Springer Ripping It Up

[Johnny Mac]

Last 10 games: .333 BA, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 1.165 OPS

Season: .302 BA, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 1.048 OPS

Still strikes out too much though.

I would expect he gets a taste of AAA sometime soon.

 

[huskymedic]

From a recent article (5 days ago):

The Houston Astros shuffled their outfield stable up earlier this week because, as GM Jeff Luhnow noted, they had too many outfielders with similar shortcomings on their roster. Basically, the team has been swinging and missing way too often. That's the understatement of the year! George Springer was not part of the new outfield reinforcement movement, but if the Astros' flycatchers continue to underwhelm all season, we may just see him be called up.

For now, though, Luhnow was adamant that Springer will remain at Double-A Corpus Christi, where he's hitting .289 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in just 121 at-bats. He also has nine stolen bases in 11 attempts. Springer is tall for an outfielder at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, but he's extremely athletic and has the speed needed to cover adequate ground in center field. He has topped 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in both of his full seasons in the minor leagues, and he should carry that 20-20 ability with him to the majors when he's ready.

He strikes out a tad too much to project solid batting average growth into Class AAA and the major league level right now, but if he closes some of the holes in his swing, he could become an elite fantasy baseball contributor once he reaches Houston and earns an everyday role in the outfield.

A September call-up is realistic in 2013. We already know the Astros are rebuilding, and it probably won't hurt them to give Springer a look late this year before he comes into spring camp competing for a roster spot in 2014. There are plenty of other young outfielders currently on the 40-man roster, however, and they'll be given a shot first. Springer should already be on the radar of keeper leaguers, but he should be starting to make his way into sight in deep mixed leagues next season. Continue to monitor his progress at Class AA and if he gets promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City sometime this summer.


Read more: http://www.kffl.com/a.php/133395/fantasy-baseball/Fantasy-Baseball-Player-Prospecting--Allen-Webster--George-Springer--more/pg2#ixzz2TKpvv6dm

 

[zls44]

AA is largely better for his development than AAA. Better talent, fewer egos, more playing time.

 

[huskymedic]

MiLB 12:49am via Web
#Astros No. 3 prospect George Springer ties the @cchooks record with four stolen bases. atmilb.com/19T6jrb

 

[huskymedic]

AmoreCourant 11:50am via Web
Former #UConnbaseball star George Springer at AA Corpus Christi: .300 BA, 16 HR, 41 BI, 16 steals i n 51 games. OPS 1.033. only neg: 66K's

 

[huskymedic]

GlobeSox 1:49pm via dlvr.it
On Deck blog: Ex-UConn star Springer named Texas League Player of the Week bo.st/1aWLvzv

"Springer went 12-for-30 during the period with 4 doubles, 4 home runs, 12 RBIs and 8 runs scored as he carried on through a current nine-game hitting streak, including 4 hits during a Sunday doubleheader. Springer also went 2-for-2 in stolen base attempts to bring his season total to 17, third most in the league. "

Also - Baseball America: All-Prospect Team: May Edition
http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/all-prospect-team-may-edition/

 

[huskymedic]

Dom Amore (@AmoreCourant)
6/9/13, 11:12 PM
Former #uconnbaseball star George springer got his 18th homer, and 18th steal for AA Corpus Christi. Hitting .307. ... Leading off lately

 

[huskymedic]

Selected to Texas League All Star Game:

http://www.milb.com/news/article.js...id=50312920&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_l109&sid=l109

This is a great write-up:

George Springer: the electric star rebuilding Astros are still missing.
http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastro...ric-star-rebuilding-astros-are-still-missing/

 

[Yonick]

How is Barnes doing?

 

[huskymedic]

How is Barnes doing?

Struggling a bit recently w/ AA Portland.

