Jobu has his first Rookie Spotlight Update.

Throughout the offseason I did a series of posts profiling soon to be major league rookies. I introduced those guys and talked about what they might possibly do this season. I figured two weeks in might be a good time to send out an update. Jurickson Profar, of the Rangers, and Wil Myers, of the currently hapless Rays, are still in the minors, but let’s see how all the other guys are doing.

Jackie Bradley, Jr.

Jackie Bradley won a spot on the Sox’ opening roster this year because he crushed the ball during Spring Training. That momentum simply hasn’t carried over to the regular season. He was alright in the opening series against the Yankees (even walking three times in his debut to tie a record), but he’s fallen off considerably since then. Overall, Jackie is hitting .097/.263/.129 in eleven games. That’s right, a .129 slugging percentage. His one extra-base hit on the season came in that opening series against the Yankees. It’s far too early to start yelling at the Red Sox for rushing the kid out of AA, especially with how he performed this spring, but he might need to be sent down soon if he doesn’t get it together. It happens to the best of prospects though. No need to worry about him, Sox fans.

Update: After I wrote this, it was announced that Bradley would most likely be sent down after the return of David Ortíz on Friday.

Aaron Hicks

If Bradley can possibly be used to support the argument against rushing players from AA to the majors because of spring successes, Aaron Hicks could be the proverbial smoking gun. Good lord has he been terrible. Through 12 games, Hicks is hitting .044/.157/.044. That’s right, he doesn’t even have an extra-base hit to his name yet. Hicks set a record for futility in his firs ten major league games, going just 2-43 and striking out a record 20 times. Yep. Actually, to be fair, he only tied the record, which was set by Brett Jackson of the Giants just last season. Before that, former Giants and Diamondbacks great Matt Williams held the record, so at least we know it can be overcome. Like Bradley, though, Hicks could benefit from a deep breath of AAA air.

Jedd Gyorko

I think that, out of all my spotlight guys, I had the most faith in Jedd Gyorko. While he’s been better than Hicks and Bradley, I think he could have fallen out of bed and been on their level, so that doesn’t really say much about what he’s done. It also hasn’t been that pretty. Gyorko hasn’t yet busted out the power bat he’s shown in the minors, but he’s done some other things pretty well. The Padre is hitting ..236/.328/.291 with 6 RBI and 8 BBs. Hell, he even has 3 whole doubles! Like Hicks, he doesn’t have much around him in his lineup, but maybe when Chase Headley comes back, things will pick up a bit for Jedd.

José Fernández

As bad as my spotlight hitters have been, the pitchers have been pretty tremendous. José Fernández, the 20 year old who had never pitched above A+ ball before making the Marlisn opening day roster, has been pretty impressive in his first couple of starts of the season. Through two starts, Fernández has pitched 11 innings (5 in his debut, then 6) and allowed only one run. He’s only allowed eight men to reach base against him too, and he has struck out 13 compared to just 3 walks. Unfortunately, he plays for the marlins. For those two starts and one run allowed, he has no wins to show. It’s sad really, the kid should already have the ball from his first Major League win on his mantle. Instead, he gets top mope in the clubhouse with Giancarlo Stanton, as they dream of the day they get traded to the Yankees.

Update: On Thursday night, after I had written this, Fernández had himself his first rough start of his young career, going 4 innings and allowing 5 runs to the Reds. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back for his next start.

Shelby Miller

Through his first two starts, Miller has faired about as well as Fernández. He was named the fifth starter late in spring, and he hasn’t disappointed the Cardinals yet. He has pitched 12.1 innings and given up only 2 runs while striking out 12 and only walking 4. There’s not a lot to say about this other than that. Miller was considered the Cards’ top pitching prospect, and he seems to be coming through on his promise early on this season. By the way, he plays for a real team, so his two impressive starts have actually earned him two wins. Sorry, José.