Triunfel Goes Yard
Teenage wunderkind Carlos Triunfel hit his first home run as a professional for High Desert tonight. The kid needed it, too, as he was just 3 for his last 34 heading into the game. And yes, he played second base again. Not many people have ever thought he’ll stick at shortstop, but this isn’t a permanent move yet – they’re just giving him experience at second base as well.
In other High Desert notes, Gregory Halman blasted two more home runs, giving him 19 on the season in just 243 at-bats. As I’ve noted here before, Halman is a dead ringer for Alfonso Soriano at the plate, and his skillset is almost as extreme – ridiculous power and no concept of pitch recognition. His 14/72 BB/K is actually an improvement over his numbers from last year. He needs a lot of work on his approach, but considering that he’s got 19 home runs and 22 steals on June 10th, it’s hard to argue that there is a better power/speed guy in the organization.
May this funk blast be the first of many.
Keep it up, kid. I can’t wait to see what you can do.
For those who are wondering if Triunfel’s homer was severely wind-aided, as many are down in that league and park, it was not.
“It was legit,” said one of his teammates.
Touching on Halman’s BB/K rates brings up Triunfel’s…
He walked 17 times all of last year and has 14 already this season. His contact rates are only slightly up and he’s making far fewer errors since May 1.
Quite a relief for Carlos to hit his first dinger. Sooner or later his production will need to match his skill set. I noticed him playing 2B in the boxscore as well. Whatever. The M’s will probably need upgrades at both middle infield positions in a couple years…
Those are really encouraging signs, Jason. I can see why you had him rated so highly in this year’s PI handbook.
Good news. I look forward to seeing him hit many like this in the major leagues. In an Orioles or White Sox or Padres uniform, no doubt.
Very good news.
Dave, I’m already tired of reading the phrase “grumblings about Triunfel’s real age…” all over message boards and I’d love to hear something definitive to put that to rest.
Pretty please.
regarding Halman, how far away is he from hitting MLB pitching?
Is it realistic he will learn pitch recognition, or will he never get it and not get past AAA?
Is it a trainable skill, or is it something you are born with?
He sure sounds like the real thing.
14:72? Holy Christ Batman! That’s like…..perfect for the Mariners! No pitch recognition, no walks. Oh wait, he hits homeruns. I guess we will have to trade him. Can’t have a 2b hitting for more power than our DH.
I thought this had already been put to rest. As if the recent disciplinary issue wasn’t the hallmark of a teenager.
Loads.
Who knows. It’s up to him, really.
You’re born with your eyes. You’re born with depth perception and the ability to process information quickly from your eyes to your brain. Thus, you’re born with an ability to recognize where a pitch might go.
You’re not born with the ability to avoid swinging at the stupid thing. You’re also not born with the ability to recognize a pitch’s velocity or which way it’s spinning.
Some of it is heavily dependent upon natural born talent. Most of it is learned skill.
He’s a hell of an athlete, that’s for sure.
8,
Those are Halman’s numbers, not Triunfel’s. Halman’s a center fielder.
Video of Triunfel, Halman, and other HD Mavericks here:
http://pacificprospectreport.com/blog/cal-league/
One item of note on Triunfel’s swing from those videos… He sets up too far off the plate, and from the small sample size of those videos, he has to dip his shoulder and lunge for anything outside. That’s gotta be fixed.
Re: 12
To tell you the truth, other than Triunfel’s age and cannon arm I haven’t really been that impressed by him. If you didn’t know he was a teenager he wouldn’t really stand out for any reason.
I’ve seen him about 8-10 times in person, and his footwork and bat have a long way to go. The glove is decent and his arm is phenomenal. That said, despite starting 2008 way lighter his frame is really going to fill out. I don’t understand why, with Mangini’s recent promotion, Triunfel isn’t also playing third base.
I can’t wait for Triunfel to grow into an adult and add strength to what’s already an impressive, aggressive approach at the plate for someone his age.
I like that they’re giving him time at 2nd, but I’m in agreement with Drew: Triunfel should get some time at 3B too.
So, no more suspension… Good, glad that problem wasn’t a drug addiction or whatever.
Dave- your Mariner minor league updates are one of the best reasons to come here. I like that your evaluations are always tinged with a dose of skepticism, and good points about why certain prospects might fail. Thanks for the update on Triunfel and Halman.
I love the Future Forty and miss it. Hope you have some time soon to enlighten us.
10
You are right, I put 2b when I shouldn’t have. Just substitute OF, the statement still rings true alas.
16: er, Future Forty was updated 3/4/8… not all that much has changed.
Except, you know, the draft. And 50 minor league games.