2014 Regular Season Divisional Prospect News

[TheCrew07]

Alcantara, Arrieta signs of bright future for Cubs

By Phil Rogers

[Fear The Chorizo]

WATCH IT: Javier Baez Futures Game Batting Practice

July 13, 2014 by Josh Norris

 

very ironic that his 2nd BP session, likely trying to hit to the opposite field, Baez hit 4-5 weak popups that didn't get out of the screen until his last swing, when he obviously went back to hitting to the pull side of the field. All the hand motion and loading with the big stride make his swing way too difficult to keep good timing with, probably why he's had an uneven AAA season so far.

 

The bat speed is unquestionable, but both plate coverage and the ability to hit offspeed located outside his danger zone are still big-time works in progress. if the pitch is coming in outer 3rd or on the corner it looks like his swing doesn't allow him to stay through the ball long enough to drive it to right field. At some point all that noise he makes with his hands will need to get quieted down for him to hit in MLB consistently. otherwise alot of his ABs will consist of fastballs in off the plate that he hits 5 miles but foul, then offspeed darting off the outside corner that he screws himself into the ground trying to pull.

[reillymcshane]

John Sickels' Prospect of the Day: Jimmy Nelson

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/7/11/5890555/prospect-of-the-day-jimmy-nelson-rhp-milwaukee-brewers

 

If his past pattern is any indication, Nelson could have some adjustment and command issues in the majors but will work through them and emerge as an effective pitcher. Once he settles in, I see him as a workhorse inning-eater who will provide above-average numbers year after year. He has nothing left to prove in the minors at all, and the Brewers just need to let him pitch.

[reillymcshane]

John Sickels does his Top 75 prospect mid-season update:

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/7/14/5898649/minor-league-ball-top-75-prospects-mid-season-update-2014-sickels

 

Jimmy Nelson comes in at #36. He's the only Brewer.

 

Here's the division prospects:

 

 

1) Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs (Previously ranked 12th): I think he’s done enough to rank number one.

 

4) Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals (4): No change in status for me and expected to graduate off the list soon.

 

5) Addison Russell, SS, Chicago Cubs (5): No change in status.

 

13) Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (8): Command slippage moves him down just a hair but I’m not

worried overall.

 

15) Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs (10): Weaknesses are obvious, as are his strengths. I have some concerns but not enough to knock him down further than this, yet.

 

24) Jorge Soler, OF, Chicago Cubs (62): Small sample due to injury but murdering the ball.

 

26) Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (54): Like Meyer, outstanding stuff with some command issues but stock is up overall.

 

32) Jesse Winker, OF, Cincinnati Reds (43): I’m confident that he’ll get the bat going in Double-A soon.

 

34) Arismendy Alcantara, INF, Chicago Cubs (87): Reports out of the PCL were very positive, the numbers were excellent, and he looks great in the majors so far.

 

36) Jimmy Nelson, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers (89): Pitching version of Alcantara, has always had the tools, ready for extended big league trial, and PCL sources speak glowingly.

 

37) Josh Bell, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (107): Showing why the Pirates gave him $5,000,000.

 

51) Austin Meadows, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (50): Just getting to play now after being injured all spring.

 

57) Albert Almora, OF, Chicago Cubs (32): Needs to show more in the second half or list slippage will continue.

 

58) Nick Kingham, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (100): Steady improvement for this potential number three starter.

 

59) Stephen Piscotty, OF, St. Louis Cardinals (70): I’d like to see more homers but I think they will come eventually.

 

65) Rob Kaminsky, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (NR): Was a B- pre-season as we waited to see how things looked in pro ball. They look great, reports from Midwest League very positive.

 

66) Marco Gonzales, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (116): Reached the majors one year out of college. Ceiling not as high as Kaminsky but he’s closer.

[TheCrew07]

Offensive Players of the Week

For the week ending July 13

 

Southern League

Jorge Soler, Tennessee

(.556/.619/1.333, 6 G, 10-for-28, 2 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 5 K)

Due to a hamstring injury, Soler has only played in 21 games this season -- 14 for the Smokies -- but he's been dynamite since returning to Southern League action last Sunday. Not only did he homer in his first game back, but he fell a triple shy of the cycle on Monday and capped the week with a pair of long balls and five RBIs against Jacksonville yesterday. The 22-year-old outfielder is batting .426/.491/.936 in his first 14 Double-A games and is back on track to join the Cubs' bevy of hitting prospects at the Friendly Confines soon.

 

Florida State League

Victor Roache, Brevard County

(.381/.435/.857, 6 G, 8-for-21, 1 2B, 3 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 9 K)

A first-round pick in 2012, Roache has had an up-and-down career and an up-and-down season. He missed the 2012 campaign with a broken wrist but returned to slug 22 homers (and strike out 137 times) for Wisconsin in 2013. The 22-year-old outfielder was below the Mendoza Line in April and June but had a three-homer game May 4 and has hit .241 since the FSL All-Star break. He clubbed three solo shots last week and had three consecutive multi-hit games from Wednesday to Friday to get July off to a strong start.

 

Midwest League

Jeimer Candelario, Kane County

(.500/.556/1.083, 7 G, 12-for-24, 5 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 2 K)

Candelario began the season with Class A Advanced Daytona but hit just .193 over 62 games (with a very unfortunate .212 average on balls in play) before being reassigned to Kane County in mid-June. The change has done the 20-year-old switch-hitter good -- he had multiple hits in five of seven games last week and closed it out with a pair of homers and four RBIs against Beloit on Sunday. With confidence regained, he may soon be ready for another shot at the pitcher-friendly FSL.

[TheCrew07]

Pitchers of the Week

For the week ending July 13

 

South Atlantic League

Buddy Borden, West Virginia

(2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 2/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 1 HBP, 3 BB, 8 K)

Borden started the week by scattering two hits over five scoreless innings Monday at Delmarva and then one-upped himself by giving up only one hit in 6 2/3 scoreless frames five days later versus Greensboro. After going 1-2 with a 6.63 ERA across five appearances in June, the 22-year-old right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.62 mark through his first three starts of July.

[TheCrew07]

Almora plays hero for D-Cubs with cycle

No. 4 Cubs prospect caps his historic night with a go-ahead triple

[TheCrew07]

Zagunis completes cycle after first homer

Cubs prospect legs out double in eighth inning for third feat of day

[TheCrew07]

Subscriber content.

 

Alcantara Draws Praise, Not Attention

July 15, 2014 by Gordon Wittenmyer

[TheCrew07]

Subscriber content.

 

Iglesias Adds To Inventory For Reds

C. Trent Rosecrans -Monday, July 14, 2014

[TheCrew07]

Subscriber content.

 

The Path For Pimentel Goes Through The ‘Pen

July 14, 2014 by John Perrotto

[TheCrew07]

Not the Baez you're thinking of...

 

Hawks' hero Baez extends hitting streak

Cubs outfield prospect plates winning run in 10th on 3-for-6 night

[igor67]

Sure they aren't in the division anymore, but the Astros failure to sign Aiken is pretty huge especially with Appel's struggles. They are suddenly on a road to rebuilding only to establish mediocrity even with multiple very high picks.

[TheCrew07]

The last 2 weeks has been a tad hectic for me, I'll be catching up this thread most of the afternoon.

 

I apologize for the delay.

[TheCrew07]

The mid season updates are a digital only feature so you'll have to spend the $5 if you are so inclined.

 

Midseason Prospect Update: Taveras Continues To Top List For Cardinals [VIDEO]

[TheCrew07]

Midseason Prospect Update: Taillon Inherits Top Spot for Pirates [VIDEO]

[TheCrew07]

This one is definitely worth a read.

 

What History Indicates About The Cubs’ Competitive Cycle

July 25, 2014 by Clint Longenecker

[TheCrew07]

Midseason Prospect Update: Nelson Holds On To No. 1 For Brewers [VIDEO]

[TheCrew07]

I'm not going to take the time to break everything out here.

 

Prospect Hot Sheet (July 25): Glasnow Retains Top Spot

 

Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet Chat (July 25)

[TheCrew07]

Midseason Prospect Update: Stephenson Retains Top Spot For Reds [VIDEO]

[TheCrew07]

Midseason Prospect Update: Bryant overtakes Baez for Cubs [VIDEO]

[TheCrew07]

Subscriber Content.

 

Top Trade Targets In The Lower Levels From Playoff Contenders

July 22, 2014 by Ben Badler

[TheCrew07]

2014 First-Rounders So Far

July 21, 2014 by Vince Lara-Cinisomo

[TheCrew07]

Spotlight on the Cubs' impressive array of hitting prospects.

 

Ask BA: How Rare Is It For A Team To Have Three Top 10 Prospects?

July 21, 2014 by J.J. Cooper

[TheCrew07]

Prospect Hot Sheet (July 18): Glasnow Gears Up

 

Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet Chat (July 18) With Ben Badler