7/24 SUNNNY SUNDAY MINORS THREAD: What Night Saturday was!

[rico43]

Since there was little to nothing about it on the thread, we wanted to take one last look at Saturday's offensive onslaught.

The seven Braves farm teams scored a total of 58 runs Saturday, with that including 2-1 win for Gwinnett and 3-0 win for Mississippi. Four teams scored double digits, another scored nine. Two teams enjoyed multi-pitcher shutouts (Sims and Weigel plus bullpen).

Names you may not know: catcher-first baseman Isaias Tejeda, 24, signed out of Indy ball, has 24 RBIs in his first 25 games, including 13 XBH (four homers) for Carolina -- a team that badly needed an offensive bump. And he's hitting only .233.

Jared James (Dion's son) with Danville has smoked it at a .345 clip with only nine strikeouts and seven walks in 16 games so far. Overall, his walk total is a as match (12/12) to his strikeouts in 24 games.

Name you ought to know: Braxton Davidson has 10 RBIs in his last seven games for Carolina.

Mississippi's Dustin Peterson had driven in 20 runs in 21 games so far in July, matching his June output. But he's hit .349 for this month after hitting .320 for June.

Austin Riley is batting .269 for July after a solid .293 June. But the good news is that his strikeouts are down, 16 in 18 games after striking out 30 times or more in both April and May.

---------------------

SUNDAY'S MINOR LEAGUE GAMES

CLASS AAA

Gwinnett 2, Buffalo 1

WP: C.Kelly (3-6) 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Janas 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Roney (Save, 3) 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K

Kazmar 2-4, 2 RBI
Ruiz 1-4, 2B, R
Lipka 1-4

CLASS AA

Mississippi 8, Tennessee 5

SP: Newcomb 6 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 5 BB, 3 K
WP: Phillips (BS, 2-1) 1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Morris 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Younginer (Save, 13) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Albies 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB (.372)
Peterson 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI (.296)
Lien 1-4, R, BB
Swanson 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Franco 3-4, 2 RBI

ADVANCED CLASS A

Lynchburg 5, Carolina 2

LP: Beech (2-4) 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
McLaughlin 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tejeda 2-3, R, BB
Curcio 1-3, RBI
Gebhardt 1-3, RBI (back from DL)

CLASS Aa

West Virginia 2, Rome 0

LP: Sanchez (5-8) 4.1 IP, 6 H, 0 ER(2R), 1 BB, 1 K, HBP
Caicedo 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Custred 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 K
Graham 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Riley 1-3, BB
Neslony 1-3

SHORT-SEASON

Princeton 5, Danville 2

LP: Martinez (2-2) 4.2 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Walker 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Webb 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Cockrell 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Mooney 3-5, 2 2B, R (.306)
Moss 2-4 (.312)
Gonzalez 1-4, 2B (.264)
O'Malley 1-2, 2 BB

--------------

GCL, DSL idle

[zbhargrove]

Dustin Peterson just ballin out! 2-2 again so far with a double and an RBI... Swanson with a big 2 RBI double and Albies 1-2. I usually seem to jinx Newcomb when I say something positive about him, so I'm saying nothing.

[zbhargrove]

I think Peterson's discovered something... I can't wait to watch his progression.

[nsacpi]

I think Peterson's discovered something... I can't wait to watch his progression.

AA is a key hurdle for prospects and he's passed it with flying colors.

[zbhargrove]

Newcomb again starts strong and then flounders... 5 walks in 6 innings.... 4 ER, 3 K's

[nsacpi]

Another routine night for Albies. Single, walk and double in 5 PAs.

[IslandBrave]

I think Peterson's discovered something... I can't wait to watch his progression.

3-4 now with 2 2B. .296 for the year with 29
Doubles.

[Southcack77]

AA is a key hurdle for prospects and he's passed it with flying colors.

Yeah, I think he's a potential quality piece of the puzzle. It's still early, but he's done nothing but improve.

[Hudson2]

Peterson stings the ball on almost every swing.

[Garmel]

After two good months Peterson should be promoted to Gwinnett. Nothing more to prove at AA.

[mfree80]

After two good months Peterson should be promoted to Gwinnett. Nothing more to prove at AA.

Careful.... In another thread last week we were assured that any team that would count on D. Peterson in any major role would never be competitive.

I agree with you by the way!!!

[Garmel]

Careful.... In another thread last week we were assured that any team that would count on D. Peterson in any major role would never be competitive.

I agree with you by the way!!!

Yeah, too many people here talk in absolutes. It's still too early to say which way he will go in his career. I believe he will be a 4th outfielder but he could end up being much more than that.

[Enscheff]

Careful.... In another thread last week we were assured that any team that would count on D. Peterson in any major role would never be competitive.

I agree with you by the way!!!

Shall we make a bet? I'll put the over/under on Peterson's total WAR during his first 6 years of team control at 11.5.

An average player will produce 12 WAR in 6 seasons.

[chop2chip]

Shall we make a bet? I'll put the over/under on Peterson's total WAR during his first 6 years of team control at 11.5.

An average player will produce 12 WAR in 6 seasons.

Under... It's actually very impressive to be an average major league player.

[sturg33]

Newcomb's lack of success is starting to become worrisome.

[TheBravos]

I just seems like he is having a bad inning a game. That seems like it's an adjustment problem. It is strange though.

[zbhargrove]

Shall we make a bet? I'll put the over/under on Peterson's total WAR during his first 6 years of team control at 11.5.

An average player will produce 12 WAR in 6 seasons.

You just refuse to admit that a guy who was a second rounder and is playing against mostly older competition and has a .800 OPS can be a good MLB player. Dude's having a breakout at 21 in AA and you give him no chance. That's really strange. I think you need to look at his stats this year and his progression a little closer.

.296/.357/.446/.803, 8 Homers, 68 RBIS, 29 Doubles, 32 Walks, 66 Strikeouts, .150 ISO

If you can't see upside in those numbers for a 21 year old in AA, I can't help you.

[zbhargrove]

Newcomb's lack of success is starting to become worrisome.

It is, but like TheBravos said... it seems like he looks dominant for most of his starts and then always has one blow up inning... just seems like there's a fix in there somewhere.

[auyushu]

You just refuse to admit that a guy who was a second rounder and is playing against mostly older competition and has a .800 OPS can be a good MLB player.

Producing almost 2 WAR a season for his first 6 seasons isn't a good MLB player? The hyperbole in this thread is getting kinda ridiculous.

[striker42]

It is, but like TheBravos said... it seems like he looks dominant for most of his starts and then always has one blow up inning... just seems like there's a fix in there somewhere.

Yeah, it really seems like his mechanics get all out of whack and he loses his release point at times. When that happens he ends up walking everyone and giving up the big inning. When he's repeating his delivery well he's virtually unhittable.

It reminds me of a young Craig Kimbrel. When Kimbrel came up he would either have his mechanics in sync and overpower you or they would be off, he wouldn't be able to find a consistent release point, and he would miss by feet.

This is the most fixable cause of control issues. A lot of times it just takes reps. Newcomb was a cold weather pitcher and two sport athlete. It's not surprising he'd need refining with his mechanics. I just hope the lightbulb eventually comes on.

[Tapate50]

You just refuse to admit that a guy who was a second rounder and is playing against mostly older competition and has a .800 OPS can be a good MLB player. Dude's having a breakout at 21 in AA and you give him no chance. That's really strange. I think you need to look at his stats this year and his progression a little closer.

.296/.357/.446/.803, 8 Homers, 68 RBIS, 29 Doubles, 32 Walks, 66 Strikeouts, .150 ISO

If you can't see upside in those numbers for a 21 year old in AA, I can't help you.

My man DP sporting a .450 avg over his last 10. :HeywardWut:

[zbhargrove]

Producing almost 2 WAR a season for his first 6 seasons isn't a good MLB player? The hyperbole in this thread is getting kinda ridiculous.

I'm just basing it off the language he used... "average"... I think Peterson has the potential easily be an above average player.

[sturg33]

Yeah, it really seems like his mechanics get all out of whack and he loses his release point at times. When that happens he ends up walking everyone and giving up the big inning. When he's repeating his delivery well he's virtually unhittable.

It reminds me of a young Craig Kimbrel. When Kimbrel came up he would either have his mechanics in sync and overpower you or they would be off, he wouldn't be able to find a consistent release point, and he would miss by feet.

This is the most fixable cause of control issues. A lot of times it just takes reps. Newcomb was a cold weather pitcher and two sport athlete. It's not surprising he'd need refining with his mechanics. I just hope the lightbulb eventually comes on.

I don't know if you've seen him pitch, or making assumptions... but the scouting reports I've read says his mechanics are basically perfect, and is not an obvious opportunity to improve.

[zbhargrove]

I don't know if you've seen him pitch, or making assumptions... but the scouting reports I've read says his mechanics are basically perfect, and is not an obvious opportunity to improve.

I think that's kind of his point... his mechanics are great usually... but it seems like one inning a game they just all the sudden go out of whack briefly.

[sturg33]

I think that's kind of his point... his mechanics are great usually... but it seems like one inning a game they just all the sudden go out of whack briefly.

Right... so is he saying that from watching his games? Or just guessing?

[auyushu]

I'm just basing it off the language he used... "average"... I think Peterson has the potential easily be an above average player.

He put the over/under at 11.5 WAR over 6 seasons, that means he thinks he will be a just under 2 WAR a year player on average. And that is an average to slightly above average player. The point he has been making, and that I have agreed with, is that a 2 WAR player in LF combined with Mallex and Inciarte isn't going to really improve our offense much. And we need a huge jolt offensively since we are the worst offense in baseball and it's not even close.

Now hopefully he keeps improving and becomes a 3 WAR guy with low .800ish OPS in the majors, that would be really nice to see. But at this moment in time I don't think anyone could consider that the likely outcome, even if it's possible.

[Enscheff]

I'm just basing it off the language he used... "average"... I think Peterson has the potential easily be an above average player.

2 WAR per season is the very definition of "average". It is literally in the official explanation of WAR. You think he will be better than that. I think he will be worse, so I offered to make a friendly wager.

Nothing I have read or seen tells me he has "the potential easily be an above average player". That is a 3+ WAR player. Swanson has the ability to be a 3+ WAR player. Albies has the tools for 4+ WAR. Dustin Peterson has the tools of a below average player who probably ends up as a bench bat or starter on a bad team (a role 40 player).

I fail to see how pegging a guy to be an average MLB player is bashing him. Further, I fail to see why it makes you so upset.

[zbhargrove]

Peterson .131 wRC+

Big pitchers park too...

[zbhargrove]

2 WAR per season is the very definition of "average". It is literally in the official explanation of WAR. You think he will be better than that. I think he will be worse, so I offered to make a friendly wager.

Nothing I have read or seen tells me he has "the potential easily be an above average player". That is a 3+ WAR player. Swanson has the ability to be a 3+ WAR player. Albies has the tools for 4+ WAR. Dustin Peterson has the tools of a below average player who probably ends up as a bench bat or starter on a bad team (a role 40 player).

I fail to see how pegging a guy to be an average MLB player is bashing him. Further, I fail to see why it makes you so upset.

This is not a knock on Swanson because I'm a big fan of his too... but these guys are playing at the same level and Peterson is younger.

Peterson wRC+ .131
Swanson wRC+ .118

This would put Peterson somewhere in between the categories of above average and great

As a second round pick, I think Peterson has better tools than you're giving him credit for. Its just taken him a while to start getting it.

[Preacher]

This is not a knock on Swanson because I'm a big fan of his too... but these guys are playing at the same level and Peterson is younger.

Peterson wRC+ .131
Swanson wRC+ .118

This would put Peterson somewhere in between the categories of above average and great

As a second round pick, I think Peterson has better tools than you're giving him credit for. Its just taken him a while to start getting it.

Yup.

