6/23 AAA, AA, High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 23, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

We’ve hit the All-Star break for several leagues which means that game results will be diminished over the next few days. It’s been an exciting first half filled with excellent performances from top prospects, breakouts from sleepers and tons of promotions through all levels. The second half should be even more exciting than the first. The trade deadline is coming up in the next month, changing the location and, likely, fortunes of several fine prospects. 2009 draftees continue to sign with their big league clubs and are being integrated into the lower levels of the farm system. Also, the month of September is roster expansion time, where a fresh batch of prospects will get their first cups of coffee at the big league level.

Buckle up, things are just about ready to really take off!

Today’s top prospect from the AAA ranks is someone we formerly profiled at the AA level, White Sox 1B prospect Brandon Allen. Allen was promoted to Charlotte on June 19th and all he’s done since then is go 817 with a HR, four RBI, two doubles, and four runs scored. The move to AAA signifies to me that the Sox will almost certainly bring him up in September for a look. Expect him to go to the Arizona Fall League in the offseason to get more seasoning. After that, he’ll be a prominant contender for the White Sox 1B job in sprign training 2010.

AAA Player of the Day—BRANDON ALLEN

Other Notable Performances

Brandon Allen—3-5 HR(8) 3 RBI 2R
Brett Clevlen—3-4 3 RBI SB(6)
Matt Macri—2-4 3B RBI
John Jaso—1-3 HR(4) RBI BB
Jack Egbert—6 IP 5H ER 5K W (5-2)
Homer Bailey—7 IP 6H ER 2 BB 8K W (8-5)

At the AA level, Marlins super prospect Michael Stanton homered for the second consecutive day, giving him 14 for the season. Stanton started slowly after his promotion but has homered in each of his last two games and seems to be cutting down on his K’s. Chicago Cubs RHP Jay Jackson outdueled Tampa Bay’s Jeremy Hellickson over five innings allowing just one hit while striking out five. Jackson is now 4-3 on the season and has been dominant over his last 46 innings allowing just six unearned runs while striking out 47 hitters.

Today’s top AA player is Seattle Mariners 3B prospect Matt Mangini. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy has been a big disappointment since being selected in the 2nd round of the ‘07 draft battling injuries and poor performance. Prior to the draft, Mangini was widely regarded as one of the more polished college bats with sound defensive skills. He’s repeating at the AA level with better results, batting .272 with 3 HR 24 RBI and 22 runs scored. While the numbers are not prototypical of 3B prospects, they are indeed an improvement over the totals from the last couple of years. The Mariners will need to fill the hole left by Adrian Beltre as he is slated to leave via trade or free agency. The organization offers little immediate answers. Matt Tuiasosopo followed up a stellar spring training with a bad showing at both Seattle and Tacoma before injuring his knee. Journeyman Mike Morse may be an in house candidate, but he’s no long term answer. Jharmidy DeJesus and Mario Martinez loom at the lower levels as does Italian standout Alex Liddi. Odds are that the M’s look outside the organization for a mid-level 3B, but the opportunity for the powerfully built 23 year old Mangini to open some eyes still exists. If he can continue to swing a hot bat, he may once again figure into Seattle’s future plans.

AA Player of the Day—MATT MANGINI

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

Michael Stanton—1-4 HR(14) RBI 2R BB
Scott Cousins—1-4 HR(6) 2 RBI
Matt Sulentic—2-3 R SB(13) BB
Tim Smith—4-5 2B RBI
Jordan Parraz—2-3 HR(7) 2 RBI BB
Jeff Bianchi—2-5 2R 2 RBI
Eric Sogard—2-5 2R BB
Cedric Hunter—2-5 R RBI BB SB(4)
Mitch Canham—2-5 2B R 2 RBI SB(4)
Brian Joynt—2-4 HR(2) RBI 3R BB
Lance Zawadzki—1-5 HR(12) 4 RBI
Collin DeLome—2-5 2R BB
Jason Castro—2-5 HR(8) RBI BB
Ezequiel Carrera—3-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
Matt Mangini—3-4 HR(3) RBI 2R SB(1)
Cyle Hankerd—2-3 2R 3B BB
Evan Frey—2-4 2 RBIK

With the All-Stars from the California League and Carolina League getting ready to square off, the Florida State League was the only High-A division that was in action yesterday. Today’s top prospect is Milwaukee Brewers 1B prospect Steffan Wilson. The Harvard alum was selected in the 28th round of the 2007 draft but has exceeded expectations since being drafted. In his first full year at Low-A West Virginia, Wilson hit .287 with 19 HR and 100 RBI while doubling 27 times and scoring 91 runs. This season has been even better as Wilson is currently hitting .308 with 7 HR 28 RBI and 8 SB. The Brewers don’t have much depth at the 1B spot other than all-star slugger Prince Fielder. Wilson needs to shore up his plate discipline (20 BB/57 K) but his muscular 6-1 220 lb. build and current power production are good indicators that he should be able to hit 20+ HR per season at the major league level. The Brew Crew has been rumored for quite some time as being potential sellers at some point when it comes to Prince Fielder. If Wilson continues to progress with his power, plate discipline and batting average, he could help Milwaukee make that an easier pill to swallow.

High-A Player of the Day—STEFFAN WILSON

Josh Butler—7 IP 7H ER BB 4K W (8-1)
Jay Jackson—5 IP H 5K W (4-3)
Jeremy Hellickson—4 IP 4H 6
Starlin Castro—3-5 3R 3B
Jake Opitz—3-3 2R RBI BB 2 SB
Brandon Guyer—3-4 2B 3R 2 RBI (Game 1)…..2-4 RBI (Game 2)
Christopher White—3-4 R
Audy Ciriaco—2-3 2B RBI (Game 1)…..3-3 (Game 2)
Shawn O’malley—2-4 3 RBI SB(23)
Austin Romine—2-4 HR(9) RBI
Jack Rye—2-4 HR(1) RBI SB(1) BB
Moises Sierra—2-6 2 RBI
Steffan Wilson—3-4 2B 3B 2R RBI BB SB(2)
Eric Farris—2-4 2 SB(32) BB
Adron Chambers—2-3 2B SB(12)
Matt Klinker—6 IP 6H 9K W (3-1)
Richard Castillo—7 IP 6H ER BB 3K L (1-7)