Prospect Update

Last week I highlighted a number of prospects for the Florida Marlins and Tampa Rays after seeing their AA affiliates--the Jacksonville Suns and Montgomery Biscuits.  I haven't had a chance to attend/scout any more games since last week, so instead here is a brief update on what these prospects have done within the last week.


Montgomery Biscuits

• Tim Beckham, who I noted was easily the best prospect on the field during the Suns-Biscuits series, has since been promoted to the Ray's AAA-affiliate the Durham Bulls.  Beckham went 5-16 with 2 2B, 2 SB, and 4 RBI in his last five games at Montgomery.  The only other SS on Durham's roster at this point is Ray Olmedo, a 30 year old journeyman-type, so Beckham figures to receive a decent amount of playing type and those within the Rays organization will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye to see if Beckham can continue to produce offensively and improve his defense.
• OF Kyeong Kang has continued to get on base.  Kang has gone 4-15 with a HR, 4 RBI, and 2 BB in his last five games.  
• According to milb.com 2B Shawn O'Malley, a personal favorite of mine after seeing him play last week, has only played in one game since the Jacksonville series.  In his one appearance against the Mobile BayBears O'Malley was 0-3 with a BB, 2K, but also 2 SB.  The MTG Biscuits roster now lists O'Malley as SS and Cole Figueroa as a 2B (rather than 3B).  The Biscuits also appear to have called up SS prospect Hak-Ju Lee from the Florida State League, so it may be that O'Malley is dinged up, or more likely is splitting time between SS and 2B behind both Lee, a higher rated prospect, and Figueroa, who has a more potent, powerful bat than O'Malley.
• RHP Chris Archer has had one successful start since the series against Jacksonville.  Archer went 5 innings, gave up 3 hits, 1 earned run, 3 BB, and struck out 6.  
• RHP Alexander Colome who I covered in more detail in Part 3 of my analysis, also had a successful start against Mobile.  Colome went deeper into the game (7 IP) than Archer, thanks in part due to better command (only 2 BB).  However, Colome only struck out two batters in his seven innings of work, compared to his 6 K in 6.1 IP against Jacksonville. 
• RHP Matt Bush has appeared in two games since last week's series.  Both of his relief stints were 2 innings long and in his 4 IP Bush struck out 5 hitters without walking anybody.  However, he did allow a HR.

Jacksonville Suns 

• C Kyle Skipworth has continued to struggle at the plate going 2 for his last 16, with one of his hits being a HR.
• LF Jake Smolinski has also similarly since the series against Montgomery as he has also gone 2 for his last 16.
• RHP Bryan Evans has had one start since his victory against MTG on 8/3.  Evans went 7 innings against the Chattanooga Lookouts (AA for LA Dodgers) and somehow only let up 2 ER as he gave up 10 hits, walked 1, and struck out only 1.  This stat line, like Evans' pure stuff is not very impressive (although he did record 6K against MTG), but somehow Evans managed to record another quality start.
• 2B Jim Negrych has continued to produce solid results, as he has gone 9-18 in the past 6 games.  Negrych, who has no overwhelming tools per-se has been very productive all season long for Jacksonville, with a slash line of .320/.389/.421.  However, until Negrych develops more pop in his bat  it may be difficult for him to be considered a true prospect.  Regardless, if he continues to hit for average he could eventually find himself on a MLB bench as a role player.