Rookies 2004

25 July 2004    Pitching line = IP H R ER BB SO

    Game action ... INT --  Matt Diaz (TB, RF) 1-4, 15th HR, R, 2 RBI, HBP ... Jonny Gomes (TB, LF) 2-3, 2B, R, RBI, HBP ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 0-4, BB, 0 errors ... rehab, Greg Norton (DET, 3B) 0-2, 2 BB ... Brett Evert (ATL) 4.0 4 4 4 5 2 ... Michael Restovich (MIN, LF) 3-3, R, RBI ... Jesse Crain (MIN) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2, 19th Sv ... Guillermo Quiroz (TOR, C) 2-4, 2 2B, RBI ... Josh Hancock (PHI) 9.0 4 3 3 3 10 ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 3-4, 2B, 3B, R ... Matt Riley (BAL) 3.0 1 1 1 4 4 ... Josh Bard (CLE, C) 2-5, R, RBI ... tough AAA debut, JD Martin (CLE) 5.0 9 6 6 2 2 ... Kelly Shoppach (BOS, C) 1-4, 14th HR, R, 3 RBI ... Wilson Valdez (CHA, SS) 2-4, 2 R ... Felix Diaz (CHA) 7.0 5 1 1 0 9 ... Brad Halsey (NYA) 3.2 8 7 7 2 3 ... Corey Hart (MIL, RF) 1-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB & 2-3, R, RBI, BB ... Danny Garcia (NYN, 3B) 2-4 ... Prentice Redman (NYN, LF) 2-4, 2nd HR, R, RBI

PCL --  Brandon Duckworth HOU 7.0 3 1 1 0 3 ... Cha Seung Baek SEA 6.2 10 2 1 0 4 ... soon to be SEA bound, SS Jose Lopez 2-4, 12th homer, 2 RBI, .292 ... Jeremey Reed SEA, struggles continue, 1-4, .257 ... Dallas McPherson ANA 2-4, double, 11th homer (31st overall) ...  finally, a little noise from Todd Linden SF 3-4, double, 2 homers, 3 RBI ... Nick Swisher OAK 18th & 19th homers, 6 RBI, .262 ... Dan Johnson OAK 20th homer ... Antonio Perez LA 4-5, 2 doubles, 16th homer, 4 RBI, .294

EASTERN --  Aaron Hill TOR 2-4, double, 2 RBI ... Merkin Valdez SF 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 ... Michael Cervenak SF 3-5, double, .346 ... Bobby Bradley, once PIT's top prospect before arm woes, coming back strong 6.0 0 1 1 4 6, 2.88 ... Gavin Floyd PHI 7.0 2 0 0 2 3, 2.61 ... Jeremy Guthrie CLE, maybe there's hope after all, 6.0 5 1 1 1 5 ... JD Durbin MIN 7.0 5 2 2 4 2 ... Andrew Brown CLE 4.1 3 2 0 4 4 ... Ryan Howard PHI 0-2 & 0-2

SOUTHERN --  Andy Marte ATL 1-3, 15th homer & 3-4, 2 walks, .282 ... Brian Anderson CHA 2-4, double, .316 ... Joel Guzman LA 1-3, double, walk ... Jason Stokes FLO 0-4, .263 ... Angel Guzman CHN, not going as planned, 2.2 6 4 4 1 1 ... Kelly Johnson ATL 3-5, 2 RBI & 3-3, .280

TEXAS --  John Baker OAK 2-3, 13th homer & 0-3 ... Jeff Salazar COL 1-3 & 0-3 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 2-4, double, .390 ... Shin-soo Choo SEA 3-5, 10th homer & 2-4, double, .310 ... John Hudgins TEX, both A+ and AA success,  6.0 4 0 0 3 5, 2.40 ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-3, 2 walks ... likewise for Jason Botts TEX 1-3, 2 walks ... Joe Saunders ANA, AA debut, 5.0 5 3 3 3 1

CAROLINA --  Donnie Murphy KC 1-3, R, double (23), RBI (59), .275 … Mike Aviles KC 1-3, R, HR (6), RBI (53), .297 … Shane Costa KC 0-3, .315 … Chaz Lytle PIT 1-3, K, .286 … Rajai Davis PIT 0-3, BB, K, .315 … Devon Lowery KC (W) 7 5 0 0 4 4 CG (7-6, 3.47) … Kevin Howard 0-4, RBI (62), K, .310 … Pat Osborn CLE 1-5, R, 2 K, .337 … Nathan Panther CLE 0-5, 3 K, .276 … Brian McCann ATL 0-4, K, .265 … Josh Fields CHA 1-3, BB, K, .246 … Ryan Sweeney CHA 0-4, .275 … Casey Rogowski CHA 1-3, BB, .302 … Pedro Lopez CHA 1-3, 2 R, HR (2), RBI, BB, .285 … Matt Wright ATL (L) 6 6 3 3 3 2 (4-5, 3.15) … Josh Anderson HOU 1-5, 4 K, .312 … Tripper Johnson BAL 0-5, 3 K, .269 … Fernando Nieve HOU 7 7 1 1 2 8 (3.07) … Jeff Wilson BAL 6.2 5 0 0 0 10 (4.10) …

FLORIDA STATE --  Jeremy Hermida (FLA, RF) 2-4 & 0-2 … Yorman Bazardo (FLA) 7 1 0 0 1 4 W(5-6, 2.70) …  Matthew Lindstrom (NYN) 9 9 2 2 0 9 W(4-4, 3.84) … Shaun Boyd (STL, CF) 2-4 R … Melky Cabrera (NYA, CF) 3-3 R … Vito Chiaravalloti (TOR, 1B) 2-4 R … Raul Tablado (TOR, SS) 2-5 double R RBI … Miguel Negron (TOR, CF) 3-5 double R … Ryan Barthelemy (PHI, 1B) 2-4 R … Eric Junge (PHI) 5 10 3 3 1 4 L(0-1, 6.42) …Matthew Murton (BOS, LF) 2-4 R … Charlie Zink (BOS) 4.2 9 4 2 3 … Alex Romero (MIN, RF) 2-3 SB(6) RBI … Trent Oeltjen (MIN, CF)  2-4 R RBI … Francisco Liriano (MIN) 6 9 4 4 0 5 W(6-7, 3.87)

CALIFORNIA --  Jesse Harper MIL 5.0 6 2 2 1 6 ... Jesse Foppert SF 1.0 1 0 0 1 2 ... CF Fred Lewis SF 2-5, double, triple, .305 ... Jason Perry OAK 3-4, double, 13th homer, .353 ... Steven Shell ANA 7.0 4 1 1 1 11, 8-4, 3.56 ... Erick Aybar ANA 4-6, double, 2 RBI, .351 ... catcher Michael Napoli ANA, some versatility too, with time at 3B & 1B, 22nd homer

MIDWEST --  nobody's perfect Brian Dopirak CHN 0-4, K (.307) ... Sean Thompson SD 6.0 4 2 2 1 6 (L, 7-4, 2.65) ... Drew Macias SD 2-4 ... Trent Peterson OAK 8.0 7 0 0 2 7 (4-3, 3.49) ... Brock Peterson MIN 1-3, HR, 2 K (.264) ... strong outing Scott Tyler MIN 7.0 4 2 2 4 10 (W, 3-2, 3.18) ... Miguel Montero ARZ 2-4, HR (.287) ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-3, BB, E (.263) ... Brendan Ryan STL 2-3, 2 BB (.323) ... Daric Barton STL 2-5 ... Stuart Pomeranz STL 8.0 5 2 2 0 5 (W, 6-2, 3.62) ... Brandon Wood ANA 1-3, 24th double, BB .. rolling along Kevin Jepsen ANA 7.0 4 2 2 4 4 (W, 7-5, 2.78) ... Erold Andrus NYA 2-4, double, BB, K (.274) ... Abel Gomez NYA 5.0 5 2 2 4 7 (W, 9-5, 3.40) ... Adam Jones SEA 0-3, K

