July 13, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of July 12th

by Steve Givarz

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Hitter of the Day:

Fernando Tatis Jr., 3B, San Diego Padres (Low-A, Fort Wayne): 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Until he hits 3 grand slams in one inning, I will always think of the father before I think of the son. Tatis’ plus raw power has been playing more and more, and pair that with his plus speed and average defensive skills and this could be an everyday regular.

Pitcher of the Day:

Shaun Anderson, RHP, Boston Red Sox (High-A, Salem): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
Everyone talks about Dane Dunning going from college reliever to pro starter, but they forget to mention Shaun Anderson. Serving as the closer for UF, Anderson hasn’t done as well as Dunning, but is more than holding his own. His plus fastball, plus slider and above-average control are all good qualities. What will determine his future fate though is his changeup, which is a fringe-average offering.

Other Notable Performances:

Nick Neidert, RHP, Seattle Mariners (High-A, Modesto): 5 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 8 K
If you are looking for flashy radar readings, then you won’t come away impressed by Neidert. What he does do well is pitch, throw four pitches for strikes, gets swings and misses on his change, and enjoy quick outings.

Peter Lambert, RHP, Colorado Rockies (High-A, Lancaster): 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
If you’re also strolling over to see Lambert hoping for more flashy radar gun readings…then drive somewhere else. While Lambert doesn’t have a plus pitch in his arsenal, he gets by on advanced control, guts, and guile.

Garrett Williams, LHP, San Francisco Giants (Low-A, Augusta): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K
When it is going right for Williams he is untouchable. His plus fastball and curveball give hitters fits, but he is more likely to give himself fits than the hitters. He loses his mechanics as well as his ability to throw strikes at times.

Enyel De Los Santos, RHP, San Diego Padres (Double-A, San Antonio): 7 IP, 6 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Acquired from Seattle in 2015 for Joaquin Benoit, Enyel has been doing well as a 21-year-old in Double-A. He can generate swings and misses with both his fastball and change, and can locate his curveball for strikes.

Matt Thaiss, 1B, Los Angeles Angels (Double-A, Mobile): 3-4, 3 R, RBI, BB, K, SB
Alert Bret Sayre, the next C.J. Cron is coming to Los Angeles soon.

Samad Taylor, 2B, Cleveland Indians (Short-Season, Mahoning Valley): 2-5, R, HR, 2 RBI, K
Signed for $125,000 in the 10^th round in 2016, Taylor is a plus runner who can play all over the dirt because of his soft hands and quick instincts. There is also a lot more power than you’d expect from a guy who is 5-foot-10, 160 pounds.

Sheldon Neuse, 3B, Washington Nationals (Low-A, Hagerstown): 3-4, R, 2 2B, RBI, K, SB
Focusing on playing 3B now, Neuse has been having success this season at Low-A. He keeps his bat in the zone for a long time, which gives him a higher chance to make contact and use the whole field. He has above-average raw power, but it’s strength-based more than bat speed. The upper levels of the minors will be the true challenge for Neuse.

Buddy Reed, OF, San Diego Padres (Low-A, Fort Wayne): 3-3, 2 R, 2 2B
You would be hard-pressed to find a player more athletic or toolsy than Buddy Reed. He has plus raw power, is a 70 runner, has a plus arm, and is an above-average defender in the outfield. He just has struggled hitting. His approach, bat path, and eye are all inconsistent, which leaves one to wonder about what he will be.

Luis Rengifo, INF, Seattle Mariners (Low-A, Clinton): 3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, SB
Luis can do a little bit of everything, he can hit a little, has some pop, can run a bit, and has a solid arm. He doesn’t do any of that really well though, so his future is more as a utility guy than everyday player.

Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (High-A, Dunedin): 2-4, R, HR, 3 RBI
I was at this contest. I will be at more of his contests. Spoiler…I might eat crow. More to come soon.

Khalil Lee, OF, Kansas City Royals (Low-A, Lexington): 1-4, R, 3B, 2 RBI
A two-way talent in the 2016 draft, the Royals gave Lee the opportunity to play every day in the outfield and has done well in his first pro season. Showing more power than one would expect for his size (5-foot-10, 170l pounds), he also a plus throwing arm.

Fight Another Day:

Armond Upshaw, OF, Washington Nationals (Short-Season, Auburn): 0-4, 4 K
If you are looking toolsy player that are rawer than raw sushi than Upshaw is your man. He is an 80 runner with a plus throwing arm and could be an above-average defender. But he is new to switch-hitting, which has been causing problems thus far.

Ofelky Peralta, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (High-A, Frederick): 4 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
We looked at Ofelky as a potential breakout player for the Orioles heading into this year based on his size, plus to better fastball, and improved durability. Sad to say that all of that has gone backwards for him this season.

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