We’re less than a week out from a full month of minor league play and Geoff, Matt, and Rhys are still as crazy as ever. Sit back, and feast your eyes as they proceed to run you through all of Minor League Baseball’s top stars for June 1st, 2021.
Kevin Smith, SS TOR (Triple-A) 3-for-4, RBI, R
I didn’t love Clerks. It’s okay, but it’s one of those movies where the dialogue is too off from the way normal people talk. Oh, and Smith is a utility guy with some pop, but likely not an everyday regular.
Wander Franco, SS TB (Triple-A) 4-for-5, 3 RBI, R
Going through the MiLB leaders in wRC+ for players under 21 years of age Franco sticks out. There’s three players playing above the A-ball level in the top 30, Riley Greene and C.J. Abrams, both in Double-A and Franco in Triple-A. At times it’s easy to forget how remarkable his season has been for a 20 year old in the highest level of the minors.
Marcus Wilson, OF BOS (Triple-A) 1–for-3, HR, BB
With an .895 OPS, four home runs, and five steals, Wilson has been solid. There’s a power and speed combination that should work for Wilson as a bench or platoon outfielder eventually, but he’s unlikely to ever develop into a full time regular.
Carter Kieboom, 3B WAS (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
How the mighty have fallen. Good game for Kieboom but he’s hitting just .214 in Triple-A through the first month. What are we to think at this point? The shine is off of Kieboom and you have to wonder if he’s even a second division regular based on his play over the last 24 months.
Ryan Vilade, OF COL (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR
His first home run of the season, as he looks to show some power to go along with his strong bat to ball skills. Vilade makes a ton of contact and puts together good at bats. Since moving to the outfield the onus is in the bat to push the profile. So far he’s been solid but has lacked explosiveness. Hopefully this is a departure from the singles hitter he’s been.
Jo Adell, OF LAA (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR
The minor league leader in home runs, as we’ve said ad nauseam over the last month, he’s hitting for power, but striking out way too much.
Curtis Terry, 1B TEX (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
Big man keeps hitting, and he’s doing it for the #MassiveHuman set. I’m not sure he’s an everyday player or anything more than an up and down guy, but with that power he’s got a shot to be Christian Walker or Dan Vogelbach. Which isn’t altogether a bad outcome for him.
Drew Waters, OF ATL (Triple-A) 2-for-5
I appreciate the multi-hit game for Waters, but I want some fireworks. He had a little hot streak a couple of weeks back where he went 7-for-10 with two homers over a pair of games, before going cold for the next eight. He’s now had multi-hit performances in back to back contests.
Gavin Sheets, 1B CWS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, R
There’s a budding rivalry between Gavin Sheets and Nick Pratto. The latter “owns” the sheet, while the former sees it as his birthright. They’re both on the sheet today, let's sit back and watch them battle it out.
Cal Raleigh, C SEA (Triple-A) 3-for-5, RBI, R
He now has a 14 game hit streak. At this point he may never get called up, maybe they want him to try and go for the minor league hot streak record. I mean, Francisco Mejia almost did it!
Tim Cate, LHP WAS (Double-A) 6.2 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K
Everything Tim Cate knows he learned from playing against Trevor Hooth in high school. This is factual information, don’t fight it. Cate is a lefty with a plus curveball and not much else. His fastball is easy to barrel and he’s not an elite strike thrower. I think his stuff can eventually play in short stints out of the pen, but that remains to be seen. If he can get his fastball back into the 93-96 mph range it flashed during Collegiate National team appearances in his pre-draft summer he could work in higher leverage situations.
Roansy Contreras, RHP PIT (Double-A) 6 IP, 4 R, 8 K
One of the stars over the first month of the 2021 season Contreras has flashed his four-pitch mix, highlighted by his plus fast. His pitch mix features great shape and his fastball command is above-average. There’s been questions around Contreras remaining a starter but I think that’s just conventional thought based around his height. He employs multiple 55+ pitches and has had no issues getting deeper into games.
Tyler Freeman, SS CLE (Double-A) 2-for-5
Now slashing .372/.432/.500, so the power still hasn’t shown up the way we anticipated. BUT, he’s hitting .372, why are we complaining? This is Nick Madrigal where he can’t squint and see power projection. It’s definitely there and Freeman’s 86% contact rate is elite. A legit 70 hit guy from my perspective.
Bo Naylor, C CLE (Double-A) 2-for-4
Man, I had the most glowing reports this off-season from Cleveland org guys. Multiple points of contact even ranked him as high as one among their prospects. Double-A was an aggressive assignment but he’s been pretty putrid, rocking a 50 wRC+ after the first month.
Riley Greene, OF DET (Double-A) 1-for-5, HR
It may not always be as loud as a homer, but Riley Greene does something good at the plate or in the field every damn game. What he’s doing is incredibly impressive for a 20 year old in double-A and he should be discussed among the top ten prospects in the game every time.
Dermis Garcia, 1B NYY (Double-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR
Mr. Skin keeps banging! He’s up to nine home runs on the season with a 10.3% walk rate. Now the bad, he’s striking out damn near 40% of the time. That’s a dealbreaker ladies! On the other hand, all nine homers have come over the past 15 games and ages slashing .293/.333/.793 over that time frame. His K-rate is slightly better over that period at 33%. Three true outcomes for Dermis.
Donny Sands, C NYY (Double-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR
This could be the name of any character in any mob movie that involves Las Vegas.
JP Sears, LHP NYY (Double-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 10 K
I viewed Sears as a relief only prospect with the ability to miss bats in bunches. Yesterday was his first start of the season and he dominated Reading. He’s now gone 9.2 IP over his last two starts striking out 18, walking none, while allowing just a single earned run to cross the plate. His deceptive delivery and low release height allow his fastball to play above his velocity and he throws strikes. I’m very intrigued to see where this goes. All the makings of an older prospect breaking out in the high minors.
Johnny Rizer, OF BAL (Double-A) 3-for-5, RBI, 2 R, SB
I’m going to see Rizer tonight and folks within the organization have raved about him. Not a star but a major leaguer that can fill a bunch of roles in the outfield. More on him coming, let the eyes tell it.
Joseph Ortiz, DH BAL (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR
Another player the Baltimore organization is high on. He added 20 lbs of good weight and has been productive in the early going. He’s running a 90% contact rate at this point. Watch list this guy.
Cameron Bishop, LHP BAL (Double-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 12 K
Oh hey, look at that Baltimore has another starter worth paying attention too. He’s missed a ton of bats this season but he’s been a bit unlucky on balls in play. Watch list him and let’s all hone in on his next start.
Hunter Brown, RHP HOU (Double-A) 3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
In the off-season I touted Brown as a potential breakout in 2021. So far that prediction has been a car crash.
Kyle Tyler, RHP LAA (Double-A) 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 7 K
The Angels righthander has been an absolute machine over his first five starts, boasting a 2.15 ERA over that time with 30 strikeouts to 7 walks over that time frame. I have not yet taken in a Tyler start but it’s on my to do list this weekend.
J.J. Bleday, OF MIA (Double-A) 2-for-3, R, BB
Hey, Bleday did something! This is multiple good games over the last week but it’s been relatively punchless. Where’s the boom-boom J.J.?
Jake Eder, LHP MIA (Double-A) 4.2 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 8 K
The storybook season continues for Eder as this was another strong turn for the 2020 draft pick out of Vanderbilt. The question I ask today is this; If the 2020 draft was re-drafted today does Eder go in the top 20 picks? He might…
Ethan Small, LHP MIL (Double-A) 5 IP, H, 4 BB, 11 K
An absolutely dominant start for Small, on the heels of a strong start last Wednesday. He lives off great fastball shape and deception, as the strike throwing is below average. If there’s any organization that can mold this off-beat profile into a legitimate mid-rotation starter it’s Milwaukee. At worst, Small has a multi-inning relief floor that could be dominant in shorter stints.
Garrett Whitley, OF TB (Double-A) 2-for-3, RBI, R, BB, 2 SB
Every season I forget about Garrett Whitley, and then at some point I look at the numbers and say “Oh damn, he’s actually been good”. This happened last night when I noticed Whitley was slashing .268/.423/.518. The former 13th overall pick in 2015, is 24, but still has a shot to carve out a second division regular role.
Nolan Gorman, 2B STL (Double-A) 2-for-5, R
I like the old Nolan Gorman that struck out and hit tanks. This version hits for average and lacks significant power. If only the two versions could marry each other, and combine abilities. Now we’re cooking with gas!
Ivan Herrera, C STL (Double-A) 2-for-3, RBI, 3 R, BB
For a week now opposing pitching can’t get Herrera out. He’s hitting .500/.607/.682 over the last six games with ten runs scored. One of the better catching prospects in the game.
Nick Pratto, 1B KC (Double-A) 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB
He owns the sheet until further notice, probably a bit of a stretch to include him in this mix, but he’s currently your wRC+ leader in the minors for any player 23 or younger.
