Rookies 2004

02 May, 2004    Pitching line = IP H R ER BB SO

    Game action ... INT --  Canadian kid is something else, eh? Justin Morneau 2-4, 7th homer, .402 ... another Canuck, Simon Pond TOR, 2-2, 2 walks, homer ... Gabe Gross TOR 2-4, homer ... Grady Sizemore CLE 0-2, but 3 walks ... after an awful start, Kelly Shoppach BOS on a roll, 2-4, 3rd homer, 3 RBI, .227 ... Aaron Heilman NYN 5.2 6 4 1 3 3, 3.58 ...

PCL --  JR House PIT 1-3, 6th homer, .291 ... Jamey Wright, might just get another shot, KC 6.0 5 0 0 1 2, 2.88 ... Clint Barmes SS COL 3-5, .407 ... AAA still a bit of a struggle, Clint Nageotte SEA 5.1 7 6 5 3 4, 4.62 ... Jose Lopez SEA (at 3B) 3-4, 5th homer, .296 ... Noah Lowry SF 7.0 2 0 0 1 6, 2.66 ... Andrew Good ARZ 7.0 5 0 0 0 2, 3.00 ... Nick Swisher OAK 0-2, down to .246 ... Scott Hairston ARZ 1-4, 4th homer ... Luis Terrero ARZ, rare ofer, 0-4, .413 ... Jason Dubois CHN, another homer, 4th in two games

EASTERN --  Matt Peterson NYN 5.0 2 5 1 1 2 5, 2.03 ERA …Aaron Hill TOR 0-4 … Dominic Rich TOR 1-3, RBI (9) … Dioner Navarro NYA 3-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI (8) … Kenny Lofton NYA 1-4, RBI … Val Majewski BAL 2-5, 2B (3), 3B (2), RBI (14) … Jason Kubel MINN 2-3, 2 2B (9), 2 RBI (15) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 0-3, BB … Jake Dittler CLE 6.0 7 3 3 3 3, 2.20 ERA … Jeff Keppinger PIT 3-5, RBI (7) … Michael Cervenak SF 1-3, 3BB

SOUTHERN --  Freddy Guzman SD OF 0-4, 2 K's ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B ... Eric Reed FLA OF 3-4, 2 R, 2 3B, 1 K, .362 ... Josh Willingham FLA C 1-2, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 1-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (6) ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 0-3, 1 BB, 1K ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 1-4, 2 K's ... Luis Martinez STL 7.0 3 1 0 1 7, no decision ... Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 0-2, 1 BB ... Aaron McNeal CHA 1B 0-3, 1 K ... Tony Gwynn Jr MIL OF 2-6, 2 R ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 4-7, 2 R, 4 RBI, 1 K, 2 HR (7 & 8) ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 0-5, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 1-4, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 HR (5) ... Bobby Brownlie CHN 6.0 5 2 2 0 0

TEXAS --  Drew Meyer SS TEX 0-5, 2R ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 1-1, 2B, R ... Will Smith RF TEX 2-6, HR, 4RBI ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK 1-4, R ... Willy Taveras CF HOU 3-4 ... Todd Self 1B HOU 2-3, HR ... Andres Blanco SS KC,  after a brief stint in the majors, back in AA, 0-2 R ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 1-3, R ... Shin-soo Choo RF SEA 0-4 ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 3-4, RBI ... Rafael Soriano SEA rehabbing, 2 1 0 0 2 0 ... Jeff Francis COL 6 3 3 3 0 10 ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 2-5, R ... Casey Kotchman 1B ANA 3-4, 2B, 2R ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 0-3, R ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 3-4, R, 2RBI ... Brian Barden 3B ARI 2-5, 2R, 3B, 2RBI ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 1-4, 2R ... Chris Snyder C 3-3, 2B, HR, 4RBI ... ... Adriano Rosario ARI 5.2 9 4 4 1 1, lots of talk about SEA phenom Felix Hernandez, but Rosario is also 18, and a full level ahead

CAROLINA --  Chaz Lytle PIT 0-4, 2 K ... Brad Eldred PIT 2-4, R, double, HR, RBI (20), K ... Rajai Davis PIT 2-4, triple, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB (7) ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 0-4, K ... Scott Thorman ATL 0-4, K ... Brian McCann ATL 1-4 ... Anthony Lerew ATL 6 5 2 2 2 8 (1-2, 2.77) ... Tripper Johnson BAL 0-4, K ... Doug Gredvig BAL 0-3, BB, K ... Tony Blanco CIN 0-2, 2 BB, K ... Jim Tiller BAL 5 2 0 0 3 5 (1.64) ... sent to the pen Rommie Lewis BAL 0.1 2 5 5 2 0 (0-4, 7.23) ... Richard Gardner CIN 6 3 0 0 0 7 (1.42) ... Ryan Sweeney CHA 0-2 ... Brian Anderson CHA 0-5, R, K ... Donnie Murphy KC 0-5, K ... Shane Costa KC 1-5, double, K ... Mike Aviles KC 3-4, double, BB

FLORIDA STATE --  Jeremy West BOS, 2-3, .441 ... Hanley Ramirez BOS, 1-4, 1 K .295 ... Jon Lester BOS 6-2-0-0-1-7 ... Scott Baker MINN, 7-5-1-1-3-6, 1.97 ... Anderson Machado DET, 2-3, double, 2 RBI ... Humberto Sanchez DET, 7-2-1-1-2-9, 3.21 ... Felix Pie 1-3 and 1-4 double ... Jon Connolly now with the Cubs 5-1-0-0-0-8 ... Jose Valdez NYA, 5-2-2-1-4-2, 3.76 ... Jared Koutnik NYA, 2-5, double, 2 RBI ... Michael O'Conner MINN, 5-2-1-1-3-5, 2.95 ... Ryan Barthelemy PHI, 3-4 ... Trent Pratt PHI, 2-4, 2 homers, 4 RBI ... Matt Lemanczyk STL, 2-5, 2 K, .318 ... Mamon Tucker STL, 1-3, 2 RBI, .368 ...  Travis Hanson ST, 1-4, double (8)... Bobby Malek NYN, 2-4, double (8), homer (3), 5 RBI ... David Reaner NYN, 2-6 2 RBI ... Andres Rodriguez NYN, 4-6, double, RBI ...

CALIFORNIA --  Ubaldo Jimenez COL 7.0 1 1 1 2 7, 4-0, 1.50 ... COL 3B Jeff Baker 2-4, homer, 4 RBI, .311 ... Vincent Sinisi TEX 2-4, 3rd homer, .302 ... Matthew Cain SF 5.0 5 3 2 3 4 ... Felix Hernandez SEA, back on the beam after one shaky effort 6.0 3 0 0 1 9 ... Joe Saunders ANA  6.0 7 2 2 2 3 ... Bradley Sullivan OAK, much better, still just one K, 7.0 8 2 2 0 1, 5.48 ... Chris Seddon, saw his ERA jump to 0.98,  5.2 5 2 1 2 6

MIDWEST --  he'll be 22 in June, but still Ian Kinsler (SS) TEX 3-7, 2 doubles, 5th SB (.367) ... Williams Sarmiento TEX 6.0 5 1 1 0 6 (1.69) ... Lou Palmisano MIL 3-6, 2 errors ... Chris Dunwell OAK 6.0 5 1 1 0 6 (4-0, 2.43) ... Brian Snyder OAK 2-4, double ... Chris Hunter ANA 5.0 2 0 0 0 3 (1-0, 1.06) ... Melky Cabrera NYA 1-4 (.329) ... Eric Duncan NYA 2-4, double ... William Juarez ARZ 6.0 4 0 0 2 6 (1.10) ... Chris Lubanski KC 1-8 ... John Gragg KC 7.0 3 0 0 0 5 (3-0, 0.93) ... harsh return from injury Matt Moses MIN 1-8, 5 K's

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Chris Young CHW, 2-4, SB(4) ... Micah Schnurstein CHW, 2-4, 2 2B, RBI ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 3-5, 2 2B, RBI ... Sean Smith CLE, 5.0 6 2 2 3 6, W(3-1) ... Nick Markakis BAL, 2-5, 3 R, RBI ... SS Elvis Morel BAL, 3-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI ... Juan Guiterrez BAL, 3-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI ... Brian Finch BAL, 4.0 4 1 1 0 1 ... Xavier Paul LA, 0-4, R ... Andy LaRoche LA 1-4, 2 R ... Phil Akens FLA, 5.0 7 2 1 0 7 ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 2-3, 2B, R ... Ian Stewart COL, 0-3 ... Nate Schierholtz SF, 4-5, HR(3), 2 R, RBI ... Jason Pridie TB, 3-6, HR(2), 3 RBI ... Delmon Young TB, 1-3, R ... Jose Vaquedano BOS, 7.0 3 2 1 1 7

COLLEGE --  Jered Weaver, Long Beach State, 7.2 4 4 4 1 14 (123 pitches) ... Jeremy Sowers, Vanderbilt,  7.2 8 2 2 2 8 (126 pitches)

    Troop movements ... SF -- optioned RHP Kevin Correia to Triple-A,  recalled RHP David Aardsma ... ANA --- purchased the contract of pitcher Matt Hensley from AAA (Tim Salmon DL), designated pitcher Yoshitaka Mizuo for assignment ...

    Adam Miller CLE, now attracting attention at Baseball America :

" ... righthander Adam Miller might only be 19, but he is showing the stuff--and the makeup--of a dominant frontline starter. Named the best prospect in the Appalachian League after going 0-4, 4.96 in 33 innings at Rookie-level Burlington last year, Miller pitched well in great instructional league and is carrying that performance over into this season. The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder from McKinney (Texas) High was 2-0, 1.80 in 20 innings with 27 strikeouts and six walks so far for the Captains. His repertoire consists of a fastball that sits consistently at 92-94 mph, a slider that reaches 87 mph and a changeup that, once refined, will balance out his arsenal and give him a legitimate third option ... The development of the changeup is essential for Miller's progression. He's been working on it in bullpens and using it in limited action during games, but only when he's ahead in the count. Right now, it's been in the mid-to-high 80s range, which probably isn't enough separation in velocity from his fastball ... "He's thrown it here and there," added Lake County manager Luis Rivera. "We all know he can throw the fastball and hit 94 easy, effortlessly. He has a plus slider and now he's adding a change. He's already fun to watch, but he's going to be amazing." ...   "He has explosive stuff with exceptional command on both sides of the plate," Indians assistant general manager Chris Antonetti said. "He's got a great out pitch already with the slider. He's one of the most exciting players in our system."

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Jonathan Broxton LA :

" ... Broxton, 19, was No. 14 on our Dodgers Top 30 in the 2004 Prospect Handbook, in part because he pitched just 37 innings last year while battling wrist tendinitis and a biceps strain. He would move up considerably in our Dodgers rankings if we were to revise them today, because he has very good stuff and is as hot as any pitcher in the minors right now. A 2002 second-round pick out of a Georgia high school, Broxton has a heavy 92-94 mph sinker and a sharp mid-80s slider ...has the potential to be a frontline starter. To stay in the rotation, he'll have to refine his changeup and continue to show improved command. If that doesn't happen, his fastball-slider combination could make "The Bull" a dominant reliever."

    MIL's Prince creating quite an impression :

" ... first baseman Prince Fielder dropped jaws again. One evening after homering to dead-center and laying a ferocious hit on Chattanooga catcher Brian Peterson, Fielder hit a Herculean homerun to right, a solo shot that appeared to pass by the bank of lights beyond the wall as it sailed over a grove of trees ...Fielder’s sixth homerun this season continued his torrid hot streak. With a pair of multi-hit games in the series at Chattanooga, Fielder has hit safely in eight of his last 11 games, batting .388 with four homers, two doubles, eight runs batted and 10 runs scored." (Huntsville Stars)

Then, after Saturday's game :

" ... Fielder is in the midst of a torrid hot streak, with homers in four straight games. He has hit safely in 10 of his last 13 games, batting .411 with six homers, 12 runs batted in and 12 runs scored. While Fielder has delivered the power, Tony Gwynn, Jr. has set the table, extending his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in both games of the doubleheader." (Huntsville Stars)

01 May, 2004

    Game action ... INT --  Nook Logan (DET, CF) 2-5, 2 R, RBI, SB ... Bubba Nelson (CIN) 6.0 5 4 4 3 6 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, RF) 1-2, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, HBP ... Justin Morneau (MIN, 1B) 2-4, 6th HR, R, 2 RBI, BB ... Alexis Rios (TOR, RF) 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R, BB ... Tim Raines Jr (BAL, CF) 2-4, R, BB, SB ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 3-4, R, BB, SB ... Felix Diaz (CHA) 7.0 5 2 0 1 8 ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 2-4, 2 RBI

PCL --  Calvin Pickering KC 2-3, 12th homer, 2 RBI ... after some solid work, a stinker, Danny Haren STL 8.2 14 5 5 1 8 ... Ramon Nivar TEX 3-5, .393 ... Ben Petrick SD( at 1B) 5-6 ... Joe Blanton OAK 6.0 6 0 0 1 5, 2.08 ... Bobby Madritsch SEA 6.1 3 1 0 1 7, 3.25 ... Derrick Turnbow ANA, rounding into form, 3.0 0 0 0 0 3, 2.87 ... Jason Dubois CHN, early season tease again, 3-5, 3 homers, 7 RBI

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN 2-7, HR (4), RBI (13) (back strong after failing to get on base Thursday for the first time this season) … Justin Huber, NYN 1-6, HR (1), RBI (1) … Aaron Hill TOR 1-4, 2 BB … Dominic Rich TOR 0-7 … Dioner Navarro NYA 0-3 … Kenny Lofton NYA 0-3 … Val Majewski BAL 0-3, BB … John Maine BAL 7.0 3 1 1 0 8, 2.25 ERA … Jason Kubel MINN 2-3, HR (3), 2 RBI (13) … J.D. Durbin MINN 6.2 9 5 4 0 3 … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 1-4, 2 BB … Jeff Keppinger PIT 2-3, 2 BB, SB (2) … Ryan Doumit PIT 1-4, 2B. RBI (4) … Michael Cervenak SF 2-5, 2B (8), HR (7), 2 RBI (19) …  Jeremy Guthrie CLE 7.0 4 1 1 1 6, W, a few like this and he'll be back in Buffalo a step away from a spot in CLE

SOUTHERN --  BJ Upton TB (at DH) 1-3, 2 Ks & (at SS) 1-3, double, no errors  ... Prince Fielder MIL 1-3, 6th homer ... Rickie Weeks MIL 0-4 ... Josh Barfield SD 1-4, 1st homer ... Dan Meyer ATL 5.0 4 1 0 2 7, 0.00 ... Jason Stokes FLO 0-3, 2 walks, K, .280 ...

