(*) CALL-UPS: April 21-27, 2015

Photo: Heath Hembree (RHP, BOS)

Contributing writers: Jeremy Deloney (JD), Chris Mallonee (CM), Nick Richards (NR) and Matthew St-Germain (MSG).

April 27, 2015

Heath Hembree (RHP, BOS)
The Red Sox promoted the 26-year-old from Triple-A after sending RHP Matt Barnes to the same affiliate after one game. Hembree was obtained from the Giants in July 2014 and he has been among the top relief prospects in baseball the past three seasons. He’s been used as a closer in the past and has accumulated 109 career saves. Hembree logged time in the big leagues with both the Giants and Red Sox in 2013 and 2014 and is off to a good start this season. He is a big, strong reliever with a high strikeout rate. He gets swings and misses with his potent fastball-slider combination. His fastball can be run into the high-90s, but generally sits between 92-95 mph. It features good, late action at lower velocities, but he can blow it by hitters as well. Hembree has been quite stingy against right-handed hitters, particularly with improved location of his power slider. While possessing the velocity to pitch up in the zone, he can be susceptible to flyballs. He lacks touch and feel for changing speeds, but he doesn’t necessarily need that attribute in the late innings. He has a career 3.16 ERA, 3.4 Ctl, and 11.2 Dom. (JD)
2014 STATS: Boston (AL) – 6 g, 0-0 4.50 ERA, 10 IP, 5 BB, 6 K, 1 HR
Pawtucket (AAA) – 7 g, 0-1 2.70 ERA, 6.2 IP, 5 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Fresno (AAA) – 41 g, 1-3 3.89 ERA, 18 sv, 39.1 IP, 3.4 Cmd, 3.0 Ctl, 10.1 Dom, 5 HR, .263 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever / Closer
RATING: 7C

Cody Stanley (C, STL)
With a roster spot open due to the shelving of Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals opted to recall Stanley, a 26-year-old backstop, as Yadier Molina is nursing a sore knee. He is only expected to be in the majors for a few games at most. Stanley was a 4th round selection in 2010 and has shown incremental improvement the past few seasons. He is a contact-oriented hitter who has become more selective and showing more power to the pull side. He enjoyed a career year in 2014 thanks to his ability to use the entire field. Stanley only has average power at best and he may not hit enough to warrant a starting role in the majors. As a defender, he handles a staff well and uses his solid, fundamental skills to be an asset. His arm strength and release are only average, but he receives and blocks well. The left-handed hitter owns a career line of .272/.322/.412 with a high of 12 HR and 13 SB in 2014. (JD)
2014 STATS: Springfield (AA) – 385 AB, .283/.340/.429, 16 2b, 12 HR, 0.49 Eye, 13 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Backup catcher until Molina is ready
POTENTIAL: Backup catcher
RATING: 6B

Aaron Brooks (RHP, KC)
The Royals recalled the 25-year-old to serve as the 26th man on the roster for a quasi-doubleheader on Sunday, April  26. Brooks appeared briefly in the majors in 2014 after his best season to date. He’s mostly been a starter throughout his career—signed as a 9th round pick in 2011—but his future may lie in the bullpen. Brooks has a tall, durable frame and uses his arm angle to pitch downhill and keep balls low in the zone. He has four pitches at his disposal, including a 90-94 mph fastball, slider, curveball, and change-up. Control and command are his best qualities, but his pitch-to-contact nature leaves him susceptible to high oppBA. Brooks doesn’t miss many bats with his fringy repertoire and the key to his success is pinpoint location. A move to the bullpen could result in him truncating his arsenal and increasing his velocity. For his career, Brooks has a 4.32 ERA, 1.4 Ctl, and 6.8 Dom. (JD)
2014 STATS: Kansas City (AL) – 2 g, 1 gs, 0-1 43.88 ERA, 2.2 IP, 12 hits, 3 BB, 2 K
Omaha (AAA) – 25 g, 23 gs, 12-3 3.88 ERA, 139 IP, 3.9 Cmd, 1.6 Ctl, 6.3 Dom, 14 HR, .278 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever, likely for one game
POTENTIAL: #5 starter / Long reliever
RATING: 6D

