- Chad Bettis, RHP, Rockies (High-A Modesto): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K. Outstanding fastball and decent secondary pitches have led to 165 strikeouts in 154.2 innings; Double-A will be bigger test for depth of arsenal.
- Dante Bichette, 3B, Yankees (Rookie-level GCL): 2-for-3, RBI, BB, K. Hitting machine with plenty of walks and a .344/.458/.519 line as a pro; third base is still a work in progress.
- Sean Gilmartin, LHP, Braves (Low-A Braves): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. It's not a huge shock that he's dominating the Sally League, but he's looked exceptionally sharp in two brief outings.
- Robbie Grossman, OF, Pirates (High-A Bradenton): 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB. Hitting .326/.453/.527 in his last 50 games. There are worse things than on on-base machine with gap power and average-to-above speed.
- Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas); 3-for-4. 12-for-21 in the Pacific Coast League with five straight multi-hit games; what do you mean a .667 BABIP isn't sustainable?
- Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Triple-A Iowa): 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI, K. Snaps out of 1-for-13 slump but has still whiffed nine time in last four games and 42 times in 118 at-bats; .297/.382/.576 overall.
- Tommie Joseph, C, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, K. Among the hottest hitters around by going 15-for-28 with six home runs in his last six games; .271/.312/.465 overall with improved defense.
- Jake Lemmerman, SS, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K, SB. Nine total bases in four Southern League games after hitting .293/.379/.420 in Cal League; the bad news is that he's probably a second baseman in the end.
- Mark Lombardozzi, SS/2B, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 3-for-5, 2B, 3 R, RBI. Third three-hit game in last five and .326/.367/.446 overall; now where does he fit in Washington?
- Manny Machado, SS, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 2-for-3, 2B, RBI. First multi-hit game in two weeks; .256/.328/.402 in 44 Carolina League games.
- Starling Marte, OF, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, SB. 18-for-32 (.563) during seven-game hitting streak to lift batting average 18 points to .330/.363/.496; approach is only concern in offensive game, but it's a big one.
- Francisco Martinez, 3B, Mariners (Double-A Jackson): 4-for-5, RBI. Best game since arriving from Detroit via trade; .276/.300/.414 in 15 games.
- Tyler Matzek, LHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 7 BB, 6 K. Certainly progress; but hardly without some bumps in the road.
- Logan Morrison, 1B, Marlins (Triple-A New Orleans): 1-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB, K. First minor league game since controversial demotion.
- Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-for-5, 3 R, K, SB. .303/.341/.388 line remains among the most pleasant surprises in the Braves system; true shortstop with plus range, hands and arm strength.
- Trevor Story, SS/3B, Rockies (Short-season Casper): 2-for-5, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI. Home runs in back-to-back games and .305/.390/.505 overall; supplemental first-round pick is outstanding athlete with no tool that's below average.
- Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 3-for-5, 2B. .252/.282/.395 line in month-plus of Florida State League play has cooled hype down to more appropriate levels.
- Josh Vitters, 3B/1B, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. .287/.321/.452 line at Double-A qualifies as progress, but is it enough?
- Christian Yelich, OF, Marlins (Low-A Greensboro): 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, SB. The 28 stolen bases in 33 attempts might be a bigger surprise than the .306/.377/.466 batting line; scouts are convinced more power is coming.
Thank you for reading
This is a free article. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing to Baseball Prospectus. Subscriptions support ongoing public baseball research and analysis in an increasingly proprietary environment.
Subscribe now
Another positive is that, even though he's now spent more than a full year at AA, he will have played the vast majority of this season as a 21 year old, so he's still pretty young.
On the other hand, with the continued lack of walks, plate discipline still remains a serious red flag.
Are you still planning on writing up n NL West draft recap? It won't have to be as long now, I know at least Peter O'Brien did not sign.