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June 1, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of May 31

by Steve Givarz

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Hitter of the Day:

Andy Ibanez, 2B, Texas Rangers (Double-A, Frisco): 4-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 HR 6 RBI, BB

Signed for $1.6M out of Cuba in July 2015, Ibanez has shown a solid hit tool in his foray into pro ball. While his power hasn’t manifested as much more than gap-to-gap, he still showcases a solid all-around skillset that profiles at either 2B, or 3B.

Pitcher of the Day:

Chance Adams, RHP, New York Yankees (Triple-A, Scranton-Wilkes Barre): 6 IP, H, 0 R, 2 BB, 12 K

Well then. Things have escalated quickly for Adams. After a dominant six starts in Double-A, Trenton, the Yankees decided to promote him to Triple-A…where he is still dominating.

Other Notable Performances:

Edwin Rios, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers (Double-A, Tulsa): 2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, K
I only mention him again because Wilson Karaman is a big believer in Rios. His swing hasn’t been exposed too terribly so far in Double-A, but let’s let time take its toll.

Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (Low-A, Lansing): 3-4, 2 R, HR, RBI
Last year, I wasn’t sure if Bichette would be able to make things work with all the moving parts in his swing and the overall aggression. Safe to say it is working…

Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves (Double-A, Mississippi): 4-5, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB
Speaking of working…Acuna has found Double-A to be easier than High-A thus far. Lest we forget he is 19 as well. Safe to say he’ll be rocketing up the mid-season list.

Khalil Lee, OF, Kansas City Royals (Low-A, Lexington): 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K
Just to remind you how young Acuna is, Khalil Lee, a very good prospect in his own right, will be 19 in under a month…Lee was a third-rounder in last years draft.

Lorenzo Cedrola, OF, Boston Red Sox (Low-A, Greenville): 3-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
Signed for a minimal $35,000 in 2015, Cedrola has showcased some premium tools and athleticism on the diamond. A plus runner with a plus arm, Cedrola profiles well in center and could be an above-average to better defender there with more time. He won’t hit for much power as he lacks much physicality and has a fairly flat swing.

Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox (Double-A, Birmingham): 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 10 K
Flame on young child, flame on.

Mike Ellenbest, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Low-A, Lansing): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
No I did not make this name up, this is a real person, playing real minor league baseball. Drafted as a senior sign in the 24th round in 2016, Ellenbest isn’t the best. But he throws strikes and competes, which is all you can ask for out of a 24th rounder.

Ethan Clark, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (Low-A, Bowling Green): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Drafted in the 15th round out of the JUCO ranks in 2015, Clark was looked at as a lottery ticket. He has ideal size (6-foot-5, 235 pounds), a big fastball (up to 96), and athleticism. While his feel for spin isn’t the best, things could be worse.

Merandy Gonzalez, RHP, New York Mets (Low-A, Columbia): 6 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 10 K
Now that Merandy is off his scoreless inning streak high, let’s talk about what he is. From Jeffrey Paternostro “potential plus fastball/curve combo, crude change he doesn't throw much, enough effort in the delivery to probably force him to the pen long term.”

Lewis Thorpe, LHP, Minnesota Twins (High-A, Fort Myers): 5 IP, H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Thorpe missed the past four seasons with a litany of injuries including: elbow injury in 2014, Tommy John in 2015, and mono in 2016. Back, healthy, and throwing again, Thorpe is surprisingly still just 21, and regaining for lost time down in the FSL.

Stephen Gonsalves, LHP, Minnesota Twins (Double-A, Chatanooga): 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 8 K
After missing most of the beginning of the season with a shoulder injury, Gonsalves is back in Double-A and doing what he does. Limit hard contact, get swing and miss on his CH, and struggle with throwing his CB.

Fight Another Day:

Garrett Davila, LHP, Kansas City Royals (Low-A, Lexington): 4 1/3 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, K, HRA
Known more for his polish then his stuff, Davila can flirt with an above-average fastball, but a lack of a swing/miss offering and him missing with his fringy stuff results in nights like this.

Nellie Rodriguez, 1B, Cleveland Indians (Triple-A, Columbus): 0-5, 4 K
The skinny on Nellie, he is basically Jesus Aguilar, V1.0, the same as the original. Power? Check. Fringy hit tool? Check. 1B only? Check.

Steve Givarz is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
Click here to see Steve's other articles. You can contact Steve by clicking here

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