Rookies 2005

                                                                                                                           Pitching Line = IP H R ER BB SO
 

31 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Elizardo Ramirez CIN 6 10 1 1 0 4, 3.43 ... Eude Brito PHI 4 8 5 5 3 1, 4.85 ... Gabe Gross CF TOR 2-3, RBI, BB ... Jason Alfaro 2B TOR 1-3, 7th HR, R, RBI, BB ... Francisco Rosario TOR 5-2/3 4 4 1 3 3, 4.05 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 0-3, BB, 0 errors ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-4 ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-3, 2B, R ... Marcus Thames LF DET 1-3, 14th HR, R, RBI ... Jason Davis CLE 6 6 6 6 3 3, 5.16 ... Chris Narveson BOS 5-1/3 5 1 1 3 5, 4.77 ... Paul Maholm PIT 7 7 4 3 2 3, 3.75 ... Victor Diaz 1B NYN 2-4, 8th HR, R, RBI ... Tim Redding NYA 3 2 0 0 1 1, 2.70 ... Jason Bartlett SS MIN 3-5, RBI ... Chris Heintz 3B MIN 3-5, 2B ... Boof Bonser MIN 5-1/3 5 5 3 3 8, 4.12 ... Walter Young DH BAL 2-3, R, BB

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  after some signs of breakout, Prince Fielder MIL 0-4, 2 Ks, .262 ... Anthony Reyes STL 6 6 3 3 3 10 ... Alberto Callaspo ANA 2-4, double, .296 ... 3B Jeff Baker COL, 4-5, homer, 4 RBI ... Josh Barfield SD 3-3, double, walk, 3 runs, .302 ... Felix Hernandez SEA, superb in return to a starting role, 4 0 0 0 2 7, 2.25 ... Chris Snelling SEA 3-4, walk, .377 ... Justin Huber KC, long overdue promotion to AAA,  0-4 ... Corey Patterson CHN 2-4, double, .226

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 1-3, 2 RBI (38), .275 AVG ... Eric Duncan 3B NYA 1-4, 2B (11), .232 AVG … Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 0-2, .247 AVG … Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 1-6, .244 AVG … Brad Snyder CLE OF 1-4, RBI (24), .263 AVG … Tony Giarratano SS DET 0-4, .260 AVG … Carlos Valderrama OF SF 2-3, SB (23), HR (6), 4 RBI (45), .298 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 0-4, .305 AVG …  Lastings Miledge OF NYN 2-4, 2B (7), 3 RBI (8), .348 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 1-3, 2B (19), .312 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 1-3, .299 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 1-4, .295 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 0-4, .282 AVG … Vince Perkins TOR 4-2/3 5 6 5 4 4, 4.12 ERA … Kason Gabbard BOS 5-1/3 5 3 2 4 5, W (8), 4.92 ERA … Ronald Bay CLE 6 3 4 4 1 8, W (2), 4.30 ERA … Edward Mujica CLE 2 2 0 0 0 2, 3.44 ERA … Errol Simonitsch MIN 4 5 7 7 4 4, 4.58 ERA … Jeremy Johnson DET 6-2 0 0 1 3, W (9), 4.39 ERA

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Cesar Carillo SD 6.2 5 4 4 1 8, 5.40 (W) ... Andy LaRoche 3B LA 0-4, 2 K's, .258 ... James Loney 1B LA 0-4, 2 K's, .280 ...  Russell Martin C LA 1-4, .300 ... Joel Guzman SS LA 1-3, 2B, 2 runs, .288 ... Chris Young OF CHA 2-5, 2B, RBI, .263 ...  Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 1-3, 2B, run, .322 ... Josh Fields 3B CHA 0-4, 2 K's (108), .251 ... Ryan Sweeney OF CHA 1-3, run, .291 ... Kris Honel CHA 7 5 1 1 3 3, 5.88 (W) ... Corwin Malone CHA 2.0 1 0 0 1 2, 4.03 ... Javon Moran OF CIN 1-5, 2B, .400 ... D'Angelo Jimenez DH CIN 0-3, 2 BB, 12th SB, .274 ... Bobby Basham CIN 5 4 1 1 0 5 ... Bubba Nelson CIN 3 2 1 1 0 2, 3.62 ... Robert Andino SS FLA 2-5, run, RBI, .274 ... Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, .305 ...  Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 1-5, 2B, run, 23rd SB, .270 ... Ada, Bostick II FLA 5.2 6 3 3 3 4, 3.13 (W) ... Chris Resop FLA 2 2 0 0 1 3, 2.08.. .Brandon Sing 1B CHN 1-2, solo HR (23), 2 BB, .304 ... Luis Montanez OF CHN 2-4, 2B, .309 ... David Aardsma CHN 1 0 0 0 1, 2.80 ... Elijah Dukes DH TAM 0-4, .290 ... Wes Bankston 1B TAM 2-3, .308 ... Shawn Riggans C TAM 2-4, RBI, .268 ... Gaby Martinez OF TAM 0-4, 3 K's, .223 ... Jason Pridie OF TAM 0-3, .091 ... Anthony Gwynn OF MIL 3-4, run, RBI, .272 ... Brad Nelson DH MIL 0-3, run, .276 ... Dennis Sarfate MIL 6 6 1 1 1 6, 3.25 (W) ...  Miguel Montero C AZ 1-3, .260 ... Dan Uggla 2B AZ 0-4, 2 K's, .320 ... Jon Zeringue OF AZ 2-4, .261 ... Josh Burrus OF ATL 1-2, 2 BB, .257 ... Chuck James ATL keeps on rolling, 6.0 3 0 0 1 8, 2.26 (W) now 11-4

TEXAS (AA)  --  Howie Kendrick ANA, hitting 3rd in the lineup, 2-3, double, .293 ... Kendry Morales ANA 2-5, 6th homer, .248 ... Joaquin Arias TEX 2-4, double, .317 ... Andre Ethier OAK 3-5, 25th double, 17th homer, 4 RBI, .327 ... Kevin Melillo 2B OAK, at this third level this season, 2-3, double, 2 walks ... Adam Jones SEA 2-3, 2 doubles, walk, .316

CALIFORNIA (A+) --   AJ Shappi ARZ  8 5 1 1 0 6, 12-5, 3.41 ... Stephen Drew ARZ 4-5, 15th double, 2 RBI, .390 ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-5, 39th double, .323

CAROLINA (A+) --  Stephen Head CLE 0-4, K ... Ian Bladergroen BOS 1-2, RBI, BB, K ... Matt Esquivel ATL 1-3, R, double (25), BB ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 3-4, R, triple, RBI, SB (3) ... Robert Valido CHA 1-5, R, triple ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-4, R, K ... Thomas Collaro CHA 3-4, 3 R, HR (24), 4 RBI (79), BB ... Kory Casto WAS 3-5, R, 2 doubles (31), RBI (72), K ... Gio Gonzalez CHA (W, 9-4, 2.96) 6-2/3 5 2 2 2 10 ... Nick Markakis BAL 2-4, double (25) ... James Johnson BAL (L, 9-6, 3.39) 5 9 5 5 2 3 ...

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Working his way back out of the pen, Greg Miller LA 2 1 1 1 2 1 W(1-0, 1.17) … Brent Clevlen RF DET 2-3 2B RBI, .300 … Jarrett Hoffpauir 2B STL 2-4, .286 … Eric Haberer 6 4 3 3 1 5 L(11-6, 2.54) … Lee Mitchell 3B FLO 2-4 2B HR(13) 2R, .232 … Justin Mallett CIN 4 1/3 2 4 4 3 5 ND, 2.87 … Vincent Cordova 7 4 4 1 0 8 W(8-7, 3.34) … Tim Dillard MIL 7 4 0 0 2 7 W(10-7, 2.50) … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 2-3 HR(11) 2R 2RBI, .245 … JR Mathes CHN 4 2/3 8 5 4 3 6 ND, 3.26

MIDWEST (A) --  Reid Brignac SS TB 0-4, 26th error, .248 ... Cliff Pennington SS OAK 1-5, double, 9th error, .262 ... Matt Bush SS SD 1-2, HBP, SB, 34th error ... Sean Gallagher CHN 6.0 5 0 0 0 5, 11-4, 2.28 ... Trevor Plouffe SS MIN 2-4, 9th homer, 2 DPs, .224 ... Alexi Casilla, another from the SS vault in ANA, 5-5, double, 3 runs, .332 ... CIN SS Adam Rosales, just up from short-season ball, 4-5

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Chris Nelson COL 2-4  ...  Juan Gutierrez HOU 6-1/3 5 3 0 4 6, (W, 8-3), 2.40 ... Ambiorix Concepcion NYN 2-2  ...  Christian Garcia NYA 4 4 2 0 1 2, L, 4.08  ...  Great pitchers duel: Cody Bunkelman 7 0 0 0 3 4, 3.63 vs. Luis Ramirez BAL 7 2 0 0 0 7, (W, 8-5), 2.51  ...  Greg Golson PHI 2-4, solo homer, 2 runs  ...  Jeff Allison FLA 7 4 3 3 2 5, L, 4.10  ...  Neil Walker PIT 1-4, solo homer  ...  James Parr ATL 6 3 0 0 1 5, (W, 9-3), 3.34


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Wladimir Sutil 2B HOU 1-5, R ... Brian Bogusevic HOU 2.1 3 2 2 1 1 ... Jeff Hahn DET 6 8 1 0 1 1 ... Ryan Patterson RF TOR 0-4, K ... Jensen Lewis CLE 6 2 1 1 1 5 ... Nolan Reimold RF BAL 0-4, RBI, BB, K ... Tyler Greene SS STL 0-4, K ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 1-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, K ... Jake Marceaux FLA 6 8 4 3 2 4 ... Brett Gardner CF NYY 2-3, 3R, RBI, BB, SB ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 1-4, RBI

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Michael Madsen OAK 6 5 1 1 2 2, 3-0, 1.38 ... CF Michael Massaro OAK, leadoff, 4-5, double, homer, .348 ... Daniel Griffin SF 5th rounder, 6 1 0 0 1 11 (10 hits allowed, 31 Ks in 18 innings) ... Reed Eastley SEA 1-2, homer, 4 RBI, .338

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  P.J. Hiser 1B CLE 2-5, 11th double, 10th homer, .322 ... Michael Wlodarczyk TB 9 3 0 0 1 6, 3.11

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Kenneth Holmberg 2B MIL 4-4, 2 doubles (12), 6th homer, walk, .354

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Jordan Schafer CF ATL 1-4, homer, .271 ... Elvis Andrus SS ATL 0-3, 2 walks, 2 runs, .337 ... Francisco Guzman CF WAS 3-5, homer, 3 RBI, .346 ... Jaret Wright NYA, rehab, 2-1/3 4 2 2 2 3

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Rain.

  Troop Movements ...  TEX - traded ChanHo Park & cash to SD for Phil Nevin ... NYA - signed Alan Embree, designated Buddy Groom for assignment, acquired  Joe Thurston from LA ... BOS - activated Gabe Kapler, Adam Hyzdu designated for assignment, Lenny DiNardo to AAA,  Jon Papelbon up, acquired Jose Cruz Jr. and cash considerations from ARZ for RHP Kyle Bono and infielder Kenny Perez.  ... TOR - Ted Lilly DL ... MIN - Torii Hunter DL, Michael Ryan up ... ANA - Jake Woods to AAA, Chris Bootcheck up ... COL - Todd Helton DL, Eddy Garabito up, activated Aaron Cook from DL, Desi Relaford designated for assignment, Omar Quintanilla  ... SEA - traded Randy Winn to SF for  Yorvit Torrealba and Jesse Foppert ... SF - Yamid Haad up ... SD - traded Miguel Ojeda and Nate Matero to SEA for Miguel Olivo ...

" ... Papelbon, a 24-year-old right-hander, is 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA in four starts for Pawtucket. He walked two and struck out 21 in 22 2-3 innings. "He's one of our bright young stars that we think a lot of," Francona said ... Papelbon was 5-2 in 14 starts this season for Double-A Portland before being promoted to Pawtucket on July 4 ... The 6-foot-4 pitcher was drafted by Boston in fourth round in 2003 out of Mississippi State."  (Associated Press)

    Over at FutureSox.com an update of the WSox prospect chart -- Brandon McCarty, Brian Anderson, Gio Gonzalez 1-2-3 :

" ... 2. Brian Anderson ...   projects as a .270-.280 hitter with 20-30 HR power along with some solid defense and speed. He has struck out a lot this year in AAA, which is a concern. It’s likely that he’ll struggle early on as opposing pitchers will exploit his weaknesses more so than minor league pitchers. Anderson is a valuable chip at the deadline for the Sox and at the moment seems a tradable one with no current spot for him on the team."

" ... 3. Gio Gonzalez ...  has dominated the minors since being drafted in the supplemental 1st round (38th overall) of the 2004 draft ...  earned his promotion to Winston-Salem posting a 5-3 record with a 1.87 ERA in Kannapolis. What was even more amazing was how he limited opponents to 36 hits in 57.2 innings while striking out 84. Gio has made 4 starts with Winston-Salem going 2-0 with a 4.34 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 18.2 innings ...  has a small stature and puts a lot of stress on his arm by throwing his sharp curve ball ...  if Gio can stay healthy there isn’t much holding him back. The 19 year old lefty predominantly throws a fastball, changeup, and curveball ...   able to throw all three of his pitches for strikes. It's this combination of polish and stuff that should catapult Gio through the system."

    Sam Geaney, who provides some incredible scouting reports at Cal Leaguers.com, has reports up on OAK 2B Kevin Melillo, just promoted to AA, and ARZ SS Stephen Drew :

Kevin Melillo  " ... Offensive oriented 2B with chance to be a regular. Compact med. build with strong hds. Resembles Mark Bellhorn. Gd swing ...  Solid avg to slightly above bat spd. Centers every ball ... Solid avg raw power should turn into game production... .Below avg runner ... Needs work with glove, will prob. never be more than below avg presence with leather and needs work to get there. Stiff and mechanical at times. ...  Chance to be solid everyday 2B capable of .270-280 with 15-20 HR. Should spend next yr @ AAA level."

Stephen Drew  " ... Excel. baseball player with sizable tools across board. Athletic build. Large frame, taller than expected ...  Refined swing produces easy plus bat spd. Excellent balance, timing and hand path ...  Exceptional feel for bathead allows him to make clean contact. Ball comes off bat loud with easy carry to all corners of park. Keeps bat head in hitting zone for a very long time but then whips it up to a clean high finish that creates the desired lift ...  Solid control of zone lends itself to quality deep AB's ... No holes in swing. Plus runner with good instincts on bases ...  Easy carry on avg arm ...  Potential plus accuracy, throws from multiple angles and while on the move with ease. Smooth defender who should be given every chance to remain @ SS. Gd footwork, stays behind ball well and reads hops ...  Range is avg, slow first step robs him of his plus speed on INF ... Makeup is a concern. Plays on cruise control with no visible fire. Will prob. underachieve like his brother but is simply so talented  ... Has a chance to be one of the most well rounded players in the game. A five tool player with performance worthy of tools."

    Scott Rex has posted his Pacific Coast League prospect update at OnDeck.

