Beck's Minor League Threecap: 5/22/24
Beck breaks down three major things you need to know from yesterday's MiLB action.
Folks, it’s another Minicap. The illness I was dealing with yesterday has only worsened, so instead of missing a day, I’m deciding to tough it out and put together a shorter article. I hope you enjoy – back to your regularly scheduled programming as soon as I’m feeling up for it!
Tre’ For the Price of One.
I’ve been seeing a lot of chatter about Tre’ Morgan (TBR) and his hot start. It’s a super weird profile to wrestle with; he’s a legitimate 80 defender at first base with an excellent approach, both of which bode well for his prospects as an eventual big leaguer. On the other hand, it’s hard to forecast much offensive impact outside of a solid OBP floor, which makes him less attractive specifically at the first base position. He’s playing extremely well – he earned an early promotion to High-A Bowling Green by slashing .320/.398/.440 through 26 games in Single-A – but that’s largely to be expected of a 21-year-old SEC product. I’m keeping an eye on him largely because he is a high-probability big leaguer, and I know the Rays care a lot about weird things like first base defense, but it’ll take a significant jump in exit velocities for me to really take notice.
Cheaper by the Dozen.
Holy cow, Luis Perales (BOS). There wasn’t much question who I’d be writing about as my one pitcher of the day once I saw his 5.0 innings of scoreless ball with 12 strikeouts. He registered 26 swings and misses in 81 pitches (32.1%) and fired 61% of his offerings for strikes. His fastball touched 99 mph and he was locating a splitter really well. His arsenal has taken a significant step forward this year as his fastball has averaged 97 mph, up two ticks from last year’s average, and he’s broadened his usage of secondary pitches now that he’s developed confidence with them. He returned from injury on April 27th and has since thrown 21.1 innings of 2.11 ERA ball with 39 strikeouts to just eight walks in that time. I think we’re looking at a top-100 prospect in short order.
Table Talk.
Not an awesome day for the table overall. Will Warren has been shelled on a few occasions this year, with yesterday's nine run outing being by far his worst showing of the year. We got great games from Tong and Waldrep – which is great, Tong seems to be feeling out the new zone in the South Atlantic League and Waldrep is rounding into form – but real stinkers from Bruns and Bright.
Thursday’s viewing guide:
Troy Melton (3.64 ERA) for the Erie Seawolves (DET) at 6:05 ET
Jackson Ferris (5.91 ERA) for the Great Lakes Loons (LAD) at 6:05 ET
Drue Hackenberg (3.34 ERA) for the Rome Emperors (ATL) at 7:00 ET
Travis Sykora (3.72 ERA) for the Fredericksburg Nationals (WSH) at 7:05 ET
Logan Evans (1.60 ERA) for the Arkansas Travelers (SEA) at 7:35 ET
Jake Bloss (1.06 ERA) for the Corpus Christi Hooks (HOU) at 7:35 ET
Brett Wichrowski (4.15 ERA) for the Biloxi Shuckers (MIL) at 7:35 ET
Robby Snelling (3.44 ERA) for the San Antonio Missions (SDP) at 8:05 ET
Sean Sullivan (3.21 ERA) for the Spokane Indians (COL) at 9:35 ET
Hope you’re feeling better soon.
When you are, can you rank Perales, Sproat, and McDermott?