My favorite number is seventeen. So today has to be a great day in Sheet history! We have big performances from Jarred Kelenic, Wander Franco, Zach McCambley, Masyn Winn and others. As always Geoff Pontes holds down Triple-A and Double-A, Rhys handles High-A, and Matt Thompson runs the Low-A operation. Let’s go sheeting!
Jarred Kelenic, OF SEA (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB
Good to see JK Puff and Stuff getting his flex on down at the farm. If he keeps this up for a few more weeks it wouldn’t surprise me to see him back in the Mariners outfield shortly. Patience grasshopper.
Cal Raleigh, C SEA (Triple-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
At this point I’m shocked that Raleigh still has not debuted. I suppose there’s no point in promoting all these guys and running down service clocks. Oh wait, maybe there is. Perhaps, and hear me out, letting good players experience the challenge of the major leagues for a year before you’re in your competitive window is good. Almost as if experience has value.
Jo Adell, OF LAA (Triple-A) 2-for-5, RBI, 2 R, BB
He walked! One can only assume he heard me tossing cold water on his approach and thought “you know what I’ll fix him!”. He continues to abuse Triple-A pitching, but his lack of consistent contact and trouble with spin is a deal breaker in MLB.
Josh Van Meter, 2B ARI (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Not too long ago I thought JVM had a shot to be an everyday guy on a second division team. He’s been muddled in up and down he’ll for a couple of years, but the bat plays. It’s just a matter of someone committing to Van Meter for a full season at the major league level. A player who may benefit from the universal DH.
Luis Campusano, C SD (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
After a tough first go in San Diego a lot of people have written off Campusano. It’s easy to forget he’s still just 22, hits the ball with authority and is a true fit defensively at the catcher position. I’d take Campusano over anyone not named Adley Rutschman or Gabriel Moreno.
Hunter Greene, RHP CIN (Triple-A) 4 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, BB, 8 K, 4 HR Allowed
What’s with the number four Hunter? Struggled with his command and his fastball proved to be not much of a threat for Triple-A hitters in their first look. I’d anticipate this is a blip, but also illustrates the point of how much of a challenge each promotion presents as you move up rung by rung.
Zach Reks, OF LAD (Triple-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
It’s a Reks Dong, say no more Mi Amor. As I’ve said many times, there’s contact and approach here, if he adds power he’s an everyday major league hitter. Albeit one with a limited defensive profile that fits at first.
Andres Gimenez, SS CLE (Triple-A) 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
That’s now four consecutive games with a home run, as Gimenez has his Mojo back.
Owen Miller, 3B CLE (Triple-A) 2-for-2, HR, 2 RBI
After seeing promotion a few weeks into the season the Raking Redbird is back. All he does is hit.
Hoy Jun Park, SS NYY (Triple-A) 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Someone asked me the other day for a comp on Park. The name I kept coming back to is Adam Frazier. Similar batter ball profile, high line drive rate, higher flyball than groundball rate, and a low swinging strike rate. We’re seeing a little more power out of Park this year, and he does a little bit of everything well.
Jake Burger, 2B CWS (Triple-A) 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
The Burger Burger Meister Burger at second base… Do I smell a possible new second baseman for the White Sox? Probably something worth monitoring for your fantasy leagues.
Jarren Duran, OF BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, RBI, R
So far the strikeouts are down since returning from team USA. He continues to hit leadoff and has spent time in both right field and center. It’s a matter of cutting down on the swing and miss and continuing to improve in the outfield.
Marcus Wilson, OF BOS (Triple-A) 0-for-1, 3 BB, 2 SB
The old Jackie Bradley Jr! Three walks, a pair of steals. Wilson and the entire Worcester lineup pack a ton of athleticism. It’s certainly one of the faster teams I’ve seen in my time watching minor league games. Wilson is a strong bench outfielder with maybe a second division regular ceiling if everything goes right.
