2014 Regular Season Divisional Prospect News

[TheCrew07]

Almost missed this...

 

Palm Beach's Helisek flirts with no-hitter

Cardinals prospect makes one mistake, fans three over seven innings

[TheCrew07]

Offensive Players of the Week

For the week ending June 22

 

Southern League

Rubi Silva, Tennessee

(.467/.467/1.000, 4 G, 7-for-15, 1 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, 1 K, 2 SB)

With Kris Bryant promoted to Triple-A, the Smokies needed someone to pick up the slack on offense. Silva did an admirable job last week, going deep in back-to-back games Thursday and Friday and adding singles in both weekend games. The outfielder, who turns 25 on Wednesday, has suffered a power drop-off since last season, when he hit 15 homers for the Smokies. The two long balls last week give him six in 2014, all off right-handed pitchers.

Midwest League

Jacob Rogers, Kane County

(.455/.500/1.091, 4 G, 5-for-11, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 0 K)

The Midwest League All-Star Game limited Kane County to just four games, but Rogers managed to pack a fair bit of offense into the short week. Four of his five hits went for extra bases as the Cougars took three of four games against visiting Cedar Rapids, and Rogers did not whiff in 11 at-bats. (He's fanned only once in his last 10 games.) Rogers, who turns 25 in August, is old for the Midwest League, but the 2012 40th-round pick is making the most of his opportunities.

Northwest League

Kyle Schwarber, Boise

(.600/.625/1.350, 5 G, 12-for-20, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 CS)

The fourth overall pick in this month's Draft, Kyle Schwarber will probably never play in the Northwest League again. But for the first five days of its 2014 season, he was undoubtedly the circuit's top offensive force, blasting four homers and driving in 10 runs. The catcher and outfielder went 3-for-4 with a go-ahead homer in his pro debut on Friday the 13th, added three hits and three RBIs the next day and slugged a pair of solo shots, along with a double, last Tuesday in what would be his Boise swan song. Joining Class A Kane County on Thursday, the 21-year-old Indiana product hit .417/.462/.750 in his first four Midwest League games, and could have been named that league's player of the week as well.

[fondybrewfan]

Schwarber, Rizzo, Bryant, Baez, Castro, etc - That is just a ton of offensive talent right there. Cubs organization is still lacking in pitching though

[TooLiveBrew]

Schwarber, Rizzo, Bryant, Baez, Castro, etc - That is just a ton of offensive talent right there. Cubs organization is still lacking in pitching though

It'll be interesting to see if they target some high-upside young arms in return for Samardzija either this trade deadline or the coming offseason

[TheCrew07]

Bryant hits fifth homer in sixth Triple-A start

I-Cubs third baseman cracks three-run shot in first to help beat 'Topes

[TheCrew07]

Cal notes: Reds' Silva sneaking under radar

After Blaze depleted by promotions, outfield prospect set to shine

[TheCrew07]

The complete rosters for archive purposes.

 

Bryant, Lindor head Futures Game rosters

US prospects to take on World standouts July 13 at Target Field

[TheCrew07]

Pipeline Perspectives: Reds have Minors' best rotation

Starting five for Double-A Pensacola loaded with potential future stars for Cincinnati

By Jonathan Mayo

 

Every Major League organization makes a strong effort to develop pitching from within. That pitching can be used to help out the big league club -- the Cardinals called up 2013 first-round pick Marco Gonzales this week to make his Major League debut -- or used in trades to make the club better.

 

Typically, even an organization that is rich in pitching has its arms spread throughout the system. Sometimes, though, the talent gets stacked up in one place, leading to an exciting prospect-laden rotation for one Minor League team.

 

That's what Jim Callis and I are tossing around in this week's Pipeline Perspectives: Which Minor League rotation do we believe is the most talented? Jim decided to champion the Astros' troubled yet extremely talented staff in Lancaster of the Class A Advanced California League.

 

While the Cincinnati Reds don't have quite as deep of a farm system as the Astros, I do think that their rotation in Double-A Pensacola trumps the JetHawks staff that Jim loves. The Blue Wahoos' starting five -- yes, that's the team's name -- doesn't have as many Top 100 prospects as Lancaster does, but all five starters are in the Reds' Top 20. You'd be hard-pressed to find another Minor League rotation that can claim that.

 

It all starts with Robert Stephenson, ranked No. 16 on the overall Top 100 list. The Reds' top prospect is headed to next month's Futures Game, and with good reason. I'd put him up against just about any right-handed pitching prospect in the game in terms of his electric pure stuff and upside. Stephenson's fastball-curveball combination is as good as it gets in the Minors, and his changeup gives him a third Major League-average-or-better offering. He misses a lot of bats -- 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings in his career -- and he profiles as a top-of-the-rotation type. And he's pitching all year in Double-A at age 21.

 

While Stephenson is the only Top 100 guy in Pensacola's rotation, there are plenty more intriguing arms. It wouldn't surprise me if Michael Lorenzen, Cincinnati's first-round pick from 2013, ends up on that list at some point. Lorenzen was a closer and center fielder at Cal State-Fullerton, and he is focusing on pitching full-time for the first time.

 

Lorenzen is also learning how to be a starter for the first time. You'd think the Reds would start him off slowly, and at a lower level, but no. Lorenzen showed he was ready for a challenge, and he's been up for it during his first full season. His 2.61 ERA is third-lowest in the Southern League. Lorenzen is not missing a lot of bats, but he is getting a lot of ground balls, with a 1.77 groundout-to-flyout ratio. Considering he's still learning how to be a starter and is developing a third pitch, you have to believe he has a lot of upside.

 

The one "weak" link in the rotation is Daniel Corcino, if only because he pitched at this level in 2012, then was in Triple-A a year ago, only to have to return to Double-A. Still, he's only 23, an age that would be acceptable at this level if he hadn't taken a step back.

 

Ben Lively recently joined Pensacola's rotation and had a bit of a rude introduction in his first start on Monday. But he's really put himself more firmly on the prospect map with his pitching in the California League, a hitter-friendly environment. At the time of his promotion, Lively led the Cal League in wins and strikeouts and was second in ERA. He joined Lorenzen as the second 2013 draftee (he was a fourth-rounder) in the Blue Wahoo's rotation.

 

Honestly, that quartet would be enough to make a good argument. But the staff goes five deep. Jon Moscot, No. 20 on Cincinnati's top prospects list, has kind of been flying under the radar with guys like Stephenson and Lorenzen as rotation-mates. But the 2012 fourth-rounder, who led the organization in strikeouts last year, has been pitching very well. His 2.82 ERA is fifth on the Southern League leaderboard, two spots behind Lorenzen.

 

What excites me, and should get Reds fans pumped up, is that this rotation is an outstanding mix of upside and production. All five starters are performing well, and the fact that they are doing so in Double-A bodes well for the future of the pitching staff in Cincinnati.

[TheCrew07]

The Baseballist: 10 Hitting Prospects Who Might Be Better Than You Think

June 25, 2014 by Matt Eddy

 

9. Jesse Winker, lf, Reds

SO/BB: 1.15. SO: 18.5%. BB: 16.1%.

 

First Half: .317/.426/.580 in 249 PA at high Class A Bakersfield.

 

At this point on the list, we begin to find hitters who edge toward a 20-percent strikeout rate, which works in the majors only if the player produces above-average power. Winker, a supplemental pick in 2012 out of high school in Orlando, is one such player. His short, simple stroke from the left side convinces scouts that he will deliver a high average and plus power down the line. The hitter-happy California League presented no problem—Winker won the all-star game home run derby ($) and ranked third in both on-base percentage and slugging—so the Reds bumped him to Double-A Pensacola for the second half.

