7/20 AAA Minor League Report
Posted by Jeremy on July 21, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | 
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Minnesota Twins OF prospect David Winfree is a name that makes our run down of daily performances quite often, but he is oft overlooked amidst the prospecting ranks. Yesterday the former 2003 draftee launched his 13th HR of the season as part of a three hit day and drove in two runs. The Twins are still in contention for a post season bid and have a good deal of depth in their current OF situation, however, the 23 year old Winfree is someone to keep an eye on as a sleeper for future consideration. At 6-3 230 lb. Winfree has as much power potential as anyone in the Twins’ system not named Angel Morales. This season, Winfree is batting .274 with 13 HR 48 RBI and 22 doubles. He has good athleticism and a strong arm that plays well in right field. His positive strides made last year in plate discipline (41 BB/85 K) have gone by the wayside this year (15 BB/65 K), and he will need to shore that up in order to tack down a future big league job. The Twins have some good depth in their outfield right now, but no one seems to have distinguished themselves as franchise fixtures. Michael Cuddyer is signed through 2010, but his contract ($8.5M in ‘10) puts him at the center of several trade rumors. The Twins are in need of an upgrade on the left side of their infield and there have been some rumors that Braves SS Yunel Escobar could be had for either Cuddyer or Denard Span. Over the long term, I don’t see Winfree having a sustainable future with the Twins as trio of Ben Revere, Aaron Hicks, and Angel Morales are a couple years away from making their impact on the major leagues, but there could just be a window for Winfree to get a shot to make his major league debut when the rosters expand in September.
Houston Astros former 1st round southpaw turned outfielder Brian Bogusevic has had a decent season, but not to the level that I envisioned this past offseason. After going 3-5 with a HR and three RBI yesterday, the former Tulane Wave is hitting .280 with 6 HR 44 RBI 11 SB and 44 runs scored. There is still quite a bit to like in Bogusevic’s game. At 6-3 215 lb., he is big, strong and has exceptional athleticism that allows for him to play at an above average CF with a cannon for an arm. He’s shown better plate discipline in the past, but his 37 BB/80 K ratio this season is not particularly alarming. At 25 years old, Bogusevic is primed to make his major league debut soon, but the fact that the Astros are in contention will delay that a bit. Houston’s GM Ed Wade has given the indication that the Astros will utilize a wait and hold strategy as the deadline approaches. They are not interested in selling off some of their high priced talent (Carlos Lee, Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada) for much needed organizational depth. Conversely, they are reluctant to dip into their farm system in order to add a piece or two. I see the ‘Stros sliding out of the race as St. Louis and Milwaukee make the Central a two team race. The best thing that Boguesvic can do over the next month is tighten up his BB/K ratio and continue to drive the ball with XBH authority. The more he can do that, the better his MLB opportunities will be going forward.
Today’s top prospect from the AAA ranks is Arizona Diamondbacks catching prospect John Hester. Yesterday, the 25 year old backstop belted HR’s number five and six, driving in three runs and scoring three times. Hester is a 2006 13th round draftee of the D’backs who played sporadically at Stanford but has progressed steadily through Arizona’s farm system. This season the 6-4 215 lb. Hester is hitting .313 for the Reno Aces with 6 HR 40 RBI 25 doubles and 10 stolen bases. Defensively, Hester has drawn accolades from current Diamonbacks manager and former catcher A.J. Hinch as being the best at blocking balls in the dirt and shows above average aptitude at calling games, mobility and arm strength.
The organization’s depth at catcher is underwhelming. Current Arizona starter Miguel Montero is enjoying his best season as a pro, but has still underdelivered since his promising minor league career. Hester has been likened to K.C. backstop John Buck, but I think that he has a better bat than him. Expect Hester to catch some Dan Haren and Brandon Webb pitches at some point this season and, perhaps, beyond that.
AAA Player of the Day—JOHN HESTER
Other Notable Performances
Hitting:
- Rhyne Hughes—2-4 HR(21) RBI 2B
- Steven Pearce—2-5 HR(13) 2 RBI
- Drew Stubbs—2-4 2B R BB SB(36)
- Chris Valaika—1-2 HR(5) RBI 2 BB
- Matt LaPorta—2-3 2 RBI 2B 2R BB
- Wes Hodges—2-4 R RBI
- Jason Pridie—4-5 R 5 RBI SB(20)
- David Winfree—3-5 HR(13) 2 RBI 2B
- Hernan Iribarren—3-5 2B 2R RBI
- Alcides Escobar—2-5 R RBI
- Tyler Greene—1-3 HR(5) RBI 2R 2 BB
- Brian Bogusevic—3-5 HR(6) 3 RBI
- Tommy Manzella—1-4 HR(6) 2 RBI BB
- Yorandy Ramirez—1-1 HR(10) 3 RBI
- J.P. Arencibia—2-4 HR(10) 2 RBI
- Kila Ka’aihue—3-5 2B 3R 3 RBI
- Michael Saunders—2-3 2B R
- Chad Huffman—2-5 2 2B RBI
- John Hester—2 HR(6) 3 RBI 3R BB
- Buster Posey—3-5 2B
Pitching:
- Dan McCutchen—6 IP 6H Er BB 6K W (9-5)
- James Simmons—5 IP 6H Er 2 BB 4K W (5-5)
