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June 30, 2009

Minor League Update

June 30

by Kevin Goldstein

From shortstop of the future to trade chip?

Reid Brignac, SS, Rays (Triple-A Durham)
Monday's stats: 3-for-4, 3 2B, R, RBI
Back when the Rays traded for Jason Bartlett prior to the 2008 season, he was seen as little more than a placeholder for Brignac, but after Bartlett shored up the defense on last year's American League champs while taking a huge step forward offensively this year, one wonders if Brignac is suddenly one of most valuable properties Tampa has when it comes to possible deals. He can play the position, he's pretty much big league ready, and with a trio of consecutive three-hit games, the bat is looking better than it has in three years.

Logically, he should have five hits tomorrow

Michael Taylor, OF, Phillies (Double-A Reading)
Monday's stats: 4-for-5, 2 2B, RBI, K
After two hits on Saturday and three on Sunday, Taylor upped the ante a bit with his second four-hit effort of the season (he also had a five-hit game in May). One of the more frequent names to show up on the Minor League Updates this year, it's for good reason, as he's now 18-for-33 in his last eight games and batting .351/.414/.600 overall. All of sudden, he's in the picture for some kind of look at the end of the year, and could get the opportunity to at least force some difficult decisions by the Phillies next year in a crowded outfield picture.

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19 comments have been left for this article.

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faithdies

(46632)

kevin,
A few days ago you said that Michael Taylor still has questions before becoming a premier prospect. Can you give a quick rundown on what that concern is? He has consistently outperformed the competition around him and he is no longer age inappropriate the way he was at Lakewood and Clearwater.

Jun 30, 2009 09:22 AM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

There are no CONCERNS per se, just questions about his ultimate ceiling, especially on a power level. He's a weird, almost incongruous hitter, in the same way Kyle Blanks is, where it's a contact-oriented swing, he just hits homers because he's so friggin' huge.

Jun 30, 2009 20:48 PM

astein

(26268)

Kevin, thanks for the updates! Can you give a quick comparison between Gibson and Ryan Dent? Both are speedy 2B, drafted out of HS by the Red Sox (2nd round of '08 and 1st-supp. round of '07, respectively). Dent hasn't shown much as a pro yet, has he?

Jun 30, 2009 10:16 AM

rating: 0

dcarroll

(1938)

Kudos to Flowers for stealing a base, and his OPS is pretty. But the strikeout rate is a little frightening.

Jun 30, 2009 10:20 AM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

Yeah, he's a bit of a TTO guy, but I'm with you, you gotta dig a 250 pound catcher swiping one.

Jun 30, 2009 20:48 PM

Shaun P.

(676)

Kevin, are the concerns about Venditte's stuff concerns about his fastball velocity, or something else?

Jun 30, 2009 10:26 AM

rating: 2

sungods7n

(31445)

I would think a big concern is if he becomes hittable from one side what does that mean for him as a whole?

Jun 30, 2009 13:18 PM

rating: 1

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

It's really just not a lot of stuff. It's location, deception and a breaking ball. That combination has dominated A-level hitters forever, and most who did it hit a wall at the upper levels.

Jun 30, 2009 20:49 PM

Shaun P.

(676)

Thanks!

Jul 01, 2009 10:36 AM

rating: 0

dbrown

(607)

quick correction, as the Michael Taylor tagline lists him with the Marlins, when he's actually with the Phillies (as you state later in the piece).

keep up the great work, I love this daily feature on BP!

Jun 30, 2009 12:21 PM

rating: 0

faithdies

(46632)

Is Dominic Brown a member of BP?

Jun 30, 2009 13:23 PM

rating: 0

Steph Bee

BP staff

(44528)

Thanks. The mistake has been corrected.

Jun 30, 2009 14:22 PM

billm21

(35836)

KG, talk to me about Delvi Cid. He probably hasn't done anything yet to warrant inclusion on your daily report. But I was first intrigued by his name ... then by the athleticism yet very raw tools when I saw him in extended spring training ... and now by his performance in Low A after skipping short season ball. How soon will he be a household name to the Goldstein fanboys?

Jun 30, 2009 13:38 PM

rating: 0

G. Guest

(44778)

Re: Delvi Cid

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9065

Jun 30, 2009 13:49 PM

rating: 0

billm21

(35836)

I should have known that Kevin would already be on the trail. No good prospect gets past him, especially one with such a cool name!

Jun 30, 2009 14:23 PM

rating: 0

mwashuc06

(47497)

Saw Gibson Sunday night in Oneonta. This kid hit a gapper to right center and really bulked up from last year when I saw him in Oneonta at the end of the year. He hasn't lost any speed either. I don't know who is faster, Westmoreland or Gibson but it would be a good race. Westmoreland is pressing and he hates being a DH(talked to him before the game) and doesn't know when he'll be in the field.

Jun 30, 2009 13:55 PM

rating: 0

rjblakel

(7440)

Is there any chance you could start including the players' age after their info line? Eg, Name, Position, Team, Dvision, Age.

Thanks!

Jun 30, 2009 14:32 PM

rating: 2

G. Guest

(44778)

I like this idea.

Jun 30, 2009 14:37 PM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

I often put the age in the comments, especially when relevant.

Jun 30, 2009 20:51 PM

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<< Previous Article

Future Shock: Monday T... (06/29)

<< Previous Column

Minor League Update: J... (06/29)

Next Column >>

Minor League Update: J... (07/01)

Next Article >>

BP Fantasy Beat: Adria... (06/30)

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