Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 5-8-18

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Box Scores:

 

Iowa lost 8-4 Box Score

 

DH E. Navarro 1/5, R, HR (3), 2 RBI, K

RF M. Zagunis 2/5, R, 2B (4), RBI, K

C C. Gimenez 1/4, R, BB, K; defense: 0/2 CS

SP M. Roth 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 5-7 GO-FO, 85-55 pitches-stirkes

 

Tennessee won 2-1 (10 innings) Box Score

 

LF C. Burks 1/4, R, 2 K, HBP, SB (3)

SS Z. Short 1/3, 2B (8), BB

3B J. Vosler 1/5, RBI, K

RF E. Martinez 0/4, K

C W. Remillard 1/4, R, HR (1), RBI, K; defense: 0/1 CS - 2018 season debut

SP D. Robinson 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 7-5 GO-FO, 102-68 pitches-strikes

RP C. Brooks 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1-0 GO-FO

RP D. Mekkes 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-0 GO-FO

 

Myrtle Beach lost 5-3 Box Score

 

C PJ Higgins 1/4, BB, K, SB (1); defense: 0/1 CS

3B W. Galindo 0/5, K

1B T. Alamo 3/5, R, HR (5), RBI

DH A. Upshaw 1/3, BB, K

LF K. Mitchell 1/3, R, BB

SS A. Ademan 1/4, RBI, K, E (8, throw)

SP T. Miller 5 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 2 HR, 2-5 GO-FO, 72-47 pitches-strikes

 

South Bend lost 4-1 Box Score

 

SS J. Bethencourt 1/5, K, 2 E (7, throw, fielding)

DH R. Narea 1/4, R, 2 K

3B A. Filiere 2/3, 2B (9), BB, K

C M. Amaya 0/3, RBI, K

RF N. Velázquez 1/4, 2B (1), 2 K - A-ball debut

LF B. Hughes 0/4, K

2B Y. Peguero 1/4, 2 K

SP E. Uelmen 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 7-2 GO-FO, 91-60 pitches-strikes

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CubsWin]

Big surprise on Velasquez. Perhaps less exciting prospect-wise but equally surprising is the return of C Will Remillard after two Tommy John surgeries, missing both 2015 & 2016 and playing just 8 games last year between Mesa and Eugene. On top of that, Remillard HR'd. His one previous career HR was in 2014.

 

What a long strange trip it's been. Welcome back, Will.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

South Bend has half an offense worth paying attention to now with Velazquez, Amaya, and Filiere.

 

Speaking of Filiere, he got his OPS over .900 tonight. K’ing too much overall, but trending the right way with only 7 in his last 39 PA.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Also, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1/1 K/BB and a save for tonight’s #Mekkeswatch

[Regular Show]

South Bend has half an offense worth paying attention to now with Velazquez, Amaya, and Filiere.

 

Speaking of Filiere, he got his OPS over .900 tonight. K’ing too much overall, but trending the right way with only 7 in his last 39 PA.

 

I don't know what to think of Filiere. The scouting reports all say his tools are below-average and he wasn't even listed in BA's top 500 draft prospect list last year.

 

Sometimes these guys develop and turn into MLB players, but he'll have to produce at AA before I really believe in him or start to pay attention. I guess I'm already kinda paying attention but you know what I mean.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

CUBS PITCHERS:

1. Brailyn Marquez: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 2/1 GO/AO, 37 pitches (20 strikes)

 

https://www.thecubreporter.com/05082018/cubs-repel-snakes-riverview

[CubsWin]

Also, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1/1 K/BB and a save for tonight’s #Mekkeswatch

AZ Phil provided an interesting comp for Mekkes a couple days ago. Rod Beck.

 

Both large men, though Mekkes is considerably taller. Both have/had below average FB velocity for relievers. Both used intimidation and an aggressive, challenging approach on the mound. Both effective at getting guys out despite being unconventional.

 

They have their differences, obviously. Beck was a starter throughout his minor league career compiling multiple seasons 170+ IP until finally transitioning in his last year in AAA. He was very effective for the Giants as a reliever though rarely dominant. He had above average control but only struckout a batter per inning in 2 of his 13 major league seasons and never did as a starter in the minors.

 

Mekkes is all about the strikeout, averaging well over a K per inning everywhere he goes. But his walk rate is much higher than Beck's. Dakota is also 6 inches taller with an unusually long stride (which reportedly helps his FB celocity play up). And Mekkes is a pure reliever having not started a game since high school.

 

I get the sense that AZ Phil's comments were more of a "he reminds me of..." based on similar energy, personality and approach rather than a straight up player comp, but if Mekkes can have a MLB career similar to Beck's, I'd be thrilled. And the more he performs well in AA, the more convinced I become that he can contribute meaningfully at the major league level.