July 5, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of July 4

by Steve Givarz

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Hitter of the Day:

J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia Philles (Triple-A, Lehigh Valley): 2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 K
Do we have prospect fatigue with Crawford? While he hasn’t produced to a level we would like to see offensively, give him time. Oh, he will still be high on our midseason Top 50.

Pitcher of the Day:

Sam Howard, LHP, Colorado Rockies (Triple-A, Albuquerque): 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K
A third-rounder in 2014 from Georgia Southern, Howard has steadily worked his way up the ladder while offering solid, but not outstanding stuff. His best pitch is an above-average change, one he has confidence in to throw in any count. With the way pitchers have been going through Colorado, expect Howard to get a look this year.

Other Notable Performances:

Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians (High-A, Lynchburg):7 IP, 3 H, R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K
I was going to make him pitcher of the day, but I felt like I have done that a lot already, so Howard got that nod. McKenzie is still razor thin, but has held up thus far without any issues, leading one to wonder what it all means.

Heath Fillmyer, RHP, Oakland Athletics (Double-A, Midland): 5 IP, 8 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Primarily a SS in college, I’m presuming Fillmyer saw all the money pitchers were getting one day and said to himself, “Self, it’s time to make money and get on the bump.” He features a plus fastball, above-average secondaries, but is a smidgen of a command grade short for a potential No. 3.

Ian Clarkin, LHP, New York Yankees (High-A, Tampa): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
I was at this game, it took 14 IP in three and a half hours. The Fort Myers hitters were fooled by his CB/CH as they seemed to be sitting FB all night. The fastball velo might scrape 92, but sits 88-91 now and will probably settle there now given his age and injury history.

Dan Slania, RHP, San Francisco Giants (Double-A, Richmond): 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
After getting a brief cup of coffee in San Francisco, the large man was sent back to Richmond to keep working as a starter. He has a whole drawer of average to fringe-average offerings, and might profile best in relief where he can just pick and choose the best ones.

Yanio Perez, OF, Texas Rangers (High-A, Down East): 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
What’s that? The Rangers signed this Latin guy to a big bonus? I’m appalled. This one has plus power, and is a plus runner with enough feel to play both corner OF spots.

Scott Kingery, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies (Triple-A, Lehigh Valley): 4-5, 2 R, 2B
We have had a long discussion about what to do with Kingery…we are not done. While we are still questioning the power surge, the rest of his game is basically the same leaving us to wonder.

Victor Robles, OF, Washington Nationals (High-A, Potomac): 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K, SB
There wasn’t much discussion about his placement in the midseason top 50, it will be high.

Yoel Gonzalez, C, Pittsburgh Pirates (Short-Season, West Virginia): 5-6, R, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, K, 3 E
Oh Yoel. At least you had a good day at the plate to cover your defensive errors.

Stephen Wrenn, OF, Houston Astros (High-A, Buies Creek): 4-5, R, HR, 4 RBI
One of the fastest runners in the organization, Wrenn has some legitimate pop as well. A 7 runner, he could have 40 game power when it is all said and done, and he offers plus defense in CF.

Kevin Newman, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates (Double-A, Altoona): 3-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI
Good job hitting again! Make me look smart and not foolish!

Will Benson, OF, Cleveland Indians (Short-Season, Mahoning Valley): 2-5, R, 3B, HR, RBI, K
As I have said before, the journey for Benson won’t be quick, but could be loud when he puts it all together. One of the biggest toolsheds in the 2016 draft, Benson offers a plus arm, plus speed (but may slow down as he matures), plus raw, and potential plus defense in a corner spot. Oh, and he’s 19.

Fight Another Day:

Oneil Cruz, SS???, Los Angeles Dodgers (Low-A, Great Lakes): 0-6, 6 K
Sometimes, when you are a 6-foot-6 SS wondering what to do with your new-found long arms and legs, you forget how to swing a bat.

Michael Gonzalez, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers (Rookie, Arizona): 2/3 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, HRA
As Matt Pullman and I can attest, sometimes in Arizona (or Florida) the balls find holes, and you can never weasel your way out.

Nolan Watson, RHP, Kansas City Royals (Rookie, Arizona): 1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 0 ER, BB, K
The past three games for Watson have not been good.

0 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 2 BB

2/3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, BB

*sad face emoji*

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