Welcome back to the Minor League Daily Sheet, where we love bringing you the news of the last 24 hours in MiLB as much as the Charmin Bears love to go #2. We had some big performances last night as the Rangers Curtis Terry hit for the cycle, Tyler Soderstrom went double dong, a resurgent Nick Plummer went 4-for-4, Ethan Small struck out nine and Janson Junk continued to shove. Here’s a look at June 18th 2021 in Minor League baseball courtesy of Geoff Pontes (Triple-A and Double-A), Rhys White (High-A), and Matt Thompson (Low-A). Enjoy yourselves, mi sheet, es su sheet.
Edward Olivares, OF KC (Triple-A) 2-for-4
Every time I see Olivares have a strong game in Triple-A, I ask myself. Are the Royals tanking? I still maintain this is one of their three best outfielders.
Emmanuel Rivera, 3B KC (Triple-A) 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R, BB
Rivera is an aggressive hitter, he’s going to be 25 in a few weeks, and he doesn’t have much of a power track record. That said, it’s possible Emmanuel grew some “man muscles” (medical term) over the shutdown. His hard hit rate is up 32% year over year from 2019 to 2021, and his line drive rate has climbed by 25% year over year. He seems just as lofty as previous years so it’s not like he’s sold out for power. He simply looks like he’s added strength.
Curtis Terry, 1B TEX (Triple-A) 4-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R
This was his eleventh home run of the season, as he hit for the cycle. Congratulations Curtis! He continues to mash in 2021, he’s slashing .316/.385/.632 with an improved contact rate and the lowest soft hit rate of his career. It’s a right-right first base profile that plays. Plus he’s a #MassiveHuman
Andy Ibanez, 3B TEX (Triple-A) 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
He’s a 28 year old that signed for a grip out of Cuba back in 2015. He had some pedigree and has always hit. He has plus contact rates, above-average max exit velocity, and an above-average hard hit rate. Maybe he catches on as a bat first utility guy for a few years. Or this is Andy Ibanez’s peak…
Zach Reks, OF LAD (Triple-A) 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R, BB
The homie Zach Reks keeps raking, and you have to wonder what he has to do to get a call to the big leagues? The answer is probably play for a different team. He’s slashing .345/.447/.580, and that’s who he is, elite on base skills, above-average power and a fringe corner outfield defensive profile.
Keibert Ruiz, C LAD (Triple-A) 3-for-5, RBI, R
Another catcher similar to what I said about Luis Campusano yesterday. He’s still just 22, he’s a switch hitter and is showing legitimate power in game for the first time in his career. Will Smith and Keibert could potentially develop into one of the best catching duos in recent memory. Or Keibert is packaged for a veteran at the deadline. The silly season is creeping up on us.
Orlando Arcia, SS ATL (Double-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R
This was Arcia’s eleventh home run of the season. This seems like a joke at this point, he’s slugging .593 with Gwinnett this season and has never flashed this type of power previously. Unfortunately he likely needs an injury in Atlanta to get the call.
Lars Nootbaar, RF STL (Triple-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
The leading candy bar in Norway has been on the shelf for a few weeks. He was activated on Monday and has picked up where he left off. He’s still young at 23 and there might be something here. I bet he’ll be awesome on the Angels, you know because he’s a Cardinals prospect.
Andrés Gimenez, SS CLE (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
Now up to five consecutive games with a home run, as Gimenez continues to turn around his 2021. It wouldn’t shock me to see him in Cleveland within the next few weeks.
Nolan Jones, 3B CLE (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, SB
The slam and legs as Jones remains hot in June. He’s slashing .250/.394/.500 since the calendar turned, and it’s a perfect illustration of what Jones is. A low average, high OBP hitter with above-average game power. He’s as passive as they come, but it makes sense, as he’s a poor contact hitter with split issues. I’m pretty down on his long term role. I think he ends up a strong side platoon corner bat.
Zach Logue, LHP TOR (Triple-A) 7 IP, H, 8 K
His first Triple-A start after dominating the Double-A level in the early part of the year. He mixes three pitches and gives batters a tough look with his low ¾ slot. His fastball sits 92-94 MPH, mixing in a sweepy slider and a changeup with nice tumble and fade. Has the look of a backend starter or a speciality relief guy that could mow down a lefty heavy heart of the order.