 1. Felix Hernandez, RHP, SEA    6. Anthony Reyes, RHP, STL
 2. Prince Fielder, 1B, MIL      7. Casey Kotchman, 1B, ANA
 3. Matt Cain, RHP, SF           8. Jeff Mathis, C, ANA
 4. Conor Jackson, 1B, ARZ       9. Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX
 5. Carlos Quentin, OF, ARZ     10. Rich Hill, LHP, CHN

    Scott Hairston ARZ gone for the season :

" ...   will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder after getting injured in a game while playing for Triple-A Tucson. Hairston was hurt after being hit by a pitch ... "It separated my shoulder and I kind of shrugged and it fell back into place. But it was worse than we thought," Hairston said ...  surgery date has not been set, but once the labrum is fixed, Hairston, who has been playing the outfield this season after coming through the system as a second baseman, is facing a four- to six-month recovery process."   (Arizona Republic)

    From the heights to the depths ... HOU OF, 2004 All-Star, tries to deal with 2005 struggles :

" ... Outfielder Mitch Einertson is set to return from his home in Oceanside, Calif., ending a three-week layoff. Legends Manager Tim Bogar said Einertson's absence was because of "some family issues back home." Reached Thursday night by phone, Einertson's mother, Nickie, said Mitch would "just as soon not" specify what those issues are, but that he plans to rejoin the team Monday. But will Einertson play? "Probably not right away. ... He's going to have to get back into baseball shape," ... He tied a 44-year-old Appalachian League record last year by hitting 24 homers, earning MVP honors and helping Greeneville to the title. With Lexington, Einertson has hit .224 with six homers in 76 games."  (Lexington Herald-Leader)


30 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla 2B CIN 3-4, 2B, 3 R, RBI, SB ... Scott Thorman 1B ATL 1-4, 1st HR, R, 2 RBI ... Gabe Gross LF TOR 2-4, 3B ... B.J. Upton SS TB 2-4, 11th & 12th HRs, 2 R, 2 RBI, 0 errors ... Fernando Cortez 2B TB 2-4, 2B ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 0-3, BB ... Marcus Thames LF DET 2-5, 2B ... Joel Zumaya DET 6 5 0 0 2 12, 4.70 ... Jason Cooper LF CLE 4-4, 8th & 9th HRs, 3 R, 3 RBI, SB ... Fausto Carmona CLE 6 6 2 2 2 6, 2.09 ... Bryan Bullington PIT 8 7 0 0 0 7, 3.75 ... Victor Diaz 1B NYN 2-5 ... Brian Bannister NYN 5 4 2 2 1 5, 3.57 ... Jason Bartlett SS MIN 2-4, R, RBI ... Francisco Liriano MIN 8 1 0 0 2 10, 1.83 ... Eli Whiteside C BAL 2-3, BB ... John Maine BAL 5 7 8 5 2 6, 4.73

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Todd Linden SF 27th homer, .334 ... Omar Quintanilla COL 3-5, triple, homer, .346 ... Matt Watson OAK, a single short of a cyle, 3-4, 19th double, 3rd triple, 14th homer, walk, 3 RBI ... an encouraging start from Dan Meyer OAK 7 4 1 1 2 7 ... Adam Wainwright STL, another poor performance, 5-1/3 4 6 6 3 5, 4.17 ... Alberto Callaspo ANA 4-5, double, 3 RBI ... Casey Kotchman ANA 0-3, 2 walks ... Russ Ortiz ARZ, rehab,  3 7 7 7 3 2 ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-6, 18th homer, 4 RBI ... Chris Snelling SEA 3-5, 8th homer, .371 ... Sean Burroughs SD 2-4

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 1-3, SB (21), .274 AVG ... Brandon Moss OF BOS 1-4, .253 AVG … Christopher Durbin OF BOS 1-4, HR (11), RBI (44), .282 AVG … Eric Duncan 3B NYA 1-4, .232 AVG … Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 1-4, 2B (26), .246 AVG … Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 1-6, .244 AVG … Brad Snyder CLE OF 2-5, 2B (12), HR (7), 4 RBI (23), .263 AVG … Tony Giarratano SS DET 0-4, .264 AVG … David Espinosa OF DET 2-5, SB (9), .290 AVG … Fred Lewis OF SF 1-5, .261 AVG … Daniel Ortmeier OF SF 0-3, .276 AVG … Carlos Valderrama OF SF 0-2, .295 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 0-3, .309 AVG … Aaron Baldris 3B NYN 2-4, 2B (26), RBI (39), .262 AVG … last game in the Mets' system? Lastings Miledge OF NYN 1-4, SB (7), RBI (8), .338 AVG … Josh Bonifay 1B PIT 0-4,rbi ..292 AVG … Michael Bourn OF PHI 1-4, .263 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 1-3, HR (12), RBI (50), .312 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 2-4, 2B (25), RBI (62), .299 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 1-5, 2 SB (8), RBI (13), .297 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 2-4, 2B (12), .292 AVG … Dee Haynes OF WAS 0-0, .293 AVG … Chip Cannon 1B TOR 2-4, 2B (9), RBI (9), .213 AVG …Curtis Thigpen C TOR 0-0, .206 AVG … Jake Dittler CLE 7 7 2 2 2 2, W (6), 3.29 ERA … Merkin Valdez SF 4-2/3 10 5 5 3 4, 3.67 ERA … Chris Rojas PHI 7 9 2 2 0 3, W (12), 3.72 ERA ... David Purcey TOR, AA debut, 6 4 4 3 4 3

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Joel Guzman LA 3-4, 14th homer, 4 RBI, .287 ... Justin Orenduff LA 6 3 1 1 2 8, 4.18 ... Daniel Haigwood CHA 7 2 0 0 5 7, 1.03 ... Nick Ungs FLO, no-hitter, 9 0 0 0 5 7 ... Chris Carter 1B ARZ, nice debut in AA, 3-4, double, homer, 3 RBI

TEXAS (AA)  --  Michael Napoli 1-1, 3R, HR(20), RBI(69), 2BB, .240 ... Ryan Baerlocher KC (W,5-2) 7 4 4 3 2 4 (2.84) ... Reggie Willits 3-4, R, 2B, 2SB(29), .295 ... Not bad - Thomas Diamond TX (W,4-2) 6 7 0 0 1 1 (4.17) ... Casey Myers OAK 3-5, R, RBI(28), .360 ... Oops - Dallas Braden OAK (L,9-5) 5 10 6 6 1 4 (3.73) ... Travis Hanson STL 3-5, 2R, HR(15), 2RBI(68), .273 ... Chris Iannetta (C) COL 2-3, R, 3B, RBI, .364 ... Slowly coming around - Ubaldo Jiminez COL 6 7 3 3 3 5 (5.82)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Stephen Drew ARZ 2-4, double, 10th homer, 4 RBI, .376 ... Billy Butler KC 2-5, .346 ... Kevin Mahar CF TEX 3-4, 2 doubles, .336 ... Brandon Wood ANA 0-5, 3 Ks, .322 ... Erick Monzon SS SEA 3-4, 2 homers (10), 6 RBI, .257

CAROLINA (A+) --  Matt Esquivel ATL 1-3, BB ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 1-5, RBI ... Stephen Head CLE 1-4, K, SB (2) ... Ian Bladergroen BOS 2-4, K ... Nick Pesco CLE 6 5 1 0 1 7 ... Robert Valido CHA 1-5, triple, RBI, K ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 0-4, 2 K ... Thomas Collaro CHA 1-4, R, HR (23), RBI (75), K ... Kory Casto WAS 2-4, double (29), K ... Ray Liotta CHA (W, 9-3, 2.15) 6 4 0 0 1 4 ... Nick Markakis BAL 1-4, R, triple, K ... Adam Loewen BAL (L, 5-7, 3.94) 6 7 3 3 1 5

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Adam Lind OF TOR 3-4, double, 2 homers, 5 RBI, .310 ... Ty Clippard NYA 6-1/3 3 3 3 0 5, 3.40 ... Jay Rainville MIN 6-2/3 5 2 2 2 5, 10-3, 3.70

MIDWEST (A) --  reliever Richard De Los Santos TB 1-2/3 0 0 0 1 3 (in 12 games, two levels, 27 innings, 11 hits, 8 BB, 32 Ks, 0.67) ... Javier Herrera CF OAK 2-4, double, .271 ... Omar Segovia CIN 5 5 0 0 1 1 ... Homer Bailey CIN, a win in relief, 2-2/3 3 1 1 0 4, 4.62 ...OF Wilkin Castillo ARZ 4-5, double, 3 RBI, .301 ... Matt Bush SD 2-3, 2 RBI, .232

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Travis Denker LA 2-3, double  ...  JC Holt ATL 3-4, 2 runs  ...  John Thomson ATL 4 2 0 0 1 1, rehab  ...  Carlos Perez BAL 5-2/3 6 4 3 5 6, (W, 9-6)  ...  Jason Jaramillo PHI 4-4, 3 doubles, 2 RBI  ...  Maximino De La Cruz CLE 9 4 1 1 1 2, W, 4.38  ...  Neil Walker PIT 2-4, run  ...  Mark Rogers MIL 7 6 4 4 4 3, 4.78  ...  Edwar Gonzalez NYA 2-4, triple, solo homer, 4 RBI, 2 runs  ...  Marvin Lowrance WAS 3-5, 2 RBI ... 1st rounder Ryan Braun MIL 3-5, triple, homer, 3 RBI, .329


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Wladimir Sutil DH HOU 2-3 and 3-3, 2R, 2 2B, BB ... Justin Justice CF DET 3-4, 2R, 3B, 2RBI and 0-3, K ... Sendy Vasquez DET 5 3 0 0 2 3 ... Wade Townsend TB 2.1 2 0 0 2 3 ... Cory Patton RF TOR 3-5, 2R, 2B, 2K ... Ryan Patterson LF TOR 1-4, 2R, BB, K ... Robert Ray TOR 6 2 1 1 1 5 ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 2-5, R ... Kyle Kendrick PHI 6 8 5 5 1 4 ... Chris Volstad FLA 6 4 3 1 1 4 ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 2-4, 2B, 2RBI, BB ... Luis Soto RF BOS 2-4, R, 2B, BB, K ... JT Zink BOS 4 2 0 0 0 5 ... Nolan Reimold CF 0-2, 2BB ... Tyler Greene SS STL 1-4, RBI ... Mitch Boggs STL 6 3 0 0 2 4 ... Lance Pendleton NYY 5 2 0 0 3 3

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  1B Phillip Hawke TEX (.386 .505 .671 in the ASL) now getting comfortable in the NWL, 4-4, 2 homers, 3 RBI, walk, .289 (overall, 8 homers, 29 BB, 14 K) ... SF SS David Maroul 3-5, homer, .441 ... Jeff Clement SEA, first action behind the plate, 0-2, K, .333

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Ryan Mullins MIN 3rd-rounder, outstanding pro beginnings, 7.0 3 2 2 0 10, 2.08 (19 hits allowed, 9 walks, 49 Ks in 34 2/3s) ... Jesse Litsch TOR 5.0 4 1 1 1 9, 2.39

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  After clinching the 1st-half and a playoff spot the Helena Brewers MIL promote all of their big bats and a key pitcher -  C Angel Salome, CF Charlie Fermaint, RF Brendan Katin, & RHP Kevin Roberts (5th rnd 05) all get a promotion to West VA.

              AVG/OBP/SLG    AB  2B  HR  RBI BB SO SB
A. Salome    .419/.474/.684 155  17   8  50  15 14  6
C. Fermaint  .364/.419/.744 129   9  12  32  15 28 11
B. Katin     .386/.471/.649 114   6   8  26  17 25  3

1b David Sutherland LAD 3-5, 2b, 2RBI ... DH Russell Mitchell LAD 1-5, RBI ... DH Fransico Hernandez CWS 4-5, HR(5), 2b ... 3b Jose Ronda Cin 3-5, 2RBI ... DH Matt Gamel MIL 2-4 ... P Anthony Cupps ARI W(2-3) 7.0 5 0 0 3 5 (5.64) ... CF Dexter Fowler COL 1-4, R, BB ... 3b Gary Perez KC 3-5, R, RBI ... DH Brady Everett KC 3-4, 2R, RBI

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Elvis Andrus SS ATL 1-2, 2 walks, .351 ... Ian Cronkhite OF BOS 2-5, double, homer, 3 RBI, .474 ... Robert Manuel NYN 6-2/3 8 2 2 0 6, 6-0, 1.35 ... 3B Eduardo Perez LA 4-5, double, .360

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Antoan Richardson OF SF 2-4, 2 walks, 4 runs, .313 ... TEX 3B John Whittleman 3-4, double, .354

  Troop Movements ...  COL - Aquilino Lopez up ... NYA - Wayne Franklin up ...ANA - Jake Woods up,  Zach Sorensen to AAA ... LA - Dioner Navarro up, Jonathan Broxton up, Scott Erickson designated for assignment, Mike Rose to AAA  ... CHA - LHP Ray Liotta promoted to A+ ... SEA - Wiki Gonzalez up, Pat Borders designated for assignment ... . COL - Anderson Machado designated for assignment ... NYA - Alex Graman designated for assignment ... ATL - Jay Powell DL, Ramon Colon up, Kyle Davies up, Brayan Pena to AAA ... BAL - acquired Eric Byrnes from COL for Larry Bigbie ... SD - Ramon Hernandez DL, Chris Hammond DL, Craig Breslow up ... TOR - Dustin McGowan up :

" ... The 23-year-old McGowan, coming back from Tommy John surgery, was 0-2 with a 3.34 ERA in six starts with the Fisher Cats this season. In 35 innings with New Hampshire, he had 33 strikeouts and 10 walks ... Last year no one knew if McGowan would ever pitch again. He started New Hampshire’s inaugural season as the team’s No. 1 starter, registering a 2-0 record with a 4.06 ERA in six starts. But he suffered his right elbow injury, leading to Tommy John surgery, forcing him to the sidelines for the rest of the season. On June 1 this season, McGowan came back, starting in the Florida State League with Dunedin, where he was 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA in five starts. He walked five and fanned 20 in 21 innings before getting the call to New Hampshire on June 24. "  (Manchester Union Leader)

" ... Broxton, who turned 21 last month, has exhibited blistering velocity - with several pitches meeting or exceeding 100 MPH - since his conversion to relief June 15. As a reliever, Broxton has pitched 15 games with the Suns, allowed seven earned runs in 19 innings (3.32 ERA) and has struck out 28. He has saved all four opportunities. Overall, Broxton, who was asked to join the Southern League All-Star team on his merits as a starting pitcher, went 4-3 with a 3.36 ERA, which ranks sixth in the league. His 99 strikeouts still rank fourth, even though he has pitched 19 innings out of the bullpen over the last five weeks."  (Jacksonville Suns)

    Kevin Goldstein in the BA chat room :

Alex Romero MIN  " ...  having a good year at Double-A, and he's been a monster of late, batting .350-8-42 in 55 games since June 1. He's certainly upped his prospect status, but he's kind of a tweener right now, were he doesn't have the speed to play center, but doesn't have the power to play every day in a corner. He's still young (21), so there's a chance he could develop more power, and I do think he's a good to keep an eye on."

Delwyn Young LA  " ... I don't think anyone can doubt Delwyn's ability to hit now that he's at Double-A and getting it done, but he's a below-average runner, and few like him at second base. He has a chance at becoming an offense-first second baseman, or a good fourth outfielder. But he CAN hit."

Kevin Melillo OAK  " ... I think Melillo is very good offensive player, but I think his power ceiling is more 15-20 as opposed to 30+ per annum. He also needs to improve defensively, but he's been great with the bat."

Travis Wood CIN  " ... He's been GREAT. But he's 18 years old, and he's thrown 21 professional innings. Let's allow him to pitch about 10 times that many before we start naming him the savior of the franchise or even worrying about a timetable."

Thomas Diamond TEX, #1 or #2 starter?  " ... More of a 2 or 3 -- I know more than one person who thinks he could be an elite closer."

Chris Iannetta COL  " ... Ianetta has had a very very good year. Not only was he good with the bat, but managers in the California League raved about his defensive abilities. I think he's definitely seen as the Rockies catcher of the future, and could be an above-average major leaguer."

