Rookies 2004

20 June 2004    Pitching line = IP H R ER BB SO

    Game action ... INT -- B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 2-5, RBI, 2 errors ... Nook Logan (DET, CF) 2-3, 2 R, 3 BB ... trying to catch Dillon and Pickering, Marcus Thames (DET, RF) 3-6, 23rd & 24th HRs, 2 R, 3 RBI ... Matt Belisle (CIN) 8.0 10 3 3 1 3 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, LF) 3-5, 2B, 2 R ... Justin Morneau (MIN, 1B) 2-3, 17th HR, R, 2 RBI, BB ... still smokin', Chase Utley (PHI, 2B) 3-3, R, BB, 2 SB ... Josh Hancock (PHI) 7.0 9 5 4 1 8 ... Darnell McDonald (BAL, CF) 1-4, 2nd HR, 2 R, RBI, BB ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 3-4, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, 3B) 3-6, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Jamie Brown (BOS) 5.0 6 3 3 0 0 ... good day for Corey Hart (MIL, RF) 3-4, 2 2B, 11th HR, R, 4 RBI, BB ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 2-5, RBI ... Victor Diaz (NYN, DH) 2-3, 2B, 7th HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, SF ... Prentice Redman (NYN, RF) 3-5, 2 2B, R, RBI, SB ... rehab, Scott Erickson (NYN) 7.0 7 4 4 3 5

PCL --  Brad Thompson STL 5.0 4 2 2 1 3 ... David DeJesus KC 3-5, 2 homers, 4 RBI, .300 ... JJ Davis PIT 1-3, homer ... after some early success, a downward trend, including a pounding, Carlos Hernandez HOU 1.2 5 7 7 4 0 ... Chris Burke HOU 0-1, 4 walks ... John Buck HOU 2-5, double, 12th homer, 4 RBI ... Roberto Alomar ARZ 1-3 ... Xavier Nady SD 2-4, homer ... Antonio Perez LA 2-3, 2 walks, 10th homer, .309

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 1-4, 2B (9) … Aaron Hill TOR 1-3, 2 BB … Dominic Rich TOR 1-4, 2 RBI (30) … Josh Banks TOR 6.0 3 2 2 2 4 … Dioner Navarro NYA 1-4, 2B (13) … Val Majewski BAL 0-3 … Keith Reed BAL 0-3 … David Crouthers BAL … Jeff Keppinger PIT 1-4, BB … Ryan Doumit PIT 0-4 … Kevin West MINN 0-3… Scott Baker MINN 8.1 5 3 3 2 7, 2.28 ERA … Ryan Howard PHI 2-4, RBI (59) …

SOUTHERN --  Josh Barfield SD 2B 0-5, K ... Jake Gautreau SD 3B 3-5, R, 2B ... Tim Stauffer SD 2.1 9 7 7 1 1, L 3-2, 2.63 ... Richard Lewis CHN 2B 1-5, 2 RBI ... Trevor Hutchinson FLA 2.0 6 7 7 4 2, L 5-4, 5.94 ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 1-4 ... Tony Gwynn MIL OF 1-3, BB ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 0-4, K ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 1-4 ... Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 0-4, 2 K ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 1-4, R, RBI, 3 K, HR (8) ... Luis Martinex STL 7.0 5 3 3 1 8, W 6-6, 4.48

TEXAS --  Josh Kroeger RF ARI 2-5, 2R, 2B ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 1-5, 2R ... Chris Snyder C ARI 0-1,R, 3BB ... Dustin Nippert ARI 3.2 3 4 0 3 5 ... Colt Griffin KC 1 0 0 0 1 1 ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 2-4, 2R, BB ... Ian Kinsler SS TEX 2-4, 2HR, 5RBI, BB, (5HR already in his short stint in AA, could someone please explain to me how this guy lasted until the 17th round?) ... Edgar Gonzalez 3B TEX 4-5, R, 2B, RBI, SB ... John Hudgins TEX 4.1 5 5 3 1 5 ... Brant Colamarino 1B OAK 1-3, 2B ... Jeremy Brown C OAK 2-3 ... Larry Walker RF COL 0-3, struggling in his rehab (.222) ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 0-3 ... Mike Esposito COL 8 5 0 0 0 2 ... Ryan Speier COL excelling out of the bullpen, recording his 23rd save ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 2-5, R, 2B ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 1-4, R, RBI ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 1-4, R, RBI ... Dustin Delucchi CF SEA 1-5, 2R ... Shin-soo Choo LF SEA 4-6, 2R, 2RBI

CAROLINA --  Thomas Pauly CIN 6.0 1 0 0 1 10, 3.60 ... Michael Aubrey CLE 2-4, 60th RBI, ..336 ... Dusty Hughes KC 5.0 4 0 0 1 5, 2.25

FLORIDA STATE --  Jeremy West BOS 1-4, 11th homer. .322 ... Scott Kazmir NYN 6.0 4 0 0 2 7, 4.64 ... Scott Olsen FLO 7.0 2 0 0 1 11, 3.43 ... Vito Chiaravalloti TOR 3-4, 2 doubles, .277

CALIFORNIA --  Manny Parra MIL 9.0 5 0 0 0 9 ... Dan Boyd MIL 3-4, double, 10th homer ... SS Joaquin Arias TEX 3-5, 2 doubles ... Jeff Salazar COL 2-5, 2 doubles, .338 ... Conor Jackson ARZ 3-5, walk, .345 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 3-4, 15th homer, .311

MIDWEST --  we're waiting Chris Lubanski KC 0-4, 2 K (.246) ... Steve Moss MIL 2-4, double ... Kevin Jepsen ANA 6.0 5 2 2 2 5 (W, 6-2, 2.40) .. Daric Barton STL 0-4, K (2-19 since injury scare, now .367) ... Joey Votto CIN 2-4 ... Calvin Medlock CIN 6.0 3 1 0 0 8 (2.47) ... coming back? Drew Macias SD 4-4, double (.277) ... Dirk Hayhurst SD 6.0 5 0 0 0 3 (251) ... Eric Duncan NYA 1-4, 2 K (.275) ... dazzling Justin Jones CHN 5.0 4 0 0 0 8 (3.53) ... Matt Chico ARZ 6.2 4 2 2 3 6 (L, 8-5, 2.57)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Ryan Goleski CLE, 1-4, RBI and 1-2, SB(4) ... Adam Miller CLE, 7.0 8 2 2 0 6 (W 5-2, 3.22) ... Delmon Young TB, 0-5, 2 strikeouts ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 3-5, run ... Jerry Owens MON, 2-4, double, RBI, 2 runs ... Antonio Sucre MON, 2-5, RBI ... Chin-lung Hu LA, 3-5, RBI, SB(9) ... Xavier Paul LA, 0-5, 2 strikeouts ... Tony Abreu LA, 4-4, double, 2 RBI ... Aaron Marsden COL, 7.0 4 3 3 1 8 ... Adam Boeve PIT, 1-3, double, RBI ... Chris Young CHW, 2-4, double, RBI ... Josh Anderson HOU, 2-4 ... Brandon Moss BOS, 2-5, RBI ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 1-5, RBI ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 1-5, run ... time to get worried?, Adam Loewen BAL 3.2 5 5 5 3 6, 4.50  ... Zach Dixon BAL 4.1 4 1 0 2 5, 7-1, 1.68 ... Nick Markakis BAL 5-5, 8th homer ... Jake Blalock PHI 1-4, 13th homer

PIONEER -- LA first rounder, Blake DeWitt, at 3B, 1-5 ...Ronnie Ray ANA 6.0 2 0 0 2 4

NORTHWEST -- Justin Lensch TEX 5.0 1 0 0 1 3 ... 3B Travis Metcalf TEX 3-5, double, homer, 5 RBI ... 3B Yung-Chi Chen SEA 2-5, homer ... 3B Lachlan Dale SD 2-4, 2nd homer ... 2B Kevin Frandsen SF 4-4, 2 doubles

    Troop movments ... CHN -- activated infielder Mark Grudzielanek from the DL, designated LHP Jimmy Anderson for assignment ... NYA -- purchased the contract of LHP Brad Halsey from AAA ...  CIN -- designated RHP Brian Reith for assignment ... ANA -- Activated catcher Bengie Molina from the DL, placed infielder Shane Halter on the DL ... BAL -- placed outfielder B.J. Surhoff on the DL,recalled infielder Jose Leon ... FLO -- activated pitcher Justin Wayne from the DL and assigned him to AAA ... KC -- placed catcher Benito Santiago on the DL, recalled catcher Mike Tonis from AA ... NYN --  activated second baseman Jose Reyes from the DL, purchased the contract of pitcher Jose Parra from AAA,  optioned pitcher Pedro Feliciano to Norfolk; designated catcher Tom Wilson for assignment ... SD --  optioned outfielder Jon Knott to AAA ... ATL -- activated PauL Byrd from the DL, designated CJ Nitkowski for assignment ... PIT -- recalled pitcher Sean Burnett ... CHA -- Arnie Munoz back to AA ...

    Dayn Perry, at Baseball Prospectus, has posted the first of his series on all-star prospects by classification.  The first installment is on players at the Low-Al level (Midwest & South Atlantic Leagues).  Among the picks :

" ... C - Daric Barton ... Age: 18 Barton, the Cards' top overall pick of last year's draft, garnered notice for the impressive plate discipline he displayed last season in the rookie-level Appy League. He's late to the Midwest League this year because he spent the early part of the season in extended spring training ... 114 plate appearances, .415/.538/.734...and the Midwest League is playing very tough on hitters this year. There's some question as to whether Barton will stick at catcher, but his bat figures to play well anywhere."

" ... 1B - Ian Bladergroen ... Age: 21 The Mets nabbed the infelicitously named Bladergroen as a 44th-round draft-and-follow in 2002 ... had a modestly promising showing in the NY-Penn League last year. This season, the wooden bat isn't posing as much of a challenge for him, to say the least. In 265 plate appearances ...  hitting .332/.401/.604."

" ... Clint Everts ... Age: 19 The fifth overall pick of the 2002 draft ... sports an average fastball but one of the best curves in the minors. As well, his change is already a plus pitch. He has polished mechanics and a poised approach on the mound. Everts struggled with his control last season  ... figures to add some speed to his heater once he fills out his thin frame. Even so, he’s been tremendous this season: 64 innings, 72 strikeouts, 13 walks, 47 hits, 2.95 R/G, three homers. Given that he spent some time at Savannah last season, he figures to be promoted before long."

Perry's Low-A Prospect All-Stars also include --2B -- Howie Kendrick ANA, 3B -- Ian Stewart COL, SS -- Ian Kinsler TEX, OF -- Ryan Goleski CLE, Brandon Moss BOS, Matt Esquivel ATL, SP -- Yusmeiro Petit NYN (see below).

    JJ Cooper, Baseball America, on Yusmeiro Petit NYN :

" ... The radar gun can't explain Yusmeiro Petit's success. Sure, he'll occasionally light up a 92 on the gun, and his fastball hovers between 88-91 mph on a consistent basis, but the Sally League is full of guys who throw harder. But no one in the league is doing a better job of sending guys back to the dugout shaking their heads. The 19-year-old Petit is 8-1, 2.14 with a league-leading 101 strikeouts and only 20 walks in 71 innings. That comes on the heels of his 85 strikeout/10 walk numbers in 74 innings in stops at short-season Brooklyn and Kingsport last season. His secret? It's not his slider, which can be nasty some nights, but is still inconsistent. It's not his changeup, which is a solid secondary pitch, but not an out pitch yet. What Petit has going for him is a delivery that keeps batters from picking the ball up until well after he's released it. And when they pick up his fastball? "It seems to jump. It has life," Capital City pitching coach Blaine Beatty said. "It looks like it goes up." Petit is blessed with the kind of life that makes his fastball play tricks on hitters. ...  "He's like a righthanded Sid Fernandez," said Beatty."

19 June 2004  

    Game action ... INT -- Matt Diaz (TB, RF) 2-5, 8th & 9th HRs, 2 R, 5 RBI ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 0-4, R, BB, 0 errors ... Aaron Harang (CIN) 3.0 9 8 4 3 3 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, DH) 2-3, 8th HR, 4 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB ... back with a bang, Chase Utley (PHI, 2B) 2-3, 7th & 8th HRs, 2 R, 3 RBI & 2-4, 2B, R, RBI ... big day for Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 3-4, 2nd & 3rd HRs, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB ... Darnell McDonald (BAL, CF) 3-5, 2B, R ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB ... Kyle Denney (CLE) 5.0 6 5 5 4 5 ... Kelly Shoppach (BOS, C) 2-3, 2B, 9th HR, R, RBI, HBP ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 1-4, 8th HR, R, 2 RBI, BB ... Felix Diaz (CHA) 5.0 7 5 5 1 1 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4, 10th HR, 2 R, RBI ... Danny Garcia (NYN, 2B) 3-5, 3B ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 1-4, 15th HR, R, RBI

PCL --  Joe Dillon FLO, 26th homer ... huge night for Brad Hawpe COL 3-6, 3 homers (12), 6 RBI ... ready the fork, Shane Reynolds 6.0 11 8 8 1 5 ... Greg Colbrunn ARZ, rehab,  0-3 ... Casey Kotchman ANA 3-5, double ... Kirk Saarloos, doing just fine with his new club, OAK 7.0 4 0 0 2 8 ... Nick Swisher OAK 0-1, 3 walks for the 2nd straight night (hitting just .251, but with 55 walks, an OBA of .417 to go along with .472 SLG) ... Xavier Nady SD 2-4, 2 homers ... can a can so highly touted be this bad? Edwin Jackson 5.2 9 5 5 2 4, 5.35 ... Antonio Perez LA 1-3, 9th homer

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 2-4, BB … Jose Reyes NYN 1-4, RBI (3), SB (3) … Aaron Hill TOR 2-4, RBI (34) … Dominic Rich TOR 1-4 … Dioner Navarro NYA 0-4 … Val Majewski BAL 0-6, 2 K … Keith Reed BAL 1-6, 2 K … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 1-3, BB … Bob Wickman CLE 1.0 0 0 0 2 1, 0.00 ERA … Jake Dittler CLE 3.2 7 4 4 0 1, 4.00 ERA … Matt Cain SF …7.0 3 1 0 1 4, W (1), 0.00 ERA … Kevin West MINN 0-3 … Ryan Howard PHI 2-7, 2 HR (22), 4 RBI (58)

SOUTHERN --  Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 0-4, BB, K ... Jose Capellan ATL 5.2 8 2 1 2 5, W 2-1, 2.86 ... Willy Aybar LA 2B 2-4, R, 3 RBI, BB, HR (9) ... Skip Schumaker STL OF 4-4, R, BB ... Clint Narveson STL 5.1 4 3 2 1 2, W 2-6 ... Richard Lewis CHN 2B 1-4, R, 2 RBI, K, HR (6) ... Bobby Brownlie CHN 6.0 7 4 4 2 4, 2.92 ... Josh Wilson FLA SS 2-3, R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, K, HR (9) ... Huntsville loses to Birmingham, no thanks to ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 0-4, 2 K ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 0-4, K ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 0-4, K

Yet another Dodger arm ... "Jacksonville Suns’ pitcher Glenn Bott was named ...Pitcher of the Week for June 11-17. Bott went 1-0 for the week, giving up just two earned runs in 13 innings of work. Limiting opponents to a .122 batting average, Bott struck out five batters for the week. A consistent performer all season for the Suns, he ranks 10th in the Southern League in innings pitched (71) and 11th in earned run average (3.38). Bott, acquired in a trade from the Mariners in April 2004, was originally signed as a nondrafted free agent by Seattle in June 2001." (Southern League)

TEXAS --  Jimmy Serrano KC, down from AAA, with a sparkling performancde (the pen lost the no-hit bid)  7.0 0 0 0 2 10 ... Andy Pettitte HOU, rehab, 3.0 3 2 2 1 4 ... Ian Kinsler TEX, 2-6, double, homer (hitting 3rd in the order) ... Larry Walker COL, rehab, 1-2, homer, walk ... Dallas McPherson ANA 2-5, 68th RBI

CAROLINA --  Kyle Davies ATL  6.2 5 2 2 2 9, 8-2, 2.69 ... Ryan Garko CLE 2-3, 12th homer, .347 ... Brad Eldred PIT 2-4, 15th homer, 2 RBI (57), .323

FLORIDA STATE --  SS Jared Koutnik NYA 3-4, 8th homer, .312 ... Angel Guzman CHN 5.1 3 1 1 0 5 ... Joel Guzman LA 3-4, double, .320 ... Vince Perkins TOR, back on the hill,  4.2 5 1 0 3 4

CALIFORNIA --  Merkin Valdez SF 6.0 1 0 0 1 5, 3-0, 1.27 ... Dan Trumble SF 1-3, 16th homer ... CF Andre Ethier OAK 4-5, homer, 5 RBI, .298 ... Joe Saunders ANA 7.0 5 1 1 1 9, 3.60 ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-4, double, triple ...

MIDWEST --  Cody Haerther STL 2-4, double (.325) ... collar for the kid Daric Barton STL 0-4, K ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-3 (.289) ... Tyler Clippard NYA 6.0 5 1 1 2 10 (3.33) ... Brian Dopirak CHN 1-5, 2 K ... Billy Petrick CHN 6.0 7 3 3 3 6 (L, 7-4, 2.97) ... Joey Votto CIN 0-1, 2 BB, HBP (.295) ... Andy Baldwin DET 7.0 2 0 0 3 3 (W, 8-4, 2.76) ... Lou Palmisano MIL 1-4 ... Dusty Gomon MIN 6th HR ... sleeper at catcher Miguel Montero ARZ 3-5 (.283) ... Adam Jones SEA 0-2, BB (.262) ... Mitch Maier KC 4-6, 3 doubles, BB (.287)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Tony Peguero (TB), 7.0 5 0 0 1 5 ... Delmon Young (TB), 0-4, 3 K ... Jake Stevens ATL, 2.0 0 0 0 0 3, back end of tandem ... Ian Stewart COL, 0-4 ... Travis Ishikawa SF, 3-4, double, 2 RBI ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 1-4, run ... Jon Benick PIT, 1-4, double, run ... Micah Schnurstein CHW, 2-3, walk, 3 runs, steal (9) ... Chris Young CHW, 2-3, RBI, run ... Nick Markakis BAL, 1-4, double, 2 runs ... Jim Tiller BAL, 5.0 2 0 0 1 6 (W 1-0, 0.00) ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1-4 ... CF Josh Anderson HOU 3-4, double, 4 RBI & 1-4

PIONEER --  Ramon Ramirez CIN 5.0 1 1 1 2 4 ... 1B Chris Kelly CHA 3-5, double, homer, 2 RBI

NORTHWEST --  OF Chris Carter ARZ 3-5, double, triple ... 3B Lachlan Dale SD 3-5, double, homer

NEW YORK - PENN -- 

    Troop movements ...  ARZ -- placed pitcher Jose Valverde on the DL, purchased the contract of pitcher Lance Cormier from Tucson ...  BAL --  placed Rick Bauer on the DL, signed infielder David Newhan; optioned infielder Jose Leon to AAA ... CIN -- acquired pitcher Gabe White, a player to be named and cash from NYA for pitcher Charlie Manning ... CHN -- activated outfielder Sammy Sosa from the DL, optioned outfielder Jason Dubois to AAA ... CHA -- recalled pitcher Arnie Munoz from AA ... MIL -- signed first round pick Mark Rogers ... STL -- ativated catcher Mike Matheny from the DL, optioned pitcher Jason Simontacchi to AAA ... SD -- claimed pitcher Ricky Stone off waivers from HOU ... TEX -- purchased the contract of pitcher John Wasdin from Oklahoma,  optioned pitcher Erasmo Ramirez to Oklahoma; designated pitcher Cory Vance for assignment; signed pitcher Eric Hurley, one of their two first-round picks in the First-Year Player Draft. ... TOR -- placed catcher Bobby Estalella on the DL,  recalled pitcher Michael Nakamura from AAA ... PIT -- optioned RHP Mark Corey to AAA ... NYN -- optioned RHP Tyler Yates to AAA ... COL -- activated outfielder Preston Wilson from the DL, optioned outfielder Choo Freeman to Triple-A ...

    Seth Trachtman, SportsBlurb.com, has an updated Top 100 (no June draftees). At the top, this dandy dozen :

1 BJ Upton TB           7 Jeremy Reed CHA
2 Cole Hamels PHI       8 Conor Jackson ARZ
3 David Wright NYN      9 Angel Guzman CHN
4 Michael Aubrey CLE   10 Jason Kubel MIN
5 Prince Fielder MIL   11 Erwin Santana ANA
6 Matt Cain SF         12 Joe Blanton OAK

    Homer Bailey selected as the best of the high school players by Baseball America :

" ... Bailey entered the season as an intriguing prospect, but had not separated himself from the promising crop of high school pitchers in the draft class. By the time the draft rolled around he was widely considered the No. 1 high school pitcher. His mid-90s fastball, power downer curveball and smooth, simple mechanics made him one of the most sought-after players in the draft and persuaded the Reds to pop him with the seventh-overall pick. "He was the top high school pitcher on our board," Reds scouting director Terry Reynolds said. Bailey went 15-0 with two saves and an 0.68 ERA. In 20 appearances spanning 93 innings, he struck out 201, walked 19 and posted a .117 opponent average. He did not allow an earned run until his eighth outing and never seemed fazed, regardless of whom he faced or how many scouts lined the bleachers. He was the winning pitcher when La Grange beat Forney for the Class 3-A Texas tile in 2001 as a freshman and again this season, making for a pair of extraordinary bookends to his high school career."

    JIm Callis, Baseball America, on Brandon Moss BOS :

" ... He moved to the outfield last year, but that still didn't jump-start his bat. In two years of Rookie and short-season ball in 2002-03, Moss hit a combined .226/.291/.384 with seven homers and 40 RBIs in 107 games. When I was working on our Red Sox Top 30 Prospects list for the 2004 Prospect Handbook, farm director Ben Cherington told me to keep Moss on my radar for this season. The Red Sox really liked his raw power and thought he could become at least an average right fielder, but also knew they'd have to be patient with him as he made the mental adjustments to pro ball. Everything has started to click for Moss this year. In 62 games at Augusta, he has batted .354/.414/.529 with six homers and 59 RBIs, not to mention 12 steals in 14 attempts. He currently ranks first in the SAL in hits (87), second in RBI and third in batting. He's a legitimate prospect, but I see nothing wrong with letting him to continue tearing up low Class A and building his confidence for at least a little while longer. At age 20, he's still young for low Class A."

    SEA hoping to close down a few beds in their minor league sick bay :

" ... left-hander Ryan Anderson, the one-time No. 1 prospect who has had three surgeries on his shoulder, had a bullpen session yesterday at the Mariners' facility in Peoria, Ariz. He is on a timetable that could have him playing in minor-league games by July 15. Outfielder Chris Snelling, who had surgery on his right wrist, is in Peoria working out. He could return by Aug. 1. Shortstop Jose Lopez, who sprained the MCL in his right knee last week with Class AAA Tacoma, arrived in Peoria yesterday to begin his rehab. He could be out until the end of July."

