April 19, 2012

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of August 18

by Kevin Goldstein

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D.J. Mitchell, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Empire State): 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K.

Mitchell is not the best prospect on the Yankees Triple-A staff, but don't be surprised if he's the first to the majors. Scouts think he could be effective as either a back-end starter or middle reliever, as while he's on the small side, he's ultra-athletic and features a fastball that has slightly above-average velocity and plenty of movement. He's not going to be a star, but he should have big league value, even on a championship-level roster.

Others Of Note:

• Jason Adam, RHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 5 K. Anticipated breakout player from last year still hasn't found velocity from high school days but is becoming much better pitcher; has allowed just one earned run in first three starts.
• Matt Barnes, RHP, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K. 2011 first-round pick simply doesn't belong at this level; 0.00 ERA in 16 innings with 25 strikeouts.
• Jackie Bradley, OF, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB, SB. Looking very much like the on-base machine the Red Sox hoped for when drafting him last June; 11 walks in 11 games and .316/.453/.368 overall.
• Andrew Chafin, LHP, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 9 K. Supplemental first-rounder from last June has whiffed nine in each of his three starts which total just 15.1 innings.
• Glynn Davis, OF, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva): 3-for-5, R, RBI, K. Orioles might be on to something with 20-year-old raw burner; six-game hitting streak (11-for-25) lifts averages to .362/.429/.362.
• Corey Dickerson, OF, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI. Trying to prove last year's showing was more than just a product of Asheville; .415/.411/.642 in 13 games and that OBP is not a typo.
• Evan Gattis, C, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 2-for-5, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Up to .429/.509/.810 in 12 games; don't be surprised if he's in Double-A soon and no longer catching.
• Scooter Gennett, 2B, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 3-for-4, 2B, RBI; 1-for-3, 2B, K, SB. 18-for-42 (.429) during 10-game hitting streak and up to .350/.371/.517 overall; more and more scouts see him as a future every day second baseman.
• Didi Gregorius, SS, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 4-for-5, 3 R. Plus defender is 16-for-30 during seven game hitting streak; hitting .368, but also slugging .368 with 21 hits, all singles.
• Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 2-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K. Sudden extra-base ability is limiting his opportunity to steal bases; fourth straight multi-hit game and .388/.474/.673.
• Miles Head, 1B/3B, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 1-for-3, HR (4), 2 R, RBI, BB, K. Acquired from Boston in Bailey deal; 13-game hitting streak to open year and .404/.446/.788 overall.
• Tim Hudson, RHP, Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 4 K. Successful rehab outing; 76 pitches, 48 strikes.
• Ryan Lavarnway, C, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 3-for-6, RBI. Batting average up 73 points in three days; .267/.400/.422 overall.
• Taylor Lindsey, 2B, Angels (High-A Inland Empire): 3-for-5, 2 R, CS. Assignment doesn't seem so aggressive now that he's raised his batting average nearly 100 points in five days; .267/.365/.422 in 12 games overall.
• Brandon Loy, 2B, Tigers (Low-A West Michigan): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Fifth-round pick is plus defender that Tigers hope will hit; .327/.315/.442 in 13 games with zero walks in 52 at-bats.
• Deck McGuire, RHP, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 6.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K. Has calmed down after giving up five home runs in first starts of the season; could be on pace for late-season look.
• Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 3-for-4, HR (4), R, RBI, BB. Three home runs in last five games and .365/.389/.654 overall; Future in Boston or elsewhere?
• Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 9 K. Coming back from rough spring and rough start to the season that included slight velocity dip.
• Julio Morban, OF. Mariners (High-A High Desert); 4-for-5, 2B, HR (3), R, 2 RBI. Mariners have always believed in the bat and Cal League is helping it show up; .400/.449/.711 in 12 games.
• Andrew Oliver, LHP, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 4.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 BB, 2 K. Ugly since not winning the No. 5 starter job: 16 walks in 14.1 innings and 6.28 ERA.
• Brad Peacock, RHP, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K. 1.42 ERA in three starts; 19 IP, 11 H, 6 BB, 17 K.
• Yadiel Rivera, SS, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 2-for-5, 3B, R, RBI, K. Defensive wizard finally showing signs of life with the bat; .308/.341/.487 in 11 games.
• Luigi Rodriguez, OF, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 3-for-4, 2B, R, BB. 19-year-old Dominican speedster doing much better in second shot at Midwest League pitching; .367/.429/.531 in 12 games.
• Daniel Rosenbaum, LHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 9 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 9 K. Doesn't have much stuff, but all he does is throw strikes and get people out. 1.25 ERA and zero walks in first 21.2 innings.
• Edward Salcedo, 3B, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K. The tools are there for a breakout season; 8-for-18 in last four games and .348/.388/.565 overall.
• Forrest Snow, RHP, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K. First good start for last year's AFL breakout pitcher; has been plagued by control issues this year.
• Neftali Soto, 1B, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (2), 3 R, 2 RBI, BB. Not exactly building on huge second half last year, but home runs in back-to-back games life his averages to .234/.321/.426.
• Zack Wheeler, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K. 21 strikeouts in first 15 Double-A innings; scouts say both fastball and breaking ball are missing bats.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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