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Minor League Notes: New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge finds his power stroke

By Brody Hilgenkamp

Mar 8, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) at bat against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) at bat against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Orioles probably don’t need an offensive boost, considering that entering Wednesday they led the league in home runs (123), slugging (.474) and isolated power (.201) and were fifth in runs scored (388) and tied for sixth in OBP (.334). But if a need were to arise, they have Trey Mancini in Triple-A.

Mancini has been one of the Orioles’ most steady minor league hitters, and the jump to the International League hasn’t changed that. Since his promotion from Double-A on April 25, Mancini has hit .294/.363/.481 and hit nine home runs. The first month of the season had a bit of a learning curve, but since May 22 he’s gotten into a groove, slashing .399/.408/.535.

Mancini’s highest value to the team may be on the trade market. The Orioles somehow are leading the American League East by 5.5 games despite having a pitching rotation that entering Wednesday was 25th in earned run average (4.92) and 22nd in fielding independent pitching (4.61). This in a division that has three of the top 10 offenses in the game. Mancini could be part of a trade package that brings the Orioles an arm.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jose De Leon has ace stuff. He got a late start to the season due to an ankle sprain, but in his five starts this season he’s struck out 14.24 batters per nine innings, fifth in the Pacific Coast League among pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched. The Dodgers are keeping his work load down this season as he has pitched five innings just once.

San Diego Padres outfield prospect Alex Dickerson is having a great season. He was even promoted to the majors for eight games in May and was promoted again Tuesday, going 1-for-5 in the Padres’ 11-7 loss to the Orioles. Dickerson is hitting .382/.425/.622 with 10 home runs in Triple-A, and he was particularly hot after he was sent back to the minors after his first promotion: He hit .397/.435/.658 from May 15 through Sunday.

Next: Double-A

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