Rehabbing a broken hamate bone, Domonic Brown has sustained early power upon his return. With two home runs, a double and three singles in his first three games, he looks like he might be an exception to the rule about players losing power coming back from this injury. Pretty surprising since the hamate bone is at the base of the hand near the wrist with several bones nearly interlocking. Many players have had this injury and recovered, but power is generally sapped for the first year. If you can build the hype and flip him, that would be the safe play.
Other call ups of note Grey has mentioned, would be Vance Worley who had a decent outing with five strikeouts and six baserunners (4 walks). Alex White is another Zach Britton as Grey stated on Friday. This would be more than fair and I believe White will be better than Britton. David Cooper was a first round draft pick several years ago for the Blue Jays but hasn’t done much to inspire excitement, even with his hot start. Keep expectations in check.
Eulogio “Frankie” de la Cruz | RHP | MIL: Was part of the Miguel Cabrera trade from Florida to Detroit a few years back. He pitched in Japan last year and returned to America this year. In the 2009 Baseball Handbook, it stated he has a 94 to 96 MPH fastball with a plus changeup. Currently, he has a 27:7 K:BB ratio in 24 1/3 innings early this year at Triple-A. Rocking a gravity-charged 1.50 GO/AO; for career has always had a 1.00+ GO/AO ratio. Could be a sneaky prospect this year like a Travis Wood.
Clint Robinson | KC | 1B: Scouts project him as a Quad-A type player who has power to all fields with little to no defense. There are only so many options at KC for this type of player. He could be a potential call-up to stave off service time for Hosmer/Moustakas if Kila Ka’aihue continues to struggle. Currently sporting 6 home runs and a 15:10 K:BB ratio in 72 Triple-A at-bats.
Rex Brothers | COL | LHP: 20 strikeouts and four walks in 11 innings as a reliever at Triple-A. More a call-out if the Rox need to replace any arms.
Brandon Allen | ARI | 1B: His .257/.349/.419 slash line with six XBH (3 Hr) in 74 at-bats isn’t winning anyone over in the blahtoon of Juan Miranda and Russell Branyan.
Dustin Ackley | SEA | 2B: Speaking of struggling, Mr. Dustin “2010 AFL MVP” Ackley has been dreadful to the tune of .221/.343/.326 in 86 at-bats. His plate-discipline is keeping him afloat (16:16 K:BB).
Yunesky Maya | WAS | RHP: Besides a poor first outing, he’s pitched well: 18 strikeouts and 4 walks in 18 2/3 innings with 8 earned runs since an April 7th start. Should get a chance to start in the majors when an injury occurs, barring that the Nationals pitchers continue to throw well, which seems unlikely.
Scott Diamond | MIN | LHP: A spot start here or there. An extreme groundball pitcher (2.75 GO/AO this year in 20 2/3 innings). Drafted as a Rule-5 pick this offseason and then traded a lower prospect to keep his rights when placed at Triple-A to start this year.
Jemile Weeks | OAK | 2B: .333/.440/.547 in 75 at-bats with a 17:14 K:BB ratio. Similar skill-set to older brother – 20/20 potential. Too bad they share the injury bug too.
Trayvon Robinson | LAD | CF/OF: If Jerry Sands continues to struggle, the next prospect that could be called upon is Trayvon. He has a high average currently (.347 ave.) but 22 strikeouts in 70 at-bats. That has been his M.O. throughout his career. Has legitimate 20/20 ceiling when making contact.
Josh Bell | BAL | 3B: Speaking of bad strikeouts, Bell has a 23:2 K:BB ratio in 77 at-bats at Triple-A in the early going. Maybe the Orioles asked him to take lessons from Mini Donkey in the offseason.
Mike Minor | ATL | LHP: 29 strikeouts with six walks and five earned runs in 25 2/3 innings since being sent down. His sleeper status was prematurely released. Looks like he’s cleaning up that mess before the man crushes show back up.
Kyle Gibson | MIN | RHP: Continues to pitch better than the entire Twins rotation.
Neil Ramirez | TEX | RHP: He was a late exclusion from my last Minor League Review article. Throws a 92 to 95 MPH fastball an average changeup and the best curveball in the Rangers farm system. The Rangers promoted him from High-A to Triple-A after one start and he has gone 16 innings with 17 strikeouts and six walks. Ceiling is high if he can curb walks.
