Minor League Week 5 games (6/1 - 6/6/21)

[MadThinker88]

Info from various twitter sources (Indians Prospective/ Justin Lada/ TribeInsider/ Team Accounts/ etc):

Starters for Weds games:
#Indians minor league probable starters for Wednesday
Columbus - LHP Kirk McCarty <--- Game has been postponed; Make up game on Friday 6/4/21
Akron - RHP Thomas Ponticelli <------ Game recently postponed; Make up game on Friday 6/4/21 (Great!! I got tickets already for Friday )
Lake County - LHP Logan T. Allen <--- Game has been postponed; Make up game on Thursday 6/3/21
Lynchburg - RHP Daniel Espino

Reminder: Clippers are also scheduled to play in the early afternoon on Weds. I will post some updates of that game as it is played. <-- Postponed
------------------------------------------------------
AA Akron Lineup

High A Lake County Lineup

Low A Lynchburg Lineup (if posted)


------------------------------
Other notes:

Richard Palacios has been added to Tribe Top 30 prospect list on mlb pipeline as Sam Hentges "graduates" from the list. Jim Callis: Another pure hitter in an @Indians system chock full of them.

Freeman has reached base safely in all 21 games he's played in this season. This is also his second 9 game hitting streak in the 21 games. Dating back to 2019 Freeman's On-Base streak is at 28 straight games.

#Indians updated current minor league hitting streaks Tyler Freeman (Akron) 9 Richie Palacios (Akron) 7 Jose Tena (Lake County) 7

Roster Movement:
RHP Alex Wisely from Akron to LC

 

[BimboColesHair]

A 19 year old switch-hitter that never played stateside until this season is putting up a .295/.427/.557 slash a month in to the season, and in full season ball after a full year off.

Big things with Angel Martinez are there is little swing-and-miss in his game (his K rate is high right now, but almost half of his Ks came in the 1st 6 games he played), he's a professional hitter at 19 and commands the strike zone very well, and a lot of people think a growth spurt is coming considering the size of his dad (former MLB C Sandy Martinez) and older brother (a C in the D-Backs organization), as they are 6'2 200 and 6'4 185 respectively. Angel is probably 6'0 170 soaking wet right now.

There is a reason a lot of the people in high places in the organization love the kid. His make-up and talent for his age are special. #1 prospect in the organization potential, and not just because others will graduate. Because he is that damn talented.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

A 19 year old switch-hitter that never played stateside until this season is putting up a .295/.427/.557 slash a month in to the season, and in full season ball after a full year off.

Big things with Angel Martinez are there is little swing-and-miss in his game (his K rate is high right now, but almost half of his Ks came in the 1st 6 games he played), he's a professional hitter at 19 and commands the strike zone very well, and a lot of people think a growth spurt is coming considering the size of his dad (former MLB C Sandy Martinez) and older brother (a C in the D-Backs organization), as they are 6'2 200 and 6'4 185 respectively. Angel is probably 6'0 170 soaking wet right now.

There is a reason a lot of the people in high places in the organization love the kid. His make-up and talent for his age are special. #1 prospect in the organization potential, and not just because others will graduate. Because he is that damn talented.

Sounds like our focus on the LATAM region, and specifically our Dominican facility, is paying off!

 

[dkbldev]

A 19 year old switch-hitter that never played stateside until this season is putting up a .295/.427/.557 slash a month in to the season, and in full season ball after a full year off.

Big things with Angel Martinez are there is little swing-and-miss in his game (his K rate is high right now, but almost half of his Ks came in the 1st 6 games he played), he's a professional hitter at 19 and commands the strike zone very well, and a lot of people think a growth spurt is coming considering the size of his dad (former MLB C Sandy Martinez) and older brother (a C in the D-Backs organization), as they are 6'2 200 and 6'4 185 respectively. Angel is probably 6'0 170 soaking wet right now.

There is a reason a lot of the people in high places in the organization love the kid. His make-up and talent for his age are special. #1 prospect in the organization potential, and not just because others will graduate. Because he is that damn talented.

Have you been able to watch Espino yet in person this year? Think he goes to LC by end of 2021?

 

[BimboColesHair]

Have you been able to watch Espino yet in person this year? Think he goes to LC by end of 2021?

Yes, wrote about what I saw from him in the main minors thread. Only problem was I saw his 1st start of the year and 1st start since 2019 and he's picked up since then. I'll get to see him probably 5 or 6 more times this year though, as long as he's pitching.

It's going to be tough to gauge how they handle the recently drafted HS arms in their pipeline this year, especially guys like Espino who had all of 20 professional innings pitched prior to the missed season.

It would not surprise me, especially after Hankins and Vargas went down with TJ and some of the shoulder/back issues they are seeing organization wide, if they cap him or shut him down early after a specific IP marker and that could make promotions tough.

But out of all the HS arms they've drafted recently, he's the guy I am least concerned about when it comes to arm health. So much of his pitching strength is generated from his legs that it looks like he isn't even trying when he throws, yet his stuff is getting up there at 98-101. He's a different breed.

 

[MadThinker88]

Stand Alone roster news (via Tribeinsider & Justin Lada twitter):
There it is. Xzavion Curry to Lake County to fill one of the two spots open from the injuries to Matt Turner and Raymond Burgos.

Edit:
From Indians Prospective Twitter:
Some Lynchburg Hillcats updates today. Hearing possible return for #Indians 19yr old (1B/3B) prospect Jhonkensy Noel as early as this weekend. Good news 21yr old OF prospect Korey Holland is in the lineup tonight after missing the past three weeks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lynchburg game is delayed in its start but scheduled to begin within next 5 minutes...

Reminder that Daniel Espino is starting for the Hillcats..

Game updates to follow..
Korey Holland is back in the Hillcats lineup & has an outfield assist in the top of the 1st.. No score going into bottom of the 1st..

 

[Criznit]

Early going..

They are making Espino throw strikes but he is getting hit a bit - through 3IP 5H 0ER/0R 1BB 1K 1WP and a balk for good measure. The last 2 batters in the 3rd see 7 balls - 40 pitches 25 strikes.

0-0 going into the bottom of the 3rd, Melendez with the Hillcats only hit so far, a double. He is a darkhorse to watch - has a really good eye at the plate.

 

[Criznit]

Espino done for the day - goes 5 innings without a run (probably a little lucky) final line 5IP 6H 0ER/0R 4BB 5K 2WP and a balk. 80 pitches 46 strikes.

Score is still 0-0 in the bottom of the sixth, 2 Hillcat hits, a 2B from Andres Melendez and Angel Martinez just hit a 1 out single.

 

[MadThinker88]

Korey Holland removed before his 3rd at bat..

Likely just easing him back into action after being out for 3 weeks.
--------------------------------

While Espino did have some luck along the way (OF assist by Holland, Andres M throwing out 2 would be basestealers), he was hitting triple digits again & carrying the velocity into the 5th inning of pitching (pitches of 101 in the 3rd & 5th innings)

 

[Criznit]

Korey Holland removed before his 3rd at bat..

Likely just easing him back into action after being out for 3 weeks.
--------------------------------

While Espino did have some luck along the way (OF assist by Holland, Andres M throwing out 2 would be basestealers), he was hitting triple digits again & carrying the velocity into the 5th inning of pitching (pitches of 101 in the 3rd & 5th innings)

Agreed he is the real deal, and the sequence of events is the real factor here. A 2.000 WHIP is usually gonna cause ya problems. He is going to toss a few gems before the year is over.

 

[MadThinker88]

Agreed he is the real deal, and the sequence of events is the real factor here. A 2.000 WHIP is usually gonna cause ya problems. He is going to toss a few gems before the year is over.

I think he can as well. So you have me confused Criznit: Should Espino be used as a trade chip or held onto by the CLE FO??
I went on record yesterday saying Espino is untouchable in trade talks. It seemed you were willing to use him in trade (for Ketel Marte)..

Please clarify & expound on your view (ie help me & others understand your view/ thoughts)..

 

[AZ_]

Stand Alone roster news (via Tribeinsider & Justin Lada twitter):
There it is. Xzavion Curry to Lake County to fill one of the two spots open from the injuries to Matt Turner and Raymond Burgos.

Edit:
From Indians Prospective Twitter:
Some Lynchburg Hillcats updates today. Hearing possible return for #Indians 19yr old (1B/3B) prospect Jhonkensy Noel as early as this weekend. Good news 21yr old OF prospect Korey Holland is in the lineup tonight after missing the past three weeks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lynchburg game is delayed in its start but scheduled to begin within next 5 minutes...

Reminder that Daniel Espino is starting for the Hillcats..

Game updates to follow..
Korey Holland is back in the Hillcats lineup & has an outfield assist in the top of the 1st.. No score going into bottom of the 1st..

Just want to give you a shout out, man.

Busier time for me, and you’ve been consistently helping consolidate all this minor league info when I read this board.

It’s much appreciated.

 

[Criznit]

I think he can as well. So you have me confused Criznit: Should Espino be used as a trade chip or held onto by the CLE FO??
I went on record yesterday saying Espino is untouchable in trade talks. It seemed you were willing to use him in trade (for Ketel Marte)..

Please clarify & expound on your view (ie help me & others understand your view/ thoughts)..

He is my #2 prospect, but is currently a tradeable asset. However that could certainly change as the season rolls on. Also, I am becoming a little more skeptical of our overall pitching depth/prospect wise so that might move him into untouchable status.

Too far away from the show and not enough track record/prospect pedigree to deem him untouchable.

No one in the system is untouchable, but Freeman and Espino are as close. I'll keep it brief here, but I really think the lost 2020 season for the minors has increased the value of legit major leaguers.

 

[MadThinker88]

He is my #2 prospect, but is currently a tradeable asset. However that could certainly change as the season rolls on. Also, I am becoming a little more skeptical of our overall pitching depth/prospect wise so that might move him into untouchable status.

Too far away from the show and not enough track record/prospect pedigree to deem him untouchable.

No one in the system is untouchable, but Freeman and Espino are as close. I'll keep it brief here, but I really think the lost 2020 season for the minors has increased the value of legit major leaguers.

I think we can agree that a good major league player is worth more than a prospect or two (going back to the idea that bird in hand is worth more then 2 in the bush). We can also agree that not every prospect will work out for a club.

However there are players that have "it" - the ball out of the hand has more life & movement then others/ the ball of the bat just sounds different / the player always seems to be in the right spot to make the play defensively.

When you find "it", you keep "it". The key is identifying those with "it" & then developing them & nurturing the talent to utilize for your big league team moving forward.

The way Espino gets the velocity without needing to go max effort is an "it" clue for me. He has "it" & as a result I would not deal him.

 

[MadThinker88]

Lynchburg game update:

Hillcats trail 1-0 going into bottom of the 9th..

Cody Farhat hits a 0-1 double to get things started for the Hillcats..