2013 Minor League Thread

[Derek]

Dillon Howard banned 50 games

Updated: June 28, 2013, 6:33 PM

NEW YORK -- Cleveland Indians right-hander Dillon Howard has been suspended for 50 games without pay under baseball's minor league drug program following a positive test for an amphetamine.

Howard, who turns 21 on Monday, was selected on the second round of the 2011 amateur draft with the 67th pick and agreed to a $1.85 million signing bonus.

He was 1-7 with a 7.90 ERA in 10 starts and two relief appearances last year for the rookie-level Arizona League Indians and hasn't pitched this season. He was assigned to extended spring training this year with right knee soreness and because of poor conditioning, Indians spokesman Bart Swain said.

A first violation for a stimulant results in a suspension under the minor league drug program, but triggers only follow-up testing for players on 40-man major league rosters.

The suspension announced Friday was the 26th this year under the minor league program.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9...r-league-right-hander-dillon-howard-suspended

 

[AZ_]

Could not for the life of me figure out why Howard wasn't progressing. An amphetamine problem would certainly clear it up for me.

:thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown

 

[BMAN]

He also showed up over weight past two seasons.

 

[AZ_]

Clint Frazier is 7-for-17 in four games, plays CF for the first time tonight.

Matt Whitehouse, the 19th round pick this year, has allowed 1ER in three starts for Mahoning Valley. Working 3.0 innings a pop right now, but a nice start nonetheless.

Kyle Crockett made his debut last night, 1.0 scoreless innings. Really a ton of intriguing talent on the MV team right now.

Luis Lugo and Caleb Hamrick lead the rotation, both of those guys are absolutely prospects at this point. Crockett could fly through the system as a bullpen lefty specialist. Josh McAdams is an intriguing OF prospect also.

Worth checking them out for those in the Mahoning Valley.

 

[EdMonix11]

Clint Frazier is 7-for-17 in four games, plays CF for the first time tonight.

Matt Whitehouse, the 19th round pick this year, has allowed 1ER in three starts for Mahoning Valley. Working 3.0 innings a pop right now, but a nice start nonetheless.

Kyle Crockett made his debut last night, 1.0 scoreless innings. Really a ton of intriguing talent on the MV team right now.

Luis Lugo and Caleb Hamrick lead the rotation, both of those guys are absolutely prospects at this point. Crockett could fly through the system as a bullpen lefty specialist. Josh McAdams is an intriguing OF prospect also.

Worth checking them out for those in the Mahoning Valley.

I'm afraid Crockett is being pigeon-holed a bit by the organization as a fast track LOOGY, and I get it, they have a real need with the big club and Crockett has the skill-set. However, I've heard the players at UVA say he's the toughest pitcher they've ever faced and UVA head coach Brian O'Connor told him to prepare to be in the rotation all fall and winter but a lower back injury caused Crockett to miss time and he did such a good job in relief, they didn't want to rock the boat. With guys like Patrick Corbin having so much success with a similar build and pitchability, it'd be a shame for the Indians not to at least give him a shot to start.

Anyways, it's really nice Dorsyss Paulino is starting to heat up; three more hits tonight, two RBI's.

I think Lugo is the next breakout prospect, along with Jose Ramirez (if he isn't already a breakout prospect).

Between guys like Frazier, Lindor, Paulino, Bauer and others, the future is very bright.

 

[AZ_]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Indians Sign Dominican OF Junior Soto For $600,000 <a href="http://t.co/MM9HYZuH6m">http://t.co/MM9HYZuH6m</a></p>&mdash; Ben Badler (@BenBadler) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBadler/statuses/352095739763109889">July 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


In reviewing what little I could in regards to this kid, it looks as though the Indians have once against gone against the industry consensus here.

Last year they signed Hector Caro to a bit more expensive of a deal against the opinion of those "in the know" on these guys, he has yet to prove them right for doing so.

Will obviously reserve judgement until he starts playing, but the Indians recent history in Latin America is somewhat puzzling at times.

