7/19 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 20, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Atlanta Braves OF prospect Cody Johnson reclaimed the minor league HR lead by blasting his 24th yesterday, driving in two and scoring twice.  He also walked and stole his 9th base of the season.  Power is definitively his calling card, but it is nice to see him drawing more walks as of late and stealing bases.  The more that Johnson can distinguish himself as a multi-dimensional hitter, the more bullish I become about his major league future.  Johnson has already exceeded his walk totals from last season, drawing his 47th yesterday, and his K rate has slowed significantly during the month of July (13 BB/19 K).  On the flip side, Cody has posted his lowest batting average splits this month, hitting just .207 with 4 HR and 15 RBI.  I am not too concerned with this as he may be making mechanical adjustments and altering his aggressive approach.  I look at this as a positive sign for long term success.  The power potential is there for Johnson to be a perennial 30-40 HR hitter at the big league level and his overall potential reminds me of towering slugger and whiff machine Adam Dunn.  His walk rates are behind Dunn’s at this point, but at just 20 years old, there is plenty of time for Johnson to boost his totals.  Johnson’s first year autos have experienced bi-polar fluctuations over the past couple of seasons, rising to $20+ in 2007 and dropping to $8-10 during ‘08.  Currently, they are residing somewhere in the middle at $7-9 for his Bowman Sterling autos and $9-12 for his Bowman Chrome Draft autos.  I think that AA ball is going to be a huge litmus test for the former AFLAC All-American and we’ll likely have to wait until next season to see the effects of that.  As for this season, 30 HR 90 RBI and about 150 K’s seems to be solid locks.

Roger Kieschnick had four knocks yesterday including his 19th HR, four RBI and three runs scored.  Kieschnick’s big day snapped a 2-18 dry spell and raised his average to .296 and his RBI total to 74 on the season.  Similar to Johnson, Roger seems to be altering his approach at the plate to cut back on his K’s as his BB/K ratio for the month of July has been quite balanced (8 BB/10 K) but his batting average (.237) is more than 40 points lower than his previous season low.  I am much more an advocate of a balanced approach at the plate.  Strikeouts are not a major detractor from overall performance if the power numbers and OBP remains high.  Hitters like Ryan Howard, Adam Dunn, Carlos Pena and others have put up monster seasons despite big K numbers as they are able to also draw 80-100+ walks per season.  Kieschnick’s first year autos are quite affordable right now with prices for his Donruss Elite Extra, Razor Threads, and Playoff Rookie Ticket autos selling for $7-10 each.  I think Kieschnick’s power numbers will carry forward, but I am skeptical of his batting average totals.  The athletic outfielder’s flirtation with the .300 mark has more to do with the fact that he is currently in the California Leauge and amidst a talented lineup.  Perhaps his recent struggles can be attributed in part to the fact that Buster Posey has moved on to AAA. 

Today’s top prospect is another California League offensive benefactor, San Diego Padres 3B prospect James Darnell.  The former South Carolina Gamecock belted HR’s 12 and 13 yesterday, driving in four runs.  Darnell started slowly after his late June promotion, but has caught fire over the last 10 games, hitting .324 with four HR, eight RBI and seven runs scored.  Darnell’s plate discipline is extraordinary as he has a positive 68 BB/61 K ratio.  The Padres have a pleasant dilemma at the hot corner as both Darnell and AA star Logan Forsythe are both having stellar seasons.  Defensively, Forsythe is clearly superior as his excellent range, arm, and hands trump Darnell’s decent skills.  Darnell will likely have to move to the outfield where there is a plethora of talented prospects to compete with.  I think he’s a player that should play at both AA and AAA next year with a shot at earning a 2010 September debut, but it will be interesting to see exactly where he ends up as a pro.  His first year autos from the 2008 Donruss Elite Extra, Playoff Contenders, and Razor sets are all quite affordable right now at $3-8 each and serve as excellent sleeper buys for next season.

