The 2010 first-round pick had a strange first half of the season, as he was hitting for average and getting on base, but not hitting for much power. His power was the reason he was a first-round pick, and it's finally caught up with the rest of his game, as Tuesday represented his second straight two home run game and after hitting just four home runs before the All-Star break, he's hit 13 in 50 games since to help raise his season line to .317/.419/.550 overall. As a nearly 23-year-old college-based product in the Cal League, he should be putting up big numbers here, but he's doing it by showing a wide range of offensive skills.
Others Of Note:
Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 2-for-5, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Four multi-hit games in four Eastern League games; 8-for-19 with 16 total bases since promotion.
B.J. Boyd, OF, Athletics (Rookie-level AZL Athletics): 3-for-6, 3B, R, 4 RBI, SB. Fourth-round pick has speed, good approach and compact swing from the left side; .305/.397/.441 in 32 games.
Lewis Brinson, OF, Rangers (Rookie-level AZL Rangers): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, SB. First-round pick is elite-level athlete who has looked less raw than expected; .300/.360/.537 in 43 games.
Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles (Double-A Bowie) 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 3 K. 96-pitch Double-A debut for top pitching prospect as control got a little loose.
Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 2-for-3, HR (22), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, CS. Home runs in back-to-back games as mid-season slump has ended with hot August; .269/.377/.492 in 117 games.
Jeurys Familia, RHP, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K. Starts like this have been few and far between, as evidenced by his 4.69 ERA, but the stuff is still nasty when he's throwing strikes with it.
Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Astros (Low-A Lexington): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K. Like Delino DeShields, this is another former first-round pick who's had a nice bounce back while showing low 90s heat and an improving breaking ball; 2.78 ERA with 109 Ks in 139 innings.
Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Rookie-level AZL Rangers): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (18), R, RBI, K. Extending his AZL record with the 18 home runs coming in 150 at-bats; .293/.435/.733 in 43 games.
Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals (Rookie-level GCL Nationals): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB 1 K. Pro debut.
Brad Hand, LHP, Marlins (Triple-A New Orleans): 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 8 K. Your strange line of the night and it took 112 pitches.
Danny Hultzen, LHP, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K. First outing since 7/28 to manage workload; 4.71 ERA in 36.1 innings with 44 Ks but 26 walks.
Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Angels (High-A Inland Empire): 4-for-5, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI. Continues to impress with the bat and the glove; .283/.408/.473 in 49 games.
John Lamb, LHP, Royals (Rookie-level AZL Royals): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. First appearance since Tommy John surgery in rehab that has taken a bit longer than normal.
Matt Magill, RHP, White Sox (Double-A Chattanooga): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K. Overlooked arm in the Dodgers system has 90-94 mph fastball, plus slider and decent changeup; 3.75 ERA but 147 Ks in 127.1 innings.
Leonys Martin, OF, Rangers (Triple-A Round Rock): 2-for-5, HR (10), 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Doesn't seem to inspire a lot of confidence in the big league staff, but home runs in four straight games and .352/.422/.615 overall.
Sean Nolin, LHP, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 10 K. Not huge on stuff but throws strikes and has a lot of deception; 2.19 ERA with 90 Ks in 86.1 innings and worth keeping an eye on.
Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Not only his best Triple-A starts, but it took place in hitter-friendly Las Vegas; 2.92 ERA with 75 Ks, in 89.1 innings.
Dorssys Paulino, SS, Indians (Rookie-level AZL Indians): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 HR (5), 3 R, 5 RBI, K. 17-year-old Dominican has been a revelation, at least offensively; .344/.392/.586 in 37 games.
Joc Pederson, OF, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 3-for-3, 2 HR (15), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. Like Parker, he's added power to his game and is generally seen as the Dodgers top established offensive prospect; .309/.399/.503 in 92 games.
Tyler Pike, LHP, Mariners (Rookie-level AZL Mariners): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K. Third-round pick is undersized but athletic lefty with advanced command and secondaries; 1.32 ERA with 42 Ks in 41 IP and .171 opponent's average.
Domingo Santana, OF, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 3-for-3, 2B, R, RBI. 20-year-old has looked good away from Lancaster as well; .291/.371/.518 in 99 games.
Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers (Rookie-level Ogden): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB. First-round pick has recovered from slow start by going 19-for-43 (.442) in last nine games; .303/.361/.462 overall.
