As we continue to march through the Minor Leagues every day of the week to keep you up to date; Matt Thompson (Triple-A and Low-A), Geoff Pontes (Double-A), and Rhys White (High-A) watch the games so you don’t have to. Onward!
Jarren Duran, OF BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-6, HR
Much has been said about the swing adjustments made by Duran to unlock more power during the shutdown and we’re seeing it all play out as he hit his ninth homer of the year in this one. Entering 2021 he had just eight professional homers, so he’s eclipsed his career total in just over a month. Duran should be up to Boston soon enough, and is hitting .250/.345/.583 in Worcester.
Michael Chavis, 1B BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR
Eddy said it yesterday and I agree, not sure what the future holds for Chavis but there isn’t much value in utility guys that don’t play shortstop, which is what we have here. He needs the hit tool to improve or needs to find another notch in the power department to be worthy of everyday at bats.
Jesus Sanchez, OF MIA (Triple-A) 3-for-5, HR
He’s still mashing, just biding his time until the Marlins can move Corey Dickerson. He’s at .349/.400/.643 with nine bombs. He’s been slowing down a bit, with today being his first multi-hit game in a week.
Nathan Lukes, OF TB (Triple-A) 4-for-4, 2 HR, BB
A multi-hit game for Durham’s fourth outfielder which is still very much a prospect. Lukes is having a career season so far, hitting .382/.468/.647 as the Sacramento State alum is showing more power and on-base ability than he ever has. It’s tough to get everyday at bats for this loaded Durham club but Lukes is making the most of his opportunities.
Luis Patiño, RHP TB (Triple-A) 5 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 7 K
Patiño has exhausted his prospect eligibility per the service time rules but has still only pitched just over 32 innings in the big leagues. He might be someone Tampa is relying on during the second half to eat a good chunk of innings and take the ball every fifth day. Things are going well in Tampa, but Patiño can give the rotation a little jolt.
Alex De Goti, 3B HOU (Triple-A) 2-for-5, HR, 3B
De Goti profiles as an up and down utility option and that’s pretty much what he’s been to this point. He’s a little stretched at shortstop, lacks the power required to be an everyday guy at third or the foot speed to be an everyday guy at second. He doesn’t strike out much though and makes contact.
Andy Ibañez, OF TEX (Triple-A) 3-for-6, HR, 2 2B
Ibañez got a small cup of coffee earlier this year and didn’t do much with the Rangers but is back hitting again in Triple-A. Hopefully he gets another shot.
Matthew Liberatore, LHP STL (Triple-A) 5 ⅓ IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
92 pitches for Liberatore, with only 51 strikes. That’s been the issue, he lacks a premier put away offering and will nibble at times. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Liberatore up in the majors soon. As the team doesn’t really have many other options, with the pitching staff crumbling before our eyes. The depth the Cardinals are famous for has dried up.
Jarred Kelenic, OF SEA (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, SB
He still remembers how to play baseball after all. Kelenic will be back up soon and you need to hold steady in dynasty formats.
MacKenzie Gore, LHP SD (Triple-A) 2 IP, 1 K
Gore throws 19 pitches in two perfect innings. He missed his last start due to blister issues, which are something that has come up in the past for him. It’s been a mess.
Cole Tucker, SS PIT (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 2 HR
Cole Tucker flexing his muscles in this one. Does Vanessa Hudgens like Indianapolis?
Max Kranick, RHP PIT (Triple-A) 5 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 9 K
Kranick is a three pitch righty who is on the Pirates 40-man, which means he should get a shot this year. As the Pirates shuffle their arms back and forth between Pittsburgh and Indy regularly.
Gabriel Arias, SS CLE (Triple-A) 3-for-4, HR
Arias cranked his fourth homer in this one, but the hit tool concerns and overall overly aggressive approach continue to drag the offensive profile down. He can play a strong shortstop though, and at just 21 years-old is likely to stick in Triple-A all season.
Jo Adell, OF LAA (Triple-A) 3-for-4
Three singles in this one for Adell. He was also caught stealing.