Jeter Downs, SS BOS (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR
I’m going to Worcester tonight and I’m excited to get my last looks on Downs, Durran, and Wilson. I’ll be working the Cape for the next month or so and want to get those guys wrapped up. He’s been hot of late and I’m interested to see if he’s made some adjustments.
Tanner Houck, RHP BOS (Triple-A) 3 IP, BB, 6 K
A quick rehab job where he made quick work of the Lehigh Valley lineup. Deception and stuff is present in bunches, it’s a matter of him throwing enough strikes.
Kevin Smith, SS TOR (Triple-A) 2-for-3, R, BB
He continues to look like a completely different hitter. He looked more patient and his bat path has changed from my looks in Double-A way back in 2019. It looks like he made an effort to get shorter to the ball, and to avoid chasing in the outer half. This has likely cut down on the misses inside and the chases outside. I’d like to hear from Smith what he changed in particular however.
Domingo Leyba, 3B BAL (Triple-A) 1-for-4, HR, 4 RBI
This guy is the Mike Trout, or at the very least the Freddie Freeman of Triple-A. He had a short sample in the majors, and did absolutely nothing. He should get another shot with the Orioles who are building some positional depth in Triple-A at the moment.
Jahmai Jones, 2B BAL (Triple-A) 3-for-5, RBI, 2 R, SB
Speaking of positional depth at the Triple-A level Jones has been on fire since returning and he showed no signs of slowing down yesterday. He hits for contact, gets on base and has power and speed.
Ryan McKenna, OF BAL (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB
I will never quit McKenna Gang. Forever I will be McKenna gang. I’ve talked about him a bit lately and it’s made me nostalgic. I still believe he can be an everyday MLB player. He provides a ton of value across the board. At the very least he’s a solid bench outfielder with versatility to steal a base or hit in a clutch spot.
Wander Franco, SS TB (Triple-A) 2-for-5, 2 RBI, SB
He’s Wander Franco and he’s the savior of baseball! That’s hyperbole, but he’s a high contact hitter with a ton of excitement in his game on both sides of the ball. God willing, he’ll be up later this season.
Joe Ryan, RHP TB (Triple-A) 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K, HR Allowed
Through seven appearances, six starts, the numbers don’t look tremendous but his underlying stats are really good. A 32.8% K-Rate, a 6.6% walk rate, a 24.2% infield fly ball rate, and a 3.04 FIP. Outside his second and third turns this season Ryan has been strong. Expect him to get his shot in Tampa later this season, likely in a bulk starter role.
Matt Tabor, RHP ARI (Double-A) 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, 10 K, 2 HR Allowed
After two rough turns in the rotation Tabor had a good start last night as he was really strong outside of two homers allowed last night. He’s missing bats at the Double-A level but his command has been an adventure each time out.
Bobby Witt Jr,, SS KC (Double-A) 2-for-5, 2 RBI, R
If it’s not Pratto or Melendez it’s Witt Jr. What more do you need to see from Bobby? If you eliminate his tough two weeks to open the season, Witt Jr. is hitting .300/.366/.680 with 16 extra base hits and four steals. How ‘bout them apples?
Delvin Pérez, SS STL (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Don’t look now but Delvin Pérez has been goodish. This is his fourth home run of the season while he slashes a respectable .273/.331/.383, while playing a strong defensive shortstop. Sounds like a utility guy to me.
Alec Burleson, OF STL (Double-A) 3-for-5
The dream season for the 2020 draftee continues. Never underestimate the feel to hit and raw power. The former can often strengthen the latter, and power for many contact focused hitters comes last.
Xavier Edwards, 2B TB (Double-A) 3-for-4, RBI, BB, SB
I still have no idea what to make of Edwards. He’s slashing .355/.474/.387 over eight Double-A games. This was his first steal of the season and he was caught once. If Edwards isn’t running like a young Dee Gordon, is he anything more than David Fletcher with less defensive value?
