4/16 AAA Minor League Report

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

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Neftali Feliz won his first game of the season, thanks in large part to a 12 run fourth inning put up by Oklahoma City’s offense.  Carlos Gonzalez got his season on track with a three run, two RBI performance against Tuscon.  Jon Jay and Mat Gamel continue to swing hot bats, but not as hot as Angels 2B prospect Sean Rodriguez who hit his third HR of the season with three RBI and three runs scored.

Pacific Coast League Player of the Day—SEAN RODRIGUEZ

Other Notable Peformances:

• Josh Whitesell—2-4 R RBI
• Carlos Gonzalez—2-3 3R 2 2B 2 RBI 2 BB
• Matt Miller—3-4 2 RBI R 2B
• John Raynor—2-4 2B 2R BB
• Gaby Sanchez—2-5 2 RBI
• Jon Jay—2-3 2B 2R RBI
• Shane Robinson—2-5 R RBI
• Tyler Greene—2-4 2R
• Allen Craig—1-4 2B RBI
• Jess Todd—2 IP 2H 2K SV(1)
• Julio Borbon—2-5 2R 2 RBI 2 BB
• Max Ramirez—2-6 R RBI
• Joaquin Arias—2-4 3R RBI BB
• Greg Golson—2-3 2B 2R 3 BB 3 RBI
• Neftali Feliz—5 IP 3H 2 Er 2 BB 5K W(1)
• Mat Gamel—2-4 2B R
• Hernan Iribarren—1-4 3B RBI R
• Kila Ka’aihue—1-4 2 RBI
• J.R. Towles—3-4 2B R RBI
• Yordany Ramirez—2-4 2B 2 RBI R
• Sean Rodriguez—2-4 HR(3) 3 RBI 2B 3R SB(2)
• Will Venable—2-5 2R
• Kyle Blanks—2-4 2B R RBI BB
• Eric Patterson—1-4 HR(1) RBI 2R BB
• Cliff Pennington—0-2 2R 3 BB RBI
• Daric Barton—1-5 2B 3 RBI
• Mike Carp—1-4 2B R RBI

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Pitching was at center stage tonight as Pawtuckett’s Kris Johnson outdueled Rochester’s Anthony Swarzak in a 1-0 win.  David Price surrendered just one earned run over five innings in a losing effort and Carlos Carrasco struck out six in six innings.  Matt Wieters hit his first bomb of the new season and Matt LaPorta and John Mayberry Jr logged in with their second.  The IL player of the day was New York Mets future 1B Nick Evans whose two HR four RBI day was tops in the AAA ranks.

International League Player of the Day—NICK EVANS

Other Notable Performances:

• Fernando Martinez—2-5 2 2B 2R
• Nick Evans—2-5 2 HR(3) 4 RBI 2R
• Mark Melancon—1.2 IP 2 BB 3K W(2)
• Kris Johnson—5 IP 2H 2 BB 3K W(1)
• Anthony Swarzak—7 IP 5H Er 5K L(2)
• Matt LaPorta—1-4 HR(2) RBI
• Michael Brantley—1-3 RBI BB SB(2)
• Wilkin Ramirez—2-4 RBI
• Adam Rosales—2-4 HR(3) RBI 2R BB SB(2)
• Andrew McCutchen—1-4 R SB(3)
• Neil Walker—1-4 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Van Pope—3-4 2B RBI R
• Matt Joyce—1-3 2B RBI
• David Price—5 IP 4H UER BB 6K
• John Mayberry Jr.—1-5 HR(2) 3 RBI
• Matt Wieters—2-5 HR(1) RBI BB 2R
• Carlos Carrasco—6 IP 7H 2 ER 6K
• Luis Montanez—2-3 3R 2 RBI 2 BB SB(2)
• Nolan Reimold—1-5 2 RBI
• Mike Costanzo—1-4 2B R BB
• Justin Turner—3-4 RBI BB

8/13 AA Minor League Report

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

Tons and tons of performances in AA ball for your viewing pleasure…

Brad Mills

• 7 IP 4H BB 9K—12-4 1.89 ERA 147K/133IP .224 BAA

Jose Tabata

• 4-4 2B 2R—13-36 2 HR 9 RBI 7 R since trade to Pirates

Lars Anderson

• 2-3 2B 2R BB—’08 Bowman Chrome Auto will be gem of the set!

