By William Qualkinbush.
By William Qualkinbush.
Yesterday, we looked at how former Clemson players are doing so far at the MLB level. Now, we drop down a level to AAA, where six Tigers currently reside.
Jason Berken, RHP, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies)
5 GP (1 GS), 18.1 IP, 1-1, 6.38 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, 7.4 K/9
Berken seems like little more than an organizational depth guy at this point. There aren’t too many 31-year-olds in AAA on the fast track to the big leagues, and he’s off to a bit of a rough start in 2015. Berken is giving up more than a hit an inning and is walking batters at a slightly higher rate than he has in his career. The last time Berken reached the major leagues was in 2012 with the Chicago Cubs, and it appears his best days may be behind him.
Chris Dwyer, LHP, Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals)
6 GP, 11 IP, 0-0, 0.82 ERA, 2.09 WHIP, 9.8 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
Dwyer is a prime example of what we might call a “AAAA” prospect—a player who seems to perform above the AAA level but not good enough to stick in the major leagues. Now in his fourth season with the Royals’ AAA affiliate, the former top 100 prospect is looking to crack the big league roster for the first time since September 2013. His run prevention has been very good, but Dwyer is walking way too many batters. To his credit, he is also averaging a strikeout per inning in a relief role, meaning his wildness has been effective thus far.
Mike Freeman, UTIL, Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
20 GP, .250/.311/.411, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1-1 SB, 4 BB, 9 K
Freeman has played all over the diamond for the Aces this season. In all, he has seen action at five different positions (LF, CF, RF, 2B, SS) and has not started more than seven times at any of them. It seems the Diamondbacks are exploring using Freeman in the outfield, as he has spent time there in 14 of his 20 appearances. Based on last season’s workload, centerfield appears to be the favorite landing spot for Freeman, who is off to a decent start at the plate, as well.
Kyle Parker, LF, Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies)
20 GP, .148/.247/.276, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 3-3 SB, 9 BB, 26 K
The number that most prominently jumps out with Parker is his strikeout total. His K rate of 34.2 percent is astronomical, making a quality offensive start to the season virtually impossible. Last season, Parker was down around 20 percent in strikeout rate, so there’s a good chance he makes better contact as the year progresses. Still, for a player who spent a good bit of time in the major leagues in 2014, April has been a major disappointment for the Rockies’ 14th-best prospect according to MLB.com.
Ben Paulsen, 1B, Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies)
22 GP, .290/.388/.464, HR, 10 RBI, 12 R, 10 BB, 22 K
Paulsen put up strong numbers in the big leagues last season, hitting over .300 in extended action during the second half of the year. He has picked up right where he left off. The left-handed hitter has six extra base hits, including a pair of triples, and he continues to be a reliable on-base guy. Paulsen has always been a below-average strikeout guy, but the contact he makes is consistently productive. He should be considered for a promotion should injury strike with the Rockies, even before the more highly touted prospect Parker.
*OF Tyler Colvin signed with the Chicago White Sox on Sunday and was assigned to the AAA Charlotte Knights. Colvin failed to crack the Opening Day roster with the Miami Marlins after signing a minor league deal with the team during the offseason, so he exercised his opt-out option last month and became a free agent. Colvin has yet to appear in a game with the Knights. Only one minor league outfielder–teammate Trayce Thompson–is on the White Sox’s 40-man roster, so Colvin could presumably be in line for a call-up at some point should injury strike the big league club.