Baseball Rookie Card Report: Prospects with Big Junes
Here's some highlights from baseball prospects who are heading into the official start of summer on a hot streak:
Nick Castellanos, 3B Detroit Tigers (D.O.B. 3/4/92)
After a tough start to 2011, Nick Castellanos has rebounded, putting together a monster month of June so far. In 17 games he's hitting .382, to go along with two homers and 18 RBIs. He has also shown more patience this month, raising his on-base percentage. Castellanos is heating up at the right time. Look for him to get a late-season promotion to High-A.
Key Card:
Josh Vitters, 3B Chicago Cubs (D.O.B. 8/27/89)
After hitting just .240 in April, many scouts thought Josh Vitter's time was done. However, he's rebounded and has been hitting the cover off the ball this month. In June, Vitters is mashing .400 in 50 ABs to make his OPS for the month 1.055. Vitters is known as a streaky hitter, so will this continue? Or will he return to hitting in the mid-.200s? The former third-overall pick in 2007, Vitters' future is still unknown. He is a prospect to watch in the second half of the season, though, as the Cubs' season is all but over and they could be looking to the future sooner rather than later.
Key Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Sterling Baseball Autographs Josh Vitters
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Baseball Autographs Josh Vitters (/769)
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Baseball Autographs Josh Vitters
Julio Teheran, P Atlanta Braves (D.O.B. 1/27/91)
Featured in other articles, Julio Teheran has been absolutely brilliant in June so I could not leave him off this list. Through four starts this month, he is 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA. He has held opponents to a .162 averagein Triple-A Gwinnett. Quite simply, he has been dominant against International League hitters. The top prospect in the Braves system, Teheran has the stuff to be a future ace. They just need him to mature and grow a better mound presence. Teheran could have been on a list for every month this season with how well he has fared.
Key Card:
Mike Trout, OF Los Angeles Angels (D.O.B. 8/7/91)
A top prospect heading into the season, Mike Trout has not disappointed in his advancement to Double-A. He was hitting around .300 through the first two months of the season. This month Trout has hit .347. In 19 games he has scored 21 runs and swiped 11 bags. He also has ten extra-base hits over the span, to give him an OPS for June of 1.057. Trout should be on his way up to Triple-A sometime soon.
Key Cards:
- 2009 Bowman Draft Baseball Chrome Prospects Autographs Mike Trout
- 2009 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Baseball Autographs Mike Trout
Jedd Gyorko, 3B San Diego Padres (D.O.B. 9/23/88)
Jedd Gyorko has been hitting well since the season started but his June has been so great that it couldn't be overlooked. Hitting .413 with seven doubles and three homers in just 18 games. Look for Gyorko to get moved up to Double-A before the end of the season.
Key Cards:
- 2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Baseball Autographs Jedd Gyorko (/675)
- 2011 Bowman Baseball Chrome Prospects Autographs Jedd Gyorko
Shelby Miller, P St. Louis Cardinals (D.O.B. 10/10/90)
The Cardinals' top prospect, Shelby Miller started the year in the High-A Florida State League. He pitched well enough to earn a promotion to the Double-A Texas League where he has not missed a beat. In four June starts, he is 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA. Miller doesn't look to be slowing. If he continues to pitch like he has in June, you could see him in St. Louis sooner than you would've thought.
Key Cards:
- 2009 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Baseball Autographs Shelby Miller (/690)
- 2010 Bowman Chrome Baseball Autographs Shelby Miller
Ryan Lavarnway, C Boston Red Sox (D.O.B. 8/9/87)
After being called up to Triple-A Pawtucket, Ryan Lavarnway has hit exceptionally well.This month he has raised his average big-time in AA and has a .393 average thus far in Triple-A. Not only is his bat impressive, his defense looks much better and he may just be the long-term catching answer for the Red Sox. If he continues to hit, Boston has no choice but to call him up and see what he can do.
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