April 11th Honor Roll: Joan Gregorio and Ji-Man Choi
By Wally Fish
Thursday’s MiLB honor roll was slanted in favor of the hurlers by a 11-9 margin. However it was a four extra-base hit game that stood out as the best performance of the day. You’ll find some names of some top prospects in the below, but the hitter and pitcher of the day honors were secured by players well off their respective organization’s Top-30 lists.
General view of Safeco Field outfield stands and new LCD scoreboard screen (Photo Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)
Pitcher of the Day: SF – Joan Gregorio, Augusta Greenjackets (A): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO
Entering the 2012 season Gregorio had two strong rookie ball campaigns on his resume. Of course evaluating any player based on their performance in the Arizona and Dominican Summer Leagues would be foolish but there were a lot of reasons to be hopeful about the 6’7″, 185 lb righty’s chances to grab some attention. His 16 starts with Salem-Keizer (A-) last year certainly dampened hopes a bit, but Gregario remains an intriguing prospect and though he got hit around (85 H in 76.1 IP) he improved his BB and K rates. Now 21, he is more than capable of pitching his way into the Giants long term plans and early returns are good that he’s starting to resolve some of his mechanical kinks. He’s pitched 11.0 innings through two starts this season having allowed just 6 hits and 1 run to go with a 13-1 SO-to-BB. Two outings does not a season make but all his rate stats have improved and this could be just the beginning of a huge breakout season.
Hitter of the Day: SEA – Ji-Man Choi, High Desert Mavericks (A+): 4-5, 3 R, 3 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, SO
Seattle signed Choi out of Korea in 2009 for $425,000. Since making his professional debut in the AZL as a 19-year old, he’s displayed a great deal of offensive prowess. At least he has when he’s been on the field anyway. Choi missed the 2011 season thanks to a shoulder problem and that hasn’t been his only encounter with the injury bug since he signed. He’s hit 0.321/.426/.495 with a 13.5 BB% and 17.8 K% in 152 minor league games and by all accounts his bat is legit and good enough to carry him to the majors. Choi’s track record, bat speed and discipline will likely result in an impressive stat line at the end of the season considering he’s in the California League. Yes, High Desert will inflate his numbers, but as long as he can stay healthy I have little doubt he will make it to Seattle.
Honorable Mentions from the Mound:
BAL – Kevin Gausman, Bowie Baysox (AA): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO
CIN – Greg Reynolds, Louisville Bats (AAA): 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
MIL – Brooks Hall, Brevard County Manatees (A+): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO
SD – Matthew Wisler, Lake Elsinore Storm (A+): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO
SD – Joseph Ross, Fort Wayne TinCaps (A): 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO
TB – Alex Colome, Durham Bulls (AAA): 6.o IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
TEX – Brad Mills, Round Rock Express (AAA): 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
TEX – Luke Jackson, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A+): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
TOR – Deck McGuire, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA): 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
TOR – Aaron Sanchez, Dunedin Blue Jays (A+): 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
Honorable Mentions from the Plate:
BOS – Kolbrin Vitek, Portland Sea Dogs (AA): 4-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB
HOU – Austin Wates, Corpus Christi Hooks (AA): 3-4, 2 R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, BB
LAA – Chris Snyder, Salt Lake Bees (AAA): 4-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI
LAA – Matt Long, Arkansas Travelers (AA): 2-2, R, HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB
NYY – Slade Heathcott, Trenton Thunder (AA): 3-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, SB
PHI – Maikel Franco, Clearwater Threshers (A+): 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI
PIT – Josh Bell, West Virginia Power (A): 4-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SO
STL – James Ramsey, Palm Beach Cardinals (A+): 2-3, 3 R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB