August 9, 2017

Minor League Update

Games of August 8

by Steve Givarz

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Hitter of the Day:

Isaac Paredes, SS, Detroit Tigers (Low-A, West Michigan): 4-6, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Just acquired from the Cubs in the Justin Wilson trade, Paredes seems to be adjusting quickly. While on the smaller side, Paredes does have good raw power, which has been playing this year with a lot of extra base hits. While he might not be a SS long term, he profiles at either 2B or 3B.

Pitcher of the Day:

Bryse Wilson, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Low-A, Rome): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 11 K
I mentioned Wilson in his last start on August 2^nd, and he obviously wanted me to mention him again and make him the pitcher of the day. This performance gets the nod. A 4^th rounder from the 2016 draft, at his best Wilson can show a plus heater, plus slider, usable change, and a lot of strikes.

Other Notable Performances:

Danville Braves Pitching Staff, Atlanta Braves (Rookie, Danville): 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K
- Bruce Zimmerman, LHP, 2 IP, BB, 2 K. A 5^th rounder from this year’s draft, his fastball is 90-92 and was mainly a priority senior sign as he signed for 10K.

- Jacob Belinda, RHP, 4 IP, 4 K. A 10^th rounder from this year’s draft, like Zimmerman, Belinda was also a priority senior sign, signing for 5K. He can get his fastball up to 95 and shows a usable slider.

- John Curtis, LHP, IP, 2 K. An 8^th rounder from this year’s draft, like the others, Curtis was also a priority senior sign, signing for 5K. His curve is his main offering, but his control is shaky for a bullpen arm.

Taylor Widener, RHP, New York Yankees (High-A, Tampa): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
While lacking projection, Widerner does have a lot of things going for him. His fastball is plus, the slider is above-average, and he throws a lot of strikes. While not sexy, it is a good find in the 12^th round.

Kyle Cody, RHP, Texas Rangers (High-A, Down East): 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Welcome to High-A Kyle. Like other pitchers in the Rangers organization, Kyle is a very large person with a very large fastball.

Seth Romero, LHP, Washington Nationals (Short-Season, Auburn): 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K
Ignoring his off the field (and on-field) concerns, Romero showcases premium stuff. His plus to better fastball and plus slider can make quick work of hitters, as he struck out nearly everyone in college.

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (Triple-A, Durham): 5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
Soon…we think, although Blake Snell was recalled to take Alex Cobb’s spot in the rotation.

Eric Lauer, LHP, San Diego Padres (Double-A, San Antonio): 6 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 5 K
The astute Wilson Karaman saw Lauer and wrote him up in a MMTP. You should read it, or not, I’m just a webpage.

Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox (High-A, Winston-Salem): 3-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, RBI
We also have lots of content on Jiemenez. A scouting report here, our TA when he was traded almost a month ago, and us ranking him 8^th in our midseason top 50. But again, I’m just a webpage.

Connor Panas, OF/1B, Toronto Blue Jays (High-A, Dunedin): 3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, K
A 9^th rounder senior sign in 2015, it helps that Panas was Canadian, and from Toronto. It also helps that he shows plus to better raw power. But as a 1B only who occasionally plays OF, he really needs to hit.

Daz Cameron, OF, Houston Astros (Low-A, Quad Cities): 4-4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, SB
After a rough start to the season, Cameron might be starting to put it all together. The collection of tools he has suggested that he would put it together sooner rather than later.

Adrian Rondon, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays (Low-A, Bowling Green): 3-5, 2B, RBI
Signed for $2.95M in July 2014, like other Latin players, Rondon shows off a bunch of tools. His plus arm can play anywhere on the infield. He has plus bat speed that helps him make hard contact all over. He also has shown plus raw power to help drive balls out.

Chris Shaw, 1B/OF, San Francisco Giants (Triple-A, Fresno): 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI, K
With the Giants season going downhill quickly, and with Shaw playing more and more OF, it shouldn’t be too long before he has to figure out RF in AT&T Park.

Brian Mundell, 1B, Colorado Rockies (Double-A, Hartford): 3-5, R, 2B, RBI
After hitting 59 doubles last season, Mundell continued his success in High-A this season and impressed Wilson Karaman, which is not easy to do.

Fight Another Day:

Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (Short-Season, Williamsport): 0-4, 3 K
Ortiz is larger than 6’3” 215, he might be closer to 6’4” 240, and doesn’t move that well in the outfield. If he has to move over to 1B, it could mean trouble, as he would have to perform mightily for the Phillies to get back their $4M investment.

Ryan Castellanos, RHP, Detroit Tigers (Short-Season, Connecticut): 4 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, K, HRA
Yes, its Nick Castellanos brother. That should explain everything you need to know about why Ryan is a Tiger.

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