SS Greg Miclat promoted to AA Bowie

[RVAbird]

Didn't see this posted anywhere. Mods please feel free to merge if it's already been posted.

Per Melewski, Miclat will likely join AA Bowie following his appearance in the Carolina vs. California League All-Star game.

http://masnsports.com/steve_melewski/2010/06/miclat-set-to-move-to-double-a.html

This was a good time for the promotion. Miclat will never hit for power, but he has shown good bat control and very good plate discipline. He turns 23 in a month, so I needed to see him get some significant time in Bowie this season in order to consider him a legitimate prospect.

[Frobby]

Now that's interesting. They moved him pretty quickly considering that he missed some time with injuries and only played 48 games in the first half. Hopefully he'll be ready.

[hoosiers]

Agree on promotion after going over 2.5 months with obp over 400. Miclat was tossing in the xbhs this month - as many in abbreviated June as in April and May put together.

AA should be a good test for Miclat.

[Frobby]

Agree on promotion after going over 2.5 months with obp over 400. Miclat was tossing in the xbhs this month - as many in abbreviated June as in April and May put together.

AA should be a good test for Miclat.

To me, 48 games isn't really 2.5 months, it's more like 1.5.

[BRob51]

It may be overly aggressive, but he seems like a good bet to respond to the challenge. Also, a SS promotion could mean that we're about to part with some MIFers higher up...

[Frobby]

By the way, Miclat went 2 for 2 in the Carolina v. California League all star game tonight. Welty was also 1 for 1 with an RBI.

[Arthur_Bryant]

Agree on promotion after going over 2.5 months with obp over 400. Miclat was tossing in the xbhs this month - as many in abbreviated June as in April and May put together.

AA should be a good test for Miclat.

Well, he went out with an injury after only 25 PA in April, and he didn't come back until May was well under way (88 PA).

I agree with the promotion, though. Age, background, and plate discipline more than justify it.

[Three Run Homer]

I look forward to tracking Miclat's progress. His offensive skill set sounds pretty similar to Matt Angle's...but if he has the glove to stay at SS, that's just fine.

[Frobby]

I look forward to tracking Miclat's progress. His offensive skill set sounds pretty similar to Matt Angle's...but if he has the glove to stay at SS, that's just fine.

Even at 2B, it would be fine. Tony thinks Miclat may have to move there eventually due to limited arm strength. But an .800ish 2B with a good OBP would be solid. With Hoes, maybe we have two of them.

[Tony-OH]

Even at 2B, it would be fine. Tony thinks Miclat may have to move there eventually due to limited arm strength. But an .800ish 2B with a good OBP would be solid. With Hoes, maybe we have two of them.

Some believe that Hoes might be moved to 3B eventually with Miclat ending up at 2B.

Either way, Miclat has shown an ability to work the count and doesn't get fooled too easily. AA should be a good little test for him. I'm not sure he has the bat to be a regular due to his lack of power but if he could keep that OBP up he could have some decent value. At worse he could end up a decent utility option with the ability to play SS and 2B while getting on base.

[eb45]

Tony, would you say Jeff Keppinger would be a good comp for Miclat?

[soxhotcorner14]

Some believe that Hoes might be moved to 3B eventually with Miclat ending up at 2B.

Either way, Miclat has shown an ability to work the count and doesn't get fooled too easily. AA should be a good little test for him. I'm not sure he has the bat to be a regular due to his lack of power but if he could keep that OBP up he could have some decent value. At worse he could end up a decent utility option with the ability to play SS and 2B while getting on base.

Tony- Interested in why you think he cannot be a regular because of his lack of power? Did they say this about David Eckstein, Chone Figgins, Jason Bartlett, Marco Scutaro, Aaron Miles, Nick Punto etc.

The one main concern I have for him him is durability. That to me seems like that will prevent him from moving forward with his career.

He looks like he can spray the ball around the park with gap power. When it comes to power, I'm not sure what else you're looking for out of a middle INF prospect. Does Miclat blow you away at anything? No, but he's using all fields and has gap power and as you mentioned if his OBP can continue you get better.. he has a chance to add his name to the list above players I mentioned.

[Hank Scorpio]

Tony, do you think Hoes will hit enough to hold down third base?

[Tony-OH]

Tony- Interested in why you think he cannot be a regular because of his lack of power? Did they say this about David Eckstein, Chone Figgins, Jason Bartlett, Marco Scutaro, Aaron Miles, Nick Punto etc.

The one main concern I have for him him is durability. That to me seems like that will prevent him from moving forward with his career.

He looks like he can spray the ball around the park with gap power. When it comes to power, I'm not sure what else you're looking for out of a middle INF prospect. Does Miclat blow you away at anything? No, but he's using all fields and has gap power and as you mentioned if his OBP can continue you get better.. he has a chance to add his name to the list above players I mentioned.

I love when you call me out.

Ok, let's look at the career minor league SLG for the guys you mentioned (i know this is not the best or premiere way to judge power due to a lot of factor, but it will work to help prove my point):

Eckstein: .390

Figgens: .384

Bartlett: .417

Scutaro: .433

Miles: .397

Punto: .338

Miclat has put up a career .312 SLG so far. He's improved to .403 in 194 PAs this season and that's a nice progression, but Punto put up a .404 SLG and a .792 as a 21-year old in A-ball (FLA ST League).

Now the question is, has Miclat made significant improvement in driving the ball or was he on a hot streak? He had a .382 SLG in 62 games with an aluminum bat as a junior. Yeah, I know he was coming off of shoulder injury, but he does not have a history of hitting ball with authority.

Now, saying all that, I do like Miclat's setup at the plate and I was encouraged by the extra "pop" and even more encouraged by his ability get on base (.403) this year. He very well could find himself in the same company as some of the guys you mentioned, but I would caution folks into thinking he's the next everyday guy at any position until he shows he can duplicate the numbers he was putting up in Frederick at the higher levels.

I really like this promotion though because at 22-years old, they need to see how he holds up against AA pitching to really see what they got.

[LookinUp]

Tony- Interested in why you think he cannot be a regular because of his lack of power? Did they say this about David Eckstein, Chone Figgins, Jason Bartlett, Marco Scutaro, Aaron Miles, Nick Punto etc.

That's a decent list of names, but there's a huge list of names just like them who never make it.

His success will depend on OBP and defense, IMO.