10/20 Arizona Fall League Report

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

Yesterday’s AFL results are littered with four hit performances from the likes of Bryan Petersen, Starlin Castro, Jon Lucroy, and Carlos Rivero, not to mention HR’s by Grant Desme (#3), Brad Emaus, Chris Parmelee, Matt Dominguez,  and Russ Mitchell (#3).  Today’s top performer is L.A. Dodgers OF prospect Andrew Lambo.  The 21 year old blasted his second HR of the fall as part of a three hit day, driving in four runs and scoring three times.  The former 2007 4th round pick has had a scalding start to his AFL campaign, hitting .478 with 2 HR 9 RBI and 6 runs scored in his six outings.  The Dodgers are by no means extending Ramirez’s contract beyond the 2010 season and will be in hoc for a significant portion of his deferred contract for several seasons beyond ‘10.  Lambo is not quite ready for a starting OF role with the Dodgers yet, but his start to the AFL season looks like it could catapult him into a significant role in the latter months of next season.  Lambo, at his peak, has the same offensive capabilities of current Dodgers RF and first time All-Star Andre Ethier.  The market for Lambo’s 2008 Bowman Chrome autos is pretty undervalued right now as many of them can be fetched for $6-8 each and refractors (#/500) for about $10 a pop.  Given his upside as future 25-30 HR guy, this seems to be an excellent opportunity to snag a few at single digit prices.

AFL Player of the Day—ANDREW LAMBO

Other AFL Performances

Peoria Javelinas 14

• Lorenzo Cain—2-6 2B R 2 RBI
• Jordan Danks—1-4 2B 2R RBI 2 BB
• Scott Sizemore—1-3 2R 3 BB
• Andrew Lambo—3-6 HR(2) 4 RBI 3R
• Russ Mitchell–1-2 HR(3) 2 RBI BB
• Jon Lucroy—4-4 HR(1) RBI 3R BB
• Zach Braddock—2 IP H 3K

Mesa Solar Sox 10

• Bryan Petersen—4-5 2B 3R
• Starlin Castro—4-5 2R RBI
• Ryan Kalish—3-4 2B 3R 2 RBI BB SB(1)
• Chris Parmelee—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Matt Dominguez—2-5 2B HR(1) RBI

Peoria Saguaros 11

• Chris Heisey—3-4 2b 2R 3 RBI BB
• Brandon Hicks—2-2 2B 2R 2 BB SB(1)
• Cedric Hunter—2-5 2B R RBI
• Carlos Rivero—4-5 2 2B 2 RBI R
• Jose Vallejo—2-45 2R SB(1)

Phoenix Desert Dogs 8

• Matt Angle—3-5 2B R RBI
• David Espinosa—2-5 R RBI
• Chris Marrero—2-5 2B RBI R
• Grant Desme—2-5 HR(3) 3 RBI
• Brad Emaus—1-5 HR(1) 2 RBI

Scottdale Scorpions 7

• Jose Tabata—3-5 2 3B 2 RBI 2R
• Brandon Crawford—1-3 2B R 2 BB
• William Susdorf—2-3 2R RBI SB(1)
• Hector Gomez—2-4 2B R 2 RBI

Surprise Rafters 3

• Ike Davis—2-4 2 2B R
• Jeff Bianchi—1-4 2B 2 RBI

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)

6/9 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 10, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Juan Francisco tapped out four more hits yesterday raising his June batting average to .312.  Francisco is an elite power prospect for the Cincinnati Reds, but his plate discipline is, to say the least, disconcerting.  After a 2008 season where he garnered a miserable 19 BB/123 K ratio at High-A Sarasota, he’s continued his free swinging ways by walking just 9 times versus 57 K’s through 59 games.  The potential for Francisco to be a 30+ HR guy at the major league level is there, but the high K rates and low on base percentages will continue to haunt his development.

Kyle Drabek won his second AA game and sixth overall this season tossing five innings.  He was far from his dominant self, allowing seven hits and five walks, but he found a way to limit the damage to just two runs.  This shows me that he has the ability to pitch his way through adversity and is showing a savvy for getting guys out when he doesn’t have his customarily solid command of his stuff.  Drabek’s situation going forward will be quite interesting since the Phillies are reportedly shopping for a starting pitcher.  Top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco has been a disaster this season, which raises Drabek’s stock as a high-value commodity come trade time.  Don’t be surprised to see his name tied to trade rumors as the summer progresses.

Today’s top performer at the AA ranks is Detroit Tigers OF prospect Brennan Boesch.  The 6-6 210 lb. lefty has quietly put together a nice power season for a Tigers organization that lacks many impact prospects.  Boesch went 2-5 yesterday, hitting his 12th HR of the season, tripling and driving in five runs.  He is a solid defender and more athletic than his long, lanky frame suggests.  To date, Boesch is hitting .277 with 12 HR 44 RBI and 16 doubles through 57 games.  The Tigers currently have under-producing and rapidly aging former All-Star Magglio Ordonez handling the RF duties and LF is an assortment of mid-level prospects like Josh Anderson, Ryan Raburn, and Clete Thomas.  The opportunities for someone of Boesch’s size and stature are there if he can continue to move forward in his development.  He’ll need to continue to work on his plate discipline (12 BB/54 K), but ther power potential is there for him to club 25+ HR per season.  Put him on your sleepers list and keep track of his progress over this summer.

AA Player of the Day—BRENNAN BOESCH

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Whit Robbins—3-3 2B 2R BB
• Wilson Ramos—2-4 2B R RBI
• Matt Moses—1-4 HR(5) 2 RBI
• David Cooper—1-3 HR(3) RBI 2R BB
• John Drennen—3-3 HR(3) 3 RBI 2B
• Carlos Santana—2-3 3B R BB
• Ryan Kalish—1-3 HR(6) 2 RBI
• Brennan Boesch—2-4 HR(12) 5 RBI 3B BB
• Scott Sizemore—2-5 2B 3B 2R 2 RBI
• Casper Wells—1-4 HR(1) 3 RBI BB
• Reegie Corona—3-5 HR(2) RBI
• Jon Lucroy—2-3 2B 2 RBI BB
• Logan Schafer—2-4 3B 2R
• Chris Heisey—2-6 HR(11) 2b
• Juan Francisco—4-6 2B R
• Zack Cozart—2-3 2 BB SB(5)
• Darwin Barney—2-3 R 2 RBI
• Timmy Smith—3-4 2B RBI SB(2)
• Tyler Flowers—1-4 HR(8) RBI

Pitching:

• Jeff Manship—7 IP 5H 2 ER 2 BB 4K W (5-4)
• Kyle Drabek—5 IP 7H 2 ER 5 BB 3K W (6-1)
• Edgar Osuna—7 IP 4H er 4 BB 2K W (5-4)

5/27 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 27, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

With the Texas League taking the day off, yesterday’s AA slate of games was somewhat light.  Jordan Danks hit his 2nd HR of the year and scored twice while teammate John Shelby Jr. enjoyed a nice day at the plate hitting his 4th dinger and driving in three runs.  Tampa Bay’s Desmond Jennings hit his 5th HR as did lesser known Red Sox 1B prospect Aaron Bates.

Yesterday’s top performer is New York Yankees RHP Zach McAllister.  The 21 year old tosses seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out five.  After a highly successful 2008, McAllister continues to shine in the AA ranks going 3-2 with a 1.91 ERA and 15 BB/32 K in his first 47 innings.  McAllister has a solid fastball that ranges from 91-94 MPH and he also mixes in a 89-91 MPH two seamer that has nasty sink to it.  Offspeed pitches include a solid slider and changeup that he commands well in the strike zone.  Despite his frontline starter size and velocity, McAllister pitches to contact and looks to induce ground ball outs.  I can’t help but think that he has some projection left in that frame that could add some power and velocity to his stuff.  McAllister should pitch the majority of the season at AA before earning a mid to late summer promotion to AAA.

AA Player of the Day—ZACH MCALLISTER

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Jon Lucroy—1-3 2B RBI BB
• Ty Wright—2-4 2B 2R RBI
• James Adduci—1-3 HR(1) 3 RBI BB
• Desmond Jennings—1-4 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Zack Cozart—3-4 2B 2R
• Sean Henry—1-3 2B 2R BB SB(3)
• Todd Frazier—2-4 2 RBI
• Juan Francisco—2-3 R 2 RBI
• Cyle Hankerd—3-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Jordan Danks—3-4 HR(2) RBI BB 2R
• Brandon Allen—1-3 2B R RBI 2BB
• John Shelby Jr.—2-3 HR(4) 3 RBI 2B BB
• Eduardo Nunez—4-4 HR(3) 2 RBI 2R
• Collin Curtis—5-5 3R BB
• Andy Dirks—3-5 2B 3B 2 RBI R
• Brennan Boesch—2-5 2 2B R RBI
• Scott Sizemore—2-6 2 2B R
• Aaron Bates—2-4 HR(5) 2 RBI 2R
• Ryan Kalish—2-4 R RBI
• Michael Taylor—2-4 2B R RBI
• Leonard Davis—2-5 HR(6) RBI

Pitching:

• Vance Worley—7 IP 3H BB 2K W (4-2)
• Zach McAllister—7 IP 4H 2 BB 5K W (3-2)
• Lucas Harrell—5 IP 5H er 2 BB 4K W (6-1)
• Matt Torra—7 IP 5H UER 2K W (2-5)

5/16 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 17, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Yesterday’s weather maladies makes today’s AA report an abbreviated one.  Brandon Snyder continues to make me look like a smart prognosticator as he blasted his 6th HR and kept his batting average steady at .375.  He is the top 1st baseman in the O’s system and could be in line for a promotion to AAA soon.  His bat, in my opinion is major league ready and he should get serious consideration for a starting gig in 2010.  The White Sox’s first baseman Brandon Allen also continues to be impressive as he hit his 5th HR and drove in two runs.  Allen has drastically cut back on his strikeout totals while keeping his walk rate at a respectable level.  Allen is hitting .296 on the year and, like Snyder, could be in line for a promotion soon.  Since we’re on the topic of 1st basemen.  Oakland’s slugger Chris Carter has not yet duplicated the power numbers from last year, but has still found ways to consistently drive in runs and score on a consistent basis.  If history is any indicator, the HR’s will come soon for the A’s slugger.

Today’s top AA performance comes via the left arm of Baltimore’s Jake Arrieta.  The former TCU Horned Frog tossed seven innings of one-hit ball, striking out 10.  Arrieta is now 4-1 on the season and has punched out 42 hitters in 33.1 IP.  Control is still something that he’ll need to harness, but a promotion to AAA seems to be an inevitablility, perhaps soon after Chris Tillman’s post-June 1 ascention into the O’s rotation.  The O’s have an uber-bright future rotation with Tillman, Arrieta, David Hernandez, Brian Matusz and Zach Britton.

AA Player of the Day—JAKE ARRIETA

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Brandon Snyder—1-3 HR(6) RBI
• Scott Cousins—1-2 2B RBI 2BB SB(8)
• Juan Francisco—2-4 2R 3B RBI
• Dayan Viciedo—4-5 2B 3 RBI
• Tyler Flowers—1-3 3 BB 3R
• Brandon Allen—2-4 HR(5) 2 RBI 2R BB
• Ezequiel Carrera—3-3 2B 2R 2 RBI BB
• Jonathan Lucroy—2-3 2B 3R 2 RBI 2 BB
• Evan Frey—2-4 3B 2R 2 RBI
• Gorkys Hernandez—3-5 2B 3B 2R BB
• Concepcion Rodriguez—3-5 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R
• Willie Cabrera 3-6 2B 2R 5 RBI
• Chris Carter—3-4 2B 2R
• Mark Hamilton—1-2 HR(5) 2 RBI 2 BB
• Peter Bourjos—2-4 R RBI

Pitching:

• Jake Arrieta—7 IP H 3 BB 10K W (4-1)

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

4/21 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on April 22, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

TEXAS LEAGUE

Jordan Walden and Kasey Kiker locked horns in a nice pitching duel and, while both of them pitched well, neither came away with a decision.  Collin DeLome hit his fifth HR of the season, Brett Wallace smacked a couple of hits and scored twice, and Oakland’s slugging 1B Chris Carter smacked two more RBI, while 2B Corey Wimberly nabbed four hits and scored two runs.  Today’s winner, however, is yesterday’s winner Springfield catcher Steven Hill.  The Cardinals backstop followed up yesterday’s virtuoso performance with a five hit barrage that included his fourth HR, three doubles and three runs scored.

Texas League Player of the Day—STEVEN HILL

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Collin DeLome—2-5 HR(5) RBI 2R
• Mitch Einertson—3-4 HR(2) 2 RBI BB
• Jose Duarte—2-5 2 2B R RBI
• Jordan Parraz—2-4 R RBI
• Cody Strait—3-4 HR(1) RBI 3R 2B
• Chris Nelson—1-4 RBI 3R
• Steven Hill—5-5 HR(4) RBI 3 2B 3R
• Dan Delasco—3-5 2B R 4 RBI
• Brett Wallace—2-5 2R
• Corey Wimberly—4-5 2B 3B 2R SB(7)
• Chris Carter—2-4 2 RBI
• Yung-Chi Chen—2-5 R RBI

Pitching:

• Jordan Walden—7 IP 6H 2 Bb 6K
• Kasey Kiker—7 IP H 2B 7K

SOUTHERN LEAGUE AND EASTERN LEAGUE

The Eastern League was ravished by rainouts once again so I will include data from their league with the performances from the Southern League.  Top of the order speedsters Gerardo Parra and Gorkys Hernandez had big days at the plate and Tyler Flowers and Greg Halman each belted HR’s.  Brett Omogrosso threw five shutout innings, striking out six, but he was outdone by Jacksonville’s lanky righthander Sean West who won his second game of the season allowing just one run in 5.1 innings while punching out eight.  Congrats Sean, you are the Southern League Player of the Day!

Southern and Eastern League Player of the Day—SEAN WEST

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Gerardo Parra—4-5
• Mark Hallberg—2-3 3B 2R RBI BB
• Pedro Ciraco—3-4 2B 2 RBI
• Jon Lucroy—2-4 R
• Todd Frazier—2-3 2B R BB
• Andrew Lambo—1-4 2B RBI SB(2)
• Gorkys Hernandez—2-3 3B RBI 2R BB SB(5)
• Brandon Hicks—2-3 3B R BB SB(1)
• Tyler Flowers—1-2 HR(2) RBI BB
• Ezequiel Carrera—4-5 R
• Adam Moore—3-5 R
• Greg Halman—1-4 HR(3) 3 RBI BB
• Steven Clevenger—2-3 3R 3b HR(1) RBI BB
• Francisco Cervelli—2-3 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Ruben Tejada—1-1 2B R 2 RBI BB
• Michael Taylor—1-3 2R
• Jim Negrych—3-4 RBI
• Brandon Snyder—1-2 2R BB

Pitching:

• Hector Ambriz—6 IP 3H 6K W(2-1)
• Chris Cody—6 IP 4H UER 3K W(1-0)
• Duente Heath—7 IP 3H Er Bb 7K W(1-0)
• Sean West—5.1 IP 5H ER 3 BB 8K W(2-0)
• Brett Omogrosso—5 IP 5H BB 6K