Jorge Rondon (RHP, COL)
The Rockies added depth to the bullpen by promoting the 27-year-old reliever to the roster. Rondon appeared briefly in the majors in 2014 with the Cardinals and was later claimed off waivers by Colorado in November 2014. He signed with St. Louis in 2006 and was developed mostly as a starter until 2011. Since that time, he’s worked exclusively out of the bullpen. Rondon has been decent the past three seasons and has shown better command of his mid-90s fastball. His recent success has been predicated on improved control, but he’s sacrificed his strikeout rate as a result. He counters his fastball with a hard slider that is his swing-and-miss offering. Rondon keeps the ball down in the zone consistently and doesn’t allow many HR. Because of his maximum-effort delivery and erratic command, he will likely never return to the rotation full-time. His power arm could be utilized in high-leverage situations if he continues to harness his stuff. Rondon owns a career 4.60 ERA, 4.2 Ctl, and 6.6 Dom. (JD)
2014 STATS: St. Louis (NL) – 1 g, 1 IP, 1 BB
Memphis (AAA) – 51 g, 5-4 3.03 ERA, 62.1 IP, 2.5 Cmd, 2.9 Ctl, 7.4 Dom, 3 HR, .250 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup reliever
RATING: 6D

Cory Mazzoni (RHP, SD)
The Padres acquired the 25-year-old from the Mets in March 2015 and have brought him to the majors for the first time. Mazzoni was selected in the 2nd round in 2011 and developed a starter until the Padres moved him to the bullpen upon his acquisition. He owns three solid-average pitches, but a slew of injuries have curtailed his development time the past few seasons. When healthy, he features a very nice 90-95 mph fastball that he spots well to all quadrants of the strike zone, a hard slider, and average split-change. He’s athletic enough to repeat his delivery consistently, but his long arm action doesn’t give him much deception. Mazzoni also has a lot of effort in his delivery which may be a big reason for him to be converted to a reliever. His stuff is plenty good to work in any role. Now, it is just a matter of staying healthy, logging innings, and cleaning up his mechanics. Mazzoni has a career 4.02 ERA, 2.3 Ctl, and 8.3 Dom since signing. (JD)
2014 STATS: Las Vegas (AAA) – 9 gs, 5-1 4.67 ERA, 52 IP, 4.0 Cmd, 2.1 Ctl, 8.5 Dom, 6 HR, .269 oppBA
Binghamton (AA) – 2 gs, 2-0 4.50 ERA, 12 IP, 2.5 Cmd, 3.0 Ctl, 7.5 Dom, 0 HR, .217 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: #4 starter / Middle reliever
RATING: 7D

 

April 26, 2015

Matt Barnes (RHP, BOS)
In need of adding some depth to the bullpen, the Red Sox recalled the 24-year-old from Triple-A where he was working as a starter. Barnes was a first round selection in 2011 and has been a starter for his entire career with the exception of five relief appearances with Boston in 2014. They still see him in the rotation going forward due to his big, durable frame. Though his strikeout rate has declined in Triple-A and the majors, he has a solid arsenal and improving fastball command. Barnes has good arm speed and generates a very good 90-96 mph fastball that he locates well to both sides of the plate. He has a tendency to pitch up in the zone, though he’s been focusing on using his 6’4” height and arm angle to pitch downhill. His curveball has seen some regression which may explain the falling strikeout rate, but it shows flashes of returning to its previous average status. His changeup has evolved into a top offering and he can retire left-handed hitters. Barnes owns a career 3.69 ERA, 3.1 Ctl, and 9.4 Dom in 368.2 minor league innings. (JD)
2014 STATS: Boston (AL) – 5 g, 0-0 4.00 ERA, 9 IP, 2 BB, 8 K, 1 HR
Pawtucket (AAA) – 23 g, 22 gs, 8-9 3.95 ERA, 127.2 IP, 2.2 Cmd, 3.2 Ctl, 7.3 Dom, 8 HR, .249 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: #3 starter
RATING: 8C

