Around the Farm: August 15

Preston Guilmet
(Photo: MiLB)

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.

Preston Guilmet – RP, Kinston: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.
Guilmet is often overshadowed by right-handed closer Cory Burns in Double-A Akron, but he is having a sensational season as a closer for the K-Tribe. He is now 31-for-32 in save opportunities on the season, and since his only blown save on June 12th he has saved 17 straight since then. He is a machine out there using intelligence, toughness, a funky straight over the top delivery and strike throwing ability to dominate rather than power stuff. Big league teams don’t get too excited over the save statistic in the minors, but the 1.78 ERA, 6.7 H/9, 1.6 BB/9, and 9.2 K/9 rates are exciting.

Mike Rayl – SP, Kinston: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K.
There have been several breakout performances this season, but on the pitching front no one has probably had as big a breakout campaign than Rayl. His performance this season is a lot like that of lefty Matt Packer last season as a guy that was valued but lower on the priority list, but just put up some great numbers and made considerable strides over the course of the season to make himself into a priority guy. In 21 starts between Low-A Lake County and High-A Kinston this year he is 6-6 with a 2.92 ERA (104.2 IP, 89 H, 19 BB, 108 K), and is showing an excellent ability to put the ball on the plate, get strikeouts, and limit big damage (5 HR).

• Tim Fedroff – CF, Columbus: 2-for-5, R, BB, K. Came in as a replacement in the second game for Travis Buck. Having a great year hitting .310/.386/.413 with 3 HR and 59 RBI in 116 games.
• Jerad Head – LF, Columbus: 3-for-7, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, K. Just another day at the office for Mr. Head with his 23rd homer and 67th and 68th RBI.
• Joe Martinez – SP, Columbus: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Arguably his best outing this season. He is showing considerably more velocity this year, so something has clicked.
• Paolo Espino – SP, Columbus: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR. As expected, got the call to Columbus to fill pitching/rotation need and may remain in starting rotation.
• Jordan Casas – LF-CF, Kinston: 2-for-4, R, RBI, K. Though it is early, he is actually playing better in Kinston than he was in Lake County. Had two of the three K-Tribe hits on the night.
• Adam Abraham – 3B, Kinston: 1-for-3, RBI, BB. The only other player to get a hit besides Casas. One of the nice surprises this season in Indians’ system with much improved approach.
• Toru Murata – RP, Kinston: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K. That’s now 12-straight scoreless outings which covers 21.0 innings. He has allowed just 7 hits and 5 walks and has 27 strikeouts in that span.
• Carlos Moncrief – RF, Lake County: 2-for-5, R, HR, RBI, 3 K. Lots to love with Moncrief, a player who is still raw and learning to hit at pro level since he spent his first two years pitching.
• Ronny Rodriguez – SS, Lake County: 2-for-4, 2B, K. Finally starting to draw some walks as he had 5 walks in his first 71 games, but has 5 walks in his last 7 games.
• Brian Heere – LF, Lake County: 3-for-4, R, HR, RBI. Big night and helped break 5-game stretch where he was 0-for-16 at the plate.
• J.D. Reichenbach – SP, Lake County: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 2 K. As an undrafted free agent last year, he is having a nice season this year and creating value with versatility.
• Cody Allen – RP, Lake County: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K. Has dominated in pro debut with 1.73 ERA and in 41.2 innings allowed 28 hits, 12 walks and has 54 strikeouts. 2011 Draft sleeper alert!
• Mark Brown – CF, Arizona: 3-for-5, R, 3B, RBI, K. Small speedster from 2010 Draft coming on of late going 9-for-31 in last 8 games with 7 runs scored, 3 XBH, and 5 RBI.
• Charlie Valerio – C, Arizona: 3-for-4, R, 2B, SB. Nice stateside debut for the switch-hitting catcher who is hitting .325/.404/.525 in 10 August games.
• Leonardo Castillo – 3B, Arizona: 2-for-4, R, RBI. Just turned 18-years old last month and has some prospect helium. Hitting a blistering .396/.418/.585 in 12 August games.
• Danny Salazar – SP, Arizona: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. His 4th rehab appearance and up to 2 innings for first time. Numbers don’t matter for him right now, it is just getting him back on the mound.
• Jake Sisco – RP, Arizona: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 K. He has really struggled in his last 4 outings allowing 15 runs/earned in 10 innings pitched. Had only allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in first 7 outings covering 23.1 innings.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

Posted in: Around the Farm