Alex Destino, OF CWS (HIgh-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Who? Welp, that's what I asked when looking through what happened this past evening and came across Destino’s statline for the evening. He’s a 25 year old former 14th round pick out of the University of South Cackalacky. Normally I don’t go out of my way to include players like this but when you hit two homers in a game I will make room for you on this.
Brett Baty, 3B NYM (High-A) 3-for-4, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Once called Freddie Freeman with power by MLB Draft savant Harold Reynolds, the Mets farmhand has plus power but there are some hit tool concerns. He’s part of this exciting trio of prospects that the Mets have in Brooklyn who all make the sheet today.
Ronny Mauricio, SS NYM (High-A) 1-for-5, 1 3B, 1 R, 3 RBI
RONNY! He must have felt left out watching his prospect compatriots hit homers so he grabbed himself a three-bagger. Big-framed shortstop with some projection left on his frame, and if he can make a swing adjustment he
Francisco Alvarez, C NYM (High-A) 1-for-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI
Alvarez with his first homer since being promoted to High-A. The 19 year old absolutely smashed Low-A on his way to a quick promotion. Finding a catcher who can stick at the position and hit the way Alvarez has shown he can to this point doesn’t grow on trees.
Christian Koss, SS BOS (HIgh-A) 2-for-4, 1 2B, 2 R
Contact oriented middle infielder, who is almost assuredly moving to second but he has shown he might be able to hit enough to profile there.
Tyreque Reed, 1B BOS (High-A) 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 3B, 1 R, 3 RBI
Big boi who just continues to mash. He’s been a nice little minor league pick up for the Red Sox, I am still not sure what to think of him but he’s a 1B/DH who is mashing.
Jordan Westburg, SS BAL (High-A) 1-for-3, 1 2B, 3 RBI
Not a bad debut for Westburg as he begins to make his way in High-A. Westburg is a big-bodied shortstop who has shown off the tools to start the season. He has hit well, I was wondering why they didn’t start him at High-A to start.
J.D. Mundy, DH BAL (High-A) 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
Matt told me to keep an eye on Mundy because he can mash, and well he did mash this past evening. The J.D. stands for Just Dongs.
Jonathan Ornelas, SS TEX (High-A) 1-for-3, 2 SB
Former third round pick who hasn’t been hitting well to start the season, but he grabbed himself two stolen bases. He used to have a little bit of prospect shine that has gone away.
Ricky DeVito, RHP ATL (High-A) 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Son of Danny DeVito, he’s not but how cool would that be. The former 8th round pick has been up and down to start his first full season. This was a shorter outing for the former Seton Hall Pirate but 6 punchouts in 3 innings is fun.
Evan McKendry, RHP TB (High-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Tampa Bay pitching prospects are hard to evaluate because Tampa knows for them to be effective they have to get creative with the way they deploy their pitchers and that extends to the minor leagues as well. McKendry has been moved from the bullpen to a starting role with moderate success this season, being used as a multi-inning reliever early in the season. He pitched well in his second start and the way Tampa deploys him going forward will be worth monitoring.
Greg Jones, SS TB (High-A) 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 SB
In one of the more bizarre statlines of the evening, Greg Jones showed how he can impact a game even without officially collecting a hit. Speed doesn’t slump, or so they say. Old Greg
Niko Hulsizer, OF TB (High-A) 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
If I could go out and party with any player in all of the minor leagues, Niko would be a leading contender. Peep the milb picture of him, the blue dreads is a vibe.
Griffin Conine, OF MIA (High-A) 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI
Jeff’s son just continues to hit for power, he’s on a hot streak of sorts, this doesn’t curve the hit tool concerns I have. But everyone digs the long ball.
Andy Pages, OF LAD (HIgh-A) 2-for-5, 1 HR, 1 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Men fear him, women want to be with him. I mean where do we even start with Andy Pages? After a slow start Pages has been en fuego, he just can’t be stopped. He must be keeping opposing pitchers up at night with the way he has started to hit and hit for power. One of the more exciting prospects in all of High-A with his power potential.
Dillon Dingler, C DET (High-A) 3-for-4, 2 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI
At this point what can’t Dingler do, He’s hitting, showing power, gunning down opposing base runners and looking really cool while doing it. His only real flaw is that he went to Ohio State, but we can look past that for now.
Trey Cabbage, OF MIN (High-A) 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Cabbage is a slept-on vegetable, you can eat it cooked, you can eat it raw like on a fish taco for some crunch, it’s good in coleslaw. My dad’s family has this “famous” cabbage that I know as Ralko cabbage, it's like this pickled cabbage that’s really good, we also have Ralko dip which slaps with original Lays, shoutout to the Ralkos. Trey Cabbage anyways, he’s 24 and he shows some power and has hit well to start the season.