Travis Blakenhorn, OF NYM (Triple-A) 1-for-3, HR, 4 RBI, BB
The Mets are absolutely devoid of positional talent in the upper-minors so this is a good fit. Blakenhorn has responded to spending more than a week with one organization by hitting baseballs hard.
Jarren Duran, OF BOS (Triple-A) 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
I was at this game, and it was the best offensive performance I’ve seen out of Duran. His launch approach was toned down, and he made good adjustments in his first two at bats, dropping the bat head on one ball and shooting it back up the middle. The following at bat he took at Matt Moore sinker the other way for a two run home run.
Joey Bart, C SF (Triple-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Yet another catcher that stumbled at the MLB level that’s hitting in Triple-A. The issue with Bart is his lack of approach. He’s hyper aggressive, looking to make contact and elevate. It’s working at the Triple-A level but I have my doubts about his long term MLB outlook if he continues to be this aggressive.
Daulton Varsho, C ARI (Triple-A) 3-for-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, BB
I’d like to formally request that I be relieved from discussing catching prospects, that struggled at the MLB level, only to catch fire in Triple-A. Varsho, still has one of the most unique skill sets of any catching prospect. The swing and miss was really elevated this season and you have to hope Varsho is able to diagnose the issue.
MacKenzie Gore, LHP SD (Triple-A) 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K, 3 HR
The paramedic looks at the scene and says “Oh my god!” The new guy is puking his guts out! Is Gore broken? Is it in fact… the yips!
J.J Matijevic, DH HOU (Triple-A) 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB
Not a bad way to celebrate your Triple-A debut; a first inning homer off of MacKenzie Gore. I’m starting to think Matijevic has a shot to cut it as a fringe second division regular 1B/DH with a sometimes extreme three true outcome profile.
Ryan Pepiot, RHP LAD (Double-A) 2.2 IP, 2 H, ER, 5 BB, 4 K
Had no command of his stuff on Friday night, after his best start of season last time out. Pepiot is still mastering command of his fastball and changeup and on the days he doesn’t have it the free passes are plentiful.
Penn Murfee, RHP SEA (Double-A) 9 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 11 K
This was the game of Ole Penn Murfee’s life.
Jeremy Eierman, 2B OAK (Double-A) 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
I still don’t believe in the profile much, but I’d be remiss to not mention his recent success. In June he’s slugged four homers, driven in 14 while slashing .303/.373/.545. I think the ceiling is a bat first utility type but I’d bet it leans more toward the up and down type.
Sherten Apostel, 3B TEX (Double-A) 3-for-6, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R
I swear to god all of Apostel’s production in 2021 has come in three games. Yesterday was one of them as he connected for the ever popular double dong. Let’s be real, Apostel has game power, but a below average approach, bat to ball skills, and is a poor defender. Are we sure this is an everyday major leaguer? I have my doubts.
Norel Gonzalez, OF/1B HOU (Double-A) 3-for-6, RBI, R
I find it sort of funny that Matijevic got the bump to Triple-A and not Gonzalez, just due to age. That said perhaps they’re taking it slow with their two Cuban signees.
Pedro Leon, SS HOU (Double-A) 2-for-6, 2 SB
Speaking of which, Leon collected a couple of knocks and a pair of steals. He’s shown a whole different side this month after starting out slow in May. There’s been power, speed, approach and improved bat to ball. The Astros might have a guy here.
Hunter Brown, RHP HOU (Double-A) 5.1 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 10 K, HR Allowed
Brown was cruising through five before coming unglued in the 6th inning. Despite the blowup inning it wasn’t a bad outing. I actually thought he was coming out after the fifth.
Bobby Witt Jr, SS KC (Double-A) 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, SB
Another good night for Witt as he leaves the very early season slump in his wake. There’s not much I have to tell you that you don’t already know about Wobby Bitt.
CJ Abrams, SS SD (Double-A) 4-for-5, 4 RBI, 2 R, SB
The 2019 6th overall pick continues to impress as this was one of his best days professionally at the plate. The power isn’t fully developed yet but it should come in due time.
Eguy Rosario, 2B SD (Double-A) 2-for-5, 3 RBI
Another May slumper turned June performer. He’s slashed .356/.433/.644 with ten extra base hits and five steals in June. He’s young at just 21 and has above-average bat to ball skills, with a dash of punch and speed.
Josh Winder, RHP MIN (Double-A) 6 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Tall, strong and broad-shouldered Widener looks the part of a backend of the rotation inning eater. He works fast, has good arm speed, and creates good shape on all four of his pitches from his high ¾ slot. The fastball came out in the first two innings sitting 94-96 mph, mixing in two different breaking balls, and average changeups to left handed hitters. Looks like a rotation piece for the Twins in the coming year.
Delvin Perez, SS STL (Double-A) 3-for-4, 2 R, BB, 2 SB
Not going to lie and say I’m excited about Perez, but I’m pleasantly surprised. He’s producing for the first time offensively and at this point I believe the Cardinals will take a fringe average offensive profile with that defensive ability.
Nick Plummer, OF STL (Double-A) 4-for-4
The Cardinals currently have the Zombie System. Why? Because these dead prospects and highly drafted prep flops are finding a second life. Plummer continues to make strides at the plate, he’s gone from a poor contact hitter to an average bat to ball guy, as his contact rate has climbed 23% in 2021 when compared to 2019. Not a ton of power or speed but enough to cut it as a bench outfielder. Should be noted he made a couple of rough grabs on groundballs into the outfield in the first that likely cost Springfield a run.
Andre Pallante, RHP STL (Double-A) 6 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 7 K
Faced off against Winder in a battle of underrated pitching prospects. Pallante has a long arm action and creates a ton of extension (think Ian Anderson). He mixes a low-90s fastball, with a 12-6 curveball, a slider, and a changeup. He relies on moving the ball around the zone and driving groundball contact.
Braden Shewmake, SS ATL (Double-A) 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R
Continues to turn his luck around, after being one of the most unlucky hitters the first month of the season. His contact numbers are above-average, he’s making more hard contact than he did in 2019, and his batting average on balls in play is a bizarrely low .165 at the moment. He’s starting to heat up over the last week as he has three home runs across his last eight games. Look for Shewmake to gain his footing and put up strong numbers over the next few months.
Nolan Kingham, RHP ATL (Double-A) 6 IP, 3 H, 6 K
The younger brother of Nick Kingham, Nolan is a pitch to contact guy with a fastball+slider combination that does most of the heavy lifting. He gives up a lot of fly balls and for this reason he’s probably living on the edge a bit once he sees Triple-A and possibly the majors. He is however getting it done in Double-A at the moment.
Ethan Small, LHP MIL (Double-A) 7 IP, 3 H, BB, 9 K
Friend of the Sheet Chris Blessing was at this one, as he trekked a few hours out to get a look at Biloxi. Small dominated with his low-90s fastball elevated in the zone and his plus changeup. Chris really wasn’t impressed with the breaking ball. That’s the rub on Small, he has an extreme vertical slot and great extension and it plays up the shape and perceived velocity of his four seam. He uses his plus changeup to keep hitters off balance and the two pitch combo works for him.
Brice Turang, SS MIL (Double-A) 2-for-6, 2 RBI, 2 R
He’s gone ice cold since raising his average to .300 last week. After some quiet nights it was good to see Turang collect a couple of hits. I have a fascination with hit tool first guys like this. They always seem to click
Brayan Bello, RHP BOS (Double-A) 5.1 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 10 K
Undersized athletic righthander with hellacious arm speed. He mixes primarily a mid-90s four-seam with a slider, dashing in a changeup. His command is fringe due to his violent mechanics. He does however have big stuff and some projection. He’s probably the most exciting arm in the Red Sox system at the moment.
Adley Rutschman, C BAL (Double-A) 2-for-4, BB
He’s now slashing .293/.426/.543 with a 17%+ walk rate, ten home runs, a 79% contact rate, and a ton of hard contact. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be promoted to Norfolk within a few weeks. The only reason I can come up with is to keep him working with Grayson Rodriguez.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B DET (Double-A) 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
His first Double-A home run on a rocket to left field. After a scary few weeks Tork has really turned his season around and not looked back. The lineup in Erie is must watch at the moment as Tork, Riley Greene, Dillon Dingler, and Andre Lipcius form a formidable foursome.
Riley Greene, OF DET (Double-A) 3-for-4, R
I am once again making it known, Riley Greene is just 20 years old. He’s producing a 130 wRC+ at Double-A at 20 years of age. I believe he’s pushing on Top Five prospect status and is the top player in the Detroit system.
