Minor League Previews: California League North
With the rosters now set and the games underway, we preview the California League. Long known to be a hitter’s league, the 2014 edition will feature a good mix of prospects on the mound as well as at the plate.
Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Bakersfield Blaze
Parent Club: Cincinnati Reds
After two years under the direction of Ken Griffey, Sr. the Blaze are now managed by Pat Kelly, well-respected longtime Minor League skipper and also father of a big league player, pitcher Casey Kelly. The club will have talent on the roster and could certainly make a run at the playoffs.
Pitchers
The Blaze pitching staff is headlined big right-handed starter Ben Lively. In 12 starts for Rookie-level Billings, Lively posted a 0.73 ERA and struck out 49 hitters in 37 innings. After one late season start for Low Class-A Dayton, the Reds felt the 2013 fourth rounder was ready for the California League. He allowed just one hit, a home run, in six strong innings in his debut.
A few names to watch for that will join Lively on staff are James Allen, Drew Cisco and Brooks Pinckard. Prospects that will start the year in Dayton that could see time in Bakersfield include lefties Amir Garrett and Ismael Guillon and righties Pedro Diaz, Sal Romano and Nick Travieso.
Hitters
Expect Bakersfield to score plenty of runs in 2014, led by outfielders Jesse Winker, Junior Arias and Kyle Waldrop. Winker hit 16 homers for Dayton last season and Waldrop had 21 for the Blaze in 2013 while Arias combined to hit 15 for the two squads. Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean also had double-digit homers with 82 RBIA and hit .305/.379/.457 in 130 games combined between Dayton and Bakersfield.
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Modesto Nuts
Parent Club: Colorado Rockies
There will be plenty of interested on-lookers in Modesto this season as a talented group of Rockies farm hands take the field.
Pitchers
The most recognizable name on the Modesto pitching staff is Jayson Aquino, a 21-year old lefty from the Dominican Republic. After three seasons posting a sub-2.00 ERA, Aquino struggled in 2013. He dropped in the minds of many evaluators, but looks to bounce back with a strong 2014 in the California League.
In the bullpen, Rayan Gonzalez and Raul Fernandez give the Nuts two interesting prospects. Gonzalez, 23, split the closer role with Fernandez in 2013. The slender righty has a power arsenal of a mid-90s fastball and low-90s sinker and cutter, as well as a good change. In 54 innings across 49 appearances, the 2012 21st round pick had a 2.68 ERA and struck out 70 hitters.
One of the more intriguing pitchers in the league, Raul Fernandez, 24, moves up to the Cal League after positing a 6.29 ERA and .284 BAA in 34 innings in Asheville. He saved 16 games for the Tourists last year, and also struck out 55 hitters, or 27.3% of the hitters he faced.
Hitters
The Nuts will have one of the most talented lineups in the California League, including top position playing prospect Rosell Herrera and 2011 first round supplemental pick Trevor Story. Herrera hit .343/.419/.515 for Low Class-A Asheville in 2013, which included a surprising 16 long balls, more than doubling his career total. Both are primarily shortstops, but will also see time at third base this season. Story projects better at the hot corner.
Joining the club will be outfielder Francisco Sosa, who hit .315/.397/.529 with 20 home runs, 35 doubles, and 89 RBI in Asheville last season. Catcher Will Swanner will return to Modesto, where he hit 13 homers last season.
Among the prospects that could join Modesto later this season are outfielders David Dahl and Raimel Tapia and third baseman Ryan McMahon.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
San Jose Giants
San Francisco’s Advanced Class-A affiliate is seemingly always loaded with talent, specifically on the mound. This year’s club features no less than six exciting pitching prospects and a mix of position players that will keep San Jose in the mix of the playoff picture all season.
Parent Club: San Francisco Giants
Pitchers
The San Jose Giants will have one of the most talented pitching staffs in the Minor Leagues to start the 2014 season. Chris Stratton headlines the group after a standout 2013 season in Low Class-A. The 22-year old right-handed went 9-3 with a 3.27 ERA in 22 starts for Augusta last season.
