6/28 AA Minor League Report

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

Oakland A’s 1B of the future Chris Carter continues to pound the baseball, going 2-3 yesterday with his 13th HR six runs batted in and two runs scored.  I predicted at the beginning of June that Carter was due to go off on a power rampage and, suffice to say it, he has.  Over his last 100 AB, Carter is hitting .313 with 7 HR 19 RBI and a 19 BB/24 K ratio.  His improvements in his approach at the plate has resulted in a 40 point rise in batting average.  Also, Sean Doolittle’s injuries and potential move to the OF has opened the door wide for Carter to be the premier 1B prospect in Oakland’s farm system.  Jason Giambi is a one season hold over and Daric Barton offers a paper-thin resistance to Carter’s comprehensive skill set.  The A’s are desperate for offensive fire power and the 6-4 225 lb. Carter offers it in abundance.  He should make a move to AAA Sacramento at some point this summer and if Oakland continues to play last place baseball in the AL West, he should get a look at some point in September.  I expect that Chris Carter will get to continue his development at the Arizona Fall League this winter before getting a long look by the A’s this following spring. 

Today’s player de jour is the always impressive Michael Taylor of the Philadelphia Phillies organization.  The Stanford alum collected three more hits yesterday, including his 14th HR, four RBI and two runs scored.  Taylor’s banner day raised his season batting average to .342 .  He’s bound to earn a promotion soon either to AAA or, perhaps, to Philly.  The eBay market for Taylor’s cards has been red hot as of late with his ‘07 Bowman Chrome Draft cards selling at $2.00-2.50 each and his ‘08 Donruss Elite autos (#/720) ranging between $20-25 each.  There is quite a bit of room for all of Taylor’s cards to grow.  His blend of power, speed, plate discipline and batting average and his athletic 6-6 250 lb. frame spells S-U-C-C-E-S-S at the major league level.

AA Player of the Day—MICHAEL TAYLOR

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Chris Carter—2-3 HR(13) 6 RBI 2B 2R BB
• Adrian Cardenas—3-4 3R 2 BB SB(6)
• Matt Sulentic—3-6 2R 3 SB(16)
• Josh Donaldson—1-2 R 3 BB
• Matt Spencer—2-5 HR(13) 2 RBI
• Eric Sogard—2-5 2R
• Logan Forsythe—2-4 3B RBI R BB
• Tim Smith—3-4 2B 2 RBI BB R
• Mitch Moreland—2-5 2B RBI R
• Michael Taylor—3-4 HR(14) 4 RBI 2B 2R
• Jesus Montero—2-4 HR(9) RBI
• Jose Tabata—1-3 2B 2R RBI BB SB(5)
• Jim Negrych—2-4 2 RBI R SB(4)
• John Shelby Jr.—2-3 2B 3B 2 RBI 2 BB R SB(10)
• Dayan Viciedo—2-3 2 2B 2R BB
• Todd Frazier—1-4 HR(7) 2 RBI
• Sean Henry—2-4 HR(9) 2 RBI
• Andrew Lambo—3-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Eric Campbell—2-3 3B 2 RBI
• Desmond Jennings—2-4 2R RBI BB SB(28)
• Bryan Petersen—3-5 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Darin Holcomb—2-3 2B R BB
• Tyler Henry—3-4 HR(6) RBI 2R
• Hank Conger—2-5 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Mark Trumbo—2-4 2B RBI
• Danny Worth—2-4 2B 2R BB
• Casper Wells—2-5 2B 3B
• Michael Daniel—2-5 R (Game 1)…..3-5 R (Game 2)
• Leonard Davis—2-5 HR(11) 3 RBI BB
• Rene Tosoni—3-4 2B R BB

Pitching:

• Michael Stutes—7 IP 5H 2 ER BB 3K W (5-4)
• Charles Shirek—7 IP 8H ER BB 2K W (10-2)
• Kyle Parker—7 IP 4H Er 2 BB 4K
• Ryne Reynoso—7.2 IP 6H Er 2 BB 6K W (5-4)
• Travis Wood—7 IP 5H 2 ER BB 4K
• Kasey Kiker—6 IP 4H 6K

5/14 AA Minor League Report

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

Mets catching prospect Josh Thole gathered a handful of hits yesterday, scoring two runs and driving in one.  Michael Taylor blasted his 6th HR and drove in four runs, Tampa Bay Rays 3B prospect Rhyne Hughes hit his 12th Hr and drove in three and Padres OF Cedric Hunter continued to raise his average with a three hit, three RBI day.  On the mound, Kasey Kiker continues to pitch like he did in ‘07, tossing six solid innings of two run, eight strikeout ball, Joe Savery won his third game and young Indians prospect Jeanmar Gomez tossed eight innings of shutout ball, striking out eight and winning his 5th game.

