Archive for 5 Up, 5 Down

Jun
20

5 Up, 5 Down: June 12th-18th

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5 Up

No. 1 Jordany Valdespin, SS Binghamton
What he did: .370/.433/.741 (10-for-27), 2B, 3 HR, 6 R, 6 RBI, 2:2 K:BB, HBP, 3/4 SB

The Why: Valdespin has been on fire since coming back from his suspension that was handed down by Wally Backman. He has taken his game to a whole other level in June and shown flashes of being an everyday MLB player. The potential has always been in that bat, he just has to sustain this recent surge. The next step is fixing his defensive woes.

No. 2 Jeurys Familia, RHP Binghamton
What he did: 0-0, 4.29 ERA, 12.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 2 HR, 4 BB, 21 SO

The Why: Familia got two starts against the Trenton Thunder this week and was very good in both starts. He failed to earn a win in either game and gave up a home run in both of them, but also hit double-digit strikeout totals both times. If he keeps pitching this way he will get his first Double-A win one of these days.

No. 3 Juan Lagares, OF St. Lucie
What he did: .474/.500/.737 (9-for-19), 3B, HR, 4 R, 5 RBI, 5:1 K:BB

The Why: In what has been a real breakout season for Lagares, this week was no different. The power wasn’t there in April, but in May and June he has slugged well over .500. Lagares, along with Matt Den Dekker, really should be Binghamton pretty soon. Players like Jon Malo blocking them should not be tough road blocks to overcome.

No. 4 Armando Rodriguez, RHP St. Lucie
What he did: 0-0, 3.60 ERA, 1 GS, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 10 SO

The Why: Rodriguez had his best start of the season this week since being activated from extended spring training at the end of May. The Mets liked him enough to add him to the 40-man roster and invite him to spring training, so they like his potential and flashed why with this dominating performance.

No. 5 Wilfredo Tovar, 2B Savannah
What he did: .450/.476/.650 (9-for-20), 2 2B, 3B, 5 R, 3 RBI, 4:1 K:BB, 0/1 SB

The Why: The defensive wiz has finally seen his bat come alive this month. He has shown great plate discipline all year, but not until recently has he begun to drive the ball. Toby Hyde reported that Tovar made some changes in his swing with the batting coach in order to get on top of the ball, which has been the biggest reason for the change.

5 Down

No. 1 Josh Stinson, RHP Buffalo
What he did: 0-2, 23.40 ERA, 2 GS, 5 IP, 13 H, 13 R, 2 HR, 7 BB, 3 SO

The Why: Disgusting, repulsive, sickening, horrifying, vile, and deplorable are all good words to describe the season thus far and this week for Stinson. He has struggled with his command all year, giving up an enormous amount of hits (77) and walks (33) so why stop now? I don’t really know what has gone wrong with him after a great season last year.

No. 2 Brad Holt, RHP Binghamton
What he did: 0-1, 17.18 ERA, 1 GS, 3.2 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 7 ER, HR, 2 BB, SO

The Why: I gave Holt John Maine comparisons back in 2008, but at the time I was talking about the 2006 and 2007 John Maine. Now I think that comparison still holds, but it is now talking about the 2010 and 2011 John Maine whose stuff is diminished and whose command has fallen apart. This week’s poor performance was just one of many bad starts for Holt. He has lost all of his allure.

No. 3 Scott Moviel, RHP St. Lucie
What he did: 0-1, 12.00 ERA, 1 GS, 3 IP, 5 H , 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, BB, SO

The Why: Moviel’s starts have gotten progressively worse as the season has gone along. He posted a 3.34 ERA in April, but regressed to 5.67 in May and now 6.91 in June. What I did not include in Moviel’s stats was the big loss he earned in the FSL All-Star game (that he had no business being a part of) a few days ago by giving up 2 runs in an inning of work. A move to the bulllpen could work magic for him.

No. 4 Cory Vaughn, OF Savannah
What he did: .136/.208/.227 (3-for-22) , 3B, R, RBI 10:1 K:BB, HBP

The Why: Vaughn didn’t get his first off day of the year until this week (on June 15th) and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Vaughn has fallen into a deep slump in June that has seen his average fall from around .330 to under .300. One theory is that the long grind of the season has gotten to him and he is tiring out. He does suffer from Type 1 diabetes, which could be another cause of the fatigue. Or he could simply be going through a slump…

No. 5 Darrell Ceciliani, OF Savannah
What he did: .100/.182/.100 (2-for-20) , 7:1 K:BB, HBP, 2 R, 1/2 SB

The Why: It is no wonder why the Sand Gnats offense has gone into a rut with Robbie Shields’s promotion and their two best hitters in a slump. This just looks like it was a bad week for Ceciliani who has been very good in June outside of this week.

*Photos courtesy MiLB.com

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5 Up

No. 1 WILMER FLORES, SS
SAVANNAH
Team: Savannah Sand Gnats (LoA)
Age: 18
Why He’s Here: .370/.393/.815 (10-for-27), 2 HR, 5 R, 13 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K
The Scoop: Flores is in the middle of a huge power surge that we never got to see in 2009.  Last year he hit 3 home runs for the year and he had 2 last week.  He’s had great pitch recognition all season and it looks like he is finally seeing the right pitch to hit and driving it hard and far.  More impressive than his home runs is probably the 6 doubles and 13 RBI’s.
2010 Stats
No. 2 KIRK NIEUWENHUIS, CF
BINGHAMTON
Team: Binghamton Mets (AA) Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 355/.375/.613 (11-for-31), 1 HR, 6 R, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K
The Scoop: Captain Kirk has been hot all season and it didn’t stop this week.  He’s getting hits, hitting for power, scoring runs, and driving in runs.  The only thing he isn’t doing is demonstrating his above-average speed.  He only has 1 SB on the season and no triples. On the plus side he has cut his K’s down by nearly 7%.
2010 Stats
No. 3 PEDRO ZAPATA, CF
SAVANNAH
Team: Savannah Sand Gnats (LoA)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here:
.414/.485/.483 (12-for-29), 2 2B, 9 R, 4 RBI, 3 SB, 4 BB, 5 K
The Scoop: Zapata is a tall guy, but doesn’t have much power and has to rely on his plus speed.  The difference he made this week was better plate discipline.  He only struck out 1 more time than he walked.  Looked like a great table setter with the 3 steals and 9 runs.
2010 Stats
No. 4 JAMES FULLER, LHP SAVANNAH
Team: Savannah Sand Gnats (LoA)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 2-0, 1.90 ERA, 14.2 IP, 14 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 12 SO
The Scoop: The undersized lefty is having great success in LoA Savannah.  He gave up a little too many hits this week, but he counter acted that with superb command.  He only walked 2 batters this week and has 4 walks in 28 IP on the season to go along with striking out nearly a batter per inning.
2010 Stats
No. 5 ALONZO HARRIS, 2B
SAVANNAH
Team: Savannah Sand Gants (LoA)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here:
.360/.360/.600 (9-for-25), 1 2B, 1 3b, 1 HR. 4 R, 7 RBI, 5 K
The Scoop: Yet another member from the Savannah team on the hot list.  Harris demonstrated his great power with a homer and double and great speed with a triple and stolen base.  Also on display, however, was his terrible discipline.  He doesn’t know how to take a walk and swings at anything near the plate. Still raw, but very talented.
2010 Stats

5 Down

No. 1 RICHARD LUCAS, 3B
ST. LUCIE
Team: St. Lucie Mets (HiA)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .053/.182/.053 (1-for-19), 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K
The Scoop: Can you do much worse?  About the only positive thing he did was have a decent walk rate.  This is a really big bummer as Lucas was off to a hot start before getting into this ice age.
2010 Stats
No. 2 EDDIE KUNZ, RHP
BINGHAMTON
Team: Binghamton Mets (AA)
Age: 24
Why He’s Here:
0-1, 11.25 ERA, 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO
The Scoop: Just as expected Kunz’s shift into the rotation hasn’t gone smoothly at all.  If anyone expects to give up a hit and walk per inning and be successful then you are just crazy.  He should be moved back to the pen ASAP where maybe he can give you a very very little something.
2010 Stats
No. 3 JEFF FLAGG, 1B
SAVANNAH
Team: Savannah Sand Gnats (LoA)
Age: 24

Why He’s Here: .136/.240/.182 (3-for-22), 1 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 8 K
The Scoop: A 6’6 250 lbs 24-year-old slugging what in LoA? Yeah, he has definitely made himself into a non prospect at this point.  He can’t hit for average or power, get on base, and swings at pitchers further out of the zone than Vlad Guerrero.
2010 Stats
No. 4 ERIC NIESEN, SP
BINGHAMTON
Team: Binghamton Mets (AA)
Age: 24
Why He’s Here:
0-1, 5.29 ERA, 2 GS, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 6 SO
The Scoop: The man has great stuff as is seen with his great K numbers, but his control seems to get worse with time.  I don’t think anybody has ever questioned his stuff, but he has yet to answer those doubters about his ability to throw strikes. And 5 innings in 2 games. That’s worse than John Maine!
2010 Stats
No. 5 BRAHIAM MALDONADO
BINGHAMTON
Team: Binghamton Mets (AA)
Age: 24
Why He’s Here:
.105/.261/.158 (2-for-19), 2 R, 4 BB, 5 K, 2 SB
The Scoop: The transition to AA did not go smooth at all for Maldonado.  He was only able to manage two hits, but he did demonstrate good patience and speed.  He is not one of my favorite prospects by any stretch, but he still has some potential and this week looks pretty fluky.
2010 Stats

Awards

Pitcher of the Week: James Fuller

Player of the Week: Wilmer Flores

5 Up

No. 1 IKE DAVIS, 1B
ST. LUCIE
Team: St. Lucie Mets (HiA)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .375/.474/.938 (6-for-16), 3 HR, 5 R, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 0 K
The Scoop: Davis was only able to play in 4 games this week because of injury, but he went deep in 3 of the 4 games, got hits in all 4 games, and walked 3 times while not striking out.  It was just a monster power week for Davis who has really began to hit up lately even while battling an ankle injury.  Right now he is looking more like the power hitter in the Arizona lineup than the weak hitter in the Cyclones lineup last year.
2009 Stats
No. 2 JON NIESE, SP BUFFALO
Team: Buffalo Bisons (AAA) Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-1, 1.37, 13.1 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 11 SO
The Scoop: Niese has struggled all season whether it be for the NY Mets or for the Buffalo Bisons, but his last 2 starts have been amazing.  He had a tough luck loss his first time out, but the last game was EASILY his best game of the year pitching into the 8th inning an only giving up 2 hits.  Niese can build off these two starts and rebuild his top prospect status.
2009 Stats
No. 3 JOSH THOLE, C
BINGHAMTON
Team: Binghamton Mets (AA)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here:
.409/.409/.455 (9-for-22), 1 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K
The Scoop: Thole did what Thole does best.  He hit for a high average (.409), didn’t strike out (only once in 22 at bats), and hit for little power (just one XBH).  Still despite the little power this is great production coming from the catchers spot.  With the news that he continues to improve defensively he is looking like quite the catching prospect.
2009 Stats
No. 4 TOBI STONER, RHP BINGHAMTON
Team: Binghamton Mets (AA)
Age: 24
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.40, 15 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 11 SO
The Scoop: Stoner has absolutely dominated AA to a 2.68 ERA, averaging 6.2 innings per start, and holding the league to a .180 BAA. He was not striking out many until these last two games where he maintained a K:BB of 11:0 which is off the charts. He has earned his recent promotion to AAA and it will be nice to see how he fairs.
2009 Stats
No. 5 JEURYS FAMILIA, SP SAVANNAH
Team: Savannah Sand Gants (LoA)
Age: 19
Why He’s Here:
0-0, 0.00, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO
The Scoop: The reason he is here is because of the report from Mike Newman of Scouting the Sally, “Familia was a top 100 prospect tonight. 91-93 consistently; Hitting 94 a number of times. Threw an 80 MPH slurve as an out pitch with good bite. It was the best I’ve seen him throw this year and this is my 4th time seeing him throw. He raises the level of his game when up against tough opponents. First time he dominated against Casey Kelly (2008 1st rounder), tonight he out shined the Braves Bret DeVall (2008 S1)” – NYFS Forum
2009 Stats