Max Muncy (1B, OAK)
The Athletics recalled the 24-year-old left-handed hitter from Triple-A after placing Ben Zobrist on the disabled list. Muncy has mostly played 1B throughout his pro career, but can also play 3B. He led the Double-A Texas League in OBP in 2014 and he brings a discerning eye to the plate. His knowledge of the strike zone enhances his overall offensive package and is his best attribute. Muncy’s bat speed is fringe-average and he relies on his eye and strength to succeed. He has been tough on RHP and likes to use the entire field in his approach. Despite hitting 25 HR in 2013, power isn’t his game and he could struggle to hit 10 HR if given a full-time job. He lacks athleticism and is a well below-average runner. Defensively, he is by no means a standout, but can make routine plays with average range and arm strength. For his career, Muncy is a .271/.384/.434 hitter. (JD)
2014 STATS: Midland (AA) – 435 AB, .264/.385/.379, 23 2b, 7 HR, 0.95 Eye, 7 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Reserve infielder
POTENTIAL: Platoon 1B/3B
RATING: 6A
 

April 25, 2015

Justin Bour (1B, MIA)
A 2014 Triple-A Rule 5 selection from the Cubs, Bour has the most raw power in the Marlins system. At 6’4”, 250 pounds, he’s a huge, lumbering guy, with bottom-of-the-barrel speed and defensively limited to 1B, where he has good hands and okay range. There are some timing issues in Bour’s swing, but he can catch up to premium heat when he’s on, has a good approach at the plate, and has good above-average power to get the ball past the fences. He has the chance to be a major league bat, but Bour’s struggles against LHP (.240/.300/.366 since 2011) will likely relegate him to a platoon role. With Christian Yelich (LF, MIA) out until early May, the Marlins could use Bour on occasion at 1B if Mike Morse (1B/OF, WAS) is shifted out to LF. He’ll return to New Orleans as soon as the Marlins are healthy. Bour’s career minor league line: 2473 AB, .279/.352/.457, 93 HR, 0.56 Eye. (MSG)
STATS: 2014 Miami (MLB) — 74 AB, .284/.361/.365, 3 2b, 1 HR, 0.47 Eye, 0 SB
2014 New Orleans (AAA) — 385 AB, .306/.372/.517, 27 2b, 18 HR, 0.68 Eye, 3 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Backup 1B
POTENTIAL: Backup 1B
RANKING: 6C

John Cornely (RHP, ATL)
Cornely worked in and out of the rotation throughout the early part of his career, but the bullpen is where he’ll attempt to scratch out a major league role. Armed with an above-average to plus FB that regularly hits 95, and a hard-biting above-average to plus slider that is his out pitch, the 6’1”, 205-pound Cornely is a bulldog on the mound, likes to work inside, and comes at hitters. The 25-year-old has worked high-leverage situations ever since leaving the rotation, worked in and out of the closer role for the past three seasons, and some scouts feel he has the ability to close at the highest level. However, his 4.5 career Ctl rate indicates he’s more likely to work in a setup role until he can begin to limit the free bases. With injuries and struggles in the Braves bullpen, Cornely could slide into high-leverage situations immediately. His career minor league numbers: 219.2 IP, 2.75 ERA, 1.238 WHIP, 12.2 Dom, 2.6 Cmd. (MSG)
STATS: 2014 Mississippi (AA) — 46 g, 7-3, 2.49 ERA, 7 Sv, 68.2 IP, 4.5 Ctl, 9.3 Dom, 2.1 Cmd, 2 HR, .186 oppBA, 1.150 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Middle Reliever/Setup Reliever
POTENTIAL: Setup Reliever/Closer
RANKING: 7D