Today’s top AA player is L.A. Dodgers 3B prospect Josh Bell.  The former 2005 4th round pick suffered a knee injury last year that cut his season to just 51 games, but after going through a rigorous off season training regimen he looks as healthy and strong as he has ever been.  His 6-3 235 lb. frame gives him an imposing presence at the plate, but the power has not manifested itself yet as it has in seasons past.  In place of the HR totals, however, is an increased amount of plate discipline (23 BB/25K) and increased agility at the hot corner.  Bell’s card sales have dropped off considerably since his injury last season and concerns that arose from his poor plate discipline two years ago.  Currently, his 2008 Bowman Chrome Autos sell for $3-4 each and his refractors (#/500) are a bargain at just a buck or two more.  Bell, if he stays healthy, is a prime candidate to break out from underneath the radar and onto L.A.’s Top 20 prospect list.

AA Player of the Day—JOSH BELL

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Carlos Rivero—2-6 2R
• Beau Mills—3-4 R
• Michael Taylor—1-2 HR(6) 4 RBI
• Eduardo Nunez—3-4 HR(2) 3 RBI 2R BB SB(5)
• Josh Thole—5-5 2B 2R RBI
• Tony Thomas—3-5 HR(6) RBI R
• Timmy Smith—3-4 3 2B RBI R
• Josh Bell—3-4 HR(2) 4 RBI 2R BB
• Andrew Lambo—1-4 2B 2R BB
• Brett Wallace—2-5 2B R
• Brandon Allen—1-4 2B 2 RBI
• John Shelby Jr.—1-3 HR(2) RBI
• Justin Smoak—2-4 R BB
• Steven Murphy—3-4 2 2B 2R
• Drew Locke—1-4 HR(8) RBI
• Rhyne Hughes—2-3 HR(12) 3 RBI 2B BB
• Cedric Hunter—3-6 2B 3 RBI
• Luis Durango—2-3 2 BB SB(19)
• Desmond Jennings—1-3 2B 2R BB

Pitching:

• Kyle McCullough—7 IP 6H ER 2 BB 5K
• Kasey Kiker—6 IP 4H 2 ER 2 BB 8K W (3-2)
• Jeanmar Gomez—8 IP 4H 8K W (5-2)
• Joe Savery—5 IP 2H ER 2 BB 4K W (3-1)…..1-2 2B R
• Kyle Winters—7 IP 5H ER BB 3K
• Scott Diamond—7 IP 6H ER 6K

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

4/11 AA Report

Posted by Jeremy on April 11, 2009 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Josh Reddick had a big four hit day at the plate including his first HR of ‘09.  Zack McAllister threw five strong innings on one run ball, but it was Phillies hurler Joe Savery who had the top performance.  The former 1st rounder went six innings allowing a run on four hits while striking out eight en route to his first victory of the new season.

Eastern League Player of the Day—JOE SAVERY

Other Notable Performances:

• Brett Pill–2-4 2B R
• Josh Reddick—4-5 HR(1) RBI 2B R
• Adam Mills—5 IP 7H 2 ER 4K
• Jared Hughes—6 IP BB 4K
• Brian Jeroloman—3-4 2B RBI R
• Fabio Castro—5.2 IP 6H 5K W(1)
• Emmanuel Garcia—2-4 2R BB
• Zack McAllister—5 IP 4H ER 2 BB 2K
• Joe Savery—6 IP 4H ER 8K W(1)
• Edgardo Baez—1-4 HR(1) RBI
• Michael Taylor—2-4 RBI
• Brandon Snyder—1-4 2 RBI
• Troy Patton—5 IP 3H 3 BB 3K W(1)
• Josh Tomlin—5 IP 3H ER 2K (L)
• Nick Weglarz—2-4

In the Southern League, Gerardo Parra and Gordon Beckham continued their hitting ways with two hits each, the Dodgers’ Scott Elbert looked strong in his return to the rotation, but it was Chicago Cubs 2B prospect Tony Thomas that blew away the competition with a 4-5 two homerun, five RBI and four run day.

Southern League Player of the Day—TONY THOMAS

Other Notable Performances:

• Tony Thomas—4-5 2 HR(2) 5 RBI 4R 2B
• Darwin Barney—2-3 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Hung-Wen Chen—5.1 IP 6H 2 ER BB 5K W(1)
• Ryan Klosterman—3-4 RBI BB
• Gerardo Parra—2-4 BB SB(2)
• Evan Frey—1-4 RBI BB SB(2)
• Todd Frazier—2-5 2B R
• Travis Wood—3.1 IP H 5 BB 3K (1-1 2B 3 RBI)
• Gorkys Hernandez—2-4 R BB
• Jamie Hoffmann—2-5 3B RBI R SB(1)
• Justin Sellers—2-4 2B
• Scott Elbert—4 IP 6H 2 ER BB 3K
• Gordon Beckham—2-4 RBI
• Dayan Viciedo—1-4 2R

Finally, the Texas League saw Rangers southpaw Kasey Kiker throw five scoreless innings of two-hit ball, but his performance couldn’t outmach Tony Jackson’s two homerun three RBI day.

