6/15 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 16, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

A couple of pitchers had dominating performances in the AA ranks yesterday.  San Diego Padres top pitching prospect Mat Latos mowed down 12 hitters yesterday over 5.1 IP, walking none and allowing just five hits.  Unfortunately, the three runs that he allowed were enough to hand him his first loss this season.  Latos has been as impressive as any pitcher in the minor league ranks this year as he has a 6-1 record with a 0.84 ERA and 11 BB/61 K’s in 53 innings.  Armed with a fastball that reaches 97 MPH and a fierce knockout slider, Latos is a powerfully built, strikeout machine that has All-Star written all over him.  Unfortunately, Latos has had a history of injury problems and attitude issues that have obscured his development to date.  His promotion and continued dominance shows that he has moved well beyond some of those issues in a quest to fulfill his boundless potential.  Don’t be surprised if Latos treads a fast track similar to what Tommy Hanson has done over the past year. 

L.A. Angels RHP Tim Kiely lacks the stuff that Mat Latos possesses, but his complete game, 13 K debut for Arkansas is worthy of note.  Prior to Monday’s start, the 23 year old meandered to a ho-hum 5-5 record with High-A Rancho Cucamonga with a 4.44 ERA in 12 starts.  Control is the name of Kiely’s game as he posted an impressive 8 BB/44 K in his 73 innings of work.  Drafted out of Trinity College in the 27th round of the 2008 draft, Kiely was used exclusively as a reliever in ‘08 but seems to be adjusting fairly well as a starter.  The Angels are customarily loaded with nice young arms, which will make Kiely’s road going forward difficult, but 31 year old Matt Palmer has shown that pitchers with good command of the strike zone and durable arms will always have an opportunity to stick with an organization. 

Today’s top prospect at the AA ranks is a no stranger to prospectors and collectors.  Chicago White Sox 3B import Dayan Viciedo went 3-4 yesterday, hitting his 5th HR while driving in three and scoring three runs.  Viciedo got off to a tortoise-like start out of the gate, hitting .234 with one HR and 9 RBI through the month of April.  May was a bit better (.293 2 HR 20 RBI) and June has been even kinder (.333 2 HR 9 RBI) thusfar.  Viciedo’s bat has not provided as many souvenirs as expected to this point, but his willingness to use all parts of the field is indicative that the 20 year old has worked dilligently on refining his approach at the plate.  Strike zone judgement is still a raw spot for the Cuban native as he has earned just 9 BB versus 48 K’s in his first 63 professional games.  Viciedo is likely never going to be a walk magnet, but he should be able to curb his overagressiveness going forward.

AA Player of the Day—DAYAN VICIEDO

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Mitch Moreland—4-6 HR(10) 2 RBI 2R
• Adrian Cardenas—4-6 2 2B 2 RBi 2R
• Chris Carter—2-6 RBI
• Matt Spencer—2-5 2R SB(1)
• Cole Garner—4-4 2B R
• Kurt Mertins—3-4 2B R RBI
• Jason Castro—1-3 2R RBI BB
• Tyler Henley—1-4 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Jon Lucroy—2-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Yonder Alonso—1-2 HR(8) 2 RBI
• Scott Cousins—2-4 2B SB(14)
• Michael Stanton—1-3 2B (Game 1)…..1-3 2B RBI BB (Game 2)
• Tyler Flowers—2-4 2R BB
• Dayan Viciedo—3-4 HR(5) 3 RBI 2B 3R BB
• Stephan Gartrell—3-4 HR(10) 3 RBI 2B 2R BB
• Evan Frey—3-5 3B R RBI
• Andrew Lambo—2-4 2 2B R
• Russ Mitchell—3-4 2B 3B R RBI SB(4)
• Michael Taylor—1-3 2B R BB

Pitching:

• Joe Savery—6 IP H 3 BB 4K W (8-1)
• Polin Trinidad—8 IP 4H 3 BB 7K W (6-4)
• Mat Latos—5.1 IP 5H 2 ER 12K L (6-1)
• Tim Kiely—9 IP 3H 2 ER 3 BB 13K W (6-5)
• Kyle McCulloch—7 IP 7H 3K W (6-6)

6/15 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on under Hot Prospect Profile | Be the First to Comment

Milwaukee Brewers OF prospect Caleb Gindl seems to be back on track, hitting his 8th HR yesterday, while driving in two runs and scoring three times.  The Brian Giles clone is rebounding from a terrible month of May where he hit just .195 with 27 K in 23 games.  Gindl has homered in three of his last four games and is batting .305 during the month of June.  Last season, the 20 year old hit .307 with 13 HR 81 RBI 38 doubles and 86 runs scored for Low-A West Virginia.  While he shares a resemblence to San Diego’s All-Star right fielder, Gindl still needs to make great strides in developing his plate discipline.  He draws a lot of walks, but strikes out a ton (144 times in ‘08).  Still, there is quite a bit to like about the young Brewer and, given Milwaukee’s organizational depth in the outfield, Caleb should have ample time to develop.

