MLB Prospect Watch

Arizona Fall League Preview: Scottsdale Scorpions

The Scottsdale Scorpions have one of the least prospect-laden teams on paper, representing three of the weaker farm systems in baseball (Cleveland, San Francisco, and Anaheim) and two others who elected not to send their top prospects (Pittsburgh and the Yankees).

 

Kaleb Cowart (LAA)

Cowart, a 2010 first-rounder, put together a nice first full season. Splitting time between the Midwest and California Leagues, Cowart hit .276/.358/.452 with 31 doubles and 16 home runs. The third baseman is thoughts player on the Scorpions roster, but also one of its most talented.

Joe Panik (SF)

After dominating the short-season Northwest League last season, big things were expected out of Panik in his first full year, especially since he was heading to the California League. That's the only context in which a .298/..368/.402 season might be considered disappointing. Panik displayed less power and plate discipline than many thought he had, but still had an ok all-around season. He'll head to Double-A next season.

Ronny Rodriguez (CLE)

Another one of the AFL's youngest players, Rodriguez oozes potential but is still very raw. He hit 19 home runs in the Carolina League as a 19-year-old this season, but also walked just 19 times against 88 strikeouts. Signed as a shortstop out of the Dominican, he also saw time as second base, where he is much more consistent as a defender.

Gary Brown (SF)

The Giants top prospect rebounded from a rough first half to put up decent numbers in Double-A in 2012, hitting .279/.347/.385, but his lack of power is concerning. It should be noted that his home park in Richmond is known for greatly limiting power, but Brown's OPS was over 100 points lower on the road, so it's difficult to gauge how much effect that had. Brown is still exceptionally fast, but he'll need to rebound with a strong season next year to prove he's more than just a fourth outfielder.

Other Notable Hitters

Slade Heathcott has had trouble staying on the field, but when he was out there this season, he finally displayed the tools the Yankees knew he had when they made him a first runs pick in 2009. Randal Grichuk will always be the guy the Angels selected one pick ahead of Mike Trout, but he finally displayed his power this season. He still doesn't walk enough, though.

 

Arsenal of Arms

Dellin Betances (NYY)

Instead of helping the Yankees when they needed extra pitching this season, Betances took a step back, finishing the season back in Double-A. His control escaped him completely in Triple-A, and after his demotion he just got lit up. The AFL isn't the best place to send a struggling pitcher, but it's his last chance to get the bad taste of the 2012 season out of his mouth.

Victor Black (PIT)

It's not out of the question to envision Victor Black setting up Joel Hanrahan in Pittsburgh by the end of next season. The hardest thrower in the Pirates farm system put it all together this year, posting a 1.65 ERA as the closer for Double-A Altoona and striking out 85 batters in 60 innings. What will determine if Black becomes a closer in the majors or a middle reliever will be his control, which has been questionable at times.

Other Notable Arms

Ryan Chaffee really took to his new role as a reliever this year and struck out more batters than ever. Heath Hembree still projects as a mid-to-late inning reliever for the Giants despite a rough introduction to the Pacific Coast League this year.

 

 

Banuelos, Betances Let Down Yankees Pitching Staff

A pitching staff is a group effort. The five-man rotation has to work in flawless harmony with a bullpen of seven or eight pitchers to form a collective attack on opposing hitters.

But it's even more than that. Teams don't get through a season with just five starters or just seven relievers. Many teams don't even get through April.

When assembling a pitching staff during spring training, managers and general managers set their starting rotations to include both the five starters to begin the season in the majors, but also starters six through ten, often consisting of players ranging anywhere from swingmen currently in the bullpen, veterans hanging around in Triple-A waiting for an opening, and prospects finishing their development.

The New York Yankees have used eight starting pitchers this year, which actually seems like a small number considering the injury issues they've dealt with this season. Andy Pettitte appears to be back now, but has made just 10 starts on the year. C.C. Sabathia, typically the workhorse, spent some time on the disabled list, finally showing some wear after years of carrying pitching staffs on various teams. They also, of course, had to replace off-season acquisition Michael Pineda, who has missed the entire season.

