6/14 AA Minor League Report

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

If you’ve been paying attention to this blog over the last year, you would know that I have a good deal of love for Chicago White Sox 1B prospect Brandon Allen.  The 6-2 235 lb. slugger has had a fine season at AA Birmingham, hitting .295 with 7 HR 35 RBI and 38 runs scored.  Allen’s power production has been down this season, after hitting 30 HR between High-A and AA last year, and his stolen base totals have diminished to almost nil.  However, the plate discipline that once was a major question mark in Allen’s game has now become one of his strengths.  Through 60 games, the ‘04 draftee has walked 29 times and has struck out 45 times.  Factor out the month of April and those numbers are even better (23 BB/34 K).  Similar to Oakland A’s 1B prospect Chris Carter, the power should increase as the summer goes along as Allen’s confidence with in his more disciplined plate approach increases.

Today’s top prospect is a repeat offender.  Cleveland Indians prospect Matt McBride went 2-4 with a grand slam HR, four RBI, a double and two runs scored.  McBride was promoted to Akron after a blistering start at High-A Kinston where he hit .405 with 6 HR 36 RBI and 15 doubles in 31 games.  Since moving to Akron, McBride has not been as good (.247 2 HR 16 RBI 7 doubles in 23 games), though much of his offensive struggles happened during the month of May.  McBride entered the ’09 season as a catcher, but he’s played the bulk of his innings as a corner outfielder as top prospect Carlos Santana is the Indians’ catcher of the future.  June’s been a hot month for McBride as he’s hit .455 in the early going.  If he can continue his torrid pace and continue to drive the ball, he may make a strong case to be considered as a solid corner outfielder for the Indians by the middle of 2010.  Given their depth at the position, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him packaged up in an off-season deal either.

AA Player of the Day—MATT MCBRIDE

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Nick Evans—2-5 2B R RBI
• Shawn Bowman—2-5 2B R RBI
• Ian Desmond—2-5 2B 2 RBI BB SB(5)
• Marvin Lowrance—3-4 HR(10) 2 RBI 2B
• Jeremy Slayden—4-4 2B 3 RBI
• Brian Jeroloman—1-4 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Casper Wells—2-4 HR(3) RBI 2B
• Brnadon Snyder—-2-3 2 2B BB
• Matt McBride—2-4 GS HR(8) 4 RBI 2B 2R
• Sean Henry—4-4 2R
• Chris Heisey—1-3 HR(13) 2 RBI
• Brandon Allen—3-4 2B 3 RBI BB
• John Shelby Jr.—1-3 HR(6) RBI
• Mike Paulk—3-5 HR(2) 4 RBI
• Jason Castro—2-4 R
• Eric Sogard—2-4 2B R
• Kellen Kulbacki—3-4 R RBI SB(2)
• Cedric Hunter—2-5 R 2 RBI
• Lance Zawadzki—2-5 2B R 3 RBI
• Chad Tracy—3-4 R 2 RBI
• Mitch Moreland—2-5 3R BB
• Matt Spencer—2-4 2R
• Drew Sutton—2-5 2B R RBI

Pitching:

• Alfredo Figardo—7.1 IP 3H 2 ER BB 10K W (5-2)
• Hector Rondon—4 IP H BB 3K
• Scott Elbert—5 IP 4H 3 ER 3 BB 9K L (2-2)
• Brian Omogrosso—5 IP 4H 2 BB 5K W (7-2)
• Jay Jackson—5 IP 4H ER 6K

Your Daily Value #24

Posted by Jeremy on December 30, 2008 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

2007 Bowman Chrome Draft KELLEN KULBACKI Auto

Current eBay Price—$6.00-8.00

• The San Diego Padres have had an affinity for drafting small, stocky, Brian Giles clones over the past couple of seasons.  Players like Chad Huffman and ‘08 draftee Jaff Decker have fit the bill, but no one has personified the Giles-like game more than Kulbacki.  Last season, the James Madison alum terrorized California League pitching to the tune of a .332 BA with 20 HR and 66 RBI in just 84 games.  Kulbacki’s sophomore season at James Madison put him on the prospect radar after he hit .468 with 24 HR and 75 RBI.  He has the ability to play either corner OF spot, though he profiles better as a leftfielder.  I think Kellen’s stellar plate discipline should allow for him to maintain his high average at the big league level which makes future .300 BA with 15-20 HR seasons quite likely.  His 2007 autographs in the Bowman Sterling set are even cheaper right now, ranging between $4.00-6.00.

9/1 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on September 3, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Marcus Lemon

• 2-4 2B R RBI SB(12)—.295 8 HR 47 RBI 30 2B 12 SB

Yamaico Navarro

• 2-4 2R—.304 11 HR 77 RBI 79 R 27 2B

Daryl Maday

• 5 IP 6H 2 ER 9K (W)—13-5 2.48 ERA 130K/145IP .231 BAA

Brian Joynt

• 2-4 2R—.303 13 HR 68 RBI 29 2B .931 OPS

Kellen Kulbacki

• 1-4 2B RBI—.304 22 HR 75 RBI 71 R .910 OPS

Ryan Mount

• 2-4 2B R—.288 16 HR 48 RBI 68 R 10 SB in 81 games

Peter Bourjos

• 3-5 2R SB(49)—.296 9 HR 50 RBI 29 2B in 103 games

Sean O’Sullivan

• 8 IP 5H 3 ER 5BB 2K (W)—16-8 4.73 ERA 111K/158IP

Evan Frey

• 2-4 SB(37)—.314 3 HR 47 RBI 98 R 11 3B 37 SB over two levels

Matt Spencer

• 2-4 HR(14) RBI SB(12)—.279 14 HR 69 RBI 12 SB 76 BB

John Shelby Jr.

• 1-4 2B R RBI—.295 15 HR 80 RBI 33 SB 81 R 37 2B

Carlos Rivero

• 2-5 HR( 18 ) 3 RBI—.282 8 HR 64 RBI 27 2B

BUY/SELL Analysis

Coming to a baseball card near you!

Brian Joynt entered the 2008 season as an unknown commodity.  A 29th round selection by the San Diego Padres, Joynt had an inauspicious 2007 campaign and began 2008 at High A Lake Elsinore where he battled early season injury issues that kept him out of the lineup until late May.  Since then, Joynt has opened eyes with his power potential, hitting .303 with 16 HR 48 RBI and 63 R and 29 doubles in just 76 games.  Joynt, the University of Nevada alum, has a prototypical power hitter’s build at 6-4 205 lb that could add more bulk and strength.  Observers say he has average speed and a decent glove that could be well suited to play 3B, 1B or at a corner OF spot. 

Joynt does not have any cards out right now and he is assuredly a sub-radar prospect.  Keep your eyes peeled for his inclusion in the ‘08 Bowman Heritage or Sterling sets and grab some early on.  I don’t think Joynt will be unknown for long.

7/18 High A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 20, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Josh Reddick

• 1-3 HR(16) RBI BB—The new 2008 Bowman Chrome set should have had his auto rather than Kalish

Yamaico Navarro

• 2-3 HR( 8 ) RBI 2R BB—7 for 12 in 3 games for Lancaster

Marcus Lemon

• 4-5 2B RBI—.303 5 HR 31 RBI .399 OBP

Johnny Whittleman

• 2-2 2 RBI R BB—.263 8 RBI 10 BB last 10 games

Daniel Mayora

• 2-5 3R—.326 HR 6 RBI 8R last 10 games

Mark Trumbo

• 2-3 HR(23) 2 RBI BB—.286 3 HR 9 RBI

Ryan Mount

• 3-4 2B R—.265 4 HR 20 RBI .357 OBP 30 R in 40 games

P.J. Phillips

• 2-5 HR (7) RBI—.341 HR 2 RBI 6 SB last 10 games

Tommy Mendoza

• 6 IP 5H 4K (W)—1st win after 8 consecutive losses (stil young enough to turn it around)

Corey Brown

• 1-4 HR(16) RBI—.243 2 HR 5 RBI 5BB/19K in 9 games since promotion

Austin Gallagher

• 2-3 2 2B R BB—.325 HR 6 RBI last 10 ( he will produce more power as he matures)

Kellen Kulbacki

• 3-5 2B 2 RBI R—.317 13 HR 44 RBI at High A

Beau Mills

• 2-4 2R RBI—.277 15 HR 63 RBI 27 2B

Eric Campbell

• 2-5 2B R 2 RBI BB—.395 4 HR RBI 7 BB last 10

Jim Negrych

• 2-5 HR(5) RBI—.366 5 HR 57 RBI .441 OBP

Derrick Robinson

• 2-5 2 2B SB(44) R—.247 0 HR 20 RBI 44 SB

Michael Taylor

• 2-3 HR(12) 2 RBI 2B—.225 2 HR 11 RBI 3BB/17K since promotion to Clearwater

Alexandre Periard

• 7 IP 6H 2 ER 3K—6-2 2.32 ERA 43K/66 IP

Tyler Green

• 2-3 HR(11) 3 RBI 2B—.394 11 HR 59 RBI 44BB/49K

Scott Cousins

• 2-5 HR(7) 3 RBI 2R—.421 4 HR 11 RBI 11 R last 10 games

Ryan Royster

• 2-3 HR(7) 2 RBI 2B BB—.382 3 HR 7 RBI last 10 games

Ryan Pope

• 7 IP 4H 2 ER 8K (W)—6-4 2.35 ERA 51K/69IP at High A level

Deolis Guerra

• 5 IP 8H 4 ER K (W)—10-4 4.42 ERA 46BB/51K in 100 IP (still just 19)

