Minor League Roundup – August 8th Edition

The Good

Moises Sierra – Buffalo (Triple A) – Double Header

3/5 – 2 HR, 1 K

There isn’t a player who’s been hurt more from the Jays shifting their AAA affiliate out of Las Vegas than Moises Sierra.  He’s collapsed this year, but Thursday wasn’t evidence of that.  In the first half of the double header, Moises went 3 for 3, and hit 2 home runs.  For a corner outfielder who had just 6 home runs coming into the day, that’s a step in the right direction, but probably won’t matter in the long run, because Sierra profiles as nothing more than a Quadruple A talent.

AJ Jimenez – New Hampshire (Double A)

1/4 – 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 K

Jimenez goes from being on the Bad side of the Roundup over to the positive.  He still struck out twice, but Jimenez hit a rare home run.  The problem is, that I’d much rather see Jimenez making consistent contact, rather than hitting for power.  Jimenez’s swing just will never be conducive to hitting for power at the major league level, and if he’s going to be a successful starting catcher it’s going to be based on his batting average.

Franklin Barreto – GCL (Low Rookie)

3/5 – 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 Error

Barreto just continues to absolutely crush the ball.  Thursday he hit the 2^nd home run of the season, and he’s now got a 6 game hitting streak, in which he has 9 extra base hits.  Barreto is so young, and damn its exciting to see him deliver so quickly.

Dan Jansen – GCL (Low Rookie)

3/4 – 2 BB

Second consecutive day that rookie catcher Dan Jansen is making an appearance on my roundup.  Perhaps pairing his obviously strong knowledge of the strike zone with actually hitting the ball well, shows he’s adjusting to the professional ranks. 

The Bad

Andy Burns – New Hampshire (Double A)

0/3 – 1 BB, 3 K

Mr. Burns put up the golden sombrero.  Even though he continues to struggle after his promotion to Double A, that’s not necessarily a reason to get discouraged.  He’s still young for the level, and even if he spends the full 2014 season at that level he’ll still be age appropriate. 

Dalton Pompey – Lansing (Low A)

0/4 – 3 K

Yet another golden sombrero.  Pompey isn’t a high ceiling talent, but rather one who is known for his wheels and his grinding attitude.  Since he’s a Canadian, from the Toronto area, I’m certainly rooting for the guy, but don’t think he’ll project anything higher than an up and down player at the very most.