Minor League Notes, July 15, 2011

by John Sickels on Jul 15, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Minor League Notes, July 15, 2025

**The Seattle Mariners signed outfielder Guillermo Pimentel out of the Dominican Republic for $2 million in July 2009. He hit .250/.276/.451 in the Arizona Rookie League last year, knocking six homers in 184 at-bats but also posting an unsightly 5/58 BB/K ratio. Moved up to Pulaski in the Appy League this year, he's hitting .329/.349/.684 so far with eight homers already in 22 games, 76 at-bats, but with a 2/24 BB/K. Pimentel has outstanding power, but reports indicate that his approach remains quite raw, and the BB/K numbers certainly back that up. He's only 18 and has plenty of time to correct this, of course. His left-side power makes him an attractive long-term prospect if he can get the zone under some semblance of control.

**Kansas City Royals prospect Brett Eibner isn't having a great year so far. Drafted in the second round in 2010 from the University of Arkansas, the outfielder hurt his thumb during the first week of the season at Low-A Kane County and was out until mid-June. Since his return, he's hitting .192/.300/.433 in 29 games, with seven homers, 15 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 104 at-bats. He's in a deep slump right now, hitting .114 (4-for-35) in his last 10 games. Obviously the batting average is problematic and he's striking out too much, but on the positive side he is drawing walks and is still hitting for power. It's possible that the thumb issue is still having a lingering effect, and nobody should give up on a guy after 29 games with a low batting average.

**He is in the majors now so not a normal candidate for "Minor League Notes," but I'm interested in the impressions Blue Jays fans have about outfielder Eric Thames, currently hitting .308/.357/.519 in his first 104 major league at-bats despite a 6/29 BB/K. I've always liked him and I'm glad to see the fast start. Do you think he can maintain it?

**My writing mojo is at a very low ebb today. I have another question, this one for Pirates fans, but am going to turn it into a discussion topic which will post in about half an hour.

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Read More: Eric Thames (RF - TOR), Brett Eibner (RF - KAN), Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates

Comments

I have a question for Pirates fans

… Is this typical of the front office, that it e-mails one a thank-you note and a survey and a buy one-get one free deal for some seats for most of the rest of the season because one attended a game at PNC? It’s impressive (but, alas, incapable of instilling any rooting interest in Mrs. Caballero).

by Caballero Guapo on Jul 15, 2025 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

Thames

I’m trying to temper my enthusiasm as far as he’s concerned. Baseball, as we know, is a game of adjustments, and sooner or later pitchers will adjust to him. His makeup seems to suggest that he might be equal to the task, and his first hundred at-bats are certainly promising. Until he demonstrates more of a capacity for tightening up his zone, though, I’m not wholly buying into his long-terms future. As an aside, I do think the Jays should stop running him out to right field; he’s clearly a left fielder.

by royshowell on Jul 15, 2025 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Mostly agree

I think a lot of Jays fans are just confused with Thames, as some experts, like yourself and Kevin Goldstein for example, are very positive about his chances of turning into a solid, everyday big league corner outfielder, while others, like Keith Law, are adamant he’ll be nothing more than an extra bat or fourth outfielder.

His hot start and seemingly strong make up have impressed everyone in Toronto so far, but I would certainly agree with royshowell that keeping enthusiasm tempered at this point is the smart thing to do.

by 4dizzle on Jul 15, 2025 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I find it interesting that Thames confessed that he really wasn’t that interested in defense in the minors (and truthfully, he’s not earned any playing time because of defense) but he says he’s been working on it diligently ever since his first promotion. It’s very much a work in progress.

Certainly, in his second time up, he’s been spanking the ball hard. To me, he’s more of a doubles hitter than a true HR hitter although he has the strength to hit them over the wall.

Thames will need to make adjustments including taking more BBs but it’s hard to tell a guy who is hitting the ball hard to start taking a few. If you’re making good contact, keep swinging hard.

by siggian on Jul 15, 2025 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

thames

I’ve watched several of his at bats and can safely say he has one of the quickest swings I’ve ever seen, almost on par with Jose Bautista’s. As far as adjusting goes, during his first callup he was chasing a lot of breaking balls as pitchers were feeding him them, however even from at bat to at bat you could see the adjustment he makes, that along with his bat makes me believe he can be a productive major league hitter.
As far as the walks and K’s go I think he’ll be able to adjust with time.
He’s also been handling lefthanders quite well so far, as he can wait back and keep his stanced closed quite well, evidenced by his homer against cliff lee a couple of weeks ago.
On defense he is OK. He’s not a slow runner, and doesn’t have a bad arm, but he won’t excel in the OF either. But I can see him as average defensively long term.
All in all I haven’t seen a reason why he can’t be a major league regular, with his great bat speed and ability to adjust, he can be a decent corner outfielder with good power and a good BA, say 270 to 280, my best for a full season line is 280/340/500, although that may be at the high end of what he can do.

by daman316 on Jul 15, 2025 11:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

correction

1st paragraph
*, that along with his bat speed makes …

by daman316 on Jul 15, 2025 11:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Thames - one duffers observations...

I’ve seen every at bat he’s had with the Jays.

Used to be a physically imposing, ultra-powerful athlete with a viciously quick left handed swing and a very injury prone body. Since he took up yoga change the injury prone to not-injury prone and add flexible and supple to his list of qualities.

He adjusts not only from bat to bat but pitch to pitch. He has three homers - one to right, one to left and one to center. His very quick bat allows him to drive the ball to the gaps and corners for an absolute ton of doubles. When he grows up he’ll be a 25+ homer guy yearly. His arm is not good - just passable in LF - but definitely playable.

His LHed bat (along with the resurgent Snider’s LH bat) is proving to be just what the Jays need - particularly against righties. So far against lefties Thames has been a very pleasant surprise.

Overall, I thought he was a STEAL when the Jay’s drafted him and now I think he’s a many time (if not yearly) All-Star left fielder with a 300/260/530 annual line and 40+ doubles and 25+ dingers. Wish I was his agent!

by Mylegacy on Jul 18, 2025 3:46 PM EDT reply actions