6/30 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 2, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Sorry for getting this one out late. My son is out of school for the summer which limits my online time significantly.  I have lit the candle, though and it is currently burning at both ends.  This should keep me up later each night to try and get more work done after the family goes to bed.

We’ll see.

As for the High-A action, Thomas Neal and Angel Villalona each had three hits and drove in three runs for the San Jose Giants.  Neal has hit the tar out of the ball this season, hitting .349 with 13 HR 49 RBI 22 doubles and 53 runs scored this season.  June was a banner month for Neal as he hit .414 with 6 of his HR during that time.  The 22 year old rightfielder has the most power in the Giants organization of any prospect not named Angel Villalona.  His plate discipline is sound and he makes good contact at the plate, but I would really like to see what this guy can do at the AA ranks.  The California League, as I have long maintained, is a very hitter friendly environment while the Eastern League (home of San Fran’s AA affiliate Connecticut) tends to favor pitching.  Somehow I think the .349 average is flukish and that his numbers should more closely resemble last season’s .279 mark.  Regardless that average, mixed with 25-30 HR power, should make him a highly intriguing prospect once his first year cards surface on the eBay market.

Angel Villalona has been hovering below the radar this season as many other San Jose Giants like Madison Bumgarner, Tim Alderson, Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, and the aforementioned Thomas Neal have all garnered more attention.  Still, the 18 year old 1st Baseman has put up a solid showing at High-A ball, hitting .271 with 9 HR 39 RBI and 41 runs scored.  Plate discipline and pitch recognition continues to be a sore spot for Angel as his 9 BB/66 K ratio vehemently testifies.  He will never be a low strikeout guy, and chances are he won’t walk a ton either, but his ability to more closely match those numbers will speak volumes to just how high his ceiling will be.  A full season at San Jose would best behoove Villalona developmentally as would some work in a winter league.

High-A Player of the Day Tyler Henson blasted two homers yesterday, driving in three runs.  The Baltimore Orioles’ 3B prospect first popped up on my radar this past winter when he paced the Hawaiian Winter League in runs scored, doubles and bases on balls.  Unfortunately, he also finished second in strikeouts and committed nine errors at the hot corner.  Henson has tons of athleticism that he uses well on the basepaths and his 6-1 190 lb. frame indicates that he should be a 12-15 HR hitter at the major league level.  This season with Frederick, Henson has struggled to make consistent contact at the plate, striking out 83 times while walking 23 times.  This has contributed to his lackluster .246 batting average and anemic .310 OBP.  He’s still driving the ball well to the gaps, hitting 19 doubles, and his 12 SB this season indicates that he is on track for his third consecutive 20 SB season.  The O’s don’t have a whole lot of depth within their organization at 3B as Billy Rowell has moved to the other side of the diamond, Mike Costanzo is a perennial disappointment, and Tyler Kolodny is having a so-so season at Low-A Delmarva.  There is ample opportunity for the 21 year old former SS prospect to make some moves up the organization’s depth chart if he can turn some of his exciting tools into more consistent skills.