Brandon Finnegan (LHP, KC)
From the College World Series to the Major League World Series in a single season, Finnegan blew through the minors in his truncated first year of professional baseball. He works 90-92 with a plus FB that has touched 98 in relief, as well as an above-average slider and change. Finnegan’s arm action is violent, but he commands his pitches well, likes to work inside, and some scouts think he can repeat his delivery effectively to hold up in a starting capacity. He’s undersized at 5’11”, however, so the more likely route for Finnegan is in the bullpen, where his stuff plays up significantly to where he could close games. It is in this capacity that Finnegan reached the majors last season and where the Royals will use him now. Kansas City needs a fresh bullpen arm only for the weekend, so he’ll head back to Northwest Arkansas and continue to develop as a starter. Finnegan’s career minor league line: 34.0 IP, 1.85 ERA, 1.029 WHIP, 8.5 Dom, 3.6 Cmd. (MSG)
STATS: 2014 Kansas City (MLB) — 7 g, 0-1, 1.29 ERA, 7.0 IP, 1.3 Ctl, 12.9 Dom, 10.0 Cmd, 0 HR, .222 oppBA, 1.000 WHIP
2014 Northwest Arkansas (AA) — 8 g, 0-3, 12.0 IP, 1.5 Ctl, 9.8 Dom, 6.5 Cmd, 2 HR, .283 oppBA, 1.417 WHIP
2014 Wilmington (A+) — 5 g, 0-1, 0.60 ERA, 15.0 IP, 1.2 Ctl, 7.8 Dom, 6.5 Cmd, 1 HR, .106 oppBA, 0.467 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Setup Reliever
POTENTIAL: #3 Starter/Closer
RANKING: 8C

Rey Navarro (2B, BAL)
Now with his fourth team in nine minor league seasons, Navarro gets the call with injuries piling up in the Orioles infield. Navarro has a patient approach at the plate, and the last few seasons have seen an increase in his power numbers while maintaining his approach. At 5’10”, 185 pounds, Navarro won’t hit many HR and doesn’t have the kind of speed that will lead to many SB (56.1% SB% since 2011), but he does possess good defensive skills, contact ability (89% Ct% since 2012), and hits right-handed pitching well so there’s potential here for a utility infielder. Once J.J. Hardy (SS, BAL), Ryan Flaherty (2B, BAL), or Jonathan Scoop (2B, BAL) return from the DL, Navarro will likely head back to Norfolk. His career minor league line: 3289 AB, .265/.313/.377, 47 HR, 0.43 Eye. (MSG)
STATS: 2014 Louisville (AAA) — 230 AB, .296/.351/.409, 17 2b, 3 HR, 0.73 Eye, 1 SB
2014 Pensacola (AA) — 255 AB, .271/.336/.459, 17 2b, 2 3b, 9 HR, 0.84 Eye, 4 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Backup IF
POTENTIAL: Utility IF
RANKING: 6B

Joe Wieland (RHP, LA)
Entering 2015 healthy was a change of pace for Wieland, as he’s missed significant time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in mid-2012. Acquired in the Matt Kemp (RF, SD) trade, the 6’2”, 205 pounder still possesses plus control of three above-average pitches. He works with a 88-92 mph FB with late life, an 80-83 mph CB with big break, and a 79-92 changeup, all of which he locates well around the zone. Weiland has walked only 87 batters in 486.2 IP and should he maintain his health, he has #3 starter upside, but more likely sits as a solid #4 starter with good ratios and modest strikeout totals. His health is the big wild card here, and he’ll need to prove that he can handle a full season of rigors to reach his upside. Weiland is being called to provide an extra day of rest for Brett Anderson (LHP, LAD) and Clayton Kershaw (LHP, LAD) and depending on how long Hyun-Jin Ryu (LHP, LAD) is out and how well Wieland pitches, he could stick in the rotation for a bit. Wieland’s career minor league line: 486.2 IP, 3.24 ERA, 1.142 WHIP, 8.5 Dom, 5.3 Cmd. (MSG)
STATS: 2014 San Diego (MLB) — 4 g, 1-0, 7.15 ERA, 11.1 IP, 4.0 Ctl, 6.4 Dom, 1.6 Ctl, 3 HR, .333 oppBA, 1.853 WHIP
2014 El Paso (AAA) — 4 g, 2-1, 3.42 ERA, 23.1 IP, 1.5 Ctl, 7.6 Dom, 5.0 Cmd, 1 HR, .247 oppBA, 1.099 WHIP
2014 San Antonio (AA) — 2 g, 0-1, 2.00 ERA, 9.0 IP, 1.0 Ctl, 6.0 Dom, 6.0 Cmd, 1 HR, .242 oppBA, 1.000 WHIP
2014 AZL Padres (Rk) — 3 g, 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 1.5 Ctl, 15.0 Dom, 10.0 Cmd, 0 HR, .143 oppBA, 0.667 WHIP
CURRENT ROLE: Starting Pitcher
POTENTIAL: #3 Starter
RANKING: 7B