[Enscheff]

This is not a knock on Swanson because I'm a big fan of his too... but these guys are playing at the same level and Peterson is younger.

Peterson wRC+ .131
Swanson wRC+ .118

This would put Peterson somewhere in between the categories of above average and great

As a second round pick, I think Peterson has better tools than you're giving him credit for. Its just taken him a while to start getting it.

One plays SS and one plays LF. I'm not sure why I would need to explain how "tools" encompasses more than the ability to hit. If you seriously think Swanson and Peterson have the same upside in terms of WAR, I don't really know what to say.

And Swanson is looking more like a 2-3 WAR player (as opposed to the star we thought he was going to be), so comparing the offensive output of a LFer to a good-not-great SS is a little silly.

It's fine, keep dreaming on Peterson to be the answer in LF to go along with Inciarte and Mallex. You are certainly allowed to think that OF combination is good enough to win anything. I personally do not, but to each their own.

[Deester11]

One plays SS and one plays LF. I'm not sure why I would need to explain how "tools" encompasses more than the ability to hit. If you seriously think Swanson and Peterson have the same upside in terms of WAR, I don't really know what to say.

And Swanson is looking more like a 2-3 WAR player (as opposed to the star we thought he was going to be), so comparing the offensive output of a LFer to a good-not-great SS is a little silly.

It's fine, keep dreaming on Peterson to be the answer in LF to go along with Inciarte and Mallex. You are certainly allowed to think that OF combination is good enough to win anything. I personally do not, but to each their own. Enscheff....I get what you're saying, but I'm in the camp that believes he'll be much better than a 4th OF. His scouting report from when he was drafted and went to the AFL, are spot on with where is projecting and for a kid that young to do it at AA is AT LEAST pretty darn good. Here's his report:

"Peterson is the type of hitter that will be able to extend the length of the lineup with good plate discipline and pitch recognition. He has the ability to make consistent contact, frequently hitting the ball solidly on the barrel of the bat. And he looks to take the pitch where it is thrown.
Only 18, at this early point of his development, Peterson has a nice, easy swing without trying to extend his capabilities and hit home runs. His swing is polished and mature. There is little movement in his setup, his trigger or at the point of contact regarding his hitting mechanics.
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Peterson's right-handed swing is measured and compact. He swings as though he is happy to be using the entire field. He's patient enough to realize his power will come in time as he fills out with more strength and muscle.
The key to Peterson at this stage is his ability to use his strong hands and quick wrists to get through the ball quickly and with good extension. As I saw when I scouted him in Arizona, he is hitting line drives without much loft or backspin on the ball. Those components generally develop at full maturity." - Bernie Pleskoff MLB.Com

To each his own, but I'm in his camp. Seeing him three times this year...he's barrels balls slightly less than Albies who IMHO does it better than any position player we have.

[zbhargrove]

One plays SS and one plays LF. I'm not sure why I would need to explain how "tools" encompasses more than the ability to hit. If you seriously think Swanson and Peterson have the same upside in terms of WAR, I don't really know what to say.

And Swanson is looking more like a 2-3 WAR player (as opposed to the star we thought he was going to be), so comparing the offensive output of a LFer to a good-not-great SS is a little silly.

It's fine, keep dreaming on Peterson to be the answer in LF to go along with Inciarte and Mallex. You are certainly allowed to think that OF combination is good enough to win anything. I personally do not, but to each their own.

I never said anything about the OF being Peterson, Inciarte, and Mallex but thanks for putting those words into my mouth. If I had my way (and if Peterson worked out), I'd like to see Peterson in left, Inciarte or Mallex and center (the other one traded), and a big power bat in RF

[bravesfanMatt]

Enscheff....I get what you're saying, but I'm in the camp that believes he'll be much better than a 4th OF. His scouting report from when he was drafted and went to the AFL, are spot on with where is projecting and for a kid that young to do it at AA is AT LEAST pretty darn good. Here's his report:

