Available IPI Books

Monday, August 9, 2010

Around the Farm: August 8

Around the Farm takes a look at some of yesterday's performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday's games.

Jason Kipnis-2B, Akron: 1-3, 2B, BB.
Another day, another double for Jason Kipnis. Since getting the call to Akron, the much-maligned (at the time) 2009 2nd round draft pick has a triple-slash line of .330/.410/.535, good for a .945 OPS. That line would look good if Kipnis was still an outfielder, but it pretty much makes him an elite prospect as a second baseman. The 23-year old has 7 HR in 200 AA at-bats. He's a perfect 5-5 in stolen bases, and has 23 walks to offset his 36 strikeouts for the Aeros. He's still a little rough as a defender, but that's expected with the position change and should be at least average in the field with a little more time.

Alex White-SP, Akron: 5 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 K, 2 BB.
Is it time to be worried yet? The short answer is no...not really. After breezing through the Eastern League since moving up from Kinston, White has struggled in his past two starts. He's given up 11 ER in 10 IP, striking out 6 and walking 4. White's ERA is now "up" to 2.45 for the Aeros. In his 2 August starts, White is getting groundballs 44% of the time, his lowest rate of the season. His flyball rate has remained pretty consistent, but his liner rate is all the way up to 26%. White is up over 130 IP on the season, so is likely just feeling a little fatigue. Although I have no information suggesting the Indians are planning to do so, it probably wouldn't hurt him to skip a turn in the rotation.
  • Jerad Head-OF, Columbus: 3-4, 2 2B, RBI, R. Over the past 3 games, Head is 6-11 and is hitting .283 overall in his 14 games for the Clippers.
  • Argenis Reyes-3B, Columbus: 2-4, RBI. Acquired from the Red Sox for "future considerations," the 3B gave Goedert a day off and his 6-11 since coming over from Pawtucket.
  • John Drennen-OF, Akron: 2-4, HR (5), RBI, R. Hopefully that will snap Drennen out of a recent funk, as he's hitting under .200 in his last 10 games. Still at .293 for the season.
  • Bo Greenwell-OF, Kinston: 1-4, SB. Bo's kid has hits in 9 of his last 10, and is hitting .336 since the call to Kinston. Not hitting for much power, but getting on base at a better than .400 clip.
  • Vidal Nuno-SP, Lake County: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 8 K. Its tough to give up 3 runs on 4 hits without walking a batter, but thanks to a couple of errors, Nuno did just that. He still has more K's (72) than innings pitched (70) on the season.
  • Nicholas Bartolone-SS, Mahoning Valley: 2-5, 2 RBI. Called up after hitting .303 in the AZL league, Bartolone had two knocks in his first game for the Scrappers.
  • Carlos Moncrief-OF, Mahoning Valley: 3-5, R, SB. Hits in 8 of his last 10, with a line of .432/.488/.622.
  • Jesus Aguilar-1B, Mahoning Valley: 2-2, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, R. Hits in 4 of the 8 games he has played in since being called up to the Scrappers, including a home run.

2 comments:

We shouldn't in effect penalize White for the fact that our expectations for him have risen. When the season started, few predicted the kind of success he's already had. If he finishes with a relatively bad month, it's still a huge success this season overall.

Totally agree Jay. Like I said, despite the two off starts, his ERA in AA is still just 2.45, and it's his first year pitching professionally. The mere fact that he has himself on the brink of AAA already makes this season a success, and he has himself in the mix for a spot in Cleveland as soon as next season.

Post a Comment