Joshua James (Lancaster) is starting to become a real prospect. He is a little old for his level but has been mowing down hitters in a hitters paradise.
Several guys in Lancaster's rotation making noise but have no chance to get hype until they repeat the good numbers in AA. James, Deetz, Dykxhoorn, Armenteros, and Thornton all could be justified to move up to Corpus if there was room. I'd bet at least 1 of those guys breaks out next season into a fringe Top 100 prospect.
23 is old for the California League? Too bad that there isn't any space in Corpus for Josh James at the moment; he's definitely in line for a 2nd-half promotion.
D.J. Fisher's 12th home run: <blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's Fisher's 2-run HR to take the lead in the 1st. His 12th of the year, putting him tied for 2nd most in league. <a href="https://t.co/du8D2mKDxN">pic.twitter.com/du8D2mKDxN</a></p>— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleKIII) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanSteeleKIII/status/742879813065670657">June 15, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tri-City is currently playing a scrimmage against the Albany Dutchmen of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RHP Erasmo Pinales delivering the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/firstpitch?src=hash">#firstpitch</a> of the 'Cats <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2016season?src=hash">#2016season</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosGatos?src=hash">#VamosGatos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosBeisbol?src=hash">#VamosBeisbol</a> <a href="https://t.co/JMvf15Xa2o">pic.twitter.com/JMvf15Xa2o</a></p>— Tri-City ValleyCats (@ValleyCats) <a href="https://twitter.com/ValleyCats/status/743102188944293888">June 15, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Teoscar Hernandez has a couple of 2-run homers tonight against Arlington's AA team. Also real nice to see Francis Martes shake off his slow start to the season.
Teoscar Hernandez is 3 for 5 with 2 HRs tonight. And can someone give details on Alejandro Garcia? Only 64 ABs this year but he has a BA over .300 right now.
Garcia was an older Cuban prospect who was given a pretty sizable bonus ($900k Iirc). He was described as a good defender capable of playing center, and a good hitter that lacked power. He has played mostly the corners so far in the minors, so I think his best case is as a high average, high OBP guy who can play good defense in LF, or as a 4th OF. I was high on him as a breakout candidate coming into this season but not seeing him get much time in CF limits his ceiling quite a bit given his complete lack of power.
A player who can get on base and hit for average is the kind of player this line up needs. Almost a Mark Loretta type, even if Garcia has less power. There's enough pop in this lineup, it needs a couple of players that can transform that pop from solo shots to 2-3 run shots.
Garcia hasn't walked much so far. In AA (small sample alert) he has walked 1 time in 61 PA. Over his short minor league career his walk rate is around 2%. He doesn't strike out a ton but still around 15%. So he's a contact hitter with no power but his contact tool doesn't appear to be elite. If his defense is limited to LF he's going to have a really hard time justifying an everyday role. And at his age it's unlikely he will be able to add enough power or change his approach enough to take the next step as a prospect. He may see time in the majors but at this point he is a C/C+ grade prospect.
