May 17, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of May 16

by Steve Givarz

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Hitter of the Day:

Ozhaino Albies, SS, Atlanta Braves (Triple-A, Gwinnett): 3-3, 3 R, HR, RBI, 2 BB, SB
I know you guys were freaking out a little about Albies to start this season. While he did not get off to a great start, calm your horses. He will play the entire season at Triple-A as a 20-year-old, 6.7 years younger than the average player in the International League. Could he be in the big leagues this season? Sure. But let’s not rush this.

Pitcher of the Day:

Luis Ortiz, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers (Double-A, Biloxi): 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
Playing at Double-A as a 21-year-old, Ortiz was part of the Lucroy package at the trade deadline from Texas last season. His fastball/slider combination are easy plusses and he has potential above-average command of those offerings as well. While he has been slowed at times by injuries he has a strong build and looks the part of a mid-rotation starter.

Other Notable Performances:

Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox (Double-A, Portland): 3-6, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K
Perhaps Devers needs a new challenge.

Nick Senzel, 3B, Cincinnati Reds (High-A, Daytona): 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI
Senzel has been more than holding his own so far at High-A, and could see an assignment to Double-A by the end of this season.

Colton Welker, 3B, Colorado Rockies (Low-A, Asheville): 3-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
Welker has been crushing the ball so far this season and looks the part of an advanced hitter. He has plus bat speed, makes hard and consistent contact, as well as future average power. While a below-average runner, Welker has good instincts at third base to pair with his plus arm.

Nick Gordon, SS, Minnesota Twins (Double-A, Chatanooga): 2-4, 2 R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, K
In an effort to improve his overall versatility, Gordon has been playing second base this season as well as shortstop. But wherever he is playing he looks the part of an everyday regular.

Darren Seferina, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals (High-A, Palm Beach): 3-5, 2 R, 3B, RBI
Seferina is an 80 runner, which is good as he can use his speed to gain extra bases that his otherwise powerless stroke doesn’t provide. Unfortunately his below-average hit tool and arm limit his overall value to an organization.

Taylor Gushue, C, Washington Nationals (High-A, Potomac): 1-2, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB
This man leads all of minor-league baseball in home runs, hitting no. 12 last night. His power is plus and he has the arm for behind the plate. In today’s game that is all that might be required to be a big-league catcher.

Corey Ray, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (High-A, Carolina): 3-3, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
The Brewers' first-round pick last year (not to be confused with Royals pitcher Corey Ray, taken in the fifth round in 2014), Ray is back in action after missing the first part of the season recovering from a torn meniscus suffered in instructs. With all five tools showing average to above-average potential Ray projects as an everyday regular with massive upside.

Kyle Cody, RHP, Texas Rangers (Low-A, Hickory): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K
What’s that? A big, hard-throwing pitcher in the Texas org? Again? Texas has a lot of these guys (I mean, look at this roster for Hickory). Cody, a sixth rounder from the 2016 draft, has the benefit of being tall and throwing hard with a usable slider. But, like others, can he throw enough strikes, and will the changeup come along?

Sam Howard, LHP, Colorado Rockies (Double-A, Hartford): 7 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 4 K
While not electrifying, Howard has used his modest stuff to dominate at every level. His changeup is his best offering, showing above-average fade and deception off his low 90s fastball.

Spencer Turnbull, RHP, Detroit Tigers (High-A, Lakeland): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
After missing last season due to a shoulder issue, Turnbull seems to be getting back on track now in the FSL. While older (24) for the league, his plus fastball, average slider, changeup, and control give him a chance at the back end of a rotation.

Joshua Rogers, LHP, New York Yankees (High-A, Tampa): 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
I talked about Rogers last season, and to quote myself, “Rogers is a good competitor who throws strikes, but he can get predictable with his sequencing, often leaning on a formulaic fastball-early, changeup, curveball progression. He lacks a big-league out pitch, though there is some mild organizational interest on account of solid-average control and left-handedness.”

Fight Another Day:

Jordan Holloway, RHP, Miami Marlins (Low-A, Greensboro): 1 2/3 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 6 R, 3 BB
I don’t mean to pick on Marlins fans, but this organization is very thin on the prospect side. Holloway shows some promise with his above-average fastball/curveball combination, but with his injury history (missed half of last year with a right triceps injury) and lack of control, he is more than likely a bullpen arm.

Micker Adolfo, OF, Chicago White Sox (Low-A, Kannapolis): 0-5, 4 K
Sometimes, baseball is going to baseball you.

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