Janson Junk, RHP NYY (Double-A) 6 IP, H, ER, 4 K
In the early part of the season Junk has been as good as any pitcher in the minor leagues. He mixes a mid-90s fastball, a tight mid-80s slider and a changeup with some nice late parachute action. You can see why Junk has been dominating. He has good stuff and controls the hard contact. He’s a smaller righthander, so I wonder what his ceiling is as a starter. Has the stuff to play up in the pen.
Cade Cavalli, RHP WAS (Double-A) 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, HR Allowed
Not the best Double-A debut for Cavalli, he didn’t have his best command on the day and it led to struggles. He really had two bad innings in the first and second and then settled down after that.
Josh Smith, SS NYY (High-A) 1-for-3, HR, R, RBI (Game 1 of Doubleheader) 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R (Game 2 of Doubleheader)
Former All star with the Atlanta Hawks....oh wrong Josh Smith. This one, the former LSU middle infielder has been hitting well at this in his brief taste of High-A, admittedly it’s only 10 games. If only we could all get as lucky as the basketball version of Josh Smith and make millions not doing the job we signed a contract for.
J.D. Mundy, DH BAL (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
In case you didn’t know J.D. stands for Just Dongs, and that’s what Mundy does. He’s struck out a bit more at this level as opposed to Low-A but I ultimately think there’s a chance for a three-true-outcome profile here that ultimately ends up as a 1B/DH type.
Kyle Brnovich, RHP BAL (High-A) 5.1 IP, H, BB, 7 K
Former Angels pitching prospect who escaped the organization to be part of the Dylan Bundy trade, Brnovich has been performing well in the early goings of the season. I don’t know if the performance has changed where I project him, I think he can be a solid long-guy out of the pen. I do worry how his fastball with it’s suboptimal velocity could be attacked by more advanced hitters.
Aaron Shackleford, 2B PIT (High-A) 3-for-3, HR, 3B, 2 R, RBI
Three-true-outcome second-base prospect that is on the older side for the level being 24 at High-A. Shackleford currently has 11 homers and is rocking a 14% walk rate at the time of this being written.
Niko Hulsiszer, OF TB (High-A) 1-for-5, HR, 2 R, RBI
Niko looks like someone that would go to a college called Morehead State, sister school of Blue Mountain State I would assume. Niko, a name so powerful you don’t need to call him by his last name like Lebron, Zion, Shaq, and Rhys, has been demolishing poor baseballs up until this point of the season with back-to-back games with a long ball.
Blake Hunt, C TB (High-A) 2-for-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
After a hot start and a little bid of a skid following said hot start Blake Hunt gets himself on the board with a double-double of sorts. He’s been catching and from what I have seen he’s a lock to stay back there and I believe in the bat, as much as you can believe in a non top-tier catching prospects bat.
Michael Harris II, OF ATL (High-A) 2-for-6, 2B, R
Been a while since you have been on the Sheet Michael, nice to see you. A 2-for-6 isn’t the most exciting day at the office but it definitely gets the job done. He still doesn’t walk enough for my liking, but he is making contact with everything.
Spencer Strider, RHP ATL (High-A) 6 IP, H ER, BB, 12 K
Okay Spencer I see you! The former Clemson Tiger, those purple jerseys with the orange accent are *chef’s kiss*, has been one of the more unheralded pitching prospects up until this point. He’s struck out 56 batters in 30 innings, he looks like yet another quality college pitcher to come from this 2020 draft.
Daniel Cabrera, OF DET (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, R, RBI
You know that feeling when your friends get sent to another class and you are left alone, that’s how I imagine Cabrera feels after watching Tork and Dingler get the call up to Double-A. Cabrera has been solid, nothing spectacular but also hasn’t been bad, just not as good as his former counterparts.
Tanner Burns, RHP CLE (High-A) 2 IP, H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Rather short appearance for the former Auburn man, he was less than efficient in this outing as my colleague Justin Lada outline’s here. I am glad this isn’t injury related because with the slew of injuries at the major league level I was worried that would happen in the minors. The last thing we want is for Tanner to be as frail as Monty.
George Valera, OF CLE (High-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Nice to see Valera hitting well returning from an injury, hitting .316/.435/.684 since returning from injury on 06/08. Small sample size theater I understand that but Valera is another young talented Cleveland prospect and it’s exciting to see him hit well, he has the makings of a classic power-hitting corner-outfielder.
