Rookies 2005

17 July 2005

    Scoresheet opening ... premier combined league in Canada ... Mantle ... stable, 18-team loop (restricted to Canadian residents) ... 

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Edwin Encarnacion 3B CIN 3-5, 2 2B, 14th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Austin Kearns DH CIN 1-4, 6th HR, R, RBI, BB ... T.J. Pena SS ATL 2-4, 2B, RBI ... Carlos Ruiz C PHI 4-4, 2B, 3B, R, RBI ... John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 2-5, 2B, R, RBI ... Gabe Gross RF TOR 3-5, 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI ... Shawn Marcum TOR 5-2/3 8 6 6 2 5, 5.51 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 1-4, R, SB, 32nd error ... Chris Seddon TB 6 4 1 1 0 3, 5.80 ... Kevin Youkilis 3B BOS 3-3, 1st HR, R, RBI, BB ... Jon Papelbon BOS 3-2/3 8 6 6 1 3, 6.52 ... Angel Pagan CF NYN 3-6, 3B, 2 R ... Anderson Hernandez 2B NYN 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB ... Victor Diaz 1B NYN 3-5, 5th & 6th HRs, 2 R, 6 RBI ... one of the worst lines of the year, Jae Seo NYN 4-2/3 15 13 13 0 3, 4.13 ... Brian Anderson CF CHA 3-5, 13th HR, 2 R, RBI ... rehab, Ross Gload 1B CHA 4-5, 2B, 7th & 8th HRs, 2 R, 4 RBI ... Felix Diaz CHA 5 8 6 6 1 4, 5.51 ... Sean Henn NYA 5-2/3 7 4 2 1 3, 2.97 ... Chris Heintz C MIN 2-4, 6th HR, R, RBI ... rehab, Michael Cuddyer 1B MIN 1-4 ... Dave Gassner MIN 6-1/3 10 7 7 2 2, 4.42 ... Walter Young 1B BAL 2-5, 2B, RBI

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Dennis Tankersley KC 5 6 1 1 1 1 ... Bobby Brownlie CHN, working out of the pen, 1 1 1 1 0 0 ... Matt Cain SF, struggling, 5 4 4 4 5 7 ... Todd Linden SF 4-4, .338 ... Brian Dallimore 3B SF 3-4, 3 doubles, 6 RBI, .292 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 3-5, 17th homer, .309 ... hmmm, Juan Cruz OAK 7 4 1 1 1 13, 1.86 (45 Ks in 29 innings)

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 0-4, .282 AVG ...  Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 1-5, 2B (16), .241 AVG … Brad Snyder CLE OF 1-3, .264 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 1-5, 2B (24), RBI (62), .307 AVG … Aaron Baldris 3B NYN 1-5, .289 AVG … Lastings Miledge OF NYN 3-4, SB (2), 2 RBI (2), .538 AVG … Paul Bonifay 1B PIT 3-6, 2B (12), 2 RBI (50), .283 AVG … Michael Bourn OF PHI 0-3, .279 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 1-4, SB (23), .318 AVG … Randy Ruiz 1B PHI 3-4, HR (23), RBI (79), .355 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 1-4 & 1-5, .289 AVG …  Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 1-2, HR (3), RBI (11), .242 AVG … Chip Cannon 1B TOR 0-4 & 1-5, .250 AVG … Casey Janssen TOR 1-1/3 2 0 0 0 1, 0.00 ERA … Ismael Ramirez TOR 6 8 5 4 1 4, W (7), 4.22 ERA … Jonathan Lester BOS 4-2/3 5 4 2 2 5, 2.46 ERA … Jeremy Sowers CLE 6 4 1 0 1 3, W, 1.57 ERA … Richard Rundles WAS 3 11 6 5 2 1, 3.67 ERA … Matt Peterson PIT 5 6 5 4 4 1, W (8), 6.12 ERA … Yusmerio Petit NYN 7 6 2 2 2 8, W (4), 2.93 ERA

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Luis Montanez CF CHN 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI in AA debut ...  Joey Devine ATL 2 1 0 0 1 2 ... Buck Coats SS CHN 4-4, 3 doubles, .312 ... Josh Burrus ATL 3-4, double, .348 ... Ty Taubenheim MIL 2 6 5 5 0 0 ... Wes Bankston 1B TB 3-4, homer, .333 ... Joel Guzman LA 2-4, 24th double, .290 ...  Tony Pena ARZ 8-1/3 9 7 4 1 7, 4.94

TEXAS (AA)  --  ooops, might be his worst pro effort, John Danks TEX 4 10 8 8 3 0 ... Jason Hirsh HOU 6 4 1 1 0 8 ...  Steven Shell ANA 9 7 0 0 1 9, 4.45 ... Kendry Morales ANA 4-4, .272

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Jered Weaver ANA 6 3 1 1 1 11 ... Billy Butler KC 2-5, .356 ... Chris Lubanski KC 3-4, double, triple, .282 ... Andrew Sonnanstine TB 7 5 2 2 1 6, 11-4, 2.55 ... Ian Stewart COL 2-5, 10th homer, .271 ... Seth Smith OF COL 2-5, 2 doubles (32), .301 ... Richie Robnett OAK 3-4, double, .256 ...

CAROLINA (A+) --  Micah Schnurstein CHA 2-4, RBI ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 3-4, RBI ... Lance Broadway CHA (L, 1-1, 3.16) 5 9 4 3 2 6 ... Adam Miller CLE 5-2/3 7 3 1 4 1

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Brent Clevlen DET 2-5 double, 4 RBI, .290 ... Chuck Tiffany LA 7 2 1 1 0 6, 3.36 (92 Ks in 80 1/3 innings) ... Carlos Villanueva MIL 6 1 0 0 2 10, 2.06 ... Anthony Swarzak MIN 7 5 2 2 0 7, 3.94 ... Fri catchup - Gaby Hernandez NYN winning ugly in his A+ debut, 5 6 4 4 2 2

MIDWEST (A) --  Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 2-4, triple ... Oswaldo Navarro SEA 2-3 (.267) ... Juan Lucena (SS) STL 2-5, 9th E ... Fernando Rodriguez ANA 5 8 3 3 5 5 (4.86) ... Eric Patterson CHN 1-2, 3 BB's, 29th SB (.336) ... Ryan Harvey CHN 2-5, double (263) ... Ian Gac TEX 2-4, 17th double (.235) ... Brian McFall KC 2-4 (still just .242/.329/.386) ... Kyle Waldrop MIN 3 1/3 8 6 4 1 2 (4.67) ... I guess he prefers pitching in relief Jose Mijares MIN 3 1 0 0 0 7 .. going great, at least with the lumber Trevor Plouffe MIN 3-3, 10th double, but 2 more errors (24) ... David Winfree MIN 3-5, double, HR (.279) ... Reid Brignac TB 10th HR ... Josh Rainwater DET 7 8 5 5 0 3 (3.77)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Marvin Lowrance WAS 3-4, double, 4 RBI ... Scott Elbert LA 5 6 3 1 3 6, L, 3.30 ... Yovanni Gallardo MIL 6 3 0 0 1 0, (W, 4-3), 3.10 ... Marcus Sanders SF 2-4, RBI, .300 ... Taylor Tankersley FLA 4-2/3 4 3 2 4 4, (L, 2-4), 3.76

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Blake Hawksworth STL 3 3 1 1 1 4 ... Robert Ray TOR 6 1 0 0 1 4, 0.56

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Mike Sansoe CF SD 4-5, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, .286 ... Kyle Wright ARZ 7 7 1 1 2 2, 0.75 (in 24 innings) ...

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Grand Canyon U’s Ryan Bethel (2B TBY, 32nd rd.) 2-3, R, 2 2B (9), K; and 0-2, BB, .360 BA… former SE Louisiana Lion Randy Roth (DH STL, 10th rd.) 3-4, 2 R, 2 2B (9), HR (5), 4 RBI (21), K; and 0-2, BB, K, .359 BA… Maxi Ramirez (DH ATL) 2-4, .372 BA… taking advantage of a woeful Burlington (CLE) offense which entered the game with a .223 team BA, Todd Blackford (SP ATL) W (3-2), 6 2 1 0 0 3, 2.60 ERA… Appy’s top two hitters faced off in a contest between Bluefield and Kingsport, the edge going to Rene Aqueron (3B BAL) with a 1-3 effort, .500 BA after 21 GP and 56 AB’s… Matt Anderson (3B NYM) entered the game in 2nd place (over 100 points behind Aqueron), and went 0-4 with a SF and 2 K to end the day at .384… Jose Gonzalez (SP NYM) W (2-1), 5 2 2 1 1 6, 4.01 ERA… nice outing for Yohan Pino (SP MIN) improves to 4-0, 6 3 2 1 0 4, 4.32 ERA (seems high given 1.08 WHIP, 20/4 K/BB and 0 HR allowed)… Tim Lahey (RP MIN) closes it out for E’town S (5), 1 0 0 0 1 1, 0.00 ERA… bullpen blows one for Sergio Severino (SP HOU) 6 4 0 0 0 7, 2.96 ERA.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  CF Dexter Fowler Col 2-4, 2b ... Michael DeJesus Cin 4-5, 2R, 2RBI ... SS Adam Rosales Cin 2-4, 2b, 2R, 3RBI ... 2b Jesus Soto LAD 1-4, R, BB, SO ... DH David Sutherland LAD 1-4(.443), 2R, RBI, BB ... 3b Russell Mitchell LAD 2-3, 2R, RBI, 2b, SB(1) ... SP Mario Alvarez LAD W(2-0) 5.2 1 1 1 1 4 ... SS Hainley Statia LAA 1-4, 3b, RBI, 2SO ... 1b Mark Trumbo LAA 1-4, RBI, 2SO ... LF Darren Ford Mil 3-4, 2R, SO, E(1) ... CF Charlie Fermaint Mil 1-2, HR(5), 2 RBI, BB, SB(6) ... C Angel Salome Mil 3-4(.440), HR(6), 3RBI, 35 RBI/23 games, E(8), 2 PB(9) ... SP Stephen Marek LAA 5 7 3 3 0 2 ... DH Brandon Allen CWS 2-5, R, RBI, 2 2b ... 1b Manuel Rodriguez CWS 3-4, 2b, 3b, HR(4), 2RBI, 2R, E(3) ... 3b Brandon Johnson CWS 3-5, 2b, 3b, RBI, R, SB(6), E(10)

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Rhys Taylor BOS 4 3 1 0 2 2, 0.00 (15 1/3 innings) ...  SS Luis Segovia BOS 4-4, 2 doubles ... Howie Clark OF PIT 3-4, 2 doubles, triple, .458 ... SS Elvis Andrus ATL 3-4, 2 RBI, .309 ... Greg Miller LA 3 0 0 0 0 6

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Kyle Blanks SD (after 3 walks in 17 games) 0-0, 4 walks, .338 ... Deryck Lewis OF CHN 5-5, 2 doubles, triple, .357 ... Nick Adenhart ANA 2 2 4 4 3 1, 4.22 ... John Whittleman DH TEX 4-5, double, triple, 4 RBI, .345

  Troop Movements ...  CLE - Matt Miller DL,  Kazuhito Tadano ... HOU - Raul Chavez outright to AAA, Humberto Quintero activated ...  TEX - Juan Dominguez restricted list, Laynce Nix DL, Jason Botts up ... NYA - acquired Al Leiter from FLO, designated Tim Redding for assignment ... TB - designated Hideo Nomo for assignment, activated Alex Gonzalez from DL ... ATL - activated Tim Hudson from  DL, Andy Marte to AAA ... MIN - Luis Rivas to AAA, promoted Jay Rainville to A+ :

" ...  19-year-old right-hander, Rainville, was 8-2, 3.77 ERA in 16 games, all starts, while with Single-A Beloit. In 88.1 innings pitched he walked 27 and struck out 77 while opponents hit .243 against him. In his first professional year in 2004, he was 3-2, 1.63 ERA with the GCL Twins." (Fort Myers Miracle)

    ARZ well represented in the updated BA prospect list :

" ... Finally past the midpoint of the season, Baseball America reshuffled its top 25 prospects in minor league baseball with a handful of current and former JetHawks included in the list. [Stephen] Drew (.375-8-28) made his debut on the list at No. 5 behind Devil Rays outfielder Delmon Young, Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez, Rockies third baseman Ian Stewart and Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida. Former JetHawks Carlos Quentin (.302-16-60) and Conor Jackson (.369-7-64) are on the list at No. 19 and No. 20 and Miguel Montero (.349-24-82) has entered the picture as a top 100 prospect."  (Antelope Valley Press)

    John Sickels reviews his SEA prospect picks, including a quartet of shortstops :

" ... 4) Yuniesky Betancourt ... Hitting .293/.315/.429 since being promoted to Tacoma last month, after .273/.301/.410 performance in Double-A. Holding his own, I expect gradual improvement if he can increase his walk rate even a little."

" ... 6) Matt Tuiasosopo ... .287/.372/.413 for Wisconsin, earning Class A Midwest League All-Star honors. Holding his own, making progress, no change in his status really."

" ... 12) Adam Jones ... Rapid progress. Hit .295 in 68 games for Inland Empire, earning promotion to Double-A San Antonio, where he is at .329/.379/.481 after 22 games. With 7 steals. Blossoming in all categories, likely belongs on Top 50 list."

" ... 17) Asdrubal Cabrera  ... Hit .318 at Wisconsin in 51 games, now at Inland Empire where he is at .338/.378/.554 after 18 games. Doing just fine, reasonable plate discipline with good pop."

