COURTESY OF PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS.
Another day, another butt load of games and minor league standouts to focus on. The first question we got after publishing installment one was “Are you going to do this everyday?” The answer is simple; we’ll try! Once games get going in my coverage area and I’m at the park multiple times a week it might be tough. We’ll try to keep up the cadence of daily, but I make no promises! Anyway, the breakfast burrito is warm and I’m deleting all mentions of Wander Franco’s launch angle until he has a 50% groundball rate and twitter decides we were right again. Those are the rules boys, I don’t make them.
Blake Rutherford, OF CWS (Triple-A) 2-for-5, R, RBI, 2B
Is this going to be a nightly thing with Rutherford? This one is from the prospect graveyard as he’s now 24, but there’s certainly opportunities for any competent outfielder on the South Side.
Gavin Sheets, OF CWS (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 2B
Once again; there’s certainly opportunities for any competent outfielder on the South Side. Sheets on the sheeeet for the second day in a row. He owns it!
Edward Olivares, OF KC (Triple-A) 3-for-3, R, RBI, BB, SB
While not technically a prospect, Olivares is still worth a write up. There’s a ton of skills here and he has some sneaky pop.
Trevor Larnach, OF MIN (Triple-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
We’ve been in on the former Oregon State outfielder for awhile. He has pop in the bat and has flashed good on base skills. There’s still a fair amount of swing and miss - he struck out three times in this game - but I wouldn’t say there’s contact issues per se.
Brent Rooker, OF MIN (Triple-A) 2-for-5, HR
Another power hitting corner bat only a call away from the majors. I like Larnach more across the board but it’s a similar profile in many ways. Rooker has big thump dating back to his days at Mississippi State.
Jahmai Jones, 2B BAL (Triple-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
We got a question about Jones in the watch party last week and I hadn’t seen the Norfolk game. He didn’t do much on Tuesday but he did on Wednesday. There’s some pop in the bat and he’s athletic. Baltimore took a shot on the once highly touted infielder and it might pay off.
Tyler Nevin, OF BAL (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
On back to back nights Nevin goes yard. Is he back? I wouldn’t say that quite yet. Nevin has a fair amount of trust to build back up. Another prospect that struggled Baltimore took a shot on.
Jesus Sanchez, OF MIA (Triple-A) 5-for-5, HR, 3B, 4 RBI
Hit an absolute shot! Another guy that homered on back to back games. There’s a strong chance Sanchez isn’t in the minors for long as he’s already debuted. Still an interesting bat for the reasons I stated yesterday. Flatter attack angle with power will eat high fastballs.
Lewin Diaz, 1B MIA (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 3 R, HR, 4 RBI
Second game in a row with a Lewin bomb. The first baseman didn’t get much of an opportunity with Miami last year, but he’s making sure he sticks in their long term plans by hitting for power and keeping the plate skills going.
Owen Miller, 2B CLE (Triple-A) 3-for-4, R, 2B
Guys like Miller aren’t supposed to keep hitting. It’s supposed to stop at some point. But it hasn’t and it may not. He’s limited defensively but there might be enough bat to carve out a role as an offensive second baseman.
Bobby Bradley, 1B CLE (Triple-A) 0-for-4, 3K
Bradley is hitless to begin the young season, and the first base job in Cleveland seems to be his with Jake Bauers doing Jake Bauers things, but I’d imagine he will have to show some signs of life before they hand him the keys to the roster spot.
Spencer Howard, RHP PHI (Triple-A) 2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K
A scoreless pair of innings for Howard, not sure how long until he’s back up, or if they plan to stretch him out more. But it was typical Howard in this outing. Some questionable command and big stuff. More consistency is needed for Howard to meet expectations.
Vidal Brujan, OF TB (Triple-A) 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, BB, SB
The slam and legs for the Rays future centerfielder. Someone compared Brujan to Mookie Betts years ago, and it was sort of there if you squinted. He’s now in centerfield, a perfect position for his speed and quick twitch, and he hit a piss missile off of Miles Mikolas. That will play. At some point in the not too distant future Kevin Kiermaier will run into a wall or a tank full of Rays or a teammate and he’ll be out for 4 to 6 weeks. Brujan will come up and Wally Pipp him. Book it!