Kendry Flores, 22, shot up the list of Giants pitching prospects in 2013 when went 10-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 22 starts for Augusta. In 142 innings, the Dominican right-hander struck out 137 and walked only 17 hitters.
Joining Flores in the San Jose rotation are right-handers Joan Gregorio (6-3, 4.00 ERA in 2013 for Augusta) and Martin Agosta (9-3, 2.06). In the bullpen, the Giants will rely on lefty Steven Okert and righty Stephen Johnson.
Hitters
At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, outfielder Mac Williamson certainly looks like a power hitter, and showed plenty of power with 25 home runs for the SJ Giants last season. Despite hitting .292/.375/.504 and scoring 94 runs while driving in 89, Williamson will return the Cal League to start 2014. Chuckie Jones, who is nearly as big, will join Williamson in the outfield and has already notched his first home run this year after a double-digit effort in 2013.
Shortstop Christian Arroyo and third baseman Ryder Jones could play themselves to San Jose, but it may not be until 2015.
Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Stockton Ports
Parent Club: Oakland Athletics
One of the best collections of talent in the California League belongs to the Stockton Ports. At least ten prospects will start the season on the roster, with more slated to come through before the summer is over.
Pitchers
The biggest name on the pitching staff will be Michael Ynoa, he of the $4.25 million bonus. After struggling with injuries early in his career, and less than stellar performances, Ynoa took a big step forward in 2013. Now 22 and a member of the 40-man roster, the big right-hander posted a 2.15 ERA in 15 starts for Low Class-A Beloit before a promotion to Stockton. Through he struggled in seven appearances for the Ports in 2013, he will have an opportunity to conquer the Cal League this summer. Right-hander Seth Streich, 23, will join Ynoa in the rotation after a strong 2013 season in Beloit. In the bullpen, Nolan Sanburn has the makings of a future closer.
Hitters
The most talented infield in the Cal League will play in Stockton this season. All prospects, Renauto Nunez will play third, while Daniel Robertson and Chad Pinder will man the middle of the diamond and Ryon Healy will spend most of his time at first for Stockton. Pinder and Healy are attempting to jump Beloit. Bruce Maxwell will return to Stockton to handle the bulk of the catching duties.
The outfield will also have its share of talent. The A’s top prospect not named Addison Russell, Billy McKinney will make his first attempt at full-season ball. The 19-year old hit .326/.405/.559 in 55 games after being selected in the first round of the 2013 draft. Aaron Shipman will join McKinney in the Stockton outfield.
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Visalia Rawhide
Parent Club: Arizona Diamondbacks
To start the season, there are only a few players listed on the Visalia roster that would be considered big prospects in the Diamondbacks system. However, as we know, things can certainly change over the course of the season.
Pitchers
In a bit of a surprise, neither Braden Shipley nor Aaron Blair will start the season with the Rawhide. While the pair only combined to pitch seven games for Low Class-A at the tail end of last season, it was expected that at least one if not both would be ready for the California League at the beginning of 2014. Instead, the club will feature only reliever Jimmie Serrify among what many consider to be the organization’s top 20 prospects. The hard throwing right-hander opens the season in the Cal League after posting a 1.04 ERA, seven saves and 29 strikeouts in 17 combined innings between Hillsboro and South Bend last season. Anthony Meo is perhaps the most recognizable name on the staff, but struggled mightily in 2013 and will begin this season on the disabled list.
Hitters
Brandon Drury will handle third base for the Diamondbacks High Class-A affiliate this season as fellow prospect Jake Lamb moves up to Mobile. Drury, acquired from Atlanta in the Justin Upton trade put together a strong showing in the Midwest League last season, hitting .302/.362/.500 with 15 home runs 51 doubles and 85 RBI. Brandon Jacobs is the biggest name in the outfield and will join Visalia after spending the bulk of last season with Double-A Birmingham in the White Sox organization.