RHP Matt Barnes, Boston Red Sox

Season stats: 3W-3L 5.87 ERA, 53.2 IP, 62 H, 16 BB, 64 K

Barnes completely dominated in five Low-A starts (26.2 IP, ER, 12 H, 4 BB, 42 K) to begin his pro career in 2012 and also held his own (3.58 ERA, 93 IP, 85 H, 25 BB, 91 K) after a quick promotion to the High-A Carolina League. And just as he seemed to have a handle on Double-A hitters, he's taking his lumps over his last two starts.

The 19th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Barnes has allowed 11 earned runs over his last 5.2 innings to raise his ERA near 6.00. Still, he's probably the best pitching prospect in the organization despite his rotation mates, including Drake Britton (3.25 ERA) and Anthony Ranaudo (2.43 ERA), enjoying much more success in 2013.

 

[huskymedic]

Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks)
6/23/13, 9:12 PM
OF George Springer & RHP Jake Buchanan have been promoted to Triple-A OKC. Both will participate in the TL All-Star Game. #cchooks #Astros

 

[huskymedic]

Houston Astros (@astros)
6/25/13, 11:05 PM
George Springer named MVP of the Texas League All-Star Game tonight. Was 2x3, 2 HR, 3 RBI. Will report to Triple A OKC.

Nice way to say "goodbye"...

 

[Johnny Mac]

I believe I had that.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

An article was just written this morning on the cbssports.com fantasy site saying that everyone should be looking at adding Springer to their fantasy team. It is crazy to think that just a couple of years he was manning CF for us, and now he is considered the 'next big player' and is being compared to Matt Kemp (when healthy).

Notice also that below the article in his '5 on the farm', Olt also gets a mention. Crazy to think that in the next year or two I may be able to draft a few UConn players for my fantasy baseball team!


http://13303243644.baseball.cbssports.com/news/22537222


Down on the Farm: Spring into action

Scott White
09:56 am ET


This year's most impressive minor-leaguer is the 30th-most owned in Fantasy.
It's a subjective term: most impressive. No doubt, several players have wowed us with their dismantling of the lower levels to this point.
But every year, one in particular emerges with numbers so impressive and a path so projectable that he becomes the embodiment of all our hopes and dreams.
You remember who that player was last year, don't you? Wil Myers, with his 37 home runs between Double- and Triple-A, became the one hitter every Fantasy owner yearned to see in the big leagues, just as Dylan Bundy, with his 30 shutout innings to begin his minor-league career, became the one pitcher. Nobody articulated it, but everybody knew.

Most Owned Minor Leaguers (as of 6/27)​

Player % owned
1. Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox 58
2. Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals 43
3. Michael Wacha, SP, Cardinals 41
4. Dan Straily, SP, Athletics 39
5. Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds 37
6. Ike Davis, 1B, Mets 32
7. Travis d'Arnaud, C, Mets 29
8. Christian Yelich, OF, Marlins 28
9. Trevor Bauer, SP, Indians 28
10. Dylan Bundy, SP, Orioles 26​