JJ Bleday, OF MIA (Double-A) 2-for-4, 3 RBI
As bad as Bleday was in May, is as good as he has been in June. On the month he’s now slashing .321/.379/.604 with eight strikeouts to five walks. Lefty power with above-average hot tools do not grow on trees.
Max Meyer, RHP MIA (Double-A) 4 IP, H, 7 BB, 6 K
Was he throwing with his left hand?
Riley Greene, OF DET (Double-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 BB
The assignment to Double-A seemed aggressive at the time, but like every challenge he’s seen as a professional Greene has handled it with little issue. He’s performing at an above average level, despite being just 20 years of age.
Mason Martin, 1B PIT (Double-A) 2-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
M-Squared sees ball and he either misses ball or hits it to the moon. One of the strongest power tools in the minors, just always a matter of if he makes contact.
Canaan Smith-Njigba, OF PIT (Double-A) 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, BB, SB
A part of the Pirates return for Jameson Taillon, Smith-Njigba has been hot in June after a rough first month. He’s shown more contact and speed (surprisingly) at the Double-A level but his power hasn’t shown as of yet. Look for CSN to get into gear over the next few weeks as he starts to drive the ball again.
Diego Castillo, 2B NYY (Double-A) 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R
He just keeps hitting! He’s rarely beat, and he’s handled a variety of pitches and looks with little struggle. One of the best hit tools in the Yankees system. This is the Geoff “Pick to Click” in 2021.
Brennan Davis, OF CHC (Double-A) 4-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, BB, SB
Davis is #good, and he has been since his delayed start to the season and just hit his first AA homer. There are some concerns about the length of his levers and how pitchers will be able to exploit that going forward. But hey he’s hitting well and that’s all that matters right now.
Gabriel Moreno, C TOR (Double-A) 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI
One of the top catching prospects in all of the land, Gabriel Moreno has shown that he can handle the workload behind the plate and is also able to contribute with his bat.
Jonathan Bermudez, LHP HOU (Double-A) 5.1 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 7 K
In just 33.2 innings The Bermudez Triangle has struckout 51 batters, thus far into the season.
David Hensley, 2B HOU (Double-A) 2-for-2, HR, BB
Standing at an imposing 6’6” are we sure he wasn’t signed by the Houston Rockets? The former San Diego State Aztec already in the short 2021 season has tied his career tally for most homers in a season so it’s only personal bests from here on out.
Jordan Westburg, 3B BAL (High-A) 2-for-5, R, RBI
Former Mississippi State grabs himself a double-scoop of singles on a fine Thursday evening. He’s still feeling out the level and dealing with some growing pains of sorts, he’ll be fine.
Alex McKenna, DH HOU (High-A) 2-for-5, HR, 2 R, RBI
Another day, another mention of Alex McKenna. Interestingly I learnt recently that McKenna hardly swings on stuff out of the zone showing a good strikezone recognition. He’s shown the ability to hit for some power, get on base, and utilize his speed when on base.
Liover Peguero, SS PIT (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI
Young for the level Liover had a great start to the season, dealt with an injury and now is on a bit of a skid since coming back from his injury. He did hit a homer in his most recent outing which is something to be encouraged about.
Matthew Frazier, OF PIT (High-A) 1-for-5, HR, R, RBI
Frazier is another one that just continues to pop up here. He’s still probably, if everything comes together, a fourth-outfielder but he has shown some power and speed this year and has made more contact than one would anticipate.
Lolo Sanchez, OF PIT (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI
Lolo, noted power hitter, continues to showcase power with his seventh homer of the season and 4th homer of the month. Not sure how to evaluate him with this power surge of his but it’s nice to see that/s for sure.
Tahnaj Thomas, RHP PIT (High-A) 3 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K
I love me some Tahnaj Thomas, I like the relative ease at which he pitches and the premium velocity he has as well. He’s still relatively raw in terms of being a pitcher but this is the type of pitching prospect to get excited about in a dynasty setting because the ceiling if developed properly is pretty high.
