Rookies 2005

21 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla 2B CIN 2-4, 2B, R, RBI ... Chris Denorfia CF CIN 2-3, 12th HR, R, RBI, BB ... Scott Thorman 1B ATL 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI ... Jason Bourgeois LF ATL 2-4, 2 R, SB ... Chuck James ATL 6 3 3 3 2 8, 1.93 ... Gavin Floyd PHI 6 8 4 4 1 3, 5.77 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 2-3, 17th HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, 0 errors ... Marcus Thames LF DET 0-5 ... Joel Zumaya DET 6 5 2 2 2 4, 2.70 ... Fausto Carmona CLE 6 5 4 2 5 2, 2.51 ... Kelly Shoppach C BOS 2-4, 25th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Bryan Bullington PIT 7-1/3 6 1 1 3 4, 3.04 ... Andy Phillips 1B NYA 2-4, 2B, 20th HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB ... Tim Redding NYA 5 8 3 3 1 7, 4.05 ... Francisco Liriano MIN 7 4 0 0 1 12, 1.59

" ... Liriano (8-1) struck out the side in the fourth and fifth innings, then fanned two more in the sixth. He gave up four singles and a walk, did not allow a runner past first base until the seventh and won his sixth straight decision. The 21-year-old left-hander lowered his ERA to 1.59. In 79 innings, he has yielded just 43 hits and 22 walks while striking out 93. International League opponents were hitting just .159 against him heading into his 12th start."  (MLB.com)

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Justin Huber KC 2-3 ... Luke Scott HOU 2-4, 24th double, 27th homer, .281 ... Adam Wainwright STL, noticeable improvement, 7 7 4 3 2 12 ... Rich Hill CHN 7-1/3 5 2 1 1 11 ... Nick Gorneault ANA 2-3, 22nd homer, 4 RBI, .284 ... 2B Kevin Frandsen SF 3-4, double, .476 ... Adam Eaton SD 4.0 7 2 2 1 2 ... Delwyn Young LA 2-5, homer ... Sean Burroughs SD 4-5, double, .295 ... Josh Barfield SD 2-4, 22nd double, walk, 3 runs, .311

EASTERN (AA)  --  Craig Hansen BOS 1 0 0 0 0 2 ... Lastings Milledge NYN 3-5, 2 doubles, .327 ... Armando Galarraga WAS, not a bad season until now, 3-1/3 10 11 11 1 5 ...Brad Snyder CLE 2-5, triple, homer, .283 ... Ryan Zimmerman WAS 2-5, 8th homer, .310, error

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Jae-kuk Ryu CHN 7 2 0 0 1 8, 3.42 ... Cesar Carrillo SD 6 4 3 3 0 8, 3.23 ... Kris Honel CHA, a step back after several promising efforts, 2 6 6 6 1 0 ... Jerry Owens CHA OF 1-3, 19th double & 3-5, 2nd homer, .340 ... Stephen Drew ARZ, at leadoff,  0-3, 2 walks, .233 ... Russell Martin LA 2-4, 17th double, 2 walks, .309 ... Joel Guzman LA 2-5, 31st double, 7th SB, .290 ... Andy LaRoche LA 3-4, homer (30th overall), 3 RBI, .274

TEXAS (AA)  --  Mike Aviles KC 2-4, R, RBI(73), .287 ... Tyler Minges STL 2-3, 2R, 2B, .325 ... Travis Hanson STL 1-4, R, HR(20), 3RBI(91), .280 ... Daric Barton OAK 2-4, 2R, 2B, .335 ... Brian Stavisky OAK 2-4, 2R, 2B, 2RBI(78), .313 ... Andre Ethier OAK 2-3, 3R, RBI(78), .324 ... In over his head? - Chris Lambert STL (L,2-6) 1-2/3 4 6 6 4 1 (5.69) ... Shane Komine OAK (W,1-0) 6 4 3 3 3 6 (3.57) ... Sandy Nin COL 7 4 1 1 1 4 (2.98) ... Ruddy Yan TX 2-5, R, HR(3), 2RBI(39), .304 ... Joaquin Arias TX 3-5, R, 2B, .313 ... Erick Aybar ANA 3-4, 2R, 3B, .294 ... Continues to mash - Howie Kendrick ANA 3-5, 3R, HR(5), 3RBI(33), .353 ... Good numbers, horrible average - Michael Napoli ANA 1-4, 2R, HR(26), 3RBI(89), .228

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Joey Gomes TB 2-3, 28th double, .317 ... Asdrubal Cabrera SEA 3-4, .306 ... Brandon Wood ANA 1-4, 47th double, .314 ... Michael Johnson 1B SD 3-5, 2 homers (15), 5 RBI, .302 ... Kurt Suzuki OAK 3-4, double, .281

CAROLINA (A+) --  Jeff Fiorentino BAL 0-3, K & 2-3, R ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 1-3, BB & 0-3, RBI, BB ... Brandon Jones ATL 1-2, 2 BB & 0-3, RBI, BB, K ... James Johnson BAL (W, 11-8, 3.58) 6 4 0 0 2 5 ... Jake Stevens ATL (W, 8-8, 4.67) 6 9 4 4 1 3 ... Stephen Head CLE 1-4, double ... Kevin Kouzmanoff CLE 1-3, R, HR (10), RBI ... Kory Casto WAS 1-3, R, HR (21), 2 RBI (86), BB ... Hunter Pence HOU 1-3, triple, 3 RBI (78), BB

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Tyler Clippard NYA 6 4 1 1 2 7 (W, 10-9) 3.21 … Justin Christian 2B NYA 4-4 3B R 2RBI 2SB(49), .301 … Chin-lung Hu SS LA 2-5 2B RBI SB(21), .304 … Matt Kemp CF LA 2-4 HR(26), .312 … Trent Oeltjen LF MIN 3-3 2B, .283 … Nate Bumstead DET 6 2/3 10 4 4 3 4 ND, 2.59 … Adam Harben MIN 7 6 3 3 4 8 ND, 2.63 … Joey Votto 1B CIN 2-4 2B 2R, .265 … Jamar Hill RF NYN 2-4 3B SB(13), .244 … Tim Worthington NYN 6 6 5 4 1 8 (L, 5-4) 2.23

MIDWEST (A) --  rolling along David Winfree MIN 3-5, 15th HR ... Raul Padron OAK 3-3, 17th double, 2 BB's (.271) ... burn that glove Matt Bush SD 2-3, BB, 8th SB, 38th error .. Reid Brignac TB 2-4, 27th double (.257) ... real schleeper Michael Schlact TEX 7 8 4 2 0 4 (4.43) ... Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 0-4 ... Phillip Andersen STL 6 5 3 2 1 11 (2.94 in 89 innings) ... Ack! Two golden sombreros in 3 days Ryan Harvey CHN 0-5, 4 K's (.265) ... Jeff Clement SEA 3rd homer and 3rd passed ball (.300)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-5, run  ...  Chris Gimenez LF CLE 2-5, solo homer  ...  Neil Walker PIT 2-4, double, .297  ...  Matthew Miller COL 1-4, 29th homer, 2 RBI  ...  Ambiorix Concepcion NYN 2-5, 2 RBI, SB (33)  ...  Jeff Jaramillo PHI 3-4, 2 doubles, RBI  ...  Angel Salome MIL 1-5, homer, 3 RBI ,2 runs  ...  David Cook CHA 2-5, double, homer, 3 RBI, 2 runs  ...  Tim Battle NYA 3-5, double, 3 RBI, 2 runs, 2 SB (39) ... Joe Koshansky COL 3-6, 31st double, 36th homer (back into a tie for the minor league lead), 4 RBI (103), .293

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jed Lowrie BOS 1-4, double, .311 ... Jacoby Ellsbury BOS 2-4, triple, .303 ... PJ Hiser CLE 0-6, 3 Ks, .350 ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 3-5, 18th double, 11th homer, 4 RBI, .333

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jeffrey Baisley 3B OAK 4-5, 2 doubles, triple, .264 ... Daniel Griffin SF 6 3 0 0 2 8, 3-1, 1.75 ... John Mayberry TEX 2-3, .249

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Quentin Davis OF ATL 3-4, homer, walk, 4 RBI, .321 ... Ryan Mullins MIN, 7 1 0 0 1 5, 3-0, 2.18 (60 Ks in 54 innings)  ... Alexander Smit MIN, a 180 since demotion, 2 2 0 0 1 4, 2.06 (83 Ks in 44 innings)

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Travis Wood CIN 5 4 2 2 0 3, 1.29 ... Mark Trumbo ANA 1-3, homer, .278 ... Corey Wimberly COL, 3B & SS, leadoff, 2-4, walk, 23rd SB, 17th error, .373

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Angel Fermin 1B NYA 3-4, 5th homer, 4 RBI, .319 ... CJ Henry NYA 0-5,  11th error, .240 ... Elvis Andrus SS ATL 1-4, homer, 2 errors (12), CS, .308 ...  Ty Howington CIN 2 2 0 0 0 1 ... Andrew McCutchen PIT 3-5, triple, .278 ... Bubba Bell 3-4, 2 doubles, homer, 3 RBI, .340 

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Ariel Nunez SF 2-3, double, .382 ... Lorenzo Cain OF MIL 1-2, 5th homer & 1-4, .369

  Troop Movements ...  ATL - 1st of the 2005 draftees up, Joey Devine, Jim Brower designated for assignment ... STL - activated Larry Walker from the DL, Mike Mahoney to AAA ... PHI - Geoff Geary to AAA, Aquilino Lopez up ... SEA - Greg Dobbs up, Gil Meche DL ... CLE - Andrew Brown up, Jason Dubois to AAA ... BOS - Adam Stern DL, Lenny DiNardo up ...

    The Top 100s page now includes some of the mid-season updates (bottom of the page).

    Zach Chalifour, RotoTimes, includes notes on Erick Aybar and Joe Koshansky in his latest prospect report.

" ...  Aybar is considered one of the best middle-infield prospects in all of baseball and has been completely overshadowed by the breakout seasons of fellow Angels middle infielders Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick ...  After hitting 14 home runs last year with 51 steals at Rancho Cucamonga, the 21-year-old Aybar is on pace to just come short of those totals this season ...  While having so many top prospects at the same position is a good problem to have, the Angels will likely soon consider moving or trading some of their middle infielders. Chances are, however, that Aybar will stay at shortstop, and he could potentially supplant Orlando Cabrera in 2007."

" ...  Koshansky was a relative disappointment in 66 games of action last summer after being taken in the sixth round of the 2004 draft. While the 23-year-old is playing at just the Low-A level at Asheville of the South Atlantic League, his numbers are too good to ignore. Koshansky has hit .293 with 99 runs batted in and 35 home runs, which is just one short of leader Brandon Wood. Like most power hitters, Koshansky strikes out a lot. He has fanned 119 times in 117 games and has drawn just 51 walks. He must significantly improve his plate discipline if he is ever to make it to Colorado, but he is worth keeping an eye on to see how he does once he faces more advanced pitching."

    Kevin T. Czerwinski, MLB.com, provides an update on Jeff Niemann TB :

" ... Niemann is healthy now and pitching better than he has at any point in the year. He has allowed only two hits and one run over his past two outings, a 5 1/3-inning stretch during which he's fanned nine. He's hoping to get his pitch count up to around 90 by season's end and perhaps put in a good seven or eight innings in a single game. "It's not quite what I expected," Niemann said. "It's been a year full of ups and downs as I get accustomed to pro ball. It's definitely a lot longer but it's fun. I've learned how to pace myself and I've learned my body better. I know my arm better now and how it will react and how quickly I can come back. "(The Southern League) is much different than the California League. It's more of a slugfest out there. Everyone is swinging. Here, everyone is smarter and they won't chase as much. They look for their pitch." So, Niemann is forced to work just a bit harder but the results, as least where he is concerned, are beginning to become more positive."

    BOS reliever prospect drawing a crowd :

" ... In the past week, Hadlock Field has been visited by Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein, assistant GM Josh Byrnes, pitching coach Dave Wallace and pitching consultant Tony Cloninger. There also has been extra media attention, including a visit by a NESN camera crew. Craig Hansen certainly draws a crowd. Hansen, a reliever for the Portland Sea Dogs, is the latest prospect passing through Portland on an obvious fast track to Boston. What's intriguing about Hansen is he was drafted only two months ago and signed July 25. And he may be at Fenway Park soon. "He's unusually good," Cloninger said with a smile. "It's been a long time since I've seen someone already that far along." ... Hansen's stuff is a little beyond OK. "He has an electrifying fastball, with good sink and high velocity, and a good slider to go along with it," Sea Dogs pitching coach Fernando Arroyo said."  (Portland Press Herald)

      Sam Geaney, CAL Leaguers, takes a look at TB's Andrew Sonnanstine (correcting the totals we originally posted on the 19th - 14 walks, 154 Ks in 162 2/3s)

" ...  Deceptive righty strike thrower. Large frame. Lean and lanky build ... Pinwheel deliv. Hds lift over head, everything releases towards plate w/ease despite ft drag ... .Sneaky FB is located with ease around zone. Sounds hard and plays up with funk, some bad swings on 86MPH ... Soft sinker @ 84-85 dives to armside. 4 seam is straight but gd angle. Gets first pitch FB over all night. Solid command of FB right now with chance for plus ... Ability to throw quality strikes with pot. avg FB gives him value. Lack of secondary pitches prob. force him to bullpen. Gets a bit timid with three ball counts, nothing but FB towards center of plate. Afraid of walks? Can really pitch. Value for me is as long man @ ML level. May as well be pushed quick with success he is having. "

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, on a likely top pick in 2006 and the top prospect in the Cape Cod League, Andrew Miller.

" ... The big lefthander won six of his seven starts with three times as many strikeouts (66 in 49 innings) as hits allowed (22). The league's co-pitcher of the year, he headlines our Cape Top 30 Prospects list for the second straight summer. "He's the Randy Johnson of the Cape League," Yarmouth-Dennis manager Scott Pickler said. "There's a fear of facing Andrew Miller among the kids. There's no one else like that in the league."

   Ryan Zimmerman WAS finding a home at shortstop :

" ... in 52 games at Double-A Harrisburg, Zimmerman is batting .307 with 17 doubles and seven home runs. "Moving to short is not a new thing, not a big deal at all," Harrisburg manager Keith Bodie said, downplaying Zimmerman's recent move. "He's played shortstop before." Quite a bit, in fact, as Zimmerman patrolled the area between second and third base as a prep player and recently at Virginia ... That would explain why when Bodie called Zimmerman into his office before a home game Wednesday to tell him the news, it was a quick meeting. "We already know he can play third, and versatility in the Major Leagues is very important," Bodie reasoned. As far as Zimmerman is concerned, if it gets him to Washington even faster than originally planned, it's fine by him. "I didn't mind the move at all," the easygoing Virginia Beach, Va., native said. "They said when they signed me as a third baseman I could play short. So I expected it at some time."   (MLB.com)

20 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Oh my, BJ Upton 2 more errors, 48 on the season, 1-4, double, .301 ... Ross Gload CHA 3-5, 12th homer (grand slam), 5 RBI, .366 ... Ryan Garko CLE 2-5, .303 ... Ben Kozlowski CIN  7 4 1 1 1 2, 4.55 ... William Bergolla CIN 2B 3-4, double, .296 ... Ian Snell PIT, trying to regroup, 5 4 2 2 1 5, 10-2, 4.04 ... catcher Ronny Paulino PIT 3-5, 13th homer, .342

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Dennis Tankersley KC, 9 5 3 3 0 3, 4.31  (nothing eye-poppping, but four consecutive quality starts) ... Nelson Cruz MIL 2-3, double, .312 ... Anthony Reyes STL 5 5 6 6 2 4, 3.55 ... Justin Huber KC 1-4, homer ... Delwyn Young LA 1-4, homer, .284 ...  Shin-Soo Choo SEA 2-5, 10th homer, .269

EASTERN (AA)  --  Vince Perkins TOR, takes a lickin', 5 7 7 7 3 3, 4.14 ... Hanley Ramirez BOS 1-5, CS, 21st error ... Lastings Milledge NYN 2-5, double, homer, .318 ... Ryan Zimmerman WAS, at SS again, 1-4, .307 ...  Chris Begg SF 8 5 1 1 2 5, 3.16

" ... Begg, allowed just a single run in eight strong innings and retired 16 Sea Wolves hitters in a row at one point ...  After allowing a one-out single to Juan Tejeda in the 3rd inning, Begg did not allow another baserunner until Tony Giarratano drew a two-out walk in the 8th inning."

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Daniel Haigwood CHA 5 5 2 2 4, 1.20 ... Jeremy Hermida FLO 3-4, 29th double, .298 ... Stephen Drew ARZ 2-4, SB, .250 ... Elijah Dukes TB 2-4, 17th homer, .288 ... Edwin Jackson LA, just an inning to allow for a possible MLB callup, 1 1 1 1 0 1 ... Andy LaRoche LA 2-5, .262

TEXAS (AA)  --  Mitch Maier KC 2-4, 2R, RBI(39), SB(7), .245 ... Ruben Gotay KC 2-4, R, RBI(10), .267 ... Aaron Herr STL 3-3, R, 2B, 3RBI(73), .289 ... Brian Stavisky OAK 2-3, 2B, RBI(76), .311 ... Randy Leek STL (W,13-6) 6 5 2 2 0 3 (3.73) ... Jaime Bubela SEA 2-4, R, SB(38), .293 ... Nice AA debut (after a rough ride in AAA earlier in the season) - Rich Dorman SEA (W,1-0) 6 0 0 0 6 11 (0.00) ... Ruddy Yan TX 2-5, R, SB(38), .303 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 1-4, R, 2B, 2RBI(30), .343 ... Decent - Thomas Diamond TX 5 1 3 2 6 3 (4.80) ... Not so great - Steven Shell ANA 6 9 4 4 1 0 (4.42)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Brandon Wood ANA 46th double, .315 ... Ian Stewart COL 1-3, walk, .269 ... Joey Gomes TB, 2-4, .315 ... Bryan Lahair 1B SEA 3-5, 22nd homer, .306 ... Chris Lubanski KC 23rd homer, .292 ... catcher Colt Morton SD 1-3, homer, .273

CAROLINA (A+) --  Stephen Head CLE 2-4, double, .295 ...  Ray Liotta CHA 6 4 1 1 3 2, overall - 12-4, 2.10 ... Troy Patton HOU 5.0 6 3 3 2 3, 2.09 overall ... Ben Zobrist SS HOU 2-4, 29th double, 5th homer, .327 ... Adam Loewen BAL, first stinker in awhile,  5-1/3 7 5 5 4 7 ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-3, 3 walks, 3 RBI, .322 ... Nolan Reimold CF BAL 1-3, homer, 2 walks, .357 ... Mario Delgado 1B BAL 2-5, 22nd homer, .313

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Scott Tyler MIN 7 2/3 4 3 2 2 7 (L, 5-8) 3.88 … Tyler Greene SS STL 2-4, .400 … Steven Hammond MIL 6 3 1 1 4 7 (L, 4-2) 3.16 … Oscar Alvarez STL 7 4 0 0 0 3 (W, 2-0) 1.88 … Jake Blalock LF PHI 2-3 2B R 2RBI, .294 … Scott Mathieson PHI 6 2/3 4 2 2 1 5 (W, 3-6) 4.00 … Dante Brinkley LF NYN 3-5 HR(13) 2B 3R 3RBI SB(27), .334 … Jamar Hill RF NYN 3-5 2B 2R 2RBI, .242

MIDWEST (A) --  Homer Bailey CIN 5 6 2 2 2 4 (W, 6-4, 4.60) ... Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 0-4, 2 K's (.305) .. Juan Lucena STL 2-3, double (.308) ... rare shelling Chi-Hung Cheng TOR 4 2/3 7 8 7 4 5 (3.28) ... beginning of a breakout? Jeff Clement SEA 3-3, HR, double ... ouch Jair Jurrjens DET 5 7 6 6 2 4 (3.31) .. Matt Bush SD 2-4, 37th E ... Reid Brignac TB 1-6, 5th SB ... David Winfree MIN 2-5, but 30th E (.289) ... sombrero dorado Ian Gac TEX 0-5, 4 K's

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  James Happ PHI 4 2 0 0 1 7, 2.39 ... Chris Getz CHA 3-5, double, 3 RBI, 2 runs ... Brad McCann FLA 4-5, homer, 8 RBI, 2 runs

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 2-5, R, 3B, RBI, 2K ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 2-3, R, 2B, BB ... Luis Soto RF BOS 2-4 ... Neil Sellers 3B HOU 1-4, HR, K ... Wladimir Sutil 2B HOU 3-3, R, SB ... Brian Bogusevic HOU 2 4 3 3 1 2 ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 0-3, R, BB, 2K ... Kyle Kendrick PHI 6 7 4 2 1 4 ... Chris Volstad FLA 6 6 1 0 3 5 ... Jay Sborz DET 4 5 1 1 4 2

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  John Mayberry TEX, beginning to look like a 1st rounder, 3-4, 13th double, 7th homer, 3 RBI, .243 ... Steve Murphy OF TEX 2-5, 9th homer, .317 ... Shane Lindsay COL 5 5 3 2 1 8, 2.21 (88 Ks in 53 innings) ... Grant Varnell SD 4 4 0 0 0 2 (3 walks, 38 Ks in 37 innings) ... Tim Turner CF SD 3-3, homer, .306

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  ATL 3B Eric Campbell 16th homer, 4 RBI, .312 ... Andrew Lopez CF TB 3-4, triple, homer, .357

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Corey Wimberly COL, leadoff, 3-5, .365 ... CF Dexter Fowler COL 2-4, double, .259 ... Rusty Ryal 3B ARZ 4-5, 11th double, 6th homer, 2 SB, .319 ... Russell Mitchell 3B LA 3-3, walk, .304

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Leivi Ventura 3B NYN 2-4, 7th homer, .280 ... Greg Picart SS PIT 2-3, 2 doubles, .309 ... Francisco Guzman CF WAS 2-3, 6th homer, .360

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Thursday's games ... Gerald Laird TEX 1-3, .192 ... Valentino Arce 2B KC 5-5, double, 2 RBI, .362 ... Mark Pawelek CHN, little step back, 2 3 3 2 2 2, 2.50

  Troop Movements ...  MIL - Carlos Villanueva promoted to AA ( 8-1 record with a 2.32 ERA in 21 starts in the FSL) ... CHN - activated Jerry Hairston Jr. from DL, Matt Murton to AAA ... SF - Moises Alou activated from DL, Jason Ellison to AAA ... OAK - Nick Swisher activated, Matt Watson to AAA ... ARZ - Brandon Medders up, Brian Bruney to AAA ... SEA - released Scott Spiezio ...

    Nate Stephens, RotoWorld.com, offers a piece on possible rookie help next year in the National League.  Among those cited :

" ... Matt Cain ... may have the most potential of any player on this list, but he also is the most likely to struggle as a rookie next season ...  flashes a 96-MPH fastball that settles around 93 MPH most of the time. He adds a serviceable changeup and a dominant curve to draw rave reviews from the scouting industry ...  hasn’t harnessed all of his pitches well enough to throw them consistently for strikes, leading to 92 walks in 252 innings entering the year and 70 walks in 134 innings for Triple-A Fresno this season ... Despite the command issues and the home runs, Cain is still a top prospect  ... should be a spot or two open in the Giants’ rotation. Cain will need an impressive spring to claim that spot, and with his outstanding repertoire he has the talent to do so."

" ... Anthony Reyes ...  pitched pretty well while healthy in college, but that simply wasn’t often enough to be considered a top pick. The Cardinals worked Reyes back to health and he’s been excelling ever since ... If he can remain healthy, and he was bothered by a strained shoulder earlier this season, Reyes certainly could help the big club next season ... . it’s likely that at least one spot will open up in the Cardinals rotation for next season, and Reyes should claim it next spring."

    Dayn Perry, FoxSports, NL Central prospects :

" ... 2. Edwin Encarnacion ... In past seasons, Encarnacion has shown strong plate discipline, good gap power, an ability to hit for average, speed on the bases and a capable glove at third. This year, he ramped up his power numbers at AAA-Louisville before his promotion to Cincinnati. Once he seasons his approach at the plate and adjusts to major league pitching, Encarnacion figures to be a perennial All-Star."

" ...  6. Homer Bailey, RHP ...  sports a mid-90s fastball and a plus curve. In 2004, he saw very limited action in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League after signing, and this season he's in the Low-A Midwest League. There he's fanned well more than a batter per inning and done a fine job of keeping the ball in the park, but he's struggled badly with his control. He needs to harness his stuff and cultivate an off-speed pitch, but he's still a highly promising arm."

" ... 7. Troy Patton ... blew away the Sally League earlier this year, striking 94 and giving up only three home runs in 78.2 frames. At the end of June, he earned a promotion to High-A Salem, where he's thriving against an older peer group. Patton has three plus-potential offerings, and his future success is just a matter of staying healthy and making adjustments."

    Jeffrey Lutz, Wichita Eagle, offers a feature piece on KC's Billy Butler, now trying to master the OF :

" ...  Scott Marabell was Billy Butler's coach for three seasons at Wolfson High School ...  believes Butler has the tools to be productive defensively, as well. "I think if he goes to the instructional leagues (this winter), he can work it out," Marabell said. "They've just got to find a position for him." ...  looks much more comfortable at the plate than in the field, but Butler thinks that can change with time. "Defense is just a little tougher for me right now," he said. "But I'm working hard to get better every day." ... When he gets to Kansas City, he's expected to be a middle-of-the-order hitter right away ...  has been slow to adjust to Double-A pitching. Butler started hot, collecting hits in each of his first three games. Since then, he's just 3 for 22 before Wednesday's doubleheader against San Antonio ... "The biggest adjustment is with the pitchers," Butler said. "They have better stuff. They have better curveballs and they don't miss their spots as much as guys did in Class A." But the adjustment will come. That's the consensus of just about everyone who's ever coached Butler. "He's a great kid," Marabell said. "He's humble. He doesn't brag about how well he does. He was a good student. He liked to practice.... He just loves to play the game and he just loves to compete."  (Wichita Eagle)

19 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla 2B CIN 2-4, 2B ... Justin Germano CIN 7-2/3 6 0 0 0 1, 3.44 ... Adam Bernero ATL 8 4 3 3 2 3, 3.60 ... John-Ford Griffin DH TOR 1-4, 25th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Zach Jackson TOR 6 7 1 1 1 4, 4.60 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 0-4, BB, 0 errors ... Jason Hammel TB 4-2/3 11 6 6 1 7, 4.79 ... Marcus Thames DH DET 1-4, 19th HR, R, RBI ... Kenny Baugh DET 6 3 1 1 3 3, 3.38 ... Jason Cooper LF CLE 1-4, 12th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Jeremy Guthrie CLE 6 5 1 1 1 5, 5.03 ... rehab, Mark Bellhorn DH BOS 1-4, 2nd HR, R, RBI ... Abe Alvarez BOS 3-2/3 11 6 6 0 2, 4.75 ... rehab, Steve Trachsel NYN 7 5 2 2 1 6, 2.57 ... Brandon McCarthy CHA 4 4 1 1 1 2, 4.11 ... Andy Phillips 1B NYA 2-4, 19th HR, R, RBI ... Chris Heintz 3B MIN 2-5 ... Scott Baker MIN 7 8 3 3 1 7, 3.03 ... Walter Young DH BAL 3-4, 2 RBI

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  once they were very promising starters in the STL system, Chris Narveson 2 7 7 7 3 1,   5.19 and  Jimmy Journell 1-1/3 2 2 2 5 1 0, 4.68 ... Jason Botts TEX 4-6, 29th double, 6 RBI (93), .301 ... Bobby Brownlie CHN 6 8 6 5 2 4, 4.47 ... Josh Barfield SD 3-4, 12th homer, .309 ... Jesse Foppert SEA 1-2/3 1 0 0 1 2 ... Rafael Soriano SEA 2/3s 1 0 0 0 2 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 3-5, double, .308 ... Juan Cruz OAK 6 9 4 4 3 5 ...  except for the runs allowed, nice numbers, Matt Cain SF 5-2/3 5 4 4 2 9 ...  Kevin Frandsen 2B SF 2-4, double

EASTERN (AA)  --  Ryan ZImmerman WAS, at SS for the second game, 1-4, error, DP ... Nick Markakis BAL 4-5, 3 doubles, .365 ... Thomas Gorzelanny PIT 6 6 2 2 1 3, 3.53 ... Matt Moses MIN 2-4, double, .234 ... David Purcey TOR 5 2 0 0 2 10, 3.49 ... Matt DeSalvo NYA 8 3 0 0 1 5, 3.04

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Dan Uggla 2B AZ 3-4, 19th HR, 2 RBI (82), .317 ... Miguel Montero C AZ 1-3, .250 ... Jon Zeringue OF AZ 1-3, HR, 3 RBI, .249 ...  Dustin Nippert AZ 6.2 4 2 1 3 3, 2.40 ... Elliot Johnson 2B TAM 0-5, .278 ... Jason Pridie OF TAM 0-3, 2 runs, 2 BB, SB, .216 ...  Elijah Dukes OF TAM 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, SB, .286 ... Wes Bankston 1B TAM 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI, .294 ... Jeff Niemann TAM 3 1 1 1 1 4, 3.38 ...  Andy LaRoche 3B LA 1-5, RBI, .258 ... Joel Guzman SS LA 2-5, .290 ...  James Loney 1B LA 1-4, HR (10) 4 RBI (53), .287 ... Joel Hanrahan LA 5.0 6 5 5 7 5 1, 5.15 ...  Josh Burrus OF ATL 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 runs, SB, .231 ... Paul Bush ATL 6.0 4 4 4 3 6, 2.31 ...  Kennard Jones OF SD 2-5, 2B, .272 ... George Kottaras C SD 0-4, 2 K's, .254 ... Jared Wells SD 5.0 8 6 4 3 0, 3.77 (L) ...  Brandon Sing OF CHN 1-2, 25th HR, 2 RBI (67), .285 ... Ricky Nolasco CHN 3.1 7 5 4 1 5 2, 3.26 ... Ty Taubenheim MIL 5.0 6 4 4 2 5 2, 4.37.. .Glen Woolard MIL 1.0 2 0 0 0, 4.93 (W) ... D'Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 1-2, HR, 3 RBI, .288 ... Travis Chick SD 6.0 6 3 3 1 3, 5.20

TEXAS (AA)  --  Mike Rodriguez (LF) HOU 3-4, 2B, .270 ... Mitch Maier KC 2-4, 3R, RBI(38), SB(6), .241 ... Ruben Gotay KC 3-5, 3R, 2 2B, 3RBI(9), .244 ... Quietly, a good year - Josh Pressley (1B) KC 4-5, 2RBI(73), .306 ... Back on track - Billy Butler KC 3-5, R, 2B, 2RBI(11), .304 ... Tyler Minges STL 2-4, R, 2 2B, .322 ... Daric Barton OAK 2-5, R, .331 ... Brian Stavisky OAK 2-5, R, 3B, .309 ... On fire - Kevin Melillo OAK 2-3, 3R, 2B, 2RBI(17), 2SB(5), .348 ... Drew Dickinson OAK (W,6-8) 6-2/3 4 1 1 3 6 (5.55) ... Enmanuel Ulloa COL (W,5-3) 5-1/3 6 1 1 2 4 (3.09) ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-4, 2R, HR(8), 2RBI(50), .292 ... Kendry Morales ANA 3-4, R, HR(11), 2RBI(36), .255 ... So So - Edison Volquez (L,1-5) 5 4 3 3 1 5 (4.42) ... Much better - Jared Weaver ANA (W,2-1) 6-2/3 5 2 2 4 2 (4.91)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Chris Lubanski KC 4-6, 2 homers (22), 4 RBI, .293 ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-4, 45th double, 36th homer, 98th RBI, .316 ... Andrew Sonnanstine TB, soon some folks should start to notice him,  8 3 1 1 0 11, 2.71 (14 walks, 154 Ks in 162 2/3s)

CAROLINA (A+) --  Tom Collaro CHA 2-5, 29th homer, 4 RBI (96), .269 ... Robert Valido SS CHA 3-4, 2 doubles (22), .287 ... Michael Hinckley WAS, still struggling,  5-1/3 10 7 5 2 3, 4.96 ... Nolan Reimold BAL OF, fitting in nicely in A+, 2-4, homer, .364

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Joey Votto 1B CIN 2-3 HR(16) 2B 3RBI SB(4), .264 … Brent Clevlen RF DET 3-4 HR(17) 3R 2RBI SB(11), .308 … Ricky Romero TOR 4 1/3 6 2 2 2 4 ND, 4.08 … Reid Gorecki CF STL 2-5 R RBI SB(18), .288 … Tyler Greene SS STL 1-3 2R 2RBI SB(2), .381 … Anthony Swarzak MIN 7 6 0 0 0 8 (W, 10-8) 4.03 … Chuck Tiffany LA 5 1/3 5 5 5 2 6 (L, 10-7) 3.96 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 3-4 2 doubles R RBI, .247

MIDWEST (A) --  Sean Rodriguez ANA 23rd double, 11th HR (.249) ... Reid Brignac TB 2-5 (.256) ... Ian Gac TEX 21st double (.244) ... Joel Santo SD 6 5 2 1 2 5 (4.33) ... Matt Bush SD 0-3 (.221) ... Carlos Gonzales ARZ OF 3-5, 26th double, triple, 3 RBI (82), .308 ... Alberto Gonzales SS ARZ 5-6, double, triple, .314 ... David Winfree 3B MIN 3-4, .288 ... Jeff Clement SEA 3-5, .259

Appy correspondent Scott Howes got an up-close and personal look at 2004 overall #1 selection and bonus baby Matt Bush (SS SD) at the Fort Wayne – Clinton game on Thursday night in Indiana. The 19 year old Bush (.221 BA) looked totally overmatched at the plate, swinging feebly at several pitches, frequently checking his swing and appearing indecisive. He finished the game 0-3 with a strikeout and a walk and failing to hit anything solidly. He did turn in two sparkling plays on defense, snaring a wicked one-hop line drive to help thwart a Lumberjacks rally while the game was still close, and making a sweet turn on a 1-6-3 double play to end another inning. There seems to be little question about his arm, but plenty of doubt about his hitting. Bush hit just .198 in his first pro season – split between the rookie Arizona League and Eugene in A ball. In 503 career pro AB’s he’s homered just twice and totalled just 22 extra-base hits.

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  JC Holt 2-5, double, run ... Jeff Marquez NYA 2 3 1 1 1 3, L ...  Rogearvin Bernadina WAS 1-2, grand slam, 3 walks, SB ... Kyle Haines SF 3-5, solo homer ... John Otness BOS 2-3, homer, 4 RBI, 2 runs ...  Brad Davis FLA 2-4, double ... Neil Walker PIT 3-5, homer, 2 RBI ... Chris Getz CHA 2-5, run, SB

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Wade Townsend TB, not pretty, 3 6 6 6 5 1 ... Jacoby Ellsbury BOS 3-5, double, triple, .284 ...  PHI 3nd rounder finding his stroke, Michael Costanzo 3B 4-5, 13th double, 8th homer, 6 RBI, .256 ... Jeffrey Larish DET, nice NYP debut, 2-4, homer ... Clint Everts WAS 2 1 2 0 2 2

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  No games.

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Eli Iorg (RF HOU, 1st rd.) 4-4, R, RBI (16), BB, .299 BA… Koby Clemens (DH HOU, 8th rd.) 1-4, .342 BA… Paul Franko (1B TOR) 2-3, 3 R, HR (8), 3 RBI (40), 2 BB, K, .319 BA… Sean Henry (2B NYM) 1-3, 2 R, HR (5), 3 RBI (29), BB, 2 SB (13), .242 BA… Ryan Bethel (3B TBY, 32th rd.) 0-2, 2 R, 3 BB, E (5), .371 BA, .487 OBP… Christopher Cunningham (LF TBY) 3-6, R, 2 K, .339 BA… Andrew Lopez (CF TBY, 8th rd.) 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI (14), .338 BA… an absolute terror on the basepaths: Ovandy Suero (LF ATL) 1-3, 2 R, RBI (16), BB, 2 K, 3 SB (37)… a rotten night behind the plate for Thomas Lagreid (C TBY) 0-4 with 2 K and 6 SB’s against.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Dallas Morris 3B ANA 3-5, .326 ... Ethien Santana CHA CF, leadoff, 2-5, homer, .320 ... Jason Neighborgall ARZ, so far, not so good, 2 1 5 5 4 3 (in 16 innings, 16 earned runs, 25 walks, 16 Ks, 9.00) ... Rusty Ryal 3B ARZ 4-7, 5th homer, .307

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Scott Van Slyke LA 2-5, triple, .292 ... Eduardo Perez 1B LA 3-5, homer, .355 ... Beau Jones ATL 6 2 0 0 1 5, 3.86 ... Jay Bruce CF CIN 1-3, homer, walk, 2 RBI, .277

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Wednesday's games ... Patrick Phillips ANA, getting in some time at 3B, 2-3, double, .297 ... Lorenzo Cain MIL, leadoff, 1-4, double, .371 ... Steve Harris OF CHN 4-6, double, .386 ... Antoan Richardson CF, leadoff, SF 3-4, walk, 30th SB (5 CS), .311 ... Jeff Bianchi KC, still on the shelf

  Troop Movements ...  WAS - John Halama up ... TEX - Adrian Gonzalez up, Scott Feldman to AA ... STL - Yadier Molina activated from DL, Skip Schumacher to AAA, Jimmy Journell outright to AAA ... ARZ - Mike Koplove outright to AAA ...