    John Sickels reviews his SD and OAK Top 20s, including :

" ... 1) Josh Barfield ... Power is down this year from previous standards. At this point I'm not sure what to make of him ... 2) George Kottaras ... I like him a lot and he should move ahead of Barfield on prospect lists ... 12) Matt Bush ... First player picked in the '04 draft. Hitting .229/.281/.280 at Class A Fort Wayne. No power, mediocre plate discipline, only good marker is a fairly low strikeout rate. Not a busted pick just yet, but trending in that direction. He needs to turn things around next year."

" ... 2) Daric Barton ... Blistering hot for two months at Stockton, currently at .284/.365/.486 in 21 games for Double-A Midland. A premium hitter ... 7) Richie Robnett ... Playing better after a slow start, currently hitting .257/.333/.444 with 11 homers, 26 doubles for Stockton. Capable of more ... 10) Kurt Suzuki ... Hitting .277/.394/.449 for Stockton, with 53 walks. Excellent plate discipline, needs to polish up his defense. I still like him a lot."

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, updates his top prospect picks for the California League :

 1. Ian Stewart, 3B, COL        6. Jeff Niemann, RHP, TB
 2. Billy Butler, OF, KC        7. Eddy Martinez-Esteve, OF, SF
 3. Brandon Wood, SS, ANA       8. Kurt Suzuki, C, OAK
 4. Stephen Drew, SS, ARZ       9. Chris Lubanski, OF, KC
 5. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL   10. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, SEA

29 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Chris Denorfia CF CIN 2-3, 2 BB ... Justin Germano CIN 7 7 3 3 0 4, 3.71 ... Adam Bernero ATL 5 6 2 2 2 3, 1.80 ... John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 3-4, 2B, 23rd HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB ... Gabe Gross RF TOR 2-5, 2B, BB ... Guillermo Quiroz C TOR 2-5, 2nd HR, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Zach Jackson TOR 5-2/3 7 3 3 3 6, 4.76 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, SB, 1 error ... Fernando Cortez 2B TB 2-4, 2 RBI ... Jason Hammel TB 6 6 2 1 2 7, 3.57 ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-3, BB ... Jeremy Guthrie CLE 6 7 2 2 0 8, 5.40 ... Abe Alvarez BOS 6 5 1 1 0 6, 4.43 ... Nate McLouth CF PIT 2-5, SB ... Cory Stewart PIT 3 9 6 6 2 0, 5.49 ... Victor Diaz RF NYN 2-4, 2B, RBI ... Scott Baker MIN 6-1/3 2 0 0 0 5, 2.82

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  some good, some bad, Matt Cain SF winning ugly, 5 6 5 5 4 11, 4.36 ... Prince Fielder MIL 3-4, .269 ... Joe Saunders ANA, clicking now, 8 6 2 1 4 3, 2.49 ... Casey Kotchman ANA 3-5, 2 homers (10), .293 (10 game streak, now 20/40, 7 doubles, 5 homers) ...  more help on the way for the ARZ pen - Oscar Villarreal 1 0 0 0 0 1, Brandon Lyon 1 0 0 0 0 0  ... Chris Snelling SEA 3-4, double, triple, .366 ... Willy Aybar LA 3-5, 2 triples, .301

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 2-3, SB (8), .274 AVG ... Christopher Durbin OF BOS 1-4, 2B (23), .282 AVG … Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 1-3, 2B (21), .246 AVG … Tony Giarratano SS DET 2-4, 2B (19), 3B (3), .267 AVG …  Daniel Ortmeier OF SF 1-5, HR (18), RBI (63), .278 AVG … Carlos Valderrama OF SF 2-5, .297 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 1-5, 2B (31), RBI (73), .311 AVG … Lastings Milledge OF NYN 1-5, RBI (7), .344 AVG … Josh Bonifay 1B PIT 1-4, 2B (16), RBI (60), .296 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 1-4, RBI (16), .284 AVG … Brian Burres SF 6 4 2 2 3 3, 3.73 ERA … Ismael Ramirez TOR 6 4 1 1 1 6, 4.00 ERA … Anibal Sanchez BOS 6 4 1 1 0 3, W (2), 1.31 ERA … Justin Verlander DET 8 3 1 1 2 7, W (2), 0.30 ERA … Matthew DeSalvo NYA 6 3 1 1 2 10, 3.03 ERA … Dan Denham CLE 7 5 2 1 0 7, 3.05 ERA

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Carlos Marmol CHN 7 5 1 1 2 4, 2.97 ... Brandon Sing 1B CHN 4-5, 22nd homer, .304 ... Wes Bankston TB 1-3, 2 walks, double, 3 runs, .301

TEXAS (AA)  --  Jonathan Asahina COL (W,11-6) 9 5 0 0 2 8 (3.36) ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-3, SB(34), .284 ... Kendry Morales ANA 1-4, R, HR(5), RBI(25), .243 ... Shane Costa KC 2-4, R, 2B, RBI(36), SB(4), .287 ... Josh Pressley KC 2-4, 3R, 2B, HR(17), 3RBI(59), .298 ... Mitch Maier KC 2-5, 2R, HR(5), RBI(33), .241 ... Cory Aldridge (DH) KC 3-4, 3R, 2B, HR(16), 2RBI(52), .285 ... Brian Bass KC (W,10-4) 8 6 2 2 1 5 (5.37) ... Joaquin Arias TX 2-4, R, .316 ... A combined PERFECT GAME - AJ Murray TX (W,3-3) 6 0 0 0 0 8 (3.51) with Karsay and Feldman ... Brian Stavisky OAK 3-4, R, .309 ... Jeremy Brown (1B) OAK 1-4, R, HR(13), 2RBI(49), .262

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  quickly getting the hang of things, Troy Tulowitzki SS COL 2-5, homer, 3 RBI, .303 ... Kevin Melillo 2B OAK 1-3, 17th homer, .314 ... Billy Butler KC 3-4, 25th double, 24th homer, walk, 3 runs, 4 RBI, .345 ... Stephen Drew ARZ 2-5, 9th homer, .372 ... Brandon Wood ANA 1-3, 38th double

CAROLINA (A+) --  Matt Esquivel ATL 2-4, R, double (24), 2 RBI (70), K ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 0-3, BB, K ... Brady Endl ATL (W, 6-7, 3.32) 5-1/3 1 0 0 3 7 ... Ian Bladergroen BOS 3-4 ... Robert Valido CHA 2-5, R, triple, 4 RBI, SB (35) ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 0-4 ... Thomas Collaro CHA 0-4, K ... Kory Casto WAS 0-3, R, 2 BB, 2 K ... Mike Hinckley WAS 7 9 6 6 2 2 ... Nick Markakis BAL 3-5, R, double (24), 4 RBI (62), BB, K

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Chuck Tiffany LA 2 1/3 9 7 7 1 4 L(9-6, 3.86) – allows 5 Home runs in two and a third … Chin-lung Hu SS LA 2-5 R RBI, .305 … Jordan Tata DET 8 9 4 3 0 4 W(10-2, 2.50) … Vincent Blue CF DET 3-6 2R RBI, .312 … Brent Clevlen RF DET 2-6 HR(14) 2B 4RBI, .297 … Kody Kirkland 3B DET 2-4 2HR(11) 4RBI, .272 … Adam Lind LF TOR 3-5 HR(6) 2B 3RBI, .305 … Carlo Cota 2B TOR 4-5 2B R 2RBI, .339 … Kyle Yates TOR 7 6 1 1 1 3 W(8-5, 3.75) … Joey Votto 1B CIN 2-4 HR(12) 2R 2RBI, .266 … Calvin Medlock 5 1/3 2 1 1 1 7 ND, 2.95 … Jamal Hill RF NYN 2-5 3B R RBI, .229 … Jake Blalock LF PHI 2-5 RBI, .279 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 2-5 2B 3RBI, .243 … Adam Harben MIN 2 5 4 4 4 1 ND, 2.89

MIDWEST (A) --  Cesar Ramos SD 1st-rounder, moved up even after a 6.53 ERA in short-season ball, makes an impressive Midwest debut, 7 3 0 0 0 4 ... Matt Garza MIN 1st-rounder 6 4 0 0 2, 2.76 ... Luis Cota KC, losing some lustre, 7 7 4 4 0 4, 3.59 ... Nomar Garciaparra CHN 0-1, 2 walks ... Ryan Harvey CHN 3-3, 25th double, .273

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Travis Denker LA 3-4, double, RBI, run ... Blake Dewitt LA 3-5, 2 doubles, RBI ...  Marcos Vechionacci NYA 2-4, double, run, SB ...  Claudio Arias BOS 4-5, triple, 2 homers, 5 RBI, 3 runs, .324


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  James Hall LF TB 3-5, 2R, 2RBI, BB ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 0-4, K ... Kris Bell TOR 5 3 0 0 6 3 ... Ryan Edell CLE 5.1 5 0 0 0 6 ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 0-3, RBI, 2K ... James Brauer FLA 6 5 2 1 0 4 ... Willy Mota CF BOS 2-4, 2R, 3B, 2K ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 0-3, BB ... Luis Soto RF BOS 1-4, K ... Mario Pena BOS 5.1 6 4 1 0 2 (Lowell had 6 errors last night) ... Brett Gardner CF NYY 1-5, 2B, 2RBI, 2K ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 1-4, R, 2B, 2K ... Nolan Reimold CF BAL 0-4, 2K ... Tyler Greene SS STL 2-3, 3R, 2BB ... Nick Webber STL 7 2 1 1 1 10

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jose Rios 2B CHN 4-4, 2 doubles ... Steve Murphy OF TEX 3-4, .336 ... SF 1B William Thompson 4-5, .378 ... Shane Lindsay COL, so-so the last couple of starts, 3 3 2 1 4 5, 2.25 (still with 58 Ks in 32 IP) ... catcher Jeff Clement SEA's 1st-rounder, 2-2, double, walk ... Travis Becktel OF COL 4-5, double, .308

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Christopher Cunningham (DH TBY) 2-4, R, HR (6), 2 RBI (26), .327 BA… Reidier Gonzalez (SP TOR, 19th rd.) 5 1 1 0 0 3, 1.63 ERA… breakout performance? for Christopher Hicks (SP CLE) W (1-3), 5 2 0 0 2 8, 4.01 ERA… Randy Roth (3B STL, 10th rd.) 3-3, 2 R, 2B, 3B, RBI (26), BB, 2 SB (3), .339 BA… time for a promotion, Eric Campbell (3B ATL) 2-6, 2 R, 2B (13), HR (9), 5 RBI (34), K, .281 BA… Erik Lis (1B MIN, 9th rd.) 2-4, K, .346 BA… Carlos Rivas (SP ATL) 4 3 1 1 3 4, 1.80 ERA ... Wed catchup - Carlton Smith (SP CLE) 4 2 0 0 1 8, 3.63 ERA… three nights in a row with a ding-dong, Eli Iorg (RF HOU, 1st rd. supp., 38th overall) 2-4, 2 R, HR (3), 4 RBI (12), 2 SB (3), up to .421… not to be outdone, fellow Greeneville Astro Koby Clemens (3B HOU, 8th rd.) 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, K, E (2), .429 BA

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --   Angel Salome MIL, DH, 2-4, R, 2b, HR(8), 1-2, R, RBI, .419 ... CF Charlie Fermaint MIL 2-3, 2b, RBI, 1-3, HR(12), 2R, 2SB(11) ... P Wil Inman MIL W(3-0) 6.0 3 1 1 2 6 (3.79) ... 1b Mark Trumbo LAA 2-4, 2b, R, RBI ... C Juan Apodaca LAD 2-4, HR(6)

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  rain cut the game to just 5 innings, still, a perfecto for PIT's Landon Jacobsen, rehab, 5 0 0 0 0 10 ... Ivan DeJesus LA 2-3, walk, .344

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  3B John Whittleman TEX 3-3, double, .337 ... CF Timothy Auty SEA 2-4, double, .373 ... Patrick Phillips ANA, yep a shortstop, 2-3, 2 walks, .320 .

   Troop Movements ...  CHA -  Shingo Takatsu to AAA ... NYA - Kevin Brown DL,  acquired Shawn Chacon from COL for Ramon Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra  ... SD traded shortstop J.J. Furmaniak to PIT for catcher David Ross ... SEA - Jose Lopez to AAA, Yuniesky Betancourt up ...

   Ooops.  For a half-dozen guys, a couple of mixed up columns in the young shortstop numbers.  (For some entries, it went OBA, SLG, AVE rather than AVE, OBA, SLG.)  Now corrected, below.

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld.com, includes notes on an on-coming Cubbie infielder and a possible Yankee starter:

" ... Eric Patterson ... hard to believe Patterson remains in the Midwest League after all this time. Corey’s little brother is obviously ready to move up to the Florida State League and there isn’t much standing in his way. Patterson is a quality defensive second baseman and he’s showing the kind of on-base skills that could make him a leadoff hitter in the majors. Since he is 22, the Cubs will have to consider putting him in Double-A at the start of next year."

" ... Tyler Clippard ... a ninth-round pick in 2003, is in the process of establishing himself as the Yankees’ No. 2 pitching prospect behind Philip Hughes. He throws just 90 mph, but he has four pitches, two of which, his curveball and changeup, are well above average. More velocity would be nice and he’s still young enough to maybe pick up a couple of MPH. As is, he could have third-starter ability."

    John Sickels is zipping through reviews of his Top 20s with the following just a few of those included in his latest updates :

" ... 5) Ben Zobrist ...  .304/.415/.413 in 68 games for Class A Lexington. Promoted to Salem this month, and has been even better: .377/.529/.485. We need to see him against better pitching, but these numbers are great. Excellent plate discipline, speed, and defensive ability ... 7) Hunter Pence ... Outstanding performance in all categories, but we need to see him against pitchers who aren't scared out of their wits ... 8) Troy Patton ... Pitched brilliantly at Lexington (1.94 ERA in 15 starts, 94/20 K/BB), and has allowed 1 run in his first 6 innings after moving up to Salem. Premium prospect."

" ... 4) Scott Baker ...  He's good and he's ready ... 8) Francisco Liriano ...  Pitching great, moving rapidly up prospect lists ... 12) Matt Moses ...  fully recovered from '04 back problems. Recently promoted to New Britain, has struggled in 13 games (.200/.273/.300)."

" ... 10) Clint Everts ...  7 starts at short-season Vermont, is 0-1, 3.38 with 15/8 K/BB in 16 innings. Sample too small to draw broad conclusions, but the numbers aren't bad ... 11) Kory Casto ... 3B Solid year, hitting .303/.393/.555 with 20 homers, 52 walks at Class A Potomac. That's damn good, actually, "solid" is an understatement. Moving up the list."

    Man, Dayn Perry, FoxSports, sure can whip out re-organized prospect charts.  He's checked in with the top young guns in the AL East - Delmon Young, John Lester, Philip Hughes 1-2-3.

" ... Hughes ... a classic pitcher's build, a fastball that touches 95 and a solid changeup and slider. Hughes also boasts good mechanics and a repeatable delivery ...  dominant in the Sally and Florida State Leagues. Across the two levels, he's whiffed 88 batters in 71.1 innings, walked only 19 and given up only a single homer. Groundball tendencies in tandem with high strikeout rates are an unbeatable combo, and Hughes certainly has that going for him. Provided he stays healthy, he looks like a future ace."

" ... 5. Casey Janssen ... has been promoted aggressively, seeing action in the Midwest, Florida State and Eastern Leagues. He's also handled every level with aplomb, showing good command and giving up only two home runs in 119 innings. He could be in the Blue Jay rotation to open the 2006 season."

