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September 15, 2010

Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of September 14

by Kevin Goldstein

Many leagues are done, most full-season leagues are in the championship round, but there's still plenty of games to cover.

• Chris Archer, RHP, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K. Named Cubs minor league pitcher of the year ealier; could be poised for a big league debut during second half of 2011.
• Andrew Brackman, RHP, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Pitched innings six through ten in Eastern League championship opener. What's a daily without a Yankee pitching prospect?
• Robinson Chirinos, C, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-4, HR (2), R, 3 RBI. One of the better minor league sleepers around; converted infielder projects as a big league catcher for many scouts and is 7-for-11 with 14 total bases in the post-season.
• Chase D'Arnaud, SS, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 2-for-3, HR (1), R, RBI, BB, K. Third home run of the post-season, and this one come off a rehabbing Andy Pettitte.
• Jiwan James, OF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K. He's clearly going to require patience, but to tools are just nuts.
• Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 2-for-4, 3 R, BB, K. Moves up for the International League finals; just a small part of team's 18-run barrage.
• Matt Lollis, RHP, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 7 K. 2009 draftee had explosive second half and moves up to High-A for playoffs; 6-8, 280 beast has pure power stuff.
• Derek Norris, C, Nationals (High-A Potomac): 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, K. Has reached base 14 times in six playoff games; 2011 could be big year once hand is fully healthy.
• Julio Rodriguez, RHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 7 K. Second-half breakout arm has much improved velocity and plenty of projection still in him.
• Justin Smoak, 1B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-4, HR (1), R, 3 RBI, K. 8-for-18 with eight walks in playoffs; scouts still have faith that he'll hit in the big leagues.
• Tyler Thornburg, RHP, Brewers (Rookie-level Helena): 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 9 K. Third-round pick in June is small righty with big stuff; 38 Ks in 23.1 IP during regular season.

Kevin Goldstein is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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