It has been ugly for Lehigh Valley who are in the midst of a seven game home stand and have lost 17 of their last 24 games, even after their walk off come from behind win last night.  Hope comes tonight with the introduction of Aaron Nola into the IronPigs rotation with his scheduled start against Buffalo.  At 25-43, the ‘Pigs are in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 13.5 games behind division leading Scranton.  Scranton visits Coca Cola Park over the weekend before an off day on Monday.

News and Notes: Tyler Henson is hitting .542 (13-24) with RISP and two out.  Not bad.

–SP Adam Morgan threw two innings (35 pitches) on Wednesday night before being removed from the game.  Not injured, speculation quickly grew that he was being removed to keep him fresh to pitch Sunday for the Phils in Jerome Williams spot in the rotation.  That speculation was seemingly stomped after the game when Manager Dave Brundage commented that they were simply trying to limit Morgan’s innings and did not have an available starter to take Morgan’s rotation spot.  Not sure how much I am buying into that.

–I have no real idea why Jayson Nix was re-acquired.  He was awful last year and continues to be awful .  He is 0 for his last 18 and 4-38 in his last 11 games.

–1B Chris McGuiness is hitting .177(11-62) over his last 19 games and has fallen to .234 on the year

–SS Edgar Duran, who has been out around a month with a hamstring strain, is close to returning. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Report →

At 10:00AM this morning, twenty newly signed draft picks began their professional baseball careers.  Along with 21 other holdovers in camp, they took calisthenics and began taking PFPs and fielding drills.

I left after an hour, before they started batting practice, but here is a list of the new players and a list of the players remaining from XST. (Draft Tracker updated) Continue reading Today at the Carpenter Complex →

The State secret that is Ruben Amaro’s timeline for Aaron Nola was finally learned today with his call up to AAA Lehigh Valley to presumably make his first start Thursday in Allentown.  Nola, who just turned 22 has been consistently outstanding this year, with a 7-3 record and a 1.88ERA in his 12 AA starts.  In 76.2IP for Reading, Nola has allowed just 59 hits, walking 9 and striking out 59, while holding the opposition to a .219 avg.  After having one start skipped to “keep him fresh”, Nola threw 5 innings yesterday (69 pitches), and yielded 2 earned runs on a first inning 2R homer.  Just one year removed from college ball, I would expect the Phils to keep Nola at no more than 160-170IP this year and to be closely monitored post All Star break.  Top prospect status aside, Nola will be a very welcome addition to both the team (23-42) and the fans in Allentown who have had very little to watch and even less to cheer about as we approach the minor league seasons half way point.

The moves to me at this stage are obvious.  Stassi to Lehigh Valley, Charles playing regularly in Reading and Hoskins to Clearwater.  See the evidence below.

Lehigh Valley

Chris McGuiness, 27, SIgned as a free agent in 2015; .226/.342/.296 in 159 AB’s; 1HR 16RBI; 16%BB/15%K rates; .263 vs LHP; .215 vs RHP; .200 last 30 days; .205 with RISP; 38 games at 1B with 2 errors (.994); 8.18 R/F.  Has been consistently unproductive all year.

Russ Canzler, 29, Re-Signed as a free agent in 2015; .260/.319/.383 in 196AB’s; 4HR 20RBI; 8%BB/18%K rates; .276 vs LHP; .254 vs. RHP; .211 over last 30 days; .245 with RISP; 28 games at 1B with 2 errors (.992); 5 games at 3B without an error; 6 games in the OF with 1 error.  After a fast start, Canzler has been almost non-existent for over a month now.

Cord Phelps, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .220/.298/.269 in 182 AB’s; 2HR 9RBI; 2SB; 10%BB/15%K rates; .224 vs. LHP; .218 vs. RHP; .267 over last month; .250 with RISP; 27 games at 3B with 3 errors (.952); 22 games at 2B with 2 errors (.981).  Has provided little to no offense while continuing his versatility in the field

Reading

Art Charles, 24, Acquired from Toronto in 2013; .274/.355/.514 in 146 AB’s; 6HR 27RBI; 12%BB/24%K rates; .304 vs LHP; .268 vs RHP; .177 over last 30 days; .283 with RISP; 18 games at 1B with 2 errors (.988); 9.22 R/F. After an unbelievable start, Charles has come back to Earth, hard over the last month.  That said, he is playing sparingly and I would like him to receive more regular time.

