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Zack Cozart, SS, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 3-for-5, 3B, R, 3 RBI, 2 K.

I know I'm out on an island here, but I continue to believe that Cozart is the Reds best option at shortstop. Paul Janish is a wonderful defender, but the team can only put up with sub-.300 on-base and slugging percentages for so long. Cozart is no slouch himself with the glove, currently riding a 20-game error-less streak, and after hitting just .225 in April, he's batting .378 since and .315/.353/.500 overall with above-average power for a middle infielder and enough speed to steal a few bases. I really don't know what the Reds are waiting for, as they have an instant upgrade just waiting at Triple-A.

Others Of Note:

  • Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-4, HR (9), R, RBI. Already a career high in home runs and 11-for-23 with 10 walks in his last six games; .305/.421/.504 overall and should be up already.
  • Tim Beckham, SS, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 2-for-3, R, BB, SB. Has continued to show real progress both at the plate and in the field; .299/.354/.430 in 55 games.
  • Christian Bethancourt, C, Braves (Low-A Rome): 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB. 19-year-old catcher is maturing offensively before our eyes; 17-for-38 (.447) in last ten games and .286/.304/.434 overall.
  • Andrew Brackman, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton): 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 2 K. Slide continues; 6.75 ERA in 11 starts with more walks (40) than strikeouts (39) in 52 innings.
  • Vinnie Catricala, 3B/1B, Mariners (High-A High Desert): 1-for-4, HR (14), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. 11 home runs in last 23 games and .370/.434/.621 overall; I'd love to get excited here, but this is exactly the kind of guy that will put up huge numbers at High Desert.
  • Jose Ceda, RHP, Marlins (Triple-A New Orleans): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Three perfect innings with six whiffs in last three appearances; 1.03 ERA in 24 games with 34 strikeouts in 26.1 innings.
  • Colin Cowgill, OF, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 5-for-6, 2B, 3B, HR (11), R, 4 RBI, SB. Ability to play all three outfield positions could get him in the big leagues soon; .366/.429/.612 in 57 games.
  • Chase D'Arnaud, SS/2B, Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K, SB. 7-for-17 since returning from DL and .285/.355/.436 overall; max-effort grinder who should have solid big league career as second-division starter/utility player.
  • Travis D'Arnaud, C, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 3-for-4, K. Snaps out of 3-for-26 slump; .308/.400/.508 in 38 games.
  • Lucas Duda, OF, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 2-for-4, HR (9), R, 3 RBI. Limitations are well known, but really can hit; four 11-for-25 with four home runs in last seven games and .295/.405/.566 overall.
  • Jonathan Galvez, 2B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 2-for-5, HR (6), 2 R, 5 RBI, K. Hitting .393 in June and .278/.357/.439 overall; Middle infielder with speed and power who seems to be flying under the radar.
  • Johnny Giavotella, 2B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI. 23-for-58 (.397) during 13-game hitting streak and .308/.370/.421 overall; everyone focuses on the big names but don't forget about this guy because he's a better player right now than Chris Getz.
  • Darin Gorski, LHP, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. 0.57 ERA in last five starts with 35 strikeouts in 31.2 innings; scouts still see a reliever for the most part, but they're starting to take more interest.
  • Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 5-for-6, 2 2B, HR (13), 4 R, 4 RBI. Massive game as part of 24-run outburst on a windy day in Lancaster; .368/.430/.648 in 59 games.
  • Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 2-for-5, 3B, R, RBI, K. Third straight multi-hit game and hitting .379 in June; .282/.381/.486 overall and scouts say he almost seems bored.
  • Austin Kirk, LHP, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Lefty with very good command and secondary offerings; 1.96 ERA in 12 appearances.
