August 15, 2017
Minor League Update
Games of August 14
by Steve Givarz
Hitter of the Day:
Nick Gordon, SS, Minnesota Twins (Double-A, Chattanooga): 5-6, 3 R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, K
While some evaluators could make a case for Royce Lewis ahead of Gordon for top Twins prospect, I wouldn’t go there quite yet. The interesting thing is that Gordon has added more power this year, while drawing more walks, and becoming a more efficient base stealer. While he is moonlighting every now and then at 2B, he still looks like an everyday SS defensively.
Pitcher of the Day:
Kyle Cody, RHP, Texas Rangers (High-A, Down East): 6 2/3 IP, H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 11 K
We have mentioned Cody a lot recently, with boss man Jeffrey Paternostro having the most recent writeup of him in a MMTP.
Other Notable Performances:
Triston McKenzie, RHP, Cleveland Indians (High-A, Lynchburg): 7 IP, 7 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 9 K
Speaking of being mentioned a lot, McKenzie has been splashed on these pages a lot this year, with nearly all of it in the string-bean’s good efforts.
Alex Lange, RHP, Chicago Cubs (Rookie, Eugene): 3 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
One of the most decorated pitchers in LSU history, Lange has a lot of things to like. But an issue with his physical led to overall concerns, as he was used a lot in three years at college. If you’re up in Eugene, I would go see him soon, as I am not expecting him to throw a lot.
Cole Stapler, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Rookie, Missoula): 3 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
While I am unaware of how his Cole got his first name, I can imagine his last name went something like this.
Logan Allen, LHP, San Diego Padres (High-A, Lake Elsinore): 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
A lot of us here at BP were excited to get the chance to see what Allen could do after he missed most of 2015. Breaking news, he is pitching well. Emmett Rosenbaum was able to catch him in Low-A before his promotion to Lake Elsinore.
Anfernee Seymour, OF, Atlanta Braves (High-A, Florida): 4-5, R, 2 3B, RBI
An 80 runner, Seymour has some exciting tools, but has struggled with making consistent contact. He has a lot of strikeouts, doesn’t have much power, and is mainly a speedy guy running around the OF rather than a disciplined route runner.
Stephen Alemais, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates (High-A, Bradenton): 4-4, 2 R, 2B, 5 RBI
In a system that now has a surprising amount of good SS prospects, none of them can match Alemais with the glove. While he lacks the offensive upside of his companions, he should produce enough contact and be speedy enough to profile as a second-division regular.
Hoy Jun Park, SS, New York Yankees (High-A, Tampa): 2-5, R, 3B, RBI
Signed for $1M out of South Korea in 2014, Park has made a slow climb up the system to this point. While not likely to produce much offensively, his sound defensive chops, plus arm, and plus speed give him some utility value.
Drew Waters, OF, Atlanta Braves (Rookie, Danville): 2-5, R, HR, 4 RBI, K, SB
The Braves second-rounder from this past draft, Waters checks off a lot of boxes. Athleticism plus speed, plus arm, projectable frame, and present strength. While he has struggled with recognizing spin thus far, his ceiling is super high if he were to reach it.
Wuilmer Becerra, OF, New York Mets (High-A, St. Lucie): 2-4, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K
After missing much of 2016 with a shoulder injury that resulted in surgery, it has been an up and down year thus far. While still loaded with tools, he has struggled to show off the power, and the strikeouts are starting to rack up.
Brandon Lowe, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays (Double-A, Montgomery): 3-4, 2B, K
While lacking much in th way of standout tools, hitters find a way, especially if they keep hitting. After a rough start in Double-A, Lowe puts together a 3 hit performance to get him off the schnide.
Patrick Mazeika, 1B/C, New York Mets (Double-A, Binghamton): 3-3, R, 2 2B, RBI, 2 BB
Welcome to Double-A Pat, while I don’t expect you to do much catching up there, just keep hitting and who knows what will happen.
Fight Another Day:
Jacob Heatherly, LHP, Cincinnati Reds (Rookie, Arizona): 3 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, HRA
Taken in the third round of this past draft, Heatherly does a lot of things well, but throwing strikes hasn’t always been one of them. He shows you a whole arsenal, though, and his fastball can be a plus offering. But unless he throws more strikes, he might end up in the bullpen.
Harrison Bader, OF, St. Louis Cardinals (Triple-A, Memphis): 0-4, 3 K
Don’t worry Harrison, you’ll be back in the big leaguer soon. Maybe even on players weekend.
Steve Givarz is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
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Minor League Update: G... (08/14)
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Closer Report: Week 20 
I suspect Alex Lange had fewer innings-pitched than any other Friday night pitcher in a power conference. Paul Mainieri and Adam Dunn are very mindful of their pitchers futures and are protective of their arms.