Ryan Ward, DH LAD (High-A) 2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI
Have yourself a game Ryan!!! The former Bryant man has been hitting well thus far into the season. Not the most well known prospect but hey 2 long balls is impressive.
Zack Haake, RHP KC (High-A) 6 IP, 2 BB, 4K Dante Biasi, LHP KC (High-A) 3 IP, 4 BB, 4 K
I don’t know how much of an old man yelling at cloud take this is but combined no-no’s are lame. But it is definitely of note, so I combined the two of them into one blurb because what they did is unique even if I think it’s lame.
Nick Loftin, SS KC (High-A) 1-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Loftin continues to hit after a slow start to the season. I am a big fan of Loftin’s game so it’s nice for me to see him hit well. He can do a bit of everything on the field and if he can consistently play short that only makes him that much more fun of a prospect in my mind.
Seth Gray, 3B MIN (HIgh-A) 3-for-5
Defense first corner infielder, which is a weird profile of a player, grabs himself a hat trick of singles in last evening’s game. He can really pick it at third the questions are with the bat, which aren’t the questions you want with a corner player.
Willie MacIver, C COL (High-A) 4-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI
Another day another FREEEEE WILLIE homer, that makes back-to-back games with a long ball for the Rockies prospect. He also just decided to sprinkle in three singles for good measure. He’s hitting well and consistently catching, there’s a chance Colorado has something here.
Patrick Frick, SS SEA (High-A) 4-for-6, R, 2 RBI
What the Frick? Yeah ever since I saw his name I have been waiting to use that one. He’s hit well thus far into the season, mostly hitting at the bottom of what is a talented Everett lineup, and playing short the entire time. Probably nothing more than org-depth but he has been hitting so there’s something on the brightside, right???
Tyler Keenan, 1B SEA (High-A) 2-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Unlike Frick and many of his other counterparts on the same team Keenan hasn’t been hitting all that wel to start the season, but he has been getting on base at a decent clip considering his lack of contact. He has the power, like he showed this past evening it’s just about making more consistent solid contact and not striking out 37.7% of the time.
Seth Corry, LHP SF (High-A) 3 IP, 5 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
Yeah so with Seth Corry you get the punch outs but you also get the walks, the three true-outcome type for pitchers I guess. I still think he will ultimately be hampered by his lack of command and control and will have to be moved to a bullpen role, but his fastball and curveball will be weapons for him in shorter spurts where you can mitigate the lack of command and control.
Diego Rincones, OF SF (High-A) 3-for-5, HR, 2B, R, 7 RBI
Okay Diego, have yourself a night. Diego is on the stockier side, they have him listed at 6’0” 175 but he can sure hit and occasionally show some thump in the bat. He will have to hit well because he isn’t the greatest athlete and will be limited to left-field but he has a chance to be a fan favorite because of his stockier build and his ability to hit for power.
Randy Vasquez, RHP NYY (Low-A) 5 ⅔ IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 7 K
Vasquez took the loss here due to allowing three unearned runs. What matters more though here is his stuff. Vasquez averaged 94 with the heater, touched 96 and features a plus to plus-plus 3100 RPM curveball. His change is a distant third pitch but has shown some promise. 55 of his 79 pitches landed in the zone in this walk free outing. Very underrated Yankees arm, stop me if you’ve heard that before.
Maikol Escotto, SS PIT (Low-A) 2-for-2, HR, BB GM 1 2-for-3, BB GM 2
Escotto took Vasquez deep in this one, and a little extra meaning for him I’m sure as it was against the organization that traded him this spring. Escotto is hitting .325/.469/.468 on the season as a 19 year old in Low-A after a four hit doubleheader.
Keyber Rodriguez, 3B TEX (Low-A) 3-for-6, 2 2B
His Down East club scored 15 runs in this one so I’m not going to highlight everybody, just a few of the offensive standouts. Rodriguez is yet another undersized Texas infielder that profiles as a utility option. Can run a bit, control the barrel and flash some pop, just not enough of any of those three skills to move into everyday status.
Antonio Cabello, OF TEX (Low-A) 2-for-4, 2 2B
Cabello also homered yesterday. He got a late start to the season but the former Yankee prospect is heating up a bit now.