High-A Player of the Day—TYLER HENSON

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Julian Perez—2-5 2R RBI SB(5)
• P.J. Phillips—3-4 HR(6) RBI 2R
• Trayvon Robinson—1-3 HR(10) 2 RBI
• James Darnell—1-4 HR(9) 3 RBI
• Sawyer Carroll—2-4 3B 2R RBI
• Tyson Gillies—4-6 2R 3 SB(21)
• Carlos Peguero—3-4 2 HR(18) 5 RBI 3R
• Alex Liddi—3-5 2 2B 3R RBI SB(7)
• James McOwen—2-5 Hr(4) 2 RBI 2B 2R
• Brandon Barnes—2-4 Hr(8) 3 RBI 2R
• Jermaine Mitchell—3-4 2 2B 3B 3R RBI BB
• Thomas Neal—3-5 2 2B 3B 3 RBI 2R
• Angel Villalona—3-5 3 RBI R
• Brian Bocock—2-4 2B 3R 3 RBI BB
• Darren Ford—3-4 3R 3B
• Jason Kaase—3-5 2B R
• Ollie Linton—3-6 2 RBI
• Jesus Sucre—2-4 HR(2) 2 RBI 2B
• Michael Burgess—2-5 2B 3B RBI
• Seth Rooney—3-4 3 2B 2 RBI BB
• Brent Morel—4-5 HR(10 3 RBI 2R SB(17)
• Tyler Kuhn—4-4 2R 3B RBI
• Tyler Henson—2-4 2 HR(6) 3 RBI 2R
• Mike Moustakas—3-3 2B RBI BB
• Derrick Robinson—2-5 2B 2R
• Pedro Florimon Jr.—2-3 2 2B 2R RBI
• Tim Federowicz—2-5 HR(11) RBI 2R
• Yamiaco Navarro—3-5 HR(1) 3 RBI 2B
• Che Hsuan Lin—2-4 3B 3R 3 RBI BB
• Jason Place—2-5 2 2B R RBI
• Jordy Mercer—1-4 3B R 2 RBI
• Greg Burns—2-3 2 2B R RBI BB 2 SB(20)
• Matt Dominguez—1-4 HR(5) 3 RBI

Pitching:

• Ryan Morris—5 IP 3H ER 3 BB 7K

5/18 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 19, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

San Francisco’s Buster Posey and L.A. Dodgers 3B prospect Edgardo Baez each hit their 6th HR’s yesterday with Posey batting in four runs.  Baltimore Orioles prospects Tyler Henson and Billy Rowell each went deep as did St. Louis Cardinals OF prospect Shane Peterson.  On the bump, Cardinals RHP Brian Broderick tossed eight scoreless innings for his second win.

Today’s top player at the High-A ranks is no stranger to the prospecting industry.  Pittsburgh’s top pick from last year Pedro Alvarez went 3-5 with his 8th HR, two RBI and three runs scored.  Alvarez has gotten off to a slow start average-wise, but has hit much better over his last 10 games.  Alvarez drew some fire from Pittsburgh media for showing up to spring training overweight and out of shape, but he seems to be starting to find his stride after hitting just .219 in April.  He remains a top tier offensive talent that should hit 30+ HR perennially for the improving Pirates organizaiton.

High-A Player of the Day—PEDRO ALVAREZ

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Engel Beltre—2-5 2R 3B SB(8)
• Taylor Harbin—4-5 SB(6)
• Brad Chalk—3-5 R RBI
• Trayvon Robinson—2-4 2R RBI 3 SB(13)
• Edgardo Baez—1-3 HR(6) RBI 2R BB
• Buster Posey—2-4 HR(6) 4 RBI
• Nick Noonan—1-4 2B 2R BB
• Charlie Blackmon—2-4 2R RBI
• Maikol Gonzalez—2-3 2 RBI 2 BB SB(5) R
• Pedro Alvarez—3-5 HR(8) 2 RBI 3R 2B BB
• Jordy Mercer—1-6 2B 2R RBI SB(4)
• Alex Presley—2-6 3b 2 RBI
• Ty Henson—2-5 HR(3) 3 RBI 2R BB SB(9)
• Brandon Waring—2-5 2 RBI 2 2B BB
• Billy Rowell—1-4 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Caleb Joseph—4-6 2B R RBI
• Pedro Florimon Jr.—2-6 2B R RBI 2 SB(8)
• Darin Mastoianni—2-5 2 2B R RBI
• Kevin Ahrens—3-4 2 2B
• Shane Peterson—2-4 HR(3) 3 RBI 2B 2R BB

Pitching:

• Brian Broderick—8 IP 4H ER 2K W (3-3)
• Leandro Cespedes—6 IP 6H 2 ER BB 6K L (1-1)

5/7 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 8, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Seattle’s Italian import Alex Liddi has made some significant strides in his development this season and he continued to impress yesterday, going 3-4 with his seventh HR and two RBI.  Logan Forsythe scored four times and drove in a run and teammate Felix Carrasco belted his fourth HR and drove in four runs.  White Sox 3B prospect Brent Morel looked sharp in a double header, combining for five hits, including his sixth HR, two RBI and four runs scored.  Light-hitting Blue Jays OF prospect Darin Mastroianni stole two more bases yesterday, increasing his season total to 24 in just 26 games.  On the mound, inconsistent and oft-injured Oakland A’s fireballer Craig Italiano surrendered an unearned run over six innings, striking out eight and earning his third win of the season.

