Luis Domoromo, OF, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne): 1-for-2, HR (3), R, RBI, BB.
Signed to a seven-figure bonus in 2008, Domoromo was more of a “wait and see” prospect entering the year after a sub-standard showing in the Northwest League, but he's generating considerable buzz in his full-season debut, as the 19-year-old Venezuelan is hitting .324/.405/.465 in his first 20 games. He's not a pure tools player, as he's merely an average runner and defender, but one scout called his swing among the best he's seen in the league, and when combined with a surprisingly mature approach, he's currently has more walks (11) than strikeouts (10) in 71 at-bats. No more waiting, no we are seeing.
Others Of Note:
Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 5-for-6, HR (14), 3 R, 2 RBI. Has 20 total bases in last three games and is up to .333/.373/.655 overall; Bat only fat guy, but it's looking more and more real.
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 3-for-5, 3B, R. 16-for-28 (.571) during seven-game hitting streak and up to .398/.442/.570 overall; hitting streak also corresponds with appearing on the podcast.
Xavier Avery, OF, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 2-for-5, 3B, 2 R. Nine-game hitting streak has batting average up 36 points to .255/.318/.321.
Dellin Bentances, RHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 K. Season-high in both innings and strikeouts; More strikeouts (39) than hits plus walks (22+16=38) in 34.2 innings.
Michael Choice, OF, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 2-for-5, 2 HR (9), 3 R, 3 RBI, BB, K. Plenty of power, plenty of walks, plenty of whiffs; .247/.360/.488 in 42 games.
Jarred Cosart, RHP, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 9 K. Has allowed seven hits over 20.2 innings in last three starts while striking out 20; 2.87 ERA in 10 starts.
Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox (Low-A Greenville): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (5), R, 3 RBI, BB, K. Coming on strong after ugly April; .300 in last ten games and .243/.385/.505 overall.
Zack Cox, 3B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, K. Double-A debut after hitting .418 (28-for-67) in last 18 Florida State League games.
Jarek Cunningham, 3B, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (11), R, 2 RBI. Home runs in back-to-back games and .298/.339/.631 overall in 42 games.
James Darnell, 3B, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 3-for-4, 2 2B, HR (10), R, RBI. On yet another roll; 10-for-20 in last five games with 20 total bases and .377/.479/.686 overall.
Delino DeShields, 2B, Astros (Low-A Lexington): 2-for-5, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, K. Six-game hitting streak has averages up to more respectable .242/.320/.401; scouting reports are better than the numbers.
Nick Franklin, SS/2B, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 5-for-6, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI. OPS up 50 points in one night to .272/.366/.438; still hitting just .189 away from High Desert.
Christian Friedrich, LHP, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 1.2 IP, 7 H, 10 R (2 ER), 3 BB, K. For you old school readers that have been with me since the days of The Prospect Report, “Ooooof.”
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 2-for-4, HR (16), 2 R, RBI; 2-for-7, 2B, BB, 2 K. Has yet to slow down; .335/.466/.696 in 45 games.
Mycal Jones, OF, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 3-for-5, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, SB. Moved to centerfield this year and hitting .276/.436/.552 in his first nine games of the year.
Casey Kelly, RHP, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Best start of the year lowers ERA to 3.83 in ten games; has been highly inconsistent, but scouts still project good No. 3 starter.
Barret Loux, RHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Last year's draft soap opera victim has been healthy and good; .223 opponent batting average and 52 Ks in 47.2 innings.
Starling Marte, OF, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 2-for-4, 2 2B, K. Six multi-hit efforts in last eight and .335/.364/.476 overall; impressive defense with speed and gap power could be enough to make up for few walks.
Chris Owings, SS, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI. Has been a disappointment after impressive spring training; 10-for-25 during five-game hitting streak and .257/.297/.424 overall.
Jurickson Profar, SS, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 1-for-1, R, 2 BB, HBP. Eight hits in last 11 at bats and on base 13 times in his last 16 plate appearances; .275/.405/.517 in 34 games and nearly four months younger than Bryce Harper.
Kyle Russell, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 HR (8), 3 R, 4 RBI, K. Four home runs in last three games and .299/.352/.573 overall; contact is still a huge issue with 55 strikeouts in 45 games.