    And ... another one bites the dust :

" ... J.D. Martin, one of the Indians' top minor-league pitching prospects, is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on Monday in Birmingham, Ala. Martin, 23, was the 35th overall pick of the 2001 draft. In 10 starts at Class AA Akron, he was 3-1 with a 2.38 ERA, 63 strikeouts and eight walks in 56Ҡinnings. "He's been pitching in pain for a while," Shapiro said. "Right now, we figure he will be out the standard length of time . . . nine to 14 months."  (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

   Jake Stevens ATL with some things to learn :

" ... The 6-foot-3 left-hander is used to being a baseball king, and thus has little concept of in-game psychological battles. There were few problems in Rome last season when he went 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA, striking out 140 batters in 135 innings while walking just 39 batters as a 19-year-old. But in Myrtle Beach this season, Stevens met resistance - from himself. "You get worrying about what your stats are after you give up a hit and that is the last thing you should be worrying about," Stevens said. "... But the one good thing about struggling through the year is you [learn] how to handle it mentally. [It] makes the bad outings not as bad." While he earned a no decision Friday, his ERA (4.50) has nearly doubled since last season and his record has slumped (5-7) as has his strikeout-to-walk (29/71) and strikeout-to-innings pitched ratios (71/91)."  (Myrtle Beach Sun News)

16 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla SS CIN 2-5, SB ... Edwin Encarnacion 3B CIN 2-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI ... Chris Denorfia CF CIN 1-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB ... Elizardo Ramirez CIN 6 9 3 3 0 4, 3.11 ... James Jurries RF ATL 2-4, RBI ... Scott Thorman 1B, ATL 2-4, 2B, R, RBI ... Zach Minor ATL 6 7 3 3 3 4, 4.10 ... Eude Brito PHI 7 6 1 1 2 7, 4.61 ... John-Ford Griffin DH & LF TOR 0-3 & 1-3, 18th HR, R, 3 RBI ... Francisco Rosario TOR 4 5 2 1 0 2, 3.65 ... Jamie Vermilyea TOR 3 9 5 5 1 1, 15.00 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 1-4, R, BB, SB, 1 error ... Delmon Young RF TB 1-4, R, RBI ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-3, R, BB ... Marcus Thames LF DET 2-3, 2B, R, HBP ... Chris Narveson BOS 6 9 2 2 0 1, 4.80 ... Angel Pagan CF & LF NYN 1-3, 2B, R, BB & 2-4, RBI ... Victor Diaz 1B NYN 1-4, 2B & 2-4 ... Brian Anderson CF CHA 3-4, 3B, 12th HR, R, 3 RBI ... rehab, Ross Gload 1B CHA 2-5, 6th HR, 3 R, 2 RBI ... Kevin Thompson LF NYA 1-3, BB ... Terry Tiffee 1B MIN 1-4, 10th HR, R, 2 RBI ... rehab, Michael Cuddyer 3B MIN 0-4 ... Boof Bonser MIN 5 9 4 4 1 5 3.62

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Anthony Reyes STL 6 4 0 0 0 7, 3.08 ... Rich Hill CHN 7 7 2 2 1 10, 3.66 (170 Ks in 110 2.3s) ...  Jeff Mathis ANA 1-4, 13th homer, .284 ... Prince Fielder MIL 2-3, 2 RBI, .249 ...  Ben Hendrickson MIL 6 4 2 2 1 10, 4.53 ... Casey Kotchman ANA 1-3, triple & 4-4, homer  ... Todd Linden SF 0-3 & 2-2, 2 homers (23), 5 RBI, .328 ... Fernando Nieve HOU 5 5 3 3 5 5, 3.38  ... Sergio Santos SS ARZ, hearing footsteps in the ARZ system, 4-4, 2 doubles, .241 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 1-2, 3 walks, .304  ... Conor Jackson ARZ 0-4, walk, .365 (Jackson, Quentin combined - 108 walks, 64 Ks)

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 1-3, .281 AVG ... Brandon Moss OF BOS 1-4, .265 AVG … Eric Duncan 3B NYA 0-3, .244 AVG … Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 2-5, 2 HR (24), 2 RBI (63), .262 AVG …Fred Lewis OF SF 2-4, 2B (15), RBI (26), .245 AVG … Daniel Ortmeier OF SF 1-4, HR (16), 2 RBI (64), .263 AVG …  Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 2-4, 2 2B (23), RBI (61), .309 AVG … Aaron Baldris 3B NYN 1-4, RBI (34), .290 AVG … Lastings Miledge OF NYN 4-5, SB, 2 2B (2), .444 AVG …  Michael Bourn OF PHI 0-5, .281 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 1-3, HR (8), RBI (44), .319 AVG …  Alexander Romero OF MIN 3-3, HR (12), 2 RBI (47), .290 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 2-4, 2 RBI (9), .288 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 1-4, HR (2), RBI (10), .234 AVG … Chip Cannon 1B TOR 2-4, 2 2B (3), .333 AVG …  Rafael Perez CLE 7 4 1 1 3 4, W (2), 0.89 ERA … Hayden Penn BAL 3 5 4 3 3 2, 4.04 ERA … Jeffrey Karstens NYA 2-1/3 7 7 7 1 2, 4.18 ERA … Vince Perkins TOR 6 3 0 0 3 8, W, 3.38 ERA … Dustin McGowan TOR 6 6 2 2 3 4, 3.80 ERA … Jeremy Johnson DET 4-1/3 6 6 6 1 6, 4.51 ERA

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Jeremy Hermida FLO 2-4, double, walk, .293 ...  Chad Billingsley LA 5 7 3 3 3 4, 4.28 ... Joel Guzman LA 1-4, 13th homer, 3 RBI (58), .287

TEXAS (AA)  --  Rehab - Matt Holliday COL 3-5, R, 2RBI, .500 ... Jud Thigpen TOR 2-4, SB, .343 ... Casey Myers (C) OAK 3-4, 3R, HR(5), 3RBI(22), .330 ... Brian Stavisky OAK 2-3, R, 2B, RBI(56), .303 ... Mike Nannini OAK (W,1-0) 6 7 3 2 2 6 (4.58) ... Alberto Callaspo ANA 2-4, R, HR(10), RBI(49), SB(9), .297 ... Josh Anderson HOU 2-4, R, 2B, SB(34), .284 ... Willie Collazo ANA 6 2 1 0 2 8 3.86 ... Chris Sampson HOU (W,4-11) 7 2 1 1 0 5 (3.14) ... Jamie Bubela (CF) SEA 3-5, R, RBI(37), SB(25), .292 ... On fire - TJ Bohn SEA 2-4, 3R, 2HR(8), 4RBI(47), 2SB(24), .319 ... Nice night - Adam Jones SEA 4-5, 2R, 2B, HR(2), RBI(4), SB(7), .329 ... Ruddy Yan TX 3-5, 2R, 2 2B, .307 ... Drew Meyer TX 3-4, R, 3RBI(42), .323 ... Justin Huber KC 3-4, 2R, RBI(58), .347 ... Josh Pressley KC 4-5, 2R, HR(12), 3RBI(50), .297 ... Decent - Edison Volquez TX 6 3 3 2 5 (4.06)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Asdrubal Cabrera SS SEA 2-3, 2 doubles, walk ... Richie Robnett OAK, on a little roll, 3-4, walk, .249 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 2-5, .384 ... Nate Schierholtz SF 2-3, triple, .317 ... Billy Butler KC 1-5, 4 Ks

CAROLINA (A+) --  Robert Valido CHA 1-5, R, K ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-3, BB, SB (8) ... Thomas Collaro CHA 1-3, BB, 2 K ... Matt Esquivel ATL 1-4 ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 1-4, R, 2 K ... Jake Stevens ATL 6 6 2 2 2 3 ... Nate Spears BAL 2-5, R, RBI, K ... Nick Markakis BAL 1-4, 2 K ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 0-4, K ... Brian Finch BAL 5-2/3 6 2 2 2 6 ... Kory Casto WAS 2-5, R, 2 doubles (27), RBI ... Tony Sipp CLE (W, 5-2, 2.63) 5 5 1 1 1 5

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Joey Votto CIN 2-6, 10th homer, .260 ... Scott Moore 3B CHN 4-6, 17th homer, 3 RBI, .286 (35/82 BB/K) ... C-1B Cody Ehlers NYA 3-3, 2 doubles ... Brent Clevlen DET 3-6, double, .288

MIDWEST (A) --  Reid Brignac TB 2-4, 19th double, 22nd E (.256) ... Trevor Plouffe MIN 2-2 (5-6 in last two games), 8th HR, 2 BB's, 23rd E ... Raul Padron (C) OAK 2-3, triple (.283) ... a breakthrough, maybe? Eric Hurley TEX 7 6 1 1 1 10 (3.80) ... Ryan Harvey CHN 3-4, 19th double, 15th HR ... Matt Bush SD 0-4, 3 K's ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 0-4 (.287) ... Juan Lucena STL 1-3 (.301) ... Chris Robinson DET 3-5, double ... Jair Jurrjens DET 6 4 1 1 1 7 (3.10)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Chris Nelson COL 4-5, hit for the cycle, 3 RBI, 2 runs ...  Travis Denker LA 2-3, double, homer, 2 RBI ...  Marcos Vechionacci NYA 3-5 ... Jeffrey Marquez NYA 7 5 3 2 2 4, L, 3.92 ... Matthew Whitney CLE 3-5, run ... Hunter Pence HOU 2-5, run

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Wladimir Sutil SS HOU 1-4, K and 0-3 ... Pete Sellers 2-3, 2R, HR, 2RBI, BB and 0-4 ... Jensen Lewis CLE 6 4 2 2 2 4 ... James Boone DH PIT 1-5, R, 2B, 2RBI, 3K ... Luis Monoz PIT 6 2 1 1 2 2 ... Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 2-4, R, RBI, 2BB, K ... Jed Lowrie 2B BOS 4-4, 2R, 2B, 2RBI, BB, SB ... Willy Mota LF BOS 0-5, R, BB, K ... Luis Soto RF BOS 1-4, 3R, HR, 3RBI, BB ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 0-4, K ... Nolan Reimold RF BAL 1-2, HR, 3RBI, 2BB, K ... Bob McCrory BAL 5 2 1 1 2 5 ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 2-4, 2B, RBI ... Josh Bell C TOR 2-4, R ... Tyler Greene SS STL 0-2, R, BB, SB ... Mark McCormick STL 4 1 0 0 1 7 ... Matt Cobb TB 5 2 1 0 1 1

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Michael Madsen OAK 21st rounder, 6 3 2 0 1 3, 0.39 (23 innings) ... 3B Michael Biguenet ARZ 3-5, homer, .300 (no walks, 17 Ks) ... John Mayberry TEX 1-3, 2nd homer, .188 .

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Jairo Quevas (SP ATL) 4 2 1 0 3 8, 1.66 ERA… Ovandy Suero (2B ATL) 1-4, R, K, SB (league best 17); and 0-4, .333 BA… Carlos Rivas (SP ATL) 5 1 1 0 2 4, 2.00 ERA… Jung Ji Cho (RP ATL) L (2-2), 2-2/3 2 1 1 1 7, 0.96 ERA… Joshua Wyrick (LF NYM) 2-5, 3 R, 2B, HR (2), 4 RBI (11), .210 BA… number one pick Brandon Snyder (DH BAL, 13th overall, Westfield HS, Centreville, Va.) 1-4, R, HR (2), 3 RBI (8), BB, K, .333 BA… Zach Kalter (LF TOR, 20th rd.) 2-4, R, 3B, CS (5), .323 BA… marked improvement in start number 5 for Wilfreddy Aguirre (SP TOR) W (1-4), 5 3 2 0 1 3, 6.75 ERA.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  1b Mark Trumbo LAA 3-5, 2R ... SS Hainley Statia LAA 2-6, 3R, 2b ... LF Cole Garner Col 1-4, HR(8) ... Hitting 9th CF Dexter Fowler Col 2-3, 3b, 2R, SB(4) ... P Chaz Roe Col L(0-1) 2,2 3 2 2 5 5 ... P Rafael Gonzalez Cin SV(1) 4 1 1 1 1 7 ... LF Adam Godwin LAD 2-6, R, CS ... 1b David Sutherland LAD 2-4, 3R, 2b ... 3b Russell Mitchell LAD 2-5, R, 2b ... C Juan Apodaca LAD 2-5, 2HR(7), 4 RBI ... 3b Rusty Ryal ARI 2-5, 2R, 2RBI, HR(2) ... Rough night for P Jason Neighborgall ARI 0.1 2 5 5 2 1, HB, 40.50 (in 3 seasons at Georgia Tech he had 115 Ks in 101 innings, along with 113 walks) ... DH Angel Salome Mil 2-4, 2b, R, 2RBI, BB

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  1B John Peabody PIT 2-3, homer, 3 RBI, .333 ... Elvis Andrus SS ATL 1-3, walk, .281 ... Ivan DeJesus SS LA 0-2, walk, & 4-4, 2 doubles, .310 ... Omar Segovia CIN 3 1 0 0 0 6, 2.84 ... Curt Miaso OF PHI 2-2, 2 homers, walk, 3 runs, 7 RBI & 0-2, walk, .286

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Jeffrey Dominguez SS SEA 3-4, walk, .302 ... David Maroul 3B SF 2-3, double, homer ... Jeff Bianchi SS KC 2-3, double, 2 walks, .479

  Troop Movements ... CHN -  Adam Greenberg DL, recalled Ben Grieve ... CIN - activated Kenny Kelly from DL, Ryan Wagner DL, Randy Keisler activated from DL ... COL - recalled David Cortes ... LA - Cesar Izturis activated from DL, Franquelis Osoria to AAA ... NYN - Doug Mientkiewicz  activated from DL, Juan Padilla up, Brian Daubach designated for assignment, Royce Ring to AAA ... BOS - signed Gabe Kapler, placed on DL ... PHI - Geoff Geary DL, Danny Sandoval up  ... ATL - Scott Thorman promoted to AAA, Jay Powell up, Adam Bernero to AAA ... ANA - Orlando Cabrera  activated from DL, Curtis Pride to AAA ... MIL - recalled SP Dana Eveland, Tommy Phelps outright to AAA,  promoted Josh Habel to AA  ...

