Welcome to the April 11th installment of The Daily Farm Report! We rake the news for each organization’s top farmhands and give you a digest with some commentary for you greedy prospectors to enjoy. Here are some recent news and highlights:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Blue Jays #1 by MLB Pipeline
Vlad Jr. Returns to AAA Buffalo
Report: No. 1 Prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Promoted to Blue Jays Triple-A Team https://t.co/4am0dDutmR #bleacherreport #feedly
— Francisco Javier (@jutre95) April 10, 2019
The best hitter who is not yet in the major leagues, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been cleared to return to action for the AAA Buffalo Bisons. It looks like Vladito is now completely healed up from the oblique injury that he suffered this spring. After some light service time manipulation, I expect Vladdy to be manning 3B on a daily basis for the Blue Jays.
Nick Senzel
Reds #1 by MLB Pipeline
Senzel Making Some Progress In Return From Ankle Injury
. @Reds top prospect Nick Senzel is progressing in his injury recovery. #Reds #LetsGoReds #RedsCountry #BornToBaseball #Reds150 #MIAvsCIN
— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) April 10, 2019
Cincinnati Reds top prospect Nick Senzel appears to have made some progress in his return from an ankle injury that he suffered in a minor league game this spring. MLB.com is reporting that Senzel is no longer in a walking boot and has resumed some baseball activities. The team is planning on having him see live at-bats as soon as today. Senzel is also in the process of learning a new position, centerfield, so don’t be surprised if his MLB debut is pushed back a little bit longer to let him get comfortable both with the ankle and with manning CF. He’s a potential impact player in all fantasy formats once he’s finally called up.
Matt Manning
Tigers #2 by Baseball Farm
Manning Dominates
Today was the 3rd 7 IP start for #Tigers Matt Manning, throwing back-to-back starts of seven June, 2018. 10 strikeouts today matched career-high thrown twice in 2018. Manning has only thrown one 1-hit scoreless start (5 IP, 2018).
7 IP, 1-hit, scoreless today was career-first.— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) April 11, 2019
Manning continued his blistering recent pace with a 7-inning, 1 hit, 10 strikeout performance yesterday. He’s likely not going to stay parked in AA for long if he keeps this pace up. You might want to push his ETA to 2019 as well. The caveat is that the Tigers aren’t likely playing for anything this season, and therefore won’t be in a rush to get Manning to the Show.
Richard Lovelady
Royals Honorable Mention by Baseball Farm
Lovelady Called-Up To Royals, Might Be a Factor
ZiPS has Richard Lovelady as the Royals best reliever.
— Patrick Brennan (@paintingcorner) April 9, 2019
The Royals have called up relief pitching prospect Richard “Dick” Lovelady. With the Royals bullpen situation being very much “up in the air” at the moment, don’t be surprised if Lovelady sees some high leverage or even closing work for the Royals very soon. The Baseball Farm crew talked about Lovelady and the Royals bullpen situation in our latest episode of “Cut the Crop”.
Keegan Thompson
Cubs #10 by MLB Pipeline
Thompson Moves To IL With Undisclosed Injury
Some injury news to pass along, but because this is minors, I don’t have details.
At @RosterRoundup I see Keegan Thompson, Christian Adames and Eddy Martinez hit the IL.
D.J. Wilson was a late scratch this morning. Zack Short left Iowa’s game after HBP. Fidel Mejia left SB’s.
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) April 10, 2019
We are awaiting more information on this one, but Cubs hurler Keegan Thompson has been placed on the 10-day IL. This is unfortunate, as Thompson just turned in an impressive debut, throwing 5 hitless innings with 8 strikeouts for the AA Tennessee Smokies. Thompson, 24, was the Cubs 3rd round selection in the 2017 draft and could be up as soon as this season, depending on health. Stay tuned for more details on his injury.
