May 10, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of May 9th

by Steve Givarz

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Hitter of the Day:

Sam Hilliard, OF, Colorado Rockies (High-A, Lancaster): 3-6, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Hilliard is a toolshed, as he features plus run, a plus to better arm, plus to better raw power, and above-average defensive skills. But, just like with other players with this skillset it always comes down to how well they hit. Hilliard has been doing a good job of hitting thus far.

Pitcher of the Day:

Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians (High-A, Lynchburg): 6 IP, H, BB, 0 ER, 14 K
In case you wondered what a dominant minor league line-score would look like, there you go.

Other Notable Performances:

Trey Supak, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers (Low-A, Wisconsin): 5 2/3 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 11 K
Just keep on chugging Treyson. James Fisher has everything you need to know right here.

Vladimir Gutierrez, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (High-A, Daytona): 5 1/3 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 10 K
Gutierrez signed for a lot of money, and performances like this justify every penny of that money he signed for.

Aaron Civale, RHP, Cleveland Indians (Low-A, Lake County): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
A third-rounder from the 2016 draft, Civale attacks hitters with an above-average fastball/curveball combination and isn’t afraid to attack hitters. Given his success and his college pedigree, expect to see Civale challenged later this season.

Junior Fernandez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (High-A, Palm Beach): 9 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 6 K
A young Latin arm, Fernandez was beat around in his initial foray into High-A last season as a 19-year old. But now as a 20-year old and one of the youngest pitchers in the league, Fernandez has been putting together quality outings. His premium fastball/changeup has been working so far, but his lack of spin might not be enough for a starting rotation role.

Duncan Robinson, RHP, Chicago Cubs (Low-A, South Bend): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K
A ninth-round senior sign in the 2016 draft, the former Dartmouth grad is big (6-foot-6) and can locate his fastball for strikes, but lacks any sort of out pitch for higher levels.

Eudis Idrogo, LHP, Detroit Tigers (Low-A, West Michigan): 7 IP, 6 H, ER, 0 BB, 3 K
According to this website, Eudis encourages “the expression of leadership and organizational skills, shrewdness, and analytical ability”. Sounds like Eudis has a sweet front office job waiting for him once hitters figure out his upper-80s fastball and lack of secondary offerings.

Travis Lakins, RHP, Boston Red Sox (High-A, Salem): 6 2/3 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 BB, 8 K
After missing time with various injuries, this former fifth-rounder shows a fastball in the mid 90s and pairs it with an above-average curveball and a changeup.

Victor Caratini, C/1B, Chicago Cubs (Triple-A, Iowa): 4-4, 2B, 2 RBI
I am just going to include my writeup of Caratini from yesterday since it still applies.

“Can Caratini catch? Eh…let’s talk about how well he hits! A switch-hitter, Caratini has bat speed from both sides with some pop. He uses the whole field, which helps him avoid the shift and can work counts. What position does he play? Maybe C? Maybe go back to 3B?”

Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves (Double-A, Mississippi): 3-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, K
Double-A, meet Ronald, Ronald meet Double-A. Time to see what you got.

Drew Jackson, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers (High-A, Rancho Cucamonga): 3-3, 2 R, HR, RBI
A slick defender, Jackson can stay at short as he is a 7 runner with a 7 arm. Like other guys though, it will be a matter of if he can hit enough to warrant more than defensive-replacement/pinch-runner status.

Dominic Smith, 1B, New York Mets (Triple-A, Las Vegas): 4-5, 3 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, K
Yes, he is hitting for some more pop. Yes, he has been pulling the ball more as well. But this is also Las Vegas. I am still not a believer in Smith as an everyday regular.

Fight Another Day:

Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (High-A, Clearwater): 2/3 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Baseball is going to baseball you, right?

Travis Blankenhorn, INF, Minnesota Twins (Low-A, Cedar Rapids): 0-4, 4 K
Blankenhorn was drafted more so for his bat than anything else. His smooth left-handed swing barreled balls up consistently and loudly. Although today that wasn’t the case.

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