By Jake Seiner / MiLB.com
MiLB.com game stories:
Dodgers SS Corey Seager goes long twice, stays red hot
Red Sox RHP Anthony Ranaudo in control for Pawtucket
Braves RHP Tyler Brosius tosses six hitless in third career start
Rangers RHP Alec Asher works perfectly into fifth
Brewers RHP Jimmy Nelson stellar out of bullpen
Twins 1B Kennys Vargas launches grand slam, drives in six
Mets RHP Gabriel Ynoa strikes out career-high 11
Royals 1B Matt Fields clubs two long balls for Storm Chasers
Cardinals LHP Jimmy Reed using ‘closer mentality’ in starting role
Giants SS Juan Ciriaco goes 5-for-5 for Grizzlies
Other top prospect performances:
Pirates OF Gregory Polanco, Triple-A Indianapolis: 1-for-3, HR, RBI, R, 2 BB — The long ball was Polnco’s seventh of the season and just his third since the start of May. The outfielder could hit for more power down the road. Over his past 10 games, Polanco has four walks and just one strikeout.
Red Sox C Christian Vazquez, Triple-A Pawtucket: 2-for-5, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, K — Vazquez is perhaps the best catch-and-throw backstop in the Minors and he’s developing the rest of his defensive game. If he can hit at all in the Majors, he should be a starting catcher. The home run was just his first this year, though, boosting his triple-slash to .266/.312/.364.
Cubs SS Javier Baez, Triple-A Iowa: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 K — Baez hasn’t entirely righted the ship just yet, striking out 13 times over his past 10 games with just this home run to show for it. Stillit’s all been uphill since April, when the infielder hit .172 in 15 games.
Indians OF Tyler Naquin, Double-A Akron: 3-for-5, HR, 2 R, RBI, K, SB — It’s been a good week for Naquin, who is 16-for-36 in his past eight games, including an inside-the-park homer on Friday (clocked Naquin at 15.44 seconds home-to-home, by the way). The 23-year-old has developed himself into a quality centerfielder with one of the Minors’ best arms and he’s slashing .310/.369/.424.
Yankees 2B Robert Refsnyder, Double-A Trenton: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI — Refsnyder has developed into one of the best hitters in the Yankees’ farm system and has been especially hot of late, batting .500 in his past 10 games with 12 extra-base hits and a 1.440 OPS. Yankees second basemen are hitting .236 with two homers in the Majors this year, so Refsnyder could get a look in New York by year’s end.
White Sox RHP Francellis Montas, Class A Advanced Winston-Salem: 7 IP, 8 H, BB, 6 K — On the pitching side, Montas might be the biggest breakout prospect in the Minor Leagues this year. Acquired in the Jake Peavy trade, Montas came armed with a big fastball but minimal command. This year, he’s walked just six over 44 innings while still featuring blow-away heat. Heck of a find and development job so far by the White Sox.
Twins RHP Jose Berrios, Class A Advanced Fort Myers: 8 IP, 8H, 3 R, 2 ER, 9 K — Berrios continues to blow away Florida State League pitchers, posting 39 strikeouts and four walks over his past four starts. This was his longest stint of the season, as well. Also of note was another home run for Adam Brett Walker II, who now has 13 long balls in one of the tougher hitting environments in the Minors.
Braves RHP Wes Parsons, Class A Advanced Lynchburg: 7 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 8 K — The 21 year old has gone seven innings in consecutive starts. Parsons is a fascinating story, having first played golf in college before jumping back to baseball a few years later. Nobody finds these guys quite like the Braves, who also found guys like Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy, Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons.
Padres RHP Joe Ross, Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore: 6 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 7 K — The 21 year old has a 2.82 ERA with 69 strikeouts, 18 walks and two homers allowed through 73 1/3 innings. Per MLBFarm.com, Ross is inducing ground balls at a 52.88-percent clip. Good way to succeed in the Cal League.
Rangers INF Travis Demeritte, Class A Hickory: 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, K — Demeritte has struggled with managing the strike zone but has shown good power with 13 long balls, including four in his past seven games. Last year’s 30th overall Draft pick is still very intriguing at this point, although there’s a long way to go.
