Outfielders

Johnny Eierman, who turned 20 on August 23rd, was the Rays’ 3rd round pick in 2011 but did not have a good season in his first extended pro season. Eierman posted just a .213/.299/.319 line with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 10 RBI, 6 of 10 stolen bases, and 32 strikeouts versus 14 walks in 46 games and 182 plate appearances. Eierman was originally a shortstop but the Rays converted him to left field this season and he made just 2 errors in 42 games with 3 outfield assists. Eierman features great speed, although he still needs work using it on the basepaths, and he may even be able to centerfield in the long-term, although he deferred to Bralin Jackson and Clayton Henning on this team. The problem with Eierman is in the batter’s box. Eierman has worked to get his swing more compact, but he doesn’t show consistent bat speed or patience, preventing him from hitting for average at all, and also sapping most of whatever power he has. Eierman is really raw offensively and the Rays are going to have to continue to work with him on that. Eierman should stay in a Short Season league for the third straight year next season.

Bralin Jackson, 18, was the Rays’ 5th round pick in 2012 and showed mix results in his pro debut, posting a .253/.286/.342 line with 5 doubles, 4 triples, 11 RBI, 5 of 8 stolen bases, and 39 strikeouts versus 6 walks in 39 games in 154 plate appearances. He made just 1 error versus 3 outfield assists in 28 games in centerfield, although he was less comfortable in 6 games in right field, making 3 errors. Jackson is very raw, but he has 5-tool potential. Jackson stands out for his bat speed and power potential, but his offensive potential is handicapped by his lack of patience at this point, something that will take time to improve. When he connected, Jackson hit the ball hard, posting a 19.0% line drive rate according to Minor League Central. Jackson’s speed is an asset in centerfield and he still needs to figure out how to use it on the basepaths. He also has an above-average centerfielder’s arm. Jackson lived up to the scouting reports in his pro debut and the Rays will take it slowly with him as he develops his impressive all-around game.

Clayton Henning, 18, was the Rays’ 11th round pick in 2012. He really struggled in his pro debut, but it wasn’t unexpected. He posted just a .168/.262/.177 line with 1 double, 7 RBI, 1 of 3 stolen bases, and 38 strikeouts versus 14 walks in 37 games and 132 plate appearances. Henning made 2 errors against 2 outfield assists in 19 games in centerfield, 11 game in right field, and 5 in left field. If you thought Jackson was raw, wait until you hear about Henning. Henning was primarily a football player in high school. You can’t see it in his stats, but Henning is a burner, running a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash. He’s already started to put that speed to good use in the outfield. But he has absolutely no idea how to use it on the basepaths right now. Henning also needs a ton of work on his bunting. Offensively, Henning shows good potential as well, showing above-average bat speed with at least gap power potential, but his approach at the plate isn’t nearly where it needs to be, although his halfway-decent patience was a good sign. Henning’s struggles in his pro debut probably had to be expected given his rawness, but the Rays will ease him along hoping to put his untapped abilities into use. Henning is just an 11th round pick, but if you give him time, you never know what can happen with him. Remember that back in 2006, Desmond Jennings was a 10th round pick with a football background. Henning is not nearly as advanced as Jennings was even back then, but as long as the Rays are patient with Henning, he has a chance to be that same type of player. Hennings is a longshot, but his raw talent tantalizes the Rays and they hope that he can develop well in coming years.

Yoel Araujo, 19, signed as a free agent with the Rays for $800,000 out of the Dominican Republic back in 2010. Araujo had a pretty nice season for the GCL Rays in 2012 in his first season in America, posting a .286/.339/.410 line with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 1 homer, 11 RBI, 4 of 7 stolen bases, and 35 strikeouts against 6 walks in 30 games and 116 plate appearances. He has made 2 errors versus 1 outfield assist in 22 games in the outfield, 14 in right field, 7 in center, and 2 in left. As we talked about more here, Araujo stands out for two tools, his speed and power potential. Neither of those tools really manifested themselves for Araujo this season. He shows great bat speed at times, but his swing still gets too long and his patience is still far from where it needs to be. Araujo has no idea how to steal bases at this point, although he is a solid bunter. But the good news is that Araujo hit the ball with some authority in 2012 and if he can improve his approach at the plate, improving his consistency with his swing and his patience, his power should come out. His instincts on the basepaths will come with more experience. Araujo’s arm is just average, so he probably fits best in centerfield moving forward, although the Rays hope that he will have the power to profile in a corner outfield spot. Araujo showed some promise in 2012, but he remains a long-term project and we’ll have to see if he can ever put it all together.