[TheCrew07]

Way behind on news...

 

In-control Rodriguez crafts gem for Curve

Pirates' No. 18 prospect allows one hit over seven one-run innings

[TheCrew07]

Taveras compiles four hits for Redbirds

Cardinals' top prospect delivers array of singles in loss to Express

[TheCrew07]

Manny now 'being Manny' with I-Cubs

Player/coach sits in first half of twinbill, plays left field in nightcap

 

... But in his new role as player/coach, he also saw Javier Baez and Kris Bryant -- the Cubs' top prospects -- deliver strong performances....

[TheCrew07]

Schwarber adds two more homers to resume

Cubs' first-round Draft pick goes 4-for-5 with career-high five RBIs

[TheCrew07]

Prospect Hot Sheet (June 27): Blair Takes The Top Spot

 

3. Tyler Glasnow, rhp, Pirates

Team: high Class A Bradenton (Florida State)

Age: 20.

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 1.29, 6 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 SO

 

The Scoop: Glasnow allowed a run this week for the first time since his May 22 start, but that doesn’t diminish the most effective stretch of his career. The 6-foot-7 righty has gone 4-0, 0.49 in his past seven starts, allowing 15 hits in 37 innings and brandishing a 49-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Opponents have hit just .148 against Glasnow this season with seven extra-base hits (no homers), and, for perspective, Clayton Kershaw (.435) has a higher OPS in the majors this season than Florida State League righthanders (.432) do against the Pirates prospect.

5. Kyle Schwarber, c/lf, Cubs

Team: low Class A Kane County (Midwest)

Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .474/.565/.947 (9-for-19), 6 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 3 BB, 3 SO, 1-for-2 SB

 

The Scoop: Promoted to low Class A after just five games in the Northwest League, Schwarber has slowed down slightly, hitting “just” .455/.538/.864 at Kane County after posting an OPS of 1.975 at Boise. Chicago pegged the former Indiana catcher as the most advanced bat in the draft, taking him No. 4 overall, and hoped he could move quickly. The organization has said it eventually will move the lefty swinger out from behind the plate, but he has acquitted himself fine thus far, throwing out two runners on Wednesday.

11. Arismendy Alcantara, 2b, Cubs

Team: Triple-A Iowa (Pacific Coast)

Age: 22

Why He’s Here: .423/.467/.808 (11-for-26), 8 R, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 BB, 5 SO, 3-for-3 SB

 

The Scoop: Overshadowed in the organization and at Iowa by players such as Javier Baez and Kris Bryant, Alcantara has quietly had a great season. The switch-hitter has more power than his 5-foot-10 frame would suggest, with 40 extra-base hits this season, including 10 triples

13. Nick Kingham, rhp, Pirates

Team: Triple-A Indianapolis (International)

Age: 22

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 SO

 

The Scoop: Triple-A has not given Kingham any trouble. In three starts, he has a 0.44 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP, and the stuff matches the results. Kingham has a plus fastball at his best and a harder-than-ideal changeup that works because of its late fade. He’s not going to be a front-of-the-rotation starter, but that’s fine. The Pirates have a number of big arms in Pittsburgh or on the horizon, including Geritt Cole, Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow.

[TheCrew07]

Prospect Hot Sheet Chat (June 27) With Matt Eddy

 

Itto (PR): How much Albert Almora have fallen from the prospects list based on his recent struggles?

 

Matt Eddy: Outside of Kris Bryant’s heroics, it’s really been a rough year for a Cubs farm system that appeared to have impact talent and depth in the preseason. Righties C.J. Edwards and PIerce Johnson have been injured, and so has right fielder Jorge Soler. Meanwhile, Javier Baez and Albert Almora have given flat performances with terrible SO/BB ratios. As to Almora’s rebound potential … he’s obviously not this bad, but he’s not a tools monster, so I wouldn’t expect a miracle in the second half. He could regroup in the offseason and come back strong in 2015, but he’s always been more skill than raw ability.

Buccosmfg (Miami): What can we make of Jed Bradley's reappearance in the prospect scene? Is there still something there or is this just a dead cat bounce.

 

Matt Eddy: I looked at Bradley for the Hot Sheet, but we had enough other strong candidates with longer track records. The interesting thing about Bradley’s profile is that he has become an extreme groundball pitcher this year, with a 3.1 G/F ratio that ranks fifth in the minors (though it has shrunk to 2.3 through five Double-A starts). That sort of pitching style can work if a pitcher has plus control (which he has not so far at Huntsville). In the end I’d say hold on Bradley and check back next year, but he’s no longer a automatic bust.

Tim (Sarasota): Hello Matt, Despite all the hype around Javier Baez isn't Alcantara the logical call up to take over for Darwin Barney? What are the chances that Alcantara can stay at the cornerstone with Baez moving to 3rd and Bryant to LF.

 

Matt Eddy: Yes, Alcantara is more big league-ready than Baez right now, plus he’s already on the 40-man roster. If you’re wagering money, then Alcantara is the smart play. I wouldn’t necessarily give up on Bryant at third base. He’s a better athlete than generally given credit for, and that combined with some of Baez’s over-aggressiveness could mean a shift to LF for him instead of Bryant.

[TheCrew07]

Offensive Players of the Week

For the week ending June 29

 

Pacific Coast League

Arismendy Alcantara, Iowa

(.517/.516/.862, 7 G, 15-for-29, 4 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 SB)

As if the Iowa offense wasn't already getting more dangerous with the recent additions of Kris Bryant and Manny Ramirez, Alcantara had to go and break out with a big week at the plate. He had at least one hit in all seven games he played and had two or more in seven of those contests, including a game in which he went 4-for-6 with a homer, four RBIs and three runs scored against Colorado Springs on Friday. The Cubs' No. 6 prospect has never batted higher than .302 and has only put up an OPS of higher than .800 once in his previous five Minor League seasons. Those stats stand at .305 and .892 through 79 games with the I-Cubs.

Florida State League

Orlando Arcia, Brevard County

(.485/.485/.909, 7 G, 16-for-33, 6 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 8 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 SB)

The 19-year-old shortstop earns higher marks for his glove and arm than his offensive tools, but you wouldn't know that based on his last week alone. He doubled in four straight games to end the week and added his second and third homers of the season on Friday and Saturday for good measure. In terms of the season on the whole, he's proven plenty serviceable at the plate with a .286/.341/.414 line with 20 two-baggers, tied for third-most in the FSL.

Midwest League

Kyle Schwarber, Kane County

(.409/.536/.955, 6 G, 9-for-22, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 5 BB, 6 K, 1 SB, 1 CS)

After going 12-for-20 with six extra-base hits in five games at Class A Short Season Boise, this year's fourth overall pick was moved to Class A Kane County, where it was expected he'd at least be a little more tested. Guess not. In 10 games with the Cougars, Schwarber is 14-for-34 (.412) with four homers, four doubles and nine RBIs. "I'm just glad that I'm producing for the team," Schwarber told MiLB.com. "I want to be a team guy and help this team continue our confidence going towards the playoffs."

 

And a former Brewer...

 

Pioneer League

Renaldo Jenkins, Grand Junction

(.429/.455/.810, 5 G, 9-for-21, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB, 1 CS)

Jenkins signed with the Rockies during the spring after spending three seasons in the Brewers system and is making a solid first impression with Grand Junction. He had two hits in each of his final four games last week and in six of his first eight games with the Rockies. Through eight games, he is 14-for-31 (.452) with a homer, a triple, four doubles, three RBIs and three steals.

