2014 Regular Season Divisional Prospect News

[TheCrew07]

Finally a Brewer, Jimmy Nelson!

 

All-Prospect Team: May Edition

June 3, 2014 by Matt Eddy

 

3B Kris Bryant • Cubs

Double-A Tennessee (Southern)

 

The No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft mashed 12 homers, drew 17 walks and drove in 34 runs in 29 games in May. Bryant’s 1.298 OPS led all minor leaguers, and his propulsive month pushed him to the top of the Southern League in batting (.348), homers (18), RBIs (49), runs (48), on-base percentage (.452) and slugging (.692). He needed every ounce of that performance to fend off Rangers third baseman Joey Gallo, who slugged 12 homers and put up a 1.266 OPS in May at high Class A Myrtle Beach.

OF Randal Grichuk • Cardinals

Triple-A Memphis (Pacific Coast)

 

Grichuk started and finished May in the big leagues, but mashed 13 extra-base hits in 20 games while at Memphis, one of the best pitcher’s parks in the Pacific Coast League. His power will play in the majors, but being able to handle center field on a daily basis will speak loudest when the Cardinals evaluate applicants to play between corners Matt Holliday and Oscar Taveras.

RHP Jimmy Nelson • Brewers

Triple-A Nashville (Pacific Coast)

 

Brewers starters have the seventh-best ERA (3.39) in baseball to this point, which explains how their top prospect has spent virtually all season in the Pacific Coast League, which he leads in ERA (1.64) and opponent average (.174), by the way. Nelson doesn’t get all-prospect team credit for his May 25 start for Milwaukee in which he threw 5 2/3 shutout innings, but his command of the zone at Nashville (3.6 SO/BB ratio, 0.90 WHIP) suggests he merely needed an adjustment period after reaching the Triple-A level last June.

[guylanderfridancies]

Wonder how long they're going to keep Bryant in AA, it's pretty evident he's far ahead of the competition. They don't have to move him any time soon, and his glove could use a little more fine tuning but geez.. He's beyond a triple-crown in the Southern League, he's at like a deca-crown. Avg, Hits, Runs, RBI, HR, BB, OBP, Total bases, Slugging, OPS... I honestly think he could make an impact at the Major league level for the cubs right now.

[TheCrew07]

2013 Draft Retrospective: One year gone

Top three picks -- Appel, Bryant, Gray -- each on different paths

[TheCrew07]

Jimmy Nelson!

 

Prospect Hot Sheet (June 6): Lamb Anything But Silent

 

5. Jimmy Nelson, rhp, Brewers

Team: Triple-A Nashville (Pacific Coast)

Age: 25

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.17, 7 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 11 SO

 

The Scoop: Nelson showed he’s ready for the big leagues with 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the Marlins on May 25. But the Brewers aren’t ready for Nelson yet, so he returned to the Pacific Coast League, where his 1.64 ERA seems like a typo. With a fastball that reaches the high 90s, Nelson should be back in Milwaukee for good before long.

 

11. Jesse Winker, lf, Reds

Team: high Class A Bakersfield (California)

Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .313/.389/.704 (10-for-32), 7 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBIs, 4 BB, 8 SO, 1-for-1 SB

 

The Scoop: The California League produces its mirages every year, whether it’s Bubba Bell, Jon Gaston or anyone else benefitting from the extreme hitter-friendly conditions. That description doesn’t fit Winker, a Cal League hitter who would have pitchers begging for mercy regardless of league. After another stellar week, Winker is hitting .319/.414/.546 with nine hoe runs in 47 games, showing a selectively aggressive approach within the strike zone to go with a quick, compact swing and plenty of power.

 

In The Team Photo

 

Kris Bryant, 3b, Cubs. Bryant was merciful this week and let Jake Lamb take the glory for once, but three homers in a week for Double-A Tennessee still is mighty fine. Plus, he still has comfortable leads in nearly every offensive category in the Southern League.

 

Not-So Hot

 

Reese McGuire, c, Pirates. Defensively, he’s still a stud and is throwing out 47 percent of basestealers with just three passed balls all year. Unfortunately, he reached base just twice this week at low Class A West Virginia, so he’s earned his not-hot designation.

 

Yorman Rodriguez, of, Reds: This is going to be the Year of Yorman, right? On May 14, Rodriguez turned in his third straight multi-hit game, bringing him to .316/.364/.418 on the season at Double-A Pensacola as a 21-year-old. Since then, he’s been a disaster, with few hits, plenty of strikeouts and just two extra-base knocks in that time frame. This week’s 2-for-21 showing dropped him to .226/.269/.311 on the season with 46 strikeouts in 43 games.

[TheCrew07]

Bucs' Bell collects career-high five hits

Club's No. 6 prospect has best pro night at plate in Marauders loss

[TheCrew07]

Wahoos' Duran, Corcino putting it together

DH goes 4-for-4 with two home runs; righty tosses six strong frames

[TheCrew07]

Offensive Players of the Week

For the week ending June 8

 

Southern League

Kris Bryant, Tennessee

(.417/.533/.917, 7 G, 10-for-24, 3 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB, 6 K, 1 SB)

One is tempted to write "ditto" and just move on. Bryant has now earned this award for the second consecutive week and third time in the last five. He's tied for the Minor League home run lead with 21. He leads the Southern League in hits, batting average, slugging, on-base percentage, RBIs, walks and runs scored. It could be time for the second overall pick in the 2013 Draft to ply his trade in Triple-A -- or maybe we'll be searching for more things to say in this spot next week.

[TheCrew07]

Villanueva, Lopez key I-Cubs' outburst

Chicago's No. 11 prospect, catcher combine for 12 RBIs vs. Fresno

[TheCrew07]

Wright carries perfecto into sixth for Blaze

Reds right-hander surrenders just one hit over seven shutout innings

[TheCrew07]

Texas notes: Wilson enters comfort zone

Cardinals second baseman enjoying early-season jump to Springfield

[TheCrew07]

Stock Watch: Pitchers unable to bear Bryant

Cubs prospect tormenting Southern League with patience, power

[TheCrew07]

Garrett fires first complete game, shutout

Reds' two-sport prospect gives up three hits, fans five for Dragons

[TheCrew07]

Catching up here, I had very little free time today.

 

Winker fuels Blaze's rout with six RBIs

Reds' No. 3 prospect slugs two homers, reaches base five times

[TheCrew07]

Reyes turns fortunes around in Peoria

Cardinals' No. 5 prospect goes distance for first time in two-hitter

[TheCrew07]

Baseball America Prospect Report (June 12)

 

HITTER OF THE DAY: Jesse Winker, of — high Class A Bakersfield (Reds)

 

Attempts to temper enthusiasm should be made when it comes to hitters and the California League, but Winker continues to mash. The Reds’ supplemental 2012 first-rounder went 3-for-3, homered twice, knocked in six runs, reached base five times and stole a base in a 19-6 rout of Modesto. He’s been smoking hot in June with an OPS of 1.219 and has homered six times in the past 10 games.

[TheCrew07]

Indy's Morris goes distance for first time

In second Triple-A start, righty shows how far he's come from surgery

[TheCrew07]

Cardinals' Gonzales fans 10 in second win

No. 4 St. Louis prospect retires final seven batters on efficient night

[TheCrew07]

Kingham overcomes jitters in Triple-A debut

Pirates' No. 8 prospect strikes out eight, hurls seven scoreless innings

[TheCrew07]

Schwarber stands out as Hawks win opener

Cubs' first-round pick collects three hits, including go-ahead homer

[TheCrew07]

Perez has a night against former team

Reds prospect goes 3-for-6 with homer, double, two RBIs, two runs

[TheCrew07]

Chiefs' Kaminsky tosses six shutout innings

Cardinals' No. 3 prospect allows two hits, strikes out six, walks none

[TheCrew07]

Baseball America Prospect Report (June 14)

 

HITTER OF THE DAY: Kyle Schwarber, c — Short-season Boise (Cubs)

 

Friday included offensive stars such as Aaron Judge (Charleston-Yankees) and Jake Lamb (Mobile-Diamondbacks), among others. But it would be tough to beat the pro debut of Schwarber, who was drafted a week ago at No. 4 overall and promptly went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer in Boise’s 4-2 win over Tri-City. The Cubs are expected to move the lefty hitter out from behind the plate eventually, but Schwarber caught on Friday and made a throwing error.

[TheCrew07]

Prospect Hot Sheet (June 13): Bryant Keeps On Bashing

 

1. Kris Bryant, 3b, Cubs

Team: Double-A Tennessee (Eastern)

Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .478/.538/1.043 (11-for-23), 9 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 1-for-1 SB

 

The Scoop: All hail the king. Bryant has torn up the Southern League all year, and this week was no different. Of his 11 hits this week, seven went for extra bases, including three longballs to give him 22 and help him keep just behind Joey Gallo in the race for minor league homer supremacy.

 

Bryant leads the SL in all three triple-slash categories at .359/.461/.717, and he also holds the top spot in runs, hits, homers, RBIs, walks and total bases. He’s second in doubles but also second in strikeouts. The league’s all-star game is Tuesday, so by the time the next Hot Sheet hits the streets, he may have moved on to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs, however, are on record saying they want Bryant to experience extended success at one location. And why not? He’s one year removed from college, and the big league team is going nowhere in 2014.