Cody Thomas, OF OAK (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 2 HR
Two homers for Thomas, who was acquired from the Dodgers earlier this season. He’s a big power dude with some strikeout issues but is a good overall athlete that should see Oakland at some point in 2021.
Pedro Leon, OF/SS HOU (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR, BB
Is Leon heating up? We just turned in our individual lists for the site’s Fantasy 500 update, and I have Leon around 150. It’s a total coward rank because frankly I’m not sure what to make of him yet. He definitely puts together strong at bats, but that’s typical of older foreign professionals. He’s beginning to show some pop and he played both center and short last night, premium positions. I’ve also stated a few times here it takes time for Cuban players to shake off the rust after lengthy layoffs from competitive games. Since the calendar flipped to June, Leon is slashing .345/.525/.759 with three home runs over ten games.
Hunter Brown, RHP HOU (Double-A) 4.2 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Not the most efficient outing for Brown, but a noticeable improvement from his early season struggles. He sat 94-97 mph on his fastball, mixing in his low-80s breaking ball, and high-80s changeup. It’s a strong pitch mix and it’s led by his excellent fastball. He flashes good shape and consistent plus velocity on his fastball. His curveball is ahead of his changeup, as the latter is too firm and lacks tumble.
Alek Thomas, OF ARI (Double-A) 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB
Speaking of the recent update Thomas is shoved way up my list, and he showed why last night. He got on base three times and hit a triple. He has a shot to be a dynamic leadoff threat going forward.
Geraldo Perdomo, SS ARI (Double-A) 0-for-2, R, K
I have no idea what to make of Perdomo at this point. He’s been completely lost in the sauce this season. For a player that showed such polish at the lower levels it’s shocking to see him struggle to this extent in 2021.
Marty Costes, DH HOU (Double-A) 2-for-4, RBI, R
Part of the reason Costes is listed is he’s the older brother of Maxwell Costes 2021 draft eligible first baseman from Maryland. Marty looks to be the better of the two, but he’s still an org soldier and not a prospect.
Brewer Hicklen, OF KC (Double-A) 2-for-4, RBI, BB, SB
This is Hicklen’s third full season focusing on baseball, which is important to keep in mind when evaluating his future role. Yes he’s 25, but as a former two sport athlete he’s on a later development track than most. He’s shown off his exciting athleticism and tools this season, but has struggled to make consistent contact, leading to elevated strikeout totals.
Marcelo Martinez, LHP KC (Double-A) 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 8 K, HR Allowed
A command and control lefty that moves his fastball all over the zone. He gets into lots of two strike counts setting up his changeup off the plate. He has a slow 12-6 breaking ball as well that he’ll generate swings and misses on.
Jack Suwinski, OF SD (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR
It’s a very three true outcome profile but I believe in the power and on base skills Suwinski has shown in 2021. He needs to improve his bat to ball skills to get out of platoon territory and he’s still young enough at 22 that it’s not impossible he gets to a fringe-average level of contact.
Ryan Pepiot, RHP LAD (Double-A) 5 IP, BB, 8 K
I interviewed Pepiot this off-season and he’s a guy that really understands who he is and what he’s looking to become. His fastball+changeup combination is devastating when he commands it, and the improvement of his breaking stuff could catapult him to the next level. One of the best arms on the Dodgers farm with a real chance of being the best of the bunch.
Payton Henry, C MIL (Double-A) 3-for-4
A strong defensive backstop that’s showing something with the bat in 2021. He’s a former 6th rounder back in 2016, and progressed nicely as a defender and contact hitter, though the power is down some in 2021.
Ethan Small, LHP MIL (Double-A) 6.2 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 12 K
Has now allowed just three walks over his last two outings. When Small has command of the zone he’s unstoppable on the mound. He has the seventh highest swinging strike rate among qualified starters in the minors and as far as the upper-minors he is second behind only Hunter Greene.
