Minor League Stars Of The Day May 18th: Led By Colorado Rockies, Mariners, Pirates
Today’s stars are led by three prospects from three different organizations; Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates. All three teams are not enjoying as much success as they want this year but each organization has a few promising prospects. The Pittsburgh Pirates have a solid minor league system but the verdict is out on if they can develop these prospects into legitimate baseball stars. The Colorado Rockies, on the other hand, are not known for bringing up pitchers. This could change with a member of the list today.
A start of a new series for baseball fans begins today. Every day we will look at the best statistical games from the night prior in the minor leagues. Not only does this allow fans to get to know their favorite teams’ prospects but dynasty fantasy players can see a quick glimpse of who might be heating up.
Each day we will pick the three or four best statistical batting games and add honorable mentions at the end of the post. Every minor league baseball player is eligible from Single-A to Triple-A. Players can appear multiple days in a row. If we missed someone or something, let us know in our social media channels. Do you think someone else should have been made it in our Minor League Baseball Stars Of The Day? Let us know.
Karl Kauffmann – Colorado Rockies – Double-A
Karl Kauffmann is a 24-year-old right handed pitcher currently assigned to the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Originally drafted in the second round of the 2019 draft out of the University of Michigan, Kauffmann has not appeared on many top prospect lists. In only his second professional baseball season, Kauffmann has impressed enough to start the 2022 season at Double-A Hartford.
Through seven starts, the Colorado Rockies prospect has not disappointed. While his 2.61 ERA is impressive, his peripheral statistics are even better. Specifically, Kauffmann has increased his K rate dramatically. Increased strikeout percentage will help with success at the Colorado Rockies home stadium. In 2022, he is striking out almost 12 batters per nine innings. Throughout his career, Kauffmann did not average more than eight batters struck out per nine. Obviously, the swing and miss rate increasing is having a positive effect on Kauffmann’s results.
6 IP 0 H 0 R 9 K's No. 28 #Rockies prospect Karl Kauffmann was unhittable for the @GoYardGoats; https://t.co/vTF9LjuTJG pic.twitter.com/dl137w6JBL — MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 20, 2022
Last night, Kauffmann went 6 2/3 innings while striking out eight and tying a season high with three walks. The righty only gave up one hit despite struggling a bit with his command by throwing 61 of his 100 pitches for a strike. Kauffmann easily projects as a number four or number five starter for the Colorado Rockies. We could see him in the major leagues by 2023.
Robert Perez – Seattle Mariners – Single-A
22-year-old Robert Perez wants you to know he has superb power. He wants you to know so much that he showed it off last night with a two homerun performance for the Single-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Perez added three runs batted in, a couple runs scored and one walk to end his spectacular night for the Modesto Nuts.
Perez was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Venezuela. The 6’1” first basemen also has the ability to play third base, if needed, and could be a prime prospect for designated hitter at the major league level. The right handed hitter showed his new found power in 2021 with 15 homeruns in 401 plate appearances. In 2022, he already has 14 homeruns in only 131 at-bats. Some of those homeruns could be chalked up to ballpark dimensions and poor pitching but it is impressive nonetheless.
The consensus on Perez is still out but right now he projects as a bench player who can add some pop. His lack of ability to make contact on a consistent basis will really harm his future prospects at the major league level.
Sweet swing of @ModestoNuts Robert Perez brings in a run @FunDifferential @MiLBMariners @DownThe99 @CalLeague1 @Mariners @LookoutLanding @barstoolsports @CespedesBBQ @RobertPerezJr_ @DownThe99 @MarinersONtap @CastMarinheiro pic.twitter.com/GHF8AQitPB — Brent Parsons (@Over_the_Plate) April 13, 2022
Liover Peguero – Pittsburgh Pirates – Double-A
Liover Peguero can hit and he is proving as much this year. While playing in Double-A, Peguero is facing off against opponents that are three years older than him on average. Despite the age difference, Peguero is seeing enormous success in his first taste of Double-A ball. Through 134 plate appearances, Peguero is hitting .323/.351/.878 which is a massive improvement from his career averages of .290/.344/.793.
Last night, Peguero went 3-4 including his third triple of the year and he added three runs scored. To top it off, Peguero stole his eighth base of the season. On the base paths, Peguero has seen increased success with only one caught stealing on nine attempts. Peguero projects as a middle infield bench player but if he can improve his power his ceiling would be a step higher. Currently, Peguero is known more for his hitting and control of the zone instead of his power despite double digit homeruns.
Obviously, Peguero would need some players to move around because he is blocked either at the major league level or at Triple-A with some stellar middle infield prospects.
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