MLB Prospect Highlights: 11/14-11/18
West Oahu Cane Fires
- Joba Chamberlain (P, NYY) is human. After giving up just one run in his previous 10.0 innings, Chamberlain allowed three in 4.0 innings last Friday. He did, however, strike out four and walk none. But because he gave up five hits, the big righty’s WHIP went up to 0.82 – his ERA is 2.63.
- John Mayberry Jr. (OF, TEX) went just 2-for-16 with a single and a home run on the week. The 2005 first round draft pick out of Stanford is now batting .317 with three home runs. Mayberry Jr. hasn’t proven enough to make many – if any – top 100 prospect lists, though his time in Hawaii has surely put him in the discussion.
- Ian Kennedy (P, NYY) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks in 4.0 innings. With six strikeouts, Kennedy bumped his total up to 37 strikeouts in 25.2 innings. And although he still hasn’t given up a home run, the 6-foot-0 righty has a 1.48 WHIP and a 4.56 ERA.
- Will Venable (OF, SD) hit his first home run of the fall on Wednesday. Drafted by the Padres in the 7th round of the 2005 draft, Venable went 5-for-13 on the week – his other four hits were singles – and is now hitting .329 in Hawaii.
Waikiki Beach Boys
- Henricus Vanden Hurk (P, FLA) like John Mayberry Jr. has really boosted his stock in Hawaii. The Netherlands native built on a no-hit performance last week with 4.0 2-hit shutout innings (5K/1BB). Vanden Hurk has lowered his WHIP to 1.08. Additionally, he leads the league with 55 strikeouts, has a .210 batting average against, and now boasts a 4.11 ERA. Still not a prospect to invest in unless you’re in the deepest of deep keeper leagues, Vanden Hurk has gone from a fun name to a guy who you’ll want to keep your eye on.
- Jeff Clement (C, SEA) was given two opportunities to start last week. He combined to go just 2-for-7 but one of his hits was a home run. Clement is now batting .180 in Hawaii.
North Shore Honu (name means green turtle)
- Wesley Wright (RP, LAD) started and pitched 4.0 three-hit shutout innings. The owner of a 10.44 minor league K/9 ratio – highest level: Double-A – Wright struck out two and walked three. He has only struck out 5.33 batters per nine in Hawaii.
- Mike Carp (1B, NYM) had 4 hits in 12 at-bats (all singles). Carp is batting .287 with one error in 24 games.
Honolulu Sharks
- The Sharks have the worst record in the league, 15-19. Like the Arizona Fall League, no teams have dominated in Hawaii – way to go league organizers? The Beach Boys are 18-15, with North Shore on their heels (17-15) and the Cane Fires (16-17) right in the mix too.
Adam Foster can be reached at adamwfoster@gmail.com.