Today’s top player in the upper realm of the single-A ranks is, once again, Cleveland Indians 1B prospect Matt McBride.  The muscular Lehigh alum went 5-7 in a double header with his sixth HR, six RBI and two doubles.  McBride is now batting .421 on the season with 35 RBI, 22 runs and 14 doubles in his first 28 games.  At 23 years old, it would seem that he will earn a promotion to AA soon, but Beau Mills is currently blocking his progress.  McBride seems to be one of those players who may need a change of scenery, as the Indians seem too well stocked at other positions to give McBride a fair shake at a regular roster spot.  The Tribe is desperate for rotational depth and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them package one of their fine corner infielders or outfielders in an acquisition down the road.  McBride’s sustained success will continue to make that an increasingly viable option.

High-A Player of the Day—MATT MCBRIDE

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Ryan Kalish—1-4 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Freddie Freeman—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Jordy Mercer—3-5 2 RBI R
• Caleb Gindl—2-3 2B BB
• Darin Mastroianni—1-3 r RBI 2 BB 2 SB(24)
• Michael Durant—1-3 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Shane Peterson—2-4 HR(2) RBI 2R
• Shawn O’Malley—3-5 2 2B 2 RBI 2R
• Chris Sexton—2-5 2B 3R
• Matthew Fields—3-5 HR(6) 3 RBI
• Alex Buchholz—2-3 HR(2) 3 RBI BB
• Scott Vanslyke—5-5 2 2B 2 RBI 2R
• Edgardo Baez—2-4 RBI 3R BB
• Trayvon Robinson—2-6 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Alex Liddi—3-4 HR(7) 2 RBI 2B
• Jonathan Gaston—3-3 2B R RBI BB
• Josh Flores—2-3 2 2B R RBI
• Logan Forsythe—3-4 4R RBI
• Felix Carrasco—3-4 HR(4) 4 RBI 2 2B 3B BB
• Logan Payne—2-3 3 RBI BB
• Brad Chalk—3-6 3B 2 RBI R SB(9)
• Hector Gomez—2-4 2 2B RBI R
• Charlie Blackmon—2-4 2B 2 RBI R
• Mitch Moreland—3-4 2B 3R BB SB(1)
• Joey Butler—3-4 R RBI BB
• Brent Morel—3-4 HR(6) 2 RBI 2 2B 2R (Game 1)…..2-4 2R 3B (Game 2)
• Billy Rowell—2-3 (Game 1)…..2-3 HR(2) 2 RBI (Game 2)
• Kraig Binic 2-4 HR(5) 3 RBI 2R
• Lonnie Chisenhall—3-4 2 2B 2R 3 RBI (Game 1)…..2-3 2R BB (Game 2)
• Matt McBride—4-4 2 2B 3 RBI (Game 1)…..1-3 HR(6) 3 RBI (Game 2)
• Cord Phelps—3-4 2R RBI

Pitching:

• David Bromberg—7.2 IP H 4 BB 5K
• Zack Stewart—9 IP 5H Er BB 6K W (1-1)
• Dan McDaniel—5.2 IP 2H 2 BB 9K W (3-0)
• Andrew Hess—6 IP 6H 2 BB 7K
• Eric Berger—6 IP 2H 2 BB 4K W (3-1)
• Steven Johnson—6 IP 6H 2 ER BB 10K W (2-2)
• Bruce Billings—4.1 IP 6H 2 ER 2 BB 8K
• Craig Itialiano—6 IP 3H UER 3 BB 8K W (3-2)
• Blake Beavan—9 IP 4H 3 UER BB 5K W (1-4)
• Jacob Rasner—4 IP 3H BB 6K

4/23 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on April 24, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Michael Stanton and Matt Dominguez homered in yesterday’s games as did Dominic Brown, Lonnie Chisenhall, Felix Carrasco, Charlie Blackmon, Thomas Neal, and Brandon Crawford.  Tyler Robertson looks like his is on the comeback trail as he tossed five scoreless innings to earn his first win of ‘09 and Duane Below tossed a hitless five innings allowing an unearned run and striking out seven.

Today’s top High-A player is Michael Burgess.  The former 1st round pick has struggled mightily this season (.163 BA), but he belted his fourth HR of the season, driving in five and walking and scoring twice.  Burgess has enormous power potential but is still learning how to reign in his plate discipline.  The left handed slugger has walked seven time in his last ten games though, which gives reason to believe that he could make some progress as the season goes on.

High-A Player of the Day—MICHAEL BURGESS

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Clay Fuller—2-4 HR(2) 2 RBI 2R 2B BB SB(6)
• Matthew Sweeney—2-5 3B R RBI
• Julio Perez—3-5 2B RBI R
• Brandon Crawford—2-4 HR(5) 3 RBI BB
• Roger Kieschnick—2-5 2 2B 2R
• Thomas Neal—3-5 HR(2) 4 RBI 2B 2R
• Charlie Blackmon—1-4 HR(1) RBI
• Matt Spencer—2-3 2R 2 BB 2 SB(3)
• Timmy Smith—3-4 HR(2) 4 RBI 2B 2R
• Alex Presley—1-5 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R
• Jordy Mercer—1-3 R 2 BB SB(2)
• Kris Watts—2-5 HR(2) 2 RBI 2R
• Tim Fedroff—4-5 2 2B 3B 3R RBI
• Lonnie Chisenhall—2-5 2B HR(3) 3 RBI
• Michael Burgess—2-3 HR(4) 5 RBI 2 BB 2R
• David Espinosa—2-5 2B R RBI BB SB(6)
• Greg Paimi—2-4 HR(1) 3 RBI
• Kris Negron—3-4 2 HR(2) 4 RBI 2R
• Eric Fryer—2-4 2B 2R RBI BB
• Jesus Montero—2-4 R 3 RBI
• Dominic Brown—2-4 HR(1) 3 RBI 2R SB(4)
• Freddy Galvis—2-4 3R BB 2 SB(2)
• Mike Gosse—2-5 HR(1) 3 RBI
• Ben Revere—2-5 R RBI 2 SB(7)
• Joe Benson—1-3 2B R RBI BB
• Deibinson Romero—2-3 2R BB
• Matthew Hall—1-2 R 2 BB 2 SB(2)
• Reese Havens—1-2 2B R 2 BB
• Matt Dominguez—1-3 HR(1) 2 RBI BB
• Michael Stanton—1-4 HR(4) RBI

Pitching:

• Alejandro Sanabia—5 IP 4H ER 2 BB 6K
• Tyler Robertson—5 IP 5H BB 5K W(1-0)
• Duane Below—5 IP 0H UER 2 BB 7K W(1-1)
• Wilkin De La Rosa—4 IP H 2 BB 3K
• Wynn Pelzer—5 IP H ER 2 BB 4K W(2-0)
• Bryan Olan—1.2 IP BB 3K SV(4)
• Scott Barnes—5 IP 5H 2 ER 2 BB 5K W(2-1)
• Bruce Billings—5 IP 4H BB 5K W(1-2)
• Seth Garrison—6 IP 4H ER 6K W(1-0)

4/14 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on April 15, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

CAROLINA LEAGUE

Freddie Freeman and Cody Johnson both homered, but Brian Matusz was able to pitche well enough to earn a win against Myrtle Beach.  Salvador Sanchez hit his third HR of the season, but it was the Indians’ 21 year old flame thrower Kelvin De La Cruz who takes home top prospect honors after his electifying six inning, nine strikeout shutout performance en route to his second win of the year.  This effort comes on the heels of a season debut in which he struck out 10 hitters over six innings.