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Jon Benick PIT, 1-3, RBI ... Brad Rea PIT, 1-4, 2 RBI ... Nyjer Morgan PIT, 0-2, steal (45), 2 runs ... Steve Doetsch ATL, 2-4, double, triple ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 1-3, double, 2 RBI ... Michael Bourn PHI, 0-2, 3 walks, 2 runs ... Jake Blalock PHI, 2-4, double, 2 RBI ... C.J. Woodrow PHI, 6.0 4 2 2 1 4 (W 9-3, 3.61) ... Antoni Gray CHW, 4-5, 2 doubles, homer (9), 2 RBI ... Micah Schnurstein CHW, 2-4, steal (12), 2 runs ... Brandon Bounds 1-2, homer (10), 3 RBI ... Ervin Alcantara HOU, 1-4, double, RBI ... Jerry Owens MON, 2-5, 2 runs ... Kory Casto MON, 2-5, 2 homers (9), 6 RBI ... Antonio Sucre MON, 3-5, homer (7), double, RBI ... Shawn Bowman 2-5, RBI, 2 runs ... Greg Ramirez NYM, 5.0 1 0 0 1 3 (W 6-0, 1.32) ... Nate Spears BAL, 2-4, RBI ... Nick Markakis BAL, 1-5 ... Cory Harris BAL, 3-4, double, RBI ... Adam Loewen 5.0 4 0 0 3 7 (W 3-4, 4.84) ... Travis Ishikawa SF, 1-3, steal (8) ... Ian Stewart COL 2-5, .299

APPALACHIAN --  (Thursday)   Juan Lucena (STL, SS) 2-3, 2 R, HR (3), 3 RBI (16), BB, .359…  Brandon Yarbrough (STL, DH) 3-4, RBI (20), .374 (2nd)…  Deacon Burns (MIN, RF) 2-4, .377 (tops in the Appy)…  Mitch Einertson (HOU, CF) 1-4, 2B (6), RBI (31 - 1st), K, .280…  quite the pitchers dual in Bristol but the visiting Greeneville club squeaked one out:  Brad James (HOU, SP) 6.0 4 0 0 0 9, W (1-2) (3.55);  Gio Gonzalez (CHA, SP) 6.0 2 1 1 2 7, L (1-2) (2.25)…  elsewhere, Garrett Alwert (CLE, SP) 5.0 6 1 1 0 7, W (3-2) (6.04)…  Carlos Ramos (TAM, CF) 3-6, R, 3B (2), RBI (10), .327…  Carl Loadenthal (ATL, CF) 2-5, 2 R, HR (2), 2 RBI (11), .337…  Keith Eichas (ATL, 1B) 3-4, R, HR (1), 4 RBI (17), .342…  

NORTHWEST --  OAK 1st rounder Landon Powell, first hit, first pro homer ... Cubs' first-rounder in 2001, Luis Montanez, trying to find a way to succeed, going OK starting over an an OF, 3-5, double, 6th homer, 3 RBI, .392

PIONEER --  Chris Westervelt LA 9th homer ... SS Sean Rodriguez ANA 2-5, 4th homer, 2 walks, 2 RBI, .416

ARIZONA --  OF Alexi Ogando OAK 3-4, double, 4 runs, 2 RBI, .319 ... Hernan Iribarren 2B MIL, 2-3, 5th double, 7th SB,  .472 ... Matthew Tuiasosopo SS SEA 1-3, triple, .488 ...

    Troop movements ... TOR -- announced the retirement of pitcher Pat Hentgen ... TEX -- promoted pitchers Kameron Loe, Travis Hughes and Chris Young from Frisco to Triple A Oklahoma. Ben Kozlowski is being assigned from Class A Stockton to Frisco ... KC -- recalled pitcher Chris George from AAA, designated infielder Damian Jackson for assignment; activated third baseman Joe Randa from the DL, optioned George to AAA ... BOS -- acquired pitcher Terry Adams from TOR for third baseman John Hattig ... ANA -- placed outfielder Jeff DaVanon on the DL, recalled shortstop Alfredo Amezaga from AAA ...

" ... on Friday, Mustangs assistant general manager Gary Roller said Reds' 2002 first-round pick Chris Gruler joined the team ...  Gruler, a right-handed pitcher who was picked third pick overall, went 0-0 with a 1.08 ERA in four games with the Mustangs in 2002 before being promoted to Class A Dayton. He missed most of last season after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery April 29, 2003. Gruler had been pitching in the Gulf Coast League before rejoining the Mustangs. Roller was not sure when Gruler would be expected to pitch." (Billings Gazette)

    More on Carlos Hernandez HOU :

" ... He's throwing the ball well," Zephyrs catcher Zach Norris said. "He's locating his fastball. That's what we preach. He's getting his breaking stuff over. His velocity has come back, and he knows how to pitch. "He's been in the big leagues, and he's not too far from going back there, I can tell you that. The last three or four times, he's been outstanding." Hernandez, who missed last season while recovering from three surgical procedures in 2002 to his left shoulder, has allowed two runs in 30 innings in his past five starts. He threw 90 pitches Friday and his fastball topped at 89 mph, Zephyrs pitching coach Charlie Taylor said. "I've felt pretty good the last three or four starts," Hernandez said. "The way my shoulder feels right now, and with what I have right now, I think it's good enough to get me back to the big leagues. "The main thing is, my velocity hasn't come all the way back, but I think with what I have right now, I can get the job done." (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

    Bryan Smith, at Wait Til Next Year, has finished his Top 100 update with BJ Upton retaining the top slot.  Third sackers David Wright NYN and Dallas McPherson ANA finish at 2-3, ahead of SEA's Felix Hernandez.  Another from the hot corner, Andy Marte ATL was 5th.   Jeff Francis COL zoomed up the chart to grab the No. 7 spot.  Others in the top 10 -- Grady Sizemore, Jeff Mathis, Prince Fielder and Cole Hamels.  The full list, on the Top 100s page.

A few of the not-so-hyped, but hard to avoid :

" ... 26. Conor Jackson- Arizona Diamondbacks- OF Doubles machine. This is what Jackson was last year after being chosen by the Diamondbacks in the draft. He was one of three corner college players chosen by the Diamondbacks, a group that Baseball America has called the Tres Amigos. Jackson is the better prospect of Carlos Quentin and Jamie D’Antona, thanks in large part to his amazing numbers this season. Before a promotion to AA, Jackson hit .345/.438/.562 in 258 at-bats. The slugging has decreased a bit since moving to the Texas League, but Jackson’s eye looks unbeatable, as his OBP is .476 after ten AA games. Jackson plays left field, and it won’t be long before the Diamondbacks firesale allows the team to trade icon Luis Gonzalez, Jackson’s lone roadblock.

" ... 31. Jeff Baker- Colorado Rockies- 3B Taken alongside Jeff Francis in the draft, Baker’s breakout has been clouded by Francis’ AA greatness. But don’t forget Baker, who joins Ian Stewart and Jeff Salazar in one of the best three position player combinations in the minor leagues. His OPS is also over 1.000, thanks to 30 home run power and a great batting eye. He’s very prone to strikeouts, there is no doubt that total will reach 100 (if not 120) by season’s close. Also, Baker has already made 20 errors at the hot corner, and while I don’t have a report on him, my guess is last year’s first round pick Stewart will force a move at some point. The idea of having Helton, Stewart, Baker and Salazar on the corners just might be enough for Dan O’Dowd to hang onto his job a little longer.