Texas League Player of the Day—TONY JACKSON

Other Notable Performances:

• Joe Dickerson—2-5 3B 2 RBI
• Jose Duarte—1-4 2R RBI BB SB(1)
• Brian McFall—2-3 2 2B 2 RBI R SB(1)
• Eric Sogard—2-5 2B 2R RBI
• Luis Durango—3-5 RBI R 3 SB(3)
• Cedric Hunter—2-5 R
• Will Inman—4 IP 5H 2 ER BB 4K
• Anthony Jackson—2-5 2 HR(2) 3 RBI 2R
• Justin Smoak—1-4 HR(1) RBI
• Kasey Kiker—5 IP 2H BB 5K W(1)
• Josh Donaldson—1-4 2B RBI
• Yung-Chi Chen—3-4 2B 3R
• Jason Fernandez—6 IP 2H 3 BB 3K W(1)
• Jordan Walden—5 IP 2H 2 ER 4K L(1)

7/13 High A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 15, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

There was lots of action from many solid prospects in Sunday’s High A games.  Here’s a rundown…

Carlos Peguero

• 1-4 HR(12) RBI—.361 2 HR 6 RBI last 10 (K rate is coming down a little)

Carlos Santana

• 2-4 2B R—.412 3 HR 10 RBI 7 BB 2 SB last 10 games

Austin Gallagher

• 2-4 2R 2 RBI—.395 9 RBI 17 H last 10 games

Josh Reddick

• 2-4 2B R—.351 15 HR 55 RBI 10 3B over 2 levels

Brian Joynt

• 2-3 2B 3B 2R 2 RBI BB—.325 5 HR 25 RBI

Hank Conger

• 1-4 HR(2) 3 RBI—.231 HR 7 RBI last 10 games

Daniel Mayora

• 2-3 HR(3) 3 RBI 2R—.419 18 H 3 HR 11 RBI last 10 games

Josh Donaldson

• 1-5 HR( 8 ) 4 RBI 2R—.368 2 HR 8 RBI since trade to A’s

Corey Brown

• 1-3 3R RBI 2BB—.273 HR 4 RBI 11 K’s last 10 games

Chris Carter

• 2-5 HR(25) 6 RBI 2B 2R—.357 5 HR 12 RBI last 10 games

Craig Italiano

• .1 IP 6 H 6R BB K 2 HR allowed—Ugh…Kane County was much kinder

Johnny Whittleman

• 2-6 2B R—.249 30 2B 6 HR 47 RBI 63BB/86K

Evan Frey

• 3-7 HR(1) 2 RBI 2 SB(23) 2R—.316 65 R 8 3B

Kasey Kiker

• 5 IP 5H 2 ER 4BB 3K—5-3 4.55 ERA 79K/93 IP

John Shelby Jr.

• 2-4 2B R RBI BB—.274 10 HR 51 RBI 18 SB

Koby Clemens

• 2-4 2B R RBI—.263 5 HR 36 RBI

Anibal Sanchez

• 5.2 IP 3H 2BB 6K—1-0 2.40 ERA 13K/15IP (pitching well on the road back)

Scott Cousins

• 2-4 2R HR(6) 3 RBI—.333 3 HR 7 RBI 4 SB last 10 games

Logan Morrison

• 4-4 2B 2 RBI—.500 19 H HR 7 RBI last 10 games

Darren Ford

• 1-2 2B 2 RBI 3BB—.230 2 HR 27 RBI 45 SB

Alexandre Periard

• 7 IP 4H BB 6K (W)—8-6 3.58 ERA 73K/106IP

Rick Porcello

• 4 IP 6H 5ER 2BB 4K—Has not dominated this year but held his own at High A

Joe Savery

• 8 IP 4H 2BB 8K (W)—4-8 3.97 ERA 90K/111 IP

BUY/SELL Analysis

Hank Conger was the 1st round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2006 and is tabbed to be the catcher of the future for the Halos.  With plus power from both sides of the plate, Conger adeptly uses the whole field with power.  Baseball America ranked Conger as the Halos’ 4th rated prospect in 2007 after he hit .290 with 11 HR 48 RBI and 9 SB at Low A Ceder Rapids.  2008 promised to be a major breakout year for Conger, however, recovery from wrist surgery and a minor tear in his right shoulder caused for him to miss the first two months of the season.  Since his return, Conger has hit .277 with 2 HR and 21 RBI missing games intermittantly.  Conger’s 1st year cards are found in the 2006 Bowman Draft and Chrome products as well as autos in the ‘06 Bowman Sterling set.  Currently, chromes sell for 50 cents to $1.00 each and his Sterling autos sell for $7.50 to 10.00 apiece.  Conger has a better chance at a longer MLB career at a different position.

Market Advice: When healthy, Conger is one of baseball’s top catching prospects, but this guy is a walking M.A.S.H. unit.  If you have some of his cards, I would HOLD in hopes that he can stay healthy for a sustained amount of time to produce.  If he goes on a streak and the market notices, SELL his cards and invest in someone less risky.