Minor League Week 3 games (5/18 - 5/23/21)

[thestatman]

It wouldn't surprise me to see Freeman skip AAA altogether. Much in the same way Miller never played and inning in high A. It really isn't needed in their development because the reps they need can be had in AA.

That's exactly what Alex Kiriloff, top Twins prospect did. From double A straight to the show. Top prospects skip steps all the time. Another example is Akron stud reliever Nick Mikolajchak pitched at Mahoning Valley in 2019 and then this year skipped low A and high A.

That Tyler is starting at double A is fine. He will get here soon enough.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Needs to be turned down a bit in here, guys.

 

[Criznit]

Quick update 5/23

Lynchburg - in warmup

Lake County up 2-0 on 4 hits in the 5th. Solo HR and a sac fly for Tena, 2B for Wade. Hickman with another excellent outing so far, 4IP 0R 2H 2BB 6K 1WP

Akron up 3-0 in the 3rd and threatening again. 3 run HR for Trenton Brooks scoring Freeman and Palacios. Oscar Gonzalez has been a pleasant surprise so far. Hillman on the mound with 3H 2BB 0K

Columbus tied 0-0 in the 3rd - Gimenez with a hit and a K

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

That's exactly what Alex Kiriloff, top Twins prospect did. From double A straight to the show. Top prospects skip steps all the time. Another example is Akron stud reliever Nick Mikolajchak pitched at Mahoning Valley in 2019 and then this year skipped low A and high A.

That Tyler is starting at double A is fine. He will get here soon enough.

Not sure you can look at all skips the same way. Guys that jumped from 2019 to 2021 might just mean they progressed during the pandemic and the move is to put them back where they were expected to be without the lost season.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Yeah well, Freeman is a rare hitter and it has happened. I'd say he could hit major league pitching right now. I'm not even making any predictions here. I'm just saying it wouldn't surprise me if he did.

Agreed.

But, I'm also of the impression that the line between AA/AAA doesn't really matter. Typically the players at AA are a little more talented. The players at AAA are a little more polished. I don't think there's a significant difference between the levels of competition.

 

[Criznit]

We have seen two batters in our division alone skipping levels, one of them even jumped AA and AAA, Andrew Vaughn.

Tyler Freeman is a little different though. He hits the ball like crazy, but could definitely use some time against quality/better pitchers. Hope you can round out some of the XBH/BB concerns.

We can debate immediate need as well, as he is a MIF and there are other options in front, most notably the just promoted Owen Miller.

However popping him up to AAA could happen in a couple days or weeks. All Freeman can do is keep on producing. Adding a few more walks or homers greases the wheels.

Back filling his spot from LC is also a bit of a ? at the moment.

 

[MadThinker88]

Sorry for being away today, but I bowl on Sunday afternoons in a sport shot doubles league (runs each sunday thru 8/15/21 minus 7/4).
If someone else could take over the minor league games thread for those afternoons, it would be appreciated..
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To recap the Sunday games:
AAA Columbus lost to Toledo 12-5
It was a bullpen game again for the Clippers since JC Mejia got called up to CLE. Koch & Garza each tossed 3IP & did fine. Sadly Alvaraz, Dowdy & Stephens struggled big time allowing 9 runs in the 7th & 2 more in the 8th. The Monday off-day will be very helpful for that staff to get re-organized for moving forward. Offensively Daniel Johnson homered for his 3rd straight game (#4 on the season).

AA Akron won again. This time 13-1 over Reading.
After a 3 run blast in the 1st by Brooks, the RDucks did not look back. Interestingly Tyler Freeman played but was hitting 2nd in the lineup (after leading off all season when playing). Fermin was leading off so I wonder if the move is laying the ground work for something in the future. Richard Palacios played in CF again. RDucks scored more runs later in the game & a 3 run blast from Will Benson in the 8th closed scoring. An interesting outing by Juan Hillman allowing only 1 run over 7 innings (a solo shot) while surrendering 4 hits & 4 walks. He did get 2 ks, 86 pitches & 51 strikes.

High A Lake County won 4-3 at Great Lakes.
The Captains scored in the 1st and extended the lead to 4-0 going into the bottom of the 5th. The Loons scored 2 in the 8th & another in the 9th to get close. Nice outing by 2020 5th round pick Mason Hickman: 5.0 IP allowing 2 hits & 2 walks while recording 7ks (78 pitches & 46 strikes).
The Captains continue to steal bases at a high clip, nabbing 3 more today to 1 caught stealing. It brings the season total to 35 steals & 6 caught (.8537 success rate).

Low A Lynchburg lost 8-3 to Myrtle Beach.
Lenny Torres continues his comeback allowing 3 runs (2 earned) in 3.1 IP. $ hits, 3 walks & 3 ks round out his line (60 pitches, 34 strikes). The lose was pinned on Zach Hart out of the bullpen as he was tagged for 5 runs (4 earned) in 1.1 IP.
Offensive Juggernaut Jhonkensey Noel was HBP in the 4th & removed from the game. Per Indians Prospective Twitter Some have suggested he was hit in the chest while others at the game say it was arm near the hand. Here is the clip to judge for yourself:


CLE affiliates go 2-2 on the day & are now 44-26 on the season with a run differential of +100..
I will be updating the Affiliate Record tracking thread on Monday 5/24 (likely in the morning).

 

[KluberSociety]

Freeman's progression says that since he's not on the 40 man roster and no experience at AA before this season starts (2020 would have been high A to AA season), he will be AA to start and finish the season at AAA in 21. Then 22, added to the 40 man, starting in AAA while getting the call up in Juneish cause of the service time and whatnot. That's a normal timeline..

JRam was already on the 40 man when he got the call up since he had to be protected plus they needed a middle INF and right now we don't plus Freeman is down the line when it comes to the depth chart this season.

I'd think this to be the case too. Also agree with your comment about skipping levels - there were some weird cases of skipping levels this year because hitters didn't play in the minors in 2020 but with Freeman starting the year in AA I think he follows the normal progression unless something crazy happens. And I wouldn't overly read into some low sample AA numbers.

I don't see how he'd leapfrog Gimenez, Arias, Clement, etc who are all on the roster.

 

[sportscoach]

I'd think this to be the case too. Also agree with your comment about skipping levels - there were some weird cases of skipping levels this year because hitters didn't play in the minors in 2020 but with Freeman starting the year in AA I think he follows the normal progression unless something crazy happens. And I wouldn't overly read into some low sample AA numbers.

I don't see how he'd leapfrog Gimenez, Arias, Clement, etc who are all on the roster.

Next season he would have to be added to the 40 man roster, so baring injuries to the current depth chart, we likely won't see him this season since there isnt the full 40 man roster expansion in September like there used to be... If there was, we could have seen him then just because the minor league season could be over and him to see the big leagues.

 

[CATS44]

IMO Freeman is the most likely to succeed among all our position prospects. His bat to ball skills are beyond elite.

 

[ZinAZ]

Agreed.

But, I'm also of the impression that the line between AA/AAA doesn't really matter. Typically the players at AA are a little more talented. The players at AAA are a little more polished. I don't think there's a significant difference between the levels of competition.

Also the top pitching prospects often spend little or even no time at AAA

 

[sportscoach]

Also the top pitching prospects often spend little or even no time at AAA

Indians FO has higher emphasis on AA numbers for pitchers, so they can skip AAA if necessary but they don't like skipping AAA for hitters.