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Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 3-for-4, HR (1), R, 3 RBI. You having fun yet? I know I am. After torching the California League to the tune of .408/.451/.606 in 52 games, the podcast's favorite second baseman showed no signs of slowing down in his Double-A debut, but the best part is how he suddenly grew. Listed at 5-5, 148 with Lancaster, Altuve told us he was 5-foot-6 when interviewed a couple of weeks ago, but the Hooks are now listing him as 5-7, 170. At that rate, he'll be 5-11, 210 by the time he gets to the big leagues and the size won't be a concern anymore.

Others Of Note:

  • Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield) 4-for-5, 2 2B, R, RBI. 15-for-23 with 26 total bases in last five games and .344/.382/.667 overall; at some point the production is going to outweigh the other issues (pun intended).
  • Yonder Alonso, OF/1B, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 3-for-4, 3B, R, RBI. Making another run to prove he's a better big league option than Johnny Gomes; 10-for-17 in last four games and .321/.375/.497 overall.
  • Matt Antonelli, 2B/3B, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 4-for-4, HR (1), R, RBI, SB. Former big prospect with the Padres is trying to resurrect career; .389/.450/.583 in ten games since moving up to Triple-A.
  • Chris Archer, RHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 5 IP, 9 H, 7 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 4 K. One of the biggest disappointments in the system; one quality start in 11 attempts and a 5.98 ERA.
  • Christian Bethancourt, C, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K. Three home runs in last six games and up to .277/.294/.416 overall; not bad for a 19-year-old catcher with plus defense.
  • Adron Chambers, OF, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 3-for-4, 2 HR (5), 4 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB. Still a nice sleeper in the system as a plus defender with plenty of athleticism and a leadoff man's approach; .247/.366/.390 in 44 games.
  • Travis D'Arnaud, C, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 2-for-5, HR (5), 2 R, RBI. Snapped out of four-game hitless slump; .316/.414/.544 in 34 games.
  • Jordan Danks, OF, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (9), 2 R, RBI, K. Having impressive bounce back year with .265/.349/.524 line that features never before seen power.
  • Kentrail Davis, OF, Brewers (High-A Brevard County): 4-for-5, 2B, HR (3), 3 R, 2 RBI, SB. Played well during injury-plagued full season debut last year, but hitting just .257/.358/.385 in 49 games.
  • Lucas Duda, OF/1B, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 3-for-3, 2B, 2 HR (7), 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB. Well, we certainly know he can hit Triple-A pitching; .280/.402/.540 in 30 games.
  • Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 3-for-5, HR (18), 2 R, 4 RBI, SB. Tied for the minor league home run lead and .337/.454/.684 overall; believers growing by the day.
  • Darin Gorski, LHP, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. 0.61 ERA in last five starts; huge numbers, but scouts still project a relief role.
  • Grant Green, SS, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 3-for-5, 2 R. Hasn't been able to repeat power surge from the California League and still struggling defensively; .291/.348/.391 in 43 games.
  • Deolis Guerra, RHP, Twins (Double-A New Britain): 4.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 5 K. In case you were wondering if there was any progress here, the answer is no.
  • Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI, SB. 25 multi-hit games in 53 starts; .370/.433/.658 in 53 games and doesn't belong at this level.
  • Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 2-for-5, HR (12), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB. With four stolen bases in his last two games, he's suddenly on pace for 30/30 possibilities.
  • Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Brewers (High-A Brevard County): 0.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Had best start of the season (seven shutout innings) last time out, and then this; 4.66 ERA in 11 starts.
  • Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 0-for-5, 1 K. Hype has cooled down significantly, 4-for-28 with 10 Ks in last ten games and down to .266/.391/.468 overall.
  • Austin Kirk, LHP, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 3 K. Left-hander makes up for average velocity with command and movement; 2.04 ERA in 57.1 innings with the Midwest League hitting just .171 against him.
  • Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB. Hasn't maintained hot start, but .291/.335/.488 is still a big step forward.
  • D.J. Mitchell, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Undersized, but athletic right-hander has plus sinker, throws strikes and has 2.78 ERA; is it possible for a Yankees prospect to be a sleeper?
  • Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 3-for-5, K. 14-for-28 during six game hitting streak and up to .289/.355/.497 overall.
  • Derek Norris, C, Natoinals (Double-A Harrisburg): 2-for-4, R, RBI. Hitting .299 in last 20 games and .238/.378/.465; continues to look like a Mickey Tettleton-like producer.
  • Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. Fantastic 74-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 52.2 innings with 2.05 ERA and just one home run allowed.
  • Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 1.1 IP, 5 H, 8 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Has struggled mightily at Double-A; 22 runs allowed over 12 innings in last four games and 8.62 ERA on the season.
  • Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Indians (High-A Kinston): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Pitched vs. Odorizzi in what was clearly the game of the day; 1.85 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 43.2 innings.
  • Matt Rizzotti, 1B, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 3-for-5, HR (10), 2 R, RBI, K. Another Matt Adams type (bat-only player, but wow what a bat); .331/.408/.591 in 51 games.
  • Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-for-6, R, K, CS. Sure, it's a somewhat empty .316 average at .316/.361/.374; but that's still well beyond expectations and the well above-average defense has been as good as advertised.
  • Angelo Songco, OF/1B, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 2-for-4, 2 HR (9), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K. Not especially toolsy and a bit old for the league, but he can hit; .324/.382/.542 in 52 games.
  • Peter Tago, RHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 R), 4 BB, 3 K. 2010 Supplemental first-round pick was sparkling in his season debut, but has walked 10 over 6.1 innings in two starts since.
  • Trayce Thompson, OF, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, 2 K. Among the streakiest prospects around, but when it's good, it's very good; still just .234/.300/.447 in 50 games.
  • Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 3-for-4. 11-for-20 in last five games and .338/.353/.485 overall; approach is an issue, but can hit and is showing improved receiving skills.
  • Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals (Low-A Kane County): 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K. The line says it all, as he's been a combination of sloppiness and killer stuff; 7.04 ERA in four starts but 23 strikeouts in 15.1 innings.
  • Jonathan Villar, SS, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, RBI, K. Promoted along with Altuve to give Corpus Christi a brand new double-play combination, 20-year-old Dominican hit just .259/.353/.414 at Lancaster but showed gap power, plus speed and a good approach.
  • Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K. Best start of much-anticipated full-season debut; ERA still at 6.80 after ten outings.

