Weekly Minor League Recap

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): more and more buzz about he who walks on water joining the big club as the DH woes continue in the Bronx. Just a matter of if he gets called up before or after the September 1st roster expansion. Montero has an eight game hitting streak going, and is 8 for 21 with a HR, 3 RBIs, 3 BB, and 3 Ks over the past week.

-Dayan Viciedo, CWS, OF, Charlotte Knights (unranked): Viciedo was back with the Knights as of August 2nd, and might as well have not even suited up, as he is just 3 for 20 since his return. The White Sox are looking more and more out of it, so come September, they might give him some serious playing time.

–Devin Mesoraco, CIN, C, Louisville Bats (#64): Mesoraco is slumping since last we discussed him, just 4 for 21, but one of those was a round tripper.

Weekly Minor League Recap

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero picked up the production last week, hitting 2 HR and driving in 9. He was 7 for  23, with 5 extra base hits.

-Dayan Viciedo, CWS, OF, Charlotte Knights (unranked): Viciedo makes his debut on the list as he has had too good a season to ignore any further: .307/.365/.500, with 49 R, 16 HR, and 65 RBIs. He got called up last year to the big club, and acquitted himself quite well, hitting .308 with 5 HR and 13 RBIs in 104 ABs. Viciedo strikes out a healthy amount and doesn’t walk much (70/31 respectively on the season), but if/when he gets the nod, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him provide solid value in deeper leagues. Unfortunately, he has slumped of late (.143/.302/.143), but that shouldn’t erase the fine season he is having.

–Devin Mesoraco, CIN, C, Louisville Bats (#64): Mesoraco has also had a very good season, one that probably warranted attention here a while ago; oh well, better late than never. He has been involved in trade talks recently, so who knows where he will end up finishing the season. His bat seems legit: .303/.376/.502 with 47 R, 10 HR, 54 RBI this year. His past ten have been very good as well: .324/.342/.459. As we all know how thin catcher is, if he gets a chance in Cincy or elsewhere, should be worth a look in almost all but the shallowest leagues.

Weekly Minor League Recap

Since the All-Star break was last week, there is not that much to update, and no major call-ups/promotions, so take the new info for what it’s worth.

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero was back in action on 7/15 after returning from a minor back injury, and is 2 for 13 in two games.  As expected, he will stay in triple A for the foreseeable future. Trade rumors involving him for an established starter will swirl from now until the deadline, so he could end up in the majors soon, just not in pinstripes. As a dyed in blue bomber fan, it would be tough for me to see them part with him, but I wouldn’t balk at including him in the right package (read: Ubaldo Jimenez – which looks increasingly unlikely given what the Rocks want in return; maybe Wandy Rodriguez; hell no Hiroki Kuroda). Montero is worth more than a 36 year old middle of the rotation stop gap, so I hope they don’t panic and pull the trigger on something like that, just because he is not performing as expected.

–Adrian Cardenas, OAK, DH, Sacramento River Cats (unranked): Cardenas has been swinging a hot bat of late: .308/.372/.410 over his last ten. All year he has shown great plate discipline, and he has little to no power, so you’d think he is exactly the kind of guy Billy Beane would want in Oakland. Maybe September…

–Brandon Guyer, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (unranked): Guyer returned to Durham and is 3 for (update in am) in 4 games. Will probably see him again in September, but a third 1-2 game call up isn’t out of the realm of possibility with the Rays.

-Yonder Alonso, CIN, OF, Louisville Bats (#73): Alonso is 4 for 12 since the break with an RBI and 4 BBs in 4 games. If the Reds make a move before the deadline, he is a candidate to move up (if others, such as Chris Heisey are sent elsewhere) or move on. As has been touted most of the year, an intriguing young power bat if either occurs.

–Jason Kipnis, CLE, 2b, Columbus Clippers (#54): Just as the call up talk reached critical mass, Kipnis went cold: .194/.324/.226 his last ten. With Cleveland battling for the AL central title and needing all of the help they can get, one good week could mean a promotion.

-Desmond Jennings, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (#22): Jennings healed quickly (turned out just to be a bruised finger), and was back in action on 7/16: he is 4 for his last 9 with 3 doubles, 2 RBIs, and 2 BBs. Could be the last pre-season hyped up prospect to hit the bigs this year…any day now.