    LA aggressive again ... another kid on the way up :

" ... The Dodgers just promoted 20 year-old 3B prospect Andy LaRoche from low A Columbus to high A Vero Beach. In 65 games with the Catfish, LaRoche hit .283/.375/.525 with 20 doubles, 13 HR, and 12 stolen bases. He only struck out 30 times and had 29 BB. The Dodgers have never been shy about giving in-season promotions to advanced players and LaRoche is clearly on the fast track." (Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany)

    Cards' woes :

" ... Adam Wainwright, generally rated the organization's top pitching prospect, may miss the rest of the season after suffering a slight tear of an elbow ligament. Wainwright is shut down for at least six weeks. Barring complications, he then will begin a throwing program but may not be ready to return by the end of the season. The Cardinals envision him appearing in the Arizona Fall League or instructional league ...  Blake Hawksworth, considered one of the organization's top three pitching prospects, also is out for the season and might have surgery to increase circulation to his shoulder. Hawksworth was limited to 16 starts last season, his third as a professional, because of micro-fractures in his ankle. The same condition apparently is now affecting his right shoulder. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

18 June 2004

    There's even more on the baseball landscape beginning tonight as some of the short-season leagues kickoff ... the Northwest, Pioneer and New York-Penn have their openers today, while the Appalachian begins on Monday ... still to come, Gulf Coast & Arizona Leagues. 

    Game action ... INT -- Matt Diaz (TB, RF) 1-4, 7th HR, R, RBI ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 3-4, 2B, BB, 1 error (20th error in 54 games) ... rehabbing Austin Kearns (CIN, RF) 0-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB ... Brett Evert (ATL) 4.2 8 4 4 1 2 ... Gabe Gross (TOR, DH) 2-4, R ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 2-4 ... John Maine (BAL) 4.1 7 5 5 3 4 ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 2-5, 2B, R ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 1-4, 7th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Corey Hart (MIL, RF) 3-5, 2B, 10th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Ben Hendrickson (MIL) 6.0 7 3 3 1 6 ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 3-4 ... Bob Keppel (NYN) 7.0 9 3 1 1 3

PCL --  Edgar Gonzalez ARZ 6.0 6 2 2 2 3 ... Josh Karp MON 6.0 7 3 3 0 7  ...  a little spurt, Adrian Gonzalez TEX 2-4, 5th homer, .285 ... Clint Barmes COL 3-5, double, .350 ... John Gall STL 3-4, 17th homer, 5 RBI, .319 ... Cha-Seung Baek SEA  3.0 3 2 2 2 4 ... Bucky Jacobsen SEA 1-3, 18th homer & 2-2, walk, 3 RBI  ... Greg Dobbs SEA, in his AAA debut, 1-2, homer ... Calvin Pickering KC & Joe Dillon FLO each with a homer to remain tied for the minor-league lead at 25 (Dillon with 9 of his long ones in AA)  ... David DeJesus KC 2-5, double, triple ... Antonio Perez LA 3-3, double, triple, .303 ... Koyie Hill LA 2-5, 2 doubles, .320 ... Chin-Feng Chen LA 3-3, 11th homer, 2 walks, 3 RBI, .285 ... Joe Blanton OAK 6.2 8 5 5 1 4 ... Travis Blackley SEA 7.0 2 0 0 0 6, 6-2, 2.49

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 3-5, 2 2B (8), RBI (21) … Jose Reyes NYN 0-5, 3 K … Matt Peterson NYN 5.2 3 2 1 5 4, 3.57 ERA … Dioner Navarro NYA 2-4, 2B (12), RBI (29) … Val Majewski BAL 0-4, RBI (44) … Keith Reed BAL 0-4 … David Crouthers BAL 5.0 9 5 5 2 3, 3.84 ERA … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 3-5, 2 3B (2), 4 RBI (33), white hot in his last four games, 12-19, 10 RBI … Jeremy Guthrie CLE 6.0 7 3 1 3 9, 4.40 ERA … Jeff Keppinger PIT 0-3, RBI (20), SB (7) … Bryan Bullington PIT 4.2 6 6 4 4 4, 4.25 ERA … Kevin West MINN 1-3, HR (14), 2 RBI (56) … Ryan Howard PHI 0-4

SOUTHERN --  Tony Gwynn MIL OF 2-5, 2 R, SB (16) ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 1-2, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, K, 1 HR (12) ... Kelly Johnson ATL OF 3-3, 2 R, 2 2B, 3B, RBI ... Dan Meyer ATL 6.0 7 4 4 0 11, W 5-3, 2.29 ... Willy Aybar LA 2B 4-5, R, 2 RBI, HR (8) ... Yhency Brazoban LA 0.2 3 4 3 2 1, L 4-3, 2.63 ... Richard Lewis CHN 2B 1-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB, K ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 2-3, 2 R, BB, K ... Jake Gautreau SD 3B 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR (10) ... Chris Seddon TB 6.0 5 3 2 1 5, 2.88

TEXAS --  may have to ask for a recount, Jeff Francis COL 6.1 6 4 3 2 2 ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 2-4, 2B ... Chris Snyder C ARI 1-4 ... Ian Kinsler SS TEX 2-4, 2B, RBI, BB ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 2-4, R, 2B ... Erik Thompson TEX 6 5 2 1 2 8 ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 0-4 ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 0-4 ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 0-4 ... Shin-soo Choo LF SEA 0-4 ... Ervin Santana ANA 7 7 3 2 2 5 ... John Baker DH OAK 1-4 ... Jeremy Brown C OAK 2-3, R, RBI, BB ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 2-4, 2B, RBI 

CAROLINA --  Hayden Penn BAL, in his 3rd start, seven no-hit innings to front an eventual one-hitter, 7.0 0 0 0 2 3, 2-0, 1.56 ... Tripper Johnson BAL 2-4, 14th homer, .291 ... Fernando Nieve HOU 7.0 6 3 3 3 5 ... Chaz Lytle PIT 3-6, double, .325

FLORIDA STATE --  Miguel Negron TOR, showing signs of prospectdom, 2-5, 8th & 9th homers, 6 RBI, .296 ... Tony Giarratano DET 2-3, double, walk, 2 RBI, .412

CALIFORNIA --  John Danks TEX, OK debut in A+, 5.0 3 0 0 2 3 ... CF Juan Senreiso TEX 3-3, 2 walks, .324 ... Jeffrey Baker COL 1-4, homer, .347 ...

A pair of ANA farmhands key members of the CAL All-Stars :

" ... Michael Napoli leading the California League in home runs and RBI’s was selected as one of three catchers on the squad. Napoli is currently eighth in the league in hitting with a .330 average and leads the league with 18 home runs and 63 RBI’s. Napoli’s 63 RBI’s is second in all of Minor League Baseball to former Rancho Cucamonga Quake Dallas McPherson who currently has 67 RBI’s for the Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League. Erick Aybar was selected as an infielder on the squad and Aybar who led the California League earlier in the season in hitting is currently seventh in the league with a .336 average. In addition to his defensive skills this season, Aybar has been a threat all season on the base paths as he leads the league with 30 stolen bases.' (Rancho Cucamonga Quakes)

MIDWEST --  Is Dopirak just good, or reeeaaly good? Brian Dopirak CHN 2-4, 19th HR (.299) ... Brad Knox OAK 7.0 3 1 1 0 9 (2.16) ... slumping sombrero Eric Duncan NYA 0-4, all K's (.276) ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-4, double ... nice 2nd start for the teenager Stuart Pomeranz STL 6.2 4 1 1 0 6 ... Daric Barton STL 0-3, BB, K ... Cody Haerther STL 2-3, double, BB .. Dana Eveland MIL 5.2 7 1 1 2 7 (W, 5-2, 3.17) ... a pulse, maybe Dusty Gomon MIN 1-3, double, BB ... Errol Simonitsch MIN 8.0 5 2 2 1 7 (2.06) .. Adam Jones SEA 2-6, HR ... Joey Votto CIN 1-3, HR, 3 BB ... Kody Kirkland DET 2-5, 2 K

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Gonzalo Lopez ATL, 7.0 5 2 2 1 10 (W 5-2, 3.28) ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 1-4, triple, RBI ... Chin-lung Hu, 1-4, run ... Andy LaRoche LA, 0-3, RBI ... Xavier Paul LA, 0-4, K ... Wardell Starling PIT, 8.0 1 0 0 1 8 (W 3-4, 4.41) ... Jon Benick PIT, 2-3, homer (16), RBI ... Adam Boeve PIT, 2-3, 2 RBI ... Ryan Harvey NYN, 5-5, homer (3), 3 doubles, 6 RBI, 3 runs (vaulted into the hitting lead in the SAL .362, .431. .546, he's not the 2003 first round pick -- that was Ryan Harvey Cubs -- but a 19th rounder) ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 3-6, homer (13), 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Jerry Owens MON, 2-4, triple, RBI, 2 runs, steal (20) ... Delmon Young TB, 1-4, 2 runs, walk ... Jino Gonzalez TB, 6.0 3 1 1 2 10 (W 1-0, 1.46) ... Robert Valido CHW, 2-4 ... Thomas Mastny TOR, 5.0 3 0 0 4 3 (W 4-2, 2.34) ... Ching Lung Lo COL 5.0 3 2 1 3 5 ... Brandon Moss BOS 3-4, double, 3 RBI, .354

    Troop movements ... ANA -- activated pitcher Brendan Donnelly from the DL ... FLO -- activated pitcher Josh Beckett from the DL, optioned RHP Mike Neu to Triple-A  ... HOU -- acquired pitchers David Weathers and Jeremy Griffiths from the New York Mets for outfielder Richard Hidalgo and cash; designated pitcher Ricky Stone for assignment ... NYN --  recalled pitcher Pedro Feliciano from AAA ...PHI -- signed outfielder Greg Golson, their first-round pick ... PIT -- signed catcher Neil Walker, their first-round pick ... ATL -- promoted RHP Brett Evert from Double-A Greenville to Triple-A ... TEX -- RHP John Hudgins promoted to AA,  "Lefthander John Danks was promoted to Stockton ... The 2003 first-rounder, who turned 19 in April, went 3-2, 2.17 in 14 appearances for Clinton, permitting 38 hits (.210 opponents' average) and 14 walks in 49.2 innings, punching out 64." (Jamey Newberg) ... DET -- "22 year-old RHP Kyle Sleeth, the Tigers 1st round draft pick last year, has been promoted to AA Erie of the Eastern League. While in Lakeland, Sleeth went 5-4 with a 3.31 in 11 starts. He walked 18 versus 65 Ks and allowed 60 hits in 68 innings of work." ... OAK -- placed outfielder Billy McMillon on the DL, recalled pitcher Justin Lehr from AAA ...  CHA -- acquired infielder Wilson Valdez from FLO for RHP Billy Koch and cash ...

    More honours for Jererd Weaver ... he's Baseball America's College Player of the Year :

" ... he blossomed from Jeff Weaver's little brother to the best pitcher in college baseball. He enjoyed a junior season at Long Beach State that statistically rivaled Mark Prior's 2001 campaign at Southern California. Weaver set school records for strikeouts in a game (17), season (213) and career (431), also notching first place in career wins and innings pitched--earning Baseball America's Player of the Year honors. The strikeouts tied him for sixth-best season all-time with Arizona State legends Floyd Bannister (1976) and Eddie Bane (1972). The Angels selected him in the first round of the draft, putting him closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming a major leaguer." (Will Kimmey, Baseball America)

    Dayn Perry, FoxSports, has his SEA prospect update ... Felix Hernandez wins the nod as the top dog :

" ... Last season, as a 17-year-old, Hernandez dominated the short-season Northwest and Midwest Leagues. In the latter circuit, he was easily the youngest player in the entire league. This season, he's toiling as the youngest player in the Cal League, the toughest circuit for pitchers in all the minors. In 70.2 innings, Hernandez has fanned 85, walked 23 and posted a 3.31 ERA. His fastball can touch 97 and may reach triple digits by the time he matures physically. His curve is one of the best breaking pitches in the minors, and his changeup is coming along nicely. There any number of ways for a pitcher this young to derail his career, but the Mariners are being careful with his workloads."

And, down at No. 6, an almost forgotten, one-time hot prospect ... Chris Snelling :

" ... Snelling's litany of malaises runs too long to list in detail here, but I will note that he's suffered major injuries in four of his five professional seasons. This year, it's wrist surgery that has him shelved until at least late July. As long as he's been on the prospect radar, it's easy to forget that Snelling is still only 22 years of age. When healthy, he projects as a .300-plus hitter at the highest level with good gap power and 60 walks per year. His days as an outfielder are likely over by the time he hits Seattle for good; in an effort to keep him reasonably healthy, they'll move him to the DH spot. The M's were hoping he'd be ready to replace Edgar Martinez once he retires after this season. However, Snelling will need to get some ABs in Tacoma before he's ready for that."

    Notes from the International League (previous to Thursday's games) :

" ... Wilson Betemit enters play Thursday with a season-high 10-game-hitting streak dating back to June 6. Betemit is 17-for-40 (.425), with 6 2B, 3B, HR, 8R, and 9 RBI during the stretch, raising his average from .219 to .279."

" ... starting pitcher Jon Rauch currently leads the International League with a 2.30 ERA and is tied for third in wins with six and strikeouts with 60. Over his last 26.0 innings of work, Rauch has allowed only two earned runs. Over the streak he has a 0.69 ERA and has struck out 25 batters. He extended his Knights’ season high scoreless streak to 17.0 innings on Tuesday night."

" ... After a 2-for-26 road trip, 19-year-old shortstop B.J. Upton has returned home with a 5-for-8 start to the team’s eight-game home stand. Upton has scored four runs and driven in three over the last two games."

17 June 2004  

    Game action ... INT -- Matt Diaz (TB, RF) 2-4, R, 2 RBI ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 1-3, 2 R, BB, 0 errors ... Stephen Smitherman (CIN, 1B) 2-5, 3rd HR, R, 2 RBI ... Dane Sardinha (CIN, C) 4-5, R, RBI ... rehabbing Austin Kearns (CIN, LF) 2-3, 2B, R, BB ... Bubba Nelson (CIN) 2.0 7 7 3 0 1 ... Justin Morneau (MIN, 1B) 3-5, 15th & 16th HRs, 3 R, 4 RBI ... Gabe Gross (TOR, DH) 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB ... David Bush (TOR) 7.0 8 2 2 0 6 ... Indian trio pounding the ball, Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 4-5, 2 R, RBI ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 3-6, 2B, 3B, 2 R ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, SS) 5-6, 2B, 3 R, RBI ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB ... Joe Borchard (CHA, RF) 2-4, 11th HR, R, RBI ... Josh Stewart (CHA) 6.0 5 2 1 2 2 ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 1-4, 14th HR, R, RBI ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 2-4, 2B ... David Wright (NYN, 3B) 2-4, 1st HR, R, RBI ... Pat Strange (NYN) 5.1 10 9 7 3 2

PCL --  David DeJesus KC 2-4, double, 2 walks, .281 ... JJ Davis PIT, surge continues, 2-3, 2 doubles, walk, 3 RBI, .316 ... Chris Burke HOU 3-5, 9th homer ... John Buck HOU 2-5, 11th homer, .307 ... Gil Meche  SEA 7.1 3 4 3 3 5 ... Bucky Jacobsen SEA 2-3, 19th double, 17th homer, 2 walks, 3 RBI, .313 ... Casey Kotchman ANA, taking nicely to AAA, 2-5, double, 5 RBI ... Ricardo Rodriguez TEX 5.0 11 8 8 3 1 ... Clint Barmes COL 2-5, 9th homer, .345 ... solid season, Mike Wood OAK, 7.0 4 2 2 1 3, 10-3, 3.04 ... Adam Morrissey OAK 2-4, double, .358 ... Nick Swisher OAK 1-3, 10th homer, .254 ... Joel Hanrahan LA 6.0 3 1 1 4 3 & 2-2, double, triple ... Antonio Perez LA, now at leadoff, 2-3, 8th homer, .301

" ... Left-hander Scott Downs (7-3) allowed just one run on five hits and one walk, while fanning four in 7.0 stellar innings Wednesday afternoon ... threw the second no-hitter in Trapper history his last time out on June 11 ... came into the game with a 14.0-inning scoreless streak and extended that to 20.0 innings before finally surrendering a solo home run. Downs has won all three of his starts in June and has posted a miniscule 0.43 ERA in that span." (Edmonton Trappers)

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 2-2, 3 BB, 2B (6), HR (6), 3 RBI (20) … Aaron Hill TOR 2-5, 2B (8), RBI (33) … Dominic Rich TOR 3-5 … Dioner Navarro NYA 3-3, 2 BB … Val Majewski BAL 1-1, 2 BB … Keith Reed BAL 1-4, RBI (28) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 3-4, 2B (23), 2 SB (7) … Jeff Keppinger PIT 5-6, .411 AVG … Kevin West MINN 0-4 … Michael Hinckley MON 6.0 3 1 1 2 4, 1.78 ERA … Ryan Howard PHI 2-3, 2B (14)

SOUTHERN --  No games scheduled.

TEXAS --  Josh Kroeger RF ARI 0-4 ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 1-4, R ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 1-3, HR, 2RBI, BB ... Andres Blanco SS KC 2-3, 2B, RBI ... John Baker C 1B OAK 0-3, R ... Brant Colamarino DH OAK 1-4, Topps player of the Month (May) of California League ... Preston Wilson CF COL rehab, 2-5, 2B, HR ... Larry Walker RF COL rehab, 1-1, R ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 1-4, R, RBI ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 2-5 ... Ian Kinsler SS TEX 3-4, 2R, 2B, HR, 4RBI, BB, don't think he's realized quite yet that he's in AA now, so he should have stopped hitting over .400 (.412 so far in his brief tenure in AA), also the Topps player of the month (May) for the Midwest League, as well as claiming the 10 spot on BA's prospect hot sheet ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 1-4, RBI, BB ... Todd Self 1B HOU 1-3, 2B, BB ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 1-5, R ... Nick Gorneault RF ANA 0-4 ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 1-3, R, the obvious choice for Topps player of the month for the Texas League ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 1-4, RBI ... Shin-soo Choo LF SEA 0-3, BB

CAROLINA --  Tripper Johnson BAL 3-4, 3 doubles, 3 RBI, .287 ... Casey Rogowski CHA 3-5, .310 ... Trae McGill KC 5.0 6 1 1 1 3, 1.91 ... Michael Aubrey CLE 2-2, walk, double, 4 RBI (59) & 0-3

Lots of familiar names on the Carolina All-Stars ... just announced. 

Catcher Ryan Garko, CLE;  First Base Michael Aubrey, CLE; Second Base Kevin Howard, CIN; Shortstop Mike Aviles, KC; Third Base Darren Fenster, KC; Outfielders Brian Anderson, CHA,; Rajai Davis, PIT; Chris Denorfia, CIN; DH Tony Blanco, CIN; IF Mark Schramek, CIN; Utl. IF Donnie Murphy, KC; Utl. IF Mark Saccomanno, HOU; Utl. OF Jeff Francoeur, ATL; Utl. C Brian McCann, ATL; Pitchers Zach Duke, PIT; Trae McGill, KC; Dan Denham, CLE; Ryan Prahm, CLE; Blaine Boyer, ATL; Rich Gardner, CIN;  Matt Wright, ATL; Anthony Lerew, ATL; Richard Stahl, BAL

FLORIDA STATE --  Jamie Vermilyea TOR 6.1 4 2 2 0 6, 3.09 ... Matthew DeSalvo NYA 7.0 3 0 0 3 5, 1.43 ... Jonathan Broxton LA 6.0 4 2 1 1 3 ... Delwyn Young LA 2-4, 8th & 9th homers, 4 RBI, .249 ... Joel Zumaya  DET, seems to be back on track, 6.0 3 3 3 3 8 ... Yorman Bazardo FLO  7.0 4 1 0 0 7, 2.89 ...

CALIFORNIA --  Conor Jackson ARZ 2-3, double, 2 walks, .343 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 3-4, double, .304 ... Ben Kozlowski TEX, good results so far on return from surgery, 5.0 6 2 2 1 3 ... Jesse Harper MIL  6.0 3 2 1 0 8 ... Jeff Salazar COL 2-5, 13th homer, 3 RBI (41), .340 (not bad for a leadoff guy!) ... showing he's about ready for a promotion, Felix Hernandez SEA 8.2 7 1 1 1 8, 7-3, 3.06

MIDWEST --  Steven White NYA 9.0 2 1 1 1 9 (W, 5-2, 2.65) ... Hector Made NYA 2-5, 2 doubles (.280) ... Miguel Montero ARZ 0-3, BB (.275) ... in a bit of a groove Adam Jones SEA 2-6, double (.263) ... Chris Lubanski KC 1-5, 3 K ... Kody Kirkland DET 1-4, double (.212) ... Brian Dopirak CHN 2-4, double, K ... oof Steven Bondurant OAK 5.1 10 6 5 1 7 (2.53) ... Cody Haerther STL 2-4, E (.318) ... Daric Barton STL 1-4, BB (.408) ... Lou Palmisano MIL 1-3, HBP, 2 K (.306)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Adam Boeve PIT 2-3, homer (17), 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Josh Anderson HOU, 1-4, steal (47), run ... Shaun Marcum TOR, 6.0 4 4 4 2 7 (L 7-4, 3.19) ... Daniel Haigwood CHW, 6.0 3 1 1 2 6 (W 6-3, 4.24) ... Andy LaRoche LA, 2-4, homer (13), double, 2 RBI, 4 runs ... Xavier Paul LA, 3-5, homer (6), 5 RBI ... Chuck Tiffany LA, 2.0 6 4 4 2 3 ... not good Jo Jo Reyes ATL, 3.0 10 11 9 5 3 (L 2-3, 5.26) ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 2-4, homer (10), 2 RBI ... Josh Burrus ATL, 3-6, 2 doubles, RBI, 2 runs, steal (17) .... Brandon Moss BOS, 0-4 ... Mickey Hall BOS, 2-4, homer (5), 4 RBI ... Ian Stewart COL, 2-4, triple (6), 2 RBI ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 0-4, steal (6), run ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 1-3, 2 RBI ... Shawn Bowman NYM, 1-4, homer (9), 3 RBI ... Delmon Young TB, 0-4, 2 strikeouts ... Brian Bulger TB, 6.0 5 2 2 1 7 (L 6-2, 3.42) ... Armando Galarraga MON, 7.0 3 1 1 0 5 (W 3-3, 5.10) ... Travis Ishikawa SF, 4-4, 2 homers (6,7), double, 4 RBI, steal (5) ... Nick Markakis BAL, 1-5, homer (7), RBI, 2 runs, steal (4) ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 1-3 ... Jake Blalock PHI, 2-2, homer (12), double, 2 RBI, 2 walks

    Troop movements ...  BOS -- activated outfielder Trot Nixon from the DL, optioned RHP Anastacio Martinez to Triple-A ... SD -- activated outfielder Ryan Klesko from the DL, optioned outfielder Xavier Nady to AAA , placed RHP Antonio Osuna on the DL, recalled RHP Brian Sweeney ... NYN -- placed catcher Vance Wilson on the DL, purchased the contract of catcher Tom Wilson, designated outfielder Esix Snead for assignment ... TOR -- placed outfielder Vernon Wells on the DL, activated infielder Orlando Hudson from the DL ... TEX -- purchased the contract of LHP Nick Bierbrodt from Triple-A, placed RHP Juan Dominguez on the DL ... FLO -- optioned LHP Tommy Phelps to Triple-A, purchased the contract of RHP Josias Manzanillo from Triple-A Albuquerque ... MON -- activated outfielder Carl Everett from the DL, 1optioned outfielder Matt Cepicky to AAA ... BAL -- recalled LHP Matt Riley from Triple-A, optioned pitcher Rick Bauer to AAA... CHA -- signed top pick, third baseman Josh Fields (to make his debut with Winston-Salem of Carolina League ...  COL -- purchased the contract of RHP Kevin Jarvis, optioned RHP Allan Simpson to Triple-A ... ANA -- optioned LHP Dusty Bergman to Triple-A ... FLO -- optioned RHP Nate Bump to Triple-A ...  

