Beck's Minor League Threecap: 5/12/24

Beck breaks down three major things you need to know from yesterday's MiLB action.

Shoutout to all the moms out there. If you have the privilege of telling your mom you love her, please do so. The posts on social media are great, and I love seeing all of your moms, but make sure you’re talking to her, too. I’m enjoying the pink bats, wristbands, batting gloves, socks, what-have-you. Go moms!

Standout Saturday, Sammy Stafura.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: James Wood (WSH) scalded some baseballs. Baseball is a team sport and it’s rare for one player to really lift a franchise (see Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani), but Wood could really change the direction of the club if all breaks right. I had the opportunity to see him in person a few weeks ago and I can confirm that he is (1) enormous, you know exactly where he is on the field at all times and (2) insanely fast and fluid for his size.

I’m not sure how long Sammy Stafura (CIN) will stay at the Arizona Complex – many thought he would open in the Florida State League despite scuffling to a .071/.212/.191 slash in 53 post-draft plate appearances at the complex – but he’s certainly enjoying it. This is his second Threecap appearance, meanwhile he’s played just five games in 2024. He’s been held hitless just once and has a total of 11 hits after Saturday’s 4-for-6 explosion. He has four extra-base hits (two doubles and a triple) in that time. There’s a reason he had fringe first round pedigree coming into draft season.

Don’t get it misconstrued just because he was a 7th rounder. George Wolkow (CHW) still commanded a seven-figure signing bonus and was a potential top pick in the 2024 draft before reclassifying last spring. His 6-foot-7 frame already generates plus exit velocities, and he’s a decent runner for his size, but the extra vertical real estate gives him more zone to contend with than most. Shaky bat-to-ball and a monster strike zone have culminated in a 31.8% strikeout rate as a professional, though I’m hopeful that will improve given his extreme youth and inexperience. He was 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles on Saturday.

I’ve long been a Luis Baez (HOU) enjoyer and I pegged him as a player to watch before the season in my Top 100 Q&A article. He’s now had hits in nine of his last 10 games, five of which were of the multi-hit variety, and sports a .295/.342/.482 line through 26 games. He’s just 20 in High-A, which is great, but he’s also playing in Asheville (hitter’s park) which muddies the water a little. He’s cut his strikeout rate year-over-year, which is a largely context-neutral marker. He was 4-for-5 with two doubles on Saturday in a near-identical output to George Wolkow.

The A’s took Henry Bolte (OAK) in the second round of the 2022 draft and have since focused extensively on improving his bat-to-ball. It’s a great thought – Bolte has elite bat speed that translates to enormous exit velocities – but he’s striking out at a 36.4% rate after carrying a 33.4% rate in 2023. Nevertheless he had a great day at the dish on Saturday, going 3-for-6 with a home run and five RBIs.

Feeling Festive.

David Festa (MIN) has been simply outstanding over his last four starts. He has a 13.2% walk rate on the year but has walked just six over his last 17.2 innings (8.1%) while striking out 44.5% of batsmen in that time. The last time he featured on the Threecap I noted that he was still building up and the Twins may wait until he was fully stretched to ship him across town for his debut, and he’s since gone at least 80 pitches in his last three outings. Maybe it’s time – Festa did his part with 6.0 scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts on Saturday.

If I were going to bet on an organization to make something out of a 9th round arm, it might be the Red Sox (or the Brewers, Dodgers, Rays, and so on, but that’s besides the point). Blake Wehunt (BOS) pitched exactly one inning in the Florida Complex after the draft and is opening 2024 at Low-A, where he’s been excellent through his first 19.2 frames. He’s sat down 30 of his first 83 batters faced (36.1%) en route to a 1.93 ERA. He didn’t have a plus pitch at the time of the draft per SoxProspects.com, and it’s entirely possible for a college arm to mix-and-match his way through Low-A competition, but it would be a huge development win for Breslow and co. should he progress one or more offerings. He’s 6-foot-7, 240 lbs, and it’s not unfathomable he adds a tick or two to a fastball that already has pretty decent traits. He struck out 10 over 4.0 innings and allowed one earned run yesterday.

Potentially big story here: Emiliano Teodo (TEX) is evidently starting games again. All eight of his appearances in the AFL came as a reliever and I would not have ever fathomed a return to a starter’s role for him, but here we are. He’s tossed 27.2 innings across six starts and is carrying a 2.60 ERA and 27.9% K-rate in that time. If you’ve not yet watched Teodo pitch, I strongly recommend tuning into one of his starts to witness his 100 mph fastball, sinker with bore, and mid-80’s slider. I still think his best role is as a high-leverage reliever, but he’s out here proving me wrong by throwing 78 pitches an outing over his last three appearances. He went 6.0 innings on Saturday and allowed one earned run while striking out nine.

Back on Track.

That’s what I’m talking about. Festa tossed a gem, Meyer, Hamm, and Bloss threw up zeroes, and only Yorman walked more batters than he struck out. Big time turnaround from Friday’s results!

Saturday’s results: