Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 3-for-4, HR (1), R, 3 RBI. You having fun yet? I know I am. After torching the California League to the tune of .408/.451/.606 in 52 games, the podcast's favorite second baseman showed no signs of slowing down in his Double-A debut, but the best part is how he suddenly grew. Listed at 5-5, 148 with Lancaster, Altuve told us he was 5-foot-6 when interviewed a couple of weeks ago, but the Hooks are now listing him as 5-7, 170. At that rate, he'll be 5-11, 210 by the time he gets to the big leagues and the size won't be a concern anymore.
Others Of Note:
- Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield) 4-for-5, 2 2B, R, RBI. 15-for-23 with 26 total bases in last five games and .344/.382/.667 overall; at some point the production is going to outweigh the other issues (pun intended).
- Yonder Alonso, OF/1B, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 3-for-4, 3B, R, RBI. Making another run to prove he's a better big league option than Johnny Gomes; 10-for-17 in last four games and .321/.375/.497 overall.
- Matt Antonelli, 2B/3B, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 4-for-4, HR (1), R, RBI, SB. Former big prospect with the Padres is trying to resurrect career; .389/.450/.583 in ten games since moving up to Triple-A.
- Chris Archer, RHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 5 IP, 9 H, 7 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 4 K. One of the biggest disappointments in the system; one quality start in 11 attempts and a 5.98 ERA.
- Christian Bethancourt, C, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3-for-5, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K. Three home runs in last six games and up to .277/.294/.416 overall; not bad for a 19-year-old catcher with plus defense.
- Adron Chambers, OF, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 3-for-4, 2 HR (5), 4 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB. Still a nice sleeper in the system as a plus defender with plenty of athleticism and a leadoff man's approach; .247/.366/.390 in 44 games.
- Travis D'Arnaud, C, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 2-for-5, HR (5), 2 R, RBI. Snapped out of four-game hitless slump; .316/.414/.544 in 34 games.
- Jordan Danks, OF, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 3-for-4, 2B, HR (9), 2 R, RBI, K. Having impressive bounce back year with .265/.349/.524 line that features never before seen power.
- Kentrail Davis, OF, Brewers (High-A Brevard County): 4-for-5, 2B, HR (3), 3 R, 2 RBI, SB. Played well during injury-plagued full season debut last year, but hitting just .257/.358/.385 in 49 games.
- Lucas Duda, OF/1B, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 3-for-3, 2B, 2 HR (7), 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB. Well, we certainly know he can hit Triple-A pitching; .280/.402/.540 in 30 games.
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 3-for-5, HR (18), 2 R, 4 RBI, SB. Tied for the minor league home run lead and .337/.454/.684 overall; believers growing by the day.
- Darin Gorski, LHP, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. 0.61 ERA in last five starts; huge numbers, but scouts still project a relief role.
- Grant Green, SS, Athletics (Double-A Midland): 3-for-5, 2 R. Hasn't been able to repeat power surge from the California League and still struggling defensively; .291/.348/.391 in 43 games.
- Deolis Guerra, RHP, Twins (Double-A New Britain): 4.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 5 K. In case you were wondering if there was any progress here, the answer is no.
- Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI, SB. 25 multi-hit games in 53 starts; .370/.433/.658 in 53 games and doesn't belong at this level.
- Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 2-for-5, HR (12), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB. With four stolen bases in his last two games, he's suddenly on pace for 30/30 possibilities.
- Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Brewers (High-A Brevard County): 0.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Had best start of the season (seven shutout innings) last time out, and then this; 4.66 ERA in 11 starts.
- Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 0-for-5, 1 K. Hype has cooled down significantly, 4-for-28 with 10 Ks in last ten games and down to .266/.391/.468 overall.
- Austin Kirk, LHP, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 3 K. Left-hander makes up for average velocity with command and movement; 2.04 ERA in 57.1 innings with the Midwest League hitting just .171 against him.
- Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB. Hasn't maintained hot start, but .291/.335/.488 is still a big step forward.
- D.J. Mitchell, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Undersized, but athletic right-hander has plus sinker, throws strikes and has 2.78 ERA; is it possible for a Yankees prospect to be a sleeper?
- Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 3-for-5, K. 14-for-28 during six game hitting streak and up to .289/.355/.497 overall.
- Derek Norris, C, Natoinals (Double-A Harrisburg): 2-for-4, R, RBI. Hitting .299 in last 20 games and .238/.378/.465; continues to look like a Mickey Tettleton-like producer.
- Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K. Fantastic 74-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 52.2 innings with 2.05 ERA and just one home run allowed.
- Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 1.1 IP, 5 H, 8 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Has struggled mightily at Double-A; 22 runs allowed over 12 innings in last four games and 8.62 ERA on the season.
- Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Indians (High-A Kinston): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Pitched vs. Odorizzi in what was clearly the game of the day; 1.85 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 43.2 innings.
- Matt Rizzotti, 1B, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 3-for-5, HR (10), 2 R, RBI, K. Another Matt Adams type (bat-only player, but wow what a bat); .331/.408/.591 in 51 games.
- Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 3-for-6, R, K, CS. Sure, it's a somewhat empty .316 average at .316/.361/.374; but that's still well beyond expectations and the well above-average defense has been as good as advertised.
- Angelo Songco, OF/1B, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 2-for-4, 2 HR (9), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K. Not especially toolsy and a bit old for the league, but he can hit; .324/.382/.542 in 52 games.
- Peter Tago, RHP, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 R), 4 BB, 3 K. 2010 Supplemental first-round pick was sparkling in his season debut, but has walked 10 over 6.1 innings in two starts since.
- Trayce Thompson, OF, White Sox (Low-A Kannapolis): 2-for-4, 2 2B, R, RBI, 2 K. Among the streakiest prospects around, but when it's good, it's very good; still just .234/.300/.447 in 50 games.
- Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 3-for-4. 11-for-20 in last five games and .338/.353/.485 overall; approach is an issue, but can hit and is showing improved receiving skills.
- Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals (Low-A Kane County): 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K. The line says it all, as he's been a combination of sloppiness and killer stuff; 7.04 ERA in four starts but 23 strikeouts in 15.1 innings.
- Jonathan Villar, SS, Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (1), 2 R, RBI, K. Promoted along with Altuve to give Corpus Christi a brand new double-play combination, 20-year-old Dominican hit just .259/.353/.414 at Lancaster but showed gap power, plus speed and a good approach.
- Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K. Best start of much-anticipated full-season debut; ERA still at 6.80 after ten outings.
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I'd say Pablo Sandoval has to be in the discussion. BTW, BBRef has one of his nicknames as "The Round Mound of Pound". Seriously? Somebody actually calls him that?
Is the gap between Adams and Guerrero really that large, Kevin? I'm struck by the similarities between their AA slash lines at comparable stages of professional development, and the age difference isn't enormous. Slash stats are by no means the best way to compare guys in the minor leagues, to be sure. They may suggest that this guy needs a closer, careful look, though.
He did, of course, have three singles, a walk and a 10th inning come-from-behind walk-off homer. So, he's got that going for him.
How soon before they move him to High A, I wonder?
Any guess on who might be the Red Sox top prospect at year's end (and, if possible, how many stars)?
I think the best bet is on one of the 2011 draftees sitting on top of next year's Top 11.
In that spirit, let me ask: if Altuve hit .408/.451/.606 in A, does that mean he'll be able hit .816/.902/1.012 in AA?