TEXAS --  Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 1-4, 2R ... Casey Kotchman DH ANA 2-5, 2B, 2R, 2RBI ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 1-4, HR, 2RBI ... John Baker DH OAK 3-4, 2HR ... Willy Taveras CF HOU 1-3, R, RBI, 2SB (11) ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 2-5, HR ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 1-3 ... Will Smith RF TEX 3-5, R, 2RBI ... Josh Kroeger RF ARI 2-3, 2B, HR, 2R, 2RBI ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 1-4 ... Lance Cormier ARI 4 8 3 2 1 3

"Minorleaguebaseball.com ... Casey Kotchman  (.323 Batting Avg; .405 On-base Pct; .523 Slugging Pct; 3 HR; 11 RBI) Kotchman, who has a sweet left-handed stroke, has performed exactly as expected. His name is all over the leaderboards for the Texas League and he has been a permanent fixture as a candidate for the early Player of the Week honors. He is listed in the top-10 in the following categories: batting average, home runs, RBI, OBP, and slugging percentage. With the injury-prone Darin Erstad as the Angels first baseman, Kotchman may have an opportunity to get some at-bats this season. Kotchman should be the Angels starting first baseman within two years."

CAROLINA --  Paul Maholm PIT 7.0 4 1 0 3 5, 1.21 ... nice infield combo for KC, 2B Donnie Murphy 2-5, double, .326 and SS Mike Aviles 2-3, walk, 2 doubles, .329

CALIFORNIA --  John Vanden Berg C, MIL 2-4, double, triple, .362 ... Bobby Livingston SEA 7.2 6 3 3 1 5 ...

FLORIDA STATE --  Hanley Ramirez BOS, flashes of prospectdom, 3-5, 2 triples, .298 ... another phenom takes his lumps, Jonathan Broxton LA 3.0 8 6 6 1 5 ... Scott Olsen FLO 6.0 6 1 1 0 11 ... Jeremy Hermida FLO 3-4, triple, 3 RBI, .386

MIDWEST --  Sean Marshall CHN 5.2 5 1 0 2 8 (1.10) ... deep slump Howie Kendrick ANA 0-4, 2 K (.241) ... Abel Moreno ANA 6.0 3 1 1 0 5 ... Tony Giarratano DET 1-4 ... Andy Baldwin DET 7.0 4 0 0 1 3 ... Brian Snyder OAK 3-4, double (.303) ... Brad Knox OAK 7.0 5 0 0 0 12 (2-1, 1.64) .. the cap of Au for Eric Duncan NYA 0-4, 4 K, E (.291) ... Melky Cabrera NYA 0-3 ... three straight excellent outings Eddie Bonine SD 7.0 2 0 0 0 5 (1.98) ... Adam Jones SEA 2-7, 2nd SB

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Christopher Ray BAL 5.0 5 2 2 3 4 ... Antoin Gray 2B CHA 3-5, double, triple, .326 ... Xavier Paul LA 3-5, double, .361 ... Ian Stewart COL 2-4, triple ... Jon Benick PIT 3-3, walk, 5th homer, 3 RBI, .342

STL kid the Pitcher of the Week in the Southern League :

" ... Brad Thompson ...  went 2-0 for the week, and didn’t allow a run in 16.1 innings pitched. Allowing just 7 hits, Thompson struck out 14 without walking a batter. Thompson, a 16th round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2002, is ranked the #25 prospect in the St. Louis system by Baseball America."

SAL, best of the week :

Matt Albers [HOU] ...Pitcher of the Week after going 1-0 with a perfect 0.00 ERA in his two starts and 12.1 innings pitched this past week. Albers allowed 10 hits, 0 runs, gave up 0 walks and struck out 13 opposing batters holding hitters to a .227 batting average for the week ... Ian Bladergroen [NYN] repeats as the ... Batter of the Week after garnering the same honor on April 23rd. Bladergroen continues to put out monster numbers for the Southern Division First Place Capital City Bombers. Ian hit .375 with 12 hits in his 32 at bats with 3 doubles, 1 homer and a whopping 15 RBI in his 7 games played this past week." (South Atlantic League)

    Troop movements ... BAL -- recalled outfielder Darnell McDonald from Ottawa (David Segui DL) ...  CIN -- recalled catcher Corky Miller (LaRue DL) ... SEA -- recalled RHP J.J. Putz from AAA, optioned LHP Matt Thornton to AAA ... TB -- designated LHP Damian Moss for assignment, purchased the contract of RHP Dicky Gonzalez ... CHN -- purchased the contract of LHP Glendon Rusch, optioned RHP Michael Wuertz to AAA ... STL -- optioned second baseman Bo Hart to Triple-A, recalled RHP Josh Pearce ... COL -- optioned OF Rene Reyes to Triple-A,  recalled outfielder Brad Hawpe ...

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, has posted his list of top prospects in the Florida State League and Mets' lefty Scott Kazmir grabs the top slot ahead of LA phenom Jonathan Broxton.  Pitchers took the top five spots with Michael Hinckley MON at No. 3 followed by Kyle Sleeth DET and Blake Hawksworth STL.

    MIL's Dave Krynzel, bad break :

" ... the Brewers' first-round draft pick in 2000, [Krynzel] fouled a pitch off his right foot and suffered a non-displaced fracture. He is expected to be on the disabled list for the next eight to 12 weeks, which would span more than half the season. "This was a big year for Dave," Brewers farm director Reid Nichols said. "This will hurt him. It'll set him back quite a bit. "You always miss an impact player like that when he gets hurt. But he's an athlete; I'm sure he'll rebound from it." The Brewers were looking for a rebound year from Krynzel after a prolonged second-half slump dropped his final 2003 batting average to .267 at Class AA Huntsville. He stole 43 bases but also struck out 119 times in 457 at-bats. A superior defensive centerfielder with above-average speed, Krynzel was batting above .300 with Indianapolis until a recent skid. In 16 games, he was hitting .263 with a .373 on-base percentage, two home runs, six RBI and three stolen bases." (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

    John Sickels, ESPN.com, on Corey Smith CLE :

" ... Smith was Cleveland's first-round pick in 2000, out of high school in New Jersey. He is a physical specimen compared to a young Gary Sheffield, though his pro career hasn't been especially impressive so far. He entered 2004 with career marks of .261/.332/.407 ...  He's also struggled defensively at third base. Scouts love his bat speed, strength, and great physical tools, but his production has been mediocre. Until this year. Through 19 games at Double-A Akron, Smith is hitting .306/.390/.611, knocking five homers with 16 RBI in 19 games. Has the light gone on for Corey Smith? Perhaps. He's still young, having turned 22 last week. His plate discipline has been good this year, though his strikeout rate remains a tad high. Scouts have always felt he would hit if he could refine his swing and improve his mental approach at the plate, and he's certainly young enough for the improvement to be real. On the other hand, he is repeating the league, and the 19-game sample is too small for us to assume that he's truly broken through ... The Indians certainly hope the improvement is for real. Even if his bat stays hot, he still needs to prove he can play third base in the long run. He has the range and arm for the position, but needs to improve his reliability."

    Now ... how some of your top hitting prospects are doing ... stats through games of Thursday.

                           Team   P  AVG  AB  H  2B 3B HR RBI BB  SO SB  OBP  SLG
AAA   Chad Allen            TEX  OF .518  56  29  6  0  1 13   6  10  3 .554  .679
AA    Greg Jacobs           SEA  LF .462  52  24  7  0  3 11   3   5  1 .491  .769
AAA   Luis Terrero          ARZ  LF .444  72  32  7  1  4 14   7  12  8 .500  .736
A+    Jeremy West           BOS  IF .443  61  27  5  1  5 16   3  11  0 .455  .803
A+    Erick Aybar           ANA  IF .408  71  29  3  3  2 10   6  11  9 .463  .620
AA    Jason Kubel           MIN  LF .405  74  30  7  2  2 11   8   7  0 .458  .635
AAA   Clint Barmes          COL  IF .402  82  33  6  0  1  4   4  10  4 .437  .512
AAA   Justin Morneau        MIN  1B .392  79  31  8  0  5 18   7  13  0 .442  .684
A+    Vince Harrison        TB   IF .392  51  20  8  0  3  9   6  10  0 .466  .725
A+    Ryan Garko            CLE   C .391  64  25  6  0  2 15   5  10  0 .458  .578
A+    Chris Denorfia        CIN  CF .391  64  25  4  2  4 14  13  15  1 .494  .703
A     Ian Bladergroen       NYN  IF .388  85  33  9  1  7 34   6  12  0 .436  .765
A     Ryan Roberts          TOR  IF .387  62  24  3  0  4 13  15   8  0 .519  .629
AAA   Mike Rose             OAK   C .383  60  23  5  1  1 10  13  11  0 .486  .550
A     Thomas Brice          CHA  LF .381  63  24  8  0  4 15   5  13  2 .420  .698
AA    Ryan Shealy           COL  IF .380  71  27  5  1  4 15   9  14  0 .452  .648
A     Josh Anderson         HOU  OF .380  79  30  3  1  1  7   7  12 15 .443  .481
AAA   Jason Bartlett        MIN  SS .378  82  31  7  3  1  8   7  14  3 .441  .573
AAA   Ryan Church           MON  OF .377  61  23  3  1  2 15  12  14  0 .481  .557
A+    Mamon Tucker          STL  OF .377  61  23  2  2  1 11   2   9  0 .391  .525
A+    Brian Becker          CHA  IF .375  64  24  4  2  6 13   9  12  0 .452  .781
A+    Bronson Sardinha      NYA  IF .370  73  27  3  2  0 14  11  13  1 .448  .466
AAA   Brandon Phillips      CLE  2B .369  65  24  4  1  1  5   9   3  3 .455  .508
AA    Willy Taveras         HOU  OF .368  87  32  2  1  1 13   8  14  9 .424  .448
A     Javier Guzman         PIT  IF .365  63  23  2  2  0 12   4   7  7 .403  .460
AAA   JD Closser            COL   C .364  44  16  6  0  0 10   9   6  0 .472  .500
A+    Jeremy Hermida        FLO  RF .364  66  24  2  0  1  8   6  14  5 .425  .439
A     Ian Kinsler           TEX  IF .361  72  26 13  0  1 15   9  15  4 .432  .583
AAA   Jhonny Peralta        CLE  1B .360  75  27  7  0  0  9   7  17  1 .410  .453
A     Xavier Paul           LA   OF .359  78  28  3  2  3 19   3  14  1 .369  .564
AA    David Wright          NYN  3B .355  76  27 11  0  3 12  11  15  9 .467  .618
A+    Andy Schutzenhofer    STL  IF .354  48  17  2  0  1 10  11   4  1 .483  .458
A     Ryan Harvey           NYN  OF .354  48  17  3  1  0  5   3   2  4 .439  .458
AAA   David DeJesus         KC   OF .351  57  20  5  1  0  2   5   7  1 .422  .474
A+    Michael Napoli        ANA   C .348  66  23  3  0  7 24   6  19  1 .400  .712
A+    Rajai Davis           PIT  CF .346  78  27  6  1  0  8   8  10  4 .414  .449
A     John Urick            NYA  IF .346  52  18  5  0  3  8  15  12  0 .500  .615
A     Melky Cabrera         NYA  OF .346  78  27  9  0  0  9   3  10  2 .361  .462
AAA   Calvin Pickering      KC   IF .345  58  20  2  0 11 27  13  19  0 .487  .948
A     Lou Palmisano         MIL   C .343  67  23  4  1  0 12   9  14  2 .457  .433
AAA   Yadier Molina         STL   C .340  53  18  3  0  1  8   5   5  0 .390  .453
AAA   Jeremy Reed           CHA  OF .338  80  27  7  1  0  7   3  12  6 .372  .450
AA    Robinson Cano         NYA  IF .338  71  24  4  3  3 16   4   8  1 .385  .606
A+    Scott Thorman         ATL  IF .338  65  22  4  0  4 18   6   7  0 .408  .585
AAA   Antonio Perez         LA   SS .333  51  17  1  1  1  8   7  11  2 .424  .451
AAA   John Buck             HOU   C .333  60  20  1  0  2  5   4  12  0 .385  .450
AA    Michael Cervenak      SF   IF .333  81  27  7  0  6 17   8  11  2 .396  .642
AA    Rickie Weeks          MIL  SS .333  57  19  5  2  0  6   4  11  1 .415  .491
A+    Chaz Lytle            PIT  OF .333  78  26  3  0  0  3   4   8  8 .366  .372
A     Tony Giarratano       DET  IF .333  72  24  4  1  1  8  11   5  3 .417  .458
AAA   John Gall             STL  OF .329  70  23  4  0  6 21   4   5  1 .355  .643
A+    Rodolfo Guillen       NYA  OF .329  82  27  4  1  0 12   5  16  1 .370  .402
AA    Ruben Gotay           KC   2B .325  80  26  5  2  0  8   6  18  3 .393  .438
AA    Casey Kotchman        ANA  IF .325  77  25  6  0  3 12   7   6  0 .409  .519
AA    BJ Upton              TB   IF .323  65  21  5  0  2 11   9  15  2 .405  .492
A+    Donnie Murphy         KC   2B .321  84  27  7  1  1 16   8  15  0 .376  .464
AAA   Val Pascucci          MON  RF .319  72  23  7  0  5 18   8  16  2 .390  .625
AA    John Nelson           STL  IF .319  69  22  5  1  3  9   9  19  2 .413  .551
AA    David Espinosa        DET  OF .317  60  19  4  0  3  4   9  19  4 .406  .533
A+    Jeff Salazar          COL  OF .317  82  26  1  2  2  7  11   9  7 .404  .451
AAA   Mike Fontenot         BAL  IF .316  79  25  5  0  0  8   2   8  2 .325  .380
A+    Conor Jackson         ARZ  OF .316  79  25  6  0  3 14  16  10  1 .433  .506
AA    Nick Gorneault        ANA  OF .314  70  22  5  1  4 13   8  15  2 .385  .586
AA    Tommy Whiteman        HOU  3B .311  90  28  3  0  2 18   4  15  2 .340  .411
A+    Matthew Murton        BOS  OF .311  74  23  2  1  6 17   9  17  1 .381  .608
A+    Vincent Sinisi        TEX  OF .310  84  26  4  0  2 12  12  20  3 .384  .429
AA    Dominic Rich          TOR  3B .309  68  21  5  1  1  8   5   7  1 .360  .456
AA    Kelly Johnson         ATL  OF .309  68  21  4  1  4  8  10  14  1 .392  .574
AAA   Corey Hart            MIL  OF .308  65  20  5  2  4 12   6  17  1 .375  .631
A     Eric Duncan           NYA  IF .307  75  23  8  0  2 10  11  17  2 .409  .493
AA    Corey Smith           CLE  IF .306  72  22  5  1  5 16   9  15  1 .390  .611
AA    John Baker            OAK   C .306  72  22  4  1  2 12   6   8  0 .375  .472
AA    Franklin Gutierrez    CLE  OF .304  69  21  6  0  1  6   6  24  1 .364  .435
AA    Val Majewski          BAL  OF .304  79  24  2  1  4 13   6  15  2 .368  .506
AA    Prince Fielder        MIL  IF .304  69  21  3  0  5 14   7  15  0 .375  .565
A+    Vito Chiaravalloti    TOR  IF .300  80  24  9  0  3 13  10  16  0 .389  .525
AAA   Scott Hairston        ARZ  2B .296  81  24  5  2  3 11   4  18  0 .329  .519
AAA   Brad Hawpe            COL  OF .293  58  17  1  1  7 18   7  20  1 .364  .707
AA    Jason Stokes          FLO  IF .292  72  21  4  0  5 20   9  28  0 .378  .556
A     Robert Valido         CHA  IF .292  72  21  8  0  0  6   2   8 10 .316  .403
AAA   Kevin Youkilis        BOS  3B .291  79  23  3  0  3 10  10  15  2 .380  .443
AAA   JR House              PIT   C .288  52  15  5  0  5 17   3  10  1 .327  .673
AA    Andy Marte            ATL  IF .288  59  17  2  0  3  5   6  18  0 .354  .475
AA    Dallas McPherson      ANA  IF .288  73  21  5  2  1 11  10  14  1 .369  .452
AA    Dioner Navarro        NYA   C .281  57  16  3  0  1  6   9   7  1 .379  .386
A     Mitch Maier           KC   IF .279  68  19  7  2  2  9   5  13  4 .329  .529
AAA   Jose Lopez            SEA  IF .278  72  20  3  0  4 10   5  11  1 .333  .486
AAA   Felipe Lopez          CIN  2B .278  79  22  2  1  3 12   3  20  1 .310  .443
AAA   Chris Burke           HOU  2B .271  85  23  3  0  1  5   5  13  7 .333  .341
AA    Alberto Callaspo      ANA  IF .271  85  23  0  0  1  9   6   5  0 .312  .306
AAA   Alexis Rios           TOR  OF .270  89  24  6  1  3 14   3  13  0 .293  .461
AAA   Nick Swisher          OAK  RF .269  52  14  4  0  3 10  11  11  0 .391  .519
AAA   Victor Diaz           NYN  OF .269  78  21  4  0  3  9   2  22  2 .288  .436
A     Brandon Wood          ANA  IF .269  67  18  6  1  3 16  10  21  0 .380  .522
AA    Sergio Santos         ARZ  SS .267  75  20  3  1  2 10   4  24  2 .304  .413
A+    Michael Aubrey        CLE  IF .266  64  17  1  1  2 12   7   8  2 .385  .406
AAA   Dave Krynzel          MIL  OF .263  57  15  2  1  2  5   8  19  3 .373  .439
AA    Shin-soo Choo         SEA  RF .263  76  20  5  2  4 11   9  19  1 .341  .539
AA    Jeff Mathis           ANA   C .262  65  17  1  1  2 10   6  16  0 .319  .400
A     Delmon Young          TB   OF .262  84  22  4  0  3 13   1  19  0 .267  .417
AAA   Chase Utley           PHI  2B .257  70  18  4  1  4 13  10  18  2 .337  .514
A+    Jeff Francoeur        ATL  OF .257  70  18  6  0  2 10   8  16  3 .321  .429
A+    Felix Pie             CHN  CF .257  74  19  1  0  1  6   4  23  2 .296  .311
AAA   Michael Restovich     MIN  LF .256  82  21  2  0  5 11   4  21  2 .287  .463
AAA   JJ Hardy              MIL  SS .253  75  19  9  0  3 14   2   6  0 .269  .493
AAA   Gabe Gross            TOR  LF .250  68  17  2  0  1  8   3  18  0 .282  .324
A+    Joaquin Arias         TEX  IF .250  52  13  1  2  0  7   3   4  1 .281  .346
AAA   Grady Sizemore        CLE  LF .247  73  18  5  2  2 15  11  11  2 .337  .452
A     Ian Stewart           COL  IF .247  77  19  3  2  3 14  11  21  3 .337  .455
AAA   Russ Adams            TOR  SS .243  74  18  8  1  0 11  10   6  1 .345  .378
A     Adam Jones            SEA  IF .243  70  17  4  0  0 10   9  18  1 .333  .300
AAA   Guillermo Quiroz      TOR   C .241  54  13  3  0  2  6   9  12  0 .344  .407
A     Nick Markakis         BAL  OF .241  58  14  1  0  1  7   4  16  0 .302  .310
AAA   Pete LaForest         TB    C .240  50  12  5  0  1  9  11   6  0 .371  .400
A     Chris Lubanski        KC   OF .237  59  14  2  1  1  8  11  12  1 .361  .356
AA    Josh Barfield         SD   IF .236  72  17  4  0  0 10   6  20  1 .284  .292
AAA   Joe Borchard          CHA  OF .234  77  18  3  0  2 10  10  17  2 .318  .351
AAA   Koyie Hill            LA    C .224  76  17  4  0  2  7   7  16  0 .298  .355
AAA   Kelly Shoppach        BOS   C .224  58  13  4  0  2 12   5  21  0 .286  .397
AA    Ryan Howard           PHI  1B .221  68  15  3  0  6 13  11  28  0 .333  .529
AA    Josh Willingham       FLO   C .218  55  12  2  0  5 11  12  18  0 .378  .527
A+    Ryan Sweeney          CHA  OF .212  66  14  2  0  0  5   5  10  5 .303  .242
A+    Joel Guzman           LA   SS .211  76  16  2  0  3  9   6  17  3 .268  .355
AAA   Joe Thurston          LA   3B .206  68  14  4  2  1  6   4  12  0 .276  .368
A     Wladimir Balentien    SEA  OF .203  59  12  4  1  1  5   3  21  3 .242  .356
AAA   Wilson Betemit        ATL  SS .196  56  11  3  0  1 12   3  18  1 .233  .304
A     Kody Kirkland         DET  IF .178  73  13  2  1  1  6   2  24  1 .221  .274
AA    Jeremy Brown          OAK   C .157  70  11  5  0  1  5   9  16  0 .263  .271
AA    Larry Broadway        MON  IF .138  58   8  0  0  2  7   8  21  0 .254  .241

30 April, 2004

    Game action ... INT --  Nook Logan (DET, CF) 3-5, 2B, R, 4 RBI ... Dane Sardinha (CIN, C) 2-5, R ... Wilson Betemit (ATL, 3B) 3-4, R, RBI, SB ... Jason Bartlett (MIN, SS) 4-5, 2 3B, R, 4 RBI, BB ... hard to fathom line from 38 run affair, Justin Morneau (MIN, 1B) 1-6 ... David Bush (TOR) 7.0 7 1 1 0 11 ... (injured while batting?)Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 1-1 ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 4-5, 2B, 2nd HR, 4 R, 5 RBI, BB, SF ... Kevin Youkilis (BOS, 3B) 2-5, 2 R, RBI, BB ... Kelly Shoppach (BOS, C) 4-5, 2B, 2nd HR, 3 R, 6 RBI ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 2-5, 2B, RBI, SB ... Jon Rauch (CHA) 5.0 5 1 1 0 5 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4, R, RBI ... Jorge De La Rosa (MIL) 3.1 4 4 4 2 4 ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 2-4, 2B, R

PCL --  John Gall STL 2-4, 2 homers, .329 ... Sean Burnett PIT 5.1 9 5 5 2 2, 3.72 ... JR House PIT 2-4, double, .288 ... John Buck HOU 2-4, .333 ... Dennis Tankersley SD 6.0 5 3 3 5 4 ... Ryan Church MON 1-3, 2 walks, homer 3 RBI, .377 ... Cha-Seung Baek SEA  5.0 6 2 1 1 5 ... Scott Harrison ARZ 2-5, 3rd homer, .296 ... Luis Terrero ARZ 4-4, double, walk, .444 ... still hasn't got it right, Edwin Jackson LA 4.0 7 3 3 2 2, 6.29 ...

EASTERN --  Justin Huber, NYN 0-3 … Aaron Hill TOR 1-3 … Dominic Rich TOR 1-4 … Dioner Navarro NYA 0-2, 2 BB … Val Majewski BAL 1-3, 2B, HR (4), 2 RBI (13) … Jason Kubel MINN 1-3 … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 3-4, 2B (6), RBI (6) … Jeff Keppinger PIT 3-5, RBI (6) … Michael Cervenak SF 2-5, 2B (7), RBI (17)

SOUTHERN --  Prince Fielder MIL 1B 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (5) ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 1-3, 2 R ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 1-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI ... Tony Gwynn JR MIL OF 1-5, 1 K ... Freddy Guzman SD OF 1-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1K, down to .429 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 0-4, 1 R, 1 K ... Andrew Brown LA 5.2 3 0 0 2 8, 2.52 ... Eric Reed FLA OF 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, .348 ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR (5) ... Josh Willingham FLA C 0-3, 1 RBI, 3 K's, .218 ... Trevor Hutchinson FLA 6.0 9 3 3 2 7, now 4-1 ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 1-5, 1 K ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR (4)

TEXAS --  Drew Meyer SS TEX 1-4, 2B, R ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 1-4, RBI ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 0-5 ... Casey Kotchman 1B ANA 2-4, 2B, R ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 2-4, 2B, R, 2RBI ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK 1-3, 2B, RBI ...Shane Komine OAK 7.1 9 4 4 06 ... Greg Jacobs LF SEA 2-4, 2B, 2R, RBI ... Angel Berroa SS KC 3-4, 2R, 2RBI ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 1-4, R

CAROLINA --  Mark Saccomanno HOU 2-4, R, double, RBI, 2 K ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 2-3, 2 R, BB ... Scott Thorman ATL 2-4, double, 4 RBI, K ... Brian McCann ATL 1-4, RBI ... Fernando Nieve HOU 5 7 2 2 2 5 (3-1, 4.43) ... Matt Wright ATL 7 2 0 0 1 6 (1-2, 1.71) ... Chaz Lytle PIT 1-3, R, double, BB, SB (8) ... Brad Eldred PIT 2-4, RBI, K ... Rajai Davis PIT 1-4, R, K ... Michael Aubrey CLE 0-3, K ... Ivan Ochoa CLE 2-4, 2 R, double, triple ... Ryan Garko CLE 0-4, K ... Nathan Panther CLE 0-4, RBI, 2 K ... Zach Duke PIT 6 2 1 0 0 9 (3-0, 0.82) ... Brian Slocum CLE 6 10 5 5 1 1 (3-1, 3.00) ... Donnie Murphy KC 5-5, 4 R, 2 doubles, 1ST HR, 2 RBI ... Shane Costa KC 1-4, R, 2 RBI ... Mike Aviles KC 2-4, R, double, HR (3), 3 RBI, BB, K ... Tony Blanco CIN 0-4, 3 K ... Devon Lowery KC 6 2 1 1 1 6 (2-1, 2.60) ... Tripper Johnson BAL 1-4, R, HR (5), 3 RBI, BB ... Doug Gredvig BAL 4-6, 2 R, 2 doubles, RBI, 2 K ... Ryan Sweeney CHA 0-6 ... Brian Anderson CHA 2-4, 2 R, 2 doubles, RBI, BB ... Pedro Lopez CHA 3-6, R

FLORIDA STATE --  Jeremy Hermida FLA, 0-4, 1K ... Rex Rundren FLA, 2-5, 3K, RBI, SB (1), .306 ... Eliezer Alfonso FLA, 3-4, Homer (5, 2 RBI ... Charles Frazier FLA, 2-5, SB (8) ... Carlo Coat TOR, 3-5, double (6), RBI ... Bronson Sardinha NYA, 3-4, RBI, .370 ... Kenny Lofton NYA rehabbing, 1-4, 1 run ... Orlando Hernandez NYA, 1-0-0-0-0-0 ... left the game after 1-2-3 first ... Jose Reyes NYN, 0-2, left game after failing to run out ground ball ... Babby Malek NYN, 2-5, 2K ... Orlando Roman NYN, 5-3-0-0-1-6 ... Delwyn Young LA, 3-5, homer (3), 2 RBI ... Russell Martin LA (C), 2-4, 2 walks, .310 ...Eric Hull LA, 7-4-1-1-0-8 ... Mamon Tucker STL, 1-4, .377 ... Matt Lemanczyk STL, 1-4, 2 RBI, .333 ... Anderson Hernandez DET, 3-5, 1 K ... Joel Zumaya DET, still struggling, 6.2-3-4-4-5-3

CALIFORNIA  --  Jeff Salazar COL (CF & ladoff) 2-4, triple, walk, .317 (.404 OBA, .451 SLG) ... catcher John Suomi OAK 3-5, triple, homer, 4 RBI, .333 ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-3, 2 walk, 2 RBI, .408 ... Fred Lewis CF SF 3-6, triple, walk, .301 ... Vince Harrison 3B TB 3-3, walk, double, .392

MIDWEST --  Adam Harben MIN 6.2 4 0 0 1 10 (1.69) ... Adam Jones SEA 2-5, 1st SB (.243) ... dominant Steven Bondurant OAK 8.1 1 0 0 4 14 ... Drew Macias SD 1-4 (.344) ... Michel Simard ANA 7.0 6 0 0 3 4 ... cooling off Tony Giarratano DET (.333) ... Jake Fox (DH) CHN 2-2, BB, HBP ... Mark Michael STL 7.0 6 2 2 0 9 (3-0, 3.16) ... Ole! Cody Haerther STL 0-4, all K's ... Chad Scarberry ARZ 6.0 9 3 3 0 7 (1.73) ... still sweet Lou Palmisano MIL 2-4, .342 ... Joey Votto CIN 2-5 (.296) ... Matt Farnum TEX 4.0 2 0 0 1 4 (1.42) ... Chris Lubanski KC 1-4 (.237) ... tough-luck loss Dusty Hughes KC 5.0 4 1 0 1 4 (3-1, 0.35) ... Melky Cabrera NYA 0-3 (streak of multi-hit games ends at eight) ... here's a how-to for distorting your ERA Tyler Clippard NYA 2.0 10 9 9 2 2

SAL --  Matt Albers HOU, 6.0 8 0 0 3 5, W(1-0), 0.82 ERA ... 3B Nate Schierholtz SF, 1-5, 3 K ... Nick Markakis BAL, 1-2, 2B, R ... Thomas Mastny TOR, 5.0 5 2 2 1 7 ... Thomas Brice CHW, 3-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1-4, 2B ... Gonzalo Lopez ATL, 6.0 4 2 2 1 8 ... Xavier Paul LA, 1-4, RBI ... Ian Stewart COL, 0-4, 2 K ... Delmon Young TB, 2-4, HR(3), 2 RBI ... Elijah Dukes TB, 1-4 ... Jason Pridie TB, 1-3, 2 BB, SB ... Rogearvin Bernadina MON, 3-4, 2B, RBI ... Clint Evert MON, 7.0 1 0 0 1 7, W(2-0), 2.67 ERA ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 0-4, 2 K ... Tyler Davidson NYM, 1-4, RBI ... Nyjer Morgan PIT, 1-4, 3 RBI, SB(10) ... Thomas Gorzelanny PIT, 6.0 4 2 1 0 7, W(1-0), 2.49 ERA

    Troop movements ... DET -- acquired pitcher Felix Sanchez from the Cubs for pitcher Jon Connolly and a player to be named ... TEX -- activated first baseman Mark Teixeira from the DL,optioned first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to AAA ...  ARZ -- purchased the contract of outfielder Doug DeVore from Tucson.(Richie Sexson DL) ...

