Midseason Review: Position-By-Position Prospect Audit

By Matt Eddy
July 11, 2012

One of the great challenges in evaluating prospects is placing minor league performance in context. For example, we know the California League favors offense to a much greater extent than does the Florida State League. Both leagues operate at the high Class A level, yet a player with a .700 OPS in the FSL has attained the league average, while in the Cal League he's 63 points below the norm and, if he's not a star catcher or middle infielder, he's probably watching most games from the bench.

Still, there's something spellbinding about key performance barometers—such as a .300 average or double-digit home run totals—that cloud our interpretation of minor league statistics. Consider that as of Independence Day, 17 qualified Cal Leaguers had hit .300 this season, while the number of .300 hitters in the Florida State League was less than half that (eight). Ten or more homers? The ranks numbered 28 in the Cal League, while just nine players had reached double digits in the FSL, and that league's leader—Jupiter's Marcell Ozuna (Marlins) with 16—would have ranked sixth in the Cal League. It's not a matter of sheer volume, either. Despite having one-third as many double-digit sluggers, the FSL actually has two more teams than does the Cal League. 

As a general rule of thumb, the California and Pacific Coast leagues hover in an orbit far removed from the other eight full-season leagues when it comes to sheer offense, with averages of 5.4 and 5.3 runs per game. The Texas and South Atlantic leagues are essentially at the minor league average, while the Eastern, Carolina and Southern leagues favor pitchers. The Midwest League favors them a bit more, and the International League a little more still. At the far end of the spectrum is the Florida State League, which favors pitchers most of all and features about 4.4 runs per game. (For more on minor league context, please see this feature from last fall.)

In an attempt to quantify prospect performance, then, we've endeavored to place in minor league context all the players from our most recent Prospect Handbook and then stack them up position by position. To do this, we took all first-half statistics (through June 19, the date by which six of 10 full-season leagues have played their all-star games, after which many players earned promotions) and determined the number of runs above or below average (RAA) each player contributed based on league run-scoring context. Thanks to the fine work at FanGraphs, we had an easy-to-reference framework for making these calculations. In a nutshell, each player's contributions—singles, walks, home runs, stolen bases, etc.—are weighted based on the expected number of runs produced and then scaled to his number of plate appearances. That quotient is then compared with the league average (or averages, if the player has played in multiple leagues) in a two-step process you can read much more about here.

Please don't fixate on the RAA tallies below. "Average" is a difficult standard to meet, especially for players who are young for their level of competition, so any player who hovers near "0" is not necessarily in danger of demotion or release. Plus, a productive second half could change the complexion of any season. We're most interested in the players at the extremes with large positive or large negative RAA values. That's why we don't present all 900 players from the Handbook; instead we've opted to include the top 10 or so prospects in the minors at each position (In The Black) and the bottom 10 or so at each position (In The Red) based on RAA values. 

The positions are presented from most demanding (where even good teams may sacrifice offense for strong defense) to least demanding (where the offensive expectations can be enormous for players on first-division clubs). Note that RAA totals encompass two league contexts in the case of the following players: Nick Castellanos, Evan Gattis, Wil Myers and Joey Terdoslavich.

CATCHER PROSPECTS

IN THE BLACK
CATCHER	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Evan Gattis	25	Braves	Mississippi	SL	AA	163	.336	.417	.714	22
Travis d'Arnaud	23	Blue Jays	Las Vegas	PCL	AAA	280	.336	.386	.598	20
Will Swanner	20	Rockies	Asheville	SAL	LoA	171	.333	.418	.612	17
Gary Sanchez	19	Yankees	Charleston	SAL	LoA	252	.313	.361	.545	16
Chun Chen	23	Indians	Akron	EL	AA	274	.318	.405	.427	13
Ryan Lavarnway	24	Red Sox	Pawtucket	IL	AAA	237	.292	.384	.460	10
David Freitas	23	Nationals	Potomac	CAR	HiA	197	.291	.401	.406	8
Welington Castillo	25	Cubs	Iowa	PCL	AAA	79	.328	.468	.590	8
Rob Brantly	22	Tigers	Erie	EL	AA	245	.314	.363	.438	7
Yasmani Grandal	23	Padres	Tucson	PCL	AAA	198	.291	.399	.485	7
Carlos Perez	21	Blue Jays	Lansing	MWL	LoA	237	.271	.353	.433	7

