May 31, 2017
Minor League Update
Games of May 30
by Steve Givarz
Hitter of the Day:
Tyler Hill, OF, Boston Red Sox (Low-A, Greenville): 4-4, 3 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB (DH)
A quality athlete, Hill exploded on the scene last year with a quality performance in Short-Season Lowell. Now in full-season ball, Hill has brought his impressive bat speed, speed, and emerging raw power with him. While still learning the difficulties of the OF (he was a C to start his career), his athleticism and speed give him a chance to be average defensively.
Pitcher of the Day:
Tyler Mahle, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Double-A, Pensacola): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K
With Jackson Stephens getting the call up to the big leagues yesterday, could Mahle find himself next? Mahle has some of the best fastball command you will find in the minors, and it isn’t a slouch pitch either, it is a plus offering. Did I mention he has a whole range of average to above-average secondaries too?
Other Notable Performances:
Johan Mieses, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Double-A, Tulsa): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
In an eyewitness from Wilson Karaman last season on Mieses, he made sure to note that “He's the handshake guy, has one with a solid dozen-plus players”.
Jose Herrera, C, Arizona Diamondbacks (Low-A, Kane County): 4-5, 2B, 3 RBI
While he doesn’t bring much offensively, Herrera does bring quality defensive skills with him behind the plate. Which could be all that really matters right? Right.
Joe Rizzo, 3B, Seattle Mariners (Low-A, Clinton): 3-3, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB
I could really care less if Rizzo is 5’9”, 5’11”, or 6’4”, this is a ballplayer. Does he not project well at 3B because of his size, sure, but that is because we all think every 3B should look like Troy Glaus. Rizzo is a future plus hitter with above-average power, and can make it work at 3B.
Brett Cumberland, C, Atlanta Braves (Low-A, Rome): 2-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI (DH)
While he doesn’t bring much defensively, Cumberland does bring quality offensive skills with him behind the plate. Can he stick behind the plate? Let’s not worry about that right now. But if he hits that could be all that really matters right? Right.
Garrett Whitley, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (Low-A, Bowling Green): 2-5, R, 3 RBI, 2 K
Everyone knew the developmental path would be long for you, and you definitely didn’t get off to the best start in your pro career. But this is still that same player who oozed with tools and athleticism that he is putting to good work in full-season ball.
Julian Merryweather, RHP, Cleveland Indians (Triple-A, Columbus): 8 IP 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
Welcome to Triple-A Julian, I don’t know if your stay will be long though. Reports I have gotten suggest your CB is better and could be a major-league average offering, which could take you over the hump and into the big leagues.
Fernando Romero, RHP, Minnesota Twins (Double-A, Chatanooga): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
Profiled in an eyewitness by James Fisher last year, I won’t spoil much of it for you, but I will say that he has a high OFP on him.
Zac Gallen, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (High-A, Palm Beach): 8 2/3 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 3 K
The man who doesn’t sleep, also known as Javier Barragan, just filed a report on Gallen. This advanced arm might be too good for High-A.
Andrew Moore, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Triple-A, Tacoma): 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K
Andrew Moore is very similar to Gallen, besides the fact that Moore is in Triple-A doing the same thing. They both are command artists without a true swing-miss offering, but get by becaue of great FB command.
Carlos Sanabria, RHP, Houston Astros (Low-A, Quad Cities): 6 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
While the overall line doesn’t finish off well, Sanabria was working on a perfect game through 6 innings before he ran out of gas. While on the smaller side, Sanabria does have an above-average fastball and improving secondaries.
Jalen Beeks, LHP, Boston Red Sox (Double-A, Portland): 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
Go ahead, call him small, it doesn’t matter. Beeks has a plus fastball and an improving slider. While he doesn’t look the most athletic on the mound, his unorthodox delivery adds deception and doesn’t prevent him from throwing strikes.
Zack Littell, RHP, New York Yankees (High-A, Tampa): 7 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Another report from Javier here…go to bed Javier!
Fight Another Day:
Ramon Laureano, OF, Houston Astros (Double-A, Corpus Christi): 0-4, 3 K
One of the many heartthrobs for Wilson Karaman last season, his plate discipline that he excelled at in High-A has vanished. Don’t look now but, Kyle Tucker and Jason Martin are on their way to Double-A…
Demi Orimoloye, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (Low-A, Wisconsin): 0-4, 3 K, RBI
It was a rough day for Oluwademilade Oluwadamilola Orimoloye, you’ll get them tomorrow.
Steve Givarz is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
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Brendon Davis had a nice day: 3/4, 3B, HR, 2R, 2RBI, K