Shay Whitcomb, SS HOU (Low-A) 3-for-4, HR, BB, SB
Could he be the best Mr. Irrelevant in history? Probably but most drafts aren’t five rounds so I’m cheating a bit. Cheating and Houston mentioned in the same sentence? Weird. It’s fine though. Every team cheats and if you don’t think that’s correct I have some ocean front property in Idaho I’ll sell you.
Zach Daniels, OF HOU (Low-A) 2-for-4, 2 2B
Big day for 2020 draftees in the Houston organization. Daniels hit a pair of doubles and also struck out twice. Don’t have to look too hard to find the deficiency in his game. The whiffs and spelling his name with an h instead of a k.
Masyn Winn, DH STL (Low-A) 3-for-5, 2 2B
The play of Masyn Winn and Jordan Walker have been the highlight of the Cardinals organization's season so far as it’s been pretty miserable with every minor league team sitting in last place in their respective leagues at this point, and the lack of talent at the big league level is alarming. Anyways, Winn has been ridiculous in June slashing .375/.455/.609 and just won offensive player of the week in the Low-A Southeast.
Taj Bradley, RHP TB (Low-A) 5 IP, 1 H, 8 K
Bradley now rocking a 46-to-9 strikeout to walk ratio in Low-A probably wondering what me needs to do to get a promotion. Me too. He’s got the ideal pitcher’s frame, and is one of the more athletic hurlers in the minor leagues. His delivery is over the top and features some deception as he hides the ball extremely well. Amateur reports had him sitting about 91-93, have to imagine he’s a tick or two higher now and he might be a 50 arm. It’s been impressive.
Mitchell Parker, LHP WSH (Low-A) 5 ⅓ IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 9 K
He faced off against Bradley in the battle between two arms that have no business being in Low-A and he pitched well against what is probably the best Low-A lineup. You can make an argument that Bradley could be blocked by arms in front of him but no such argument exists for Parker in the Nationals system. He should’ve taken Cavalli’s spot at High-A when he moved to Double-A.
Gilberto Jimenez, OF BOS (Low-A) 3-for-5, 2B
He’s been scuffling of late but he’s still the best Sox hitter in the lower minors and has legitimate five tool potential.
Ben Hernandez, RHP KC (Low-A) 5 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K
Five shutout innings for the Chicago prep product as he gets his first professional win. The changeup artist was too much for a weak Augusta lineup.
Brandon Pfaadt, RHP ARI (Low-A) 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
The Diamondbacks version of what the hell is he still doing in Low-A. College arms like this shouldn’t be at this level for long, and Pfaadt has gone deep into games his last few starts, seeing seven innings at this level is getting increasingly more rare. He’s still straddling that starter or reliever line but we won’t get any more answers to that question if he stays in Low-A. He needs a new challenge, as he keeps getting Pfaadt at the expense of Low-A bats.
Kendall Williams, RHP LAD (Low-A) 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
One of my favorite Low-A arms. Williams was limited to 52 pitches in this one, and 35 landed in the zone. Williams has registered a strikeout an inning but has been a little too hittable so far considering his stuff.
Diego Cartaya, C LAD (Low-A) 2-for-3
<3. Cartaya is the rare low minors catcher worth rostering in dynasty leagues. Future middle of the lineup type bat.
Tyler Soderstrom, 1B OAK (Low-A) 3-for-6, 2 HR
He played first base in this one but Soderstrom is another young catcher worth rostering. A multi-homer game as a teenager in Low-A is quite the feat. He’s hitting .296/.386/.526.
Kevin Richards, DH OAK (Low-A) 3-for-6, 2B
Richards has a legit hit tool and will take a walk, but he lacks game power and I fear the bat will get knocked out of his hands in the upper minors.
Taylor Dollard, RHP SEA (Low-A) 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
The Seattle Mariners version of America’s favorite game show, “Why the Hell is He Still in Low-A!?!” Dollar Dollard bill y’all. Sorry. Dollard is a pitchability righty with stuff that plays up due to sequencing and fastball shape. He really can’t show much more here and needs a new challenge.
Kyle Harrison, LHP SF (Low-A) 6 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K
Harrison’s best start as a professional. This is what it can look like when he pounds the zone, but he must have gotten some help in this one as 49 of his 80 pitches landed in the zone.