Minor League Discussion & Boxes 4-23-10

[TruffleShuffle]

Both SSs Lee and Castro were removed from their games today. Awaiting word as to why...

 

castro was probably removed because they were beating the hell out of their opponent. h-j lee was removed in the next half inning after this:

 

* Hak-Ju Lee singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ryan Jackson.

* Logan Watkins grounds into a force out, first baseman Matthew Adams to shortstop Ryan Jackson. Hak-Ju Lee out at 2nd. Logan Watkins to 1st.

 

so it's possible that lee was injured during that force out.

[Outshined_One]

Is Matt Spencer worth tracking? Hes only played 5 games, but hes doing very well for himself. Hes 2-3 with a 2B tonight. How great would it be if the throw in for Aaron Miles turned out to be worth a damn?

 

Spencer's a 1B/LF prospect who could make a good bench option down the road. He was rehabbing an injury through Spring Training and probably will end up in Tennessee once a roster spot opens up. He's too old for Daytona.

[Little Slide Rooter]

At this point, Starlin Castro probably is one of the top 10 prospects in baseball.

 

Really? Under 100 ABs of domination elevates him to that level? I do love how he has responded to the prospect hype, but every player goes through highs and lows throughout a full season.

 

he hit really well all of last year, including a very strong showing as the second-youngest player in the arizona fall league. he has to still be one of the youngest hitters in the southern league and continues to rake. the three editors of the BA prospect handbook ranked him at 13, 16 and 29th best prospect in baseball, and obviously he's not moving down anyone's list at this stage. by midseason i'd expect some of the guys ahead of him to not be rookies any more (heyward, matusz, escobar, neftali feliz, maybe guys like strasburg, carlos santana, pedro alvarez) so assuming he continues to play very well, he'd almost certainly have to be considered a top 10 prospect.

 

I guess we will see how he performs in the long haul. He can hold his own with the bat for a SS. Can he play D? Hopefully he isn't Ronny Cedeno with the glove - lots of promise and no consistency. I won't read too* much into his error totals as some of those fields look like the surface of the moon.

 

Graduating to the Top 10 via absence of elite prospects speaks more to the nitpicking of what defines a "prospect" vs comparing Castro to his peers (service time)- to which we will ultimately be evaluating his performance..

 

* edit spelling

 

I dont know why top 10 is out of the question. He was ranked 22 going into the season, and a handfull of the guys ahead of him are in the majors already.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Both SSs Lee and Castro were removed from their games today. Awaiting word as to why...

 

castro was probably removed because they were beating the hell out of their opponent. h-j lee was removed in the next half inning after this:

 

 

Heres the 6th inning recap from the Smokies site. It really doesnt look like it was injury related.

 

Tennessee Top 6th

 

Robinson Chirinos walks.

Russ Canzler singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Sean Danielson. Robinson Chirinos to 2nd.

Tony Thomas flies out softly to right fielder Sean Henry.

Nate Samson flies out to right fielder Sean Henry.

Craig Muschko singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Sean Henry, deflected by first baseman Eric Eymann. Robinson Chirinos scores. Russ Canzler to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Jerry Gil replaces Daryl Harang, batting 2nd.

Defensive Substitution: Michael Griffin replaces pitcher Daryl Harang, batting 5th, playing second base.

Brandon Guyer doubles (4) on a sharp line drive to right fielder Sean Henry. Russ Canzler scores. Craig Muschko to 3rd.

Starlin Castro doubles (6) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Yonder Alonso. Craig Muschko scores. Brandon Guyer scores.

With Ty Wright batting, wild pitch by Jerry Gil, Starlin Castro to 3rd.

Ty Wright walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Blake Lalli grounds out, catcher Chris Denove to first baseman Eric Eymann.

 

Carolina Bottom 6th

 

Defensive Substitution: Jake Opitz replaces shortstop Starlin Castro, batting 2nd, playing third base.

Defensive switch from third base to shortstop for Nate Samson.

Eric Eymann strikes out swinging.

Yonder Alonso flies out to center fielder Brandon Guyer.

Michael Griffin pops out to shortstop Nate Samson.

 

Maybe they were trtying to prepare him for the big league club and Lous random defensive substitutions.

[CubsWin]

Yeah, somehow I doubt Jake Opitz is a better defensive SS than Starlin Castro. Hopefully, it was done as a sign of mercy to the other team.

 

I hope Lee's okay...