Red Sox pitching prospect Casey Kelly has handled his promotion well, winning his first game at High-A Salem and 7th game overall.  Kelly tossed six innings allowing four hits and just one earned run while striking out five.  It is customary for pitchers to struggle with their control after being promoted, as many try to do too much to succeed against more advanced hitters.  Kelly has been hit in a couple of his outings, but has issued just one walk in 22.2 IP since his promotion.  This stunning command makes him one of Boston’s most intriguing pitching prospects and it seems that his days as a potential shortstop prospect are a thing of the past.

Today’s top prospect is L.A. Dodgers 1B prospect Steve Caseres.  The James Madison alum and ‘08 draftee went 3-3 with his 9th and 10th HR and five RBI.  Caseres has been on a tear as of late, hitting .438 with 5 HR 11 RBI and seven runs scored in his last 10 games.  The left handed hitter was not one of the Dodgers’ top prospects entering the ‘09 season, but his build (6-4 220 lb.) and powerful bat falls in line with that of a prototypical 1B prospect.  This is an area in which the Dodgers don’t have a great deal of depth.  Granted, there are several prospects (Andrew Lambo, Josh Bell, Austin Gallagher) who may end up making the transition to 1B from other positions, but Caseres has the build and power to hold his own against potential comers inside the Dodgers farm system.

High-A Minor League Report—STEVE CASERES

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Denis Phipps—3-5 HR(5) 3 RBI SB(5)
• Shane Peterson—2-5 2B 3B 2 RBI
• Caleb Gindl—1-2 HR(8) 2 RBI 3R 2 BB
• Austin Romine—2-5 RBI R
• Ike Davis—2-4 2B R RBI BB
• Jake Opitz—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI R
• Chris Marrero—3-4 2B R
• Pedro Baez—3-4 2r
• Steve Caseres—3-3 2 HR(10) 5 RBI 2R
• Preston Mattingly—3-5 3B R
• Jon Gaston—4-5 HR(16) 2 RBI 2R
• T.J. Steele—2-4 HR(4) 4 RBI 2B 2R BB
• James Shuck—2-4 2B 3B 2 SB(14)
• Ryne White—3-5 2 HR(3) 5 RBI 2R
• Buster Posey—2-2 2B 2R 2 BB
• Roger Kieschnick—3-4 2 2B 2 RBI
• Thomas Neal—2-4 HR(12) RBI
• Yefri Carvajal—3-4 SB(6)
• Jemile Weeks—3-4 2B R RBI SB(2)
• Julian Perez—2-4 HR(8) 2 RBI
• Joe Dunigan—1-5 HR(16) RBI

Pitching:

• Corey Luebke—8 IP H 2 ER 11K
• David Bromberg—6.1 IP 3H 4 BB 5K
• Evan Anundsen—8.1 IP 7H ER 2 BB 5K W (7-1)
• Kenny Moreland—5 IP 3H 2K W (1-0)
• Dan Hudson—7 IP 5H 2 ER BB 8K W (5-5)
• Casey Kelly—6 IP 4H ER 5K W (7-3)
• Jose Ortegano—7.1 IP 2H Er 2 BB 5K W (3-5)

6/15 Low-A Minor Legue Report

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After a long absense, I’ve taken a gander at the progress of today’s Low-A prospects and have a few things to report.  Toronto Blue Jays OF prospect Johermyn Chavez hit his 11th HR of the season, driving in four runs and scoring twice.  At 20 years old, the 6-3 220 lb. Venezuelan is serving his second season with Lansing putting up better results.  Strike zone judgement that was abysmal last season (25 BB/128 K) is vastly improved through the first half of this season (19 BB/54 K).  This has been the key cog for the 60+ point jump in his batting average and 100 pt. jump in OBP.  Chavez has the power potential to be a 25-30 HR hitter at the major league level and his arm is strong enough for right field.

The Boston Red Sox have a rich farm system, but quality catching prospects has been an area of weakness in recent history.  ‘08 draftee Tim Federowicz is a breath of fresh air.  Yesterday’s 4-5 two RBI, two run outing was just the most recent in what has been a hitting barrage for the 5-10 213 lb. receiver.  The former Tar Heel has torn the cover off of the ball during the first half, hitting .342 with 9 HR 32 RBI and 17 doubles.  Despite his lofty accomplishments, the stocky backstop was not included in Baseball America’s Top 30 Red Sox prospects list, an oversight that will assuredly not be repeated in 2010.

Today’s top prospect is Daniel Brewer, a 21 year old OF from the New York Yankees farm system.  Brewer was perfect at the plate, going 4-4 with two doubles, two triples, two RBI and four runs scored.  For the season,  the ‘08 eighth rounder is hitting a robust .342 with two HR 25 RBI and 18 doubles.  He has a firm grasp of the strike zone walking 30 times versus 41 strikeouts.  As polished as Brewer is at the plate, he displays average to below average tools across the board.  He doesn’t have much power, yet his fringy speed relagates him to a corner outfield spot.  This season, he’s been a DH for Tampa, which doesn’t bode well for his opportunities going forward.   That said, he is a gamer who gets the most out of his abilities.  That desire, matched with his grit at the plate may propel him into a major league lineup someday.

High-A Player of the Day—DAN BREWER

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Eric Morrison—2-3 2B 2R 2 SB(5) (Game 1)…..2-3 2B R 2 RBI BB (Game 2)
• Jeremy Synan—3-4 HR(10) 2 RBI
• Kevin Mattison—2-3 HR(10) 2 RBI 3R BB
• Anthony Gose—2-3 2 RBI SB(41)
• Tim Federowicz—4-5 2B 2R 2 RBI BB
• Anthony Rizzo—3-5 2B 2r 2 RBI
• Mitch Dening—2-4 2B R 4 RBI
• Peter Hissey—2-4 R RBI SB(11)
• Abner Abreu—3-4 2 2B R RBI
• Dan Brewer—4-4 2 2B 2 3B 4R 2 RBI SB(8)
• Melky Mesa—3-5 2B 2 3B 2R RBI
• David Adams—2-4 2R RBI BB
• Ryan Flaherty—1-3 2B R 3 RBI
• Junior Lake—2-4 2B R (Game 1)…..2-3 2R HR(3) 2 RBI (Game 2)
• Jose Garcia—2-4 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R
• James Darnell—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Justin McClanahan—3-5 HR(7) 2 RBI 3R
• Johermyn Chavez—2-4 HR(11) 4 RBI 2R BB
• Mike McDade—2-4 HR(7) 3 RBI
• Brian VanKirk—4-5 2B 2R RBI
• Brett Lawrie—3-5 2B RBI
• Nick Van Stratten—3-4 3B R
• Eric Hosmer—1-4 3B R 2 RBI
• Gabe Jacobo—1-3 3B R 2 RBI 2 BB
• Nate Tenbrink—2-5 HR(5) RBI
• Jacob Shaffer—2-4 3B 2R 2 RBI BB

Pitching:

• Will Smith—8 IP 5H ER 2 BB 7K W (4-2)
• Nick Schmidt—6 IP H Er 3 BB 5K
• Chase Lirette—6 IP 3H 2 ER BB 5K W (3-3)
• Yoon-Hee Nam—4 IP 6H 2 Er BB 8K
• Michael Lee—5 IP 2H BB 5K W (1-1)
• Alexander Perez—6 IP 4H ER BB 8K W (5-2)
• Dimaster Delcado—6 IP 4H 6K W (1-0)
• Chris Carpenter—7 IP 3H K W (3-3)
• Jason Knapp—5.1 IP 2H 4 UER 5 BB 7K L (2-5)
• David Phelps—5.2 IP 8H ER BB 6K W (7-1)

6/14 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

There was a nice pitcher’s duel in the California League between 21 year olds Ben Hornbeck of the Stockton A’s and Visalia Oaks phenom Trevor Harden.  Hornbeck came out on top after tossing seven innings, surrendering four hits and an earned run while striking out nine.  Hornbeck has been dominant at two levels this season combining to go 6-3 with a 2.67 ERA and 17 BB/86 K in just 64 IP.  This start by Hornbeck was a nice bounceback from his worst outing of the year where he surrendered six runs on 10 hits in six innings.  Hornbeck has a long, lanky frame and a smooth delivery from the left hand side.  Used strictly as a reliever last season, he’s made a very successful transition into the roation and is profiled to be yet another fine southpaw prospect for the loaded Oakland A’s franchise.

Trevor Harden virtually matched Hornbeck’s outing giving up an earned run on six hits while walking one and striking out eight.  Harden, like Hornbeck, has split time between Low and High A, combining to go 6-6 with a 2.74 ERA and 13 BB/52 K in 82 innings.  Harden has had some tough luck since joining the Oaks as he has lost five of six decisions and has a .313 BAA with 6 HR since his promotion.  Some of this is due to the fact that he is playing in the always tough California League and his stuff is not overpowering like Hornbeck’s.  Still, he controls the strike zone well and has sound mechanics. 

