Rookies 2004

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

    Game action ... INT -- Nook Logan (DET, CF) 2-5, 3 R, SB, Sac ... rehab doesn't prevent hitting for the cycle, Dmitri Young (DET, DH) 4-5, 2B, 3B, 1st HR, R, 5 RBI, BB ... rehab, Brandon Larson (CIN, 3B) 0-4 ... Bubba Nelson (CIN) 7.0 6 2 2 2 9 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, CF) 2-3, 2B, 6th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB ... Wilson Betemit (ATL, 3B) 2-4, 2B ... Michael Restovich (MIN, LF) 1-4, 12th HR, R, 2 RBI ... rehab, Joe Mauer (MIN, C) 2-4, 2B ... Josh Hancock (PHI) 6.0 5 1 1 0 5 ... Matt Riley (BAL) 4.0 0 0 0 5 ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 3-4, 3B, 4th HR, 2 R, RBI & 0-2, BB ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, SS) 2-4, 2B, R, RBI & 2-3, R, SB ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 1-3, 4th HR, R, 2 RBI, BB ... Josh Stewart (CHA) 6.0 7 5 5 2 3 ... Brad Halsey (NYA) 7.0 4 0 0 2 3 ... Pedro Liriano (MIL) 5.2 7 6 6 5 1 ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF & DH) 0-3 & 2-3, R, RBI  ... BJ Upton TB 2-3, homer (.339, with .629 SLG in 16 games in AAA, 5 homers, 6 walks, 18 Ks, 4 errors) ...  Dewon Brazelton TB, 4th win, two runs over 6 2/3s, 7 Ks

PCL --  John Buck HOU 2-4, 7th homer, .313 ... Chris Burke HOU 2-4, double, .328 ... Marshall McDougall TEX 3-5, double ... Jose Lopez SEA 1-3, 9th homer, 3 RBI ... Antonio Perez LA 0-2, 2 runs, 3 walks ... Koyie Hill LA 3-4, 7th homer, 5 RBI, .291 ... Edgar Gonzalez ARZ, back-to-back solid starts, 8.0 8 2 2 0 5 ... Freddy Guzman SD, just promoted to AAA, 1-4, double ...

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN 1-4, 2B (21) … Justin Huber NYN 1-3, BB … Prentice Redman NYN 0-4 … Matt Peterson NYN 5.0 4 1 1 5 3 … Aaron Hill TOR 2-3… Dominic Rich TOR 1-4… Dioner Navarro NYA 0-3, BB … Val Majewski BAL 2-4, RBI (30) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 1-4, HR (4), RBI (19) … Jake Dittler CLE 4.2 7 7 7 1 1 … Jeff Keppinger PIT 3-3, BB, 3 R, 3 2B (7), RBI (12) … Ryan Doumit PIT 1-3, RBI (17) … Michael Cervenak SF 0-5

SOUTHERN --  Aaron McNeal CHA 1B 1-3, 1 R ... Arnie Munoz CHA 6.0 6 3 2 2 6, L 6-1 ... Reggie Abercrombie LA OF 2-4, 1 SB ... James Loney LA 1B 1-4, 1 R ... Yhency Brazoban LA 0.1 0 0 0 0 0, S 8 ... Eric Reed FLA OF 1-5, 1 SB (22) ... Josh Willingham FLA C 0-5 ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 0-5 ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 1-4, 1 R ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 0-2 ... Macay McBride ATL 1.1 8 5 5 1 1, in relief ... Rickie Weeks MIL 1-5, 3rd homer, .252 ... Brad Nelson MIL 2-5, double

TEXAS --  Dustin Nippert ARZ 5.0 5 2 2 3 5 ... Kyle Nichols ARZ 3-4, 7th homer, 4 RBI, .302 ... Brian Barden ARZ 2-5, double, .302 ... Jeremy Brown OAK 2-4, double, .232 ... Dustin Delucchi SEA 2-5, double, .335 ... Dallas McPherson ANA 2-3, double, 9th homer, .315 ... Jeff Mathis ANA 2-3, .301 ... Jason Botts TEX 2-4, 12th homer, 4 RBI (37)  ...

CAROLINA --  Ryan Sweeney CHA 2-5, K ... Brian Anderson CHA 2-3, R, RBI (31) ... Casey Rogowski CHA 0-1, R, 4 BB ... Michael Aubrey CLE 2-4, 2 R, double, 3 RBI (36), BB ... Ryan Garko CLE 2-5, 2 RBI (44) ... Nathan Panther CLE 2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, K ... Fausto Carmona CLE (W) 6 7 2 2 4 2 (4-2, 2.70) ... Luke Scott HOU 1-4, R, double, 2 K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 1-4, R ... Tony Blanco CIN 2-4, K ... Chris Denorfia CIN 0-4, RBI (34), 2 K ... Donnie Murphy KC 1-4, K ... Mike Aviles KC 1-4, R, double ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 1-4, R, RBI, 3 K ... Brian McCann ATL 1-4, double, 2 RBI, K ... Devon Lowery KC (L) 4 3 2 2 2 7 (2-3. 4.19) ... Blaine Boyer ATL (W) 6.2 4 1 1 1 1 (5-2, 2.35) ... Doug Gredvig BAL 1-4, K ... Tripper Johnson BAL 1-4, double ... Chaz Lytle PIT 1-4, K ... Brad Eldred PIT 1-3, R, RBI (42) ... Rajai Davis PIT 1-3, R, BB ... Zach Duke PIT (W) 5 2 0 0 2 6 (6-2, 1.15) ...

FLORIDA STATE --  Felix Pie (CHN, CF) 5-6 HR(4) 2R 2RBI SB(7) … A couple of guys not on anyone's lists killing the ball - Eliezer Alfonzo (FLA, 1B) 2-4 HR(15) 2RBI - HRs in three straight games … Brandon Sing (CHN, 1B) 2-4 2HR(16) 3R 3RBI - HRs in back-to-back games … Kyle Sleeth (DET) 6 5 2 2 2 6 … Brent Clevlen (DET, RF) 2-5 2RBI … Vito Chiaravalloti (TOR, 1B) 2-3 R … Tony Giarratano (DET, SS) 1-5 R … Alhaji Turay (NYN, RF) 2-4 R … Aarom Baldiris (NYN,3B) 2-4 R … Bronson Sardinha (NYA, 3B/2B) 3-6 R … Tommy Winrow (NYA, RF) 2-5 RBI … John Mark Sprowl (NYA, C/3B) 2-3 R 2RBI … Justin Pope (NYA, PH!) 0-1 … Delwyn Young (LA, 2B) 1-4 R RBI … Jonathan Figueroa (LA) 3 7 4 4 1 2 … Travis Hanson (STL, 2B) 2-3 2R RBI SB(2) … Jeremy West (BOS, 1B) 1-2 HR(10) 2BB ... Joel Guzman LA, on a nice roll, 3-4, 10th double, 9th homer, 3 RBI, up to .295 (4th in SLG at .542) , .395 over the last three weeks with 5 doubles, 3 triples, 6 homers, but just 5 walks, 20 Ks

CALIFORNIA --  Manny Parra MIL, having a tough time in the early stages of his return from injury, 4.1 12 7 6 0 4, 6.46 ... Travis Hinton 1B MIL 4-5, double, triple, 4 RBI, .303 ... SS Juan Gonzalez SEA 3-4, double, .335 ... Juan Senreiso CF TEX 2-5, homer, .385 ... Conor Jackson ARZ 0-1, 4 walks ... Jamie D`Antona ARZ 2-4, 11th homer, 3 RBI, .315 ... Steven Shell ANA 7.0 6 2 2 0 13, 3.72 ... Jeffrey Baker COL 2-5, 3 RBI, .331

MIDWEST --  Cody Haerther STL 3-5, HR (.295) ... Daric Barton STL 2-4, HR, 3rd SB ... Ian Kinsler TEX 0-3, 15th SB ... Nick Blackburn MIN 6.0 3 3 3 3 6 (255) ... just when he seemed to be coming around Kody Kirkland DET 0-6, golden sombrero ... Lou Palmisano MIL 1-3, BB, K ... follow-up to his no-no Elvys Quezada NYA 4.0 6 5 5 1 6 (4.08) ... Eric Duncan NYA 1-3, 2 BB ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-4 ... Bobby Wilson ANA 2-4 (.331) ... Howie Kendrick ANA 2-5, triple ... Kevin Jepsen ANA 6.0 8 5 4 1 9 ... Joey Votto CIN 1-4, 2 K

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Jon Benick PIT, 3-3, homer (13), RBI ... Nick Markakis BAL, 1-4, double, RBI ... Ian Stewart COL, 2-5 ... David Smith TOR, 3-4, 2 homers (6,7), 3 RBI ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 2-4, double, RBI ... Aaron Laffey CLE, 6.0 4 1 1 1 11 (W 2-4, 4.78) ... Nate Schierholtz SF, 1-4 ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 1-3, run, walk ... Evan MacClane NYM, 6.0 3 3 2 1 9 ... Chuck James ATL, 6.0 6 1 1 2 6 (1.48) ... Brandon Moss BOS, 0-5, 2 strikeouts

    Troop movements ...  LA -- purchased the contract of RHP Rodney Myers, optioned Joey Thurston to AAA ... CHA -- no second chances, Jon Rauch optioned to AAA ... ANA -- signed outfielder Raul Mondesi, designated infielder Adam Riggs for assignment ... PHI -- placed RHP Vicente Padilla on the DL, recalled RHP Geoff Geary from Triple-A ... TEX -- recalled RHP Juan Dominguez from AAA, optioned Rosman Garcia to AAA ...  TB -- promoted OF Joey Gathright to AAA ... BOS -- " ... Nomar Garciaparra ...  to begin a rehabilitation assignment in Triple-A on Sunday. Garciaparra plans to play two games with Pawtucket at Louisville, then return to Boston to work with a therapist for a couple of days. He is expected to rejoin the farm team in Toledo after an off-day on Wednesday. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Garciaparra will play four or five innings and bat leadoff, to maximize his at-bats." (Louisville Bats) ...

    Ah ... after such a strong rebound, leading PIT prospect heading back to the DL "

" ... The Sounds placed catcher J.R. House, the Pacific Coast League's current batter of the week, on the disabled list with a sprained left knee yesterday. House, who went 10-for-19 (.526) in five games between May 17-23, suffered the injury Tuesday in a home-plate collision. He's hitting .315 in 34 games, with a team-best nine home runs and 29 RBI. House was scheduled to undergo an MRI last night to determine the extent of the injury." (The Tennessean)

    ARZ prospect in hot water :

" ... Luis Terrero ... serving a minimum five-game suspension for his role in a benches-clearing brawl in Albuquerque and could be out longer for throwing a baseball that struck a female fan in the stands ... Diamondbacks General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said the organization was working to determine the length of the course, but he wasn't prepared to say when Terrero could rejoin the Triple-A affiliate. The incident began in the third inning of Tuesday night's game, when Albuquerque pitcher Aaron Small threw an 0-2 pitch near the head of Terrero, 24, who had hit a three-run triple in his first at-bat. Terrero started walking to the mound and was blocked by catcher Matt Treanor. Terrero threw an elbow at the catcher, punches ensued, and both benches and bullpens emptied ... After Terrero and Treanor each were ejected, Terrero apparently got into a shouting match with a heckling male fan. Terrero allegedly picked up a baseball and fired it toward the fan, but it struck a woman nearby. Assault charges could be filed ... Terrero was batting .335 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs. (Arizona Republic)

    JJ Hardy MIL expected to be OK for Spring Training :

" ... Hardy, lost for the season with a left-shoulder injury, had arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair the labrum, a ring of cartilage that protects the joint. California orthopedist Lewis Yocum, who examined Hardy on Thursday and concurred with the diagnosis that surgery was needed, performed the procedure in Los Angeles. The Brewers said Hardy could begin his rehabilitation immediately and is expected to be ready for spring training in February. Hardy, who batted .277 with four home runs and 20 RBI for Class AAA Indianapolis this year, was injured May 9. The shoulder popped loose when he was taking a swing, causing the labrum damage." (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

    It's been a long wait, but Tony Armas Jr. ready to roll :

" ... He'll be activated and make his first start since April 30, 2003 Tuesday night  ...   The smile on the right-hander's face was three miles wide yesterday. He literally was transformed, nearly glowing. Armas was talkative, smiling, nothing like the phlegmatic, weight-of-the-world-on-his-shoulders young pitcher he was even a year and a half ago. Yes, he's happy to be back after a year away. "One year and two days," he corrected. "Everybody asked me, so I know." Armas said he threw a lot of strikes in his final rehab appearance ... "Everything was feeling good. I was throwing my breaking pitches for strikes," he said. "He's ready to go. He has been for a while. He thinks he was ready one (rehab) assignment before now." Robinson said. "He'll fall right into his regular starting spot (Tuesday) and he should be able to go at least five or six innings for us, depending on how many pitches he throws."  (Montreal Gazette)

    Primo lefty Scott Kazmir still in rehab :

