Farm Futures: Pacific Coast League Roundup

Now that the minor league season is upon us, the format of this column is changing. Each Tuesday I will profile a standout performer from a recent game or two and then provide a snapshot of the success and failure of notable players in a specific league. We will kick things off this week with a look at the excellence Byron Buxton displayed Monday with Double-A Chattanooga, followed by a look at what some key players have been up to in the Pacific Coast League through one week of play.

Byron Buxton: 4-for-6 with a double, a triple, a run scored and a RBI (he was also caught stealing in his only attempt) on Apr. 13 against Double-A Montgomery.

In his first at-bat he jumped on a first-pitch fastball and hit it to the wall in left-center for a double. Buxton actually considered stretching it for a triple, but thought better of it. He went from home to second in seven seconds, showcasing his plus-plus speed.

In his second at-bat he ripped a 0-1 hanging curveball for a single, again to left-center.

In at-bat No. 3 he made his first out on a 1-1 fly ball to dead center, about 10 feet in front of the warning track.

His fourth at-bat resulted in another extremely high fly out to dead center.

In his fifth at-bat he beat out a sharply hit grounder that was gloved by the second baseman for Montgomery, again showing that he can fly on the base paths. However, Buxton then attempted to steal second base and he didn't get a great jump and was thrown out comfortably by a perfect throw from Montgomery's catcher, Justin O'Conner. It wasn't a particularly close play, but O'Conner has one of the best arms among catchers in the minor leagues and Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs actually put an 80 on his arm. Buxton is not quite as fast as Billy Hamilton, but he should have no problem stealing 35-to-45 bases annually with the Twins.

Buxton's speed was on display once again in his sixth at-bat, as he capped off an impressive day at the plate by smoking a fastball to the gap in left-center for a triple. I clocked him going home to third in 9.82 seconds, which is 80-grade speed.

Gap power, a plus-plus hit tool and elite speed were all on display in Buxton's game Monday. Through five games he is slashing .280/.308/.520 with a homer, a stolen base and a 9:1 K:BB ratio in 26 plate appearances. The approach may not look good on paper, but he has had a K-rate between 17 and 26 percent at all of his previous stops in the minor leagues, so I would expect his success in that area to improve as the season progresses. Kris Bryant is the clear top fantasy prospect in the game, but Buxton is an equally clear No. 2 and someone who should be an anchor in keeper leagues for the next 10-15 years.

Minor League Snapshot: Pacific Coast League

Hitters

Kris Bryant, Triple-A Iowa - .381/.375/.714, two HR, two SB, six K through 21 at-bats

This is a pretty classic five-game run for Bryant, as the power showed up right away in his return to the Pacific Coast League, as did the strikeouts. While he won't steal bases at this rate when he gets called up to the big leagues, it's nice to know that he probably won't be a complete non-factor in the stolen base department, at least not right away.

Addison Russell, Triple-A Iowa - .318/.333/.500, one HR, zero K through 22 at-bats.

This is the kind of start a prospect of Russell's caliber is expected to get off to in a league like the PCL. Last season, Russell got his K-rate below 20 percent, and he is on pace to improve further in 2015.

Yasmany Tomas, Triple-A Reno - .235/.316/.471, one HR, four K through 17 at-bats.

This is the kind of slash line that one would have expected out of Tomas in the big leagues, so the fact that he hasn't hit the ground running in a favorable minor-league environment suggests his stay in the minors may last quite a while.

Stephen Piscotty, Triple-A Memphis - .267/.313/.600, one HR, four K through 15 at-bats.

Piscotty should challenge for the PCL batting title by season's end if he remains blocked at the major league level.

Rymer Liriano, Triple-A El Paso - .143/.250/.143 through 14 at-bats.

Liriano can't really force the issue with a big start to the season, so his early-season struggles won't result in anything tangible other than perhaps hurting his trade value.

Jon Singleton, Triple-A Fresno - .389/.450/.722, one HR, three 2B, two K through 18 at-bats.

Oh what a difference there is between the PCL and the major leagues. While Singleton should be able to regain any confidence he lost after failing against big-league pitching last season by tormenting Triple-A pitching, we won't be able to buy all the way back in until he can show that he has made adjustments against big-league pitching.

Dilson Herrera, Triple-A Las Vegas - .188/.263/.188 through 16 at-bats.

On the bright side, like with Rymer Liriano, there should have been no expectation for Herrera to see time in a regular role for the Mets this season. A developmental year in the PCL should end up being a recipe for big numbers from Herrera by season's end.

Ketel Marte, Triple-A Tacoma - .364/.391/.364, zero XBH, one K through 22 at-bats.

We often talk about the job battle for shortstop in Seattle being between Brad Miller and Chris Taylor, but Marte could enter that conversation this summer if he continues to hit like this. At peak, Marte's fantasy production could mirror that of Daniel Murphy, although Marte would qualify at shortstop.

Peter O'Brien, Triple-A Reno - .391/.417/.609, one HR, two 2B, three K through 23 at-bats.

With O'Brien playing left field, it seems the Diamondbacks have given up on developing him as a catcher. This could be viewed as a hit to his value, as he'll no longer qualify at a prime position, but it should also allow him to focus solely on hitting, and could lead to a quicker path to the majors.

Jesus Montero, Triple-A Tacoma - .400/.478/.650, one HR, two 2B, three K through 20 at-bats.

While he is technically no longer a prospect, that may actually allow him to fly under the radar in dynasty leagues. There may not appear to be a spot for him in Seattle, but when a team is in win-now mode like the Mariners are, they will find room for a bat like Montero if he continues to rake.

Kyle Kubitza, Triple-A Salt Lake - .333/.360/.542, three 2B, one 3B, eight K through 24 at-bats.

He is the Angels' third baseman of the future and there is a chance that he could get his shot at replacing David Freese sometime this year, though that won't happen as long as Freese continues to be one of the team's best hitters.

Domingo Santana, Triple-A Fresno - .231/.333/.462, one HR, seven K through 13 at-bats.

Santana's propensity to strikeout remains extreme, and he looks poised to spend most, if not all, of 2015 with Fresno.

Kevin Plawecki, Triple-A Las Vegas - .000/.056/.000 through 17 at-bats.

This definitely isn't the start to the season Plawecki, or his owners, would like to see, but as he is firmly blocked by Travis d'Arnaud, a hot start wouldn't have done much for his fantasy value.

Darnell Sweeney, Triple-A Oklahoma City - .200/.238/.300, three SB, six K through 20 at-bats.

It's nice to see Sweeney running (3-for-4 on SB attempts) early, but concerns about his hit tool remain.

Patrick Kivlehan, Triple-A Tacoma - .294/.368/.706, two HR, one SO through 17 at-bats.

Kivlehan has been as impressive as teammate Jesus Montero so far, but unlike Montero, Kivlehan probably doesn't have the upside to be an intriguing fantasy option at DH or first base in the big leagues.

Joe Wendle, Triple-A Nashville - .375/.400/.750, two HR, one 3B, one 2B, five K through 24 at-bats.

Wendle is off to one of the hottest starts in the minors and is already starting to look like an upgrade over Eric Sogard, though the A's wouldn't necessarily make that change this season.

Grant Green, Triple-A Salt Lake - .385/.385/.423, one XBH, five SKthrough 26 at-bats.

Green has a plus hit tool and not much else. Johnny Giavotella is hitting .300 right now for the Angels, but if he were to struggle and Green continues to hit, there could be a changing of the guard at the keystone in Anaheim. Also notable is the fact that Green has been much better than Josh Rutledge so far with Salt Lake.

Luis Sardinas, Triple-A Colorado Springs - .421/.450/.526, zero SB, three K through 19 at-bats.

Should the Brewers lose Jean Segura or Scooter Gennett to an injury, Sardinas would likely get the call, but until then, it seems the team wants to make sure he's getting regular playing time. It would be nice to see him run more, but that should pick up as the sample size increases.

Michael Choice, Triple-A Red Rock - .190/.190/.286, 10 SO through 21 at-bats.

This is probably the most disappointing performance from a hitter so far this season in the PCL. Choice entered spring as a presumed option in left field with the Rangers, and played his way out of the mix. It would be tough not to cut bait if you own Choice in a deep AL-only dynasty league.

Kyle Parker, Triple-A Albuquerque - .300/.417/.500, one HR, five SO through 20 at-bats.

Parker has had a cup of coffee at the big-league level, and he is a classic better-in-fantasy-than-in-reality prospect. Those become even more intriguing when the potential home ballpark is Coors Field. There is no room for Parker now, but if something opens up for him at first base or in an outfield corner, he'll be worth some attention.

Xavier Scruggs, Triple-A Memphis - .308/.438/.846, two HR, two SO through 13 at-bats.

Scruggs turns 28 in September, so it's hard to label him a prospect even though he still qualifies. The first baseman has hit at least 20 homers in four straight minor league seasons, and there is a chance he can improve upon his .286/.370/.494 slash line with Memphis last season. However, it's hard to see the Cardinals making room for him anytime soon in any role other than the short side of a first-base platoon with Matt Adams, if Mark Reynolds is not up to the task.

Pitchers

Noah Syndergaard, Triple-A Las Vegas - 4.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, two K through four innings.

The Mets have Syndergaard set up to get as little work in Las Vegas as possible this season so that he has plenty of innings left when it's his time to join the big league rotation. It would be nice to see him dominate prior to his call-up, but the caveat about the PCL being a hitter-friendly league still applies.

