July 27, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of July 26th

by Steve Givarz

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Minor League Update, July 26th

Hitter of the Day:

Jose Siri, OF, Cincinnati Reds (Low-A, Dayton): 3-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI
The hit streak is now at 31 games. The record for the Midwest league is 35. To show off the rest of the tools he has, he also threw out a runner at the plate from center field. While he can’t give you directions, or set an alarm for you, Siri can do just about anything else.

Pitcher of the Day:

Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox (Double-A, Birmingham): 6 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 12 K
Man it is a good time to be a White Sox fan right now. [Checks major league game] I meant to be a *minor league White Sox fan right now.* With high-octane arms like Kopech leading the way and power bats already up with the big league club, they have assembled a potential young core.

Other Notable Performances:

Reynaldo Lopez, RHP, Chicago White Sox (Triple-A, Charlotte): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, HRA
Like I was saying, they have assembled a really nice, young potential core.

Dane Dunning, RHP, Chicago White Sox (High-A, Winston-Salem): 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
Oh yea, he might “only” be in High-A, but he is part of that core as well.

Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Triple-A, Oklahoma City): 5 IP, H, R, ER 2 BB, 9 K
A case could be made for Buehler as the top arm in the minors. We discussed that, but eventually came down based on the lack of overall track record, delivery, and prior Tommy John surgery. That doesn’t mean he won’t be looked again for that consideration, because he might be.

Touki Toussaint, RHP, Atlanta Braves (High-A, Florida): 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
He finished the month with 26 IP, 20 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 6 BB, 36 K.

Touki is throwing strikes sound the alarm! 🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨

Chance Adams, RHP, Tampa Yankees (Triple-A, Scranton Wilkes-Barre): 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HRA
Adams has the profile of a mid-rotation starter with his 70-grade heater and slider combination, as well as a usable change and enough command.

Tyler Mahle, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Triple-A, Louisville): 7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 6 K
With all the pitchers to make their debut so far in the Queen City, it is somewhat surprising to not see Mahle get a shot yet. While he lacks some of the raw stuff of say…Luis Castillo or Sal Romano, he has pinpoint command with four pitches, and a plus heater.

Trevor Richards, RHP, Miami Marlins (Double-A, Jacksonville): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
Signed out of independent ball in July 2016, Richards has done what has been needed, and then some. He has gone from usable innings eater, to quality organizational depth, to potential major-league swingman. He gets quality sink on his average fastball, but the key to his success has been his plus changeup, which can generate strikeouts or weak grounders.

Hans Crouse, RHP, Texas Rangers (Rookie, Arizona): 2 IP, H, R, ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HRA
Drafted in the second round this year from Dana Hills HS in California, Hans forgo his college commitment in favor of a $1.45M signing bonus. His fastball sits 93-95 with plus life, the curve has power break, but can be inconsistent, and he was a HS kid who threw 95 so he didn’t need a change.

Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (High-A, Dunedin): 3-6, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB
I recently wrote thousands of words on Bichette, which is way more than I can include in this update.

Edwin Rios, 3B/1B, Los Angeles Dodgers (Triple-A, Oklahoma City): 3-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
With some guys named Turner and Bellinger occupying the corners for the big league club, there is no spot for Rios and his majestic home runs in Dodger Blue. Perhaps an American League club would inquire on his services prior to the deadline. Wherever he ends up, Wilson Karaman will always be watching.

Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros (Double-A, Corpus Christi): 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, SB
Yes, the outfield in Houston is crowded, but who has ever complained about having too many quality players? These problems work themselves out, and eventually you and your fantasy team will be gifted by Tucker and his majestic swing.

Yu-Cheng Chang, SS, Cleveland Indians (Double-A, Akron): 2-3, R, 2B, BB
While Cleveland hasn’t made any indication they are going to make any big splashes, Chang is a juicy trade chip. An infielder with plus power and above-average speed will always get lots of chances, even if he ends up playing third with a lot of swing and miss.

Ryan Boldt, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (High-A, Port Charlotte): 2-4, 3 R, 2B, 4 RBI, BB
Boldt has shown himself able to do a little bit of everything thus far in High-A. He has stolen bases, hit for power, played quality outfield defense, and make enough contact to be a usable bench/platoon piece.

J.P. Crawford, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Triple-A, Lehigh Valley): 1-3, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, BB, K
Just letting you know, Jeffrey Paternostro, Jarrett Seidler, and myself have kept your seats warm on the Crawford train while you stepped off to look at other options.

Fight Another Day:

Luis Liberato, OF, Seattle Mariners (High-A, Modesto): 0-5, 3 K
Liberato has never produced much offensively, but offers a high floor given his plus speed and defensive ability.

Chris Rodriguez, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Short-Season, Orem): 1 1/3 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 6 ER, BB, 2 K
Prior to this outing, Rodriguez was running on cruise control in short-season ball. Taken in the fourth round in the 2016 draft, Rodriguez offers an advanced mix of pitch ability, as well as off-speed and fastball velocity.

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