July 6, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of July 5

by Steve Givarz

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Hitter of the Day:

DJ Peters, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (High-A, Rancho Cucamonga): 2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, K
Spoiler alert for our Weekly Wrap readers, OF Austin Wilson, the love-child of one Wilson Karaman, was released. But he has been replaced by a man of equal size, power, and a better hit tool.

Pitcher of the Day:

Marco Gonzales, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Triple-A, Memphis): 6 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 6 K, HRA
Hey remember this guy? The man with an 80 changeup, crushed the minors, fast-tracked to the big leagues, got crushed, then blew out his elbow and been rehabbing since then. Well the velo is still the same, the curveball is still the same, but most importantly, that CH is still the same. Welcome back Marco, see you in St. Louis soon.

Other Notable Performances:

Mike Shawaryn, RHP, Boston Red Sox (High-A, Salem): 5 IP, H, 0 R, 5 BB, 9 K
He isn’t conventional with his low-slot, but Shawaryn keeps performing. The walks have gone up, which is a concern as he was considered an above-average control guy, but he has plenty of time to figure it out.

Alex Wells, LHP, Baltimore Orioles (Low-A, Delmarva): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Known more for his control than his stuff, Wells has been making quick work of Low-A since the beginning of the season. While nothing in his arsenal grades out as above-average, his guile, guts, and control have been driving the success thus far.

A.J. Puckett, RHP, Kansas City Royals (High-A, Wilmington): 8 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
We have lots of words on Puckett here from the tremendous Victor Filoromo in a MMTP from earlier this year.

Jonathan Harris, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Double-A, New Hampshire): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Apparently, what is old, is better than that new-fangled stuff, just like record players! Since Harris has switched back to his old college delivery, the success has been much better. Which is good, we like success.

Zach Plesac, RHP, Cleveland Indians (Short-Season, Mahoning Valley): 4 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Yes, he is related to the guy on MLB Network. This is his nephew, who is a good player! Drafted in 2016 out of Ball State University, he needed Tommy John surgery and missed the summer of 2016. Since then, he has been taking it slow and steady since then. At his best he profiles in relief where he can feature a plus fastball/slider combination.

Brett Phillips, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (Triple-A, Colorado Springs): 3-7, 4 R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, BB, K (DH)
If I were Brett Phillips, I would start packing, it is only a matter of time before a move is made. Whether or not it is to Milwaukee, or somewhere else, just keep on hitting.

Jorge Mateo, SS/CF/2B/, New York Yankees (Double-A, Trenton): 2-5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI
While waiting in my rain delay today, I spoke to a scout about Mateo. He still believed in him because of his tools, and believes he will mature, either by himself, or the hard way.

Victor Reyes, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks (Double-A, Mobile): 2-5, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 3 BB
I know 4^th OF’s aren’t sexy or generate wins for fantasy, but all it takes is the right timing for your 4^th OF to become an everyday contributor. Reyes looks the part of a plus hitter as he has bat-to-ball skills from both sides and can use his speed to extend base hits effectively.

Jake Peter, INF, Chicago White Sox (Double-A, Birmingham): 4-7, 2 R, 2B, BB, SB
Speaking of not sexy, utility players! Peter has played everywhere and has a knack for hitting, which is good, because if he had just one of those skills, he wouldn’t be a big leaguer.

Luis Alexander Basabe, OF, Chicago White Sox (High-A, Winston Salem): 3-4, R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI
The other Basabe, while still raw as a hitter, Luis Alexander shows you all the tools. Plus runner, plus arm, surprising above-average raw power, and the potential to be a plus defender in the OF. His swing is still long and struggles recognizing pitches, which could hinder him going forward.

Starling Heredia, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Rookie, Arizona): 2-5, 2 R, 2B, BB, K, SB
Don’t look now, but the Dodgers have another young, toolsy, OF prospect working his way up through the system. Signed for $2.6M, Heredia is young (18) but already looks the part of a big-leaguer (6’2”, 200lbs.). He has incredible raw power, a plus arm, and an advanced swing that some of his brethren lack.

Garrett Hampson, SS, Colorado Rockies (High-A, Lancaster): 2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, SB
With Brendan Rodgers out of High-A, Hampson will get the everyday reps now in Lancaster. A 4^th-rounder in 2016, Hampson is a plus runner, who can stick at short, and can be an above-average hitter.

Fight Another Day:

Brett Martin, LHP, Texas Rangers (High-A, Down East): 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Brett! Didn’t you get the memo that the 2^nd-luckiest day (07/07/2017) ever is Friday? Not Wednesday! *disgruntled face emoji*

Brendan Rodgers, SS, Colorado Rockies (Double-A, Hartford): 0-9, 4 K, BB (DH)
Baseball is hard, it is even harder when you come back quickly after a scary injury to the head. Get after it next time Brendan

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