Here we are: another week of rollicking fun in the minor leagues. A slew of Rockies promotions and the speedy return of a top shortstop prospect. Let’s get to it!
On The Shelf
A strained left hamstring is the latest injury to affect promising outfielder Lewis Brinson. A injury-laden season has kept Brinson off course for most of 2016, and his struggles in Double-A resulted in a low batting average and an unplayable on base percentage. Brinson received the bump to Triple-A after being traded to Milwaukee, and until this injury had settled in through his first 12 games in the organization. Brinson isn’t expected to miss an extended amount of time, so hopefully he can get back in action before he loses his groove again.
After struggling in his first taste of High-A, Padres shortstop prospect Javier Guerra has hit the 7-Day DL. Known as part of the return San Diego received in the Craig Kimbrel trade, the toolsy shortstop built hype in the lower rungs of the minors. This injury aside, Guerra has scuffled all season at High-A Lake Elsinore, slashing just .202/.264/.325. Still just 20, Guerra might have to backtrack to get back on course.
Pete Alonso, the burly first baseman that the Mets grabbed in the second round of the 2016 draft, will miss the rest of the season after breaking a finger. The former Florida Gator was mashing at Low-A Brooklyn, where he posted a .969 OPS and hit 5 home runs in his first month.
Movin’ On Up
The Rockies have stolen the show this week by promoting a trio of prospects to Triple-A Albuquerque. Raimel Tapia headlines the group, carrying both impact potential and prospect pedigree with him. At Double-A, he continued his success with his unorthodox hitting mechanics, slashing .323/.363/.450. It’s also worth noting that he stole 17 bases and was caught 14 times, perhaps indicative of less stolen base potential than was initially advertised. Also arriving with Tapia in Albuquerque is Pat Valaika and German Marquez. Valaika continues to flash his potential as a utility infielder, and his strong Double-A campaign may have revealed upside for more. He posted a respectable .764 OPS between second base, third base, and shortstop. Marquez is a young, right-handed starter with a live arm and great rate stats at Double-A. Still just 21, Marquez has mid-rotation upside and the potential to be in the majors as early as next year.
Because the journey up the ladder can take more time for less-refined prospects, it’s usually more exciting when one makes a jump. Jahmai Jones, the Angels’ 2015 2nd round selection, has escaped rookie ball and made it to Low-A Burlington. Jones has an exciting bag of tools that need a whole lot of polish, but his plus glove and speed should buy him time to get it figured out at the plate.
Although it’s usually quiet on the Marlins’ prospect front, a small splash was made this week when Dillon Peters was promoted to Double-A Jacksonville. Just 5-foot-9, the short lefty flexed his plus control and groundballing ways at High-A, where he posted a 2.46 ERA. While the ceiling may not be as high as most of the prospects detailed in the Wrap, he’s got enough potential for Christopher Crawford to deem him “the best southpaw pitching prospect in the Marlins system.”
Back In Action
After missing more than a week due to a nagging oblique strain, J.P. Crawford has made it back onto the field with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Because Crawford never officially went on the Disabled List, rumors were abound with potential snags or incidents he could have found himself in. Thankfully, Crawford has fully recovered and should continue his Triple-A campaign.
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