    ANA likes the offense, but wants Dallas McPherson to work on his "D" before a callup :

" ...  The Angels, though, don't plan to rush McPherson to the big leagues, even with third baseman Troy Glaus probably out for the season because of shoulder surgery. "It's a matter of earning his way, and he's proven he can play at double-A," Reagins [Tony Reagins, Angel player development director] said of McPherson, who is hitting .329 with 20 homers and 67 RBIs in 63 games. "Now, it's a matter of picking the right time for the next challenge." McPherson may be one of baseball's best power-hitting prospects, but he needs more seasoning on defense. "His range, coming in on balls, those are things he needs to improve on, but he's not far away," Reagins said. "Range is something you either have or don't have, but he can get in better position to field the ball." (LA Times)

" ... McPherson now has one more test to prove he's capable of handling the everyday third-base job in Anaheim next opening day: the highest level of minor-league ball. He has the raw power, hitting ability and plate discipline to succeed there, and it would be no shock to see him get a look at the hot corner in September, especially with Glaus' contract set to expire this winter. For those in keeper leagues, McPherson should be a favorite for rookie of the year in 2005. Scouts feel that he has similar power upside to Glaus, but McPherson is capable of hitting for a much higher average in the majors. Even with an adjustment period, a .270-25-80-5 rookie season isn't out of the question." (Sportsline.com)

    If he were in any other farm system, Jeff Francis would be one of the most sought-after pitching prospects:

" ... The southpaw has jumped out to a 10-0 start with Double-A Tulsa, leading all minor-league pitchers with 112 strikeouts. Francis, 23, has registered a 1.87 ERA, 0.819 WHIP and .179 opponents batting average in 13 starts, meaning he's now 20-1 in his past 26 minor-league starts. Francis, the Rockies' first-round pick in the 2002 draft, has as much upside as any pitcher in the minors. He possesses a low-90s fastball, curveball and improving changeup, which should help him become a solid No. 2 or 3 starter in his major-league prime. Pitchers with this type of talent don't come around often, and Francis is well on his way to earning minor-league player of the year honors at his current pace. Unfortunately, Francis has yet to be tested by the thin air in Colorado, having spent his minor-league days in the lower altitudes of California, North Carolina and Washington after attending the University of British Columbia ...  Francis should reach Triple-A before season's end and perhaps contend for a rotation spot in the spring.". (Sportsline.com)

    Matt Bush, the #1 pick in the draft, makes an early impression in SD :

" ... Scouting Director Bill Gayton ... "He has as good an arm as there is in baseball. And I'm talking the big leagues and minor league ball." Bush, 18, also took batting practice with Padres regulars such as Brian Giles. His No. 1 strength is his defense, but Bush still cleared the left-field wall with one drive and sent a 395-foot shot to the warning track in center ... Said Gayton: "He wasn't in awe. He took an outstanding batting practice. He showed surprising pop with a wood bat in a legitimate ballpark." Bush had such a good time, the Padres struggled to get him out of the batting cage." (SD Union Tribune)

    Ian Kinsler forcing some re-evaluation in Texas :

" ... The Rangers have been excited since Buck Showalter saw him in spring and occasionally asked for Kinsler to be brought over for major league exhibitions. That excitement grew as he batted .400 at low Class A Clinton of the Midwest League and belted out doubles like he was a bartender at happy hour. And now the next step: Kinsler, the team’s 17th-round draft pick last year, has jumped to Double-A Frisco, skipping high Class A Stockton. The Rangers made the move Sunday when Double-A shortstop Drew Meyer went down with a shoulder injury over the weekend. It sets up the potential for an interesting situation. If Kinsler succeeds at Double-A, what will the Rangers do when Meyer, the first-round pick in 2002, returns from the DL? So far, Meyer has underachieved. He was hitting only .232 when he went on the DL. Since he was drafted, it’s also been discussed that Meyer could be moved to another position. He did play some center field last year."

16 June 2004  

    Game action ... INT --  B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 4-5, 7th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 0 errors ... Stephen Smitherman (CIN, LF) 2-3, 2B, BB ... Justin Morneau (MIN, 1B) 3-4, 2B, 14th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 2-3, R, BB ... Gabe Gross (TOR, DH) 2-5, 2B, R ... Jorge Padilla (PHI, RF) 2-3, R, BB ... Tim Raines Jr (BAL, CF) 2-5, 2 R ... Kelly Shoppach (BOS, C) 2-6, 2B, 2 R ... Joe Borchard (CHA, RF) 2-4, BB ... Jon Rauch (CHA) 8.0 5 1 1 0 6 (in his three starts since returning to AAA from a bashing in an MLB start, Rauch has a 0.90 ERA in 20 innings, 12 hits, 5 walks, 20 Ks)  ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4, 9th HR, R, 3 RBI ... nice job, Brad Halsey (NYA) 5.0 5 1 1 0 5 ... Danny Garcia (NYN, 2B) 2-6, 2B, R, RBI ... Craig Brazell (NYN, DH) 3-5, 2 R, RBI ... Prentice Redman (NYN, LF) 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB ... David Wright (NYN, 3B) 2-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, SF ... Aaron Heilman (NYN) 4.1 7 8 6 4 5

PCL --  Sean Burnett PIT  3.1 4 3 3 3 3 ... Calvin Pickering KC, back into a tie for the minors' homer lead, 3-3, walk, 24th homer, 2 RBI & 0-2, walk,  .333 ... JJ Davis PIT, getting back on track, 2-3, 2 homers & 1-2, .286  ... Bucky Jacobsen SEA 2-3, 16th homer ... Ben Davis SEA, quietly showing a little progress, 2-3, double, up to .265 ... Casey Kotchman ANA 2-3, double ... John VanBenschoten PIT 5.0 2 0 0 3 6 ... Justin Leone SEA 1-4, 18th homer ... Michael Tejera  FLO 7.0 2 1 1 3 5 ... after some early success, Nick Regilio TEX appears to have fallen apart, 4.2 10 7 7 2 4, 5.48 ... Peter Zoccolillo, doing well in the TEX system, but not likely to get much of a chance with the Rangers, 4-5, double, 12th homer, .314 ... up to 7th in the hitting lineup, Adrian Gonzalez 2-4, double, .277 ... Andy Tracy COL 3-5, 10th & 11th homers, 4 RBI (53), .335 ... Clint Barmes COL 2-5, double, triple, .344 ... Danny Haren STL 7.0 6 2 2 0 6, 8-2, 3.49 ... Dan Johnson OAK 3-4, 13th homer, 3 RBI (52), .313

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 0-5 … Aaron Hill TOR 2-5, RBI (32) … Dominic Rich TOR 1-5 … Dioner Navarro NYA 0-3, BB & 1-4, double  … Chien-Ming Wang NYA 7.0 4 1 1 2 2, W (3), 4.61 ERA … Val Majewski BAL 2-5, SB (7) … Keith Reed BAL 2-3, 2 HR (7), 3 RBI (27), 2 BB … Denny Bautista BAL 6.0 5 1 1 2 9, W (3), 4.92 ERA … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 3-5, HR (5), 5 RBI (29) … Jeff Keppinger PIT 4-4, RBI (19), .398 AVG … Luis Maza MINN 0-4 … Kevin West MINN 1-3 & 2-4, 2 doubles … Ryan Howard PHI 2-4, HR (20), RBI (54) … Gavin Floyd PHI 6.0 4 1 1 3 7, 2.34 ERA … Abe Alvarez BOS 4.0 6 3 3 3 3, 3.84 ERA … Wilfredo Ledezma DET 8.0 10 1 1 1 7, 2.32 ERA

SOUTHERN --  Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB ... Tony Gwynn MIL OF 2-5, 2 RBI ... Prince FIelder MIL 1B 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 SB ... Chris Saenz MIL 7.0 7 3 3 4 6 ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 0-4, batting .244 ... Brian Rose CIN 7.0 4 2 2 0 4, W 7-2, 3.44 ... Josh Wilson FLA SS 1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 HR (8) ... Dimas Reina LA 5.1 6 4 4 2 7, W 1-2, 5.73 ... Yhency Brazoban LA 2.1 2 0 0 0 6, S 11

TEXAS --  Josh Kroeger CF ARI 1-4  ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 0-4  ... Chris Snyder C ARI 2-3, R, RBI  ... Colorado fielding an all-star OF: Preston Wilson CF COL rehab, 3-4, 2R, 2B  ... Larry Walker RF COL rehab, 0-2  ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 2-3, R, 2B, HR, 5RBI  ... Zach Parker COL 8 4 1 1 1 5  ... John Baker 1B OAK 3-4, 3R, 2B, 3B, HR, 5RBI  ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 1-4, RBI  ... Jason Bourgeois 2B TEX 2-5, RBI, SB  ... Ian Kinsler SS TEX 1-4, BB, SB  ... Shin-soo Choo RF/LF SEA 0-4, R, BB  ... Kameron Loe TEX 6.1 5 1 1 3 3 ...

Not much surprise :

" ... 3B Dallas McPherson has been named Texas League Player of the Week ... for the second time in three weeks. The award was announced by Texas League President Tom Kayser Monday evening. McPherson, 23, hit .462 (12-26), with 6 HR, 17 RBI, 2 doubles and 9 runs scored. During the week, McPherson ripped four home runs in a doubleheader and pounded at least one homer in four straight games. After his two home run performance Monday in Round Rock, McPherson now leads all of Class AA with 20 home runs, 67 RBI, .695 slugging percentage and 43 extra base hits. McPherson was selected by the Angels in the second round of the 2001 draft out of The Citadel. He will be the starting third baseman for the East Division in the Texas League All Star Game to be played on Monday, June 21 at First American Bank Ballpark." (Texas League)

CAROLINA --  Chris Denorfia CIN 2-4, 2 doubles ... Mark Saccomanno HOU 3-3, walk ... Zach Duke PIT 5.0 4 2 1 0 5, 9-2, 1.26 ... Michael Aubrey CLE 1-3, 55th RBI ... ouch, Christopher Ray BAL 5.0 9 6 6 4 2 ... Casey Rogowski CHA 2-4, 12th homer, .303 ... Brian Anderson CHA 2-4, .319

FLORIDA STATE --  Andrew Sisco CHN 5.2 3 1 1 3 5, 4.22 ... bout of wildness, Chad Billingsley LA 3.1 2 2 2 6 4 ... Orlando Hernandez NYA 4.0 2 2 2 5 6 ... Miguel Negron TOR, coming on, 2-4 2 homers, 4 RBI, .293 ... CF Melky Cabrera NYA 4-5, 2 doubles, .318 ... Kyle Sleeth DET  6.0 7 4 4 3 5, 3.31 ...  SS Tony Giarratano DET 2-3, walk, .393 ... Brett Harper NYN 4-5, .366 ... Jeremy Hermida FLO 3-4, double, 3rd homer, .341

CALIFORNIA --  Michael Napoli ANA 1-3, 18th homer, 2 RBI (68), .330 ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-4, double, walk, 3 runs, .336 ... major turnaround from recent efforts, Bobby Livingston SEA 7.0 9 1 1 0 6 ... CF Gary Harris SEA 5-5, 8th triple, .282 ... probably just a little nervous, Nate Schierholtz SF, A+ debut, 0-3, 2 Ks, error ... Nelson Cruz OAK 4-7 9th, 10th, 11th homers, 6 RBI ... Jeff Salazar COL 4-6, double

MIDWEST --  Adam Jones SEA 2-5 ... Calvin Medlock CIN 3.2 6 6 5 3 3 (up to 2.69) ... Joey Votto CIN 4-5, double (.299) ... Brandon Harmsen NYA 5.0 8 2 1 0 4 (W, 5-0, 2.17) ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-4, K (.283) ... Ricky Barrett MIN 5.0 4 2 2 2 3 (2.77) ... Brian Dopirak CHN 1-4, double, 3 K ... rehabbing Ryan Dempster CHN 4.1 5 3 2 1 6 ... Lou Palmisano MIL 1-4 ... Luis Pena MIL 7.0 4 2 2 1 12 (3.55) ...