    Catcher Jeff Clement, the 3rd overall pick in the June draft, has made his debut with Everett, Northwest League, DHing for the first couple of games :

" ... Clement, 6 feet 1, 210 pounds, is expected to upgrade his defense, which scouts rated average. "He catches the ball well, has the respect of his pitchers," an American League scout said. "When you rate defense for catchers, it's always about the arm. Well, Clement's is not as strong as some but his footwork and release are fine. He's not unlike Jason Varitek at this stage, only he's more agile. Varitek now is a respected leader, which is where he has really come on. "But really if a catcher catches the ball, handles pitchers and throws out a share of runners, that's good enough. The running game is not regarded much of a factor nowadays."   (Seattle Times)

    Wide smiles in the CINCY front office over young righty from the 2005 draft :

" ... O'Brien [Reds general manager Dan O'Brien] has seen Travis Wood, the second-round draft choice who has been dominating for the Gulf Coast League Reds, in person. "He's a kid who, for his age, really has a good idea of how to pitch," O'Brien said. "He has an altogether different demeanor. He's a nice kid off the field, but on the field he's a real competitor." ... "He has an above-average fastball with life that he can throw to both sides of the plate right now," O'Brien said. "He has a plus-plus changeup that he can throw for strikes today. He has a curveball that has yet to be developed." The Reds might bump Wood to Billings if he continues to cruise. "

    Felix Hernandez ready to move back into the starting rotation :

" ... He seems to be completely healthy,” Rainiers pitching coach Rafael Chaves said Wednesday about the bursitis that sidelined Hernandez from June 14 to July 9. “I don’t think he threw a pitch below 96 mph (on Tuesday).” ... Hernandez, who will be on a 65-pitch limit Saturday, said he’s ready to start again. “My arm feels good. No problems,” he said. Chaves said ... while anything could happen to a pitcher’s arm, Hernandez’s mechanics are fine and should not contribute to any future injuries. “Obviously, the arm was not designed to throw a baseball. But there’s nothing with his throwing motion that I can see as a concern,” Chaves said."  (Tacoma News Tribune)

However, over at John Sickels, check out the link and posts on possible problems with Hernandez' mechanics.  A suggestion that an injury awaits.

    TB phenom bound to spend more time in Triple-A :

" ... LaMar [General manager Chuck LaMar] said he knows Delmon Young can play in the majors. But has he finished developing at Triple-A Durham? "When we think the time has come where the only place he can develop is not Triple-A, it's right out there in rightfield, then we'll make that move," LaMar said. Young has six straight two-hit games for Durham, had hit in 13 straight since arriving from Double-A Montgomery and is batting .362 (21-for-58) with eight RBIs. "He's a budding star and he has a chance to be as good a player as we have in this organization and truly have an impact in the major leagues for years to come," LaMar said. "We just want to make sure we call him up at the right time."   (St Petersburg Times)


28 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla 2B CIN 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB ... Chris Denorfia CF CIN 2-5, SB ... Scott Thorman 1B ATL 2-3, RBI, BB, SF ... Roman Colon ATL 7 7 1 1 2 4, 1.93 ... Shane Victorino CF PHI 3-3, 2B, 3B, R, BB ... Guillermo Quiroz C TOR 2-2, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB ... Shawn Marcum TOR 3-2/3 8 5 5 0 6, 6.14 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 0-5, 0 errors ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-4 ... Chris Seddon TB 3 5 4 3 4 1, 6.75 ... Carlos Pena DH & 1B DET 1-4 & 2-2, 2B, R, RBI, BB ... Marcus Thames RF DET 1-3, 3B, R, BB & 0-3 ... Kenny Baugh DET 5 5 6 3 3 7, 3.44 ... Ryan Garko 1B CLE 3-4, 15th HR, 2 R, RBI ... Nate McLouth CF PIT 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SB & 1-4, R ... Angel Pagan CF & RF NYN 1-4 & 1-4, 6th HR, R, RBI ... Anderson Hernandez 2B NYN 0-3, R, BB, SB & 1-4, 2nd HR, R, 3 RBI ... Victor Diaz 1B NYN 2-4, R & 2-3, R ... Jae Seo NYN 6-1/3 9 5 5 2 5, 4.29 ... Brandon McCarthy CHA 8 3 0 0 4 8, 4.69 ... Kevin Thompson CF NYA 2-3, R, 2 BB, SB

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Casey Kotchman ANA, trending upward, 2-5, 22nd double, walk, 3 RBI, 3 runs (9 game hitting streak - 17/35, .486, .571, .943, 7 walks, 1 K) ... Alberto Callaspo ANA 4-6, double, .263 ... Nick Gorneault ANA 4-6, 19th double, 19th homer, 4 runs, 5 RBI, .293 ... Jorge Campillo SEA 6 2 0 0 2 5 ... Matt Diaz KC 6-6, 2 doubles, triple, 3 RBI, .386

EASTERN (AA)  --  Ryan Zimmerman WAS 2-3, 2 doubles, .294 ... Franklin Gutierrez CLE, at leadoff, 3-3, double, walk, 4 runs & 2-4 ... Jeremy Sowers CLE 6.2 8 4 3 0 0 ...  oh, oh, Yusmeiro Petit NYN 4 7 8 8 4 3, 3.53 ... Rajai Davis OF PIT 5-6, double ... Mike Jacobs NYN 20th homer, .313 ... OF Kurt Airoso DET 3-5, 2 homers (21), 4 RBI, .285

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Elliott Johnson 2B TAM 0-4, .290 ... Elijah Dukes OF TAM 1-5, .294 ... Wes Bankston 1B TAM 2-4, 2 solo HR (12), .301 ...  Jerry Owens OF CHA 2-4, RBI, 28th SB, .325 ... Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 2-5, .323 ... Josh Fields 3B CHA 1-4, 2B, run, .256 ...  Ryan Sweeney OF CHA 2-4, 2B, RBI, .290 ... Corwin Malone CHA 2.0 2 1 1 4, 4.14 ... Noochie Varner OF AZ 2-5, 2 runs, 2B, solo HR (3), .290 ...  Dan Uggla 2B AZ 3-4, 3 runs, 2B, HR (13) 2 RBI (68), .326 ... Jesus Cota 1B AZ 2-5, HR (14) 3 RBI (68), .266 ...  Miguel Montero C AZ 0-3, .273 ... Jon Zeringue OF AZ  0-3, run, .262 ... Tony Pena AZ 6.0 6 2 2 1 3, 4.29 (W) now 6-8 ...  Andy LaRoche 3B LA 0-3, 2 K's, .265 ... James Loney 1B LA 2-4, 2B, .280 ... Joel Guzman SS LA 1-4, 2B, .282 ...  Edwin Jackson LA ack 5.0 7 6 5 1 6 3 HR, 4.72, (L) now 6-11 ... Javon Moran OF CIN 4-5, 2 runs, .476 ... D'Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 1-4, BB, 11th SB, .277 ...  Josh Hall CIN 5.0 6 2 2 4 6, 2.80 ... Robert Andino SS FLA 1-5, RBI, .274 ... Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 2-4, 2 runs, .306 ...  Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 0-4, RBI, .262 ... Josh Burrus OF ATL 0-4, .250 ... Carlos Duran OF ATL 1-4, 2B, run .275 ...  Luis Hernandez SS ATL 1-3, RBI, 4th SB, .227 ... Jared Wells SD 7.0 8 2 2 1 6, 2.57 (W) now 12-3 ... Luis Montanez OF CHN 1-4, 2 runs, .262 ... Brandon Sing 1B CHN 1-4, 2 RBI, .296 ... Ricky Nolasco CHN 7.0 2 0 0 3 6 3.22 (W) now 10-1 ...  Anthony Gwynn OF MIL 1-4, .269 ... Brad Nelson OF MIL 0-4, .287 ... Ty Taubenheim MIL 6 2 3 2 2 3, 4.71 (L) now 10-4

TEXAS (AA)  --  Sean Barker (RF) COL 2-3, 2R, HR(12), 2RBI(60), SB(12) & 0-3, R, .272 ... Shane Costa KC 2-3, R, 2B, HR(7), RBI(34) & 1-2, R, 2B, RBI(35), .283 ... Sandy Nin COL (W,6-5) 7 4 1 1 1 5 (3.21) ... Justin Huber KC 1-3, R, HR(16), 3RBI(74) & 0-3, .343 ... Andre Ethier OAK 1-4, R, HR(16), 2RBI(61), .328 ... Jason Perry (LF) OAK 1-4, R, HR(19), RBI(61), .263 ... Ruddy Yan TX 3-5, 2R, SB(27), .314 ... Joaquin Arias TX 2-5, R, 2RBI(43), SB(13), .314 ... Hector Giminez (DH) HOU 2-4, 2R, HR(8), 2RBI(43), SB(2), .290 ... Another nice one - Jason Hirsh HOU (W,9-8) 7 7 2 2 1 8 (3.19) ... Great night - Erick Aybar ANA 3-5, 2R, 4SB(33), .281 ... Kendry Morales ANA 2-5, R, 2B, 4RBI(24), .243 ... Greg Porter (3B) ANA 1-5, R, HR(9), RBI(45), .307 ... Slowly but surely - Steven Shell ANA 7 7 3 3 2 6 (4.36)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Brandon Wood ANA 3-5, 36th and 37th doubles, .326 ... Stephen Drew ARZ 3-5, .371 ... Garrett Mock ARZ 7 5 1 1 0 10, 1-5, 3.98  ... Billy Butler KC 2-5, 2 doubles (24), .340 ... 2B Pete Maestrales KC 4-4, 22nd double, 6th triple, .327 ... Danny Putnam OF OAK 3-4, 11th homer, .301 ... Ian Stewart COL 3-6, 21st double, .285 ... Troy Tulowitzki SS COL 2-5, .295

CAROLINA (A+) --  Robert Valido CHA 2-5, RBI, 2 SB (34) ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-4, 2 RBI (52), K, SB (10) ... Thomas Collaro CHA 2-3, R, double (21), RBI (73), BB, K ... Kory Casto WAS 0-2, R, 2 BB ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 1-4, K ... Stephen Head CLE 1-2  (" ... left the game due to an injured head.)  ... Nate Spears BAL 2-5, RBI, BB, 3 K

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Jarrett Hoffpauir 2B STL 2-4 2 doubles R 2RBI, .284 … Reid Gorecki CF STL 2-5 2 doubles 2R, .273 … Brian Martin DH STL 2-5 2R RBI, .367 … Adam Heether 3B MIL 3-4 2B 2R, .313 … Lou Palmisano C MIL 2-5 2B 2RBI, .254 … Carlos Villanueva MIL 3 2 2 2 4 1 ND, 2.13 … Justin Christian NYA 2-4 HR(7) 2R 2RBI, .299 … Yosvany Almario-Cabrera 3-5 2B R RBI, .318 … Dante Brinkley LF NYN 2-6 2B R, .332 … Vito Chiaravalloti DH TOR 0-5, .173 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 2-5 2B RBI, .241 … Paul Mildren FLO 5 7 6 5 2 2 ND, 3.09 … Jake Blalock LF PHI 2-5 2RBI, .277 … Cory Dunlap 1B LA 2-4 SB(4), .289 … Cole Bruce 3B LA 2-5 2R, .307 … Chin-lung Hu SS LA 2-4 2RBI SB(13), .304 … Greg Miller LA 2 1 0 0 0 1 ND, 0.00

MIDWEST (A) --  Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 3-6, double ... Trevor Plouffe MIN 0-4 (.226) ... Kyle Waldrop MIN 5 8 7 5 1 1 (up to 5.15) ... league's best prospect? Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 3-6, 14th HR (.317) ... Cliff Pennington OAK 2-7, double, 7th SB, 4th CS ... Mr. Consistent Jair Jurrjens DET 6 7 1 1 1 5 (3.23) .. Matt Bush SD 2-6, 6th SB (.234) ... Michael Collins ANA 5-7 (.339, albeit in somewhat limited AB's) ... Matt Weber CHN 6 2/3 5 3 2 0 7 (3.71) ... Ryan Harvey CHN 3-7, double, triple, OF asst (.267) ... B.J. Szymanski CIN 3-5, double, SB (.276) ... second start, first runs Mark McCormick STL 6 2/3 5 2 2 1 8 ... Juan Lucena STL 2-4, 2 BB's (.311) ... John Jaso TB 0-4, 3 K's (.321) ... a little better all the time Ian Gac TEX 2-5, HR (.254)

" ... the swing looked pretty good for a player trying to right his timing. But Nomar Garciaparra was most pleased with something much simpler -- being able to move normally ... Garciaparra went 1-for-4 and fielded for all seven innings of the Peoria Chiefs' 7-3 victory in Game 1 of a doubleheader with Dayton on Wednesday. Though he was able to pick up a hit and assist on a key double play, Garciaparra was more focused on some of the smaller things he was able to do. "I like the way I'm feeling, just the reaction on the first step," Garciaparra said. "Whether I get a ground ball or not, the instinctive move on a ball hit to the third baseman or the ball hit to the outfield, I'm able to move and react."  (MLB.com)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Fernando Pacheco CLE 2-4, double, homer, 3 RBI  ...  Jason Jaramillo PHI 3-5, double, triple, RBI  ...  Neil Walker PIT 2-5, solo homer, 2 runs  ...  Taylor Tankersley FLA 6-2/3 8 4 4 2 3, 3.88, 2 homers  ...  Travis Denker LA 2-5, double  ...  Scott Elbert LA 6 1 0 0 4 5, (W, 6-5), 3.00  ...  Tim Battle NYA 2-5, solo homer  ...  Yovanni Gallardo MIL 5 5 3 3 2 3, 3.12  ...  Kevin Guyette 10th round pick BOS 4 1 0 0 0 6, 2.00


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Brett Gardner CF NYY 2-5, R, 2B, RBI ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 0-3, RBI, BB ... Wladimir Sutil 2B HOU 0-4, RBI ... Pete Sellers 1B HOU 1-3, R ... who could have predicted, Cliff Davis HOU into the game at 0-4, 8.56, 7 1 0 0 1 8 ... Joe Bauserman PIT 5 2 0 0 0 1 ... Luis Valdez PIT 6.1 4 0 0 2 1 ... Nolan Reimold CF BAL 1-4, R, 3B, BB ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 0-3, BB, 2K ... Scott Mitchinson PHI 4 9 5 5 2 1 ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 2-3, 2R, 2B, 3RBI ... Cory Patton RF TOR 3-3, 3R, 3B, BB ... Eric Fowler TOR 5 4 1 1 2 4 ... Ryan Phillips BOS 6 4 0 0 2 4 (1.91 ERA, climbing the sox prospect charts, now at #20 at soxprospects.com) ... Willy Mota CF BOS 2-5, R, 3K ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 2-5 Luis Soto RF BOS 2-5, R, K ... Tyler Greene SS STL 1-3, BB, SB

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Darin Downs CHN, righting the ship upon demotion, 5 6 1 0 2 5, 1.88 ... Steve Murphy OF TEX 2-5, 16th double, 8th homer, .324 ... interesting line, John Mayberry TEX 1-1, 3 walks, .235

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  HOU kids off to great pro beginnings ... Koby Clemens 3-5, 2 doubles, .429 ... Eli Iorg 2-4, homer, 4 RBI, .421

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  SS Adam Rosales CIN 3-5, HR(5), 3R, 2b, 3RBI ... CF Charlie Fermaint MIL 2-4, HR(11), 2b, 2RBI ... DH Angel Salome MIL 2-4, RBI, sb(6) ... P Greg Smith ARI l(3-2) 7.0 6 2 2 0 8 (2.70) ... 1b Mark Trumbo LAA 1-4, 2b, R, RBI, 2BB ... SS Johan Silva LAA 2-4, HR(1), 2b, BB ... CF Dexter Fowler COL 2-3, RBI, BB, 2 sb(10) ... 3b Gary Perez KC 2-4, 3b, 3RBI, sb(3)

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Ivan DeJesus LA SS 2-3, walk, .333 ... Travis Wood CIN 3-1/3 2 2 2 2 8, 0.86 (39 Ks in 21 innings) ... Carl Pavano NYA, rehab, 5 2 2 1 0 5 ... CJ Henry SS NYA, leadoff, 3-5, double, .240

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Casey Smith OF SD 4-4, double, homer, .364 ... Jose Duarte OF KC, leadoff,  4-5, homer, 3 RBI, .394

  Troop Movements ...  BOS - Trot Nixon DL, Lenny DiNardo up ... MIL - Rick Helling up, Ricky Bottalico designated for assignment ... ARZ - Conor Jackson up, Jose Cruz Jr. designated for assignment  ... BAL - Eli Marrero DL,  David Newhan up ... HOU - Brandon Backe DL, Ezequiel Astacio up ... ATL - Mike Hampton DL, Brayan Pena up ... DET - activated Placido Polanco, Curtis Granderson to AAA ...

