In today’s edition of Qualk Talk we take a look at how the former Tigers did last month in professional baseball.
MLB
Jeff Baker, UTIL, Miami Marlins
Season: 41 GP, .208/.288/.375, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 11 R, 8 BB, 25 K,-0.1 WAR
July: 3 GP, .200/.200/.200, RBI, 3 K
Baker barely played in July for the hapless Marlins. As his team played its role as a prominent seller at the trade deadline, the veteran corner infielder became expendable. He was released on July 31 and has yet to land on another roster. He has performed slightly below replacement level so far in 2015, so other teams might not be falling over themselves to add them to the 25-man roster.
Brad Miller, SS, Seattle Mariners
Season: 104 GP, .247/.323/.401, 9 HR, 36 RBI, 31 R, 11-12 SB, 37 BB, 75 K, 1.9 WAR
July: 24 GP, .243/.310/.324, HR, 11 RBI, 5 R, 4-4 SB, 9 BB, 17 K
Miller has been up and down at the plate, but he has been steady in the field. That has kept him in the lineup pretty much on a daily basis throughout the summer. He has been at the top of the Mariners’ lineup for much of the past month, mostly due to the ineptitude most of the rest of the leadoff candidates have shown with regards to getting on base.
Kyle Parker, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies
Season: 9 GP, .222/.250/.333, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, BB, 8 K, -0.2 WAR
AAA: 93 GP, .280/.326/.431, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 53 R, 6-10 SB, 24 BB, 102 K
Parker was recalled to the big league club at the beginning of August. It was the second time he was placed on the 25-man roster this season, and this time, he has enjoyed a longer stay. Injuries and a massive selloff have ensured that Parker will likely stay with Colorado for the duration of the season.
Ben Paulsen, 1B/OF, Colorado Rockies
Season: 71 GP, .317/.348/.571, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 29 R, 16 BB, 55 K, 1.2 WAR
July: 23 GP, .277/.333/.431, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 16 K
AAA: 36 GP, .256/.340/.424, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 19 R, 1-1 SB, 15 BB, 34 K
Paulsen has cooled off a bit from his torrid pace in June, but he is still putting up good enough numbers to remain in the lineup more often than not with the Rockies. So much talent surrounds Paulsen that he can expect to see plenty of pitches to hit now and in the future. It appears he might be in the big leagues for good, if only in a utility role.
Richie Shaffer, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays
Season: 4 GP, .400/.571/1.000, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 5 K, 0.4 WAR
AA/AAA: 94 GP, .263/.361/.539, 23 HR, 59 RBI, 52 R, 4-5 SB, 49 BB, 108 K
By now, the exploits of Shaffer have been well documented. His barrage of minor league home runs led to a quick stint in AAA before his callup just a few days ago. Shaffer has continued to showcase his immense power from the right side, continuing a two-month rampage in which he has bombed 20 homers over three minor league levels.
Tony Sipp, LHP, Houston Astros
Season: 45 GP, 41.1 IP, 2-4, 9 HD, 2.40 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9, 9.4 K/9, 1.0 WAR
July: 10 GP, 8.1 IP, 0-1, 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP
Sipp had a great month of July pitching for the Astros, but it didn’t amount to anything in terms of counting stats. He had no saves or holds and actually blew a pair of saves, taking a loss in one of those outings. Sipp continues to be a valuable lefty specialist in a contending Astros bullpen.
AAA
Jason Berken, RHP, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies)
Season: 22 GP (12 GS), 99.2 IP, 5-7, 3.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, 5.7 K/9
July: 5 GP (5 GS), 31.1 IP, 1-2, 4.31 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
It’s clear now that Berken will likely play out the remainder of his career in the minor leagues. He can take solace in the handful of starts he got in July, including one outing in which he was one out from a complete game.
Tyler Colvin, OF, Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox)
Season: 69 GP, .213/.251/.337, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 24 R, 12 BB, 72 K
July: 24 GP, .178/.202/.322, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 11 R, 3 BB, 30 K
Now right on the edge on the playoff race, it is doubtful the White Sox will give a roster spot to Colvin in 2015. The veteran major leaguer has struggled mightily all year long after being released by the Marlins at the doorstep of the regular season.
Chris Dwyer, LHP, Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals)
Season: 27 GP (4 GS), 60.1 IP, 2-2, 4.33 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 6.3 BB/9, 7.8 K/9
July: 6 GP (0 GS), 14.2 IP, 0-1, 7.36 ERA, 1.64 WHIP
Even in a depleted Royals minor league system, Dwyer won’t be ascending any time soon. His bad month on the mound could not have come at a worse time, as other younger candidates have lapped him to take their places in Omaha’s rotation.
Mike Freeman, UTIL, Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Season: 85 GP, .316/.374/.427, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 57 R, 7-7 SB, 28 BB, 40 K
July: 13 GP, .269/.333/.365, 5 RBI, 10 R, 5 BB, 5 K
Freeman is light on the power side, but he’s being as productive as any club could want in all other aspects of the game. It’s a wonder he hasn’t found his way to the big league club already, but a jam-packed Diamondbacks middle infield could still use his versatility if it wants to make a late push.