Niko Hulsizer, DH TB (High-A) 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI
Niko just continues to hit bombs these days.
Logan Allen, LHP CLE (High-A) 5.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Florida man punches out 6 batters in 5.1 innings and steals the name of another person to cause mass confusion. The Florida International man has been solid to start the season, taking the ball every fifth day and pitching well when called upon. Also check out Justin Lada’s Live Looks piece, it’s much more detailed than I could ever be.
Brayan Rocchio, 3B CLE (High-A) 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI
Is this the turning point for a frankly disappointing start to the season for the talented young infielder? Well let’s hope so.
Francisco Alvarez, C NYM (High-A) 2-for-4, 2 2B, R
Catchers who can hit are at such a premium and with the way Alvarez hit in Low-A and how he has hit in flashes here in High-A he is proving why he was so highly regarded back when he was a J2 prospect. Personally Alvarez would currently be my second catching prospect if for some unknown reason people asked me to rank catching prospects, just hopefully no one asks me to rank a million catching prospects like that one dude who does a terrible job at ranking prospects for fantasy purposes and doesn’t give any rationale when asked to explain.
Ronny Mauricio, SS NYM (High-A) 3-for-4, 3B
Mo Ronny Mo Problems, at least that’s what the pitchers had to think after seeing him get three hits on a fine Thursday evening.
Josh Smith, SS NYY (High-A) 2-for-4, 2B, R, SB
Josh Smith gives me that gritty utility type profile, he isn’t gonna hit for an outstanding amount of power but He’ll spray doubles in the gaps and use his speed. Basically Tyler Wade before Joe Kelly beat the crap out of him.
Chris Murphy, LHP BOS (High-A) 6 IP, 2 H, ER, 8 K
San Diego dude pitching in the Red Sox org, he has been remarkably solid, taking the ball every fifth well and pitching well. He’s struck out over a batter an inning this season, if everything comes together he can be a back-end starter or a solid reliever.
Bobby Miller, RHP LAD (High-A) 3 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Reportedly he touched over 100 in this outing, and for someone who looks like they get their baseball pants from the skinny jean section in Hot Topic that’s impressive. The Dodgers have been slowly rolling him along. Who am I, just a simpleton, to question the Dodgers they seem to have this player development thing all figured out.
Graham Ashcraft, RHP CIN (High-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K
A former Dragon breaking off breaking balls that can be best described as witch-craft or in this case Ashcraft. Graham has been a mainstay on the list, I really like the stuff and I will be interested to see if he gets bumped up to AA here soon.
Nick Loftin, SS KC (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Okay Nick, I see you hombre. He’s putting some Loftin the ball. Talented hitters like him don’t slump for long and it’s nice to see him look comfortable at this level and build some confidence.
Jeison Guzman, OF KC (High-A) 3-for-5, 3B, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI
Guzman has been moving around and playing a few different positions which will only aid him in his development and help his profile as a possible utility type.
Asa Lacy, LHP KC (High-A) 4 IP, H, 4 BB, 7 K
Still too many walks for my liking but I will take this from Lacy especially considering some of his over starts. He needs to get more efficient with his pitches and not walk as many batters but the stuff is still there, and the 80 grade competitiveness is still there.
Kameron Misner, OF MIA (High-A) 3-for-5, R, SB
Talented but inconsistent is the name of the game with Kameron Misner. He’s gotta be thanking his lucky stars that he didn’t end up on that no deleted bracket.
Zach McCambley, RHP MIA (High-A) 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 9 K
Meyer and Eder get all the hype and deservingly so, but McCambley has also looked like a good pick for the Marlins in that short 2020 draft. He currently is rocking a 0.82 WHIP while also striking out 58 batters in 44 innings.
Willie MacIver, DH COL (High-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2B, R, RBI
FREEEEEEEE WILLIE! The converted catcher has been one of the under the radar prospects in all of the minors, hitting 8 homers while slashing .269/.380/.507 while also catching most of his games.
