Link Report for Thurs. 6/28

[TheCrew07]

I'll take the T-Rats for you Brad, and if no one else will cover TLB next week I'll cover the Stars as well.

[TheCrew07]

video at the link

 

Taveras brightest of Texas All-Stars

No. 3 Cards prospect homers, adds two hits to be named MVP

[bkrause2]

I'll take the T-Rats for you Brad, and if no one else will cover TLB next week I'll cover the Stars as well.

 

Excellent, thank you! Except for Saturday I can take Huntsville for the week too if you don't want to cover three teams.

[TheCrew07]

I'd rather not cover 3 so if you'd take Huntsville from Sunday on that would be wonderful.

[TheCrew07]

Subscriber link with the scouting reports, unfortunately the Brewers aren't linked to any of the prospects at this time

Top 20 International Prospects For July 2

 

Here's the free list

[TheCrew07]

BA Hot Sheet June 29

 

No. 1 MATT SZCZUR, CF

CUBS

Team: high Class A Daytona (Florida State)

Age: 22

Why He's Here: .478/.600/.696 (11-for-23), 2 2B, 1 HR, 7 R, 7 RBIs, 7 BB, 2 SO, 7-for-8 SB

The Scoop: Szczur entered the year as a breakout candidate after wearing down from his baseball/football grind in the second half of last season. He recently missed 19 games due to a knee injury that kept him from playing in the Florida State League all-star game, but he has made up for lost time this past week, splitting his time between center field and DH as a precaution. The injury didn't seem to affect Szczur's plus-plus speed, as he swiped seven bases in eight attempts.

 

Before the injury, Szczur led the FSL in runs, stolen bases and on-base percentage. On Wednesday, he came within a triple of hitting for the cycle, when he went 4-for-6 with a homer, a double, four RBIs and two runs scored. Perhaps the most refreshing development for Szczur this year has been has improved plate discipline, as his walk percentage has dramatically increased from 5.4 percent last year to 12.5 percent this year. An extraordinary athlete, Szczur looks like he's starting to combine his raw tools with performance and could see a promotion to Double-A Tennessee soon enough.

 

No. 3 STARLING MARTE, CF

PIRATES

Team: Triple-A Indianapolis (International)

Age: 23.

Why He's Here: .355/.412/.839 (11-for-31), 7 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBIs, 3 BB, 7 SO, 0-for-1 SB

The Scoop: He had to struggle through May to find his footing in Triple-A, but it hasn't taken long for Marte to once again remind people that he's one of the best outfield prospects in the high minors. He had a 23-game stretch in late April and early May where he went 10-for-62 (.161) with just four extra-base hits. In the 36 games since then he's hit for a more characteristic .307 average (46-for-150) with a binge of triples. Marte's 10 three-baggers lead the minors, and he hit seven of them during his recent hot streak. With his ability to run, field and hit for both average and power, Marte doesn't look to be that far away from providing a boost to a Pirates lineup that could definitely use one.

 

No. 6 ALEN HANSON, SS

PIRATES

Team: low Class A West Virginia (South Atlantic)

Age: 19

Why He's Here: .500/.600/.850 (10-for-20), 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 R, 3 RBIs, 5 BB, 3 SO, 2 SB

The Scoop: Fresh off an appearance in the Sally League all-star game, Hanson continues to make things happen at the plate. He has a nine-game hitting streak that extends back to June 16, and his .331 average is fifth best in the SAL. Making his full-season debut, he leads West Virginia in virtually every offensive category, including home runs (11). We identified Hanson as a Pirates sleeper in the most recent Prospect Handbook, but he won't keep that title for long if he continues to produce this type of offensive production.

 

No. 8 TONY CINGRANI, LHP

REDS

Team: Double-A Pensacola (Southern)

Age: 22

Why He's Here: 1-0, 1.54, 2 GS, 11 2/3 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 18 SO

The Scoop: Last week, Pensacola's Daniel Corcino led this list for his work in a combined no-hitter. Cingrani had a start this week that was better than Corcino's. If not for a mediocre 3 2/3-inning outing earlier in the week, Cingrani would have given the Reds back-to-back No. 1s on the Hot Sheet, but even with that ugly outing, Cingrani's second start of the week had to be honored. He went eight shutout innings while striking out 15 and allowing three hits and a walk, a performance that added up to the best game score (90) we've seen this year in the minors. It's yet another reminder that the pre-draft scouting report that pegged Cingrani as a future reliever may have been a little light.

 

IN THE TEAM PHOTO

The worst thing a pitcher could see is Reds SS Billy Hamilton getting a lead off first base. The bad news for California League pitchers is that the Bakersfield shortstop has gotten much better at figuring out how to get to first. Hamilton, 21, was 7-for-29 this week with one extra-base hit, but he drew eight walks compared to four strikeouts, which allowed him to still swipe 12 bases in 15 attempts. Hamilton has walked 22 times compared to 17 strikeouts this month. The Cal League's hitting environments don't hurt, but Hamilton has managed to significantly cut his strikeout rate this year while upping his walk rate, it's a great combination for a leadoff hitter . . .

 

HELIUM WATCH

• Jeimer Candelario, 3b, Cubs. Chicago skipped the 18-year-old Candelario, a standout in last year's Dominican Summer League, past the Arizona League to short-season Boise, and they've had no regrets through the first two weeks. The switch-hitter homered in three straight games from June 20-22 and leads the Northwest League with four bombs. Candelario has batted .314/.364/.569 through 51 at-bats, showcasing plenty of bat speed to go with plus pitch-recognition skills.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'll take the T-Rats for you Brad, and if no one else will cover TLB next week I'll cover the Stars as well.

 

Excellent, thank you! Except for Saturday I can take Huntsville for the week too if you don't want to cover three teams.

Thanks, guys