" ... 64. Sergio Santos- Arizona Diamondbacks- SS Consider this my due for not giving Santos props last year. You have to respect Santos, a 2002 first-round pick, already with 30 extra-base hits. Shortstops with 25 HR power don’t come around everyday, so Santos has become the prime ‘Zona prospect. He’s also been iffy at shortstop, and with a growing body, there are concerns on whether he can stay there. I think Stephen Drew’s defense and rise through the system will determine if Santos moves elsewhere, because he probably has the bat for left field.

" ... 79. Koyie Hill- Los Angeles Dodgers- C Almost every prospect on the Dodgers has a lot of potential, and a lot of concern. The Greg Miller injury shed some light on that fact, which was good for Hill’s ranking in the organization: he’s the most for sure prospect they currently have. His .289/.345/.463 line is nothing special, but he’s succeeded in AAA, a spot where a lot of catching prospects falter. Consistency deserves a prize every once in a while too.

" ... 88. Brian Dopirak- Chicago Cubs- 1B I still don’t understand how a scout can look at a high school player, and say with certainty that he will hit for power. But whoever said it about Dopirak, and for whatever reasons, was definitely right. You’ve heard about the power numbers of Calvin Pickering and Ryan Howard, but Dopirak’s .606 SLG is something to pay attention to. The Cubs also have to be impressed by the .310 batting average, probably higher than what theat scout had guessed. Dopirak still doesn’t walk enough, strikes out too much, and plays bad defense. But, power is power."

24 July 2004  

Chad Billingsley, new league, same results ... ditto, Zach Duke ... Brian Dopirak, 30th & 31st long ones ... Jason Botts, 20 doubles, 20 homers ... Matthew Tuiasosopo, SEA steal ... TEX 1st rounders, Eric Hurley, Thomas Diamond look like winners ... Ian Stewart, 24th homer ... Delmon Young, pair of ofers ... Delwyn Young, hits aplenty ... Carlos Hernandez, again superb ... Kotchman, McPherson combine for 0-10

    Game action ... INT --  Matt Diaz (TB, RF) 2-3, R, BB, SB ... Pete LaForest (TB, C) 1-3, 5th HR, R, RBI, BB ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 1-4, R, 2 errors (maintaining a pace for a 63 error MLB season) ... rehab, Greg Norton (DET, 3B) 0-4, BB ... Stephen Smitherman (CIN, LF) 2-4, R, RBI ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, RF & CF) 3-3, 14th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI & 1-3, RBI ... Jason Bartlett (MIN, SS) 2-4, BB ... Michael Restovich (MIN, LF) 1-4, 16th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Jason Kubel (MIN, RF) 3-5, 4 RBI ... rehab, Michael Ryan (MIN, PH) 0-1 ... struggling in AAA (now 1-3, 8.38), Cam Reimers (TOR) 4.0 10 8 7 2 2 ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, 2B) 4-6, 2 2B, 2 R ... Ryan Ludwick (CLE, DH) 3-5, 2B, 2nd HR, R, 6 RBI ... Jamie Brown (BOS) 4.0 3 2 2 4 5 ... Josh Stewart (CHA) 8.0 6 2 2 2 3 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4 ... Pedro Liriano (MIL) 5.0 7 6 5 3 2 ... Danny Garcia (NYN, 2B) 2-4, R, RBI, SB ... Bob Keppel (NYN) 7.2 7 2 2 1 3

PCL --  Carlos Hernandez HOU 7.0 3 0 0 1 3 (last two starts, 14 innings, 3 hits, no runs, 2 walks, 13 Ks) ... Luis Martinez STL 6.1 8 2 2 2 1 ... Dennis Tankersley SD 7.0 9 3 3 0 4 ... Casey Kotchman ANA back in the lineup, but 0-5 ... Dallas McPherson ANA also 0-5 ... Jon Rauch MON 5.0 4 2 2 1 4 ... Jeremy Reed SEA 1-5, 2nd homer, .257 ... Noah Lowry SF  5.0 4 1 1 1 4 ... Dan Johnson OAK 4-5, double, 19th homer, walk, 5 RBI, .310 ... Nick Swisher OAK 3-7, 4 runs

EASTERN --  Boof Bonser SF, showing a little progress, 6.0 6 2 1 4 8 ... Zach Duke PIT 5.0 3 0 0 2 6 (nice AA start, 2 games, 11 scoreless innings, 12 Ks) ... Kyle Sleeth DET 6.0 2 4 3 3 4, 8.79 ... Michael Hinckley MON 4.2 6 3 3 4 1 ... more of what the Jays' expected, Francisco Rosario 4.0 1 0 0 0 4, 5.51

SOUTHERN --  nothing to it, Chad Billingsley LA makes his AA debut, 6.0 4 0 0 0 6 ... Joel Guzman LA 2-4, double, homer, walk ... Andy Marte ATL, 0-5, .273 ... Willy Aybar LA 1-4, 12th homer, .286 ... Rickie Weeks MIL 0-2, walk, .257 ... Prince Fielder MIL 1-4, walk, .270 ... Jason Stokes FLO 0-4, 2 Ks, .267

TEXAS --  continuing to improve his prospect status, Jason Botts 1B TEX 4-6, 20th double, 20th homer, 4 RBI, .294 ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-5, double, walk, 3 runs, 2 RBI, .317

CAROLINA --  Josh Fields CHA 2-5, R, double (6), RBI (13), K … Ryan Sweeney CHA 0-5 … Casey Rogowski CHA 1-4, RBI (66), BB, 2 K, SB (13) … Pedro Lopez CHA 3-6, 2 R, double, 2 RBI … Blaine Boyer ATL 5 6 3 1 3 3 (2.95) … Kevin Howard 3-4, 2 R, double (23), 2 RBI (61), K … Pat Osborn CLE 1-4, R, double, 2 RBI, BB, K … Nathan Panther CLE 0-3, 2 R, BB … Brian Slocum CLE (W) 5 4 2 2 0 5 (10-5, 4.22) … Mark Saccomanno HOU 1-5, R, BB, 2 K … Josh Anderson HOU 1-6, 2 R, RBI … Tripper Johnson BAL 1-4, R, HR (19), RBI (57) …

FLORIDA STATE --  Matthew Murton (BOS, LF) 2-5 2R RBI … Hanley Ramirez (BOS, SS) 3-5 double R RBI … Jeremy West (BOS, DH) 1-2 HR(13) R RBI … Jose Vaquedano (BOS) 7 4 2 2 0 5 W(2-1, 4.50) … Shaun Boyd (STL, CF) 2-4 double R RBI … Felix Pie (CHN, CF) 3-4 2 Triples 2R 2RBI … Lastings Milledge (NYN, CF) 2-5 HR(1) double 2R 3RBI … Brett Harper (NYN, DH) 3-5 2 doubles triple 4RBI … Alhaji Turay (NYN, RF) 3-5 HR(12) … Alex Romero (MIN, CF) 2-4 double 2R … Reggie Abercrombie (LA, CF) 2-4 triple RBI … Delwyn Young (LA,2B) 2-3 … Three Vero Beach pitchers combine on a one hitter including starter Clint Hosford (LA) 5 0 0 0 3 4 W(4-1, 4.36) … Charlie Isaacson (NYA) 7.1 7 1 1 1 4 L(2-2, 3.44) … Robert Andino (FLA, SS) 2-5 RBI SB(3) - Hitting .452 in A+ … Jeremy Hermida (FLA, RF) 2-5 double R RBI … James Shanks (FLA, CF) 2-5 double 3R RBI SB(1) … James Russ (FLA) 5 5 0 0 2 1 W(6-1, 2.21) … Darrell Rasner (MON) 7 3 1 1 0 3 W(5-5, 3.36)

