Minor League Notes, June 2, 2010
**Mariners outfield prospect Greg Halman went 3-for-5 with two homers and seven RBI for Triple-A Tacoma yesterday. On the season, he's hitting .239/.336/.541 with nine homers, 16 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 109 at-bats, 29 games. He's also stolen four bases in five attempts. Halman's power/speed combination is one of the most intriguing in the minor leagues and his tools are undeniable. However, his ability to make contact remains a huge flaw. He does seem to be making more of an effort to work the count and has more than doubled his walk rate compared to last year, but the K-rate remains extremely high.
**Cardinals prospect Scott Gorgen was off to an excellent start for Double-A Springfield, going 5-1, 1.17 with a 42/17 K/BB in 46 innings, 33 hits allowed through seven starts. However, he went on the disabled list last week with a sprained elbow, and at this time there is no public timetable for his return. Gorgen's fastball is average, but he has a decent breaking ball and a superb changeup that lets his velocity play up. He had some adaptation issues in Double-A last year but was massively more effective this spring until he got hurt.
**Twins prospect Carlos Gutierrez continues puttering along at Double-A New Britain: 2-4, 4.38, 43/20 K/BB in 62 innings, 66 hits. Quite mediocre performance. That said, he does have a nice 2.34 GO/AO ratio, reflecting the quality of his hard sinker. The Twins seem committed to him as a starter, but I still think his eventual role will be in the bullpen. That said, there's nothing wrong about using him in the rotation in the minors in my view, so he can build a basis of experience and continue working on his secondary pitches.
**Prediction for Stephen Strasburg's major league debut against the Pirates: six innings, five hits, two walks, six strikeouts, two runs, no decision.
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