Friday, November 6th
Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles (AFL, Peoria Javelinas): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R/1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
The stat line certainly doesn’t jump off the page, but what matters most right now is that Bundy is simply on the mound. Once touted as a future top-of-the-rotation starter, Bundy is now surfacing more and more as a potential reliever or back-end starter. The Orioles need Bundy to log innings in order to figure out where he will ultimately land on the roster, and innings in the AFL are good enough at this point.
Adam Brett Walker, OF, Twins (AFL, Scottsdale Scoprions): 2-3, 2B, BB, K
Walker didn’t leave the yard like he’s wont to do, but he did pick up yet another extra-base hit—his seventh in just 13 games—and he also managed to draw a walk and whiff; all-in-all, a pretty typical game for Walker. I remain skeptical that his hit tool will play at the highest level, skepticism I have maintained since draft day, but the longer he performs on the field, the more I have to pay attention.
Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins (DWL, Estrellas): 3-5, 2B, R
Another Twins slugger, this one offers the hit tool projection for the overall offensive game to shine at the big league level. Sano’s powerful swing continues to generate tons of loud contact, including another extra-base hit in this game, to go along with two singles and contact in all five at-bats.
Jairo Labourt, LHP, Tigers (DSL, Gigantes del Cibao): 1 IP, H, K
One of the pieces sent to Detroit in exchange for David Price, Labourt has spent the fall working in shorter stints with intermittent success, including a solid inning of relief on Friday. Labourt’s power fastball and breaking ball both play up in bursts, meaning this fall exposure to the bullpen could be preparing him for his long-term role in Detroit.
Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Indians (VWL, Leones del Caracas): 2-2, 2B, HR, 2 R, BB
Another strong minor-league season led to another cup of coffee in the big leagues, and while Aguilar hit better in Cleveland in 2015 than he did in 2014, he still maintains a healthy cadre of skeptics over his long-term potential. Whether he continues to hit in Triple-A or he continues to hit in Venezuela, Aguilar’s bat must continue to play for him to have a big-league future.
Aaron Sayers, INF, Tigers (ABL, Canberra Cavalry): 3-4, 2B, R
Sayers is a relative unknown in a Tigers system that lacks any significant pool of talented prospects, but he could start making noise over the next couple of seasons. Blessed with good hands at the plate and a natural feel for contact, Sayers has a chance to develop a quality hit tool that could allow him to blossom as a solid second-base prospect.
Saturday, November 7th
Danry Vasquez, OF, Astros (VWL, Leones del Caracas): 4-6, HR, 3 R, K
The headline piece in the deal that sent Jose Veras from the Tigers to the Astros a couple of years ago, Vasquez has been passed on prospect lists by the less-heralded player who joined him in that trade, David Paulino. Vasquez still owns the natural hitting ability that made him a seven-figure bonus baby out of Venezuela, and games like Saturday’s performance remind folks that he still has a chance to carve out an MLB career, particularly if he can drive the ball over the fence more consistently.
Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (AFL, Surprise Saguaros): 1-3, HR
Sanchez took home player of the game honors in Saturday’s Fall Stars Game, thanks in large part to his game-tying bomb that put his squad in position to pick up the win. What isn’t shown in that stat line, but is arguably just as important as his offensive prowess, is the runner Sanchez threw out attempting to steal.
Sean Manaea, LHP, Athletics (AFL, Mesa Solar Sox): 2 IP, BB, 4 K
In an exhibition game, and in an overall league environment, where offense reigns supreme, Manaea stole the show on Saturday night. Manaea’s four strikeouts in just two innings mirror much of what he has accomplished in his 16 other AFL innings, in which he’s tallied 17 Ks. Manaea is approaching the big leagues and could see some time in Oakland in 2016, particularly if he is able to continue harnessing his stuff and command like he did Saturday night.
Luis Heredia, RHP, Pirates (MWL, Venados de Mazatlan): 0 IP, 3 R/ER, 3 BB
Most prospect hounds are familiar with Heredia’s back story, and after he struggled to find the strike zone and avoid barrels during the regular season in High-A, many hoped pitching in his home country would help get him back on track. No such luck.
Sunday, November 8th
Reymond Fuentes, OF, Royals (PRWL, Cangrejeros de Santucre): 2-4, K
Despite an error in this game, Fuentes’ glove still continues to be his meal ticket to the big leagues. With good reads and routes, and an arm that led to an outfield assist on Sunday, Fuentes just needs to drive the ball enough to keep pitchers honest to carve out a solid career as a reserve or second division outfielder.
Lewis Brinson, OF, Rangers (PRWL, Indios de Mayaguez): 2-4, 2 R
Brinson recently moved from the AFL to the Puerto Rican Winter League, and all he does is keep on hitting this fall. With two hits in Sunday’s game, Brinson’s average bumps up to .385 in his first three games in the PRWL, after hitting .408 in the AFL. Fall/winter league experience could push Brinson to the Opening Day roster in Triple-A, which ultimately means he is on the cusp of the big leagues.
Thank you for reading
This is a free article. If you enjoyed it, consider subscribing to Baseball Prospectus. Subscriptions support ongoing public baseball research and analysis in an increasingly proprietary environment.
Subscribe now