 

[shoes22]

There was an article in the ABJ about Lindor staying in the Carolina league post All-Star break.

It's not really clear why they aren't promoting him to AA.

 

[AZ_]

There was an article in the ABJ about Lindor staying in the Carolina league post All-Star break.

It's not really clear why they aren't promoting him to AA.

It's pretty clear.

He's one of the youngest players in the Carolina League, there is absolutely no reason to move him up a level, there is a shortstop in Akron right now who needs a place to play everyday.

He's playing very well, there is no reason to push him with no immediate need at the big league level and his lack of domination at the current level.

 

[Huber.]

It's pretty clear.

He's one of the youngest players in the Carolina League, there is absolutely no reason to move him up a level, there is a shortstop in Akron right now who needs a place to play everyday.

He's playing very well, there is no reason to push him with no immediate need at the big league level and his lack of domination at the current level.

What would you say the difference is between Low-A and High-A and the difference between High-A and AA is? They always talk about how AAA is nothing compared to the majors but are the different levels of the minors all really that different? Keeping him out of Ohio isn't the best in terms of marketing a player. (Not that it should be a reason to rush or hold back a player)

 

[AZ_]

What would you say the difference is between Low-A and High-A and the difference between High-A and AA is? They always talk about how AAA is nothing compared to the majors but are the different levels of the minors all really that different? Keeping him out of Ohio isn't the best in terms of marketing a player. (Not that it should be a reason to rush or hold back a player)

The biggest jump a prospect makes IMO is High-A to Double-A. I've been told that the quality of competition there takes a pretty big jump, where most players in Triple-A are generally just bad big leaguers who are there to hold on and provide depth to organizations.

Low-A to High-A is a pretty decent jump, but is still filled with a younger caliber of players in comparison to Double-A.

If promoted, I believe Lindor would be the youngest player in all of Double-A. He began this season as one of the youngest members of the Carolina League and hasn't exactly been dominant despite playing extremely well.

I wouldn't rule out a jump to Double-A at the end of the year, and he will most certainly start there next season with the possibility of a quick promotion to Triple-A if he continues to progress like he has.

 

[macbdog]

I'm afraid Crockett is being pigeon-holed a bit by the organization as a fast track LOOGY, and I get it, they have a real need with the big club and Crockett has the skill-set. However, I've heard the players at UVA say he's the toughest pitcher they've ever faced and UVA head coach Brian O'Connor told him to prepare to be in the rotation all fall and winter but a lower back injury caused Crockett to miss time and he did such a good job in relief, they didn't want to rock the boat. With guys like Patrick Corbin having so much success with a similar build and pitchability, it'd be a shame for the Indians not to at least give him a shot to start.

Anyways, it's really nice Dorsyss Paulino is starting to heat up; three more hits tonight, two RBI's.

I think Lugo is the next breakout prospect, along with Jose Ramirez (if he isn't already a breakout prospect).

Between guys like Frazier, Lindor, Paulino, Bauer and others, the future is very bright.

If the club plans on moving Crockett to the rotation, they wouldn't necessarily do that now after a full college season- that is something they would start fresh on next year. Until then, if they decide to fast-track Crockett to see if he can help now, Im fine with that. Pitching prospects flame out more than others, and the number of Chris Sales are outnumbered by Nick Hagadones and Alex Whites by about 50 to 1. I wouldn't mind of they gave him to shot to become a starter, but if he looks to be a bigleaguer as a reliever, you have to take that imo.

 

[DJTJ]

Also; Ginger had two hits last night. Wish I could have seen him get thrown out at home, though.

 

[Huber.]

Since Frazier is being turned into a CF does that make Naquin our biggest trade pieces that will be offered to teams?

 

[Derek]

Since Frazier is being turned into a CF does that make Naquin our biggest trade pieces that will be offered to teams?

I believe he was drafted as a CF but his long-term position is still unclear

 

[AZ_]

Since Frazier is being turned into a CF does that make Naquin our biggest trade pieces that will be offered to teams?

I'm not sure Naquin is too hot a commodity, but I absolutely think he could be a viable piece.