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Andy LaRoche LA, 1-3, RBI, 2 runs, steal (12), 2 walks, strikeout ... Xavier Paul LA, 2-4 ... Jerome Milons LA 3-6, steal (21), 2 runs ... Julio Pimentel LA, 6.0 6 0 0 0 4 (W 7-4, 2.87) ... Chuck James ATL, 5.0 9 5 3 4 7 (L 7-2, 2.17) ... Brandon Moss BOS, 1-4 ... Ian Stewart COL, 2-3, 2 doubles, RBI ... Chin-hui Tsao COL, 5.0 4 1 1 0 6 ... Jon Benick PIT, 2-4, homer (15), RBI ... Thomas Gorzelanny PIT, 7.0 4 1 1 2 11 (W 7-0, 2.37) ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 3-4, 2 doubles, RBI, 3 runs (at .333, with .583 SLG, hitting a touch better than Delmon Young, who overtook Milledge as the top high school prospect for the 2003 draft) ... Yusmerio Petit NYM, 6.0 2 0 0 1 14 (W 8-1, 2.14) ... Clint Everts MON, 6.0 2 1 1 1 10 (W 4-2, 2.39) ... Rogearvin Bernadina MON, 3-4, run, steal (10) ... Delmon Young TB, 0-4, 3 strikeouts ... Jason Hammel TB, 6.0 9 4 1 0 4 (L 3-5, 2.71) ... Robert Valido CHW, 2-3, RBI ... Brandon McCarthy CHW, 7.0 3 2 2 0 12 (W 6-5, 4.11) ... Nick Markakis BAL, 0-3, RBI ... James Johnson BAL, 8.0 2 0 0 1 7 (W 3-5, 3.83) ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 3-5, homer (15), 2 RBI ... Brad Snyder CLE, 1-3, double, 2 RBI ... Javon Moran PHI, 3-4, double, 4 runs ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1-4, RBI, 3 strikeouts

    Troop movements ...  CLE -- purchased the contract of outfielder Raul Gonzalez, designated catcher Sandy Martinez for assignment ... PHI -- activated RHP Brian Powell from the DL, optioned second baseman Chase Utley to Triple-A ... MIN -- placed outfielder Michael Ryan on the DL, recalled infielder Alex Prieto from Rochester ... NYA -- placed pitcher Kevin Brown on the DL, recalled outfielder Bubba Crosby from Columbus ... ANA -- recalled RHP Derrick Turnbow ... SF -- promoted pitcher Matt Cain and 3B Julio Cordido to AA Norwich, promoted 3B Nate Schierholtz to A+ San Jose, activated second baseman Ray Durham from the DL, optioned outfielder Todd Linden to AAA   ... KC -- purchased the contract of RHP Rudy Seanez ...

    How well regarded is COL lefty Jeff Francis?  Even with the unreal performance by ANA's Dallas McPherson, Kevin Goldstein keeps Francis atop his Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America :

" ... With three straight 10+ strikeout performances, the still perfect (10-0) lefty leads the Texas League in wins by two, strikeouts by 35 and ERA by nearly half a run. Can we get him some special dispensation to keep him out of Coors?"

David Wright NYN and Jason Kubel MIN ran 3-4 with STL catcher Daric Barton at No. 5.  TEX SS phenom Ian Kinsler has zoomed up to No. 10 :

" ... After homering in four of five games and raising his season totals at Class A Clinton to a ridiculous .402-11-52, the Rangers figured it might be time to move him up. Jumped two levels to the Texas League, Kinsler didn't miss a beat, homering in his second game for Frisco."

    John Sickels, ESPN.com, on Mets' wunderkind David Wright :

" ... the premier prospect in the Mets system ... does everything well, and is one of the most complete prospects in the game today ...  Some scouts believe he could be a Gold Glove at third base with more experience. But where Wright really stands out is with the stick. His strike-zone judgment is outstanding. He shows power to all fields, but can go the opposite way when pitchers try to pound the outer half of the zone against him. He handles fastballs and breaking balls equally well. His hands are quick, enabling him to deal with inside pitches. He should hit for average and power at all levels ... has improved at every level. His walk rate has always been strong, but his strikeout rate has declined as he's moved up, an excellent marker for a developing hitter. His batting average in '02 and '03 was mediocre, but it's been excellent this year, combining with his high walk rate to give him terrific OBP/SLG/OPS marks. He may be a .260ish hitter in his initial exposure to the major league level, but in time he should hit in the .300 range. His large number of doubles is an indicator of more home run power to come. Scouts like to compare him to Scott Rolen, and the numbers back this up ...  Several clubs have asked about Wright in trade talks, particularly the Kansas City Royals, who are looking to trade Carlos Beltran for an impact prospect. The Mets so far have balked at giving Wright up; they understand his value. He's the most complete third base prospect in the minor leagues, and second only to B.J. Upton among all upper-level position players in terms of long-term impact. He will be ready for a major league job in 2005, in Shea or elsewhere, and should be regarded as an early candidate for '05 Rookie of the Year."

    Bad break for Vince Sinsi TEX :

" ... Sinisi had been the most consistent hitter for the Stockton Ports all season. The past tense is necessary because Sinisi will miss 4-to-6 weeks with a fracture in his left forearm. The injury occured when Sinisi and shortstop Joaquin Arias collided in short left field in the eighth inning at San Jose on Sunday. Sinisi flew to Dallas to be fully diagnosed by physicians in the Texas Rangers organization ... Sinisi had started every game, hit third in the order and was among the team leaders in every important offensive category. Through 63 games, Sinisi was hitting .310 with a .383 on base percentage, a .472 slugging percentage, seven home runs, 39 runs and 40 RBI. He led the team with 117 total bases." (Stockton Record)

    ARZ 2003 first rounder, outfielder Carlos Quentin,  overcomes Tommy John and horrible start to challenge for an All-Star spot in the California League :

" ... He's really shown why he was a No. 1 pick - he's an excellent outfielder, he has a great arm and he's got some serious pop," JetHawks manager Wally Backman said. "You could always see the ability with him. He's going to play in the big leagues. He works hard, he has good makeup and he knows how to play the game." Pushing through a dire slump that saw his average plummet as low as .105, Quentin has hit .328 over the last five weeks to make himself a serious all-star option with a .297 average, 14 homers and 48 RBI ... By all accounts, taking him with the 29th overall pick was a good bet to make - with or without season-ending surgery waiting on the horizon. "Everyone knew he had to get it rectified," said Tommy Jones, the Diamondbacks director of player development. "Our people went into this with their eyes open that if we take this player we won't have him until the 2004 season. But that was not as big a risk to take, because we knew what kind of worker he was." ... "He's a guy that he might only be two years away from the big leagues," Backman said. "All the tools are there for him. He's a little different from the other guys; they need to work on some things. "Carlos just needs to play." (Antelope Valley Press)

    Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, on a pair of BAL farmhands :

" ... Val Majewski ...  3rd round pick in 2002 from Rutgers has hit at every level of the organization since signing with the team. Majewski profiles as a 20 HR/20 SB guy in the big leagues ...  Majewski is continuing his quick journey up the prospect charts by having an easy time with Eastern League (AA) pitching. For the year, he's hitting .303-11-43 in 208 AB and has stolen 6 bases. He also has 16 BB and 31 K. Being a solid contact-hitter, Majewski hits hard line drives all over the park. He'll hit with more power by adding some loft to his swing, but the Orioles don't want to tinker with his success. Having a disciplined eye also helps him. Majewski has played all of the outfield positions, but profiles best in RF. He has a good arm and runs pretty well ... It is conceivable that Majewski will get a taste of the big leagues when rosters expand in September, but he'll probably spend the remainder of this season and all of next season in the minors before challenging for a big league job. If I was Larry Bigbie, I would be looking over my shoulder."

" ... Nick Markakis ...  the Orioles first-round draft pick last year and they surprised everybody by moving him to a full-time outfielder. Markakis was generally considerd to have a higher upside as a pitcher going into the draft. Because the 6-1 175-pound Markakis is now hitting full-time, his experience and maturity is accelerated. He has 5-tool ability and is showing emerging power. Markakis is using the whole field and is extremely patient at the plate. Look for him to add to his power numbers significantly in the second half. The organization is very liberal when it comes to pushing prospects. Markakis is not an exception."

    Jeffrey Allison, no longer a drug problem, he says :

" ... Allison, the Marlins' top choice in last June's amateur draft, admitted publicly that his unexcused absences from the team's minor-league camp this spring were caused by drug problems and that he's afraid to return to the organization because he believes it will enroll him in a drug rehabilitation program. In an interview Sunday night on New England Cable News, Allison said he got ''mixed up'' with the prescription pain-killer OxyContin after the Marlins made him the 16th pick in the 2003 draft. He reported to the team's Gulf Coast League team shortly after that and was put in an ''intensive outpatient treatment program,'' ... ''I was young. . . . I got myself caught up in something stupid,'' he said. ``Now I'm trying to get out of it.'' Allison, 19, also contradicted a statement he made to The Herald in April when he said he had never failed a drug test. In Sunday's TV interview, he said he tested positive for marijuana in a test administered by Major League Baseball and was fined $200,000. Allison, who signed for a $1.85 million bonus -- money he said is being held in abeyance by the club -- returned home to Peabody, Mass., in May. The team has placed him on its restricted list, meaning he won't get paid until he is reinstated. ''It's basically all on me when I want to come back,'' he said. ``It has nothing to do with [the Marlins] unless they release me.'' However, Allison said he doesn't want to return if that means another rehab program. ``I don't really agree with that because I don't have a problem anymore and I haven't in a while. I haven't for four to five months.'' P.J. Loyello, Marlins vice president for communications and broadcasting, said the team declined to comment." (Miami Herald)

    Toronto Sun with an update on three of the Jays' leading and ailing prospects :

" ...  outfielder Gabe Gross ...  has an elbow problem that prevents him from throwing the ball but not from hitting. He'll be limited to DHing until the season's end, when he'll likely need surgery. While Ricciardi is concerned about it, he's relieved that Gross will at least be able to take his at-bats. . . . The strikeouts are way down for Syracuse starter Jason Arnold and for good reason. Shoulder problems have led to a drop in his velocity. In 37 innings, he has only 15 strikeouts. Arnold has had the problem since the season's start but should be able to finish out the year. . . . SkyChiefs catcher Guillermo Quiroz, who suffered a broken bone in his left hand in May, is about two weeks away from returning."

    Adriano Rosario, aka Ramon Antonio Pena Paulino, in limbo as MLB tries to sort out his story :

" ... Two top Major League Baseball officials will visit the Dominican Republic this week to investigate the case of an Arizona Diamondbacks prospect who allegedly used his nephew's identity to appear younger ... The visit is to last three days, he said. Birth records obtained by The Associated Press show that the real name of pitching prospect Adriano Rosario is Ramon Antonio Pena Paulino, and that he was born Jan. 9, 1982, making him 22. The real Rosario, who is Pena's nephew, turned 19 last month, according to the documents. Pena, a hard-throwing right-hander, allegedly used his nephew's birth certificate to gain a $400,000 signing bonus with Arizona in 2002, the documents suggest. The pitcher's agent, Scott Boras, has declined to comment on the matter. Pena had a 3-3 record and 5.44 ERA in seven outings this season with Arizona's Double-A team. Pena has been in the Dominican Republic since May 14 dealing with "immigration issues," the Diamondbacks said." (Associated Press)

15 June 2004

    Game action ... INT --  B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 1-4, 0 errors ... Joey Gathright (TB, CF) 2-4, R, RBI, SB ... Marcus Thames (DET, RF) 3-6, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI ... Stephen Smitherman (CIN, LF) 2-3, 2B, R, RBI, HBP ... Dane Sardinha (CIN, C) 2-4, 5th HR, 2 R, RBI ... very strong outing, Brandon Claussen (CIN) 7.0 0 0 0 3 8 ... Justin Morneau (MIN, 1B) 1-4, 13th HR, R, 3 RBI ... Jason Kubel (MIN, RF) 2-5, R, 2 RBI ... Josh Hancock (PHI) 4.0 10 8 8 0 1 ... Darnell McDonald (BAL, CF) 2-4, 2B, R, RBI ... Brian Forystek (BAL) 4.2 11 9 9 4 3 ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-5, 2 R, BB ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, SS) 3-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB ... Jamie Brown (BOS) 4.2 4 2 1 1 3 ... Jeremy Reed (CHA, CF) 3-3, 2B, 6th HR, 4 R, 4 RBI, BB & 0-3 ... Joe Borchard (CHA, DH & RF) 0-4 & 2-3 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 3-3, RBI, BB ... Corey Hart (MIL, RF) 1-4, 9th HR, R, RBI & 0-2, BB ... Pedro Liriano (MIL) 6.0 6 2 2 2 5 ... Prentice Redman (NYN, LF) 2-4, BB ... pretty good AAA debut, David Wright (NYN, 3B) 3-4, 2B, R, BB ... rehab, Scott Erickson (NYN) 5.0 10 8 7 0 3

" ... HITTER--OF Marcus Thames [DET] hit .526 (10-19) with 11 runs scored, 3 doubles, 5 homers, 9 RBI and a 1.474 slugging percentage. PITCHER--left-hander Brad Halsey [NYA] went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 in 9 innings." (MinorLeaguewBaseball]

PCL --  Brad Thompson STL, AAA debut a good one, 5.1 6 1 1 1 4 ... Chris Burke HOU 2-3, double, .327 ... Lance Cormier ARZ 6.2 7 1 1 1 9, 1.77 ... oh my, Joe Dillon FLO, hitting for the cycle in his latest fireworks display, 4-4, 7th double, 4th triple, 15th homer, 3 RBI, walk, .435 ... Brendan Harris, close to another Cubs' trial, on a roll, 4-5, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, .322 ... Casey Kotchman ANA 2-2, double, walk ... Dan Johnson OAK 1-3, 12th homer ... Freddy Guzman CF SD 2-5, double, .343 ... Tagg Bozied SD, can hope for a trade, 2-5, double, 10th homer, .333

" ...infielder Joe Dillon [FLO] ... In addition to his six homers on the week, which helped elevate him into the PCL Leaders with 14 dingers on the year, Dillon scored eight runs, has a .500 batting average, and racked up a slugging percentage of 1.318."

" ... Edmonton Trappers starter Scott Downs [MON] became the first pitcher in the Pacific Coast League this season, and just the second in the 24-year history of the franchise, to throw a no-hitter, a rare feat that earned him PCL Pitcher of the Week honors."

EASTERN --  No games scheduled.

PHI slugger the POW in the EL :

" ...  first baseman Ryan Howard ... hit .556 (15-for-27) with five doubles, four home runs, two walks and a 1.185 slugging percentage in seven games for the R-Phils last week. The 24-year old led the league in RBI (13) and runs scored (10) for the week and has driven in a league-best 53 runs this year. For the season the 2003 Florida State League MVP has blasted a league-high 19 home runs and is currently ranked third in all of Minor League Baseball in homers. Howard is also among the league leaders in slugging percentage (.601-2nd), extra-base hits (32-6th) and runs scored (39-9th). The 6’4”, 230 lb. slugger was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies out of Southwest Missouri State University in the fifth round of the June 2001 draft." (Eastern League)

And, DET kid the Pitcher of the Week :

" ... Matt Roney, a right-handed pitcher for the Erie SeaWolves ...  was 2-0 with 12 strikeouts and a 1.93 ERA in a pair of starts last week ...  Roney, who is currently ranked among the league leaders in wins (6-tied 3rd), strikeouts (63-5th) and innings pitched (72.1-tied 5th), was acquired by the Detroit Tigers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 16, 2002." (Eastern League)

SOUTHERN --  Willy Aybar LA 2B 2-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (7) ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 2-3 ... Arnie Munoz CHA 7.0 6 1 1 1 9, W 7-2, 2.05 ... Aaron McNeal CHA 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1K ... Tim Stauffer SD 7.0 7 0 0 2 5 ... Sammy Sosa CHN rehab 1-4, double

TEXAS --  Josh Kroeger RF ARI 2-4, 2RBI  ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 1-1, R, 2B  ... Ryan Shealy 1B COL 2-4, R, 2RBI, BB  ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 1-4, R, RBI, BB  ... Dustin Nippert ARI 5.1 5 3 1 1 0 5  ... Ian Kinsler SS TEX 2-5, HR  ... Shin-soo Choo LF SEA 0-2, RBI, 2BB  ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 1-5, R  ... Nick Gorneault RF ANA 2-3, HR, 2RBI, BB  ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA You've got to be kidding me: 2-5, 2 more HR's (20), as in the case of Jeff Francis, I've simply run out of superlatives (and, according to Salt Lake manager Mike Brumley, on the way to AAA)  ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 2-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB (now at .340)  ... John Baker C OAK 2-4, R, 2B  ... Brant Colamarino DH OAK 2-5, R, 2B, 3RBI  ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 2-5, 2R, RBI

CAROLINA --  Richard Gardner CIN  7.0 4 1 1 0 5, 8-2, 2.42 ... CF Chris Denorfia CIN 2-4, .322

KC 2B the Hitter of the Week ... "Donnie Murphy hit .483 (14-29) with 7 runs scored, 3 doubles, 2 homers, 9 RBI and a .793 slugging percentage." (MinorLeagueBaseball)

FLORIDA STATE --  Scott Kazmir NYN  5.1 6 3 2 1 6 ... Jose Reyes NYN, another rehab try, 1-4, double ... Joel Guzman LA 1-3, 11th homer, 2 RBI

CALIFORNIA --  John Hudgins TEX 6.0 3 0 0 0 7, 2.35 ... Jeremy Cleveland TEX 2-4, .315 ... Juan Senreiso TEX 3-5, double, 4 RBI, .303

MIDWEST --  Eric Duncan NYA 1-4 ... talk about a yo-yo year Elvys Quezada NYA 7.1 2 1 1 2 8 (now 4.60) ... Bobby Wilson (1B) ANA 0-4, K (.295) ... Cody Haerther STL 2-5 (.309) ... Daric Barton STL 0-0, BB (left game in 2nd inning; apparently no collision, but no word yet) ... Adam Jones SEA 3-5, triple, SB, BB (.258) ... Wladimir Balentien SEA 4-5, double ... Jared Trout OAK 9.0 4 0 0 2 6 (W, 4-3, 3.95) ... Brian Dopirak CHN 1-4, double (.293) ... so much better lately Chris Lubanski KC 3-3, 6th HR, 2 BB ... Mitch Maier KC 0-5 (.291) ... Matt Farnum TEX 5.0 9 6 6 4 2 (315) ... Lou Palmisano MIL 1-4, K, E (.307)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Josh Anderson HOU, 4-4, homer (4), 3 RBI, 4 runs ... Mitch Talbot HOU, 7.0 2 1 1 3 4 (W 4-4, 4.05) ... TOR 2B Ryan Roberts 2-3, 13th homer, .294 ... Delmon Young TB 1-2, 9th homer, 2 walks, 3 RBI, .298 ... Wes Bankston TB, now at 1B, 4-4, double, 3 RBI ... Andy Laroche LA 2-4, double ... Adam Loewen BAL, gradually working his way back, 2.0 2 1 1 3 0  ... Zach Dixon BAL  6.0 5 1 1 4 6, 6-1, 1.79 ... Ian Stewart COL 2-4, 5th triple, 15th homer, .292 ... Ian Bladergroen NYN 3-5, 2 doubles,  63rd RBI

    Troop movements ...  BAL -- activated outfielder Jay Gibbons from the DL, optioned outfielder Tim Raines Jr. to AAA ... CIN -- optioned RHP Joe Valentine to AAA, recalled infielder-outfielder Jermaine Clark ... TEX -- placed outfielder Laynce Nix on the DL, purchased the contract of outfielder Jason Conti from AAA ... ANA -- placed catcher Bengie Molina on the DL ...  HOU -- optioned RHP Ricky Stone to Triple-A,  recalled infielder Eric Bruntlett ...

    Zach Chalifour, The Roto Times, on Brad Halsey NYA and CLE 2003 first rounder Michael Aubrey :

" ... could be next in line for a promotion should the injuries to Kevin Brown or Mike Mussina be serious enough for either of them to miss a couple of starts. The eighth-round draftee in 2002 has been average to this point in his career, recording a 23-10 record with a 3.66 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 231 innings at the Single-A and Double-A levels. Halsey has become better with the move to Triple-A, where he currently sits with a 6-2 record and 2.57 ERA in his 77 innings through 12 starts. He has struck out only 46, but still has an excellent 1.16 WHIP. If the Yankees remain healthy, Halsey will not have much of a role in New York, but should he get a chance to try out his stuff at the major league level, he's good enough to have success and is worth keeping an eye on."

" ... Aubrey was selected by Cleveland with the 11th overall pick of the 2003 draft. In his 38 games after signing with the Indians last season, Aubrey hit .348 with five home runs and 19 RBI for Low-A Lake County. Cleveland decided to have the 22-year-old start this season at High-A Kinston, and he has been the best hitter in the Carolina League by far. In 193 at-bats through 52 games, Aubrey is hitting .347 with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 54 RBI. He has also shown great plate discipline; drawing 23 walks while striking out just 24 times ... should get to Cleveland sometime next season."

    Ups and downs in the SD system :

" ... General Manager Kevin Towers sees Tim Stauffer wearing a Padres uniform next season, at some point. "He knows how to pitch," Towers said. "He commands three pitches and uses both sides of the plate." Stauffer, drafted fourth overall last June by Bill Gayton, has allowed three runs or fewer in all six Double-A starts. This month, he has 15 strikeouts against two walks and is 2-0 with an ERA of 0.60."

" ... A hamstring pull set back second baseman Josh Barfield, a top Padres prospect, in his first major league camp, and the 21-year-old since has struggled in Double-A. Barfield has 64 strikeouts in 61 games to go with eight home runs and a .247 batting average." (San Diego Union Tribune)

     Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, on 2B Donnie Murphy KC :

" ... Once you see ... Murphy play, you instantly love the guy. He's a scrapper who makes the most of his average abilities. Other than his lack of speed, there's really nothing this guy can't do. The Royals selected Murphy as a shortstop in the 5th round of the 2002 draft ... Due to his lack of range at short, the Royals put him at 2B and he's been solid ever since. Currently at High A Wilmington as a 21 year-old, the 5-10 180-pound Murphy is having another fine season with the bat. He's hitting .307/.377/.423 with 14 doubles, 1 HR, and 40 RBI. He's walked 26 times with 35 Ks. From a defensive perspective, Murphy is just average but getting better. He also lacks great range at 2B, but gets by with his instincts and arm. Murphy's arm is considered very good and he could eventually move to third base. With the bat, Murphy is compared to Marcus Giles and Craig Biggio, two smaller guys who have some pop in their bats. His hitting approach is fantastic - he has a disciplined eye at the plate and makes consistent hard contact with his quick bat ...  could also be a key bat for the Royals sometime in the next 2-3 years."

