July 31, 2017
Minor League Update
Games of July 28th-30th
by Mark Anderson
Prospect of the Weekend:
Billy McKinney, OF, Yankees (Triple-A, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre): 8-13, 7 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, BB, 2 K.
To be completely honest, and I can’t really explain this, it’s been a little while since my prospect-oriented brain actually though about McKinney. It’s not as though I’ve abandoned any vision of him as a big-league hitter, but I just hadn’t thought about him in a while. Well, with a weekend like this, I should certainly rectify that and step back to look at where he could still fit into the Yankees’ future.
Friday, July 28th
Ronald Acuna, OF, Braves (Triple-A, Gwinnett): 2-4, R, 3B, BB.
Am I the only one that thinks this is just stupid at this point? Seriously? I can’t be the only one!
Vladimir Guerrero, 3B, Blue Jays (High-A, Dunedin): 1-2, 3 R, 3 BB.
No, this isn’t one of Guerrero’s best lines; not even close actually, but the three walks appealed to me tonight. Whether that is a product of teams pitching around the uber-prospect in High-A, or his knowledge of the strike zone and patience doesn’t really matter to me. It’s his willingness to take what’s given at a young age and simply get one base, that stands out.
Nick Senzel, 3B, Reds (Double-A, Pensacola): 4-4, R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, CS.
I’m sure Reds fans already realize this, but Senzel is really, really good. Enjoy his development and enjoy his arrival in the big leagues even more.
Seuly Matias, OF, Royals (Rookie, Burlington): 3-3, 2 R, 2 2B.
I’ve only seen Matias live for one game so my natural reaction here would be to tread lightly, but the feedback from scouts in the Appy League this year is downright scary. Matias is a budding star and could be the face of the Royals system within the next year.
Brayan Hernandez, OF, Marlins (Short-Season, Batavia): 3-3, 2 R, 3B.
Hernandez has made a quick impression as a member of the Marlins system and that shouldn’t be shocking given his pedigree. Hernandez is a great runner that can handle center field with a strong arm and good bat-to-ball ability. Depending how the body develops, Hernandez could add some modest power to that profile, making him an even more intriguing prospect.
Freudis Nova, SS, Astros (Rookie, DSL Astros): 3-4, R, 2 2B, RBI, K.
After testing positive for a performance enhancer prior to signing in 2016, his rumored deal with the Marlins fell through and Nova “settled” for a $1.2 million bonus from the Astros. He’s hit well in his professional debut, and as a premium athlete with a broad range of potential plus tools, Nova could be an elite-level prospect down the line.
Jose Siri, OF, Reds (Low-A, Dayton): 1-5, R, 2B, K.
And the hit streak extends to 33 games….
Jose Suarez, LHP, Angels (Rookie, AZL Angles): 4 IP, 2 H, R/ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HRA.
As one would expect, Suarez is too much for AZL hitters, but it’s nice to see him back on his feet after being touched up by Low-A hitters earlier this year. A touch-and-feel lefty that could have more velocity in the tank, Suarez has a potential plus changeup that carries the profile at this time. There’s a lot of physical and game development remaining, but Suarez remains an intriguing arm in a rough system.
Saturday, July 29th
Ronald Acuna, OF, Braves (Triple-A, Gwinnett): 4-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, RBI.
Come on, it’s just plain stupid!
Ryan McMahon, 1B/3B/2B, Rockies (Triple-A, Albuquerque): 3-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI.
McMahon has assaulted Triple-A pitching since his promotion and while the Rockies don’t need a ton of help—particularly with the addition of Jonathan Lucroy tonight—he’s probably ready to contribute if called upon in Colorado.
Scott Kingery, 2B, Phillies (Triple-A, Lehigh Valley): 4-5, 2B, RBI, K.
The power surge in Double-A was just a tease, but Kingery’s emergence as a viable first-division second baseman is legitimate.
Nick Solak, 2B, Yankees (High-A, Tampa): 4-5, 3 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, K.
I recognize my bias as a scout, and I’ve never been a fan of hit tool-driven second base prospects, which puts Solak at a disadvantage when I gaze in his direction. There’s some gap power in the profile, but the glove is fringe-average and the hit tool has to play to a premium level for Solak to have a serious big league career.
Austin Allen, C, Padres (High-A, Lake Elsinore): 4-6, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 K.
There’s little doubting Allen’s offensive profile as a player capable of hitting for average and power. However, defensively, Allen has some struggles—to put it nicely. Teams can run all over him despite his above-average arm, and while his blocking and receiving have improved, they remain well-below-average. Allen has the bat to play in the big leagues, but that task is going to become more daunting if he moves from behind the dish; most likely to first base.
Jose Siri, OF, Reds (Low-A, Dayton): 2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, K.
Well, make that 34 games…
Will Toffey, 3B, Athletics (Short-Season, Vermont): 3-4, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI.