"Peterson is the type of hitter that will be able to extend the length of the lineup with good plate discipline and pitch recognition. He has the ability to make consistent contact, frequently hitting the ball solidly on the barrel of the bat. And he looks to take the pitch where it is thrown.
Only 18, at this early point of his development, Peterson has a nice, easy swing without trying to extend his capabilities and hit home runs. His swing is polished and mature. There is little movement in his setup, his trigger or at the point of contact regarding his hitting mechanics.
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Peterson's right-handed swing is measured and compact. He swings as though he is happy to be using the entire field. He's patient enough to realize his power will come in time as he fills out with more strength and muscle.
The key to Peterson at this stage is his ability to use his strong hands and quick wrists to get through the ball quickly and with good extension. As I saw when I scouted him in Arizona, he is hitting line drives without much loft or backspin on the ball. Those components generally develop at full maturity." - Bernie Pleskoff MLB.Com

To each his own, but I'm in his camp. Seeing him three times this year...he's barrels balls slightly less than Albies who IMHO does it better than any position player we have.

I also saw D. Pete twice this year and he struck me as the best hitter on the field.. either team. He doesn't swing hard but the ball just jumps off his bat. I think with a bit more effort he would have more homeruns. But what I saw was a guy who could just make a pitcher work. He is going to be better than just average when he puts it all together. Some of his At bats were just amazing. Never swung at a 'pithcers' pitch, but even his outs, he had at least one line drive foul. It is easy to box score scout a guy (we all do with most of our prospects).. but if you see him hit, you would see what people are saying that he is going to be good one day.

[Enscheff]

"Peterson is the type of hitter that will be able to extend the length of the lineup with good plate discipline and pitch recognition.

A LFer who is "able to extend the length of the lineup" is pretty much the alternate definition of "average player". That's a LFer who bats 6th or 7th. That's a 2 WAR guy. That's an average player.

Again, nothing in that report suggests a 3+ WAR player.

[zbhargrove]

His performance this year rockets him up our prospects list if he keeps it up, IMO

[Enscheff]

I also saw D. Pete twice this year and he struck me as the best hitter on the field.. either team. He doesn't swing hard but the ball just jumps off his bat. I think with a bit more effort he would have more homeruns. But what I saw was a guy who could just make a pitcher work. He is going to be better than just average when he puts it all together. Some of his At bats were just amazing. Never swung at a 'pithcers' pitch, but even his outs, he had at least one line drive foul. It is easy to box score scout a guy (we all do with most of our prospects).. but if you see him hit, you would see what people are saying that he is going to be good one day.

I hope you're right. I hope he turns into a 3+ WAR guy that allows the Braves to have a 12+ WAR OF of Peterson, Mallex and some stud in RF.

I'll put you down in the "over 11.5 WAR" camp.

[bravesfanMatt]

I hope you're right. I hope he turns into a 3+ WAR guy that allows the Braves to have a 12+ WAR OF of Peterson, Mallex and some stud in RF.

I'll put you down in the "over 11.5 WAR" camp.

I am fine with that.

[striker42]

I don't know if you've seen him pitch, or making assumptions... but the scouting reports I've read says his mechanics are basically perfect, and is not an obvious opportunity to improve.

I've watched a good bit of video and read up on him a good bit. When Newcomb is on, his mechanics are perfect and his control is spot on. So it's not something that's wrong with his actual pitching mechanics. When he gets into trouble is when things get out of sync causing him to lose his release point and get very wild. It's when his mechanics are messed up that he has issues.

There's a quote from the Angels manager when he got sent down from ST last year where the manager was very complimentary and said he just has to be able to find a consistent release point.

[Deester11]

I hope you're right. I hope he turns into a 3+ WAR guy that allows the Braves to have a 12+ WAR OF of Peterson, Mallex and some stud in RF.

I'll put you down in the "over 11.5 WAR" camp.
Count me in. I don't know if I'm driving the bus, but I've got a front row seat.

[yeezus]

I'm not worried about Swanson or Peterson or Newcomb, really at all. Call me crazy.

[UNCBlue012]

I'm not even remotely worried. Swanson looks tired, Peterson is on fire and I love Newcomb. He has his command issues, but his upside is so high and he's not exactly too old lol