Weekly Minor League Recap

After a two week hiatus, minor league recap is back. Note: Baseball America updated their prospect rankings, but I am just going to stay with the ones from the beginning of the year.

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero was starting to heat up at the end of June/beginning of July, going 8 for 26 with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs from June 28-July 3, but then he got placed on the 7 day DL with an injury. It isn’t major, so he should be back shortly. Would sure be nice if he keeps up that mini power surge when he does return. Unless the Yanks find an everyday spot for him, it doesn’t look like a call up is imminent, even with the rash of injuries to the big club. However, with A-rod now out for a month +, I wouldn’t put it past the Bombers to call up Montero to be the regular DH/back up catcher.

–Adrian Cardenas, OAK, DH, Sacramento River Cats (unranked): Cardenas is hitting .263 in his last ten, with 4 walks and 4 Ks. Slugging is an abysmal .368 over that same period.

–Brandon Guyer, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (unranked): Guyer got called up for a couple of games, but went 0 for 3 in his one appearance. He was sent back down after Sunday’s tilt against the Yankees.  He was hitting very well at Durham prior to that: .351/.429/.432, with 6 RBIs, 5 BBs, 2 SBs, and 8 Ks in his last ten.

-Yonder Alonso, CIN, OF, Louisville Bats (#73): Alonso slashed .263/.378/.526 in his last ten, with 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 7 BBs and 8 Ks.

–Jason Kipnis, CLE, 2b, Columbus Clippers (#54): Kipnis got hot again over his last ten, hitting .351 with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs, an OBP of .429 and Slugging of .622.  With Chisenhall now up, Kipnis stands a good chance of joining the Indians shortly as well.

-Desmond Jennings, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (#22): Jennings is still at Durham, for whatever reason.* Newsflash Tampa: Sam Fuld is not that great, legends and myths notwithstanding. He hit 2 HRs and stole two bases in his last ten, but hit .235/.350/.441. Stay tuned, you never know if/when the Rays will pull the trigger. *Apparently he actually fractured a finger, so he is out of commission for a couple of weeks at least. Oh well…

Weekly Minor League Recap

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero is still coasting (.265/.375/.294 his last ten), but he has shown an improved ability to draw a walk (4 in his last three games).  At this point, you would have to call his season a disappointment, given the expectations.  But he still has time to show people why he belongs in the majors – and recall that last year at this time he was not exactly lighting it up either.  The Yankees sure wouldn’t mind adding a powerful bat without having to make a trade, and fantasy owners wouldn’t mind either.  But the window for 2011 impact is surely getting smaller.

–Brett Lawrie, TOR, 2b/3b, Vegas 51s (#40): Lawrie is on the DL with a broken bone in his left hand for an indefinite amount of time now.  It could be early August before he sees playing time again. Sucks.

–Adrian Cardenas, OAK, DH, Sacramento River Cats (unranked): Cardenas slumped hard last week, going 3 for 20.  On the bright side, he continues to walk more than strike out.

–Brandon Guyer, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (unranked): Guyer was 6 for 22 last week with 5 RBIs. Recall or no recall, he gives Tampa yet another young, potentially productive player.

-Yonder Alonso, CIN, OF, Louisville Bats (#73): Alonso was back on the field last week, but he is only at .200/.304/.350 his last ten games.  He did however hit another HR on 6/24 and had a 6/4 BB/K ratio.

–Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE, 3b, Columbus Clippers (#25): Chisenhall returned from his concussion with a vengeance, as he went 9 for 21 with 2 HR and 14 RBIs last week.  Bus ride to Cleveland in the near future (if this continues)? Magic 8 ball says: “signs point to yes.” Update: Scratch the ‘if this continues’; Chisenhall is up. 

–Jason Kipnis, CLE, 2b, Columbus Clippers (#54): Kipnis cooled off considerably last week, going 5 for 22, though he did walk 9 times in 7 games.

-Desmond Jennings, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (#22): Jennings stayed cool last week, going 6 for 21 with a HR and 2 SBs (he missed Sundays game with a sore wrist, nothing serious though).  The last few weeks have spurred many a Jennings watch, but still nothing.  The Rays are always tough to figure out, eh?

