May 3, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of May 2

by Steve Givarz

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Hitter of the Day:

Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox (Double-A, Portland): 5-5, 4 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI

Pitcher of the Day:

Cal Quantrill, RHP, San Diego Padres (High-A, Lake Elsinore): 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 12 K
Unlike his brethren in, say, the Dodgers system, Quantrill is not on a pitch count, or tandem system. On nights like last night, where his deadly FB/CH/SL combination are in sync, then he is a tough guy to have to face.

Other Notable Performances:

Domingo Acevedo, RHP, New York Yankees (High-A, Tampa): 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 10 K
Domingo is big, physically, and with a big fastball to match. It is a future 80 offering but he is more likely a bullpen candidate given his poor control and lack of consistent secondary offerings.

Beau Burrows, RHP, Detroit Tigers (High-A, Lakeland): 4 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 6 K
One of the many hard-throwing high school right-handers the Tigers are known for, Burrows has more polish than others, hence him being in the FSL at age 20. The heater is an easy plus, the curve can look plus as well, and he has been honing his command of those offerings this season.

Ryan Borucki, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays (High-A, Dunedin): 3 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
An over-slot sign in the 2012 draft, the path for Borucki has been of the slow variety as he has had a multitude of injuries in his career. When healthy Borucki shows an above-average fastball, a plus changeup, and a workable slider. He just needs to stay healthy.

Genesis Cabrera, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays (High-A, Port Charlotte): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
An athletic young lefty, Cabrera might be young (20) for the FSL but has mixed in quality games with his poor outings. His fastball can get up to 95 and his slider is an effective swing/miss offering when he is locating it.

Dane Dunning, RHP, Chicago White Sox (High-A, Winston-Salem): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K
New level, same results, Dane Dunning just keeps rising up to whatever challenge comes his way.

Jake Rogers, C, Houston Astros (Low-A, Quad Cities): 3-5, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
Given how talented Rogers is behind the plate, he might get challenged at a higher level if he keeps this offensive performance up.

Matt Chapman, 3B, Oakland Athletics (Triple-A, Nashville): 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB, K
Chapman busted out of his slump in a big way. But the swing/miss will always be there, as well as the tape-measure home runs.

Lewin Diaz, 1B, Minnesota Twins (Low-A, Cedar Rapids): 3-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Signed for $1.4 million in 2013, Diaz has slowly but surely trekked his way up the ranks. His plus-to-better raw power from the left side is his calling card, but like other first base-only players he needs to hit to provide value.

Ryan Mountcastle, SS, Baltimore Orioles (High-A, Frederick): 4-7, 3 R, 2 2B, HR, RBI, K (DH)
Given his 30 arm, it is unlikely Mountcastle sticks at shortstop. But even if he is a left field he has the offensive tools to become an everyday regular.

Isan Diaz, SS/2B, Milwaukee Brewers (High-A, Carolina): 3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, RBI
Last year’s breakout prospect has continued to rake in a new league. While it isn’t likely he sticks at shortstop because of a lack of overall foot speed and arm, he still profiles as an above-average regular at second base.

Fight Another Day:

Chase Vallot, C, Kansas City Royals (High-A, Wilmington): 0-5, 5 K
Chase, stop acting like your first name!

Bradley Zimmer, OF, Cleveland Indians (Triple-A, Columbus): 0-5, 4 K
:( baseball is going to baseball.

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