Will Brennan, OF CLE (High-A) 2-for-5, 1 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Little on the older side for a prospect of this level but he’s been one of the better performing prospects on his team to start the season. He can play center, he can hit a little, just hit his first homer of the season, and can be a contributor on the basepaths.
Aaron Bracho, 2B CLE (High-A) 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI
Bracho has been less than stellar to start this season, here’s to hoping this helps him break out of whatever sort of funk he is in to start the young season. He’s gotta hit to be a relevant prospect because he’s a second base prospect who isn’t great at that spot.
Spencer Brickhouse, 1B ARI (High-A) 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
I feel like any time any of the three of us can mention a former East Carolina Pirate we have to do it for Trevor Hooth. Congrats on the first homer of the season Spencer. He’s a brick HOUSE.
Kaden Polcovich, 2B SEA (High-A) 3-for-5, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI
What the heck happened in the Pacific Northwest last night as the Everett AquaSox exploded for 16 runs, and Kaden Polcovich himself hit two long balls during this offensive explosion. Third round pick out of Oklahoma State University, has some versatility in he can play the outfield and play second also showing that he can hit for a little thump as well.
Austin Shenton, 3B SEA (High-A) 4-for-5, 1 HR, 3 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Austin Shenton just hits, he can play a few different positions and has the makings of a possible offensive utility type. Great guy with a great backstory, that I always feel like needs to be brought up, he’s one of the easiest players to root for in all of the minors.
Gage Workman, SS DET (Low-A) 1-for-4, HR, BB, SB
Workman did strikeout twice in this one, and has leveled off a bit after a quick start. The former Sun Devil also nabbed his 11th base of the season but he’s not a guy you can expect to steal bases at the big league level.
Jaxx Groshans, DH BOS (Low-A) 3-for-5, 2 2B
Jordan’s older brother. Jaxx was a fifth round pick by the Red Sox out of the University of Kansas in 2019. He had a poor offensive debut in 2019, but is hitting .333/.479/.537 right now with more walks than strikeouts. He’s a catcher that DH’s on off days.
Angel Martinez, 2B CLE (Low-A) 2-for-5, HR
Out of the strong group of infielders in Low-A that includes Christian Cairo and Yordys Valdes, Angel Martinez is by far showing the most with the bat. The switch-hitter might be a top 200 prospect right now based on what he’s doing with the bat as a 19 year-old. He’s hitting .295/.427/.557 with three homers on the season.
Alexfri Planez, OF CLE (Low-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Planez got a lot of hype before the covid shutdown on twitter during some workouts and people seeing videos of the swing and frame. It hasn’t been a pretty start to 2021 for Alexfri, and even after today’s line he sits at .171/.200/.366. He’s flashing some power (three homers) and speed (three steals) but a 26-to-2 K to BB ratio won’t cut it. He’s just 19 and should be on the back half of top 400 lists but that earlier hype should be reigned in now.
Xzavion Curry, RHP (Low-A) 5 ⅓ IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K
It’s June and a Curry is going off, but it’s not Steph. Xzavion has been nothing short of fantastic in his first taste of pro ball, tossing a dominant 25 innings thus far with only 12 hits allowed, 38 strikeouts and just four walks. ERA is a funky stat but his does sit at 1.07 right now, which is great. Curry is a short righty that sat in the low-90s with the heater while at Georgia Tech with two solid breaking balls.
Kenedy Corona, OF HOU (Low-A) 3-for-4, SB
Former Mets prospect that was traded to Houston along with LHP Blake Taylor for Jake Marisnick, Corona is an athlete with some speed and power that he’s working on translating to pro ball. No word if he’s better with a lime or not.
Jose Rodriguez, SS CWS (Low-A) 2-for-6, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB
Rodriguez is the top White Sox prospect right now for my money as I’m not a big Jared Kelley guy and the system has been hit really hard by graduations already, losing Vaughn, Kopech, Madrigal, Crochet and Mercedes already this year. Rodrguez is a jack of all trades shortstop showing good offensive and defensive skills so far, hitting .282/.333/.476 with two homers and eight steals. He’s an aggressive hitter and can go through stretches where he swings at everything, but the barrel control is there and he hits enough to make up for that.
Evan Carter, OF TEX (Low-A) 1-for-3, 2B, BB, SB
Carter has been scuffling a bit of late, and his season line is .208/.420/.347. He’s getting on base though and still stealing bases, but there’s still some work to be done here. Very patient and borderline passive approach, but a one to one strikeout to walk ratio is promising for an 18 year-old being challenged.
Thomas Saggese, DH TEX (Low-A) 3-for-4, HR, 2B, SB
Saggese was the Rangers fifth rounder in 2020, out of the California prep ranks. This was only his third professional game so far, and he played third base in his first two. He’s off to a great start, hitting .333/.455/.778 in nine at-bats.
Darryl Collins, OF KC (Low-A) 3-for-5, HR, BB
Collins is becoming a mainstay on this sheet and has established squatter rights at this point. He’s at .329/.427/.447 and living his best life so far in 2021.
Viandel Pena, 2B WSH (Low-A) 3-for-3, 2 BB
A 20 year-old switch hitting infielder, Pena tore up the GCL in 2019 hitting .359 while showing a strong plate approach, but minimal power or speed. Pena still lacks the power or speed right now but the strong plate skills have improved and although the season numbers are ugly at this point, .222/.375/.244, he’s showing signs of life and could have a future as a bench bat or second division regular.
Darell Hernaiz, DH BAL (Low-A) 2-for-5, RBI, SB
Hernaiz was the Orioles 2019 fifth round pick out of Puerto Rico. Known more for his glove, Hernaiz has shown enough with the bat so far to remain an interesting dart throw in deep fantasy leagues.
Gunnar Henderson, SS BAL (Low-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI
Would you guys and gals be mad if I just stopped blurbing Machine Gunnar Henderson and just posted his stat line everyday instead? You surely don’t need anymore 20-grade jokes or puns right? It’s all I got left.
Greg Cullen, 3B/2B BAL (Low-A) 2-for-5
His first game of the season. Cullen was the PTBNL to complete the Tommy Milone trade last year from Atlanta. So you can stop holding your breath now as that deal is now complete.
Ben Brecht, LHP TB (Low-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K
Five shutout frames for BB. The 6’7” lefty attacks hitters from a weird angle, giving hitters a unique look with the fastball and will also use a pair or breaking balls and a change. Brecht often slips through the cracks in a loaded Rays system but this is a future big league arm, and with how Tampa operates he might be their next Josh Fleming when Josh Fleming stops making the minimum and gets moved.
Willie Carter, OF ATL (Low-A) 2-for-3
I’ve skipped over Carter so many times because while he’s hitting very well he’s also 24 in Low-A. It’s a new month though so new month, new me, and maybe I’m nicer because I’m including him now. Let’s see how long that lasts. For the record he’s hitting .342/.455/.493.
Darius Vines, RHP ATL (Low-A) 6 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 9 K
I’ve been mean to Vines as well, as he should’ve been profiled on this sheet earlier but new month, new me remember? Vines sits around 90-92 with the heater but does have a big downer curveball that can make grumps like me even crack a smile. He also throws a changeup and a slider but his big league future is likely as a two-pitch reliever out of the pen. He could be a good one too because he should gain a few ticks and he commands his fastball and curveball very well.
Luis Matos, OF SF (Low-A) 1-for-3, HR, BB, SB
Matos is doing what we all thought he would, hitting .287/.317/.457 as a 19 year-old in Low-A. He’s fantastic and somehow still underrated.
Kyle Harrison, LHP SF (Low-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K
Yeah the walks are still a problem but the most impressive thing he did in this game was keeping Noelvi Marte and Cade Marlowe hitless. Only 48 of his 78 pitches landed in the zone, which is better but you’d like to see that improve a bit more. Harrison has big league stuff but needs to tighten up command.
Jeremiah Jackson, SS LAA (Low-A) 2-for-4, 2B
He did strike out once in this one, but man, he’s got real power.
Diego Cartaya, C LAD (Low-A) 2-for-3, HR, BB
Cartaya had gone deep three times in only 20 at-bats. He’s very exciting and seeing him in instructs in 2019 was a real treat.
Kendall Williams, RHP LAD (Low-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 K
Williams was traded as a PTBNL in a deal for Ross Stripling, and umm not sure what Toronto saw there. Williams has embraced the Cali lifestyle and sports the shoulder length flow, and he’s got the ideal pitchers frame and I’m excited to see him with the Dodgers player development machine.
Drew Romo, C COL (Low-A) 2-for-4, 2B
Romo has some power but he’s struggled some in his first professional assignment, which isn’t a surprise for a teenage catcher.
Will Ethridge, RHP COL (Low-A) 6 IP, 1 H, 8 K
Six shutout innings for the former Ole Miss arm. It’s a command over stuff profile and he’s much too advanced for Low-A.
Robert Hassell III, OF SD (Low-A) 2-for-4, HR
Bobby Barrells does his nightly thing. He’s firmly inside the top 100.