CALIFORNIA --  Jason Perry OAK 2-3, 11th & 12th homers, .342 ... OAK catcher John Suomi 2-4, 8th & 9th homers, .314 ... Jon Zeringue ARZ 1-4, homer, .366 ... Juan Senreiso TEX CF 2-5, homer, 3 RBI

MIDWEST --  Kody Kirkland DET 7th HR ... Hector Made(SS) NYA 2-4, double, BB (.277) ... 1st-rounder on a pitch count Chris Lambert STL 3.0 0 0 0 2 4 ... Brandon Wood ANA 0-4, 3 K (.280) ... Dana Eveland MIL 8.0 6 1 1 1 8 (W, 7-5, 2.97) ... big night for the 18-year-old Adam Jones SEA 4-5 (.259) ... Wladimir Balentien SEA 1-3, BB (.279) ... man or machine? Brian Dopirak CHN 30th and 31st HR's (surely has forced the Cubs to consider him a legitimate prospect, now .310, .369, .628 with 25 doubles to go with the 31 homers, 33 walks, 80 Ks in 95 games)... Ronald Bay CHN 7.0 3 1 1 2 8 (W, 8-6, 2.82)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Jerry Owens MON, 2-4, RBI, steal (24) & 0-4  ... Rogearvin Bernadina MON, 1-3, double & 1-1, double, 2 walks  ... Elliot Johnson TB, 1-3, double & 0-2 ... Josh Kranawetter TB, 6.0 3 1 1 4 8 ... Jon Benick PIT, 2-2, RBI ... Josh Shortslef PIT, 8.1 4 2 2 0 9 (W 9-4, 3.26) ... Jereme Milons LA, 1-4, double, 2 runs ... Mike Nixon LA, 3-3, double, 3 RBI, 3 runs ... Matt Kemp LA, 3-5, 3 homers (13), 5 RBI ... Chuck James ATL, 4.0 3 3 0 2 4 ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL, 2-4, double ... Brad Snyder CLE, 2-3 ... Nate Spears BAL, 3-5, double, triple ... Nick Markakis BAL, 2-5, homer (11), 2 RBI ... Fredy Deza BAL, 7.0 3 0 0 1 7 (W 8-8, 3.01) ... Robinson Diaz TOR, 3-5, RBI ... Daniel Core TOR, 5.0 4 2 1 5 3 ... Mitch Talbot HOU, 6.0 7 2 2 3 6 ... Caleb Stewart NYM, 1-3, homer (2), 2 RBI, 2 walks, 3 runs ... Yunir Garcia NYM, 2-4, homer (7), 2 RBI ... Brian Walker NYM, 5.1 5 0 0 4 8 (W 2-2, 3.32) ... Ian Stewart COL, 2-4, homer (24), RBI ... Dustin Pedroia BOS, 1-4, double, 2 RBI ... Brandon Moss BOS, 0-4 ... Mickey Hall BOS, 0-3, RBI ... Delmon Young TB 0-3, 2 Ks & 0-2, walk, K

NEW YORK-PENN --  Players of the Week --  Christopher Gimenez  PIT, .309 on the season, last week he was 10-19 (.526) and slugged 1.211. Gimenez had four home runs and drove in nine in five games. Michael Parisi STL ...  2-0 for the week. Parisi pitched 13.0 innings, striking out nine, walking none, allowing three runs and eight hits.His opponents batted just .178 against him."

NORTHWEST --  TEX first-rounder Thomas Diamond 4.0 3 0 0 0 4 0 ... Luke Hagerty CHN 4.0 2 0 0 1 3 ... OAK first-rounders in action at Vancouver, catcher Landon Powell 0-4, OF Richard Robnett 2-4, walk, 3 RBI ... Shawn Nottingham SEA 5.0 6 3 2 2 7 ... Jud Thigpen CF COL 5th homer

PIONEER --  LA's Cory Dunlap 3-6, double, homer, 7 RBI ... CF Emilio Marcos LA 3-6, double, triple, .351 ...

ARIZONA -- Anderson Rosario ANA CF 4-5, .383 ... SEA SS Matthew Tuiasosopo 3-5, double, 2 RBI, .500 ... Judson Richards SF 1B 4-5, 4th homer, .346 ... Rangers' Eric Hurley 3.0 3 0 0 1 0 0 2.35 ... Kevin Mahar TEX 4-5, 2 SBs, .339

GULF COAST --  Chad Spann 3B BOS getting back in action, 3-4 in just his 2nd game ... Kyle Waldrop MIN 5.0 6 2 1 1 6, 1.44 in 25 innings 

    Troop movements ...  ARZ -- recalled Lance Cormier from AAA, sent outright pitcher Brandon Villafuerte to AAA ... BAL -- placed outfielder Luis Matos on the DL, purchased the contract of pitcher John Maine from AAA, recalled outfielder Darnell McDonald from Triple-A, optioned Maine back to AAA  ... CHA -- placed outfielder Magglio Ordonez on the DL, recalled outfielder Joe Borchard from AAA ... FLO -- recalled pitcher Justin Wayne from AAA ... HOU -- optioned pitcher Chad Qualls to AAA ... MON -- recalled pitcher Roy Corcoran from AAA, optioned pitcher Chad Bentz to AAA ... NYN -- placed outfielder Shane Spencer on the DL, recalled pitcher Dan Wheeler from AAA ... SEA -- released first baseman John Olerud; announced catcher Pat Borders accepted an assignment to Tacoma ... TEX -- activated outfielder Brian Jordan and catcher Gerald Laird from the DL, recalled pitcher Rosman Garcia from AAA, placed pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez on the DL, designated outfielder Chad Allen and catcher Danny Ardoin for assignment ... TOR -- agreed to terms with pitcher David Purcey, their first-round pick in the draft ...

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, on Javier Herrera OAK :

" ... There's no evidence to believe that Herrera is not 19, and he's having a tremendous year against older competition in the NWL. He's hitting .378/.444/.613 with five homers, 23 RBIs and 11 steals (in 12 attempts) through 30 games. Herrera made his U.S. debut last year, and it was most notable for his collision with the center-field fence during a game in the Arizona League. Herrera lost all feeling in his legs and had to be airlifted to a Phoenix hospital. His performance tailed off after he returned to the AZL, but he has shown across-the-board tools in 2004. His arm would get the highest present grade (70 on the 20-80 scouting scale), but his power-speed combination also is potent.

    More praise for Adam Miller CLE (just promoted to A+, Carolina League)  ... Mike Gullo, Minors First :

" ... When it comes to pitching prospects in the Sally League this season, there aren't many on the same level as Adam Miller (Lake County). That's not to say he hasn't had his share of ups and downs. He started out very hot in the cool northern spring, then went through a period where his velocity was erratic. Back in April, he was consistently a 94 mph pitcher. At the end of May and into June, there were a few starts where he was often at 88 mph… making me (at the time) wonder if he was trying out a new pitch. Now he's back to throwing consistently harder, but his secondary pitches aren't progressing like I thought they would. That's going to be just as crucial for Miller as it is for all young pitchers… even those that throw in the 92-96 range. His last start was proof of that. Going against first place Charleston WV, he was bringing the heat and the Alley Cats were getting around on his fastball quite well. I was waiting for his slider and change to keep them off balance, but it didn't happen. Heck, even backup catcher Joey Wolfe yanked a 93 mph pitch out of the park, hitting it onto the roof of the training facility far beyond the right field fence. Wolfe entered the game hitting .209 with just 1 homer. Indians' GM Mark Shapiro was on hand (mainly) to see Miller, but he wasn't at his best… losing 9-0. The kid has a nice effortless fastball and I remember seeing flashes of good secondary pitches earlier in the year. I'm not sure if they've regressed or if he's lost confidence in them. One thing is certain… he needs them back."

    Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, on LA lefty Mike Megrew :

" ...  Megrew is yet another Dodgers prospect on the fast-track based upon his phenomenal success. The 6'6" 210 pound Megrew is currently with Vero Beach in the high A Florida State League. He is 6-4 with a 3.36 ERA in his 16 starts covering 77.2 innings. In those innings, he's struck out an amazing 95 hitters and walked only 32 while holding batters to a .213 average. Megrew's career as a Dodger began when he was drafted in the 5th round in the 2002 draft out of high school. Most scouts saw him as a middle round pick because he didn't throw hard (mid-80s). The Dodgers not only saw some projection in his frame, but were amazed with his offspeed offerings. Megrew still only throws his fastball in the high 80s and rarely hits 90 on the gun. At 6-foot-6 he does have some projection, but the Dodgers would prefer that he keep with his existing repertoire. His best pitch is a changeup which is considered one of the best in the minor leagues. It has deception and most hitters can't even touch it when it's on. The changeup also has some late cutting action which induces ground balls when batters do get a piece of it ...  All three of his pitches are thrown with tremendous command. Despite being only 20, Megrew pitches with surprising moxie and poise and mixes his pitches well like a major leaguer."

23 July 2004  

    Game action ... INT --  Matt Diaz (TB, RF) 3-4, R, RBI ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, 0 errors ... rehab, Greg Norton (DET, 3B-1B) 1-3, RBI, BB ... Dane Sardinha (CIN, C) 2-4, 8th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Matt Belisle (CIN) 5.0 6 6 6 6 5 ... Dan Meyer (ATL) 5.1 6 3 1 2 6 ... Jason Kubel (MIN, LF) 2-4 ... rehab, Michael Ryan (MIN, CF) 0-3, R, BB ... Jesse Crain (MIN) 1.1 0 0 0 1 1, 18th Sv ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI ... Anderson Machado (PHI, SS) 2-3, Sac, SB ... Darnell McDonald (BAL, CF) 3-5, 3 2B, 4 RBI ... Byung-Hyun Kim (BOS) 3.0 6 4 2 1 1 ... Wilson Valdez (CHA, SS) 2-5 ... Michael Vento (NYA, RF) 2-4, R, RBI ... Corey Hart (MIL, RF) 1-2, 14th HR, R, 2 RBI, BB ... Craig Brazell (NYN, DH) 2-4, R ... Pat Strange (NYN) 5.1 9 3 3 1 2

PCL --  John VanBenschoten PIT, far from dominating, 6.0 5 4 4 3 5, 4.64 ... Jason Dubois CHN 3-5, 21st & 22nd homers, 6 RBI ... Brad Hennessey SF, impressive return from injury, 7.0 5 0 0 3 4, 2-0, 0.61 ... the incredible Jeff Francis COL, 6.0 6 1 1 0 6, 2-0, 0.69 ... Andy Tracy COL 24th homer ... Dallas McPherson ANA 2-4, double ... Nick Swisher OAK 1-3, triple, walk ... Chris Hammond OAK, rehab, 1.0 2 0 0 0 2 ... Clint Nageotte SEA 6.0 6 3 3 1 4 ... LA catcher Koyie Hill turning on a little power, 2-4, 11th & 12th homers, 3 RBI, .291

EASTERN --  Ryan Howard PHI 0-5, 3 Ks ... Val Majewski BAL 2-3, 14th homer, 6 RBI ... James Vermilyea TOR 6.0 6 1 1 1 4 ... Ryan Garko CLE 3-3, walk, .351

SOUTHERN --  Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 1-5, RBI, BB, K ... Joel Guzman LA SS 2-5, K, .412 ... Willy Aybar LA 2B 3-4, R, BB ... Ryan Ketchner LA 6.0 8 3 3 1 6, 2.44 ... Brian Martin TB OF 4-6, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR (5 & 6) ... Chris Seddon TB 6.0 6 4 4 3 2, W 7-5, 4.13 ... Brian Anderson CHA OF 2-3, R, BB, K, .319 ... Richard Lewis CHN 2B 2-5, 2 R, K, .330 ... Bobby Brownlie CHN 7.0 5 2 2 1 6, W 9-6, 2.76 ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, HR (16) ... Brad Nelson MIL OF 2-6, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K, HR (16)

TEXAS --  Herbert Perry TX (Rehab) 0-4, .333  ... Ian Kinsler TX 1-3, SB(4), .321 ... Jason Botts TX 0-2, .287 ... Willy Taveras HOU 2-4, R, SB(41), .341 ... Todd Self HOU 1-4, R, .316 ... Cameron Loe TX 7 10 3 2 0 7, 3.10 (L 7-7) ... a 1 hitter against a good lineup, Ezequiel Astacio HOU 8 1 0 0 2 13, 3.90 (W 8-8) ... Santiago Ramirez HOU 1 1 0 0 1 2, 2.53 (S 28) ... Shin-soo Choo SEA 1-4, .293 ... Derrick Gibson ANA (DH) 3-4, HR(3), 3RBI(12), 2R, .277 ... big time slump, Jeff Mathis ANA 0-3, .251 ... not a good relief appearance, Emiliano Fruto SEA 2 3 3 3 3 0, 6.31 ... Willie Collazo ANA 9 4 0 0 1 5, 5.00 (W 3-7) ... Jeremy Brown OAK (C) 2-4, HR(4), RBI(32), 2R, .252 ... Ryan Shealy COL (1B) 1-2, HR(23), RBI(69), 2R, .325 ... Adam Haley AZ (SS) 2-4, 2RBI(3), 2R, .450 ... Conor Jackson AZ 1-4, .333 ... Carlos Quentin AZ 3-5, 2RBI(24), 2B, R, .386 ... Ruben Gotay KC 2-5, HR(9), 3RBI(63) R, .295 ... Cory Aldridge KC (LF) 2-5, HR(9), RBI(27), 2B, 2R, .270 ... lovin this AA stuff, Byron Gettis KC 2-4, RBI(4), .625 ... for Grimsley? -- Denny Bautista KC 7.1 7 4 3 4 7, 2.61, No Decision

CAROLINA --  Tripper Johnson BAL 0-3, BB, 2 K … Pat Osborn CLE 2-3, R, HR (6), RBI, BB, K … Nathan Panther CLE 0-3, 2 K … Hayden Penn BAL 6 2 1 1 2 9 (3.02) … Derrik Van Dusen CLE 6 4 1 1 4 4 (2.18) … Brian McCann ATL 1-4, R, K … Donnie Murphy KC 0-4, 3 K … Shane Costa KC 2-4, 2 R, triple … tough day for the white sox farmhands … Josh Fields CHA 1-4 … Ryan Sweeney CHA 1-4, R … Casey Rogowski CHA 0-4 … Pedro Lopez CHA 0-4 … Chaz Lytle PIT 1-4, double, 2 RBI … Rajai Davis PIT 1-5

