By William Qualkinbush.
We conclude our week-long tour around the world of professional baseball with a Clemson slant by examining the way several former Tigers have begun their respective pro careers at the High-A and Single-A levels.
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Jay Baum, 3B, Bakersfield Blaze (Seattle Mariners)
21 GP, .181/.294/.194, RBI, 8 R, 4-5 SB, 12 BB, 19 K
Last year, Baum made a solid first impression in rookie ball. However, he has failed to duplicate that success in Bakersfield, struggling mightily at the plate during his first month of action. Baum has been patient at the plate and is a solid base-stealer, but it is his defense that will get him at-bats as he climbs through the ranks. So far, even that aspect of his game has been shaky, with four errors already to his credit through 21 games at third base. Things should get better with time for Baum.
Spencer Kieboom, C, Potomac Nationals (Washington Nationals)
17 GP, .250/.380/.375, HR, 12 RBI, 9 R, 1-1 SB, 13 BB, 9 K
Kieboom is highly thought of, as MLB.com rated him the 20th-best prospect in the Nationals’ system prior to the season. He is getting aboard the bases at a high rate so far in 2015, a positive note even given his relative inability to showcase his power potential. Kieboom’s strikeout-to-walk ratio is very good, as is his defensive reputation. Washington has as deep a farm system as there is in baseball at the catcher position, so Kieboom has his work cut out for him. Signs are good for now, though.
A
Garrett Boulware, C, Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds)
12 GP, .300/.391/.425, HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 0-1 SB, 4 BB, 6 K
Offensively, Boulware is right where he needs to be. He is clobbering the baseball and creating runs at the plate, just as the Reds thought he would when they picked him in last year’s draft. The defensive part of Boulware’s game will need a bit of work, as the backstop has only thrown out 11 percent of base-stealers and has two errors and three passed balls already. Still, Cincinnati excels at developing defensive catchers, so those issues should correct themselves in time.
Scott Firth, RHP, Asheville Tourists (Colorado Rockies)
8 GP, 11.1 IP, 0-1, 3.97 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9, 7.9 K/9
Firth has slowly matriculated up to Single-A ball with the Rockies. So far in 2015, he has been a high-baserunner, low-ERA pitcher who has been victimized by errors and subsequent unearned runs. Firth saved 10 games in low-A last season, and he should continue to be utilized late by the Tourists because of his ability to convert critical outs. Firth will need to be less hittable in the future, however, if he wants to continue to move up the ranks.
Daniel Gossett, RHP, Beloit Snappers (Oakland Athletics)
4 GP (4 GS), 21 IP, 0-3, 5.57 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 5.1 BB/9, 8.1 K/9
Goose has gotten off to a bit of a rough start in his first full season of professional ball. A top 15 prospect in the A’s organization, Gossett has been the victim of three homers in his first four starts. Last season, he only walked one batter in 24 innings in low-A, so his high walk rate—he has already walked 12 in 21 innings—should come back down a bit. There’s certainly no panic over a subpar April from Gossett, but it seems likely they’d like to fast-track him toward the big leagues if his numbers improve.
Steve Wilkerson, 2B, Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles)
14 GP, .340/.467/.468, 5 RBI, 10 R, 2-4 SB, 12 BB, 13 K
Wilkerson enjoyed a nice April at Delmarva. He has improved tremendously on what was a disappointing stint in rookie ball last season. Wilkerson has been dialed in at the plate and is producing in spite of a lack of power thus far. His eye has been impeccable, although his strikeout rate is a bit high. Wilkerson has spent most of his time defensively at second base, though he has a handful of chances at shortstop. Baltimore has to hope he continues to produce at a high level.