Jon Gray, Triple-A Albuquerque - 11.25 ERA, 2.25 WHIP, four K through four innings.

Gray is on the cusp of a call-up to the big leagues, but starts like this won't help him in that quest. Still, he only had one walk in his first outing of the year, and it could have just been one of those days, so don't read too much into one start.

Andrew Heaney, Triple-A Salt Lake - 0.00 ERA, 0.29 WHIP, eight K through seven innings.

Heaney does not need to prove to anyone that he can get minor league hitters out. His track record in that realm is unquestioned. We will have to wait for the Angels to find a spot for him in the big league rotation for him to really get tested.

Steven Matz, Triple-A Las Vegas - 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, four K through 5.1 innings.

Matz continues to look the part of a pitcher who could have success right away upon his inevitable call-up to The Show. He is likely behind Syndergaard in the pecking order should a rotation spot open up, but by 2016 he should be a staple in the Mets' rotation.

Alex "Chi-Chi" Gonzalez, Triple-A Round Rock - 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, three K through five innings.

Gonzalez probably won't be in the minor leagues past the All-Star break, assuming he holds his own with Round Rock. This is a pitcher I would nab in 12-team leagues as soon as he gets the call, as he could pitch like a mid-rotation starter right out of the gate.

Marco Gonzales, Triple-A Memphis - 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, six K through six innings.

Gonzales got hit around a little in his first start of the year for Memphis, but the tough pitching environments in the PCL should be taken into account when evaluating his numbers this season. I still think he will eventually find his way into the Cardinals' rotation at some point this year.

Robbie Erlin, Triple-A El Paso - 10.80 ERA, 2.20 WHIP, four K through five innings.

I love Erlin's stuff in Petco Park. In the PCL? Not so much. Still, even with the tough environment, his first start of the year was surprisingly horrific. That said, Ian Kennedy (hamstring) has already been replaced in the Padres' rotation by Odrisamer Despaigne in the short term, so for the time being, Erlin is one more injury away from potentially getting the call.

Justin Nicolino, Triple-A New Orleans - 3.86 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, three K through 4.2 innings.

Nicolino remains fairly uninteresting, as his lack of elite stuff means he would really have to locate and sequence his way to success if ever given a shot in the Marlins' rotation.

Allen Webster, Triple-A Reno - 18.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, two K through three innings.

Webster is probably behind teammate Robbie Ray in the hunt to join the D-Backs' rotation following his first start of the year. Considering how great Archie Bradley looked in his big-league debut, a spot may not be opening up anytime soon.

Robbie Ray, Triple-A Reno - 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, four K through six innings.

Ray is a pitcher who won't be properly tested until he gets back in a big-league rotation. I still have my doubts about his qualifications, but it would not be surprising if he starts to look like a more appealing option than Chase Anderson or Rubby De La Rosa in the next month or two.

Anthony Ranaudo, Triple-A Round Rock - 0.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, six K through five innings.

While I'm excited about the prospect of Alex "Chi-Chi" Gonzalez joining the Rangers' rotation at some point this season, Ranaudo will probably get the first crack at it. He isn't the most exciting arm in the PCL, but his proximity to the big leagues means he needs to be followed in AL-only leagues.

Zach Lee, Triple-A Oklahoma City - 1.50 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, six K through six innings.

It's just one start, but my calls for Lee to attempt to restart his football career may end up being proven a bit premature if he can build of his early success. He should make his way to the big league club at some point this season, though it's unclear what his role will be.

Joe Wieland, Triple-A Oklahoma City - 3.60 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, nine K through five innings.

Wieland could get some starts with the Dodgers at some point in the early going, as Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder) is without a timetable to return. He has missed a lot of bats this spring and in his first PCL start of the season, but chances are he'll settle in as a back-end starter against high-end competition.

Tim Cooney, Triple-A Memphis - 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, three K through six innings.

He is in the wrong organization to be able to pitch his way into the big league rotation, as Marco Gonzales is clearly ahead of him right now. Cooney also lacks the bat-missing stuff to be an exciting fantasy option in time.

Taylor Jungmann, Triple-A Colorado Springs - 2.25, 1.75, three K through four innings.

Following Jimmy Nelson's dazzling first start of the season, it appears Jungmann will need an injury to get a shot in the Brewers' rotation this year.

Ty Blach, Triple-A Sacramento - 2.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, four K through seven innings.

Blach's stuff is not electric, but he could have the best command/control in the entire PCL. Should he get a chance to make a spot start with the Giants later this season, he would be an intriguing name to watch in home starts.

Nick Tropeano, Triple-A Salt Lake - 3.00 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, six K through six innings.

This start should keep Tropeano's name in the mix when the Angels need to add another arm to the rotation, though he is still probably behind Andrew Heaney in the pecking order.