And what should everybody know this year?
That George Springer, with his 19 home runs a little more than halfway through the season, is the bomb diggity.
Granted, he's not the only minor-leaguer putting up big power numbers so far, but unlike Joey Terdoslavich and Xavier Scruggs, he comes with a top prospect pedigree, making his performance a little more believable.
It's also multi-dimensional. Not only is Springer homering every time you turn around, but his 23 steals also rank among the minor-league leaders. And his 42 walks in 273 at-bats give him a near-.400 on-base percentage.
Yup, those Matt Kemp comparisons are right on the money so far.
And it's not like he's achieving such heights against a bunch of teenagers who still haven't learned to throw a breaking pitch. Given the number of journeymen littering Triple-A, you could argue Double-A actually features the minor leagues' best talent. And Springer showed his performance was no fluke against the best of the best, capping off his time at Double-A with two homers in the Texas League All-Star game Tuesday night.
That's right: capping it off. The Astros have already announced he'll kick off the second half at Triple-A Oklahoma City, putting him just one step away from the big leagues.
The question, then, is why? Why do Fantasy owners, ever infatuated with the next big thing, care so little about a prospect with so much going for him?
Maybe they've finally taken my fixation with strikeout rate to heart, pointing to Springer's 96 strikeouts in 273 at-bats this year as the reason he's not ready.
Maybe, but I doubt it. Myers' 140 strikeouts in 522 at-bats last year didn't scare anyone away.
Maybe they're burned out on prospects after waiting so long for Myers' arrival and enduring the disappointing debuts of Kevin Gausman, Zack Wheeler and Mike Zunino.
Maybe, but I doubt it. Zoilo Almonte is currently the most added player in Fantasy as the latest thing to arrive from the minors, and he's not even really a prospect.
OK, so maybe they're all just smarter than I realize.
D'Oh?
Yeah, maybe. Didn't we suffer through this same ordeal last year with Myers, waiting around for a rebuilding club to give the minor leagues' most impressive prospect a call? And it never happened, right? With winning no longer a priority for them at that stage of the season, the Royals recognized he had more value as (potentially) an overachieving minor-leaguer than (potentially) an underwhelming call-up.
That scenario seems even more likely in this case. In my 20 years following baseball, I've never seen an organization more committed to the rebuilding process than these Astros, who seem to weigh every move with the future in mind and without getting sidetracked by cheap thrills or meaningless winning streaks. It's the reason I don't see them calling up No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel this year either.
Jonathan Singleton is a different story because they've pretty much said they'll promote him at some point, but promoting Springer before they're completely sure he's ready can only hurt them by stunting his development or sticking him with service time too soon. If he ends up being more than ready, so what? They're losing now anyway. He can marinate. From their perspective even more than yours, that strikeout rate is legitimate reason for doubt.
So yeah, maybe that's it. Maybe the masses don't need some schlub like me telling them which players to stash.
Maybe, but I doubt it. Just look at Oscar Taveras. Between the recurring ankle injury and the underwhelming production at Triple-A, he's not coming up anytime soon, yet he's the second-most owned minor-leaguer at 44 percent. Outside of keeper leagues, he's not so worth stashing anymore.
Mostly, it's the disparity between him and Springer that bothers me. No, I don't really expect Springer to make a Fantasy impact this year, but the same goes for most of the 29 minor-leaguers owned in more leagues than him. At least for Springer, a promotion is possible. For Miguel Sano and Jameson Taillon, not so much.
So if you're plodding along with a lost-cause minor-leaguer on your bench just to give yourself a chance at a big splash, consider swapping him out for Springer. He's the bomb diggity, after all.