The starts missed by Pettitte alone forced Freddy Garcia back into the rotation after a terrible April after he had been demoted to the bullpen. Garcia has posted a 5.19 ERA in 27 appearances this season, 17 of which came as a starter. He's done his job of taking the ball every fifth day and eating innings, but he's hardly been effective and surely would have been replaced along the way if given a better option.

The Yankees have also used David Phelps in the rotation periodically throughout the season, bouncing back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen as needed in what has been a largely successful rookie campaign during which he has posted a 3.24 ERA. He's been much more successful out of the bullpen, however, with a 2.50 ERA while in relief but a 3.81 ERA as a starter with a drop in strikeouts and a rise in WHIP. While Phelps has performed admirably while filling in as a starter, the Yankees would have been better served keeping Phelps in relief, if only they had been given that luxury. When assembling the depth of their starting rotation this spring, Phelps was just one of a number of pitching prospects the Yankees had lined up to help with their pitching depth. In the end this season, however, Phelps has turned into the only real option.

The Yankees entered the season with enviable high-ceiling pitching depth near the top of their farm system, led by the left-right combo of Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betences, both of whom began the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre just a phone call away from the majors.

The season never really got under way for Banuelos, who made just six starts all year and none after mid-May thanks to an elbow injury. Banuelos has electric stuff and has spent the last two spring trainings forcing the Yankees to make difficult (but correct) decisions to send him back to the minors, but staying healthy has been an issue in the past. Knowing full well that they would need to call a starter up at some point this season, there was little doubt that Banuelos would be among the first on their list. There's no surgery scheduled just yet for Banuelos, who at just 21-years-old still has plenty of time to make his mark in New York, but his health let the Yankees down this season.

At least for Banuelos, it's just a matter of health. His stuff is still there. The same can not be said for Betances, who got a three-inning taste of the majors at the end of last season with an eye on a mid-season call-up at some point in 2012. Betances began the season back in Triple-A, but his control left him completely, walking 71 batters over 16 starts before a mid-season demotion to Double-A. He cleaned up the control a little bit lowering it to 4.8 BB/9, but still got rocked, posting a 6.51 ERA. The 6'8" Betances has always had trouble repeating his delivery, leading to some control issues, but he's never battled anything like this. The season turned into a lost year for the right-hander and the Yankees can only hope he can get things in order for next season.

The loss of two top pitching prospects, especially those near the majors, would be devastating on the depth of any organization, and the Yankees have weathered the storm as well as any organization could, but the fact remains that they would likely be in even better shape than they are currently in if they had gotten anything out of Banuelos and Betances. At the very least, both profile as power arms out of the bullpen, and Banuelos specifically could have been a dominating reliever against left-handed hitters.

Luckily for the Yankees, they have the depth and resources to remain in first place despite their injuries, but with their current battle with the up-start Orioles, it's difficult not to wonder if the lack of reinforcements for their pitching staff will come back to haunt them.

 

Prospect Potent Potables - Zimmer, Betances, New Red Sox Prospects

• 2012 first-round pick Kyle Zimmer had elbow surgery on Thursday, and is done for the season, reports Michael Engel of KingsofKauffman.com.  The procedure was simply to remove "loose bodies" in his elbow and the Royals decided to have it done now so that it will not interrupt his off-season throwing program to prepare for next season.
• A bad season is getting worse for Dellin Betances, who after struggling and getting demoted is now being placed on the DL with shoulder soreness, according to Mike Ashmore of ThunderBaseball.com.  The Yankees right-hander has posted ERA's of over 6.00 at both Triple and Double-A this season, getting hit hard and battling his control at both levels.
• The blockbuster trade between the Dodgers and Red Sox did more than just clear cap space in Boston, says Marc Hulet of FanGraphs.com, who breaks down Rubby de la Rosa, Allen Webster, and Jerry Sands.  Matt Eddy of Baseball America also has their scouting reports.

 

Prospect Action - 8/12/12

Triple-A

• Charlie Leesman gave up three runs over six innings of work to move to 10-9 on the season, reports Tim Donelli of The Charlotte Observer.  The White Sox left-hander now has a 2.75 ERA on the season but a 3.94 FIP.
• Jacob Turner earned his second victory since joining the Marlins organization, throwing 5 1/3 strong innings, according to Bob Fortus of The New Orleans Times-Picayune.  After rehabbing in the Florida State League to begin the season, then making 10 starts in the International League before the trade, Turner is now 2-0 in four starts in the Pacific Coast League with a 2.42 ERA.  For such a highly touted prospect, however, his strikeout rates remain dangerously low, having posted a K.9 rate of just 6.4 in 17 career starts at the Triple-A level, a rate that does not indicate the ability to miss enough bats at the major league level, even for a non-strikeout pitcher.
• Wil Myers continued to show that he's the best hitter in the minors, as his 5-for-7 day paced a historic offensive output in Omaha, notes Jonathan Raymond of MiLB.com.  The Royals top prospect hit a double and a home run, his 21st in 78 games in Triple-A and 34th overall on the season
• Andrew Carraway scattered four singles over seven innings, reports Mike Curto of The [Tacoma] News Tribune.  In a Mariners farm system filled with high-end pitching talent, the more moderately-ceilinged Carraway burst onto the scene with seven strong starts at Double-A this season before being pushed to Triple-A.  The 25-year-old hasn't dominated Triple-A the same way, but he has shown an ability to limit baserunners despite not being able to miss many bats.

Double-A

• One of the main reasons Billy Hamilton has been able to chase the minor league stolen base record this season has been his ability to consistently get on base, says Raymond, who discusses the Reds prospect's 3-for-4 day at the plate that included a triple, three RBI's and, of course, three more stolen bases.  Hamilton has answered many questions about his non-base-stealing abilities this season by hitting .323/.413/.439 at High-A Bakersfield, then following it up by hitting .288/.410/.405 at a much more hitter-neutral environment in Pensacola.
• A 20-run outburst in Corpus Christi was led by Astros first base prospect Jonathan Singleton, who blasted two home runs, writes Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com.  His big night continued the domination of the Texas League for Singleton this season, who now has 17 homers and an .877 OPS.
• The struggles continued for Dellin Betances, as the Yankees prospect allowed eight runs over four innings of work, says Mike Ashmore of ThunderThoughts.com.  Betances, already demoted to Double-A mid-season after posting a 6.39 ERA in Triple-A, has not fared much better in Trenton, with a 5.36 ERA  and 61 hits allowed in 48 2/3 innings.  He has cut his walk rate in half from earlier in the season, but it is still too high at 4.1 BB/9.

High-A

• Erik Johnson, a 2011 second-rounder by the White Sox, threw seven shutout innings on Sunday, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning, reports The Winston-Salem Journal.  In his first full year of professional ball, Johnson has posted a 2.14 ERA, splitting time between Low and High-A. Alex Meyer got stuck with the loss for the Nationals despite giving up just one run over six innings and striking out seven, adds Luke Erickson of NationalsProspects.com.
• Jesse Biddle cruised to his eighth win of the season on Sunday, allowing two runs in six innings.  Biddle's development has continued on course the Phillies had hoped for in his second full-season in the minors, with his ERA now at 3.45 in the Florida State League and 125 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings.
• Jose Fernandez continued to show that the FSL is no competition for him, earning his fifth win by striking out eight over five innings of one-run ball and lowering his ERA to 2.48 on the season.  Fernandez is now 12-1 with a 1.89 between both levels of A-ball this year.

Low-A

• Aaron Westlake collected two more hits, including another double to continue extending his Midwest League lead in the category, notes Dean Holzwarth of MLive.com.  The Tigers slugger has had an uneven season, demonstrating good power potential with 35 doubles to this point, but just eight home runs and a .248 batting average.
• Starling Peralta was unable to follow up a hot week with another strong start, giving up six runs (three earned) in six innings and walking five to take his eighth loss of the season.  The Cubs prospect still has a 3.27 ERA this year in his second stint in Low-A ball, but a 4.71 FIP.

Short-Season

• In his second professional start, 2012 fourth-overall pick Kevin Gausman threw three shutout innings allowing just a hit and a walk, notes Kevin Cowherd of The Baltimore Sun.  It was the first hit given up by the Orioles prospect in two appearances.
• Mike Zunino homered for the second straight game, giving him 10 in 29 games. He's now hitting .373 at short-season Everett.

Rookie

• Astros supplemental 1st rounder Lance McCullers took his first loss at Greeneville despite allowing just one run in four innings.  Through six starts between the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League, McCullers has a 1.42 ERA in 19 innings.
• Bubba Starling had a perfect day at the plate, collecting two hits and two walks in four plate appearances.  Desipte striking out in 28.2% of his plate appearances thus far in his professional career, Starling has managed to get on base at an impressive .391 clip.

 

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Prospect Action - 8/8/12

Triple-A

• Charlie Leesman allowed one run over five innings to earn his ninth win of the season, reports The Charlotte Observer.  The White Sox left-hander is 9-9 on the season with a 2.65 ERA but a 3.97 FIP, which is much more in line with his career norms.
• Adam Warren took a no-hitter into the eighth innings, says Danny Wild of MiLB.com, as the Yankees righty struck out nine in the outing.
• New Marlins prospect Jacob Turner managed to throw six shutout innings, despite giving up eight hits and striking out just two batters, notes Tim Grubbs of The New Orleans Times-Picayune.  Turner was matched up against fellow pitching prospect Andrew Carraway, who threw five shutout innings before exiting the game, says T.J. Cotterill of The [Tacoma] News Tribune.  The Mariners are still limiting Carraway's innings since coming off of the disabled list just two starts ago.

Double-A

• Aaron Hicks has come on strong of late, going 3-for-5 in a double header on Tuesday, including a home run in Game 1, his 12th of the season.  Each home run Hicks hits represents a career high for the Twins prospect is putting up career numbers this season.
• Dellin Betances put together a much-needed solid start, barely out-pitching Phillies prospect Trevor May, who allowed three runs (two earned) in the loss.  May drops to 8-10 in what has become a disappointing season for the right-hander.
• James Paxton didn't pitch great on Tuesday, but he managed to earn his seventh win of the season after giving up four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

High-A

• New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Rafael Montero threw 7 2/3 no-hit innings striking out five, says Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  Montero is 5-2 in eight starts since his promotion to High-A Port St. Lucie, with a 2.13 ERA and 56 strike outs in 50 2/3 innings.
• Elisaul Pimentel threw five scoreless innings on Tuesday, as the Royals prospect struck out six while scattering three hits, according to The Winson-Salem Journal.
• Adam Duvall continues his slugging ways, as the Giants third base prospect homered in his fourth straight game, writes Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.  Duvall now has 25 on the season, a number that would seem to be inflated by the hitter-friendly California League had Duvall not hit 22 last season in a more difficult hitter's league, the South Atlantic League.

Low-A

• Tigers 1B prospect Aaron Westlake knocked a game-tying RBI single in the 9th inning, says MLive.com.
• A's prospect A.J. Cole took a no-decision despite throwing five strong innings, allowing just one run and fanning five.
• Eddie Rosario, now playing second base, hit his eighth home run of the season on Tuesday.  It's been a drop-off in power for Rosario who hit 21 last season in 67 short-season games, but the left-handed swinger is still having a strong season, hitting .313/.372/.502 in the Midwest League in his first taste of full-season baseball. 

Short-Season

• Two power hitting prospects put on a display in Everett on Tuesday as Mike Zunino connected for his eighth blast as part of a 5 RBI day.  Not to be outdone was Cubs 1B prospect Dan Vogelbach who homered for the second straight game.

 

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