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Games of Thursday, May 2

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Danny Salazar, RHP, Indians (Double-A Akron): 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K; plus-plus fastball; plus curveball; changeup is developing and shows signs of being at least average; one of the least-talked-about pitching prospects; high-third-starter ceiling; 28.2 IP, 22 H, 9 ER, 9 BB, 43 K in six starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Jonathan Villar, SS, Astros (Triple-A Oklahoma City): 4-4, 2B, HR, 5 RBI; pure shortstop; plus-plus runner; potential average hit tool; can provide gap power; overall first-division ceiling; .314/.357/.495 with 7 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, and 8 SB in 105 at-bats this year.

Other notable prospect performances from May 2:

“The Good”

  • Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K; after struggling in spring training and early in the season, Bogaerts has found his swing; middle-of-the-lineup offensive potential; hit and power tools both have easy plus potential; plus arm; long-term defensive position still a question mark; .333/.417/.643 with 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR in last 10 games.
  • Archie Bradley, RHP, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; first Double-A start; top-shelf stuff; easy plus-plus fastball; potential plus =-plus curveball; changeup with at least solid-average potential; big frame; ultra athletic; one of the top pitching prospects in the game.  
  • Eddie Butler, RHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; check out the Monday Ten Pack for a complete breakdown of Butler by Jason Cole; 35.0 IP, 17 H, 8 ER, 17 BB, 33 K in six starts this season.
  • Jabari Henry, OF, Mariners (Low-A Clinton): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI; solid-average raw power; solid-average runner; solid-average arm; hit tool will be put to the test as he advances throughthe minors; .397/.511/.616 with 7 2B, 3 HR, 18 BB, 7 K in 73 at-bats this season.
  • K.C. Hobson, 1B, Blue Jays (High-A Dunedin): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; good bat speed; can make loud contact; swing will get lengthy; fringy prospect at best.
  • Jake Lamb, 3B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 4-6, HR, R, 4 RBI; plus raw power; plus arm; making strides on shortening swing; good baseball instincts; one to keep an eye on; .391/.500/.732 with 5 2B and 3 HR in 41 at-bats.
  • Jake Marisnick, CF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 3-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K; centerpiece of the package the Marlins received from Blue Jays; five-tool potential; some scouts believe both hit and power will be plus; plus runner; plus arm; will be able to stay in center; I am a believer.
  • Daniel Robertson, SS, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI, K; potential plus hit tool; average runner; average arm; good feel for the game at a young age; one to follow; 10-for-24 with 3 2B, and 2 HR thus far;
  • Chris Stratton, RHP, Giants (Low-A Augusta): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; handling Low-A batters; plus fastball; plus slider; curveball and changeup both have big-league potential; 28.2 IP, 18 H, 9 ER, 11 BB, 36 K in five starts this year.
  • Blake Swihart, C, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 3-5, 2B, 3B, R, RBI; tracks ball well; potential solid-average hit tool; average power potential; good work ethic; needs to add mass to lower half.
  • Oscar Taveras, CF, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 2-3, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB; tools are all still there; monster just waiting for a chance; .294/.341/.447 with 4 2B and 3 HR in 85 at-bats.
  • Nik Turley, LHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; solid-average fastball; solid-average curveball; developing changeup; endured a tough start to Double-A season.
  • Kelvin Vasquez, RHP, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K; able to handle Low-A hitting with a fastball up to 96; still working to develop secondary offerings; 20.0 IP, 18 H, 11 ER, 15 BB, 16 K in six outings this year.
  • Gabriel Ynoa, RHP, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; low 90s fastball with sink; potential average changeup; currently fringy slider with average potential; 28.1 IP, 23 H, 11 ER, 6 BB, 27 K in five starts this year.  

