Prospect Check-In: Position Player Edition
Vinnie Catricala 3B – AAA
.220/ .276/ .285
HR – 1
BB – 6.0 %
K – 12.7 %
ISO – .065
BABIP – .245
Catricala has struggled. After an absolute torrid spring, the third baseman was rewarded with a promotion from AA. Even though the early numbers aren’t promising, a low walk rate and BABIP aren’t helping the situation. Vinnie is going to be just fine, he is just waiting on his luck to turn around. He’ll figure it out.
Carlos Triunfel SS – AAA
.280/ .338/ .448
HR – 5
BB – 6.0 %
K – 18.8 %
ISO – .183
BABIP – .308
Triunfel was one of my preseason picks to have a standout season. He hasn’t disappointed either, putting together one of the best early season power displays of his career. His walk and strikeout rates are troubling, but still…the power is very encouraging. Triunfel is a highly probable September call up.
Chih-Hsien Chiang RF – AAA
.272/ .300/ .333
HR – 1
BB – 4.3 %
K – 12.8 %
ISO – .064
BABIP – .305
Chiang was another on of my preseason picks to have a big season… well, I’m 1 for 2 anyways. It hasn’t been great thus far for the former Red Sox prospect. Lucky for him, and myself, it’s still early enough for him to turn it around. He has the tools, he just need to slow down and start drawing a few(several) more walks.
Nick Franklin SS – AA
.318/ .373/ .467
HR – 2
BB – 8.3 %
K – 13.2 %
ISO – .152
BABIP – .352
Franklin is a stud again. His splits against lefties are still worrisome enough to make one wonder how long the team will let him switch hit. Even with a slightly inflated BABIP it’s not a cause for serious concern, Franklin is going to continue to hit. If his offensive production carries on, I would expect to see him in AAA by the end of the year. A September spotting seems like a long shot, but I’ve seen stranger things.
Francisco Martinez 3B – AA
.273/ .331/ .352
HR – 0
BB – 8.1 %
K – 20.6 %
ISO – .081
BABIP – .354
It hasn’t been great, but he hasn’t been bad either. Still waiting on the power to show up this year.
Rich Poythress 1B – AA
.259/ .352/ .375
HR – 1
BB – 12.7 %
K – 11.1 %
ISO – .118
BABIP – .295
The power hasn’t been there yet for Poythress. But still, it’s mighty impressive to have a walk right higher than your K rate. The power will come at some point soon for Rich, but in the meantime, he is doing everything right.
Johermyn Chavez RF – AA
.287/ .357/ .436
HR – 3
BB – 8.9 %
K – 18.8 %
ISO – .149
BABIP – .338
Chavez is steady on the comeback trail. His walk rate is up, and while he is still swinging and missing a lot, he is putting the ball in play and the power is there early. Encouraging signs from a guy who put together an awful season last year.
John Hicks C – High A
.336/ .405/ .460
HR – 1
BB – 8.7 %
K – 13.5 %
ISO – .124
BABIP – .389
A offensive catcher, having an awesome offensive season down in High Desert. I’m going to be skeptical until he moves to AA.
Jack Marder C – High A
.360/ .422/ .533
HR – 2
BB – 7.2 %
K – 10.8 %
ISO – .173
BABIP – .391
Pretty much the same deal as Hicks. Both are sporting extraordinarily high BABIPs and enjoying the hitter friendly confines of their home park. I cannot wait to see Marder and Hicks once they move out of the California Desert.
Brad Miller SS – A
.298/ .393/ .573
HR – 6
BB – 13.7 %
K – 20.5 %
ISO – .274
BABIP – .337
Miller is a slightly more encouraging situation that Hicks and Marder due to his lower BABIP. But as with all prospects that play with the Mavericks, I need to see a bit of extended home/road splits to see how they are really developing.
James Jones RF – High A
.238/ .287/ .416
HR – 4
BB – 5.6 %
K – 30.6 %
ISO – .178
BABIP – .313
Jones is going to end up back at pitcher at this rate. 30 % strikeout rate? 5% walk rate? The power is there, but that is about it. Jones needs to pick it up, and soon.
Jabari Blash OF – Mid A
.217/ .331/ .481
HR – 7
BB – 12.5 %
K – 27.5 %
ISO – .272
BABIP – .238
Blash is off to an odd start. His low BABIP has resulted in a low average, but the walks are there, so the OBP hasn’t suffered much. I’d look for some of these anomalies to stabilize themselves as his season progresses. Blash could receive a promotion once his peripherals catch up with the rest of him.
Guillermo Pimentel OF – Mid A
.153/ .194/ .235
HR – 2
BB – 4.0 %
K – 34.3 %
ISO – .084
BABIP – .186
Pimentel piqued a lot of interest when he signed with Seattle a few years ago. Since then…well…this. Pimentel’s production has been awful, and if you pair that with the off the field issues and lack of dedication, the Mariners could have a potential dud on their hands.