Sam Selman, LHP, Royals (Rookie-level Idaho Falls): 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 11 K. Second-round pick is skinny lefty with command and plus velo; 1.33 ERA with 73 Ks in 47.1 innings.
Cory Spangenberg, 2B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 3-for-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB. 2011 first-round pick has been streaky, but ultimately disappointing; .289/.339/.378 in 79 games.
Julio Teheran, RHP, Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett): 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 9 K. Best start of the year with a season-high in strikeouts. ERA still 5.05 in season that has to be labeled a disappointment.
Brandon Workman, RHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Impressive Double-A debut for 2011 draftee; strike throwing machine with solid stuff has very high floor.
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Vargas has become a bit of a pop-up player in the Midwest League this year as after just 21 games, he's hitting .278/.422/.736 with nine home runs and 17 walks in just 72 at bats, and 14 of his 20 hits going for extra bases, including the nine bombs. That's obviously impressive, and his home run on Monday night was a blast to center field. That said, there are a lot of things to like about him, and also a lot of red flags. He has tremendous power, which should be no surprise when you consider his listed size of six-foot-five and 272 pounds. That's 272 pounds for a player who earned as suspension at the end of last year for taking a weight loss supplement that was on the list of banned substances. Signed in 2009 as a non-drafted free agent for $85,000, Vargas put up solid numbers in three years of short-season baseball, so at 22 he's not exactly the youngest player in the league, and his line from Monday's game shows every aspect of his game. The massive power showed up in his home run, his good approach is there with a walk, and the fact that breaking balls make him look like a little leaguer is there with the two strikeouts. That's also kind of all that matters, as he's a poor fielder and well below-average runner. All he can do is keep hitter, and all the Twins can do is keep moving him up until he stops hitting. Despite the 1158 OPS, he merely falls into the mildly interesting pile, but is worth keeping an eye on.
Others Of Note:
Mason Melotakis, LHP, Twins (Low-A Beloit): 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K.
The Twins 2nd-round pick in June, Melotakis signed for $750,000, and he's a left-handed power reliever who sat at 92-93 and touched 95 with a promising 79-81 mph slider.
A 12th round pick in 2010, Reed doesn't have great numbers this year out of the bullpen, with a 3.60 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 55 innings, but you do sit up a bit when he touches 96 mph while generally sitting at 92-94. Command/control is an issue.
I've reached the point where I can't go see Sano without seeing him go deep, and his 24 home runs is fifty percent more than any other player in the league, and he leads in the RBI race by 14. He remains a mixed bag, but it's hard to walk away from power that earns 70-80 grades from scouts, as well as one of the league's best approaches at just 19 years of age, as he also leads the circuit with 74 walks. He goes to the plate looking to crush a balls, and his .259 batting average with 129 strikeouts in 397 at-bats is certainly a cause for concern, and there's simply no way he stays at third base. As a right-fielder with those kind of secondary skills, he still projects just fine.
You don't want to judge any player on just one look, but especially a guy like Soler. A few months ago he was a Cuban refugee, and now he's a guy with millions of dollars in his pocket playing baseball in Wisconsin. That's a big adjustment, mentally, but Peoria is a great fit for him, as Soler is being guided along by Chiefs batting coach Barbaro Garbey, a fellow Cuban. On just one game, I certainly get it. He's a big, athletic outfielder who catches your eye the second he takes the field. He he tremendous hands and wrists, with a remarkably short swing for a power hitter, and a swing that helps explain his excellent contact rate. He wasn't challenged in the field and he put up a middling 4.4 time to first on a double-play ball, and he's a bit of a strange runner who stays on the balls of his feet. Not enough data to really make a call here, but again, I get it.
Matt Tomshaw, LHP, Twins (Low-A Beloit): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K.
Beloit's starter was a 23-year-old 42nd-round pick from last years draft. Not exactly the pedigree one looks for, but he's fun to watch, and mowed down hitters with a deep repertoire and impressive location. Tomshaw doesn't have much velocity at 88-90 mph, but he can add sink and run to the pitch and hits both sides of the plate effectively. He has a solid curveball and good changeup, and he mixes his pitches well, is seemingly always ahead of the hitter and is very aggressive. With a 2.59 ERA and three straight excellent starts, I don't feel like I saw a fluky one-day thing, and it wouldn't shock me to see Tomshaw continue to find success with an outside shot at making it as a reliever.