Shea Langeliers, C ATL (Double-A) 2-for4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Over his last 16 contests Langeliers has been a man possessed slashing .322/.403/.695 with six home runs. He’s pushing his way toward a promotion to Triple-A within the coming weeks. While another injury to the Atlanta catching corps could trigger a move to the bigs before 2021 is all said and done.
Jose Barrero, SS CIN (Double-A) 3-for-4, 2 R
New name and the same old production for Jose Barrero. He’s now slashing .330/.395/.528 with four home runs. He’s running a high batting average on balls in play, but has shown a sharper focus at the plate and a keen eye he had not exhibited in previous stops. He debuted with the Reds in 2020, and it wouldn’t shock me to see Barrero back in Cincinnati before the year is through.
Nick Lodolo, LHP CIN (Double-A) 3.1 IP, 3 H, 7 K versus Jake Eder, LHP MIA (Double-A) 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
This was another exciting matchup just a day after Hunter Greene versus Max Meyer. However, Lodolo exited early after his ongoing blister issue persisted. Eder struggled early but settled down in the third. Both of these pitchers should see promotion to Triple-A within the next month, though Lodolo (health permitting) is likely to get the call first.
JJ Bleday, OF MIA (Double-A) 3-for-5
Yesterday Eddy brought up Bleday’s struggles in 2021, and it’s accurate as he slashes .206/.324/.381. However after slashing .137/.284/.205 with three extra base hits over his first 21 games, he’s hit .302/.383/.623 with eight extra base hits in the 14 games following.
Peyton Burdick, OF MIA (Double-A) 1-for-3, R, 2 BB
He’s the Avian Phallic, he mashes and gets on base. He wasn’t mashing yesterday, but he was getting on base.
Nolan Gorman, 3B STL (Double-A) 3-for-4, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, BB
Great googley moogley! We said the power was coming and here it is! He now has seven home runs over his last five games. Now hitting .328/.401/.588 on the season with a very encouraging 21.8% K-Rate.
Matt Krook, LHP NYY (Double-A) 5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
The 26 year old lefty now has a 19.8% swinging strike rate. That mark is good enough for third in all of the minor leagues behind Grayson Rodriguez and Cade Cavalli. Krook has the looks of another good pen arm out of the Yankees system. He’s old for the level, and he’s a two pitch guy with average command.
Mark Vientos, 3B NYM (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Another player that’s been a victim of early season struggles. Vientos has been around awhile and it’s easy to forget just how young he is still. He turned 21 in July and is one of just twenty players 21 years of age or younger at the Double-A level or higher. Since May 18th Vientos has turned around his season slashing .266/.314/.516 over 17 games. He’s still striking out more than you would like to see, but I still believe Vientos is a top 200 prospect in the game.
Terrin Vavra, 2B BAL (Double-A) 2-for-3, R, 2 BB, 2 SB
The Binghamton catcher Hayden Senger must have been an easy mark, because the Bay Sox stole five bases last night, two of which came from Vavra. He’s a second division regular leadoff man with contact, on base skills, speed, and fringe-average power. He’s an exciting player that will likely have some productive big league seasons.
Cadyn Grenier, 3B BAL (Double-A) 2-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 SB
A speedy base runner with defensive chops, Grenier has always struck out too frequently to be considered anything more than a utility guy. His contact rate is up this year to a below average level after being a 30 grade hit tool guy early in his professional career. He still swings and misses too much, but he’s a plus defender, with double plus wheels, and above average raw power. If he can get his hit tool to fringe-average Grenier could be a full-time player at the major league level.
DL Hall, LHP BAL (Double-A) 4.2 IP, H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 10 K, HR Allowed
Not Hall’s best turn but he continues to miss bats in bunches. Currently has the sixth highest swinging strike rate in the upper-minors.
Jordan Groshans, SS TOR (Double-A) 2-for-4, 3 RBI, BB
Looks like he’s heating up, after returning from injury at the end of May. He has multi-hit games in three of his last seven, and he’s played all of those games at shortstop and third base.