" ... Kazmir threw three innings in an intrasquad game in St. Lucie on Wednesday and had no discomfort from the abdominal strain that has sidelined him since April 26. "We were concerned that if he had some discomfort, there could be a change in his mechanics, but mechanically, he was very sound," Mets farm director Kevin Morgan said. "We wanted to be understandably cautious with him." (Baseball America)

29 May, 2004  

    Game action ... INT --  Matt Diaz (TB, CF) 2-4, 2B, R, RBI ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 2-5, SB, 0 errors ... Nook Logan (DET, CF) 4-5, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB, SF ... rehab, Brandon Larson (CIN, 3B) 1-4 ... Matt Belisle (CIN) 6.0 8 3 3 1 7 ... rehab, Eli Marrero (ATL, LF) 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB ... Jason Kubel (MIN, RF) 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB ... rehab, Joe Mauer (MIN, DH) 1-3, 2B, RBI, SF ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 2-5, 2B ... Gabe Gross (TOR, DH) 1-4, 4th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Brian Forystek (BAL) 6.0 9 7 4 4 3 ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, SS) 2-4, 2 RBI ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, 3B) 2-4, R, 2 RBI, SF ... Kazuhito Tadano (CLE) 5.0 3 0 0 2 4 ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 2-4, 3rd HR, 2 R, RBI ... Felix Diaz (CHA) 6.0 6 3 3 1 6 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 1-4, 2B & 2-4, 2 RBI ... Ben Hendrickson (MIL) 5.0 5 6 6 3 7 ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 3-5, 2B, 2 R ... Victor Diaz (NYN, DH) 2-5, 2B, R, RBI ... Jeremy Griffiths (NYN) 7.0 6 1 1 2 3

PCL --  John VanBenschoten PIT, reward with his 1st win (1-6) with another strong effort, 6.2 4 1 1 1 5 ... Tony Alvarez PIT 4-4, .320 (8-9 last two nights) ... Carlos Hernandez HOUI 4.0 9 8 8 3 1, 3.76 ...  Marshall McDougall TEX doing fine in promotion to AAA, 3-5, double, 2nd & 3rd homers, 3 RBI, .471 ... AJ Burnett FLO, obviously some work to do, 3.1 7 4 4 2 6 ... Adam Wainwright STL, not looking like a top prospect, 6.0 8 5 5 3 6, 5.40 ... Travis Blackley SEA, likely to soon follow Nageotte to the Mariners, 6.0 6 3 3 3 3, 5-2, 3.13 ... probably not long before Antonio Perez gets a shot with LA, 1-3, triple, .301 ... Chris George, might be on his way to KC, pulled after just two innings, 2.0 2 1 1 1 3, 2.32 ... George and three relievers combined for 17 Ks

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN, might be a career worst, 0-7, 5 Ks … Justin Huber NYN 1-5, 3rd homer … Prentice Redman NYN 1-5 …  Dioner Navarro NYA 1-6 … Val Majewski BAL 3-5, 2B (11), 3B (3), 4 RBI (29) … Keith Reed BAL 0-4, RBI (17) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 0-2, 2 BB, 2 R … Jeremy Guthrie CLE 5.0 7 3 3 4 4, W (4), (3.82) … Ian Snell PIT 7.0 7 4 4 2 6, (3.00) … Ryan Doumit PIT 0-3, BB … Michael Cervenak SF 1-5 … Charlie Zink BOS 6.1 5 2 2 2 6, 4.80 ... Chien-Ming Wang NYA 8.0 7 3 3 1 5, 3.93 ... Wayne Lydon CF NYN 3-7, 32nd & 33rd SBs

SOUTHERN --  Kelly Johnson ATL OF 0-2, 1 K ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 1-4, 1 2B, 1 K ... Eric Reed FLA OF 0-5, 1 R, 1 K ... Josh Willingham FLA C 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 HR (10) ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 K ... Bobby Brownlie CHN 6.0 6 3 2 2 4, 2.83 era ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 0-3, 1 K ... Tim Stauffer SD 7.0 5 3 1 3 5, L 1-1 ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 0-4, 3 K's ... Tony Gwynn Jr MIL OF 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 0-4 ... Dennis Sarfate MIL 6.0 3 1 0 0 9, W 3-4 ... (Prince Fielder suspended for three games for his part in a brawl) ... Edwin Encanacion CIN 3B 3-4, 3 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB ... Luis Martinez STL 5.0 8 6 6 1 2, L 3-5, 5.26 era ... Aaron McNeal CHA 1B 1-5, 1 2B, 2 K's ... Reggie Abercrombie LA OF 1-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K ... James Loney LA 1B 3-5, 1 SB ... Yhency Brazoban LA 1.2 0 0 0 2 3, W 4-2, 2.67 era

The weekly awards ... Cubs' 1B Micah Hoffpauir ... .444 (11-25) with 7 runs scored, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 11 RBI and a .760 slugging percentage. PITCHER ... Chris Rojas SD ... 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA, allowing 6 hits, 3 earned runs and 4 walks while striking out 10 in 12.1 innings. (From MinorLeagueBaseball)

TEXAS --  Ben Fritz OAK  6.0 8 2 2 2 10, 4.88 ... John Baker OAK 2-4, double, .318 ... Jeremy Brown OAK 1-3, .225 ... Tommy Whiteman HOU 1-4, 7th homer, .338 ... Dustin Delucchi SEA CF & Leadoff, 2-4, double, .333 ... Shawn Garrett COL 3-4, double, 7th homer, .354 ... Nick Bierbrodt, trying to bounce back with TEX,  5.1 5 2 2 2 5 ... Nick Gorneault ANA 2-4, 6th homer, .322 ... Dallas McPherson ANA 1-2, 5th triple, 2 walks, .309 ... Jason Botts TEX 2-4, .307

CAROLINA --  Donnie Murphy KC 1-3, BB ... Mike Aviles KC 0-3, R, BB ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 0-4, 2 K ... Brian McCann ATL 2-4, R, RBI ... Anthony Lerew ATL (W) 7 2 0 0 1 4 (5-2, 2.62) ... Ryan Sweeney CHA 2-4, 2 R, double, BB ... Brian Anderson CHA 4-5, R, double (15), 4 RBI (30) ... Casey Rogowski CHA 1-3, 2 BB, K ... Pedro Lopez CHA 3-3, RBI ... Michael Aubrey CLE 1-3, double, 2 RBI (33), BB, K ... Ryan Garko CLE 2-4, R, HR (11), RBI (42), K ... Ivan Ochoa CLE 0-1, K ... Nathan Panther CLE 1-5, R, 2 K ... Dan Denham CLE 5 10 2 2 1 6 (3.38) ... Luke Scott HOU 1-4, 2 K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 1-4, R, HR (8), 3 RBI (39), 2 K ... Tony Blanco CIN 0-4, R, BB, K ... Chris Denorfia CIN 2-3, R, HR (7), 3 RBI (33), 2 BB ... Doug Gredvig BAL 2-5, double, 3 RBI, K ... Tripper Johnson BAL 2-4 ... Chaz Lytle PIT 1-4, R, K ... Brad Eldred PIT 2-5, 2 RBI (41), K ... Don Levinski BAL (L) 3 8 6 4 2 1 (1-6, 6.75) ...

FLORIDA STATE --  Felix Pie (CHN, CF) 2-3 2R SB(6) … Eliezer Alfonzo (FLA, 1B) 1-4 HR(14) … Brandon Sing (CHN, 1B) 2-4 HR(14) 2RBI … Bronson Sardinha (NYA, 3B) 2-5 R RBI … Josh Banks (TOR) 7 4 1 1 1 7 W (7-1 1.80) - Season - 60IP 60K 49H 8BB … Vito Chiarovolloti (TOR, 1B) 2-5 HR(6) 3RBI … Travis Hanson (STL, 2B) 3-3 W 5RBI … Jeremy West (BOS, 1B/DH) 2-4 HR(9) … Delwyn Young (LA, 2B) 2-4 2B 3B 2R 2RBI

CALIFORNIA --  Conor Jackson ARZ 3-4, 9th homer, .308 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 2-4, 12th homer, up to .278 ... Vincent Sinisi TEX 3-4, .335 ... Jeffrey Baker COL 3-4, double, walk, .329 ... Jeff Salazar COL 1-3, 9th homer, .325 ... Joe Saunders ANA 7.0 6 4 2 0 8, 4.25 ... Michael Napoli ANA 2-4, double, .319 ... Matthew Cain SF  7.0 5 1 1 0 8, 4-1, 1.94 ... Julio Cordido SF 3B 3-4, triple, .303

MIDWEST --  Joey Votto CIN 1-3, 6th HR, BB, 2 K (.306) ... Calvin Medlock CIN 6.0 2 1 1 0 8 (W, 5-2, 2.19) ... what a mixed bag Kody Kirkland DET 2-5, double, HR, 3 K, 3 errors ... Lou Palmisano MIL 1-4 (.304) ... Matt Chico ARZ 9.0 2 0 0 1 8 (W, 6-3, 2.37) ... he's still just 20 Nick Kimpton ANA 3-4, double (.307) ... Brian Dopirak CHN 2-4 ... Abel Gomez NYA 4.2 7 6 2 3 8 ... Eric Duncan NYA 1-3, 2 BB, 2 K (.305) ... a spark of life Chris Lubanski KC 2nd HR (.232) ... Mitch Maier KC 4-5 ... Adam Jones SEA 0-3 ... Wladimir Balentien SEA 0-4, 3 K (.250) ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-4, 14th SB, E (.396) ... Cody Haerther STL 2-5 ... Daric Barton STL 3-5, K (has hit safely in all 11 games, first game with no walk or extra-base knock)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Delmon Young TB, 5-5, homer (8), RBI, 3 runs ... Elliot Johnson TB, 3-5, 3 homers (3,4,5), 4 RBI ... Ian Stewart COL, 0-4, 2 strikeouts ... Nick Markakis BAL, 1-4, run ... Zach Dixon BAL, 5.0 4 1 1 4 2 ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 1-4, homer (13) RBI ... Adam Miller CLE, 5.0 5 3 3 2 7 ... Jon Benick PIT, 2-5, homer (12), 4 RBI ... Xavier Paul LA, 2-4, double, 3 RBI, 2 runs, steal (5) ... Luis Jiminez LA, 2-5, 2 homers (9,10), 5 RBI ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 3-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 runs, steal (3) ... Brandon Moss BOS, 2-5, double, RBI, steal (8) ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1st day off, (after a 20-42 string)

Weekly winners ... COL's Jordan Czarniecki ... .480 (12-25) with 10 runs scored, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 7 RBI and a .800 slugging percentage. PITCHER ... Juan Serrato SF ...  2-0 with a 1.46 ERA, allowing 9 hits, 2 earned runs and 1 walk while striking out 10 in 12.1 innings." (From MinorLeagueBaseball))

    Troop movements ...  CHN -- purchased the contracts of Jimmy Anderson & Rey Ordonez from AAA, recalled David Kelton from AAA (Wellemeyer, Goodwin DL, Jackson down) ... KC -- activated Tony Graffanino from DL (Mendy Lopez gone) ... MON -- activcated Nick Johnson, optioned Val Pascucci to AAA, recalled Tony Armas from rehab (but not yet activated from DL)  ... PIT -- activated Randall Simon (Cota to DL) ... SD -- purchased the contract of Jon Knotts (Klesko DL) ... SEA -- recalled Clint Nageotte from AAA (McCracken gone) ... TB -- purchased the contract of Fred McGriff, optioned Jonny Gomes to AAA ... TOR -- Orlando Hudson to DL, Howie Clark up ... LA -- Dave Roberts activated from DL (Nomo on DL) ... CLE -- Joe Dawley up for a start ... CHA -- optioned Kelly Wunsch to AAA, Jon Rauch up for a start ...  ATL -- placed Adam LaRoche on the DL, optioned Wilson Betemit to AAA, activated Eli Marrero from DL, recalled Mike Hessman from AAA ...

Some moves in the MON system, promotions to AA : 

" ... Joining Harrisburg will be top-pitching prospect Mike Hinckley, the Florida State League’s leading hitter, Alejandro Machado and a familiar face in Donnie Bridges. Hinckley, rated as the Expos 2nd best prospect by Baseball America, was 6-2 in 10 starts with Brevard County this season. He worked 62 innings with a 2.61 ERA. He allowed 47 hits, 23 runs, 18 ER 18 walks and 51 strikeouts. Machado’s .355 average was the best batting numbers in the single-A Florida State League at the time of his departure. He played in 46 games with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 1 homer, 19 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Bridges comes back to Harrisburg where he played on 2000, 2001 and 2002. This time around, Bridges will be used as an outfielder and relief pitcher. Last year with Carolina, Bridges was 10-2 with a 2.81 ERA as a pitcher and batted in .377 in 57 plate appearances."

    John Sickels, ESPN.com, on a pair of CLE A-+ farmhands -- Ryan Garko & Michael Aubrey :

" ... Garko: Hitting .346 with .445 OBP and .634 SLG in 41 games at Class A Kinston, 10 homers, 15 walks, 24 strikeouts in 153 at-bats. Third-round pick out of Stanford in 2003, 6-2, 225, bats right ... first base, catcher, and DH, defense rated as average. Aubrey: Hitting .324 with .403 OBP and .496 SLG in 36 games at Kinston, five homers, 12 walks, 19 strikeouts in 139 at-bats. First-round pick out of Tulane in 2003, 6-0, 195, bats left ...  first base, defense rated as excellent, potential Gold Glove eventually."