2012 was a bit of a coming out party for Natera as he was the GCL Rays' best power hitter. (Credit: Flickr user BeGreen90)

And we finish the outfielders with Jiminson Natera, 20, a Dominican signing by the Rays back in 2010, who pathetically led the team with 3 home runs, the only player on the team with more than 1. Natera posted a .247/.311/.401 line with 6 doubles, 5 triples, 3 homers, 17 RBI, 7 of 11 stolen bases, and 64 strikeouts versus 12 walks in 49 games and 177 plate appearances. He made 2 errors against 3 outfield assists in 35 games in right field, 7 in left, and 3 in center. Natera was an unheralded signing by the Rays back in 2010, but he has some talent. He led the GCL Rays in homers, triples, RBIs (and strikeouts by a very wide margin), and it was no fluke. Natera features power to go along with good speed. He actually showed halfway-decent plate discipline, but his swing is far too long and his power is not nearly enough to compensate that. Natera hits rockets when he connects- his 24.5% line drive rate per Minor League Central  was tops in the GCL minimum 150 plate appearances. Natera does use his speed decently well on the basepaths, and that should only improve. If Natera can shorten his swing, then we’ll talk about him as a prospect. Considering he didn’t hit for any power at all in 2011 in the Dominican Summer League, 2012 was a little bit of coming out party for Natera, and we’ll see whether he can build on it.

That’s it for the GCL Rays’ outfielders and hitters as a whole. We saw quite a bit of talent, although the vast majority of it was far from evident in the stats, and it will be interesting to see how all these players develop moving forward. We’ll continue tomorrow with the GCL Rays’ pitchers.

Araujo is an athletic 6’0″, 190 and stands out most for his above-average speed and great power potential. His swing got long at times and his arm was just average for an outfielder, but the Rays hoped that his game will come together. Things didn’t start out so well. In 2011, Araujo played for the Rays’ Dominican Summer League team and posted just a .221/.348/.379 line with 11 doubles, 5 homers, 23 RBI, 6 of 8 stolen bases, and 76 strikeouts versus 32 walks in 57 games and 228 plate appearances. The Rays hoped that he would be better in his first season in the US in 2012.

Araujo is finally starting to swing the bat. (Credit: Donten Photography)

Araujo was left back in extended spring training before reporting to the GCL Rays in June. In 7 games, he hit just .167 with 9 strikeouts versus just 1 walk before heading back to extended spring training. After returning in late July, he hit just .217 in 6 games to close out the month, striking out 7 times versus not a single walk. But finally in August, something has begun to click. In 14 games, Araujo has posted a .348/.423/.457 line with 3 doubles, a triple, and 4 RBI. He has struck out 17 times but has begun to show some plate discipline, walking 4 times. It’s still just baby steps for Araujo. But the 19 year old outfielder now has some positives to look back on this season. On the year, he has posted a respectable .274/.333/.400 line with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 1 homer, 9 RBI, and 4 of 5 stolen bases in 28 games and 106 plate appearances. He has seen time at all three outfield positions making just 1 error. Araujo hasn’t exactly lit up the competition since signing. But progress is being made and the Rays hope that will continue.

Yoel Araujo is not a player you’ll be hearing about among the Rays’ top prospects, at least not for a while. He’s a long way away from doing anything as a baseball player. But the ability is still there, and now all we can do is wait. It’s frustrating- we’d rather see quicker results- but don’t think it’s a waste of time. Araujo still has a chance to be a very good baseball player and we’ll have to see if it ever happens.

The Rays minor leagues had a successful night on Wednesday, going 6-1 in their games. Here is this morning’s look around the action.

Durham Bulls 9, Columbus Clippers 7

The Clippers jumped out to an early lead against Cesar Ramos, going ahead 5-0 by the end of the third. Cord Phelps doubled in a run in the bottom of the first, and scored on a base hit by Russ Canzler. Phelps struck again in the third, driving in a run on another double, and coming around to score on a home run by Jared Goedert. The Bulls trimmed the lead to 5-2 in the fourth when Chris Gimenez hit a two run home run. Columbus put another run on the board in the bottom of the fifth, as Phelps continued his monster day with a solo home run. After another run in the seventh, the Clippers held a 7-2 lead. However, the Bulls came back in the top of the eighth, sending up 12 batters, and plating 7 runs. Gimenez’s second home run of the game, a three run shot, and Will Rhymes‘ two run home run highlighted the scoring. The Bulls held on to manage a 9-7 comeback win. Gimenez finished the day 2-4 with 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 5 RBI. Josh Lueke picked up the win, allowing 1 run on 2 hits in an inning of work. Phelps was 4-4 with 3 runs scored, 2 doubles, a home run, and 4 RBI in the loss.

