Just a quick one due to heavy storms and a busy schedule; things will be more normal next week.
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 2-for-4, CS. Third straight multi-hit game and 12-for-28 (.429) since promotion; how cool is it that this guy hits third?
Tim Beckham, SS, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 K. Third straight multi-hit game and back over .300 at .301/.355/.429.
Maikel Cleto, RHP, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 9 K. First start after brief big league struggles.
Zack Cozart, SS, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-for-3, 2B, RBI. 17-for-30 in his last seven games and .320/.360/.507 overall; I'm not a big fan of Free Player X movements, but . . .
James Darnell, 3B, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 3-for-4, 2B, 3 R, RBI, BB. 11-for-19 with 24 total bases in last five games; .376/.472/.678 on the season and needs to move up to Triple-A.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (20), 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB. First minor leaguer to 20 home runs and still has more walks (48) than strikeouts (43); .349/.467/.693 is arguably the best line in the minors.
Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 3-for-5, 2B, R, 3 SB. 48 stolen bases in 51 games and hitting .375 in last 10 games; last night's three included one of home.
Deck McGuire, RHP, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 10 K. Career-high in strikeouts; 3.27 ERA in 12 games with 62 Ks in 63.1 innings.
Andrew Miller, LHP, Reds Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Averaged 18.7 pitches per innings in his first nine starts, but just 13 in his last three with two walks in 20 innings.
Trey Moore, 1B, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 2-for-3, HR (12), R, RBI, BB. Six home runs in last 14 games and up to .291/.320/.555 overall.
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K. Second High-A start.
Jonathan Schoop, IF, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 2-for-5, 2 2B, R, RBI. 19-year-old is 6-for-17 since promotion to High-A while playing mostly second base.
Josh Smith, RHP, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K. 1.73 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 67.2 innings but almost 24 years old and in Low-A.
Drew Smyly, LHP, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K. 2010 second-round pick has more pitchability than stuff; 3.03 ERA in six starts.
Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 4-for-5, R, 4 RBI, CS. 11-for-24 in last six games and .345/.402/.462 in 40 games.
Mike Trout, OF, Angels (Double-A Arkansas): 2-for-3, R, 2 SB; 2-for-4, 3B, R, 2 K. Nine stolen bases in last ten games after just nine in first 40; .313/.422/.522 on the year.
Tim Wheeler, OF, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 2-for-5, HR (15), R, RBI, K, First home run in 11 games; even with mini-slump he's at .320/.408/.613 on the year.
The rest of this article is restricted to Baseball Prospectus Subscribers.
Not a subscriber?
Click here for more information on Baseball Prospectus subscriptions or use the buttons to the right to subscribe and get access to the best baseball content on the web.
I know I'm out on an island here, but I continue to believe that Cozart is the Reds best option at shortstop. Paul Janish is a wonderful defender, but the team can only put up with sub-.300 on-base and slugging percentages for so long. Cozart is no slouch himself with the glove, currently riding a 20-game error-less streak, and after hitting just .225 in April, he's batting .378 since and .315/.353/.500 overall with above-average power for a middle infielder and enough speed to steal a few bases. I really don't know what the Reds are waiting for, as they have an instant upgrade just waiting at Triple-A.
Others Of Note:
Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-4, HR (9), R, RBI. Already a career high in home runs and 11-for-23 with 10 walks in his last six games; .305/.421/.504 overall and should be up already.
Tim Beckham, SS, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 2-for-3, R, BB, SB. Has continued to show real progress both at the plate and in the field; .299/.354/.430 in 55 games.
Christian Bethancourt, C, Braves (Low-A Rome): 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB. 19-year-old catcher is maturing offensively before our eyes; 17-for-38 (.447) in last ten games and .286/.304/.434 overall.
Andrew Brackman, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton): 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 2 K. Slide continues; 6.75 ERA in 11 starts with more walks (40) than strikeouts (39) in 52 innings.
Vinnie Catricala, 3B/1B, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 1-for-4, HR (14), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. 11 home runs in last 23 games and .370/.434/.621 overall; I'd love to get excited here, but this is exactly the kind of guy that will put up huge numbers at High Desert.
Jose Ceda, RHP, Marlins (Triple-A New Orleans): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Three perfect innings with six whiffs in last three appearances; 1.03 ERA in 24 games with 34 strikeouts in 26.1 innings.
Colin Cowgill, OF, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 5-for-6, 2B, 3B, HR (11), R, 4 RBI, SB. Ability to play all three outfield positions could get him in the big leagues soon; .366/.429/.612 in 57 games.
Chase D'Arnaud, SS/2B, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K, SB. 7-for-17 since returning from DL and .285/.355/.436 overall; max-effort grinder who should have solid big league career as second-division starter/utility player.
Travis D'Arnaud, C, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 3-for-4, K. Snaps out of 3-for-26 slump; .308/.400/.508 in 38 games.
Lucas Duda, OF, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 2-for-4, HR (9), R, 3 RBI. Limitations are well known, but really can hit; four 11-for-25 with four home runs in last seven games and .295/.405/.566 overall.
Jonathan Galvez, 2B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 2-for-5, HR (6), 2 R, 5 RBI, K. Hitting .393 in June and .278/.357/.439 overall; Middle infielder with speed and power who seems to be flying under the radar.
Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI. 23-for-58 (.397) during 13-game hitting streak and .308/.370/.421 overall; everyone focuses on the big names but don't forget about this guy because he's a better player right now than Chris Getz.
Darin Gorski, LHP, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. 0.57 ERA in last five starts with 35 strikeouts in 31.2 innings; scouts still see a reliever for the most part, but they're starting to take more interest.
Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 5-for-6, 2 2B, HR (13), 4 R, 4 RBI. Massive game as part of 24-run outburst on a windy day in Lancaster; .368/.430/.648 in 59 games.
Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 2-for-5, 3B, R, RBI, K. Third straight multi-hit game and hitting .379 in June; .282/.381/.486 overall and scouts say he almost seems bored.
Austin Kirk, LHP, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Lefty with very good command and secondary offerings; 1.96 ERA in 12 appearances.
Marcus Knecht, OF, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI, K. 2010 third-round pick offers plenty of tools and bat speed; .339/.418/.556 line in 47 games bears keeping an eye on.
Mark Krauss, OF, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 3-for-3, HR (9), 2 RBI, BB. Great game in otherwise disappointing year; .241/.344/.467 in 54 games.
Starling Marte, OF, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 3-for-5, R, RBI, 2 SB. Hitting .327/.355/.461 in 52 games. Plus speed, gap power, good defense, but real concerns about his approach, which he makes up for in part with outstanding plate coverage.
Carlos Martinez, RHP, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K. 19-year-old Dominican has most impressive raw stuff in the Midwest League; 35 strikeouts in 26.2 innings but command and control has waivered.
Jose Martinez, OF, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 3-for-5, HR (4), R, 3 RBI, K. Impressive return from non-stop injuries; still just 22 and hitting .306/.346/.419 in 57 games.
Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB. If anything he keeps getting better; 17 hits and 30 total bases in his last ten games to lift line to .330/.415/.553 in 52 games.
Trent Mummey, OF, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, RBI. Three straight multi-hit games and .298/.355/.456 in 14 High-A games; nice sleeper with plus speed and gap power.
Derek Norris, C, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 1-for-2, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K; 1-for-1, HR (9), R, 2 RBI. The picture boy for the importance of secondary skills with an extreme batting line of .246/.393/.526.
Francisco Peguero, OF, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Missed first two months of season recovering from knee surgery; 9-for-24 (.375) in first five games of season.
Jurickson Profar, SS, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI, K. 24-for-61 (.393) in last 16 games and .288/.402/.529 overall; if Bryce Harper wasn't around, this guy would be the talk of the Sally League.
Edinson Rincon, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 5-for-6, 2B, HR (6), 3 R, 7 RBI. Yes it's Lake Elsinore, but 20-year-old Dominican was always expected to hit; .351/.389/.524 in 56 games but just isn't in infielder long-term.
Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (Low-A Bowling Green): 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 11 K. Is too hittable at times, has control problems at times, but also has filthy raw stuff; 63 strikeouts in 50 innings.
Kyle Russell, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-4, 2 HR (12), 2 RBI, BB, K. Four home runs in last four games and .282/.346/.573 overall; 74 strikeouts in 206 at-bats continues to be a problem.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants (Triple-A Fresno): 1-for-3, HR (1), R, 4 RBI. Rehab home run off Blue Jays LHP Brett Cecil.
Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI. One scout who recently saw him wondered how he lasted to the second round of last year's draft; .316/.355/.378 in 53 games and plus-plus defense.
Michael Taylor, OF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 2-for-5, HR (3), R, 2 RBI, K. Healthy and rebounding well from rough 2010 campaign; .321/.380/.476 in 20 games.
Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 2-for-4, K. 21-for-41 during 10-game hitting streak and up to .357/.369/.503 overall; hard to keep hitting .357 when you draw two walks in 157 at-bats.
Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals (Low-A Kane County): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. 20-year-old Dominican has been outstanding in full-season debut; 27 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.
Dayan Viciedo, OF, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 3-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI. Eight hits in last four games and .312/.361/.525 overall; most important number is 15 walks over 221 at-bats, which represents a massive step forward in plate discipline.
Christian Yelich, OF, Marlins (Low-A Greensboro): 3-for-6, 2B, R, 3 RBI, K. Last year's first-rounder has impressed scouts with his hitting ability; 10-for-19 in last four games and .285/.370/.415 overall.
The rest of this article is restricted to Baseball Prospectus Subscribers.
Not a subscriber?
Click here for more information on Baseball Prospectus subscriptions or use the buttons to the right to subscribe and get access to the best baseball content on the web.
Jason Adam, RHP, Royals (Low-A Kane County): 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 8 K. 1.85 ERA in four starts with opponent's batting average of .174.
Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals (Double-A): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB. 17-for-27 in last six games and up to .348/.387/.668 overall.
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 3-for-4, R, 2 RBI. Batting average is up 40 points in last 11 games to .276/.322/.423; needs to hit for a high average as power and patience is below average for the position.
Andrew Brackman, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton): 1 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 1 K. Pulled after 39 pitch inning as the wheels have completely fallen off; 36 walks in 46.1 innings.
Edwar Cabrera, LHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 11 K. The minor league strikeout leader with 96 in 71 innings; 23-year-old lefty in Low-A with average velocity but plus command and killer changeup.
Brett Cecil, LHP, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 9 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K. Best start since demotion, but ERA still at 5.06 in eight outings.
Matt Dominguez, 3B, Marlins (Triple-A New Orleans): 4-for-4, 2B, 2 HR (3), 3 R, 5 RBI, BB. Raises OPS more than 250 points in 22-6 blowout; .255/.356/.510 in 14 games.
Mat Gamel, 1B, Brewers (Triple-A Nashville): 2-for-4, HR (9), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K. Hitting .317/.390/.538; limited trade value because of position, so being stored away as Prince insurance?
Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, 3 RBI, SB. Seven hits and 14 total bases in last three games; up to .296/.365/.403.
Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, 2 K, SB. That's 43 stolen bases in 51 games; 8-for-20 run has him above the Mendoza Line at .216/.292/.314.
Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 4-for-5, HR (13), R, 2 RBI, BB, CS. The home run was a 10th inning walkoff while down by a run; .346/.432/.623 in 52 games and does not belong at this level, period.
Matt Harvey, RHP, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 K. Gave up four runs on April 28 and eight on May 10; in his other nine starts, he has a 0.71 ERA.
Jose Iglesias, SS, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 2-for-4, R, RBI. 10-for-25 (.400) in last six games but still at just .241/.278/.248 overall.
Adam Lind, DH, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 3-for-3, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB. Nine plate appearances and just one out, so let's assume he looks pretty good.
Trevor May, RHP, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 8 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 12 K. This is how good he can be when he throws strikes; 80 Ks in 61 innings with easy plus fastball and two secondary pitches that are at least average.
Deck McGuire, RHP, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 5 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 6 K. Scuffling of late; 15.2 IP, 21 H, 11 BB, 13 K in last three starts.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 2-for-4, HR (8), R, RBI, K. Has snapped out of slump with a four-game run of 7-for-13 with two home runs; .295/.339/.506 line in 47 games.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-5, HR (10), R, RBI, K. Hit .225 in first 20 games but .336 since; 10-for-20 in last four games and .292/.356/.510 overall.
Mike Olt, 3B, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB. Hit .359 in first 16 games but .245 since; .287/.403/.511 overall.
Josh Phegley, C, White Sox (Double-A Birmingham): 4-for-4, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 7 RBI. Up to .271/.312/.427 in 48 games; tough guy to scout as he has a plus arm, but well below-average receiving skills.
Kyle Seager, 2B, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB. 13-for-26 in last six games to lift line to .308/.382/.463 in 50 games; barring a move by Dustin Ackley to the outfield, he's blocked.
Scott Sizemore, 3B, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 2-for-4, 3 R, BB, SB. 7-for-19 with 10 walks for a .368/.567/.474 line since the trade.
Ian Stewart, 3B, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (6), R, 3 RBI, BB. Slugging .705 in 18 games since being sent down, but with 20 strikeouts in 61 at-bats, it's a bit fluky.
Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 4-for-6, HR (3), 3 R, RBI, SB. After going homerless in his first 31 games he has three in his last five; up to .340/.400/.464 and could move up to High-A soon.
Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 4-for-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI. 15-for-27 during six-game hitting streak and up to .357/.371/.521 in 35 games.
Kyle Weiland, RHP, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. 3.10 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 58 innings; fastball earns praise for both movement and velocity, while secondary stuff is improving.
The rest of this article is restricted to Baseball Prospectus Subscribers.
Not a subscriber?
Click here for more information on Baseball Prospectus subscriptions or use the buttons to the right to subscribe and get access to the best baseball content on the web.
20