Josh Reddick

• 1-4 HR(20) RBI—.219 3 HR 15 RBI 13 R in 19 games w/Portland

Kris Johnson

• 5.2 IP 6H ER 8K (W)—8-7 3.38 ERA 98K/120IP

Nolan Reimold

• 1-3 2 RBI 2R 2BB—.289 19 HR 72 RBI 78 R (nothing left to prove at Bowie)

Matt Wieters

• 2-3 2B RBI 2R 2BB—.362 9 HR 43 RBI 1.091 OPS at Bowie (nothing left to prove in MILB)

David Hernandez

• 5 IP 7H 2ER 2BB  5K (W)—3-3 1.98 ERA 65K/55IP last 10 games

Sean Henry

• 1-3 HR(11) RBI—.299 11 HR 68 RBI 19 SB

Michael Brantley

• 2-4 2R—.335 4 HR 39 RBI 44BB/22K 25 SB in 89 games

Cole Gillespie

• 3-4 2R 2 RBI—.438 8 RbI 6R last 10 games

Ivan DeJesus

• 2-4 HR(4) RBI—.309 4 HR 52 RBI 13 SB 72 R

Heath Rollins

• 7 IP 4H ER 9—Nice AA debut

Gerardo Parra

• 3-3 2 3B R 2 RBI—Breaking out of August funk

Jordan Schafer

• 3-4 HR(6) 3B 2 RBI—.342 HR 6 RBI last 10 games

Brandon Allen

• 3-5 HR(22) 2 RBI 2R 2B—.277 7 HR 17 RBI 19 R .994 OPS in AA

Tyler Colvin

• 3-6 2 RbI 2R—.364 HR 11 RBI 16 H last 10 games

Jake Fox

• 1-4 HR(27) 3 RBI 2R BB—HR’s in 3 of last 4 games

Adam Moore

• 2-2 2 RbI 2BB—Slumping .188 5 RBI 12K last 10 games

Dan Cortes

• 6 IP 3H ER 3BB 9K—6-1 4.47 ERA 46K/50IP last 10 games

Chris Nelson

• 3-5 4 RbI 2B R BB—Awful season, not ready for AA

BUY/SELL Analysis

Highlight of the new Bowman Chrome set

Lars Anderson has taken a gigantic step forward this season as one of baseball’s best young power-hitting prospects.  After a torrid start at High-A Lancaster, Anderson was promoted to AA Portland where he is surpassing the numbers he posted in the California League hitting .333 with 5 HR 23 RBI and 19 Runs in 25 games.  Anderson is just 20 and has yet to fully fill out his 6-4 215 lb. frame.  When he does, he will evolve into a 30-40 HR hitter in the mold of Jason Morneau.  Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell are both signed by the Red Sox through 2010 which gives the Red Sox ample time to be patient with Lars, though the rapid and successful development of Greenville 1B Anthony Rizzo will continually press Anderson to keep performing.  Anderson’s first cards have just been released as autographs in the new ‘08 Bowman Chrome set and there is not nearly enough market data yet to accurately represent what they will be selling for.  I think one could expect to pay $50-75 for a regular chrome auto.  I did see one that sold with one bid for $20.  That price is an aberration for sure!

Market Advice: Anderson is much hyped and will be expensive, but he also is destined to do great things in Boston.  There are few flaws in Anderson’s game, aside from his K rate (which isn’t at an unacceptible level) and speed.  His power will develop for sure and if you can get an auto for $40-50, BUY it.

6/26 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 28, 2008 under Minor League Ball today, Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Lots of great performances by super prospects!  Here’s the rundown…

Travis Snider

• 3-6 HR(15) 3 RBI 3 R—Adjusting well at AA but has K’ed 103 times!

David Hernandez

• 6.1 IP 2H 2ER 2BB 9K (W)—96 K’s thusfar with opponents hitting only .211 against him

George Kontos

• 5 IP 4H ER BB 7K (L)—3rd straight quality start but can’t win games (3-7)

Kris Johnson

• 6 IP 2H 2BB 4K (W)—6-3 3.32 ERA 59K/89IP

Jeremy Slayden

• 3-3 2B BB—.291 8 HR 53 RBI

Alcides Escobar

• 3-6 HR(7) 3 RBI 3R 2B—.326 50 RBI 111 Hits 21 SB

Mat Gamel

• 1-3 2B RBI 3BB—.371 118 Hits 15 HR 68 RBI .632 SLG

Michael Brantley

• 2-3 R SB(25)—Multiple hits in 4 of last 5 games

Matt LaPorta

• 2-4 2 2B 2 RBI BB—.297 19 HR 61 RBI .601 SLG

Jordan Schafer

• 2-3 R BB SB(5)—.378 10 RBI 10 R 10 BB last 10 games

David Price

• 6IP 4H 2ER 4BB 7K (W)—Solid 1st outing at AA now 5-0 on the season

Tyler Colvin

• 3-4 3B 2 RBI R—Back to back solid outings in a season that has been a struggle for Colvin

Matt Mangini

• 2-4 2B 3 RBI—Starting to get acclimated at AA after struggling early

Allen Craig

• 2-4 2B RBI R BB—.273 11 HR 47 RBI

Adam Ottovino

• 6IP 1H BB 5K—1st good outing in quite a while

Aaron Cunningham

• 3-4 R 2B—.283 5 HR 20 RBI 8 SB

Brett Anderson

• 6IP 3H 2ER 12K—Stellar AA debut, Anderson seems to have put his early struggles behind him

BUY/SELL Analysis

Kris Johnson was a supplimental 1st round pick in 2006 out of Witchita State.  He suffered an elbow injury and had Tommy John surgery following the 2006 season.  Johnson struggled a bit coming back last year, but has pitched well at AA.  While he has not dominated, .282 BAA, 38 BB, Johnson has found a way to win.  Johnson has good life on his fastball which can reach the mid-90’s, but his secondary pitches need some polish.  Johnson has autographed first year cards in the 2006 Bowman Draft and Chrome and Bowman Sterling.  The chrome autos sell for about $7-10 each and the Sterlings sell for about $6-8. 

Market Advice: The fact that Johnson is a Red Sox prospect makes him more attractive than if he was a Pirates or Marlins prospect.  I am having a hard time gauging where Johnson fits in, but the fact remains that he is a raw, left-handed prospect that throws in the low to mid 90’s.  He has to develop his secondary pitches or else he will be a lefty middle reliever, which is the equivalent of death as a baseball card prospect.  Tentatively, I would BUY a chrome auto and watch his development closely. Now that Masterson and Buchholz have shown their faces at Fenway, Johnson trails only Michael Bowden as Boston’s top minor league pitching prospects.

Alcides Escobar has been one of many Huntsville Stars prospects that has terrorized AA pitching this season.  In his previous 4 minor league seasons, Escobar accumulated just 7 HR in 1,595 AB.  This season, Escobar has 7 HR in just 341 AB.  Escobar has always been an above average SS, and now that his hitting seems to be on the upswing, it is just a matter of time before he is playing in Miller Park.  Escobar has 1st year cards in the 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects set which are selling at $2 each. 

Market Advice: Escobar is never going to be a prolific power hitter, but he has an opportunity to be a special top of the order hitter in a offense-friendly ballpark.  At $2 each, it seems that Escobar is a solid BUY, and though he likely will not replicate these current numbers at the major league level, he still should receive a nice bump in value once he makes it to The Show.

