October 22, 2009

Minor League Update

October 22

by Kevin Goldstein

Hometown hero

Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (MEX: Mochis)
Yesterday's stats: 2-for-3, 2B, HR (2), R, 3 RBI, BB, K

It's rare to talk about a teenagers playing in the Mexico Pacific League, which is usually filled with local veterans and Triple-A prospects, but Valle is a bit special, as he's playing in his hometown. More importantly, he's really good. Beginning the regular season as a 19-year-old in the Sally League, Valle was overmatched, but he made adjustments back in Phillies camp and was one of the talk-worthy topics of the New York-Penn League, batting .307/.335/.531 in 50 games for Williamsport. With two home runs in two games for the Caneros, he's picking up where he left off, and he's an excellent candidate for a 2010 breakout season.

Which one is real?

Brandon Snyder, 1B, Orioles (AFL: Phoenix)
Yesterday's stats: 4-for-5, 2B, 2 HR (3), 3 R, 7 RBI, SB

You have the first baseman who hit a whopping .343/.421/.597 at Double-A, and then you have the first baseman who hit a pretty awful .248/.316/.355 at Triple-A. The problem is that they're the same guy. Scouts who only saw him at only one level gave remarkably different reports, but both had concerns about his ultimate power ceiling at the position, as well as his below-average defense. This is definitely a step in the right direction, but take it with a grain of salt, as after eight days of play, the Arizona Fall League is hitting a collective .302/.382/.484.

Impossible to ignore

Grant Desme, OF, Athletics (AFL: Phoenix)
Yesterday's stats: 2-for-5, 2 HR (5), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K

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