We're going to start seeing some of the draftees making their debuts, especially with the short-season leagues starting up in a few weeks. News came late Sunday night that Javier Baez was being sent to the Cubs' low-A affiliate in the Midwest League, and we're likely to see a few more players who have yet to debut in the next couple weeks as well. All statistics are through Monday's games.
Midwest League
Aaron Sanchez (TOR) - 5 W, 0.53 ERA, 34 IP, 12 H, 17 BB, 41 K
Justin Nicolino (TOR) - 2 W, 1.03 ERA, 35 IP, 30 H, 4 BB, 35 K
Noah Syndergaard (TOR) - 3 W, 3.22 ERA, 36 1/3 IP, 33 H, 11 BB, 48 K
The Blue Jays' three headed pitching monster out in Lansing continues to put up rather ridiculous numbers, and I'm honestly starting to wonder how much longer all three of them will be in Low-A.
Javier Baez (CHC) - 2 for 4 (1 game only)
The Cubs' top draft pick from last year made his 2012 debut in Peoria, and played shortstop. We should have somewhat more meaningful numbers in two weeks for Baez.
Francisco Lindor (CLE) - .293/.341/.435, 29 R, 9 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 11/15 SB, 13 BB, 29 K
Miguel Sano (MIN) - .246/.356/.519, 31 R, 10 2B, 2 3B, 12 HR, 39 RBI, 4/5 SB, 28 BB, 57 K
Sano is striking out in more than 25% of his at bats at this point, but is still showing a walk rate over 10% as well.
Archie Bradley (ARI) - 6 W, 3.06 ERA, 50 IP, 24 H, 29 BB, 51 K
Bradley probably needs to continue working on reducing his walks before he could be promoted to High-A. His last two starts have not been great, but he's still just 19 years old.
Kaleb Cowart (LAA) - .287/.341/.482, 27 R, 10 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 5/8 SB, 14 BB, 35 K
Cam Bedrosian (LAA) - 6.35 ERA, 17 IP, 18 H, 12 BB, 8 K
A top draft pick of the Angels back in 2010, Bedrosian is coming back after missing the 2011 season due to Tommy John surgery. Someone to keep an eye on, but not really worth drafting in dynasty leagues until he shows that his control is back after the surgery.
A.J. Cole (OAK) - 1 W, 7.16 ERA, 49 IP, 76 H, 9 HR, 13 BB, 44 K
Cole struggled to start the season with High-A Stockton, prompting the A's to move Cole back down to Low-A last week. His first start in Low-A did not go well: 5 IP, 12 H, 8 R (5 ER), 2 HR, but with 6 strikeouts and 0 walks. He did make another start yesterday, which went much better. He lasted 6 innings, allowed 4 hits, 1 earned run, 3 walks and struck out 7. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Cole.
Austin Hedges (SD) - .282/.350/.509, 16 R, 10 2B, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 4/5 SB, 10 BB, 19 K
Joe Ross (SD) - 6.26 ERA, 27 1/3 IP, 33 H, 11 BB, 27 K
South Atlantic League
Jose Fernandez (MIA) - 5 W, 1.67 ERA, 54 IP, 37 H, 13 BB, 70 K
Fernandez is now leading the Sally League in strikeouts, and I'm wondering if he could end up promoted to High-A before the All-Star break. There seems to be some concern about his ability to continue this success as he moves up, but it doesn't really seem like he is being challenged particularly in the Sally League.
Will Swanner (COL) - .330/.398/.624, 23 R, 15 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 10 BB, 28 K
Just a reminder: Take all numbers from the Rockies' Sally League affiliate with a grain of salt. Asheville is a notorious hitters' paradise.
Alen Hanson (PIT) - .338/.397/.576, 43 R, 17 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 13/23 SB, 20 BB, 44 K
Hanson has been showing that he might be the shortstop of the future for the Pirates, but he's still just 19 and will likely spend the whole season in Low-A.
Trevor Story (COL) - .287/.379/.538, 38 R, 11 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 4/5 SB, 22 BB, 36 K
Nick Tropeano (HOU) - 3 W, 3.05 ERA, 59 IP, 54 H, 11 BB, 67 K
The 5th round pick of the Astros last season, Tropeano might be slightly old for the league, but probably just barely if he is. Someone to keep an eye on as he moves up the system.