Edward Salcedo, 3B, Braves (Low-A Rome): 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 K, 4 E. Has certainly improved with the bat, but 20 errors over 41 games in the field is quite the red flag.
Jake Smolinski, OF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB. Under-the-radar guy who has his fans among scouts; slugging .590 in May and hitting .282/.384/.476 overall.
Angelo Songco, OF, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 5-for-7, 2B, 3B, HR (6), 4 R, 4RBI, K. Nice cycle in a 25-9 thumping of Lancaster; ceiling is fourth outfielder.
Tyler Townsend, 1B, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 4-for-4, RBI, CS. 9-for-17 in last four games and .309/.331/.564 overall; needs to stay healthy, and at 23, he needs a bigger challenge.
Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI, K. Hitting .300 in May and up to .271/.311/.439 overall; I'd say be optimistic, but every time I do that he slumps again.
Tim Wheeler, OF, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K, SB. Hitting .370 overall and .320/.401/.623 overall in 44 games; has outside shot at 30-30 year with 12 home runs and nine stolen bases.
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James Paxton, LHP, Mariners (Low-A Clinton): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 12 K
It took a long time for Paxton to get his professional career simply started. After being selected by the Blue Jays in the supplemental first-round in 2009, Paxton didn't come to terms with Toronto, and then was unable to return to the University of Kentucky for his senior year due to questions about the negotiations with Toronto being handled directly by Scott Boras. After a so-so year of independent ball, he fell to the fourth round, but still received just under $1 million dollars as a signing bonus. As a 22-year-old, he's a bit old for the Midwest League, but it's clearly been a good place to get his feet wet, as he has struck out 38 over 28.1 innings in his first five starts. A classic power pitcher who gains value due to his left-handedness, Paxton's low-to-mid 90s fastball and power curve are both potential out pitches, but he's still struggling with command and control, issues that dogged him throughout his amateur days. In other words, lots of upside here, but little certainty.
Others Of Note:
Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, 4 R, RBI, 2 BB. Hitting .326/.425/.579 in 23 May games during what could be his last month in the minors.
Josh Bell, 3B, Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk); 3-for-5, HR (7), R, 3 RBI. Home runs in back-to-back games but has devolved into all-or-nothing hacker; .273/.294/.461 in 41 games.
Charlie Blackmon, OF, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 3-for-5, HR (9), R, 4 RBI. 25-for-54 (.463) during 12-game hitting streak with seven doubles and three home runs; .349/.405/.609 overall.
Matt Carpenter, 3B, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 3-for-5, 3B, R, RBI. .295/.423/.390 in 43 games; scouts love the on-base skills but wish we drove the ball more.
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI. Third straight multi-hit game and up to .283/.368/.440 overall.
Zack Cozart, SS, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 3-for-4, HR (4), R, 3 RBI. Hitting .337/.374/.533 in May after .225 April.
Jarek Cunningham, 2B, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (10), R, 2 RBI, 2 K. After hitting 12 home runs in all of 2010, he's hit 10 in 41 Florida State League games; with big power comes big holes in swing, and 47 strikeouts in 41 games.
Travis D'Arnaud, C, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR (3), 3 R, RBI, K. Among the hottest bats in the minors; 21-for-41 in 13 May games for a .512/.592/.854 line.
Robbie Erlin, LHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 6 K. Ties season-high for hits allowed, but Carolina League still hitting .132 against him; 62 strikeouts and just five walks in 54.2 innings.
Wilmer Flores, SS, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (4), R, 5 RBI. Seems to have a big game like this every couple of weeks; overall line of .270/.300/.389 is lacking.
Jae-Hoon Ha, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-5, HR (1), R, RBI, K. First Double-A home run; .278/.297/.472 in eight games.
Nick Hagadone, LHP, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. First Triple-A save since last week's promotion; suddenly on path for big league look this year?
K.C. Hobson, 1B, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI. 2009 sixth-round pick and son of Butch is 11-for-22 in last six games and batting .329 in May; needs to find in-game power to be taken more seriously.
Scott Kazmir, LHP, Angels (Triple-A Salt Lake): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 3 K. Well, that just happened.
Joe Kelly, RHP, Cardinals (High-A Palm Beach): 7.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 K. Groundball righty took no-hitter into the eighth; fastball is special for combination of velocity and sink, but rest of game needs work.
Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB. Up to .292/.368/.497 in 43 games; Orlando Cabrera has the lowest OPS in the every day lineup, but do you want to break up the chemistry?
Junior Lake, SS, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 3-for-5, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K, SB. 10-for-20 with two home runs in last four games; .315/.339/.486 is big step forward and tools have always been there.
Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 3-for-4, 3 R, BB, SB. Has yet to cool down from hot start; .374/.453/.525 in 34 games while scoring 29 runs.
Alex Liddi, 3B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-for-6, 2 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI, K. Hitting .293/.375/.598 in 23 May games; scouts have noted improved defense as well.
Mike Montgomery, LHP, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 3.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 3 K. Command struggles continue to frustrate; 4.58 ERA due much in part to 31 walks in 53 innings.
Derek Norris, C, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 1-for-3, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K. Finally coming around? 11-for-29 (.379) with three home runs and six walks during eight-game hitting streak to raise OPS 280 points to .225/.376/.438.
Andy Oliver, LHP, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Pulled after two in order to take Phil Coke's spot in the big league rotation.
Kevin Siegrist, LHP, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 BB, 6 K. Currently ranks third in all of the minors with a 1.29 ERA, but scouts see a smoke-and-mirrors lefty who rarely gets out of the 80s with his fastball.
Dayan Viciedo, 1B/OF, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 3-for-4, 3 2B, 2 R, RBI. Up to .318/.362/.538 in 44 games and Juan Pierre still plays every day in the big leagues.
Eric Young, 2B/OF, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 4-for-4, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, SB. 26 years old and has had plenty of big league chances; .372/.469/.558 line is still hard to ignore.
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Hey folks, getting ready to head to Boston for the Saber Seminar, so just a quick look at players who really caught my eye yesterday.
Brandon Belt, OF/1B, Giants (Triple-A Fresno): 1-for-4, HR (4), R, 2 RBI, 2 K. Back in the big leagues soon? Up to .380/.519/.620 in 25 games.
Charles Blackmon, OF, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI. Five straight multi-hit games and 15-for-31 during seven-game hitting streak; .337/.400/.598 overall.
Bobby Borchering, 1B/3B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 3-for-4, HR (7), R, RBI, K. Home runs in back-to-back games and hitting .324/.385/.521 in May; needs to hit as fewer and fewer scouts think he has any chance to stick at third base.
Gary Brown, OF, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K, 2 SB. Ten hits in last four games and .378/.449/.529 overall in 40 games; definitely on the All “Need A New Challenge” team.
Eduardo Escobar, SS, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI. Slugging .492 in May; plus glove with surprising pop for his size and position; on-base skills are an issue.
Bill Hamilton, SS, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 1-for-4, R, BB, K, 3 SB. Still hitting just .204, but wanted to point out eight stolen bases in last three games. On base 45 times this year and 38 stolen base attempts (32-6).
Brad Holt, RHP, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 4 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 8 BB, 1 K. Early-season gains seem to be out the window; 18 BB over 10.1 IP in last three starts.
Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 3-for-5, 2 2B, HR (6), 3 R, RBI, SB. Batting .356 in May and .297/.403/.500 overall; at some point the Rays have to realize he's the better option than Sam Fuld, right?
Matt Lipka, SS/2B, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3-for-6, 2B, R, RBI. Now 8-for-14 with five doubles in last three games after nothing but singles in first 36.
Kyle Lobstein, LHP, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K. Far more command than stuff, but Florida State League hitting just .175 against him.
Eury Perez, OF, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. 14-for-23 in his last six games and .341/.365/.415 overall; can hit and can run, but approach (2 BB in 82 AB) needs fine-tuning.
Henry Rodriguez, 2B, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 3-for-4, 3 2B, R, 2 RBI, K. Plus bat for a middle infielder with gap power; .308/.344/.456 in 40 games.
Tyler Thornburg, RHP, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. 2010 third-round pick is small righty with velocity and a good breaking ball; 41 Ks in 36 innings with 1.75 ERA.
Josh Vitters, 3B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI. 10-for-22 in last four games and .264/.304/.443 in 39; that's progress, but not as much as you'd like to see.
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