Minor League Discussion & Boxes 5-14-12

[rawaction]

Another walk for Lake

 

His improved plate discipline is huge for a couple reasons.

 

1. Higher OBP (duh)

2. Will lead to better pitches to hit which could really tap into that raw power.

 

Its still early, but Lake would certainly be a legitimate prospect if these things happen

 

He already is a legit prospect, having put up respectable numbers young for his league in the last 3 years, despite no patience whatsoever.

[Guest]

Was Lake injured? Why does he only have 27 PA so far this year?

 

Yeah, he sustained a back injury in spring training.

[Guest]

It's not like Tennessee was facing some bum - James Paxton is probably one of the 25 best prospects in baseball.

 

McNutt: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 66 pitches

[jersey cubs fan]

Another walk for Lake

 

His improved plate discipline is huge for a couple reasons.

 

1. Higher OBP (duh)

2. Will lead to better pitches to hit which could really tap into that raw power.

 

Its still early, but Lake would certainly be a legitimate prospect if these things happen

 

He already is a legit prospect, having put up respectable numbers young for his league in the last 3 years, despite no patience whatsoever.

 

While looking up his injury status I noticed a blurb in bleacher nation about his return. They said something like it's unfortunate that there is hype of Lake and it's premature, and that TEN is where he should be. It didn't make any sense, because it's not like the hype is saying he needs to be in the majors tomorrow. Everybody who has positive things to say about him realizes it's going to take time. There's nothing unfortunate or premature about being excited for his potential, given his track record to date. It would be one thing if he was in rookie ball or something, but we're talking about a guy approaching 2000 professional PA who has seen time at all stops and held his own despite obvious flaws.

[Guest]

Lake tacks on a double.

[rawaction]

I'll be first to admit I'm not up on the minors like I used to be, but what's the deal with Watkins? I've heard his name mentioned a few times here, but what's his story? He looks like a better, left-handed version of Darwin Barney. Can he be a productive major leaguer?

[davell]

He was drafted late, maybe 18th round or so. We gave him a tad more than 500k to sign. Pretty sure he was a multi sport guy, who everyone was shocked we would throw money at. He's a SS by nature, came up at 2B because we had Hak -July Lee at SS. He had no pop whatsoever, but was good defensively and put up a nice OBP with some speed as a lefty top of the order type. Last year started showing more gap power and it's translating so far this year too. Great makeup guy too.

[Guest]

Lake has 3 walks on the day too. But he committed 2 errors at 3B.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Great game for Lake, McNutt, Ha, and the game's less relevant participants.

[Guest]

Rob and I are accepting applications to the Junior Lake fan club. :)

[Guest]

It's not like Tennessee was facing some bum - James Paxton is probably one of the 25 best prospects in baseball.

 

McNutt: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 66 pitches

Now they have to face Taijuan Walker in the second game. This after facing Hultzen on Saturday.

[Guest]

With a leadoff single, Junior Lake is sporting a .500 OBP.

 

 

 

That's right, Junior Lake.

[chattbaseball]

everbody on tenn is hitting right now, it's 11-1 in the 4th.

 

Can they share some with Peoria???

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Two HRs against McNutt sucks, but awesome to see Lake turning it on. Tools laden is the way to be, but they need to help figure out his D! spittin rhymes. *clapclap*

[XZero771679666304]

Rizzo with #12

[rawaction]

The Rzo homered! That's going to catch on!

 

Jackson grounded on to 2nd in the 1st. I'll take it. He put the ball in play.

[Guest]

I'll be first to admit I'm not up on the minors like I used to be, but what's the deal with Watkins? I've heard his name mentioned a few times here, but what's his story? He looks like a better, left-handed version of Darwin Barney. Can he be a productive major leaguer?

 

He's not as good defensively (that isn't to say he can't play defense well at 2B or SS) but he can get on base a lot better than Barney and is more athletic/faster. I'd rather have Watkins than Barney as a backup middle infielder.

[rawaction]

I'll be first to admit I'm not up on the minors like I used to be, but what's the deal with Watkins? I've heard his name mentioned a few times here, but what's his story? He looks like a better, left-handed version of Darwin Barney. Can he be a productive major leaguer?

 

He's not as good defensively (that isn't to say he can't play defense well at 2B or SS) but he can get on base a lot better than Barney and is more athletic/faster. I'd rather have Watkins than Barney as a backup middle infielder.

 

What about as a starter? I'm guessing ideally, neither is a starter....but do you think Watkins could be a league average starter at 2B?

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

I'll be first to admit I'm not up on the minors like I used to be, but what's the deal with Watkins? I've heard his name mentioned a few times here, but what's his story? He looks like a better, left-handed version of Darwin Barney. Can he be a productive major leaguer?

 

He's not as good defensively (that isn't to say he can't play defense well at 2B or SS) but he can get on base a lot better than Barney and is more athletic/faster. I'd rather have Watkins than Barney as a backup middle infielder.

 

Plus in today's run environment Barney might have some value as a starting SS, making him the more valuable trade piece to the organization.

[toonsterwu]

I'll be first to admit I'm not up on the minors like I used to be, but what's the deal with Watkins? I've heard his name mentioned a few times here, but what's his story? He looks like a better, left-handed version of Darwin Barney. Can he be a productive major leaguer?

 

He's not as good defensively (that isn't to say he can't play defense well at 2B or SS) but he can get on base a lot better than Barney and is more athletic/faster. I'd rather have Watkins than Barney as a backup middle infielder.

 

What about as a starter? I'm guessing ideally, neither is a starter....but do you think Watkins could be a league average starter at 2B?

 

Potentially ... yes. He's not there yet, but the tools and the hot streaks he has offensively seems to suggest that he could be at least league average, if not better. Now, I don't expect him to be as good as his hot streaks, but if he can improve on his offensive cold spells, and the hot streaks certainly offer an argument that the potential for that is there, then sure.

 

Best bet is still an up-the-middle utility guy, able to play both MI spots, and play the OF, but it's certainly plausible that he becomes a solid starting 2nd option that hits at the top of the lineup.

[Guest]

Rock Shoulders had a solid game, nothing much really going on at Fitch: http://www.thecubreporter.com/2012/05/14/rock-shoulders-load-fitch-park

[El Duderino]

I really hope Rock Shoulders makes it.

[JockJones]

Jay Jackson has been getting a lot of strikeouts, in his two appearances since being moved to the pen .

[El Duderino]

brett finally got a hit and stole second and third. only one K tonight.

 

also, I'm pretty sure vitters is hitless since leaving fresno. down to .250.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Why does it feel like Rodrigo Lopez starts every other game?

 

I feel the same way about Camp coming out of the bullpen.

 

As pointless as we all felt that the signing of Camp was at the time, he's the one right handed reliever with whom I feel that a lead of under 5 runs is safe. And when the time comes, if someone sends us one of their top 30 prospects for him, the signing will have been worthwhile.