There was a wave of roster moves at South Bend, Myrtle Beach, and Tennessee today, with the biggest being third base prospect Jeimer Candelario getting the bump up from High-A to AA.
Candelario, 21, got his second look at High-A this year after a mixed experience there last season (quite young for the league at the time). The switch hitter is batting .270/.318/.415 on the season with a solid 18.1% K rate, but a career-low 5.8% walk rate. He’ll once again be young for his level – he’ll be among the dozen or so youngest players in the Southern League – but it seems like an appropriate time to challenge Candelario, who has had 144 games at High-A between last and this season.
Candelario is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft after this season, and will make for a very tough 40-man roster decision. On the one hand, there’s a lot of upside in his bat, especially if he can stick at third base. On the other hand, he’s still so young, and will have played very little above A-ball by the time the draft rolls around.
Also getting moved up to AA today were first baseman Jacob Rogers, 25 (.257/.359/.416) and reliever Juan Paniagua, 25 (2.58 ERA, 3.04 FIP in 38.1 innings).
2014 draftee Jason Vosler, a versatile infielder who hit .235/.285/.341 for South Bend, got the bump up to Myrtle Beach.
Taking Vosler’s spot at South Bend is 2015 draftee Vimael Machin.
The promotion news we’re waiting on, however, is this:
Jaron Madison, Chicago's director of player development, told me a promotion could be coming for this year's first round pick Ian Happ.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) July 21, 2015
For now, nothing has been announced, and a promotion might yet be around the corner for Happ. The 20-year-old has played center field for short-season Eugene, and has hit .283/.408/.491 through 29 games with a 17.7% BB rate and a 21.5% K rate.