May 31, 2013

Minor League Update

Games of Thursday, May 30

by Zach Mortimer

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Pitching Prospect of the Day: Robert Stephenson, RHP, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 6.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K; elite fastball; plus curveball; developing changeup that has a solid-average ceiling; athletic frame; carving up Low-A competition; frontline starter potential; 59.2 IP, 49 H, 22 ER, 16 BB, 77 K in 11 starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Jake Marisnick, CF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 3-5, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 9 RBI, 2 K; five-tool potential; plus power ceiling; plus runner; plus arm; potential plus hit tool. Marisnick has a hitch in his swing that causes him to struggle to make consistent contact. I’m a believer, though, and think that he is a future All-Star.

Other notable prospect performances on May 30:

“The Good”

• Jason Adam, RHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 11 K; solid-average fastball; solid-average curveball; developing changeup with a solid-average ceiling; big frame built to eat innings; creates good plane. Adam has gotten things back together after starting off the season in a little bit of a rut, and he profiles best as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
• Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 4-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI; potential plus hit tool; developing power that could eventually be plus; fringy runner; crushes fastballs; solid-average arm; will find himself back in the bigs at some point this summer.
• Lewis Brinson, CF, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 1-1, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB. Well, a line like this has to encourage Brinson fans. I saw him play a few weeks ago, and I see why Brinson is such a polarizing prospect. Personally, I liked him. The bat speed is real, he has easy plus potential power, he is a plus runner, and he is developing into a plus defensive outfielder. The swing and miss will always be an aspect of his game, but for me the positives outweigh the risk in the hit tool.
• Corey Dickerson, RF, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 3-4, 2 3B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, K; plus hit tool; gap power; enjoying the friendly confines of Colorado Springs; future extra outfielder in the big leagues.
• Kelly Dugan, OF, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI, K. good bat speed; solid-average power; solid-average runner; stuck in a corner defensively; stock on the rise.
• Cory Mazzoni, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; potential plus fastball; potential solid-average slider; developing splitter; delivery has effort which may eventually force a move to the bullpen; back-end ceiling; middle-relief floor.
• Tom Murphy, C, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 2-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K; potential solid-average hit tool; plus power potential; developing ability behind the plate; in line for a promotion in the near future.
• Eury Perez, CF, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 2-4, HR, R, RBI; plus defensive profile in center; easy plus-plus runner; fringy hit tool; aggressive on bases; will find a role in the big leagues at some point in the near future; .307/.321/.387 with 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, and 8 SB in 137 at-bats.  
• Yasiel Puig, RF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 3-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, RBI, K; Puig has the ability to become an All-Star. Most in the industry were leery when the Dodgers gave Puig a massive contract, but all signs now suggest that was a smart move.
• Roman Quinn, SS, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB; potential solid-average hit tool; developing power which has an average ceiling; elite runner; plus arm; will fit better defensively in center field; .342/.468/.632 with 1 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, and 5 SB in last 38 at-bats.
• Lucas Sims, RHP, Braves (Low-A Rome): 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K; plus fastball; potential plus curveball; potential solid-average changeup; developing command; mid-rotation profile.

 “The Bad”

Jorge Alfaro, C, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 0-5, 3 K. “The Legend” is still learning to harness his ability.

 “The Weekend”

This will be the first time I really focus on the entire NCAA baseball postseason. I am extremely excited to watch a lot of good college baseball. It is very different than the professional game, but I love the intensity that the players bring to the field. If you have a chance, you should take a few hours to take in the top teams in the country.

Zach Mortimer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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