Wander Franco, SS TB (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Between Brujan and Franco the Bulls might have a better top of the order than a handful of MLB teams. Franco’s homer was off of a lefty (he’s switch don’t forget) and it was a shot off a hanging curveball. He’s confirmed #Good.
Joe Ryan, RHP TB (Triple-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 9 K
Had a no hitter through four, but allowed a pair of hits in the fifth, he forced a groundball from NC State legend Evan Mendoza to get out of the inning on a 6-4-3. Ryan has a high efficiency fastball that gets a ton of ride high in the zone. Clean operation and he looks the part with an average curveball, feel for a changeup and a cutter.
Dom Fletcher, OF ARI (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR
The younger brother of David Fletcher, was a standout at Arkansas and Matt Thompson was a fan when he caught him at Kane County. He’s a heady player with solid supporting skills. If the power shows this year he has a shot to make it as a second division regular.
Michael Busch, 2B LAD (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Bussssccchhh! Arguably the top bat in the Dodgers strong system, the former Tar Heel got on the board early with a three run bomb. We know Busch can hit, the question here is the defense at second base but if he’s a 40-glove that bat is good enough to get him everyday playing time.
Ryan Noda, DH LAD (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR
The Dodgers are making this look too easy. They got Noda as the second player to be named later (with Kendall Williams) for Ross Stripling, and he’s still hitting for power and striking out too much, but the Dodgers have done more with less. He’s a power bat to put on your watch list at this point.
C.J. Abrams, SS SD (Double-A) 1-for-3, BB, 2 SB
The 6th overall pick in the 2019 draft has just 150 professional at bats to his name and he just turned 20 in October but he looks anything but lost in double-A thus far. He can impact the game in a variety of ways with freakish twitch and the ability to impact the baseball. He’ll add strength in the coming years and could develop into one of the best players in the game. This is what it looks like.
Pedro Leon, SS HOU (Double-A) 0-for-4, 3Ks
Two games, two starts at shortstop and in the leadoff spot. Has nothing to show for it as of now but he’s certainly one of the more interesting names to track.
Max Meyer, RHP MIA (Double-A) 5 IP, H, BB, 5 K
In his professional debut My Man Max tossed five scoreless across 65 pitches landing 42 for strikes. He was landing his yakker of a slider at 88-89 and used his fastball effectively to drive groundballs. He looked the part and the slider looked just as good as it did against Big Ten hitters.
J.J. Bleday, OF MIA (Double-A) 2-for-3, RBI, BB
It was good to see Bleday in game and hitting Double-A pitching. I’m a big believer in the bat and believe he could be a star. Had four good at bats throughout the game and gave little to nothing away at the plate.
Reid Detmers, LHP LAA (Double-A) 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K, HR allowed
Not a great first outing for Detmers, he was up to 95 mph per Chris Blessing. I’m not going to steal his thunder, I'll let him tell it.
Hunter Greene, RHP CIN (Double-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 8 K
Greene was unbelievable in this outing, throwing 37 fastballs 100mph or better with zero walks. Our friend Chris Blessing was at the game and has you covered.
Riley Greene, OF DET (DET) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, BB
Is this the only thing the Tigers can’t break? Think about the fortitude it takes to not be destroyed by the Tigers? In all seriousness Greene is another top prep talent from 2019 pushing his way up to the bigs. All areas of his game have improved over the last few seasons. There’s advanced approach, feel to hit, power, and he’s been starting in center. This is a star in the making.
Christopher Morel, OF, CHC (Double-A) 1-4, 3B
Not a typo. Morel played centerfield for the Smokies. His plus athleticism was on display with that triple, but the bigger story is his new position. If he can prove to be adequate in centerfield he could see Wrigley before the end of the year
Shane Baz, RHP TB (Double-A) 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Baz was unhittable during his Double-A debut, going four hitless innings with four strikeouts. Threw 54 pitches with 34 strikes. Still has the big fastball and breaking ball but needs a third pitch to solidify himself as a starter.
Heliot Ramos, OF SF (Double-A) 2-for-5, HR
Ramos is off to a nice start and is proving that the assignment to Richmond might have been too conservative for him. Ramos is already on the 40-man and could see time in San Francisco later this season if he hits like we think he can.
