First, special thanks to the BP Staff, especially those in the Slack forums—you know who you are—for gathering and communicating information. Without further ado, this week’s Weekly Wrap.
To the DL
Cleveland Indians OF Greg Allen is out 4-6 weeks after surgery on his broken hamate on his right hand. Having scouted Allen in the Fall League, he is a four-tool athlete. He can spray the ball with plus barrel control, steal bases with plus-plus speed, take direct routes and plus jumps with his instincts as well as rifle a would-be run scorer. He has loft to his game, but will hit for average than for home runs. Rest up Sir Allen.
Boston Red Sox C Blake Swihart, after multiple foul balls to his left ring finger, is on the 7-day DL. He had been playing hurt and reportedly it was affecting him, especially from the left side where his left hand is his top hand. He was catching in Triple-A Pawtucket.
Kevin Newman, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop, though not on the DL, was thankfully only diagnosed with a forehead contusion, after taking a fastball to the head. Fortunately for the Pirates, if the situation worsens, arguably the best concussion specialists are in their backyard. If you want to learn more about their research or other concussion information, click here.
On May 9th, Detroit Tigers placed their No. 1 prospect, RP Joe Jimenez on the minor-league DL after tweaking his back, retroactive to May 5th. Pitching for the Triple-A Mud Hens, Jimenez is the owner of a really good 13 to 2, strikeout-to-walk ratio, allowing zero runs in 6 1/3 innings. Per Steve Givarz, Jimenez is the owner of an 80 Fastball sitting 96-97 mph, topping 100, with 60 movement. You can read about him here.
New York Yankees, LHP Ian Clarkin, has been placed on the 7-day DL. The 33rd-overall pick in 2013, Clarkin’s development has been marred with injuries: missing a week after rolling an ankle in 2014, the last two weeks in 2014 and all of 2015 with a left elbow inflammation, and nearly half of 2016 with a meniscus tear. No word on the injury yet. He owns future average offerings with good control and command and pegs to be a backend of the rotation starting pitcher.
Off the DL
Chicago Cubs 2B/OF Ian Happ returned to action on May 7th after spending eight days on the DL for a thumb injury. Splitting time in the outfield and second, Happ is hitting .263/.336/.589 with one stolen base, nine home runs, 11 walks and 25 strikeouts over 24 games. Having also scouted Happ in the 2016 Fall League, he is a smooth-hitting switch-hitter with a solid glove, average arm, average-plus power and usable speed. Happ is ranked 54th on 2017 Prospect List.
Arizona Diamondbacks CF Marcus Wilson has returned from the DL. the injury was an undisclosed one, but clearly a non-issue as the duration of days on the DL was brief.
San Francisco Giants activated SS C.J. Hinojosa on May 8th from the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A) roster. Starting the season on the DL while rehabbing a quad injury, he was training in Extended Spring Training in Scottsdale, AZ.
Pittsburgh Pirates Nick Kingham made his season debut for the Bradenton Marauders (High-A) last night. His final line is 5 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 SO. Kingham pitched in only 46 innings last season, 24 of which came while rehabbing from TJS in the Gulf Coast League.
Up the Ladder
St. Louis Cardinals CF Magneuris Sierra was called up Saturday to provide mainly defense for the hampered outfielders, but he has provided more than 70 defense. His speed forced a costly error, recording a 3.88 home-to-first time and setting the table for the winning run in the process. Furthermore, the Cardinals are 5-0 averaging 6.6 runs a game with him in the lineup. Granted, this has all come against sub-.500 teams and occupants of the NL East cellars, Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. You can read my scouting report on Sierra here.
Miami Marlins promoted LHP Braxton Garrett May 8th to Greensboro Grasshoppers, later making his first professional start. Requiring TJS since going seventh-overall in the 2016 Rule 4 Draft, the Marlins were extra cautious in his development last season. In his first appearance, Garrett went 4 2/3, giving up one hit, one run, and three walks striking out four. He is ranked 71st on our prospect list.
Cleveland Indians Thomas Pannone, a left-handed starter, was promoted to Double-A Akron. For 2017 over 33 1/3 innings, he has allowed one run, it being unearned.
Oakland Athletic’s RHP Brett Graves was promoted from High-A to Double-A. In his first appearance for the Midland RockHounds of the Texas League, the 24-year-old pitched five innings, allowing four hits, one earned run, zero walks, and striking out five.
New York Mets transferred CF Ricardo Cespedes to A-Ball Columbia Fireflies from Extended Spring Training. The 19-year-old signed for $750,000 in 2013.
On May 11th, the Red Sox transferred right-handed-starter Travis Lakins from High-A Salem Red Sox to Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A. In his second go-around in High-A, the 22-year-old owns a 2.61 ERA over 38 innings pitched recording 43 strikeouts, 13 walks, 32 hits and 12 runs.
In the same week, the Braves promoted power hitting CF Ronald Acuna and left-handed Brazilian starter Luiz Gohara from High-A to Double-A. The 19-year-old Acuna is a speedster with above average game power, well above average raw power and strikes out a lot with his big hacks who happens to patrol a premium position with ease. He ranks 31st on our prospect list. Another AFL participant, Gohara is not to be overlooked. He is a hefty-lefty who throws an easy fastball at 94-95 mph, topping 97, a late biting slider at 83-87 mph with 2-7 shape and depth, and a firm change-up at 86-88 mph. He sells his pitches well and accumulates strikeouts, but his command is in question, and this is his first go in Double-A. Nonetheless, in response to our own Jeffrey Paternostro Slack statement, “That [Mississippi] team is officially insane”, I tend to agree.
Los Angeles Angels relief pitching prospect Eduardo Paredes was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A. An Arizona Fall League alumnus, the barrel-chested righty competes with an intimidating matador arm, deceptive delivery and a FB-SL-CH combination.
Down the Chutes
Late Thursday, Philadelphia Phillies transferred flamethrower Sixto Sanchez from Low-A to short-season. This is likely a paper move while they push back his start.
Thank you for reading
This is a free article. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing to Baseball Prospectus. Subscriptions support ongoing public baseball research and analysis in an increasingly proprietary environment.
Subscribe now