Buster Posey continues to make the case for a promotion as his 3-5 day gives him a .410 BA for the month of June.  Add in a 13 BB/6 K ratio over the last dozen games and you have a red hot backstop that has raised his OBP to .416 for the season.  Posey’s power has come earlier than I expected.  After hitting just one HR during the Hawaiian Winter League, he’s jacked 10 for San Jose this season.  Some of this is of course enhanced by the Californian League, but it is reasonable to expect that he will be a threat to hit 20+ HR per season at the major league level.  He has to get a callup to Connecticut soon…

Today’s top player is Seattle Mariners OF prospect Tyson Gillies.  The 20 year old British Columbia native went 3-4 blasting his 3rd and 4th HR, driving in three runs and scoring three times.  Gillies is an exciting top of the order hitter who is the catalyst for a deadly High Desert Mavericks lineup.  This season has been a successful one for Gillies as he is hitting .330 with 4 HR 21 RBI 16 SB and 51 runs scored this season.  He works counts well earning 31 BB/39 K and is an aggressive baserunner, as testified by his nine triples and 10 times caught stealing.  Gillies was signed as a draft and follow in the 25th round of the 2006 draft.  After a successful season at Iowa Western CC, Tyson made his professional debut with the M’s in ‘07.  Last season, Gillies was very good with short season Everett, batting .313 with 24 SB and 35 BB in 64 games.  Gillies is 6-2 and 190 lb. and there is ample projection for him to develop more strength as he ages.  He reminds me a great deal of Cleveland Indians OF prospect Michael Brantley, though he is a bit faster and, unlike Brantley, should be able to stick as a legitimate above average centerfielder.  Don’t be surprised if Gillies gets a late summer promotion to AA West Tennessee.  Watch for his first year cards coming soon, they’ll be nice below-the-radar pickups for sure.

High-A Player of the Day—TYSON GILLIES

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Steven Caseres—3-4 HR(8) RBI 2R
• Scott Van Slyke—2-4 2R RBI SB(5)
• Jay Cox—4-5 2 HR(7) 3 RBI 2B 2R
• Maikol Gonzalez—3-5 R
• Thomas Neal—3-5 HR(11) 2 RBI 2B 3B 2R
• Buster Posey—3-5 2B 2R RBI
• Conor Gillaspie—2-4 2 2b 2R BB
• Tyson Gillies—3-4 2 HR(4) 3 RBI BB 2B 3R
• Carlos Peguero—3-5 HR(13) 3 RBI 3B 3R
• Travis Scott—3-5 2B R RBI
• Edilio Colina—2-5 R RBI
• Alex Liddi—2-4 R RBI BB
• Jordy Mercer—2-3 2B 3 RBI BB
• Steven Schults—3-5 2 2B 3R
• Mike Moustakas—2-4 R RBI SB(5)
• Derrick Robinson—1-4 R BB 3 SB(35)
• Stephen King—2-4 HR(6) 3 RBI BB
• Sean Rooney—2-5 HR(5) RBI 2B
• Brandon Waring—1-5 HR(11) RBI
• Michael Durant—2-3 HR(8) RBI
• Neftali Soto—1-5 HR(5) 4 RBI
• Jake Kahauleio—3-5 2R
• Jordan Newton—1-4 2B 2R 3 RBI BB
• Tony Campana—2-4 R 2 RBI SB(25)
• Eric Farris—3-4 2B 2 RBI SB(30)
• Caleb Gindl—3-5 HR(7) 2 RBI 2B 2 SB(10)
• Steffan Wilson—2-5 HR(7) 2 RBI SB(7)
• Brent Brewer—2-4 2R BB 2 SB(12)
• Scott Campbell—4-4 2B 3 RBI
• Kevin Ahrens—2-5 2B HR(2) 2 RBI 2R
• Cody Cipriano—3-4 2 2B R 2 RBI

Pitching:

• Jose Rosario—7 IP 6H 2 ER BB 5K L (6-2)
• Yohan Flande—9 IP 6H BB 6K W (6-1)
• Eduardo Paulino—7 IP 3H 2K W (3-3)
• Jacob Thompson—6 IP H 6 BB 4K
• Ben Hornbeck—7 IP 4H ER 9K W (6-3)
• Trevor Harden—7 IP 6H ER BB 8K L (6-6)
• Zack Phillips—7 IP H UER 2 BB 7K L (1-3)