MLB Prospect Watch

BA Prospect Hot Sheet - 6/1/12

Baseball America released their weekly hot sheet yesterday, with a familiar name sitting atop of it for the first time.  Here are this week's winners:

• Jesus Aguilar (CLE)
• Tyler Austin (NYY)
• Clayton Blackburn (SF)
• Cody Buckel (TEX)
• Orlando Calixte (KC)
• Andrew Chafin (ARI)
• Kaleb Cowart (LAA)
• Keury de la Cruz (BOS)
• Travis d'Arnaud (TOR)
• Adam Duvall (SF)
• Jose Fernandez (MIA)
• Wilmer Flores (NYM)
• Alen Hanson (PIT)
• Miles Head (OAK)
• Juan Jaime (ATL)
• Tyler Matzek (COL)
• Mike Olt (TEX)
• Chris Parmelee (MIN)
• Kyle Skipworth (MIA)
• Trevor Story (COL)
• Allen Webster (LAD)
• Zack Wheeler (NYM)

This week's not-hot list includes A's OF Grant Green, Brewers P Taylor Jungmann, Diamondbacks P Archie Bradley, and Cardinals P Tyrell Jenkins.

As we near the mid-point of the season, our standings are beginning to take shape.  We update our standings on the sidebar on the right-hand side of the page each week to form a Player of the Year-type ranking for the entire minor leagues.  We assign 15 points for coming in first on the list each week, 14 points for second, and so on.  The "In the Team Photo" players get two points, while the Helium Watch and Man Among Boys get a point apiece each week.  The Not So Hot list loses one point.

It's not the most scientific way to rank players, but it does provide a good snapshot for which prospects are having the best seasons.  Plus, it's fun.

 

Blogs Track Teams - 5/31/12

• Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com recaps the Reds results, including a ho-hum 3-for-6 day for Billy Hamilton, that included three runs scored and two more stolen bases.
• Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com provides us with the Pirates production, including three more hits for the suddenly hot-hitting Tony Sanchez in support of the suddenly back-on-the-prospect-radar Tim Alderson.
• PineTarPress.com runs through the Royals results, including a homerun by Brett Eibner.
• TalkingChop.com breaks down the Braves farm system, including a complete game outing by Sean Gilmartin.
• Miles Head drove in two runs and Max Stassi had two hits in support of a strong outing by Ian Krol, notes AthleticsFarm.com, who has all of yesterday's A's action.
• Nolan Arenado blasted a home run on Thursday, notes Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, who writes up all of the Rockies prospect action.
• Shelby Miller continues to turn in disappointing performances at Triple-A as he got hit hard again, notes FutureRedBirds.net, who catches us up with the entire Cardinals organization.
• BrewCrewBall.com bundles the Brewers system for us, including a solid start by Kyle Heckathorn.
• Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribune provides us with the Padres prospect performances, including a three-hit day for Cory Spangenberg.
• Josh Norris of Minor Matters has all of the Yankees prospect action, including two more doubles for Tyler Austin.

 

Prospect Hot Sheet - 5/25/12

Baseball America has their weekly hot sheet out again, with the following players making this week's list:

• Tyler Anderson (COL)
• Trevor Bauer (ARI)
• Austin Brice (MIA)
• Corey Brown (WAS)
• Dylan Bundy (BAL)
• Leandro Castro (PHI)
• Tony Cingrani (CIN)
• C.J. Cron (LAA)
• Travis d'Arnaud (TOR)
• Tyson Gillies (PHI)
• Anthony Gose (TOR)
• Adeiny Hechavarria (TOR)
• Danny Hultzen (SEA)
• Rafael Montero (NYM)
• Jimmy Nelson (MIL)
• Rougned Odor (TEX)
• Ariel Pena (LAA)
• Mel Rojas, Jr. (PIT)
• Anthony Rizzo (CHC)
• Dan Straily (OAK)
• Jose Urena (MIA)
• Sergio Velis (PHI)

On the bad part of this week's list are Felix Sterling (CLE), Dallas Keuchel (HOU), Robbie Grossman (PIT), Miguel Sano (MIN).

 

BA Prospect Hot Sheet - 5/11/12

Baseball America put out their weekly hot sheet yesterday, breaking down the top prospects of the week.  Below are the prospects making this week's list:

• Xavier Avery (BAL)
• Matt Barnes (BOS)
• Trevor Bauer (ARI)
• Dellin Betances (NYY)
• Hiram Burgos (MIL)
• Adam Conley (MIA)
• Kyle Crick (SF)
• Keury de la Cruz (BOS)
• Adam Eaton (ARI)
• Tyrell Jenkins (STL)
• Ethan Martin (LAD)
• Wil Myers (KC)
• Jake Odorizzi (KC) 
• Andy Oliver (DET)
• Juan Oramas (SD)
• Adys Portillo (SD)
• Anthony Rizzo (CHC)
• Miguel Sano (MIN)
• Cory Spangenberg (SD)
• Tyler Skaggs (ARI)
• J.C. Sulbaran (CIN)
• Christian Yelich (MIA)

And appearing on the bad list this week were Jermaine Mitchell (OAK), Paul Clemens (HOU), Cory Vaughn (NYM), and Rosell Herrera (COL).

 

Rockies Call Up Friedrich

The Colorado Rockies have called up 2008 first round draft pick Christian Friedrich, reports Thomas Harding of MLB.com.  Friedrich will make his first major league start tonight against the San Diego Padres.

Entering this season, Friedrich's minor league career had been inconsistent.  After being drafted, Friedrich made eight starts in the short-season Northwest League and was dominant, but got rocked in a late season promotion to the South Atlantic League.  His second attempt at the league, coming in 2009, was much better, and after just eight starts, the Rockies promoted him to Modesto in the California League.  Friedrich didn't miss a beat there, dominating the hitter-friendly league and posting a combined 2.41 ERA in 2009 between the two levels, while striking out 12 batters an inning.  At this point, he was well on his way and was shooting up prospect lists everywhere.

The 2010 season was another story, however, as Friedrich got lit up in his first taste of Double-A.  In 18 starts, he posted a 5.05 ERA, and even though he still struck out a respectable eight batters per nine, it signaled a significant drop off from his previous totals.  The Rockies sent Friedrich back to Double-A for the start of the 2011 season, hoping the then 23-year-old would adjust to the league and be ready for a promotion to Triple-A during the season.  Unfortunately for the Rockies, it never happened, and Friedrich struggled in Tulsa again.  He ended up spending the full season there and posted an ERA of 5.00 and watched his strike out totals drop once again.

This season, the Rockies promoted Friedrich to Triple-A anyway, and in five starts there, he pitched well, going 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a 27-4 K/BB ratio.  His improved control is the biggest reason for his success, but some fortunate luck on balls in play have helped as well.  

Friedrich has looked more like the 2008-09 versions of himself this season, but given his struggles in Double-A the last two seasons, I'd like to see some more success in Triple-A before throwing him to the wolves in Coors Field.  The Rockies have had struggles in their major league starting rotation, however, and clearly feel the need to make a move.