I hope Dodgers 2B Michael Busch really drinks it all in during his big league debut because he might be right back in the minor leagues the following week. Doesn’t matter much either way to his long-term outlook. I suspect he could push Miguel Vargas if the bat plays early. I’m not confident Vargas ever got right in Spring, and then he got hit by a fastball in the thumb on April 4th. He’s slugging .295 with zero home runs or stolen bases but still posting a .364 on base percentage due to the plus plate skills.
Rockies OF Brenton Doyle could follow the path of just about every other Rockies prospect in recent history and return to the minor leagues soon after his debut, but we might be in for a little surprise given Doyle’s plus defense and Daza’s general lack of impact tools. (Man, this sounds ridiculous. Just when I thought I was out. Don’t hurt us again, Bud.)
Athletics RHP Shintaro Fujinami has not worked out the way I’d hoped, but he could become a late-inning option in Oakland. The stuff is good enough. Command hasn’t been there, so even when he hits a spot, he doesn’t get the call.
Oakland might have the same issue with rookie RHP Luis Medina, who features a premium fastball/curveball combo but has struggled with consistency and command throughout his career. He walked eight hitters in 9.1 innings at Triple-A this year and will have to learn on the job if he’s going to keep it.
I hope Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee really drinks it all in during his big league debut because he might be right back in the minor leagues the following week. Doesn’t matter much either way to his long-term outlook. I suspect he’ll get about 100 major league innings this year, and I think they’ll be pretty good. He’s a unique look with good stuff and good command. Gavin Williams is jumping to Triple-A on the same day and doesn’t look like he’ll need much time there.
Brewers OF Garrett Mitchell got a second opinion on his injured shoulder, and it turns out, yes, definitely bad. He’ll have surgery. Nobody likes to hear the words “season-ending,” so nobody likes to say them, but it’s best if we just operate as if that’s a likely outcome for our purposes. The timing isn’t great because Sal Frelick is going under the knife, too, and while the thumb is arguably more important than the shoulder, it should heal in time for Frelick to frolic among the beermakers sometime this summer. He’s projected to miss about six to eight weeks.
Their misfortune might benefit Joey Wiemer, who would otherwise be in danger of losing playing time due to his .211 batting average and .300 slugging percentage.
If Wiemer doesn’t start hitting, Tyrone Taylor will probably bump him to the bench sooner than later. He began a rehab assignment in style on Tuesday in Triple-A, going 2-for-4 with a triple.
Diamondbacks RHP Bryce Jarvis has pitched well in Triple-A. We’ll have to look past his 8.27 ERA from 106.2 Double-A innings in 2022 to see his 1.05 WHIP in 19 innings this season. The command isn’t all the way there yet (he walked four across five innings on Tuesday), he has yet to allow a home run in four starts in a hitter’s league.
Rangers RHP Yerry Rodriguez is a reliever full-time now and becoming a late-inning option for the near future. He’s allowed four hits in 9.1 innings in repeating the Triple-A level. Another couple weeks with a 0.75 WHIP and he’ll be up with the big club.
Twins OF Alex Kirilloff homered again Tuesday after popping two on Monday. His time is nigh.
The Orioles have Joseph Ortiz, Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser all playing well in Triple-A, slashing roughly 3/4/5 and playing solid defense. Connor Norby has slumped a bit this month, but the club’s embarrassment of riches on the hitting side sets them up well. They’re already 15-and-8 with Gunnar Henderson slumping and John Means on the mend.
Athletics OF JJ Bleday picked up a combo meal on Tuesday and is hitting .278 with five home runs and that one stolen base. Brent Rooker is playing great so far, but nobody’s entirely blocked in Oakland, so we should see Bleday soon enough. He’s probably a pass for me, but I’m keeping a sharp eye on the playing time there. Kevin Smith is getting his chance at shortstop and hasn’t totally fumbled. Jordan Diaz is getting some chances at second base and has always hit. Ryan Noda is taking his walks and posting .400 OBP despite hitting .222. Tony Kemp is hitting .169 with a .270 OBP. Jace Peterson is hitting .190 with a .288 OBP. If you’ve got a pulse in Oakland, you might be on deck.
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