Carolina League Player of the Day—KELVIN DE LA CRUZ

Other Notable Performances:

• Salvador Sanchez—1-3 HR(3) 2 RBI 2R BB
• Jordy Mercer—2-5 R RBI SB(1)
• David Hague—3-4 2 RBI
• Kelvin De La Cruz—6 IP 4H 9K W(2)
• Alex Caldera—5 IP 4H ER BB 2K L(1)
• Tyler Henson—1-4 2 RBI R 2 BB SB(1)
• Brandon Waring—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R BB
• Caleb Joseph—3-5 RBI R
• Pedro Florimon Jr.—2-5 2R SB(1)
• Chris Vineyard—1-3 2B 2 RBI 2 BB
• Brian Matusz—5 IP 4H 3 ER 3 BB 6K W(1)
• Jason Heyward—2-4 2B R
• Freddie Freeman—1-4 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Cody Johnson—2-3 HR(4) RBI 2B 2R BB

FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE

Darin Mastroianni is the early clubhouse leader with six stolen bases this year, but Greg Veloz is closing in gathering his fourth yesterday.  The Cardinals’ younger OF prospect Shane Peterson (they have two in their system) continues to hit gathering two hits and an RBI but it was Adron Chambers who blew away the competition with a 4-4 two triple, two run game.

Florida State League Player of the Game—ADRON CHAMBERS

Other Notable Performances:

• Justin Reed—1-4 3B R RBI BB SB(2)
• Adron Chambers—4-4 2 3B 2R RBI SB(1)
• Shane Peterson—2-4 RBI
• Pete Kozma—1-5 2B 2 RBI
• Matt Fields—1-4 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Greg Veloz—2-5 R SB(4)
• Ike Davis—2-4
• Zach Lutz—2-5 2B RBI
• Darin Mastroianni—2-2 3B 3 BB 2 SB(6)
• Eric Thames—2-4 2R 3 RBI 3B BB
• Kevin Ahrens—1-4 2B RBI BB
• Russ Canzler—2-4 2R

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE

Collin Cowgill and Mitch Moreland went deep on Wednesday and Chris Minaker, Jose Felix, and Jonathan Greene each rapped four hits.  On the mound, Trevor Reckling threw six quality innings in a losing effort, and Corey Kluber did the same with winning results.  The player of the day is Giants top prospect Buster Posey whos 3-4 day included a double, walk and two RBI.  Posey is heating up and should move quickly through San Francisco’s talented farm system.

California League Player of the Day—BUSTER POSEY

Other Notable Performances:

• Alex Liddi—2-4
• Danny Payne—2-4 2R 3B 2 RBI
• Logan Forsythe—1-3 2B BB 2R
• Ali Solis—1-3 2B BB 2R
• Corey Kluber—6 IP 3H 6K W(1)
• Engel Beltre—2-5 2B 2R SB(3)
• Mitch Moreland—3-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Matt Lawson—2-4 2 RBI SB(1)
• Jonathan Greene—4-5 2B 2R RBI
• Jose Felix—4-5 2B R 3 RBI
• Buster Posey—3-4 2B 2 RBI R BB
• Brandon Crawford—1-4 2R BB
• Angel Villalona—2-4 RBI
• Darren Ford—2-5 R
• Scott Van Slyke—2-4 2B RBI
• Chris Minaker—4-4 R RBI
• Shane Wolf—5 IP 5H 2 ER BB 9K
• Bryan Shaw—5 IP 5H ER 4K W(1)
• Collin Cowgill—2-4 HR(2) 2 RBI SB(2)
• Ed Easley—1-4 2 RBI
• Manny Ferrer—2-4 2R SB(1)
• Trevor Reckling—6 IP 4H ER 6K L(1)
• Jeremy Moore—2-4 2B R
• Efren Navarro—2-3 2B