Minor League Update

Games of Tuesday, March 19

The Dodgers' $42 million man is impressing evaluators and fans in spring training.

Prospect of the Day: Yasiel Puig, OF, Dodgers (expected to start the year in Double-A Chattanooga): 4-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B, HR, SB. Puig has turned heads this spring with his football-esque frame and jaw-dropping power. Many in the industry stuck their noses up at the Dodgers for spending $42 million on Puig, at that point an unproven commodity, but all signs now suggest that it will be a worthwhile investment; .500/.489/.804 with three home runs, 13 runs scored, and 10 RBI in 46 at-bats.

Other notable prospect performances from March 19:

• Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, Marlins (expected to be the starting shortstop): 1-3, R, RBI. A secondary piece in the package that Miami received from Toronto in the Jose Reyes/Josh Johnson/Mark Buehrle blockbuster, Hechavarria gets rave defensive reviews, but has a multitude of offensive question marks; .175/.227/.250 with only two extra base-hits in 40 at-bats.
   
• Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals (competing for the number-five starter job): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. Big-framed Texan with big fastball and a big-time shot at winning the last spot in the St. Louis rotation; 11 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings this spring.  
   
• Trevor Rosenthal, RHP, Cardinals (expected to be the primary setup man): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K. Rosenthal has an electric arm from which he uncorks an 8 fastball and 6 curveball that many scouts believe should lead to a rotation role; 5 1/3 innings, seven hits allowed, no walks, and seven strikeouts since moving back to the bullpen.
   
• Brock Holt, 2B/SS, Red Sox (expected to start the year in Triple-A Pawtucket): 1-1, R, BB. A throw-in prospect in the Joel Hanrahan trade, Holt has average-at-best tools that play up due to plus-plus makeup; .214/.267/.286 in 42 at-bats.
   
• Jose Iglesias, SS, Red Sox (expected to start the year in Triple-A Pawtucket, unless Stephen Drew starts on the disabled list): 1-2, K. Iglesias is an elite defender, but his slugging percentage in Grapefruit League play is a small-sample-size mirage.; .233/.267/.442 with six extra-base hits 43 at-bats.
   
• Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles (expected to start the year in Double-A Bowie): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K. Baltimore’s 2012 first-round pick is rapidly raising his stock with an impressive fastball-slider-changeup repertoire; 14 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.
   
• Derrick Robinson, CF, Reds (expected to start the year in Triple-A Louisville): 3-3, 3 R, RBI, 2B. Robinson lacks the bat-to-ball skills necessary to secure a role in the majors, and after six years in the Royals’ farm system, he joined the Reds this offseason; .371/.389/.457 in 35 at-bats.
   
• Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Reds (expected to start the year in High-A Bakersfield): 1-2, 2B. A 2008 international bonus baby, Rodriguez has always shown raw power, arm strength, and running ability, but his strikeout rate and questions about his #want prevent him from climbing prospect lists; .350/.435/.800 in 20 at-bats.
   
• Corey Dickerson, OF, Rockies (expected to start the year in Double-A Tulsa): 2-2, 2 2B, 2 RBI. Dickerson has limited projection and a left-field-only defensive profile, but he is scrappy and shows excellent bat-to-ball skills that will enable him to stay on a major-league roster for years; .400/.458/.650 in 20 at-bats.  
   
• Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies (expected to start the year in Triple-A Colorado Springs): 3-4, 2 R, RBI. Arenado is a polished hitter who is now showing the power scouts have long anticipated would come; .314/.314/.743 and four home runs in 35 at-bats.
   
• Luis Sardinas, SS, Rangers (expected to start the year in High-A Myrtle Beach): 1-2, R. A prototypical Venezuelan shortstop, Sardinas has a potential 6 hit tool and 7 defensive profile; 3-for-11 with two RBI and one run scored this spring.  
   
• Nick Franklin, 2B, Mariners (expected to start the year in Triple-A Tacoma): 2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB, SF, SB. As expected, Franklin will need to move to the right side of the infield. Fortunately, his solid contact rates and sneaky power will keep him on the prospect radar; .179/.233/.357 in 28 at-bats. 

BP Unfiltered

The New Shifters

Which pitchers are sliding on the rubber this spring?

My piece on Monday touched on Tim Collins and the league's top rubber shifters last season. The new season hasn't started yet when it does there are already a number of pitchers slated to slide along the rubber. Here's an incomplete index of those pitchers.

Donnie Joseph (Source, hat tip to Patrick):

Eiland also altered Joseph’s balance over the rubber and eliminated the hitch. It was, pretty much, a complete overhaul -- similar to Eiland’s reconstruction a year earlier on another lefty reliever: Tim Collins.

Allen Webster (Source, hat tip to Marc Normandin):

"A lot of two-seamer guys, they're either in the middle of the rubber or on the first base side of the rubber. Webby was way on the right side, so you see him chasing right-handers a lot because he's so far away. So when you move him over it gives him an easier plane to throw his sinker," said Nieves. "Instead of sitting on the third-base side trying to throw a sinker, you place him in the middle and the sinker plays a little more on top of the plate and you can run balls into righties. He can sink it away from a lefty. He can actually front-door a lefty or back-door a righty at a different angle."

Ricky Romero (Source, hat tip to Drew Fairservice):

In addition to changing some mechanics in his throwing motion, Romero’s positioning on the mound will also shift. He had usually set up closer to first base before beginning his throwing sequence, but found that he had some difficulty to get in on right handed hitters.

Now, as part of the adjustments with Walker, Romero will move to the middle of the rubber.

Please feel free to add more in the comments.

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