    Jay's top SP prospect ready to start packing :

" ... Dustin McGowan, the ace could be making his final start with the Fisher Cats this weekend before getting promoted to Triple-A Syracuse. At least one member of the Toronto front office, Keith Law, will be attending Sunday’s game to get a first-hand look at “D-Mac.” Through his first four starts, McGowan has posted a 2-0 record, 1.21 ERA and microscopic 0.85 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched). Consider this 22-year-old on borrowed time in the Eastern League." (Manchester Union Leader)

It was confirmed late Thursday that McGowan would be promoted to Syracuse after his Sunday start.

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, on a couple NL West SPs :

" ... Ubaldo Jimenez ... has the misfortune of being a Rockies pitching prospect, but Jimenez is still worth watching. Signed out of the Dominincan Republic three years ago, Jimenez started to show dominant stuff while going 10-6 with a 3.46 ERA ...for Single-A Asheville last year. That 2004 is shaping up as a breakthrough year doesn't come as much of a surprise. However, Jimenez's numbers are truly eye-catching. He's 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA, 10 H and 37/6 K/BB in 23 IP for Single-A Visalia. Jimenez, who turned 20 in January, has been overpowering California League hitters with a 94-96 mph fastball and a top-notch curveball. His changeup needs to make more appearances. That should happen once he reaches Double-A."

" ... Matt Chico ...  4-0, 1.17 ERA, 13 H, 26/7 K/BB in 23 IP for Single-A South Bend Chico, who decided not to sign after being drafted by Boston in the second round three years ago, looks like a third-round find for Arizona. He had a 3.53 ERA in 13 starts and four relief appearances after signing last year and is off to an excellent start in 2004. Chico throws in the low-90s and has a plus curve. He could be a future No. 3 starter for the Diamondbacks."

    John Manuel, Baseball America, on David Wright NYN :

" ... I don't have one negative thing to say about him; he's just been great," Binghamton manager Ken Oberkfell said. "He hits the ball to all fields, with power. He hits it well to right-center field, and he's shown he can turn on a good fastball. He's got at least 20-homer power, and maybe 25 or 30; he's got that kind of ability. "He looks very good at third base; he's got good range, an above-average arm and good hands. All he really needs is playing time and experience. I think his development is right on schedule." Wright might be pushing that timetable up as he matures and learns the rigors and grind of being a professional ... "I know scouts talk about guys as being five-tool players, and I want to think of myself as a five-tool kind of player," Wright said. "Like with the stolen bases, I take pride in it, because I'm not a burner. I have to pick and choose my spots, pick the right counts to run in, but I do take pride in being able to steal a base when the team needs it." And swat another double or homer, or field another bunt with the bare hand and make it look easy. "He does all the stuff you can't teach, because he just has savvy and a feel for the game," Oberkfell said. "He plays hard every day and plays the game the right way every day. "It's simple for me. I put him in the three-hole and let him go. He does the rest."

    Brad Hawpe close to a COL callup :

" ... All the elements are falling into place for the Rockies to bring up slugging Triple-A outfielder Brad Hawpe  ... With rookie Matt Holliday holding his own, Larry Walker slowly healing in the trainer's room and Rene Reyes reeling at the plate, Hawpe's promotion has generated heavy internal discussion. The Rockies are tilting toward the move, while weighing Hawpe's development against his potential boost for a team trying to bridge gaps without Walker and Preston Wilson. "It's something we are considering," general manager Dan O'Dowd said. Hawpe opened eyes in spring training with his opposite-field power and strong arm. Through Tuesday, he was hitting .293 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Like Holliday, he's 24 and needs seasoning. But an opportunity for frequent playing time exists in right field because of injuries."  (Denver Post)

29 April, 2004

    Game action ... INT --  Nook Logan (DET, CF) 3-5, 3 R, RBI, SB ... Joe Valentine (CIN) 5.0 4 2 2 0 2 ... Justin Morneau (MIN, DH) 3-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI (at .411, now the league-leader) ... Chase Utley (PHI, 2B) 2-3, 2B, 4th HR, 2 R, RBI ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 3-4, 2B, R, RBI, SB (.359, 9 walks, 3 Ks) ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 3-5, 2 R ... Ramon Ramirez (NYA) 6.0 7 3 2 0 6 ... JJ Hardy (MIL, SS) 2-4, 2B, 3rd HR, 2 R, RBI ... Pedro Liriano (MIL) 5.0 8 2 2 0 3 ... Craig Brazell (NYN, LF) 1-4, 8th HR, R, 2 RBI

PCL -- no games scheduled.

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN 3-4, up to .375 … Justin Huber, NYN 0-3 … Aaron Hill TOR 1-3, RBI (5) … Dominic Rich TOR 0-4, BB … Dioner Navarro NYA 0-3. 2 BB … Val Majewski BAL 1-3 … Jason Kubel MINN 1-3, 2B, 2 BB … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 2-4, 2B (5) … Jeff Keppinger PIT 2-8, .368 AVG … Michael Cervenak SF 2-6, 2 HR (6), 5 RBI (16), .329 ... and a former top prospect was a hit for the PIT affiliate :

" ... Bobby Bradley (1-0) used his arm and his bat to lift the Curve to the game one win. The right-hander, who claimed his first Double-A triumph, went six innings allowing one run and four hits. Bradley danced around six walks and struck out three. At the plate, the former first round pick, made his first professional hit count. Bradley's two-out single in the fourth scored Doumit to push the Curve lead to 4-1." (Altoona Curve)

SOUTHERN --  BJ Upton TB SS 0-4, 1 K, no error ...Tony Gwynn Jr MIL OF 1-5, 1 R ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 1-4, 1 K ... Steve Kelly CIN 5.0 3 1 0 2 4, 1.61, 3-0 ... Chadd Blasko CHN 7.0 3 2 2 3 6 ... Freddy Guzman SD OF 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, .436 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-3, 1 RBI ... Yhency Brazoban LA 1.0 0 0 0 1 2, save 3 ... Brad Thompson STL 8.2 3 0 0 0 8, now 3-0, 0.00  Bob Reed, who followed Thompson in the Midwest last season, has some further information on the phenom-like Cardinals' kid :  ...

Until last August Brad Thompson was an efficient but unspectacular and slightly overage Low-A middle reliever (4 starts, 26 relief appearances) with excellent control but no real strikeout pitch. In 2003 at age 21 in Peoria of the MWL he tossed 65 innings, with 43 K's and just 10 walks & 2 homers. At season's end he was promoted to High-A, where he threw 5 promising shutout innings in his only start. Only because of another player's injury, Thompson was sent to the Arizona Fall League where he managed a compelling 1.59 ERA, albeit in limited bullpen action. Baseball America had seen enough by this point, though, to select Thompson as having both the Best Control and Best Slider in the Cardinal organization (but mysteriously had him just 25th among Redbird farmhands). Now after 3 starts in AA (and a 1-inning 'pen appearance), Thompson's numbers look like those of a gen-u-ine prospect: 23.1 IP, 22 strikeouts, 3 walks, and just 13 hits. Oh, and 3 hit batters. (He likes to pitch inside.)

TEXAS --  Shin-soo Choo RF SEA 1-5, R, RBI ... Greg Jacobs LF SEA 1-5, 2R (.458) ... Angel Berroa SS KC rehabbing, although I'm not sure how you really rehab from migraines, 1-5, SB ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 3-4, 2B, R, RBI ... Willy Taveras CF HOU 2-5, 2B, 2R, RBI and 2-4, HR, 2RBI ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 3-6, HR, 2B, 5RBI and 1-4, 2B, RBI ... Ryan Shealy 1B COL 4-6, 3R, 2B, 3RBI ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 0-1 and 2-4, 2B, R ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 1-5 ... Casey Kotchman 1B ANA 1-4, R ... Nick Gorneault RF ANA UMASS product moving into cleanup spot on prospect laden squad, continuing to produce: 3-5, 2B, 2R, RBI ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 1-5, R, RBI ... Jeremy Brown C OAK Mr. Moneyball continues to struggle at the plate, another ofer: 0-4, now at .167 ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK A less hyped member of the same draft class, 0-3, but at .324 for the year ... Jake Woods ANA nearly flawless: 7 1 0 0 1 4

CAROLINA --  Chaz Lytle PIT 0-5 ... Brad Eldred PIT 1-3, K ... Rajai Davis PIT 1-5, K ... Michael Aubrey CLE 0-4, K ... Ivan Ochoa CLE 0-3, RBI, 2K ... Ryan Garko CLE 1-3, R, K ... Nathan Panther CLE 0-3, R, BB, SB (3) ... Jonathan Albaladejo PIT 5 4 3 3 2 6 (2-2, 4.35) ... Dan Denham CLE 6 3 0 0 2 5 (3-1, 3.86) ... Tripper Johnson BAL 0-1 & 1-2, R, BB, K ... Doug Gredvig BAL 0-2, BB & 1-3, R, K ... Ryan Sweeney CHA 0-1, 2 BB, SB (5) & 1-4 ... Brian Anderson CHA 1-2, 2 R, double, RBI, BB & 1-3, RBI, BB ... Pedro Lopez CHA 0-3 & 2-4, R, 1st HR, 2 RBI, SB (3) ... Rommie Lewis BAL 5.1 3 4 4 7 0 (0-3, 4.91) ... Ryan Hannaman BAL 2.1 4 3 3 2 1 (8.49) ... Luke Scott HOU 0-1, BB, K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 0-3, 3 K ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 0-3, 2 K ... Scott Thorman ATL 0-2, R, BB ... Jason Hirsh HOU 5 3 1 1 1 5 (1-2, 3.32) ... Jose Capellan ATL 5 1 0 0 2 10 (1-1, 5.40) ... Donnie Murphy KC 0-4 ... Shane Costa KC 0-3, R, BB ... Mike Aviles KC 1-3, RBI, K ... Tony Blanco CIN 1-3, 2 R, BB ... Thomas Pauly CIN 6 0 0 0 1 7 (2-1, 2.25) ...Late Tuesday ... Richard Gardner CIN 5 2 0 0 3 3 (3-1, 1.86)

FSL --  Jody Raughton DET, 1-3, 2 doubles (4) rbi .222 ... Mamon Tucker STL, 2-3 double (2) triple (2) ... Travis Hanson STL, 1-3 2 RBI (14) ... Kyle Sleeth DET, 5.1-6-3-3-3-5 4.43 ... Jose Reyes NYM, Rehab 1-5, double 1 K ... Bobby Malek NYN, 3-5. 2 doubles (6), tripl,l 4 RBI (13) ... Robert Paulk NYM, 6-4-0-0-0-5 .096 ... Andy Sisco CHN, 5-5-5-5-4-6, 5.47 ... Kason Hubbard BOS, 5-3-1-1-1-3, 2.95 ... Jeremy West BOS 1-2, RBI (16) ... Hanley Ramirez BOS, 0-4, .278 ... Ryan Barthelemy PHI, 2-3, double (6), 2 RBI (11) ... Elizardo Ramirez PHI, 6-7-1-0-2-4, 2.62 ... Bronson Sardinha 1-3, .348 ... Josh Johnson FLA, 4.1 9-7-7-3-2, 4.66 ... Jeremy Hermida FLA, 1-4, 2 K ... Jayce Tingler TOR, 2-4, double (5), 2 RBI ... Josh Banks TOR (W 3-0) 5-4-0-0-0-7, 0.41 ... Michael Hinkley MTL, 7-2-0-0-2-9, 2.18

CALIFORNIA --  Conor Jackson ARZ 2-5, double, 3 RBI, .296 ... Joaquin Arias, the SS the Rangers' obtained in the A-Rod deal, 1-3, .220 ... Erick Aybar ANA 0-2, dropped below .400 (.397)

MIDWEST --  no games scheduled.

SAL -- Matt Esquivel ATL, 1-5, HR(4) ... Jake Stevens ATL, 6.0 2 1 1 2 10 ... Rogearvin Bernadina MON, 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI ... Yusmerio Petit NYM, 4.0 5 5 2 1 3 ... Delmon Young TB, 2-4, 2B, R ... Elijah Dukes TB, 1-4 ... Claudio Arias BOS, 2-4, HR(2), 4 RBI ... Xavier Paul LA 3-5, .365 ... Ian Stewart COL 2-3, 3 walks, homer, 3 RBI

    Troop movements ... ANA -- recalled infielder Alfredo Amezaga from AAA (Garrett Anderson DL) ... MON -- recalled pitcher T.J. Tucker from AAA (John Patterson DL) ... FLO -- recalled pitcher Franklyn Gracesqui from AAA (Chad Fox DL) ...

    Chris Kline, Baseball America, on a couple of ATL infield prospects :

" ... The good news is Triple-A Richmond third baseman Wilson Betemit ripped his third double of the season last night against Durham. The bad news is he still hasn't broken out of his funk of the last three seasons, batting .143-1-11 with 16 strikeouts in 49 at-bats. He went 1-for-7 in last night's doubleheader."

" ... Since spraining his right ankle Opening Day, Double-A Greenville third baseman Andy Marte is heating up. Marte went 3-for-5 with a double in Tuesday's 9-8 win over Carolina. The Braves' top prospect is now hitting .275-3-4, but has struck out 16 times in 51 at-bats."

    Nick Christensen, Las Vegas Sun, on Edwin Jackson LA :

" ... Las Vegas manager Terry Kennedy said he expects Jackson to spend more time in Las Vegas this season. He is scheduled to start at Fresno Thursday, and again at home vs. Tucson next Tuesday. "He's been aggressive with his fastball when he gets into trouble," Kennedy said. "He has the luxury of raring back and throwing a ball by." Jackson does know about the struggles he's had so far this year. In two of his starts, he's struggled in the mid-innings, giving up six earned runs April 13 against Tacoma, and four April 23 visiting the Rainiers. "Just about every inning (in trouble, I let a leadoff walk, and it starts from there," he said. "I try to stay aggressive through the whole situation." Kennedy said that Jackson needs to be more mindful of his fastball, because the fastball will strike fear into opposing players. "Jax can get into the mid-90s, and he needs to put that into hitters' minds, not throwing the slow stuff first," Jackson said. "He has a very special gift, and hitters internally are always aware of a guy with that kind of fastball." Kennedy said he would like to see Jackson improve on his endurance, although he said a lot of the mistakes in his latest outing were fluke plays, such as a pitch that was a foot outside that was hit over the second baseman's head. "I'd like to get him past six innings, but he's only got four starts," Kennedy said."

