Around the Farm: June 6 ~ Indians Prospect Insider

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Around the Farm: June 6

8:01 AM pojo No comments

Roberto Perez
(photo:
Kinston Indians)

Around the Farm takes a quick 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 game.

Roberto Perez: C, Kinston Indians: 3-3, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB:

Perez is definitely not known for his offensive prowess, but the defensive-minded catcher has been smoking the ball over the last two weeks. While his overall average is just .246, Perez has been well above that since mid-May. Over his last ten games, Perez has an insane line of .448/.579/.552, with five runs, three doubles, four RBI, nine walks, and only five K's. While I doubt the Indians are thinking Perez is the next Carlos Santana, or even Chun Chen, it could give the Tribe more depth at the position should another team be in the market for a catcher during the trade deadline.

Chase Burnette: 1B, Kinston Indians: 4-5, 2 R, 1 3B, 4 RBI:

Last year's 18th round pick for the Indians celebrated day one of the 2011 draft with his best day as a professional, going 4-5 with a triple and four RBI. Burnette has had a disappointing 2011 season thus far, with a .228/.275/.310 line. With the Kinston offense taking off, perhaps this will be Burnette's jumping off point for the 2011 season.

Ezequiel Carrera-CF, Columbus: 3-7, 1 BB, 2 SB (19): Carrera has been struggling of late, but had hits and stolen bases in both ends of yesterday's doubleheader.
Cord Phelps-2B, Columbus: 2-3, 1 BB, 1 K: Phelps played in the first game of yesterday's doubleheader, and continued to hit the ball. I hate to kick a dead horse here, but with the Indians in a free-fall, he should have been called up a week ago, if not sooner.
Chad Huffman-RF/DH, Columbus: 3-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB: Huffman went oh-fer in game one, but went a perfect 3-3 in game 2. The veteran is streaky, but still a viable candidate for a fourth outfielder should injury issues hit the big league club.
Luis Valbuena-SS, Columbus: 3-6, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI: Valbuena is one of the hottest hitters in the organization, and is currently riding a 16-game hit streak in which he's hitting .404. His overall average is back up to .302, and you do have to wonder if Valbuena might be an initial call-up for infield help because of his previous experience at the big league level. It certainly wouldn't be the popular choice.
Corey Kluber-SP, Columbus: 6 1/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 2 BB, 9 K, L (3-4): Kluber had good stuff in the loss. The nine K's were the most in a game for Kluber this season.
Nick Hagadone-RP, Columbus: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 K, W (2-1): Hagadone settles down after giving up six runs in his previous 1 1/3 innings. If he can string a few of these together, he could be in Cleveland before the end of the month.
Zach Putnam-RP, Columbus: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K: Putnam isn't getting the press that the more electric Hagadone has been, but he's been the better pitcher. This is his sixth straight appearance and 11th straight inning without giving up a run.
Delvi Cid-LF, Kinston: 3-6, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 K: This is what the Indians had in mind for Cid in the lead-off position. Cid is only hitting .186 for the season, but has been showing signs of really breaking out of his season of injury and hitting struggles. He's had hits in four of his last five games, and is hitting .400 with three stolen bases during that time period. Now, if he could just work on those K's.
Tyler Cannon-2B, Kinston: 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB: There is likely a collective sigh of relief from Tribe brass, as Cannon is finally hitting the ball at High A Kinston. He's on a five game hitting streak (8-17) in which he's hitting .471.
Drew Pomeranz-SP, Kinston: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 4 BB, 5 K, W (2-1): Pomeranz had another nice outing, keeping his overall ERA at 1.85 for the season. Certainly, you'd like to see that walk number down a bit, but that will come as he moves through the system. This type of consistency will be what it takes to get the big lefty to Akron.
Marty Popham-RP, Kinston: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 K: Popham made his return to Kinston a solid one after scuffling a bit in Akron.
Joey Mahalic-RP, Kinston: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 K: Mahalic returns from the land of nowhere to give his best performance of the season (he hasn't pitched since April).