2014 Season - Down On The Farm (May - June)

Not much news from the minors, but we are starting to get some early season promotions for some of the more promising prospects. Still doesn't look like anyone here is going to have any real impact at the major league level, but we are starting to see guys come up for a cup of coffee here and there.

RHP, Braden Shipley (Grade : B+, Class-A Advanced Visalia)

Braden Shipley has pitched his way into a promotion to Class-A Advanced Visalia after having a very good start of the season in South Bend. The California League, notoriously hitter friendly, will be quite a test for Shipley. He has struggled through 29IP so far, posting a 4.97ERA / 1.38WHIP, but striking out batters at a slightly higher tick. Nobody expects Shipley to match his numbers from South Bend, but as long as he doesn't get blown up a trip to Double-A Mobile should be in his near future.

RHP Aaron Blair (Grade : B, Class-A Advanced Visalia)

Blair, much like Shipley, has been given a shot at the California League. Blair, unlike Shipley, has actually improved his numbers since promotion.

RHP Matt Barnes (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

Started 11 games so far for Triple-A Reno, results have not been spectacular but Barnes is basically major league ready. He's 24 and this is his second season in Reno, if he doesn't get promoted soon he could risk being seen as a Quadruple-A type player.

RHP Jake Barrett (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

Recently promoted to Reno after recording 12 saves for Double-A Mobile, appeared in 25 games. Numbers continue to look good, whip is a little higher than you would like (1.36), but with Matt Stites getting a shot at the major league bullpen he's next in line for the "future closer" title.

RHP Alex Colome (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

Alex Colome's 50-game ban for PED use has passed, and he pitched like he was worth trading Phil Hughes for... in the minors at least. Colome has split his season over Class A-Advanced Visalia and AAA Reno, totaling 39IP and 37K with a 3.00ERA and 1.23WHIP. It's only 8 total starts, but a good sign that he isn't going to be slowed by his suspension. Came up for a cup of coffee in June, going 1-0 with one start and one other appearance over 9.2 innings.

LHP David Holmberg (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

Holmberg has been off so far this season, which isn't good news for anyone involved. Nobody expects him to strike everyone out, but his BB/9 have jumped (4.9) compared to previous seasons (2.9 in 2013, 1.9 in 2012) and his K:BB ratio has shrunk to 1.24. He's 0-4 in 9 starts, and a 5.75ERA isn't a ticket to the majors. Really needs to figure out what's wrong and fix it fast.

3B Jake Lamb (Grade : B-, Double-A Mobile)

Lamb has been crushing the ball for the Bay Bears. He has nearly repeated his number from 2013 in Class A-Advanced and 2012 in rookie ball. Hitting .315 and cutting your strike out rate (and walk rate too) is always a good sign, he has been a real star for Mobile this year. Hopefully he can continue to be a star in Reno and beyond. Wouldn't be surprised if he received a mid-season upgrade or started 2015 with a B/B+ grade.

SS Luis Sardinas (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)


Not having a great year at the plate at all, currently logging 26 games in the majors as a fill in, but he hasn't look like a major leaguer with a bat in his hands despite hitting .288. Only 9RBI and a single SB in the minors so far, hitting .253, not performing to expectations.

SS Sergio Alcantara (Grade : C+, Rookie PL)

Playing rookie ball in Missoula, not lighting the world on fire at the plate with a .274 average and 6RBI. Definitely needs to tighten things up defensively, 8 errors in 15 games isn't helping.

RHP Jimmy Sherfy (Grade : C+, Double-A Mobile)

Sherfy basically eviscerated Class-A Advanced hitters and earned a promotion to Double-A, has come down to earth since. ERA and WHIP jumped up, and his once eye-watering K/9 of 18.8 is now just amazing at 12.0.

RHP Matt Stites (Grade : C+, Triple-A Reno / MLB)


Saved 15 games through Double-A and Triple-A with solid numbers (2.89ERA / 1.14WHIP) before being promoted to the majors. Small sample size (5.1IP), but he hasn't given up a run yet and struck out just barely under a batter per inning (8.4).

OF Justin Williams (Grade : C+, Rookie PL)

Finished 2013 at Class-A after moving through two levels of rookie ball (Arizona League & Pioneer League), back at Missoula to start 2014. Not much power (1HR), but he's back to hitting .300+ after doing nothing (.111) in only 11PA at Class-A. Has played every game but one at LF.