Brock Stassi, 25, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011; .333/.395/.498 in 207AB’s; 7HR 48RBI; 3SB; 10%BB/12%K rates; .388 with RISP; .339 over last 30 days; 48 games at 1B with 3 errors (.992); 8.19 R/F; 2 games in the OF without an error.  Stassi has been consistently outstanding all year.  I am far from convinced of any major league credentials, however, he should be in Lehigh Valley.  With an organizational guy above him who is hitting .226 with 1HR, there is no reason Stassi should be in Reading after 600 plus AB’s at this level.  Move Stassi and let Charles play. Continue reading Around the System–Corner INF →

Hello, its me. I apologize for not writing up a final draft prep piece on Sunday, life sort of got in the way. I did want to pop back in and write up some thoughts on the first two days of the draft. This is not going to rival the draft recaps I wrote up for 5 years, where I spent waaaay too much time dissecting draft picks and potential signability concerns, but I do have some thoughts, so I figured I’d share them with the masses, in case you were interested to see what I thought.

Continue reading Thoughts on the first 10 rounds of the draft →

Certainly several who are capable of moving up sometime very soon.  At the top of the list:  Ramos and Forsythe at Clearwater as well as DeNato, Hockenberry and Rivero at Lakewood

Clearwater

Jesen Therrien, 22, Phils 17th round pick in 2011; 15 games between Lakewood and CLearwater; 1-1 with a 1.11ERA; 2 saves; 24.1IP 22H 3BB 18K; 1HR allowed; .242 opp avg; 1.03 WHIP; 0.86 GO/AO; 1.1BB/6.7K per 9; For CW, 6 games, 1-0 with a 2.57ERA; .310 opp avg; 1.43 WHIP.  Therrien threw very well for Lakewood before his promotion and now is getting his feet under him in CLearwater.

Cody Forsythe, 24, Phils 25th round pick in 2013; 16 games, 2-0 with a 2.92ERA; 24.2IP 23H 6BB 26K; 3HR allowed; .232 opp avg; 1.18 WHIP; 0.76 GO/AO; 2.2BB/9.5K per 9; .361 vs. LH, .159 vs. RH, .208 with RISP.  Forsythe continues to pitch well for Clearwater and now has made 41 appearances at High A.  Time for movement upward.

Harold Guerrero, 25, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 9 games, 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA: 13.2IP 11H 12BB 13K; .224 opp avg; 1.68 WHIP; 0.53 GO/AO; 7.9BB/8.6K per 9; .091 with RISP.  Guerrero has been pitching himself into all kinds of trouble because of his high walk rate b but has done a decent job pitching out of the problems he creates. Continue reading Around the System, RP, Clearwater and Lakewood →

Not a whole lot to be excited about when discussing relief pitchers at the upper reaches of the organization.  In fact, almost no reason to be excited.  That will come when discussing Clearwater and Lakewood.

Lehigh Valley

Jake Diekman, 28, Phils 30th round pick in 2007; Sent down Friday, Diekman pitched s scoreless frame in his first outing, yielding both a base hit and a walk.

Seth Rosin, 26, Acquired from San Francisco in 2012; 22 games, 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA; 2 saves; 30.2IP 32H 6BB 21K; .254 opp avg; 1.24 WHIP;1.39 GO/AO; 1.8BB/6.2K per 9; .302vs. LH, .219 vs. RH, .250 over last 30 days; .268 with RISP.  Rosin has thrown very well this year and has likely past Hector Neris as the likely RHP to come up if need be.

Hector Neris, 26, SIgned as a free agent in 2009; 19 games; 1-3 with 4.50ERA; 1/3 saves; 24IP 28H 17BB 26K; .292 opp avg; 1.88 WHIP; 1.14 GO/AO; 6.4BB/9.8K per 9; .395 vs. LH, .224 vs. RH, .234 opp avg last Month; .294 with RISP.  Neris has pitched very poorly with an astronomical walk rate combined with getting crushed by left handed hitters.

Nick Hill, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2015; 13 games, 0-3 with a 3.80ERA between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 2 saves; 21.2IP 22H 11BB 14K; .289 opp avg; 1.55 WHIP; 0.95 GO/AO; 4.6BB/5.8K per 9; .389 vs. LH,.285 vs RH, .286 with RISP.  Hill has been nothing more than an innings eater for Lehigh Valley.  Very inconsistent. Continue reading Around the System, RP, Lehigh Valley and Reading →

Johnny Almaraz, the Phillies Amateur Scouting Director, said in an interview this past week that one of the criteria of his scouting crew is to find out about the players family and background. In his words “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree”, he feels it is very important to not just focus on baseball ability, albeit obviously of primary importance, but to also try and determine the makeup of the young player as desire, will, composure and passion are big elements of succeeding in professional baseball.

With that theme I thought it might be worthwhile to review, as best I can, some of the backgrounds and support of some of the present Phillies minor leaguers. My focus on Phuture Phillies is the Reading Fighten’s, with that being the case here is a look at a player who has perhaps performed better than any other minor leaguer in the system thus far, Brock Stassi.

Stassi is a 25 year old first baseman who stands 6’2″ and weighs in at 190 pounds. He was the 33rd round selection of the Phillies in the 2011 draft. He is from Sacramento, California and attended Yuba City High School where he played the positions of pitcher and outfielder for his dad Jim Stassi who coached the high school team for 18 years winning 337 games in his career. Brock graduated from the University of Nevada-Reno and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 44th round of the 2010 draft but chose to complete his senior year and subsequently signed with the Phillies the following year. His father Jim also attended and played for the Wolfpack at the University of Nevada Reno and holds a few school records still.

Brock also pitched in college but focused primarily as an outfielder and led the team in hitting his senior season with a .360 average in 55 games and 203 at bats. He was not heavily recruited out of high school and being a third day draft pick is an underdog to make the show. As Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer pointed out in an article published on May 24th Stassi sees himself as someone who has always had to prove his doubters wrong. In a quote in that article Stassi said “I’ve always had to grind stuff out and open people’s eyes,  I play with a chip on my shoulder. Being a 33d-rounder, I use that as motivation. I take pride in that.”

Read more of that article http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/minor_leagues/20150524_Reading_s_Stassi_looks_to_keep_proving_doubters_wrong.html#4cLOKmxxFxLSU833.99

So what about family background? As mentioned his dad was a very successful high school coach and actually continues to coach as the hitting coach for the Marysville Gold Sox Baseball Club which is a summer collegiate wood bat team based in Marysville, CA. He played in the San Francisco Giants organization after being drafted in the 17th round of the 1982 draft and made it to the triple A level before ending his playing career in the Italian Pro League in Rimini, Italy. Additionally, Jim’s uncle Sam Stassi played minor league ball, and he is the great-nephew of big leaguer Myril Hoag. Some news stories claim his father Bob played in the minors as well as his grandfather Sam Sr.

Brock’s brother Max Stassi is a 24 year old catcher in the Houston Astro’s system playing at Triple A Fresno, he was a 2009 4th round draft pick of the Oakland A’s and was acquired via trade by the Astro’s.

So Brock definitely has a family with a baseball background and therefore a platform for reference to succeed. Now let’s take a look at his numbers, prior to this season he has had a relatively non-descript pro career. His first summer as a pro in 2011 was spent in Williamsport where he hit only .200 in 150 at bats while converting to a new position, first base. In 2012 he spent time at both Williamsport and Clearwater but the brunt of his time was at Lakewood where he posted a .247 average (.342 OBP with a .719 OPS) in 186 at bats. He only struck out 34 times against 28 walks while posting 15 extra base hits ( 9 doubles, 3 triples and 3 home runs).

Brock spent 2013 in Clearwater where the offensive game came around as he hit .295 ( .347 OBP and .746 OPS) in 288 at bats. Again he had minimal strike outs with 43 but only 23 walks with 19 extra base hits ( 11 doubles, 5 triples and 3 home runs).

In 2014 he struggled at Double A Reading hitting .232 ( .302 OBP and .629 OPS) in 440 at bats as the regular first baseman. He struck out 49 times with 39 walks and 23 extra base hits ( 12 doubles, 3 triples and 8 home runs) while driving in 44 runs. He actually got off to a decent start hitting .282 thru June but faltering to a .188 average in the second half of the season.

In an April, 2015 article written by Mike Drago of the Reading Eagle Stassi cited nutrition as a factor in his 2014 fall off, he spent the offseason living and training with his brother Max and adapted a diet which includes a regimented frequency of more meals as he said last season he lost weight and strength as the season went on.

So far so good this season for Brock as he comes into play today with an Eastern a League leading .339 average thru his first 180 at bats. He also leads the league in Runs Batted in with 43 and is second in OPS at .913 while being fourth in OBP at .402.  He already has 19 extra base hits ( 13 doubles and 6 home runs).

I for one always pull for the underdog and the hard worker, Brock Stassi seems to fit the mold there and I hope he has continued success, as Mr. Almaraz stated this week the mental make up and family background of players goes a long ways in helping them to succeed in this sport where the majority of the time you fail, this season so far Brock Stassi has turned prior setbacks into success, sure would be nice to see that continue.

Here’s a look at one of the deeper minor league systems, the Texas Rangers. I am reviewing stats first and then interjecting comments from MLB.com : This review is reflective of data up to but not including June 5, 2015 :

Low Single A : Hickory Crawdads ( 35-18, 1st place, South Atlantic League – Northern Division)

Josh Morgan is a 19-year-old third baseman/shortstop/second baseman who thru 171 at bats has posted a solid .275 average ( .356 OBP, .712 OPS) with 11 extra base hits ( 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run). He is the Rangers 3rd round pick of the 2014 draft who bypassed UCLA to instead sign with the Rangers.

MLB.com : “Morgan is an offensive-minded middle infielder with a line-drive swing, a mature approach and a knack for barreling balls. Though he had just four extra-base hits in his 56-game debut, he has some surprising pop for his size and could produce double-digits home run totals as he gets older and stronger. He’s a solid runner who’s still learning how to translate his quickness into stolen bases.
Scouts who saw Morgan as an amateur were split on whether he could stay at shortstop in the long run, but he lost 10 pounds after signing and improved his range. He has the hands, arm and instincts for the position, and though he did spend more time at second base in his first taste of pro ball.”

Travis Demeritte is a 20-year-old third baseman/second baseman who was the Rangers number 1 pick in the 2013 draft. He is hitting only .241 so far in 170 at bats in his second year at Low A ball but has 18 extra base hits, ( 12 doubles, 1 triple and 5 home runs) with 10 stolen bases. He strikes out a bit with 69 k’s  Note: just today Demeritte has been suspended 80 games for using a banned substance, that definitely eliminates his trade value 😳

MLB.com : “Though he batted just .211 and struck out 171 times in 2014, Demeritte has the potential to produce for both average and power. He has tremendous bat speed and shows some willingness to use the entire field and drive walks. He’ll need to tone down his aggression and learn to handle breaking pitches.

While he played shortstop in high school, most scouts thought he profiled better at third base because of his power and his just average speed. The Rangers have a backlog of hot-corner talent starting with Adrian Beltre and Joey Gallo, so they moved Demeritte to second base. He has taken to his new position and has a higher offensive ceiling than most players there.”

Luis Ortiz is an 18-year-old right-handed pitcher who has a sparkling 2.00 ERA thru 36 IP ( 8 starts, 31 k’s, 8 BB) and a 2-1 record.

MLB.com : “Ortiz has as much upside as any starter in the Texas system. He can miss bats with his 92-97 mph fastball and his low-80s slider. He also shows aptitude for using a change-up.
There’s not much projection remaining in Ortiz’ mature 6-foot-3 frame, but his present stuff is plenty good enough. There’s little effort in his high three-quarters delivery, allowing him to throw strikes with good downhill plane.”

Brett Martin is a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher who is 3-1 so far in 7 starts with a 2.50 ERA in 36 innings ( 29 k’s and 7 BB). He was the Rangers 4th round pick of the 2014 draft.

MLB.com : “Martin currently works at 89-93 mph with his fastball, though there could be a lot more velocity left in his tank because he has a fresh arm and an athletic, projectable frame. When he keeps his fastball down in the strike zone, it features cutting and tailing action.

Martin’s best present pitch is his curveball, which also could add more power as he fills out. He has a feel for a sinking change up as well. Add in a deceptive delivery and consistent strike-throwing ability, and has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter.”

Ariel Jurado is a 19-year-old right-handed pitcher from Panama who is 7-0 thru 9 starts with a 2.29 ERA ( 51 IP, 43 k’s, just 6 BB, .94 WHIP). He generally is in the 90-93 range but also knows how to pitch. This system is so deep he isn’t even rated in the top 30 😳.

Likewise right-handed pitcher Colin Wiles, a 21-year-old has posted excellent numbers so far with a 1.92 ERA thru 51 innings and 8 starts (6-2, 31 k’s, 12 BB,). Wiles was a 2012 compensation A pick for the Rangers.

Other top players currently on the Crawdads roster and ranked in the top 30 list by MLB.com for the Rangers include catcher Jose Trevino, pitcher Yohander Mendez, First Baseman Ronald Guzman, outfielder Jario Beras and shortstop Michael DeLeon. They are all 20 years old or younger, DeLeon is just 18. The Crawdads roster is loaded!

High A – High Desert Mavericks ( 27-25, 3rd place, California League – South Division)

Ryan Cordell is a 23-year-old center fielder/shortstop who was a round 11 draft pick in 2013 from Libery University. He is hitting .304 (.367 OPS) thru 217 at bats with 9 home runs and 47 RBI’s (2nd in the league). He also has 11 doubles and 4 triples with an OPS of .883.