FLORIDA STATE --  Matthew Murton (BOS, LF) 3-6 2RBI … Jordan Pals (STL) 6 7 1 1 2 3 ND - 0.75 ERA … Tony Giarratano (DET, SS) 2-4 HR(3) 2R 2RBI … Andy Sisco (CHN) 6 9 4 4 1 4 L(3-8, 4.24) … Aarom Baldiris (NYN, 3B) 2-4 R … Yusmeiro Petit (NYN) 5 6 3 2 2 3 L(1-2, 1.62) … Justin Olson (MIN) 5 4 1 1 1 5 W(7-6, 2.78) … Delwyn Young (LA, 2B) 3-6 2 doubles 2R 4RBI … Dimas Reina (LA) 6 8 5 5 4 3 ND - 1.96 ERA … Ismael Ramirez (TOR) 6 5 1 0 2 6 W(10-5, 3.02) … Robert Andino (FLA, SS) 2-4 … Ralph Santana (PHI, LF) 3-4 R SB(11) CS … Ryan Barthelemy (PHI, 1B) 2-4

CALIFORNIA --  Jon Zeringue ARZ 2-5, double, triple, 2 RBI, .373 ... Jay Garthwaite ARZ 3-5, homer

MIDWEST --  slipping of late Bobby Wilson(C) ANA 0-4 (.261) ... poor control, but good results Nic Touchstone ANA 6.0 3 1 0 6 4 (3.51) ... Joey Votto CIN 0-3, BB, 3 K (.300) ... puts the pow in power Brian Dopirak CHN 29th HR (.308) ... Robert Ransom CHN 7.2 4 1 1 0 5 (W, 4-1, 2.81) ... Adam Jones SEA 0-4, 3 K, E ... falling fast Micah Furtado TEX 0-5, K (.296) ... overwhelmed or overpowering? Brad Knox OAK 4.0 6 4 4 1 9 (L, 10-4, 2.08) ... Daric Barton STL 1-4, double (.316) ... clunk Cody Haerther STL 0-5, 2 K (.315) ... Adam Harben MIN 7.0 3 1 0 2 7 (3.08) ... Kody Kirkland DET 3-8, 2 doubles ... Brandon Harmsen NYA 5.1 10 5 5 0 6 (2.54)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Clint Everts MON, 6.1 8 3 3 2 4 (W 7-3, 2.49) ... Jerry Owens MON, 1-5, steal (23) ... Rogearvin Bernadina MON, 2-3, steal (15) ... Jereme Milons LA, 2-4, triple, 2 runs ... Xavier Paul LA, 2-4, double, RBI ... Antonin Gray CHW, 1-5, homer (8), RBI ... Ricardo Nanita CHW, 3-4, RBI, 3 runs ... Leo Daigle CHW, 3-4, homer (11), double, 3 RBI ... Micah Schnurstein CHW, 1-4, RBI ... Brad Rea PIT, 3-4, homer (8), 3 RBI ... Kevin Kouzmanoff CLE, 1-4, triple, 2 RBI, 2 runs, steal (3) ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 1-5, RBI ... Jeff Fiorentino CLE, 1-5, homer (4), RBI ... Nick Markakis BAL, 2-4, homer (10), RBI ... Clint Johnston TOR, 3-5, homer (10), 4 RBI ... Robinson Diaz TOR, 2-6, triple, RBI, 2 runs ... Beau Hearod HOU, 2-2, RBI, 2 runs ... Scott Robinson HOU, 4-5, 2 doubles ... Josh Burrus ATL, 3-6, RBI ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 1-4, double, RBI, 2 runs ... Elliot Johnson TB, 1-3, double, RBI, steal (31) ... Michael Bourn PHI, 2-5, 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Javon Moran PHI, 3-5, double, triple, 4 RBI ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1-5, double, RBI, 2 runs

APPALACHIAN --  (Tuesday's games): Deacon Burns (MIN, RF) 0-4, K, down to .374...  Alexander Smit (MIN, SP) 7.0 6 0 0 1 11, W (1-1) (2.54)...  Bryan Triplett (HOU, SS) 2-5, R, 2B (4), 3 RBI (8), BB, .333...  Jose De Los Santos (CHA, SS) 0-4, R, RBI (24), .371...  Javier Castillo (CHA, DH) 2-3, 3 R, HR (5), SF, 2 RBI (17), K, .317...  Christian Lopez (TAM, C) 4-4, 2 R, 2 2B (4), 2 RBI (5), SB (2), .357...  Wade Davis (TAM, SP) 7.0 5 0 0 0 2, W (3-2) (4.30)

NORTHWEST --  TEX catcher Michael Nickeas 3-4, double, 6th homer, 4 runs, 4 RBI, .333 ... SEA 3B Yung-Chi Chen 3-5, 2 RBI, .345 ... COL OF Florentino Nunez 4-6, 2 doubles, homer, 4 RBI ... Mike McGirr OAK, more zeroes on the board, 6.0 5 2 0 0 4, 0.66 .

PIONEER --  COL 2nd-rounder OF Seth Smith 2-4, double, triple, 2 RBI, .327 ... ANA SS Sean Rodriguez 2-5, double, .435 ... MIL 3B Tony Festa 3-4, double, .348 ... Bobby Mosby CIN 3-4, 10th homer

ARIZONA -- Matt Bush SD,  the overall No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, 0-2, walk, HBP, error (1-4 in his pro debut Wednesday with a SB and an error) ...

GULF COAST --  Neil Walker PIT 3-5, 6th double, 2 runs, 2 RBI ... Mike Carp NYN 1B 2-2, walk, 3rd homer, 2 RBI, .313 ... NYA's Christian Garcia and Jose Tadeo combined on a one-hitter (seven innings) -- Garcia  5.0 0 0 0 1 4, Tadeo 2.0 1 0 0 0 2

    Troop movements ... ARZ -- recalled Edgar Gonzalez from AAA, optioned pitcher Brian Bruney to AAA ... BOS -- purchased the contract of pitcher Abe Alvarez from AA, designated pitcher Jimmy Anderson for assignment; purchased the contract of infielder Ricky Gutierrez from AAA, optioned Alvarez to Portland; transferred outfielder
Ellis Burks to the 60-day disabled list ... CLE -- purchased the contract of pitcher Chad Durbin from AAA, optioned
pitcher Jeriome Robertson to AAA ... DET -- activated pitcher Danny Patterson from the DL, optioned pitcher Craig Dingman to AAA ...  HOU -- acquired pitcher Darren Oliver from FLO for a player to be named or cash considerations ... MON -- activated pitcher Zach Day from the DL, optioned pitcher Scott Downs to AAA ... TOR -- purchased the contract of pitcher Kevin Frederick from AAA, optioned pitcher Bob File to AAA ... MIN -- activated first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz from the DL, optioned catcher Rob Bowen to AA ... COL -- signed RHP Jamey Wright ...

" ... The Pirates yesterday promoted 1B Brad Eldred from Class A Lynchburg to Class AA Altoona ... Eldred, who had a .310 batting average and led the Carolina League with 21 home runs and 77 RBIs in 99 games, is scheduled to play first base every day for Altoona." (PIT Post Gazette)

" ... the Angels are sending lefthander Joe Saunders, their 2003 first-round pick, up to Double-A Arkansas from Class A Rancho Cucamonga. He was 9-7, 3.41 in 19 games for the Quakes. In 106 innings, he gave up 106 hits and just 23 walks while striking out 76." (Baseball America)

    Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, on Adam Miller CLE :

" ... Often compared to Bret Saberhagen, Miller's ceiling is as high as any righthanded pitcher currently in the minor leagues. This year with low A Lake County in the South Atlantic League, Miller is 7-4 with a 3.36 ERA. He's walked 28 and struck out 106 in 91 innings of work. He's also held the opposition to a .240 batting average. The 6'4" 175 pound Texan is a very projectable power pitcher who throws his fastball in the 92-94 range with heavy bore and sink. He's so polished that he has brilliant command of it to both sides of the plate. Miller can kick the velocity up to 95 to 96 but pitches most comfortably in the 92-94 area. What sets him apart other than his tremendous composure and feel for pitching is his 87 mph slider. The slider has outstanding movement and when it's on, it's unhittable ...   needs to hone his changeup a little bit as well as refine his mechanics slightly. He's only 19 years-old and there is no concern whatsoever about his ability to make these slight changes ...The only thing standing in the way of success is any semblance of an arm problem but there is no concern right now. Miller is the best pitching prospect in the Indians system and is good enough to get to the majors as early as 2006. In my mind, he's among the top 10 prospects in the minors right now and will battle Felix Hernandez for the title of 'Best Pitching Prospect Under the Age of 20'."

