Minor League Update: Games of June 19th

Hitter of the Day:

Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies (Triple-A, Lehigh Valley): 2-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB

It’s hard to be a first-base only prospect in baseball, but if you are going to be, be like Hoskins. He has hit at every level, hit for power at every level, and plays good enough defense to make it all happen.

Pitcher of the Day:

Mark Appel, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Triple-A, Lehigh Valley): 8 1/3 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K

Has Appel fallen short of expectations? Absolutely. Moving on from that, there are still the ingredients of a quality starter here, we just need to ignore the context of his draft status and evaluate him as he stands on the mound.

Other Notable Performances:

Chance Sisco, C, Baltimore Orioles (Triple-A, Norfolk): 2-2, 4 R, HR, RBI, 3 BB
Sisco has reportedly made gains in regards to his defense, which is certainly exciting, as his bat plays much better behind the plate than anywhere else.

Pedro Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies (Rookie, Grand Junction): 3-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K
We almost stuffed him into the Top 10 Rockies prospect list…almost. We determined he was too raw and too far away for that sort of aggressive ranking in a very deep farm system. This was his first game of the season. Gonzalez shows all the tools, but is still eons away.

Thomas Jones, OF, Miami Marlins (Short-Season, Batavia): 2-4, R, 2 2B, RBI
Speaking of eons away, don’t expect Jones to move quickly either. While he possesses all the tools, he is quite raw and was a more polished football recruit than baseball player. You don’t find many 70 runners with his size, or 70 runners with his size, and plus raw power either.

Anfernee Seymour, OF, Atlanta Braves (High-A, Florida): 2-5, 2 R, K, 2 SB
Because I am contractually obligated to write about a Braves prospect for every MLU, here is one that hasn’t been talked about that much. Seymour has as many 80-grade tools as he does 20-grade tools. He is an 80 runner, one who uses his speed effectively. But he also has 20-grade power and doesn’t inspire much confidence with his bat either.

Domingo Leyba, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks (Short-Season, Hillsboro): 3-5, 2 R, RBI
Hey this guy was in the Didi Gregorius trade remember? No? Let me remind you, a plus fielding shortstop with feel to hit, speed that plays up, and performed well at Double-A at 20 years old. After missing over half the season with an injury, a quick rehab stint in SS before a trip to Double-A will have everyone talking about him again.

Yan Sanchez, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks (Short-Season, Hillsboro): 2-4, 2 R, 3B, HR, 4 RBI
The man playing 2B in deference to Mr. Leyba, Yan has some power but is more so an organizational player. But he nonetheless had a good day, so a drink to you sir.

Ian Miller, OF, Seattle Mariners (Double-A, Arkansas): 3-7, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K, SB (DH)
Miller is a plus runner with the chops to be at least an above-average defender at any OF spot. While he doesn’t offer much home run power, his speed on the bases helps him extend base hits.

Kyle Young, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Short-Season, Williamsport): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
This man is tall. Some evaluators I have spoken to believe he is taller than the 6-foot-10 listed height. Signed in the 22^nd round in 2016, Young is all long levers and bones, and needs to bulk up. But nonetheless, a quality first start of the year, another drink to you sir.

Jimmy Herget, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Triple-A, Louisville): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
When watching Herget last year, I loved the kid, I didn’t care what his slot was or how hard his fastball was, I just enjoyed watching him pitch. You should too. He might even get a late cameo in Cincinnati this year.

Taylor Widener, RHP, New York Yankees (High-A, Tampa): 6 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Hey remember how well being a college reliever to pro starter worked for Chance Adams? Well Widener is on that same path. Featuring a plus fastball and above-average slider, Widener has made quick work of High-A this year. There is still a chance he is a bullpen arm given his lengthy injury history, as well as a rather ineffective slider.

Fight Another Day:

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (Triple-A, Durham): 2 2/3 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Sometimes, when you think the Super 2 date has passed and you see the dearth of injuries at the big-league level, throwing a baseball can be hard.