 

April 24, 2015

Chris Bassitt (RHP, OAK)
One of the arms obtained by Oakland from the White Sox as part of the Jeff Samardzija deal, Bassitt has been called up to be the latest pitcher to serve as long relief for the Oakland bullpen. Bassitt is a consistent starter with a tall frame (6'5", 210 pounds) who throws from a low 3/4 slot and has good movement on four pitches. His fastball (low-90s) and slider (low-80s) are his best pitches and he gets groundballs from them along with strikeouts. He needs to develop his changeup in order to get LHB out consistently, but in 16 IP at Triple-A this year he has held lefties to a .211 oppBA while striking out 16 of the overall 63 batters he has faced and walking only four. Bassitt had a call up in 2014 where he made five starts for the White Sox with pedestrian results. But the 26-year-old has had good success in the minor leagues with a Dom rate close to 9 over his career. If he can develop a solid third pitch, he will have the tools to be a good #4 SP. For now he will help in the bullpen. In five seasons in the minors his ERA was 2.99 with a 1.250 WHIP and a Cmd of 2.3 in 333.2 IP. (NR)
2014 STATS: Birmingham (AA) – 6g, 6gs, 3-1, 1.56 ERA, 34.2 IP, 3.6 Ctl, 2.6 Cmd, 9.3 Dom, 2 HR, .206 oppBA
White Sox (MLB) – 6g, 5gs, 1-1, 3.94 ERA, 29.2 IP, 3.9 Ctl, 1.6 Cmd, 6.4 Dom, 0 HR, .286 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL: #4 Starter
RATING: 7C

 

April 23, 2015

Nicholas Tropeano (RHP, LAA)
Tropeano has been called up to start the April 23 game for Los Angeles in place of Matt Shoemaker (RHP, LAA), who has been placed on the bereavement list. Tropeano started four games for the Astros in September of ’14 and was in contention for a spot in the Angels rotation out of spring training. He throws a 90-94 mph fastball, a slider that registers in the low-80s, and a change-up also in the low-to-mid 80s. His fastball is above-average and his change-up is a plus offering. The fastball/change-up combo works very well because Tropeano maintains his arm speed and gets nice sink on the change-up. Seeing more consistency from the slider will improve his chances of sticking as a starting pitcher. Tropeano progressed steadily through the minors before really putting himself on the map by leading the PCL in strikeouts in ’14. He’s very aggressive going after batters, and held left-handed batters to an impressive .156 BA at Oklahoma City last season. One area of concern is the number of home runs he has allowed the previous three seasons (11, 15, 11) as he can leave mistake pitches up in the zone too often. Tropeano will be with the parent club for just the one start this time, but could get a longer look later in the season. Over his career dating back to 2011, Tropeano has a 3.28 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 9.2 Dom in 480.2 innings. (CM)
2014 STATS: Houston (AL) - 4g, 1-3, 4.57 ERA, 21.2 IP, 3.7 Ctl, 5.4 Dom, .241 oppBA
Oklahoma City (AAA) – 23g, 9-5, 3.03 ERA, 124.2 IP, 2.4 Ctl, 8.7 Dom, .202 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Spot starter
POTENTIAL:  #3 Starter
RATING: 8D