-Kyle Gibson, MIN, SP, Rochester Red Wings (#34): Gibson had two starts last week, with mixed results: 10 IP, 14 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 9 Ks.  He has been solid, if unspectacular.

–Lorenzo Cain, KC, OF, Omaha (unranked):  Cain went 7 for 25 last week, with 7 RBIs.

-Julio Teheran, ATL, SP, Gwinnett Braves (#5):  Another week, another couple of gems: 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 8 Ks on 6/20; 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 Ks on 6/25.  Simply brilliant.

–Matt Dominguez, Fla, 3b, New Orleans Zephyrs (#81): Dominguez continued his hot hitting last week, as he is now slashing .375/.405/.475 in his last ten.  Only 1 RBI and no HRs last week though.  He doesn’t figure to be a big power/average guy in the majors, and much of his real-life value resides in his glove, but he could still prove useful, especially in NL-only leagues, where the hot corner talent level is ‘meh’ at best behind David Wright and Ryan Zimmerman.

–Collin Cowgill, OF, ARI, Reno Aces (unranked): Cowgill was only 8 for 30 last week, but has hit safely in 8 straight.  Lots of talk Goldschmidt and he could join the D’Backs very soon.

Weekly Minor League Recap

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero, recovering from the eye infection that sidelined him much of the previous week, hit .272 last week, with a HR and no Ks.  There was some buzz about a call up, but Russell Martin avoided the DL and looks to be ok for the time being.

–Brett Lawrie, TOR, 2b/3b, Vegas 51s (#40): Lawrie is on the 7 day DL with a broken bone in his left hand.  Still not swinging a bat yet, will be a few more weeks before we see anything from him, unfortunately.

–Adrian Cardenas, OAK, DH, Sacramento River Cats (unranked): Cardenas continues to perform at the plate, at .294/.351/.382 his last ten.  The lack of any real pop of late hurts his chances of joining the A’s anytime soon, barring injury to a regular in Oakland.

–Brandon Guyer, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (unranked): Guyer had a great week, and is up to .351/.429/.541 his last ten.  He had a HR and 7 RBIs last week. 

-Yonder Alonso, CIN, OF, Louisville Bats (#73): Alonso only played two games last week for some reason, and he wasn’t injured or called up, so not sure what is going on.  He was 3 for 9 in those two games. 

–Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE, 3b, Columbus Clippers (#25): Chisenhall sustained a concussion on 6/12 and has been out of the lineup since. Obviously a pre-All Star break call up isnt looking too good now. Just hope he doesnt suffer any lingering affects at this point; concussions are no joke. 

–Jason Kipnis, CLE, 2b, Columbus Clippers (#54): Kipnis deserves some love, as he has been on fire of late and is now the next in line Cleveland prospect, what with Chisenhall slumping/injured.  He is at .381/.413/.762 over his last ten, and had a HR and 4 RBIs last week.  At .296/.366/.508 on the season with 10 steals, he could be an interesting middle infield option in deep/keeper leagues.

-Desmond Jennings, TB, OF, Durham Bulls (#22): Jennings slowed down last week, and is now at .263/.333/.289 (yuck) over his last ten.  He is striking out more and not hitting HRs of late, but he still stands to be the next big call up from Triple A. 

-Kyle Gibson, MIN, SP, Rochester Red Wings (#34): Gibson threw 6 solid innings last week: 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 Ks.  The Twins have won 7 in a row, so maybe they think they can still contend in the AL central, which decreases the chance that they rush Gibson to Target Field.

–Lorenzo Cain, KC, OF, Omaha (unranked):  Cain picked it up last week, and has a .333/.389/.788 line his last ten, with 4 HRs last week.  Melky Cabrera is making it tough for the Royals to call him up anytime soon though. 

-Julio Teheran, ATL, SP, Gwinnett Braves (#5):  Teheran was great again last week: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 Ks. What else is new? The Braves look like they don’t want to call him back up until they have a more permanent slot, which is probably the smart move.

–Matt Dominguez, Fla, 3b, New Orleans Zephyrs (#81): Dominguez had a very good week, with a 4 RBI performance on 6/17.  At just .275/.295/.325 his last ten, but 7 for his last 16.

