7/7 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 9, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

San Francisco Giants OF prospect Roger Kieschnick went 3-4 yesterday, blasting his 17th HR, driving in three runs and scoring twice.  In an organization chocked full of blue chip talent, Kieschnick’s 2009 season has gone widely unnoticed.  However, the former Texas Tech star has been excellent this season, hitting .303 with 17 HR 66 RBI 7 SB and 55 runs scored.  At 6-3 200 lb., Kieschnick has the size and strength of a prototypical right fielder.  The biggest knock on him, at this point, is his plate discipline.  This season, Kieschnick has walked just 20 times while striking out 78 times in 81 games.  This ratio will clearly affect his batting average as he advances to higher levels and make him more of a one dimensional hitter.  He will definitely hit for power at the major league level, but notions of a .300 plus batting average should be tempered significantly.  Kieshnick’s numbers are likely inflated a bit because of the wonderful hitting parks in the California League.  His next stop will be AA Connecticut, though, a league that tends to lean toward the pitchers.  Watch to see how he adjusts after his promotion, either this year or next, to get a better reading on his porjected future.

Today’s top player is a more nondescript prospect in Baltimore Orioles 1B prospect Robbie Widlansky.  The former Florida Atlantic standout and ‘07 11th round pick went 2-4 yesterday with his first two HR of the season, three RBI and three runs scored.  Widlansky is a versatile player who can play both corner OF positions and both corner infield positions.  He was injured for the first two months of the season, but has been red hot since his return, hitting .388 10 doubles and 18 runs scored in 31 games.  Widlansky doesn’t profile as an everyday player at this point in his career.  At 24 years old, he is a bit old for the High-A level but may be due for a promotion before the end of this season.  He’s got decent size (6-2 210 lb.) and showed a considerable boost in power during his final season at FA, hitting .433 with 15 HR and 69 RBI.  I don’t expect that he will be a full time player at the major league level, but his reputation as being a hard nosed workaholic, plus his versatility in the field may open up some opportunities in the future.

High-A Player of the Day—ROBBIE WIDLANSKY

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Conor Gillaspie—3-5 2B 2R
• Buster Posey—3-5 HR(12) RBI 2B 3R
• Roger Kieschnick—3-4 HR(17) 3 RBI 2B 2R
• Angel Villalona—2-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Elian Herrera—3-5 2R HR(3) 2 RBI
• Scott VanSlyke—1-4 HR(12) RBI BB 2R
• Matt Clark—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI R
• T.J. Steele—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI SB(8)
• James Shuck—1-3 HR(1) RBI 2 BB SB(17) 2R
• Koby Clemens—2-5 2 2B R
• Jeremy Moore—2-4 HR(16) RBI BB
• Grant Desme—1-3 HR(16) RBI BB
• Ramon Ramirez—3-5 2 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Hector Gomez—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Engel Beltre—2-7 2 RBI
• Ryan Adams—3-5 R 3 RBI
• Matthew Angle—2-5 2R 2 RBI SB(26)
• Robbie Widlansky—2-4 2 HR(2) 3 RBI 3R BB
• Tyler Henson—2-5 2R 3B
• Michael Burgess—3-4 2B 2R 3 RBI SB(9)
• David Espinosa—2-4 2 2B 3R RBI Bb
• Mike Moustakas—3-4 2B
• Johnny Giavotella—1-3 2B 2R BB
• Moises Sierra—2-5 2B 2R BB
• Ben Revere—2-5 2R 3B SB(31)
• Steven Singleton—2-5 2 3B 4 RBI R
• Chris Parmelee—1-5 HR(11) RBI
• Charles Cutler—3-4 2 2B 3R

Pitching:

• Scott Barnes—6 IP 6H 2 UER 2 BB 9K w (9-3)
• Joshua Collmenter—4.2 IP 4H 2 UER 4 BB 7K
• Casey Kelly—6. IP 6H ER BB 5K L (7-5)
• Tom Milone—7 IP 7H ER 2 BB 3K W (4-3)

5/27 High-A Minor League Report

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

Similar to the AA docket of games, the High-A slate is a bit light as rainouts plauged much of the Florida State League and the California League had the night off. Jason Heyward rapped three hits and drove in three runs, raising his season average to .295.  Baseball’s top outfield prospect has been exceptional over his last 10 games, hitting .359 with 3 HR 8 RBI and 9 runs scored.  Top minor league lefties Brian Matusz of the Orioles and K.C.’s Danny Duffy locked horns in a pitchers duel as each went six-plus scoreless innings, striking out five hitters each.

Today’s top High-A player is Chicago’s 1B/OF prospect Christian Marrero.  The brother of Nationals slugger Chris Marrero went 4-4 with his 4th HR and three RBI.  Marrero is said to have considerably less potential than his younger brother, but he has outperformed him so far this season, hitting .333 with 4 HR 23 RBI and 13 doubles in 44 games.  Marrero has a sweet lefthanded swing that should hit for a high average and 12-15 HR power at the major league level.

High-A Player of the Day—CHRISTIAN MARRERO

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Christian Marrero—4-4 HR(4) 3 RBI 2R
• Jason Heyward—3-4 2B R 3 RBI
• Mike Moustakas—1-3 2B RBI BB
• Miles Durham—1-4 HR(5) RBI
• Pedro Alvarez—1-4 2 RBI
• Mark Reed—2-3 2 RBI 3B
• Colt Sedbrook—3-3 2B 2R
• Moises Sierra—2-2 2B 2R 4 RBI
• Kevin Ahrens—1-2 R RBI 2 BB
• John Tolisano—1-2 3B 2R 2 BB SB(4)

Pitching:

• Richard Castillo—7 IP 7H ER 2 BB 5K
• Andrew Cashner—5 IP 3H ER 5K
• Danny Duffy—6 IP 5H BB 5K
• Brian Matusz—7 IP 4H 2 BB 5K

5/11 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 12, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

There was a light schedule in the High-A ranks yesterday as both the California League and Carolina league had the night off.  Kyle Drabek continues his comeback bid with great success tossing five innings of one run ball in a no-decision.  Neftali Soto seems to have shaken off an early season slump as he hit his fourth HR as part of a three hit day.  Jesus Montero drove in three runs as did teammate Eric Fryer.  Matt Dominguez’s bat is showing signs of life as he had two hits and scored twice, but it was a teammate of his who takes home top honors for the second time this season.

Today’s top player is none other than Florida Marlins statuesque slugger Michael Stanton.  The 6-5 outfielder hit his seventh HR and doubled, driving in two runs.  Stanton has been solid this season, but really hasn’t heated up yet as he is hitting .281 with 7 HR and 23 RBI thusfar.  The market for his cards is still quite vibrant, but it has subsided somewhat since his excellent performance with the Marlins in spring training.  Stanton is still indubidly a fast track player who should make the transition to AA Chattanooga at some point this season.  Looking for a good deal on an ‘08 auto?  His Razor autos are currently selling for $10-12 each.

High-A Player of the Day—MICHAEL STANTON

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Jordan Newton—2-4 HR(1) 2 RBI 2B
• Moises Sierra—2-5 RBI SB(3)
• Tim Kennelly—3-4 3 2B RBI BB
• Lee Haydel—2-5 RBI R 2 SB(13)
• Eric Farris—3-5 BB SB(16)
• Michael Stanton—2-3 HR(7) 2 RBI 2B BB
• Matt Dominguez—2-4 2R RBI
• Gregory Burns—3-5 2R 2 RBI SB(5)
• Pedro Cipriano—1-4 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Neftali Soto—3-3 HR(4) RBI BB
• Yonder Alonso—1-2 R 3 BB
• Chris Parmelee—2-3 HR(5) RBI BB
• Austin Krum—3-3 3R BB
• Eric Fryer—3-4 HR(1) 3 RBI
• Jesus Montero—2-4 3 RBI 3B R

Pitching:

• Kyle Drabek—5 IP 5H ER 3 BB 5K
• Joshua Butler—7 IP 6H 2 ER 2 BB 4K
• Eric Nielson—6 IP 4H 2 BB 7K W (2-2)
• Carlos Gutierrez—6 IP 3H 3 BB 3K W (2-1)

4/27 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on April 28, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Pedro Alvarez and Freddie Freeman squared off against each other yesterday and each talleyed a homerun for their respective teams.  Jason Castro went deep for the third time as did Roger Kieschnick.  Jordan Danks and James Shuck each rapped three hits and scored multiple times as well.  On the mound, Charles Shirek tossed seven shutout innings, striking out eight for his third win and Yankees prospect Jeremy Bleich won his second with six shutout innings.

Today’s top player award goes to Yonder Alonso who only had one hit, but he made it count.  The Reds’ ‘08 first rounder blasted his fourth HR, a grand slam, to help Sarasota overcome a six run deficit and defeat Charlotte 8-7.  Alonso started the season slowly, but has begun to hit better as of late batting .278 with 3 HR and 16 RBI in his last 10 games.  The plate discipline is there (7 BB/10 K), which is a prime indicator that the bat will continue to sizzle and his current batting average of .219 will soon be a thing of the past.

High-A Player of the Day—YONDER ALONSO

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Brandon Crawford—2-5 3B R
• Nick Noonan—1-3 2 RBI BB
• Roger Kieschnick—2-4 HR(3) RBI 3B 2R
• James Shuck—3-3 2R RBi 2B 2 BB SB(6)
• James Castro—2-5 HR(3) RBI
• T.J. Steele—2-4 HR(1) 3 RBI
• Caleb Joseph—3-4 2 2B R SB(1)
• Jordan Danks—3-5 3R
• Pedro Alvarez—1-3 HR(4) RBI 2 BB 2R
• Freddie Freeman—1-5 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Emeel Salem—2-3 2R 2 BB SB(3)
• Cody Cipriano—2-4 2B R 3 RBI BB SB(1)
• Alex Buchholz—2-3 2B R BB
• Yonder Alonso—1-4 HR(4) 4 RBI
• Justin Reed—2-4 2 2B RBI R
• Darin Mastroianni—1-2 2R 3 BB 3 SB(12)
• Moises Sierra—1-4 4 RBI R
• Eric Thames—1-2 2B 2R 3 RBI
• Michael Stanton—1-3 RBI BB SB(1)
• Jesus Montero—2-4 2B RBI
• Austin Krum—3-4 2R BB
• Eric Farris—2-4 RBI 2 SB(8)
• Arlon Chambers—2-3 3B RBI BB R

Pitching:

• David Bromberg—4.2 IP 3H ER 2 BB 5K
• Jeremy Bleich—6 IP 3H BB 6K W(2-0)
• Kyle Winters—7 IP 3H BB 6K
• Jenrry Mejia—5 IP 5H 5K
• Ryan Searle—5 IP 2H BB 2K W(2-1)
• Charles Shirek—7 IP 4H BB 8K W(3-0)

4/20 High-A Minor League Report

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

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE

Matthew Sweeney knocked another three hits, as did Jack Shuck, Todd Johnson, Alex Liddi and Mitch Moreland.  Juan Ramirez and Alexander Torres locked horns in a good pitching battle, though neither one of them earned a decision for their efforts.  Today’s top player is one of the overlooked prospects on San Jose’s mega-talented roster.  Conor Gillespie went 2-3 with his first HR and two runs scored.

California League Player of the Day—CONOR GILLESPIE

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Lance Zawadzki—1-4 HR(1) RBI
• Conor Gillespie—2-3 HR(1) RBI BB 2R
• Angel Villalona—2-3 2B BB
• Nick Noonan—2-4
• Thomas Neal—2-4 R 2 RBI
• Mitch Moreland—3-5 2B 2 RBI
• Sean Coughlan—1-4 HR(3) 2 RBI 2R BB
• Jack Shuck—3-4 3B R SB(4)
• Trayvon Robinson—2-4 HR(3) RBI 3B
• Steven Caseres—1-3 HR(2) RBI
• Wilin Rosario—1-3 2B RBI R SB(1)
• Todd Johnson—3-4 HR(1) RBI
• Matthew Sweeney—3-4 2 2B R
• Alex Liddi—3-4 2B R RBI SB(1)

Pitching:

• Jeremy Hefner—5 Ip 8H 3 Er BB 9K L(0-3)
• Clayton Tanner—5.2 IP 4H ER BB 5K W(1-0)
• Connor Graham—5 IP 5H Er 2 BB 2K W(2-0)
• Juan Ramirez—5 IP 5H 2 ER BB 6K
• Alexander Torres—5 IP 6H 2 ER BB 7K

CAROLINA AND FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE

The FSL played just one game and all but one game was rained out in the Carolina League.  The Kinston Indians slapped up 16 runs against Myrtle Beach which means that there are several nice performances to report, but I am going to opt to give top player honors to underachieving prospect Tyler Colvin.  Colvin hit his first HR of the year and scored three runs for Daytona.

FSL and Carolina League Player of the Day—TYLER COLVIN

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Tim Fedroff—3-7 2R 2B SB(3)
• Cord Phelps—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI BB
• Lonnie Chisenhall—3-5 2R RBI BB
• Ron Rivas—3-5 2B 2R 3 RBI BB
• Alex Castillo—2-4 HR(1) 4 RBI 2 BB
• Roman Pena—1-1 GS HR(2) 4 RBI 2 BB SB(3)
• Freddie Freeman—1-3 2B
• Tyler Colvin—3-5 HR(1) RBI 3R
• Marquez Smith—2-4 2 RBI R
• Russ Canzler—2-4 2B RBI 2R
• Moises Sierra—2-4 HR(1) RBI

Pitching:

• Jeanmar Gomez—6 IP 2H UER 2 BB 3K W(1-2)
• Marcos Mateo—4 IP 2H BB K