Evan Gattis hit .385 with power in 21 Carolina League games prior to a bump to Double-A, where he authored a .928 OPS in 16 games before straining tendons in his wrist. Given his age, 25, and the fact that he's learning to play left field (and also lists first base on his résumé), Gattis could be close to seeing big league time once he mends . . . A torn posterior cruciate ligament in his knee will keep Travis d'Arnaud off the field for six weeks to two months, potentially delaying his big league debut with Toronto until next season. He mashed even away from his home base of Las Vegas this season, batting .343/.381/.577 with seven of 16 homers . . . Most Asheville players receive a significant power boost from their home yard, but Will Swanner actually has batted .340/.421/.566 with four of 11 homers on the road, meaning his power is most likely legit . . . Chun Chen has spent all but seven games at first base or DH this season with Akron, so we're being generous by listing him at catcher.

IN THE RED
CATCHER	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Kyle Skipworth	22	Marlins	Jacksonville	SL	AA	222	.216	.279	.367	-5
Ramon Cabrera	22	Pirates	Altoona	EL	AA	192	.246	.305	.326	-6
Ryan Ortiz	24	Athletics	Midland	TL	AA	152	.167	.298	.270	-6
Pratt Maynard	22	Dodgers	Great Lakes	MWL	LoA	155	.219	.297	.270	-6
Tommy Joseph	20	Giants	Richmond	EL	AA	216	.246	.292	.347	-6
Mike Kvasnicka	23	Astros	Lexington	SAL	LoA	215	.218	.265	.386	-7
Christian Vazquez	21	Red Sox	Salem	CAR	HiA	215	.225	.310	.294	-7
Christian Bethancourt	20	Braves	Mississippi	SL	AA	155	.255	.283	.276	-8
Tomas Telis	21	Rangers	Myrtle Beach	CAR	HiA	249	.249	.286	.348	-8
Martin Maldonado	25	Brewers	Nashville	PCL	AAA	138	.198	.270	.347	-9

What's most puzzling about Martin Maldonado's Triple-A performance is that he's actually batted a respectable .255/.313/.406 with five homers in 118 trips to the plate in Milwaukee this season . . . Christian Vazquez's feel for the strike zone ought to allow him to pull out of his tailspin, and he had gotten off to a fine start in the second half with Salem.

SHORTSTOP PROSPECTS

IN THE BLACK
SHORTSTOP	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Brad Miller	22	Mariners	High Desert	CAL	HiA	322	.326	.414	.535	24
Billy Hamilton	21	Reds	Bakersfield	CAL	HiA	313	.322	.408	.441	21
Alen Hanson	19	Pirates	West Virginia	SAL	LoA	301	.316	.377	.561	18
Eugenio Suarez	20	Tigers	West Michigan	MWL	LoA	316	.311	.401	.449	18
Jason Martinson	23	Nationals	Hagerstown	SAL	LoA	321	.272	.391	.449	17
Nick Franklin	21	Mariners	Jackson	SL	AA	239	.322	.394	.502	15
Jurickson Profar	19	Rangers	Frisco	TL	AA	311	.290	.369	.476	14
Xander Bogaerts	19	Red Sox	Salem	CAR	HiA	271	.295	.369	.485	14
Chris Owings	20	D-backs	Visalia	CAL	HiA	257	.324	.362	.544	14
Trevor Story	19	Rockies	Asheville	SAL	LoA	265	.261	.355	.496	12
Jace Peterson	22	Padres	Fort Wayne	MWL	LoA	233	.277	.371	.416	12
Josh Rutledge	23	Rockies	Tulsa	TL	AA	304	.303	.336	.486	12
Javier Baez	19	Cubs	Peoria	MWL	LoA	76	.328	.421	.578	10

Pirates breakout prospect Alen Hanson has kept pace with Brad Miller and Billy Hamilton despite being two to three years younger and despite not benefiting from the extreme hitting conditions of the Cal League. Only Wil Myers and Miles Head have struck more extra-base hits this season than has Hanson, who has 50 . . . Indians top prospect Francisco Lindor finished just off the list with 8 RAA in 284 plate appearances for low Class A Lake County, but give him the playing-time edge and he's been just as impressive as fellow 2011 first-rounder Javier Baez of the Cubs.

IN THE RED
SHORTSTOP	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Dixon Machado	20	Tigers	Lakeland	FSL	HiA	247	.212	.313	.274	-9
Tony Wolters	20	Indians	Carolina	CAR	HiA	262	.224	.290	.325	-9
Carlos Triunfel	22	Mariners	Tacoma	PCL	AAA	283	.243	.305	.373	-9
Yordy Cabrera	21	Athletics	Stockton	CAL	HiA	106	.196	.264	.216	-10
Rosell Herrera	19	Rockies	Asheville	SAL	LoA	185	.211	.277	.295	-10
Mike Antonio	20	Royals	Kane County	MWL	LoA	273	.231	.267	.325	-11
Jeudy Valdez	23	Padres	San Antonio	TL	AA	271	.220	.270	.351	-11
Marco Hernandez	19	Cubs	Peoria	MWL	LoA	193	.215	.247	.294	-12
Ehire Adrianza	22	Giants	Richmond	EL	AA	248	.189	.273	.249	-15
Ozzie Martinez	24	White Sox	Charlotte	IL	AAA	186	.174	.224	.233	-17

One of the players received from the Marlins for manager Ozzie Guillen, Ozzie Martinez played his way right off Chicago's 40-man roster, and it will take a huge second half to play his way back into favor.

SECOND BASE PROSPECTS

IN THE BLACK
SECOND BASE	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Alex Castellanos	25	Dodgers	Albuquerque	PCL	AAA	137	.368	.445	.744	19
Kolten Wong	21	Cardinals	Springfield	TL	AA	284	.294	.363	.435	11
Danny Mateo	20	Royals	Kane County	MWL	LoA	293	.302	.366	.434	11
Ryan Brett	20	Rays	Bowling Green	MWL	LoA	248	.314	.363	.432	10
Eddie Rosario	20	Twins	Beloit	MWL	LoA	271	.293	.362	.473	10
Tommy La Stella	23	Braves	Lynchburg	CAR	HiA	268	.271	.372	.422	9
Rougned Odor	18	Rangers	Hickory	SAL	LoA	214	.293	.357	.482	8
Cord Phelps	25	Indians	Columbus	IL	AAA	300	.270	.350	.437	8
Delino DeShields	19	Astros	Lexington	SAL	LoA	309	.265	.369	.365	7
Tyler Bortnick	24	Rays	Montgomery	SL	AA	278	.253	.348	.394	7
Nicky Delmonico	19	Orioles	Delmarva	SAL	LoA	271	.264	.358	.421	7
Carlos Sanchez	20	White Sox	Winston-Salem	CAR	HiA	296	.327	.386	.412	7

If Alex Castellanos can prove his worth defensively at the keystone, then he could make for an attractive alternative to Elian Herrera or Ivan De Jesus Jr. as the Dodgers' long-term regular. Yes, Castellanos plays for Albuquerque, and no he's not a future Gold Glove winner, but give him credit for hitting .340 or better each month with an OPS north of 1.000 at every split (home/road, left/right) . . . The next wave of standout second-base prospects might be playing in the Midwest League right now, though they all have work to do on defense. The Royals' Danny Mateo plays almost as much third base as he does second, and the switch-hitter doesn't hit with much authority from the right side (.466 OPS), but scouts like his lefty swing. The Rays' Ryan Brett sports a career .308 average and has the speed to be a difference-maker on the bases. The Twins shifted Eddie Rosario from center field to second base this season and he hasn't lost an ounce of offensive production, though he will miss time in the second half after being struck in the face by a ball during batting practice.