    The knife :

" ... As expected, pitching prospect Bobby Jenks underwent surgery designed to strengthen his troublesome right elbow. Jenks, 23, blessed with a 100-mph fastball, has been shut down three times in the last two seasons because of stress reactions in the elbow. A stress reaction is a precursor to a stress fracture. Surgeons inserted a screw into the elbow, hoping to avoid the fracture Stoneman said "appeared to be inevitable." The Angels hope Jenks can rehabilitate the elbow in time for spring training." (LA Times)

    A couple of failed prospects trying to regain some lustre :

" ...  Jack Cust has been red hot of late, hitting in 10 straight games (13-for-32, .406). Cust has homered in two straight games and now has five round trippers in his last seven contests. During his 10-game hit streak, Cust has driven in 14 runs, walked 10 times, and struck out 10 times." (International League)

" ...  After starting the season piggy-backing on RHP Joe Valentine’s starts, RHP Aaron Myette has transformed into a dominant closer for the Bats. Myette earned the closer’s role May 3 and has gone 2-2 with 13 saves and a 2.22 ERA during that time. Since June 15, he has not allowed a run in his last 13 appearances (16.0ip). During this streak, Myette has allowed just four hits while picking up one win and seven saves ... On the season, the right-hander is 3-2 with 13 saves and a 2.18 ERA. " (International League)

22 July 2004

    Game action ... INT --  Matt Diaz (TB, RF) 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB ... Pete LaForest (TB, C) 2-4, R, RBI, BB ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 2-4, R, RBI, BB, 0 errors ... rehab, Greg Norton (DET, 3B-1B) 0-3 ... Stephen Smitherman (CIN, LF) 1-3, 6th HR, R, RBI, BB ... Dustin Moseley (CIN) 4.0 11 8 8 2 2 ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, RF) 2-3, 13th HR, R, RBI, BB ... Wilson Betemit (ATL, 3B) 1-4, 10th HR, R, RBI ... not the best AAA debut, Scott Baker (MIN) 5.0 9 6 6 0 0 ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SF ... Guillermo Quiroz (TOR, C) 2-4, 2B, R ... Jack Cust (BAL, DH) 1-3, 12th HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB ... Brandon Phillips (CLE, SS) 2-4, 2B, R ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, 3B) 2-4 ... Francisco Cruceta (CLE) 7.0 8 4 4 1 7 ... Arnie Munoz (CHA) 6.0 6 1 1 1 7 ... Jorge De La Rosa (MIL) 2.0 4 5 5 2 3 ... Danny Garcia (NYN, 2B) 2-4, SB

PCL --  Tim Stauffer SD, prepping for a MLB shot,  6.0 5 2 2 3 4, 3-0, 4.02 (and, see below) ... faltering, Jeremy Reed SEA 0-4, down to .262 ... Jake Gautreau SD, another big night, 2-3, 2 homers, 4 RBI, .317 ... Jeff Nelson TEX, rehab, 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 ... Brian Jordan TEX 3-4, .385 ... Joe Dillon FLO 4-5, 2 doubles, triple, .349

EASTERN --  Josh Banks TOR 5.0 5 1 1 2 7 ... Ryan Howard PHI 2-3, walk, .310 ... having a tough time in AA, Fausto Carmona CLE  6.1 14 5 5 2 4 ... wild, but effective, Matthew Cain SF  6.0 2 1 1 5 6, 2.13 ... Larry Broadway MON 18th homer ... Luis Maza MIN 2-4, double ... Kevin West MIN 2-3, double, 20th homer, 3 RBI

Catchup ... Scott Kazmir NYN 8.0 2 2 1 1 10

SOUTHERN --  Skip Schumaker STL OF 4-5, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBI, HR (3), .312 ... Clint Narveson STL 7.0 4 1 0 1 8, W 4-8, 4.29 ... Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 2-4, 2B, K, SB (14) ... Richard Gardner CIN 7.1 5 1 1 1 5, L 1-1, 2.79 ... Joel Guzman LA SS 1-3, BB, .417 ... TJ Nall LA 7.0 4 0 0 1 6, 3.24 ... Brian Anderson CHA OF 1-4, R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 K, HR (3) ... Richard Lewis CHN 2B 3-4, R, 2B, RBI, HR (7) ... Carmen Pignatiello CHN 5.0 5 2 2 3 9 ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 2-5, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI, K, HR (13) ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 0-3, BB ... Kyle Davies ATL 5.2 4 2 2 3 9, W 3-0, 4.03 ... Trevor Hutchinson FLA 6.0 5 5 4 1 5, L 5-6, 5.65 ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 2-4, R, 2B, K ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 0-4, RBI, K ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-3, R, 2 RBI, BB, K, HR (15)

TEXAS --  Alberto Callaspo ANA 1-4, .281... ouch again, Jeff Mathis ANA 0-4, .253... Willy Taveras HOU 1-4,R,RBI(23), .338... Mike Rodriguez HOU (DH) 3-5, 2B, R, .289... Todd Self HOU 1-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI(58), .317... Charlton Jimerson HOU (RF) 3-4, 2B, 3R, HR(14), 3RBI(41), .255... Tim Bittner ANA 3.2 6 8 6 3 6, 3.94, L(8-5)... Jared Gothreaux HOU 9 4 1 1 0 5, 4.64... Herbert Perry TX(Rehab) 3-5,2 B, .500... he's back, Ian Kinsler TX 2-3, HR(7), 4RBI(27), 3R, .321... very nice night, Jason Botts TX 3-6, 2HR(19), one off of F.Hernandez,,7 RBI(61), 2R, .289... putting it together? Tydus Meadows TX (LF) 2-2,2 B, RBI(43), 3R, .251... Andrew Beinbrink TX (3B) 4-5, R, .275... Shin-soo Choo SEA 2-4, HR(9), 2RBI(59),2 R, .305... Michael Morse SEA (SS) 2-5, 2RBI(17), R, .296... a wake-up call for the #3 prospect in baseball OR is he injured?...Felix Hernandez SEA 2.2 6 6 6 1 1, 4.79, L(1-1) ... John Baker OAK (C) 3-5, 2B, RBI(65), R, .294... AA is a lot easier than the Bigs, .Byron Gettis KC 3-4, HR(1), 3RBI(3), R, .750... ARZ catcher Chris Snyder 3-5, double, walk, 3 RBI, .321 ... COL OF Troy Miller 5-7, double, 10th homer, .260 ... Ryan Shealy COL 4-5, double

CAROLINA --  Tripper Johnson BAL 0-3, R, BB … Pat Osborn CLE 3-5, 3 R, RBI, K … Nathan Panther CLE 1-4, 2 R, K … Brian McCann ATL 1-4, R, HR (13), RBI (49) … Donnie Murphy KC 0-4, K … Mike Aviles KC 2-3, double (25), BB, K … Shane Costa KC 2-4, K, SB (6) … Matt Merricks ATL (W) 7 6 1 1 1 5 (4-3, 3.56) … Josh Fields CHA 3-5, 2 R, HR (4), 2 RBI (12) … Ryan Sweeney CHA 2-5, 2 R, RBI … Casey Rogowski CHA 1-5, R, double (19), RBI (65), K … Pedro Lopez CHA 1-5, R, RBI, 2 K … Chaz Lytle PIT 0-3 … Rajai Davis PIT 2-4, R, SB (35) … Brandon McCarthy CHA (W) 6.2 7 4 4 0 10 (2-0, 3.38) … Mark Saccomanno HOU 0-3, BB, 2 K … Josh Anderson HOU 1-4, R, triple, RBI, K … Kevin Howard 3-4, 2 R, double (22), 2 RBI (59), BB …