Oneil Cruz, SS PIT (Double-A) 1-for-3 (Game One Doubleheader) 3-for-3, HR, 2 R (Game Two of Doubleheader)
I am all in on Cruz, just wait and see.
Alex Call, OF CLE (Double-A) 1-for-2, HR, BB (Game One of Doubleheader) 2-for-4, RBI (Game Two of Doubleheader)
What’s with Alex’s and four letter action word last names? Alex Call, Alex Fast, coincidence? I think not. As for Alex Call, he’s a 26 year old outfielder with an up and down ceiling. He’s hitting the crap out of the ball in 2021, but he’s old for the level.
Jesse Franklin V, OF ATL (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI
Former University of Michigan standout just continues to hit for power, hitting his fifth homer in the week. This is nothing more than a hot streak but it is nice to see from the Braves prospect.
Korey Lee, C HOU (High-A) 2-for-3, RBI
Korey Lee has continued in his journey to become the biggest version of Nick Madrigal, only hitting singles. The power will come back, the way he is consistently making contact bodes well for him and if he can prove he is just passable as a catcher with the impending robozone he may end up being much more valuable than at present.
Luis Severino, RHP NYY (High-A) 1.2 IP, H, ER, BB, 3 K
Who is this prospect? Welp he’s not a prospect and he left his rehab start dealing with an injury and had to be helped off the field, here’s to hoping for a speedy recovery for one of the more talented raw arms in all of baseball.
Francisco Alvarez, C NYM (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Alvarez, after dominating Low-A has found High-A to not be as easy for him but he did hit a homer and a double in his most recent efforts. He’s 19, and he actually in the same amount of games as in Low-A has hit more homers but hasn’t made as much contact.
Lenyn Sosa, SS CWS (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI
What’s that you hear in the background, oh it’s me blasting Love Sosa in the background, I am a simple man and when that used to come on in parties in the before time, what an imagine I am sure that creates in your mind. I really hope Lenyn is as big of a fan of the song as I am and if it’s not his walk-up song he’s missing a golden opportunity. He has started to break out of the early struggles he had in the season and is sprinkling in some power.
Lolo Sanchez, DH PIT (High-A) 2-for-4, 2 R, SB
Get lo, get lo. Sanchez has been hitting well as of recently, and if the modest gain in power he has shown is for real with his ability to play centerfield and run he might become a second division regular, and someone fantasy baseball might slightly overrate because of his ability to swipe bases.
Cade Cavalli, RHP WAS (High-A) 7 IP, 2 BB, 15 K
The former Oklahoma Sooner has been making light work of the hitters at this level, demolishing them with a high-octane fastball, a devastating slider and a changeup and curveball. There isn’t much more for him to prove at this level as in 40.2 innings he has struck out 71 batters, has only walked 12, and is currently rocking a 1.77 ERA. You’ve gotta get arms up to the majors quickly so it wouldn’t surprise me if this was Cavalli’s last start at this level.
Kyle Stowers, OF BAL (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Kyle POWERS, back-to-back games with a long ball for the Orioles prospect.
Ruben Cardenas, OF TB (High-A) 3-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI
Funny enough you would think that an organization like Cleveland would hold on to every outfield prospect they have but I guess not. Cardenas is slightly old for the level but he’s hitting .363/.417/.637 with 9 homers to this point so we can look past him being 23 in High-A, this is where I grapple with my own age because seeing someone being considered old for the level and them being a year younger than me is fun.
Johnny Homza, 3B SD (High-A) 2-for-3, 2 R
One of the most famous people from Anchorage, Alaska I would presume, him playing third is interesting because if he can prove he can play there consistently and be a contact oriented catcher he may carve out a role as an interesting utility type.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B DET (High-A) 2-for-5, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI
So when is he joining Greene in Double-A? Torkelson after a slow start to the season has come into his own and is spraying the ball with authority all over the ballpark. Call him up cowards.
Andy Pages, OF LAD (High-A) 2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI
One of the more exciting packages of tools in the Dodgers system thanks to his easy power, and his emerging hit tool.
