6/28 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 29, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

We’re up and running again.

Cleveland Indians OF prospect Michael Brantley had a day that MLB managers love to see from their leadoff hitters by going 1-3 with four walks, two runs scored and three stolen bases.  Brantley’s bat has cooled significantly over the last 10 games as he is hitting just .154 and hasn’t driven in a single run.  His plate discipline has continued to be rock steady, however, as his four free passes yesterday gave him a positive 37 BB/36 K ratio for the season.  The Indians traded 3B Mark DeRosa over the weekend which doesn’t have any immediate effect on Brantley, though it does give an indicator that the Indians have already fancied themselves as sellers and there should be several more transactions (most notably Cliff Lee) to follow.  This is a double edged sword.  On one hand, it could, and should, open thing up for Brantley at the major league level.  On the other hand, the extradition of MLB players from the Indians’ roster will result in the increase of minor league talent within their organizational depth chart.  The acquisition of a high profile OF prospect wouldn’t have a short term effect on Brantley’s future, but a blue chip OF prospect could pose a challenge in the long term.  All in all, Brantley is primed for a Jacobs Field debut at some point this season.  He needs to bump his batting average up another 10-20 points and continue to draw walks and steal bases.  If he puts together a solid month of July, we could see him debuting by August.

Yankees top prospect Austin Jackson has been an interesting case study this season.  Yesterday the 22 year old OF hit his 2nd HR of the year and drove in two runs.  A-Jack has reminded me a little bit of Andrew McCutchen in his development thusfar.  As he has progressed, Jackson has developed into more of a top of the lineup hitter rather than a power hitter.  Jackson has held fast to his .300 plus average all year and is a perfect 13 for 13 in stolen base attempts.  His plate discipline is still an area of concern, as testified by his 25 BB/73 K ratio.  His average for the month of June has dipped to .265 and his 5 BB/26 K’s is also his below his April and May numbers.  The Yankees most likely will not call up Jackson until September when the rosters are expanded.

Today’s player of the day is Seattle Mariners OF prospect Michael Saunders.  The former Canadian National Team member went 3-4 hitting his 10th HR of the season and drawing a walk.  While the month of June has been a little disappointing (.220 4 HR 11 RBI), no one can argue with the impressive tools that the 22 year old boasts.  At 6-4 205 lb., Saunders has the potential to hit 20+ HR per season while playing above average defense in CF.  He’s cut down his K’s from last season and as a result, has a respectible 22 BB/38 K ratio through his first 50 games.  The M’s outfield situation is somewhat in flux as Endy Chavez has been lost for the season and Wladimir Balentien looks more and more like a minor league player.  The acquisition of left hand hitting OF Ryan Langerhans should further delay Saunders’ ascention to Safeco Field and GM Jack Zdurencik has indicated that he would like to exercise patience in developing Saunders.  The Mariners despite their litany of injuries are still in contention for a post season bid.  While that may change come one or two months from now, each day they are in contention signals another day that Michael Saunders will be in the middle of Tacoma’s starting lineup.

AAA Player of the Day—MICHAEL SAUNDERS

 

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Brandon Allen—2-4 R 2 RBI
• Chris Heisey—3-5 2B 2R RBI SB(14)
• Jamie Hoffmann—2-3 2B 2R 2 RBI BB
• Matt Joyce—1-6 HR(7) RBI SB(3) BB
• Reid Brignac—3-7 2B 2 RBI R
• Rhyne Hughes—3-5 HR(19) 2 RBI BB
• Michael Brantley—1-3 2R 4 BB 3 SB(29)
• Matt LaPorta—1-3 2B R 2 RBI BB
• Jordan Brown—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Mark Hamilton—3-6 2B 2R RBI
• Jon Jay—1-4 HR(3) 2 RBI BB
• Cameron Maybin—2-5 2B 2 RBI R
• Gaby Sanchez—2-4 2B R RBI
• Jai Miller—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI SB(5)
• Austin Jackson—1-3 HR(2) RBI 2R BB
• Julio Borbon—1-5 HR(2) 2 RBI 3R BB
• Cole Gillespie—1-3 HR(6) RBI
• Jacob Hester—2-3 2 2B R
• Michael Saunders—3-4 HR(10) RBI 2B

Pitching:

• Matt Maloney—6.2 IP 7H 3 ER 2 BB 6K W (5-4)
• Anthony Swarzak—7 IP 2H ER 2 BB 5K W (4-4)