It’s June 13 and Dem Sheet Boyz are back with Geoff Pontes holding down Triple-A and Double-A, Rhys White handling High-A, and Matt Thompson bringing you the goods from Low-A. We are Dem Sheet Boyz and we are back!
Andres Gimenez, SS CLE (Triple-A) 1-for-5, HR
It’s been a tough go for Gimenez at the Triple-A level. After really emerging as a potential young star, Gimenez hasn’t found the same spark post trade.
Nolan Jones, 3B CLE (Triple-A) 2-for-2, HR, 2 R, BB
Jones was pretty rough over the month of May, but has turned things around so far in June. He’s always going to rack up strikeouts and he’s split heavy but there’s power and on base skills.
Scott Kingery, 2B PHI (Triple-A) 1-for-4, K
Hitting .189/.225/.351 with just four extra base hits over twelve games. Man, Kingery has been terrible since his breakout season. I never thought he’d be wasting away his days in Triple-A at 27.
Jeter Downs, SS BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-6, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
A big game for Downs who continues to hit for power, but at what cost? He sells out to an extreme for flyballs and it comes at the cost of his batting average. That said, his swing is perfect for Fenway.
Johan Mieses, DH BOS (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Can’t stop, won’t stop hitting tanks, trains, and batter’s eyes. Hasn’t stopped hitting in Triple-A, though a few more weeks of continued good performance might solidify his contact gains as real or short sample non-sense.
Jarren Duran, OF BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
His third homer over the last four games and his tenth on the season. If he can manage the strikeouts and get in base, Duran has the ability to be a difference maker.
Estevan Florial, OF NYY (Triple-A) 3-for-4, RBI, R
A good day but Florial has been back to his old habits. By old habits I mean not making much contact and striking out too much.
Gabriel Cancel, 3B KC (Triple-A) 3-for-5, HR, 3 R, SB
There’s a bunch of power here and the walks are up and the strikeouts are down. He hits the ball hard and runs a little. There’s some interesting elements here, but sure if he makes enough contact to click in the bigs.
Edward Olivares, OF KC (Triple-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R
Why is he still in Triple-A? Why must you waste the best years of Olivares life? That’s dramatic but it’s how I feel, he’s one of their three best outfielders right now. Call him up and give him a long leash. Let him adjust and be ready for 2022. The cavalry ain’t coming until next season folks. The cavalry being Witt, Pratto, and Melendez.
Jose Barrero, SS CIN (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
I didn’t question the power yesterday in my Barrero blurb but it crossed my mind. He must have heard me telepathically. Barrero continues to be one of the better players at the double-A level showing elite skills on both sides of the ball.
Jerar Encarnacion, OF MIA (Double-A) 3-for-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
The Marlins outfielder hits the ball hard. That’s his game, but his lack of contact is sinking his greatest asset, his raw pop. He’s striking out at a near 40% rate in the season and that my friends is a dealbreaker.
Ryan Noda, 1B LAD (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR
The Noid was back hitting dingers. Just another future major leaguer the Dodgers got for a song. Some of the biggest raw power in the minors, and the swing and miss is way down. His contact rate is now fringe-average (73.2% contact rate) as it’s climbed 15% over his 2019 mark (2019: 63.5% contact rate). He’s left handed hitting and throwing with ideal size and the right offensive profile for an everyday first baseman.
Jose Miranda, 1B MIN (Double-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 R, BB
Got the start at first base which is most likely his best position. That remains to be seen as he can be pretty stone handed at times. He does however have the bat for first base with power and contact.
Diego Castillo, 2B NYY (Double-A) 1-for-3, R, BB, SB
One of my favorite unheralded names in the minor leagues, Castillo wasn’t on many, if any, public Yankees lists but he’s played his way onto mine.
Terrin Vavra, 2B BAL (Double-A) 1-for-4, 3 R, 2 BB
I have a feeling that Vavra will turn out to be the type of player that breaks out at the MLB level and everyone says “no saw this coming!”. But truthfully I can see it coming. He just finds a way to impact the game in a positive way every time he steps in the batter's box. Not the loudest tools, but a game with few flaws.
Adley Rutschman, C BAL (Double-A) 3-for-6, HR, 2 RBI
He’s really pushing for a promotion to Triple-A but I’m not sure if Baltimore does that until mid-late July. They really have no reason to do so when you have all the top Baltimore arms on one staff and it ain’t in Norfolk.
Samad Taylor, 3B/OF TOR (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, BB, 2 SB
In this house we Stan For Samad Taylor. Hit his ninth home run of the season as he pushes his quest for a 30/30 season! Total hyperbole but Samad has 9 home runs and 11 steals just a month into the season. He’s striking out way too much and his BABIP is unsustainable, but there’s some skills here.
Otto Lopez, 2B TOR (Double-A) 2-for-4, R, BB
Multi-hit games and Otto Lopez, name a more iconic duo, I’ll wait.
Josh Stowers, OF TEX (Double-A) 1-for-1, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB
He’s been hot the last week or so, and man I don’t know what to make of him. At one point out of the draft he looked like a guy. Someone that could fit some sort of major league role. Then he looked like a non-prospect for a while. Is he back to being in roster fringe power and speed intriguing?
Luken Baker, 1B STL (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
The chief enforcer on the #MassiveHuman club, Baker has been up and down this season but he runs into one very so often and reminds you what he can do when he’s locked in.
Nolan Gorman, 3B STL (Double-A) 0-for-4, 3 K
Just putting this here for posterity. When we toot our own horn after a player does well, we should probably do the same when he wears the golden sombrero.
Jake McCarthy, 1B ARI (Double-A) 2-for-3, 2 R, SB
Scranton’s own presents a conundrum, on one hand he has speed, power, and defensive versatility. On the other he strikes out far too much and his contact rate is poor. Sounds like a fourth outfielder to me, Dotty!
Braden Shewmake, SS ATL (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R
Well, look what we have here. A genuine Braden Shewmake home run. There’s been very few highlights this season, making him a very difficult rank in our latest update. Where did he rank? Not telling…
Hayden Wesneski, RHP NYY (High-A) 7 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K
Reportedly he will be getting called up to AA along with Luis Medina, and Ken Waldichuk, which is a big boost for that club because they get 3 very talented pitchers. Wesneski has pitched well, with 47 punchouts in 36.1 innings and posted a 1.49 in High-A.
Jeff McNeil, 2B NYM (High-A) 0-for-2
Remember when the Mets didn’t want to give him a chance and traded for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz and gave up Jarred Kelenic.
Brayan Rocchio, SS CLE (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Cleveland middle infielder has not been hitting well to start the season, I do think he is selling out for power at the moment and sacrificing contact. He has matched his highest total for homers in a season already.
Brandon Howlett, 3B BOS (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, RBI
Former 21st round pick out of the 2018 draft has been performing well so far this season. Before the season he was dinged for not having particularly great bat-speed and lacking loft in his swing, and while those issues do rear their ugly head he has been hitting well up until this point. Ultimately he may hit his way into being a bench piece but there’s an org depth profile here.
Joe Perez, 3B HOU (High-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
There seems to be a breakout going on here, that hasn't been mentioned a lot. He’s making contact, he’s hitting for power. He’s age appropriate for the level so this isn’t an example of some 24 year old beating up on High-A pitchers, Perez is worth a flier in your deeper leagues.
Drew Millas, C OAK (High-A) 3-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Known more for his work with the glove than what he provides with the stick but Millas has been on a bit of a heater since June has come around. He’s gotten a hit in all games but 1 in the month of June, and has hit .412/.524/.676 in the month of June.
David Hamilton, 2B MIL (High-A) 0-for-4, R,1 BB, 2 SB
Welp he made the most out of his walk stealing his 22 and 23 bags of the season.
Yonathan Perlaza, OF CHC (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI
Primarily a second-base prospect, Perlaza has been put in the outfield recently to presumably get him more playing time and showing some versatility. He hits enough at this level but there is a lack of power for a player of his profile.
James Outman, OF LAD (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, SB
Known mostly for his ability to get on base and utilize his speed, it is nice to see Outman hit for power. He is org depth at this point and on the older side for the level but a combo meal is nothing to scoff at.
Nick Loftin, SS KC (High-A) 2-for-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, SB
I am glad Loftin has gotten over that rough skid to start the season, he’s too talented of a player to go through a skid like that. Loftin is maybe at peak a 15-18 homer bat but he’ll make good contact, play up the middle, and be an asset on the basepaths, while hitting a top a lineup.
Wander Javier, SS MIN (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI
Another day another Wander Javier home run, back-to-back games with a long ball for the Twins farmhand. I’m still not sure what his ultimate role is, he hovers between that soft second-division regular and possible bench/utility piece.
Greg Jones, SS TB (High-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, RBI
The man we affectionately call Old Greg around these parts is back hitting for power. One of the more exciting prospects in all the minors and if the Tampa organization wasn’t loaded in the middle infield, he would probably be in AA by now.
Niko Hulsizer, OF TB (High-A) 3-for-3, 2 HR, 5 R, 5 RBI, SB
Well have yourself a day Niko, 2 homers is always notable and when you have 80 hair like Niko does it just looks cooler right? If you see this Niko we should hang sometime.
Ruben Cardenas, OF TB (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, 3 R, RBI
I don’t know what was going on with Tampa’s High-A squad but it seemed like they were hitting homers left and right. Cardenas is your classic power-hitting corner outfield profile who gets on base at a high clip.
Kyle Stowers, OF BAL (High-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI
Kyle Powers is more like it. Third consecutive game with a homer, in beer pong terms he would be ON FIRE.
Jordan Westburg, SS BAL (High-A) 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Highly thought of shortstop out of Mississippi State has been having to adjust to this level after demolishing Low-A pitchers. I like Westburg and I think he has a chance to be a solid regular at shortstop who hits for power.
J.D. Mundy, DH BAL (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
I was told Mundy mashed by my dear friend, and fellow sheet boy, Matt and well it took a little but Mundy does in fact mash. He’s gonna need to continue to mash to be anything.