High-A Player of the Day—JAMES DARNELL

Other Notable Performances:

Hitting:

• Michael Bianucci—2-4 HR(16) RBI 2B 2R
• Roger Kieschnick—4-5 HR(19) 4 RBI 3R
• Conor Gillaspie—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Thomas Neal—2-6 2 2B 2R
• Darren Ford—2-4 2B R RBI
• C.J. Ziegler—5-5 2B 2R RBI
• Tyson Gillies—2-4 2B
• Joe Dunigan—1-3 HR(22) 2 RBI
• Jake Rife—3-4 2B 2 RBI
• Jay Brossman—1-3 2R 2B 2 RBI BB
• Jemile Weeks—3-5 2 2B R
• Grant Desme—2-4 2B 3R RBI BB
• Jermaine Mitchell—3-4 2 RBI R SB(10)
• Jon Gaston—2-4 HR(23) 2 RBI 2R
• James Shuck—2-5 3R
• Brian Barnes—1-3 3R RBI 2 BB
• Koby Clemens—3-5 2B 3 RBI
• James Darnell—3-5 2 HR(13) 3 RBI 2R
• Matt Clark—2-5 2 HR(15) 2 RBI 2R
• Christan Lara—3-5 HR(5) 2 RBI SB(11)
• Pedro Baez—2-4 2B R SB(5)
• Radamez Nazario—3-4 2B 2R RBI
• Pedro Florimon Jr.—2-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Derrick Robinson—2-5 R RBI SB(46)
• Johnny Giavotella—2-5 RBI 2 SB(16)
• Eric Huber—1-4 2B 4 RBI
• Alex Presley—3-5 2B 2R
• Cody Johnson—1-3 HR(24) 2 RBI 2R BB SB(9)
• Dominic Brown—2-3 2 RBI BB
• Arlon Quiroz—3-4 R SB(15)
• Derrick Mitchell—2-4 2B HR(7) RBI
• Brad McElroy—3-5 2R SB(4)
• John Tolisano—1-3 R RBI 2 BB
• Manny Rodriguez—2-4 HR(5) 4 RBI BB
• Logan Schafer—3-5 2B 2R
• Lee Haydel—1-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Damon Sublett—2-5 2B BB
• Austin Romine—1-4 2B R RBI BB
• Chris Swauger—2-2 HR(9) 3 RBI BB

Pitching:

• Nick Additon—6.1 IP 7H 4 ER 2 BB 8K
• Darren Byrd—6 IP 4H ER 3K W (2-3)
• Jeff Mandel—7 IP 5H Er BB 6K W (8-4)

7/7 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 9, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

San Francisco Giants OF prospect Roger Kieschnick went 3-4 yesterday, blasting his 17th HR, driving in three runs and scoring twice.  In an organization chocked full of blue chip talent, Kieschnick’s 2009 season has gone widely unnoticed.  However, the former Texas Tech star has been excellent this season, hitting .303 with 17 HR 66 RBI 7 SB and 55 runs scored.  At 6-3 200 lb., Kieschnick has the size and strength of a prototypical right fielder.  The biggest knock on him, at this point, is his plate discipline.  This season, Kieschnick has walked just 20 times while striking out 78 times in 81 games.  This ratio will clearly affect his batting average as he advances to higher levels and make him more of a one dimensional hitter.  He will definitely hit for power at the major league level, but notions of a .300 plus batting average should be tempered significantly.  Kieshnick’s numbers are likely inflated a bit because of the wonderful hitting parks in the California League.  His next stop will be AA Connecticut, though, a league that tends to lean toward the pitchers.  Watch to see how he adjusts after his promotion, either this year or next, to get a better reading on his porjected future.

Today’s top player is a more nondescript prospect in Baltimore Orioles 1B prospect Robbie Widlansky.  The former Florida Atlantic standout and ‘07 11th round pick went 2-4 yesterday with his first two HR of the season, three RBI and three runs scored.  Widlansky is a versatile player who can play both corner OF positions and both corner infield positions.  He was injured for the first two months of the season, but has been red hot since his return, hitting .388 10 doubles and 18 runs scored in 31 games.  Widlansky doesn’t profile as an everyday player at this point in his career.  At 24 years old, he is a bit old for the High-A level but may be due for a promotion before the end of this season.  He’s got decent size (6-2 210 lb.) and showed a considerable boost in power during his final season at FA, hitting .433 with 15 HR and 69 RBI.  I don’t expect that he will be a full time player at the major league level, but his reputation as being a hard nosed workaholic, plus his versatility in the field may open up some opportunities in the future.