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld.com, includes reviews of Jonathan Papelbon and Joel Zumaya in his latest prospect report :

" ...  Papelbon has the best fastball on Boston’s pitching staff and he’s used it to good effect in his two starts ...  still needs to show more consistency with his slider and splitter, but his 94-mph heater should continue to prove to be quite the weapon his first time around the league."

" ... Yunel Escobar ... a Cuban defector taken 75th overall in this year’s draft, is putting up very good numbers in his pro debut. He’s a flashy defender with more offensive potential than the shortstops ahead of him. One negative is that he might be older than his listed age of 22."

" ... Travis Wood ... Reds seem to have themselves another legitimate pitching prospect. Wood, a second-round pick this year, has dominated Rookie ball competition with a low-90s fastball, a plus change and an adequate curve. There’s already some doubt about whether he’ll last as a starter, given his smallish frame (he’s listed at 6’0”, 165 pounds), but he has a great deal of ability."

" ...  Zumaya’s stuff may actually outshine his numbers. He typically works in the mid-90s and he’s been clocked as high as 98 mph in Triple-A. His hard curveball is a second big-time weapon, giving him multiple strikeout pitches. He’s making progress with his third pitch, a changeup, but it still lags behind his other offerings. Command has been his major issue since the day he was drafted ...  has No. 2-starter potential. I’m not all that optimistic he’ll stay healthy enough to reach it."

    Bryan Smith, Baseball Analysts, on one of the Cape Cod League stars and a likely top pick next season :

" ...  Andrew Miller (LHP) - North Carolina: Truly the best pitcher in his class, posted insane strikeout numbers with increased control. If his ceiling can be accepted as Major League ace, his basement is that of a dominant left-handed reliever. Throws two plus-plus pitches, and it's only a matter ot time before he's one of the game's best."

    Jonathan Mayo, at MiLB.com, looks ahead to 2007 and some possible impact rookies, including :

" ... C Russ Martin, Dodgers: Truth be told, he could be ready next year, but the Dodgers have some depth at the position now. Martin hasn't even been catching that long, but he's already getting raves for his defense ...   hitting .315 with a little pop and 12 steals will help nicely at a position not exactly chock full o' offensive talent."

" ... OF Nick Markakis, Orioles ... will be ready soon. He could be rushed to the bigs by next year, but I see '07 as his first real impact. Not yet 22, the lefty-swinging outfielder has looked mighty impressive in his first dozen or so games since being moved up to Double-A. On the year, he's got 14 homers, 79 RBIs and a .308 average."

" ... OF Lastings Milledge, Mets ... pure center fielder, the 20-year-old has hit better since moving up to Double-A, with a .326 average in 33 games. He's stolen 27 bases on the year and he's still learning the craft. Add in some power down the road and he could be the complete package (worry about what happens with Carlos Beltran later)."

" ... Troy Patton, LHP, Astros ... fourth-best ERA in the Minors at 1.93 and has struck out 115 in 102 2/3 combined innings. Still only 19, the Carolina League is hitting just .190 against him since he moved up six starts ago."

     Rob Cosby TOR puts a serious knee injury (and loss of most of 2004) behind him with an offensive show in Double-A :

" ... This season he has become the team's most consistent player, particularly at the plate, batting .322 entering last night's second game. He is fifth in the league in hitting, fifth in slugging (.538) and second with 32 doubles. "Defensively he's OK and can be better," said Basso. "But he's in a good place right now offensively. As far as his swing and his approach at the plate, he's really got it going well right now."  ... In 15 games Cosby has started since Aug. 1, when he came off the DL, he has batted .386 (22-for-57) with 18 RBI, three homers and 10 runs scored. He has hit safely in 12 of those 15 games and has seen his batting average rise 16 points ...   "I feel great," said Cosby, who said the knee injury is a thing of the past. "Nothing mentally is holding me back. I just play the game and don't think at all about my knee. I keep playing because it doesn't bother me."  (Manchester Union Leader)

    Shin-Soo Choo SEA, Triple-A proving quite a hurdle :

" ... the 23-year-old is at the lowest point in his professional career, mired in a season-long slump at Triple-A Tacoma. After a career year at Class AA San Antonio in 2004 (where he hit .315 with 15 home runs, 84 RBIs and 40 steals), Choo hasn't adjusted well to the Triple-A ranks. His power numbers are down (nine homers, 40 RBIs, .389 slugging percentage) and his batting average is at an all-time low (.260) for this late in the season. As a result, his confidence is shaky. Glenn Adams, the Mariners' minor-league hitting coordinator, says it's likely the case of a young hitter going through a prolonged slump. Almost every player experiences it at one time or another, he says. "He's not having the year he is capable of having," said Adams, hesitant to say a negative word about a player long-considered a key part of the Mariners' future."  (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

    Javier Guzman PIT, some concerns, but the long term looks just fine.

" ... All in a day's work for Guzman, 21, who's overcoming some defensive shortcomings and emerging as another legitimate prospect in the Pirates' organization. "Defensively, he has a chance to be off the charts -- he really does," said Manto, the Pirates' roving minor-league hitting instructor. "He has a well-above-average arm. Once he gets the experience, he has a chance to be a good shortstop." Guzman, 5 feet 11, 167 pounds, opened this season with Class A Lynchburg, where he made 24 errors in 69 games ... Pirates began working seriously with Guzman at Lynchburg to get his error total down ...  Since joining the Curve June 20, Guzman has made only seven errors in 47 games ...  A .306 hitter at Class A Hickory last season and a .324 hitter in his Lynchburg stint this season, Guzman has a .257 batting average ...  Beasley [Altoona manager Tony Beasley] ... " ...  he's got to make some adjustments with his approach at the plate, but it's nothing that's really that much of a concern because it's just repetition." ... "He's not just a little contact guy," Beasley said. "He can drive the ball in the gaps. He can hit the ball out of the ballpark. He's a strong kid. " (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

18 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  James Jurries DH ATL 2-4, 20th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Kyle Davies ATL 7 5 0 0 1 3, 3.61 ... Shane Victorino CF PHI 3-4, 2 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB ... Shawn Marcum TOR 7 3 1 1 0 9, 5.23 ... Delmon Young RF TB 3-4, 2 2B, R (3 walks, 22 Ks) ... Chris Seddon TB 5-2/3 9 4 4 0 5, 6.06 ... Ryan Raburn 2B DET 1-2, 18th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB ... Marcus Thames DH DET 2-5, 18th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Zach Miner DET 7 4 0 0 2 6, 3.80 ... Ryan Garko 1B CLE 2-4, 2B ... Kelly Shoppach C BOS 2-4, 2B, HBP ... Dustin Pedroia 2B BOS 2-5, RBI ... rehab, Mark Bellhorn DH BOS 1-5, 2B ... Felix Diaz CHA 5 11 6 6 1 3, 5.13 ... Andy Phillips 1B NYA 2-4, 3 R, HBP ... Sean Henn NYA 2-2/3 4 3 3 2 4, 3.23 ... Chris Heintz C-3B MIN 2-4, R, RBI

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Prince Fielder MIL 2-4, 21st double, 28th homer, .291 ... Luke Scott HOU 3-5, 23rd double, 2 homers (26), 5 RBI, .273 ... Jose Lopez SEA 4-4, 2 doubles, .331 ... 2B Kevin Frandsen SF 2-5, .556 ... Jeff Mathis ANA 1-4, 16th homer, .284

EASTERN (AA)  --  Yusmeiro Petit NYN 8 3 0 0 0 12, 2.91 ... Anibal Sanchez BOS 6-1/3 8 4 3 5 5, 2.31 ... Casey Janssen TOR 6 11 5 3 0 6, 1.93 ... 3B Rob Cosby TOR 2-4, 16th homer, 4 RBI, 2 errors (18) & 1-4, .321 ... Jeremy Sowers CLE 7 6 2 2 0 9, 2.37 ... Matt Moses 3B MIN 1-3, homer, .226 .

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Chris Young CHA 2-4 39th double, triple, .275 ... Jeremy Hermida FLO 18th homer, .293 ... after six games on the shelf, Stephen Drew ARZ back in action, 0-4, .219 ...  Chris Carter 1B ARZ 3-4, homer (25th overall), .364

TEXAS (AA)  --  Mitch Maier KC 2-4, minor league leading 45th double & 0-4, .237 ... Billy Butler KC 1-3, homer (26th overall), 4 RBI & 1-4, .268 ... Jason Hirsh HOU 6 5 0 0 0 8, 12-8, 3.19 ... 2B Kevin Melillo OAK 2-4, double, .333 ... Daric Barton OAK 2-3, 2 walks, .329 ... Tommy Murphy ANA 2-5, 13th homer, .291 ...

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Richie Robnett OAK 17th homer, .254 ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-5, 29th double, .288 ... Brandon Wood ANA 1-3, walk, .316 (just one error in August so far, 19 total) ... Travis Metcalf 3B TEX 4-4, 2 doubles (26), 17th homer, .292

CAROLINA (A+) --  much better, Adam Milller CLE 5 1 0 0 1 6 ... Giovany Gonzalez CHA, not a great looking line, but his 11th win, 5 4 4 3 3 3, 3.16 ... Mario Delgado BAL 2-4, 20th homer, .313

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Nice FSL debut for Taylor Tankersley FLO 6 5 1 1 2 6 ND, 4.88 … Drew Anderson LF MIL 3-4 3RBI, .313 … Adam Lind LF TOR 2-4 R, .326 … Robinzon Diaz C TOR 2-4 3B R RBI, .288 … Tyler Greene SS STL 2-5 HR(2) 2B 2R, .389 … Reid Gorecki CF STL 2-5 R, .295 … Brian Martin DH STL 3-4 R 2RBI, .320 … Andy Wilson 1B NYN 3-4 HR(26) 2R 6RBI, .296 … Dante Brinkley LF NYN 2-3 3R RBI, .334 … Matt Kemp RF LA 3-4 2B 2RBI, .308 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 2-4 HR(15) 2B 2R 4RBI, .243

MIDWEST (A) --  Cliff Pennington OAK 1-3, BB, 21st SB (.279) ... Michael Ekstrom SD 6 3 1 1 1 7 (3.07) .. Ryan Harvey CHN 22nd HR (.271) ... Mark McCormick STL 5 4 1 1 2 2 ... David Winfree MIN 2-3, 29th double ... Trevor Plouffe MIN 13th HR ... Sean Rodriguez ANA 1-2, 2 BB, 26th SB ... Reid Brignac TB 1-3, 2 BB's ... Luis Cota KC 7 2 1 1 2 5 (3.82)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Joshua Hansen CHA 2-4, RBI & 2-3, RBI  ... Jack Egbert CHA 7 2 0 0 3 5, (W, 9-5), 3.28  ...  Carlos Perez BAL 5 8 3 3 2 4, L, 3.94  ...  JC Holt ATL 3-5, solo homer, 2 runs  ...  Blake Dewitt LA 2-4, homer, 2 RBI  ...  Scott Elbert LA 7 2 1 1 3 13, (W, 7-5), 2.88  ...  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-4, RBI, run  ...  Jonathan Sanchez SF 7 5 2 2 0 10, 4.01  ...  Brad Davis FLA 2-4, solo homer  ...  Daniel Barone FLA 6 8 1 1 0 6, 1.71  ...  Michael Dzurilla PHI 2-4, RBI, run  ...  Angel Salome MIL 2-4, double, 2 runs

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 2-5, R, 2RBI, BB, K ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 0-3, R, 2BB, K ... Luis Soto RF BOS 1-3, R, 2BB, 2K ... Ryan Phillips BOS, 11th rounder in 2004,  7 4 1 1 1 6, 6-1, 1.99 ... Jeff Landing NYM 6.1 5 1 1 2 4 ... Ryan Patterson RF TOR 2-4, 2R, 2B, 2BB ... Cory Patton DH TOR 2-6, R, 2B, 2RBI ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 0-3, BB, 2K ... Eric Fowler TOR 4 1 2 1 4 4 ... Scott Mitchinson PHI 5 6 4 3 2 6 ... Dennis Robinson BAL 5 2 1 1 1 4 ... Gaby Sanchez 1B FLA 2-5, 2RBI ... Wladimir Sutil 2B HOU 1-5, R, RBI ... Luis Munoz PIT 5 5 2 0 0 2

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jeffrey Flaig 1B SEA 1-3, 7th homer, .282 ... Christopher Nieto SF 5 4 1 1 1 3, 1.80 ... 3B Pablo Sandoval SF 2-3, 2 walks, .344 ... Taylor Teagarden TEX 2-4, .282 ... Steve Murphy TEX 2-4, 2 doubles (21), .315

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Ovandy Suero (LF ATL) 1-4, R, K, SB (34), .314 BA… Robert Findlay (RP TBY) SV (15), 2/3 1 0 0 0 1, 0.92 ERA… could be the real deal, a 3-hitter for Adam Hawes (SP MIN) W (3-0), 9 3 0 0 0 9, 1.44 ERA, 60/13 K/BB and just 30 hits allowed in 50 IP… Rene Aqueron (3B/DH BAL) 1-3, R, SB (4), and 2-3, R, 3 RBI (22), .426 BA… a couple of tough ND’s for Bluefield’s starters, although they swept both ends of a twinbill from the Burlington Indians: Brandon Erbe (SP BAL) 4 1 0 0 1 9, 2.70 ERA, now 41/9 K/BB and 6 hits yielded in 20 IP; and Jeffrey Moore (SP BAL) starting for the first time and posting a line of 3-1/3 0 1 0 1 7, 2.14 ERA… nice effort from Josh Flores (LF HOU) 5-5, 3 R, 2B, HR (5), 2 RBI (20), SB (15), .332 BA... wonder if The Rocket was there watching? Koby Clemens (DH HOU) 1-4, R, HR (3), 3 RBI (12), 2 K, .348 BA… Anthony Hatch (DH TOR) 4-5, R, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI (16), .264 BA… dominant stuff from Samuel Gervacio (RP HOU) SV (6), 2 0 0 0 0 5, 2.37 ERA, and an eye popping 47 K’s in 30-1/3 IP this season (to go with just 4 walks).

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  No games.

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  SS Justin Webb FLO 3-4, 3 runs, .294 ... Matthew Kutler CF FLO 3-5, 12th double, 3 RBI, .349 ...  Aussie lefty Kyle Edlich MIN 6-2/3 4 1 1 2 13, 4-1, 1.51

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Tuesday's games ... Nick Adenhart ANA 6 5 4 2 3 4 ... Ariel Nunez OF SF 3-4, triple, .381 ... Gerald Laird TEX 2-4, double, walk, 4 runs ...  weird, 11 inning, 16-14 game without a homer, but 20 walks, 22 Ks

  Troop Movements ...  ANA - Greg Jones up, Joe Saunders to AAA ... COL - activated Todd Greene from DL, Ryan Speier to AAA ... DET - Carlos Guillen DL, Carlos Pena up ... NYN - Mike Jacobs up ... CLE - claimed Jason Young off waivers, Francisco Cruceta designated for assignment ... MIL - Brady Clark DL, Prince Fielder up ... WAS - Brandon Watson to AAA ...

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Kevin Slowey MIN :

" ... Slowey is the real deal. ...  He doesn't project as a future No. 1 or 2 starter, but he has very good command of three solid-average pitches ... A college pitcher who can put three pitches where he wants them usually will carve up hitters in the lower minors, and that's what Slowey has done. He faced 25 batters in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, allowing two hits and no walks while fanning 15. In the Midwest League, he has gone 3-0, 2.27 with a 46-5 K-BB ratio in 44 innings. He's ready for another promotion and it's possible he could jump on the fast track like Jesse Crain and Scott Baker did in the Twins system in recent years. Both Crain and Baker ended their first pro season in the MWL, and their second in Triple-A."

    MIL tabs Corey Hart as one of its key guys for fall/winter ball :

" ... The Brewers are in the process of finalizing their roster for the Arizona Fall League ...  Hardy and Class AAA Nashville first baseman Prince Fielder have been selected as the Brewers' "priority" players, which means they are guaranteed roster spots ... The final four Brewers players will be determined by need, but the Brewers are hoping that Hart and Eveland will be allowed to participate. Hart, who was called up on Sunday, would get playing time in all three outfield spots as well as first and third base. "It will just increase his versatility," Yost said. "What I told him is, 'Look at Billy Hall. Billy comes in every day not knowing where he'll play, but he starts every day somewhere." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

    John Sickels on Glen Perkins MIN :

" ...   pitched brilliantly in Class A this spring, posting a 2.13 ERA in nine starts for Fort Myers, with a 66/13 K/BB ratio in 55 innings. Promoted to Double-A in late June, his transition to better competition has not gone well ...  Reportedly, he has found it more difficult to trick Double-A hitters with his changeup, curveball, and slider. A-ball hitters tended to chase these offerings out of the zone ... The Twins are fortunate in that they don't have to rush him. Perkins is case study #33587 about how college-trained pitchers breezing through A-ball are not a sure thing once they hit Double-A."

    David Regan, RotoAmerica, has his picks as the top prospects in the International League :

1. Delmon Young TB           6. Andy Marte ATL
2. Francisco Liriano MIN     7. Dustin Pedroia BOS
3. Chuck James ATL           8. Anthony Lerew ATL
4. Brian Anderson CHA        9. Bryan Bullington PIT
5. Curtis Granderson DET    10. Joel Zumaya DET

" ... 3. Chuck James ... Lefty is on his third minor league level this year and won't stop until he reaches the majors. With all the arms the Braves have, he could be trade bait this offseason, but the Braves would be wise to find him a home in their future rotation. Doesn't have overpowering stuff, but the command and deceptiveness are second to none. 167 K's to 28 BB's this year if you can believe that ratio."

" ... 12. Jon Papelbon ...  I think he has #2 SP potential with his great work ethic and a fastball that has hit upwards of 99. Had a solid debut for the Sox before being sent down as he went 5 1/3 innings and allowed just two earned runs while striking out seven."

" ... 15. Brandon McCarthy ... Seems to have moved too quickly this year as he was shelled in five big league starts (8.14 ERA). Has now been struggling in AAA so perhaps he's not quite ready. Probably a middle of the rotation guy but some compare him to Jack McDowell due to his stuff and height (6'7")."

    MiLB.com notes the Topps Players of the Month.  A few of the picks :

" ... Jeff Bianchi ...  created some immediate smiles in the farm department of the Kansas City Royals. The youngster was their 2nd round draft choice in June out of high school in Lancaster, PA. He has done nothing but make it look like a brilliant decision. Playing for the AZL Brewers in the Arizona Rookie League, the shortstop went 6-for-8 in his first 3 pro games, added a 5-for-5 a few days later and won July honors with a .367 average that included 14 RBIs in 14 games. After his first 27 pro games, he was hitting .411with 6 homers and 30 RBIs."

" ... P.J. Hiser ... went back to the Appalachian League, where he spent the 2004 season, and his improvement was recognized by the Cleveland Indians, who drafted him out of West Virginia U., in the 29th round in 2004. Hiser hit a solid .297 for the Burlington Indians last year and bumped that up to .324 this year, including a .371 mark in July when he knocked in 29 runs in 27 games. That earned him a promotion to Mahoning Valley of the New York-Penn, where he was hitting .375 after six games."

" ... Justin Huber ... has made up for lost time this year with the Wichita Wranglers of the Texas League. When he was promoted to Omaha in late July, he took with him a .343 average with 16 homers and 74 RBIs."

17 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Chris Denorfia CF CIN 1-3, 11th HR, R, RBI ... Elizardo Ramirez CIN 6-2/3 7 4 3 0 2, 3.38 ... James Jurries RF ATL 2-3, BB ... Anthony Lerew ATL 6-1/3 7 2 2 2 3, 3.53 ... Shane Victorino CF PHI 2-4, 3B, R, 3 RBI ... John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 1-3, 24th HR, R, 2 RBI, BB ... B.J. Upton SS TB 0-4, BB, 0 errors ... Delmon Young RF TB 3-5, 2 R, SB ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-5 ... Brandon Phillips SS CLE 3-5, 2 RBI ... Franklin Gutierrez CF CLE 2-4, 2 R, SB ... Jason Davis CLE 7 5 1 1 3 5, 4.48 ... rehab, Mark Bellhorn DH BOS 1-5, 2B, 3 RBI ... Lenny DiNardo BOS 6 3 1 0 0 6, 3.04 ... Paul Maholm PIT 5-2/3 5 3 3 5 2, 3.34 ... Angel Pagan CF NYN 3-5, R, 2 SB ... Kevin Thompson CF NYA 2-4, 2B, BB ... Boof Bonser MIN 6-2/3 2 1 1 4 9, 3.99

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Adrian Gonzalez TEX 1-2, triple, 2 walks, .338 ... Justin Huber KC 2-4, homer ... Prince Fielder MIL 1-3, 27th homer, 2 walks, .289 ... 2B Kevin Frandsen SF, at his 3rd level of the season (.351 in A+, .287 AA), 3-4, 2 doubles ... Bobby Livingston SEA, a nice turnaround, 7 5 0 0 0 3, 5.88 ... Rafael Soriano SEA 1 1 0 0 0 2 ... Tim Stauffer SD 7.0 8 4 4 1 1

EASTERN (AA)  --  Jon Lester BOS 4-2/3 6 5 4 4 3, 2.65 ... David Murphy BOS 0-3 & 3-4, 2 homers, .289 ... David Maust WAS 9 3 0 0 1 8, 2.31 ... Hayden Penn BAL 5 3 1 1 3 7 ... Ryan Zimmerman WAS 2-2, walk, .315 ... Glen Perkins MIN 3-2/3 7 6 6 1 4 ... Josh Banks TOR 8 5 1 1 0 7, 3.86 (130 Ks, 8 walks in 142 1/3 innings)

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Renyel Pinto CHN 6 4 0 0 3 9, 2.34 ... Sean Tracey CHA 7 5 1 1 1 5, 4.20 ... Wes Bankston TB 2-3, double, .297 ... Chad Billingsley LA 6 3 2 2 2 6, 4.02 ... Greg Miller LA 1-1/3 0 2 0 3 2 ... Joel Guzman LA 2-4, 30th double, .286 ... James Loney LA 1-4, 9th homer, .283 ... Andy LaRoche LA 0-2, .258

TEXAS (AA)  --  Jesse Hoorelbeke (1B) SEA 2-4, R, 2B, HR(17), 2RBI(70) & 2-3, R, RBI(71), .266 ... Been slumping - Mitch Maier KC 2-4, 2B, RBI(35) & 0-4, .237... Thomas Oldham SEA (W,11-7) 6-2/3 7 2 1 0 4 (3.55) ... Brian Stavisky OAK 2-4, 2R, HR(10), 2RBI(74), .306 ...  Kevin Melillo OAK 2-3, 2R, 2B, HR(4), 2RBI(15), SB(3) & 0-2, .323 ... Adam Morrissey (3B) OAK 2-4, 2R, 2RBI(13), .293 ... Steve Jackson (C) OAK 2-3, R, 3B, RBI(3), .357 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 2-3, R, 3B, 2RBI(26), & 1-3, .355 ... Jud Thigpen COL 2-4, R, HR(9), RBI(26), .298 ... Jonathan Asahina COL (W,12-8) 6 9 2 2 2 5 (3.82) ... Joaquin Arias TX 2-5, R, 2B, SB(19), .312 ... Continuing his breakout year - Tyler Minges STL 2-4, R, 2B, HR(19), RBI(60), .323 ... Decent outing - John Danks TX (L,3-8) 5 6 3 3 3 7 (4.93) ... Cory Doyne STL (S,14) 1-1/3 1 0 0 2 0 (1.89) ... Cooled off - Billy Butler KC 1-2, 2B, RBI(5) & 1-3, double, .265 ... Daric Barton OAK 1-4, double & 2-3, homer, .322

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  AJ Shappi ARZ, takes a lickin', 6 7 8 7 2 5, 15-5, 3.57 ... Jay Garthwaite OF ARZ 4-5, 32nd double, 14th homer, .298 ... Jeff Cook ARZ 3-5, double, .327 ... Richie Robnett OAK, brief glimpse of talent, 3-5, double, homer, .254 ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-4, 2 doubles (44), .316

CAROLINA (A+) --  Hunter Pence HOU 1-4, RBI, 2 K ... Stephen Head CLE 2-5, RBI, 2 K ... Ian Bladergroen BOS 1-4, double, RBI, K ... Robert Valido CHA 1-4, RBI, SB (40) ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 1-4, R, double (31), 2 RBI (63), BB, K ... Diory Hernandez ATL 3-4, 2 R, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, K ... Kory Casto WAS 0-2, 2 BB, SB (5) ... Nate Spears BAL 2-4, R, double (27), RBI ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 2-4, R ... Ryan Finch BAL (W, 9-9, 3.43) 6-1/3 5 1 1 4 7 ...

