The Red Sox number 16 ranked prospect Ryan Lavarnway (C) has been hotter than Midwest weather. In his last ten games (39 AB), he’s hit 8 home runs. In 134 at-bats at Triple-A, he’s slashed .381/.450/.769 with 13 home runs, nearly doubling his season total (27 home runs on the season). Just over two weeks ago, I mentioned his promotion to Triple-A. Do heed his lucky .411 BABIP, leading towards the assumption of regressing towards the mean. However, his power is legit and could be a viable play in 2012 and a sneaky power threat in September.
Julio Teheran | ATL | RHP (SP): Atlanta is loaded with pitching prospects and Teheran has quietly been placed on the back burner. Even as Teheran continues to post solid start after start. It has been two months since he allowed more than two runs in a start (May 30th, allowed 5 ER). Appears that the Braves are limiting his innings per start to keep workload under check, or for a September promotion.
Tim Wheeler | COL | CF: Last week’s lead, Wheeler is currently on a ten game hit streak.
Paul Goldschmidt | ARI | 1B: No, I don’t know when he’s going to be called up. I do know that in July he’s hitting .239/.358/.493 with 3 home runs, 23 strikeouts and 11 walks in 67 at-bats. This has easily been his worst month. Don’t get too down on him, there needed to be some regression from his blistering start. Could he be another Carlos Pena? Plausibly.
Brett Lawrie | TOR | 3B: 8 for 22 with 2 doubles and 1 home run along with 7 strikeouts since return from broken left wrist.
Drew Pomeranz | CLE | LHP (SP): Tossed another solid game at Double-A on the 20th; 5 innings, 6 stirekouts 5 baserunners (2 walk), and 1 ER. One area of concern is that his .31 GO/AO is polar opposite of his 1.11 GO/AO at High-A. This trend should be monitored. Currently with the small sample size, I wouldn’t look too much into the trend unless it continues.
Matt Moore | TB | LHP (SP): Promoted to Triple-A and had his first start on Friday (the 22nd). He threw 5 innings, allowed 5 baserunners (2 walks), had 7 strikeouts, and 1 ER (on a home run). He’s one step closer to throwing his 92 to 96 MPH fastball in the majors.
Brad Peacock | WAS | RHP (SP): Speaking of being promoted, Peacock also got his first start in Triple-A on July 16th. His first start was awful (7 ER in 4 1/3 innings). He redeemed himself on Friday with 5 innings of one-run ball (4:1 K:BB).
Trevor May | PHI | RHP (SP): Watch for this name to be amongst any major trades involving the Phillies. With 140 strikeouts in 106 innings at High-A, May is displaying his potential ceiling of a number two starter. He has a 91 to 95 MPH fastball with good sinking action. A 76 to 79 MPH curveball that could be a plus pitch with more consistency and a changeup with great potential.
Edwar Cabrera | COL | LHP (SP): Shortly after my Minor Accomplishments, Week 11 article, Cabrera was promoted to High-A. From that article, “He’s posting Matt Moore type numbers (11.9 K/9 [101 K’s], 1.9 BB/9 in 78 IP at Single-A) with a 91 to 92 MPH fastball with a deceptive and plus changeup. Scouts praise his ability to pitch and setup his changeup. He’s still refining his breaking pitch.” Since that promotion, he has thrown 39 2/3 innings, a 3.90 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 10 walks. Ceiling may only be a back end starter, but his stock is rising.
Robbie Erlin | TEX | LHP (SP): I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves: 20-year-old lefty, 62:5 K:BB in 54 2/3 IP at High-A; 57:6 K:BB in 59 2/3 IP at Double-A. Overall 3.31 ERA. 89 to 91 MPH fastball, 11-to-7 plus-curve, and an above average changeup. Rangers number 4 ranked prospect per Baseball America. Could be centerpiece of a large trade by July 31.
Tom Milone | WAS | LHP (SP): The boring Mr. Milone continues to post solid numbers across the board. As a classic soft-tossing left-handed pitcher, such response is expected. His 85 to 90 MPH fastball and delivery with good deception and command has allowed Milone to post a 113:8 K:BB (not a typo) in 110 innings and a 3.02 ERA (6 Home runs)in combination with a .301 BABIP and 70.0 LOB%. ETA: Late August, definitely September.