5 Down

No. 1 KIRK NIEUWENHUIS, CF
ST. LUCIE
Team: St. Lucie Mets (HiA)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: .179/.233/.214 (5-for-28), 1 2B, 5 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 SB
The Scoop: Some of Kirk’s numbers are solid (steals, runs, and RBI’s), but the low power numbers, walk rate, and average were too alarming.  For the most part I still like his season as a whole he just had a dreadful week for the most part.  I am expecting a monster rebound week from the speedy centerfielder.
2009 Stats
No. 2 JOSH SATIN, 2B
SAVANNAH
Team: Savannah Sand Gnats (LoA)
Age: 24
Why He’s Here: .190/.380/.286 (4-for-21), 2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, 8 BB, 5 K
The Scoop: That is a ridiculous amount of walks for only 29 plate appearances, but 5 Ks is kind of a lot too.  Satin is going to have to hit more than this being 24 in low A ball and while he has a great OBP is AVG and SLG have really taken a hit lately.  He is a solid defender, but is going to need to show some more pop if he wants to be considered a prospect.
2009 Stats
No. 3 JEFRY MARTE, 3B
SAVANNAH
Team: Savannah Sand Gnats (LoA)
Age: 17

Why He’s Here: .200/.259/.200 (5-for-28), 1 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 CS
The Scoop: The worst part of these terrible stats is that the most alarming of all of them isn’t even listed. Jefry Marte’s defense has been terrible and his bat isn’t making up for it this year. Something like 25 errors this year is completely unacceptable. The 2:4 BB:K ratio isn’t too bad for someone of his age, but the lack of power and hits like Kirk is not good. I expect this trend to continue.
2009 Stats
No. 4 ERIC NIESEN, SP
BINGHAMTON
Team: Binghamton Mets (AA)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here:
0-1, 9.00, 5 IP, 3 H, 2 HR, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO
The Scoop: Eric Niesen’s AA debut did not go as smoothly as Holt’s or Mejia’s. He only gave up 3 hits, but 2 of those went over the fence. He walked more players (4) than he struck out (3), which is never a good thing. I expect the next couple starts to go smoother than this start it could have just been the jitters, who knows.
2009 Stats
No. 5 LANCE BROADWAY, SP BUFFALO
Team: Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
Age: 25
Why He’s Here:
0-0, 6.23 ERA, 4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 2 SO
The Scoop: The hits are managable through 4.1 innings, but the 6 waks OUCH! They hurt almost as bad as that photo –>.  If Broadway wants to even ever be considered some kind of prospect anymore he is seriously going to have to step up his game BIG TIME.  On the bright side his ERA as a reliever in Bufallo is 0.00!!! In an outstanding whole 0.2 innings!
2009 Stats

Awards

Pitcher of the Week: Jonathan Niese

Player of the Week: Ike Davis

Hey guys I am still away and I might not be able to post that much tomorrow, but remember you can always follow me by following my twitter at my twitter. I am hoping to be back by tomorrow, however, I am still unsure weather or not I will be able to post gameday links, but a recap I definitely should be able to. I will also be re updating the top 20 prospect list and doing a 5 up, 5 down for the last week.

Categories : 5 Up, 5 Down
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I have been away so I have not been able to cover the minor leagues (and barely the major leagues) so here is a 5 up, 5 down to summarize what has happened so far in the early season.

5 UP

Fernando Martinez, OF, Buffalo

.277/.333/.532
9 XBH (7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homerun)
4 RBI’s
1:3 [K:BB] (just about)

Jordany Valdespin, 2b, Savannah

.316/.333/.553
2 homeruns, 1 triple, 1 double
9 RBIs
batting .500 off lefties

Wilmer Flores, ss, Savannah

.359/.395/.410
2 doubles
6 RBIs
3:5 (K:BB) HUGE IMPROVEMENT

Scott Shaw, SP, St. Lucie

(1-0 1.50 ERA)
3:1 (K:BB) 9 k’s in 12 IP
.175 BAA
.083 WHIP

Eric Beaulac, sp, Savannah

(1-0 0.00 ERA)
11 K’s in 9 innings
has given up only 6 total base runners (4 hits 2 walks)
given up no hits to left handers

…sorry just 5 up right now…

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