" ... Garko may actually have more raw power, but scouts say that Aubrey is a more polished hitter and is more likely to hit for average at higher levels. Aubrey is more athletic and superior defensively. Both have good plate discipline and strike zone judgment. Overall, Aubrey is a more complete player when everything is considered, which is why scouts rated him as a better prospect on draft day, but Garko is a fine hitter and no slouch on the field."

    Jon Rauch, the latest 5th starter for the WSox :

" ... The 6-foot-11 right-hander becomes the fourth pitcher fighting to anchor the elusive fifth spot ...  Rauch had a 5-2 record with a 3.04 ERA during 10 starts for Charlotte ... was considered the organization's top pitching prospect four years ago, with a 16-4 record between Single-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham, striking out 187 in 166 innings. But surgery to repair a torn labrum in 2001 has left him fighting for a roster spot ever since. Rauch was 2-1 with a 6.59 ERA over six starts and eight games with the White Sox in 2002, also allowing seven home runs in 28 2/3 innings. "We still have remained high on Jon Rauch, and I look forward to seeing him and feel confident that he'll come up and throw strikes," Williams said. "He will do some of the things that warranted his high prospect stats to begin with. "A lot of times guys, once they get their initial opportunities in the big leagues, the speed of the game overwhelms them. The strength of the hitters, the whole environment overwhelms them. This will be his opportunity to show us what he's made of." (MLB.com)

    Cubbies heading for a surplus of SPs :

" ... Ryan Dempster, only 10 months removed from reconstructive elbow surgery, will make his second start for the Lansing Lugnuts when they play the Kernels on Monday ... Dempster, a six-year major league veteran who pitched last season for the Cincinnati Reds, underwent Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow on Aug. 4, 2003 ... signed with the Cubs with the idea that he may be ready to pitch in the major leagues late in the 2004 season." (Lansing Lugnuts)

    Ty Howington CIN, once a highly sought after prospect, another to bite the dust :

" ... Howington had surgery on his left shoulder Thursday, continuing the Reds' incredible run of bad luck with pitching prospects. Howington, a 24-year-old left-hander, had spent the entire season at extended spring training, trying to regain his velocity. The surgery was to repair a torn labrum in the front of his shoulder. He is expected to be ready in time for spring training. The frequency with which Reds prospects have surgery is frightening. Consider: In 2003, Baseball America had six pitchers on the Reds' top 10 prospect list. Four - Howington, Chris Gruler, Bobby Basham and Josh Hall - are rehabilitating from surgery. A fifth - Richard Aramboles - is trying to regain his form after a previous surgery. In addition, five prospects the Reds have obtained - Philip Dumatrait, D.J. Mattox, Luke Hudson, Jeff Austin and Chris Booker - are also in various stages of recovering from surgery. General manager Dan O'Brien thinks the steps the Reds have taken in the last year will stem the trend. "All I can tell you is most, if not all, of the surgeries that have taken place are from injuries that have histories of the last year and beyond," he said. "We've been diligent with our rehabs without results, so we went with surgical invention with hopes they'll be ready in '05." O'Brien instituted strict pitch counts in the minor leagues after taking over as GM. "We've been remarkably free of injuries," he said." (Cincinnati Enquirer)

    Jamey Newberg, Rangers' Minor League Report, on OF Juan Senreiso, this week promoted to A+  :

" ... Formerly known as Julin Charles, I've touted the 22-year-old in the last three Bound Editions as someone poised to break out, and he's finally doing it. In his previous four pro seasons, including the first in the Dominican Summer League, the big-armed Senreiso managed to hit just .238/.292/.348, hitting 16 homers and driving in 156 runs in what amounted to a little more than two years' worth of at-bats. He did steal 99 bases in 116 attempts over those four seasons. Hopes were high after Senreiso hit .400/.432/.686 in 35 fall instructional league at-bats. But returning to Clinton, where he hit just .216/.265/.302 in 473 at-bats in 2003, Senreiso got off to a slow start this spring. He hit just .239 in April, fanning 20 times in 67 at-bats. But coinciding with a switch from the third slot in the order to the leadoff spot near the end of the month, Senreiso exploded, hitting .398 in May -- and that doesn't include his first three games for Stockton following this week's promotion. He merely went 7 for 16, collecting two doubles, a triple, and a home run among his seven hits (.438/.471/.875). Senreiso finished his 2004 LumberKing stint at .329/.408/.484, swiping 16 bags in 22 tries, and going through one silly stretch in which he had multiple hits 16 times in 23 starts. He stands sixth in the Midwest League in hitting, fifth in getting on base, and second in steals. This is a raw player with the speed to play center field and the arm to play right, and he's beginning to convert his considerable tools into bigtime production."

28 May, 2004

    Game action ... INT --  B.J. Upton (TB, SS & DH) 0-2, BB, 0 errors & 0-3 ... rehab, Brandon Larson (CIN, DH & 3B) 1-3, RBI & 2-3, RBI ... rehab, Eli Marrero (ATL, LF) 2-5, 2B ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 2-5, R ... John Maine (BAL) 5.0 2 2 1 3 9 ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-4 ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 1-4, 11th HR, R, RBI ... Bob Keppel (NYN) 6.0 8 4 4 2 3

PCL --  Wilson Valdez SS FLO 3-5, .321 ... Antonio Perez LA (SS, this day) 2-4, 5th homer, .301 ... Aaron Miles COL 3-4, .378 ... Chad Qualls HOU 9.0 7 2 2 0 7 ... John Buck HOU 2-3, walk, double, 6th homer, .304 ... Xavier Nady SD, 3-4, double, .354 ... Dan Johnson OAK 2-2, 2 walks, 10th homer ... Sean Burnett PIT, looks like a short day to allow for a callup to the Pirates, 2.0 1 0 0 0 1 ... Tony Alvarez PIT 4-5, 6th homer, .302 ...

EASTERN --  Dioner Navarro NYA 2-5, RBI (17) … Val Majewski BAL 2-4, 2B (10), HR (8), RBI (25) … Keith Reed BAL 2-4, 2B (10), RBI (16) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 0-4, 2 K, SB (4) … Jeff Keppinger PIT 0-3, RBI (11) … Bryan Bullington PIT 5.2 7 3 3 2 3, W (4), (3.40)

SOUTHERN --  Birmingham (CHA) beats Jacksonville (LA) by 2 touchdowns and a field goal ... leading the way were ... Michael Morse CHA SS 2-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR (8 & 9) ... Aaron McNeal CHA 1B 2-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR (12) ... Scott Bikowski CHA OF 3-5, 3 R, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (2) ... Dennis Ulacia CHA 7.0 7 2 2 2 11 ... Reggie Abercrombie LA OF 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K ... James Loney LA 1B 2-4, 1 K ... Edwin Encanacion CIN 3B 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 1-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, batting lead-off ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 3-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (9) ... Dan Meyer ATL 7.0 2 0 0 0 8, 4-2, 1.98 era ... Chris Seddon TB 6.0 6 2 1 2 12 ... Eric Reed FLA OF 2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB (21) ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 0-5, 2 K's ... Josh Willingham FLA C 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K ... Freddy Guzman SD OF 0-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB (17) ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, batting sixth ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 1-4, 3 K's ... Tony Gwynn Jr MIL OF 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 SB (13 & 14) ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 0-2 ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 1-2, 2 BB

TEXAS --  Tommy Murphy CF ANA 2-5, 2R, HR ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 1-3, 2R, 2RBI, BB ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 1-2, 3BB ... Jeff Mathis DH ANA 1-4, RBI, BB ... Drew Meyer SS TEX 1-5 ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 0-4, 2R, BB ... Jason Botts 1B TEX 3-4, 3R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI ... Ervin Santana ANA 4 5 2 2 2 7 ... Victor Hall CF ARI 2-4, R, 2B ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 0-4 ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK 1-4, RBI ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 2-5, 2B, RBI ... Shawn Garrett RF COL 3-4, HR ... Jeff Francis COL Still the hottest pitcher in baseball, 9 4 0 0 0 6 (2.24)

CAROLINA --  Ryan Sweeney CHA 3-5, RBI, K ... Brian Anderson CHA 0-3, 2 K ... Casey Rogowski CHA 1-3, R, RBI (41), BB, K ... Michael Aubrey CLE 1-4, R, double, BB, K ... Ryan Garko CLE 1-4 ... Ivan Ochoa CLE 1-4, R, 2 K ... JD Martin CLE (L) 5.2 6 5 5 4 4 (4-4, 5.84) ... Luke Scott HOU 0-3, R, BB, K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 2-4, R, double, 3 RBI (36), 2 K ... Chris Denorfia CIN 0-4, K, SB (6) ... Richard Gardner CIN 5 2 0 0 1 6 (2.28) ... Doug Gredvig BAL 1-2, RBI, 2 BB... Tripper Johnson BAL 1-5, 2 K ... Chaz Lytle PIT 1-4, RBI, 2 K ... Brad Eldred PIT 0-3, R, BB ... Rajai Davis PIT 1-5, SB (19)  ... this is his 6th pro season, never above A-ball, it's his second go-round in the Carolina, at age 23, he's a little old for the league, but 3B Tony Blanco CIN might turn out to be a prospect after all, 4-4, 3 R, double, 14th & 15th HR, 4 RBI (36)

FLORIDA STATE --  Joe Mauer (MIN, C) rehab, 1-2 RBI 2BB … Jeremy West (BOS, 1B) 2-4 R … Jon Papelbon (BOS) 6 7 2 2 1 8 … Joel Guzman (LA, SS) 2-5 RBI … Chad Billingsley (LA) 5 3 0 0 2 4 - 2.53 … Michael Woods (DET, 2B) 4-7 SB(3) … Joel Zumaya (DET) 7 4 3 3 1 6 … Francisco Liriano (MIN) 8 3 0 0 1 7 W(3-3, 2.98) … Chris Roberson (PHI, CF) 2-4 HR(7) 2R … Eliezer Alfonzo (FLA, 1B) 1-3 HR(13) 2RBI

" ... “(The left knee) is a little sore,” said Mauer, who had a large bag of ice on his left knee afterward. “But it felt good running the bases. When I sit down for a while that’s when it hurts. This is what all this ice is for.” Ryan, who is in town as part of his annual trip to evaluate the Miracle, admitted the organization is concerned by Mauer’s soreness. “It’s a little concern to us but it’s natural,” [Twins general manager Terry] Ryan said. “It’s something that’s going to happen when you come back from an injury like this.” ... “He looks about 95 percent to me, only because his legs are not as strong as they should be,” Miracle manager Jose Marzan said. “And it’s obvious. You can see that. Everybody can see that.”  (Fort Myers News-Press)

CALIFORNIA --  Conor Jackson ARZ 1-3, 8th homer ... Jeff Salazar COL 3-4, walk, 5th triple, 8th homer, .325 ... John Suomi OAK (at 3B) 3-5, .323 ... Felix Hernandez SEA, back in harness & sharp, 6.0 2 0 0 2 8  ... Joaquin Arias SS TEX 2-4, 2 doubles, .301

MIDWEST --  you can't even hope to contain him Ian Kinsler TEX 3-5, double ... Adam Harben MIN 6.0 3 0 0 2 8 (3.40) ... Howie Kendrick ANA 3-5, 4th HR ... Bobby Wilson (C) ANA 3-5 (.325) ... Nick Kimpton ANA 2-3, 2 doubles, BB ... Michel Simard ANA 6.0 6 1 1 2 9 (3.12) ... a bit of a funk Brian Dopirak CHN 0-4, K (.266) ... Justin Jones CHN 4.0 5 3 3 2 2 (3.18) ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-5, double ... Lou Palmisano MIL 0-3, BB, K ... the collar, finally Brendan Ryan STL 0-4, K ... Daric Barton STL 1-2, 3rd HR, K, 2 BB ... Tyler Clippard NYA 6.0 4 2 0 0 3 (W, 4-4, 2.89) ... Eric Duncan NYA 1-4, 9th HR

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Josh Anderson HOU, 2-5, triple (3), RBI, steal (38) ... Matt Albers HOU, 6.2 4 1 1 1 7 ... Ramon Mora TOR, 7.0 6 1 1 0 8 ...Jake Blalock PHI, 0-4 ... Antonio Sucre MON, 1-4, homer (4), RBI ... Ian Stewart COL, 1-6, run, steal (9) ... Nick Markakis BAL, 3-4, homer (5), double, 3 RBI, 3 runs ... Christopher Ray CLE, 6.0 7 2 2 2 5 (W 2-3, 3.42) ... Jon Benick PIT, 3-4, double, RBI ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 3-5, 2 doubles, 2 runs ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 1-5, run, steal (2) ... Andy LaRoche LA, 0-4, walk, 2 strikeouts ... Wes Bankston TB 2-3, 8th & 9th homers & 0-4 ... Delmon Young TB 1-4 & 1-4 ... unbelievably hot Nate Schierholtz SF, 2-4, homer (14), RBI, on the season .324, 17 doubles, 14 homers, 40 RBI, .371 OBA, .648 SLG : Nate Schierholz, 3B, SF, 20, 6-2, 200, bats left.  .400 /.449 / .489 in 11 games in Rookie ball, then .306 / ..382 / .460 in short-season ball.  2nd round pick in 2003. No. 13 on this week's Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America.

The Sporting News has 'em as SF's hot prospect :

" ... 3B Nate Schierholtz, the Giants' No. 2 selection in the 2003 draft, is thriving in Class A. Living up to his power expectations, he still is two years away from the big leagues."

Baseball America rated Schierholtz as the 3rd best prospect from last season's Northwest League :

" ... Schierholtz emerged as one of the 2003 draft's surprise choices, a second-rounder who was on few teams' boards. One manager called Schierholtz the draft's best sleeper, and his .306 average would have ranked third in the league had he qualified. He debuted in the Rookie-level Arizona League, hitting .400 in 11 games, and then missed a handful of games at the end of the year after a pitch hit him in the hand, causing a bone bruise. "If I sit back and look at the whole league in a few years, he might top it out," Gideon said. "He hits lefthanders well, goes to all fields, has some power and moves well for a big kid. Everything the kid did was solid." Schierholtz has good gap power now, as well as the ability to hit all types of pitches because of his bat speed. He should continue to fill out as he matures, realizing his plus power potential. A good athlete, Schierholtz is reliable with the glove but has trouble getting to grounders to his left. His arm plays average at third."

COLLEGE --  Justin Verlander, Old Dominion, a disappointing final regular season start,  7.0 8 6 6 2 6 ... same for Jered Weaver, Long Beach State 6.1 8 7 7 4 11 (127 pitches)

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, on a couple of pre-season non-contenders who worked their way onto prospect reports :

" ... Nate Schierholtz [SF, 3B}  ... viewed as a reach when the Giants took him in the second round last year, but he may be turning into the team’s top non-pitching prospect. Offensively, he looks like someone with 30-homer potential, though he’ll probably lose quite a bit off the batting average when he begins facing advanced pitchers. It’s important that he continue to slug .500 or better since he’s probably going to end up at first base or the outfield in the majors."

" ... Ryan Garko [CLE, 1B/C] ...  2003 third-round pick out of Stanford, looks like this year’s Chris Shelton. He doesn’t have much chance of remaining a catcher for the long-term, but his bat is legit -- he hit .402 and slugged .703 in his final year at Stanford -- and he could be ready to hit in the majors in two or three years."

    Troop movements ... KC -- Byron Gettis up (Juan Gonzalez DL) ... SD -- purchased the contract of RHP Brian Sweeney ... ARZ -- optioned RHP Brian Bruney to AAA (Scott Service up ) ... BAL -- recalled RHP Eddy Rodriguez from AAA (Denny Bautista back down) ...

    I don't think anybody predicted this (esp. Prince Fielder) -- the mainly disappointing showing by the higher-level MIL prospects (geeze, Weeks 15 HBP, wonder if he'll survive the season)  :

BATTERS               AB 2B 3B HR RBI HP BB  SO SB   AVG  OBP  SLG
Nelson, Brad     AA  165 15  1  9  29  2 17  49  4  .285 .359 .552
Hardy, J.J.      AAA 101 10  0  4  20  0  9   8  0  .277 .330 .495
Hart, Corey      AAA 130  9  2  7  24  1 13  31  5  .269 .340 .531
Gwynn, Anthony   AA  186  7  1  1  14  1 17  38 12  .263 .328 .328
Krynzel, Dave    AAA  57  2  1  2   6  2  8  19  3  .263 .373 .439
Weeks, Rickie    AA  138  7  2  2  13 15 18  27  2  .261 .404 .384
Fielder, Prince  AA  174  7  0 10  33  4 21  35  2  .259 .348 .471

    Dayn Perry, FoxSports, latest Top 10 report is on the Cubbies ... and there's quite a different look.  Lefty Andy Sisco is the best of a less-than-prime system :

" ... A second-rounder in 2001, Sisco struggled somewhat in his first taste of pro ball but has put together back-to-back impressive stops in the Northwest and Midwest Leagues. A 6-9 lefty, Sisco can already hit the mid-90s with his fastball, and it's possible he'll add even more giddy-up as he matures. He's had some control issues from time to time, but that's hardly unusual for a hard-throwing young left-hander. He needs to refine his curve and change, but the Cubs like his makeup and think he'll do just that."

Sean Marshall, topped Angel Guzman and Justin Jones for the No. 2 spot :

" ... sixth-round pick last year. In 2003, he made stops in the Northwest and Midwest Leagues and blew away the competition in both circuits: 80.2 innings, 99 strikeouts, 23 walks 1 home run, 2.34 ERA. He's not an especially hard thrower, but he has great movement on his fastball and a strong curve and change. Marshall keeps the ball on the ground, and the organization likes his pitching instincts. This season the Cubs started him out back at Lansing, and he once again dominated. Such was his performance, that the Cubs skipped him a level to AA-West Tennessee, where's made two starts. If he fares well there, he'll get the credit he deserves. Right now, he looks like a real sleeper."

    Ed Moorhouse, The Sports Network, rates the top catching prospects -- with no surprises at the top (Jeff Mathis, Dioner Navarro, Guillermo Quiroz).  They're undoubtedly already gone in your leagues, but there might be a chance for Nos 4-5 -- Lou Palmisano MIL and Yadier Molina STL :

" ... Palmisano is expected to make his way through the minors fairly quickly and become the Brewers' every day catcher within the next three years. The former third round pick earned MVP honors in the Pioneer League last season and led the league in batting, on-base percentage and slugging. Palmisano is a leader behind the plate, calls an exceptional game and has a strong arm to boot. His quick bat and power make him an asset in the line-up as well. In 43 games for Single-A Beloit this season, Palmisano is hitting a solid .311 with two homers and 27 RBI."

" ...  Molina is an exceptional defensive catcher and threw out 40 percent of base stealers last season with Double-A Tennessee. He will never hit for power, but has boasted a .327 batting average in 30 games for Triple-A Memphis this season. His brothers are Angels' backstops Bengie and Jose Molina. They all boast similar skills so it's no reach that Yadier should soon find a place in the majors."

    Adam Loewen BAL, DL bound :

" ... Orioles are prepared to put Adam Loewen ... on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his left rib cage ...  Loewen has been scratched from his past two starts at Single-A Delmarva because of the injury, which became apparent during a bullpen session after his most recent appearance. The discomfort remained as he warmed up before a game last week, and Shorebirds manager Bien Figueroa pulled him from the mound. "We figured he would skip one start and we'd see where he was, but he was still a little sore," said Doc Rodgers, director of minor league operations. "We'll go ahead and disable him and take our time and get it right." ... Hindered early by his erratic control, Loewen is 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA in seven games. He has walked 24 in 33 2/3 innings ...   "This is just a little strain," Rodgers said. "What you don't want is for him to throw and have it affect his delivery. We're just going to make sure it's not a four- to six-week thing. It's better to treat a strain now than a pull later." (Baltimore Sun)

    Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, on the Expos' Mike Hinckley :

" ... Hinckley is a projectable lefty currently pitching at High A Brevard County in the Florida State League as a 21 year-old. He's experienced success during his entire professional career and this season isn't any different. Hinckley is currently 6-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 62 innings of work. He's walked 18 and struck out 51 hitters ... has a beautiful delivery and works efficiently with a low 90s fastball and above average curve. The curve is his bread 'n butter and is an outstanding strikeout pitch. The only thing missing is not unlike other young pitchers. The improvement of his changeup will determine how successful Hinckley will become in the future. Because he is projectable, Hinckley stands to add a few more ticks to his fastball. He's likely to be promoted to Double A sometime after the All-Star break."

    Oh, that's why we're not hearing much about him :

" ... From ridiculously hot to ice cold, Dionys Cesar’s season has run the gamut. Cesar, who was hitting .410 heading into games on May 1st, has gone 4 for 55 so far in May, dropping his average to .271 (through games on May 24th) ." (Southern League)

27 May, 2004

    And, we are pleased to announce the return of Wayne Stevens as a correspondent ... Wayne who provided sterling efforts last season, is back to take a crack at the Florida State League. (Applause !)

    Game action ... INT --  B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 1-4, R, 0 errors ... Chad Gaudin (TB) 4.1 4 1 1 1 6 ... Stephen Smitherman (CIN, 1B) 2-2, R, BB ... Joe Valentine (CIN) 3.0 4 4 4 5 4 ... rehab, Eli Marrero (ATL, LF) 1-5, RBI ... David Bush (TOR) 5.0 10 6 6 0 3 ... Jorge Padilla (PHI, CF) 3-5, 2B ... Tim Raines Jr (BAL, CF) 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 2-2, 3B ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, SS) 2-5, 3rd HR, 2 R, RBI ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 3-4, 2B, 5th HR, 3 R, 2 RBI ... Jeremy Griffiths (NYN) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0

PCL --  maybe the 2nd half will be better, Taylor Buchholz HOU4.0 11 8 8 1 5, 2-6, 7.88 ... John Buck HOU 2-4, double, .296 ... Edwin Jackson LA 6.0 6 3 3 2 3 ... Clint Barmes COL 2-4, 15th double, 5th homer, .348 ... Andy Tracy COL 2-3, 7th homer, .371 ... Antonio Perez LA 2-5, walk, 3 runs, .295 ... the forgotten Chin-Feng Chen LA 2-5, 6th & 7th homers, 6 RBI ... Jayson Werth 2-3, 2 walks, homer, 5 RBI ... Andy Green ARZ 2-4, 20th double, .339 ... Tony Graffanino KC, rehab, 1-4, homer ... a good bet to return to PIT, Dave Williams 7.0 3 1 1 1 10, 3-1, 3.49 ... Nick Johnson MON 0-2, 2 walks ... Joe Blanton OAK 7.0 8 6 3 0 2, 3.23 (see below)

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN 2-3, BB, SB (17) … Justin Huber NYN 1-4, 2B (5) … Prentice Redman NYN 1-5, RBI (38) … Aaron Hill TOR 1-3 … Dominic Rich TOR 0-3 … Dioner Navarro NYA 3-4. RBI (16) … Val Majewski BAL 0-2, K … Keith Reed BAL 2-4, 2B (9) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 0-4, 2 K… Jeff Keppinger PIT 0-4, .368 … Ryan Doumit PIT 0-4, .287 … Michael Cervenak SF 0-4

SOUTHERN --  No games scheduled.

TEXAS --  Alberto Callaspo SS ANA moved into the 3-hole, 1-5, R, SB ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 3-4, 2R, 2B, HR, 3RBI, BB. SB ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 0-5 ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 1-4, RBI ... Tim Bittner ANA 7 3 1 1 1 4 ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 0-4 ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK 1-3, BB ... John Baker 1B OAK 2-4, R, RBI ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 2-4, HR ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 3-4, 2R, HR, RBI, BB (HR's in 4 straight games, his first 4 of the season) ... Dustin Delucchi CF SEA 1-3, 2R, BB ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 1-4, R, BB ... Todd Self 1B HOU 2-3, R, 2RBI, 2BB

CAROLINA --  Doug Gredvig BAL 1-5, K ... Tripper Johnson BAL 0-5, K ... Donnie Murphy KC 1-4, K ... Mike Aviles KC 1-4, R, double ... Richard Stahl BAL (W) 6.1 6 1 1 2 7 (4-3, 3.19) ... Chaz Lytle PIT 1-4, SB (14) ... Brad Eldred PIT 0-2, 2 BB, K ... Rajai Davis PIT 1-4, K ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB (8) ... Kyle Davies ATL (W) 6 4 1 1 4 7 (4-2, 3.15) ... Ryan Sweeney CHA 2-5, 2 K ... Brian Anderson CHA 1-5, R, RBI ... Casey Rogowski CHA 1-4, R, HR (10), 3 RBI (40), BB ... Tony Blanco CIN 1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 K ... Chris Denorfia CIN 1-4, RBI, K

FLORIDA STATE --  Joe Mauer MIN (DH) rehab, 3-4 RBI … Dave Roberts LA (LF) rehab, 0-5 … Joel Guzman LA (SS) 3-5 2R RBI … Bronson Sardinha NYA (3B) 2-4 R SB(5) … Matthew DeSalvo NYA 7 2 0 0 1 8 W(4-2), 1.26 … Felix Pie CHN (CF) 1-4 2R SB(5) … Andrew Sisco CHN 6.1 6 3 3 0 7 … Manny Delcarmen BOS 3 5 3 3 1 4 … Ismael Ramirez TOR 7 6 2 2 0 3 … Michael Hickey MON 7 1 1 1 5 3 W(6-2) … Alejandro Machado MON (SS) 2-3 R SB(11)

CALIFORNIA --  ANA 1B Michael Napoli 2-3, 8th double, 13th homer, walk, 4 RBI, .310 ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-4, .368 ... Jamie D`Antona ARZ 3-5, 10th homer, 3 RBI, .320 ... Bobby Livingston SEA, rare, poor effort, 5.0 8 5 5 1 6, 2.14 ... Brant Colamarino 1B OAK 4-4, 9th & 10th homers, 4 RBI (38), .357 (2nd to Aybar in the CAL) ... Jeff Salazar COL 2-5, 7th homer ... don't see this too often, Ryan Dittfurth TEX 0.0 0 5 5 5 0 ... Juan Senreiso CF TEX 3-6, double ... Joaquin Arias SS TEX 4-6, double ... Vincent Sinisi TEX 2-4, 2 walks, triple, .328

MIDWEST --  on the road back Ryan Dempster CHN 3.0 2 0 0 0 5 ... and relieving Billy Petrick CHN 4.0 4 1 1 1 3 (W, 6-2, 3.10) ... Kody Kirkland DET 2 doubles (.225) ... Lou Palmisano MIL 0-4 (.311) ... cuffed around a bit Brad Knox OAK 6.1 10 4 3 1 5 (L, 4-3, 2.06) ... Howie Kendrick ANA 2-3, HBP (.342) ... Micah Posey ANA 6.2 6 1 1 3 3 (W, 6-0, 2.36) ... Joey Votto CIN 2-3 ... Eric Duncan NYA 2-5, 2 K (.306) ... Brendan Ryan STL 3-4, triple (.371) ... Cody Haerther STL 2-3, double, 4th SB ... Daric Barton STL 2-3 ... Mitch Maier KC 2-4, double ... Adam Jones SEA 2-5 (up to .246) ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-4 (.393) ... Matt Farnum TEX 5.0 3 0 0 0 3 (W, 4-1, 1.60)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Nick Markakis BAL, 1-4, homer (4), 2 RBI ... Nate Schierholtz SF, 1-3, homer (13), 2 RBI ... Jake Blalock PHI, 2-4, double, RBI ... Michael Bourn PHI, 1-4, 2 steals (27) ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 2-4, double, RBI ... Micah Schnurstein CHW, 4-8, 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Eric Arnold TOR, 4-7, 2 doubles, 4 RBI ... Juan Serrato SF, 7.0 3 0 0 0 5 (W 4-1, 2.53) ... Josh Anderson HOU, 1-4, steal (37) ... Andy LaRoche LA, 3-4, 2 homers (9, 10), 4 RBI, 4 runs, steal (9) ... Chin-lung Hu LA, 2-5, double, RBI, 2 runs ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 2-4, homer (1), 2 RBI ... Chuck Tiffany LA, 4.2 6 6 5 1 6 ... Brandon Moss BOS, 2-3, 2 RBI ... Jake Stevens ATL, 4.0 0 0 0 3 5 (W 3-1, 2.43) ... Ian Stewart COL 1-5, double, .299 ... a couple of COL kids at the top of the lineup combined for six hits & eight RBI -- SS Jonathan Herrera 3-5, double, 4 RBI & CF Jordan Czarniecki 3-5, homer, 4 RBI

    Troop movements ...  MIL -- activated pitcher Chris Capuano from the DL, optioned outfielder Corey Hart to AAA ... TEX -- placed pitcher Chan Ho Park on the DL, recalled pitcher Rosman Garcia from AAA ... TOR -- recalled RHP Vinny Chulk & OF Alexis Rios from AAA, purchased the contract of catcher Bobby Estalella, placed outfielder Frank Catalanotto and catcher Kevin Cash on the DL, optioned RHP Micheal Nakamura to AAA  ...CLE -- optioned LHP Scott Stewart to AAA (to make room for Lou Pote) ... MIN -- optioned outfielder Michael Restovich to AAA (Koskie back) ...

    Jeff Francis COL, possible Olympic appearance might be in the way of a AAA promotion :

" ... Francis, from Vancouver, British Columbia, is 6-0 at Double- A Tulsa. His 71 strikeouts rank second in all minor leagues. Bill Geivett, Rockies director of player development, said Francis isn't ready for Triple-A yet but didn't rule out a move to Colorado Springs this summer. However, Francis could play in the Athens Olympics for Team Canada, and that could affect his progress in the Rockies' organization because he would miss about the last three weeks of the season." (Denver Post)

    Joe Strauss, STL Post-Dispatch, with his take on the Cards' farm system -- Adam Wainwright, Dan Haren 1-2 with unsung catcher Yadier Molina at No. 3 and another catcher at No. 7 :

" ... Molina is considered ready defensively for the major leagues and has shown significant improvement at the plate this season. Molina was hitting .340 with 12 RBIs and just eight strikeouts in 97 at-bats before pulling a hamstring last week at Memphis. Always the youngest player on his team, Molina, 21, also has become more assertive calling a game. Though not now on the 40-man roster, he might be seen in St. Louis by season's end."

" ... Daric Barton - The Cardinals moved last summer's first-round pick to Peoria last week after he opened in extended spring training. A lefthanded bat, Barton is considered an especially disciplined hitter for a high school draftee but questions remain about his defense. Barton managed four doubles and a home run in his first 19 professional at-bats."

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, on Joe Blanton OAK :

" ... Probably no American League pitching prospect has more short-term fantasy upside than Blanton. The 23-year-old right-hander doesn't have the ace ability of Zack Greinke or the raw talent of Bobby Jenks, but he does feature outstanding command of above average stuff and he's never had difficulty adjusting to new levels. Blanton entered the season with a 2.52 ERA and a 195/34 K/BB ratio in 189 minor league innings ... He's not a soft-tosser and he has a fine pitcher's build, so there was nothing for scouts to criticize. Blanton throws 91-95 mph and has an excellent slider. He also uses a curveball and a changeup, but it's his ability to spot his two best pitches that has allowed him to proceed through the minors so quickly. It should also result in a smooth transition to the majors when the time comes, although if he falls into the trap of trying to make perfect pitches, he'll struggle like so many young pitchers before him. Blanton is pitching well enough now that he'd probably be the choice to step in should anything happen to one of Oakland's starters."

    Clint Nageotte primed for a trial with SEA, but starter days may be over  :

" ...  The first move in the Mariners' roster transition is not being made by the big club, but by the Tacoma Rainiers. Right-hander Clint Nageotte, perhaps the best pitching prospect in the organization, is being positioned for a possible call-up. The hard-throwing 23-year-old, who was the Mariners' fifth-round draft choice in 1999, is being moved from starter with the Class AAA Rainiers to the bullpen. That's designed to prepare him for a reliever role with the Mariners. Mariners manager Bob Melvin didn't say Nageotte is definitely on his way, but he did say, "If we wanted a particular guy and he's a starter and I want him in the bullpen, then you'll see him in the bullpen at some point before we call him up here." Nageotte fits that scenario. Melvin added that with Nageotte's hard sinker and slider, "I've always felt he'd be better as a reliever." Nageotte, who is still developing his changeup, could be more effective in relief with fewer pitches.." (Seattle Times)

    More young guns about to get a look :

" ... Jon Rauch appears to be the Sox' new No. 5 starter and likely will pitch Saturday against the Anaheim Angels. Rauch, who is 5-2 with a 3.10 ERA at Class AAA Charlotte, was scheduled to start tonight against Syracuse, but Charlotte manager Nick Capra was asked to use him in relief Tuesday night instead. The 6-11 righty pitched in eight games with the 2002 Sox (six starts) and was 2-1 with a 6.59 ERA." (Chicago Sun Times)

" ... The Pirates will need an extra starting pitcher Sunday, and the nod could go to Nashville LHP Sean Burnett. While nothing had been officially determined as of last night, the Pirates likely will call up a pitcher from the minors rather than ask Brian Meadows to make a spot start. Burnett is 1-2 with a 5.16 ERA in six starts. He has made two starts after missing two with back spasms." (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

    KC's Colt Griffin not just bad, injured too :

" ... a disastrous start ... at Class A Wilmington (Del.). He's just 1-4 with an 8.73 ERA. He's given up 40 hits in 33 innings, walked 28 batters, struck out 28 batters and thrown 10 wild pitches. Worse yet, Griffin apparently is suffering from some shoulder “issues,” according to John Sadak, assistant director of broadcast and media relations for the Blue Rocks. “He didn't make his last start, and he won't be pitching for maybe a couple of weeks,” Sadak said by phone. “There's really nothing going on with him right now. Everyone wants to be careful with him because we've had some injury problems here with other guys.” Royals assistant general manager Muzzy Jackson said Tuesday, though, that Griffin had an MRI and the results revealed no structural damage. “He's still a guy with a great arm and great potential,” Jackson said. Griffin actually had started to make some headway last season at Class A Burlington, Iowa. Over the season's last four months, Griffin was 10-7 with a 4.38 ERA. That may not sound like Cy Young stuff, but the Royals were at least encouraged. You have to remember, in 285 minor-league innings, Griffin has given up 215 walks. Last year he led all the minor leagues with 97 walks. But the strong finish in 2003 has quickly become a distant memory. As one scout told me recently, “It used to be that on an 0-2 pitch, Colt would try to nail the outside corner and he'd throw it 10 feet outside and to the backstop. Now at least when he throws that 0-2 pitch, the catcher can dive for it and make a play on it. There's some improvement, I guess.”  (KC Star)

    Jason Kubel MIN gets the star treatment at The Sports Network :

" ... He was leading the Eastern League in batting average and slugging percentage, and he was second in OBP at the time of his callup. Add his Rochester and New Britain statistics together and he's batting .377/.446/.643 on the season. Kubel, a 12th round pick in the 2000 free agent draft, is a solid professional hitter. He has good strike zone discipline and manages to get on base regularly. He has the ability to hit for power, but has to develop it more if he wants to break into the Twins' lineup. Kubel is a passable defensive player in right field and he has an excellent arm. However, a lack of speed could possibly make him either a left fielder or a designated hitter. He works very hard on every aspect of his game so it is possible he can stay in right field. His lack of speed shouldn't be a big problem on the bases."

    Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, on a double delight for the Pirates & the Rockies' future at third :

" ... 24 year-old J.R. House has long been considered the Pirates catcher of the future since being drafted in 1999 ...  Various ailments and injuries have curtailed his career at this point but he's bounced back stronger than ever this season. With AAA Nashville, House is hitting .315-9-29 with a slugging percentage of .676. He has also been playing some games in leftfield to increase his versatility and value to the Pirates. Because of his relative lack of playing experience, especially over the past two seasons, I'd expect him to stay at Nashville until rosters expand in September or if/when Kendall is dealt. But that's not all. Another outstanding backstop is at AA Altoona. Ryan Doumit, now 23 years old, also was drafted in 1999 ... has vastly improved over the past few seasons as he went back and forth between Lynchburg and Hickory. His power numbers are increasing and the Pirates front office is ecstatic about his defense. With Altoona, he's hitting .300-5-15 with a .578 slugging percentage. Not many organizations have one solid catching prospect, but the Pirates have two in addition to a solid major leaguer in Kendall."

" ... Rockies 3B prospect Ian Stewart is on fire with the bat. That, of course, isn't a surprise. The 19 year-old is widely considered one of the top power-hitting prospects in the entire minor leagues. He is one of the many 3B prospects drafted last year that have been getting rave reviews. Stewart hit two more dingers last night for Low A Asheville and brought his batting average over .300. For the season, Stewart is hitting .302-11-33 with a SLG of .580. He is in line for a promotion, but has highly-regarded Jeff Baker in front of him at High A Visalia. Once Baker gets elevated to Double A Tulsa, Stewart will see the California League."

26 May, 2004  

    Game action ... INT --  Marcus Thames (DET, RF) 3-4, 2 2B, R ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 4-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI ... Tim Raines Jr (BAL, CF) 2-4, 2 R, SB ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 2-4, 3B, RBI ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, SS) 2-4, BB ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-6, R, 2 RBI, SB ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, 3B) 2-4, 2B, RBI, BB ... continuing to crush the ball, Joe Borchard (CHA, RF) 3-4, 9th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 4-5, 2B, 7th HR, 4 R, 3 RBI

PCL --  Mike Wood OAK 5.2 5 6 1 1 5 ... Nick Swisher OAK 3-5, double, .265 ... Chris Burke HOU 2-5, 2 doubles, .324 ... Nick Johnson MON 1-4, double ... Marshall McDougall 3B TEX, just back in AAA, 2-4, homer ... Andy Green 2B ARZ 2-5, 19th double, 7th homer, .335 ... Calvin Pickering KC 16th homer, 4 RBI (39) ... Jon Knott SD 13th homer, 2 RBI (47) ... Cody Ransom SF on a roll, 2-5, 8th & 9th homers, .311

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN 2-4, 2B (20), RBI (27), 2 SB (16) … Justin Huber NYN 0-3 … Prentice Redman NYN 2-5, 2B (21), HR (10), 2 RBI (37) … Aaron Hill TOR 2-3, RBI (23) … Dominic Rich TOR 0-5 … Dioner Navarro NYA 1-4 … Val Majewski BAL 1-5, 2B (9), RBI (24) … Keith Reed BAL 2-4, HR (4), RBI (15) … David Crouthers BAL 6.0 7 4 3 2 3, W (4), (2.92) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 1-3, HR (3), RBI (18) … Jeff Keppinger PIT 0-4, BB … Ryan Doumit PIT 1-3, HR (5), 2 RBI (15) … Michael Cervenak SF 4-5, 2 2B (15), RBI (37) … Gavin Floyd PHI 5.0 9 5 5 4 7… Wilfredo Ledezma DET 6.0 6 3 3 1 4, W (6), (2.54) … Rick Helling MINN 6.0 8 6 6 2 4, (4.94)

SOUTHERN --  James Loney LA 1B 3-5, 1 2B, 2 K's, 1 SB ... TJ Nall LA 5.2 4 0 0 1 7 ... Yhency Brazoban LA 0.2 4 4 4 2 0, ouch ... Rickie Weeks MIL PH 0-0, 1 BB ... Tony Gwynn Jr MIL OF 3-5, 2 RBI ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 K ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 2-4, 1 2B, 1 BB ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 2-5, 2 K's, batting leadoff ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 1-4, 2 K's ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-5, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 2 K's ... Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 2-3, 3 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 K ... Eric Reed FLA OF 2-5, 1 3B, 1 RBI ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 2-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 HR (14) ... Josh Willingham FLA C 1-3, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (9)

TEXAS --  Jayson Nix 2B COL 0-3, BB, 2k's, his struggles continue as he falls to .198 ... Shawn Garret RF COL 3-4, R ... Drew Meyer SS TEX 1-4, 3B, R, RBI, SB ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 2-4, R, RBI ... Zach Parker COL 7.1 5 3 3 2 4 ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 3-5 3R, 2B, HR ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 2-4, BB, 2SB ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 0-4, 2k's ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 0-3, BB, 2k's ... Victor Hall LF ARI 3-5, BB, SB (.514 in his brief tenure in AA) ... Brian Barden 3B ARI 1-6, HR, 3k's ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 0-5, k ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 3-5, R, BB ... Dustin Delucchi CF SEA 2-4, R, RBI ... Shin-soo Choo LF SEA 2-5, R, RBI ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK 1-4, R ... John Baker C OAK 2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI

CAROLINA --  Chaz Lytle PIT 1-3 ... Brad Eldred PIT 2-4, R, RBI (39), BB, K ... Rajai Davis PIT 2-5, R, double, RBI, K, 2 SB (18) ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 1-4, double ... Brian McCann ATL 0-4, K ... Matt Wright ATL 6 3 0 0 3 8 (1.81) ... Luke Scott HOU 1-3, R, double, 2 BB, K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 0-5, K ... Michael Aubrey CLE 1-3, RBI (31), BB ... Ryan Garko CLE 1-4, double, 2 RBI (41), K ... Ivan Ochoa CLE 0-3, R, BB ... Brian Slocum CLE 5 2 0 0 1 4 (3.13) ... Tripper Johnson BAL 1-4, R, RBI, BB, K ... Donnie Murphy KC 0-4, BB, K ... Mike Aviles KC 2-5, R, 2 RBI (34) ... Trae McGill KC 6 7 4 4 4 6 (1.85) ... Ryan Sweeney CHA 1-4 ... Brian Anderson CHA 0-4 ... Casey Rogowski CHA 0-2, BB ... Pedro Lopez CHA 1-3 ... Tony Blanco CIN 0-3, 2 K ... Chris Denorfia CIN 1-4, R ...

FLORIDA STATE --  Dave Roberts LA (LF) rehab - 0-3 … Justin Pope NYA 4 4 3 2 3 6 … Matthew Murton BOS (LF) 2-4 … Jeremy West BOS (1B) 2-4 RBI … Cole Hamels PHI 4 4 1 1 1 7 … Alejandro Machado 2-4 … Jose Reyes NYN (2B) rehab, scratched, sore lower back ... Mike Megrew LA 5.0 3 1 1 0 7, 1.93 ... Jesse Harper TOR 5.0 4 1 1 2 5, 0.69

CALIFORNIA --  Carlos Quentin ARZ 2-4, 11th homer ... John Suomi OAK 3-5, double, .313 ... Jeffrey Baker COL 2-3, 2 doubles, walk, .333

MIDWEST --  Eric Duncan NYA 1-3, BB, 2 K ... Melky Cabrera NYA 1-4 (.333) ... Danny Muegge ARZ 7.0 2 1 1 1 8 (W, 3-0, 2.97) ... Miguel Montero (C) ARZ 3-3, double, BB (.281) ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-5 (.226) ... Mitch Maier KC 3-5 (.296) ... Brendan Ryan STL 3-5, 2 doubles ... Daric Barton STL 1-4, BB, 2 K ... performance of the day Ian Kinsler TEX 2-2, 4th & 5th HR, 3 BB, 2 steals (13) ... performance #2 of the day Mark Prior CHN 4.1 2 1 1 0 8 ... Kody Kirkland DET 2-5, triple ... David Shafer CIN 6.0 2 0 0 0 4 (1.11) ... Adam Jones SEA 2-5, 3rd HR ... Wladimir Balentien SEA 2-5, double (.275) .. Steven Bondurant OAK 7.0 7 2 2 0 13 (W, 8-2, 2.40) ... Drew Macias SD 2-4, SB (.309) ... Nic Touchstone ANA 7.0 3 0 0 1 11 (2.22) ... tough doubleheader for the teen Brandon Wood ANA 0-8, E (.287)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Ian Stewart COL 2-3, 2 homers (10,11), 3 RBI ... Andy LaRoche LA, 1-4, homer (8), 2 RBI ... Ching-Lung Lo LA, 4.0 1 0 0 0 2 (S 1) ... Josh Anderson HOU, 2-4, double, 2 runs, steal (36) ... Beau Hearod HOU, 2-4, homer (10), 4 RBI ... Ervin Alcantara HOU, 2-2, homer (7), RBI, 3 runs, steal (10) ... Nyjer Morgan PIT, 1-4, steal (22), 3 strikeouts ... Ryan Roberts TOR, 2-4, 2 homers (8,9), 3 RBI ... Shaun Marcum TOR, 6.1 4 2 2 2 7 (W 5-2, 2.78) ... Antonin Gray CHW, 2-4 ... Robert Valido CHW, 2-4 ... Michael Bourn PHI, 3-6, homer (1), 5 RBI ... Jake Blalock PHI, 2-4, homer (7), 2 RBI ... Randy Ruiz PHI, 2-5, homer (3), RBI, 3 strikeouts, .348 ... Delmon Young TB, 1-4, homer (7), 2 RBI ... Todd Ritchie TB, 5.0 10 4 4 0 9 (L 1-1, 4.09) ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 3-4, RBI ... Yusmerio Petit NYM, 4.2 3 3 3 2 6 ... Brandon Moss BOS, 2-4, .365 ... Rogearvin Bernadina MON, 3-3, 2 doubles, 2 walks ... Antonio Sucre MON, 2-4

" ... [PIT 3B] Mike Cockrell had day he’ll never forget. The third baseman had 2 home runs and 11 RBI in the doubleheader. Eight of the RBI came in Hickory’s 16-5 win over the Legends in the opening game of the day." (Lexington Legends)

    Troop movements ... BAL -- recalled Denny Bautista, purchased the contracts of catcher Robert Machado, infielder Jose Leon from AAA, designated Keith Osik and Jose Bautista for assignment, activated Matt Riley from the DL & optioned him to AAA ... BOS -- placed third baseman Bill Mueller on the DL, recalled Andy Dominique from AAA ... CLE -- signed Scott Elarton, assigned to AAA ... NYN -- purchased the contract of pitcher Pedro Feliciano from AAA, optioned pitcher Tyler Yates to AAA ... STL -- purchased the contract of outfielder John Mabry from AAA,   optioned outfielder Colin Porter to AAA ... SF -- placed J.T. Snow on the DL, placed Ray Durham on the DL, recalled infielder Brian Dallimore from AAA, purchased the contract of Damon Minor from AAA, designated pitcher Kevin Walker for assignment ... TEX -- placed outfielders Brian Jordan and Kevin Mench on the DL,  purchased the contracts of outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Chad Allen ... TB -- placed Damian Rolls on the DL, purchased the contract of outfielder Charles Gipson ...

    A different view atop Kevin Goldstein's Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America.  Kevin goes with TB phenom BJ Upton for No. 1:

" ... Start the countdown for the next great shortstop arriving in the American League -- promoted to Triple-A on May 13, Upton has hit .375-5-11 in 12 games for Durham and doesn't turn 20 until late August."

ATL's Jose Capellan and Jason Kubel MIN finished 2-3 with a pair of LA lefties at 4-5 :

" ... Chuck Tiffany ... The Dodgers didn't exactly please the commissioner's office when they paid $1.2 million for last year's second round pick -- after Thursday night's seven-inning perfect game with 12 strikeouts, I'm guessing they're not losing any sleep over it ...Mike Megrew ... Skipped to the Florida State League for his full-season debut, the highly projectable lefty lowered his ERA to 1.95 with seven no-hit innings Wednesday night, striking out 11."

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Joe Blanton OAK :

" ... Blanton is one of the better pitching prospects in the minors and should be up with the A's by the end of the season. The 23-year-old's fastball and breaking stuff (he throws both a slider and curveball) are all plus pitches. In nine starts at Triple-A Sacramento this year, he has gone 3-1, 3.16 with a 40-13 strikeout-walk ratio and a .266 opponent average in 57 innings. I'm sure this will provoke an angry email or two, but I'll mention that the best pick out of Oakland's 2002 "Moneyball" draft thus far has turned out to be the consensus best prospect going into the draft. In other words, the A's most conventional pick has worked out better than their so-called revolutionary ones."

    Nice to get a note from Jeremy Deloney (whose work from GetSports Info you've noted already).  Jeremy also has his own site up and has some observations on an up-and-coming BOS OF prospect and ANA's bountiful crop at shortstop  :

" ... Brandon Moss is leading the South Atlantic League in hitting with a .361 average along with his five HR and 33 RBI. He also isn't afraid to take a walk which is reflected in his 19/24 BB to K ratio. Moss also has stolen 7 bases. So who is this guy? Moss was drafted in 2002 as a shortstop in the 8th round out of a high school in Georgia. He's been a major surprise after hitting just .237 at short-season Lowell last year. Because of the lack of position player depth in the Red Sox system, Moss has a chance to move quickly. However, a step above Augusta at High A Sarasota features Boston's best position player prospects, particularly in the outfield. 2003 draft picks David Murphy, Matt Murton, and Chad Durbin are all outfielders. Assuming one or a few of those guys gets promoted to Double A Portland (ME), Moss could get the call to Sarasota.'

" ... At High A Rancho Cucamonga is 20 year-old Erick Aybar. He is having a terrific year for the Quakes. Aybar is second in the league in hitting with a .374 average while hitting 2 HR and knocking in 18 runs. He also leads the league in stolen bases with 25. Aybar and Alberto Callaspo were the SS and 2B respectively last year in Low A ball, but the Angels decided to move Callaspo to Double A and test him at SS. The 20 year-old Callaspo is getting some great experience for Double A Arkansas. He's hitting .307-2-19 and playing outstanding defense in his first season at shortstop. Callaspo needs to work on his pitch recognition skills and gain some more strength. In general, the Angels like to experiment with their middle infield prospects by playing them at several infield positions. Current big leaguer Alfredo Amezaga is a prime example of this tinkering. Amezaga has played every infield position but first base for the Angels."

    John Sickels, ESPN.com, on Zack Greinke :

" ... Greinke has successfully faced every challenge so far in pro ball. He is now facing his biggest challenge: on the job training with a struggling major league team. The Royals have resisted the temptation to publicly anoint Greinke as the savior of a lost season. But the fact remains that he is the future ace of this team, and if the Royals are to contend in the next few years, Greinke will be the rotation anchor. He is a lot of fun to watch, and if he can remain healthy and make some final adjustments, he'll give Royals fans something to cheer about."

25 May, 2004

    Among the updates ... 25-man Rosters, Rooks by League, Top 10 rooks ...

    Game action ... INT --   Matt Diaz (TB, CF) 2-5, 2B, R ... will he still be in Durham at the break? B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 2-4, 5th HR, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB, 0 errors ... Fred McGriff (TB, DH) 3-5, 1st HR, R, 3 RBI ... Dewon Brazelton (TB) 6.0 6 2 1 1 5 ... Stephen Smitherman (CIN, 1B) 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI ... Brandon Claussen (CIN) 5.0 7 5 5 4 7 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, DH) 3-4, 2B, RBI ... rehab, Eli Marrero (ATL, RF) 0-3 ... Jason Kubel (MIN, RF) 2-5, 2B ... Alexis Rios (TOR, RF) 2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, SF ... Gabe Gross (TOR, DH) 2-4, 2B, R, RBI ... Tim Raines Jr (BAL, CF) 2-5, RBI ... Brad Halsey (NYA) 6.0 7 1 1 2 5 ... Pedro Liriano (MIL) 5.0 7 3 3 2 4 ... Joe Borchard CHA, just 1-4

A no-brainer, Joe Borchard as the IL's Hitter of the Week -- .452 (14-31) with 7 runs scored, 4 doubles, 5 homers, 18 RBI.

