I was all set to open with Triston McKenzie’s 6 no hit innings, but then Rafael Devers collected his third hit of the night in his AAA debut. In the midst of writing this post while regretting my choice to spend my Saturday afternoon, and early evening, and night watching that Marathon Red Sox and Yankees affair, I had the alert pop up on my phone that Devers was about to make his 4th at bat of the night. So I turned away from McKenzie, turned away from Ronald Acuna (2 for 4, 2R, 1Bb, 1 RBI) and Ozzie Albies (1 for 5, 1R) vs Yoan Moncada (1 for 4, 1R, 2 SO’s) in the Charlotte vs. Gwinnett game, and tuned into the PawSox vs Syracuse affair to witness Devers 4th at bat of the contest. The Chiefs (Washington’s AAA affiliate) brought in veteran Neal Cotts of 10 years MLB experience to get the lefty on lefty matchup with Devers. Ahead of Cotts in a 2-1 count Devers hit a ball middle-up to right field for his first AAA homer.
The following inning he made a bare-handed play on the run, throwing out Pedro Severino.
The rumors are swirling regarding Todd Frazier to the Red Sox, with Ken Rosenthal deducing the trade was “almost inevitable”. I for one as a life-long Red Sox fan, and avid follower and fan of prospects, team-building, and organizational depth make this plea to one David Dombrowski. Sir, please don’t trade anything for Todd Frazier and his .210 batting average. Give Lin another week or two, let Devers shine in Pawtucket, and call the kid up around the trade deadline. It costs you nothing but a 40 man spot, why delay the inevitable for a rental? Xander Bogaerts came up late in 2013, and was better for his experience down the stretch and into the post-season. Much like Ronald Acuna has in the early stages of his AAA career, Devers may force the Red Sox hand, as he just looks so much better than anything they can acquire. Simple logic really, why give up assets when you don’t have to?… Anyway, here’s what else I saw in MiLB.
- It’s inevitable, there’s certain players you’re bound to fall in love with no matter how hard you try to remain objective. At the moment that player is Cleveland Indians hurler Triston McKenzie. “Sticks” my number 17 overall prospect on my Mid-season Top 100, was tossing 6 no hit innings, before surrendering 3 hits and 2 runs in the 7th. His final line for the night was 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 9 K’s.
- Padres first base prospect and Futures Game participant Josh Naylor connected for his first AA homer with San Antonio. Naylor ranked 68th on my mid-season top 100.
- Following up on a story from earlier this week Rockies prospect, and my 6th ranked prospect in baseball, Brendan Rodgers, looks to be settling in at AA. Last night he went 4 for 7, hitting a walk off homer in the thirteenth, his second dong of the contest.
- A list of hitters I’m following in short season and rookie ball based on some early number scouting; Esteury Ruiz, Drew Waters, Vidal Brujan, Cole Stobbe, Jhailyn Ortiz, Ulysses Cantu, Aramis Ademan, Andretty Cordero, Yan Sanchez, Luis Almanzar, Malique Ziegler, Brent Rooker, Eguy Rosario, William Contreras, Derian Cruz, Ronaldo Hernandez, Lolo Sanchez, and Jordy Barley. You’ll obviously know some of these names from past writeups and draft coverage, but take a few minutes and look up the stats.
- Two impressive first rounders making waves in the AZL on opposite sides of the spectrum are San Francisco’s 17 year old phenom Heliot Ramos, and the Brewers polished college bat Keston Hiura. Both are showing off elite bat-speed, and major upside as long term dynasty assets.
- The number two overall selection Hunter Greene is headed to Billings, but won’t be activated by the Mustangs right away. They are home until Tuesday and there’s a possibility he makes his debut in the coming days.
- The Reds Taylor Trammell (59th mid-season t-100) connected for his 8th homer of the season last night, and has been a man possessed since the calendar turned to May. Shaking off a rough April to hit .306/.375/.506 with 6 homers, and 18 steals in the 63 games since. Friend of the Prospect Podcast, and fellow prospector MPGA, ranked Trammell 11th in his Top 50.
- Following up last year’s Reds pick in the supplemental round with this year’s Reds pick in the supplemental round, shortstop prospect Jeter Downs. We heard the reports, or at least I did, that he was one of the more advanced high school bats in the class, and so far he’s showing that. Going .316/.458/.500 with 2 homers and 2 steals in 11 games.
- While we’re on the topic of Reds prospects, 21 year old outfielder Jose Siri ran his hit streak to 22 games last after going 3 for 5 in Dayton’s 9-3 win. He connected for his 16th homer while he hits .290 with 26 SBs (11 CS). Siri has loud tools, that tend to draw lots of Nick Williams comps.
- Looks like the Tampa Bay Rays first round pick Brendan McKay will make his professional debut today for the Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York-Penn League.
- The Astros 19 year old giant righthander Forrest Whitley had a career night striking out 10 over 5.2 scoreless innings. I’m a huge fan of Whitley, and it should be easy to see why, you start with a massive workhorse frame, made for eating innings. Add in massive height for downhill plane on his fastball. Mix in 4 secondary pitches and above average command, and you have a serious talent.
- Cardinals catching heir Carson Kelly went deep for the 9th time this season, as he finished the game 2 for 3, raising his average to .284. Another player of interest in this game was 24 year old Cuban outfielder Jose Adolis Garcia. Signed back in February for $2.5M, many project him as a future 4th OF, but he’s showing some power and speed in the upper levels of the minors so far slashing .306/.358/.456 with 7 homers, and 11 steals. Granted he’s 13 games into his AAA career and is yet to take a walk.
- Another strong start from Brewers righty Corbin Burnes, as he went 5 strong allowing 1 run on 4 hits, striking out 5. Burnes now owns a 1.09 ERA in 107.1 innings between high-A and AA, he misses bats (104 K’s), and limits the walks (22 Bb) too!
- I just can’t get enough of Ryan McMahon at the moment. As of writing this McMahon is 3 for 3 with a homer and 2RBIs. He’s been putting up great numbers all season, and an underrated element of his breakout is he’s getting some reps at second base. If McMahon some how manages to end up a super utility player with the sort of offensive upside he’s showing this season, he not only could find his way to regular at bats in Colorado, but also to fantasy stardom.
- On the comeback trail the Rockies David Dahl was playing in that AAA alongside McMahon as he works his way closer to his return from a back injury.
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