High-A Player of the Day—ROBBIE WIDLANSKY

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Conor Gillaspie—3-5 2B 2R
• Buster Posey—3-5 HR(12) RBI 2B 3R
• Roger Kieschnick—3-4 HR(17) 3 RBI 2B 2R
• Angel Villalona—2-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Elian Herrera—3-5 2R HR(3) 2 RBI
• Scott VanSlyke—1-4 HR(12) RBI BB 2R
• Matt Clark—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI R
• T.J. Steele—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI SB(8)
• James Shuck—1-3 HR(1) RBI 2 BB SB(17) 2R
• Koby Clemens—2-5 2 2B R
• Jeremy Moore—2-4 HR(16) RBI BB
• Grant Desme—1-3 HR(16) RBI BB
• Ramon Ramirez—3-5 2 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Hector Gomez—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Engel Beltre—2-7 2 RBI
• Ryan Adams—3-5 R 3 RBI
• Matthew Angle—2-5 2R 2 RBI SB(26)
• Robbie Widlansky—2-4 2 HR(2) 3 RBI 3R BB
• Tyler Henson—2-5 2R 3B
• Michael Burgess—3-4 2B 2R 3 RBI SB(9)
• David Espinosa—2-4 2 2B 3R RBI Bb
• Mike Moustakas—3-4 2B
• Johnny Giavotella—1-3 2B 2R BB
• Moises Sierra—2-5 2B 2R BB
• Ben Revere—2-5 2R 3B SB(31)
• Steven Singleton—2-5 2 3B 4 RBI R
• Chris Parmelee—1-5 HR(11) RBI
• Charles Cutler—3-4 2 2B 3R

Pitching:

• Scott Barnes—6 IP 6H 2 UER 2 BB 9K w (9-3)
• Joshua Collmenter—4.2 IP 4H 2 UER 4 BB 7K
• Casey Kelly—6. IP 6H ER BB 5K L (7-5)
• Tom Milone—7 IP 7H ER 2 BB 3K W (4-3)

5/19 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 20, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Chris Marrero hit a grand slam HR yesterday for Potomac and Padres SS/2B prospect Lance Zawadzki continues to have a huge power season, belting his 10th HR and driving in two runs.  Buster Posey drilled a couple of doubles that scored two runs and Myrtle Beach’s OF slugger Cody Johnson hit HR #13, driving in two runs.

Today’s top youngster comes from the Seattle Mariners organization.  Italian import Alex Liddi has been very impressive this season and yesterday’s performance may go down as his best yet.  Going 3-4, the 20 year old Liddi hit his 11th HR, driving in four runs and scoring five times.  Liddi has a ton of raw, projectible athleticism that is now just starting to be tapped into.  At 6-4 and 180 lb., Liddi has room to build more muscle and power without compromising much of his above average athleticism.  Strike zone judgement continues to be a concern as he has a 10 BB/40 K ratio through his first 37 games.  The M’s have several decent prospects at the hot corner, but Liddi’s blend of tools may propel him to the top of the list, even above Jharmidy DeJesus and Mario Martinez.  He’s a long way off and has the majority of his at bats in very hitter-friendly conditions, but his bat continues to be one to watch and a late season promotion to AA may give us a much clearer indicator of what to expect from him coming forward.

