June 30, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of June 29th

by Steve Givarz

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Minor League Update, June 29th

Hitter of the Day:

Chris Shaw, 1B/OF?, San Francisco Giants (Triple-A, Sacramento): 4-4, 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI
While his ultimate defensive home is a question mark (it is said to be a struggle to even be a 40 LF), the bat has been doing the damage necessary to force a decision. His raw power is playing more in game, which could translate to plus in game power.

Pitcher of the Day:

Chris Flexen, RHP, New York Mets (Double-A, Binghamton): 6 IP, H, R, ER, 0 BB, 10 K, HRA
Our own Jeffrey Paternostro was at this performance and had positive things to say about it, such as “Chris Flexen is a dude now”…and not so positive things such as “Huge thighs, bit of a belly”. Real analysis coming soon.

Other Notable Performances:

Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Low-A, Lakewood): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
Our own Jarrett Seidler was at this performance, and likewise had positive things to say, such as “I don’t know what the hell we should do with Sixto at midseason but good lord,” and “He’s also hit 100 with the four and 99 with the two and owned some dudes with the curve.” More real analysis real soon.

Jason Groome, LHP, Boston Red Sox (Short-Season, Lowell): 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
After missing most of the season with a lat injury, Groome has since made two starts in short-season Lowell. Erich Rothmann has the scoop here in a recent MMTP.

Sal Romano, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Triple-A, Louisville): 8 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, K
Romano has turned into more of a contact pitcher, allowing his plus sink to do work and get grounders. Perhaps a sign of adjustments the big league club wants him to make before he comes back to Great American “Small Park??

Austin Sodders, LHP, Detroit Tigers (High-A, Lakeland): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 10 K
Sodders had crushed the MWL to the tune of a 1.40 ERA and 65 K in 64 IP before a promotion to High-A…which he has crushed. His fastball comes in from 87-91, but he can spot it where he wants.

Steven Brault, LHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Triple-A, Indianapolis): 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K
Brault will likely see big league time this year as the Pirates struggle to stay in contention and with him being ready for the big leagues. While not flashy in stuff, Brault throws strikes with his entire arsenal and can create groundballs with his heavy sinker.

Oscar Gonzalez, OF, Cleveland Indians (Short-Season, Mahoning Valley): 3-4, 2 RBI
Signed for $300,000 in 2014, the 2016 AZL MVP has taken his talents to Cleveland…okay Youngstown but anyway. Gonzalez is quite physical and has plus raw power that has been translating more and more to games. While an INF early in his career, Gonzalez has since moved to the OF, where his plus-plus arm is a weapon all over.

Gavin Lux, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers (Low-A, Great Lakes): 2-3, 3 R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB
Lux hasn’t gotten off to the smoothest of starts, but he wasn’t supposed to be a quick pace guy coming from a cold-weather background. It is good to see some more power, but the main draw is his defense, which has gotten plus grades.

Samir Duenez, 1B, Kansas City Royals (Double-A, NW Arkansas): 4-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI
It is tough being a 1B-only prospect, if you are going to do it, you better be a good hitter. Fortunately Duenez is a good hitter, but doesn’t have great power, which could leave him to platoon status.

Cornelius Randolph, OF?, Philadelphia Phillies (High-A, Clearwater): 3-4, R, HR, RBI
After torching the FSL in the first month, Randolph was torched back, falling into a big slump. The bat is the calling card, you have to really like the kid to get to even 45 defense in LF, but if he keeps hitting, you’ll put that grade on there.

Hagen Danner, C?, Toronto Blue Jays (Rookie, GCL): 1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, K
The Blue Jays second-round pick, Danner was considered a prospect as both a hitter and a pitcher. I was at this game, and while the arm strength from behind the plate is obvious (times from 1.90-1.97), his footwork is poor and he struggled catching initially.

Fight Another Day:

Ronnie Williams, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Low-A, Peoria): 1/3 IP, H, 3 R, 2 R, 4 BB
After not performing well as a SP, the Cardinals decided to move Williams to the bullpen. The team’s second-rounder in 2014 has struggled to throw strikes, as well as throw any consistent off-speed.

Rowdy Tellez, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays (Triple-A, Buffalo): 0-4, BB, 3 K, SB
You are supposed to make me look good! Not bad! :*sad face emoji*

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