Hector Neris (RHP, PHI)
Neris is getting his second chance to pitch for the Phillies after a brief one-game call-up in 2014. The 26-year-old righty was off to a hot start at AAA-Lehigh Valley, so he gets the call while Sean O’Sullivan (RHP, PHI) is on the DL with tendinitis in his left knee. Neris will work in a middle relief role, which fits his profile well. He has been a reliable reliever, posting consistent results and a good number of innings year after year. He relies on a low-90s mph fastball and a slider that’s mainly an out pitch. While he doesn’t possess overwhelming velocity, Neris has posted an 8.0+ Dom each season in the minors thanks to an ability to command his pitches. He doesn’t generate as many groundballs as you would like from a relief pitcher, so he will need to maintain his command levels for success in the majors. Over five seasons, Neris has thrown 361 innings to the tune of a 3.63 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 3.0 Cmd. (CM)
2014 STATS: Philadelphia (NL) - 1g, 1 IP, 1 K/0 BB, 0 ER
Lehigh Valley (AAA) – 37g, 4-3, 4.19 ERA, 58 IP, 3.0 Ctl, 9.0 Dom, .228 oppBA
Reading (AA) – 11g, 2-0, 1.86 ERA, 19.1 IP, 4.7 Ctl, 5.6 Dom, .188oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL:  Middle reliever
RATING: 6C

Arnold Leon (RHP, OAK)
Leon has been called up to Oakland to pitch as a long reliever. He was called up in May of 2014 but did not get into a game before being optioned back to AAA-Sacramento. Leon was converted from a reliever to a starter in 2013, which may have contributed to him spending three seasons at the Triple-A level. He throws a four-pitch repertoire: fastball (89-94 mph), curveball, slider, and change-up. All but the curve are solid-average and the change-up is usually his best pitch. He throws with strong command and changes speeds well, which helps compensate for a lack of pitch movement. Leon utilizes a clean delivery and works the lower half of the zone with his fastball. At 26 years old there is not much projection left, but he has an outside shot at a #5 starter spot in the future. (CM)
2014 STATS: Sacramento (AAA) - 27g, 10-7, 4.97 ERA, 145 IP, 3.2 Ctl, 7.9 Dom, .295 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Long reliever
POTENTIAL:  #5 Starter
RATING: 6A

Matt Grace (LHP, WAS)
Grace’s career was revitalized in 2013 with a move to the bullpen, where he’s had success as a groundball pitcher with pinpoint control. The 26-year-old lefty was an eighth-round draft pick out of UCLA and has received his first ever call-up. Grace has been particularly tough against left-handed batters, holding them to 15 hits in 103 AB in 2014. Another plus to his game is an ability to keep the ball in the park; since converting back to relief, Grace has allowed just three HR in over 143 IP. He throws a low-90s mph fastball most often and it exhibits good downward tilt. The fastball is complemented by a slider that showed nice improvement in ‘14, and a change-up that he worked on extensively during the off-season. The slider/sinking fastball combo has been very effective and the slider is becoming an effective pitch for getting hitters to chase. As the change-up improves, Grace could get some extended work and face more right-handed batters. He throws with a short arm motion and some deception in his delivery, making the velocity on his pitches play up. (CM)
2014 STATS: Syracuse (AAA) - 28g, 2-0, 1.30 ERA, 41.2 IP, 2.8 Ctl, 6.5 Dom, .194 oppBA
Harrisburg (AA) – 22g, 3-1, 1.02 ERA, 35.1 IP, 3.1 Ctl, 8.2 Dom, .229 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL:  #5 Starter
RATING: 6A

 

April 22, 2015

Addison Russell (2B/SS, CHC)
Despite only recently seeing his first action at 2B, the 21-year-old has been recalled by the Cubs to serve as the starter at that position after the team demoted Arismendy Alcántara. Russell was a first round pick of the Athletics in 2012 before being dealt to Chicago in July 2014. He is among the top prospects in baseball, predicated on his all-around abilities and production. The right-handed hitter missed the first two months of the 2014 campaign due to a hamstring injury and got hot late in the year. He is an outstanding athlete with great quickness and natural strength. His hitting ability is well above average thanks to his bat speed, pitch recognition, and knowledge of the strike zone. He can hit for both BA and power while getting on base consistently. Russell makes loud contact, but can occasionally get overly aggressive at the plate. Defensively, he has enough range and arm to play any infield position. He is a natural shortstop, but has shown good instincts wherever he’s played on the diamond. Though he doesn’t own blazing speed, he can steal bases. Russell has All-Star potential and could eventually become one of the better SS or 2B in baseball. He owns a career line of .301/.377/.526 in the minors. (JD)
2014 STATS: Tennessee (AA) – 194 AB, .294/.332/.536, 11 2b, 12 HR, 0.25 Eye, 2 SB
Midland (AA) – 48 AB, .333/.439/.500, 3 2b, 1 HR, 1.00 Eye, 3 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Starting 2B
POTENTIAL: Starting 2B/SS
RATING: 9C

Juan Centeno (C, MIL)
The Brewers placed Jonathan Lucroy on the disabled list and promoted Centeno from Triple-A. Known mostly for his defensive chops, the 25-year-old backstop will share time with Martín Maldonado until Lucroy returns. Centeno is a below average hitter, though he makes decent contact despite a long, uppercut stroke. He has exhibited very little power throughout his career—3 HR in 1293 AB—and offers no speed. He can hit for average and is willing to draw walks to get on base. Defensively, he has a well-above-average arm that neutralizes the running game. He continuously posts high CS% while exhibiting a quick release. Centeno is an established receiver with loads of agility. There isn’t much upside due to his mediocre offensive showing, but the defense will keep him around. Centeno has a career line of .276/.327/.335 in the minors. He earned 30 AB with the Mets in 2013 and 2014 before he was claimed off waivers by the Brewers in October 2014. (JD)
2014 STATS: New York (NL) – 30 AB, .200/.273/.200, 0 xbh, 0.60 Eye, 0 SB
Las Vegas (AAA) – 179 AB, .291/.343/.335, 5 2b, 1 HR, 0.58 Eye, 2 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Will share catching duties with Martín Maldonado
POTENTIAL: Backup catcher
RATING: 5B

Mitch Harris (RHP, STL)
The Cardinals drafted Harris in the 13th round of 2008 out of the Naval Academy and he didn’t pitch until 2013 due to his military commitment. Now 29, he is showing why the Cardinals were high on him after a successful 2014 campaign and Arizona Fall League stint. The 6’ 4” 215-pound reliever has spent his entire career coming out of the bullpen and he works with a multitude of pitches. He generally sits in the low-90s mph, but can hit 95 mph on occasion. His cutter is what has elevated his status and it features outstanding late life. Harris also works with a splitter, curve, slider, and change-up. None of his offerings is considered plus, but the cutter is his go-to pitch. His command has improved, though it is considered below average, likely attributable to his long lay-off from the game. Harris will pitch in the middle innings and will probably return to Triple-A shortly. He owns a career 2.77 ERA, 3.4 Ctl, and 7.3 Dom. (JD)
2014 STATS: Springfield (AA) – 33 g, 2-0, 3.92 ERA, 43.2 IP, 2.7 Ctl, 7.0 Dom, 5 HR, .230 oppBA
Palm Beach (A+) – 8 g, 0-2, 4.26 ERA, 12.2 IP, 4.3 Ctl, 6.4 Dom, 1 HR, .178 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Middle reliever
RATING: 6D

Danny Dorn (1B/OF, ARI)
The Diamondbacks recalled the 30-year-old from Triple-A and he’ll make his big league debut if he gets into a game. Dorn, a left-handed hitter, has spent the past eight seasons in Triple-A and he’s known as an offense-only, organizational player. He was in the Reds organization from 2006 until his release in mid-2012, when he signed with the Tigers. He swatted a career-high 25 HR in 2013 in the Detroit organization before signing with Arizona in 2013. Dorn is a disciplined hitter with plenty of bat speed and above-average natural strength. Outside of his bat, though, he offers little value. He is a very poor runner on base and in the field and his lack of defensive talent relegates him to LF and 1B. Dorn has a strong arm, but poor range makes him a liability. It is possible he could carve out a role as a pinch-hitter, but there isn’t much to get excited about here. Dorn is a career .280/.360/.493 hitter in the minors. (JD)
2014 STATS: Reno (AAA) – 247 AB, .304/.380/.551, 13 2b, 12 HR, 0.56 Eye, 1 SB
CURRENT ROLE: Reserve OF/1B
POTENTIAL: Reserve OF/1B
RATING: 5D

