October 15, 2012

Minor League Update

Games of October 14

by Bradley Ankrom

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The Arizona Fall League was off yesterday, so we'll focus on the three Caribbean leagues that are active:

• Oswaldo Arcia, CF, Twins (21) (Aragua): 2-for-3, 2B (1), BB, K. Briefly asserted himself as the Twins’ best outfield prospect before Byron Buxton joined the organization; hit .320/.388/.539 between High-A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain.
• J.C. Linares, LF, Red Sox (28) (Margarita): 2-for-5, HR (1). Power was never the question, but he may be too aggressive for his own good. Linares turned 28 last month and is dangerously close to becoming the next Leslie Anderson.
• Leonys Martin, CF, Rangers (24) (Licey): 1-for-3, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 SB (2). Hasn’t hit in brief big league trials over the last two seasons, but batted .359/.422/.610 in Triple-A last year while playing quality defense in center field.
• Jackson Melian, CF (32) (Margarita): 2-for-5, 2B (2), R, 2 RBI. Hasn’t played for an affiliated club since hitting .160/.160/.400 for the Astros’ Triple-A club in 2008. He spent 2010 in Mexican and American independent leagues before falling off the map. He’s been around forever, and it’s difficult to believe he’s still only 32. Melian is hitting .313/.353/.438 overall in the VWL.
• Joe Ortiz, LHP, Rangers (22) (La Guaira): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K. Diminutive fastball/slider reliever has a history of solid performance in the Venezuelan League; 0-1, 3.38, 3-2 K-BB overall.
• Marcell Ozuna, CF, Marlins (21) (Cibao): 3-for-4, 2 2B (2), HR (1), 2 R. Not a bad way to make your VWL season debut; Ozuna is a streaky hitter with obvious power – he led the High-A Florida State League with 24 home runs this year, which was six better than anyone else in the league.
• Adys Portillo, RHP, Padres (20) (Zulia): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 0 K. Jumped from Low-A Fort Wayne to Double-A San Antonio as a 20-year old in July and, unsurprisingly, had his head handed to him. In eight starts, Portillo surrendered fewer than three runs just twice while going 2-5, 7.20, 26-25 K-BB.
• Bruce Rondon, RHP, Tigers (21) (Magallanes): 1.0 IP, 0 H. Nice rebound from a rough debut where he allowed a walk and a run; has two saves in as many tries, 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1-1 K-BB overall.
• Darin Ruf, 1B/LF, Phillies (26) (La Guaira): 0-for-4, 2 K. Last year’s Eastern League home run champ is hitting .083/.083/.167 with four strikeouts through his first three games in the VWL.
• Oscar Taveras, CF, Cardinals (20) (Aguilas): 2-for-5, 2B (1), R, K. Solid debut for the best hitting prospect in the minor leagues.
• Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (22) (Los Mochis): 2-for-3, HR (1), 4 RBI. More impressive: he walked the day before; hitting .333/.375/.833 overall.