" ... Eveland, a Southern League All-Star, was 10-4 with a 2.72 ERA in 18 starts for Huntsville. The left hander got the start for the North division team in Wednesday nights all star game, pitching a scoreless inning. Eveland, 21 years old, was drafted by the Brewers in the 16th round of the 2002 draft and is in his third season of professional baseball."  (Huntsville Stars)

    Kevin T. Czerwinski, MLB.com, with a piece on the COL kids Ian Stewart and Troy Tulowitzki :

" ... Tulowitzki, 20 ...  slugger potential but projects to be more of a gap hitter. Defensively, he can probably step into a big league game right now because of his range and his arm ... has seen action in only eight games for the Nuts, pulling a quad muscle while running the bases on July 4. His rehab is progressing nicely and he figures to get back on the field within a week or so."

    John Manuel, in the Baseball America chat room, on BA's updated prospect list (limited to subscribers) :

Chuck James ATL  " ... it's almost like he has switched bodies with Jake Stevens, whose year has been rough to say the least. James is 23, so that's what tempers my enthusiasm for him a bit. Every other 23-year-old in that organization is in the big leagues right now, it seems. Seriously, James is older than half of the Braves' rookies this year. His success this year is undeniable, though, so he could be a Top 100 guy, unless he loses his rookie eligibility this year."

Edwin Jackson LA  " ... I've asked about Edwin to several scouts and they all say the stuff is there, the confidence and the knowledge of how to use his stuff is not. The savvy is not surprising in a way, considering his relative pitching inexperience--this guy was the No. 3 starter on his high school team and was a DH-P in the GCL. But in Double-A in 2003, Jackson showed some pitchability. He wasn't Greg Maddux, but he wasn't just a thrower. Now, we hear that's what he is, a thrower."

Chad Billingsley over Matt Cain " ... I am on record as being a big Matt Cain fan but I couldn't ignore the torrent of scouts praising Billingsley anymore. The secondary numbers tell a different story, Cain's command has gone backward just a tad this year (not that I'm off the bandwagon), while Billingsley has made excellent progress, throwing quality strikes and really shoring up the biggest weakness he had. He's got power (up to 95 consistently), two breaking balls that at times are plus pitches (the slider's made real progress), a solid changeup and he's learning to pitch. His upside is scary, and it's why I think he's the best pitching prospect in the minor leagues not named Felix."

GCL notables  " ... Braves shortstop Elvis Andrus comes quickly to mind, he's 16 (17 in August) and the organization is abuzz about his tools. They like their shortstops, but I think they like him best among their shortstops right now. Another SS to watch is Audy Ciriaco with the Tigers, who has some power to go with his athleticism."

    Luke Hochevar, LA 1st rounder, named the best college pitcher, winner the the Roger Clemens Award :

" ...  Hochevar of the University of Tennessee ... the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year, struck out a school record 154 batters while posting a 15-3 record and 2.26 ERA for the season. He opened his season with the loss in a 10-1 defeat ... But he rebounded to win 15 of his next 16 decisions to tie ... for the national lead in wins...  was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 40th overall pick of the supplemental round between the first and second rounds in last month's First-Year Player Draft. The Dodgers also drafted him out of high school."  (MLB.com)

    Delmon Young getting in position for a September callup to TB "

" ... Young, 19, dominated against older and more experienced competition, leading the Southern League with 20 homers, 71 RBIs, 111 hits (in 84 games) and a .582 slugging percentage and ranking third with 25 steals and fourth with a .336 average. "I think everyone in the organization has been very impressed up to this point with what he has been able to do," Rays player development/scouting director Cam Bonifay said. "We feel like he's ready for this challenge. He'll get close to eight weeks at Durham for us to continue to monitor his progress." Rays manager Lou Piniella said the promotion will be good for Young as he goes from facing hard-throwing prospects at Double A to more experienced Triple-A pitchers who rely more on guile and deception. "It will give him a taste of higher-classification minor-league ball. I would assume he will do a nice job there," Piniella said. "It's a good education, giving him both sides of it in a year." 

" ... Bonifay said top draft pick Wade Townsend is expected to return to action soon, perhaps tonight, for Class A Hudson Valley. He had been sidelined with a stiff neck after making his pro debut June 24. ... Jeff Niemann, the top 2004 draft pick, is expected to rejoin one of the minor-league teams within a week. He has been working out in St. Petersburg since early May after experiencing shoulder soreness." (St. Petersburg Times)

   Mets' young gun on the shelf :

" ... Jack Lind hadn't seen Philip Humber pitch since spring training, but judging by his velocity in his Double-A debut Monday night, something was definitely wrong.  "He was throwing 87 to 91 (mph)," said Lind, the Binghamton Mets' manager, "so that's a sign." Humber, the New York Mets' first-round pick and the third overall selection in 2004, complained of right elbow soreness and was removed from the game ... examined Wednesday by Mets physicians ... Clearly, the Mets are holding their breath, especially after shelling out a franchise-record $3 million signing bonus." (Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin)

   Marlins' Jason Vargas now at his 4th level of the season, preparing for a major league start on Monday :

" ..."He showed me that he's an above-average, mature player who has the ability to control his emotions and execute pitches," Jupiter manager Tim Cossins said. "You can't rattle him. He's the same whether he's throwing a perfect game or getting hammered." The latter didn't happen much during Vargas' seven-week stint in the Florida State League. After winning four of five decisions with low-Class A Greensboro, Vargas, drafted in the second round of last year's amateur draft, went 2-3 with a 3.42 ERA for the Hammerheads before his June 22 promotion to Carolina. In nine starts for Jupiter, he struck out 60 batters and walked just 14 in 55 1/3 innings."  (Palm Beach Post)

   He was supposed to be my fantasy All-Star shortstop a few years ago.  Better late than never, Luis Montanez finally gets out of A-Ball :

" ... Montanez, 23, was promoted to Double-A West Tennessee. He skipped a level to go directly to the Southern League. The right-handed cleanup batter was hitting .305 with 12 home runs, 28 doubles, 48 RBIs, 54 runs and a .521 slugging percentage in 82 games. He is in the top five in the Midwest League in hits, slugging, extra-base hits, doubles and total bases. ... The Cubs made Montanez the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2000 out of a Miami high school."  (Peoria Journal Star)

   Tidbits from the weekly report from the International League includes some familiar names :

" ... OF Austin Kearns is on an eight-game hitting streak (.567, 17-30) since July 4. Since being optioned to Louisville June 13, Kearns is batting .372 with five home runs and 18 RBI."

" ... Since his return to Toledo in mid-June after spending over two months with the Detroit Tigers, Marcus Thames has punished opposing pitchers. In the last 11 games before the All-Star break, Thames hit .475 (19-40) with six HR, 16 RBI, and 15 runs. He was named IL Hitter of the Week (July 4-10), having gone 14-26 (.539) with 4 HR and 13 RBI. His RBI total, as well as his 12 runs scored, led the League during the week-long period. In just 28 games at the Triple-A level this season, Marcus is hitting .402 with 12 HR and 30 RBI."

" ... Currently batting .400 (14-35) for the month of July, Joe Borchard has raised his batting average to .255 on the season. In the 10 games in which Borchard has appeared in July he has hit 3 long balls, giving him 17 on the season, tops on the Knights roster. Also, with 6 RBI in the month Borchard now has 40 RBI on the season."

" ... Indianapolis catcher Ronny Paulino enters Friday night's tilt with a 13-game hitting streak (.352 BA, 19-54, 9 R, 7 RBI). The 24-year-old, who has recorded a base knock in 29 of his last 32 contests, has been a regular contributor since making his Triple-A debut on June 6. He is hitting .378 with 28 runs, 11 doubles, 8 HR, 26 RBI and a .689 slugging percentage in 33 games for the Indians. Paulino went 1-4 with one run in Thursday evening's 13-2 victory over Charlotte."

15 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Austin Kearns RF CIN 1-4, 5th HR, R, RBI, BB ... Steve Kelly CIN 5 7 6 5 1 4, 4.32 ... James Jurries RF ATL 2-4, RBI, BB ... Anthony Lerew ATL 6 6 3 3 2 6, 3.16 ... Shane Victorino CF PHI 2-5, R, 2 RBI ... Gavin Floyd PHI 7 7 5 5 4 5, 6.89 ... B.J. Upton DH TB 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Curtis Granderson CF DET 2-5, 2B, 12th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-4, 2B, R ... Marcus Thames LF DET 1-4 ... Jason Cooper LF CLE 2-5, R, 2 RBI ... Jason Davis CLE 5 9 6 6 0 4, 4.79 ... Kelly Shoppach C BOS 1-3, BB ... Kevin Youkilis 3B BOS 3-5, 2 2B, R, RBI ... Dustin Pedroia 2B BOS 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Brad Eldred 1B PIT 2-4, 9th & 10th HRs, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB ... Bryan Bullington PIT 5 5 2 2 1 3, 4.50 ... rehab, Ross Gload 1B CHA 1-4, RBI ... Andy Phillips 3B NYA 2-3, 16th HR, R, 3 RBI, 2 BB ... rehab, Michael Cuddyer 3B MIN 0-1, R, 3 BB, 2 SB ... Walter Young DH BAL 1-4, 11th HR, R, 2 RBI ... John Maine BAL 6 6 1 1 1 5, 4.03

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Adam Wainwright STL 6 9 5 4 3 3, 3.71 ... Jason Dubois CHN, beginning a bid for recall, 3-4, double & Cory Patterson 1-4, homer, 2 Ks ... Shin-Soo Choo  SEA 2-4, double, triple, .259 ... Felix Hernandez SEA 2 0 0 0 0 4, 2.23

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 2-4, 2B (11), HR (6), 4 RBI (35), .280 AVG ... Brandon Moss OF BOS 0-4, .266 AVG … Christopher Durbin OF BOS 1-4, 2B (18), .292 AVG …  Eric Duncan 3B NYA 0-4, .246 AVG … Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 1-4, .262 AVG … Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 0-4, .241 AVG … Brad Snyder CLE OF 0-3, .262 AVG …Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 0-0, .306 AVG … Aaron Baldris 3B NYN 1-4, .291 AVG … Lastings Miledge OF NYN 0-4, .000 AVG … Michael Bourn OF PHI 2-4, SB (28), .285 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 3-3, 2 HR (7), 2 RBI (43), .318 AVG … Randy Ruiz 1B PHI 0-2, RBI (78), .355 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 2-4, HR (11), RBI (45), .283 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 1-4, .275 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 2-3, 2 RBI (9), .211 AVG … Chip Cannon DH TOR 0-6, .200 AVG … Paul Maholm PIT 4 6 2 2 1 5, 3.09 ERA … Kason Gabbard BOS 6 1 0 0 1 7, W (7), 5.21 ERA … Cole Hamels PHI 7 3 1 1 4 8, W, 2.08 ERA … Eric DuBose BAL 6-1/3 9 2 2 2 10, 3.50 ERA … Zach Jackson TOR 7 5 1 1 0 5 , W (3), 4.50 ERA … Vince Perkins TOR 2 0 0 0 0 1, 4.03 ERA … Errol Simonitsch MIN 3-2/3 7 9 2 4 3, 3.05 ERA …

SOUTHERN (AA) --  No games.

TEXAS (AA)  --  Drew Meyer (2B) TX 1-4, R, HR(2), 2RBI(39), .318 ... Rehab - Matt Holliday COL 2-4, R, SB, .462 ... Back on the prospect map? - Ubaldo Jiminez COL 7 4 2 2 1 6 (4.00) ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-4, R, 3B, RBI(33), SB(26), .282 ... Michael Napoli ANA 2-3, R, HR(17), 2RBI(65), .259 ... A nice game - Daniel Davidson ANA (W,8-4) 5-1/3 4 1 1 1 8 (4.49) ... Is this the OLD guy? - Pedro Borbon ANA 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 ... Daric Barton 2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI, .414 ... Justin Huber KC 2-3, 2RBI(57), .342 ... Chris Lambert STL 6 5 2 2 2 5 (4.43)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Juan Morillo COL 7 4 2 2 5 7, 3.83 ... Richie Robnett OAK 3-5, 22nd double, 8th homer, .242 ... Stephen Drew ARZ 2-4, walk, .375 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 2-3, triple, .383 ... Brandon Wood ANA 4-4, 77th RBI, .307 ... Nate Schierholtz OF SF 4-5, 2 doubles (26), 9th homer, .314 (but 19 BB, 89 Ks) ... Billy Butler KC 2-5,  21st double, .358

CAROLINA (A+) -- Robert Valido CHA 0-5, R, RBI, K, SB (29) ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 0-3, 2 R, 2 BB ... Thomas Collaro CHA 0-4, K ... Matt Esquivel ATL 3-4, double, RBI ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-4, K, 2nd SB ... Gio Gonzalez CHA (W, 7-3, 2.48) 5 5 2 2 3 4 ... Nate Spears BAL 0-4, R, BB ... Nick Markakis BAL 0-4, 2 K ... James Johnson BAL (W, 8-4, 3.14) 5-1/3 4 2 2 4 5 ... Kory Casto WAS 0-2, R, 2 BB

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Dante Brinkley LF NYN 2-4 - .359 … Shawn Bowman 3B NYN 3-5 2B R 2RBI … Brent Clevlen RF DET 2-6 HR(11) 2RBI - .284 … Eric Rodland 2B DET 4-5 2B R - .340 … Cody Heether 3B MIL 3-5 HR(5) 4RBI - .313 … Lou Palmisano C MIL 2-5 2B RBI … Tim Dillard MIL 7 7 3 3 0 4 W(7-7, 2.49) … Tim Moss 2B PHI 3-4 2HR(15) - .284 … Tony Abreu SS LA 3-6 2B 3B 2R 3RBI - .324 … Matt Kemp RF LA 3-5 2B R 2RBI - .290 … Cole Bruce 3B LA 3-5 HR(8) 2R 2RBI - .297 … Brian Pilkington 7 4 2 2 2 2 W(3-6, 3.90) … Brendan Ryan SS STL 3-4 2R RBI SB(7) - .308 … Brian Martin DH STL 2-4 R RBI - .426 … Eric Haberer STL 7 6 2 2 1 6 W(9-5, 2.48) … Edward Valdez CIN 6 3 1 1 1 6 ND, 2.45 … Adam Bostic II FLA 6 8 3 3 3 8 ND, 3.48 … Yosvany Almario-Cabrera DH NYA 2-5 3B R RBI - .330 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 2-4 2B R - .243

MIDWEST (A) --  Ryan Harvey CHN 14th HR (.254) ... Matt Weber CHN 6 10 4 4 1 3 (3.53) ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 1-4 ... holding his own okay Homer Bailey CIN 5 2/3 2 3 3 3 5 (4.20) ... B.J. Szymanski CIN 1-4, 2 K's ... Dallas Trahern DET 6 4 2 1 2 2 (3.52) ... Reid Brignac TB 0-2 ... Chi-Hung Cheng TOR 6 3 1 1 3 7 (3.01; terrific 4 of his last 5 starts) ... Cliff Pennington OAK 2-5, BB .. Michael Schlact TEX 7 5 1 1 1 3 (4.07) ... Trevor Plouffe MIN 3-4, 2 BB's (.217) ... that'll roast your ERA Jose Mijares MIN 0 4 7 7 4 0

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Sam Deduno COL 2 3 6 6 5 3, L, 4.96 ...Chris Nelson 0-4, 2K & 2-4, run, K ... Brad Davis FLA 2-3, double, RBI, run ... Yuniel Escobar ATL 4-4, double, homer, 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Travis Denker LA 1-5, homer, 3 RBI ... Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-4, RBI ... Zachary Hammes LA 6 6 0 0 3 4, W, 4.50 ... Greg Golson PHI 3-5

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jacob Marceaux FLA 5 4 2 1 2 4 ... Rad Liz BAL 5 1 0 0 1 5 ... James Conroy NYY 5 4 1 1 1 5 ... Mitch Boggs STL 6 6 3 2 1 8 ... Brad Corley CF PIT 1-5 ... Joe Holden CF NYM 4-4, R, 2 3B, RBI ... Jed Lowrie 2B BOS 0-4, K ... Luis Soto RF BOS 1-4, K ... Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 0-2, R, 2BB ... Jeff Van Houten DH FLA 2-4, HR ... Jon Poterson DH NYY 1-4, K ... Nolan Reimold DH BAL 0-4, K ... Ryan Patterson RF 1-5, R, 2B ... Josh Bell C TOR 2-3, 2R, 2B, HR, 2RBI, BB ... Tyler Greene SS STL 1-4

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Chris Gaskin 1B CHN 3-4, homer ... Zachary Simons COL 6 6 3 2 1 4, 1.63 (but, 7 BB, 11 Ks in 27 2/3s) ... Drew Davidson OF SD 3-5, homer

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Nathan Warrick (CF/PH HOU, 34th rd.) 2-2, 2 R, RBI (8), BB; and 1-1, RBI (9), .412 BA (51 AB’s)… Ryan Reed (RF HOU) 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR (7), SF, 6 RBI (23), K; and 0-3, BB (just his 2nd BB in 78 plate appearances), K, .395 BA… number one pick Colby Rasmus (CF STL, 28th overall) 1-3, R, BB, 2 K, SB (3); and 0-3, 3 K (27 K’s in 82 PA’s), .297 BA… RHP Ryan Mitchell out of Magnolia (TX) HS, (SP HOU, 20th rd.) 3 1 0 0 2 6, 1.17 ERA… former WSU Shocker “Drew” Moffit (RF/CF BAL, 10th rd. ‘04) 3-5, 2B, 3B, HR (7), 4 RBI (17), K, SB (3), .315 BA… Holy Cow! they figured out how to get him out: Rene Aqueron (3B/2B BAL) 0-4, R, 2 K, drops to .551 BA… still not bad for a guy who spent ’04 playing for River City in the Frontier League… continuing the hot hitting, Kris Welker (DH CHW, 41st rd.) 3-5, R, .413 BA (63 AB’s)… erstwhile Boston College LHP gets another raw deal, Mike Wlodarczyk (SP TBY, 7th rd.) L (0-2), 5 4 3 2 0 7, 2.57, nothing to show for a 23/3 K/BB ratio over 21 IP… A 7 inning pitchers duel as Jo-Jo Reyes (SP ATL, 2nd rd. ’03) 5 1 0 0 0 4, 0.87 ERA and a pair of relievers outduel Jonathon Castillo (SP NYM) L (1-1), 6 2 1 0 2 4, 1.38 ERA in Danville’s 1-0 shutout of the K-Mets… of course the outcome between the parent clubs was the opposite last night… Malden, MA’s Juan Portes (2B MIN, 15th rd. ‘04) 3-5, 2 R, 2B (7), HR (5), 2 RBI (15), E (4), .370 BA.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  3b Matt Gamel Mil 3-5, HR(1), 2RBI ... 1b Mark Trumbo LAA 1-4, 2R, BB ... P Robert Mosebach LAA W(2-0) 5 6 0 0 0 4 (1.50) ... DH JD Roberts Cin 2-4, HR(3), 2b, 3RBI ... RF Manny Rodriguez CWS 3-5, 2b, 3b, 3RBI ... C Fransico Hernandez CWS 1-4, BB, R ... DH David Sutherland LAD 3-5, R, RBI, 2b, (.449) ... 3b Russell Mitchell LAD 1-3, 2b, 2BB, E(7)

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Richard Sojo MIN 1-2, double, 3 walks, .413 ... pro debut for CIN 5th rounder James Avery 2 0 0 0 0 0 ... Gerardo Cabrera OF CIN 3-3, triple, 2 walks, .480 ... Domingo Cabrera NYA 4 2 1 1 0 3, 0.69 (5 hits allowed, 16 Ks in 13 innings)

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Mark Pawelek, Cubs 1st rounder,  5th appearance without allowing an earned run (12 innings), 3-1/3 1 0 0 1 5 (5 hits allowed, 6 walks, 19 Ks) ... Jeff Bianchi KC 1-4, 5th homer, .471

  Troop Movements ...  SF - Jeremy Accardo to AAA, Adam Shabala up ... TEX - recalled Erasmo Ramirez ... COL - Brad Hawpe DL,  Ryan Spilborghs up, assigned J.J. Davis to AAA ...  WAS - Matt Cepicky outright to AAA ... KC - activated Ambiorix Burgos from DL, designated Ryan Jensen for assignment, activated Kyle Snyder, optioned to AAA ... CHA - activated Damaso Marte from DL, Kevin Walker to AAA ... FLO - designated Al Leiter for assignment, Jason Vargas up ... DET - Troy Percival DL, Craig Dingman up ... HOU - signed 8th round pick Koby Clemens,   Ezequiel Astacio up, Travis Driskill to AAA ... NYA - Chien-Ming Wang DL, Tim Redding up ... OAK - Ron Flores,  Ryan Glynn to AAA ... BAL - activated Jason Grimsley from DL, Steve Reed desinated for assignment ... TB - Delmon Young promoted to AAA ... TOR - Chad Gaudin up, Justin Miller designated for assignment ...  LA -  Steve Schmoll up, Cody Ross to AAA ... MIN - promoted 3B Matt Moses to AA ... ANA - activated Steve Finley from DL, Jason Romano to AAA, promoted lefty Joe Saunders to AAA ...

" ... Saunders, 24, leaves the Travs with a record of 7-4 and a 3.49 ERA. He pitched 105.2 innings and allowed 107 hits, 32 walks, 9 home runs and struck out 80. Recently, Saunders took his game to a new level with three outstanding starts where he picked up two wins and allowed just 9 hits and two runs (one earned) with 6 walks against 20 strikeouts in 21 innings. One of these starts was the best performance by a Texas League pitcher during the 2005 season, a one-hit, nine-inning, complete game shutout on July 1 at Tulsa. In his last start Tuesday, he struck out a season-high ten batters in seven innings."  (Arkansas Travelers)

    Dayn Perry, FoxSports, is on top of the year's breakout prospects, a high-flying Jay included :

" ... Chip Cannon ...  8th round, 2004 ... Jays recently promoted Cannon to Double-A, which means he's spent time at three different levels in 2005. At Low-A Lansing, he hit .268 AVG/.351 OBP/.542 SLG, and at High-A Dunedin, he was ridiculously good in 29 games of action: .384 AVG/.465 OBP/.830 SLG. If he keeps hitting in the Eastern League, you'll see him on the various prospects list next year."

"  ... Jason Hirsh ...  2nd round, 2003...  In '05, however, he's turned the corner. In the Texas League this season, he's worked 110.0 innings, struck out 102, walked only 28, given up only six homers and whittled his ERA down to 3.11. Hirsh lost some velocity in 2004, but the big-framed right-hander is throwing hard once again, and the stats show it."

" ... Nick Markakis ...  1st round, 2003 ...  offensive numbers this season don't wow you at first blush, but considering he wasn't a full-time hitter until 2004, Markakis has a highly impressive record of performance. This season, he's hitting .295 AVG/.375 OBP/.468 SLG in the pitcher-friendly Carolina League. Take the learning curve into account, and it's an impressive performance by Markakis."

    Not a lot to excite in the CINCY system.  John Sickels, reviews his picks, including :

" ... 3) Joey Votto ...  .256/.342/.408 with 8 homers and 87 strikeouts in 80 games for Class A Sarasota. Disappointing numbers, I thought he would break through but it has not happened."

" ... 5) Homer Bailey ... 4.14 ERA, 69/37 K/BB in 59 innings for Class A Dayton. Showing good stuff, strong K/IP ratio, needs better control."

   Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com, highlights some possible 2005 prospect contributors :

" ... Jeremy Hermida ...  the 21-year-old made the Futures Game and the Southern League All-Star Game by hitting .290 with 14 homers, 42 RBIs and going 19-for-20 in steals. He could join Scott Olsen in Florida as a kind of Dontrelle Willis-Miguel Cabrera tandem redux."

" ... Brian Bannister ...  flies under most prospect radars, but it's time to take notice of Floyd's kid. The right-hander just earned a promotion to Triple-A after going 9-4 with a 2.56 ERA in 18 starts for Binghamton. Of course, there's always the possibility that his big league debut won't happen in a Mets uniform."

" ... Curtis Granderson ...  It's not 100 percent clear there's a spot for him, but if he keeps hitting like he has (.290, 11 HR, 48 RBIs 16 SB, albeit with 104 strikeouts), he should get another opportunity."

14 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --   All-Star game

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  PCL stars over the INT 11-5 ... Gerald Laird TEX 2-3, grand slam ... Conor Jackson ARZ 2-2, walk ... ooops, BJ Upton TB 0-3, 2 errors

EASTERN (AA)  --  All-Star game ... Jonathan Van Every OF CLE (.242 in regular action) 3-4, 2 homers, 3 RBI ... Hanley Ramirez BOS 2-3, 2 SBs

SOUTHERN (AA) --  All-Star action ... Jeremy Hermida FLO 2-4, double, 4 RBI ... Delmon Young TB 0-3, 2 Ks ... Chuck James ATL 1 4 2 2 1 1

TEXAS (AA)  --  Andre Ethier OAK 2-5, 2R, 2B, .332 ... Brian Stavisky OAK 1-3, R, HR(7), 5RBI(53) ... Josh Pressley (DH) KC 3-4, R, HR(11), RBI(47), .292 ... Keeps on rollin' - Dallas Braden (W,8-3) 5 5 0 0 0 4 (2.88) ... Alex Santos OAK (S,13) 1-1/3 0 0 0 0 0 (2.20) ... Reggie Willits ANA 2-4, .315 ... TJ Bohn SEA 2-3, R, 2B, HR(6), 2RBI(43), .320 ... Adam Jones SEA 3-4, R, SB(6), .314 ... Chris Key SEA (W,2-0) 4 3 1 1 0 1 (1.54) ... Joaquin Arias TX 4-5, R, 2 2B, .302 ... Ready for a call up? Not quite - Thomas Diamond (L,1-2) 3 4 6 6 4 (6.00) ... PJ Bevis COL (S,18) 1 1 0 0 0 1 (2.91) ... Tyler Minges STL 1-4, R, HR(15), 3RBI(52), .308 ... Randy Leek STL (W,10-4) 7 7 1 1 2 4 (3.48)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --   catcher Kurt Suzuki OAK 3-5, triple, 3 RBI, .278 ... Brad Sullivan OAK trying to bounce back from injury 4 5 2 1 6 3 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 4-5, 23rd double, .380 ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-3, 30th homer, 2 walks, 3 RBI (76), .299 (32 BB, 74 Ks) ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-3, 2 walks, .277 ... Aneudi Cuevas 3B TB 1-3, 12th homer, 2 walks, 2 RBI, .302 ... Ian Stewart COL 2-4, 9th homer, 3 RBI, .267 ... the bubble bursts, Jared Wells SD 4.2 12 8 8 0

Minor League Home Run Leaders :
                     2B 3B  HR
Brandon Wood ANA     28  3  30
Andy LaRoche LA      20  1  26
Chip Cannon TOR      14  4  26
Leo Daigle CHA       24  1  26
Hunter Pence HOU     12  3  24
Miguel Montero       24  1  24

CAROLINA (A+) --  Robert Valido CHA 1-4, double, 2 K ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-4, K, SB (7) ... Martin Prado ATL 1-4 ... Matt Esquivel ATL 3-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 0-3, BB ... Nate Spears BAL 3-5, 2 R, 21st double, 3rd HR, RBI, .313 ... Nick Markakis BAL 2-3, R, 22nd double, 2 BB, K ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 1-4, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K ... Adam Loewen BAL (W, 3-6, 4.27) 7 4 0 0 2 7, Jekyll-Hyde Loewen, last nine starts :

IP   H  R ER BB SO
 7   3  2  2  3  8
 7   6  0  0  2 10
 4   4  4  3  4  6
 6   6  0  0  0  8
 2.2 8 10  9  4  3
 5.2 8  7  7  1  7
 4.1 5  8  8  4  4
 6   2  1  0  4  7
 7   4  0  0  2  7

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  former (2000) 1st rounder Ben Diggins MIL on the mend, 2 5 0 0 0 2 ... Guillermo Quiroz TOR beings the long road back, 0-2, twice HBP & 1-4 ...  LA, another slugger on the way, Matt Kemp OF, 2-3, 18th homer ... Ismael Valdez FLO, getting close, 6 1 0 0 0 3 ... Philip Hughes NYA 3 2 2 2 1 6, 8-1 (80 Ks in 74 1/3 innings)

MIDWEST (A) --  we're waiting Matt Bush SD 1-4 (.229) ... Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 19th double (.322) ... Ryan Webb OAK 6 9 6 6 3 1 (4.40) ... Javier Herrera OAK 2-4, 18th & 19th SB's (.284) ... Jay Rainville MIN 6 6 3 3 0 6 ... Michael Collins (at 1B) ANA 1-5, 8th SB, 10th error ... Eric Patterson CHN 6th triple, 28th SB (.341/.415/.489) ... Sean Gallagher CHN 5 2 2 2 3 4 (W, 9-3, 1.80) ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 0-2, but 2 BB's ... Phillip Andersen STL 6 4 1 1 3 4 (2.36) ...

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Hernan Iribarren MIL 1-2, walk, CS (11) ... Greg Golson PHI 1-3, double, 2 runs ... Chris Getz CHA 2-4, run, walk ... JC Holt ATL 2-3, double, triple, run ... Mario Holmann NYA 4-6, double, 2 runs ... Marcos Vechionacci NYA 2-5, RBI, run, SB ... Juan Gutierrez HOU 6 3 0 0 3 5, (W, 6-2), 2.25 vs. Carlos Perez BAL 7 7 1 1 1 6, (L, 7-6), 3.62 ... Chipper Jones ATL 1-3, walk in 1st rehab action

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Joe Ness CLE 5 7 2 2 0 3 ... Brad Corley CF PIT 1-5 ... Steve Pearce 1B PIT 0-2, 3BB ... Derek Antelo PIT 6 3 0 0 1 4 ... Jed Lowrie 2B BOS 1-5, RBI ... Luis Soto RF BOS 1-4, 2B, BB, 2K ... Kris Harvey 3B FLA 3-4, HR, 3RBI, K ... Mario Pena BOS 5 7 4 1 1 1 ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 3-5, RBI ... Nolan Reimold RF BAL 2-3, 2B, BB ... John Howell RF WAS 4-5, R, 3 2B, 4RBI ... Andrew Lane 2B WAS 4-5, 3R, 2B, 2RBI ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 2-4, 2B, K ... Tyler Greene SS STL 0-4, K ... Nick Webber STL 6 3 0 0 0 7 ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 1-3, BB, K ... Jeremy Slayden LF PHI 1-4, 3K

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Shane Lindsay COL 4 2 5 2 3 7, 1.33, 48 Ks in 27 innings ... Nick Pereira SF 5 1 1 0 3 2, 1.35 ... Steve Murphy DH TEX, 3-4, 5th homer, .368 ... John Mayberry OF TEX, tough, tough pro start 0-3, .188

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Rene Aqueron 3B BAL 3-4, double, .600 (41 ABs) ... P.J. Hiser 1B CLE 3-4, 2 doubles, 6th homer, 6 RBI ... Eduardo Morlan MIN, 2004 3rd rounder, unreal, seven no-hit innings in fronting an eventual one-hitter, 7 0 1 1 2 9, 0.82 (6 hits allowed, 30 Ks in 22 innings)

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  2b Eric Young Jr Col 3-5, 3b, 4RBI ... 3b Wes Wimberly 2-3, SB(14) (Chone Figgins Clone) ... RF BJ Richmond LAD 2-2, HR(1), 2BB, SB(5) ... C Angel Salome Mil 4-4 (.437), 2R, 2RBI (in 12 games as a catcher, Salome with 7 errors, 7 passed balls, 12 SBs, 4 CS)  ... P Luis Bernal Mil had the knuckler working tonight W(1-1) 2 2 0 0 1 0 ... SS Hainley Statia LAA 3-6, 2b, RBI ... 1b Mark Trumbo LAA 2-5, BB ... SP Andrew Hill LAA 5 3 2 2 3 8 ... SP Matthew Green ARI L(0-2) 3.2 7 6 5 2 3 ... C Brady Everett KC 3-4, 2HR(3), 5RBI

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Beau Jones ATL, supplementary 1st rounder,  5 2 0 0 3 5 (17 Ks, 11 IP) ... CJ Henry NYA 1-4, homer, .281 ... Matt Ellington 1B FLO, down from the NY-P, quite a debut in the GCL, 3-4, double, homer, walk, 4 RBI ... Doug Mientkiewicz NYN 2-3, rehab (0-1, 3 walks in his first game) ...  Castro popular - Jonathan Castro WAS 2B 3-4, .370 ... Jose Castro 2B NYN 3-4, .385 ... another RedSox SP prospect on the way, Kyle Fernandes 4 0 0 0 0 6 (1 hit allowed in 12 2/3s, 15 Ks) :

Fernandes, a 12th round pick, is one of few major leaguers of Portuguese heritage :

" ... I am not a power pitcher," he explains. "I throw four pitches. I try to keep the batters off balance. I have been able to do that since I can remember. I try to confuse the batter so he doesn't know what I am going to throw next." Fernandes is coming off two spectacular seasons at Massasoit Community College in Brockton. His two-year record was 17-1 ...  His ERAs at Massasoit were 1.09 as a freshman and 0.70 this season when he led JUCO Division 3 pitchers with 115 strikeouts."  (O Jornal)

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Jeff Bianchi KC 1-4, double, .484 ... catcher Isaac Palencia MIL 3-3, .524 ... Ryan Episcopo OF CHN 2-5, homer, .361

  Troop Movements ...  CLE - promoted 1B Stephen Head to A+, Carolina League  ... LA - promoted Sergio Pedroza to SAL ... TB - Joe Beimel to AAA ... BOS - traded Jay Payton to OAK for Chad Bradford, activated Curt Schilling from DL, Kevin Youkilis to AAA, Scott Cassidy outright to AAA ... TEX - Juan Dominguez to AAA ... WAS - Tony Blanco, Junior Spivey DL, Ryan Church activated from DL, signed Mike Stanton ... COL - traded Preston Wilson to WAS for Zach Day and JJ Davis, traded Joe Kennedy, Jay Witasick to OAK for Eric Byrnes and Omar Quintanilla ... 

    Chris Kline, Baseball America, with some notes on a pair of not-so-hyped  AAA All-Stars :

" ... EDWIN ENCARNACION ... has excellent hitting tools, including improved patience (career-high 53 walks last year and 31 through 243 at-bats this year) and power--he was well on his way to topping his career mark in homers this season at Louisville... has scouts projecting him to be a .280-.300 hitter with 25-30 homers annually. But they also continue to question his defense. While 2004 marked the first campaign in which he recorded less than 30 errors, most of the miscues came on poor throws related to his footwork."

" ... RYAN GARKO ... There is little doubt that his bat will play at any level, but scouts question his ability to be an everyday catcher in the big leagues. The Indians weren't sold on his defense either, but have opted to get him significant playing time behind the plate with the Bisons this season. At the right side of the plate, Garko simply rakes, hitting to all fields and showing above-average power. He's short to the ball with an efficient swing that allows him to adjust to any type of pitch or location. His makeup and leadership skills are among the best in the organization."

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, responds to "Stephen Drew or Justin Upton?"

" ... Drew has been unstoppable since finally signing with the Diamondbacks, batting .378/.471/.865 with eight homers and 25 RBIs in his first 19 games at high Class A Lancaster. While that earned him the top spot on our current Prospect Hot Sheet, I'd still take Upton over Drew. Upton has yet to sign with Arizona ... though his holdout isn't expect to linger nearly as long as Drew's did. He might have to move off of shortstop, but then again, scouts have said the same about Drew. Both of them are going to be impact hitters, but I'd give Upton a slight nod in terms of power and speed."

    John Sickels, over a FutureAngels, reviews the top young guns in the ANA system, including :

" ... Erick Aybar ...  Pre-Season Grade A- ...Good points: gap power, a very low strikeout rate, good batting average. Bad points: walk rate remains too low, hurting his OBP. He gets caught stealing too often (15 times already) and defense remains erratic. STATUS: no change, still only 21 and holding his own in Double-A. Remains a valuable long-term property."

" ... Kendry Morales ... Pre-Season Grade B+ ... has shown good power thus far, but erratic plate discipline and a tendency towards streakiness. He was too good for A-ball, but has had his production shackled to some extent by better pitching in the Texas League."

" ... Howie Kendrick ...Grade B+ ...  Only negative in his profile is a low walk rate, but given his overall production that is a minor flaw. He missed a month of action with a strained oblique muscle, the second year in a row that an injury cost him significant playing time. STATUS: stock will rise if he finishes the year healthy. Otherwise, no change. A very impressive offensive prospect."

    Toby Harrmann, BrewerFan, updates his MIL prospect chart, with a change atop - it's Rickie Weeks supplanting Prince Fielder and Corey Hart at No. 3.  Some interesting names well down the list :

" ... 17 Salome, Angel ... Somehow moved past Palmisano despite being putrid in the field early on in the Helena season, so it isn't necessarily a tribute to Angel."

" ... 20 Taubenheim, Ty ... The current "It" guy in the system, Ty will have a big opportunity to nail down a starting spot in the AA rotation for the rest of the year."

" ... 31 Villanueva, Carlos ... Strict pitch counts, an injury and home runs have hurt Carlos again this season, but it is hard to argue with a 2.21 ERA"

   Over at RaysBaseball Dan McAvoy provides a sketch of Wes Bankston (ranked No. 2 on the site's revised TB Top 25) as the best first base prospect in the minors :

" ... at least in my flawed system, Bankston is easily having the best season of any of the major 1B prospects aside from a guy who is four years older than him and has struggled in the majors. If Bankston can keep up what he has done this season so far, expect a lot of people to finally notice him this offseason."

   John M. Barten, 'Til You're Blue in the Face, on Nate Schierholtz SF :

" ... Schierholtz is an interesting prospect for the numbers he's put up and the raw hitting talent ... swing is tailored for launching frozen ropes to both outfield gaps. He's always hit for average and has more power than most 21 year olds...  some problems though. He's awful at drawing walks, his strikeout rate has spiked, and he's sliding down the defensive spectrum with lightning speed. Drafted as a third baseman, he couldn't cut it there and has moved to the outfield ... Schierholtz is another one those lottery ticket guys. A small percentage of these guys are either talented enough to overcome their weakness and be a star even while pitchers are exploiting their hacktastic ways, and a different small percentage take the Sammy Sosa path and actually learn that they can leave the bat on their shoulder when it's a ball and swing hard when it's a strike. Those two populations are dwarfed by the number of guys who are crippled by their flaw and end up being AAA washouts or Mark Quinn-style flashes in the pan."

13 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  No games (All-Star break for many leagues)

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  No games

EASTERN (AA)  --  No games

SOUTHERN (AA) --  No games

TEXAS (AA)  --  Andre Ethier OAK 2-3, .331 ... Mitch Maier KC 3-4, 3R, RBI(22), SB(3), .275 ... Quietly putting up some decent numbers - Mike Aviles (SS) KC 2-4, 2R, 2B, 3B, 2RBI(56), .291 ... TJ Bohn SEA 3-4, R, 2 2B, .317 ... Nice - Joe Saunders ANA 7 6 1 1 2 10 (3.49) ... Started the game,but pitched only 1 inning - Rafael Soriano SEA 1 0 0 0 0 0 (0.00) ... Joaquin Arias TX 3-5, R, 2RBI(31), SB(11), .294 ... Rehab going well - Matt Holliday COL 2-5, R, HR, 5RBI ... Jud Thigpen COL 2-3, R, 2B, RBI(10), .339 ... Aaron Herr STL 3-3, 2R, 3B, SB(2), .303 ... Oscar Alvarez STL (W,5-2) 5 7 0 0 0 7 (2.75)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Brandon Wood ANA 1-3, 29th homer, .296 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 2-4, 22nd double, 12th homer, .372 ... Chris Lubanski KC 1-4, 20th homer, .274 ... SD 1st rounder Cesar Carrillo 4 2 1 1 2 6 ...  Christian Colonel OF COL 4-5, 2 doubles, homer, .337 ... Jeff Cook OF ARZ 3-4, 2 doubles (18), 13th homer, 5 RBI, .301 ... Stephen Drew ARZ 2-5, 2 doubles, .380

CAROLINA (A+) --  No games

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Javon Moran LF CIN 3-5 3B R 2RBI SB(13) - .349 ... Paul Mildren FLO 6 3 2 1 2 5 ND, 2.50 ... Jake Blalock LF PHI 2-4 - .281 ... Tim Moss DH PHI 1-4 HR(12) 4RBI - .278 ... Matt Kemp RF LA 2-4 2B HR(17) 2RBI - .279 ... Adam Harben MIN 4 3 4 1 2 7 ND, 2.60 ... Adam Lind LF TOR 2-4 2B R 2RBI - .291 ... David Purcey TOR 5 2/3 1 2 2 4 5 ND, 3.51 ... Justin Christian 2B NYA 2-3 HR(6) 3RBI SB(34) - .312

