MLB Prospect Watch

Prospect Action - 5/16/13

Triple-A

• Johnny Hellweg earned his second win of the season thanks to six shutout innings despite walking six batters in the outing.  It was the first time since his initial start of the season that the Brewers flame-thrower allowed zero runs and he's now walked 31 batters in 38 2/3 innings.
• In his return to Triple-A, Martin Perez allowed four runs in five innings but struck out four to take a loss.  The Rangers left-hander hasn't truly been effective at any level since a half-season stint in Double-A in 2011, yet because of his talented left arm, he continues to be a focal point of prospect followers.
• Sonny Gray allowed just one run in his first six innings of work, but the A's right-hander failed to get out of the seventh inning and allowed four runs (three earned) when it was all said and done in the loss.
• Michael Wacha tossed his Cardinals teammates on his back on Thursday and led them to a victory behind seven dominant innings of one-run baseball during which the 2012 first-rounder struck out eight and walked just one.

Double-A

• The Marlins got a nice glimpse into their future on Thursday as Christian Yelich continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run in support of left-hander Adam Conley, who has been inconsistent this season but allowed 3 runs (two earned) in five innings on this night.
• Trevor May has generally been strong in his initial season in the Twins organization, but on Thursday he allowed more runs than innings pitched for the second time this season, allowing five runs and nine hits in four innings.
• Royals starter Yordano Ventura was a hard-luck loser after he struck out nine batters in six innings while allowing just three hits but two runs.

High-A

• Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco hit his fifth home run of the season on Thursday, but Phillies third base prospect Maikel Franco was not to be outdone, hitting a pair of his own home runs, giving him eight on the season.
• Kyle Zimmer struggled on Thursday, allowing five runs in four innings to drop to 0-3 on the season.
• Addison Russell took a big step back from his rough start to the season, going 2-for-4 with a home run and reaching base four times.

Low-A

• Gloskar Amaya had a three-hit day to pick up fellow Cubs prospect Rock Shoulders, who went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in the game.
• Jesse Winkler, the Reds supplemental first-rounder from 2012, went 2-for-4 with his fifth home run of the season.

Prospect Injury Update - Taillon, Biddle, Buckel, Olt

Taillon Leaves Under Own Power

Jameson Taillon was forced out of his start on Tuesday after being struck on the shin by a come-backer, says Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com.  Taillon walked off the field under his own power, but was unable to finish the game.  There is no word on whether or not the injury will affect his next start.

There is no need for the Pirates to rush Taillon back if there is any possibility that an injury could alter his mechanics, which can sometimes lead to arm injuries.  Taillon is not in line for a call-up any time soon (his earliest ETA would be for a September call-up, but even that is a slim possibility), and with the 7-day disabled list as an option in the minor leagues, it would be easy to push his next start back a few days if needed.

 

Biddle Has Excuse for Last Start

After being dominant in two straight starts, Jesse Biddle struggled badly his last time out on Saturday, facing seven batters and walking four of them.  But as PhuturePhillies.com points out, Biddle was badly under the weather during the start.

It was the first time that Biddle failed to throw at least six innings this season, but apparently he had an excuse, relieving the knee-jerk reactionary panic of Phillies fans everywhere over the outing.  In hindsight, the struggle may have been a blessing in disguise, as the Phillies had a spot in their major league rotation open up just a few days later and Biddle's poor start helped squash the call from fans to inexplicably jump the organization's top prospect to the majors.

 

Olt Injured, Buckel Battling Himself

Mike Olt, the Rangers third base prospect who was the centerpiece of trade rumors this off-season, has now missed almost two weeks of time with vision problems and still has no diagnosis, reports T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.  Olt was hitting just .139 through 20 games this season, which is understandable if he couldn't see the baseball.  There is no timetable for his return to the field, but it should be at least another week or two until doctors are able to get to the root of the problem.

While Olt's injury is mysterious, at least he's actually injured.  Pitching prospect Cody Buckel has been sent to extended spring training to help correct his control issues, but the team insists he is not injured and that the issues are mental.  Buckel has walked 28 batters in 9 1/3 innings this season.

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These types of prospect issues help to illustrate why organizational depth is so important, and why I focus on more than just the top prospects in each system.  The Rangers are a great example of this importance, and despite issues to Buckel and Olt, and an injury to Martin Perez, the Rangers have still been able to fill their rotation with a pair of rookie starters in Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm.  Jurickson Profar gets all of the attention, but it's their depth that has kept them competitive despite the loss of free agents over the years.

Prospect Action - 5/5/13

Triple-A

• Zack Wheeler put together the best start of his season, throwing six shutout innings and walking just one, according to Jonathan Raymond of MiLB.com.  Wheeler has now put together back-to-back solid starts after struggling to begin the year.
• Dellin Betances threw five no-hit innings on Sunday, reports Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com, but true to form for the Yankees right-hander, he walked four in the outing.  It was a season-high in walks for Betances, who has given out 16 free passes in 24 innings.
• A two-run double for Mike Zunino proved to be the difference on Sunday, notes The Seattle Times.  The Mariners catcher got off to a hot start at the beginning of the season, but is just 3-for-30 over his past eight games.
• Jake Odorizzi and his Rays teammates combined on a no-hitter on Sunday, says Jake Seiner of MiLB.com.  Odorizzi struck out three and walked four in the outing, lowering his ERA to 2.65 on the season.

Double-A

• Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, often times over-shadowed within his own organization, broke out of a early-season slump on Sunday with a 4-for-6 day at the plate that included a home run, notes Raymond.
• Aaron Northcraft lowered his ERA to 3.46 on Sunday with five scoreless innings and six strike outs.  The Braves prospect broke out last season in the Carolina League, but has alternated good starts with poor ones so far in the Southern League.
• Kevin Gausman dropped to 1-4 on the season despite allowing just two runs in seven innings of work.  The Orioles 2012 first-rounder has now allowed two earned runs or less in his last three starts.

High-A

• Domingo Tapia threw six innings of two-hit ball, reports Seiner,  lowering the Mets right-hander's ERA to 2.23 on the season. Tapia has been strong this season in his second year in full-season ball, striking out 28 batters in 32 1/3 innings.
• Giants slugger Angel Villalona hit his sixth home run of the season and now has his batting average up to .214 thanks to 11 hits in his last 10 games.
• Gregory Polanco raised his batting average to .321 on the year with a 3-for-5 day at the plate that included a double and a home run.  The Pirates outfielder is now slugging .486 on the season and also has 10 steals.

Low-A

• Twins prospect Jose Berrios advanced to 3-0 on the season after striking out eight batters in six innings of work.   The 2012 first-round pick now sports a 2.55 ERA on the season with 21 strike outs in 17 2/3 innings.
• Tyrell Jenkins threw a complete game shutout on Sunday, lowering his ERA to 4.97 on the season.  The Cardinals prospect needed just 97 pitches to complete the outing.

Prospect Action - 5/2/13

Triple-A

• Sean Gilmartin has been very sharp lately, and the Braves was at it again on Thursday, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings to take his first loss of the season, according to Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com.
• Oscar Taveras hit his third home run of the season, as the Cardinals outfielder is how hitting .313 on the season.
• Mike Zunino and Nick Franklin weren't able to join in the offensive party with their Mariners teammates on Thursday, as both went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts each.  Franklin, playing shortstop on this night, has been the subject of promotion rumors given the Mariners offensive struggles this season in the majors and his red-hot start.
• Jonathan Villar had a huge day at the plate, as the Astros shortstop prospect went 4-for-4 with a home run, reports Robert Emrich of MiLB.com.  Villar is now hitting .442 over his past 10 games and is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak.

Double-A

• Jameson Taillon allowed at least three runs for the third straight start, although this time out, just two of them were earned.  Taillon was able to strike out six batters in as many innings, but took the loss in the outing, the third of the year for the Pirates right-hander.
• In a somewhat unlikely pitcher's duel, Yankees lefty Nik Turley struck out eight over six innings of one-run baseball to defeat Blue Jays right-hander Deck McGuire, who allowed just two runs over six innings of his own.  Both pitchers entered the game with ERA's over 5.00.
• It took Anthony Ranaudo 85 pitches to get though 5 1/3 innings before being removed due to the Red Sox pitch limit restrictions, but during his time in the game, he managed to allow just one run while striking out four.
• Archie Bradley appeared to have no trouble making the transition to Double-A, as the Diamondbacks through a six-inning complete game in a shortened contest, striking out seven batters in six innings and allowing just one run.  Bradley, recently promoted to Mobile, has battled control issues last season, but has showed much improvement this year and walked just two in his first start at his new level.
• Yasiel Puig hit his fifth home run of the season, but it wasn't enough run support for fellow Dodgers prospect Chris Reed, who got roughed up in the start, allowing six runs in 4 2/3 innings.

High-A

• Aaron Sanchez was dominant on Wednesday, striking out six batters and allowing just one run in 3 2/3 innings. Sanchez has been good again this season and now has a 3.16 ERA and a 2.54 FIP on the year.
• Marlins pitcher Jose Urena got hit around in his latest start, allowing six runs (five earned) in five innings of work, but still managed to earn a win.
• Sam Selman, the Royals second-round pick last year, struggled again, allowing five runs (four earned) in 3 2/3 innings of work.  The left-hander is walking too many batters, having now allowed 18 free passes in 21 innings.

Low-A

• Byron Buxton hit his fifth home run of the season as the Twins prospect continues to dominate the Midwest League.  The second overall pick from last season is now hitting .388/.509/.694 on the season and could earn himself a promotion in the next month. 
• Joey Gallo hit his ninth home run of the season and fellow Rangers teammate Lewis Brinson hit fifth en route to a 6-3 victory.

Prospect Action - 4/28/13

Triple-A

• Darin Ruf broke out at the plate on Sunday, going 4-for-5 with a pair of home runs, notes Ashley Marshall of MiLB.com.  The Phillies outfielder has gotten off to a slow start, and even with his big game is hitting just .244/.302/.462 on the season.
• Brett Oberholtzer picked up a win in five innings of work thanks to a pair of hits and a home run from fellow Astros prospect Jonathan Villar, says Tim Grubbs of The New Orleans Times-Picayune.  Jacob Turner took the loss, but the Marlins right-hander allowed only three runs in six innings, which is an improvement on his struggles this season.
• Nick Franklin homered in support of his Mariners teammate James Paxton, who struck out five in 4 2/3 innings, reports Todd Dewey of The [Tacoma] News Tribune.
• Brett Jackson hit his first home run of the year, and the Cubs outfielder didn't strike out in the game.

Double-A

• Red Sox prospect Drake Britton battled through some early trouble to strike out nine on Sunday, reports Mike Ashmore of ThunderBaseball.com.
• Jesse Biddle didn't strike out 16 batters this time out, but he did reach double-digits again, as the left-hander fanned 10 on Sunday, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Kevin Gausman took a hard-luck loss as the Orioles right-hander struck out eight batters over 7 2/3 innings of work, allowing just one run.

High-A

• Pirates right-hander Nick Kingham struck out a career-hith 13 batters on Sunday over six scoreless innings of work, says Jake Seiner of MiLB.com.
• The Lakeland Tigers were led to victory by a two-run single by first baseman Aaron Westlake, reports The Lakeland Ledger.
• Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard struck out seven batters in as many innings in the longest outing of his professional career, reports Jonathan Raymond of MiLB.com.

Low-A

• Bubba Starling hit his third home run of the season, but perhaps more impressively, the Royals prospect drew a pair of walks.  The 2011 first-rounder has been painfully over-aggressive at the plate in his career and has just seven walks to 31 strikeouts on the season.
• Joey Gallo has many of the same strike out issues as does Starling, and they showed on Sunday as the Rangers prospect went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts, now giving him 35 in 24 games.