Tyler Freeman, SS CLE (Double-A) 0-for-3, BB, 3 Ks
Had to post this, I’d bet it’s the first time Freeman has struck out three times in a game in pro ball, and maybe even ever.
Adley Rutschman, 1B BAL (Double-A) 1-for-4, RBI
Nothing too notable about the line here, but Adley gets his first Double-A knock. Was interesting that he played some first today, but I wouldn’t look anything into it.
Jonathan Bowlan, RHP KC (Double-A) 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K
Bowlan with a very strong Double-A debut for the pitching-rich Royals. Bowlan is a big man but he was pumping strikes and hitters couldn’t touch his sweeping breaking ball and up in the zone heat. Put him on your watch list for now, but don’t expect to see him in the KC this year due to all the depth ahead of him.
Matt Wallner, OF MIN (High-A) 3-for-4, 2 HR, 6 RBI
A huge night for Wallner crushing two big flies and beating up on Chiefs pitching. Wallner’s second homer had an EV of 107 off the bat. He should be in Double-A fairly soon.
Garrett Mitchell, OF MIL (High-A) 2-for-2
He’s at it again! Mitchell’s stat line is a bit deceiving as he did it the hard way, beating out two infield singles. He did leave the game due a leg injury, so that is something to monitor.
Jay Groome, LHP BOS (High-A) 2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Groome threw 55 pitches, and 34 landed for strikes. It’s good to see the 2016 first rounder get back on the mound. While not a particularly memorable outing Groome looks to be finally healthy and ready to go.
Spencer Torkelson, 3B DET (High-A) 1-for-4, 3K
Torkelson got his first professional hit out of the way and made an athletic play towards the foul line at third base. That’s the good. The bad is that’s now six strikeouts in eight plate appearances, after a whiff filled spring. You worried yet?
Dillon Dingler, C DET (High-A) 2-for-4, HR
Dingler is one of the more athletic catchers in pro ball, it stands out when you watch him in the box. He went big fly tonight and is going to make some teams regret not taking him in the first round. If not for the shortened season he might have played his way into the middle of the first round.
Asa Lacy, LHP, KC (High-A) 2 ⅓ IP, 1 H, 4 R, 5 BB, 5 K
The number four pick in the 2020 draft was making his professional debut. He battled with his command and worked in deep counts all night. The fastball was 93-95, but the breaking ball was filthy and he leaned on it hard to put hitters away.
Brandon Lockridge, OF NYY (High-A) 4-for-5, 3B, 2B
Lockridge gets buried in a system with as much depth as the Yankees have, but he has a chance to be a second division regular with fringe offensive skills. He’s a plus defender in center with double plus wheels and they were on display tonight.
Logan Allen, LHP, CLE (High-A) 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Allen was making his professional debut and made things difficult on the Lansing bats. Our man James Weisser was on the scene:
Tahnaj Thomas, RHP PIT (High-A) 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K
Thomas had it working today showing excellent command and missing some bats.An exciting arm for the Pirates that has been in the triple digits in the past..
Liover Peguero, SS PIT (High-A) 2-for-5 1 HR, 1 SB
Peguero does it again, second homer in as many nights. The prize of the Starling Marte deal, Peguero should fit in the backend of most top 100 lists due to his power projection and ability to stick at short. He’s a high energy player and is a joy to watch.
Nick Gonzales, 2B PIT (High-A) 2-for-4 1 HR
Gonzales left the yard for the first time in his professional career, and this Greensboro club should be where most of the focus is for Pirates fans going forward. Not many middle infields have this much fire power.
Zach DeLoach, OF SEA (High-A) 2-for-3, HR, 2 BBs
DeLoach left the yard for his first time as a professional, with a towering homer to right center. His strong plate skills and average power should make him an everyday player on a corner.
Michael Toglia, 1B COL (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
Second tank in as many days, I’m expecting to see Toglia in Hartford by mid-late July. It’s been a few summers since I last saw Toglia. I was younger then, I was thinner, I didn’t know what coronavirus was. Toglia was coming up to his draft year and was a long, lean, switch-hitting outfielder with power.
Chris McMahon, RHP COL (High-A) 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K
I (Geoff) like Chris McMahon a lot. The fact that he’s a Rockies pitching prospect however makes it difficult to be optimistic about his future. McMahon features a mid-90s fastball that ive seen as high as 97 mph, with an above-average slider, and a changeup that will flash plus shape. If he’s with literally any other organization I’m likely beating the drum for him as a top 150 prospect. But it’s the Rockies and I’m just hoping he gets traded.
