Minor League Update: Games of Wednesday, August 21

Pitching Prospect of the Day: Jayson Aquino, LHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K. Aquino flies a little bit under the radar in the Rockies system. He offers a fastball that works in the low 90s, and has the potential to add velocity as his body matures. The secondary offerings show signs of life, led by a changeup that flashes plus. The curveball has its moments, but is highly inconsistent.

Position Prospect of the Day: Javier Baez, SS, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 4-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI. Baez has the tools to be a no-doubt top-tier prospect. The bat speed is off the charts and Baez also shows a feel for hitting. I understand that Baez will need to slow the game down consistently, but when and if he really gets it, watch out—he could be a franchise-type player.

Other notable prospect performances on August 21:

“The Good”

• C.J. Cron, 1B, Angels (Double-A Arkansas): 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, K. Cron’s power is undeniable, but I really wonder how much consistent hard contact he will make against quality pitching. The first-base-only profile always frightens me, and Cron may end up not being a major contributor if the bat does not reach its ceiling.
• Rougned Odor, 2B, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 2-5, HR, R, 4 RBI, K. Odor has incredible baseball feel and work ethic. He understands exactly what he wants to do at the plate and has the potential to be a plus-plus hitter. He is not going to be a huge power/speed guy, but he will always provide enough of each. Defensively, Odor could be a passable shortstop in the minors, but the Rangers are letting him play second and show off his plus defensive ability there.
• Matt Olson, 1B, Athletics (Low-A Beloit): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K. Olson provides easy plus raw power, and a feel for hitting. However, Olson has not created a large amount of contact this season in Low-A, and with the first-base-only profile, it will be difficult for him to stay on prospect radars if he does not put together a strong start to next season.
• Ariel Pena, RHP, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. Pena has major stuff: a fastball that can touch the upper 90s and a slider with easy plus potential. However, he does not have much of a changeup, and the command can get away from him quickly. Ultimately, he's likely to just gas it up out of the bullpen.
• Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Romero has a fastball that can be devastating and work in the mid-to-upper 90s. He mixes that with a curveball that has plus potential and a changeup that is a little further behind. The Rays have a surplus at starting pitcher, and I would not be surprised if they do not either try to ship Romero, or let him help them as an asset out of the bullpen.
• Lucas Sims, RHP, Braves (Low-A Rome): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. Sims offers a plus fastball, a potential plus curveball, and a potential solid-average changeup. The thing that sets Sims apart from others in his age group is that he is a much more polished pitcher than most at the Low-A level. Sims has planted himself squarely on the prospect radar.

“The Bad”

• Sean Coyle, 2B, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 0-3, 3 K. Coyle shows promise so many times that you just want to hold on, but the hit tool may never be enough to get him to the next level.
• Brett Eibner, CF, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 0-3, R, BB, 3 K. Eibner is a difficult one to grade because he offers value in so many different ways. However, if he doesn’t cut the strikeout rate to a respectable level, it will not matter.
• Charles Jones, RF, Giants (Low-A Augusta): 0-4, 3 K. Well, Mr. Jones, you run into a few every once in a while, but I feel like this line is much more customary for you.

“The Ugly”

• Terrance Gore, OF, Royals (Low-A Lexington): 0-5, 4 K. Gore offers speed and a contact-oriented swing, but on this night, he was not seeing the ball well.

“The Sano Factor”

I will be traveling tomorrow night to see Miguel Sano, and it looks like, sadly, this may be the last MLU of the week.