MIDWEST (A) --  No games

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Erik Bedard BAL 5 3 0 0 1 9, W, rehab vs. James Barthmaier HOU 6 6 3 3 1 12, lot's of strikeouts in that one ...  Hernan Iribarren MIL 2-4, .317 ... Jason Jaramillo PHI 2-4 ... Mark Rogers MIL 5 4 2 2 3 6, (W, 1-6), first win now under his belt

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  No games

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  No games

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  John Matulia (CF/DH TBY, 10th rd.) 3-5, R, RBI (13), 3 BB, CS (8) combined in Princeton’s twinbill against Burlington, now at .402 BA for the season… Ryan Royster (1B/LF/RF TBY) 2-6, 2 R, 2B, HR (6), 4 RBI (18), K, E (3), .276 BA… Robert Findlay (RP TBY) closes out another one, uncharacteristically allowing two baserunners in the same inning SV (8), 1 1 0 0 1 0, 0.82 ERA… Ryan Reed (RF HOU) 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI (17), E (4), .406 BA… Jacob Hurry (SP HOU, 25th rd.) L (0-1), 1-1/3 1 7 7 6 0, WP, HBP, 7.80 ERA… Randy Roth (DH STL, 10th rd.) 0-3, R, RBI (17), .343 BA… nice effort from Shaun Garceau (SP STL, 20th rd.) W (1-2), 5 1 0 0 1 4, ERA drops to 5.40… Ovandy Suero (2B/LF ATL) 3-5, 2 R, K, 2 SB (Appy best 14), CS (2), E (1), .348 BA… Vandy LHP Ryan Mullins (SP MIN, 5th rd.) dominant in Elizabethton’s win over Pulaski, W (1-0), 6 1 0 0 2 10, 1.59 ERA, with just 2 of 8 balls put in play in the air, for the season now just 9 hits allowed in 17 IP, 23/5 K/BB ratio.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  P Clayton Richard CWS 5.0 5 2 1 1 6 ... 1b Brandon Allen CWS 2-5, HR(5), E ... DH Cole Garner Col 1-3, HR(7) ... SS Juan Rivera LAD 2-5 ... 3b Russell Mitchell LAD 2-5, RBI ... DH Angel Salome Mil 2-4, HR(5), 3RBI, SB(3) ... 1b Mark Trumbo LAA 2-5, 2 2b, 3 RBI

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Clint Everts WAS, on the road back, 3 3 0 0 1 5 ... Jonathan Castro SS WAS 3-5, 2 doubles, .340 ... LA 2nd rounder SS Ivan DeJesus 3-5, double, .289 ... Flo 1st rounder Chris Volstad 4 1 1 1 1, 2.57 ... Jordan Schafer OF ATL, 4-5, 2 doubles, .310

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  SS Patrick Phillips ANA, 2nd rounder, 2-4, double, .333 ... SS Ezekiel Parraz OAK 3-4, homer, .333 ... Antoan Richardson CF SF 4-5, .381 ... Phillip Davidson KC 5-2/3 3 0 0 3 6, 3-0, 1.31 ... Jeff Bianchi SS KC 2-2, HBP, .500 ... Curtis Ledbetter DH SEA 3-7, homer, 4 RBI, .364 ... Oswaldo Graterol OF SEA 3-5, double, .500 ... Tim Turner CF SD 3-7, double, homer, .296 ...  Luany Sanchez C-1B SD 4-6, double, triple, .326

  Troop Movements ...  TOR - catcher Curtis Thigpen promoted from Midwest to AA ...

    Stephen Drew ARZ jumps to the top of the class at Kevin Goldstein's Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America.

" ... The only concern scouts had about Drew was has ability to hit with wood bats, and that concern was based on how little they had seen Drew hit with wood, as opposed to seeing him struggle with wood. Those concerns have been assuaged, as Drew has needed just 19 games to establish himself as one of the best prospects in baseball, batting .378/.471/.865 with eight home runs, 25 RBIs and 21 runs in just 19 games."

Chuck James ATL won sell-deserved kudos by placing 2nd :

" ... In what has been one of the best seasons by any pitcher in the minors, James delivered his best start of the season on Sunday afternoon, firing six perfect innings, striking out 11 of the 18 batters he faced. Ridiculous season totals update: 2.02 ERA in 102 innings, allowing just 66 hits and 23 walks while striking out 136."

A pair from the 2005 draft class placed in the Top 20 -- KC SS Jeff Bianchi and CLE 1B Stephen Head. 

    John Sickels with a review of his Philly prospect chart :

" ... 1) Gavin Floyd ... There is something seriously wrong here, psychologically or physically ... .3) Cole Hamels, LHP. Back in action, has a 24/10 K/BB in 22 innings between Class A Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Status depends on health and command, should not be rushed ... 5) Greg Golson, OF. .254/.348/.370 with 14 steals for Lakewood. Striking out more than once a game. Great tools, power and speed potential, still learning how to play."

    Venuzuelan backstop not intimidated with Double-A :

" ... Miguel Montero  ... gained national attention this season because of his heavy hitting, made an instant splash in his Tennessee Smokies' debut. Montero's run-scoring single in the ninth inning gave Tennessee a 5-4 come-from-behind win ... Monday night ...  singled his first Class AA at-bat and crushed a towering 400-foot home run that sent a buzz through the 2,941 at Smokies Park. Montero also walked and was struck by a pitch. Perezchica [manager Tony Perezchica] knew what he was getting. "I've had him before," he said. "He's an intense kid who plays hard and comes to play every day. He's something special." Montero generates robust bat speed for someone 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. That torque and contact enabled the left-handed hitter to put up huge numbers this season...  .349 with 24 home runs and 82 runs batted in 85 games with the Lancaster JetHawks."  (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

    Guess you had to be there :

" ... Highly touted prospect Jered Weaver was greeted rudely upon arriving in the California League three weeks ago. But batters beware, Weaver has found his groove ...  hurled 6 2/3 innings and gave up three runs while striking out eight ... threw 86 pitches, with his fastball topping out at 93 in his longest of the season. Weaver is pleased with his progress. "It was tough because I wanted to start out how I finished at Long Beach State but that's not going to happen. It's not like riding a bike," Weaver said. "I had 400 days off. This is still like my spring training." ... three runs is more than respectable at High Desert, known as one of the most hitter-friendly venues in all of minor league baseball ...  Quakes manager Ty Boykin also sees the improvement. "His velocity improved. His command was better and he mixed his pitches well. His confidence is starting to grow," Boykin said. "The biggest thing now is working on the tempo of the game because his first couple of starts he was working slow. And he needs to continue working on controlling the running game."  (Ontario Daily Bulletin)

   Zach Chalifour, RotoTimes, with notes from the Futures Game :

'' ... BJ Upton, meanwhile, went 0-for-2 but was robbed of a hit up the middle by Mariners shortstop prospect Yuniesky Betancourt. Upton did reflect his defensive improvement at Triple-A Durham with a very strong day in the field in which he effortlessly executed a number of difficult plays. With another few weeks of solid defense for the Bulls, Upton could have a chance to return to the Devil Rays by season's end."

" ...  Cuban defector Yuniesky Betancourt  ....  a spark plug at the plate for the Mariners at Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tacoma. The 23-year-old has hit a combined .278 with seven home runs and 17 steals, but his defense was exceptional at the Futures Game and could help land him a starting role given the current state of Seattle's middle infield. If Betancourt does make it to a full-time role, he could become a David Eckstein-type player with decent numbers across the board at a bargain price."

12 July 2005

    June picks ... assignments for those in the first three rounds now updated.  Here.

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  No games

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  No games

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 2-7, RBI (31), .277 AVG ... Brandon Moss OF BOS 2-7, .269 AVG … Christopher Durbin OF BOS 1-3, 2B (17), .293 AVG … Jared Sandberg 1B BOS 3-6, 2 2B (18), 2 RBI (57), .236 AVG … Kevin West 1B BOS 2-7, 2 2B (21), RBI (25), .279 AVG ... Eric Duncan 3B NYA 1-3, .249 AVG … Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 0-4, .262 AVG … Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 2-4, 2 2B (16), 2 RBI (33), .242 AVG … Brad Snyder CLE OF 1-2, RBI (15), .270 AVG … Tony Giarratano SS DET 0-4, .241 AVG … Fred Lewis OF SF 2-4, 3B (5), .245 AVG … Daniel Ortmeier OF SF 0-0, .256 AVG … Carlos Valderrama OF SF 2-3, SB (20), .318 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 1-3, .306 AVG … Aaron Baldris 3B NYN 0-2, RBI (9), .292 AVG … Paul Bonifay 1B PIT 1-4, .277 AVG … Michael Bourn OF PHI 3-5, .283 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 2-4, 2B (17), HR (6), 2 RBI (41), .313 AVG … Randy Ruiz 1B PHI 1-5, HR 232), 2 RBI (77), .357 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 2-4, .280 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 2-4, SB (2), .277 AVG … Ryan Church OF WAS 2-5, 2B, .278 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 0-3, .211 AVG … Chip Cannon DH TOR 0-6, .200 AVG … Zach Day WAS 5 6 2 2 0 3, 2.77 ERA … Paul Stewart PIT 7 4 2 0 0 3, 4.52 ERA … Josh Banks TOR 6 5 3 3 0 2, 4.44 ERA … Ismael Ramirez TOR 5 10 3 3 1 3, 4.11 ERA … Brian Burres SF 6 4 2 2 2 7, W (7), 2.85 ERA … Jake Dittler CLE 6-2/3 5 4 4 4 3, W (5), 3.30 ERA … Phil Humber NYN, forgettable AA debut,  4 4 3 3 2 2, 6.75 ERA … Jonathan Lester BOS 7 1 0 0 1 13, W (7), 2.38 ERA :

"  ...  Lester ...  tied a team record with 13 strikeouts ... struck out the side in the first, second and fourth innings en route to tying A.J. Burnett's club strikeout mark. Burnett set the record in a nine-inning game ... "I was throwing everything," said Lester, whose four-pitch arsenal includes a mid-90s fastball, cutter, curveball and changeup. The 21-year-old left-hander faced just two batters over the minimum, retiring the final 17 after yielding an infield hit and a walk with one out in the bottom of the second ...  has 25 strikeouts in his last two starts, lowered his ERA to a league-best 2.38." (MLB.com)

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Joel Guzman LA 2-3, .288 ...  oh what a AA beginning, ARZ catcher Miguel Montero 3-3, homer, walk ...  Ty Taubenheim MIL, strong AA debut, 6 6 1 1 1 4

TEXAS (AA)  --  Andre Ethier OAK 2-4, R, HR(13), RBI(55), .328 ... Alberto Callaspo ANA 2-4, 303 ... Adam Jones SEA 3-4, RBI, SB(5), .306 ... Another decent outing - Steven Shell ANA (L,5-7) 6-2/3, 8 3 2 0 6 (4.84) ... Juan Sandoval SEA (W 6-5) 7 3 0 0 2 5 (3.40) ... Joaquin Arias TX 2-4, 2R, 2B, .289 ... Rehab - Matt Holliday COL 2-3, R, .667 ... Sean Barker (RF) COL 4-4, 2R, 3B, 2RBI(51), SB(10), .280 ... Jud Thigpen (DH) COL 3-4, R, 2B, HR(3), 2RBI(9), 321 ... Jordan Pals STL (L,5-6) 7 5 1 1 1 6 (3.45) ... WOW - Jason Hirsh HOU (W,8-6) 9 3 0 0 0 11 (3.11)

" ... Chris Sampson tossed a gem for the Hooks on Sunday - a complete-game three-hit shutout ...  How do you follow that? Jason Hirsh had the answer on Monday. He, too, twirled a complete-game, three-hit whitewash ...  Hirsh (8-6) limited the Cardinals to just three singles and allowed runners to advance past first just twice all evening. The 6'8" right-hander also established a new season high for strikeouts in a game by a Hooks' pitcher with 11 ... did not walk a batter."  (Corpus Christi Hooks)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Seth Smith COL 2-4, homer, .305 ... Jered Weaver ANA, still not major league ready, 5-2/3 3 3 3 1 8 ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-4, 22nd double, 19th homer, .274 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 2-5, .370

CAROLINA (A+) --  Robert Valido CHA 2-5, 2 R, double, K ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-3, double, 2 RBI, BB, K ... Thomas Collaro CHA 1-4, double, RBI, 2 K ... Adam Miller CLE (L, 1-1, 2.45) 5 9 5 3 1 5 ... Chad Spann BOS 1-5, R, 8th homer, RBI ... Martin Prado ATL 1-3, R, 4th homer, 2 RBI ... Matt Esquivel ATL 0-3, K ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 0-4, 2 K ... Brady Endl ATL (L, 5-6, 3.59) 5 5 7 5 5 3 ... Nick Markakis BAL 2-3, R, BB, K ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 1-4, 2 RBI ... Kory Casto WAS 0-2, BB, K

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Chuck Tiffany LA 6 2 2 2 3 4, 3.58 ... Jose Garcia STL 8 3 0 0 1 9, 3.45 ...just can't get untracked, Brian Dopirak CHN 1-4, .246 ... Vito Chiaravalloti 1B TOR, trying to regain his stroke in demotion from AA, 3-4, homer

MIDWEST (A) --  3rd-round draftee Chris Robinson (C) DET 4-8, double, HR (but off to a dismal .138 start) ... ouch Ian Gac TEX 0-8 ... Reid Brignac TB 18th double ... Cliff Pennington OAK 0-5, 2 K's ... pretty blah Anthony Swarzak MIN 5 5 4 4 3 3 (4.04) .. Trevor Plouffe MIN 1-4 (.209) ... Matt Shepherd (SS) STL 19th double, 2nd triple (.299) ... Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 1-4 ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 3-5, BB ... Ryan Harvey CHN 2-6, 13th HR (.254)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Tim Battle NYA 2-5, double, triple, but 3 Ks ... Taylor Tankersley FLO 6 11 5 5 1 5, 3.74 ... Neil Walker PIT 3-4, 8th homer, .276 ... catcher John Otness BOS 3-5, 3 RBI, .349