14 June 2004

    Game action ... INT --  B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 0-4, 1 error ... Matt Belisle (CIN) 7.0 6 5 4 2 2 ... Jason Kubel (MIN, RF) 3-4, 2B, R, SB ... Gabe Gross (TOR, DH) 2-4 ... Darnell McDonald (BAL, CF) 2-4, R, RBI, SB, SF ... Jack Cust (BAL, LF) 1-3, 5th HR, R, RBI, BB ... Grady Sizemore (CLE, CF) 2-5, 2B, R, RBI, up to .270  ... Kyle Denney (CLE) 3.2 9 5 5 2 3 ... rehab, Trot Nixon (BOS, RF) 1-5, R ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4, 2B ... Victor Diaz (NYN, RF) 3-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI ... Jeremy Griffiths (NYN) 6.0 3 1 1 2 2

PCL --  STL OF/1B John Gall having a very nice season, 2-5, double, 16th homer, .312 ... Antonio Perez LA 1-3, 7th homer, .300 ... Ryan Church MON 2-3, triple, .380 ... Dan Johnson OAK 3-5, 11th homer, 3 RBI (48) ...  best effort in awhile, Carlos Hernandez HOU 7.0 5 0 0 2 5, 3.82 ... just keeps tickin', SS Clint Barmes COL 2-4, .346 ... Justin Leone SEA 3-5, 17th homer ... Bucky Jacobsen SEA 2-4, 15th homer ... Lance Niekro SF 2-3, .389

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 1-4 … Aaron Hill TOR 1-4 … Dominic Rich TOR 0-4 … Dioner Navarro NYA 0-3, BB … Val Majewski BAL 1-4, HR (11), 3 RBI (43) … Keith Reed BAL 2-4, 2B (14), RBI (24) … Franklin Gutierrez CLE 3-5, 2B (22), RBI (24), .295 (solid, but just 4 homers, 19 walks, 67 Ks in 61 games ) … Jake Dittler CLE 5.0 9 8 5 2 4, 3.58 ERA … Jeff Keppinger PIT 3-5 … Ryan Doumit PIT 0-1 … Michael Cervenak SF 1-1, 2B (19) … Luis Maza MINN 3-4, 2B (16), 3B (5), RBI (34) … Kevin West MINN 0-4, K … Ryan Howrd PHI 3-5, 2B (13), HR (19), 3 RBI (53)

SOUTHERN --  Bobby Brownlie CHN 5.0 2 0 0 0 2 ... Josh Wilson FLA SS 2-5, 1 R, 1 K ... Ronald Belizario FLA 6.0 5 3 3 2 5, W 3-5 ... James Loney LA 1B 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR (2) ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 2-3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K ... Jake Gautreau SD 3B 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HR (9) ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 2-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 2 K ... Chris Narveson STL 4.1 7 5 5 4 3 ...  Andy Marte ATL expected to be out for up to 10 days, ankle sprain

TEXAS --  Josh Kroeger RF ARI 1-5, 2B, RBI  ... Sergio Santos SS ARI 2-5, 2R, 2B  ... Chris Snyder C ARI 2-4, 2R, Hr, 2RBI  ... Preston Wilson CF COL rehabbing, 1-4, RBI  ... Jayson Nix 2B COL 3-5, 3R, 2HR, maybe this will spark something in what has been a very disappointing season so far for Nix (.215)  ... Freddie Bynum CF OAK 2-5, R, 3B, RBI   ... John Baker C 1-4  ... Ben Fritz OAK 7 7 2 2 2 3  ... Ian Kinsler SS TEX 1-4, R, 2B  ... Shin-soo Choo LF SEA 2-4, 2R, RBI, 2SB  ... Alberto Callaspo SS ANA 1-5, R  ... Nick Gorneault RF ANA 2-4, R, RBI  ... Dallas McPherson 3B ANA 1-4  ... Jeff Mathis C ANA 2-4, 2R, HR  ... Tommy Whiteman SS HOU 1-4  ... Todd Self 1B HOU 2-4

CAROLINA --  Mark Saccomanno HOU 3-5, double, homer ... Dusty Hughes KC 6.2 6 1 1 2 2, 2.74 ... Chris Denorfia CIN 2-5, double, 3 RBI ... Donnie Murphy KC 3-5, double, homer, 4 RBI (41), .312 ... Fausto Carmona CLE 6.0 5 1 1 2 4, 2.83

FLORIDA STATE --  No games scheduled.

" ... Clearwater OF Chris Roberson went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a RBI in leading the West to a 4-1 win over the East in the Florida State League All-Star Game Saturday night. The game was played before 5,791 fans at Tradition Field, home of the St. Lucie Mets." (FSL)

CALIFORNIA --  Matthew Cain SF 5.0 3 2 2 0 5, 7-1, 1.86 ... Vincent Sinisi TEX 2-4, double, triple, .310 ... Joe Saunders ANA 6.0 7 3 3 1 4, 3.84 ... Jamie D`Antona ARZ 2-3, 13th homer, RBI (53) & 0-4  ... Erick Aybar ANA 3-4 & 1-4, .333 ... Steven Shell ANA  4.1 8 5 5 2 0 ... Michael Napoli ANA 2-4, 17th homer, 66th RBI & 0-4, .330 ... a sign of solid progress from Manny Parra MIL 7.0 5 1 1 0 8

MIDWEST --  Matt Chico ARZ 6.0 8 4 4 2, 2.46 ... Adam Jones SEA 2-3, 2 doubles, up to .250 ... Justin Jones CHN 5.0 6 2 2 1 8 ... Mitch Maier KC 2-4, double, .297 ... Daric Barton STL 3-4, 8th homer, 2 RBI, .422 ... Lou Palmisano MIL 2-5, 3rd homer, .308

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Jake Blalock PHI, 2-4, homer (11), 2 RBI ... Jarod Rine BAL, 5-5, double, RBI, 2 steals (15) ... Nick Markakis BAL, 0-4, RBI, walk ... Nate Schierholtz SF, 0-6, 5 strikeouts (but, overall still a prospect, see below) ... Travis Ishikawa SF, 0-5, 4 strikeouts, walk ... Adam Miller CLE, 4.0 3 2 0 3 6 ... Jake Stevens ATL, 7.0 2 1 0 1 6, W 5-1, 1.74 ERA (2nd in SAL), 0.96 WHIP (3rd in SAL) ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 1-3, homer (9), RBI ... Ian Stewart COL, Game 1 - 3-5, double, triple, 3 runs, walk, strikeout, Game 2 - 0-3, 3 strikeouts ... Aaron Marsden COL, 5.2 6 3 1 1 3 (W 5-3, 3.47) ... Ching Lung Lo COL, 3.1 4 1 1 0 3 ... Jerome Milons LA, 3-5, double, 2 RBI, 2 steals (20) ... Andy LaRoche LA, 2-4, RBI ... Zach Hammes LA, 5.1 5 0 0 3 3 (W 3-3, 4.66) ... Delmon Young TB, 0-4 ... Lastings Milledge NYM, 2-4, double, RBI, CS ... Ryan Harvey NYM, 2-4, homer (2), double, RBI ... Ian Bladergroen NYM, 0-4 ... Vincent Cordova NYM, 6.0 3 0 0 1 5 (W 4-3, 4.19) ... Jarrett Gardner BOS, 5.0 5 2 1 0 3 (L 7-2, 1.56) ... Travis Chick FLA, 6.0 1 1 1 0 8 ... Josh Anderson HOU, 3-3, 2 walks, run, steal (46), CS ... Beau Hearod 2-5, double, RBI ... Matt Albers HOU, 6.0 3 2 2 3 5 (W 4-1, 2.79) ... Adam Boeve PIT 16th homer

    Troop movements ...  DET -- optioned RHP Seth Greisinger to AAA (Matt Guerrier on the way up) ... PHI -- placed RHP Amaury Telemaco on the DL, purchased the contract of RHP Paul Abbott from Triple-A, designated LHP Jim Crowell for assignment ... TEX -- about time (albeit an injury replacement situation), promoted SS Ian Kinsler from Low-A Midwest League to AA Frisco (to fill Drew Meyer's spot -- DL) ... KC -- Dee Brown gets another shot, purchased the contract of infielder Damian Jackson, designated Brandon Berger & Wilton Guerrero for assignment ... ANA -- optioned first baseman Casey Kotchman to Triple-A ...

    Thanks to Todd Melander, who keeps close tabs on anything Twins,  for updating the assignment of MIN's top pick, Trevor Plouffe.  MLB.com had reported he would be taking a break then would suit up in the fall instructional league. Todd reports he's being assigned to Elizabethton of the Appalachian League (a step up from where the MIN rooks usually begin -- in the Gulf Coast League).

    Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, with his take on the TEX shortstop competition :

" ... Drew Meyer was the Rangers 1st round draft pick out of South Carolina in 2002. The 5-10 180 22 year-old is currently playing for AA Frisco in the Texas League and hasn't lived up to expectations offensively. He's hitting .236/.307/.305 with 2 HR and 12 RBI ...  Meyer has good range and a strong arm for shortstop and could legitimately play CF if needed ... He'll never hit for power, but he could hit 10 HR in the future. Joaquin Arias, a 19 year-old shorstop, was acquired along with Alfonso Soriano from the Yankees in the A-Rod trade. Very raw, Arias is at High A Stockton in the California League. He's hitting .284/.321/.392 with 2 HR and 21 RBI along with 7 stolen bases ... now stands at 6-2 175 and is considered a 5-tool talent. He has yet to hit for power, but his body is still growing. Once his body catches up to his very quick bat, he could hit 25+ HR in the majors. Defensively, he's very flashy and showcases a good arm and sufficient range for shortstop. Arias doesn't strike out much, but doesn't walk a lot either .... a high of a ceiling as any prospect in the Rangers system. Don't forget Low A Clinton SS Ian Kinsler ... His performance this season has been well-documented on this site. Of the three, Arias has the most potential to become a major league impact player. He's the least polished of the shortstops, but has the highest offensive ceiling ...  Meyer is the least exciting of the bunch, but has the most polished skill set. It's probable that he will eventually switch positions, most likely to CF. The jury is still out on Kinsler ... defense is considered slightly below-average but it's tough not to be impressed with his hitting prowess thus far. He could move to 2B in the future."

    David Luciani, Baseball Notebook, on Nate Schierholtz SF :

" ... A third baseman with a still-unsure glove, he has 30-35 home run upside if he can keep his average respectable and at just twenty years of age, he still has time to learn to take a walk, something he has virtually no ability to do yet, so much so that it will keep him back from the majors for a long time until he develops that ability. Fortunately, this is one of the easier skills to learn for hitters, relatively speaking that is, and he has the rest of the package except for walk ability and defense - and there's no reason he couldn't be moved to first base down the line. Playing for Hagerstown, Schierholtz is hitting .307 with 15 home runs and 53 RBI in just 57 games. He does have 18 walks but incredibly, that over-represents his current walk ability."

    Jeremy Hermida, FLO's top young gun a possibility for September ... next year :

" ...  Despite a recent hamstring injury, Hermida has excelled in his first season in the Florida State League ...  Hermida, who Baseball America ranks as the Marlins' No. 1 prospect, said he's hoping to make his major league debut next September. That wouldn't surprise Hammerheads manager Luis Dorante. "I'd probably give him a year -- next year," Dorante said. "He's legit." Hermida struggled in 2002, his first professional season, hitting .224 in 38 Gulf Coast League games, as playing pro baseball -- even in a rookie league -- was different than anything the Marietta, Ga. native had experienced. "I signed, I was all excited, came down here and just kind of got dropped down real quick," he said. "It was kind of a shock into pro baseball." Hermida has met the Marlins' expectations since. He spent the final weeks of the 2002 season with the Jamestown Jammers, where he hit .319. After earning a promotion to Class A Greensboro in 2003, Hermida hit .284 with six home runs and 49 RBI. When his teammates were preparing to go home for the season, Hermida went to Triple-A, spending one week with the Albuquerque Isotopes. He struck out in all three of his at-bats. "I learned more being up there five days than I did playing a whole season in A-ball," Hermida said. Team officials compare his left-handed swing to Dodgers outfielder Shawn Green, although Hermida hasn't met Green's current power numbers. But Green, who hit 49 home runs in 2001, had just one homer in 1992 when he played 114 games with the FSL's Dunedin Blue Jays. "I've talked to the scouting people and the player personnel guys," Hermida said. "They say that [power] will come with age." (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

    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), NEW YORK-PENN (Chris Carlson), APPALACHIAN (Scott Howes), GULF COAST (Harry Almquist)

    
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