MLB.com : “Another quality athlete in a system loaded with them, Cordell has at least average tools across the board. He has more feel for hitting than most of his physically gifted counterparts, making consistent contact and using the whole field. He also can drive the ball and has the plus speed and aptitude to steal bases.

Cordell’s quickness also helps in the outfield, where he gets good reads and jumps and can play all three positions. He’s a capable center fielder who played mostly on the corners in 2014 because he was on the same teams with Lewis Brinson. Cordell opened eyes as an infielder during instructional league to the extent that Texas will try him as a shortstop this season.”

Lewis Brinson is a 21-year-old outfielder who is currently on the disabled list with a hamstring injury but is expected back shortly, he is very highly regarded though and was hitting .275 thru 69 at bats to start the season with six extra base hits and 7 RBI’s.

MLB.com : “In a farm system laden with toolsy players, Brinson is the toolsiest. The 29th overall pick in the 2012 Draft and recipient of a $1.625 million bonus, he had a 20-20 season in his first full year as a pro but also finished second in the Minors with 191 strikeouts. He was more consistent at the plate last season, though he missed time with a nagging quad injury.

Brinson has smoothed out his swing and improved his pitch recognition, and he cut his strikeout rate from 38 percent in 2013 to 25 percent in 2014. Whiffs will always come as part of the package, but he can hit for at least a decent average with plenty of power. His raw power and speed are easy plus tools, and he has the upside of a 30-30 player if he can continue to refine his hitting and basestealing skills.

Brinson is an exciting defender as well. He chases down balls from gap to gap in center field and has the strong-arm to erase baserunners who try to challenge him. His legs are a big part of his game, and the Rangers want him to focus on a strengthening and stretching program after his quad problems in 2014.”

Evan Van Hoosier is a 21-year-old outfielder/second baseman who is hitting .310 (.361 OBP) thru 142 at bats. He has 16 extra base hits.

MLB.com : “Van Hoosier has a quick right-handed bat and manipulates it well. He can drive the ball into the gaps and his plus speed makes him an asset on the bases. He manages the strike zone reasonably well and could contribute across the board offensively.”

Double A : Frisco Rough Riders ( 22-31, last place in four team Texas League South Division)

Joey Gallo was having a very good season at double A before being called up to the show recently, he is still listed as the top Rangers prospect.

Jorge Alfaro is a 21-year-old catcher and is ranked as the Rangers 2nd best prospect. He is hitting .258 ( .320 OBP) thru 178 at bats with 21 extra base hits ( 14 doubles, 2 triples and 5 home runs). He has struck out 57 times.

MLB.com : “Since signing for a $1.3 million bonus — a record for a Colombian player — in January 2010, Alfaro advanced rapidly to Double-A. He has the best combination of raw power and pure arm strength among Minor League catchers, though he’s still polishing those tools and the other aspects of his game.

Alfaro has the strength and bat speed to drive balls out of any part of any ballpark without selling out for power, yet he’s still overly aggressive at the plate. He swings and misses frequently, and he needs to do a better job of taking pitches and recognizing breaking balls. If he figures it out, he could be an average hitter with 20-plus homers per season at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Similarly, he has a cannon arm and good athleticism for a catcher but needs a lot of refinement behind the plate. He threw out just 28 percent of basestealers and committed 23 passed balls in 90 games. Though the Rangers have experimented with Alfaro at first base and in the outfield, they’re not giving up on the idea that he can become an All-Star catcher.”

Nomar Mazzaro is a 20-year-old outfielder who is the third highest rated prospect in the Rangers system. He is hitting .292 (.370 OBP) thru 185 at bats.

MLB.com : “Mazara’s $4.95 million bonus in 2011 set a since-broken record for the largest bonus ever given to an international amateur. Other teams were shocked by the Rangers’ largesse but Texas believed in his projectable frame and power potential. After posting a .692 OPS in his first full pro season in 2013, he broke out last year by hitting .271/.362/.478 and advancing to Double-A at age 19.

Mazara’s improvement resulted in part from toning down a big leg kick that had compromised his bat speed. He’s strong and generates a lot of leverage with his 6-foot-4 frame. He manages the strike zone well for a youngster, which gets him pitches he can drive and should allow him to become a solid hitter to go with his well above-average power.

Though he’s a below-average runner, Mazara gets good jumps and projects as an average defender in right field. He has the plus arm strength desired at the position and has totaled 25 assists in his two full seasons.”

The system’s fourth highest rated prospect is 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Jake Thompson. He was the 2nd round draft pick of the Tigers in the 2012 draft. At Frisco he is 5-3 thru 10 starts with a 4.10 ERA in 52 innings ( 54 k’s and 13 BB)

MLB.com : “Thompson was Detroit’s top pick in the 2012 Draft, a second-rounder out of Rockwall-Heath High (Heath, Texas). While his right-handed power made him a legitimate prospect as a first baseman, his future definitely lies on the mound. He developed quicker than expected, reaching Double-A as a 20-year-old in July — two weeks before the Tigers traded him and Corey Knebel to the Rangers for Joakim Soria.

Thompson could have three solid or better pitches when all is said and done. He usually works at 90-93 mph with good sink and tail on his fastball. When his curveball is on, it features power and depth and gives him a second plus offering. He also has nice feel for his change-up.

At 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Thompson has the build to be a durable starter, and he also has possesses the stuff to pitch near the front of a rotation. His delivery can get out of sync at times, but that’s typical for a young pitcher and he should develop reasonable command down the road.”

Andrew Faulkner, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher, Jose Leclerc, a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher and Nick Williams, a 21-year-old outfielder are also top 30 system ranked players on the Frisco roster, none at least statistically are having standout seasons thus far.

Triple A – Round Rock Express – ( 33-20, 1st place, Pacific Coast League- American Southern Division)

Anthony Runuado is a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher who was the Red Sox first round pick in the 2010 draft. He is 5-1 thru 9 starts ( 49 IP, 41 k’s, 21 BB) with a 2.74 ERA. He spent time briefly in the big leagues this season.

MLB.com : ” The Rangers couldn’t sign Ranaudo as an 11th-rounder out of high school in 2007 but finally acquired him in a January trade with the Red Sox for Robbie Ross. In between, he won the 2009 College World Series championship game for Louisiana State, signed for $2.55 million as a supplemental first-rounder in 2010 and battled intermittent elbow and groin issues. He was fully healthy in 2014, when he led the Triple-A International League in wins (14), ERA (2.61) and opponent average (.233) before making his big league debut.

With two plus pitches and a 6-foot-7 frame, Ranaudo has the look of a No. 3 starter. When he stays on top of his pitches, he leverages his 90-96 mph fastball down in the strike zone and creates good depth on a hard curveball that can reach the low 80s. His changeup has its moments but lags behind his other two offerings.

Though he has streamlined his delivery a bit, Ranaudo is still inconsistent with his control and command. He had trouble locating his fastball in his stint in Boston, missing the zone and leaving it up more than he had in the past. Some scouts think he might be better off as a two-pitch reliever who could work the late innings, but Texas will give him every chance to start.”

Catcher Tomas Telis, a 23-year-old is having a very good season hitting .327 (.368 OBP) with 15 extra base hits ( 10 doubles and 5 home runs) thru 171 at bats. He has also only struck out 16 times.

MLB.com : “A shortstop in Venezuela, Telis immediately moved behind the plate after signing for $130,000 in 2007. He overcame Tommy John surgery in 2010 and two stalled years in the mid-Minors in 2012-13 to make his big league debut last season.

Telis’ best tool is his line-drive bat, which produced a .318 average between Double-A and Triple-A in 2014. He makes consistent contact from both sides of the plate, though he doesn’t provide much in the way of home-run power or walks.

Telis has developed into an average defender behind the plate. He has decent arm strength that plays up thanks to his quick footwork and release, and he has cleaned up his receiving skills. He profiles strictly as a backup and should be ready whenever the Rangers need him again.”

Lastly right-handed pitcher Jerad Eickhoff is a 24-year-old who is 4-3 thru 8 starts at Round Rock.

MLB.com : “Strong and physical, Eickhoff has a 91-95 mph fastball that touches 97. He complements it with a hard curveball that gives him a second plus pitch at times, as well as a slider that can be a solid offering. He throws strikes and uses his 6-foot-4 frame to pitch on a downhill plane.

If Eickhoff can improve his change-up and command, he could be a workhorse No. 3 starter. If not, he could be a late-inning reliever whose pitches should feature more power in shorter stints.”

Whew! When folks say the Rangers system is loaded up they weren’t kidding! Their major league roster also contains many young players, if we deal in hopes of building up our system this is a great trade partner for sure 😳

As the fifth installment  of my series of looking at other teams minor league systems in this post I take a look at the LA Dodgers. I am reviewing stats first and then interjecting comments from various sites: This review is reflective of data up to but not including June 4, 2015 :

Low A : Great Lakes Loons ( 26-26, 4th place, Midwest League – Eastern Division)

Alex Santana is a 21-year-old outfielder who was the Dodgers 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft, he is the son of ex major leaguer Rafael Santana. At one point he was considered the Dodgers 12th best prospect but is no longer ranked in the top 30. He is in his fifth year of the system. This year he is hitting .304 (.347 OBP) thru only 92 at bats as he started the season on the DL. There are those in the Dodgers organization who feel he can still climb the organizational ladder which is why I mention him here as a still a prospect of consideration.

Trevor Oaks, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher has posted a 3.17 ERA thru 59 innings and 10 starts, he also has 2 complete games which is a rarity in professional baseball nowadays. Oaks is a control pitcher who has 35 strikeouts while yielding only 9 walks. He was a 7th round draft choice out of California Baptist in the Dodgers 2014 draft. Oaks has posted six quality starts this season, he generally is around 88-91 on fastball.

Grant Holmes is a 19-year-old starting pitcher who is the Dodgers number one pick from the 2014 draft, is considered the Dodgers 3rd best prospect  and owns the number 85 overall prospect ranking in minor league baseball according to Baseball America . He is 3-0 thru 10 starts ( 58 k’s with 24 BB and a 3.22 ERA in 44 innings)

MLB.com  : “Holmes began his high school senior season by hitting 100 mph during a preseason scrimmage and continued to bring the heat for the rest of his spring and into his pro debut. He usually works at 93-95 mph with impressive life and command. His hard breaking ball can make hitters look bad as well, combining curveball depth with slider velocity in the low 80s.
Holmes also exhibits some feel for a change-up, which should become at least an average third pitch. There isn’t much projection in his relatively short and stocky frame, but that doesn’t matter because his present stuff is plenty good enough to make him a starter. He also does a nice job of throwing strikes for a youngster.” The 24 BB this year would seem to dispute that last comment 😃

High A : Rancho Cucamonga Qaukes ( 31-21, 1st place in California League South Division)

Kyle Farmer is a 24-year-old catcher who was an 8th round draft pick in 2013. He is hitting .346 this season thru 130 at bats with 17 extra base hits ( 10 doubles,6 triples and 1 homer). He is a converted shortstop as he played there at Georgia Tech.

MLB.com : “Farmer’s conversion is off to a promising start and he made the low Class A Midwest League All-Star Game in his first full pro season. He has the soft hands, arm strength and leadership skills needed to make it work, though his release and receiving will require a lot more polish.”

Cody Bellinger is a 19-year-old first baseman who shows good power, he was a 4th round draft choice in 2013, he has 10 home runs already along with 15 doubles and 3 triples. He has driven in 41 runs thru his first 191 at bats posting a .293 average (.363 OBP).

MLB.com : “The Dodgers’ biggest over-slot signing from their 2013 Draft class, Bellinger got $700,000 in the fourth round. He struggled in his pro debut but bounced back last season, when he was one of the most productive teenagers in the Rookie-level Pioneer League. He’s the son of Clay Bellinger, who won two World Series with the Yankees and played in the 2004 Olympics for Greece.

Bellinger has the sweet left-handed swing and the mature approach to hit for average, though there’s some question as to how much power he’ll produce. He has some bat speed but will need to add loft to his swing and strength to his lanky 6-foot-4 frame.

Bellinger has more well-rounded tools than most first basemen. He’s an average runner and threw in the upper 80s as a high school pitcher. With his agility, soft hands and instincts make him a quality defender.”

Jose DeLeon is a 22-year-old pitcher has posted 58 strikeouts with only 8 walks thru 37 innings ( 7 starts) with an ERA of 1.67. He is ranked as the Dodgers fourth best prospect and is seen on lists as the #100 overall prospect in baseball.

MLB.com  : “A 24th-round pick out of Southern in 2013 who signed for $35,000 and posted a 6.96 ERA in his pro debut, De Leon wasn’t on any prospect lists before last summer. Then he was named pitcher of the year in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, which he led with 77 strikeouts and 12.8 whiffs per nine innings. Completing his breakout, he had 42 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings at low Class A Great Lakes, where he fanned 14 in one game to break Clayton Kershaw’s franchise record.

Once De Leon made significant improvements to his conditioning and mechanics, his stuff took off. His fastball jumped from the low 90s to the mid 90s, and his slider jumped into the low 80s with better depth. Both qualify as legitimate swing-and-miss pitches.

De Leon has a decent change up and the willingness to throw it, which will help in its development. His control and command have gotten better too. If he can maintain these gains over an entire year in full-season ball, he could be a frontline starter.”