Toffey finally signed following the 2017 draft after not signing in 2014 and 2016. Scouts that like Toffey believe he has development remaining offensively and defensively that could make him an enticing prospect. Other scouts remains skeptical that the bat doesn’t profile at third base—both the hit and the power could come up short—despite good defensive tools for the position.
Austin Franklin, RHP, Rays (Short-Season, Hudson Valley): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 8 K.
While Franklin has a lot of development remaining, the 19-year-old has shown nice strides in both of his two short-season experiences as a professional. Armed with a solid, projectable frame, Franklin pumps fastballs in the 92-94 mph range and can reach 96 when he needs a little extra, and he complements it with a hammer curveball that flashes plus. Franklin needs time and focused development, but he could be breakout into a high-end prospect next summer.
Garrett Davila, LHP, Royals (Low-A, Lexington): 3 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K.
Despite an ugly statistical line this season in the South Atlantic League, Davila continues to draw praise for his potential plus changeup. On the back of an athletic, projectable frame that suggests future gains in velocity, Davila currently sits 88-92 mph and some scouts believe he could bump well past that mark down the line. An intelligent pitcher with some feel for spinning his curveball, Davila is the ultimate project, but could turn into a quality lefty starter down the line.
Sunday, July 30th
Victor Robles, OF, Nationals (Double-A, Harrisburg): 2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB, SB.
My crush continues.
Austin Hays, OF, Orioles (Double-A, Bowie): 3-6, 2 R, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 K, CS.
I saw Hays last year with Aberdeen and I have to admit that I liked him as a potential big league regular. I also have to admit I saw no chance of him turning into this type of impact player. Hays is real folks, jump on the bandwagon.
Anthony Alford, OF, Blue Jays (Double-A, New Hampshire): 3-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, RBI.
Alford has returned from injury and games like this should give Blue Jays fans hope as the big league club struggles. Alford should be an impact player in Toronto as early as late 2018, so let’s hope he stays on the field at this point.
Milton Ramos, SS, Orioles (Low-A, Delmarva): 3-6, 2 RBI, SB.
Traded for mere international pool money, Ramos joined the Orioles earlier this month, jumping from Columbia to Delmarva in the SAL. Ramos is highly regarded for his defensive ability at shortstop, but he’s a long way from being a real prospect because there is minimal projection in his bat.
Jose Siri, OF, Reds (Low-A, Dayton): 1-5, 2 K.
I’m not going to say anything about him as a player. I just don’t need to at this point because it’s really secondary. Enjoy what he’s doing as the hit streak reaches 35 games in Low-A.
Sixto Sancez, RHP, Phillies (Low-A, Lakewood): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 5 K.
My boy, Jeffrey Paternostro was in attendance for this start….
Alec Hansen, RHP, White Sox (High-A, Winston-Salem): 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, ER, BB, 12 K, HRA.
When Hansen has it working, there aren’t many better pitchers in the minor leagues. Hansen had it working yesterday according to one scout in attendance, and here’s the result.
Luis Escobar, RHP, Pirates (Low-A, West Virgina): 7 IP, 2 H, R/ER, 3 BB, 7 K.
Escobar has to make the transition from thrower to pitcher at some point, but for now, pumping 94-96 mph fastballs that touch 98 with a potential plus power curveball, makes him intriguing enough. Most scouts view Escobar as a reliever down the road, but with his electric arsenal, Escobar could be a dynamic late inning arm.
Oliver Jaskie, LHP, Mariners (Short-Season, Everett): 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, BB, 5 K.
Jaskie has done well to transform himself from non-prospect to potential big league lefty during his time at Michigan, and even pushed himself into the sixth round of the draft this summer. Owner of an upper-80s fastball that reaches 91 mph and an average changeup, Jaskie relies heavily on deception in his delivery to confound opposing hitters. He commands his arsenal well and should move quickly through the Mariners system.
Luis Martinez, RHP, White Sox (Low-A, Kannapolis): 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 10 K.
Blessed with impressive size (6-foot-6, 200 pounds), Martinez has the physical attributes to become a very real pitching prospect. He can reach the mid-90s with his fastball and most scouts believe he could ultimately reach the upper-90s once he sorts out his delivery, giving him plenty of intrigue as a relief prospect. Despite being 22-years-old and still in Low-A, Martinez needs a lot of work, but given his size and raw arm strength, that work could still result in a big league asset.
Brendan McKay, LHP, Rays (Short-Season, Hudson Valley): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, BB, 4 K.
Oh, wait, you thought he was just a prospect at the top of the draft as a hitter? No, no, no, you silly soul, he can deal on the mound too!
Mark Anderson is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
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5 comments have been left for this article. 
Acuna had eight career MILB HRs over his first two seasons and is already up to 16 this year.
It really is a remarkable breakout for a really impressive player.