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jalee121
6/02
Do scouts think the Jordan Danks power is for real?
kgoldstein
6/02
They've always wondered why it didn't show up in games more.
mrenick
6/02
How advanced is Villar in the field? Was that the likely impetus for the promotion and was his bat just good enough let the Astros decide to give him a shot at Corpus? I guess I was a bit surprised by his promotion.
kgoldstein
6/02
I was as well. He has the potential to be a good shortstop, but still makes a lot of young player mistakes.
BillJohnson
6/02
Even the people (of whom I am one) who have doubts about Matt Adams because of his low BB %age have to admit that you can't blame a guy for not walking in a game where he goes 4 for 5. Still, you worry. Who are his comparables, Kevin? Can you think of any first basemen or corner outfielders who hit a ton in the minors without drawing many walks, then went on to successful major-league careers? Every Adams-like power behemoth who went on to major-league stardom that I've looked at had a better minor-league BB rate than he does. But surely there must be SOME success story among players with his profile -- mustn't there?
drewsylvania
6/02
First though was Vladimir Guerrero, though he had a slightly better walk rate and definitely wasn't a bad-body type.

I'd say Pablo Sandoval has to be in the discussion. BTW, BBRef has one of his nicknames as "The Round Mound of Pound". Seriously? Somebody actually calls him that?
zasxcdfv
6/02
Charles Barkley was the "Round Mound of Rebound," so it's a take on that.
kgoldstein
6/02
Vlad was 1434x the hitter as well. 80 bat coming up through the Expos system. Adams is definitely a difficult guy to wrap ones head around, and those are exactly the type of players who have to keep doing it.
BillJohnson
6/02
Thanks for the Sandoval comp, DM; it's the closest I've seen to Adams as a big-hit-no-walk guy in the minors who has been valuable in the Show, although we don't yet know just how good Panda will be.

