7/20 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 21, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Pedro Alvarez is red hot right now.

The former #2 overall pick of last year’s draft was decent in his stint with High-A Lynchburg and got off to a molasses-like start after his promotion to Altoona, but the last 10 games has seen Alvarez post a .368 BA with 3 HR 6 RBI and 9 runs scored.  Alvarez is a highly potent all-star hitter in the making, but his high K rates, low batting average and spotty defense has detracted from his overall performance.  All told, the sum is greater than its parts.  Alvarez is clicking right now offensively, and his 19 HR and 67 RBI are on par with expectations.  I believe that he will continue to raise his average from its current .255 level to finish around .270-.280. 

Will he earn a September callup?  Tough to say.  My gut says yes, but it was the Pirates that were so glacially slow in giving Andrew McCutchen his debut.  While that worked to McCutchen’s benefit, I think they will not exercise the same patience with Alvarez.  His collegiate resume and immediate power impact keeps him on the fast track to Pittsburgh and nothing that Andy LaRoche or Neil Walker can do will stop it.  Alvarez has a major league contract and it makes complete sense for the Bucs to get a first hand look at exactly what they have in the former Vanderbilt superstar.  Expect him to be one of the September callups unless injury or a complete collapse in his performance happens before then.

Today’s top AA prospect is Boston Red Sox catcher turned first baseman, turned outfielder, turned eventual DH Jon Still.  The Red Sox slugger blasted two HR and drove in seven runs yesterday in Portland’s 16-1 massacre over New Britain yesterday.  Despite his career day, Still has been a big disappoint me to me this year.  The former 2006 draftee is hitting .239 with 13 HR 61 RBI and 26 doubles this year, but his 27 BB/103 K’s is far and away his worst showing in his professional career.  Despite hitting .302 with 16 RBI over his last 10 games, Still has struck out 18 times and has failed to draw a walk during the same timeframe.  I think that he is going to continue to decline in his production as he progresses until he joins the Jeff Bailey, Aaron Bates and Chris Carter ranks of the organization as a player who makes the frequent treks between Pawtucket and Boston.  Look to see if the market for his stuff jumps after a few good performances and sell accordingly.

AA Player of the Day—JON STILL

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Michael Daniel—3-4 BB
• Brennan Boesch—1-4 HR(18) 2 RBI
• Mike McBryde—1-4 HR(4) 3 RBI 2R
• Ike Davis—2-4 HR(12) 2 RBI 2 RBI BB
• Josh Thole—2-5 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Ruben Tejada—3-4 2R
• Josh Reddick—3-6 HR(13) 2 RBI 3R
• Ryan Khoury—3-5 4R BB
• Jon Still—3-6 2 HR(13) 7 RBI 3R
• Ryan Kalish—2-5 HR(9) 2B 2 RBI BB
• Jorge Jimenez—3-5 HR(10) 4 RBI 2 2B 4R BB
• Argenis Diaz—2-5 2B RBI
• Pedro Alvarez—3-4 2 2B 2 RBI 2R
• Brian Friday—1-3 HR(7) 2 RBI BB
• Jim Negrych—2-4 2 2B 2R
• Quentin Berry—2-4 R 2 SB(34)
• Reegie Corona—2-3 R 2 BB
• Jesus Montero—2-4 HR(15) RBI BB
• David Cooper—1-3 2B 2 RBI 2 BB
• Jeremy Moore—2-3 HR(8) 2 RBI 2R
• Mark Trumbo—2-5 R RBI
• Jarrod Dyson—2-4 2R 3 SB(21)
• Drew Locke—2-4 2B 2R
• Matt Spencer—3-5 2B 2 RBI R
• Josh Horton—2-5 2B 2R
• James Rapoport—2-5 2B R 2 BB
• Tyler Henley—3-5 2B R RBI

Pitching:

• Blake Beavan—6.1 IP 8H 2 ER K L (6-7)
• Corey Kluber—6 IP 4H BB 6K W (8-9)
• Adam Mills—7 IP 5H Er 2 BB 5K W (7-5)

7/19 AA Minor League Report

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

Mitch Moreland continues to put up big numbers since his promotion to AA Frisco.  Yesterday the former Mississippi State star went 2-5 with his 13th HR, a double and five RBI.  Since being drafted, all Moreland has done is hit the snot out of the ball, batting .324 with 18 HR and 99 RBI and 37 doubles in ‘08 at Low-A Clinton.  He’s well on his way to exceeding those numbers this year, producing a .333 BA with 13 HR 65 RBI and 31 doubles so far at two levels.  Though he is an smooth fielding 1B, the Rangers have moved him to the outfield as Chris Davis and Justin Smoak have created a formidable log jam at first.  Moreland’s a year away from making his debut and to date does not have a first year card from a major manufacturer.  I have to think that that will change with the upcoming Bowman Chrome set slated to come out at the end of August.  Long term, his power potential in an excellent hitter’s ballpark makes him a solid value buy from the get go.  Expect him to finish out the year at AA and keep an eye open to see if Texas send him to Arizona in the offseason for a stint in the AFL.  If so, it will indicate a fervency by the Rangers to include him in their 2010 plans at some point next year.