Montgomery Biscuits 9, Huntsville Stars 6

The Biscuits jumped out to a fast lead, and held on to win their fourth straight game. With the bases loaded and two out, Kyeong Kang and Michael Sheridan walked, forcing in two runs. Brett Nommensen then hit a grand slam to right, as the Biscuits jumped out to a 6-0 lead. An RBI single in the top of the second chased Stars’ starter Ariel Pena from the game. The Stars got a run back in the bottom of the third, before rallying for four runs in the fourth, highlighted by Brock Kjeldgaard‘s three run home run. Mark Thomas homered in the sixth to give the Biscuits a bit more breathing room, and they tacked on another run in the eighth. Huntsville attempted to rally, putting up another run in the bottom of the ninth, but Montgomery was able to hang on to the 9-6 victory. Kyle Lobstein picked up the win, despite allowing 5 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks over 5 innings. Pena was roughed up by the Biscuits, giving up 7 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in 1.2 innings of work. Omar Luna was 3-4 with a run scored.

Charlotte Stone Crabs 6, Bradenton Marauders 3 (10 innings)

The Stone Crabs powered their way to a 6-3 victory over the Marauders in ten innings Wednesday night. Charlotte jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the strength of solo home runs by Todd Glaesmann and Lucas Bailey. Bradenton got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, as Andy Vasquez made it to second base on an error, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly. The Marauders took the lead in the seventh, as Dan Grovat hit a two run, two out home run. Charlotte tied the game in the top of the eighth, scoring a run on a double play. With the game heading into the tenth inning, Philip Wunderlich hit a two out, three run home run, giving Charlotte a thrilling comeback victory. Jim Patterson picked up the win in relief, giving up 1 hit in 3 innings of work. Glaesmann and Bailey each had two hits in the win.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 4, Great Lakes Loons 1

The Loons got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth, as Darnell Sweeney reached on a bunt base hit. A failed pickoff attempt moved Sweeney to second, and he scored two groundouts later to give the Loons the early 1-0 lead. Bowling Green tied the score in the top of the fifth, as Joshua Sale homered to center. Sale scored again in the seventh on Juniel Querecuto‘s groundout. The Hot Rods loaded the bases in the top of the eighth, bringing Sale up once again. Again he delivered, hitting a two run single to left, as he factored in all four runs in the 4-1 victory. Trevor Shull and two relievers combined to two hit the Loons, as Shull gave up 1 unearned run on 2 hits, striking out 2 over 6 innings. Sale finished the day 2-3 with 2 runs scored, a home run, 3 RBI, and a stolen base.

Hudson Valley Renegades 2, Connecticut Tigers 0

Eduar Quinonez and two relievers combined on a two hit shutout, as the Renegades defeated the Tigers 2-0. The Renegades scored in the top of the fourth, as Luke Maile and Michael Williams walked. Both advanced on a wild pitch, with Maile scoring on a throwing error to give Hudson Valley a 1-0 lead. Walks factored into the next run in the top of the fifth, as Marty Gantt walked, and scored on Richie Shaffer‘s two out single. Meanwhile, Renegades pitching cruised through the Connecticut lineup, as the Tigers did not get a runner past second in the game. Quinonez picked up the win, giving up 1 hit while striking out 5 in 5 innings of work. Gantt and Shaffer each had three hits.

Burlington Royals 2, Princeton Rays 0

Each team picked up only three hits, But the Royals were able to push two runs across the plate, resulting in a 2-0 victory. Scoreless through the top of the sixth, Mark Threlkeld led off the bottom of the frame with a solo home run, snapping what to that point had been a perfect game for Rays pitching. The Royals tacked on another run in the seventh, as Bubba Starling doubled, and came around to score on two groundouts. The Rays best scoring opportunity came in the top of the first, with a runner on third and two out, but they were unable to push a run across. Alex Keudell picked up the loss, giving up a run on 2 hits and a walk over an inning of work. Kevin Brandt did not allow a baserunner, striking out 8 in his 5 innings of work. James Harris was 1-2 with a double and a walk.

GCL Rays 3, GCL Twins 2

The Rays scored twice in the top of the fourth, rallying with two out in the inning. Yoel Araujo tripled, and scored on a base hit by Armando Araiza. Araiza came around to score on a triple by Leopoldo Correa, giving the Rays a 2-0 lead. Joel Licon led off the bottom of the fourth with a walk, and scored on a triple by Bryan Haar. Haar scored on a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 2-2. The Rays took the lead again in the top of the eighth, as Johnny Eierman was hit by a pitch, and scored on Araujo’s double. Alex Mosier picked up the victory in relief, giving up 3 hits while striking out a batter in 3 innings of work. Araiza was 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI.