7/19 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 20, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Atlanta Braves OF prospect Cody Johnson reclaimed the minor league HR lead by blasting his 24th yesterday, driving in two and scoring twice.  He also walked and stole his 9th base of the season.  Power is definitively his calling card, but it is nice to see him drawing more walks as of late and stealing bases.  The more that Johnson can distinguish himself as a multi-dimensional hitter, the more bullish I become about his major league future.  Johnson has already exceeded his walk totals from last season, drawing his 47th yesterday, and his K rate has slowed significantly during the month of July (13 BB/19 K).  On the flip side, Cody has posted his lowest batting average splits this month, hitting just .207 with 4 HR and 15 RBI.  I am not too concerned with this as he may be making mechanical adjustments and altering his aggressive approach.  I look at this as a positive sign for long term success.  The power potential is there for Johnson to be a perennial 30-40 HR hitter at the big league level and his overall potential reminds me of towering slugger and whiff machine Adam Dunn.  His walk rates are behind Dunn’s at this point, but at just 20 years old, there is plenty of time for Johnson to boost his totals.  Johnson’s first year autos have experienced bi-polar fluctuations over the past couple of seasons, rising to $20+ in 2007 and dropping to $8-10 during ‘08.  Currently, they are residing somewhere in the middle at $7-9 for his Bowman Sterling autos and $9-12 for his Bowman Chrome Draft autos.  I think that AA ball is going to be a huge litmus test for the former AFLAC All-American and we’ll likely have to wait until next season to see the effects of that.  As for this season, 30 HR 90 RBI and about 150 K’s seems to be solid locks.

Roger Kieschnick had four knocks yesterday including his 19th HR, four RBI and three runs scored.  Kieschnick’s big day snapped a 2-18 dry spell and raised his average to .296 and his RBI total to 74 on the season.  Similar to Johnson, Roger seems to be altering his approach at the plate to cut back on his K’s as his BB/K ratio for the month of July has been quite balanced (8 BB/10 K) but his batting average (.237) is more than 40 points lower than his previous season low.  I am much more an advocate of a balanced approach at the plate.  Strikeouts are not a major detractor from overall performance if the power numbers and OBP remains high.  Hitters like Ryan Howard, Adam Dunn, Carlos Pena and others have put up monster seasons despite big K numbers as they are able to also draw 80-100+ walks per season.  Kieschnick’s first year autos are quite affordable right now with prices for his Donruss Elite Extra, Razor Threads, and Playoff Rookie Ticket autos selling for $7-10 each.  I think Kieschnick’s power numbers will carry forward, but I am skeptical of his batting average totals.  The athletic outfielder’s flirtation with the .300 mark has more to do with the fact that he is currently in the California Leauge and amidst a talented lineup.  Perhaps his recent struggles can be attributed in part to the fact that Buster Posey has moved on to AAA. 

Today’s top prospect is another California League offensive benefactor, San Diego Padres 3B prospect James Darnell.  The former South Carolina Gamecock belted HR’s 12 and 13 yesterday, driving in four runs.  Darnell started slowly after his late June promotion, but has caught fire over the last 10 games, hitting .324 with four HR, eight RBI and seven runs scored.  Darnell’s plate discipline is extraordinary as he has a positive 68 BB/61 K ratio.  The Padres have a pleasant dilemma at the hot corner as both Darnell and AA star Logan Forsythe are both having stellar seasons.  Defensively, Forsythe is clearly superior as his excellent range, arm, and hands trump Darnell’s decent skills.  Darnell will likely have to move to the outfield where there is a plethora of talented prospects to compete with.  I think he’s a player that should play at both AA and AAA next year with a shot at earning a 2010 September debut, but it will be interesting to see exactly where he ends up as a pro.  His first year autos from the 2008 Donruss Elite Extra, Playoff Contenders, and Razor sets are all quite affordable right now at $3-8 each and serve as excellent sleeper buys for next season.

High-A Player of the Day—JAMES DARNELL

 

Other Notable Performances:

Hitting:

• Michael Bianucci—2-4 HR(16) RBI 2B 2R
• Roger Kieschnick—4-5 HR(19) 4 RBI 3R
• Conor Gillaspie—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Thomas Neal—2-6 2 2B 2R
• Darren Ford—2-4 2B R RBI
• C.J. Ziegler—5-5 2B 2R RBI
• Tyson Gillies—2-4 2B
• Joe Dunigan—1-3 HR(22) 2 RBI
• Jake Rife—3-4 2B 2 RBI
• Jay Brossman—1-3 2R 2B 2 RBI BB
• Jemile Weeks—3-5 2 2B R
• Grant Desme—2-4 2B 3R RBI BB
• Jermaine Mitchell—3-4 2 RBI R SB(10)
• Jon Gaston—2-4 HR(23) 2 RBI 2R
• James Shuck—2-5 3R
• Brian Barnes—1-3 3R RBI 2 BB
• Koby Clemens—3-5 2B 3 RBI
• James Darnell—3-5 2 HR(13) 3 RBI 2R
• Matt Clark—2-5 2 HR(15) 2 RBI 2R
• Christan Lara—3-5 HR(5) 2 RBI SB(11)
• Pedro Baez—2-4 2B R SB(5)
• Radamez Nazario—3-4 2B 2R RBI
• Pedro Florimon Jr.—2-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Derrick Robinson—2-5 R RBI SB(46)
• Johnny Giavotella—2-5 RBI 2 SB(16)
• Eric Huber—1-4 2B 4 RBI
• Alex Presley—3-5 2B 2R
• Cody Johnson—1-3 HR(24) 2 RBI 2R BB SB(9)
• Dominic Brown—2-3 2 RBI BB
• Arlon Quiroz—3-4 R SB(15)
• Derrick Mitchell—2-4 2B HR(7) RBI
• Brad McElroy—3-5 2R SB(4)
• John Tolisano—1-3 R RBI 2 BB
• Manny Rodriguez—2-4 HR(5) 4 RBI BB
• Logan Schafer—3-5 2B 2R
• Lee Haydel—1-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Damon Sublett—2-5 2B BB
• Austin Romine—1-4 2B R RBI BB
• Chris Swauger—2-2 HR(9) 3 RBI BB

 

Pitching:

• Nick Additon—6.1 IP 7H 4 ER 2 BB 8K
• Darren Byrd—6 IP 4H ER 3K W (2-3)
• Jeff Mandel—7 IP 5H Er BB 6K W (8-4)

4/16 High-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on April 18, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE

Slugger-in-waiting Angel Villalona went yard for the second time and Madison Bumgarner pitched well enough to earn his second win of the season. The Padres’ top international signing Yefri Carvajal hit his first HR.  Diamonbacks top prospect Jarrod Parker tossed five dominant innings allowing just two hits and striking out seven, but the Padres’ Corey Luebke was even better shutting out Modesto for seven innings, allowing two hits and striking out eight.

California League Player of the Day—COREY LUEBKE

 

Other Notable Performances:

• Angel Villalona—2-3 HR(2) 2 RBI
• Buster Posey—1-3 2B R BB
• Madison Bumgarner—5 IP 4H UER 2 BB 4K W(2)
• Craig Italiano—5 IP 2H 2 ER 3 BB 6K L(2)
• Jason Castr0—2-4 RBI
• Chris Jackson—1-2 2R 3 BB
• Preston Mattingly—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Steven Caseres—2-4 RBI
• Matthew Sweeney—2-4
• Jeremy Moore—2-4 2B
• P.J. Phillips—2-4 R RBI
• Efren Navarro—1-4 HR(1) 3 RBI
• Tim Kiely—7 IP 3H 8K W(1)
• Collin Cowgill—1-4 HR(3) RBI
• Jarrod Parker—5 IP 2H 7K
• Charlie Blackmon—2-3 R BB
• Yefri Carvajal—2-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Andrew Parrino—2-5 2B R
• Logan Forsythe—1-3 BB 2B
• Corey Luebke—7 IP 2H BB 8K W(1)

 

CAROLINA LEAGUE

It was a banner day for the top prospects in the Carolina League.  Chris Marrero doubled twice and drove in three runs, Jordan Danks had three hits, including his second HR, and drove in two.  Mike Moustakas also had two hits and a couple of RBI while Jason Heyward went 3-3 with his second HR, three RBI, two runs scored and two walks.  That performance alone would be enough to win the award, but Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez delivered big time with his second HR and six RBI in a win over Winston-Salem.

Carolina League Player of the Day—PEDRO ALVAREZ

 

Other Notable Performances:

• David Espinosa—1-2 R 2 BB 2 SB(4)
• Chris Marrero—2-4 2 2B 3 RBi R
• Jason Place—3-4 2B 2 RBI SB(1)
• Tom Milone—6 IP 6H ER BB 7K
• Jordan Danks—2-5 HR(2) 2 RBI 2B
• Brent Morel—2-5 2B SB(4)
• Christian Marrero—2-5 2B R
• Seth Loman—1-3 2B R 2 RBI BB
• Pedro Alvarez—2-4 HR(2) 6 RBI
• Jose De Los Santos—2-4 3R 2B RBI BB
• Alex Presley—2-4 2R RBI
• Mike Moustakas—3-5 2B 2 RBI R
• Jeff Bianchi—2-4 R BB
• Johnny Giavotella—2-5 R
• Clint Robinson—1-4 2B R 2 RBI
• Tim Fedroff—3-5 2 2B R
• Matt McBride—2-3 2b BB
• Eric Berger—5 IP 5H Er 2 BB 8K
• Jason Heyward—3-3 HR(2) 3 RBI 2 BB 2R
• Freddie Freeman—1-4 RBI BB
• Matt Fischer—2-5 2B 2R
• Zach Britton—4 IP 5H 2 ER 2 BB 5K
• Tyler Henson—1-3 2R 2 BB SB(2)

 

FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE

Unlike the Carolina League, there weren’t any mind blowing performances to speak of.  Zack Stewart looked good in his second consecutive start, as did Dellin Betances and Duane Below.  Tommy Hickman hit his first HR, but the top player award goes to Twins speedster and future lead off hitter Ben Revere.  The former first rounder went 2-3 with a dobule, three RBI and two bases on balls.

Florida State League Player of the Day—BEN REVERE

 

Other Notable Performances:

• Jermaine Curtis—2-3 2R
• Francisco Rivera—1-2 2B 3 RBI
• Zach Stewart—5 IP 5H ER BB 6K
• Nick Additon—4 IP H 2 BB K
• Yonderman Rodriguez—2-3 BB R
• Arlon Quiroz—2-2 2B RBI SB(2)
• Duane Below—5.2 IP 7H ER 9K L(1)
• Carlos Montaserios—7 IP 3H BB 4K W(1)
• Andy Dirks—2-4 2B 3 RBI
• Emeel Salem—3-6 RBI R BB SB(1)
• Reese Havens—3-6 2 RBI R
• Zachary Lutz—2-6 RBI
• Kirk Nieuwenhuis—3-4 BB
• Jenrry Mejia—5 IP 6H ER BB 3K
• Eric Thames—3-4 2 RBI
• Darin Mastroianni—2-5 2B RBI R
• Justin Jackson—1-5 2B 2R
• Raul Barron—2-4 2R SB(3)
• Marquez Smith—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Thomas Hickman—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Ben Revere—2-3 2B R 3 RBI 2 BB
• Matt Dominguez—1-3 BB
• Kyle Winters—6 Ip 5H BB 4K
• David Bromberg—5 IP 4H ER 3 BB 4K
• Jesus Montero—1-3 BB
• Brent Brewer—1-4 2B R
• Lee Haydel—2-3 RBI
• Cole Gillespie—1-4 RBI SB(2)
• Dellin Betances—5.1 IP 8H 2 ER BB 7K L(1)

7/21 Low-A Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 23, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Andrew Lambo

• 2-4 HR(13) RBI—.293 13 HR 65 RBI in first full minor league season

 

John Tolisano

• 3-5 HR(5) 2 RBI 2R 2B—.255 5 HR 38 RBI

 

David Cooper

• 3-6 2B 2R RBI—.363 4 HR 30 RBI 1.001 OPS

 

Jemile Weeks

• 3-5 2 RBI—.325 6 RBI 8 BB last 10 games

 

Ben Revere

• 4-4 2B 2R RBI 2 SB(33)—.429 8 RBI 6 SB last 10 games (Avg. over .400 again)

 

Devin Mesoraco

• 3-4 2 HR(6) 3 RBI 2R—.300 3 HR 10 RBI last 10 games

 

Neftali Soto

• 1-4 HR(6) 2 RBI—.333 2 HR 12 RBI .903 OPS in 14 games at Dayton

 

Zack Cozart

• 2-4 2B R 2RBI—.366 3 HR 10 RBI 9 R last 10 games

 

Nick Additon

• 7 IP H ER 2BB 6K (L)—8-4 2.55 ERA 91K/99IP

Jesus Montero

• 3-4 2R BB—.439 HR 6 RBI 18 H last 10 games

 

Matt Dominguez

• 2-5 HR(7) 3 RBI—.297 7 HR 32 RBI (solid first full season at Greensboro)

 

Jario Heredia

• 5 IP 7H 4ER 3BB 5K—5-3 2.76 ERA 70K/76IP

 

Ryan Adams

• 2-4 3R BB—.307 7 HR 32 RBI

 

Joe Mahoney

• 3-4 5 RBI BB—Mountain sized slugger has been sluggish (.234 7 HR 56 RBI)

 

Carlos Fernandez-Olivia

• 3-4 2R 2B RBI—.345 4 RBI in 7 games at Greenville

 

Angel Villalona

• 1-3 HR(11) RBI—.350 2 HR 4 RBi 11 R last 10 games

 

Freddy Galvis

• 5-5 2 2B 3 RBI 2R—.241 2 Hr 26 RBI 10 SB 26BB/28K

 

Jason Heyward

• 1-4 HR(9) RBI 2R BB—”Say Heyward” having great first season (.323 9 HR 45 RBI 15 SB)

 

Cody Johnson

• 3-4 2B RBI R—.243 16 HR 55 RBI 145 K’s!

 

Caleb Gindl

• 2-3 R 2BB SB(10)—.290 7 HR 56 RBI 10 SB

 

 

BUY/SELL Analysis

Andrew Lambo was a 4th round pick by the Dodgers in the 2007 draft who profiled as a higher pick but scared some scouts off because of some off-field trouble as an underclassman in high school.  Seemingly beyond those issues, Lambo terrorized GCL pitching to the tune of a .343 BA with 5 HR and 32 RBI in 181 AB’s.  Lambo has been compared to fellow Dodger phenom James Loney for his propensity to lash line drives all over the field with power.  Lambo has continued his hot hitting in his first full season at Great Lakes blasting 13 HR and 65 RBI in 94 games.  Lambo’s 26 2B’s show that he may have more power as he grows into his 6′3 190 lb. frame.  Lambo has cards in the 2007 Bowman Draft and Chrome set which sell for 75 cents to $1.25 each.  Refractors are also easy to attain at $8-10 apiece.

 

Market Analysis: Lambo has a sweet lefty swing that should produce easy power as he matures.  He has handled himself well as a teenager in Low-A ball and has earned a promotion to High-A in 2009.  He is still probably 2-3 years away from being ready for the Dodgers, but he is a solid BUY AND HOLD prospect at his current prices.  The fact that the ‘07 Bowman Draft and Chrome cards are the only 1st year cards of Lambo’s will make them a bit more valuable as he continues to progress.  Grab a lot of 10-20 chromes and be willing to wait a couple of seasons.