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A.J. Jimenez, C, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (3), R, 6 RBI

A ninth-round pick in 2008 out of Puerto Rico, Jimenez is one of the better sleeper prospects in the system.  Short and stocky, the 20-year-old has a quick bat and gap power, leading to a .318/.366/.464 line in 42 games for the Lugnuts, but the real story has been his defense, as he's a solid receiver with a plus-plus arm, and that might be a conservative grade, as he's gunned down 22 of 39 (56.4%) of opposing base stealers.  The Jays system is absolutely loaded with catching, so it's hard to figure out where he fits into Toronto's future, but you can never have too much catching.

Will Myers, C, Royals (Low-A Burlington): 3-for-4, 2 HR (10), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, K, CS

Myers seemingly gets better every day, at least at the plate.  Defensively, he's still scuffling at catcher, and many think a move further down the defensive spectrum is in his future, but the bat is going to player anywhere.  With four home runs in June and an overall line of .289/.403/.523, he's one of the best hitters in the Midwest League, and yet another reason that no system in baseball might be having a better year than the Royals.

Chris Resop, RHP, Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett): 9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K. 

Resop ended his Gwinnett stint in style on Thursday, facing the minimum of 27 batters and lowering his ERA to 1.84 in 13 starts.  Signed out of Japan, Resop's Triple-A deal, like that of many veterans, includes an out clause that forces the Braves to either call him up or trade him, and the deadline is June 15.  There's been some interest, as Resop has been consistently great, getting into the mid-90s with his fastball while allowing just 46 hits in 73 1/3 innings.  The Braves won't let him go cheaply, so he could end up a very nice addition to the bullpen for a first place team.

Carlos Santana, C, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 3-for-4, 2 2B, HR (13), 3 R, 3 RBI, BB, K

So for now, it ends, as Santana was called up to the big leagues last night after hitting .316/.447/.597 in 57 games for the Clippers.  He's hardly perfect, still needing to make some improvements against left-handers, and despite some intense, and at times, downright inventive work to improve him defensively, he's still below-average behind the plate.  In the end, the bat was just too much to keep down on the farm, and they'll let him work on the rest in the big leagues.

Others Of Note:

  • Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 2-for-3, R, BB, K.  13-for-24 in last seven games; not quite sure why he's not up at this point.
  • J.P. Arencibia, C, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 2-for-5, HR (11), 2 R, 2 RBI, K.  Improved walk rate, hitting more, and three home runs in last four games; if you focus on what he can do, he's a very good catching prospect.
  • Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB. On base 28 times in his last ten games; at .380/.490/.600, he has nothing left to prove here.
  • Dellin Betances, RHP, Yankees (High-A Tampa):  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K.  First outing in nearly a year; hard to get excited about an injury prone guy in his fifth pro season who is only in High-A, but there's still some upside here.
  • Daniel Descalso, 2B, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 2-for-4, 2B, BB.  8-for-15 with four doubles in last three games and .284/.360/.431 overall; if Skip Schumaker continues to do, well nothing, he deserves a look.
  • Rashun Dixon, OF, Athletics (Low-A Kane County): 1-for-1, HR (5), 3 R, RBI, 2 BB.  Maybe the hottest bat in the system, and certainly one of toolsiest in the system; 12-for-30 with three home runs in last eight games.
  • Matt Dominguez, 3B, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 2-for-6, HR (7), R, 2 RBI.  Coming on strong of late; .558 slugging in June and defense remains top notch.
  • Dexter Fowler, OF, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.  If one of the goals for Fowler was to get his confidence back, I'm guessing that's been accomplished, as he's absolutely dominating at .459/.565/.730 in nine games.
  • Nick Franklin, SS, Mariners (Low-A Clinton): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (13), 3 R, 3 RBI.  Rapidly becoming one of the biggest breakout players in the minors; batting .315/.360/.579 and it's the power that's the most shocking.
  • Todd Frazier, 3B/1B/LF, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB, SO, CS.  First thing resembling a hot streak all year; 10-for-18 over last five games; still at just .229/.301/.410.
  • Matt Gamel, 3B, Brewers (Triple-A Nashville): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (1), R, 3 RBI.  Working way back from injury; still no room for him in Milwaukee.
  • Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 3-for-6, 2B, 3B, R, 3 RBI.  Scout: "He can really hit."
  • Chuck James, LHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K.  28-year-old former Braves prospect is attempting comeback; 14 2/3 scoreless innings so far in Eastern League.
  • Matt LaPorta, 1B, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 2-for-5, HR (4), R, RBI, K.  Four home runs in two games, after hitting one in 35 big league contests.
  • Alex Liddi, 3B, Mariners (Double-A West Tenn): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (5), R, 3 RBI, BB.  16-for-40 (.400) in last ten games and up to .296/.360/.474.
  • Derek Norris, C, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (2), 2 R, RBI, BB, K.  Still trying to get into a groove offensively, but getting on base at a .420 clip.
  • Dennis Raben, OF, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 3-for-4, HR (4), 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, K.  Enjoying High Desert so far with a .417/.479/.733 mark in 15 games.  He's 23 and a bat-only prospect, but at least he's hitting.
  • Wilin Rosario, C, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 3-for-4, HR (8), 2 R, 2 RBI.  Four home runs in last seven games; hard not to like a 21-year-old catcher slugging .514 in Double-A with plus defensive skills.
  • Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 2-for-4, 2K. Yawn.
  • Oscar Tejada, 2B, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 3-for-4, 2B, K.  13-for-28 during eight-game hitting streak, .332/.346/.527 overall.  Don't hate him just because he doesn't walk.
  • Mark Trumbo, 1B, Angels (Triple-A Salt Lake): 4-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI. Up to .294/.336/.560; making his case for a look at first base.

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TheBunk
6/11
Hey Kevin, where do you find minor league caught stealing numbers for catchers?
mattymatty2000
6/11
I'm not Kevin, but Baseball-Reference.com has them. Click on the "minors" heading on the player's page.
TheBunk
6/11
Awesome, thanks!
MatternK
6/11
Kevin, you think Brandon Belt will be on the fast-track to San Fran? Was thinking Thomas Neal would be the future in San Fran, but not to certain with his play in AA.

singledigit
6/11
Is the Tigers system so bereft of any sort of prospects? It's truly a rare day when you write of one. I have a feeling you are going to write "yes".

Report after report, and nary a single player in the Tigers system. Fields? Turner? Streiby? Bueller?
ryankelly12
6/11
Is there a reason no one is talking about Alejandro Sanabia?

21 year olds in AA with 1.86 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, .196 BAA, and nearly a K per inning rarely get overlooked.

I've never seen a Scouting Report on him, so maybe his stuff just doesn't match his results?
tcfatone
6/12
Where do you see Carlos Santana ranking among catchers offensively from here on out?
bheikoop
6/13
Is there no worry that Franklin - while young for his league - is showing a mediocre eye at the plate? He is striking out nearly once a game.
mattoves
6/14
Trumbo won't get a look anytime soon because the Angels hopefully have realized that someone with no plate discipline and without great contact skills won't survive in the majors just because they hit some homers in the thin Salt Lake air. I feel like I'm looking at a first base version of Brandon Wood.