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Brent Clevlen RF DET 2-5 2B 2R RBI, .306 … Danilo Sanchez C DET 3-5 HR(18) 2R 2RBI, .278 … Jordan Tata DET 5 1/3 7 5 5 1 4 ND, 2.48 … Tim Dillard MIL 7 5 1 0 1 6 (L, 11-9) 2.39 … James Russ FLO 7 4 0 0 2 3 (W, 10-7) 3.28 … Tim Moss 2B PHI 2-5, .276 … Jake Blalock LF PHI 2-3, .294 … Jay Rainville MIN 6 6 1 1 1 4 (W, 12-3) 3.23 … Jay Sawatski MIN 2 3 0 0 0 2 (S, 11) 4.35 … Chin-lung Hu SS LA 3-4, 2 doubles, R 2RBI SB(20), .302 … Xavier Paul LF LA 2-5 HR(6) 2R, .248 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 0-4, .240

MIDWEST (A) --  wilting a bit Sean Gallagher CHN 4 1/3 4 5 5 5 3 (L, 13-5, 2.55) ... Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 2-3, 16th HR ... Trevor Plouffe MIN 0-4, 2 errors (32) ... Reid Brignac TB 0-4 (.254) ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 2-5, 3rd triple (.287) ... ack Yuber Rodriguez TOR 0-3, 2 K's (.198) ... Javier Herrera OAK 0-3, 3 K's, 2 BB's, 26th SB, 8th error ... Eric Hurley TEX 5 4 1 1 3 7 (3.67) ... Matt Bush SD 2 triples (.225)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-5, homer, 4 RBI  ...  James Barthmaier HOU 5-1/3 7 1 0 1 5, (W, 10-5), 2.42 ... Romulo Sanchez PIT 7-1/3 5 1 1 1 1, L, 3.38  ...  Sean Gamble PHI 3-5, double, homer, 4 RBI  ...  Michael Dzurilla PHI 2-4, homer, 2 RBI, 2 runs  ...  Tim Battle NYA 3-5, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs  ...  Brett Smith NYA 7 4 1 1 1 8, W

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Sean Danielson CF STL 3-5, R, 2K ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 1-3, HR, BB, K ... Cory Patton RF TOR ... Orlando Trias TOR 6 5 1 1 1 2 ... James Hall LF TB 2-4, R, 2 3B, RBI ... Gaby Sanchez DH FLA 3-4, R, RBI ... Matt Goyen FLA 5.1 2 0 0 3 6 ... Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 1-3, RBI, BB ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 0-2, 2BB ... Luis Soto DH BOS 0-2, BB ... Clay Buchholz BOS 3 3 0 0 0 1 ... Wladimir Sutil SS HOU 1-3, 2R, 3BB, K ... Pete Sellers DH HOU 4-6, R, 2RBI ... Cliff Davis HOU 5 1 1 1 4 8 ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 1-4, 3RBI, K

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  reliever Bradley Davis OAK 1-1/3 4 1 0 0 0, 0.33 ( just one earned run in 27 innings) ... John Mayberry TEX 2-3, double, .232 ... 1B Freddie Thon TEX 3-4, 8th homer, 6 RBI, .288 ... Clint Cleland SD, missed the cycle by a single, .349

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Alexander Smit MIN 2 0 0 0 1 3, 2.16 (79 Ks in 41 2/3s) ... Jacob Butler OF TOR 3-5, 11th double, 11th homer, .278 ... Paul Franko 1B TOR 2-5, 11th double, 7th homer, 4 RBI, .316

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Adam Godwin CF LA 4-4, double, .336 ... Francisco Hernandez catcher CHA 2-5, double, .349 ... Chaz Roe COL, ooops, 3-2/3 1 4 4 4 6

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  look who's back, former top-rated prospect, Ty Howington CIN 2 1 2 2 1 2 ... SS Blake Honey CIN, really needed this (coming into the game at .177), 3-5, 2 doubles, triple, 4 runs ... CJ Henry NYA 2-4, 9th double, 14th SB, 10th error, .252 ... Michael Megrew LA 2 1 1 1 1 4

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Monday's games ... Angel Guzman CHN, so far, so good, 3 3 0 0 0 3 ... Lorenzo Cain OF MIL 3-4, double, .374 ... Tony Festa MIL 2-4, 2 triples, .452 ... Jared Lansford OAK 4 2 1 1 0 6

  Troop Movements ...  BOS - Jon Papelbon up, Manny Delcarmen to AAA, John Olerud activated from DL, Kevin Youkilis to AAA ... ANA - Jeff Mathis to AAA, Joe Saunders up ... TEX - Justin Thompson, Scott Feldman up, James Baldwin designated for assignment, Kevin Gryboski to AAA ... CIN - Aaron Holbert up, Ryan Freel to DL ... PIT - Mike Gonzalez activated from DL,  Ian Snell to AAA ...

    Kevin Goldstein is back, after a week's sojourn, with the Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America :

" ... 1. Howie Kendrick ... didn't take long for Kendrick to adjust to Double-A pitching, as he's batting .417 during a 14-game hitting streak that includes 12 multihit efforts. While his batting average has been spectacular all season, with 36 doubles, seven triple and 16 home runs, he also ranks eighth in the minors with a .622 slugging percentage. 2. Chuck James ... Speaking of quick adjustments . . . James pitched eight innings of one-hit baseball in his second Triple-A start on Tuesday, lowering his ERA across three levels to 1.67 and his opponent average to a minor league-leading .175."

" ... 4. Jarrod Saltalamacchia ...  In his last 40 games, Salty has hit an even .400 with 10 doubles and nine home runs. Keep in mind that half of those games have been played in one of the toughest hitter's parks in baseball ... 15. Adam Lind ... After leading the Sun Belt Conference with a .392 average in 2004 at South Alabama, Lind is contending for the Florida State League batting crown this year, raising his average to .325 by hitting .404-10-32 in his last 36 contests."

    Notes from the International League :

" ... Ryan Garko hit .455 in six games last week, fourth-best in the IL ... SS B.J. Upton continued his hot August, batting .444 in six games last week to rank fifth in the IL. He is hitting .423 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 13 games this month ... RHP Bryan Bullington, the top overall pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, struggled at the start of the season, posting a 1-2 record and 7.40 ERA in four May starts. But the Indianapolis native has been impressive ever since, going 7-2 with a 1.94 ERA in 11 starts. In his last four starts, Bullington is 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA ... OF Gabe Gross hit .455 in six games last week, the third-best mark in the IL. He has batted .436 in the last 10 games, making him one of five Syracuse regulars to bat .300 or better in that span."  (MiLB.com)

    A coup on draft day ... not looking like such a good move now :

" ... The Dodgers must sign heralded pitcher Luke Hochevar before he begins fall classes at Tennessee on Aug. 24 or lose rights to him. Neither side is particularly optimistic because there is nearly a $2-million difference between what he wants and what the Dodgers are willing to pay."  (LA Times)

    Injury prone?

" ... Double-A shortstop Stephen Drew has missed the past five games with a strained right quad muscle, the third time the 2004 first-round pick has been out because of injury this year. Drew spent two weeks on the disabled list with a hamstring injury in June while playing for Class A Lancaster. Before that, while playing in the independent Atlantic League, he missed action with a sore foot."  (Arizona Republic)

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, rates the best of the Pioneer prospects :

 1. Travis Wood, LHP, CIN            6. Mark Trumbo, 1B, Orem ANA    
 2. Chaz Roe, RHP, COL  Casper       7. Jesus Soto, 2B, Ogden LA    
 3. Billy Inman, RHP, MIL  Helena    8. Rafael Gonzalez, RHP, CIN   
 4. Francisco Hernandez, C, CHA      9. Ivan DeJesus, SS, Ogden LA    
 5. Mat Gamel, 3B, Helena MIL       10. Mike Bell, SS, Helena MIL   

16 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Chuck James ATL 8 1 0 0 3 4, 0.71 ... Gavin Floyd PHI 7 6 3 3 3 5, 5.75 ... Gabe Gross LF TOR 2-5, R ... Jason Alfaro 3B TOR 1-4, 9th HR, R, RBI ... Guillermo Quiroz C TOR 2-4, 5th & 6th HRs, 2 R, 4 RBI ... B.J. Upton SS TB 0-4, 0 errors ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-4, 2B, R ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-4 ... Marcus Thames LF DET 0-3, BB ... Joel Zumaya DET 6-2/3 2 0 0 4 9, 2.65 ... Fausto Carmona CLE 7 5 1 1 0 4, 2.47 ... Dustin Pedroia 2B & SS BOS 2-5, 2 R & 4-5, 3rd & 4th HRs, 2 R, 5 RBI ... rehab, Mark Bellhorn DH & 2B BOS 2-4, 2 R, BB & 2-5, 2B, R ... Anderson Hernandez 2B NYN 2-5, R, SB ... Brian Bannister NYN 5-2/3 7 0 0 0 6, 2.97 ... Andy Phillips DH NYA 2-4 ... Tim Redding NYA 5-2/3 8 4 4 4 10, 3.91 ... Francisco Liriano MIN, now the focus of much hype, has one of his worst efforts of the season, 4 7 3 3 1 4, 1.75

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Rich Hill CHN 6.0 5 2 2 1 10, 4-1, 4.35 (195 Ks in 136 1/3 innings) ...  spinning his wheels, Adam Wainwright STL 6 7 4 4 1 6, 4.79 ... Prince Fielder MIL 2-4, 20th double, .288 ...  RA Dickey TEX, maybe the knuckler is his route to MLB,  7 9 3 3 1 6 ... Jesse Foppert SEA 1 1 1 1 2 1 ... Dan Meyer OAK 7 9 5 5 2 3 ... Josh Barfield SD 1-3, walk,15th SB, .305 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 3-3, 23rd double, .305

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez BOS 2-4 & 1-3, .274 ... Lastings Milledge NYN 1-4, double & 1-2, homer, .326

SOUTHERN (AA) --  1st FLA/CHA game ... Robert Andino SS FLA 0-4, 2 K’s, .276 ... Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 0-2, .300 ... Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 0-2, .265 ... Luke Lockwood FLA 6.0 4 1 0 2 4 3.38 (L) ... Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 0-2, .306 ... Chris Young OF CHA 0-2, .277 ... Ryan Sweeney OF CHA 2-2, run, .288 ... Kris Honel CHA 6.0 2 0 0 3 9, 5.30 (W) ... 2nd FLA/CHA game ... Robert Andino 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, .276 ... Jeremy Hermida 0-3, BB, .298 ... Reggie Abercrombie 0-3, .259 ... Casey Rogowski 0-3, .304 ... Chris Young 0-3, 2 K’s, .275 ... Ryan Sweeney OF 1-3, .289 ... Josh Fields 3B 1-3, 15th HR, 2 RBI (69), .254 ... Elliot Johnson 2B TAM 0-3, .289 ... Elijah Dukes OF TAM 0-4, .288 ... Wes Bankston 1B TAM 1-3, 15th HR, .292 ... Kennard Jones OF SD 3-5, 2B, 2 runs, .272 ... George Kottaras C SD 1-3, 3 runs, 2 BB, RBI, .286 ... Cesar Carrillo SD 7.0 3 1 1 0 8, 2.92 (W)

TEXAS (AA)  --  Tyler Minges STL 1-5, R, HR(18), RBI(59), .321 ... A decent outing - Chris Lambert STL (L,2-5) 6 10 5 3 1 1 (5.08) ... JR Phillips (1B) HOU 3-4, 2R, HR(7), RBI(15), .329 ... Jud Thigpen (LF) COL 1-3, R, HR(8), 3RBI(25), .293 ... A tough loss - Philip Barzilla HOU (L,5-6) 5 3 5 2 4 9 (3.26) ... Mark Kiger OAK 3-7, 2R, 2 2B, .261 ... Daric Barton OAK 1-6, R, 2RBI(28), .316 ... Quietly a nice year - Brian Stavisky OAK 3-6, 2B, 2RBI(72), .304 ... Howie Kendrick 1-5, R, HR(4), 2RBI(24), .342 ... Shane Komine OAK 7 4 4 3 3 5 (2.63) ... Kevin Melillo (2B) OAK 2-5, R, 2B, 2RBI(13), .316