Landon Knack, RHP LAD (High-A) 3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
The way the Dodgers have deployed Knack is of interest, I mean it’s two appearances so we’ll see how this changes but they have deployed him as the piggy-back guy after the “starter.” He was one of the hardest guys to find anything on during this most recent draft, but of course the Dodgers have a Knack for finding talented arms. Did you know that he’s recently DFA’d Will Craig, also known for making one of the worst plays in recent memory, brother-in-law.
Jeison Guzman, SS KC (High-A) 3-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBI
Slash-and-dash type hitter who is known for what he provides with the glove, hits himself a homer. He doesn’t hit enough to ever profile as a regular, but the glove and the speed might give him a chance to get some big league service time.
Brady Whalen, DH STL (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Two cardinals prospects that I could have lumped in together as many will be like who are these people. Whalen has been hitting for power, hitting 7 long balls but has struggled to do much of anything else to this point.
Chandler Redmond, 3B STL (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI
Redmond is the more “famous” of the two cardinals prospects because of his plus power. It’s a three-true outcome profile and those are scary at this level, but when you are rocking a .361 OBP and have hit 6 homers so far you can get excited, to an extent.
Wander Javier, SS MIN (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
I feel like if I don’t bring up Wander Javier anytime he hits well Dusty will have me whacked. .Wander had a frankly putrid start to the season, and was left unprotected by the Twins to the Rule V draft but since June has started Wander has looked like a much different hitter, hitting .295/.340/.635. He’s not gonna carry that statline for the rest of the season but it’s nice when prospects are hitting well, I know groundbreaking stuff.
Austin Shenton, 3B SEA (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI
Another day, another appearance of Shenton on the SHEET. He just continues to hit, not much more to say with him.
Willie MacIver, C COL (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI
FREE WILLIE!!! The converted catcher has been under-the-radar by many other outlets but not here. He’s been hitting well, getting on base, and has hit 7 homers so far this season. Geoff picked him as a breakout prospect on a podcast we were on, covering the Rockies system and this is one of the many reasons he is the best.
Luisangel Acuña, SS TEX (Low-A) 3-for-5, 2B, 4 RBI, SB
It’s hard having a superstar brother. This Acuña was unfairly hyped as an amateur and as games started it was made clear that he wasn’t Ronald but also still a valuable prospect to have in your system regardless. People will still be disappointed they ranked him in the top 50 because of that when in reality its their fault and not Luisangel’s.
Mitchell Parker, LHP WSH (Low-A) 6 IP, 3 H, 5 K
Parker had his worst start of the season last time out and rebounded with this outing. Parker has been better than expected with 55 strikeouts in 33 ⅓ innings, while only surrendering 21 hits. I didn’t expect a JUCO arm to come into pro ball and post numbers like this but here we are.
Zac Cook, 2B TOR (Low-A) 3-for-6, HR, 2B, BB
The UDFA has been covered a few times on the sheet and he’s played second base three times now adding some versatility to an interesting offensive profile. Cook does a little bit of everything and looks to be a fantastic UDFA out of Texas-Arlington. Can never have too many Cooks in your organization.
Orelvis Martinez, DH TOR (Low-A) 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 BB
Orelvis just rakes. The stat line doesn’t pop out at you but he will be 19 for the entire season, so it should. He’s a future middle of the order bat.
Alexander Mojica, 3B PIT (Low-A) 2-for-4, 2B
Mojica has struggled a bit this season and has his slash line at .202/.330/.381 on the season. There are some concerns with the body and I think he’s going to have to move to first base, which raises the offensive bar to a level he hasn’t been at yet.
Luis Verdugo, SS CHC (Low-A) 1-for-3, HR, BB
I put an aggressive grade on Verdugo this offseason after watching video and speaking to a few contacts that have come across him in Arizona. While the numbers are ugly to this point he’s homered in back to back days and I’m excited to see more from him.
Masyn Winn, SS STL (Low-A) 2-for-5, 3B
Winn is starting to drive the ball a bit more, and he is the most exciting middle infielder in the organization with a sky high ceiling. His triple was hit 393 feet at 102.7 off the bat.
