Farm Fresh: 5/11/2011

by APV on May 11, 2011 4:28 PM EDT in Week In Review

This week's edition is more of the 10-day variety owing to a busy weekend schedule. Still many excellent performances coming out of the Indians' system.

Columbus Clippers: Travis Buck

Buck's return to Cleveland (n.b. contractually obliged to say "pending injury") seems inevitable. Unlike Austin Kearns, Buck is potentially a long-term asset for the Tribe and his performance to date leaves no room for criticism. While everyone in Columbus has been hitting, no one has hit the ball better than Buck since his relegation to Columbus (.340/.450/.574). With more walks than strikeouts, decent power, and defensive abilities that have seen him occupy CF, RF and 1B, what's not to like? Over the past ten games he has hit .303/.429/.485.

Akron Aeros: Chen Lee

In what seems like the never-ending parade of fantasy stat lines for Indians' minor league relievers, Chen Lee is next in line. This Taiwanese, low-arm slot reliever is in his third season in the organization and putting up his best line yet. On the season he sits at 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA, and a 27:5 K:BB ratio in 19 innings. Over his past four appearances, going back to April 29th, Lee has gone 9.1 innings while allowing 0 hits, 1 walk, and 18 strikeouts. Again...that's zero hits and 19 strikeouts on the last 29 batters he has faced.

Kinston Indians: Tyler Holt

Along with high strikeout relievers, the Indians' system is suddenly flush with light-hitting, high OBP centerfield prospects. Tyler Holt, drafted last season in the 10th round, has been an on-base machine of late in Kinston. Over the past 10 games he has put up a .375/.524/.406 line. It is tempting to think the last two numbers are reversed, but no...those games include ten walks (against only four Ks) and just one extra-base hit. On the season he is up to .289/.405/.371, with nine stolen bases and four caught stealing. For now, Holt is taking his place in line behind Brantley (Cleveland), Carrera (Columbus) and Henry (Akron).

Lake County Captains: Anthony Gallas

A local Cleveland product, Anthony Gallas appears to feel right at home in Lake County. Already 23 years old and probably no more than an organizational guy, Gallas is playing better than that label. Gallas leads the organization in doubles with 14 already this season, and is only behind Sizemore and LC teammate Carlos Moncrief in total extra-base hits (17). In the past ten days Gallas has hit a modest .415/.455/.634, to raise his total season line to .349/.408/.560.

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Chisenhall is getting hot, too.

by jhon on May 11, 2011 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

He is. .359/.457/.487 over his past ten. I wish he was showing more power, though, and making fewer errors (4).

by APV on May 11, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Buck!

RALLY SIG

by USSChoo on May 11, 2011 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

For some reason I was under the impression Chen Lee had a disappointing 2010 campaign. Looking at it now, though, it was just as good as 2009. He has to be near a promotion to Columbus, right? Strikeouts are up, walks, hits and home runs are down, and he’s pitched over 90 innings for Akron.

by JRontherim on May 11, 2011 5:07 PM EDT reply actions

Levon Washington debuted with the Captains this week and has a modest 4 game hit streak: 1-4 in every game, 12B, 1 SB.

by mcrose on May 11, 2011 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

Let’s trade some of these light-hitting CF’s.

by Toxicadam on May 11, 2011 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

So Chen basically was one walk shy of an 18-strikeout perfect game? That is NUTS.

by Jay on May 11, 2011 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

~~STEVE~~ TYLER HOLT!

by emd2k3 on May 11, 2011 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

With the league wide performance of left fielders, a high obp no power cf can play there.

by riter on May 11, 2011 11:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Like this one?

RALLY SIG

by USSChoo on May 12, 2011 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I was thinking more along the line of Brantley in cf with Carrerra/Henry/Holt in lf. This would require Buck/Weglarz/of tbd to fail miserably for extended periods though.

by riter on May 12, 2011 10:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Carrera is the only other CFer really in consideration at the moment. Buck and Weglarz (when healthy) enter into the discussion for corner OF spots, but Weglarz is more likely going to transition into Hafner’s DH role if he succeeds.

I do wonder about the value of these guys. Reports are that they are excellent defenders in center, and while it is hard to judge minor league stolen base numbers, they seem to be great baserunners. Given the overall decline in offense the past two seasons, these kind of guys might be viewed as more valuable than they have been in the recent past. But who knows?…

by APV on May 12, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Depends on the cause of the decline. To the extent the decline is due to improved (young) pitching, these guys are going to look even worse in the minors. They still end up more valuable, but it’s slight.

by Jay on May 12, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Makes sense. Projections from minors must change because of changes in major league performance. I wonder if it changes draft strategy to an extent since hitting may be more scarce.

by riter on May 12, 2011 9:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I just think we are seeing some movement away from the “every position on the field needs to be plus-offense” perspective that became prevalent during the 90s and 00s.

by APV on May 13, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions