Week 11 Little Hero of the Week

Robert Stephenson, rhp, Reds
Team: Double-A Pensacola (Southern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.57, 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 SO

The Scoop: This is why you don’t give up on a 22-year-old hard-thrower, no matter how wild he may seem at times. Stephenson has walked five or more batters on three different occasions this year, including a six-walk start just two weeks ago, but when he’s on, he’s dominant. This is his third double-digit strikeout start of the year.

Runner Ups

Mark Appel, rhp, Astros
Team: Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas)
Age: 23.
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO

The Scoop: Nothing has been easy for Appel. He didn’t sign the first time he was a first-round pick. His 9.74 ERA in high Class A Lancaster last year was truly nightmarish and even this year, while he’s been better, there have been plenty of hiccups with three starts where he gave up more earned runs than innings pitched. But he’s a month removed from his last poor start and has rightfully earned a promotion to Triple-A Fresno.

Marcos Diplan, rhp, Brewers
Team: Rookie-level Helena (Pioneer)
Age: 18
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 2.25, 12 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 5 BB, 15 SO

The Scoop: Acquired in the offseason in the trade that sent Yovani Gallardo to the Rangers, Diplan signed with Texas just less than two years ago for $1.3 million. He’s a small righthander, yes, but he brings big stuff to the table, including a fastball that in the past has touched as high as 95 mph. He pairs the pitch with a curveball that flashes above-average and a changeup. In his first two starts with Helena, Diplan generated 15 strikeouts in a dozen innings.

Tim Anderson, ss, White Sox
Team: Double-A Birmingham (Southern)
Age: 22
Why He’s Here: .500/.500/.778 (9-for-18), 4 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBIs, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Will Anderson’s approach work at higher levels? He’s already shown he can make the important Double-A leap, batting .311/.335/.418 in 65 games. Yet his free-swinging approach limits his on-base skills (he has just nine walks) and cuts into his ability to impact the ball. He has solid-average raw power but only one home run. He’s still a premium athlete with plus speed, so his biggest believers think he can make the necessary adjustments to his approach.