July 23, 2009
Future Shock Blog
July 23
by Kevin Goldstein
Showcase showdown
Kyle Drabek, RHP, Phillies (Double-A Reading)
Wednesday's stats: 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K
The Phillies remain the team most closely connected to Roy Halladay, and most believe that any deal would have to revolve around Drabek. Some think he's untouchable in any scenario, but that didn't stop the Jays from showing up in Altoona, PA last night. It wasn't his best start of the year, but it was pretty damn good. Almost of more interest was how long he stayed in the game; the 30 batters faced was his highest total since he got to Double-A.
One inning and a whole lot of questions
Jhoulys Chacin, RHP, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa)
Wednesday's stats: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Arguably the top pitching prospect in the system, Chacin threw a grand total of nine pitches on Wednesday before being, as stated in the Tulsa press release, "removed as a precaution for possible, future organizational moves." That's pretty darn vague. One could assume a trade, or one could assume a much more likely scenario of a series of moves related to Manny Corpas' surgery. Still, it's good to know, even if we don't know the whole picture. Update: All signs point to Chacin being added to the big league bullpen.
Have a day, Madison
Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants (Double-A Connecticut)
Wednesday's stats: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Another great start from Bumgarner, who has now allowed three runs over 35.1 innings in his last six starts. Same ol', same ol' really, but the story here was what Bumgarner did at the plate. With his team down 1-0 in the fifth, he smoked a grand slam to ensure his 10th victory of the year.
You gotta give something to get something
Brandon Allen, 1B, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno)
Wednesday's stats: 2-for-4, 2 HR (7), 2 R, 4 RBI, K
While Tony Pena has allowed eight runs in his first four innings for the White Sox, the player sent to Arizona has become one of the hottest hitters in the minors. He now has seven home runs in his first 37 at-bats with the D-backs organization, while also batting .378 with more walks (7) than strikeouts (5). Likely in line for a September callup, Allen will be a big upgrade at first base for Arizona in 2010.
Take your base . . . again
Logan Morrison, 1B, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville)
Wednesday's stats: 1-for-1, RBI, 3 BB
One of the best young hitters around, Morrison has suddenly turned into Eddie Stanky of late, going 6-for-15 in his last seven games with a double and 15 walks. With 37 walks in 132 at-bats, he sports an on-base percentage of .432, which is a good thing to make up for power that is no more than average for the position.
Sleeper Alert!
Edinson Rincon, 3B, Padres (Short-season Eugene)
Wednesday's stats: 2-for-4, HR (5), R, 5 RBIs
An 18-year-old Dominican with a quality bat, Rincon has been one of the most talked about players in the Northwest League this year. Wednesday's game, which included his first professional grand slam, upped his season averages to .333/.432/.576 in 26 games. Athletic and strong, Rincon has an excellent approach for a teenager to go with plus power. All he needs now is to find a position, as his defense at third base is beyond rough.
Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
Click here to see Kevin's other articles.
You can contact Kevin by clicking here
On the Beat: Mid-Week ... (07/22)
the archives are now free.
14 comments have been left for this article. 
KG, I called it (the sleeper) last night! Haha. The powers of being overtired.