Jordan Walker, DH STL (Low-A) 2-for-4
He’s back off the injured list and hit three balls in this one up over 103 MPH. <3
Tommy Jew, OF STL (Low-A) 3-for-5, HR
Jew hit a go ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth to win the game for Palm Beach. He was a 13th round selection out of UC Santa Barbara in 2019, but he’s getting into game action for the first time this season. He’s shaking off some rust but he has a little bit of speed and power.
Edward Cabrera, RHP MIA (Low-A) 3 IP, 2 H, 8 K
Cabrera was unbelievable in this one, getting eight of his nine outs via the strikeout. His four-seamer and sinker were both touching 98 in this rehab start, and he averaged 96 with the four-seamer. He had matching 67% CSW’s on his curveball and slider. Extremely successful rehab outing for Cabrera as he just bullied Low-A bats in this one.
Brent Headrick, LHP MIN (Low-A) 5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K
The Illinois State product is a pitchability lefty that pounds the zone and lives on the edges limiting hard contact. He’s been fantastic so far and should see High-A soon.
Anthony Volpe, DH MIN (Low-A) 2-for-4, HR, BB, SB
Volpe continues to impress and does it all on a seemingly day in, day out basis. Stock way up.
Jose Rodriguez, SS CWS (Low-A) 2-for-5, HR, SB
Rodriguez has been on this sheet in the about as much as anyone outside of Volpe. He’s been great and the best performing White Sox prospect in 2021.
Cabrera Weaver, OF CWS (Low-A) 2-for-2, HR, 2 BB
Weaver has a bit of power and a bit of speed, hit tool questions are louder than the tools though. But he has that two last name mojo working for him and that gives him super powers right?
Joe Gray Jr., OF MIL (Low-A) 1-for-6, 2B, 3 RBI, 4 K
Weird game for Gray but it shows his ups and downs. He’s hitting for massive power this year so far but the strikeout issues are still there also.
Jorge Barrosa, OF ARI (Low-A) 3-for-3, HR, BB, SB
Barrosa with a strong game out of the leadoff spot for Visalia. He’s hitting .310/.371/.421 with a pair of homers and nine steals. He’s right on that line of fourth outfielder and everyday centerfielder for me.
Noelvi Marte, SS SEA (Low-A) 2-for-5, 2B, SB
Marte has been better than advertised as a 19 year-old making his stateside debut. .319/.421/.563 is impressive enough, and that’s not even factoring in that he’s one of the youngest players at the level.
Ezequiel Tovar, SS COL (Low-A) 4-for-5, HR
Still don’t really know what to make of Tovar but he’s been very productive this year. He’s hitting .309/.356/.500 on the year with four homers and eight steals while playing a strong shortstop. A different organization and he might be pushing a top 100.
Robert Hassell III, OF SD (Low-A) 2-for-4, HR
Yeah, he just hits.
Joshua Mears, OF SD (Low-A) 2-for-3, HR, BB, SB
A combo meal for Mears, who looks like a linebacker playing baseball. Plus power and speed, the contact concerns will determine how far he goes.
Armani Smith, OF SF (Low-A) 4-for-5, HR, 2B
Smith is off to a very strong start, and looks to be extremely comfortable (that’s my fashion joke) in Low-A so far.
Alexander Canario, OF SF (Low-A) 3-for-4, 2B, BB
Canario is hot right now, earning a spot on the sheet once again this week.
Casey Schmitt, DH SF (Low-A) 4-for-5, 2 HR
He must have heard me give him a mini callout this week when I suggested that a college hitter should be performing much better in Low-A. He’s now up to .214/.271/.469, but has eleven hits in his last six games, including five homers.
Brett Auerbach, 2B SF (Low-A) 2-for-4, HR, 3B
The UDFA out of the University of Alabama has been leading off on a loaded San Jose squad and hitting .289/.415/.474 on the year while playing primarily catcher but also 2B, 3B and LF.