Jordyn Adams, OF LAA (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 3B
Oh “Fetch” is happening after all. Hits a three run homer and a triple in the same game, immediately shuts me up. Matt loved Adams when he saw him in the Midwest League. Tons of tools, tons of projections, tons of swag. Easy to be in on Adams if he hits. The last part still makes me nervous.
Zac Veen, OF COL (Low-A) 0-for-3, 3 K, BB, 2 SB
Veen was a standout for me during the prep showcase circuit, and was drafted in the top ten by the Rockies. He hasn’t registered that first knock yet but he showed off his wheels by stealing second and third during his only time on base.
Blake Walston, LHP ARI (Low-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 7 K
The 2019 first rounder has so much hype around him he seems almost mythical to this point, but the lefty made his season debut and showed that bat missing stuff. No video feed available for his start, will be a priority look of mine when it’s available.
A.J. Vukovich, 3B ARI (Low-A) 1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI
A personal favorite of mine, Vukovich is an underrated athlete with monster raw power. People drool over Blaze Jordan but I’ll take Vukovich ten out of ten times.
Mick Abel, RHP PHI (Low-A) 2 ⅓ IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Abel and Meyer were the two professional debuts I was most waiting to see from this past draft, and while Meyer was dominating, Abel flashed elite stuff but wasn’t able to sustain it. Abel threw 48 pitches total, 38 of them his 4-seam fastball. The fastball topped out at 98.5 MPH and 2700 RPMs while showing impressive movement metrics. It’s an impressive pitch that was missing bats. He averaged just under 96 with the heater while also displaying a slider, changeup and curveball. Abel has loud stuff and number two starter upside.
Jared Kelley, RHP CWS (Low-A) ⅔ IP 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Kelley’s pro debut didn’t go as planned as the beefy righty was limited to 35 pitches, 19 strikes. Reports say he was sitting 94-97 with the fastball, but was battling command and control all night long. No need to panic yet, the stuff still looked lively.
Pat DeMarco, OF NYY (Low-A) 2-for-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB
The least well known prospect on this recap, DeMarco had a monster night for the Tampa Tarpons as he led the charge for them on their way to 19 runs. DeMarco was the Yankees 17th round pick in 2019 out of Vanderbilt. Both homers were 103 MPH off the bat
Trevor Hauver, 2B NYY (Low-A) 2-for-2, HR, 3 R, 2 BB
Two games, three homers already for Hauver. The second baseman has been crushing the ball so far in 2021.
Daniel Espino, RHP CLE (Low-A) 3 ⅔ IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 6 K
Espino, sporting a noticeably shorter arm action, made his season debut and settled down after a shaky opening frame. He bullied hitters with his three pitch mix. He’s an arm to keep an eye on.
Eddy Yean, RHP PIT (Low-A) ⅓ IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Disappointing start of the 2020 season for Yean, as his command completely and totally abandoned him today. He sat 94-96 during this outing with a slider that averaged 87 and touched 90. Other than that throw this tape out. Yean was acquired from the Nationals this winter.
Dax Fulton, LHP MIA (Low-A) 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Fulton was making his first start since TJ surgery so don’t get too worried about the results at all here, it's just good to see the lefty back on the mound again. His 4-seamer topped out at 93 and sat at 91 in this outing and he leaned heavily on his curveball. Fulton didn’t generate many whiffs, just three in 68 pitches, but again, it’s his first start back.
Cole Wilcox, RHP TB (Low-A) 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Hell of a first outing for Wilcox, and he lived 93-96 with the fastball today that looked to have good sink. Also throws a slider and a changeup. Was limited to 47 pitches but threw 37 strikes. Very dominant debut.
Allan Cerda, OF CIN (Low-A) 3-for-5, 2 R, 3B, 2B
Cerda has been hitting fourth and playing centerfield for the Tortugas, and Cerda has also been their best offensive player. He homered in the first game of the year and then followed it up with a pair of extra base knocks. His triple traveled 105.9 MPH and was the hardest hit ball of the game. Cerda is off to a very nice start. Put him on your watch list.