Shortstop Jurickson Profar (TEX) extended his hitting streak to 25 games at Double-A and has now reached based in 34 straight games. He has more than held his own at AA at just 19-years-old and he is now hitting .291 with four home runs, 19 RBI and six stolen bases in 148 at bats. He is going to present the Rangers with an interesting dilemma in another year when he is ready for the major leagues with Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler entrenched in the middle of the infield.
With Jeff Niemann hitting the disabled list for the Tampa Bay Rays, the team may look to Triple-A for a new pitcher in their starting rotation. One candidate is Chris Archer, currently 3-4 with a 4.71 ERA in Triple-A with 40 strikeouts in 42 innings. Acquired in a trade from the Chicago Cubs last season for Matt Garza, Archer some work to do on his control before he would succeed at the major league level. The other option is Alex Cobb who has a 4.14 ERA in Triple-A with 44 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. Cobb posted a 3.42 ERA in nine major league starts last season with a 1.33 WHIP and would have value in AL-only leagues if he gets promoted.
First basemen Anthony Rizzo continues to rake at Triple-A for the Chicago Cubs and is batting .359 in 142 at bats with 13 home runs and 37 RBI plus two stolen bases. Given the lack of power in the Cubs major league lineup, Rizzo shoulsd be a late summer call up to the major leagues.
Rizzo’s teammate Brett Jackson has been struggling to hit this year with a .226 average and three home runs, 12 RBI and seven stolen bases. The outfielder has not been able to reduce the number of strikeouts he tallies, with 48 punchouts in 137 at bats. Until he is able to get his plate discipline in order, he has little shot of succeeding in the major leagues.
Second basemen Kolten Wong (STL) is off to a good start at Double-A with a .309 batting average through 123 at bats with two home runs, 16 RBI and six stolen bases. A first round pick in the 2011 draft, Wong figures to see St. Louis in September with a chance to claim a starting job next spring training.
Outfielder Ben Revere (MIN) has picked up his performance of late, hitting .357 over his last 10 games with five stolen bases. For the season at Triple-A, Revere is hitting .322 with six steals. Given the lack of production from the Minnesota outfield, he should get a chance at some point this season, making him a reserve target for AL-only leagues.
Shortstop Everth Cabrera is batting .333 with 15 stolen bases at Triple-A and could be soon looking at a promotion to the San Diego Padres with both middle infielders struggling. Cabrera should be a reserve target for NL-only league owners that are looking for stolen bases.