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Ryan Patterson CF TOR 0-4 ... Brian Pettway LF TOR 0-3, 2K ... Luis Soto RF BOS 2-4, RBI, K ... Willy Mota CF BOS 2-4, 2R, 2K ... Jed Lowrie 2B BOS (in his debut) 1-4, RBI, K ... Eric Fowler TOR 3.1 3 2 2 2 3 ... Ryan Phillips BOS 5 2 0 0 0 4 ... Brian Marshall BOS 1 0 0 0 0 2 ... Ivan Naccarata DH NYM 3-4, 2R, HR, 2RBI, BB ... Caleb Stewart LF NYM 2-4, HR, 2RBI, BB ... Ed Groce RF TB 2-3, 2HR, 3R, 3RBI, 2BB ... Alex Jamieson C TB 3-5, 2R, 2B, 3B (HR short of the cycle), 2RBI ... Matt Ellington 1B FLA 3-5, 2R, 3B ... Aaron Jackson WAS 5 5 2 2 1 8 ... Tyler Greene SS STL 2-3, R, 2B, 2RBI, BB, SB ... Nolan Reimold RF BAL 0-4, 3K ... Blake Hawksworth STL 2 1 0 0 1 1 ... Zach Zuercher STL 4 3 0 0 1 4 ... Clete Thomas CF DET 2-4, R, 2RBI, BB ... Stephen Head DH CLE 1-3, HR, BB (.432) ... Wladimir Sutil SS HOU 2-5, R ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 0-4, R, K ... Jeremy Slayden LF PHI 2-5, HR, 2RBI ... Kyle Kendrick PHI 6.2 8 4 4 1 2 ... James Boone DH PIT 2-5, K ... Brady Corley RF PIT 1-5, R, 2B, 3K ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 1-3, R, 2B, 2RBI ... Lance Pendleton NYY 2 2 0 0 0 3

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  SS Jason Van Kooten COL 5-6, 2 homers, 4 runs, 4 RBI ... Freddie Thon 1B TEX 3-4, double, 2 homers  ... Jeffrey Baisley 3B OAK, needed this, 3-5, homer, 5 RBI, .243

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  No games scheduled.  Scott has his picks as the best starter and reliever per team.

Name             Team  W L  ERA   G GS SV  IP   H  R ER HR BB  SO  WHIP   K/9
Jung Ji Cho       ATL  2 1  0.56  4  2  0 16.0 13  2  1  0  4  18  1.06  1.13
Rudolph Quinonez  ATL  1 0  0.00  7  0  2  8.0  3  0  0  0  1   8  0.50  1.00
Wilfrido Perez    BAL  1 1  3.38  4  4  0 18.2 17  7  7  0  6  24  1.26  1.32
Jeffrey Moore     BAL  0 1  2.08  6  0  0 13.0 12  5  3  0  1  13  1.00  1.00
Luis Valdez       CLE  0 3  3.71  4  4  0 17.0 18  9  7  1  3  15  1.24  0.88
Gerson Mercedes   CLE  0 1  4.09  5  0  2 11.0  8  5  5  1  1  11  0.82  1.00
Frank Viola       CWS  1 0  3.43  4  4  0 21.0 22  9  8  1  2  18  1.14  0.86
Tim Sabo          CWS  2 0  1.35  7  0  2 13.1 10  4  2  0  5  17  1.15  1.30
Polin Trinidad    HOU  0 1  4.41  4  4  0 16.1 20 12  8  2  4  16  1.49  0.99
Samuel Gervacio   HOU  0 1  3.86  7  0  2 14.0 13  6  6  1  1  21  1.00  1.50
Matt Garza        MIN  1 1  3.66  4  4  0 19.2 14 10  8  3  6  25  1.04  1.30
Alexander Smit    MIN  1 1  2.81  6  0  0 16.0 10  7  5  2  1  33  0.69  2.06
Jonathan Castillo NYM  1 0  1.80  4  4  0 20.0 13  4  4  1  7  16  1.00  0.80
Joseph Serfass    NYM  1 0  0.00  7  0  3 12.2  6  2  0  0  1  10  0.57  0.82
Matthew Lane      STL  0 2  4.11  4  4  0 15.1 18 10  7  3  4  11  1.46  0.73
Kevin Fitzgerald  STL  1 0  1.13  7  0  3  8.0  5  1  1  0  2   2  0.88  0.25
Matthew Walker    TBY  1 0  0.43  4  3  1 21.0 16  3  1  1  5  21  1.00  1.00
Robert Findlay    TBY  1 1  0.90  9  0  7 10.0  5  1  1  0  2  16  0.70  1.60
Jesse Litsch      TOR  2 0  3.38  4  4  0 24.0 18  9  9  4  3  26  0.88  1.08
Dennis Bigley     TOR  1 0  2.84  5  0  0 12.2 13  6  4  1  0  15  1.07  1.23

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  C Francisco Hernandez CWS 1-4, RBI ... SS Juan Rivera LAD 3-5, HR(1), BB, SB(7) ... 2b Jesus Soto LAD 0-5, BB, 4SO ... C Juan Apodaca LAD 2-5, HR(5), 3RBI ... SS Adam Rosales Cin 2-4, 2 2b, SO ... 3b Shawn Hayes KC, 1-2, 2b, RBI, BB ... C Angel Salome (5-7, 190) Mil, 5th rounder in 2004, 3-5, R (.392, .458, .649 going into Mon's action). 

" ... Short yet extremely strongly built catcher. His arm alone has drawn attention, as it might be one of the best pure tools available of all draft eligible prospects. Shuts down the opposing team's running game. On top of his strong arm he has a very quick release. He has very good overall athleticism for a catcher, is quick behind the plate and has good speed. Playing 3B or even 2B isn't out of the range of possibilities if he can't cut it behind the plate. He does need to work on his overall catch & throw skills, and despite putting up a monster year at the plate, there are some concerns about his offensive abilities. His swing can get long at times, and he can get fooled by breaking pitches. Has a similar build & overall profile to Ivan Rodriguez, whom he models his game after."  (Brewerfan.com)

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  SS Audy Ciriaco DET 2-5, triple, 3 RBI, .347 (but, zero walks, 16 Ks) ... another encouraging outing  by Greg Miller LA 4 4 2 0 1 1 ... Jonathan Castro 2B WAS 3-5, double, .311

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  catcher Isaac Palencia MIL 3-4, .444 ... Cesar Rojas SD 5 3 1 1 1 1, 1.29 ... Nick Adenhart ANA  2-2/3 3 1 1 1 5, 1.04 ... Casey Smith OF SD 3-4, double, .457 ... Phillip Hawke 1B TEX 3-5, 2 doubles, .400

  Troop Movements ...  SEA - trade Brett Boone to MIN ... TB - signed reliever Joe Borowski ...

    Remember when the BOS system was among the worst in baseball?  Last week, Jon Papelbon was named Pitcher of the Week in the Eastern League.  This week another Red Sox moundsman (announced before his one-hitter Monday)  :

" ...  left-handed pitcher Jon Lester ... made one start during the week, tossing seven shutout innings in a 5-0 Portland victory over the Trenton Thunder (Yankees). The 21 year-old struck out 12 batters, did not allow a walk and gave up only five hits improving his record to 6-2 on the season. Lester is currently second in the league in strikeouts with 101 and is tied for third in the league with a 2.56 ERA. Lester will represent the Sea Dogs in the 2005 Hannaford Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday ... selected by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the June 2002 draft."  (Portland Sea Dogs)

" ... Lester brings power. His fastball sits in the low- to mid-90s. This year, he has been able to set up the fastball with a cut fastball and improved curve and change-up. "His command is better. His pitches are crisper," said Sea Dogs hitting coach Russ Morman, who was Lester's manager in Augusta. When Lester is on, he is actually tougher on right-handed batters, running his fastball in and breaking a lot of bats. Left-handed batters are hitting .262 against Lester. Right-handers are hitting .210. Because he is young, Lester may not follow Papelbon and company to Pawtucket quickly. This is only his third year out of high school ... continues to improve his strikeout/walk ratio, which is 101/33 this season. "I've always had command of my fastball," Lester said. "This year, I'm commanding everything else, using the other pitches when I'm behind in the count."  (Portland Press Herald)

   Some top talent saluted with Player/Pitcher of the Week Awards :

" ... right-hander Ricky Nolasco was dominant in two starts this past week ...  became the first West Tenn pitcher to toss a complete game this season when he held the Smokies' offense to four hits and one earned run in nine innings ... Nolasco received a no decision in his next start ... pitching six innings and allowing one earned run to go along with six strikeouts ... has a perfect 8- 0 record this season and leads the Southern League with a 2.64 ERA and 109 strikeouts."  (Southern League)

" ... California League Stephen Drew ...  certainly living up to the hype ...  Through Sunday, Drew had hit in 11 straight games and 16 out of 18 since joining the JetHawks, raking at a .380 clip in that time. The 6-foot, 185-pound shortstop also showed off his power stroke last week, going on a home run hitting spree. He hit a pair of homers on July 5, then added another in each of his next three games to give him eight in just 18 games. He also added four doubles and 13 RBIs, driving home runs in six straight games." (MLB.com)

" ...  first baseman Stephen Head has been named the New York-Penn League Player of the Week,....  collected 10 hits and three home runs, while batting .417 in 24 at bats. He had an on-base percentage of .548, while slugging .917. Since joining the Scrappers, Head (second round selection of the Cleveland Indians) has appeared in nine games, batting .441. He has 15 hits, five home runs, and 13 RBI."  (Mahoning Valley Scrappers)

" ... Pioneer League Sergio Pedroza ... reached base in his first 11 professional at-bats and aside from an 0-for-5 game back on July 2, he hasn't slowed down much since then, winning his second consecutive Pioneer League Offensive Player of the Year award ...  third-round pick ...  hitting .524 for the season." (MLB.com)

11 July 2005

    Justin Huber KC named the MVP of the Futures Games leading the World to a 4-0 win over the USA with a two-run double ... nine World pitchers combined on a four-hitter ... see the full story and box over at Baseball America.

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Austin Kearns RF CIN 3-3, 2 2B, 3 R, BB ... James Jurries 1B-RF ATL 2-5, 2 2B, 2 R ... T.J. Pena SS ATL 2-5, R ... Carlos Ruiz DH PHI 3-4, 3B, R, SB ... Pedro Liriano PHI 4-1/3 10 3 3 3 2,4.04 ... Chris Seddon TB 5 6 5 0 3 3, 6.39 ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-3, 2B, R, BB ... Marcus Thames RF DET 1-4, 12th HR, R, 3 RBI, SF ... Brian Tallet CLE 5 6 4 2 2 1,3.65 ... Dustin Pedroia 2B BOS 2-5, 2B, RBI ... Lenny DiNardo BOS 5 2 0 0 2 6, 3.45 ... rehab, Curt Schilling 1 1 0 0 0 1, 6.63 ... Brad Eldred 1B PIT 1-4, 8th HR, R, 3 RBI ... Angel Pagan CF NYN 3-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, 3 SB ... Victor Diaz 1B NYN 2-5, RBI ... Andy Phillips 1B NYA 2-4, 15th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Sean Henn NYA 6 3 3 3 4 6, 2.96 ... Jason Bartlett DH MIN 2-4, 3B, 2 R, BB ... Chris Heintz 3B MIN 2-4, 4 RBI, SF ... Walter Young DH BAL 3-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Ryan Shealy COL 1-3, 15th homer, .332 ... Ezequiel Astacio HOU 3.0 1 0 0 0 3, 3.11 ...  Matt Cain SF, another rough one, 5 7 6 6 3 10 .... Felix Hernandez SEA, an inning of relief in return from DL, 1 1 0 0 0 1, seems the pen might be his home for awhile to limit his innings ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 1-3, 16th homer, .304

EASTERN (AA)  --  Brandon Moss OF BOS 0-4, .269 AVG … Kevin West 1B BOS 0-2, .279 AVG ...  Eric Duncan 3B NYA 1-3, .249 AVG … Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 0-4, .262 AVG … Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 0-0, .242 AVG … Brad Snyder CLE OF 1-3, 2B (9), 2 RBI (14), .265 AVG … Tony Giarratano SS DET 0-4, .245 AVG … Fred Lewis OF SF 1-2, SB (19), .237 AVG … Daniel Ortmeier OF SF 0-1, 2 SB (24), .256 AVG … Carlos Valderrama OF SF 0-0, .315 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 0-3, .307 AVG … Aaron Baldris 3B NYN 0-3, .293 AVG … Paul Bonifay 1B PIT 1-4, 2B (11), .276 AVG … Michael Bourn OF PHI 3-5, .283 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 2-4, 2B (17), HR (6), 2 RBI (41), .313 AVG … Randy Ruiz 1B PHI 1-5, HR 232), 2 RBI (77), .357 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 2-4, 2B (18), RBI (44), .277 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 2-5, .262 AVG … Ryan Church OF WAS 1-2, 2B (4), 2 FBI (7), .222 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 1-4, .212 AVG …  Casey Janssen TOR, at his third level this season, an impressive debut in AA,  7 2 0 0 0 8 ...  Chris Rojas PHI 7 4 0 0 0 7, W (10), 3.92 ERA … Dan Denham CLE 7 6 2 2 0 6, W (7), 3.57 ERA … Hayden Penn BAL 4-1/3 6 5 5 3 2, 3.79 ERA … Vance Perkins TOR 4-1/3 4 3 3 5 1, 4.35 ERA ... Chip Cannon, the surprise of the TOR system, 2-4, double, homer (26th overall) in his first AA action

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Justin Orenduff LA 7 4 0 0 2 6 ... Ricky Nolasco CHN 6 6 2 1 2 6, 2.64 ... Ray Aguilar FLO 7 5 2 2 1 5, 1.67 (27 innings) ... Chuck James ATL six perfect frames to front an eventual one-hitter, 6.0 0 0 0 0 11, 6-1, 2.67

