MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Action - 5/1/13

Triple-A

• Sonny Gray threw a complete game on Wednesday, a rarity not only in the Pacific Coast League but in minor league baseball in general, as the A's right-hander struck out six while allowing just one run, reports Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.
• The Brewers could use some pitching help in the major leagues, and Tyler Thornburg was a potential candidate if he were pitching well this season, but his struggles continued on Wednesday as the right-hander allowed four runs in as many innings.  Thornburg now has a 5.59 ERA on the season and has allowed at least three runs in three of his six starts this year, although he does have a 3.41 FIP due to an unlucky .371 BABIP.
• The International League was off on Wednesday.

Double-A

• Taijuan Walker struck out seven in six innings while allowing just one run, notes Jonathan Raymond of MiLB.com.  The Mariners top prospect has now allowed one run or less in four straight starts.
• Matt Barnes was dominant on Wednesday, striking out 10 in six innings in a much-needed solid outing.  The Red Sox righty has been inconsistent this season has been inconsistent this season, mixing in good outings in with poor ones and twice allowing over five runs in a start and failing to get out of the fifth inning in three of his five starts on the season. 
• Rafael Montero showed why he's not quite ready for a promotion yet, as the Mets right-hander allowed 10 runs (seven earned) over 6 2/3 innings.  Montero had been pitching very well in his first taste of Double-A over his first five starts, leading many to call for a promotion, but the Mets appear to let him stay in Binghamton for a little while.

High-A

• Former first-rounder Tyler Anderson gave up five runs in six innings, but the Rockies lefty also struck out six in the outing.
• Cheslor Cuthbert hit a walk-off home run, the first bomb of the season for the Royals third base prospect.
• Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor collected two more hits on Wednesday and is now hitting .351/.425/.521 on the season.

Low-A

• Yankees prospect Jose Campos, who came over to the team in the Michael Pineda trade, struck out seven batters in three innings of relief, but allowed four hits and two runs in the process.  It was the first relief apperance for Campos, but the three-inning stint was the same as his previous four outings of the season as he comes back from an arm injury.
• Robert Stephenson got his first win of the season despite allowing four runs in five innings of work.  The Reds 2011 first-rounder has struggled this season despite striking out 35 batters in 28 innings, due largely in part to a .408 BABIP.  Stephenson has an FIP of 2.91, indicating that he has pitched better than his ERA would indicate.

Prospect Action - 4/14/13

Triple-A

• Angels prospect Orangel Arenas out-pitched Mariners lefty Danny Hultzen on Sunday, as Arenas recorded five shutout innings for the victory.  Hultzen didn't pitch poorly, writes John McGrath of The Tacoma News-Tribune, but the two runs he allowed in 5 2/3 innings was too much on this day.
• Zack Wheeler allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings, but was more impressive than his stat line would indicate, according to Michael Baron of MetsBlog.com.  The Mets top prospect has been effective but erratic in his first three starts, but part of that can be attributed to missing time in spring training and part can be blamed on the extreme hitting environment in Las Vegas.
• Oakland A's outfield prospect Michael Choice is taking advantage of hitting in the Pacific Coast League, hitting a pair of home runs on Sunday to give him three on the season, notes Jonathan Raymond of MiLB.com.

Double-A

• Matt Barnes ran into trouble on Sunday, allowing four runs while failing to make it out of the third inning, reports The Portland Press Herald.  The Red Sox first round pick from 2011 is off to a rough start in his first taste of Double-A, posting a 18.90 ERA through his first two starts.
• Yordano Ventura struck out seven batters over five innings of work, writes Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  The diminutive Royals right-hander is off to another strong start, posting a 1.80 ERA over his first two starts.
• The Trenton Thunder got a pair of three-hit games from Yankees prospects Tyler Austin and J.R. Murphy, notes Josh Norris of The Trentonian.  For Murphy, the game raises his batting average to .344 after struggling in Double-A last season.

High-A

• Miguel Sano went 3-for-4 on a day that included a go-ahead three-run homer by the Twins top prospect, writes Jake Seiner of MiLB.com.  It was the third home run of the year for the young slugger, who is hitting .400 through his first ten games.
• Courtney Hawkins homered again, giving the White Sox 2012 first-rounder four on the season.  It's been feast-or-famine for Hawkins in the early-going this season with the four bombs, but just a .200 batting average and 18 strikeouts to just two walks in eight games.
• Angel Villalona hit his first home run in the U.S. since 2009, as part of a two-hit day to get his batting average up to .091 on the season.  The Giants prospect was allowed back in the country this season for the first time in three years after a murder charge in the Dominican Republic.

Low-A

• Despite great stuff, Robert Stephenson is getting roughed-up in the Midwest League.  The Reds 2011 first-rounder had his worst outing of the year, allowing eight runs (six earned) without getting out of the third inning on Sunday, raising his ERA to 7.11 on the season.
• Tyrell Jenkins took his first loss of the season, allowing three runs in five innings of work, walking three and striking out just one batter in the outing.  It's the second straight outing for the Cardinals right-hander in which he's given up three runs in five innings.

Prospect Action: 4/8/13

Triple-A

• Billy Hamilton was dominant on Monday, as the Reds top prospect went 4-for-5 and stole three bases.
• Jake Odorizzi did a good job of impressing his new organization as the Rays newest pitching prospect threw 6 2/3 shutout innings in his debut with his new team, notes Danny Wild of MiLB.com.
• Melky Mesa hit his first home run of the 2013 season after a spring training in which he was considered to take Curtis Granderson's place on the Yankees big league roster.
• Jeff Kobernus collected three more hits and is now batting .579 on the spring.  His offensive production was in support of fellow Nationals Rule V returnee Danny Rosenbaum, who threw five scoreless innings.
• Phillies prospects Cody Asche and Darin Ruf recorded a pair of hits each with Asche's being a double and a home run, both of which came off of Red Sox starter Rubby de la Rosa.
• Chris McGuiness, who had a strong Arizona Fall League season and was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the Rule V draft this winter but was returned to the Texas Rangers, hit a pair of home runs on Monday night as part of a three-hit, six-RBI day.
• Mike Zunino went 3-for-4 and hit his third home run of the young season on Monday, showing the Mariners once again that he is ready for any assignment they throw at him.

Double-A

• Matt Barnes lasted just one inning in his Double-A debut, striking out three in the frame, but also allowing a pair of runs and throwing 33 pitches, which was enough to end his night early, notes Glenn Jordan of The Portland Press Herald.
• Yasiel Puig has carried his red-hot spring over to the regular season, as the Dodgers outfield prospect went 2-for-3 with a double on Monday to raise his batting average to .538 on the young season.
• George Springer reached base four times, as the Astros center fielder of the future drew a pair of walks to go along with two hits.  Much of the offense came off of Rockies pitcher Tyler Matzek, who walked five batters in four innings to carry his extreme control issues over from last season.

High-A

• Prospects Deven Marrero and Garin Cecchini led the offensive attack in Salem on Monday night, as the left side of the infield combined to reach base seven times with four doubles.
• Taylor Naquin collected two more hits to raise his batting average to .375 on the year while fellow Indians prospect Francisco Lindor reached base three more times as well.

Low-A

• Light-hitting Tigers shortstop prospect Danry Vasquez went 3-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs scored in his team's 11-run outburst on Monday.
• Power-hitting prospect Joey Gallo did what he does best on Monday, hitting his first home run of the season as part of a three-hit night.
• Converted Pirates pitcher Stetson Allie hit his second home run of the season.

 

Prospect Action - 8/14/12

Triple-A

• The dominant version of Jeurys Familia showed up on Tuesday night, as the Mets right-hander struck out nine over seven scoreless innings, reports Zack Cox of MiLB.com.  For Familia, it was the first start in five outings in which he hadn't given up at least four runs.
• Jake Odorizzi took another step towards a September call-up by throwing seven scoreless innings, says Cox.  Odorizzi hasn't given up more than three runs in an outing since the middle of July, spanning six straight starts, but the Royals will likely hold of on calling him up to the majors until after the end of the Pacific Coast League playoffs, which Omaha has a good chance of making.
• In his first start since July 28th, Danny Hultzen threw 3 2/3 shutout innings, says Mike Curto of The [Tacoma] News-Tribune.  Hultzen was not injured, but rather the Mariners are closely monitoring his innings towards the end of his first full professional season.
• Julio Teheran turned in a much-needed good start, looking like the dominant version of himself that earned him billing as the top prospect in the Braves farm system before the season.  The right-hander threw eight scoreless innings on Tuesday, striking out nine without walking a batter, according to Paul Eldert of The Virginian-Pilot.  

Double-A

• In his Double-A debut, Brandon Workman threw six strong innings, allowing just a a pair of singles, writes Kevin Thomas of The Portland Press Herald.  The Red Sox right-hander was 7-7 with a 3.40 ERA in 20 starts at High-A Salem before the promotion, with a miniscule 1.6 BB/9 rate.
• Also making his Double-A debut was Orioles top prospect Dylan Bundy, who gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings while walking three, says David Driver of MiLB.com.  Bundy began the year in Low-A ball, where he didn't give up a run in 30 innings, which he followed up with 54 1/3 innings with a 2.98 ERA in High-A before his most recent promotion.
• Adam Morgan turned in another strong start, as the Phillies prospect threw six innings, allowing just two runs, says Mike Ashmore of ThunderBaseball.com.  It was the second start at Double-A for Morgan, who is now 2-0 at the new level after going just 4-10 at Clearwater, despite his 3.29 ERA there.
• Dodgers right-hander Matt Magill struck out 11 batters in seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits, reports Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com.

High-A

• Matt Barnes took a no-decisions despite throwing five scoreless innings, says Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.  The 2011 first-rounder hasn't been nearly as dominant in High-A as he was in the South Atlantic League, where he posted a 0.34 ERA in five starts, but he has pitched well, lowering his ERA to 3.40 in 17 starts, with 9.3 K/9 and just 2.4 BB/9.
• Kyle Parker hit two more home runs, giving the Rockies prospect 17 on the season.  Parker has taken full advantage of the California League this season, hitting .317/.419/.550 on the year, and has even limited his strikeouts.
• Domingo Santana went 3-for-3 as the Astros outfielder continues his emergence as a more all-around hitter.  Santana is hitting .291 this season, but more importantly, he has improved his patience at the plate, having already recorded 45 walks on the season.  The more selective approach is helping improve his average by keeping him from expanding the strike zone.
• Joc Pederson blasted a pair of home runs, giving the Dodgers center field prospect 15 on the season.

Low-A

• Kellin Deglan continued his recent hot hitting streak with a home run on Tuesday, reports The Hickory Daily Record.  The Rangers catching prospect has struggled at the plate this season, but is hitting .400 over his last ten games with four home runs.
• Mike Foltynewicz advanced to 14-3 on the season, throwing seven more scoreless innings and lowering his ERA to 2.78.  It's been a bounce back season for Foltynewicz, who needed a second season to get acclimated to the South Atlantic League, but has re-established himself as a true prospect this season.
• Clayton Blackburn earned his seventh win of the season, as the Giants prospect struck out nine over seven innings, allowing just two runs.

Rookie

• Bubba Starling hit his ninth home run while fellow Royals prospects Cameron Gallagher and Patrick Leonard each collected multi-hit games at Burlington.
• Over in the Pioneer League, Sem Selman struck out 11 over six innings of work, marking the second straight start with 11 strike outs and third time in five starts he's been in double digits.

 

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Prospect Action - 7/3/12

Happy 4th of July!  I hope everyone enjoys their day off, which should be filled with fireworks, picnics, pools, and lots of baseball action.

 

Triple-A

• Danny Hultzen hasn't been good since being promoted to Triple-A, and despite earning his first win on Tuesday, still wasn't sharp, giving up two runs (one earned) but only getting through five innings because of his high pitch count, reports T.J. Cotterill of The [Tacoma] News Tribune.
• Bryan Holaday had a three-hit night, including a two-run double, leading his Tigers prospects to a 4-2 victory, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Double-A

• Keyvius Sampson turned in what has become a rare good start this season for the Padres right-hander, throwing six scoreless innings and giving up just one hit, says Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.
• Rangers right-hander Barret Loux earned his minor league-leading 12th win of the season, allowing just an unearned run over seven innings of work, reports David Heck of MiLB.com.
• In his first start after missing five weeks with a knee injury, the Mariners kept James Paxton on a 55-pitch limit, but he still managed to throw four shutout innings in the outing, writes Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.

High-A

• Matt Barnes turned in the worst start of his professional career, as the Red Sox 2011 first-rounder got touched up for six runs in 3 2/3 innings, and taking his second Carolina League loss.
• Marlins left-hander Adam Conley took a no-decision, giving up three runs in five innings while striking out five.

Low-A

• The Royals have been waiting for 2011 third-rounder Bryan Brickhouse to pitch like he did on Tuesday, as the right-hander allowed just an unearned run over six innings of work, says Jonathan Raymond of MiLB.com.
• Clayton Blackburn was sharp on Tuesday, as the Giants continued his domination of the South Atlantic League, tossing eight innings of one-hit ball while striking out nine, and lowered his ERA to 2.95.
• Noah Snydergaard outpitched J.R. Bradley on Tuesday, as the Blue Jays prospect earned his fifth win of the season by striking out six over five innings to defeat the Diamondbacks prospect, who gave up six runs in five innings of his own.

Short-Season

• Rockies 2010 first-rounder Peter Tago put forth the best start of his brief professional career, striking out five batters in as many innings while allowing just a single run, earning his first career victory.  Jeimer Candelario collected two more hits in the game, and the Cubs prospect is now hitting .352 on the season.

Rookie

• Bubba Starling collected two more hits, giving him a four-game hitting streak and raising his batting average to .333 on the brief season.