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Wladimir Balentien SEA 2-5, 23rd homer ... Asdrubal Cabrera SEA 3-4, triple, .303 ... Bryan Lahair 1B SEA 2-5, 2 doubles (24), .302 ... Nate Schierholtz SF 3-4, 14th homer, 4 RBI, .318 ... Ian Stewart COL 2-4, 28th double, .271 (44 BB, 91 K)

CAROLINA (A+) --  Hunter Pence HOU 0-3, BB ... Stephen Head CLE 1-4, 2 R, double, 2 RBI ... Kevin Kouzmanoff CLE 2-3, 2 R, triple, BB ... Ryan Goleski CLE 1-4, R, HR (14), 2 RBI, K ... Ian Bladergroen BOS 2-4, R, double, triple, 2 RBI ... Robert Valido CHA 1-4, double ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-3, RBI ... Thomas Collaro CHA 2-4, triple ... Matt Esquivel ATL 0-3, R, BB, K ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-5, RBI, K ... Diory Hernandez ATL 3-5, 2 R, double, RBI, SB ... Jake Stevens ATL (W, 8-7, 4.61) 6 4 4 3 6 3 ... Kory Casto WAS 1-4, 2 R, K ... Nate Spears BAL 1-4, R, HR, RBI, K ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 2-4, R, HR (18), RBI ... James Johnson BAL (L, 10-8, 3.74) 9 9 5 4 0 10

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Tyler Clippard NYA 5 1/3 4 4 3 1 6 (L, 9-9) 3.28 … Kurt Isenberg TOR 6 5 1 1 1 1 (W, 10-8) 3.65 … Adam Lind LF TOR 2-4 2B R RBI, .325

MIDWEST (A) --  Michael Schlact TEX 6 5 1 1 3 7 (W, 9-6, 4.52) ... Sean Kazmar SD 25th double ... Ryan Harvey CHN 1-1 (.272) ... on cruise control Eric Patterson CHN 2 doubles (22) ... Phillip Andersen STL 6 4 0 0 2 5 (W, 4-1, 2.95) ... David Winfree MIN 2-4 (.282) ... Jeff Clement SEA 1-4 (.214) ... Brian McFall KC 12th HR ... James Houser TB 4 2/3 3 3 3 1 8 (4.36) ... first big game in awhile Reid Brignac TB 4-5, 2 doubles (26), but 30th error ... Michael Collins ANA 0-4, 2 K's (.319) ... Javier Herrera OAK 2-4, 25th SB (.281)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-3, RBI, 2 walks  ...  John Otness BOS 2-4, RBI, run  ...  Trevor Crowe CLE 2-4, double, triple, 2 RBI  ...  Blake Dewitt LA 2-5, 2 RBI  ...  Sergio Pedraza LA 2-5, double, homer, 2 RBI  ...  Marcos Vechionacci NYA 2-3, double, 3 runs, 2 walks  ...  Christian Garcia NYA 5 6 4 4 3 5, 4.05  ...  Jeff Allison FLA 7 5 2 2 2 8, W  ...  Chris Getz 3-4, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 1-4, K, SB and 0-3, BB ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 1-2, R, BB and 0-3 ... Luis Soto RF BOS 1-2, 2B, BB, K and 1-3, HR ... Jose Fragoso DET 4 1 1 1 4 3 ... Jay Sborz DET 2 1 0 0 1 3 ... Wladimir Sutil SS HOU 1-4, 2B, K ... Brian Bogusevic HOU 2 2 0 0 1 1 ... Ryan McKeller HOU 7 1 1 1 1 10 ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 2-5, R, 2K ... Josh Sowers TOR 3 3 0 0 2 1 ... Andrew Barb PHI 6 4 0 0 3 5 ... Todd Redmond PIT 5 4 1 1 2 3 ... Bobby Parnell NYM 6 3 0 0 2 3 ... Kris Harvey 3B FLA 3-6, R, 2RBI, K ... Nolan Reimold CF BAL 0-5, 3K ... Garret Olson BAL 6 1 0 0 0 8 ... Guillermo Villalona NYY 5 2 0 0 1 3 ... Chad Gabriel RF STL 3-4, 2R, HR, 2RBI, SB

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Sergio Romo SF 4 6 2 1 0 4, 1.63 ... Mike Mooney OF SF 3-6, 2 doubles, .359 ... Pablo Sandoval 3B SF 2-4, double, .340 ... Michael Madsen OAK 6 5 2 2 0 9, 5-0, 1.55 ... Taylor Teagarden TEX 1-2, 4th homer, .257 (since a 0-14 pro debut, he's .429 in 8 games) ... Brenton Carter SD 6 2 1 1 0 5, 2.07

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  No games.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Jonathan Meloan LA, 2005 5th rounder, 5 0 0 0 2 7, 2.77 (18 hits allowed, 39 Ks in 26 innings) ... Christopher Cook 1B COL 2-4, 9th homer, .303 ...  Corey Wimberly COL 3B 3-4, double, .364

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Jeffrey Larish DET 1-2, double, walk, .267 (just 5 games) ... Scott Van Slyke LA 3-4, double, .304 ... Angel Fermin 1B NYA 4-5, 3 doubles (16), .317 ... CJ Henry NYA 3-6, double, .241

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Sunday's games ... Kyle Blanks SD 1-2, triple, walk, .288 ... Timothy Auty CF SEA 2-4, double, .434 ... 2B Ronald Garth SEA 2-6, 2 doubles, .367

  Troop Movements ...  SD - Khalil Greene DL, Wilson Valdez up ... DET - Rondell White DL, Curtis Granderson up, Wayne Franklin to AAA ... SF - Armando Benitez activated from DL, Brian Cooper to AAA ... NYA - activated Jaret Wright from DL ... CHA - Scott Podsednik DL, Brian Anderson up ... FLO - Taylor Tankersley promoted to A+ ... SEA - Jamal Strong up, Miguel Ojeda up, Wiki Gonzalez to AAA ...  

    Saluting some of the Hitters/Pitchers of the Week :

Vince Perkins TOR, Eastern " ... In a pair of starts last week, the 23-year old was 1-0 with 13 strikeouts and a 1.46 ERA. The 6'5", 220 lb. hurler gave up one run on eight hits and struck out six batters in 7.1 innings of work to pick up a win ... second start ... a no-decision, giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits, while striking out seven batters and walking two in five innings ... 5-6 with a 3.75 ERA this season, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round of the June 2000 draft."  (Eastern League)

Adrian Gonzalez TEX, PCL  " ...  batted in 17 runs with five homers and a .571 average to earn the PCL Player of the Week award.  Gonzalez, 23, is hitting .340 with 18 homers and 63 RBI in 82 games this season with the Redhawks ... the first overall pick in the 2000 draft by the Florida Marlins."  (Pacific Coast League)

Chris Young CHA, Southern  " ...  hit .444 and led the Southern League in several statistical categories this past week, including home runs (3), slugging percentage (.926), extra-base hits (7) and runs scored (11) ...  leads the Southern League in doubles (38) and extra-base hits (60), and is second in the league in home runs (21), tied for second in runs scored (77) and third in slugging percentage (.549). Baseball America rates Young the seventh best prospect in the White Sox organization."  (Southern League)

Edwin Jackson LA, Southern  " ... pitched brilliantly this past week, allowing zero earned runs in 15 innings of work ...  began the season in the Pacific Coast League with Las Vegas but was sent down to Jacksonville on June 16 after compiling a 3-7 record with an 8.62 ERA in 12 appearances. Baseball America rates Jackson the third best prospect in the Dodgers' organization. The Dodgers selected Jackson in the sixth round of the 2001 draft out of Shaw High School in Columbus, GA."  (Southern League)

Ben Zobrist HOU, Carolina   " ...  Zobrist batted .429 to take Carolina League Player of the Week honors  ... Despite a nagging knee injury, Zobrist helped the Avalanche tighten their hold on first place in the Southern Division with nine hits in 21 at-bats, including four doubles and a home run. His on-base percentage for the week was .613, and he crossed the plate seven times."  (Midwest League)

Shane Lindsay COL, Northwest  " ... continued to dominate the Northwest League last week, as the 20-year-old from Bacchus Marsh, Australia, allowed just two singles and five walks in 12 shutout innings to pick up two more wins. Signed by the Rockies for $60,000 in 2003, the 6-foot-1 right-hander has excelled as a starter for the Dirt Devils after struggling in a middle relief role for Casper in 2004. He set down the first 11 Yakima batters he faced Monday and struck out nine in six innings of a 6-2 win. He was nearly as good against Eugene on Saturday, shutting out the Emeralds on one hit and four walks while fanning seven in six innings, ...  has rung up an astonishing 80 strikeouts in just 48 innings for an average of 15 whiffs per nine innings. He's 4-1 with the league's fourth-lowest ERA (2.06) and has 33 more strikeouts than anyone else in the circuit."  (MiLB.com)

    Jeff Sanders, Antelope Valley Press, with his early look at the best of the California League, including :

Miguel Montero ARZ " ... Catcher ... Not many players can play a whole season and put up the kind of numbers that Montero did in Lancaster; shoot, a lot of guys need two years to do it. Montero, of course, needed just 85 games to belt 24 homers and drive in 82 runs with the JetHawks in a breakout year ... He had so many hits in a Lancaster uniform (132) that his .347 batting average still qualifies as the second-best mark in the league - more than a month after his promotion to Double-A."

" ... First Base - Driving in 100 runs usually catapults a player to prospect status, and nothing can keep Inland Empire's Bryan LaHair from that now. Two shy of the century mark, LaHair, the league's top defensive first baseman, has overtaken Wood as the league's leading run producer while thrusting the 66ers into the thick of the South Division second-half title race."

Howie Kendrick ANA  " ... Second Base - An injury cost Kendrick a Midwest League batting championship in 2004. This year it was an injury and a promotion to Double-A that cost Kendrick a batting title in the Cal League, where he hit .384 with 12 homers, 47 RBI and 69 runs scored in 63 games."

Brandon Wood ANA  " ... Shortstop - Most everyone knows that Wood leads the league with 35 homers, which is also tied for tops in all of minor league baseball. What isn't as obvious is that the kid who was known as a skinny, defensive-minded shortstop before his senior season in high school hasn't lost a step at all in the field. He leads the league with a .964 fielding percentage."

Sanders tabs Wood as the MVP and Minor League Player of the Year.

    Adam Loewen BAL, 1.68 ERA in his last 8 starts, including a gem on Sunday :

" ... Loewen bounced back after a allowing two runs in the first inning, to retire the next fourteen Winston-Salem Warthogs ... Loewen (8-7) moved to 6-1 since the beginning of July, allowing just two runs on four hits over 7.0 innings while striking out eight and walking one."  (Frederick Keys)

    Adam Jones SEA, a stab at versatility :

" ... With a glut of solid middle-infield prospects in the Seattle system, the Mariners gave 2003 first-round pick Adam Jones his first career start in center field on Sunday. Jones, 20, did not have a ball hit to him and went 2-for-5 with a double in Double-A San Antonio’s 6-4 win over Tulsa. According to Missions manager Dave Brundage, the move may not be a permanent one. “His first priority is shortstop, but he’s a very talented young man–very athletic,” Brundage said. “We’re maybe giving him an opportunity to get to the big leagues sooner. We’ve been working him out there for the last three weeks or so, and we’ll run him out there once or week to see what happens. It can’t hurt.” Jones is batting .319/.383/.460 in 163 at-bats since being promoted from high Class A Inland Empire."   (Baseball America)

    Jason Collette, RotoJunkie, on the next big thing (after Felix) :

" ...  Some will say it is the Tiger’s Justin Verlander, you might even get a few Brandon McCarthy votes from some southsiders, but even the most die-hard Dodger fan won’t dare utter Edwin Jackson’s name (that said – go check out his last two starts). I’m here to throw my two cents on the mound by anointing the Twins’ prospect Francisco Liriano as the guy who is “next”. Liriano has been getting a lot of pub this week as different fans and sites are beginning to notice his numbers in AAA. For those who haven’t seen his stat line in AAA, it is mind-blowing. In 68 innings, he’s allowed only 32 hits while walking 20 and striking out 77. That has resulted in a 1.46 ERA, a 0.76 WHIP, and his opponents’ on base percentage is a mere .213 ...  comparison to Johan Santana is a logical one. Stuff wise, they are very similar. Both throw mid 90’s fastballs that are set up with their breaking pitches and changeups."

