(Photo: Charis Wilson)
Here’s how they the day went for the top prospects.
Class-A West Virginia — South Atlantic League
No. 2 — Jarred Kelenic, OF
SUN: DNP (weather)
2019: .216/.370/.351, 2B, 8 BB, 12 SO, SB
No. 4 — Julio Rodriguez, OF
SUN: DNP (weather)
2019: .355/.429/.452, 3-2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 5 SO
High-A Modesto — California League
No. 11 Cal Raleigh, C
SUN: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
2019: .189/.302/.351 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB, 9 SO
No. 17 Damon Casetta-Stubbs, RHP
SUN: DNP
2019: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
No. 23 Joey Gerber, RHP
SUN: DNP
2019: 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
UR Jake Haberer, RHR
SUN: 1 IP, 3 SO
2019: 4 G, 7 IP, 2 H, BB, 11 SO
Haberer continues to sit 94-96 mph and touch 98 (with run) and shows an average curveball that’s flashed above average to plus. He’s throwing strikes and has a projectable delivery. There’s a path to some high-leverage opportunities soon and then perhaps a move to Double-A Arkansas this summer.
UR Ljay Newsome, RHS
SUN: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 SO
2019: 16.2 IP, 12 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 30 SO
The 22-year-old has always pounded the strike zone with below-averaghe velocity and fringe stuff, but 60 control. He’s developed 55/60 command, too. He’s a fastball-cutter/slider-changeup arm who sat 89-92 in this start, but touched 94. In everett a few years back, he touched 91 and sat 86-88.
He’s generally just ‘pitching’ Cal League hitters into outs, which is fun, but doesn’t project beyong the back end, nor does Newsome physically at 5-11, 200 pounds. But he’s a worker and doubting workers is boring. Let’s root for him, instead.
Double-A Arkansas — Texas League
No. 5 Kyle Lewis, OF
SUN: 0-4, 3 SO
2019: .171/.293/.429, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 BB, 14 SO
Lewis has one hit in his last 17 at-bats with nine strikeouts.
No. 6 Evan White, 1B
SUN: DNP (IL)
2019: .308/.367/.385, 2-2B 3 RBI, 2 BB, 8 SO
No. 14 Dom Thompson-Williams, OF
SUN: 0-3, BB, SO
2019: .250/.371/.500, 2 HR, 2B, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 6 SO, 2 SB
DT-W walked and scored the only run in the game Sunday, a 1-0 10-inning Travs victory over the Tulsa Drillers, despite being no-hit.
No. 15 Ricardo Sanchez, LHS
SUN: DNP
2019: 11.1 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 SO
No. 18 Wyatt Mills, RHR
SUN: DNP
2019: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO
No. 22 Art Warren, RHP
SUN: DNP
2019: 1-0, 3 SV, 2.45 ERA, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 SO
No. 24 Jake Fraley, OF
SUN: 0-4, 2 SO
2019: .270/.357/.486, 2B, 2-3B, HR, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 10 SO, 4 SB
UR Darren McCaughan, RHS
SUN: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 SO
2019: 12 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 14 SO
Former 12th-round pick McCaughan, pronounced McCackin, works from a true three-quarter slot with a fastball 89-91 and up to 92 mph with some armside tail. He throws a lot of fastballs and offers some deception. The arm lags a bit at times as he taps his hands together before breaking, and the arm path is long.
The 23-year-old also uses a slider and changeup, both of which he commands well. The change is his best secondary offering at present and he’s shown consistent arm speed.
In shorter stints, the Long Beach State product has touched 94, but his delivery is already high effort, suggesting the starting role is his best bet at the moment.
Triple-A Tacoma — Pacific Coast League
No. 1 Justus Sheffield, LHP
SUN: DNP
2019: 8.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 8 BB, 3 SO, 2 HR
No. 8 Shed Long, 2B/3B/OF
SUN: 2-4, RBI, BB
2019: .372/.449/.512, 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 6 BB, 10 SO
No. 16 Braden Bishop, CF
SUN: DNP
2019: .333/.435/.462, 5-2B, 7 BB, 9 SO
NOTE: J.P. Crawford — not of prospect status any longer but still one for all intents and purposes. The shortstop went 2-for-4 with a walk Sunday and is batting .325/.413/.475 on the year.
Jason A. Churchill
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