6/15 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 17, 2008 under Minor League Ball today, Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Ryan Patterson

• 2-5 HR(11) RBI—Patterson is repeating AA this year with mildly better success

Austin Jackson

• 1-5 HR(6) RBI—Jackson is only 21 and has shown improved plate discipline and decent power

George Kontos

• 5 IP 7R (2ER) 5BB 8K—Up and down season for Yankees SP prospect (2-6 3.39 ERA 75K/77IP)

Lou Marson

• 2-3 2R 2BB—.356 2 HR 35 RBI 42BB/39 K (Big step forward this season)

Erik Lis

• 2-5 2B RBI—.299 5 HR 29 RBI 27 2B (18 HR 97 RBI last season)

Michael Daniel

• 1-3 HR(7) 2 RBI BB—.328 29 RBI 11 SB this season

David Hernandez

• 6 IP 1H 5BB 5K (W)—5-1 3.07 ERA 83K/70 IP (168K/145.1IP in ‘07)

Kris Johnson

• 6 IP 5H 2ER 3BB 7K (W)—Back to back good outings for Boston southpaw

Angel Salome

• 2-4 RBI R—Simmering a bit over last 10 games (.257 7 RBI)

Jamie Hoffmann

• 1-3 HR(4) 3 RBI—3 HR 11 RBI last 10 games (Intriguing prospect)

Max Ramirez

• 2-3 2B R 2BB—Walk rate improving over last 10 games 8BB/5K

Elvis Andrus

• 1-5 HR(1) 2RBI—Struggled last 10 games (.229 Avg but 10 runs and 8 SB)

Dexter Fowler

• 2-4 2 2B  2 RBI R BB—.313 6 HR 37 RBI 14 SB (.488 21 H 10 2B 9 RBI last 10 games)

Eli Iorg

• 3-4 3B R—Toolsy OF with good bloodlines but progressing slowly (.249 8 HR 28 RBI 11 SB)

Buy/Sell Analysis:

Lou Marson was a 4th round selection by the Phillies out of high school in 2004.  After 3 mediocre seasons, Marson stepped out last year to hit .288 with 7 HR and 63 RBI.  Along with the improvement at the plate, Marson’s game also improved behind the dish.  This season, Marson has torn it up at AA hitting .356 with a stellar .469 OBP.  Marson has a line drive stroke and a smooth, easy swing.  Although he is in his 5th season in the minor leagues, Marson will only be 22 years old and there is still reason to believe that he can develop double digit power numbers.  It will be interesting to see if the Phillies decide to promote him to AAA.  Marson’s best card is in the 2004 SP Prospects set.  He has an auto that is serial #’ed to 550.  There have not been many on Ebay within the last 2 weeks, and the market data that I have show that they are selling for about $20 each.  Marson also has cards in the 2004 Bowman Draft and Chrome, with the chrome versions selling for about $1 each.  Marson in my opinion, has the most upside of any catchers in the Phillies organization and, if he develops his line drive stroke into more power, he could hit 15-20 HR’s in the hitter-friendly confines of Citizen’s Bank Ballpark.

Market Advice:  Buy a batch of ‘04 chrome RC’s, sell the SP Prospects Auto if it reaches $30.

Jamie Hoffmann is the “under the radar” prospect that card speculators like me love.  Hoffmann didn’t even appear on Baseball America’s top 30 L.A. Dodger prospects list for the 2008 season.  That being said, he is a 6-4 230lb. converted 3B who can play any outfield position.  Hoffmann hit .309 last season at High A Inland Empire with 9 HR 81 RBI and 19 SB.  His statline evokes thoughts of Milwaukee Brewer OF Corey Hart.  Similar to Hart, I think that Hoffmann’s power production will increase as he continues to progress through the Dodgers’ farm system.  It will have to, as Hoffmann, while very athletic, probably has a future as a corner OF at the ML level.  Hoffmann has cards in the 2006 Bowman and Chrome prospects and Bowman Heritage.  As he is not well known or highly regarded, Hoffmann’s cards can be attained for very cheap prices and in bulk.  Note that on his cards, Hoffmann’s name is misspelled (only one ‘N’) which could cause confusion in Ebay searches.  I would grab refractors of all kinds as they are all serial #’ed and can be found for cheap.  Hoffmann is really about two years away, but I think he will find his way onto the Dodgers’ top propsect chart this season.

Market Advice: BUY BUY BUY, especially the serial #’ed versions and chromes.  Hoffmann will continue to improve and devlop his power.