PCL --  Juan Dominguez TEX, 5.0 6 4 4 1 3, 5-1, 3.13 ... Chris Burke HOU angling for a starting spot in 2005, 3-5, 3 doubles, .322 ... John Buck HOU 1-3, 2 walks, 5th homer, .286 ... Antonio Perez LA 3-5, 2 doubles, 4th homer, 5 RBI, .291 ... Jayson Werth LA 2-3, 2 walks, .421 ... Clint Barmes COL 2-5, double, 4th homer, .346 ... JD Closser COL 3-4, .321 ... improving at the right time (possible openings in ARZ) Edgar Gonzalez 7.0 3 1 1 2 7 ... Andy Green ARZ 2B 5-6, 17th & 18th doubles, 5th & 6th homers, 5 RBI, .333 ... Luis Terrero ARZ 2-5, 7th homer ... David Kelton CHN on a little spurt, 4-5, 2 doubles, .299 ... Jon Knott SD 2-5, 11th & 12th homers, 5 RBI, .313 ... Yadier Molina STL 1-2, 2 walks, .343

JR House PIT continued his 2004 success, copping the Hitter of the Week award after a .526, 3 doubles, triple, 2 homer week.  SEA left-hander Travis Blackley was POW, 2-0, 0.69, 10 Ks in 13 innings.

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN 3-4, BB, 2 2B (19), RBI (26) … Justin Huber NYN 1-4, BB … Prentice Redman NYN 1-5, 2B (20), RBI (35) … Aaron Hill TOR 1-3, 2B (5), 2 RBI (22) … Dominic Rich TOR 0-2, BB … Michael Cervenak SF 2-3, BB …

MIN right-hander Scott Baker, the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week, 2-0 ,0.60 ERA in 15 innings.

SOUTHERN --  Brad Thompson STL 4.1 9 7 7 1 1, gave up 3 HR's, 1st loss, era up to 1.33! ... Eric Reed FLA OF 0-5, 2 K's ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 HR (13) ... Josh Willingham FLA C 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 0-4, 3 K's ... Macay McBride ATL 5.0 9 3 3 4 3, falls to 0-6 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 2-4, 1 R, 1 K ... Chadd Blasko CHN 7.0 9 4 4 1 7 ... James Loney LA 1B 2-5 ... Derek Thompson LA 7.0 4 1 1 2 3 ... top 4 of the Huntsville lineup combine to go 3-15, 1 RBI ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 K ... Tony Gwynn Jr MIL OF 1-4, 1 K ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 1-4 ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K ... Chris Saenz MIL 7.0 7 1 1 3 4

TEXAS --  Alberto Callaspo DH ANA 0-3 ... Nick Gorneault CF ANA 1-4, R ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 1-4, HR, 3RBI ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 0-3, BB ... Jake Woods ANA 8 7 2 2 2 3 (2.18 ERA on the year, as he improves to 6-1) ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 1-3, R, 2B ... Ryan Shealy 1B COL 2-3, R, RBI ... Drew Meyer SS TEX 1-4 ... Kameron Loe TEX troubles continue, 6 10 4 4 1 7 4.65 ... Shin-soo Choo RF 1-4, 2R, 2B, BB ... Greg Dobbs 3B SEA 1-4, HR, 2RBI ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK 1-3, BB ... Victor Hall LF ARI 3-3, BB (.500) ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 1-4 ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 1-3, RBI, BB ... Todd Self 1B HOU 2-4, R ... Dustin Nippert ARI 5 1 0 0 2 5

CAROLINA --  showdown of Carolina aces ... Zach Duke PIT (L) 5.2 4 2 1 2 5 (5-2, 1.27) ...  Jose Capellan ATL (W) 7 4 1 1 2 11 (5-1, 1.94) ... Chaz Lytle PIT 1-4, K, SB (13) ... Brad Eldred PIT 0-4, 4 K ... Rajai Davis PIT 2-4, K ... Jeff Francoeur ATL 1-3, R, double, BB ... Brian McCann ATL 0-2, 2 BB ... Luke Scott HOU 0-4, 3 K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 0-4 ... Michael Aubrey CLE 4-5, 2 R, double, RBI (30) ... Ryan Garko CLE 1-3, 3 RBI (league-leading 39th), K ... Ivan Ochoa CLE 1-4, R, double, K ... Fausto Carmona CLE (W) 7 2 0 0 0 2 (3-2, 2.66) ... Donnie Murphy KC 4-5, 3 R, 2 doubles, 2 RBI (29) ... Mike Aviles KC 2-4, 4 RBI (32) ... Devon Lowery KC 4 7 5 5 2 5 ... Brian Anderson CHA 0-5, 2 K ... Casey Rogowski CHA 1-5, R, HR (9), RBI (37), 2 K ... Pedro Lopez CHA 1-4, R ... Tony Blanco CIN 1-4, 2 BB, K ... Chris Denorfia CIN 0-5, RBI (29), BB

FLORIDA STATE --  Jon Connolly, still doing OK, now in the Cubs' system, 7.0 5 2 2 2 3, 2.57 ... Felix Pie CHN 2-5, homer, .271 ... SS Alejandro Machado MON, 3-5, double, .351 ... Nick Johnson MON 1-3 ... Jonathan Broxton LA, the honeymoon is over, five runs in five innings, 2 homers, just 4 Ks ... Joel Guzman LA 8th homer

CALIFORNIA --  Dan Trumble OF SF 2-5, double, 12th homer, .343 ... Erick Aybar ANA 3-4, .374 ... Jamie D`Antona ARZ 9th homer, 3 RBI (39), .313 ... Manny Parra MIL 5.1 9 3 3 2 7

MIDWEST --  start of something? Kody Kirkland DET 3-5, double, triple (.211) ... John Gragg KC 80 5 3 3 1 4 (2.06) ... Mitch Maier KC 2-4, 3rd triple ... Brendan Ryan STL 2-4 (.351) ... Daric Barton STL 2-4, HR, K ... Lou Palmisano MIL 0-2 .. Nick Blackburn MIN 5.0 3 1 1 2 4 (2.15) ... Adam Jones SEA 0-4, K (.236) ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-5, E (average tumbling to a mournful .389) ... The King for a day Elvys Quezada NYA 9.0 0 0 0 4 11 (W, 1-3, 2.92) ... phenom alert?  Maybe not. Quezada was a 15th round pick last summer ... 6'3, 225, right-hander ... tossed 39 1/3 innings in the NYP last year, 3-1, 1.83, 20 walks, 39 Ks ... also, 13 innings in the Midwest, 2-1, 1.38, 3 walks, 10 Ks ... and so far this season, 24 2/3s, 19 hits, 16 walks, 23 Ks

That's Wlad, not Vald ... but, finally some signs of life for Wladimir Balentien SEA.  His .500 week, double, 3 homers, 10 RBI won Hitter of the Week honours in the Midwest League.  NYA lefty Abel Gomez was the Pitcher of the Week, 2-0, 3.18 in 11 1/3 innings.

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Thomas Brice CHW, 3-4 ... Leo Daigle CHW 3-4 ... Clint Johnston TOR, 2-2, homer (7), RBI, 2 walks ... Davis Romero TOR, 5.0 3 0 0 1 5 ... Nick Markakis BAL, 0-5 ... Nate Schierholtz SF, 2-4, run ... Chuck James ATL, 5.0 7 3 3 1 5 (W 6-0, 1.48) ... Steve Doetsch ATL, 3-4, RBI, 2 doubles, 2 runs ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 1-4, 2 RBI ... Jeff D`Amico CLE, rehab, 2.0 1 0 0 0 1 (left early, sore back) ... Jake Blalock PHI, streak continues, 1-4, double ... Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B CLE 4-5, double, 2 homers, 4 RBI, .333 ... Jarrett Gardner BOS 7.0 6 2 2 0 5, 6-1, 1.59 ... BOS OF Brandon Moss stepping it up even further, 2-5, double, 5th homer, 5 RBI (33), .361 ... Lastings Milledge NYN CF & Leadoff, 3-5, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, .250 ... Delmon Young TB 0-4 ... Wes Bankston TB 2-4, 6th & 7th homers, 3 RBI, .299 ... Ian Stewart COL 4-5, walk, double, .301

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, has TEX lefty John Danks atop his updateded his list of top prospects in the Midwest League.  Justin Jones of the Cubs was the runner-up, ahead of a pair of third basemen, Eric Duncan NYA and Matt Moses MIN.  Brandon Wood ANA was No. 5 with MIL catcher Lou Palmisano next.

    Another young gun on the MLB horizon?

" ... The Orioles pulled right-hander Denny Bautista from his start at Double-A Bowie yesterday after 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Doc Rodgers, the team's minor league director, said Bautista is "100 percent healthy," and declined to comment on why Bautista left the game. Orioles vice president Jim Beattie also wouldn't comment, but Bautista is likely headed for a promotion, either to Triple-A Ottawa or more likely to the big leagues." (Baltimore Sun)

    A setback for JD Durbin MIN, the ace of the club's AA franchise :

" ... right-hander J.D. Durbin, ... the No. 4 prospect in the organization according to Baseball America, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder Friday, New Britain trainer Tony Leo said. Durbin, 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA, had an MRI last week, which revealed a frayed labrum. The injury is expected to keep him out of action for at least a month." (New Britain Herald)

    Top high school righty to meet Tommy John :

" ... Nick Adenhart, the Williamsport High pitcher who was expected to go within the first 10 picks in next month's amateur baseball draft, will undergo reconstructive ligament surgery on his right elbow after suffering an injury in his last start ...  "The only thing wrong with the elbow is this ligament," said Adenhart's stepfather, Duane Gigeous. "It's baffling that it just went because everything else is fine. He's never had any soreness, he's never had any problem whatsoever. It's like lightning striking. Why does it strike one tree and not another? That's unexplainable. But there's nobody to blame." ... Scouts have been trailing Adenhart all season after he went 6-1 with a 1.20 ERA as a junior. Intrigued by his command of a 95-mph fastball, curve and changeup, they watched him go 5-1 with a 0.91 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings this year. The injury most likely will dissuade teams from taking Adenhart in the first round. He has a scholarship at the University of North Carolina and plans on pitching for the Tar Heels after redshirting his first season ... Baseball America rated Adenhart as the No. 1 high school player in the country this year, though it later moved LaGrange (Texas) High pitcher Homer Bailey ahead of him." (Roch Kubatko, Baltimore Sun)

    Mark Allen Haverty, The Sporting News, on Jason Stokes FLO :

" ... Stokes is the primary reason the Marlins were willing to part with Adrian Gonzalez in the Ugueth Urbina trade last season. Stokes is a power-hitting first baseman drafted in the second round in 2000. He would have gone in the first round had it not been for signability concerns. Stokes has shown massive power potential. He hit 27 home runs in 2002 and had 17 home runs with 31 doubles last year. This season, he has hit 12 homers in just 146 at-bats at Double-A. The muscle is definitely there, but Stokes could borrow some of Youkilis' plate discipline. After striking out 135 times in 462 at-bats last year, Stokes has already struck out 54 times this year. (Remember, that's in 146 at-bats.) If Stokes doesn't cut down on the strikeouts, major league pitchers will abuse him. He probably won't face those guys until mid-season 2005."

    SEA has to be pondering some promotions :

" ... Infielder Jose Lopez can play second base, shortstop and third base, is batting .270, has hit eight home runs and has driven in 18 runs. "He is on the fast track to the next level," said Tacoma manager Dan Rohn of the 20-year-old. "He is close to being ready." Center fielder Jamal Strong has the eighth-highest batting average (.337) in the 16-team PCL and has committed just one error. "He's not a home run hitter [one this season] but is solid on defense," Rohn said." (MLB.com)

    John Sickels, in the Baseball Prospectus chat room, on ... Alexis Rios vs Gabe Gross ... and a few unsung prospects :

" ... I like both players. Rios is more athletic and has a higher ceiling, but Gross is less risky. I think both will end up having good careers, but the shape of those careers could be very different. Gross could be a Rusty Greer type. Rios could be anything from Juan Encarnacion to something close to Vlad Guerrero. NO, i'm not saying he'll be like Vlad, but that's the high point of his ceiling."

" ... [Chris Seddon] Solid low 90s fastball, good slider, improving command. Looks like a solid Grade B prospect to me, maybe better with continued good pitching. If you want to invest in a Devil Ray."

" ... [Brad Knox] I'm told that Oakland is very high on him. He's another one of their draft-and-follow guys. . .the Athletics work that process very well. Some people think he could follow in the footsteps of Joe Blanton and Rich Harden, but we'll have to see about that."

" ... Dan Meyer is a power lefty, out of James Madison. Atlanta usually prefers to draft high school pitchers, but they liked his arm and pulled the trigger on him with a supplemental pick in 2002. His fastball/slider combo can be very overpowering. I'd see him as a number two starter down the road if he maintains his command."