SD - SPs Jared Wells and Cesar Carrillo promoted to Double-A Mobile :

" ... Wells (11-3, 3.44 ERA, 80 strikeouts, 26 walks) was the Storm's workhorse this season. The right-hander led the Cal League in wins and was second in ERA , and his 120 innings pitched were tops on the team. Carrillo, the Padres' top pick in this year's draft, started four games for the Storm, going 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA, 20 strikeouts and three walks in 19 1/3 innings pitched. "(Wells and Carrillo) were pretty impressive while they were here," Storm pitching coach Dave Rajsich said. "That's a big chunk (of our rotation). It would hurt anybody at any level (to lose them)."  (North County Times)

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Casey Kotchman ANA :

" ... Since reaching his low point at .138, Kotchman has hit .316/.378/.484 with 20 doubles, eight homers and 50 RBIs in 71 games. That's not out of line with his previous performance and it's perfectly fine for a 22-year-old in Triple-A. He's still one of the elite hitting prospects in the minors, though his future power remains a matter of speculation."

    John Sickels reviews his COL Top 20 :

" ... 1) Ian Stewart ... Has come around after a slow start, currently hitting .280/.363/.495 for Class A Modesto. Still a premium prospect, no question ...  3) Chris Nelson ... Has struggled with injuries and plate discipline. I thought he would make faster progress than this ... 7) Seth Smith ... Toolsy outfielder hitting .305/.354/.473 with 36 doubles for Modesto. I like him, but his plate discipline can be inconsistent and he'll need time in Double-A/Triple-A."

    Chad Billingsley LA reflects on 8 shutout frames :

" ... It was the first time in Billingsley's three-year minor-league career that he had pitched eight innings, and it marked the fifth consecutive start in which he had allowed three runs or fewer. "I felt I had command of all my breaking stuff, and my fastball was hitting good locations," said Billingsley, who turns 21 on Friday. "My curveball has been phenomenal this year. ... It wasn't that good last year. My slider was my out pitch last year, but both were working for me on Monday." Billingsley has allowed seven runs in 29 innings spanning his last five starts, winning three times and receiving two no-decisions to hike his record to 8-4 and lower his ERA to 4.05. His 10 strikeouts against the Smokies gave him a Southern League-leading 120 this season."  (Florida Times-Union)

    Cards' minor leaguers likely subjects of trade rumours :

" ... Adam Wainwright ...  another quality arm the Cardinals want to protect, if for no other reason than he was the key card in the J.D. Drew trade and they'd like to see what he can do at the major-league level. He's been roughed up lately at Triple-A Memphis, where he is 6-7 with a 3.94 ERA, but there's much to like. Like those 102 strikeouts and only 36 walks in 137 innings."

" ... Chris Lambert ... Cardinals made a $1.5 million investment in Lambert, their first-round pick of the 2004 draft, and here he is pitching well in Double-A already. So it's doubtful he would be shipped out, although first-rounders have been dealt just a year after being drafted. Two years ago, the White Sox sent 2002 first-rounder Royce Ring, a reliever, to the Mets for Roberto Alomar, which just goes to show you how desperate times in Chicago can be."  (Springfield News-Leader)

   Young shortstops.  Stats through Tuesday, sorted by OPS (error rates likely a bit misleading -- probably on the low side - as the stat does not account for DH appearances, or play at other positions). Some short-season guys omitted due to relative lack of playing time  :

                             G   AB  H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO SB CS E   AVG  OBP  SLG  OPS E/162
  Stephen Drew       A+      33 127  46 13  3  8  24  22  0  1  9 .362 .471 .701 1.172  44
  Brandon Wood       A+      96 391 126 35  3 34  36  83  5  2 16 .322 .386 .688 1.074  27
  Ronny Cedeno       AAA     52 194  72 12  1  7  15  25 10  2  7 .371 .415 .552  .967  22
  Jason Bartlett     AAA     56 212  70 10  2  5  25  31  2  1 12 .330 .399 .467  .866  35
  Asdrubal Cabrera   A/A+    79 307  95 22  8  4  37  52  5  6  9 .309 .384 .472  .856  18
  Troy Tulowitzki    A+      13  56  16  6  0  2   5  13  1  0  3 .286 .355 .500  .855  37
  BJ Upton           AAA    101 393 117 25  3 10  57  83 32  7 36 .298 .385 .453  .838  58
  Adam Jones         A+/AA   98 379 113 25  6 10  38  89 11  6 29 .298 .362 .475  .837  48
  Elvis Andrus       R       25  92  32  4  0  1   9  19  5  2  6 .348 .410 .424  .834  39
  Joel Guzman        AA      94 347  98 25  2 13  34 105  5  3 24 .282 .344 .478  .822  41
  Anderson Hernandez AA/AAA  94 384 125 18  4  8  22  70 23 12 18 .326 .362 .456  .818  31
  Aaron Hill         AAA     38 156  47 11  0  5   4  17  2  0 10 .301 .339 .468  .807  43
  Javier Guzman      A/AA   101 386 118 18  8  8  24  57 15  7 29 .306 .346 .456  .802  47
  Matt Tuiasosopo    A       81 317  92 18  2  6  37  74  4  4 22 .290 .375 .416  .791  44
  Joaquin Arias      AA      89 368 115 17  5  5  15  34 12  7 25 .313 .339 .427  .766  46  
  Chin-lung Hu       A+      89 358 108 20  1  7  16  27 12  5 14 .302 .340 .422  .762  25
  Omar Quintanilla   AA/AAA  89 337 100 16  3  4  26  47  2  3 14 .297 .347 .398  .745  25
  Hanley Ramirez     AA      82 322  87 12  7  6  26  43 20  7 16 .270 .332 .407  .739  32
  Y Betancourt       AA/AAA 100 407 115 19  9  7  15  32 18 12  8 .283 .308 .425  .733  13
  Clifton Pennington A       30 127  35  7  0  2  14  22  6  3  7 .276 .352 .378  .730  38
  Erick Aybar        AA      98 383 106 22  7  4  19  41 29 17 26 .277 .325 .402  .727  43
  Reid Brignac       A       90 364  93 20  1 10  31 100  4  5 24 .255 .317 .398  .715  43
  Alcides Escobar    A       94 386 112 18  8  1  16  70 26  8 30 .290 .325 .386  .711  52
  Tony Giarratano    AA      68 265  69 18  2  3  27  59  8  4 13 .260 .330 .377  .707  31
  Sergio Santos      AAA     94 348  82 18  3 11  29  82  1  2 17 .236 .295 .399  .694  29
  Chris Nelson       A       47 181  45  7  3  2  17  55  4  1 11 .249 .317 .354  .671  38
  Trevor Plouffe     A       91 336  77 13  0  8  39  46  5  4 27 .229 .311 .339  .650  48
  Matt Bush          A       92 340  78 12  0  2  23  51  5  3 33 .229 .281 .282  .563  58

27 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  James Jurries DH ATL 2-3, 17th HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB ... Zach Minor ATL 6-1/3 5 4 3 2 3, 4.23 ... Shane Victorino CF PHI 3-5 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 2-3, 2B, R, BB, 2 SB, 0 errors ... Fernando Cortez 2B TB 1-3, 2nd HR, R, 2 RBI, SF ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-5, 2B, 2 R ... Ryan Garko 1B & C CLE 1-2, HBP & 2-3, R, RBI, SB ... Jason Cooper LF CLE 2-3 & 0-3 ... Kazuhito Tadano CLE 4 9 7 7 2 0, 4.96 ... Kevin Youkilis 3B BOS 3-5, 3 2B, 2 R, RBI & 2-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Jon Papelbon BOS 5 4 1 1 1 8, 3.57 ... Felix Diaz CHA 8 5 1 1 0 9, 5.18 ... Dave Gassner MIN 3 7 4 4 2 3 4.72

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Fernando Nieve HOU 6 12 7 7 4 3 ... Juan Cruz OAK, consistent success, 6 3 1 1 3 7, 1.54 ... Todd Linden SF 26th homer, .340 ... Casey Kotchman ANA 2-5, double ... Felix Hernandez SEA 3-1/3 2 0 0 3 5 ... Chris Snelling SEA 2-4, 3 RBI, .365 ... Corey Patterson CHN 0-4, .185 ... Sean Burroughs SD 2-3

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 2-4, 2B (12) .270 AVG ... Christopher Durbin OF BOS 2-4, 2 2B (22), RBI990, .279 AVG …Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 1-4, 2B (22), RBI (65), .248 AVG … Tony Giarratano SS DET 2-5, SB (8), .260 AVG … David Espinosa OF DET 1-4, SB (8), .294 AVG … Fred Lewis OF SF 1-4, 2B (19), RBI (31), .264 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 2-5, 2 2B (20), RBI (9), .315 AVG … Lastings Miledge OF NYN 2-5, SB (6), .364 AVG … Josh Bonifay 1B PIT 3-4, 2B (15), HR (20), 2 RBI (59), .294 AVG … Michael Bourn OF PHI 0-4, .268 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 1-4, SB (25), RBI (48), .312 AVG … Randy Ruiz 1B PHI 0-0, .356 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 2-5, 3 RBI (61), .297 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 2-4, SB (6), 2B (9), .311 AVG … Chip Cannon 1B TOR 0-4, .193 AVG … Jeffrey Karstens NYA 5-1/3 6 3 2 1 7, 3.98 ERA … Jonathan Lester BOS 4-2/3 6 4 2 4 6, 2.51 ERA … Glen Perkins MIN 7 7 2 2 0 5, W (2), 3.96 ERA … Hayden Penn BAL 6-1/3 8 2 2 1 2, W (4), 4.15 ERA …

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Dan Uggla 2B AZ 0-3, BB, 9th SB, .321 ... Miguel Montero C AZ 1-4, .293 ... Jon Zeringue OF AZ 1-3, .264 ... Jamie D'Antona 3B AZ 0-3, .251 ... Marland Williams OF AZ 1-3, .230 ... Dustin Nippert ARZ 7.0 4 3 3 2 11, 3.00 (L) now 5-3 ... Delwyn Young 2B LA 1-4, solo HR (16th), .297 ... Andy LaRoche 3B LA 0-2, 2 BB, run, .272 ...  James Loney 1B LA 0-4, .278 ... Joel Guzman SS LA 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, .282 ... Russell Martin C LA 1-3, .302 ...  Joel Hanrahan LA 6.0 5 0 0 1 6, 4.71 (W) now 6-6 ... Hong Chi Kuo LA 2.0 1 0 0 0 4, 1.46 - 12 IP, 23 K's, 9 hits in AA ... Jonathan Broxton LA 1.0 0 0 0 0 3, 3.38 ... Elliott Johnson 2B TAM 1-3, BB, .300 ... Jason Pridie OF TAM 1-3, 3B, BB, .333 ... . Elijah Dukes OF TAM 1-4, 2B, .296 ... Wes Bankston 1B TAM 0-4, 2 K's, .296 ... Shawn Riggans C TAM 0-4, .262 ...  Gaby Martinez 3B TAM 0-3, 2 K's, .225 ... Jerry Owens OF CHA 2-4, BB, run, 27th SB, .323 ... Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 0-4, .322 ...  Josh Fields 3B CHA 1-1, 2 run HR(14) 2 BB, .256 ... Ryan Sweeney OF CHA 3-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, .288 ... Sean Tracey CHA 6.0 3 0 0 3 10, 3.82 (W) now 11-4 ... Javon Moran OF CIN 3-6, 2B, run, RBI, 36th SB, .375 ... D'Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 2-4, 2 2B, run, RBI, .278 ...  Travis Chick CIN 6.0 4 1 1 5 2, 5.05 ... Bubba Nelson CIN 2.0 2 0 0 3 0, 3.66 ...  Robert Andino SS FLA 1-5, BB, .275 ...  Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 0-2, run, 4 BB (90) 21st SB, .304 ... Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 1-5, 2 run HR (21), .274  ... Josh Burrus OF ATL 1-3, BB, .268  ... Gregor Blanco OF ATL 0-4, 3 K's, .235 ... Luis Hernandez SS ATL 2-4, 2B, run, .226  ...  Matt Coenen ATL 5.0 7 5 5 1 0 2, 5.24 (L) now 3-9  ... Luis Montanez OF CHN 0-5, run, .263 ... Brandon Sing 1B CHN 1-3, 2 runs, 3 run HR (21) 4 RBI (57), .297  ...  Reynel Pinto CHN 7.0 7 1 0 1 2, 2.14 (W) now 6-4  ... Anthony Gwynn OF MIL 1-3, BB, .269  ... Brad Nelson OF MIL 0-4, .279  ... Glen Woolard MIL 5.0 6 6 6 2 7, 4.81 (L) now 4-9

TEXAS (AA)  --  Andre Ethier OAK 1-4, R, HR(15), 2RBI(59), .329 ... Casey Myers OAK 2-4, 2B, .362 ... Joaquin Arias TX 2-4, 2R, RBI(41), .312 ... Vince Sinisi TX 2-5, R, HR(2), 2RBI(13), .252 ... Jace Brewer (2B) TX 2-5, R, 2B, 2RBI(12), .298 ... John Danks TX (W,3-5) 3 1 2 2 3 2 (4.86) ... Jaime Bubela SEA 2-5, RBI(42), .302 ... Peter Bauer TX (W,1-1) 6 3 1 0 3 6 (2.40) ... Still Rollin' - Howie Kendrick ANA 2-5, R, 2 2B, .341 ... Michael Napoli ANA 1-3, 2R, HR(19), RBI(68), 2BB, SB(9), .241 ... Aaron Herr STL 2-4, R, HR(14), 2RBI(54), .294 ... Not such a good AA debut - Jared Weaver ANA 4 7 4 3 1 2 (6.75)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Billy Butler KC 4-5, 23rd homer, .339 ... Chris Lubanski KC 3-5, .277 ... Brandon Wood ANA 1-5, 35th double, .322 ... Kevin Melillo 2B OAK, starting another streak, 2-3, 16th homer, 2 walks, .314 ... Nate Schierholtz: SF 3-4, 30th double, .327 ... CF Francisco Leandro TB, leadoff, 4-5, 34th double, 3rd triple, .331

CAROLINA (A+) --  Noah Hall OF CHA 3-5, 5th triple, 2 homers (21), 4 RBI, .343 ... Thomas Collaro CHA 3-5, 22nd homer, .272 ... Jake Stevens ATL, 5 4 0 0 2 5, mediocre over-all, 7-7, 4.00 ... Adam Miller CLE, much less than expected, 4-1/3 5 3 3 1 7 ...  Michael Aubrey? - looks like there's a new & improved candidate for "first-sacker of the future",  Stephen Head 1B CLE 6-7, double, 2 homers, 9 RBI