TEXAS (AA)  --  Travis Hanson STL 2-5, R, HR(12), 5RBI(57), .290 ... Only his 3rd win? - Chris Sampson HOU (W,3-11) 9 3 0 0 0 3 (3.25) ... Hmm - John Danks TX (L,2-4) 7 9 4 4 0 7 (3.88) ... Stat line of the night? - TJ Bohn SEA 5-5, R, 2B, 3B, 2RBI(41), 3SB(22), .315 ... Steve Stanley OAK 2-4, R, RBI(31), .322 ... Brian Stavisky OAK 3-4, R, 2B, HR(6), RBI(47), .302

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Ian Stewart COL 3-3, triple, homer, 3 RBI, walk, 4 runs, .264  ... Stephen Drew ARZ 1-4, double, .380 ... Billy Butler KC 2-5, 22nd homer, .361 ... Juan Ciriaco SS SD 2-4, double, triple, .283 but in BJ Upton's defensive class, 30th error

CAROLINA (A+) --  Robert Valido CHA 2-6, R, 5th homer, 2 RBI ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-5, R, 11th homer, 2 RBI, 2 K ... Thomas Collaro CHA 2-5, R, 20th homer, RBI, 2 K ... Wes Whisler CHA 6 6 0 0 2 4, 6.40 ... Tony Sipp CLE 3-2/3 4 2 0 2 5, 2.68 ... Kory Casto WAS 2-4, R, BB, K ... Martin Prado ATL 1-4, RBI ... Matt Esquivel ATL 2-4, 2 R, 15th homer, RBI, K ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 0-3, R, BB, K ... Nick Markakis BAL 1-3 & 1-2, R, 10th homer, 3 RBI (53) ... Brian Finch BAL (W, 6-6, 3.60) 6 3 0 0 0 10

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  No games

MIDWEST (A) --  can't get started Matt Bush SD 0-4 (.231) ... Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 0-3, 6th SB (.320) .. Luis Cota KC 7 3 0 0 1 6 (3.65) ... remember this name Michael Collins ANA 2-4, double (up to .355) ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 3-5, 2 doubles (.288) ... Kyle Waldrop MIN 7 2/3 5 1 1 1 4 (4.47) ... Eric Patterson CHN 3-5, BB (.241) ... now THAT'S a tough-luck loser Josh Rainwater DET 6 5 1 1 0 11 (L, 2-4, 3.44) ...Reid Brignac TB 1-5 ... Andrew Sonnanstine TB 8 5 0 0 0 9 (W, 10-4, 2.55) ... Cliff Pennington OAK 4th double, 1st professional homer (.319)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Tim Battle NYA 2-3 ... Jeff Marquez NYA 7 7 1 1 2 4, W ... Scott Elbert LA 5 5 2 2 4 6, W, 3.41 ... Travis Denker LA 3-5, 3 homers, 7 RBI, .295 (2nd time this season Denker has had a 3-homer game) ... Yovanni Gallardo MIL 8 2 1 1 2 5, (W, 3-3), 3.35 ... Mike Rozier BOS 5 5 2 2 4 0, (W, 5-4), 3.75 ... Neil Walker PIT 1-3, 2 RBI ... Greg Golson PHI 2-4, triple, RBI, run

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Wendell Yost: WAS 7 3 0 0 2 9, CG, 3-0, 1.08 ...  nice game for the Yankee SS Eduardo Nunez 2-4, double, homer, 7 RBI, .339

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Sergio Romo SF 4 4 0 0 2 3, 0.57 (18 innings) ... James Shull OAK 4 4 0 0 0 8, 1.86 ... Wes Long 3B OAK, responding with the bat after demotion, 3-3, 3 doubles, .346   ... Michael Madsen OAK 4.0 2 1 1 0 2, 0.53 (just 7 hits allowed, 15 Ks in 17 innings)

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Number One pick Matt Garza (SP MIN, 25^th overall) finally gets in the “W” column, W(1-1), 6 2 0 0 1 9, 3.66 ERA…  Edward Ovalle (CF MIN) 3-5, R, 2B, HR (3), 4 RBI (13), .352 BA…  Rene Aqueron (DH BAL) 2-4, R, 2B, RBI (7), .568 BA…  Ovandy Suero (2B ATL) 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR (1), RBI (5), 2 K, SB (12), .328 BA…  Randy Roth (3B STL, 10^th rd.) 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B (7), SB (1), .359 BA…  Matthew Walker (SP TBY) W (1-0), 7 6 0 0 1 4, 0.46 ERA through 4 appearances.

Saturday’s Games:   Rene Aqueron (2B BAL) 2-5, K, .576 BA…  Leonardo Huches (C BAL) 3-4, R, 2B, .227 BA, but yielded an embarrassing 8 SB’s against Danville (he did manage to throw out 2 would be base stealers)…  Eric Campbell (3B ATL) 1-3, 2 R, RBI (13), 3 BB, K, 3 SB (4), .269 BA…  Maximiliano Ramirez (C ATL) 2-3, R, RBI (12), K, .354 BA…  masterful performance in his second start of the season, Jung Ji Cho (SP ATL) W (2-1), 5 4 1 0 0 7, 0.56 ERA, 18/4 K/BB ratio in 16 innings…  P.J. Hiser (1B CLE) 2-3, 2 R, HR (5), 3 RBI (14), BB, K, .278 BA…  Ryan Reed (DH HOU) 4-6, R, HR (5), RBI (15), K, .417 BA, but also CS (2) and PO…  Juan Portes (LF MIN) 4-6, 2 R, 2B, HR (3), 2 RBI (11), .323 BA…  Randy Roth (RF/LF STL, 10^th rd.) 2-4, R, 2B, HR (4), 4 RBI (15), SF, K, .339 BA…  Ryan Bethel (SS TBY, 32^nd rd.) 3-5, R, 2B, 3 RBI (8), BB, .382 BA.

Friday’s Games:   Andrew Moffit (RF BAL) 1-4, 2B, RBI (14), 2 K, .316 BA…  Kris Welker (C CHW, 41^st rd.) 1-4, 2 K, .409 BA…  Frank Viola, Jr. (SP CHW) W (1-0),  5-2/3 3 0 0 1 4, 3.43 ERA, nifty 18/2 K/BB ratio through 4 starts and 21 IP…  Ryan Reed (RF HOU) 2-4, R, HR (4), RBI (14), 2 K, .389 BA…  pro debut for U. of South Carolina’s Steven Tolleson (SS MIN, 5^th rd.) 1-3, 3 R, 2B, BB, HBP, .333 BA, error (1)…  not a fun outing for Wilton Noel (SP HOU) L(0-2), 0 4 6 6 1 0, HBP, 10.38 ERA…  big night for Johnson City’s Cody Palmer (DH STL) 4-4, 2 R, HR (2), 3 RBI (8), 2 SB (2), CS (1), .368 BA…  John Matulia (CF TBY, 10^th rd.) 2-5, R, K, .378 BA…  another tough ND for BC’s Mike Wlodarczyk (SP TBY, 7^th rd.) 5 5 1 1 1 5, 2.25 ERA but just 0-1 on the season in 4 outings…  yet another save for Robert Findlay (RP TBY) SV (6), 1 1 0 0 0 1, 1.00 ERA, 15/2 K/BB in 9 IP…  solid start from Jonathon Castillo (SP NYM) 5 2 0 0 3 8, 1.80 ERA.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  No games

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  No games

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  3B Leury Bonilla SEA 3-5 homer, 2 RBI (3.00 ERA as a pitcher, 3 innings) ... Chris Stanton 1B/OF 2-5, homer, 2 RBI ... Patrick Phillips ANA, at 2B, 2-3, .367 ... Jeff Bianchi SS KC, no stopping him, 2-4, triple, .483

  Troop Movements ...  NYN - Brian Bannister promoted to AAA, Lastings Milledge & Phil Humber to AA ... SD - Pedro Astacio up, Brian Falkenborg to AAA ... ANA - Jake Woods to AAA ... CHA - Kevin Walker to AAA ... TOR - Casey Janssen, Chip Cannon promoted to AA ...

    The numbers are far from eye-popping, but Ms pleased with Shin-Soo Choo's (1-2, homer in the Futures Game) progress :

" ... the Mariners see Choo as a perfect fit for the outfield of the future, Looper [vice president of player development and scouting Benny Looper] said ...  Last year he finished second in the Texas League in hits (163) and runs (89), was tied for second in triples (seven), and was third in RBI (84) and stolen bases (39). He batted .315 for the Class AA San Antonio Missions and was named the Mariners’ minor league player of the year. Choo has continued his progression in Class AAA. While his numbers are down a bit from last year – he’s batting .255 – his speed and power are still evident. He has 15 stolen bases and seven home runs ...  Hitting coach Terry Pollreisz said Choo’s batting average will catch up with the rest of his skills. “Moving from Double-A to Triple-A is a very tough transition,” Pollreisz said. “Pitchers can locate better, and generally the stuff’s a little crisper. “With (Choo’s) athleticism, he can hit anywhere from .265 or .270 to .290 or .300. And he’s struggled at times, but his athleticism allows him to be there. And I think he’s getting better and better, and I think he’s going to have a great second half.” ...  Choo, who has drawn comparisons to Ichiro for his strong arm and athleticism in the outfield, doesn’t see the similarity, however. “Ichiro’s way better,” he said. “  (Tacoma News Tribune)

   SEA shortstop with the defensive play of the Futures Game :

" ... Yuniesky Betancourt described his dazzling play in the fourth inning as "not routine, but not extraordinary." He thought it was nothing special, no cause for hubbub. Funny thing was, it made his manager think of Ozzie Smith ...  "He's a big leaguer, all the way," said Guillermo Hernandez, the World Team manager who won the 1984 Cy Young and MVP awards. "He is aggressive. He took a big jump on that ball. It was unbelievable. "I can see Ozzie Smith playing shortstop." Betancourt went 0-for-2 with two groundouts, but offense has never been his calling card. Still, he is batting .284 with two home runs and 17 RBIs at Tacoma, in his first season after signing a four-year, $3.65 million contract.   (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

" ... He's special," said Roger Jongewaard, the former Seattle personnel director who now scouts for Tampa Bay. "He's a real magician in the field." One National League scout has compared Betancourt, 23 and a veteran of three years with Villa Clara of the Cuban National League, to Omar Vizquel and Cesar Izturis, two of the major leagues' slickest shortstops. Greg Hunter, Seattle farm director, had an interesting take on that. "I wouldn't compare him to anyone, I think he'll be his own guy," Hunter said. "Some day people are going to compare others to him." Betancourt's hands are said to be exceedingly fast, like Vizquel, so that he never seems to get a bad hop. "He's a gifted defender," Hunter said. "When he's going for a ball he seems to have an extra gear. He's just fun to watch."  (Seattle Times)

   Rockies' system notes from Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News :

" ... Outfielder Matt Miller ... who has not gone hitless in consecutive games all season, took over the RBI lead Saturday in the South Atlantic League when he hit two homers and drove in four runs. He has five homers in his past six games and 12 RBI in his past four games. He leads the league in hits (118) and is third in batting. He has a .374 on-base percentage despite only nine walks in 340 at-bats."

" ... Shane Lindsay ... This season, at short-season Class A Tri-City, his back is fine, his mechanics are improved and his results have defied belief. In four starts, he has gone 2-0 with a 0.78 earned-run average that leads the Northwest League. He has allowed 11 hits in 23 innings with nine walks and a league-leading 41 strikeouts. Lindsay touches 96 mph with his fastball and pitches at 92 to 93 mph. He also throws a knuckle-curve and a changeup. "He's come a long way from last year, mainly (as far as) controlling adrenaline," said Jim Wright, the Rockies roving pitching coordinator. "What he's doing now is he's throwing strikes with his fastball, not always down. He's up and down but he's got enough fastball to get away with it. He's got a great spin on his curveball. It's just a matter of learning to throw that for strikes next."

   Padres' top pick making an early impression :

" ...  Cesar Carrillo, wowed onlookers Thursday when he pitched for the first time as a pro. Carrillo threw three innings for Lake Elsinore and held Lancaster to a pair of hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out three. "I thought it was outstanding," Storm pitching coach Dave Rajsich said. "The poise that he showed and the command were fabulous for his first professional appearance. He was very impressive. He came out throwing strikes and had total command of three pitches." ...  The 18th overall pick who pitched at the University of Miami hadn't pitched in a month before facing the JetHawks, but he hit the strike zone with 28 of his 40 pitches and topped out at 96 mph with his fastball. "I didn't think I was going to be as consistent as I was," Carrillo said. ... "Though Carrillo threw 125 2/3 innings for the Hurricanes this season, he won't be babied by the Padres organization ...  the Storm will limit Carrillo's innings by limiting his pitch counts. He was on a 50-pitch limit against Lancaster and threw 40 in the game and 16 more in the bullpen afterward. In his next outing, he'll throw as many as 65."   (North County Times)

    
Rookie Reports Archive :

2004 -- Oct 04-17  Oct 18-31  Nov 01-14   Nov 15-28   Nov 29-Dec 12   Dec 13-Dec 31 

2005 -- Jan 01-16  Jan 17-30  Jan 31-Feb 13  Feb 14-27  Feb 28-Mar 13  Mar 14-27  Mar 28-Apr 10  Apr 11-24  
April 25-May 01  May 02-08  May 09-15  May 16-22  May 23-29  May 30-June 05  June 06-12  June 13-19
June 20-26   June 27-July 03   July 04-10   July 11-17   July 18-24   July 25-31

2004 Minor League Stats 1  (Hitters by OPS by Classification OBA SLG SBs Errors)
2004 Minor League Stats 2 (Pitchers by ERA by Classification Ks & Hitters by position)

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