    Dayn Perry, FoxSports, with his MIL prospect update has familiar names at the top ... Weeks, Fielder, Hardy ... and lots of talent further down :

" ... 7. Chris Saenz ... ,Brewers selected Saenz, a high-school arm out of Arizona, with a 28th-round pick in 2001. He reached Double-A late last season and has struck out more than a batter per inning at every extended stop. His 5.20 ERA at High Desert looks bad, but he fanned 136 in 128 innings despite pitching half his games in one of the best hitter's parks in baseball. He throws three pitches for strikes and is off to an amazing start in the Southern League (9.1 innings, 16 strikeouts, 1 walk). He'll need to clean up his mechanics, but the stuff is there."

" ... 9. Lou Palmisano ...  a third-round choice last year ...After signing, he promptly laid waste to the Pioneer League (.391 AVG/.458 OBP/.592 SLG). He has offensive skills for days, and scouts like his footwork and mobility behind the plate. Palmisano is off to a fast start in the Midwest League this season, which may earn him a promotion to High Desert before too long. He needs to learn to lay off high fastballs and generally prove his mettle in the high minors, but the Brewers appear to have another promising skill-position prospect on their hands."

28 April, 2004

Some notes abbreviated given some 'net weirdness out this way ...

    Game action ... INT --  Dewon Brazelton (TB) 5.2 5 1 1 0 2 ... Brandon Claussen (CIN) 5.0 6 3 3 1 4 ... Michael Restovich (MIN, RF) 2-3, 5th HR, R, 2 RBI, BB ... Alexis Rios (TOR, CF) 2-4 ... Jason Arnold (TOR) 5.0 6 3 3 1 3 ... Josh Hancock (PHI) 5.1 5 0 0 2 4 ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 2-4 ... Darnell McDonald (BAL, RF) 1-4, 1st HR, R, RBI ... Brian Forystek (BAL) 2.2 7 8 7 2 1 ... Kevin Youkilis (BOS, 3B) 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB ... Jamie Brown (BOS) 6.0 5 1 1 0 5 ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 2-4, 2B ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 3-5, 2 2B, 3 R, RBI ... Brad Halsey (NYA) 6.0 8 5 5 1 1 ... JJ Hardy (MIL, SS) 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R ... Ben Hendrickson (MIL) 5.1 6 2 2 0 3 ... Craig Brazell (NYN, LF) 1-4, 7th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 1-4, 3rd HR, 2 R, RBI ... Jeremy Griffiths (NYN) 5.0 5 2 2 4 2

PCL --  Nick Regilio TEX 5.1 5 2 2 2 5 ... JR House PIT 1-4, grand slam ... Carlos Hernandez HOU, 6.0 4 1 0 1 4, 3-0, 1.66 ... Yadier Molina C, STL, 2-4, up to .320 ... Jason Alfaro HOU 2-5, double, homer, 5 RBI ... Clint Barmes COL SS, 4-4, walk, .429 ... Casey Fossum ARZ 4.0 3 2 0 2 3 ... Joel Hanrahan LA 6.0 5 3 1 5 5, 3.48 ... Dan Johnson OAK 2-5, 6th & 7th homers, 4 RBI

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN 0-4, BB … Justin Huber, NYN 2-3, 2B, 2 BB … Aaron Hill TOR 0-2, RBI (4), .192 AVG … Dominic Rich TOR 1-3, 2B (5) … Dustin McGowan TOR 6.0 3 1 1 1 9, 1.21 ERA … Dioner Navarro NYA 1-5, SB, RBI … Val Majewski BAL 1-4 … Denny Bautista BAL 5.0 5 2 1 2 5 … Jason Kubel MINN 0-4 … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 0-4, 2 K, .262 AVG … Gavin Floyd PHI 5.1 4 0 0 1 1, W (2), 0.00 ERA (17.0 scoreless innings) … Abe Alvarez BOS 6.0 5 2 2 0 6, 4.26 ... Dave Crouthers BAL  6.0 1 0 0 1 8

“ … The Cleveland Indians demoted RHP Jeremy Guthrie from AAA Buffalo of the International League to AA Akron of the Eastern League. Guthrie had a 7.71 ERA with 1-2 record. He has also walked 18 batters in 19.1 innings while with Buffalo. "Rather than just reach back and throw, mechanically he needs to be more sound in order to do the things he needs to do here," Buffalo manager Marty Brown said. "It's not a question of arm strength or velocity as much as it's a question of command." (Buffalo News)”

SOUTHERN --  Freddy Guzman SD OF 1-4, 1 K, still batting .457 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B ... BJ Upton TB SS 0-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, 9th error in 13 games (just noticed Upton DHed in 3 games) ... Tony Gwynn Jr MIL OF 3-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 0-4, 1 K ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 1-4, 2 K's ... Aaron McNeal CHA 1B 1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K's ... Arnie Munoz CHA 7.1 1 1 1 2 9, 1.46 and 4-0 ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 1-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K's ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 3-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 HR (3) ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's ... Bill McCarthy ATL OF 3-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HR (3 & 4)

TEXAS --  Alberto Callaspo ANA 4-5, 3 RBI ... Nick Gorneault ANA 2-3, 2 walks, .311 ... Eric Cyr ANA  5.2 4 0 0 3 6, 1.48 ... Greg Jacobs SEA 4-4, .488 ...

CAROLINA --  Donnie Murphy KC 2-2, R, double, 2 RBI, 2 BB ... Shane Costa KC 1-4, R, K ... Mike Aviles KC 0-4, K ... Tony Blanco CIN 0-3, BB, 3K ... Colt Griffin KC 3.2 3 5 5 6 5 (9.18) ... Luke Scott HOU 0-4, R, BB, 4 K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 2-4, double, 2 RBI, K ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 1-4, K, SB (3) ... Scott Thorman ATL 1-4, R, HR (4), RBI, 2 K ... Brian McCann ATL 0-4 ... Blaine Boyer ATL 6 4 0 0 1 6 (2.11) ... Tripper Johnson BAL 1-3, RBI, BB ... Doug Gredvig BAL 1-3, double, RBI, BB, K ... Ryan Sweeney CHA 2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB (4) ... Brian Anderson CHA 0-2, 2 BB, K ... Pedro Lopez CHA 1-4, R ... Don Levinski BAL 5 5 5 5 5 3 (0-3, 7.27) ... Byeong Hak An CHA 4.1 5 3 3 4 3 ... Chaz Lytle PIT 2-4, BB, K, SB (7) ... Brad Eldred PIT 1-4, 3 K ... Rajai Davis PIT 2-4, R, BB ... Michael Aubrey CLE 2-4, R, RBI, K ... Ivan Ochoa CLE 1-5, R, 2K ... Ryan Garko CLE 3-5, R, double, RBI (.421) ... Nathan Panther CLE 2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB ... JD Martin CLE 6 11 4 4 0 6 (1-1, 8.79)

CAL --  TA Fulmer SEA 6.0 2 0 0 2 5, 0.75 ... taking his lumpds, Steven Shell ANA 5.0 9 5 5 2 3, 5.57 ... catcher  Michael Napoli ANA league-leading 7th homer, .375 (also leads the league with 21 RBI)  ... SD has to be happy with Tim Stauffer's progress,  6.1 6 2 2 0 5, 2.42 ...

FSL --  BOS kids -- Hanley Ramirez, Matt Murton, Jeremy West -- a combined 0-11 ... Jeremy Hermida FLO 2-4, .397 ... Richard Hill CHN 5.0 1 0 0 3 6, 0.92

MIDWEST --  Melky Cabrera NYA 2-5 (.360) ... Eric Duncan NYA 0-4 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 0-4 (.268) ... Lou Palmisano MIL 0-3, BB (.333) ... Calvin Medlock CIN 3.1 1 0 0 1 5 (3-0, 0.84) ... Adam Jones SEA 1-5, 2 K ... turns 20 on Thursday Billy Petrick CHN 7.0 6 2 2 1 7 (2-1, 1.50) ... Abel Gomez NYA 7.0 1 1 0 4 10 ... Jared Liebeck ARZ  7.0 3 0 0 0 10, just his 2nd start, but how about these totals -- 21 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 25 Ks, 0.00.  Might be a bit of an illusion. Liebeck, a 45th round pick as a high schooler in 1999, went undrafted last year in spite of an 8-0, 2.88 season at Arizona State.  A free agent signing by ARZ, Liebeck went 5-3, 2.95 in 64 innings in short-season ball in 2003.

SAL --  Shaun Marcum TOR, 7.0 3 2 2 0 7, W(3-0), 1.61 ERA ... Ian Stewart COL, 0-4, K ... Adam Bonner CIN, 4-4, 4 R ... Derick Grigsby HOU, 5.0 4 5 1 7 5 ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1-4, 2 K ... Xavier Paul LA, 2-4, 2 2B, RBI ... Andy LaRoche LA, 1-3, HR(3), RBI ... Tyler Davidson NYM, 3-4, 2 RBI, 4 R ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 1-5, R ... Delmon Young TB, 1-4, 2B, RBI ... Wes Bankston TB, 1-3, 2B, R ... Tony Peguero TB, 6.0 8 1 1 0 7 ... Adam Loewen 6.0 3 3 1 3 6 ...

    From outta nowhere to No. 1 on Kevin Goldstein's Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America -- Jonathan Broxton LA. :

" ... "The Bull" continues to treat the Florida State League like a china shop, striking out 32 in his last three starts while allowing just eight hits and one run over 20 innings."

Last week's No. 1, Ubaldo Jimenez dropped down to the runnerup spot with Jason Kubel MIN at No. 3. Mets' third sacker David Wright placed 4th with Andrew Brown LA at No. 5 :

" ... Quickly making up for a lost 2003 campaign, Brown has strikeout numbers (36 in 19.1 innings) that look like something you find in high school."

    John Sickels, ESPN.com, on Felix Hernandez SEA :

" ... If he continues to pitch this well, he could end up in Double-A much faster than the Mariners (or anyone else) anticipated a year ago at this time ...  Hernandez has a lanky build and is still growing into his body. It is conceivable that he could pick up additional velocity. Since he already hits 94-97 mph, adding additional strength to his frame could push his fastball into the 97-100 mph range. Even if that doesn't happen, his fastball is plenty fast. Hernandez doesn't have just heat: he also has a nasty curveball that is much more refined than typical for pitchers his age. His changeup is somewhat erratic, but still very good at times. Hernandez's command and control also rate as above-average for his age group. He mixes his breaking ball, changeup, and fastball with aplomb, and his ability to throw strikes most of the time makes him very special. He also has good pitching instincts ... Physically, emotionally, and intellectually, he has everything you look for in a pitching prospect ... he is very likely the best pitching prospect in Class A baseball right now, and possibly the best in all of the minor leagues. He certainly ranks with Edwin Jackson, Zack Greinke, and other mound phenoms. If injuries or other unpredictable events don't get in the way, Felix Hernandez will be a special pitcher."

    Chris Reed is back, at least temporarily, at ProspectReport.  Check for a list of Chris's Top 5 for each team.

    COL in no hurry with Chin-Hui Tsao :

" ... The right-hander is suffering soreness around his rotator cuff. He doesn't travel with the Sky Sox, rehabbing in Denver when the team is on the road. There is no timetable on his return, though he should be back by June. General manager Dan O'Dowd believes that Tsao's injury might have played a role in his sluggish spring. "He said it wasn't an issue. But he's always been a strike thrower, and he didn't have his usual command," O'Dowd said. "Not having him (available) definitely hurts us." Had Tsao been healthy, he would have joined the rotation when Denny Stark was demoted nine days ago." (Denver Post)

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Jeremy West BOS :

" ... West has been the most dangerous hitter in the Florida State League in the first two weeks of the season. He's hitting .510/.519/.941 with five homers and 14 RBIs, topping the FSL in all those categories except for RBIs, where he's one off the lead. Boston drafted him for his raw power and on-base percentage, and that's what he's giving them right now. The Red Sox also love West's gamer makeup. He'll strike out and he's a below-average runner, but he's not a baseclogger and should be able to play a decent first base. If he continues to develop, West could become another Kevin Millar."

    One of the best SP prospects close to returning :

" ... Top pitching prospect Cole Hamels, knocked down almost since the end of spring training with elbow pain, has begun his light throwing program and is on track to begin his season with Class A Clearwater sometime early next month. The Phils now believe Hamels, 20, hid his elbow pain so he could pitch with the major league club during spring training, which he did impressively. Hamels was the club's first-round pick in 2002." (Philadelphia Daily News)

27 April, 2004

    Game action ... INT --  Stephen Smitherman (CIN, LF) 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI ... Dane Sardinha (CIN, C) 2-3, 3B, R, RBI, HBP ... Matt Belisle (CIN) 7.2 6 2 1 2 4 ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 4-5, R, RBI, SB ... Jack Cust (BAL, DH) 1-3, R, 2 BB ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 3-4, 3B, R, BB, .351 ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-5, 2 2B, R, RBI ... Marcus Thames DET 2-4, another homer (6th) ... Aaron Heilman NYN 6.0 3 1 1 2 9 ...

PCL --  Calvin Pickering KC, cooled off considerably, 0-2, 2 walks, .373 ... John VanBenschoten PIT 6.0 4 3 2 3 2 ... Juan Dominguez TEX 6.0 3 0 0 2 7 ... Ramon Nivar TEX, 1-5, homer ... Adam Wainwright STL 6.0 7 4 3 1 3, 2.35 ... Yadier Molina C, STL 4-5, 2 doubles, .304 ... Travis Blackley SEA 7.0 5 1 1 3 4, 4.76 ... Josh Karp MON, after showing some progess, a big step back, 4.0 10 6 6 3 5, 0-3, 7.41 ... Jose Lopez SEA (at 3B) 2-5, double, homer, .294 ... Edgar Gonzalez ARZ 6.0 5 3 3 3 2 ... Scott Hairston ARZ 3-4, triple, 2 RBI, .306... Luis Terrero ARZ 2-4, .438 ... Antonio Perez LA (at SS) 4-4, walk, double, 2 RBI, .304

Val Pascucci MON, Hitter of the Week in the PCL :

" ... Val Pascucci entered the week without a home run, but ended it with five, and drove in 10 runs to vault into a tie for third in the PCL with 18 RBI on the season ... On the week, the outfielder scored 11 times while racking up a slugging percentage of 1.032, a performance that earned him a promotion to the Montreal Expos."

EASTERN --  Matt Peterson NYN looking strong, 6.0 4 1 1 0 5, 2.08 ... David Wright NYN 2-3, walk, .381 ... Jake Dittler CLE 6.0 2 2 0 3 6, 1.59 ... Corey Smith CLE 2-4, triple, 3 RBI, .355 :

" ... third baseman Corey Smith has been named the Eastern League’s Player of the Week... The 6’1" 200 lb. slugger ... .591 with five doubles, one home run, seven RBI, seven runs scored, four walks and one stolen base in six games. The 22-year old ... has an eight-game hitting streak during which he is hitting .500 (15-for-30) with nine runs scored, five doubles, three homers and 10 RBI. Smith, who returns to Akron after hitting .271 with 27 doubles, nine home runs, 64 RBI and 51 runs scored in 127 games with the Aeros in 2003, was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the first round as the 26th overall pick in the June 2000 draft."

" ... Chien-Ming Wang ... Eastern League’s Pitcher of the Week ... In two starts last week, the 24-year old was 1-0 with 16 strikeouts and a 0.69 ERA ...  signed by the New York Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on May 5th, 2000."

SOUTHERN --  BJ Upton TB SS 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, .368 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-4, 1 R, 2 K's ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 2-5, 2 R, 1 K ... Aaron McNeal CHA 1B 0-4, 1 BB, 2 K's ... Josh Willingham FLA C 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K's (since a 3-4, 2 homer game last Monday, Stokes has gone 4-26, 3 walks, 12 Ks, dropping his average from .361 to .274)  ... Yhency Brazoban LA 2.0 3 1 1 2 0, 2nd save ... Bobby Brownlie CHN 6.0 9 1 0 1 3, 2nd win, 3.80 ... Huntsville doubleheader, 2nd game only 8 innings ... Anthony Gwynn MIL OF 2-8, 2 K's ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 4-8, 2 R, 1 K, 1 RBI, 1 HR (4) ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 2-6, 2 BB ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 2-3, only played in 2nd game ...

TEXAS --  no games scheduled.

CAROLINA --  Luke Scott HOU 0-4, K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 0-4, K ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 0-2, R, 2 BB, 2 K, SB (2) ... Scott Thorman ATL 1-4, R, HR (3), 2 RBI, K ... Brian McCann ATL 2-4, R, double, K ... Francisco Pena HOU 4 1 0 0 3 6 ... Anthony Lerew ATL 5 3 0 0 0 6 ...

FSL --  Felix Pie CHN, 2-4 RBI .261 ... JJ Johnson CHN, 2-3, 2 doubles ... Hanley Ramirez BOS, 2-4, .310 ... Dave Murphy BOS, 2-4, .294 ... Jeremy West BOS, 0-4, 3k, .473 ... Jeremy Hermida FLA, 2-5, double, RBI ... Jeff Fulchino FLA, 5-4-0-0-2-4, 0.84 ... Kurt Isenberg TOR, 5-4-2-1-3-6, 2.84 ... Jayce Tingler TOR, 2-3, RBI ... Rodolpho Guillen NYA, 4-5, .357 ... Bronson Sardinha NYA, 2-5, .355 ... Jayson Drobiak NYA, 3-5, triple, 3 RBI ... John Castellano PHI, 2-4, homer (2), 3 RBI ... Rayner Laya STL, 3-6, double (2), RBI, .291 ... Travis Hanson STL, 3-5, 2RBI, 3 runs ... Andy Schutzenhofer STL, 4-5, 3 runs, homer (1), 5 RBI ...Shawn Norris MTL, 2-3, double (3), RBI (14)

CAL --  Felix Hernandez SEA, finding A+ a bit of a challenge, 5.0 6 3 3 2 5, 3.48 ... Matthew Cain SF 4.0 4 1 1 2 6, 2.29 ... Joe Saunders ANA 5.0 7 5 5 2 6 ... Bradley Sullivan OAK 3.0 4 1 1 4 1, 6.91

MIDWEST --  Chris Lubanski KC 1-6, 3 K ... Adam Jones SEA 2-4, BB, K (.233) ... Lou Palmisano MIL 2-3, BB, K ... first earned runs allowed Michael Moorhead SEA 5.0 8 6 6 1 7 (2.31) ... Tony Giarratano DET 2-5 (.375) ... Carlos Marmol CHN 5.0 4 3 2 2 6 (3-0, 2.39) ... Melky Cabrera NYA 3-4, double ... Eric Duncan NYA 1-4 (.343) ... Sean Thompson SD 5.0 4 1 1 2 8 ... Jordan Pickens SD 3-5 (333) ... Joey Votto CIN 2-5

SAL --  Ian Stewart COL, 2-4, 2B, SB ... Justin James TOR, 6.0 4 3 3 2 10 ... Adam Bonner FLA, 2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI ... Nick Markakis BAL, 1-3 ... Steve Doetsch ATL, 2-3, 2 RBI, SB ... Chuck James ATL, 5.0 0 0 0 3 7, W(3-0), 0.93 ERA ... Jake Blalock PHI, 0-4, 3 K ... Andy LaRoche LA, 2-5, 2B, R ... Xavier Paul LA, 2-4, RBI ... Mickey Hall BOS, 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R ... Jose Vaquedano BOS, 7.0 5 1 0 1 6 ... Adam Miller CLE 4.0 6 2 2 2 6, 1.80 ... Delmon Young TB 0-4, 2 Ks, .236 ... Ian Bladergroen NYN 2-6, 2 RBI (32), .423

    Troop movements ... CIN -- activated third baseman Brandon Larson from the DL, optioned catcher Corky Miller to Triple-A ... MON -- recalled outfielder Valentino Pascucci from AAA, purchased the contract of pitcher Rigo Beltran from Edmonton ... PIT -- placed first baseman Randall Simon on the DL, recalled first baseman Carlos Rivera from AAA ... SEA -- recalled pitcher Matt Thornton from AAA, designated pitcher Kevin Jarvis for assignment ... BOS -- placed Ellis Burks on the DL ... ATL -- placed outfielder Chipper Jones on the DL, recalled infielder Mike Hessman from Triple-A ...

    John Manuel, Baseball America, in the chat room with some views on numerous prospects :

" ...  Tim Stauffer has looked good, solid 88-92 mph velocity and his arm is working well, according to what we've heard. I do think San Diego will be conservative with Stauffer this year, considering he had that injury and they have some depth at Triple-A, as Dennis Tankersley has pitched well and lefty Chris Oxspring is off to a fast start. I could see Stauffer being pushed to Mobile but I think his health is the biggest concern for the organization."

" ... Ian Bladegroen ... didn't make the preseason Top 30 because some scouts we talked to thought he lacked the athleticism to maintain this kind of pace at higher levels, but he clearly has raw power and he's overmatching Sally League pitching right now. Thirty RBIs in 17 games is pretty wicked good."

" ... Wade Townsend ... Is he a starter or a closer as a pro? He's got two plus pitches, a fastball that he throws in the 90-94 range, and he's been 96-97 out of the pen in the past. Is his offspeed pitch good enough for him to start? It might be, but I think I like Townsend best as a big, durable closer, and for me, I wouldn't take a closer third overall. I'm a Wade Townsend fan, but that seems a little high ... he has been dominant . . . another shutout effort this weekend, 11 K's in 8 IP, and he's 9-0, 1.28 overall with 105 SO in 85 IP and a .147 average against. Scouts who saw him early weren't as impressed with Townsend as they were with Humber, but I like Townsend better. Last year, I thought he was the best of the three Rice pitchers. I might give Niemann an edge (despite his injury woes, groin pull now, elbow scope last fall) because of his command and the fact he stays so tall in his delivery. But I'd go Niemann-Townsend-Humber, and they're all capable of going in the first 10 picks."

" ... Adam Miller ... he's been the shizzle so far. We can confirm that 96, that's what we've heard, and he's missing bats (.096 average against). It's early, but the Tribe is obviously excited; he was the No. 1 prospect in the Appy League for a reason last year. He throws a heavy ball, he's projectable, he has a plus slider . . . there's a lot to like. It's also so early in the season and in his career, the positives outweigh the negatives."

" ... Ryan Garko ... I don't think Garko is going to bump Victor from the Indians' plans just yet, but Garko has several things going for him. 1. He has an advanced plate approach, gets into hitters counts and mashes. 2. Incredible competitor, leader, makeup is a big plus. 3. He's worked hard at becoming a passable catcher. He's going to go as far as his bat; he's not going to be a Gold Glover. I'm starting to think Garko can be a Craig Wilson type."

" ... Josh Banks ... Banks also just needs polish on his offspeed stuff, the slider and split-finger need to be more consistent for him to succeed at higher levels, and if they do, he can be a 2-3 guy."

" ... Brad Sullivan ... threw too much in college (not to mention playing 2B and 1B down the stretch last year), and his mechanics have been altered. He was encouraged with his progress in spring training, but my question is, if you drafted a guy in the first round, and you liked him enough to give him a seven-figure bonus, why would you change his mechanics? If you didn't like his mechanics, and didn't think he would succeed with them, why would you give him $1million plus? I don't quite get that."

    Always a few more good ones to highlight  ... several messages about guys left off yesterday's pitching list.  One of them from Andrew Cohen :

" ... Where was Brad Knox? Here are his stats (the two that you made lists for): 26.0 inn, 35 K's, 2.08 ERA (through 4/26/04) ... Anyway, I just wondered why Knox wasn't on any of your lists as I believe he is a legit prospect. He came from the same junior college Rich Harden did (Central Arizona College) so there is a pedigree and he is 6'3" 208, so he is not an Oakland odd-ball." 

Scott Rex, OnDeck, rates the righthander as the 36th best prospect in the OAK system. A 14th round pick in the 2002 draft, Knox had an outstanding pro debut in short-season ball -- 6-3, 2.06 in 70 innings.  18 walks, 63 Ks.  Just 22 next month.

    Mark Allen Haverty, The Sporting News, on Val Pascucci MON & David Wright NYN :

" ... Pascucci ...  has always shown the ability to hit for power, but last season he finally combined that with excellent plate discipline. He hit .289 with 15 home runs and 85 RBIs ... One of the hottest hitters in the minors ... hitting .319 with five home runs and 18 RBIs. To put that in perspective, take away Jose Vidro and Orlando Cabrera, and Pascucci has matched the home run and RBI production of the entire Expos team. While his high strikeout total - 132 last year - will always be troublesome, he balances it with a high number of walks. Don't forget the power numbers few in Montreal can match."

" ... Wright ... was so good in high school that he impressed even front-office folks who tend to avoid teens. "If you're going to draft high schoolers, that's the player you do that with," one of those skeptics told me about Wright. Simply put, Wright crushed the ball last season in High-A ball, hitting .270 with 15 home runs and 75 RBIs. Wright also picked up 39 doubles. His power and patience should make him a 25-30 home run hitter with a high average. Wright is stellar defensively as well. The only person standing in his path is Ty Wigginton, and being blocked by Wigginton is like not being blocked at all. Wright opened the season at Double-A, where he already has three home runs, 12 RBIs and a .367 batting average in 60 at-bats. Wright is a likely September call-up, and he should be given the chance to win the job next spring."

26 April, 2004

    Game action ... INT --  Brandon Larson (CIN, 3B) 1-4, 4th HR, R, RBI ... Bubba Nelson (CIN) 5.0 9 5 5 1 0 ... Wilson Betemit (ATL, 3B) 1-2, R, 2 BB ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB ... Alexis Rios (TOR, RF) 3-5, RBI ... Gabe Gross (TOR, DH) 3-4, 2B, 1st HR, 2 R, RBI ... Darnell McDonald (BAL, RF) 2-3, 2B, R, RBI, HBP ... Jack Cust (BAL, DH) 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, SS) 3-4, RBI (up to .321, 8 walks, 2 Ks) ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI, BB ... Jeremy Guthrie (CLE) 4.0 9 8 8 4 4 ... Felix Diaz (CHA) 6.1 6 2 2 0 6 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 1-4, 3rd HR, R, RBI ... JJ Hardy (MIL, SS) 2-5, 2B, R, RBI ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 3-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI ... Pat Strange (NYN) 3.0 3 2 2 1 2

PCL -- Brad Hawpe COL 2-3, 7th homer, 5 RBI & 1-3,  .296 (2nd in the league in homers, RBI, SLG)  ... quite a show by vet Glendon Rusch, now in the Cubs' sytem, won his 2nd, 5.0 8 3 3 1 6, 1.89 & went 2-3, 2 homers, 6 RBI ... Luke Allen, close to a trial with PIT, 2-5, double, 5th homer, .328 ... John Buck HOU 2-3, .321 ... Chris Oxspring SD, 3-0, 5.0 6 3 2 2 4, 2.01 ... Clint Nageotte SEA, wild one, 2.0 1 4 4 7 2, hit a batter and tossed 4 wild pitches ... bound to get another MLB chance soon, Luis Terrero ARZ, 2-3, walk, 2 homers, 4 RBI, .433 ... Scott Hairston ARZ 1-5, Upton-like 2 errors

EASTERN -- Dioner Navarro, NYY, 3-4, 2B, RBI … Val Majewski, BAL, 1-4 … John Maine, BAL, 5.1 2 1 1 2 7 … Jason Kubel, MINN, 2-5, 2B, 3B, RBI, .450 AVG … J.D. Durbin, MINN, 6.1 5 0 0 2 7, W … Franklin Gutierrez, CLE, 0-4, 3 K

SOUTHERN -- Dustin Moseley CIN 5.0 3 0 0 0 2, 2.35 ... Josh Willingham FLA C 2-5, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 K ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 0-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K ... Nic Ungs FLA 6.0 2 1 1 4 4 ... Ryan Ketchner LA 6.0 6 1 0 1 5, 0.81 ... BJ Upton TB SS 0-4, 1 R, 1 K, no error (DHed) ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 0-4, 4 K, sombrero ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 1-4, 1 R, 1 K ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 1-4, 1 2B ... Aaron McNeal CHA 1B 0-4, 2 K ... Dan Meyer ATL 5.1 2 0 0 1 2, 0.00

TEXAS -- Shawn Garret RF COL 3-4, 3B, HR, 3R ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 1-4, HR and 0-1 ... Casey Kotchman 1B ANA 0-3 and 0-2 ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 1-3, 3B and 0-2, R ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 0-3 ... Nick Gorneault RF ANA 2-3, 2B, HR, 2RBI and 1-3, HR, 3RBI ... Drew Meyer SS TEX 2-4 and 1-3 ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 0-3, SB ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 1-3, R and 1-2, 3B, 3RBI ... Will Smith RF TEX 1-2, HR, 2R, 2RBI and 0-3 ... Freddie Bynum CF OAK 2-5, 2B, 2RBI ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK 1-4, R ... Willy Taveras CF HOU 1-3, R, RBI ... Todd Self 1B HOU 1-4, R ... Ezequiel Astacio HOU 6 3 0 0 3 7 ... Ryan Shealy 1B COL 1-2, 2B, 2R, RBI ... Jeff Francis COL Texas League player of the week last week, follows up with a decent outing: 5 2 4 4 3 6 ... Noochie Varner LF ARI 2-4 ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 0-2 ... Shin-soo Choo LF SEA 0-3 ... Rafael Soriano SEA rehab, building up arm strength by starting and dominating: 6 3 1 1 0 8

CAL -- Chris Seddon TB 5.0 4 1 1 1 4, 0.82 ... Ubaldo Jimenez COL, 6.0 4 1 1 0 8, 3-0, 1.57 ... Matt Lynch OAK 6.0 1 0 0 2 2, 1.66 ... Bobby Livingston SEA, again outstanding, 7.0 1 0 0 1 7, 0.65 ... Erick Aybar ANA 3-4, walk, 2nd homer, .435

FSL -- Jonathan Broxton LA 7.0 2 0 0 0 11, 1.08 ... Jeremy Hermida FLO 3-4, .388 ... Jon Lieber NYA, rehab, 7.0 2 0 0 0 4 ... Hanley Ramirez BOS 3-5, double, triple, .299 ... Matt Murton BOS 3-4, double, homer, .323

CAROLINA -- Jeff Francoeur ATL (RF) 3-4, R, double, HR (2), 3 RBI ... Scott Thorman ATL (1B) 1-4 ... Michael Aubrey CLE (1B) 2-4, K ... Ivan Ochoa CLE (SS) 0-4, 2K ... Ryan Garko CLE (C ) 1-4 ... Kyle Davies ATL (W) 6 2 0 0 1 8 ... Fausto Carmona CLE 6 5 4 1 2 4 ... Tony Blanco CIN (1B) 2-2, 2R, HR (7), 4 RBI (16) ... Ryan Sweeney CHA (RF) 0-4, K ... Brian Anderson CHA (CF) 1-4, K ... Pedro Lopez CHA (SS) 1-3 ... Luke Scott HOU (RF) 0-4 ... Mark Saccomanno HOU (DH) 2-3, BB ... Chaz Lytle PIT (RF) 3-3, R ... Brad Eldred (1B) PIT 1-3, R, RBI, K ... Rajai Davis PIT (CF) 0-4 ... Paul Maholm PIT (W) 7 7 1 1 2 1 ... Donnie Murphy KC (2B) 3-5, 2R, double, 3 RBI, K ... Shane Costa KC (CF) 2-4, 2 R, BB ... Mike Aviles KC (SS) 1-4, R, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 K ... Tripper Johnson BAL (3B) 3-4, 2 R, HR (4), 5 RBI, BB

MIDWEST -- Cody Haerther STL 3-7 (.338) ... Seattlites struggling Adam Jones SEA 0-4, BB, 2 K ... Wladimir Balentien SEA 0-4 (.204) ... Chris Dunwell OAK 7.0 4 2 2 0 11 (3-0, 2.66) ... Brian Snyder OAK 2-3, 3 BB (.283) ... Chris Lubanski KC 0-4 (down to .244) ... I don't make 'em up, I just type 'em Ambiorix Burgos KC 6.2 4 2 1 3 9 ... Lou Palmisano MIL 2-4 (.333) ... Tony Giarratano DET 2-5 ... Melky Cabrera NYA 2-4 (.333) ... Eric Duncan NYA 0-3 ... T.J. Beam NYA 5.0 2 2 2 2 10 ... that's better Estee Harris NYA 3-4 (.208) ... Matt Chico ARZ 7.0 2 3 2 2 6 (4-0, 1.17) ... player of the day Lino Garcia (CF) ARZ 4-4, double, 1st HR (.364)

SAL -- on an absolute tear Ian Bladergroen NYM, 3-5, HR(7), 6 RBI (30 in 17 games), .431.479 .908 ... Nick Markakis BAL, 2-3, R ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 2-2, RBI, 2B, 2 BB ... Ian Stewart COL, 0-4 ... Nate Schierholtz SF, 2-5, HR(3), RBI ... Josh Anderson HOU, 6-6, 5 R, 4 SB, 2 RBI (Anderson also jumped his batting average 61 points to .373)... Mickey Hall BOS, 3-3, 2B ... Delmon Young TB, 0-5, 3 K ... Javier Herrera CLE, 2-4, HR, RBI ... Sean Smith CLE, 6.0 2 0 0 2 7 ... Brian Bulger TB, 6.0 3 0 0 2 6

COLLEGE -- Wade Townsend, Rice, 8.0 2 0 0 0 11 (98 pitches), 9-0, 1.17

    Rooks & other young gun troop movements ...  CLE -- acquired pitcher Rick White from LA for minor league outfielder Trey Dyson; purchased the contract of White, optioned pitcher Jason Anderson to AAA, transferred catcher Josh Bard from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list ... MON -- optioned pitcher Jeremy Fikac to AAA, optioned firstbaseman Luis Lopez to AAA, Val Pascucci likely one of the callups ... CLE -- acquired third baseman-outfielder Russell Branyan from the Braves for a player to be named ...

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, continues his league-by-league prospect reports with his California League rankings.  SEA phenom Felix Hernandez tops the chart, ahead of three more SPs -- Matt Cain SF, Ubaldo Jimenez COL and Tim Stauffer SD. The top rated hitters are Conor Jackson ARZ at No.5 and Erick Aybar ANA No. 6. 

    It's been a long wait, but PIT catcher JR House beginning to live up to earlier hype :

" ... House has started nine games at catcher for Nashville. Through Friday night's game, he had a .308 batting average (12 for 39), four home runs and 13 RBIs. "He's done great," [Nashville manager Trent Jewett ] Jewett said. "I'm thrilled with his progress. He's learned quickly as far as calling a game. His footwork's gotten better." House has been slowed by injuries in his career. "But he's absolutely making big strides," Jewett said. "The key thing is to keep him healthy and learning his job on the field instead of in the training room." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

    The next Dontrelle?  (A whirlwind charge to the majors without much fanfare.).  Jeremy Deloney, GetSportsInfo, suggests a BAL righty could make the same kind of impact :

" ... In the 2002 entry draft, the Orioles selected RHP John Maine from UNC-Charlotte. Though blessed with a live arm and solid makeup, Maine wasn't expected to perform the way he has in just two minor league seasons. Last year between low A Delmarva and high A Frederick, Maine led the entire minor leagues in strikeouts (185) and opponents batting average. Now 23 years of age, Maine has started the year hot with AA Bowie, with a 1-0, 0.93 ERA in his first two starts. Blessed with major league command of a 90-92 mph fastball and a tight slider, Maine has jumped to the top of Orioles prospect lists. He compares favorably with Tim Hudson of the Athletics with his special makeup and plus-plus command of all pitches. His delivery may not be as deceptive as Willis', but Maine is difficult to hit. It's possible that Maine could jump to Baltimore this year due to the unproven #3-#5 starters in the existing rotation. If Kurt Ainsworth, Eric Dubose, or Matt Riley prove to be inconsistent, Maine could skip Triple A and head straight to the majors. He is as underrated a pitching prospect as there is in the minor leagues."

    It's awfully early, but a quick look at the top young guns in the minors.  Starters. Ranked by ERA, then strikeouts per nine (best), then walks per nine (worst). All levels. Stats through games of Saturday (thus, do not include the stats above). . Lots of potential picks for the supplementary drafts!

