Prospect Roundup: Games of May 3
By jseiner24
By Jake Seiner / MiLB.com
MiLB.com news:
Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman called up to Major Leagues
MiLB.com game stories:
Cubs 3B Kris Bryant slugs sixth homer in first four-hit game
Twins RHP Yohan Pino spins second shutout in three starts
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Yankees LHP Ian Clarkin cruises in Class A debut
Tigers RHP Jake Thompson scatters two hits over seven scoreless
Angels 3B Kaleb Cowart homers in the third straight game
Rangers RHP Alex Gonzalez tosses eight scoreless innings
Mariners OF Austin Wilson drives in six in L-Kings comeback
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Yankees Eric Jagielo, Dante Bichette Jr. go long for Tampa
Royals RHP Christian Binford chucks seven shutout innings
Mets SS Gavin Cecchini records second straight three-hit game
Other top prospect performances:
Indians RHP Trevor Bauer, Triple-A Columbus: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K — Bauer needed 106 pitches in the outing, tossing 68 for strikes. Through five Triple-A starts, the 23-year-old has a 1.10 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings. His command is much sharper than it was a year ago, too, only walking nine batters.
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Red Sox LHP Brian Johnson, Double-A Portland: 5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 K — Quality Double-A debut for Johnson, a standout from the University of Florida selected 31st overall in the 2012 Draft.
Twins 1B Kennys Vargas, Double-A New Britain: 1-for-3, HR, RBI, R, 2 BB — Vargas is a big boy, listed at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds and looking like he might be even bigger. There’s plenty of raw pop in the switch-hitter’s swing, and he’s bashed four homers in the last week after struggling through the first few weeks of the season. He’s been comped to David Ortiz and even mentored by Big Papi himself. Those expectations are a bit too lofty, but Vargas does have a similar swing from the left side.
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Rockies RHP Jon Gray, Double-A Tulsa: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 7 K — After a rocky start, Gray adjusted his mechanics to keep himself better in line and has been solid over his past three outings, walking one and striking out 21 over 17 1/3 innings.
Rangers RHP Alec Asher, Double-A Frisco: 7 IP, 4 H, 7 K — The 2012 fourth-rounder has been prone to the long ball in 2014, allowing four in six starts, but has been otherwise stellar. His K/BB is 31-to-9 over 32 2/3 innings, and the seven innings and seven strikeouts Saturday were season highs.
Astros 3B Rio Ruiz, Class A Advanced Lancaster: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, RBI, R, K — The 19-year-old made tremendous strides with his plate approach in 2013 and has continued to hit well in ’14, slashing .307/.365/.447 in the California League.
Pirates 3B Wyatt Mathisen, Class A West Virginia: 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, R — Second straight three-hit game with a homer for the 20-year-old, who moved from catcher back to third base this spring to clear up a potential backstopping log jam between him, Reese McGuire and Jin-De Jhang. He’s had a rough start at third, posting eight errors in 58 chances, but has the tools to perform well at the hot corner.
Tigers LHP Kevin Ziomek, Class A West Michigan: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 9 K, HR — Ziomek walked six in his first start with the Whitecaps but has been outstanding since, posting a 24-to-5 K/BB over 24 innings. The Vanderbilt product should be able to jump to the Florida State League at some point this season.