Double A : Tulsa Drillers ( 20-29, 3rd place, Texas League North Division)

Corey Seager is a 21-year-old shortstop and is the top rated prospect in the Dodgers system, #5 overall in baseball. He began the season at double A where he hit .375 in 80 at bats before moving up to triple A where in 122 at bats he is hitting .303 with 11 extra base hits and 16 runs batted in. He has struck out 21 times and walked 7 times.

MLB.com  :“Seager rivals Carlos Correa (Astros) as the biggest offensive threat among shortstop prospects. Seager has a smooth, balanced lefty swing as well as bat speed, strength and a mature all-fields approach. He can get a bit aggressive at times but has what it takes to hit for both average and power.

Scouts say that Seager is a more advanced hitter and shows more pop than his older brother Kyle, now an All-Star with the Mariners, showed at the same stage of his career. Like Kyle, Corey probably is best suited for third base and could be a strong defender there. While he has the arm and the instincts for shortstop, he’s bigger than most players at the position and may not have the speed or quickness desired.”

Julio Urias is an 18-year-old left-handed pitcher who is the 2nd highest ranked in the Dodgers system. He is considered to be the #6 overall prospect in baseball. Currently he is on the DL. Thru 7 starts he has posted a 3.00 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 9 walks in 36 innings.

MLB.com  : “Purchased as part of a $1.8 million package deal from the Mexican League’s Mexico City Red Devils in 2012, has a filthy three-pitch repertoire. He has a 91-96 mph fastball with solid life that he can throw to either side of the plate. If hitters try to sit on it, they usually regret it because he can cross them up with a big-breaking curveball and a deceptive change-up with fade.

Though Urias needs to develop more consistent control and command — no surprise given his age — he has advanced feel for pitching. He shows an aptitude for altering his arm angle and varying the speed of his pitches. Los Angeles is trying to manage his innings and the expectations for him but may not be able to keep him in the Minors much longer.”

Chris Anderson is a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher who was the Dodgers first pick in the 2013 draft. He is 4-4 thru 10 starts and while he has posted 48 strikeouts in 54 innings he has also walked 27.

MLB.com  : “Anderson works at 92-94 mph with his fastball, which has reached 98 in shorter stints. He sometimes has difficulty commanding his heater, but it’s difficult to hit when he does because it has heavy life and he delivers it on a steep downhill plane.

Both Anderson’s slider and change-up have the potential to be solid pitches. His slider climbs into the mid 80s, and his change-up comes with deceptive arm speed and fade. He could be a frontline starter if he refines his control, and a closer if he doesn’t.”

Triple A : Oklahoma City Dodgers ( 34-18, 1st place, Pacific Coast League American Northern Division)

Zach Lee is a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, he has posted a 2.38 ERA thru 10 starts (56 innings with 44 K’s and 12 walks) , he was the Dodgers number 1 pick in the 2010 draft.

MLB.com  : “A top quarterback recruit, Lee seemed headed to Louisiana State to play quarterback and thus considered unsignable by the majority of teams in the 2010 Draft. The Dodgers surprisingly took him with the 28th overall and stunningly signed him at the deadline for $5.25 million, a franchise Draft record. His athleticism has helped him move quickly, but his stuff hasn’t developed as hoped and regressed when he reached Triple-A last year at age 22.

Lee lacks a true out pitch and got hit hard in Triple-A when his fastball backed up to 88-93 mph and his slider lost some sharpness. His most reliable offering in 2014 was his solid change-up, which he sells well. He also uses a curveball that features 12-6 break at times.

When Lee’s pitches were crisper and he commanded them better in the past, he missed bats and projected as a possible No. 3 starter.”

Darnell Sweeney is a 24-year-old second baseman who was a 13th round draft pick in 2012. He has 20 stolen bases this season while hitting .255 thru 192 at bats. He also has 17 extra base hits ( 13 doubles, 2 triples and 2 dingers) but has struck out an alarming 55 times while only taking 18 walks.

MLB.com  : “Sweeney doesn’t have a standout tool but can do a little bit of everything. He’s a switch-hitter who has made strides in tightening his strike zone and possessed more power than most middle infielders. He has solid speed but is still figuring out how to use it after leading his leagues in getting caught stealing in each of the last two seasons.

Primarily a shortstop in his first two pro seasons, Sweeney played mostly second base in 2014 and also saw time in center field. He projects as an average defender at second base with similar potential in center, though he’s fringy at shortstop. Howie Kendrick’s contract expires after this season, so Sweeney could get a crack at Los Angeles’ starting job in 2016.”