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Entering the year, Polanco was one of those players every team has a couple of – the super toolsy outfielder who one hopes will click. There was little sign of that in 2011, when he hit .237/.333/.361 in the Gulf Coast League, but few, if any prospects in baseball have taken a bigger step forward this year. There's absolutely nothing not to like about Polanco. A lean and wiry six-foot-four, the 20-year-old Dominican is the kind of player who catches your eye the second he gets off the bus, and then he shows a good approach, the potential for plus power, plenty of speed (40 stolen bases), and good defense in center. This is a five-tool guy actualizing, and rapidly, into an elite-level prospect.
Others Of Note:
Engel Beltre, OF, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (13), 2 R, RBI, BB, SB. Second-half surge continues with .298/.349/.553 line since the All-Star break; .259/.306/.439 overall.
Nick Castellanos, OF, Tigers (Double-A Erie): 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB. Talk of a big league call up has died down, but he's still hitting .306/.322/.444 in 56 Eastern League games.
David Dahl, OF, Rockies (Rookie-level Grand Junction): First-round pick has shown not only all five tools but plenty of ability as well; .380/.424/.615 in 45 games.
Delino DeShields, 2B, Astros (Low-A Lexington): 1-for-2, HR (10), R, RBI, BB, SB. Promoted to High-A Lancaster after the game; .298/.401/.439 in 111 games with 83 stolen bases.
Wilmer Flores, 3B/2B, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 3-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB, K. Despite offensive improvements, there are still questions about secondary skills and ultimate position; .274/.324/.421 in 44 Eastern League games.
Scooter Gennett, 2B, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 3-for-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB. Little second baseman with easy plus hit tool is 11-for-21 in last five games; .293/.334/.386 overall.
Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, BB, 2 SB, CS. Has stolen 11 bases in his last five games to give him 133 on the year; just 12 short of the minor league record and hitting .273/.395/.384 since move to Double-A.
Slade Heathcott, OF, Yankees (High-A Tampa) 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB. Has lifted OPS 111 points in five games by going 12-for-23 with 21 total bases; .300/.377/.531 in 39 contests.
Mikie Mahtook, OF, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI. 2011 first-round pick his hitting .308/.324/.523 in 17 games since moving up, but he's a corner outfielder who's college power has yet to translate.
Tyler Marlette, C, Mariners (Rookie-level Pulaski): 4-for-5, 3 2B, R, 3 RBI, K. Big bonus 2011 draftee is interesting talent with hitting skills and big arm, but catching ability needs work; 17-for-36 (.472) in August and .316/.342/.371 overall.
Adam Morgan, LHP, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Impressive Double-A debut after striking out 140 over 123 innings in Florida State League; 22-year-old has outstanding command, and enough stuff to avoid classification as a pure finesse pitcher.
Joe Panik, SS, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-4, 3 R. Ten hits in last three games and hitting .344 since the All-Star break; .293/.369/.412 overall is middle infielder with good approach and gap power.
Dorssys Paulino, SS, Indians (Rookie-level AZL Indians): 3-for-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 SB, CS. 17-year-old Dominican has been as good as advertised with the bat, but defensive concerns remain; .338/.393/.559 in 33 games.
Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (High-A Charlotte): 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K. Left with big velo and big control problems will get plenty of time to figure it out, because when he's right, he's capable of lines like this.
Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 3-for-5, HR (3), 3 R, 3 RBI. First big game since promotion; .260/.319/.413 in 28 games with some minor progress defensively.
Trayce Thompson, OF, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem) 4-for-5, R, 3 RBI, K. Has made big strides in cutting down on whiffs with .310/.365/.549 line in 46 games since the All-Star break; big tools are still there, and production is starting to match.
Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Cubs (Short-season Boise): 2-for-4, 2 HR (6), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Beefy 19-year-old first baseman has impressed with hitting skills and power; five home runs in last four games and .356/.415/.746 in 15 overall since promotion.
Mac Williamson, OF, Giants (Short-season Salem-Keizer): 3-for-4, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. Third-round pick is huge (6-4, 240) and surprisingly athletic for his size; .327/.397/.577 in 13 games.
Justin Wilson, LHP, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 8 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. The rare eight-inning no-no due to rain; Fastball and curve are both a tick above-average, but often has trouble throwing strikes.
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