Tanner Kirwer, OF TOR (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
I wanna say this is the first time Kirwer has made his debut on the sheet. He’s 25 but he has been hitting well to start the season and has stolen TWENTY-TWO bases this season.
Aaron Schunk, 3B/2B COL (High-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI
He has switched between second and third this season, which brings some added versatility. Schunk is a versatile defender and if he can hit consistently and hit for power there is a chance that Colorado will only have one past their prime veteran blocking him if he is good enough to play in the majors, I am feeling them signing Todd Frazier when Schunk is on the verge of the majors to make Aaron “earn it.”
Drey Jameson, RHP ARI (High-A) 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
Not a great day for pitching in High-A but the former 34th overall pick back when Arizona had more picks than any team pitched well this past evening and has been solid this season. I still think he ultimately ends up as a reliever but he has a chance to be nasty with the fastball-slider combo out of the pen.
Austin Wells, DH NYY (Low-A) 2-for-5, HR, BB
Wells has flipped a switch in June and is hitting for noticeably more pop. For the month of June he’s hitting .297/.429/.649 and looking every bit as advertised in the power and on-base departments. His season line is now a healthy .270/.391/.468 and he very much appears to be #back.
Masyn Winn, SS STL (Low-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2B, BB, 7 RBI
Another grand slam for Winn, and he’s also found his power stroke of late. He’s hitting .318/.429/.545 for the month of June and it appears is adjusting quite well to pro ball after just an ok first month. One of the younger players in Low-A, Winn is also one of the most exciting.
Jose Rodriguez, SS CWS (Low-A) 2-for-4, HR, BB
Rodriguez was featured on the most recent Prospects Live podcast that should be dropping shortly after reading this. He's a bit erratic defensively but he can hit, and looks like a future everyday shortstop.
Chase Krogman, OF CWS (Low-A) 2-for-4, HR, BB
It appears Krogman can really hit, and a system like this needs many more pop up dudes like Krogman, man.
Hudson Head, OF PIT (Low-A) 2-for-3, HR, 2 BB
The toolsy Head had a sloppy start to the season but has still been able to put the tools on display, just with no consistency. He’s taking his walks but striking out too much still but there’s enough power, speed and athleticism to draw you in. He’s like Taco Bell after a night of drinking. It looks and sounds like the greatest thing but when you sober up you realize there are some flaws that make you hesitant to go back.
Wilfred Astudillo, C CIN (Low-A) 3-for-5, HR
Yes, La Tortuga’s younger brother plays for the Daytona Tortugas. Baseball is funny sometimes. He’s essentially a carbon copy of his brother in body type and plate skills.
Mason Englert, RHP TEX (Low-A) 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 9 K
The recent prep arms the Rangers have gambled on in the draft have all missed time to injury at some point, Cole Winn, Owen White and Mason Englert were the prizes of the 2018 draft and all have missed time with arm injuries. This was Engelert’s first start since being suspended for foreign substances, so good to see him bounce back.
Darius Vines, RHP ATL (Low-A) 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Vines just keeps getting it done, and is rocking a 2.10 ERA on the season. He looks like a nice backend rotation piece for the Braves.
Nick Yorke, 2B BOS (Low-A) 3-for-4, 2B, 2 SB
Yorke keeps plugging along and making the necessary adjustments so far. It’s going to be a slow climb through the minors but there’s enough here to potentially be an everyday regular.
Aldo Ramirez, RHP BOS (Low-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K
Another fantastic outing for Aldo, who is rocking a nice four to one strikeout to walk ratio. He’s probably just a solid back end option down the line, but those are still valuable prospects.
Noelvi Marte, DH SEA (Low-A) 2-for-4, 2 2B
Yup. It’s crazy.
Zac Veen, OF COL (Low-A) 2-for-3, 3B, BB
Veen still looking for that first professional homer, but like most younger prospects I’ve mentioned, he appears to be making the necessary adjustments so far. Take the Low-A numbers with a grain of salt but Veen has already swiped 20 bases this year, and does have ten extra base knocks without a homer.
Brayan Buelvas, OF OAK (Low-A) 3-for-5, HR, 3B, BB
An underrated prospect with a strong power and speed combination, Buelvas was away from the team a bit playing for Colombia in the Olympic trials but is back now sitting at the top of the Stockton lineup.
Luis Toribio, DH SF (Low-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2B, BB
Toribio was one of the few Giants that didn’t get a writeup in this stacked San Jose lineup and he makes up for it today with a nice game. He can hit, but the defensive questions raise some questions about his future role.
Brandon Lewis, DH LAD (Low-A) 4-for-5, HR, 2 2B
Lewis re-made his body and turned himself into a legit prospect. He’s slimmed down considerably and is hitting .286/.386/.534 with six homers. He must continue to hit because first base or DH are the only realistic defensive landing spots.
Joshua Mears, OF SD (Low-A) 2-for-4, 2 HR
Double dong day for Mears. He’s been profiled a ton here lately and he’s a super interesting prospect due to his frame and athleticism.