Halfway Home
Well, the halfway point has been reached in the minor league season. Rookie and short-season ball gets underway tomorrow. Now I'll look at who's done what and how.
Triple A - Las Vegas
Hot
Delwyn Young, OF - The 2002 draftee has seen his prospectual status drop over the past few years, though he seems to have re-established himself with a strong showing his second time through the PCL. Young leads the team with a .912 OPS, which is 13th in the league. He also leads the league with 24 doubles and has 10 HR. With James Loney's injury, Young could find himself on the Dodgers' roster sooner rather than later, though I believe he'll eventually be traded.
Miguel Pinango, RHP - The 24 year old righthander started the year with High A Inland Empire, where he posted an ERA of 4.61 in 5 starts. And when a spot opened up with the 51's rotation, Pinango was tabbed as the replacement. Well, he's definitely exceded expectations, as his ERA has dropped by over a run to 3.35 in 8 starts. Pinango's prospect status is in limbo, young enough to be considered one yet old enough to not have much time left to develop. Best case scenario is he spot starts for an injured regular.
Not
Andy LaRoche, 3B - It's been a strange year for the guy who was ranked as the Dodgers' top prospect coming into the season. A slow start led to a callup and mixed production with the Dodgers before being sent back down. While LaRoche has posted an OBP over .400 seen going back to Vegas, the power is yet to come. All 3 of his HR came in April and his SLG for the year is just over .360. Hopefully this is just a slow start and not a sign of injury.
Greg Miller, LHP - Possibly the most disappointing prospect this season, Miller started off hot in the 51's rotation. But it seems as though he's experienced some discomfort in his shoulder, leading to a lowered arm angle and his control has gone to hell. After walking 46 batters in 28.2 innings in Vegas, Greg has been demoted to Jacksonville where he's still struggling to find his control. Still just 22, hopefully he'll get it figured out.
Keep an eye on
DJ Houlton - Houlton struggled last year with Vegas, but has since lowered his ERA by nearly 2 runs this season. Like Pinango, Houlton likely wont see the big league roster prior to September, if at all.
Double A - Jacksonville
Hot
Chin Lung Hu, SS - After struggling with the bat last year, Hu has come out of the gate blistering hot. Hu is Top 10 in the league in batting average, with a .324 mark. His 25 doubles is among the top in the minors and he's slugging .492. He's also stolen 10 bases. His walks are down, though his OBP is still .373. Hu is on schedule to replace Rafael Furcal in 2009.
Jon Meloan, RHP - In 2005, the Dodgers converted Jon Broxton to a relief pitcher and he has since morphed into a dominant setup man. Last year, the Dodgers eased Jon Meloan back from injury by putting him in the pen and the results have been spectacular. Now he's the Suns' closer and it's only a matter of time before he joins the bull in LA. Meloan has struck out 50 batters and allowed 30 baserunners in 34 innings. He has 12 saves and a 2.38 ERA.
Not
Anthony Raglani, OF - Raglani started the year off with a 1.067 OPS in April, but that lowered to .738 in May and .655 in June. He's on pace to strikeout well over 100 times and his batting average has dropped to .236, stats that wont be saved by his .365 OBP and .467 SLG according to this administration. Hopefully he turns it around and I could see a sabermetrically inclined team being interested in him if he does.
Mike Megrew, LHP - Megrew had some success last season in High A and started the year well, as his 3.76 April ERA would indicate. But it's been downhill from there and he hit rock bottom in May when he allowed 30 ER in 26 innings. His ERA is back down to 4.66 in June but he still has a way to go to get back on track.
Keep an eye on
Xavier Paul, OF - The stocky center fielder has been in a power outage this June, collecting 5 doubles but no Homeruns. Still, his .277/.356/.411 line is respectable for a 22 year old in Double A. If the power comes back, he could find himself in LA before long.
High A - Inland Empire
Hot
Travis Denker, 2B - The petite second baseman missed some time early this year, but has come out raking. Denker's .905 OPS leads the team and he's even stolen 6 bases. He should be promoted to Double A post haste to truly test his offensive prowess.
James McDonald, RHP - It's been an adventure for James McDonald. Drafted in 2002 and signed as a DFE in 2003, First he was a pitcher, then a hitter, then he did both before finally turning his attention to pitching full time in 2006. This year, it's paid off as the 22 year old has posted impressive numbers in a hitter friendly league. McDonald leads the league in strikeouts while being just 20th in innings pitched. He's given up only 17 walks and 4 HR in just under 70 innings. In my opinion, McDonald has established himself as the best RHP prospect in the Dodgers' system.
Not
Lucas May, C - Much like Anthony Raglani, Lucas May was on fire for the month of June. He hit 8 HR that month and has hit just 3 since. May bottomed out in May, posting an OPS of just .555. That mark has risen to .706 in June but he still needs to work on his defense (Almost 20 passed balls) and basestealing (3 SB, 6 CS).
Marlon Arias, LHP - Three southpaws in this category isnt encouraging. Even a no-hitter couldnt prevent Arias' downfall. Despite his June ERA of 7.82, he's 2-0 in 3 starts. He's allowed only 2 HR but his 25 walks in 53.1 innings is too high. It doesnt seem to matter how Arias pitches, as he's lost only 1 decision in his last 10 games.
Keep an eye on
Javy Guerra, RHP - The 21 year old Tommy John surgery recipient walked 20 in 21.1 innings in June, but has improved his control since. He has 64 strikeouts in 62 innings and has allowed only 2 HR. But like Arias, he needs to cut down on the walks. Guerra touched the mid 90s before his surgery and if he still has that stuff, he could be a diamond in the rough.
Low A - Great Lakes
Hot
Josh Bell, 3B - It seemed as though the whole team, along with the weather, got off to a cold start. Bell was no exception, hitting .216 in April. But he tore the cover off the ball with a .341 mark in May and has occasionally shown the prodigious power potential that made him a Top 10 prospect coming into the year. His 7 total HR are skewed by his hitting 5 in May and just 1 in each other month. Bell also had a 15 game hitting streak. He's slowed down in May but still has a lot of juice in his bat.
Clayton Kershaw, LHP - Kershaw falling to the Dodgers was one of the happiest Baseball days of my life. And his status soared with a strong showing in the GCL. Now, in his first taste of full season ball, Kershaw hasnt disappointed. Kershaw's 1.89 ranks 4th in the league, as do his 82 strikeouts. He's also allowed just a .178 opponent's batting average and 1 HR. The one downside is his walk rate, as he's issuing 1 free pass every other inning. Hopefully he can improve his control without sacrificing his outstanding walk rate. He should be a candidate for a promotion to High A in coming weeks.
Not
Carlos Santana, C - After hitting .303 in rookie ball last season and a position change in instructional league, Santana hasnt taken to his new position well and his hitting has suffered. Santana has hit .222 so far in June, his highest monthly average this season. His .174 mark isnt helped by just 1 HR and a mediocre walk rate. And then there's his defense; I'll be nice and just say he needs to work on it. Hopefully he doesnt have to move back to 3B or, worse yet, the OF.
Miguel Sanfler, LHP - Sanfler made the Top 20 list for the Pioneer League last year, but has failed to live up to expectations. A lefty who can touch the mid 90s is a rare commodity, but Sanfler's lack of control has really hurt him. He's issued 31 walks in 35.2 innings to lead to a 5.55 ERA. He's already 22 and still in Low A, so he needs to turn it around quick if he wants any shot at the major league pen.
Keep an eye on
Preston Mattingly, 2B - You know, I asked Logan White in a draft chat last year if Preston Mattingly would make a good offensive-minded second baseman. Where's my job offer?!?! After committing 15 errors at shortstop, Mattingly has had just 4 miscues at second. He's also hit 349/.379/.578 since the move and raised his overall line to .265/.300/.400. He's even stolen 7 of 8 bases. Mattingly may have benefited from another year in rookie ball, but hopefully the bat will stay hot and the defense will improve. Otherwise, I estimate he'll end up in the outfield before long.
Triple A - Las Vegas
Hot
Delwyn Young, OF - The 2002 draftee has seen his prospectual status drop over the past few years, though he seems to have re-established himself with a strong showing his second time through the PCL. Young leads the team with a .912 OPS, which is 13th in the league. He also leads the league with 24 doubles and has 10 HR. With James Loney's injury, Young could find himself on the Dodgers' roster sooner rather than later, though I believe he'll eventually be traded.
Miguel Pinango, RHP - The 24 year old righthander started the year with High A Inland Empire, where he posted an ERA of 4.61 in 5 starts. And when a spot opened up with the 51's rotation, Pinango was tabbed as the replacement. Well, he's definitely exceded expectations, as his ERA has dropped by over a run to 3.35 in 8 starts. Pinango's prospect status is in limbo, young enough to be considered one yet old enough to not have much time left to develop. Best case scenario is he spot starts for an injured regular.
Not
Andy LaRoche, 3B - It's been a strange year for the guy who was ranked as the Dodgers' top prospect coming into the season. A slow start led to a callup and mixed production with the Dodgers before being sent back down. While LaRoche has posted an OBP over .400 seen going back to Vegas, the power is yet to come. All 3 of his HR came in April and his SLG for the year is just over .360. Hopefully this is just a slow start and not a sign of injury.
Greg Miller, LHP - Possibly the most disappointing prospect this season, Miller started off hot in the 51's rotation. But it seems as though he's experienced some discomfort in his shoulder, leading to a lowered arm angle and his control has gone to hell. After walking 46 batters in 28.2 innings in Vegas, Greg has been demoted to Jacksonville where he's still struggling to find his control. Still just 22, hopefully he'll get it figured out.
Keep an eye on
DJ Houlton - Houlton struggled last year with Vegas, but has since lowered his ERA by nearly 2 runs this season. Like Pinango, Houlton likely wont see the big league roster prior to September, if at all.
Double A - Jacksonville
Hot
Chin Lung Hu, SS - After struggling with the bat last year, Hu has come out of the gate blistering hot. Hu is Top 10 in the league in batting average, with a .324 mark. His 25 doubles is among the top in the minors and he's slugging .492. He's also stolen 10 bases. His walks are down, though his OBP is still .373. Hu is on schedule to replace Rafael Furcal in 2009.
Jon Meloan, RHP - In 2005, the Dodgers converted Jon Broxton to a relief pitcher and he has since morphed into a dominant setup man. Last year, the Dodgers eased Jon Meloan back from injury by putting him in the pen and the results have been spectacular. Now he's the Suns' closer and it's only a matter of time before he joins the bull in LA. Meloan has struck out 50 batters and allowed 30 baserunners in 34 innings. He has 12 saves and a 2.38 ERA.
Not
Anthony Raglani, OF - Raglani started the year off with a 1.067 OPS in April, but that lowered to .738 in May and .655 in June. He's on pace to strikeout well over 100 times and his batting average has dropped to .236, stats that wont be saved by his .365 OBP and .467 SLG according to this administration. Hopefully he turns it around and I could see a sabermetrically inclined team being interested in him if he does.
Mike Megrew, LHP - Megrew had some success last season in High A and started the year well, as his 3.76 April ERA would indicate. But it's been downhill from there and he hit rock bottom in May when he allowed 30 ER in 26 innings. His ERA is back down to 4.66 in June but he still has a way to go to get back on track.
Keep an eye on
Xavier Paul, OF - The stocky center fielder has been in a power outage this June, collecting 5 doubles but no Homeruns. Still, his .277/.356/.411 line is respectable for a 22 year old in Double A. If the power comes back, he could find himself in LA before long.
High A - Inland Empire
Hot
Travis Denker, 2B - The petite second baseman missed some time early this year, but has come out raking. Denker's .905 OPS leads the team and he's even stolen 6 bases. He should be promoted to Double A post haste to truly test his offensive prowess.
James McDonald, RHP - It's been an adventure for James McDonald. Drafted in 2002 and signed as a DFE in 2003, First he was a pitcher, then a hitter, then he did both before finally turning his attention to pitching full time in 2006. This year, it's paid off as the 22 year old has posted impressive numbers in a hitter friendly league. McDonald leads the league in strikeouts while being just 20th in innings pitched. He's given up only 17 walks and 4 HR in just under 70 innings. In my opinion, McDonald has established himself as the best RHP prospect in the Dodgers' system.
Not
Lucas May, C - Much like Anthony Raglani, Lucas May was on fire for the month of June. He hit 8 HR that month and has hit just 3 since. May bottomed out in May, posting an OPS of just .555. That mark has risen to .706 in June but he still needs to work on his defense (Almost 20 passed balls) and basestealing (3 SB, 6 CS).
Marlon Arias, LHP - Three southpaws in this category isnt encouraging. Even a no-hitter couldnt prevent Arias' downfall. Despite his June ERA of 7.82, he's 2-0 in 3 starts. He's allowed only 2 HR but his 25 walks in 53.1 innings is too high. It doesnt seem to matter how Arias pitches, as he's lost only 1 decision in his last 10 games.
Keep an eye on
Javy Guerra, RHP - The 21 year old Tommy John surgery recipient walked 20 in 21.1 innings in June, but has improved his control since. He has 64 strikeouts in 62 innings and has allowed only 2 HR. But like Arias, he needs to cut down on the walks. Guerra touched the mid 90s before his surgery and if he still has that stuff, he could be a diamond in the rough.
Low A - Great Lakes
Hot
Josh Bell, 3B - It seemed as though the whole team, along with the weather, got off to a cold start. Bell was no exception, hitting .216 in April. But he tore the cover off the ball with a .341 mark in May and has occasionally shown the prodigious power potential that made him a Top 10 prospect coming into the year. His 7 total HR are skewed by his hitting 5 in May and just 1 in each other month. Bell also had a 15 game hitting streak. He's slowed down in May but still has a lot of juice in his bat.
Clayton Kershaw, LHP - Kershaw falling to the Dodgers was one of the happiest Baseball days of my life. And his status soared with a strong showing in the GCL. Now, in his first taste of full season ball, Kershaw hasnt disappointed. Kershaw's 1.89 ranks 4th in the league, as do his 82 strikeouts. He's also allowed just a .178 opponent's batting average and 1 HR. The one downside is his walk rate, as he's issuing 1 free pass every other inning. Hopefully he can improve his control without sacrificing his outstanding walk rate. He should be a candidate for a promotion to High A in coming weeks.
Not
Carlos Santana, C - After hitting .303 in rookie ball last season and a position change in instructional league, Santana hasnt taken to his new position well and his hitting has suffered. Santana has hit .222 so far in June, his highest monthly average this season. His .174 mark isnt helped by just 1 HR and a mediocre walk rate. And then there's his defense; I'll be nice and just say he needs to work on it. Hopefully he doesnt have to move back to 3B or, worse yet, the OF.
Miguel Sanfler, LHP - Sanfler made the Top 20 list for the Pioneer League last year, but has failed to live up to expectations. A lefty who can touch the mid 90s is a rare commodity, but Sanfler's lack of control has really hurt him. He's issued 31 walks in 35.2 innings to lead to a 5.55 ERA. He's already 22 and still in Low A, so he needs to turn it around quick if he wants any shot at the major league pen.
Keep an eye on
Preston Mattingly, 2B - You know, I asked Logan White in a draft chat last year if Preston Mattingly would make a good offensive-minded second baseman. Where's my job offer?!?! After committing 15 errors at shortstop, Mattingly has had just 4 miscues at second. He's also hit 349/.379/.578 since the move and raised his overall line to .265/.300/.400. He's even stolen 7 of 8 bases. Mattingly may have benefited from another year in rookie ball, but hopefully the bat will stay hot and the defense will improve. Otherwise, I estimate he'll end up in the outfield before long.
posted by Jared @ 9:49 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home