  • Marcus Knecht, OF, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI, K. 2010 third-round pick offers plenty of tools and bat speed; .339/.418/.556 line in 47 games bears keeping an eye on.
  • Mark Krauss, OF, Diamondbacks (Double-A Mobile): 3-for-3, HR (9), 2 RBI, BB. Great game in otherwise disappointing year; .241/.344/.467 in 54 games.
  • Starling Marte, OF, Pirates (Double-A Altoona): 3-for-5, R, RBI, 2 SB. Hitting .327/.355/.461 in 52 games. Plus speed, gap power, good defense, but real concerns about his approach, which he makes up for in part with outstanding plate coverage.
  • Carlos Martinez, RHP, Cardinals (Low-A Quad Cities): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K. 19-year-old Dominican has most impressive raw stuff in the Midwest League; 35 strikeouts in 26.2 innings but command and control has waivered.
  • Jose Martinez, OF, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 3-for-5, HR (4), R, 3 RBI, K. Impressive return from non-stop injuries; still just 22 and hitting .306/.346/.419 in 57 games.
  • Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB. If anything he keeps getting better; 17 hits and 30 total bases in his last ten games to lift line to .330/.415/.553 in 52 games.
  • Trent Mummey, OF, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, RBI. Three straight multi-hit games and .298/.355/.456 in 14 High-A games; nice sleeper with plus speed and gap power.
  • Derek Norris, C, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 1-for-2, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K; 1-for-1, HR (9), R, 2 RBI. The picture boy for the importance of secondary skills with an extreme batting line of .246/.393/.526.
  • Francisco Peguero, OF, Giants (High-A San Jose): 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Missed first two months of season recovering from knee surgery; 9-for-24 (.375) in first five games of season.
  • Jurickson Profar, SS, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI, K. 24-for-61 (.393) in last 16 games and .288/.402/.529 overall; if Bryce Harper wasn't around, this guy would be the talk of the Sally League.
  • Edinson Rincon, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 5-for-6, 2B, HR (6), 3 R, 7 RBI. Yes it's Lake Elsinore, but 20-year-old Dominican was always expected to hit; .351/.389/.524 in 56 games but just isn't in infielder long-term.
  • Enny Romero, LHP, Rays (Low-A Bowling Green): 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 11 K. Is too hittable at times, has control problems at times, but also has filthy raw stuff; 63 strikeouts in 50 innings.
  • Kyle Russell, OF, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-4, 2 HR (12), 2 RBI, BB, K. Four home runs in last four games and .282/.346/.573 overall; 74 strikeouts in 206 at-bats continues to be a problem.
  • Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants (Triple-A Fresno): 1-for-3, HR (1), R, 4 RBI. Rehab home run off Blue Jays LHP Brett Cecil.
  • Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves (High-A Lynchburg): 2-for-5, 2B, R, RBI. One scout who recently saw him wondered how he lasted to the second round of last year's draft; .316/.355/.378 in 53 games and plus-plus defense.
  • Michael Taylor, OF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 2-for-5, HR (3), R, 2 RBI, K. Healthy and rebounding well from rough 2010 campaign; .321/.380/.476 in 20 games.
  • Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 2-for-4, K. 21-for-41 during 10-game hitting streak and up to .357/.369/.503 overall; hard to keep hitting .357 when you draw two walks in 157 at-bats.
  • Yordano Ventura, RHP, Royals (Low-A Kane County): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. 20-year-old Dominican has been outstanding in full-season debut; 27 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.
  • Dayan Viciedo, OF, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 3-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI. Eight hits in last four games and .312/.361/.525 overall; most important number is 15 walks over 221 at-bats, which represents a massive step forward in plate discipline.
  • Christian Yelich, OF, Marlins (Low-A Greensboro): 3-for-6, 2B, R, 3 RBI, K. Last year's first-rounder has impressed scouts with his hitting ability; 10-for-19 in last four games and .285/.370/.415 overall.

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jivas21
6/08
Thanks KG!

Is it safe to say that Mesoraco has passed Wilin Rosario as the best catching prospect in the minors?
biteme
6/08
I read a story saying that Gary Sanchez went to a local bar while his team was playing a game because he wasn't in the starting lineup. Please tell me this was someone's poor attempt at humor. I know he's had some attitude problems this year but that's a bit much.
amosap
6/08
Please just tell me he's not old enough to drink.
gdragon1977
6/09
I believe the rumor was that he went to the movies (when he was sitting) actually?
uptick
6/08
thanks for the update Kevin...is there a realistic chance that Beckham at least moves up to AAA later in the year?
kgoldstein
6/08
He's having maintained success in one place, there's just no reason to do it as anything more than a very late season reward.
nschaef
6/08
Always a highlight for me. Are there any reports on Viciedo's outfield defense? Any shot at adequacy?
kgoldstein
6/08
It's pretty bad. I would say there is a shot at "acceptable."
GrinnellSteve
6/09
Even at "pretty bad" it has to be better than Pierre's defense. Right? Shift Quentin back to left and put Viciedo in right. Balls couldn't possibly find any more holes than they already are.
bloodface
6/08
Kevin -

What's your take on Adam Eaton? He's done nothing but hit and his OBP has stayed extremely high. Any thoughts on his ceiling? Is it time to pay attention?
kgoldstein
6/08
Yes. Pay attention. Reviews from scouts are wide ranging, but those that like him see big leaguer.
ptullar
6/08
The Mariners are hitting .229/.300/.337 as of this morning, as a team.
yadenr
6/08
Hey, that's pretty good for a teenage shortstop in hi-A, er, wait...
escapeNihlism
6/08
has Brackman's stock fallen far enough to be a potential Carlos Beltran haul?
kgoldstein
6/08
You have not escaped nihilism.
leites
6/08
On the WATG front: any news from the magical land of extended spring training about Fabio Martinez Mesa or Simon Castro? Does extended spring training end at some point, meaning that teams will have to come up with some other description of what these two players are doing?
leites
6/08
And, as always, thanks for the great post. Reading these is always fun and informative.
kgoldstein
6/08
It ends technically, but than they'll just say they're "in camp" Camp never ends.
amosap
6/08
This is more power than was expected from Profar, right?
kgoldstein
6/08
Scouts are projecting 15-20+ HR per year.
zasxcdfv
6/08
Is Tim Beckham doing anything differently this year in comparison to last, is it just progression, or are his tools finally "actualizing" into skills?
kgoldstein
6/08
It's just progression, he's looking more like the player we thought he could be.
sam19041
6/08
KG, if you're on that island (about Cozart), you have company. Before I saw your post, I was going to ask what's going on with Cozart. He's crushing it at Louisville and has the same reputation as Janish (if not better) in terms of defense. Is Jocketty concerned that Dusty won't play him?
kgoldstein
6/08
Janish is a better defensive SS. Cozart combines average range with excellent fundamentals.
Scott44
6/08
On Simmons, what kind of bat/power tool are we looking at in a best case scenario?
kgoldstein
6/08
Never be a power hitter. Just the high average is a surprise, and probably the highest expectation. It's all gravy with the defense as good as it is.
TheRedsMan
6/08
Given that he's actually a catcher and he's crushing AAA, at what point can we say that Mesoraco is the best catching prospect in the game?
GregLowder
6/08
"Cozart is no slouch himself with the glove"

Ty Webb: Don't sell yourself short Judge, you're a tremendous slouch.
uptick
6/08
Hi Kevin,

With the Tribe calling up Cord Phelps to play 2B, I was curious as to where Kipnis fits into the Indians plans.

thanks.
makewayhomer
6/08
KG, you mentioned before that Goldschmidt was a likely September call-up. but, he is murdering his league and the Dbacks have no great 1b currently. why wouldn't he be an imminent callup? how many better hitters are there in the minors?
billm21
6/08
I'd instead like to see what Goldschmidt does in AAA for a few months before bringing him up to the big leagues.
pobothecat
6/08
And it's not like Miranda's gotten a real shot yet.
spsalsbery
6/08
Nor has Brandon Allen.
gdragon1977
6/09
Erubiel Durazo is still waiting for his shot with the Snakes too
gdragon1977
6/09
In my head there is still an unwritten movie about a plot to murder Mark Grace with Greg Colbrunn as the brains, Erubiel Durazo as the brawn, and Lyle Overbay as the naive new guy who gets pressured into doing something he's not sure he wants to do.
delorean
6/09
Not only would I go see that movie, i'd also participate in the conspiracy to commit murder.
pobothecat
6/08
Is there anyone in Reno not hitting .365?
kgoldstein
6/08
No. The team AS A TEAM is hitting .322/.412/.548 at home, and the average game at Reno features 14.6 runs.
makewayhomer
6/08
according to MLE's, Goldie's # in Tuscon would look nearly identical to what they are now
drewsylvania
6/08
Another Future Shock without glowing Red Sox farmhands. :( For a team that is repeated lauded for both its draft strategy and picks, they really haven't gotten a lot of results. Has anyone attempted to figure out why this is the case? Simply bad luck, or something to do with the process?
GregLowder
6/08
Well...they've given up talent in trades. Rizzo is putting up a monster season, granted it's for the Padres, but he was solid last season too. Hagadone is in the AAA pen now.

But, yea, it seems like their pitchers are off to a rough start this year. Ranaudo has been......good?....I'm trying to think of another word. He hasn't been as dominant as I think he should've been in Low-A but he wasn't getting lit up. Brentz, on the other hand, was old for the league and raked. I think we expected Ranaudo to do the same on the mound.

Pimentel and Britton have been awful this year. I'd love to hear what the scouts are saying about these to. Are their deliveries out of whack? Injury buried in their arms?
gilgamesh
6/09
Does this means the Cards should release Martinez?
69wildcat
6/09
In a way who could blame Desmond Jennings for being bored, he should be the starting CF for the Rays.