Minor League Update: Games of June 7th

Hitter of the Day:

Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians (Double-A, Akron): 4-5, 3 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB (DH)
As we have talked about many, many times here, it is hard evaluating catchers. Success can exist in two spectrums. You could be the all-star caliber defender and just hope to hit enough (ex. Reese McGuire), or you could be the all-star caliber hitter and just hope to be a capable enough defender (ex. Jorge Alfaro). Mejia has a chance to be both, which is frightening.

Pitcher of the Day:

Mike O’Reilly, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Low-A, Peoria): 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K
While not a prospect, this was still a promising performance for this 2016 26^th rounder. What he lacks in velocity (an upper-80s/low-90s heater), size (5-foot-11) and off-speed offerings, he makes up for in guts and guile. A good outing, and a drink to you sir.

Other Notable Performances:

Dakota Hudson, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Double-A, Springfield): 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Talk about being aggressive, the Cardinals pushed Hudson, last year’s first-round pick to Double-A Springfield in his first full season. He has been handling it well, as he can throw four pitches for strikes as he works to improve his command.

Chris Flexen, RHP, New York Mets (Double-A, Binghamton): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
After missing the first part of the season with an undisclosed injury, Flexen made quick work of High-A before being sent to Bingo. His FB and SL are potential above-average offerings and he offers a sturdy frame that (if he stays healthy) can eat innings in the back of a rotation.

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (Triple-A, Durham): 6 IP, 7 H, R, ER, BB, 9 K
When one evaluates Honeywell, how do you judge his screwball against others that one might have seen?

Sterling Sharp, RHP, Washington Nationals (Low-A, Hagerstown): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 4 K
A lanky, wiry right-hander, one looks at Sharp and thinks there is more velocity to come. But he has struggled to add weight since his freshman year of college and might be unable to fill out much more. His fastball sits in the low 90s and he has a range of off-speed he can drop in for strikes, but none of those pitches grade out higher than fringe-average.

Aderlin Rodriguez, 1B, Baltimore Orioles (Double-A, Bowie): 5-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 9 RBI
All of this was done in 7 innings. That deserves two drinks in your honor.

Yordan Alvarez, 1B, Houston Astros (Low-A, Quad Cities): 2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 K
Acquired from the Dodgers last year for Josh Fields, expect quite a lot of these lines from Mr. Alvarez. His power is legit, grading out as an easy 7 raw, but his swing is very long and has a lot of moving parts in it. While still young and offering some good things, let’s temper expectations.

Ronald Guzman, 1B, Texas Rangers (Triple-A, Round Rock): 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, K
Remember what I said about Yordan Alvarez up there? Guzman is the older version. While more athletic and less swing/miss, Guzman still has his faults which could leave him more as a platoon player than everyday regular.

Jake Bauers, OF/1B, Tampa Bay Rays (Triple-A, Durham): 2-5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI
It is very likely Bauers will make his debut this season…at 21 years old.

Fight Another Day:

Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox (Triple-A, Charlotte): 0-5, 4 K
Sometimes, when looking at the calendar wondering when the Super Two deadline is, hitting a baseball is hard.

Mack Lemieux, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Low-A, Kane County): 3 2/3 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, K
No I didn’t make up this name, nor does he play for Pittsburgh (missed out on a real opportunity there), but Mack is a highly projectable sixth-rounder from last year’s draft. His fastball/curveball combination gives him a real weapon against left-handers, but his control is poor and has been far too hittable thus far in Low-A.

The Florida State League, Carolina League, and South Atlantic League
C’mon rain, can’t you let up at all?