IN THE RED
SECOND BASE	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Jon Schoop	20	Orioles	Bowie	EL	AA	252	.250	.308	.346	-5
Reese Havens	25	Mets	Binghamton	EL	AA	167	.174	.303	.290	-6
Brandon Loy	22	Tigers	West Michigan	MWL	LoA	286	.240	.300	.336	-6
Sean Coyle	20	Red Sox	Salem	CAR	HiA	267	.207	.281	.339	-6
Heiker Meneses	21	Red Sox	Salem	CAR	HiA	172	.230	.308	.296	-7
Adrian Sanchez	21	Nationals	Potomac	CAR	HiA	194	.256	.289	.344	-8
Ronald Torreyes	19	Cubs	Daytona	FSL	HiA	225	.225	.287	.305	-8
Noah Perio	20	Marlins	Jupiter	FSL	HiA	265	.239	.288	.305	-9
Hernan Perez	21	Tigers	Lakeland	FSL	HiA	241	.242	.276	.291	-10
Eric Farris	26	Brewers	Nashville	PCL	AAA	253	.245	.297	.275	-15

Reese Havens has managed to stay relatively healthy thus far, but his offensive production has been underwhelming given his pedigree (2008 first-rounder) and the fact that he's now older than the median Double-A age of 24 years old . . . Of all the things the Cubs might have expected to receive from 5-foot-9 sparkplug Ronald Torreyes, a .225 average wasn't one of them. Acquired from the Reds in the offseason Sean Marshall trade, Torreyes hit .356 last year in low Class A, demonstrating a feel for hitting that has deserted him thus far.

CENTER FIELD PROSPECTS

IN THE BLACK
CENTER FIELD	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Jackie Bradley	22	Red Sox	Salem	CAR	HiA	304	.359	.480	.526	33
Adam Eaton	23	D-backs	Reno	PCL	AAA	332	.378	.461	.510	29
Oscar Taveras	20	Cardinals	Springfield	TL	AA	292	.327	.384	.590	25
Matt den Dekker	24	Mets	Binghamton	EL	AA	299	.332	.389	.574	24
Jordan Danks	25	White Sox	Charlotte	IL	AAA	234	.302	.419	.516	19
George Springer	22	Astros	Lancaster	CAL	HiA	291	.303	.381	.559	19
Travis Witherspoon	23	Angels	Inland Empire	CAL	HiA	306	.319	.399	.470	16
Jared Mitchell	23	White Sox	Birmingham	SL	AA	287	.265	.394	.440	14
Christian Yelich	20	Marlins	Jupiter	FSL	HiA	184	.274	.350	.506	11
Brian Goodwin	21	Nationals	Hagerstown	SAL	LoA	148	.308	.429	.475	11
Xavier Avery	22	Orioles	Norfolk	IL	AAA	247	.272	.384	.406	11

Jackie Bradley leads the minors in on-base percentage, and it's safe to say he would have gone much higher than 40th overall in last year's draft had he been completely healthy as a South Carolina junior . . . An unheralded 19th-rounder from Miami (Ohio) in 2010, Adam Eaton has done nothing but hit since turning pro, batting .351/.456/.507 in more than 1,200 plate appearances. Playing in the Pioneer, California and now Pacific Coast leagues has helped, but a career as at least a quality backup or second-division starter awaits . . . The Mets bumped Matt den Dekker to Triple-A following a productive first half, and the Angels did the same with Travis Witherspoon, promoting him to Double-A.

IN THE RED
CENTER FIELD	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Aaron Shipman	20	Athletics	Burlington	MWL	LoA	193	.217	.323	.265	-6
Kevin Mattison	26	Marlins	New Orleans	PCL	AAA	267	.246	.317	.403	-8
Gary Brown	23	Giants	Richmond	EL	AA	315	.240	.316	.305	-10
Jake Skole	20	Rangers	Myrtle Beach	CAR	HiA	241	.199	.297	.282	-10
Chuckie Jones	19	Giants	Augusta	SAL	LoA	114	.129	.219	.228	-11
Kyrell Hudson	21	Phillies	Lakewood	SAL	LoA	206	.202	.262	.271	-11
Jordan Akins	20	Rangers	Hickory	SAL	LoA	230	.207	.235	.346	-12
Donavan Tate	21	Padres	Fort Wayne	MWL	LoA	194	.193	.280	.222	-12
Dave Sappelt	25	Cubs	Iowa	PCL	AAA	280	.236	.296	.331	-14
Mycal Jones	25	Braves	Mississippi	SL	AA	241	.194	.286	.233	-14

Gary Brown began to right the ship in June, but his first half was a huge disappointment on the heels of a dynamic .336/.407/.519 batting line with 53 steals last year in the Cal League. That same jump from San Jose to Richmond also tripped up Giants catching prospect Tommy Joseph (above) . . . The third pick in the 2009 draft, Donavan Tate stayed healthy for the first half but showed little of the power (one homer, six doubles) or speed (10 steals in 15 tries) that made him so attractive as an amateur. San Diego nevertheless moved him to high Class A Lake Elsinore at the end of June . . . Another piece of the Cubs-Reds offseason trade that sent Sean Marshall to Cincinnati, Triple-A center fielder Dave Sappelt spent the first half mired in a similar slump as second baseman Ronald Torreyes.

THIRD BASE PROSPECTS

IN THE BLACK
THIRD BASE	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Miles Head	21	Athletics	Stockton	CAL	HiA	293	.382	.433	.715	40
Mike Olt	23	Rangers	Frisco	TL	AA	300	.311	.420	.610	31
Nick Castellanos	20	Tigers	Lakeland	FSL	HiA	284	.376	.426	.506	30
Matt Skole	22	Nationals	Hagerstown	SAL	LoA	296	.296	.444	.540	27
Ryan Wheeler	23	D-backs	Reno	PCL	AAA	288	.371	.410	.575	20
Matt Davidson	21	D-backs	Mobile	SL	AA	290	.274	.379	.532	20
Miguel Sano	19	Twins	Beloit	MWL	LoA	296	.237	.351	.490	15
Jedd Gyorko	23	Padres	San Antonio	TL	AA	301	.294	.359	.500	15
Kaleb Cowart	20	Angels	Cedar Rapids	MWL	LoA	290	.293	.348	.479	13
Kyle Kubitza	21	Braves	Rome	SAL	LoA	276	.248	.370	.448	9

No other position but third base featured three prospects with 30 or more runs above average during the first half. All three play at the Double-A level, following the promotions of Miles Head (Athletics) to Midland and Nick Castellanos (Tigers) to Erie in June. Mike Olt has spent all year with Frisco, where he led the Texas League with 22 homers . . . For an illustration of league context on batting lines, consider the case of Diamondbacks hot-corner prospects Ryan Wheeler (Triple-A Pacific Coast League) and Matt Davidson (Double-A Southern League). Despite the fact that Wheeler's raw OPS for Reno was nearly 75 points higher than Davidson's mark for Mobile, each player contributed 20 RAA with the bat during the first half. Davidson actually had an edge in homers (15-9) and extra-base hits (33-31).

IN THE RED
THIRD BASE	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Brandon Laird	24	Yankees	Scranton/W-B	IL	AAA	277	.228	.292	.340	-7
Christian Villanueva	21	Rangers	Myrtle Beach	CAR	HiA	265	.251	.311	.372	-7
Jason Esposito	21	Orioles	Delmarva	SAL	LoA	270	.236	.300	.329	-8
Cheslor Cuthbert	19	Royals	Wilmington	CAR	HiA	246	.226	.297	.308	-8
Edinson Rincon	21	Padres	San Antonio	TL	AA	263	.252	.278	.356	-9
Zack Cox	23	Cardinals	Memphis	PCL	AAA	204	.219	.265	.370	-11
Maikel Franco	19	Phillies	Lakewood	SAL	LoA	260	.207	.269	.338	-12
Vinnie Catricala	23	Mariners	Tacoma	PCL	AAA	278	.224	.273	.340	-16
Matt Dominguez	22	Marlins	New Orleans	PCL	AAA	269	.221	.277	.336	-17
Brandon Drury	19	Braves	Rome	SAL	LoA	260	.187	.226	.270	-24

Two breakout prospects from 2011 have fallen on bleak times this season. The Braves' Brandon Drury ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Appalachian League last year—behind only the Twins' Miguel Sano—but he managed a mere .495 OPS for Rome during the first half. Drury's still young, and he started the second half in fine form by going 16-for-42 (.381) with four extra-base hits. The Mariners' Vinnie Catricala seemed like a 10th-round steal a year ago when he reached Double-A and put up a cumulative 1.021 OPS, but the hits haven't been falling in Triple-A, though he began July on an 8-for-22 (.364) kick . . . The Marlins recently included Matt Dominguez in their trade with the Astros for Carlos Lee.