15 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla 2B CIN 2-5, R ... Andy Marte 3B ATL 2-3, R, 2 RBI, BB & 0-3 ... Scott Thorman 1B ATL 2-4, 5th HR, 2 R, RBI & 0-3 ... John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 3-5, 2B, R, RBI ... Gabe Gross RF TOR 2-4, R, BB ... Jason Alfaro 3B TOR 3-5, 8th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI ... B.J. Upton SS TB 2-5, R, 2 RBI, 1 error ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-5, 2 R, RBI ... Dewon Brazelton TB 6 5 2 2 2 4, 3.00 ... Ryan Raburn DH DET 2-4, 17th HR, R, RBI ... Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-4, 12th HR, R, RBI ... Marcus Thames LF DET 1-4, 2B ... Ryan Garko 1B CLE 2-3, 18th HR, R, RBI, BB ... Jason Cooper LF CLE 1-4, 11th HR, R, RBI ... Bryan Bullington PIT 7 2 1 0 3 4, 3.19 ... Angel Pagan CF NYN 2-5, R, RBI

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Dennis Tankersley 6-1/3 2 1 1 3 4, 4.42 ... Anthony Reyes STL, one of those "wow" efforts, 7 2 0 0 0 15, 3.22 ... Shin-Soo Choo OF SEA 2-3, walk & 2-3, 2 walks, 9th homer, 4 RBI, .260 ... Josh Barfield SD 3-5, 21st double, 11th homer, .305 ... Jesse Garcia SD 3-5, homer, 7 RBI

EASTERN (AA)  --  Michael Bourn PHI OF 3-6, .273 ... Vince Perkins TOR 5 4 2 1 2 7, 3.75 ... Rob Cosby 3B TOR 4-5, 3 doubles (31), 2 RBI, .317 ... Lastings Milledge NYN 2-4, .326 ... 29-year-old Matthew Bailie BAL, just his 2nd game this season, a product of Indy ball, 9 0 0 0 1 3

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Luis Hernandez SS ATL 0-4, .238 ... D’Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 2-4, 2B, RBI, .284 ... Phil Dumatrait CIN 6 0 0 0 6 7, 3.40 (W) ... Robert Andino SS FLA 2-4, 2B, RBI, .278 ... Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 1-3, BB, .302 ... Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 0-4, .269 ... Nick Ungs FLA 3.2 5 7 7 4 0, 3.96 (L) ... Dan Uggla 2B AZ 2-4, 2 runs, 80th RBI, .316 ... Miguel Montero C AZ 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, .258 ... Jon Zeringue OF AZ 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, .251 ... Brandon Sing RF CHN 0-3, .287 ... Luis Montanez OF CHN 0-4, 2 K’s , .291 ... Jae Kuk Ryu CHN 4.2 9 5 5 2 3, 3.58 (L) ... Andy LaRoche 3B LA 0-4, 2 K’s (76), .262 ... Joel Guzman SS LA 3-4, 2B, RBI, SB, 29th error, .284 ... James Loney 1B LA 0-3, BB, 2 runs, .284 ... Russell Martin C LA 4-4, 3B, 3 RBI, .315 ... Justin Orenduff LA 3.0 3 2 2 3 4, 4.08 ... Anthony Gwynn OF MIL 2-5, 3B, .282 ... Brad Nelson OF MIL 1-4, 2 K’s, .268 ... Dennis Sarfate MIL 1.0 4 5 5 2 1, 4.00 (L) ... Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 0-5, .307 ... Chris Young OF CHA 1-3, 2B, .278 ... Ryan Sweeney DH CHA 1-4, RBI, .285 ... Daniel Haigwood CHA 7.0 5 1 1 1 9, 0.95 (W) ... Elliot Johnson 2B TAM 2-4, 2 run, HR, 3 RBI, .293 ... Jason Pridie OF TAM 2-5, 2 run, solo HR, .205 ... Elijah Dukes OF TAM 0-3, .291 ... Kennard Jones OF SD 2-6, 21st SB, .268 ... George Kottaras DH SD 3-6, 3 runs, HR, 2 RBI, .283

TEXAS (AA)  --  Still kinda treading water - Thomas Diamond TX (L,4-3) 5 4 4 3 3 6 (4.93) ... Very nice! - Randy Leek STL (W,12-6) 9 3 0 0 3 7 (3.75) ... Adam Jones SEA 2-5, R, 2B, .319

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Alan Moye OF KC 3-4, 5th triple, 18th homer, .285 ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-6, .312 ... Ian Stewart COL 1-5, 13th homer, .269

CAROLINA (A+) --  Shawn Norris 2B WAS 3-5, 3 R, 2 doubles, HR (4), 3 RBI, .303 ... Kory Casto WAS 1-4, R, BB ... Robert Valido CHA 0-3, R ... Micah Schnurstein CHA 1-3, 2 K ... Thomas Collaro CHA 1-4, 2 RBI (89), K ... good pitching match-up ... Ray Liotta CHA (L, 11-4, 2.12) 7 8 3 2 1 6 ... Adam Loewen BAL (W, 8-7, 3.73) 7 4 2 2 1 8 ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 1-4, R ... Hunter Pence HOU 1-4, R, HR (28), 3 RBI (73), 2 K ... Troy Patton HOU (W, 6-4, 1.93) 5 1 0 0 0 3

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Jake Blalock LF PHI 1-3 HR(11), .291 … Ben Himes RF CIN 2-3 HR(9) 4R, .307 … Reid Gorecki CF STL 2-4 HR(5) 2B 2R 4RBI, .282 … Tyler Greene SS STL 2-4 R, .385 … Xavier Paul LF LA 2-5 HR(5) 2RBI, .245 … Chin-lung Hu SS LA 2-5 SB(19), .298 … Brian Pilkington LA 6 6 3 3 0 5 ND, 3.19 … Grant Psomas 3B NYN 2-2 2B R RBI, .305 … Tim Worthington NYN 5 3 0 0 0 5 (W, 5-3) 1.93 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 0-4, .243 … Adam Harben MIN 5 3 1 1 4 3 ND, 2.55 … Nate Bumstead DET 7 7 3 2 3 8 (L, 11-4) 2.46

MIDWEST (A) --  slipping Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 0-4, 3 K's (.305) ... Sean Kazmar SD 3-6, 10th HR (.278) ... Matt Bush SD 0-4 (.224) ... ouch Josh Rainwater DET 2 6 6 6 1 2 (4.26) ... Trevor Plouffe 1-2, 2 BB, 30th error (.232) ... Chi-Hung Cheng TOR 5 4 2 2 5 7 (2.91) ... Javier Herrera OAK 0-4 ... Ryan Webb OAK 6 4 4 3 4 5 (4.35) ... last year's Pioneer League superstar is this year's MWL struggler Brian McFall KC 11th HR (.222) ... trying to salvage the season Kyle Rogers TEX 6 4 1 1 3 6 (6.26) ... Ian Gac TEX 2-4, 20th double (.251)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  John Otness BOS 2-4, double ... Yuniel Escobar ATL 2-2, walk ... Marvin Lowrance WAS 2-5, 2 doubles, 3 RBI ... Neil Walker PIT 2-4 ... Trevor Crowe CLE 2-4, double ... Mitch Einertson HOU 2-4, double, RBI, run ... Juan Gutierrez HOU 5 4 2 1 1 5, (W, 9-4, 2.82

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Chris Volstad FLO, 1st poor effort of the season, 5 12 4 4 1 6, 2.45

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jeffrey Gilmore SEA, got away with 3 homers allowed, 7 8 4 4 0 4, 4-0, 2.86 ... Luis Valbuena 2B SEA 3-4, 10th double, 9th homer, 4 RBI, .281 ... Daniel Griffin SF 5 5 0 0 1 8, 2.29 ... Johnny Defendis CHN 4-4, .369 ... Taylor Teagarden TEX 2-3, 3rd homer, walk

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Ryan Mullins MIN, a little step back, 5 4 3 3 2 2 ... Eric Campbell 3B ATL 2-5, 2 homers (14), .311

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  catcher Kiel Thibault KC, 9th rounder, 4-5, 9th double, 3 homers (7), 9 RBI, .344 ...

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  No games.

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Saturday's games ... Cubs' kid superb, Mark Pawelek, 4 0 0 0 1 5, 2.12 (has allowed just 17 hits in 34 innings, 17 BB, 45 Ks) ... MIL INF Tony Festa, the cycle, 4-5, 4 RBI

  Troop Movements ...  ATL - Mike Hampton activated from DL, Macay McBride to AAA ... CLE - Jeremy Guthrie to AAA, Jason Dubois up ... MIL - Matt Wise, Julio Santana DL, Jose Capellan, Kane Davis up ... SEA - Jeff Harris to AAA ... OAK - Nick Swisher, bereavement list, Matt Watson up ... CHN - Todd Wellemeyer up, John Koronka to AAA ...

    Jay's Ricky Romero in the fast lane :

" ... With three Major League pitches in his arsenal, it's easy to see why the highly touted 6-foot-1 left-hander is already at Class A Advanced. Romero has been known for striking out players wherever he's been. But it isn't just his 92-mph fastball thrown by batters. It's the use of a changeup and perhaps his best pitch, a curveball, that has impressed scouts. His manager of just two weeks, Omar Malave, is excited to see what Romero can do in the final month of the season, but knows his young pitcher is still learning. "This kid is really special, but we just want him to feel comfortable and make sure he gets his work done," Malave said ...He's been compared to Minnesota Twins' All-Star Johan Santana. Both are left-handed and similar in stature, and they boast tremendous command and above-average offspeed pitches." (MiLB.com)

    Jeff Clement SEA ... baby steps :

" ...  Somewhere between Appleton and Seattle, the picture will come into focus for Jeff Clement. The game will slow down. The nuances will become second nature. The confidence will rise. And the talent will shine. For now, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers catcher is a work in progress, which, according to those in the know, is hardly unexpected. “He’s got a lot to learn on every aspect of catching, as far as the mental grind, calling a game, the stances, his throwing,” Rattlers manager Scott Steinmann said. “He’s just a new guy. Everybody goes through it.” ...  “He needs a lot of work catching,” said Mariners catching coordinator Roger Hansen, who was in town this past week. “But we see all the tools there. He just needs a lot of work at everything, as most guys do. There’s no reason he shouldn’t catch in the big leagues in two to three years.” ...  At the plate, the consensus is that Clement needs more time in adjusting from aluminum to wood bats ... “Does he have talent? Yeah, he’s got talent. He’s got some tools there to work with, so hopefully, we can get him going and he’ll be successful the rest of the season. He seems like he’s picking up on things pretty well.”  (Appleton Post-Crescent)

    CLE ... bats available :

" ... Ryan Garko has his average back up over the .300 mark. He homered and singled twice [Saturday], raising his average to .303. In his last 20 games, Garko has hit .403 (25-62) with four doubles, four home runs, 14RBI and 13 runs scored. The last time Garko had his average over .300 was May 12 (.308)."  (Buffalo Bisons)

    TJ Bohn, hidden gem in the SEA system (albeit a 25-year-old, AA gem) :

" ... scouts who watch games at Wolff Stadium on a regular basis rave about Missions right fielder T.J. Bohn. "Best arm in the league," they say. "Best defensive outfielder in the league. Could be the best center fielder in the league if he played there." Bohn is putting up career-best numbers at the plate, too. For the first time in his four-year professional career, he is on track to hit .300. He leads the Texas League in doubles ...  "He doesn't look like a center fielder," said Missions manager Dave Brundage, who also believes Bohn is the best defensive outfielder in the league. "But he's full of confidence, and I have no doubt he could play there. He's just a better fit for us in right field this year."  (San Antonio Express News)

    
Rookie Reports Archive :

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

2005 -- Jan 01-16  Jan 17-30  Jan 31-Feb 13  Feb 14-27  Feb 28-Mar 13  Mar 14-27  Mar 28-Apr 10  Apr 11-24  
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2004 Minor League Stats 1  (Hitters by OPS by Classification OBA SLG SBs Errors)
2004 Minor League Stats 2 (Pitchers by ERA by Classification Ks & Hitters by position)

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