Joey Wentz, LHP DET (Low-A) 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Wentz with another rehab start as he looks to build back up from TJ surgery. Wentz averaged 91 with the four seam, touched 94, and mixed in his changeup, curveball and sinker in this one. He drew seven whiffs out of his 84 pitches, which is less than you want in the lower minors but I also don’t know what his game plan was. All that being said, Wentz should throw a few big league innings this year as he proves he’s healthy as Detroit will use him to help keep Skubal, Mize, Manning and others innings down. He looks like a future back end starter, which is still a great outcome with a tommy john on his record.
Jeferson Morales, DH MIN (Low-A) 3-for-4, 2B
Morales did all of this work in Game 2 of the double-header. He’s rocking a stellar .412 OBP and showing some power and speed, so I’m a bit interested in the profile.
Edouard Julien, 3B MIN (Low-A) 3-for-4, HR, 2B
Julien is no stranger to the sheet but he’s getting into the power that we knew he had now and is surging up prospect lists due to the skills. He has a unique background, and he’s absolutely raking in 2021.
Dax Fulton, LHP MIA (Low-A) 4 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
A mediocre outing for Fulton, but he’s still bouncing back from TJ surgery himself. He’s primarily a two-pitch lefty with his fastball and curveball, and he threw one of those two offerings 85% of the time in this start. The most encouraging thing was his fastball touched 95, which we haven’t seen yet. His best pitch is a curveball which had a 32% CSW.
Junior Santos, RHP NYM (Low-A) 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Santos is a #largehuman, standing 6’7”. He throws a three pitch mix, headlined by his sinker that nearly touches 97 (96.9) and a low spin slider. He should be missing more bats but the stuff is actually set up to generate weak contact more than miss bats. Seven of his outs came on the ground in this one.
Joe Gray Jr., OF MIL (Low-A) 2-for-4, BB, 2 SB
The two teams combined for 13 stolen bases in this game, if you needed further evidence on how the new rule changes have essentially ruined Low-A baseball. The daily update on Joe Gray Jr. is that he’s hitting .310/.407/.683 with eleven doubles, six triples, ten homers and eleven steals in 37 games.
Austin Hendrick, OF CIN (Low-A) 1-for-4, HR, BB
He did strike out three times in this one but also hit his first professional homer. The swing is gorgeous and I get serious Bryce Harper vibes watching him play.
Masyn Winn, SS STL (Low-A) 5-for-6, 3B, 2B, BB
Winn is on fire. The everyday shortstop/leadoff man is now hitting .259/.374/.392 and is displaying all the leadership qualities you want from one of your star players.
Jacob Buchberger, 1B STL (Low-A) 4-for-5, HR
An UDFA out of Davenport College in Davenport, Michigan. He’s hitting .267/.350/.367 on the year and has played some first and third base for Palm Beach. That is everything I have on Buchberger, and he should probably have an item named after him on the menu in Davenport right?
Ed Howard, SS CHC (Low-A) 0-for-2, K
Howard returned off the injured list but then left the game early for undisclosed reasons. Anyone have an update?
Seth Johnson, RHP TB (Low-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K
The former Campbell Camel position player turned pitcher has it back on the rails now after a rough start to the season. His ERA sits at 2.42, with over a K per inning but too many walks right now.
Cody Farhat, OF CLE (Low-A) 3-for-4, HR, 3B
The former Texas Tech Red Raider was picked by the Indians in 2018 in the 23rd round. He looks like he could be a reserve outfielder but will need to cut down on the strikeouts, or just have more games like this.
Darryl Collins, OF KC (Low-A) 3-for-4, HR
He’s making me look smart. Collins is finding that power stroke and getting on base at a strong clip despite only being 19. He’s hitting .305/.402/.429 on the season.
Ricardo Genoves, DH SF (Low-A) 3-for-4, 2B, BB
No concerns with the bat here, just if the body will allow him to stick behind the plate. He DH’ed in this one though.