CORNER OUTFIELD PROSPECTS

IN THE BLACK
CORNER OF	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Wil Myers	21	Royals	Omaha	PCL	AAA	288	.336	.413	.715	39
Tyler Austin	20	Yankees	Charleston	SAL	LoA	259	.336	.409	.655	31
Marc Krauss	24	D-backs	Mobile	SL	AA	281	.275	.395	.511	20
Roger Kieschnick	25	Giants	Fresno	PCL	AAA	231	.319	.390	.623	17
Blake Smith	24	Dodgers	Chattanooga	SL	AA	259	.298	.382	.480	15
Jorge Bonifacio	19	Royals	Kane County	MWL	LoA	295	.314	.369	.465	14
Scott Van Slyke	25	Dodgers	Albuquerque	PCL	AAA	187	.329	.412	.584	14
Oswaldo Arcia	21	Twins	Fort Myers	FSL	HiA	245	.306	.373	.519	14
Tyler Collins	22	Tigers	Lakeland	FSL	HiA	279	.299	.380	.422	13
Marcell Ozuna	21	Marlins	Jupiter	FSL	HiA	271	.258	.332	.500	12
Michael Taylor	26	Athletics	Sacramento	PCL	AAA	259	.316	.421	.460	12
Domingo Santana	19	Astros	Lancaster	CAL	HiA	226	.289	.363	.532	11
Bryce Brentz	23	Red Sox	Portland	EL	AA	257	.292	.346	.479	10
Nick Weglarz	24	Indians	Akron	EL	AA	196	.251	.357	.497	10
Drew Vettleson	20	Rays	Bowling Green	MWL	LoA	277	.289	.357	.434	9
Kole Calhoun	24	Angels	Salt Lake	PCL	AAA	219	.305	.370	.513	9
Cory Vaughn	23	Mets	St. Lucie	FSL	HiA	262	.227	.336	.440	9
Jarrett Parker	23	Giants	San Jose	CAL	HiA	218	.264	.392	.455	8
Rymer Liriano	21	Padres	Lake Elsinore	CAL	HiA	281	.304	.363	.458	8
Khris Davis	24	Brewers	Huntsville	SL	AA	86	.324	.442	.479	8

Given that he led the minors with 27 homers and that he's a 21-year-old who has thrived in Triple-A, the Royals' Wil Myers would have been a frontrunner for Minor League Player of the Year honors—at least through the date of the Futures Game. We'll see if he gets to add to his credentials in the second half or if Kansas City awaits.

IN THE RED
CORNER OF	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Ramon Flores	20	Yankees	Tampa	FSL	HiA	297	.264	.329	.347	-1
Jaff Decker	22	Padres	San Antonio	TL	AA	192	.181	.361	.289	-1
Kyle Jensen	24	Marlins	Jacksonville	SL	AA	262	.202	.309	.368	-2
Michael Crouse	21	Blue Jays	Dunedin	FSL	HiA	158	.212	.310	.328	-2
Juan Lagares	23	Mets	Binghamton	EL	AA	263	.264	.317	.356	-4
Oscar Tejeda	22	Red Sox	Portland	EL	AA	202	.253	.287	.389	-4
David Lough	26	Royals	Omaha	PCL	AAA	279	.273	.321	.418	-4
Randal Grichuk	20	Angels	Inland Empire	CAL	HiA	299	.263	.296	.417	-5
Adam Milligan	24	Braves	Lynchburg	CAR	HiA	235	.215	.286	.354	-6
J.B. Shuck	25	Astros	Okla. City	PCL	AAA	189	.284	.351	.331	-6
Jonathan Garcia	20	Dodgers	R. Cucamonga	CAL	HiA	186	.244	.263	.406	-8
Juan Duran	20	Reds	Bakersfield	CAL	HiA	204	.230	.275	.382	-8
Kevin Keyes	23	Nationals	Potomac	CAR	HiA	196	.188	.255	.358	-8
Guillermo Pimentel	19	Mariners	Clinton	MWL	LoA	195	.213	.262	.317	-8
Kent Matthes	25	Rockies	Tulsa	TL	AA	241	.191	.251	.364	-10
Chih-Hsien Chiang	24	Mariners	Jackson	SL	AA	247	.242	.273	.342	-10
Caleb Gindl	23	Brewers	Nashville	PCL	AAA	240	.229	.275	.363	-11
Francisco Peguero	24	Giants	Fresno	PCL	AAA	289	.245	.279	.390	-12
Yorman Rodriguez	19	Reds	Bakersfield	CAL	HiA	94	.156	.181	.200	-12
Chris Dominguez	25	Giants	Fresno	PCL	AAA	269	.221	.249	.295	-22

A pair of high-dollar international acquisitions have floundered in the first half at the low Class A level. Reds $2.5 million man Yorman Rodriguez (signed in 2008) earned a demotion back to Dayton following a .381 OPS effort in the Cal League. He's batting .258/.304/.376 in a four-year pro career. The Mariners signed Guillermo Pimentel for an even $2 million in '09 and he's flashed power (11 homers in the Appy League last year, for example), but not an excess of hitting prowess with a career .251/.288/.415 batting line . . . The Mariners acquired Chih-Hsien Chiang in the three-team deal last July that shipped Erik Bedard and Josh Fields to Boston, but he hit just .228 and slugged .294 in 309 plate appearances prior to being outrighted off Seattle's 40-man roster in June.  

FIRST BASE PROSPECTS

IN THE BLACK
FIRST BASE	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Jonathan Singleton	20	Astros	Corpus Christi	TL	AA	278	.281	.392	.494	16
Clint Robinson	27	Royals	Omaha	PCL	AAA	276	.319	.424	.513	16
O'Koyea Dickson	22	Dodgers	Great Lakes	MWL	LoA	165	.331	.442	.564	16
Lars Anderson	24	Red Sox	Pawtucket	IL	AAA	247	.266	.389	.478	14
Brandon Waring	26	Orioles	Bowie	EL	AA	249	.259	.363	.481	12
Tyler Moore	25	Nationals	Syracuse	IL	AAA	115	.307	.374	.653	12
Jesus Aguilar	22	Indians	Carolina	CAR	HiA	262	.291	.374	.463	11
Matt Adams	23	Cardinals	Memphis	PCL	AAA	152	.340	.375	.603	10
Hunter Morris	23	Brewers	Huntsville	SL	AA	277	.281	.339	.470	10
Mark Canha	23	Marlins	Jupiter	FSL	HiA	207	.297	.386	.429	9

The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo absolutely demolished the Pacific Coast League for the second consecutive season, putting up 33 RAA for Triple-A Iowa in the first half. In two years and 697 plate appearances of PCL play he's batted .336/.405/.670 with 49 homers, 52 doubles and 163 RBIs in 163 games. Rizzo mashed four homers in his first 11 games with Chicago, and because we're looking forward with this exercise, we're considering only those who are still prospect eligible. Still, his first-half showing merits mention . . . The Astros' Jonathan Singleton continues to grow as an offensive player as a 20-year-old cub in Double-A. His enhanced his power output and walk-to-strikeout ratio this season and profiles as first-division regular at a position where only the best offense is acceptable.

IN THE RED
FIRST BASE	AGE	ORG	TEAM	LGE	LVL	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	RAA
Nick Ramirez	22	Brewers	Wisconsin	MWL	LoA	143	.250	.287	.409	-1
Jose Osuna	19	Pirates	West Virginia	SAL	LoA	270	.267	.322	.399	-1
Neftali Soto	23	Reds	Louisville	IL	AAA	263	.238	.289	.381	-4
Joe Mahoney	25	Orioles	Norfolk	IL	AAA	288	.248	.299	.346	-6
Aaron Westlake	23	Tigers	West Michigan	MWL	LoA	288	.199	.276	.340	-9
Joey Terdoslavich	23	Braves	Mississippi	SL	AA	261	.207	.265	.312	-12

The Braves skipped Joey Terdoslavich over Double-A to start the year, but he felt Mississippi's inexorable pull following a two-month stint with Triple-A Gwinnett resulted in a .515 OPS. Back at Double-A, he was batting .291/.336/.417 with 11 extra-base hits through 27 games. Terdoslavich will get another crack at Triple-A either later this season or next.