Joe Rock Rolls or Yilber Comes to the Mountain

68th overall pick by the Rockies in 2021 in Ohio, Rays LHP Joe Rock (23, AAA) is listed at 6’6” 200 lbs and looks the part of the big league innings eater. The Rays got Rock in exchange SS Greg Jones in March of this year, and wouldn’t you know it, Rock is enjoying his best professional season under Tampa’s tutelage. He has been especially hot in the last month. In 30 innings spread over six outings since April 27, Rock has a 1.50 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with zero home runs allowed. It’s interesting to see Colorado trade a promising lefty with all the tools of a starting pitcher (fastball, slider, changeup, command) for a shortstop who has a great strikeout rate (38.6 percent in 51 AAA games as a 25-year-old). Colorado has struggled to get a chance at the position player, so it’s not easy to see how Jones will fit into the lineup even if he stops throwing about 40 percent of the time. Just another weird front office move that many make. And hey, another working arm for Tampa.
Another college pitcher from our royal radars, Astros RHP Jake Bloss (22, AA) was a third-round pick (99th overall) out of Georgetown in the 2023 draft. He graduated from Low-A after five games last season, graduated to High-A after four games this season and has a 2.42 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through five games at Double-A. At 6’3” 223 lbs, Bloss is a Houston model with a combination fastball that plays well in the zone and a nice curveball that he can bury on a regular basis. He’s also a smart guy who graduated early from Lafayette with a double major in math and economics and then worked on a Masters in Econ while at Georgetown. All in all, he is a good fit for this organization that needs inclusion and can help him increase his results. If he doesn’t make the big club this year, he’ll be an option for early 2025.
Speaking of fast bowlers, the Mariners have picked 3B Ben Williamson (23, AA) with the 57th pick out of William & Mary in the 2023 draft. He went to the complex for two games and then finished the season in Low-A for ten games. He opened the season in High-A and posted a 154 wRC+ across 29 games to earn a promotion to Double-A, where he slashed .300/.417/.450 with a 145 wRC+ through ten games. As successful as Seattle has been at developing prospects (and often trading them), they remain without a long-term solution at the hot corner. Josh Rojas is off to a fast start this season but is hitting .128/.212/.191 over his last 15 games. Luis Urias was hitting .152 when he was optioned to Triple-A. Like Bloss, Williamson is on the brink of breaking out this season, but is likely part of the picture in 2025 if he continues to improve.
You can copy and paste the sentence you went through Diamondbacks RHP Yilber Diaz (23, AA). At an even six feet and 190 lbs, Diaz combines a pitching fastball that dominates the zone and a wicked curveball that pairs well with the cheese. Unlike Williamson and Bloss, Diaz is Rule 5 eligible this winter, meaning he’ll have to be added to the 40-man roster before then anyway. In the past, teams might look at a guy like this and print his bullpen ticket. And maybe that’s how the team will use Diaz down the stretch this season. I think he has great stuff for a starting running back and could hold that gig if given the chance. The problem is, his command comes and goes, and Double-A hitters don’t punish hitters the way the big leagues can.
From the right six feet to the other, we join Rangers RHP Winston Santos (22, A+) in schedule for a repeat trip to the South Atlantic League. He made the most of his time in Hickory, recording 58 strikeouts in 42.2 innings with a 1.69 ERA. His last start at the level should come soon. Can he join the May-Rookies bucket of 2024? Indeed, I think so. He is also Rule 5 eligible this winter. I would bet on him that he has a big role though. This club has many ready arms.
I feel compelled to speak Phillies LHP Mavis Graves (20, A) this week, and it’s because her name is Mavis Graves. A sixth-round pick out of high school in 2022, Graves cut his walk rate in half this year, going from 7.68 BB/9 in 2023 in the complex to 3.31 in Low-A this season. His 24 percent K-BB rate and 1.08 WHIP support a 2.92 ERA. Good stuff, Mavis. Fill those who hit!
Rangers OF Yeremi Cabrera (18, CPX) is ready for his next challenge, slashing .341/.444/.750 with five home runs and six stolen bases in just 14 games in the complex. A super-athletic lefty listed at 5’11” 155 lbs (he’s still overweight now), he posted similar numbers in the Dominican Summer League last season and should be added to multiple leagues where he’s available.
Cardinals miss Itch-fave 2B Jose Fermin and immediately put him on the list, hitting the second time. Love to see you. And you wonder how he could be in the kids all year but hit 2nd on his first day, but hey, but I’m just a key on the guyboard. . . wait . . the boy at the keyboard. It’s so easy to make weird mistakes haha!
Thanks for reading!
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