      Player              Team  ERA   G GS  IP    H  R ER  BB  SO  SO/9  BB/9
  AA  Gavin Floyd          PHI  0.00  3  3 11.2   3  0  0   5  13  1.16  0.45
   A  Michael Moorhead     SEA  0.00  3  3 18.1   8  1  0   4  18  0.99  0.22
  AA  Brad Thompson        STL  0.00  3  2 14.2  10  0  0   3  14  0.99  0.21
   A  Dusty Hughes         KC   0.43  3  3 21.0  11  2  1   6  12  0.57  0.29
   A  Christopher Ray      BAL  0.47  4  3 19.0   7  1  1   4  23  1.21  0.21
  AA  Jason Stevenson      MON  0.50  3  3 18.0  13  3  1   5  11  0.61  0.28
   A  Yusmeiro Petit       NYN  0.53  3  3 17.0   7  2  1   4  22  1.29  0.24
  A+  Josh Banks           TOR  0.53  4  4 17.0   8  4  1   4  20  1.18  0.24
  A+  Chris Seddon         TB   0.53  3  3 17.0  10  1  1   2  18  1.06  0.12
   A  Julio Pimentel       LA   0.53  3  3 17.0  11  1  1   4  13  0.76  0.24
 AAA  Nick Regilio         TEX  0.54  3  3 16.2   9  1  1  10  13  0.80  0.62
   A  Brian Finch          BAL  0.54  3  3 16.2  13  6  1   1   9  0.56  0.06
   A  Matt Chico           ARZ  0.56  3  3 16.0  11  1  1   5  20  1.25  0.31
   A  Thomas Mastny        TOR  0.64  3  3 14.0   8  1  1   3  18  1.29  0.21
  AA  Ricky Nolasco        CHN  0.77  2  2 11.2   8  1  1   4  15  1.34  0.36
  AA  DJ Houlton           HOU  0.86  4  4 21.0  16  3  2   8  23  1.10  0.38
  A+  Bobby Livingston     SEA  0.87  3  3 20.2  12  4  2   4  12  0.59  0.20
 AAA  Kyle Denney          CLE  0.95  3  3 19.0  10  2  2   3  19  1.00  0.16
   A  Calvin Medlock       CIN  1.00  4  2 18.0  10  2  2   5  21  1.17  0.28
  AA  Brad Weis            OAK  1.02  3  3 17.2  11  7  2   5  16  0.93  0.29
  A+  Joe Saunders         ANA  1.06  3  3 17.0   9  3  2   3  14  0.82  0.18
  AA  Ryan Ketchner        LA   1.10  3  3 16.1  14  3  2   5  17  1.06  0.31
 AAA  Ben Hendrickson      MIL  1.10  3  3 16.1  10  2  2   3  15  0.93  0.19
  AA  Dustin McGowan       TOR  1.10  3  3 16.1   9  2  2   6  12  0.75  0.37
  A+  Jeff Fulchino        FLO  1.10  3  3 16.1  10  4  2   5   9  0.56  0.31
   A  Matt Albers          HOU  1.13  3  3 16.0  10  3  2   7  22  1.38  0.44
   A  Adam Miller          CLE  1.13  3  3 16.0   5  2  2   4  21  1.31  0.25
  A+  Zach Duke            PIT  1.13  3  3 16.0  12  3  2   1  18  1.13  0.06
  AA  Tetsu Yofu           CHA  1.13  3  3 16.0  13  3  2   3  13  0.81  0.19
  AA  Peter Bauer          FLO  1.13  3  3 16.0  10  4  2   2   9  0.56  0.13
  AA  Bryan Bullington     PIT  1.20  3  3 15.0  12  4  2   5   8  0.53  0.33
  A+  Richard Hill         CHN  1.23  3  3 14.2  10  7  2   9  22  1.55  0.63
   A  Shaun Marcum         TOR  1.29  3  3 21.0  13  4  3   2  20  0.95  0.10
  A+  Nick Bourgeois       PHI  1.29  3  3 14.0   9  6  2   7  11  0.79  0.50
   A  Sean Marshall        CHN  1.33  4  4 27.0  17  4  4   1  27  1.00  0.04
   A  William Juarez       ARZ  1.35  4  4 26.2  23  6  4   3  28  1.07  0.11
  A+  Jonathan Broxton     LA   1.50  3  3 18.0  11  3  3   4  25  1.39  0.22
  AA  Tim Bittner          ANA  1.53  3  3 17.2   9  3  3   5  17  0.99  0.29
 AAA  Chris Oxspring       SD   1.56  3  3 17.1   8  7  3   7  21  1.23  0.41
  AA  Arnie Munoz          CHA  1.56  3  3 17.1  10  4  3   5  16  0.94  0.29
  A+  Ubaldo Jimenez       COL  1.59  3  3 17.0   6  3  3   6  29  1.71  0.35
 AAA  Adam Wainwright      STL  1.59  3  3 17.0  12  3  3   5  20  1.18  0.29
 AAA  David Cash           CHN  1.59  3  3 17.0  12  4  3   4  14  0.82  0.24
 AAA  Clay Condrey         PHI  1.59  3  3 17.0  13  3  3   1  13  0.76  0.06
 AAA  Matt Guerrier        MIN  1.59  3  3 17.0  11  3  3   0  11  0.65  0.00
 AAA  Dave Gassner         MIN  1.62  3  3 16.2  11  5  3   3  10  0.62  0.19
 AAA  Travis Smith         ATL  1.65  3  3 16.1  13  3  3   3  14  0.87  0.19
  A+  Chad Billingsley     LA   1.69  3  3 16.0   9  5  3   8  21  1.31  0.50
  AA  Matt Smith           NYA  1.69  3  3 16.0  13  3  3   5  18  1.13  0.31
  AA  Lance Cormier        ARZ  1.69  4  3 26.2  27  5  5   5  21  0.80  0.19
  A+  Paul Maholm          PIT  1.72  3  3 15.2  13  3  3   4  12  0.79  0.26
   A  Matthew Lindstrom    NYN  1.80  4  4 20.0   9  4  4   4  28  1.40  0.20
  AA  Gustavo Chacin       TOR  1.80  3  3 15.0  11  4  3   4   8  0.53  0.27
   A  Tyler Clippard       NYA  1.86  3  3 19.1  15  9  4   3  20  1.05  0.16
  AA  Eric Cyr             ANA  1.93  4  3 18.2  13  4  4   4  19  1.04  0.22
  AA  Jeff Clark           SD   1.93  3  3 14.0  16  3  3   2  12  0.86  0.14
 AAA  Sean Burnett         PIT  1.93  3  3 14.0  12  3  3   4   8  0.57  0.29
  AA  Jim Abbott           MIN  1.96  3  3 18.1  13  4  4   2  10  0.55  0.11
 AAA  Clint Nageotte       SEA  2.00  3  3 18.0  12  4  4   5  15  0.83  0.28
  AA  Charlie Zink         BOS  2.12  3  3 17.0  15  5  4   9  10  0.59  0.53
 AAA  Matt Belisle         CIN  2.14  3  3 21.0  15  6  5   3  14  0.67  0.14
 AAA  Justin Miller        TOR  2.16  3  3 16.2  16  6  4   4  21  1.30  0.25
  AA  Jake Dittler         CLE  2.16  3  3 16.2  16  5  4   4  14  0.86  0.25
  A+  Tim Stauffer         SD   2.25  3  3 16.0  13  6  4   5  12  0.75  0.31
  A+  Gabe Ribas           SD   2.25  3  3 16.0  17 10  4   3  10  0.63  0.19
  A+  Matthew Cain         SF   2.30  3  3 15.2  13  4  4   6  25  1.64  0.39
  AA  JD Durbin            MIN  2.30  3  3 15.2  14  4  4   6  18  1.18  0.39
  AA  Matt Peterson        NYN  2.30  3  3 15.2  15  4  4   5  17  1.12  0.33
 AAA  Carlos Hernandez     HOU  2.30  3  3 15.2  14  5  4   5   7  0.46  0.33
 AAA  John Stephens        BOS  2.40  3  2 15.0  12  4  4   1   9  0.60  0.07
 AAA  Dennis Tankersley    SD   2.49  4  4 25.1  21 10  7   9  20  0.80  0.36
  A+  Matt Wright          ATL  2.57  4  1 14.0  10  5  4   8  17  1.21  0.57
 AAA  Joe Blanton          OAK  2.59  4  4 24.1  21  9  7   8  15  0.62  0.33
  AA  Jeff Francis         COL  2.60  3  3 17.1  12  5  5   3  24  1.40  0.18
 AAA  Brian Sweeney        SD   2.63  4  4 24.0  20  8  7   4  19  0.79  0.17
  AA  Sean Henn            NYA  2.70  3  3 16.2  17  9  5   8  15  0.93  0.49
  A+  Jonah Bayliss        KC   2.76  3  3 16.1  12  8  5   8   7  0.43  0.50
 AAA  Michael Tejera       FLO  2.77  3  3 13.0   9  4  4   5  10  0.77  0.38
  A+  Michael Hinckley     MON  2.77  4  4 26.0  20 10  8   4  17  0.65  0.15
  A+  Felix Hernandez      SEA  2.87  3  2 15.2  12  5  5   5  22  1.45  0.33
  AA  John Maine           BAL  2.87  3  3 15.2  11  6  5   5  19  1.25  0.33
  A+  Devon Lowery         KC   2.91  4  4 21.2  15  9  7   6  21  0.99  0.28
  AA  Francisco Cruceta    CLE  2.92  4  4 24.2  18 10  8   5  10  0.41  0.21
 AAA  Danny Haren          STL  3.00  4  4 24.0  21  9  8   9  33  1.38  0.38
  A+  Christopher Sampson  HOU  3.00  3  3 15.0  19  7  5   5  16  1.07  0.33
  AA  Dustin Moseley       CIN  3.00  3  3 18.0  11  6  6   3  17  0.94  0.17
  A+  Francisco Liriano    MIN  3.10  4  4 20.1  14  8  7  11  23  1.14  0.55
  A+  BJ LaMura            CHA  3.14  3  3 14.1  16  9  5   4  13  0.92  0.28
  AA  Ian Snell            PIT  3.21  3  3 14.0  20  6  5   5  13  0.93  0.36
  AA  Justin Germano       SD   3.24  4  4 25.0  27 10  9   6  16  0.64  0.24
  AA  Andrew Brown         LA   3.26  4  4 19.1  14  8  7   5  36  1.88  0.26
 AAA  Brandon Claussen     CIN  3.31  3  3 16.1  14  9  6   7  22  1.37  0.43
  A+  Nik Lubisich         CHA  3.44  3  3 18.1  20  9  7   3  10  0.55  0.17
   A  Clint Everts         MON  3.60  4  4 20.0  18  8  8   7  22  1.10  0.35
  A+  Anthony Lerew        ATL  3.60  3  3 15.0  14  7  6   3  13  0.87  0.20
  AA  Trevor Hutchinson    FLO  3.68  4  4 22.0  18  9  9   2  22  1.00  0.09
 AAA  Zack Greinke         KC   3.68  3  3 14.2  13  6  6   3  12  0.85  0.21
  A+  Alex Hart            PIT  3.68  3  3 14.2  16 12  6   8   7  0.49  0.56
  AA  Boof Bonser          MIN  3.71  3  3 17.0  14  9  7   6   9  0.53  0.35
  AA  Dustin Nippert       ARZ  3.86  3  3 14.0  21 14  6   7  22  1.57  0.50
   A  Brandon McCarthy     CHA  3.86  3  3 18.2  15  9  8   4  25  1.37  0.22
   A  Adam Loewen          BAL  3.86  3  3 14.0   9  6  6  12  15  1.07  0.86
 AAA  Jason Arnold         TOR  4.02  3  3 15.2  16 11  7   6   8  0.53  0.39
 AAA  Jon Rauch            CHA  4.18  4  4 23.2  20 11 11   4  17  0.73  0.17
  A+  Kyle Sleeth          DET  4.24  3  3 17.0  15  8  8   3  16  0.94  0.18
  A+  Andy Sisco           CHN  4.24  4  4 23.1  23 13 11   7  21  0.91  0.30
 AAA  Joel Hanrahan        LA   4.30  3  3 14.2  13  7  7   5  13  0.92  0.35
  AA  Mike Jones           MIL  4.50  3  3 14.0  17  8  7   6  10  0.71  0.43
 AAA  Dewon Brazelton      TB   4.50  3  3 14.0  16  8  7   2   8  0.57  0.14
 AAA  David Bush           TOR  4.63  4  4 23.1  24 13 12   7  17  0.74  0.30
  A+  Fernando Nieve       HOU  4.70  3  3 15.1  17  8  8   8  21  1.39  0.53
  AA  Adriano Rosario      ARZ  4.79  3  3 20.2  22 12 11   4  15  0.74  0.20
  AA  Kenny Baugh          DET  4.80  3  3 15.0  21 10  8   3  10  0.67  0.20
  AA  Abe Alvarez          BOS  4.85  3  3 13.0  15 11  7   7  12  0.92  0.54
 AAA  TJ Tucker            MON  4.86  3  3 16.2  26 15  9   5   3  0.19  0.31
  AA  Kameron Loe          TEX  5.02  3  3 14.1  20  9  8   3   8  0.57  0.21
 AAA  Aaron Heilman        NYN  5.06  3  3 16.0  23 10  9   2  14  0.88  0.13
  A+  Fausto Carmona       CLE  5.14  3  3 14.0  15  9  8   7  17  1.21  0.50
  AA  Bobby Brownlie       CHN  5.28  3  3 15.1  14  9  9   6  21  1.39  0.40
  A+  Joel Zumaya          DET  5.40  4  4 20.0  19 12 12  11  20  1.00  0.55
 AAA  Cha-Seung Baek       SEA  5.40  3  3 15.0  19  9  9   2  10  0.67  0.13
  A+  Vince Perkins        TOR  5.65  4  1 14.1  22 10  9   6  15  1.06  0.43
 AAA  Edgar Gonzalez       ARZ  5.82  3  3 17.0  17 12 11   6   9  0.53  0.35
  AA  Denny Bautista       BAL  6.08  3  3 13.1  10  9  9  10  15  1.15  0.76
  AA  Macay McBride        ATL  6.20  4  4 20.1  23 14 14   9  18  0.90  0.45
 AAA  Edwin Jackson        LA   6.20  4  4 20.1  20 14 14   8  14  0.70  0.40
 AAA  Travis Blackley      SEA  6.32  3  3 15.2  28 12 11   4   7  0.46  0.26
  A+  Don Levinski         BAL  6.57  3  3 12.1  11 13  9   9   6  0.50  0.74
 AAA  Taylor Buchholz      HOU  7.32  4  4 19.2  26 18 16  10  16  0.83  0.52
  A+  Colt Griffin         KC   8.31  3  3 13.0  12 12 12  10  12  0.92  0.77

      Player              Team  ERA   G GS  IP    H  R ER  BB  SO  SO/9  BB/9
  AA  Andrew Brown         LA   3.26  4  4 19.1  14  8  7   5  36  1.88  0.26
  A+  Ubaldo Jimenez       COL  1.59  3  3 17.0   6  3  3   6  29  1.71  0.35
  A+  Matthew Cain         SF   2.30  3  3 15.2  13  4  4   6  25  1.64  0.39
  AA  Dustin Nippert       ARZ  3.86  3  3 14.0  21 14  6   7  22  1.57  0.50
  A+  Richard Hill         CHN  1.23  3  3 14.2  10  7  2   9  22  1.55  0.63
  A+  Felix Hernandez      SEA  2.87  3  2 15.2  12  5  5   5  22  1.45  0.33
  AA  Jeff Francis         COL  2.60  3  3 17.1  12  5  5   3  24  1.40  0.18
   A  Matthew Lindstrom    NYN  1.80  4  4 20.0   9  4  4   4  28  1.40  0.20
  A+  Fernando Nieve       HOU  4.70  3  3 15.1  17  8  8   8  21  1.39  0.53
  AA  Bobby Brownlie       CHN  5.28  3  3 15.1  14  9  9   6  21  1.39  0.40
  A+  Jonathan Broxton     LA   1.50  3  3 18.0  11  3  3   4  25  1.39  0.22
   A  Matt Albers          HOU  1.13  3  3 16.0  10  3  2   7  22  1.38  0.44
 AAA  Danny Haren          STL  3.00  4  4 24.0  21  9  8   9  33  1.38  0.38
   A  Brandon McCarthy     CHA  3.86  3  3 18.2  15  9  8   4  25  1.37  0.22
 AAA  Brandon Claussen     CIN  3.31  3  3 16.1  14  9  6   7  22  1.37  0.43
  AA  Ricky Nolasco        CHN  0.77  2  2 11.2   8  1  1   4  15  1.34  0.36
   A  Adam Miller          CLE  1.13  3  3 16.0   5  2  2   4  21  1.31  0.25
  A+  Chad Billingsley     LA   1.69  3  3 16.0   9  5  3   8  21  1.31  0.50
 AAA  Justin Miller        TOR  2.16  3  3 16.2  16  6  4   4  21  1.30  0.25
   A  Yusmeiro Petit       NYN  0.53  3  3 17.0   7  2  1   4  22  1.29  0.24
   A  Thomas Mastny        TOR  0.64  3  3 14.0   8  1  1   3  18  1.29  0.21
   A  Matt Chico           ARZ  0.56  3  3 16.0  11  1  1   5  20  1.25  0.31
  AA  John Maine           BAL  2.87  3  3 15.2  11  6  5   5  19  1.25  0.33
 AAA  Chris Oxspring       SD   1.56  3  3 17.1   8  7  3   7  21  1.23  0.41
  A+  Matt Wright          ATL  2.57  4  1 14.0  10  5  4   8  17  1.21  0.57

      Player              Team  ERA   G GS  IP    H  R ER  BB  SO  SO/9  BB/9
   A  Adam Loewen          BAL  3.86  3  3 14.0   9  6  6  12  15  1.07  0.86
  A+  Colt Griffin         KC   8.31  3  3 13.0  12 12 12  10  12  0.92  0.77
  AA  Denny Bautista       BAL  6.08  3  3 13.1  10  9  9  10  15  1.15  0.76
  A+  Don Levinski         BAL  6.57  3  3 12.1  11 13  9   9   6  0.50  0.74
  A+  Richard Hill         CHN  1.23  3  3 14.2  10  7  2   9  22  1.55  0.63
 AAA  Nick Regilio         TEX  0.54  3  3 16.2   9  1  1  10  13  0.80  0.62
  A+  Matt Wright          ATL  2.57  4  1 14.0  10  5  4   8  17  1.21  0.57
  A+  Alex Hart            PIT  3.68  3  3 14.2  16 12  6   8   7  0.49  0.56
  A+  Joel Zumaya          DET  5.40  4  4 20.0  19 12 12  11  20  1.00  0.55
  A+  Francisco Liriano    MIN  3.10  4  4 20.1  14  8  7  11  23  1.14  0.55
  AA  Abe Alvarez          BOS  4.85  3  3 13.0  15 11  7   7  12  0.92  0.54
  A+  Fernando Nieve       HOU  4.70  3  3 15.1  17  8  8   8  21  1.39  0.53
  AA  Charlie Zink         BOS  2.12  3  3 17.0  15  5  4   9  10  0.59  0.53
 AAA  Taylor Buchholz      HOU  7.32  4  4 19.2  26 18 16  10  16  0.83  0.52
  A+  Nick Bourgeois       PHI  1.29  3  3 14.0   9  6  2   7  11  0.79  0.50
  A+  Chad Billingsley     LA   1.69  3  3 16.0   9  5  3   8  21  1.31  0.50
  AA  Dustin Nippert       ARZ  3.86  3  3 14.0  21 14  6   7  22  1.57  0.50
  A+  Fausto Carmona       CLE  5.14  3  3 14.0  15  9  8   7  17  1.21  0.50
  A+  Jonah Bayliss        KC   2.76  3  3 16.1  12  8  5   8   7  0.43  0.50
  AA  Sean Henn            NYA  2.70  3  3 16.2  17  9  5   8  15  0.93  0.49
  AA  Macay McBride        ATL  6.20  4  4 20.1  23 14 14   9  18  0.90  0.45
  AA  Gavin Floyd          PHI  0.00  3  3 11.2   3  0  0   5  13  1.16  0.45
   A  Matt Albers          HOU  1.13  3  3 16.0  10  3  2   7  22  1.38  0.44
 AAA  Brandon Claussen     CIN  3.31  3  3 16.1  14  9  6   7  22  1.37  0.43
  AA  Mike Jones           MIL  4.50  3  3 14.0  17  8  7   6  10  0.71  0.43

    Correspondents -- INTERNATIONAL (Herb Walters), EASTERN  (Ralph Marston), SOUTHERN (Ken Savage), TEXAS (Harry Almquist), FLORIDA STATE (Kevin Dunshee), CAROLINA (Troy Salvior), MIDWEST (Bob Reed), SOUTH ATLANTIC (Brad Dowdy)

    
Rookie Reports Archive :

1999   2000    2001 -- Jan-July   Aug-Dec   2002 -- Jan   Feb   Mar-July   Aug   Sept-Oct   Nov-Dec

2003 -- Jan    Feb   Mar-Apr  May-June   July   Aug   Sept   Oct   Nov  Dec 01-07  Dec 08-14  Dec 15-21   Dec 22-28

2004 -- Dec 29-Jan 04   Jan 05-11  Jan 12-18  Jan 19-25  Jan 26-Feb 01  Feb 02-08  Feb 09-15  Feb 16-22  
Feb 23-29  Mar 01-07  March 08-14  March 15-21  March 22-28   Mar 29-Apr 04   Apr 05-11  Apr 12-18   Apr 19-25  Apr 26-May 02

2003 Minor League Stats 1 (Hitters, by OPS, by AAA, AA, A, Short Season, OBA, SLG, Walks, Ks, SBs, Errors)

2003 Minor League Stats 2 (Pitchers, by ERA, AAA, AA, A, Short Season, Ks & Hitters by position)