High-A Player of the Day—ALEX LIDDI

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Mike Moustakas—3-5
• Luis Exposito—2-5 2B 2 RBI R
• Chih-Hsien Chiang—2-4 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Chris Marrero—3-4 GS HR(5) 4 RBI SB(2)
• Trayvon Robinson—1-5 HR(5) RBI
• Buster Posey—2-3 2 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Conor Gillaspie—2-4 2B R RBI
• Brian Bocock—3-4 RBI R
• Matthew Sweeney—3-4 2B 2 RBI R
• Clay Fuller—2-4 RBI 2 BB R
• Jeremy Moore—2-5 2B RBI R
• Alex Liddi—3-4 HR(11) 4 RBI 5R BB
• Carlos Peguero—2-4 HR(6) RBI 2B 4R BB
• Kuo Hui Lo—3-4 HR(5) 4 RBI 2B 3R BB SB(7)
• James McOwen—3-6 2B 3B 2R 2 RBI
• Lance Zawadzki—2-4 HR(10) 2 RBI 2B
• Lars Davis—3-5 2B 2 RBI 2 SB(2)
• Michael Stanton—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Jovan Rosa—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI
• Starlin Castro—2-4 2R RBI
• Cody Johnson—2-4 HR(13) 2 RBI
• Ardon Chambers—2-3 3B R SB(8)
• Neftali Soto—2-3 2B 2R BB
• Derrick Robinson—2-6 2B R 2 SB(20) BB

Pitching:

• Anthony Carter—7 IP 4H ER 2 BB 9K W (3-3)
• Ron Uviedo—5 IP 3H ER BB 7K w (2-1)
• Tim Collins—2.1 IP H BB 6K
• David Bromberg—6.2 IP 4H Er 3 BB 3K W (3-0)
• Jose Rosario—6 IP H BB 8K W (3-1)
• Eric Berger—5.2 IP 3H 3 BB 5K
• Mike Kirkman—7 IP 3H 2 BB 11K W (4-1)
• Corey Luebke—7 IP 6H ER BB 6K W (4-2)

5/3 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 4, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Reese Havens and Yonder Alonso each hit their fifth HR’s of the season and Caleb Gindl added his fourth.  Ryan Kalish and Brandon Laird went deep for the second time this spring and Evan Anundsen won his third game. 

Today’s top prospect in the High-A ranks is San Francisco Giants young RHP Tim Alderson.  The 6-7 20 year old has struggled in the early going, but his seven innings of five hit, two run ball was good enough to net him his first win of the 2009 season.  Alderson has been overshadowed somewhat by the stellar pitching of San Jose teammate Madison Bumgarner, but make no mistake, Alderson has the control and velocity to be a frontline pitcher in the near future and should be an integral cog in San Francisco’s promising young staff in about two years.

High-A Player of the Day—TIM ALDERSON

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Dominic Brown—2-4 2B R RBI
• John Tolisano—2-4 2B BB 2 RBI
• Brandon Laird—1-4 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Greg Sexton—2-4 2 2B R RBI
• Reese Havens—3-5 HR(5) 3 RBI
• Yonder Alonso—1-5 HR(5) 3 RBI
• Caleb Gindl—1-4 HR(4) RBI
• Eric Farris—1-4 HR(1) RBI SB(3)
• Brent Brewer—1-3 2B R RBI 2 SB(8)
• Miles Durham—3-4 2B HR(1) RBI 3R
• Jason Castro—2-3 2 RBI BB
• Trevor Harbin—2-4 2 RBI R SB(3) (Game 1)…..2-3 HR(2) 3 RBI (Game 2)
• Ryan Kalish—1-4 HR(2) RBI
• Kris Negron—3-4 2B RBI
• Kenley Janson—2-4 HR(1) 4 RBI 2B 2R
• Scott Vanslyke—2-4 2 2B RBI R
• Darren Ford—2-4 3R RBI BB
• Brandon Crawford—2-4 R RBI BB
• Nick Noonan—2-5 2 RBI R
• Cole Gillaspie—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Tim Smith—1-3 HR(3) RBI 2R 2 BB
• David Thomas—2-5 2 2B R
• Michael Stanton—1-2 2B RBI 2 BB

Pitching:

• Nick Additon—6 Ip 0H 3 BB 4K
• Ryan Searle—5 IP 2H BB 5K
• Willin De La Rosa—5 IP 5H 2 ER BB 7K
• Evan Anundsen—5 IP 3H Er BB 4K W (3-2)
• Tim Alderson—7 IP 5H 2 ER 6K W (1-1)

4/28 High-A Minor League Report

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

There were performances-a-plenty that could be found merely in San Jose’s 17 run barrage against Lancaster.  Speedster Darren Ford racked up four hits and five RBI, Buster Posey hit his fifth HR, Conor Gillaspie racked up four hits and five RBI, Roger Kieschnick added three hits and three RBI and, oh yeah, Thomas Neal hit for the cycle and scored four runs.  In other action, Yefri Carvajal hit his third HR, Logan Forsythe and Luis Exposito each hit their second and Jesus Montero blasted two dingers. 