2. Jimmy Nelson, rhp, Brewers

Team: Triple-A Nashville (Pacific Coast)

Age: 25

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.75, 12 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 17 SO

 

The Scoop: It’s well known that the Midwest-based, American Conference portion of the Pacific Coast League is a much better environment for pitchers than the rest of the league, but that doesn’t diminish the remarkable job Nelson, pitching coach Fred Dabney and the rest of the Nashville pitching staff has done this year. Nelson leads the league with a 1.51 ERA. Teammate Brad Mills is second at 1.57 and Mike Fiers is fifth at 2.53. Nelson has been the star. He’s worked at least six innings in every start, hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in his last six starts and has a 0.89 WHIP.

5. Tyler Glasnow, rhp, Pirates

Team: high Class A Bradenton (Florida State)

Age: 20

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 2 GS, 9 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 14 SO

 

The Scoop: OK, Glasnow’s walk rate of 5.9 batters per nine innings is frightening. Like last year, he’s actually walked more batters than he’s allowed hits. But he’s one of the least comfortable looks any hitter will face in the Florida State League. Thanks to a fastball that will touch 98 mph, righthanders are hitting .129 against him. For now Glasnow is focusing on developing his changeup, which means he’s not using his curveball, which flashes plus, as much as he will in the future.

12. Jesse Winker, lf, Reds

Team: high Class A Bakersfield (California)

Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .313/.542/.875 (5-for-16), 7 R, 9 RBIs, 8 BB, 5 SO, 1-for-1 SB

 

The Scoop: Winker’s power-and-patience approach will play anywhere, but it plays especially well at hitter-friendly Bakersfield, where he consistently waits for his pitch and punishes it, batting .367/.463/.561 with more walks (19) than strikeouts (17) at home this season. Though he’s limited to left field, Winker plays a heads-up game and has the offensive skills to reach the highest level. He now ranks second in the California League with a .426 on-base percentage and fifth with a .572 slugging.

 

In The Team Photo

 

Alex Reyes, rhp, Cardinals: He might have the best stuff in the Cardinals system. It’s just a matter of harnessing it at this point. In one start at low Class A Peoria this week, the 19-year-old Reyes allowed two hits and two walks over seven innings with seven punchouts mixed in. His delivery is very long and contains a lot of moving parts, so command might always be an issue. He’s had five starts this year with four or more walks, but also five with seven or more strikeouts.

Kyle Waldrop, rf, Reds: With a center field that sits 354 feet from home plate, high Class A Bakersfield is a hitter’s park to the extreme. But Waldrop, an athletic former football prospect, is on an impressive streak even so. The 22-year-old has a 14-game hitting streak with nine multi-hit games over that span. Don’t be surprised if the 2010 12th-rounder gets pushed to Double-A Pensacola before long.

[TheCrew07]

Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet Chat

 

Ben (Columbus, OH): Jesse Winker's numbers are great, but he's playing in a notoriously hitter friendly league. Once he's promoted to AA Pensacola, what do you expect his numbers to look like?

 

J.J. Cooper: He’ll keep getting on-base with some pop. Winker is an average/OBP hitter with good pop, rather than a slugger who can hit. The power is part of his game, but the hit tool is better than the power.

Pryznaquard (Chicago): Would it be unfair to call Kris Bryant the best prospect in baseball?

 

J.J. Cooper: Definitely in the discussion. We’ll be rolling out our midseason top prospects list before too long, so we’ll have an answer for you at that point.

The Flute (Levine, NY): Josh Bell: More Sterling Marte or more Gregory Polanco?

 

J.J. Cooper: Neither. Just not the athleticism of either of those guys. Much more of a bat-first guy than those two.

Tyler (NJ): Glasnow seems to b unhittable when throwing strikes what's this guys ceiling if he puts it all together ?

 

J.J. Cooper: No. 2 starter. Hard to see him going from where he is now to having No. 1 starter command, but he could be the kind of guy whose lack of hits allowed allows him to be a little less fine with his command than most starters.

Roger (NJ): Hey JJ thanks for taking the question. Comparing the weeks of Winkler and Josh Bell, it is pretty clear that Bell had the better week and therefore should've been on the hot list over Winkler. With that said, do you think that Bell is starting to show the promise of a top prospect again? Thanks

 

J.J. Cooper: Actually it’s not clear to me. Winker had a significantly better OBP (100 points better) and a near-identical SLG. Both had good weeks, and yes, Winker plays in the Cal League which is better for hitters, but I went with the guy with a better wOBA, better runs created, better OPS, better OBP and near same slugging percentage this week. As far as Bell is concerned, yes this is a great thing to see. The Pirates have had AWFUL luck with injuries this year in the minors, so it’s good to see Bell giving some good news to go with the bad news.