[TheCrew07]

Pitchers of the Week

For the week ending June 29

 

Southern League

Dae-Eun Rhee, Tennessee

(2-0, 1.42 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12 2/3 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 HBP, 3 BB, 13 K)

This is the third straight season based primarily out of Tennessee for the 25-year-old right-hander, and by any measure, it's been his best. That's been on perfect display in the second half of the Southern League season, in which he is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in three starts. That statement was also punctuated perfectly by his outing Sunday against Montgomery, when he allowed one run on seven hits and struck out a season-high 10 over seven frames. Rhee is 5-3 with a 3.10 ERA but hasn't been able to rack up the K's in bunches outside that gem; he has 59 punchouts in 98 2/3 innings.

 

Former Brewer...

 

Carolina League

Cody Scarpetta, Lynchburg

(1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 1 HBP, 1 BB, 7 K)

There was no doubt that this was going to a Lynchburg pitcher after the Hillcats turned in back-to-back no-hitters Thursday and Friday against Wilmington. Scarpetta's role in Friday's gem comes with quite the back story, too. The 25-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2012 season due to Tommy John surgery and was then released by the Brewers last offseason. He only latched onto a spot the Braves system after pitching in an independent baseball in Pennsylvania, and in his third start with Lynchburg, he tossed seven innings of a no-hitter. "It's been a long road, it's been a journey," Scarpetta told MiLB.com. "And it's very gratifying." The right-hander has allow

Midwest League

Daury Torrez, Kane County

(1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB, 7 K)

Not a bad week to be a Kane County Cougar as Torrez combines with teammate Kyle Schwarber to sweep the Midwest League honors this week. The 21-year-old right-hander tied season highs in both innings pitched and strikeouts with his gem against Wisconsin on Thursday. He's shown remarkable control of late, walking only one batter in four June starts (24 innings). His 1.5 BB/9 rate this season ranks fourth among Midwest League hurlers.

[TheCrew07]

Baseball America Prospect Report (July 1)

 

PITCHER OF THE DAY: Rob Kaminsky, lhp — low Class A Peoria (Cardinals)

 

The New Jersey lefty, bought out of a UNC commitment last year, was ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 9 prospect entering the season and their third-best lefthander, a testament to the Cardinals’ drafting and development. On Monday, the 19-year-old blanked Quad Cities on three hits over seven innings. For the season, he’s 4-1, 1.26 with a 47-12 strikeout-to-walk mark in 50 innings. Kaminsky’s made only nine starts as the organization kept him back in extended spring training, a decision that seems to have worked out fine.

[TheCrew07]

Bryant's slam, Ramirez's blast pace I-Cubs

Club's No. 2 prospect slugs one, player/coach adds his first with Iowa

[TheCrew07]

Kaminsky hurls seven scoreless frames

No. 3 Cardinals prospect scatters three hits in longest start for Chiefs

[TooLiveBrew]

Seth, I realize I've probably already posted something similar, but you rock. The commitment to updating this thread (& the BA/Draft stuff too) is off the charts. Well, and the L.R. too, but yeah.

 

I love this thread.

[TheCrew07]

Ask BA: Who Gets To Chicago First, Bryant or Baez?

July 2, 2014 by J.J. Cooper

[TheCrew07]

Bryant, Berrios named Pipeline Prospects of Month

Cubs third baseman hits 11 homers; Twins lefty 4-1 with 1.54 ERA, 53 K's

[TheCrew07]

Baseball America Prospect Report (July 3)

 

PITCHER OF THE DAY: Pierce Johnson, rhp — Double-A Tennessee (Cubs)

 

Johnson, who missed two months with a hamstring injury and then a calf injury, has returned with a mission. The Cubs’ No. 6 prospect entering the season dominated Wednesday in his first Double-A start since May 19, allowing one hit over a career-high 7 1/3 innings in a 7-0 win over Montgomery. Johnson, who’s had an issue with walks this season—29 in 45 IP—walked only two Wednesday.

[TheCrew07]

Johnson dominates in Smokies' return

No. 7 Cubs prospect stronger than ever over 7 1/3 one-hit innings