Will Lamb, LHP, Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers)
Season: 17 GP, 21.1 IP, 2-2, 4.64 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 5.1 BB/9, 6.8 K/9
July: 10 GP, 11.1 IP, 0-1, 5.56 ERA, 1.59 WHIP
AA: 22 GP, 26 IP, 1-1, 3.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9, 8.3 K/9
Lamb isn’t having a bad year, even though his July wasn’t top notch. There are several obstacles in the way of a promotion to the big league club, so Lamb will really have to step his game up if the late-inning reliever wants to ascend any further up the ranks.
AA
Dominic Leone, RHP, Mobile BayBears (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Season: 17 GP, 24 IP, 1-2, 4.50 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, 9.8 K/9
July: 11 GP, 16.1 IP, 1-1, 3.86 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
MLB: 13 GP, 15 IP, 0-5, 8.40 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, 5.4 BB/9, 5.4 K/9
AAA: 8 GP, 9.1 IP, 1-1, 7.71 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9, 7.7 K/9
Leone has bounced around like a basketball in 2015. He spent a few weeks in the major leagues with Seattle in April and May, then he got sent down and traded to Arizona. Then, he was an extra arm in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen in July but was sent back down to Mobile after a week. This back-and-forth has to be frustrating for Leone, who has a brief track record of success at the MLB level.
Phil Pohl, C, New Britain Rock Cats (Colorado Rockies)
Season: 10 GP, .125/.160/.167, 2 RBI, 2 R, 7 K
July: 5 GP, .063/.063/.125, R
Pohl was traded out of one crowded situation into another, going from the Athletics organization over to the Rockies in a trade. He still finds starts hard to come by, and it’s uncertain what—if any—professional future Pohl has at this point.
Marquez Smith, 1B, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Cincinnati Reds)
Season: 99 GP, .275/.370/.430, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 46 R, 5-9 SB, 44 BB, 74 K
July: 27 GP, .289/.373/.505, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 12 R, 1-1 SB, 10 BB, 24 K
Smith is still old for the AA level, but he is having a fine season with Pensacola. He has showcased a well-rounded game, but given his age—this is his age-30 season—it may all be for naught. Still, this would constitute the best season in a while for Smith, who has languished in the middle of the minor leagues for years.
A+
Jay Baum, 3B, Bakersfield Blaze (Seattle Mariners)
Season: 83 GP, .208/.280/.270, HR, 21 RBI, 31 R, 11-14 SB, 29 BB, 79 K
July: 19 GP, .265/.359/.353, 7 RBI, 8 R, 2-2 SB, 10 BB, 19 K
This was the best month of what has been a disappointing year for Baum. He has shown little pop in his bat and hasn’t found other ways to produce offensively for his team. He’ll have to build on back-to-back decent months in order to position himself for a promotion in 2016.
Spencer Kieboom, C, Potomac Nationals (Washington Nationals)
Season: 70 GP, .267/.371/.392, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 30 R, 1-1 SB, 36 BB, 29 K
July: 17 GP, .203/.299/.305, HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, 7 BB, 9 K
One of the top catching prospects in the Nationals organization, Kieboom has been on the shelf since July 26 with a concussion. Officially, that is a seven-day disabled list, but Kieboom hasn’t seen action since that point. He struggled in July anyway, although his peripherals didn’t dip much at all, so the Nats will probably err on the side of caution.
A
Garrett Boulware, C, Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds)
Season: 63 GP, .248/.350/.362, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 17 R, 1-2 SB, 15 BB, 33 K
July: 18 GP, .281/.324/.313, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K
From a batting average standpoint, Boulware rebounded to have a good June. However, the overall production wasn’t there, especially for an offensively gifted backstop. Even so, 2015 has been a year of growth for Boulware overall.
Matt Campbell, RHP, Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Season: 15 GP, 25.1 IP, 1-0, 2.49 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9, 8.2 K/9
July: 7 GP, 12.1 IP, 0-0, 2.19 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Campbell’s season began on June 14, and it’s been a good one to this point. He has only allowed an earned run in three of his 15 appearances and is striking out about a batter an inning as a middle reliever for the Loons.
Scott Firth, RHP, Asheville Tourists (Colorado Rockies)
Season: 20 GP, 24.2 IP, 0-1, 4.01 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 7.3 K/9
July: NO APPEARANCES
Firth is dealing with an injury that has caused him to miss more than a month of action. His decent season should resume at some point in the very near future.
Daniel Gossett, RHP, Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics)
Season: 22 GP (22 GS), 118.1 IP, 4-10, 4.94 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, 7.2 K/9
June: 5 GP (5 GS), 30.1 IP, 1-3, 3.26 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
Finally, Gossett has begun to show the Athletics he was worth an early draft selection. He struggled out of the gate, but the righthander’s hard work to recover paid big dividends in July. Wins and losses didn’t show it, but Gossett is throwing better than he has all season right now.
Steve Wilkerson, 2B, Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles)
Season: 76 GP, .295/.386/.377, HR, 22 RBI, 52 R, 10-14 SB, 38 BB, 68 K
July: 18 GP, .303/.383/.384, HR, 8 RBI, 21 R, 2-2 SB, 13 BB, 27 K
Wilkerson hit his first homer of the season in July, while he increased his productivity in several other categories. The middle infielder scored a ton of runs and continues to be a singles hitter that provides value because of the way he runs the bases.