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Future Shock Blog: Minor League Update: Games of July 17.

July 18, 2012
  • Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 2-for-5, HR (15), R, 3 RBI, 3 K. 23 total bases in last four games have his numbers approach levels of ridiculous; .363/.391/.693 in 47 games.
  • Jorge Alfaro, C, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI. 19-year-old has been troubled by approach issues; .269/.331/.448 in 38 games.
  • Domonic Brown, OF, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 3-for-5, R. Playing well at the right time and up to .276/.325/.420, but the Phillies aren't buyers anymore.
  • Gary Brown, OF, Giants (Double-A Richmond): 2-for-4, HR (5), 3 R, RBI, BB, SB. All of the questions about his slow start have disappeared; 30-for-66 (.454) in last 15 games and suddenly up to .292/.357/.401 overall.
  • Matt Den Dekker, OF, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo):



    3-for-5, HR (7), 3 R, 4 RBI. Remember how awesome he was at Double-A? This game lifted OPS 42 points to .219/.248/.445 in 31 International League games.

  • Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-4, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB. Just keeps hitting and seemingly being ignored by Royals; 12-game hitting streak has averages up to .329/.417/.506 in 60 games.
  • Brian Goodwin, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 2-for-5, HR (9), R, 2 RBI. CS. Really not sure why he's still at this level; three home runs in last four games and .324/.438/.542 in 58 games.
  • Jeremy Hazelbaker, OF, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 3-for-3, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 SB. Athletic has all sorts of tools but questions about hitting; .249/.332/.427 in 80 games.
  • Luke Jackson, RHP, Rangers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 12 K. Highly inconsistent, but still has the ability to do this once in a while.
  • Max Kepler, OF, Twins (Rookie-level Elizabethton): 2-for-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, K. Home runs in back-to-back games and .307/.455/.477 line with 18 walks and just 10 strikeouts in 88 at-bats.
  • Jake Marisnick, OF, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI. Fourth straight two-hit game; up to .277/.320/.426 in 12 games.
  • Tyler Marlette, C, Mariners (Rookie-level Pulaski): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Sleeper catcher in the system with compact swing and arm strength; .299/.330/.425 in 23 games.
  • Nick Maronde, LHP, Angels (High-A Inland Empire): 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 10 K. Full-season debut has been injury-plagued, but he's still showing plus velo and a good slider.
  • Francisco Martinez, 3B, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 3-for-5, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI. First game for Jackson in almost six weeks (hamstring), but still a disappointing .261/.335/.354 on the season.
  • Hunter Morris, 1B, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 1-for-3, HR (15), R, RBI, K. Trying to prove he can hit enough at a first base-only prospect; .390/.435/.750 in 26 games since the All-Star Break and .314/.369/.552 overall.
  • Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI. Very streaky hitter on another run; hard to get that excited about a 23-year-old in High-A hitting .281/.380/.397.
  • Michael Taylor, OF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-for-6, HR (9), R, 2 RBI, K. Another hot streak with a 12-game hitting streak and home runs in three of his last four games; .316/.420/.490 overall.
  • Tyrone Taylor, OF, Brewers (Rookie-level Helena): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, BB. Second-round pick has huge tools and is hitting much more than expected; 14-for-30 since move to Pioneer League.
  • Dan Vogelbach, 1B, Cubs (Rookie-level AZL Cubs): 2-for-5, 3B, HR (7), R, 3 RBI. Has impressed with contact ability; .360/.423/.779 in 20 games.
  • Tony Wolters, SS/2B, Indians (High-A Carolina): 4-for-5, R, RBI. Recovering from ugly first half with .356/.396/.500 line in 22 games since All-Star break; .262/.321/.377 overall.
  • Mike Zunino, C, Mariners (Short-season Everett): 3-for-4, 2 HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI. So far so good for third overall pick; 17 total bases in first four pro games.

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Kevin Goldstein

 

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nolansdad
7/18
Kevin, thoughts on Martinez's defensive position? He's been much better at 3B this year than last, but M's had him play several innings in CF while he was in the AZL rehabbing the hammy.

I've heard great reviews on his defense at third, but is he a better fit in the outfield in your opinion?
Reply to nolansdad
kgoldstein
7/18
I think he could work at 3rd, but nothing wrong with giving him some flexibility.
Reply to kgoldstein
kaestner
7/18
Ceiling/realistic upside for Tyrone Taylor? I know he's far away, but the tools seem exciting.
Reply to kaestner
kgoldstein
7/18
Ceiling is huge, and there really is no realistic upside right now. He could never get past Double-A. Better that he's hitting than not.
Reply to kgoldstein
zasxcdfv
7/18
What do you mean by "no realistic upside?" Does that mean that he has an incredibly high upside but he's so raw you cannot give a realistic read on what it may be? Thanks!
Reply to zasxcdfv
marquezd
7/18
Hey Kevin, I posted on your last report, which SS has the highest ceiling? Baez, Segura, Hanson, or Lindor?
Reply to marquezd
mschroeder14
7/18
Chances Gary Brown gets a look this year?
Reply to mschroeder14
Daddyboy
7/18
Could Kepler be the mythical player Jason Parks was looking for?
Reply to Daddyboy
GregLowder
7/18
Have you ever seen anything like Shaq Green-Thompson's line before? Not that BP readers need a reminder, but in case you do, baseball is a tough sport....
Reply to GregLowder
thegeneral13
7/18
0-32 with 31 K's to start his pro career, for those who don't feel like looking it up. This is around the time your little league coach starts giving you the bunt sign every time up.
Reply to thegeneral13
GregLowder
7/18
5 more Ks today...Still, for 100m, it's a worthwhile investment for the Red Sox.
Reply to GregLowder
delatopia
7/19
I sure hope you mean 100k and not 100m.
Reply to delatopia
GregLowder
7/19
Yea, same thing. I work in finance, force of habit. 100m = $100,000...100mm = $100,000,000. Sorry for the confusion.
Reply to GregLowder
whanson
7/19
Even with the bases empty
Reply to whanson
Scott44
7/18
Castellanos went yard again but still playing RF. What is the rationale to moving him to RF when he is a better defender at 3rd than Cabrera?
Reply to Scott44
kgoldstein
7/18
A. Cabrera isn't bad. B. Where do you put Cabrera?
Reply to kgoldstein
beeker99
7/18
For Giavotella, I know the PCL is a great hitters league, but is Omaha that good a hitter's park that maybe the Royals are discounting his numbers? I just can't figure out why they won't give the guy a legit chance in the bigs.

What's the scouting world's take on 2008 50th round pick lefty Nik Turley in the Yanks' system? He's 22, been in the low minors for ever, and the FSL is certainly a pitcher's league, but still: 73.1 IP, 80K, 27 BB, only 3 HR allowed looks impressive. Is the stuff real?

Thanks KG!
Reply to beeker99
kgoldstein
7/19
I know they're not thrilled with his glove, and that's understandable on some level, but the bat is being wasted. Turley is more than a 50th round pick as he got 150K. Decent fastball curve combo, some relief possibilities.
Reply to kgoldstein
SGreenwell
7/18
While the hit tool might be in question, there is no doubting that Hazelbaker is a fine name. In fact, I might give a future child that as a first name, if the wife decides to veto Roughened or Callix.
Reply to SGreenwell
SidsGraphs
7/18
Hard to get excited about Brown struggling for 1/2 a season and he will be 24 next month and doing just okay at AA. Seems like Brown gets a pass for his age/level.
Reply to SidsGraphs
MikeLHenderson
7/18
The only reason I can think for Goodwin to stay in low-A Hagerstown is that the Nats don't want him risking an injury in the superannuated outfield at high-A Pfitzner Stadium, which is booked for closure after 2013, and don't feel a five-week trip to Harrisburg would be worth the effort. My guess is we'll see him at Arizona Fall League come October.
Reply to MikeLHenderson
kgoldstein
7/19
I've heard worse theories.
Reply to kgoldstein
BillJohnson
7/19
So how to reconcile the fact that Adams is just destroying AAA pitching with his mediocre showing as a Lance Berkman replacement? Is the difference between AAA pitching and major-league pitching really that great? Small sample size? Something else? It doesn't seem as though other AAA sluggers see their numbers drop off that dramatically in the Show, even allowing for park effects.
Reply to BillJohnson
delatopia
7/19
Holy christ, don't you remember Anthony Rizzo falling flat on his face last year with the Padres? It happens!
Reply to delatopia
Behemoth
7/19
The difference between most AAA pitching and most major league pitching really is that great. There are loads of AAA sluggers who can't produce in the big leagues, or, at least, take several shots to get going.
Reply to Behemoth
azynkewl
7/19
Vogelbach is raking. What's keeping him from being promoted? Defense?
Reply to azynkewl
kddean
7/19
Moreso, we need video of his triple and that stolen base he had last week.
Reply to kddean
kgoldstein
7/19
The complete lack of a need to promote him.
Reply to kgoldstein