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Minor League Notes: Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers prospects staying hot

By Brody Hilgenkamp

Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World infielder Yoan Moncada hits a single in the fourth inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World infielder Yoan Moncada hits a single in the fourth inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Freeland, pitcher, Colorado Rockies
First Look: Through four starts, Freeland had a 1.13 ERA and was holding opponents to a .222 average.

Since then: Freeland didn’t experience the same success over his next 10 starts. He had a 4.90 ERA and 5.08 FIP over those 10 outings and saw his walk rate jump to 3.08 per nine innings. The Rockies still promoted him to Triple-A on June 25 and he has a 2.93 FIP in three starts. Most importantly, his walk rate is back to 1.89 per nine innings.

Jorge Alfaro, catcher, Philadelphia Phillies
First Look: Alfaro missed nearly a month due to injury but was slashing .407/.419/.610 in 14 games through May 14.

Since then: Alfaro has hit 10 home runs and has slashed .260/.310/.464. Those numbers don’t jump off the screen, but for a catcher that’s plenty of production. In fact, it’s great, because coupled with his defensive value, he is one reason the Phillies are the farthest along on their rebuild. According to Baseball Prospectus, Alfaro has saved 4.9 runs due to his pitch framing and 1.2 runs due to his throwing, both among the best in professional baseball (majors and minors included).

Ronald Guzman, first baseman, Texas Rangers
First look: Guzman was sixth in the Texas League in BABIP (.394) and was slashing .331/.399/.543 through May 17.

Since then: When I first mentioned them, Guzman and his teammate Ryan Cordell were tearing up the league and I said Cordell was more likely to stay hot. Cordell has shown his power—he is tied for second in the league with 17 home runs—but I was wrong. Guzman has slashed a cool .273/.335/.442 for a 119 wRC+ and has hit six home runs since we last saw him. Cordell has slashed .207/.263/.367 with seven home runs. Now Guzman is third in the league with an .849 on-base plus slugging.

Next: Class A Advanced

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