May 11, 2017
Minor League Update
Games of May 10th
by Steve Givarz
Hitter of the Day:
Carlos Castro, 1B, Atlanta Braves (High-A, Florida): 5-5, 3 R, 3 HR, 8 RBI
From what I could gather from Javier Barragan, Castro has plus raw power and some usable bat speed, but is a poor fielder who is out from behind the plate. Primarily a power first 1B/DH, Org depth. While he might not be much of a prospect, good job yesterday Carlos.
Pitcher of the Day:
Luis Castillo, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Double-A, Pensacola): 7 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 10 K
One of the most notable prospects to explode on the scene last season, Castillo still flirts regularly with 100 mph velocity, but I have heard his offspeed arsenal is much improved. If that is the case, and with him already on the 40-man, Castillo could appear in Cincinnati this season.
Other Notable Performances:
Blake Rutherford, OF, New York Yankees (Low-A, Charleston): 4-5, 2 R, 2 3B, 3 RBI
Rutherford entered the 2016 draft as potentially the top prep-hitter, but concerns about his age, and signability allowed the Yankees to draft him 18th overall. Rutherford is a five-tool player who could be a plus hit/power contributor in the big leagues.
James Nelson, 3B, Miami Marlins (Low-A, Greensboro): 3-5, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K
A 15th-rounder in the 2016 draft, Nelson has an interesting collection of tools. He profiles well at 3B with his plus arm and above-average raw power combination, his compact swing has produced hard contact to this point and could be an everyday regular.
Cristian Pache, OF, Atlanta Braves (Low-A, Rome): 3-5, R, 3B, 4 RBI, K, SB
Signing for $1.4M in July 2015, Pache has transitioned well to pro ball after being in the GCL last season. His 70 speed allows him to glide in the outfield and make all the plays, so much so that he profiles as a plus defender in CF. While he might not be much of a power hitter, he is still young and can add strength to his overall frame.
Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves (High-A, Florida): 2-4, 3 R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB
I might be blinded by his raw power, his premium arm strength, and his age but I still believe in Austin Riley. He is one of the youngest regulars in High-A, and has a lot of raw power. I know the concerns about his glove and overall swing/miss are alarming, but give it time.
David Fletcher, SS, Los Angeles Angels (Double-A, Mobile): 3-5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI
The obvious comp is David Eckstein, or as Ben Carsley put it in our Angels Top 10 “So, like, Jace Peterson with less power? We’re all set.”
Jacob Faria, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (Triple-A, Durham): 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 R, 2 BB, 13 K
Armed with a plus fastball/changeup combination, Faria has torn through the minors since being a 10th-rounder back in 2011. His lack of a swing/miss breaking ball limits his overall ceiling to more back-end rotation than front-end.
Zac Gallen, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (High-A, Palm Beach): 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K
Check out Javier Barragan writeup of Gallen from this Ten Pack last month.
Tyler Eppler, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Triple-A, Indianapolis): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
While he relies more on location and guts rather than stuff, Eppler has pitched well in Triple-A to this point. His fastball is the only pitch that rates as above-average, meaning he has to keep pitching well to merit consideration.
JoJo Romero, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Low-A, Lakewood): 8 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K
Yet another talented arm in the Phillies system, Romero can struggle with his command while flashing an intriguing changeup.
Gabriel Llanes, RHP, New York Mets (Low-A, Columbia): 9 IP, 7 H, R, 0 ER, BB, 5 K
From Jeffrey Paternostro, “future generic Double-A reliever, 40/45 FB, 30/40 SL, CH 35/45, org arm probably a reliever in A-ball, maybe makes Double-A pen”
Alfred Gutierrez, RHP, Detroit Tigers (Low-A, West Michigan): 6 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
Gutierrez might be one of the smallest players in baseball as he is listed at 6-feet, 143 pounds. Nevertheless, his fastball touches 94, but his lack of feel for his secondary offerings limits his overall usefulness.
Adbert Alzolay, RHP, Chicago Cubs (High-A, Myrtle Beach): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Will Siskel talked about Adbert last season as a potential back-end starter. His fastball now sits in the mid 90s with a curveball that features bite and tight rotation.
Taylor Clarke, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Double-A, Jackson): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 7 K
Clarke has the look of a durable innings eater given his large 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. He can command his arsenal and has been reportedly up to the mid-90s at time this season. While his off-speed arsenal is inconsistent he can throw them for strikes, which is sometimes all you need.
Fight Another Day:
Aristides Aquino, OF, Cincinnati Reds (Double-A, Pensacola): 0-4, 4 K
Sometimes, baseball is going to baseball.
Cionel Perez, LHP, Houston Astros (Low-A, Quad Cities): 1 2/3 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, K
Signed for $2M from Cuba, Perez has had a lot of time away from the game and is raw in most facets of the game. His fastball is up to 95, and has good feel for spinning the baseball. But at this point, let’s look at him like a raw college draftee rather than a polished international player.
Steve Givarz is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
Click here to see Steve's other articles.
You can contact Steve by clicking here
Minor League Update: G... (05/10)
the archives are now free.
6 comments have been left for this article. 
Player Profile: Aaron Altherr
19-year-old Ronald Acuna went 3-4 with a HR, walk and a steal in his 2nd game with AA-Mississippi.
And, that's 6-for-8 with 2 HR and a walk in 2 games at AA for Acuna.
I suppose he didn't want to make half the list Braves prospects.