Is the gap between Adams and Guerrero really that large, Kevin? I'm struck by the similarities between their AA slash lines at comparable stages of professional development, and the age difference isn't enormous. Slash stats are by no means the best way to compare guys in the minor leagues, to be sure. They may suggest that this guy needs a closer, careful look, though.
smallflowers
6/03
Dude, an EIGHTY bat. 80. Eight. Zero.
adamcarralejo
6/02
What kind of grades are you hearing for Songco's hit and power tools? can he be a average regular or is he more of second-division starter/extra OF? (also, what is the logic behind having him in high-A?)
kgoldstein
6/02
More of a second-division type/4th. Not starting ability. He's in High-A because he was in Low-A last year. If he keeps hitting, they'll move him up around mid-season.
asstarr1
6/02
Forgive me for being giddy that two Brewers were mentioned today, albeit one for the wrong reason, but have you heard any scouts takes on Tyler Thornberg? He's off to a good start this year, but is there anything to get excited about?
kgoldstein
6/02
There is. It's a really nice arm, but a lot of scouts still wonder if he has the frame to start.
jhagan2
6/02
Any concerns about Von Rosenberg given his start? How does he project as a starter?
kgoldstein
6/02
Plenty of concern. He's so far away, that it's not a good time for projecting MLB roles.
Scott44
6/02
KG - Both Adams and Rizzotti's bats seem legit, though their defence may not be even adequate. Obviously Adams is blocked (maybe temporarily) by Pujols and Rizzotti is blocked by Howard? Any thoughts about the possibility of LF for either or is the dee that bad?
lionstar1964
6/02
Scott 44 -- Not Rizzotti. The reports I've seen say he's a worse defensive 1B than Howard, and likely only has a career as a DH.
kgoldstein
6/02
Correct. 20 runner, lawn ornament defensively.
delorean
6/02
The 30-30 prediction for Harper means in the bigs, yes?
kgoldstein
6/02
Means this year. I don't think he'll keep the speed for long.
delorean
6/02
oic. thanks for clarifying.
Schere
6/03
I went out to Hagerstown yesterday, and Mr. Harper got picked off, twice. Maybe you got him too excited, Kevin!

He did, of course, have three singles, a walk and a 10th inning come-from-behind walk-off homer. So, he's got that going for him.

How soon before they move him to High A, I wonder?
drewsylvania
6/02
Still love this stuff.

Any guess on who might be the Red Sox top prospect at year's end (and, if possible, how many stars)?
GregLowder
6/02
Sox fan here...tough season for the Sox prospects so far. Ranaudo was good in low A but with less dominance than I had hoped.

I think the best bet is on one of the 2011 draftees sitting on top of next year's Top 11.
kgoldstein
6/02
I agree.
drewsylvania
6/02
Thanks for the replies Kevin, even if the answers leave me unhappy about my farm system (grumble).
amosap
6/02
You got A-Gon for the guys who would change the answer to that question. I wouldn't grumble.
makewayhomer
6/02
any thoughts on the next big prospect to get called up? Chisenhall, Ackley, Laurie, does Goldschmidt belong in this group?
SydFinch
6/02
Lawrie as soon as his sore hand heals and he plays another game or two at LV
kgoldstein
6/02
Lawrie is up this weekend. Ackley sometime this month. No guarantee on Chisenhall, Goldschmidt likely no more than September.
TheRedsMan
6/02
If Jonny Gomes is a 30 defender, what's Alonso? Comparable?
kgoldstein
6/02
Around there, yes.
pobothecat
6/02
Do we think Derek Norris is Tettleton-y enough to play some (or a lot) of first base?
kgoldstein
6/02
It could end up that way, yes.
leites
6/02
Whatever expectations for Altuve we may have, he keeps exceeding them (including by growing several inches). So, for once, I'm going to try to get ahead of the curve.

In that spirit, let me ask: if Altuve hit .408/.451/.606 in A, does that mean he'll be able hit .816/.902/1.012 in AA?
ctt8410
6/02
Scouts would question his power.
bscheidt
6/02
no, he would slug 1.212
kgoldstein
6/02
I'll take the over.
moehk21
6/02
Does anyone know what's wrong with Archer? Is he still considered an SP prospect or more RP? Upside still a 2 starter? Thanks KG!
kgoldstein
6/03
Stuff is really, but once below average command and control is now downright poor.