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Chin-lung Hu SS LA 2-3 2B R & 2-3 2R - .302 … Cole Bruce 3B LA 2-5 HR(10) 2R 4RBI - .304 … Nice job spreading 12 hits over 7 innings, Justin Jones MIN 7 12 2 2 1 9 W(4-1, 3.09) … Joey Votto 1B CIN 4-5 R - .264 … Reid Gorecki CF STL 3-3 SB(6) - .266 … Vincent Blue CF DET 2-5 2B R RBI SB(30) - .313 … Nate Bumstead DET 6 3 0 0 1 4 W(11-2, 2.50) … Ryan Costello MIL 6 5 3 2 2 5 L(4-3, 2.93) … Jason Jones NYA 7 5 1 0 1 3 L(5-8, 4.19) … Davis Romero TOR 7 3 0 0 1 11 W(4-6, 3.89)

MIDWEST (A) --  Javier Herrera OAK 2-5, HR (.265/357/.415) ... Cliff Pennington OAK 1-5, 2 K's (.276) ... Aaron Jensen SEA 6 2/3 7 6 6 3 4 (L, 6-10, 5.29) ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 1-4 (.290) ... Eric Hurley TEX 6 4 2 2 2 8 (3.86) ... Brian McFall (RF) KC 2-3, BB, 6th error (.232) ... more K's would be nice, but still Dallas Trahern DET 7 3 0 0 4 1 (3.10)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Yuniel Escobar ATL 3-5, 2 doubles, run, 337  ...  Rogearvin Bernadina WAS 3-4, solo homer  ...  Jeff Marquez NYA 6-2/3 9 1 1 4 7  ...  Trevor Crowe CLE 2-4, double, run  ...  Chuck Lofgren CLE 5 3 0 0 4 6, (W, 3-2), 2.10  ...  Hernan Iribarren MIL 2-3, 2 RBI, run, 2 walks  ...  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-4, double, run  ...  Jonathan Sanchez SF 6 4 2 1 1 7, 3.86 ... Matt Miller OF COL 1-3, 23rd homer, 2 RBI (80)


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Wade Townsend TB just 2/3s before rain ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 0-3, R, BB ... Cory Middleton 3B DET 1-2, 2R, HR, 2RBI, BB ... Pete Sellers 1B HOU 1-3, R, 3B, BB, K ... Wladimir Sutil 2B HOU 1-5 ... Kris Harvey RF FLA 2-4, R ... Jon Nickerson FLA 6 4 1 1 4 9 ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 2-4, 2B, RBI ... Clay Buccholz BOS 3 2 2 2 2 ... Blake Hawksworth STL 2.1 6 8 4 1 1 ... Brian Marshall BOS (twin brother of Cubs prospect Sean) 3 2 0 0 1 4 ... Jed Lowrie DH BOS 2-6, RBI, K ... Luis Soto RF BOS 2-4, R, 2K ... Tyler Greene SS STL 1-4, R, K

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Sergio Romo SF 5.0 4 1 1 1 0, 3-0, 0.90 ... 3B Pablo Sandoval SF 3-4, .343 ... Travis Buck OAK 1st rounder 1-2, homer, 3 walks, .370 ... CF Trevor Heid SEA 3-4, homer, .355

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  leading the way in another win for the E-Twins, Erik Lis (1B MIN, 9th rd.) 3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR (5), 5 RBI (28), .338 BA… Mark Robinson (RF MIN) 3-5, 2 R, HR (3), 2 RBI (19), SB (6), .296 BA… Yohan Pino (SP MIN) W (6-0), 5 7 3 2 1 1, 4.11 ERA… no save – thanks to a 6 run Twins 9th - but another game finished for the dominant Tim Lahey (RP MIN) 1 0 0 0 1 0, 0.00 ERA, for the season 15 GP, 10 SV, 14-1/3 6 0 0 2 18… second straight big night for both Eli Iorg (RF HOU, 1st rd. supp., 38th overall) 2-3, 2 R, HR (2), 4 RBI (8), .400 BA, after going 2-4 with three runs and his first professional homer the night before; and Koby Clemens (3B HOU, 8th rd.) 3-5, 2 R, BB, E (1), .400 after Monday night’s 3-5, R, HR (1), 5 RBI (5), K… ouch, Tyler Herron (SP STL, 1st rd. supp. – 46th overall) L (0-1), 2-3 3 6 6 2 1, 7.66 ERA… Josh Morgan (1B CWS, 20th rd.) 4-4, R, 2B, 3B, RBI (9), .261 BA… Christopher Cunningham (LF TBY) 3-6, R, RBI (24), K, .320 BA… Mike McCormick (3B TBY, 5th rd.) 2-3, 2 R, 2 HR (3), 4 RBI (12), 2 BB, K, .241 BA… “way down” to .479, Rene Aqueron (3B BAL) 1-4, RBI (12), SF, K, E (3), .479 BA… Wesley Stone (DH TOR, 11th rd.) 4-5, R, 2 RBI (11), BB, .333 BA… Jacob Butler (RF TOR, 8th rd.) 0-3, R, RBI (29), SF, 2 BB, K, .274 BA… Paul Franko (1B TOR) 2-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI (17), BB, 2 K, .262 BA… Ovandy Suero (2B ATL) 2-4, 2 R, 2B, BB, K, SB (22 in 27 attempts), .344 BA… Jamie Romak (RF ATL) 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR (6), 2 RBI (24), K, .282 BA…

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Finally some pitching! Chaz Roe COL W(1-1) 6 2 0 0 3 5 (3.68) ...  Stephen Marek LAA L(0-1) 4.2 4 2 1 1 7 (4.08) ...  Jeff Stevens CIN W(2-1) 4 0 0 0 1 6 (3.42) ... Kevin Roberts MIL L (1-2) MIL 4 6 3 3 0 9 (2.82) ... Mario Alvarez LAD W(3-1) 5 2 2 3 4 (3.86)

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Eduardo Perez 1B LA 3-3, 3 doubles, .338 ...  PIT 1st rounder hitting his stride,  OF Andrew McCutchen 3-4, 2 doubles, .319

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  geesh, how many quality shortstops can fit into one organization, Abel Nieves ANA 2-5, 2 doubles, .444 ... Nick Adenhart ANA 2-1/3 3 2 2 2 4 ... Tim Crabtree TEX, rehab, 1 0 0 0 0 1 ... 3B Jose Jimenez MIL 3-5, double, .358 ... Ramon Alvarado OF OAK 2-3, 5th homer, .330 ... Kyle Blanks 1B SD 3-5, double, .344 ... Clint Cleland 3B SD 4-5, 3 doubles, .317 ...

  Troop Movements ...  CLE - Travis Hafner DL, Jeff Liefer up, Brian Tallet up, Fernando Cabrera to AAA ... SEA - signed 1st rounder Jeff Clement, activated Dave Hansen, Chris Snelling to AAA  ... FLO - activated Antonio Alfonseca, Randy Messenger to AAA ... COL - Ryan Shealy up ... WAS - activated Nick Johnson, designated Kenny Kelly for assignment ... BOS - Manny Delcarmen up, designated John Halama for assignment ... TOR - activated Corey Koskie, Chad Gaudin to AAA ...

Clement to be assigned to begin his career in the Northwest League :

" ... Why short-season Everett instead of one of the Mariners' Class A teams in Wisconsin or San Bernardino, Calif.? "With any prospect, you want them in the place that's best for them to develop," explained Benny Looper, director of player development and scouting. "Right now, we think Everett's the best place to see the live pitching, something he hasn't seen in about five or six weeks. "His dad has been throwing batting practice to him, and he's been working out. There's no question he's in shape, but Edgar (Martinez) taught us a lesson through a lot of springs that you need to see that live pitching, see the ball out of the hand." Said Clement: "As good as my dad throws, it's about [55 mph] as opposed to 95." The Mariners' plan is for Clement to attend the Instructional League in Arizona in September and then play in the Arizona Fall League."  (MLB.com)

TOR - Zach Jackson promoted to AAA, Casey Janssen activated, David Purcey promoted to AA :

" ... The 22-year-old Jackson was 4-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 9 starts with New Hampshire this season. He struck out 43 and walked 12 in 54 innings pitched. He was 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA over his last 2 starts, including a season high 8 innings pitched in his last outing vs. Akron on July 19. Jackson started the 2005 season with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League, where he went 8-1 with a 2.88 ERA in 10 starts. He had a 48/6 K/BB ratio in 59.1 innings pitched. He was selected by Toronto in the 1st round (32nd overall) of the 2004 draft."

" ... The 23-year-old Janssen has been on the DL since July 17 after he was hit by a line drive ...  made his Double-A debut with New Hampshire on July 10, earning the win after going 7 innings and allowing just 2 hits ... began the 2005 season with the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League, where he was 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA in 7 starts. He then moved to Dunedin where he went 6-1 with a 2.26 ERA in 10 starts. Combined this season he is 11-1 with a 1.74 ERA."

" ... The 23-year-old Purcey was Toronto's 1st pick (16th overall) in last year's draft. He was 5-4 with a 3.63 ERA in 21 starts with Dunedin this season. He struck out 116 batters and walked 56 in 94.1 innings pitched."

   Brandon Wood ANA repeats as the best of the best in Kevin Goldstein's Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America.

" ... 1. Brandon Wood ...  minor league leader in home runs (34), extra-base hits (71) and total bases (267) is only getting better, batting .403-8-28 in 20 July games. Has led off the inning 57 times this season, and is slugging 1.037 in those plate appearances."

" ... 2. Jered Weaver ...   Once he gets going, look out, as batters after the fourth inning are 3-for-25 with 13 strikeouts against the 2004 first-round pick."

" .. 10. Philip Hughes ... After limiting Sally League hitters to a .192 average in 12 starts for Charleston, Hughes has upped the ante in the Florida State League, firing five no-hit innings on Monday. In 12 2/3 innings for Tampa, the 2004 first-round pick has allowed just four hits while striking out 16.

" ... 18. Kevin Melillo ... hitting streak ended at an even 30 on Monday night, but we'll still reward him for the 1.210 OPS in 19 games since moving up to California League."

    John Sickels reviews his CLE Top 20 :

" ... 1) Adam Miller ... Pitching again after missing early part of the year with elbow trouble. Results so far are not impressive: 5.04 ERA in 7 starts, 19/10 K/BB in 31 innings, way off his '04 numbers. I still worry about that elbow ... 5) Brad Snyder ... Good power, adequate strike zone judgment though a high strikeout rate. Holding his own ... 8) Jeremy Sowers ...Since being promoted to Double-A, is 1-1 but with a 2.04 ERA in 6 starts, 33/7 K/BB in 35 innings. Doing very well indeed, keeping hitters off-balance with his ability to throw strikes and change speeds."

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, revamps his International League prospect list :

 1. Delmon Young, OF, TB           6. Gavin Floyd, RHP, PHI
 2. Francisco Liriano, LHP, MIN    7. Ryan Doumit, C, PIT
 3. Andy Marte, 3B, ATL            8. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, CIN
 4. Zach Duke, LHP, PIT            9. Brian Anderson, OF, CHA
 5. Joel Zumaya, RHP, DET         10. Anthony Lerew, RHP, ATL

    Bryan Smith, Baseball Analysts, offers more reviews on some prospect "honourable mentions" to his revised Top 75 :

" ... Jason Hammel ... More than any other player that didn't make the 75, Hammel is the one I worry about the most. He's the one that I can most see making me look like an idiot, as you could say he has the complete package. Size, control, durability, HR rate...it's all there."

" ... Zach Jackson ... While Purcey and Cheng have higher ceilings in the rotation, Jackson is a much safer bet. He thrives on good control, good enough stuff to strike some people out, and when he doesn't, a very good cutter to stop any good contact. Jackson is as close as one month from his Major League debut, and at worst, less than a year."

" ... Adam Jones ... A personal guarantee: if Jones keeps up at even a shade of the pace he's on, he'll finish the year on my top 75. At 19, the former first-round pick dominated the California League, and has yet to slow down in AA. Also armed with a first-round caliber arm as a pitcher, it's safe to say Jones doesn't struggle with throws deep in the hole."

    Cards' prospect learns a lesson :

" ...  A.J. Van Slyke suffered a dislocated shoulder during a bench-clearing brawl in Sunday's game against the Vermont Expos ... Van Slyke precipitated the fight by charging the mound after he was hit by a pitch from Vermont's Carlos Martinez ... Van Slyke homered in his previous at bat. Van Slyke, who is the son of former major league All-Star Andy Van Slyke, was the only Cardinals player ejected from the game."  (New Jersey Herald)


26 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla 2B CIN 2-4, 2B, R, BB ... Elizardo Ramirez CIN 5-2/3 13 9 9 0 2, 3.57 ... James Jurries RF ATL 2-5, 16th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Andy Marte 3B ATL 2-5, 2B, 15th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Anthony Lerew ATL 7 4 1 1 0 5, 2.50 ... Shane Victorino CF PHI 3-5, R, 2 RBI ... Eude Brito PHI 5-1/3 9 6 4 1 2 4.58 ... Francisco Rosario TOR 3-2/3 9 5 5 1 1, 4.21 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 3-6, 2B, 10th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 error ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-5, 2B, RBI ... Ryan Raburn DH DET 3-5, 3B, 15th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 3-5, 2B, 10th HR, 3 R, RBI ... Marcus Thames LF DET 3-5, 13th HR, 2 R, 3 RBI ... Jason Cooper PH-DH CLE 1-2, 7th HR, R, 4 RBI, BB ... Jason Davis CLE 7 10 6 3 0 4, 4.72 ... Kevin Youkilis 2B BOS 1-2, 2nd HR, 2 R, RBI, 3 BB ... Chris Narveson BOS 6 5 4 4 1 4, 4.92 ... Nate McLouth CF PIT 2-4 ... Paul Maholm PIT 5 10 4 2 1 4, 3.60 ... Brian Anderson CF CHA 2-5, R ... Kevin Thompson CF NYA 3-5, 2B, R, RBI ... Melky Cabrera LF NYA 2-4, RBI, BB ... Tim Redding NYA 7 4 1 1 0 4, 3.00 ... Jason Bartlett SS MIN 3-5, 3 R, RBI ... Boof Bonser MIN 5 10 8 8 0 7, 4.08

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Prince Fielder MIL 3-5, 63rd RBI ... Ben Hendrickson MIL 7 5 1 1 1 4, 4.27 ... Casey Kotchman ANA, finally beginning to show some evidence of his prospect status, 3-3, 2 doubles, 8th homer, 2 walks, .285 ... Corey Patterson CHN 1-5, 3 Ks, .200 ... Ezequiel Astacio HOU 2 1 0 0 1 2 ... Anthony Reyes STL 5 4 1 0 1 5 ... well, there goes the ERA, Cha Seung Baek SEA 2-1/3 12 10 10 2 1 ... Ryan Shealy COL 2-6, 20th homer, 4 RBI, .338 ... Todd Linden SF 1-3, 25th homer, .344 ... Conor Jackson ARZ 2-5, .356

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 0-4, .267 AVG ... Brandon Moss OF BOS 0-5, .259 AVG … Eric Duncan 3B NYA 1-4, HR (14), RBI (48), .238 AVG … Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 0-4, .248 AVG … Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 3-5, 2 2B (19), .235 AVG …  Tony Giarratano SS DET 4-4, SB (7), .258 AVG … Lastings Miledge OF NYN 1-6, 2 SB (5), .360 AVG … Michael Bourn OF PHI 1-4, SB (29), .271 AVG … Randy Roberson OF PHI 0-3, .312 AVG … Randy Ruiz 1B PHI 0-0, .356 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 2-4, RBI (58), .296 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 3-4, 2 SB (4), .304 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 3-5, 2B (9), RBI (15), .267 AVG … Dee Haynes OF WAS 2-5, 2B (13), HR (19), RBI (58), .302 AVG … Chip Cannon 1B TOR 0-4, .208 AVG … Curtis Thigpen C TOR 0-3, .341 AVG … Dustin McGowan TOR 6 7 4 3 0 8, 3.34 ERA … Jeremy Johnson DET 5-1/3 9 8 5 1 5, 4.62 ERA … Eric DuBose BAL 6 6 3 3 1 3, W (7), 3.41 ERA