Today’s top prospect from the AA ranks is Cincinnati Reds southpaw Travis Wood.  The undersized 2005 2nd rounder was not very good last year, but has turned things around in a big way in ‘09.  Yesterday’s seven innings of four-hit, nine-strikeout ball was good enough to elevate him to a 9-3 record this season.  Though this is his second go around at AA, Wood is looking more like the frontline pitcher that he was touted to be as a prep star.  He’s not overpowering, with a fastball that ranges between 87-90 MPH, but his changeup is the best in the system and he’s scrapped his mediocre curvball for a low to mid 80’s cutter with good late life.  Couple that with improve command and voila!  You have an 180 degree turnaround.  To date, Wood has a miniscule 1.21 ERA with 37 BB/103 K in 119 innings.  He’s commanded the zone well, holding hitters to a .189 BA and just 2 HR.  Wood seems ready for a promotion to AAA Louisville in the very near future.  Wood currently has first year cards in just one set, 2005 Bowman Draft and Chrome.  Despite his success, sales for Wood’s non-refractor cards have been quite low.  Chromes can be found for 75 cents to $1.25 each and his non-chrome editions range from 25-50 cents. 

Despite his good numbers, Wood will be hard pressed to earn a promotion to the big club this season.  He’s got to prove that he can duplicate his success at the next level and he’ll always have his demure size (5-11 165 lb.) and finesse stuff causing skepticism of his ability to sustain a heavy workload at the major league level.  Ultimately, he’s got the ability to be mid to end of the rotation starter at the major league level.

AA Player of the Day—TRAVIS WOOD

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Rene Tosoni—3-4
• Luke Hughes—2-4 HR(8) RBI
• Tim Kennelly—2-5 HR(5) 3 RBI 2B 2R
• Brad Emaus—3-4 2B R
• Travis Jones—3-3 HR(4) 4 RBI BB
• Michael Stanton—3-4 2R RBI
• Logan Morrison—1-2 2R 3 BB
• Gorkys Hernandez—2-4 3B RBI
• Jose Tabata—2-3 2 RBI
• Mike McKenry—1-4 HR(10) RBI
• Mitch Moreland—2-4 2B HR(13) 5 RBI BB
• Drew Locke—1-3 HR(13) 2 RBI BB
• Christian Marrero—3-4
• Dayan Viciedo—3-4 R
• Logan Forsythe—1-4 HR(10) 3 RBI
• David Lough—2-4 HR(10) RBI 2R BB SB(10)
• Tyler Henley—2-5 HR(10) 2 RBI BB

Pitching:

• Nick Hill—6 IP 2H BB 5K W (3-3)
• Cesar Carrillo—7 IP 6H ER BB 3K W (8-4)
• Michael Stutes—5.1 IP 5H 5 BB 3K W (7-5)
• Ryne Lawson—6 IP H 3 BB 4K
• Travis Wood—7 IP 4H 8K W (9-3)
• Daniel Moskos—6 IP H 4 BB K W (7-7)

5/29 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 30, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

If you like offense, and oh how us prospectors do, then the AA performances from yesterday will bring a smile to your face.  Cleveland’s 1B prospect Beau Mills blasted two HR and drove in four runs yesterday, while Detroit farmhands Scott Sizemore and Brennan Boesch each hit their 9th HR’s of the young season.  Desmond Jennings rapped three hits including his 6th dinger and Angels 1B prospect Mark Trumbo also hit his 6th while driving in four runs.  San Diego Padres OF prospect Mike Baxter added four more hits, including his 3rd HR and 21st double en route to a 3 RBI day.  Baxter now has 21 hits over his last 10 games (.538 BA) with 13 RBI and 12 runs scored.  Baxter’s effort helped elite pitching prospect Mat Latos earn his 1st AA win, though he probably didn’t need the help.  Latos allowed just one hit over seven scoreless innings, walking two and striking out seven.  Latos is now 4-0 on the year and has allowed a stingy .059 BA since his promotion to San Antonio.

Today’s top prospect is Philadelphia Phillies OF Michael Taylor.  The former Stanford slugger has been swinging a hot bat as of late, hitting .432 with 3 HR and 13 RBI over his last 10 games.  Taylor’s day yesterday was probably his best outing of the season, as he went 5-6 with his 9th HR, six RBI and two runs scored.  Taylor is a mythical blend of power, speed, and discipline that should make him the perfect offensive weapon at the next level.  So far this season, the 6-6 250 lb. Taylor is batting .342 with 9 HR 37 RBI and 8 SB.  He should earn a promotion to AAA soon with an outside shot of making his MLB debut in ‘09.  There really is no rush Taylor along as the OF is pretty well set right now with the trifecta of Ibanez, Victorino, and Werth.  As good as things right now in the green grasse of Citizen’s Bank Ballpark, the rapid development of Taylor and top prospect Dominic Brown promises an even rosier future.

AA Player of the Day—MICHAEL TAYLOR

 


Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Josh Bell—1-4 HR(4) 3 RBI (Game 1)…..1-2 2B RBI (Game 2)
• Beau Mills—2-5 2 HR(4) 4 RBI 2R
• Scott Sizemore—1-2 HR(9) RBI 2R 2 BB SB(7)
• Brennan Boesch—2-4 HR(9) 2 RBI BB 2B
• Josh Thole—3-4
• Jon Still—3-3 R RBI
• Mike McBryde—3-5 HR(1) 4 RBI 4R 2B
• Justin Snyder—2-5 2B RBI R
• Matt Whitney—3-5 2B R 5 RBI
• David Cooper—3-5 2 2B 2 RBI R
• Michael Taylor—5-6 HR(9) 4 RBI 2R
• Quentin Berry—3-5 2R
• Desmond Jennings—3-3 HR(6) 2 RBI 2B R 2 BB
• Zack Cozart—2-5 2B 2 RBI R
• Chris Heisey—3-5 HR(7) 4 RBI SB(10)
• Scott Cousins—2-4 R 2 RBI SB(10)
• Bryan Peterson—2-4 R RBI BB SB(10)
• Pedro Ciriaco—3-5 2B 2R
• Dayan Viciedo—3-4 R RBI
• Tyler Flowers—1-2 2B R 2 BB
• Peter Bourjos—2-6 2R 3B
• Hank Conger—3-5 3 RBI 2R BB
• Mark Trumbo—2-6 HR(6) 4 RBI 2R
• Hanley Statia—4-4 HR(1) 3 RBI 3R
• Drew Locke—4-5 HR(10) 6 RBI 2 2B 3R
• Darin Holcomb—2-4 HR(1) RBI
• Mike Baxter—4-5 HR(3) 2 2B 2R 3 RBI
• Eric Sogard—2-4 2B R
• Mitch Canham—2-4 3B RBI R
• Chris Carter—2-5 2B R
• Josh Donaldson—3-5 2 2B 2 RBI R

Pitching:

• Mat Latos—7 IP H 2 BB 7K W (4-0)
• Scott Elbert—6.1 IP H 3 BB 9K W (2-0)

AA 5/6 Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 7, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

There were several rainouts in the AA ranks and not many spectacular performances.  Birmingham’s trio of John Shelby Jr., Gordon Beckham, and Dayan Viciedo combined for 9 RBI to help John Ely earn his fourth win of the season.  Promising Cardinals duo of Daryl Jones and Brett Wallace drove seven runs between the two of them.  Steven Hill homered in both games of a double header, increasing his season’s total to seven.  Brandon Snyder came back after a few games off to have two hits and two RBI and Gerardo Parra, Juan Francisco, Drew Locke and Mario Lisson also homered. 

Today’s top performer is long time Colorado Rockies SS prospect Chris Nelson.  Nelson, a former 2004 1st round pick, has had an up and down professional career but, at 23 years old, he seems to be turning the corner.  Nelson went 3-4 yesterday with two triples, two RBI and two runs scored.  Nelson had an abysmal 2008 season, but really turned things around in the Arizona Fall League by hitting .321 with 6 HR 17 RBI 4 SB and 22 runs scored in 27 games.  He’s continued to hit well while repeating at AA Tulsa, hitting .289 with 4 HR 11 RBI and 19 runs scored in 23 games.  The key indicator for Nelson’s turnaround has been his increased plate discipline.  Nelson is working deeper into counts and seems to be capitalizing on pitches he sees in the strike zone.  At the major league level, current Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki has been anything but spectacular since his incredible rookie season in 2007.  Injuries and poor plate discipline has wreaked havoc on his production and has vastly inhibited his ability to perform.  Nelson is, by no means, a consistent player at this point, nor a suitable candidate to displace Tulo. But at age 23, there is still ample reason to keep an eye on his development going forward.

AA Player of the Day—CHRIS NELSON

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• John Shelby Jr.—2-4 2 2B 3 RBI R
• Gordon Beckham—2-5 R 3 RBI
• Dayan Viciedo—1-5 HR(3) 3 RBI
• C.J. Retherford—2-3 2 2B 3 RBI R
• Jesus Lopez—3-4 2B 2 RBI
• Shawn Hill—1-3 HR(6) RBI (Game 1)…..1-4 HR(7) RBI (Game 2)
• Mario Lisson—1-4 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Kurt Mertins—2-3 2B 3 RBI BB R
• James Rapoport—1-2 2B 3 RBI 2R 3 BB
• Daryl Jones—2-3 4 RBI
• Brett Wallace—1-4 3 RBI
• Dan Delasco—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Pete Kozma—2-3 2R RBI BB
• Gerardo Parra—1-3 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Juan Francisco—2-3 HR(5) RBI
• Juan Portes—2-3 2 2B RBI
• Erik Lis—2-3 HR(1) RBI 2R
• Reegie Corona—2-3 2 RBI 2 BB 2R
• Brandon Snyder—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Lars Anderson—1-4 2B R RBI BB
• Ruben Tejada—3-3 2B 3B R BB
• Chris Nelson—3-4 2 3B 2 RBI
• Drew Locke—1-3 HR(6) RBI

Pitching:

• Antonio Bastardo—5.1 IP 4H ER BB 7K W (2-1)
• Esmil Rogers—6 IP 0H 3 BB 6K
• Amalio Diaz—4 IP 4H 5K
• Junichi Tazawa—6 IP 6H ER BB 3K W (3-2)
• Cole DeVries—5 IP 5H 2 BB 2K W (2-1)
• John Ely—6 IP 8H ER BB 6K W (4-0)

AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 1, 2009 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Justin Smoak’s bat continues to sizzle as he collected three more hits, including his fourth HR, Cleveland Indians SS prospect Carlos Rivero hit his first HR and drove in five runs and teammate Carlos Santana hit his sixth dinger.  James Van Ostrand, and outfielder for the Astros organization, hit two homeruns for the second consecutive day and Brett Wallace blasted his fifth.

Today’s AA star is Philadelphia Phillies slugger Michael Taylor.  The 6-6 behemoth hit his third HR while doubling twice and driving in five runs.  Taylor started slowly, but has heated up significantly, hitting .421 with 3 HR 10 RBI and 10 runs scored in his last 10 games.  Taylor is very strong and well built like Ryan Howard, but has the speed and athleticism that resembles Shane Victorino, making him one of the most intriguing OF prospects in baseball.  The Stanford alum is a smart, well disciplined hitter who has the potential to hit over .300 with 30 HR and 20 SB at the major league level.  He should make his major league debut by the middle of the 2010 season.

AA Player of the Day—MICHAEL TAYLOR

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Gordon Beckham—3-5 2 2B 2 RBI R
• Brandon Allen—3-5 2B 2R RBI
• Desmond Jennings—2-3 2B RBI BB
• Rhyne Hughes—3-5 HR(9) RBI 3R
• J.T. Hall—3-3 HR(2) 3 RBI 3B 2R SB(1) 2 BB
• Marvin Lowrance—2-4 HR(3) RBI 2B
• Carlos Rivero—2-5 HR(1) 5 RBI 2B
• Carlos Santana—2-3 HR(6) RBI
• Wilson Ramos—2-4 2R BB
• Brad Emaus—2-5 2B 3B RBI R
• Emmanuel Garcia—3-4 HR(2) 2 RBI 3R BB 3 SB(7)
• Josh Thole—2-5 2B RBI
• Shawn Bowman—2-4 2 2B R RBI
• Jamie Romak—2-5 HR(2) 3 RBI 2B 2 R
• Michael Taylor—3-5 HR(3) 5 RBI 2R 2 2B
• Quentin Berry—3-5 3R 2 SB(9)
• Cyle Hankerd—2-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Justin Sellers—2-4 2B 2 RBI BB
• Drew Locke—5-5 HR(5) 3 RBI 2R BB
• Collin DeLome—1-6 HR(7) RBI
• James Van Ostrand—3-5 2 HR(4) 2 RBI 3R BB
• Adrian Cardenas—2-2 R RBI 3 BB
• Chris Carter—1-2 2B 2R 2 BB
• Jon Lucroy—2-5 2B R RBI
• Brett Wallace—1-5 HR(5) RBI
• Daryl Jones—3-5 R
• Hank Conger—3-5 2B 2R
• Chris Nelson—3-4 HR(4) 3 RBI 2B 2R
• Ryan Harvey—2-3 HR(3) 3 RBI BB
• Justin Smoak—3-3 HR(4) RBI 2R 2 BB
• Marcus Lemon—2-5 2B 3B 2 RBI R
• Manuel Pina—3-5 HR(3) RBI 2 2B 3R
• Eric Sogard—2-3 2B R RBI BB

Pitching:

• Ernesto Frieri—5 IP 4H ER BB 5K
• Trevor Bell—7 IP 3H ER BB 4K
• John Ely—5.1 IP 5H ER 3 BB 6K W (3-0)
• Jeanmar Gomez—5 IP 2H ER BB 5K W (3-2)
• Matt Torra—6 IP 4H Er 2 BB 7K

7/2 High A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 4, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Happy 4th of July to all of you!  Here are some performances from Wednesday’s games at the High-A level.

Carlos Santana   3-7 HR(11) 3 RBI 4R 2B—.528 17 R 3 HR 17 RBI 9BB/4K last 10 games!

Ryan Mount   2-4 3R 2 RBI BB—Oft injured Angels infield prospect has fallen off of many radars

Drew Locke  4-5 HR(3) 4 RBI 5R 2 2B BB—.325 2 HR 12 RBI last 10 games

Peter Bourjos   2-5 2R 2B 3B—.422 HR 5 RBI 19 H 5 SB last 10 games

Kellen Kulbacki  1-4 HR(13) RBI—Hitting .278 with 32 RBI .923 OPS since promotion

Evan Frey   2-3 2R 2B 3B 2BB—.327 101 Hits 29 RBI 20 SB

Jason Place   3-6 2B—Average up to .254 (6 consecutive multi-hit games)

Carlos Peguero   2-5 2B 3B RBI 2R—.296 10 HR 68 RBI

Sean Doolittle   2-4 HR( 18 ) RBI—.227 2 HR 5 RBI last 10 games

Craig Italiano   3.1IP  3 H 4R 4BB 3K—Has struggled mightily since promotion to Stockton

Brock Bond   3-4 2R 2B 2 RBI—.448 13-29 since promotion

Jamie Romak   2-4 HR(15) 2 RBI BB—.385 4 HR 12 RBI last 10 games

Lorenzo Cain   2-5 HR(7) 3 RBI 2R—.281 41 RBI 19 SB at Brevard County

Darren Ford   2-5 2B 2 RBI R—Electric (40 SB)…when he gets on base

Scott Cousins   2-3 HR(3) RBI 2R 2B—.319 3 HR 14 RBI in 24 games

Logan Morrison   3-4 RBI R—.359 3 RBI last 10 games

Daryl Jones   2-4 3R 2 RBI BB—.324 6 HR 28 RBI 15 SB

Ryan Royster   1-3 HR(5) RBI—Struggled mightily after incredible ‘07

Marco Castillo   8IP 2H 4K (W)—Surrendered just 1 ER in last 20 innings

Tyler Robertson   5 IP 0 H 2BB 5K—5-2 2.75 ERA 72K/79IP

BUY/SELL Analysis

Scott Cousins had a breakout year in 2007 hitting .292 with 18 HR 74 RBI and 16 SB at Low-A Greensboro.  Cousins is one of the top athletes in the Marlins’ farm system with a fluid left-handed swing that boasts both power and average.  He is a 5-tool talent that has slipped off of most collectors’ want lists because of an injury that sidelined him for all of April and May.  Since his return, Cousins has performed very well.  Cousins has 1st year cards solely in the 2006 Bowman Draft and Chrome set with bulk lot prices selling for 30-70 cents per chrome card and $1.50-3.00 for refractors. 

Market Advice: Cousins is the perfect low-risk, high reward sleeper prospect that prospectors love.  His 5-tools will rocket him to the major leagues (if he can stay healthy) and he has 1st year cards in only one set!  If you are purchasing Bowman Chrome Draft cards of other players from a vendor, check to see if he/she has any Cousins cards in their inventory.  BUY, BUY, BUY his cards in bulk and wait for a couple of seasons, hoping that he stays healthy.