BUY/SELL Analysis

Mark Trumbo was an 18th round pick out of high school in the 2004 draft.  After a solid showing at rookie league Orem, Trumbo struggled in 2006 at Cedar Rapids hitting .220 with 13 HR and 59 RBI.  Last season, Trumbo repeated Low-A and improved to the tune of a .272 BA with 14 HR and 76 RBI.  Trumbo has stepped up his production at Rancho Cucamonga hitting .286 with 23 HR and 64 RBI.  In a system that finds itself severely lacking power hitting and 1B prospects, Trumbo has a veritable opportunity to progress quickly.  His 23BB/61K rate is not alarming, but Trumbo will need to take more bases on balls as he progresses.  2004 Donruss Elite Extra offers an autographed RC of Trumbo (#’ed to 1,321) which sells for $8-10 each.  His more popular ‘04 SP Prospect Auto (#’ed to 400) can be had for $15-18.

Market Advice: I don’t see Trumbo as being a star in the making, but as the Angels’ top 1st base prospect, now that Matt Sweeney is hurt, he will get a longer look by collectors.  Coupled with the imminent possibility that Trumbo will hit 30 HR’s by the season’s end, the ‘04 autos of Trumbo are a decent BUY at these prices, especially the SP Prospect autos (if you can find them).  It’s hard to diagnose whether or not Trumbo will continue to progress at higher levels, but if you are in possession of some of his cards now, SELL if and when he reaches 30 HR this year.

7/6 High A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 8, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Chris Carter

• 1-4 HR(22) RBI—.250 61 RBI 60 R in 85 games

Josh Reddick

• 2-4 HR(15) RBI 2B SB(6)—.357 3 HR 9 RBI last 10 games

Henry Rodriguez

• 6 IP 5H 3ER 4BB 7K—Control issues keep him from being an elite pitching prospect

P.J. Phillips

• 2-4 2 HR(6) 2 RBI—.317 3 HR 6 RBI 4 SB last 10 games

Carlos Santana

• 2-3 HR(13) 3B 2R 3 RBI—83 RBI leads all of Minor League baseball

Austin Gallagher

• 2-4 2B R RBI—.295 2 HR 25 RBI 21 2B

Jhoulys Chacin

• 6 IP 6H ER 3K—12-1 1.72 ERA 109K/125IP (only 20 yrs old)

Ian Gac

• 2-4 2B 2 RBI—.372 20 HR 68 RBI

Renny Osuna

• 2-5 2R RBI—.372 3 HR 48 RBI 10 SB

Kellen Kulbacki

• 3-4 2B 3R BB—On fire lately .410 6 HR 13 RBI 13 R last 10 games

Cedric Hunter

• 2-5 2 2B—.305 4 HR 43 RBI 65 R

Jonathan Lucroy

• 2-4 2 HR(14) 2 RBI—.316 49 RBI .926 OPS at A and AA

Jeremy Jeffress

• 5 IP 5H 5ER 4BB 10K (L)—Lightning bolt arm, just needs to develop (75K/53IP)

Dillon Gee

• 8 IP 3H BB 3K—5-2 2.47 ERA 38K/66IP last 10 games

Brandon Snyder

• 3-5 2R 2 2B—.290 5 HR 38 RBI

Billy Rowell

• 2-4 2B RBI—.229 4 HR 31 RBI

BUY/SELL Analysis

Austin Gallagher was a 2007 3rd round prep pick by the Dodgers.  after hitting .284 with 4 HR and 17 RBI at short season Ogden, Baseball America did not see Gallagher as a top 30 prospect in the Dodgers’ farm system.  L.A. promoted him to Inland Empire as a 19 year old where he has drilled 21 doubles and is hitting .295 thusfar.  Gallagher has a 6-5 220lb. frame that should play well at a corner infield position.  Gallagher’s first year autographed cards are found in the 2007 Elite Extra set ,#’ed to 500, selling for $10-13 each.  He also has cards in the ’07 Bowman Chrome Draft set with singles selling for 75 cents to $1.25 each and refractors, #’ed to 599, selling for $4.50-6.00 each.

Market Advice: Gallagher’s size and increase in doubles production indicate that his power stroke will develop as his body matures.  I am not sure why Baseball America was so down on him as a prospect, but I see a young power hitter in the making.  BUY his autos now and get a batch of chrome RC’s at a buck or less each.

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.