Minor League Previews: International League South
By Jay Blue
Feb 24, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Matt Davidson (22) fields a ball during a workout at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Part 2 of our Minor League Previews. In this installment, we look at International League South, a division that hosts the Triple-A clubs of four teams.
Charlotte Knights
Parent Club: Chicago White Sox
With a fairly weak minor league system, the Chicago White Sox are probably not really going to able to stock the Charlotte Knights with a lot of top prospects, that said, there are a few that could make games fun to watch in Charlotte, at least until they’re called up to the majors.
Pitchers
There aren’t expected to be any prospecty pitcher types in Charlotte to start the 2014 season with Erik Johnson graduating to the White Sox. Chris Bassitt could end up in Charlotte fairly quickly however, especially if he shows the same type of excellent results that he had finishing the season with eight starts in Double-A Birmingham. With a strong start to the year, Chris Beck could also wind up in Charlotte sooner rather than later. He has very advanced control and showed a better ability to strike batters out when he was promoted to Birmingham last year. That said, Beck is younger than Bassitt and the White Sox won’t be in as much of a hurry to move him up.
Hitters
The infield for the Knights is going to be filled with prospects featuring 21-year-old Carlos Sanchez at second base and Matt Davidson at third. Shortstop Marcus Semien might make the club out of Spring Training but if he gets sent back to Triple-A Charlotte, the 23 year old is going to help fill out a very strong infield.
I had thought that Davidson might make the team out of Spring Training too but, despite a very strong spring (hitting .308/.341/.564 with four doubles and two home runs), the 23 year old goes back to the minors.
In the outfield, the closes thing to a “prospect” that the Knights will have is 25-year-old Jared Mitchell who had a very poor, injury-shortened season in 2013.
Mar 12, 2014; Dunedin, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nathan Karns (51) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Durham Bulls
Parent Club: Tampa Bay Rays
While the White Sox are hurting for quality minor league pitching, the Rays’ cup runneth over. To go along with several good hitting prospects, expect the Durham Bulls to be one of the stronger teams in this division.
Pitchers
Like the Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls are going have several young pitchers who are very close to the major leagues. Nathan Karns, who I saw throw very well in a big-league spring training game, will be headlining the Durham rotation. Throwing six and a third shutout innings in Spring Training and giving up just four hits and two walks (with three strikeouts), Karns is looking to continue his rise to the top after being traded from the Washington Nationals this offseason.
Another trade target from a year ago, Mike Montgomery (who came over from the Royals in the Wil Myers deal) had a rough season last year and is looking to recapture what he had when he was a Top-30 prospect as recently as two years ago.
The club will also include Enny Romero, the club’s #5 prospect (according to MLB.com). The lefty has struggled with his control and his changeup but is looking to remain a starter in and can overpower hitters with his stuff. Alex Colome was suspended for 50 games so you won’t see him until the end of May.
Hitters
On the offensive side, you won’t see as many studs but Kevin Kiermaier has risen quickly through the organization. Kiermaier dominated Double-A last year and his numbers didn’t dip too badly when he was called up to Durham. He also got into one game for the big league club in September. In Spring Training, he acquitted himself well, hitting .278/.316/.444 with a home run and a stolen base in 19 plate appearances.
23-year-old shortstop Hak-Ju Lee missed most of 2013 with an injury but he has tons of tools to go with plus defense and speed and will be an exciting player to watch.
Mar 11, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt (58) bats in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during a spring training exhibition game at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Gwinnett Braves
Parent Club: Atlanta Braves
For the Braves, their biggest prospect in Triple-A will be the catcher while the ceilings of the pitching prospects won’t be nearly as high.
Pitchers
While the minds at MiLB.com figure that J.R. Graham is going to feature into the rotation in Gwinnett, he is slated to start the season in Double-A after only 35 2/3 innings there in 2013. #10-ranked prospect Cody Martin will almost certainly be in Gwinnett to start the season after a strong showing in the back half of the season. Martin, 24, got roughed up a bit in big league camp but he should be back in a comfort zone pitching in Triple-A.
Hitters
We’ll start with the Braves’ #2-ranked prospect, Christian Bethancourt. The 22 year old will likely take every day reps as behind the plate as he looks to show that he’s ready for the majors. Bethancourt really needs to show more with the bat but he’s already playing major league defense with great agility behind the plate and a very strong arm. He needs to take more walks (after a .305 OBP in 2013) and will likely move into a phase in which he spends more time developing his hitting skills.
Second baseman Tommy La Stella is also close to the bigs after a very strong 2013 in which he posted a .422 OBP in almost 300 at bats in Double-A Mississippi. While he will also start the season in Double-A, look for him too move up to Gwinnett quickly if he comes out charging.
Lesser known prospect Todd Cunningham will start the season in the outfield. He’s a great defensive player with good speed but almost no power and will return to Gwinnett in 2014.
Mar 10, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Henry Urrutia (51) works out prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Norfolk Tides
Parent Club: Baltimore Orioles
There will be some star power here for the Tides with at least one exciting pitcher and one exciting position player.
Pitchers
It appears that Kevin Gausman is still in the Orioles’ plans for Opening Day so he isn’t likely to star with the club. 27-year-old Korean righty Suk-min Yoon has been sent down and is going to be someone to watch. It’s unknown how well his stuff will translate to the highest levels of North American baseball but Yoon has some nice numbers from the Korean League to brag about.
Hitters
The biggest name hitter to have been demoted already is RF Henry Urrutia. The Cuban import was, at one time, favored to make the club but the signing of Nelson Cruz has taken away that roster spot. Urrutia is a good hitter but probably has to do some work on his defense and base running before he can legitimately earn a major league roster spot.
There was speculation that Jonathan Schoop might be with the Tides this year but Ken Rosenthal reported that he Schoop is going to make the Orioles’ Opening Day roster.