“The Bad”

  • Cito Culver, SS, Yankees (Low-A Charleston): 0-4, 2 K: Well, Yankees fans, I’m done with him. Officially a non-prospect for me.
  • Odubel Herrera, 2B, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 0-4, 3 K; has some swing and miss in his bat; can speed up the game.
  • Clay Holmes, RHP, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 4.0 IP, 8 H, 8 ER, 3 BB, 1 K; large frame; command has lagged behind in 2013; 27.0 IP, 27 H, 18 ER, 22 BB, 15 K in six starts.
  • Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 0-4, 3 K; has tools, but has yet to harness them; tons of swing and miss; stock in decline; .239/.314/.435 with 29 K and 7 BB in 92 at-bats.  
  • Trevor Story, SS, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 1-5, 3 K; has not started the year well; plate discipline has been questioned; .146/.234/.240 with 41 K and 9 BB in 96 at-bats.

“The Ugly”

Jason Esposito, 3B, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 0-6, 4 K; the former second-rounder is currently a very fringy prospect at the very best; .206/.252/.299 with 30 K and 4 BB in 97 at-bats this season.

Games of Friday, May 3

Pitching Prospect of the Day: A.J. Cole, RHP, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; fastball can touch plus-plus velocity; curveball has plus potential; changeup has solid-average potential; frame has room to add mass; secondary offerings still in development phase; 32.0 IP, 34 H, 14 ER, 6 BB, 34 K in six starts.

Position Prospect of the Day: Nolan Fontana, SS, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 4-5, HR, 3 R, RBI; strong college pedigree; physically mature; solid-average potential hit tool; will provide gap power; limited over-the-fence ability; grinder type; defensive skills profile better on right side of infield; .373/.507/.569 in 102 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances from May 3:

“The Good”

  • Chris Bassitt, RHP, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; deceptive delivery; fastball up to 94; slider with average potential; effort in delivery; will move to the bullpen; profiles best as a middle-innings guy; 37.0 IP, 26 H, 8 ER, 10 BB, 36 K in six starts.
  • Alberto Cabrera, RHP, Cubs  (Double-A Tennessee): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; fastball can touch plus velocity; slider has plus potential; changeup is a work in progress; command is below average; majority of evaluators feel he will end up in a bullpen role; 35.1 IP, 29 H, 13 ER, 13 BB, 34 K in six starts.
  • Ji-Man Choi, 1B, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI; limited to first base defensively; only average raw power; average hit tool; fringy prospect; .319/.398/.585 with 10 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR in 94 at-bats.
  • Michael Choice, CF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-4, HR, R, RBI, K; built like a bowling ball; plus-plus raw power; swing has plenty of miss in it; average arm; average runner; will need to make more contact to allow power to play; .302/.420/.528 with 6 2B and 6 HR in 106 at-bats.
  • Tyler Cloyd, RHP, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K; below-average fastball; fringy cutter; get-me-over curveball and changeup; will have to have elite command to get hitters out in the majors.
  • Brandon Drury, 3B, Diamondbacks (Low-A South Bend): 2-4, HR, R, RBI; plus raw power; developing defensive ability; will need to show an adequate contact rate for power to play; .339/.364/.530 with 12 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, and 19 K in 115 at-bats this season.
  • Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians (High-A Carolina): 4-6, 3B, R, RBI; major-league tracking ability; hit tool will be at least plus at highest level; developing power; plus-plus defensive profile; excellent intangibles; .367/.430/.532 with 7 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 7 SB, 3 CS in 109 at-bats.
  • Jose Peraza, SS, Braves (Low-A Rome): 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K; easy plus defensive profile; easy plus runner; potential average hit tool; will need to show growth in power department; .318/.348/.386 in last 44 at-bats.
  • Jorge Polanco, 2B, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 3-5, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI; solid-average hit potential; solid average run; solid-average defensive profile; will have to play on the right side of the infield; more gap power than over-the-fence power; .350/.380/.500 with 8 2B, 2 3B, HR, 5 BB, 10 K in 100 at-bats this season.
  • George Springer, CF, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K; easy plus power; plus speed; plus arm; has swing and miss in his game but hit tool may eventually be average; .294/.389/.624 with 9 2B and 9 HR in 109 at-bats.
  • Kennys Vargas, 1B, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 4-4, 2 2B, R, RBI; easy plus raw power; developing hit tool; limited to first base; high-maintenance body; .279/.336/.500 with 9 2B, 4 HR, 8 BB, 22 K in 104 at-bats this season.
  • Allen Webster, RHP, Red Sox (Triple-A Pawtucket): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K; fastball touches 97; slider up to 88 with plus potential; changeup with easy plus potential, and maybe even a little more; stock on the rise; 20.0 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, 6 BB, 26 K in four starts.  
  • Alex Wood, LHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; check out Jason Cole’s report on him in Scouting the Southern League: Mississippi and Jackson; 31.0 IP, 23 H, 2 ER, 7 BB, 38 K in six starts.

“The Bad”

  • Keury De La Cruz, OF, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 0-4, 3 K; a very violent swing brought him to his knees twice on the night I saw him.
  • Joc Pederson, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 0-4, 3 K; A grinder type, Pederson rarely has nights like this.
  • Carlos Tocci, CF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 0-4, 3 K; has been expanding the zone and making week contact in his first year of full-season ball; only 17, so patience is key; .213/.253/.245 with 15 K in 94 at-bats.

“The Ugly”

Raul A. Mondesi, SS, Rays (Low-A Lexington): 0-5, 4 K, 3 fielding errors; I was so impressed with Mondesi’s skills that this performance in this one was an afterthought; 17-year-old playing in cold conditions; that’s not an excuse, but think about what you were doing when you were 17. Most impressive player I saw on my trip to watch Low-A Lexington.

Games of Saturday, May 4

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Henry Owens, LHP, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K; east plus fastball with life; curveball has plus potential; changeup could be a monster with easy plus potential; still developing glove-side command of pitches; I really like him; number-two ceiling; 32.0 IP, 17 H, 8 ER, 11 BB, 40 K in six starts.  

Position Prospect of the Day: Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI; hit tool has solid-average potential; plus power potential; plus runner; will be fine at second defensively; first-division potential; .324/.372/.789 with 4 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, and 6 SB in 71 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances from May 4:

“The Good”

  • Jason Adam, RHP, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; fastball can touch plus velocity; solid-average curveball; changeup will be a usable major-league pitch; developing command; perfect pitcher’s frame; back-end starter profile.
  • Humberto Arteaga, SS, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 2-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI; can flat-out pick it; easy six glove; minimal power potential; hit tool will play below average; fringy runner; may make it to the show solely on defensive ability.
  • Dylan Baker, RHP, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; fastball sits in the low 90s; solid-average curveball potential; developing changeup.
  • Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI; balanced swing; solid-average power potential; well-below-average runner; plus arm; can lose focus; has looked better this year compared to last.
  • Maikel Franco, 3B, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 3-6, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K; major-league bat speed; plus power potential; plus arm; gets the job done at third; stock on the rise; .311/.364/.571 with 13 2B, 6 HR, 9 BB, 20 K in 119 at-bats this season.
  • Todd Glaesmann, OF, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; plus power with a plus arm. The Rays can develop pitchers, but will need to show they can develop hitters.
  • Garrett Gould, RHP, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; has struggled thus far in 2013; fastball sits in low 90s; curveball has solid-average potential; inconsistent changeup.
  • Devin Lohman, SS, Reds (Double-A Pensacola): 3-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB; average hit tool; fringy power potential; solid-average arm; solid-average glove; potential to stay at short; skills still need to mature.
  • Renato Nunez, 3B, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 3-4, 2B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI; someone I know and trust saw Nunez firsthand, and his thoughts were: “He’s a hacker, he has skills, but boy that swing will be tested at the next level. Defensively I’m not sure he has much feel for the third base, but he has enough arm”; .318/.383/.600 6 2B, 6 HR, 23 K in 85 at-bats this season.
  • Kyle Parker, RF, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI; plus power potential; solid-average arm; hit tool is only average; below-average runner; tough profile in right; former college quarterback at Clemson; .279/.330/.510 with 4 2B, 3B, and 6 HR in 104 at-bats this season.
  • Kevin Pillar, OF, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 4-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB; short swing; can get barrel to ball; average speed; excellent baseball instincts; gap power; can play center in a pinch; super grinder; fringy prospect who will profile as a backup at the absolute best; .339/.393/.484 with 7 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR with 124 at-bats.
  • Kevin Plawecki, C, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI; well, folks he has proven that he can handle Low-A pitching; the defense, however, is still a work in progress; .416/.470/.733 with 17 2B, 5 HR, 13 K and 7 BB in 101 at-bats.
  • Luigi Rodriguez, OF, Indians (High-A Carolina): 3-4, 3B, 2 R, K; early-season promotion from Low-A to High-A; plus-plus runner; plus defensive profile; still refining hit tool from right side (better from left); bat has sneaky power; pitch recognition still a work in progress.
  • Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins (High-A Fort Myers): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, K; top-shelf power; hit tool will play at least average; arm is easy plus-plus; actions at third are improving; stock was already high, and it is rising; .377/.446/.755 with 8 2B, 10 HR, 12 BB, 32 K in 106 at-bats this year.
  • Daniel Stumpf, LHP, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K; plus fastball; slider and changeup both show at least average potential; stock on the rise; 26.1 IP, 18 H, 3 ER, 12 BB, 25 K in five starts.
  • Michael Taylor, CF, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 3-5, 2 2B, R, RBI, K; plus potential defensive profile; plus speed; still a lot left to prove with the bat; fringy power; a lot of swing and miss.

“The Bad”

  • Jesse Biddle, LHP, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 0 K; all good things must come to an end; stock still on the rise.
  • Wil Myers, RF, Royals (Triple-A Durham): 0-4, R, BB, 3 K; patiently waiting in Triple-A, which will result in nights like this.

“The Ugly”

Larry Greene, LF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 0-5, 3K; saw him all spring and in a game in Lakewood; do not see the power potential; bails out on everything; well below average in the outfield; non-prospect for me; 26 strikeouts in 48 at-bats.

Games of Sunday, May 5

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Lance McCullers, RHP, Astros (Low-A Quad Cities): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K; plus-plus fastball; plus curveball; developing changeup; major-league bloodlines; 26.2 IP, 24 H, 5 ER, 9 BB, 29 K in seven appearances this year.

Position Prospect of the Day: Josh Elander, OF, Braves (Low-A Rome): 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB; compact swing; good bat speed; solid-average power potential; average runner; will only profile in left field defensively; fringy prospect; .318/.377/.573 with 9 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR in 110 at-bats this season.

Other notable prospect performances from May 5:

“The Good”

  • Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; potential plus fastball; both secondary offerings have plus potential (curveball/changeup); working on commanding all of his pitches; 17.2 IP, 17 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 21 K in three starts.
  • Matt Lipka, CF, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-5, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI; has shown flashes, but overall production has not been what the Braves were hoping for.
  • Aaron Northcraft, RHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K; check out Jason Cole’s Scouting the Southern League: Mississippi vs. Jackson (linked above) for full scouting report; 26.0 IP, 15 H, 10 ER, 8 BB, 26 K in five starts.
  • Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 7.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K; ultra-athletic delivery; plus fastball; solid-average curveball projection; changeup and slider will both be major-league average; close to big league ready.
  • Joc Pederson, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 4-6, 2B, HR, 4 R, RBI, 2 K; hit tool has plus potential; average runner; average raw power; max-effort player; .301/.365/.593 with 8 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, and 7 SB in 113 at-bats this year.
  • Gregory Polanco, CF, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI, K; solid-average hit tool; plus runner; solid-average arm; fringy power potential; can show all five tools; .321/.377/.486 with 9 2B, 3 HR, and 10 SB in 109 at-bats.
  • Luigi Rodirguez, OF, Indians (High-A Carolina): 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI; see report above.
  • Blake Swihart, C, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI; see report above.
  • Brandon Workman, RHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; fastball works in the low 90s but can touch 95; curveball with solid-average potential; plus potential cutter; fringy changeup; some mechanical flaws may push him to the bullpen; BP’s own Chris Mellen was in attendance and will have a report in the Ten Pack.

“The Bad”

  • Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 0-5, 2 K; still has a little swing and miss in his game.
  • Mason Williams, CF, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 1-5, 3 K; after tearing up the South Atlantic League, Williams has not come out of the gates strong in 2013; .241/.352/.361 in 108 at-bats.

“The Ugly”

Renato Nunez, RHP, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 0-4, 3 K, 2 errors (fielding and throwing; Nunez’s violent approach to the game will induce nights like this

Thank you for reading

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Schere
5/06
Thanks for these, always a fun read.

Has anyone on the BP team put eyes on Henry Urrutia? Just 12 games, but...so far so good. Curious what the scouting take is.
mort10
5/06
I have not. When I saw Gausman, Urrutia was not yet in Bowie. I should match up with him in some point in the near future.
johnorpheus
5/06
How does Tyrell Jenkins not get a mention for Sunday? Complete game, 5 k, 1 BB, 15 of 20 outs via the ground ball. Best start of his professional career.
mort10
5/06
Sunday may in fact have been Jenkins best start as a professional. I talked to a scout that was luke-warm on Jenkins.
rocket
5/06
When did Wil Myers go back to the Royals?
mort10
5/06
wow... these trades by teams that I follow always get me.
bornyank1
5/07
Fixed.
fgbaloh
5/06
G. Polanco with average arm. Really I'd been led to believe it was a cannon! Fringy power? 16 hr last yr. The guy is a physical beast. Maybe there is another Gregory Polanco.
mort10
5/06
Polanco can make loud contact, but I think at the Major League level he is 10-15 HR guy. The arm may be solid average(55), but when I saw him in spring it was good but not anything super special.
mkvallely
5/06
Byron Buxton went 4 for 14 over the weekend with 2 walks, dropping his season OBP under .500 to .492. There's really no point to this comment aside from that.
chabels
5/06
So no real concerns about the huge (small sample size) jump in Myers strikeout rates?
mort10
5/06
I'm not worried about Myers. The swing has some miss in it. I have never thought he is a role 7 type player, but I think he has a floor of being a role 6 and maybe a touch more.
JPinPhilly
5/06
For the Phillies, taking Larry Greene over Jackie Bradley just gets worse by the day. Is it true that he showed up out of shape again this spring? Doesn't seem like a guy that really wants it right now.
chabels
5/06
Thank you Captain Hindsight.

It's easy to cite every draft pick that precedes a good player as a mistake (Sam Bowie), ignoring the facts at the time resulted in the decision they made. Moreover, the Phillies have a demonstrated draft philosophy of taking tools and athletes over baseball players. That may not be the best strategy, but however flawed it is, it will always look worse as you'll have far more picks never reach the big leagues. But those who do are more likely be be stars or superstars, where guys like Bradley are average to above-average regulars at best.
mort10
5/06
agree with this other than Bradley being average to above average. Bradley is a role 6 guy for me.
mort10
5/06
If you dig through my articles and look at my spring training notes, a scout had a nice quote about Greene.
chabels
5/06
"Supplemental 1st-round pick in 2011; steps in the bucket; long swing; ran 4.45; pulls way off soft stuff; collapses back side; added a considerable amount of bad weight. Greene is a former first-rounder receiving less-than-stellar reviews from scouts in this area. One scout said it best: “Man, someone find that kid a treadmill.”"

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=20000
delatopia
5/07
I'm thinking that Zach's characterization of that scout's "nice quote about Greene" meant nice in a journalistic sense -- that it was a meaty and revealing quote, and not necessarily that it was complimentary.