Ian Thomas (LHP, ATL)
The Braves promoted the 28-year-old from Triple-A after Andrew McKirahan was suspended 80 games for performance-enhancing drugs. Thomas is a tall and strong reliever who earned big league time in 2014. He’s shown a solid ability to miss bats despite no plus offerings and he can be tough to make hard contact against. His fastball sits in the low-90s mph and he throws with deceptive arm action. This allows his change-up to be an effective weapon against right-handed hitters. He has the confidence to use the change-up in any count, though his slider is more of a fringy offering at present. Thomas pitched for 3 ½ seasons in independent ball before signing with the Braves in May 2012. He’s spent most of his time in the bullpen, though has the durability and stamina to make spot starts. He’ll need to shore up his control if he wants to be used in high-leverage situations. Thomas has a 3.96 ERA, 3.0 Ctl, and 10.8 Dom for his career. (JD)
2014 STATS: Atlanta (NL) – 16 g, 1-2, 4.22 ERA, 10.2 IP, 5.1 Ctl, 11.0 Dom, 0 HR, .250 oppBA
Gwinnett (AA) – 6 g, 0-1, 3.95 ERA, 13.2 IP, 3.3 Ctl, 10.5 Dom, 1 HR, .245 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Long reliever / #5 starter
RATING: 6B

Cam Bedrosian (RHP, LAA)
To provide depth to a taxed bullpen, the Angels recalled the 23-year-old from Triple-A. Bedrosian had a breakout season in 2014, pitching on four levels, including the big leagues. Because of Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2011 season, he was moved to the bullpen full-time in 2013. He is all about power and posting very high strikeout rates. He establishes the plate with a 92-97 mph fastball that has explosive late life. He also uses two breaking balls—a power slider and developing curve ball. Bedrosian doesn’t change speeds much, but he doesn’t have to. He got into trouble in the bigs pitching up in the zone too often, but his stuff generally lives in the lower half of the strike zone. He can sometimes nibble at the corners too often as well. Bedrosian has exciting potential as a late-innings reliever and could eventually grow into a big league closer. He’ll need to harness his arm strength and develop better fastball command. He has a career 4.53 ERA, 4.5 Ctl, and 9.9 Dom in the minors. (JD)
2014 STATS: Los Angeles (AL) – 17 g, 0-1, 6.52 ERA, 19.1 IP, 5.6 Ctl, 9.3 Dom, 2 HR, .288 oppBA
Salt Lake (AAA) – 8 g, 1-1, 7.71 ERA, 7 IP, 6 BB, 10 K, 0 HR, .192 oppBA
Arkansas (AA) – 30 g, 1-0, 1.11 ERA, 15 sv, 32.1 IP, 2.8 Ctl, 15.9 Dom, 1 HR, .097 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Middle reliever
POTENTIAL: Closer
RATING: 7B

 

April 21, 2015

Carlos Rodón (LHP, CHW)
One of the top pitching prospects in the game gets his chance now that the White Sox have called up 22-year-old Carlos Rodón. The 6' 3", 235-pound Rodon has the size and arm strength to be a durable power pitcher in the big leagues. His fastball (reaching 97 mph) and slider (mid-80s) are both plus (if not plus-plus) pitches, with a change-up that is developing and effective against RHB. Rodon pitches aggressively to both sides of the plate and gets gaudy strikeout numbers (13.4 Dom in his minor league career), although he also walks a few too many (4.5 Ctl). The White Sox seem to be taking the Chris Sale approach with Rodon for now, putting him in the bullpen for his initial role. That will help keep his innings down for the year, but Rodon has the stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation starter once he gets his chance. He is now just an injury (or perhaps just weeks) away from starting, but in the meantime should be a dynamite bullpen arm. In parts of two seasons in the minors his ERA was 3.15 with a 1.311 WHIP and a Cmd of 3.00 in 34.1 IP. (NR)
2014 STATS: (Three teams between Rk, A+ and AAA) – 2.96 ERA, 24.1 IP, 4.8 Ctl, 14.1 Dom, .215 oppBA
CURRENT ROLE: Bullpen
POTENTIAL: #2 Starter
RATING: 9C

 

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