24 May, 2004

    Game action ... INT --   B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 3-5, 2B, R, 0 errors ... Fred McGriff (TB, DH) 0-3, 2 BB ... Matt Belisle (CIN) 5.0 10 6 6 3 6 ... rehab, Eli Marrero (ATL, LF) 0-3 ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R ... Alexis Rios (TOR, RF) 2-4, R, 3 RBI ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 3-5, 2 2B, 3B, R ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-5, R ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, SS) 2-5, R, 2 RBI ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 2-4, BB, SB ... simply dominating, Joe Borchard (CHA, RF) 4-5, 2B, 6th, 7th & 8th HRs, 3 R, 6 RBI (hits in 10 of his last 11 games, .413 with 7 doubles, 6 homers, 21 RBI over the streak)... no longballs, Felix Diaz (CHA) 7.0 4 3 3 3 7 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4, 2B, 6th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Ben Hendrickson (MIL) 6.2 10 1 1 1 6 ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 3-5, R, 2 RBI ... Aaron Heilman (NYN) 7.1 7 5 5 2 2

PCL --  a matchup between a couple of struggling, one-time top prospects, neither coming off particularly well, Josh Karp MON 5.0 7 4 4 0 4, Carlos Hernandez HOU 6.0 7 4 3 1 2 ... Ryan Church MON 3-4, 2 doubles, 6th homer, .359 ... Chris Burke HOU, career day, 5-6, double, 5th homer, .314 ... Kevin Olsen FLO 6.0 5 1 1 2 6, 4.61 ... Joe Dillon 3B FLO 4-4, double, homer ... looks like he's turned it around, John VanBenschoten PIT 7.0 4 1 0 4 4 ... JR House PIT 2-3, double, walk, .324 ... Luis Terrero ARZ 2-5, .331 ... Travis Blackley SEA 7.0 3 0 0 2 9, 2.96 ... Chris George, likely to soon received another chance in KC, 6.0 4 3 2 2 4, 2.17 ... Jose Lopez SEA 1-3, 8th homer, walk ... Adam Wainwright STL 5.0 8 6 3 1 7, 5.12 ...

EASTERN --  David Wright NYN 2-3, 2B (17), HR (8), RBI (25) … Prentice Redman NYN 0-4 … Matt Peterson NYN 2.0 7 9 7 6 3, (3.56) … Aaron Hill TOR 2-5, RBI (20) … Dominic Rich TOR 2-3, 3 BB, HR (3), 4 RBI (21) … Dioner Navarro NYA 1-3, 2 RBI (15) … Val Majewski BAL 4-5, 2 2B (8), 3 RBI (23) … Keith Reed BAL 1-4, RBI (14) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 2-4, 2B (17) … Jeff Keppinger PIT 1-5 … Ryan Doumit PIT 3-4, 2 2B (10), 2 RBI (13) … Michael Cervenak SF 0-4

SOUTHERN --  Jason Stokes FLA 1B 0-4, 1 K ... Josh Willingham FLA C 1-1, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR (8) ... Brandon Larson CIN DH 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 HR (1) ... Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 4-5, 4 R, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 2 HR (3 & 4) ... James Loney LA 1B 0-3, 1 BB, .203 not doing too well after injury ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 1-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 HR (10) ... Tim Stauffer SD 6.0 10 2 2 2 3 ... Freddy Guzman SD OF 2-4 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-4, 1 R, 1 K ... Arnie Munoz CHA 5.1 7 4 3 3 1, era up to 1.87

TEXAS --  Jayson Nix 2B, having a horrible time, COL 0-5 ... Drew Meyer SS TEX 1-5, R, RBI ... Jason Botts 1B TEX 3-4, 2R, 2B, RBI ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 2-4, SB, RBI ... Shin-soo Choo RF SEA 2-5, R ... Greg Dobbs 3B SEA 2-4, 3B, RBI ... Mark Teahen 3B OAK 1-4, 2R, 2B, BB ... John Baker 1B OAK 3-4, 2R, 2 2B, 4RBI ... Jeremy Brown C OAK 2-3, 2B, 2RBI ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 2-4, HR, 3RBI, and 1-4, HR ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 3-4, 2R, 2 2B and 1-3, RBI ... Rudy Gomez 2B ANA 3-4, 2R, 2 2B, RBI ... Nick Gorneault CF ANA 1-3, 2RBI and 0-3 ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 2-4, RBI and 1-2, R ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 1-3, BB and 1-3 HR, 2RBI ... Victor Hall LF ARI 2-4, R, RBI, SB ... Josh Kroeger RF ARI 1-4, RBI ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 3-4, HR ... Willy Taveras CF HOU 1-3, R ... Todd Self 1B HOU 1-3, 2R, HR, 2RBI

CAROLINA --  Michael Aubrey CLE 1-4, 2 R, double, 3 RBI (29), BB ... Ryan Garko CLE 3-5, 2 R, 2 doubles, RBI (36), BB, K ... Ivan Ochoa CLE 2-6, 3 R, double, triple, 2 RBI ... Ryan Sweeney CHA 0-5 ... Casey Rogowski CHA 1-2, R, 2 BB ... Pedro Lopez CHA 0-4, RBI, K ... Dan Denham CLE (W) 6 4 0 0 2 2 (6-1, 3.35) ... Tony Blanco CIN 1-4, R, HR (13), RBI (31) ... Chris Denorfia CIN 0-3, BB, K ... Luke Scott HOU 1-4, R, HR (6), RBI (26), BB, K ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 2-4, R, HR (7), RBI (32), BB ... Jason Hirsch HOU (W) 6 4 1 1 3 3 (4-3, 3.94) ... Brad Eldred PIT 2-4, R, HR (10), RBI (38), K ... Rajai Davis PIT 0-3, R, BB, K ... Tripper Johnson BAL 1-4, double, RBI ... Doug Gredvig BAL 1-4, double ...

WSox hitter, ATL pitcher claim the weekly awards in the Carolina League :

" ... The Sports Network has tabbed Winston Salem centerfielder Ricardo Nanita and Myrtle Beach hurler Blaine Boyer the Carolina League Co-Players of the Week ending Sunday, May 23. Nanita punished Kinston over the weekend, going 8-for-8 with two home runs and seven RBI ... On Saturday, Nanita went 4-for-4 with two runs scored, a homer and four RBI ... Sunday, Nanita continued his torrid hitting with four hits, a homer and three RBI ...  His efforts this week enabled him to raise his batting average to a more respectable .256 ... Boyer led the league in innings pitched (14.1), and tied for the league-best in starts (2), wins (2) and registered the lowest earned run average for pitchers with more than one start (0.00). He allowed 11 hits and struck out six batters, while holding opponents to a .216 batting average." (Winston-Salem Warthogs)

FLORIDA STATE --  could soon be back on the fast track, Angel Guzman CHN 5.0 2 0 0 0 4 ... Jon Lester BOS 6.0 6 2 2 0 10 ... Jeremy West BOS 2-4, 8th homer, 3 RBI, .324 ... AJ Burnett, sharp in rehab  stint, 4.0 2 1 0 2 4 (see below) ... Eliezer Alfonzo FLO 2-4, 12th homer, 3 RBI (33) ... very nice for five, Kevin Deaton NYN 5.0 0 0 0 2 2 ... played the whole game this time out, Jose Reyes NYN 0-5 ... Josh Banks TOR 6.0 6 2 2 1 3, 6-1, 1.87 ... out of a long cold spell, Vito Chiaravalloti TOR 2-4, 4th homer, 4 RBI ... and, the LA pitching factory keeps churning 'em out :

" ... RHP Dimas Reina ... tossed seven shutout innings to lower his league-leading ERA to 1.26 and help the Dodgers to a 1-0 victory ... RHP Steve Schmoll pitched the final two innings for his second save of the season ... The shutout is the third of the week for the Dodger pitching staff and both Reina and Schmoll extended their respective scoreless streaks. Reina has now gone 19 straight frames and Schmoll has tossed 17.1 innings without permitting a run." (Vero Beach Dodgers)

CALIFORNIA --  Matthew Cain SF 5.2 3 3 1 2 8, 2.03 ... Fred Lewis SF 2-4, 2 RBI, .326 ... a sign of prospectdom after all, Bradley Sullivan OAK 6.2 4 1 1 1 11 ... Joe Saunders ANA 5.2 6 5 3 3 3 ... John Hudgins TEX 7.0 4 0 0 2 6 ...Erick Aybar ANA 2-4, .365

MIDWEST --  Joey Votto CIN 0-3, BB (.303) ... Howie Kendrick ANA 3-3, double, HR (.335) ... Brandon Wood ANA 6th HR ... two great starts, now a shelling Trent Peterson OAK 2.1 7 5 5 1 2 (3 longballs) ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-4, K ... Matt Chico ARZ 7.0 6 2 2 1 3 (2.79) ... Drew Macias SD 1-3 (.313) ... Brendan Ryan STL 1-3 (.346) ... Daric Barton STL 2-4, double ... Abel Gomez NYA 5.1 3 3 3 3 7 (W, 5-0, 2.49) ... Eric Duncan NYA 8th HR (.303) ... Melky Cabrera NYA 0-6 (but still at .344) ... Lou Palmisano MIL 1st and 2nd HR (.326)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Javon Moran PHI, 3-5, double, 2 runs ... Jake Blalock PHI, 2-4, double, 2 runs, RBI (15-26 over his last five games) ... Randy Ruiz PHI, 4-5, 2 doubles, 2 runs, 5 RBI ... Travis Ishikawa SF, 2-4, 2 homers (4,5), 2 RBI ... Nate Schierholtz SF, 0-5, 2 strikeouts ... Antonin Gray CHW, 2-4, double ... Thomas Brice CHW, 3-4, homer (6), RBI ... Josh Anderson HOU, 2-5, homer (2), RBI ... Justin James TOR, 7.0 3 1 1 3 9 (W 4-2, 3.18) ... Ryan Roberts TOR, 3-4, 2 homers (6,7), double, 3 runs, 4 RBI ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 1-5, RBI ... Delmon Young TB, 2-4, RBI, run ... Wes Bankston TB, 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 runs, RBI ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 3-5, homer (12), RBI ... Adam Miller CLE, 4.0 4 4 4 4 3 ... Nick Markakis BAL, 0-1, 3 walks, 2 runs ... Zach Dixon BAL, 5.1 8 5 5 1 5 ... Rogearvin Bernadina MON, 1-4, homer (2), RBI ... Antonio Sucre MON, 2-4 ... Brandon Moss BOS, 0-4, run

COLLEGE --  Jered Weaver, Long Beach State  8.2 8 1 1 0 11 (120 pitches) ... Philip Humber, Rice  6.0 9 4 4 3 11 ... Wade Townsend, Rice 7.0 8 4 4 5 9 ... Jeff Niemann, Rice 4.2 10 7 7 3 6

    Troop movements ... ARZ -- Doug Devore back up (Sexson back on DL) ... PHI -- recalled RHP Elizardo Ramirez from A+, Clearwater (Josh Hancock back to AAA) ...

    Zach Chalifour, RotoTimes, on Juan Dominguez TEX and Brad Thompson STL :

" ... Dominguez ... is in the process of earning another shot with the Rangers sometime very soon. Following four minor league seasons in which he put up a 3.25 ERA in 335 innings with 326 strikeouts, the Dominican native has been even better in 2004 for Triple-A Oklahoma. In eight starts with just under 50 innings pitched, Dominguez has compiled a 4-1 record with one complete game and a 2.72 ERA. He has given up just 35 hits while walking 18 and striking out 38 ... he should continue to dominate Triple-A hitters while he waits for the phone call that could land him in Arlington for the rest of the season and beyond."

" ... Thompson ...  After going the first month and a half of the season without giving up a single run, Thompson's scoreless inning streak finally ended on Wednesday. He entered the season largely unknown after being a 16th-round draft pick in 2002, but he has entirely changed that perception after an outstanding start at Double-A Tennessee. Solid pitching performances didn't come entirely out of nowhere, as the 22-year-old was 6-3 with a 2.66 ERA last season ...  In addition to his 7-0 record and two shutouts, Thompson's other numbers have been great as well. He has allowed just 28 hits while striking out 38 and, more importantly, has issued only six free passes ...he is nearing at least a Triple-A callup as he looks to associate himself with the likes of Adam Wainwright on the depth chart of Cardinals pitching prospects."

    AJ Burnett FLO on the road back :

" ... -- It wasn't perfect, but it was a good start ... Burnett made his second minor league rehab start in 13 months after reconstructive elbow surgery, surrendering one unearned run and two hits in four innings for the Jupiter Hammerheads ..."It's another positive step. I got all my pitches in and I'm one step closer," said Burnett, who was on a pitch count, finishing with 78. ...  "I liked his velocity considering he hasn't pitched in a long time," said Manatees coach Tim Raines...  "He's started throwing a splitter. I don't remember that from '02. He's well on his way." ... Burnett is expected to pitch for Albuquerque, Florida's Triple-A affiliate, on Friday in Memphis, then he will have one more start. He could rejoin the team in the first week of June. (Florida Today)

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

    
Rookie Reports Archive :

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2004 -- Dec 29-Jan 04   Jan 05-11  Jan 12-18  Jan 19-25  Jan 26-Feb 01  Feb 02-08  Feb 09-15  Feb 16-22  
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2003 Minor League Stats 1 (Hitters, by OPS, by AAA, AA, A, Short Season, OBA, SLG, Walks, Ks, SBs, Errors)

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