None of these performances can hold a candle to the performance of 20 year old Brewers prospect Evan Anundsen who went the distance in a no-hit effort against Daytona walking just one and striking out 10.  Andundsen has accrued a 2-2 record with a 1.44 ERA and 8 BB/25 K in his first four starts.  Anundsen is a finesse-type pitcher with a fastball that sits in the high 80’s, a curve and change.  He induces a great number of ground ball outs (2.71/FO in ‘08) and efficiently controls the strike zone.  There aren’t any cards of Anundsen’s out right now and, while this performance was truly dominant, he doesn’t profile as a dominant front-line pitcher at the major league level.  Regardless, when 2009 is all said and done, this performance will go down as one of the season’s best.

High-A Player of the Day—EVAN ANUNDSEN

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Darren Ford—4-7 2B 5 RBI
• Buster Posey—2-6 HR(5) RBI
• Thomas Neal—4-5 (CYCLE) HR(4) 2B 3B RBI 4R BB
• Conor Gillaspie—4-5 2 2B 4 RBI 3R BB
• Roger Kieschnick—3-5 3 RBI 2R 3B BB
• Alex Liddi—4-5 2B 2R
• Kuo Hui Lo—2-4 2B 2 RBI BB R
• Steven Caseres—3-4 3R
• Christian Lara—3-4 HR(1) 3 RBI 3R
• Logan Forsythe—2-3 HR(2) RBI 2R 2 BB
• Yefri Carvajal—1-5 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Jeremy Moore—3-4 RBI SB(3)
• Andrew Romine—2-4 2B R RBI
• Kyle Greene—2-4 HR(2) 2 RBI 2R
• Charlie Blackmon—3-6 3B R SB(6)
• Mitch Moreland—3-5 HR(4) 2 RBI BB
• Kraig Binick—3-5 HR(3) 3 RBI SB(6)
• Kyle Shelton—2-3 2 2B 3R
• Luis Exposito—1-3 HR(2) 2 RBI BB
• Tim Fedroff—3-4 RBI R
• Matt McBride—2-4 RBI R
• Pedro Alvarez—2-6 R 2 RBI
• Cody Johnson—1-4 HR(7) RBI
• Johnny Giavotella—2-5 3B 2R
• Jeff Bianchi—2-3 RBI R BB SB(4)
• David Espinosa—2-3 HR(1) 2 RBI BB
• Michael Burgess—2-4 R SB(5)
• Jesus Montero—2-4 2 HR(4) 2 RBI 2R
• Caleb Gindl—2-3 RBI BB
• Ben Revere—3-4 RBI 2 BB SB(10)
• Curt Smith—3-6 2 RBI
• Shane Peterson—3-6 2B R SB(1)
• Greg Sexton—2-3 2 RBI BB R
• Fidel Hernandez—4-6 3R
• Dominic Brown—3-4 3B 3 RBI BB
• Freddy Galvis—2-5 2B 2R BB
• John Tolisano—2-5 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R
• Eric Thames—2-4 2B 2R RBI
• Ike Davis—1-2 HR(1) RBI 2 BB
• Kirk Nieuwenhuis—3-5 HR(2) 2 RBI 2B 2R

Pitching:

• Jeremy Horst—6 IP 5H 2 BB 5K
• David Newmann—5.1 IP 3H ER 2 BB 9K
• Tyler Robertson—4 IP 2H 2 ER 4 BB 5K
• Evan Anundsen—9 IP 0H BB 10K W(2-2)
• Wilkin De La Rosa—5 IP 3H BB 7K W(1-0)
• Tim Bascom—6 IP 7H 2 ER 2K W(2-2)
• Chris Withrow—5 IP 6H 3 ER 3 BB 7K W(2-1)
• Patrick McAneney—5 IP 3H BB 7K W(3-0)
• Michael Kirkman—6 IP 6H 2 ER BB 4K