Five on the Farm ... by Michael Hurcomb (@CBSHurc) , CBSSports.com​

Now, it's time for five more players making headlines in the minors ...
Taylor Jordan, SP, Nationals
Affiliate: Double-A Harrisburg
2013 stats (Class A, Double-A): 9-1, 1.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 72 strikeouts, 15 walks, 68 hits and one home run allowed in 15 outings (90 1/3 innings)
Jordan is Brad Peacock 2.0 in that their careers are following a similar path. Much like Peacock, who was a former Washington farmhand, Jordan's career was going nowhere fast until a breakout run in the minors. Peacock's happened in 2011 after he made some changes to his delivery. Jordan's is happening the further he gets away from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in 2011. Jordan had an "excellent offseason," according to Nationals director of player development Doug Harris (per MASNsports.com), and his success in 2013 has been fueled by his sinker. He's now expected to be the latest rising prospect to make his MLB debut as he takes over in the Nationals' rotation for the injured Dan Haren (shoulder). Though, Fantasy owners should merely view Jordan as a potential stopgap option. Even if he succeeds for Washington, he's already up to 90 1/3 innings and has never pitched more than 94 1/3 innings as a pro. And don't forget this is also his first full season back after having Tommy John surgery, and we've seen how careful the Nationals were with Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann coming off the same procedure. Jordan is going to be shut down at some point, so it's probably not wise to make a major investment in the right-hander.
Bubba Starling, OF, Royals
Affiliate: Class A Lexington
2013 stats: .222/.302/.372/.673, one triple, seven home runs, 12 doubles, 33 RBI, 31 runs, 23 walks, 77 strikeouts and nine stolen bases in 65 games
It was just a few weeks ago Royals general manager Dayton Moore told MLB.com, "Bubba's doing great." You take a quick look at Starling's stat line and you start to wonder what player Moore is evaluating. Apparently, Starling -- the fifth overall pick in the 2011 MLB draft -- is on track with his development despite the rough season at Lexington. Although, Starling was having vision problems earlier this season, which led to Lasik eye surgery in May. He's batting .254 with one home run and 10 RBI in 18 June games, so it's not like he has seen a dramatic improvement since having the eye procedure. But Moore and the Royals are preaching patience with the gifted athlete. Moore said once Starling gets to "1,500 at-bats in the minor leagues, we will start evaluating where he is and where his timetable is." Starling is only at 434 at-bats through 118 pro games, so it appears the top 100 prospect is still a few years away from a Fantasy impact.
Mike Olt, 1B/3B, Rangers
Affiliate: Triple-A Round Rock
2013 stats: .199/.300/.410/.710, eight home runs, nine doubles, 22 RBI, 31 runs, 23 walks and 56 strikeouts in 42 games
Starling wasn't the only top prospect having vision problems this season. Olt missed several weeks dealing with an undisclosed vision problem, but he's back to his power-hitting ways since the issue cleared up. After batting .333 with one home run, two doubles and two RBI in three games for Double-A Frisco, Olt rejoined the Round Rock lineup in early June and is batting .250 with five doubles, seven home runs and 16 RBI in 22 games since his return. The Rangers don't have an opening for everyday at-bats for Olt, who has only played third base and DH this season. Though, the team probably wants Olt -- who is considered a top 25 prospect by MLB.com (No. 22) and Baseball America (No. 22) -- to get more at-bats in the minors to make sure he's past his eye issue in case the Rangers need a power bat as the AL West playoff race heats up later this summer.
Rosell Herrera, SS/3B, Rockies
Affiliate: Class A Asheville
2013 stats: .353/.428/.567/.995, 13 home runs, 20 doubles, 51 RBI, 54 runs, 58 strikeouts, 36 walks and 17 stolen bases in 71 games
Herrera drew some excitement as an international free agent in the summer of 2009, but the hype quickly disappeared after he struggled to transition to pro ball. Well, the enthusiasm is back as Herrera is in the midst of a breakout season at Asheville. Herrera came into 2013 with just eight home runs and 20 doubles in 173 games since coming stateside in 2011, but his emergence could be legit. He was expected to hit for power once he filled out his 6-foot-3 frame, and it seems to be coming to fruition for the 20-year-old infield prospect. Luckily for Herrera his offensive game is starting to blossom because his defensive game remains a work in progress. He's committed 20 errors at shortstop this season and has a .918 fielding percentage in 54 games, which is right in line with his career .925 fielding percentage. The Rockies have no need to rush Herrera with Troy Tulowitzki and Nolan Arenado manning the left side of the infield. Therefore, he will get plenty of time to improve defensively.
Gabriel Ynoa, SP, Mets
Affiliate: Class A Savannah
2013 stats: 8-2, 2.77 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 63 strikeouts, nine walks, 62 hits and seven home runs allowed in 12 starts (74 2/3 innings)
The Mets' current outlook might not be so pleasant, but the future looks bright, especially when it comes to pitchers. The New York rotation could one day feature Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero. And the talent doesn't stop there. Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia,Luis Mateo, Michael Fulmer and Domingo Tapia are just a few more names that could one day have a chance to make the Mets' pitching staff. Well, the talent pool is getting a little deeper thanks to Ynoa, who probably won't be an overlooked arm anymore. The 20-year-old hurler is having another outstanding season in the minors, improving his career stats to 20-10 with a 2.51 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 279 2/3 innings. Ynoa isn't a great strikeout pitcher (6.1 K/9), but he has great control (1.0 BB/9) and doesn't get hit around (7.8 H/9). Baseball America called Ynoa the Mets' "top sleeper pitching prospect" and the Dominican right-hander seems to be living up to the hype.

