by Jim Brown
*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2012 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
RHP Daniel Minor, Rookie Level Greeneville (HOU)
season stats: 3.33 ERA, 46 IP, 42 H, 9 BB, 37 K in 9 starts
August 8-August 14: 7 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 11 K in 1 start
Marc and I may be separated by 250 miles and our tracking methods are very unique to one another, but sometimes we get on the same wavelength with our picks. This happened to one of those weeks, as we both picked a prospect from the Houston system, which could be for the last time. With the organization heading for the American League (we only cover NL organizations), Marc has been crying foul that we won’t be on-board to see the transformation of their minor league system. I’d be quick to buy what he’s selling, because I’ll miss the weekly performances of UTR candidates Luis Cruz, Jose Cisnero, Nick Tropeano (who I like a lot), potential closer Jason Stoffel and many others that will create an upswing to a weak system. One that could be listed in the group soon is Daniel Minor, a 9th Round pick from this year's draft out of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. This 5’11” 188 lb right-hander, who’s noted for his aggressive bulldog-like mentality, snarled on the mound on August 10th against Princeton (TB Rays), picking up his first pro win. The Texas native gave up one hit over seven scoreless innings while striking out a career-high eleven and walking one batter. He got off to a strong start in June (2.57 ERA) and then suffered a horrific July (5.19 ERA) before turning it around in August. He’s currently on a 13 inning scoreless streak with a BB/K rate of 1/14.
His success comes from keeping the ball down and producing groundballs. Comparing his peripherals over the last three months, it was apparent that he was getting the ball up in the zone during July, as hitters were hitting at an almost .300 clip. The addition of a slider and gripping the ball differently also helped keep the ball down in his latest outing, according to Minor.
The 21 year-old works with a low 90s fastball, using both a four and two-seamer, and is known to throw a cutter. All of his offerings thus far, including his change-up and curve, rate as average, though his big, sweeping curve may develop into a plus pitch. Minor’s arm action and mechanics don’t exhibit any worries. As a starter in the Southland Conference, Minor set or tied many records, but as a pro his size may sidetrack him to a bullpen assignment. Look for Minor to rise through the Houston system, but continue to fly under the radar. The latter part of 2013 could find him in Double-A Corpus Christi, which is only 8.7 miles from his college days.
Relief Pitcher of the Week
RHP Dyllon Nuernberg, Short-Season Batavia (STL): 2.59 ERA, 31.1 IP, 25 H, 7 BB, 32 K in 17 appearances; 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 8 K in two appearances last week.
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UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
Under the Radar 2012 Archive
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RHP Dyllon Nuernberg, Short-Season Batavia (STL): 2.59 ERA, 31.1 IP, 25 H, 7 BB, 32 K in 17 appearances; 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 8 K in two appearances last week.
Click HERE to follow Jim Brown on Twitter.
UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
Under the Radar 2012 Archive
Tweet
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