–Collin Cowgill, OF, ARI, Reno Aces (unranked): Cowgill stayed hot last week, with a HR and 8 RBIs.  Has a .342/.444/.500 line his last ten.  Great power (12 HRs) and speed (23 SBs) combo. 

AA:

–Austin Romine, NYY, C, Trenton Thunder (#98): Romine is still on the 7 day DL. 

–Manny Banuelos NYY, SP, Trenton (#41): Banuelos had a rough outing last week: 3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 Ks.

-Brett Jackson, CHC, OF, Tennessee Smokies (#38): Jackson is starting to come back around, with a HR and 6 hits in his last 17 at bats. 

–Jacob Turner, DET, SP, Erie SeaWolves (#21): Turner picked it back up last week: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 Ks.  He is starting to walk more batters of late, and his K rate has dropped slightly, but otherwise looks good.

–Paul Goldschmidt, ARI, 1b, Mobile BayBears (unranked): Goldschmidt is in a slump! Just .188/.333/.406 his last ten (but he did hit a HR Sunday night).  Nothing to worry about, just shows he is human.

–Randall Delgado, ATL, SP, Mississippi Braves (#35): Delgado got a spot start at the big league level last week, filling in for the injured Brandon Beachy; he went 4 IP and gave up 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, while K’ing 2.  He is back in AA with Beachy due back shortly.  Don’t expect another call up unless he is needed in an emergency. 

-Mike Trout, LAA, OF, Arkansas Travelers (#2): Trout is now at .359/.432/.667 his last ten, adding 2 more HRs last week. Looking good Mikey. 

–Martin Perez, TEX, SP, Frisco Roughriders (#24): Perez had another bad turn last week: 5 IP, 6 H, 4  ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 5Ks.  Yep, the walks are back. 

–Matt Moore, TB, SP, Montgomery Biscuits (#15): Moore outdid himself last week, tossing a no-hitter.  He walked 2 and K’ed 11.  Yea, this kid is something special.

–Shelby Miller, STL, SP, Palm Beach Cardinals (#13): Miller is now starting to dominate AA as well: 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 Ks in his start last week. 

–Arodys Vizcaino, ATL, SP, Mississippi Braves (#93): Vizcaino was superb last week: 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 Ks. 

A:

-Jake Odorizzi, KC, SP, Wilmington Blue Rocks (unranked): Odorizzi recovered from his worst start of the year to pitch 5.2 innings of 4 H, 0 ER ball last week.  He K’ed 11 and walked just two.

-Bryce Harper, WAS, OF, Hagerstown Suns (#1): Harper is at a pedestrian .281/410/.438 clip his last ten.  When you are .330/.429/.586 on the season, this qualifies as a dry spell.  

-Tyler Skaggs, ARI, SP, Visalia Rawhide (#82): Skaggs had a good start last week to bounce back from the previous week: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 Ks. 

–Jean Segura, LAA, 2b/SS, Inland Empire 66 (#57): Segura is still on the shelf (hamstring). 

–Manny Machado, BAL, SS, Delmarva Shorebirds (#14): Machado is still struggling, just at .190/.261/.310 his last ten. 

-Hak-Ju Lee, TB, SS, Charlotte Stone Crabs (#92): Lee continues to shine, with a .409/.435/.523 line his last ten.

Weekly Minor League Recap

AAA:

–Jesus Montero, NYY, C, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees (#3): Montero was injured for a couple of days (eye infection) last week and only played 1 game.  It seems to be a lingering issue, so stay tuned.

–Brett Lawrie, TOR, 2b/3b, Vegas 51s (#40): The Lawrie call up will now be delayed for a couple of weeks, as the wrist injury is more than minor; he broke a bone in his left hand.  He still should get to Toronto once he heals up, as he was just days away from a call up pre-injury.

–Adrian Cardenas, OAK, DH, Sacramento River Cats (unranked): Cardenas hit .290 in his last ten and only K’ed three times.  Since Jemille Weeks got the call up over him last week, not sure if there is any room for him in Oakland; then again, it is looking more and more like a lost season for the A’s, so no harm in giving Cardenas some MLB experience.

–Jemille Weeks, OAK, 2b, Sacramento River Cats (unranked): Weeks got called up last week, and is hitting .333 with two RBIs, 1 K, and three runs scored.  He should stick around for a while, given Mark Ellis is on the DL.