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Noochie Varner OF AZ 0-4, 2 K's, .289 ... Miguel Montero C AZ 0-4, 2 K's, .297 ... Jesus Cota 1B AZ 1-3, .265 ...  Jamie D'Antona 3B AZ 0-3, .253 ... Jarred Ball RF AZ 0-3, .261 ... Marland Williams OF AZ 0-3, .228 ...  Delwyn Young 2B LA 3-4, 2B, HR (15th) 3 RBI (61), .298 ... Andy LaRoche 3B LA 2-2, solo HR (28), 2 BB, .277 ... James Loney 1B LA 1-4, .281 ...  Joel Guzman SS LA 0-4, .282 ... Russell Martin C LA 1-4, 2 runs, 9th SB, .301 ... Chad Billingsley LA back on track, 8.0 2 0 0 1 10, 4.05 (W) now 8-4 ... Javan Moran OF CIN 1-5, 14th SB, .300 ... D'Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 1-5, run, 2B, .273 ...  Richie Gardner CIN 5.1 3 4 3 4 2 1 5.73 (L) now 3-6 ... Robert Andino SS FLA 2-3, solo HR (4) BB, 2 runs, .276 ... Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 1-3, 2b, run, 51st RBI, .306  ...   Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 1-2, run, RBI, .281  ...  Yorman Bazardo FLA 6.0 5 3 3 2 4, 3.79 (W) now 8-6  ...  Chris Resop FLA 1.0 1 0 0 0 2, 2.20

TEXAS (AA)  --  Jayson Nix (2B) COL 3-4, R, 2B, HR(7), 2RBI(34) & 1-4, RBI(35), .238 ... Justin Huber KC 2-3, 2R, HR(15), RBI(71) & 0-3, .347 ... Mitch Maier KC 1-4, R, HR(4), 4RBI(32) & 0-2, .245 ... Jeremy Brown (C) OAK 2-4, 3R, HR(12), 4RBI(46), .262 ... Brian Stavisky OAK 2-3, R, .306 ... Joaquin Arias TX 3-5, 2R, HR(5), 2RBI(40), .310 ... Jamie Bubela SEA 3-5, 2R, SB(32), .301 ... TJ Bohn SEA 2-2, 2R, HR(12), RBI(53), .311 ... Josh Anderson HOU 2-4, 3R, 2B, SB(35), .278 ... Reggie Willits ANA 3-5, 2R, SB(25), .299 ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-5, R, 2B, .278 ... Travis Hanson (3B) STL 3-5, 3R, 2B, 2HR(14), 4RBI(66), .274 ... Aaron Herr STL 2-5, 2R, 2B, HR(13), 3RBI(52), .291 ... Chris Lambert STL (W,2-3) 6 7 1 1 2 5 (4.35)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Bryan Lahair 1B SEA 4-5, double, 3RBI ... Asdrubal Cabrera SS SEA 2-5, double, triple, .314 ... Stephen Drew SS ARZ 2-2, double, 2 walks ... Cesar Carrillo SD 7 3 2 2 0 6, 2.79

CAROLINA (A+) --  Micah Schnurstein CHA 2-4 ... Gio Gonzalez CHA (L, 8-4, 2.98) 5-1/3 9 5 5 4 3 ... Kory Casto WAS 1-4, R, HR (20), RBI (71), BB ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-4, R, double (25), HR (12), RBI (44) ... Stephen Head CLE 2-5, R, RBI, K ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 1-4, R, HR (10), RBI ... Nick Markakis BAL 2-4, R, HR (12), RBI (58) ... James Johnson BAL (L, 9-5, 3.15) 5 6 5 3 1 4 ...

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Steve Trachsel NYN (rehab) 4 1 0 0 0 3 … Jamar Hill RF NYN 2-3 3B HR(11) 4RBI - .228 … Vincent Cordova NYN 7 2 0 0 1 4 W(7-7, 3.46) … Philip Hughes NYA 5 0 0 0 1 7 ND, 1.99 … Eric Haberer STL 7 6 2 2 2 5 W(11-5, 2.44) … Tim Dillard MIL 6 7 5 5 1 3 W(9-7, 2.63) … Lou Palmisano C MIL 2-5 2R - .255 … Adam Lind LF TOR 3-6 2 doubles 2RBI - .301 … Scott Moore 3B CHN 2-4 2B - .280

MIDWEST (A) --  rolling along Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 2-4, 13th HR ... Trevor Plouffe MIN 0-4 ... Michael Ekstrom SD 6 8 6 6 1 1 (3.45) ... Sean Rodriguez ANA 6th HR (.261) ... Michael Collins ANA 19th double (.329) ... Ryan Harvey CHN 3-4, 23rd double (.263, but with a troubling 19/90 BB/K ratio) ... Michael Schlact TEX 6 2/3 8 2 2 3 1 (4.32) ... Ian Gac TEX 2-4 ... that's an unusual line Chi-Hung Cheng TOR 5 1 4 2 6 4 (3.04) ... Reid Brignac TB 1-5, 2 K's

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Chris Nelson COL 2-3, RBI, run, 2 walks ... Chris Getz CHA 2-4, double, run ... Neil Walker PIT 1-4, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Orlando Rengel NYN 6 5 0 0 1 4, (W, 1-1) ... Hunter Pence HOU 2-3, walk


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Wade Davis TB 7.0 3 1 1 4 10, 4-0, 1.70 (just 29 hits allowed in 49 1/3 innings, 59 Ks)

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Michael Madsen OAK 5 8 2 2 1 2, 1.36 ... Michael Mooney OF SF 2-5, double, triple, .364 ... catcher Barry Gunther SF, nice debut in the NWL, 3-4, double, homer, 5 RBI ... Brenton Carter SD 7 3 1 1 1 7, 2.11 (37 Ks, 2 BB in 38 innings)

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Eli Iorg HOU 2-4, 1st pro homer ... Koby Clemens HOU also with 1st pro homer, 3-5, 5 RBI ... Eric Campbell ATL 2-5, 12th double, 8th homer, 3 RBI

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Robert Wooley MIL W(3-2) 7.0 2 0 0 1 8 (4.68) ... SS Adam Rosales CIN 2-4 ... CF Charlie Fermaint MIL 3-5, HR(9), 2b, 3R ... C Angel Salome MIL 1-4, HR(7), 3RBI ... 3b Matt Gamel MIL 2-3, HR(3), 3RBI, 2BB ... 1b Ned Yost MIL 1-4, HR(2), 3RBI ... 2b Jesus Soto LAD 1-4, 2RBI ... 3b Russell Mitchell LAD 3-5, 2b, 2R, SB(3)... C Juan Apodoca LAD 1-3, HR(9)

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Elvis Andrus SS ATL, not 17 until next month, 4-5, 1st homer, .348 ... Andrew McCutchen PIT 3-3, 2 walks, triple, 4 RBI, .294 ... William Luque SS MIN 4-4, triple, 3 runs, 2 RBI, .382

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  pretty good group of hitters on the SF entry, Ariel Nunez 4-4, 2 walks, 3 RBI, .431 ... catcher Greg McCarthy 3-3, .357 ... 2B Lisandro King 3-4, double, .364 ... 3B John Acha 2-5, triple, 3RBI, .304 ... OF Lorenzo Cain MIL 4-4, double, triple, .337 ... Valentino Arce 2B KC 4-6, double, .377 ... CF Joseph Dickerson KC 3-5, 9th double, 8th triple (in just 28 games), .330 ... Jeff Bianchi KC still out of the lineup (back strain) ... catcher Luany Sanchez SD 4-6, 2 doubles, .353 ... CF Timothy Auty SEA 3-6, double, triple, .362 ... Andrew Hargrove SEA 3-5, homer, 3 RBI, .354

  Troop Movements ...  CHN - Kerry Wood DL, Rich Hill up ... STL - Larry Walker DL bound, John Gall up ... BAL - activated Javy Lopez from DL, Eli Whiteside to AAA ... TB - released Hideo Nomo, activated Doug Waechter from DL, Fernando Cortez to AAA ... KC - Mike Wood to AAA,  Shawn Camp up ... COL - Zach Day to AAA ...

    Timely piece by Jason Collette at RotoJunkie on possible opportunities for some of the kids, including :

Justin Huber  " ... Nobody is sure if Sweeney is going to be dealt but this may be the year ... Huber is showing he’s ready for his chance as he’s having a tremendous 2005 season. For the season, he’s hitting .348 with a .433 OBP and a .561 SLG%. In July alone, he’s hitting .410 with five homers and 20 rbi’s."

Nate McLouth  " ... Lawton is as good as gone in Pittsburgh because many teams are looking for an offense and the Pirates need to develop their own talent. McLouth has steadily progressed in the system and has been on a roll since 2003. So far this season, McLouth is hitting .295 with a .364 OBP and 29 steals. He makes great contact and could be a sparkplug near the top of the lineup if given the chance."

    John Sickels, MinorLeagueBall, reviews his Giants' Top 20 :

" ... 2) Merkin Valdez ... Pitching effectively at Double-A Norwich, 3.38 in 18 starts, 85/38 K/BB in 96 innings. Main worry here remains health and durability ... 3) Eddy Martinez-Esteve ... Good power, plate discipline, a terrific hitter basically. Question of course is defense ... 5) Nate Schierholtz ... Certainly hitting well. Fly in the ointment is 98 strikeouts, 21 walks in 91 games, 355 at-bats. Lots of potential but should not be rushed ... 11) Marcus Sanders ...  Excellent performance, very high walk rate combined with lots of speed. One of my favorites."

    Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News, with tidbits on the COL farm :

" ... Shortstop Omar Quintanilla (.320-0-2) had a hit in each of his first six games with the Sky Sox before going hitless Saturday ... Third baseman Ian Stewart (.280-11-54), who missed April because of a left hamstring strain and batted .211 in May, has gone 57-for-175 (.326) in 45 games since the start of June with 15 doubles, four triples, eight homers and 38 RBI ... With two homers and five RBI on Sunday, first baseman Joe Koshansky (.300-26-81) took over the South Atlantic League RBI lead from teammate outfielder Matt Miller (.351-22-78), who leads the league in hits (136). In his past six games, Koshansky has gone 12-for-26 with three doubles, five homers and 13 RBI."

   Justin Verlander DET, a little more learnin' to do :

" ... Verlander is back at Double-A Erie after making his second start with the Tigers ... That's not a reflection on Verlander as much as it is on the rest of the rotation ... pitching coach Bob Cluck said. "There's really not a spot for Verlander. At this point, we're not willing to take on someone we think might lose." ...  Verlander, 22, the Tigers' top draft pick in 2004, is 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA. But he has shown enough to make the club think he's close to joining the rotation. Cluck told Verlander before he left for Erie: "You've got to work on your curveball and change-up -- throw them on the first pitch at times even though you know you'll probably be able to blow a fastball past the batter. Work on major league stuff even though you're in the minor leagues. He'll do that. He's a smart kid."  (Detroit Free Press)

  CLE farm notes from the Plain Dealer :

" ... Ryan Garko is transitioning from catcher to first base at Buffalo. The organization decided in late June that first base gave him a better chance to succeed defensively as a major-leaguer. He will be playing five games at first for every two at catcher ... First baseman [Michael] Aubrey, on the Class AA Akron disabled list since June 11 because of back trouble, is projected to return in mid-August ...  Touted right-hander Adam Miller was rocked Thursday in his fourth start for high-Class A Kinston ... After Miller's outing Thursday, Farrell [farm director John Farrell] insisted the pitcher's elbow is fine. "He just didn't have good command," Farrell said. Farrell also dismissed speculation Miller might be a candidate for the bullpen because of his failure to hone the change-up as the third of a three-pitch mix. "That idea never has been entertained," Farrell said. "The change needs work, no doubt. Adam's aware of it. But you've got to keep in mind - he's 20, with a lot of development in front of him. He's a starter."

  A big hand for some of the weekly award winners :

" ... Justin Germano earns Pitcher of the Week honors for pitching a complete game shutout ... Germano, 22, from Claremont, California, posts a 1.64 ERA in July and is 7-2 since May 13 while striking out 100 batters in 112.0 inning on the year." (PCL)

" ...  right fielder Jeremy Hermida hit at a sizzling .450 clip this past week ... had six extra-base hits (4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR), six RBI and seven runs scored. For the season, Hermida is batting .305 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI and ranks among the Southern League leaders in on-base percentage (.465, first in SL), slugging percentage (.540, fifth in SL) and runs scored (64, tied for second in SL)."  (Southern League)

" ... Armando Galarraga, a right-handed pitcher for the Harrisburg Senators, is the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week for the week ... the 23-year old tossed a three-hit shutout to pick up a win ... The 6'4", 170 lb. hurler struck out seven batters and walked one in the game while taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning to earn his first career win at the Double-A level. Galarraga, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, has been outstanding since making his Double-A debut with the Senators on July 1st, compiling a record of 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 28 innings of work."  (Eastern League)

" ...  FRANCISCO LIRIANO ... After beginning the season at Double-A New Britain, he was promoted in mid-June and made an immediate impact for the Red Wings. This week he made two starts...  July 19. He was masterful all night, keeping the Knights off the scoreboard for seven innings by striking out seven and allowing just three hits... .second start ...  forced to battle through a tough 3rd inning ...  settled down and ...  Liriano won again, going 7.0 innings with five strikeouts and allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits." (International League)

" ... Eric Campbell ...   Braves' 2004 second-round pick hit .414 and drove in 10 runs ... On the season, Campbell leads the Appalachian League in doubles (11) and runs scored (34) and ranks second in homers (seven), RBIs (25) and extra-base hits (20)."  (MLB.com)

  Adam Loewen BAL, learning from adversity :

" ... The month of July has been great for Frederick pitcher Adam Loewen ...pitched four games in July and is 3-0. He has allowed just one earned run and 17 hits in 24 innings ... .Sunday, Loewen shut out the Avalanche on three hits for six innings ... "(Adam) didn't have his best stuff today, but he battled and had his sinking fastball going for him," Keys manager Bien Figueroa said of Loewen. Loewen, 5-6, is a completely different pitcher from the one who allowed 24 earned runs in 12 2-3 innings in his final three starts in June. "In those three starts I pitched badly when they got runners on base," said Loewen, who struck out seven and walked three on Sunday. "I didn't stay focused. Now I make the pitches when I need to. I've learned to pitch out of situations when I'm in trouble. I needed those three bad starts, they made me a more mature pitcher. A big part of pitching is mental."  (Frederick News-Post)

  Is this getting worrisome?  Cole Hamels PHI to miss another start :

" ... Hamels pitched last Tuesday ...  before a lower back injury forced him to miss Sunday's scheduled start. Heimueller [minor league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller] ... said it's unlikely Hamels will pitch again until early August. “Friday was supposed to be his next start,” Heimueller said before Sunday's game. “He probably won't make that. I'm hoping the next one he'll be able to make.” ...  “Obviously when he's healthy and he pitches, he's a pretty good pitcher,” Heimueller said. “He's definitely a special kid.” ... “Maybe it's just the optimist in me,” Heimueller said, “but I'm thinking this is just a small setback and he'll come out in 10 days or so and finish the rest of the year.”   (Reading Eagle)


25 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Chris Denorfia CF CIN 2-4, 8th HR, R, 2 RBI ... T.J. Pena SS ATL 2-4 ... Kyle Davies ATL 6 3 1 1 3 5, 4.07 ... Carlos Ruiz C PHI 1-4, 3rd HR, R, RBI ... rehab, Corey Koskie DH TOR 0-2, 2 BB ... Guillermo Quiroz C TOR 2-4, 1st HR, R, RBI ... B.J. Upton SS TB 1-4, 3B, 0 errors ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-4, RBI ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-3, BB ... Marcus Thames RF-LF DET 0-3, BB ... Ryan Garko C CLE 3-4, 2B, 14th HR, R, 3 RBI ... Fausto Carmona CLE 8 4 1 1 0 6, 1.95 ... Kevin Youkilis 1B BOS 2-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB ... Bryan Bullington PIT 7-1/3 8 6 5 0 7, 4.23 ... Kevin Thompson LF NYA 2-3, R, RBI, BB, Sac ... John Maine BAL 3 8 5 5 1 2, 4.54

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Prince Fielder MIL, quietly producing a solid season, 2-3, 20th homer, 2 walks, 4 RBI ... Adam Wainwright STL, seems to be fading, 5 7 6 6 4 6, 3.94 ... Ryan Shealy COL 1-3, 19th homer & 1-3, .338 ... Casey Kotchman ANA 2-4 ... Jeff Mathis ANA 2-4, 20th double, 14th homer ... uh, guess the knuckler isn't working well, RA Dickey TEX 5-2/3 14 12 12 5 0 ... Josh Barfield SD 4-4, walk, .296 ... Conor Jackson ARZ 2-3, 37th double, 8th homer, .355 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 2-3, 19th double, 2 walks, .308

EASTERN (AA)  --  Michael Bourn PHI 3-5, double, .271 ... Chip Cannon TOR 1-3, homer (28th overall) ... Josh Banks TOR 7-1/3 7 3 3 0 8 ... Evan MacLane NYN, splendid AA debut (after 3.20 in 112 innings in A+), 9.0 5 0 0 2 7 ... Ryan Zimmerman WAS 1-4, 4th homer

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Delwyn Young 2B LA 2-4, 3B, RBI (58th), .293…Andy LaRoche 3B/1B LA 0-4, .264…Joel Guzman 3B LA 0-1, 104th K, .285…James Loney 1B LA 1-2, .281…Robert Andino SS FLA 1-3, 2B, run, 2 BB, .273…Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 2-3, 15th HR (GS), 2 BB, 2 runs, too good for AA, .305…Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 1-5, 20th HR, 2 RBI, .273…Adam Bostick II FLA 6.0 2 0 0 2 9, 2.60, (W) now 6-5…Chris Resop FLA 2.0 2 1 0 0 3, 2.27…D’Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 0-4, .275…Bobby Basham CIN 6.0 11 6 4 0 4, 2.70 (L), now 6-5…Noochie Varner OF AZ 2-4, 2B, run, .293…Dan Uggla 2B AZ 0-4, .324…Miguel Montero C AZ 2-4, run, 2 RBI, .333…Jesus Cota 1B AZ 2-4, 2B, RBI, .264…Jon Zeringue OF AZ 0-4, .263…Enrique Gonzalez AZ 7.0 7 2 1 0 7, 4.07 (W) now 9-7…

TEXAS (AA)  --  Chris Ianetta (C) COL 2-4, RBI ... Shane Costa KC 2-3, RBI(31), .281 ... Mike Aviles KC 2-3, .296 ... Ubaldo Jiminez COL (L,1-3) 6 7 3 3 2 7 (6.11) ... Ryan Baerlocher KC (W,4-2) 7 7 2 2 1 6 (2.68) ... Daric Barton OAK 2-5, R, .333 ... Andre Ethier OAK 2-3, R, RBI(57), .332 ... Casey Myers OAK 2-3, R, RBI(27), .358 ... Brian Stavisky OAK 1-4, R, HR(8), 2RBI(62), .305 ... Ruddy Yan TX 2-4, R, RBI(29), .310 ... Mike Nickeas (C) TX 2-4, R, 2B, 4RBI(11), .188 ... Dallas Braden OAK (L,9-4) 4-1/3 10 7 6 3 1 (3.34) ... Thomas Diamond TX (W,3-2) 5-2/3 6 4 4 2 5 (4.99) ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-5, 2R, 2B, 2SB(28), .276 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 1-5, R, 2B, RBI, SB, .355 ... Jaime Bubela SEA 3-4, 2B, RBI(41), SB(31), .297 ... Hector Giminez (C) HOU 2-4, RBI(39), .292 ... Emiliano Fruto SEA (S,11) 1 0 0 0 1 2 (2.66)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Nate Schierholtz SF, ready to move up, 4-5, 29th double, .322 ... Eddy Martinez-Esteve SF, overdue for a promotion, 3-5, 2 doubles (37), 11th homer, 3 RBI, .328 ... Stephen Drew ARZ 2-4, walk, .355 ... Richie Robnett OF OAK 2-5, 26th double, 10th homer, .261 ... Alex Frazier OF ARZ 2-3, 2 walks, 2 homers (12), 3 RBI, .280

CAROLINA (A+) --  Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-5, 2 R, 2 homers (11), 3 RBI (43), .306 ... Robert Valido CHA 2-5, R, SB (32), .295 ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-4, double, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K, .287 ... Thomas Collaro CHA 2-4, .270 ... Kory Casto WAS 2-4, 2 R, HR (19), RBI (70) & 1-3, BB, K ... Stephen Head CLE 0-3, K, .250 ... Nate Spears BAL 3-3, 2 R, double (23), RBI, BB, .309 ... Mario Delgado BAL 4-4, 3 doubles (19), 3 RBI (57), .333 ... Nick Markakis BAL 1-4, double (23), RBI (57), BB, .294 ... consistency is NOT his middle name ... Adam Loewen BAL (W, 5-6, 3.91) 6 3 0 0 3 7 ...

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Brent Clevlen RF DET 3-5 HR(13) 2B 3R 4RBI - .299 … Lou Palmisano DH MIL 3-4 2B 3B R RBI - .253 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 1-3 2B 2R - .244 … JR Mathes CHN 7 6 0 0 0 6 W(8-5, 3.05) … Kurt Isenberg TOR 7 9 5 4 1 2 L(7-8, 4.25)

MIDWEST (A) --  still awaiting that promotion Eric Patterson CHN 4-4 (.347) ... Ryan Harvey CHN 18th HR ... oops Sean Gallagher CHN 1 2/3 5 6 6 5 3 (2.40) ... Reid Brignac TB 0-4, 2 K's (.256) ... David Winfree MIN 2-5, 11th HR ... Trevor Plouffe MIN 0-4 (.232) ... Matt Bush SD 2-5, 2 more errors (33) ... Ryan Webb OAK 6 5 4 1 0 4 (4.44) ... Cliff Pennington OAK 2-3, double, 2 BB's ... Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 1-3, 21st double (.312) ... nice one by the kid Homer Bailey CIN 5 3 1 1 2 4 (4.67) ... busting a mild slump Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 4-5, 18th double ... still just 19 Ian Gac TEX 3-5, a pair of homers (.247)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Chris Nelson COL 3-5, 2 doubles, 3 runs  ...  Sergio Pedroza LA 2-4, 2 homers, 4 RBI, good night for the recently promoted  ... 05 3rd rounder  ...  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-6, double, RBI, run, SB  ...  Chris Getz CHA 1-4, RBI, 3 runs, walk  ...  Jack Egbert CHA 7 6 2 2 3 3, (W, 7-5), 3.72  ...  Matt Whitney CLE 3-4, double, RBI, run  ...  Dan Cevette CLE 5 3 0 0 1 7, (W, 3-3), 2.66  ...  Neil Walker PIT 2-4, run  ...  Hunter Pence HOU 3-4, double, 2 runs


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Brett Gardner CF NYY 4-6, 4R, K ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 3-5, 2R, 2B, 2RBI, BB, 2K ... Luis Soto RF BOS 2-4, 2R, 2B, BB ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 1-3, BB, K ... Tyler Greene SS STL 1-6, R, K ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 3-5, 2HR, 5RBI, E ... Kyle Kendrick PHI 7 7 2 2 2 5 ... Nolan Reimold RF BAL 1-3, 2R, HR, BB ... Rad Liz BAL 5 5 0 0 1 8 ... Ryan Patterson DH TOR 2-5, HR, 3RBI ... Pete Sellers 3B HOU 1-4, R, 2B

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Casey Craig OF SEA 2-4, 5th homer, .312 ... David Maroul SS SF 3-5, double, 2 RBI ... Joseph Dyche CF, leadoff, SF 4-4, triple, .298 ... Trey Hendricks 1B ARZ 3-4, 7th double, .310 ...  John Mayberry TEX 2-5

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Stuart Musselwhite (2B BAL, 24th rd.)  4-5, 2 R, 2 2B, HR (3), RBI (13), .317 BA…  top pick Brandon Snyder (DH BAL)  1-4, R, HR (4), RBI (13), BB, K, .264 BA…  recently promoted from the Aberdeen Ironbirds and seeing his first action for Bluefield, Angel Avila (RF BAL)  3-5, R, HR (1), 3 RBI (3), K, .600 BA…  Steven Tolleson (SS MIN, 5th rd.)  4-5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI (7), .302 BA, E (3)…  another dinger for P.J. Hiser (1B CLE)  1-4, R, HR (9), RBI (league leading 28), .318 BA…  homering for a second straight game, Cory Wells (RF NYM)  2-3, R, 2B, HR (3), 3 RBI (13), BB, K, .302 BA, but not a good night on the basepaths, 2 CS (3) and picked off once…  mediocre outing, but still good enough for a win, Frank Viola, Jr. (SP CHW)  W (2-1), 6 6 4 4 2 6, 4.86 ERA…  8 innings (something you rarely see in rookie leagues) of impressive pitching from Jesse Litsch (SP TOR)  W (3-1), 8 2 0 0 0 7, 2.45 ERA, recorded 18 of 24 outs via K or ground ball, now with a 45/6 K/BB ratio in 44 IP.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  2b Jesus Soto LAD 1-3, 2R, 2b, BB ... DH David Sutherland LAD 3-4, 2b, 3RBI ... 1b Jason Mooneyham LAD 3-3, HR(4), 2b, 3RBI ... 3b Corey Wimberly COL 2-4, 2b, RBI, R, SB(18) ... CF Brandon Roberts CIN 1-4, SB(18) ... CF Darren Ford MIL 1-6, 2R, 3b, BB, SB(9) ... SS Ryan Crew MIL 5-7, 3 2b, RBI ... DH Angel Salome MIL 3-6, 2 2b, RBI ... 3b Dallas Morris LAA 1-5, HR(5) ... 1b Mark Trumbo LAA 2-5, HR(3), 2b, 2RBI ...

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  No games.

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Mark Pawelek Cubs' first-rounder, 4 2 1 1 2 6, 0.90 in 20 innings (28 Ks) ... Nomar Garciaparra CHN 0-3 ... Rayner Oliveros KC 6 9 1 1 0 2, 5-0, 1.50 (in 42 innings, just 21 Ks) ... Kyle Blanks SD 3-5, .329 ... Joseph Dickerson CF KC 3-5, 2 triples (7), 2nd homer, 4 RBI, .317

  Troop Movements ...  PHI - activated  Geoff Geary from DL, Clay Condrey to AAA ... SF - activated Marquis Grissom from DL, Alex Sanchez to DL, activated Jesse Foppert, optioned to AAA ... NYN - Jose Santiago up, Heath Bell to AAA  ...

    David Regan, RotoAmerica, with his picks as the top young guns in the Southern League :

" ... 1. Jeremy Hermida ... Don't be surprised if the Marlins trade Juan Encarnacion this month and make Hermida their RF as early as August 1st. He's that talented and that polished. Great batting eye, sprays the ball to all fields, and has found his power stroke this year. .296/.456/.523, including 14 HR and 19 SB ...  2. Joel Guzman ... just now fulfilling his immense potential. Still at SS, I think his long-term future as a Dodger is in the outfield and look for him to break in there sometime in 2006. The Dodgers though, aren't discounting his staying at SS which makes you wonder about the future of Cesar Izturis .... 3. Chad Billingsley ... Has had a bit of an up and down year as a 20 year old, but still has #1 type potential. 110 K's in just over 94 innings attests to that and he's just going to get better. Look for him to debut about a year from now, if not sooner ... 6. Russell Martin ...  the most talented catcher currently in the minors. He owes his success to improved defense but most importantly to his bat: 53 walks and just 43 K's. Just 5 HR's on the year, but he has 15-20 HR potential and combine that with a .400 OBP and solid defense and you have an All-Star catcher ... 11. Wes Bankston ...  his bat's never been a question. Put up a 1.142 OPS in A+ before being quickly promoted to AA where he's hitting a solid .309/.384/.513. Great power to all fields and a patient approach at the plate."

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, with his revised prospect chart for the Eastern League.  Hmmm ... Hamels over Verlander.

 1. Cole Hamels, LHP, PHI         6. Lastings Milledge, OF, NYN
 2. Justin Verlander, RHP, DET    7. Jon Lester, LHP, BOS
 3. Dustin McGowan, RHP, TOR      8. Hanley Ramirez, SS, BOS
 4. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS       9. Yusmeiro Petit, RHP, NYN
 5. Matt Moses, 3B, MIN          10. Hayden Penn, RHP, BAL

    Two more first rounders on the dotted line :

" ... Craig Hansen, the highly touted pitcher from St. John's University, came to terms on a four-year, major league contract that will pay him a total of $4 million. The deal has not been announced, but Hansen is expected to be at the team's training facility in Fort Myers, Fla., [Sunday]. The expectation is that Hansen will remain in Fort Myers, getting himself in pitching shape, before he is assigned to one of the team's minor league affiliates. The assumption is Hansen will either be assigned to Single A Wilmington in the Carolina League or Double A Portland."  (Boston Globe)

" ... The Angels knew they wanted Trevor Bell; they just couldn't decide whether they wanted him on the mound or in the outfield. Finally, in March, they decided his greatest potential was taking full advantage of his cannon arm. And as a pitcher it was that scouting director Eddie Bane announced Bell's signing Saturday night at Angel Stadium ...  "He got better rapidly, legitimately [throwing] up to 97 mph." Bell, 18, was 8-3 with a 1.13 ERA in 16 games for Crescenta Valley High (Calif.) this year."  (MLB.com)

    Pirates' JVB back for more hospital time :

" ...  right-hander John Van Benschoten underwent his third shoulder operation in nine months earlier week. Van Benschoten had arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue from his left shoulder, which he originally had scoped in November. Van Benschoten also underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in January. "Another day, another surgery," Van Benschoten said. Van Benschoten is still scheduled to be ready for the start of spring training next year. Van Benschoten was declared out for this season after his surgery in January."  (Beaver County Times)

   John Sickels, MinorLeagueBall, reviews his Braves' prospect chart :

" ... 1) Andy Marte... I still think he is an outstanding prospect, but they either need to trade him or find him a place to play. He should be ready in '06 ... 3) Jacob Stevens ... Doing OK but I expected better. Strikeout rate is down compared to last year ... 4) Jeff Francoeur ... has excellent tools, speed and power, but I remain worried about his plate discipline, which is poor, will effect his development once the pitchers adjust ... 10) Jarrod Saltalamacchia ...   24 doubles shows more home run power is likely down the road. Between McCann and this guy, the Braves should have their catching needs filled for the foreseeable future."


Our league correspondents :  INTERNATIONAL Herb Walters / PACIFIC COAST JDM  / EASTERN Ralph Marston  / SOUTHERN Jason Collette   / TEXAS Aman Reaka  / FLORIDA STATE Wayne Stevens  / CAROLINA Troy Salvior  / CALIFORNIA JDM  / MIDWEST Bob Reed  / SOUTH ATLANTIC Dave Scott  / NEW YORK-PENN Harry Almquist  / NORTHWEST JDM  / APPALACHIAN  Scott Howes  / PIONEER Joe McAnally / GULF COAST JDM  / ARIZONA JDM

 
 

    
Rookie Reports Archive :

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

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2004 Minor League Stats 1  (Hitters by OPS by Classification OBA SLG SBs Errors)
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