November 5, 2009

Minor League Update

November 5

by Kevin Goldstein

Hitting a wall

Mark Rogers, RHP, Brewers (AFL: Peoria Javelinas)
Yesterday's stats: 0.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Rogers was such a nice story this year. After missing all of 2007 and 2008 with a variety of shoulder problems and surgeries, he pitched every five days in short stints for High-A Brevard County, putting up a 1.67 ERA with more than a strikeout per inning. Even more promising was that the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft was getting up to the mid-90s with his fastball. While he pitched just 64 2/3 innings, he stayed healthy, and one wondered what he could do once the reigns were loosened a bit. The Arizona Fall League has been a disaster however, as Rogers now sports a 17.61 ERA in six appearances, and even more concerning is the fact that he's clearly tired, sitting at just 90-92 mph while his control has abandoned him. If 70 innings is too much for his ravaged arm, that's not a good thing.

Rolling into 2010

Alcides Escobar, SS, Brewers (VEN: Lara)
Yesterday's stats: 3-for-4, R, 2 RBI, SB

After batting .304/.333/.368 during the final six weeks of the regular season in the big leagues, Escobar seems lined up to assume everyday shortstop duties for the Brewers in 2010, and he's still hitting back home in Venezuela. Of course, nearly any kind of offense from him is gravy, as his defense is so spectacular, but the real story here might end up being what the Brewers end up doing . . . or getting for J.J. Hardy.

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