros (High-A, Buies Creek): 4-7, R, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, K
Tucker has been off to a hot start in High-A, showing off ability in all facets of the game and playing more CF.

Gavin LaValley, 1B, Cincinnati Reds (High-A, Daytona): 3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
While the depth chart at both 1B (his new position) and 3B (his old position) has gotten more and more crowded, LaValley has shown off a quality hit tool this season. Unfortunately the power hasn’t manifested itself yet to be considered a prospect as a 1B-only player.

Will Craig, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates (High-A, Bradenton): 2-4, R, 2B, 5 RBI, K
The over the fence power hasn’t showed up thus far in the notorious pitcher-friendly FSL, but he has lots of it. But doomed to 1B, more of it needs to start showing up to be considered an everyday contributor.

Fight Another Day:

Dylan Cozens, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (Triple-A, Lehigh Valley): 0-4, 3 K
The power is real, the strikeouts are also real and a big concern.

Dylan Davis, 3B?, San Francisco Giants (Double-A, Richmond): 0-3, R, BB, K, 4 E
This was Mr. Davis’ second professional game ever at 3B as he has always been an OF. Small sample size aside, things could be going better.

Michael Theofanopoulos, LHP, Minnesota Twins (High-A, Fort Myers): 2/3 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, BB, K
If Theo makes the big leagues, he would have the longest last name ever. Performances like this aren’t helping that cause.

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