Eric (NY, NY): The control/command is still developing, but with Tyler Glasnow not even using his curveball and still having this type success, is he a top 20 overall type of prospect?

 

J.J. Cooper: Not yet because he can walk four in a row in a heartbeat with his current control, but he can then strike out the next three, which is why he’s a top 50 guy.

Chris (Pittsburgh): If Glasnow figures out his control (a la Randy Johnson), where does he fit into the Gerrit Cole-Jamison Taillon continuum?

 

J.J. Cooper: If Tyler Glasnow has a Randy Johnson control transformation which means he goes from 20 control to 65-70 control then he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Big Unit walked more than 7 batters per nine innings in each of his first three pro seasons. But there are very few pitchers in MLB history to make those kind of strides with their control.

Trey (Virginia): Thoughts on Alex Reyes? He had a stretch of about 20 really rough innings recently, but then got it together for a great start. Does he have elite stuff or just a middle of the rotation guy?

 

J.J. Cooper: We’re in June and Reyes’ outing I saw in spring training may still be the best pure stuff I’ve seen this year. Great fastball velo and a knee-buckling breaking ball. Actually saw a hitter dive out of the batters’ box because he thought he might get hit, and it was a strike. Lots of control problems but at his best, he has outstanding stuff.

steve (pensacola): Corcino or Stephenson--which, if either, gets promoted this year?

 

J.J. Cooper: Not saying Corcino won’t get promoted, but at this point the star on his prospect status has lost an awful lot of its luster.

Dave (Portland, OR): Can you compare Kyle Schwarber

to Dan Vogelbach? The seem to have similar body types with Schwarber being more athletic but Vogelbach lost a lot of weight last offseason.

 

J.J. Cooper: Schwarber is significantly more athletic. Not trying to bang on Vogelbach, who is an outstanding guy in my dealings with him, but Schwarber caught and could at least try to play in the outfield. Vogelbach has a shot to play first base, but most scouts see him as best fitting as a DH.

Jmac (Miami, FL): Seems like BA gets enamored at some guys at catcher that do not pan out. Case in point Travis D'arnaud, who has shown in the bigs he is not an every day player. On the other hand Yadier Molina, the best catcher in the big leagues, was never really seen by BA as a future star. I argue that while not on that same level, Elias Diaz of the Pirates is that type of guy. Premier makeup. Premiere defensive ability. Late -blooming bat. Am I wrong? Thoughts?

 

J.J. Cooper: Jmac, so how has D’Arnaud already shown he’s not a big league everyday player? Molina didn’t post a league average OPS until his sixth MLB season. Devin Mesoraco hit .225/.282/.359 in his first three MLB seasons. This year he’s hitting .303/.348/.590. Catchers take a long time to get adjusted to the big leagues in many examples. D’Arnaud has 220 big league at-bats so don’t go writing him off yet. I just want to see him stay healthy for a full season, but not sure if that will ever happen. I’m not in any way writing him off yet. That being said, I like Diaz and think he could be a productive big leaguer.

[TheCrew07]

Offensive Players of the Week

For the week ending June 15

 

California League

Juan Silva, Bakersfield

(.588/.667/.941, 4 G, 10-for-17, 2 2B, 2 3B, 4 RBI, 10 R, 4 BB, 0 K, 4 SB)

It was a shortened week for Cal Leaguers because of the upcoming California League/Carolina League All-Star Game on Tuesday, and Silva made the most of it. The 23-year-old outfielder had three hits in each of his last three games before the break, going 9-for-13 with nine runs scored in that span. With four walks and no strikeouts last week, he owns a 46-to-44 K-to-BB ratio in 61 games. Silva has shown the impressive ability to not only get on base this season (.417 OBP) but to also take the extra bag, thanks to a league-leading 32 steals.

 

Florida State League

Josh Bell, Bradenton

(.462/.533/1.231, 4 G, 6-for-13, 1 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 1 BB, 1 CS)

Talk about going out with a bang. Well, several bangs. Bell, the Pirates' No. 6 and MLB.com's No. 61 overall prospect, homered in three straight games to end the FSL's first half. That gave him nine homers in 62 games to go with a .318/.368/.512 slash line in that span. Five of those nine blasts have come in 11 June contests, signifying that with warmer temperatures has come a hotter (or at least more powerful) Bell.