 

[huskymedic]

JonesCcj 8:40pm via Web
George Springer registers his first hit, XBH and RBI in AAA. It's a 2 out RBI double to tie the game at 1 in the sixth inning.

JonesCcj 10:37pm via Web
In first at bat of Game 2 of the DH George Springer does it again! A Solo Shot to lead off the 2nd. First HR in AAA. #stud #huskyinpros

 

[Jax Husky]

JonesCcj 8:40pm via Web
George Springer registers his first hit, XBH and RBI in AAA. It's a 2 out RBI double to tie the game at 1 in the sixth inning.

JonesCcj 10:37pm via Web
In first at bat of Game 2 of the DH George Springer does it again! A Solo Shot to lead off the 2nd. First HR in AAA. #stud #huskyinpros

Springer is hitting .378 in AAA and has 4 HR in 11 games.

 

[huskymedic]

Tonight...

Dom Amore (@AmoreCourant)
7/9/13, 11:06 PM
#uconnbaseball George springer with. Triple, two HRs and five RBI for Oklahoma city. He's hitting .409 in Triple A.

 

[Johnny Mac]

Slugging .700, 1.190 OPS. I watched the game on MiLB.tv and after the 2nd HR, the announcer says "I don't know what league Springer belongs in but it's not the PCL"

Starting to look like we'll see Springer in Houston sooner than later.

 

[Yonick]

As a Mets fan it kills me that they passed on Springer for a HS kid from Wyoming who is struggling in low A ball.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

While I love seeing the success of Springer and I love seeing Olt, Barnes, Ahmed, etc on all of the top prospect lists...it just makes those damn loses to Oregon down in Norwich all the more difficult to think about even after all of these years. What a huge opportunity we had that year!

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

While I love seeing the success of Springer and I love seeing Olt, Barnes, Ahmed, etc on all of the top prospect lists...it just makes those damn loses to Oregon down in Norwich all the more difficult to think about even after all of these years. What a huge opportunity we had that year!

Just as a painful reminder, here was our lineup from the season ending loss to Oregon that year. Heck, even our friggin #9 hitter from that team is a pretty good player at the AA level right now:

Player ab r h rbi bb so po a lob
LePage, Pierre 2b 5 1 1 1 0 0 1 5 2
Ahmed, Nick ss 5 0 2 1 0 0 1 3 0
Springer, George cf 5 0 3 0 0 1 2 1 1
Nemeth, Mike 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 12 1 0
Olt, Mike 3b 4 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 4
Mazzilli, LJ dh 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Pavone, Joe c 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 2
Ferriter, Billy lf 3 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
Andreoli, John rf 2 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 0
Barnes, Matt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
0

 

[huskymedic]

astros 5:19pm via Web
Congrats to OF George Springer, who today was named to Baseball America's Mid-Season Minor League All-Star Team.

 

[huskymedic]

DaveBorges 8:05pm via Twitter for iPhone
George Springer hitting third for US team in tomorrow's Futures Game. #UConn

MLBFutures 7:25pm via web
Here's the US Team lineup:
Hamilton CF
Deshields 2B
Springer RF
Cron 1B
Davidson 3B
Pederson LF
Yelich DH
Russell SS
Hedges C
Syndergaard P

MLBFutures 7:17pm via web
Here's the World Team lineup:
Fuentes LF
Alcantara 2B
Bogaerts SS
Sano 3B
Urrutia RF
Lennerton 1B
Polanco CF
Franco DH
Jimenez C
Montero P

 

[huskymedic]

UConn Blog Story - Down on the Farm: George Springer making strong case for September call-up

http://www.theuconnblog.com/2013/7/...rge-springer-making-strong-case-for-september

 

[huskymedic]

AmoreCourant 12:15am via Twitter for iPhone
Another homer for #UConnbaseball George Springer, his 8th since moving to Triple A, 27th of the season.