March 27, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of Tuesday, March 26

by Zach Mortimer

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Prospect of the Day: Aaron Hicks, CF, Twins (will start the season as the Twins’ regular center fielder): 3-5, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Hicks has stood out throughout this spring training season, showcasing his running ability while hitting for power and exhibiting solid bat-to-ball skills. And all of this has come just a year after some wondered whether Hicks would have to transition back to the mound to showcase his plus-plus arm strength; .379/.419/.682 in 66 spring at-bats.  

Other notable prospect performances from March 26:

• Michael Choice, OF, Athletics (anticipated to start the season in Double-A Midland): Built like a bowling ball, Choice displays plus-plus raw power, but it comes with a tendency to swing and miss; .313/.346/.458 in 48 spring at-bats.
• Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles (anticipated to start the season in Double-A Bowie): 3.2 IP 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. Gausman has turned scouts’ heads this spring, leaving some evaluators wondering whether he, and not Dylan Bundy, is the top arm in the system; 17 strikeouts in 16 spring innings pitched.
• Sugar Ray Marimon, RHP, Royals (anticipated to start the season in Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. The Colombian with arguably the best name in the minors has a three-pitch mix (fastball/curveball/changeup) and a bulldog mentality on the mound.
• Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins (anticipated to start the season in High-A Fort Myers): 1-5, R, RBI. The top slugger in the minor leagues will take his talents—80-grade raw power and 70-grade arm—just northwest of South Beach in 2013.
• Marcus Stroman, RHP, Blue Jays (anticipated to start the season in High-A Dunedin): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. “Height can’t measure heart!” was the phrase written on the shirt that I saw Stroman wearing the other day. The small-framed righty sure does not have small stuff. He features a plus fastball, a potential plus-plus slider, and a major-league average changeup.
• Bruce Rondon, RHP, Tigers (expected to pitch in the late innings for the Tigers): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2K. The fire-balling Venezuelan has always been able to miss bats, but he also misses the strike zone too much; 16 strikeouts and seven walks in 10 2/3 innings pitched.
• Drew Vettleson, OF, Rays (anticipated to start the season in High-A Port Charlotte): 1-3, K. A 2010 supplemental first-round pick, Vettleson has a short stroke with good bat speed and projects to be at least an above-average major-league hitter.
• Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Cubs (anticipated to start the season in Low-A Kane County): 0-0, BB. The 20-year-old hefty lefty shows advanced plate discipline and the potential for plus power.
• Kenny Wilson, CF, Blue Jays (anticipated to start the season in Double-A New Hampshire): 0-1. Wilson, a former second-round pick, has always had plus-plus speed, but he has failed to make consistent contact in the minors; 1-for-6 this spring.

Note: The Minor League Update will take a one-day break tomorrow as Zach travels home from Florida, where he has been scouting prospects. It will return on Friday with notes from both Wednesday's and Thursday's games.

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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