FLORIDA STATE --  Jonathan Broxton (LA) 7 4 0 0 0 9 W(7-5, 3.36) … Tony Giarratano (DET, SS) 2-4 R 2RBI … Brandon Sing (CHN, 1B) 2-4 HR(29) 3RBI … Carlos Vasquez (CHN) 5.2 7 6 4 3 5 L(5-3, 3.19) … A positive outing for Manny Delcarmen (BOS) 5 2 0 0 2 4 W(1-5, 5.15) … Matthew Murton (BOS, LF) 2-3 double R & 2-3 R 2RBI … Hanley Ramirez (BOS, SS) 0-4 & 2-3 double R RBI … Louis Mendoza (BOS) 6 2 1 0 1 2 W(6-5, 3.38) … Lastings Millidge (NYN, CF) 0-3 & 2-5 double 3RBI … Aarom Baldiris (NYN, 3B) 2-4 triple R & 1-4 … Vito Chiaravalloti (TOR, 1B) 2-4 double R … Ron Davenport (TOR, RF) 2-4 2RBI … Scott Olson (FLA) 6 6 2 2 2 7 ND - 3.36 ERA … Delwyn Young (LA, 2B) 3-4 HR(16) double 2R 2RBI & 1-4 … Jeff Karstens (NYA) 5.2 6 4 4 1 4 L(4-6, 3.54)

CALIFORNIA --  Josh Rupe TEX 5.0 3 3 2 1 6 ... OAK SS Omar Quintanilla 3-5, double, .309 ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-5, .348 ... still trying to make it back, Sterling Hitchcock SD 4.0 2 0 0 0 7

MIDWEST --  Miguel Montero(C) ARZ 2-3, double, HR, 3 BB, K (.288) ... Brian Dopirak CHN 28th HR, 2 K ... crash Billy Petrick CHN 3.0 9 9 7 1 2 (3.50) ... Jarrett Hoffpauir(2B) STL 4-5, 2 doubles ... Daric Barton STL 1-4, BB, E ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-4, double, K ... what a MWL beginning Michael Stetter MIL 5.0 2 0 0 1 6 (W, 4-0, 1.53) ... Adam Jones SEA 13th double, 6th HR (.254) ... Wladimir Balentien SEA 2-3, BB, K (.278) ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-5, K (.261) ... still awaiting a promotion Steven Bondurant OAK 6.1 2 0 0 3 7 (W, 13-5, 2.20)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Jon Benick PIT, 2-4, RBI ... Clint Johnston TOR, 3-5, double, 2 RBI ... Delmon Young TB, 4-5, homer (14), double, 3 RBI ... Elliot Johnston TB, 3-5, double, 2 runs ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 2-4, homer (20), 3 RBI ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL, 4-4, 2 doubles, 2 runs ... Zach Dixon BAL, 6.0 4 3 3 2 7 ... Antonin Gray CHW, 3-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Ricardo Nanita CHW, 2-5, double, 3 RBI ... Brandon Bounds CHW, 4-5, homer (9), double, 2 RBI ... Chris Young CHW, 2-3, homer (16), RBI, 2 runs, steal (26) ... Wesley Whisler CHW, 6.0 3 1 0 0 3 ... Ian Stewart COL, 1-4, double, 2 RBI, steal (11) ... Jordan Czarnecki COL, 2-3, run, 2 walks, 2 steals (20) ... Nate Cabrera PHI, 6.0 1 0 0 1 7 ... Ryan Harvey NYM, 1-3, RBI ... Dustin Pedroia BOS, 0-4 ... Brandon Moss BOS, 2-3, double ... Mickey Hall BOS, 1-3, run ... Adam Blackley BOS, 6.0 2 0 0 2 3

NORTHWEST --  Javier Herrera CF OAK 3-4, walk, 2 RBI, .379 ... Ryan Harvey CHN 2-4, .282 ... SF OF Charlie Babineaux 3-4, double, 5th homer ... catcher Colt Morton SD 10th homer ... Lachlan Dale SD 3-5, 2 doubles, 10th homer, 4 RBI

PIONEER --  think what he'd be like with control, Anthony Whittington ANA 4.0 1 1 0 6 0 ... LA first-rounder Scott Elbert 4.0 1 1 0 2 2  ... Chris Westervelt LA 1-3, 2 walks, 8th homer, 2 RBI, .411 ...  2B Boomer Berry CHA 5-7, homer, .301

ARIZONA -- Hernan Iribarren 2B MIL 2-4, .475 ...

GULF COAST --  (Tuesday) Seung Song MON, rehab, 4.0 8 6 6 3 2 ...

    Troop movements ...  CHN -- optioned pitcher Francis Beltran to AAA, recalled pitcher Jon Leicester ... CLE -- recalled outfielder Grady Sizemore from AAA, designated outfielder Mark Little for assignment ... SD -- lifted the suspension of shortstop Matt Bush, activated first baseman Phil Nevin fron the DL, optioned outfielder Brian Buchanan to AAA ... KC -- recalled RHP Shawn Camp from Triple-A ... BOS -- placed infielder Pokey Reese on the DL, recalled Kevin Youkilis and Mark Malaska from AAA, optioned Joe Nelson to AAA ... BAL -- purchased the contract of RHP Todd Williams from AAA, optioned Tim Raines Jr. to AAA ... BOS -- acquired infielder Ricky Gutierrez from CHN for a player to be named or cash ... DET -- placed outfielder Craig Monroe on the DL, recalled outfielder Nook Logan from AAA ... NYN -- optioned RHP Dan Wheeler to Triple-A ... SEA -- designated outfielder Hiram Bocachica for assignment; recalled pitcher Bobby Madritsch from AAA ... ANA -- designated infielder Shane Halter for assignment, recalled Matt Hensley from AAA ...

" ... The Dodgers have promoted RHP Chad Billingsley to Double-A Jacksonville. You gotta love those Dodgers. Billingsley is a 19-year-old pitcher who was drafted out of high school just last year, but he's already at Double-A. Too much, too soon? That's arguable. But the Dodgers don't care. If a player proves they can handle a level, they move them up. Billingsley was definitely better than High-A. The stocky right-hander with a plus fastball and a whiffle ball curve went 7-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 starts with High-A Vero Beach. In 92 innings of work, he yielded 68 hits and 49 walks, recording 111 Ks." (Scott Rex, OnDeck)

    Sigh of relief in COL :

" ... The MRI on the right shoulder of pitching prospect Chin-Hui Tsao revealed what O'Dowd called "chronic changes" but no tears that would require surgery. "We hope to get him back on the mound in two weeks," O'Dowd said. "He doesn't need surgery, but that doesn't mean he won't need surgery at some point in the future." (Denver Post)

    A sorry tale ... more troubles for 2003 first-rounder Jeff Allison :

" ...  Allison ... who admitted to a drug problem last month, was admitted to Union Hospital in Lynn over the weekend, according to one of his former coaches. Rob Nash would not say why Allison was hospitalized, but said, "The kid's got a sickness. He's hit rock bottom. The kid needs some support right now. You can draw your own conclusions." Nash, who co-owns Extra Innings in Middleton and has known Allison since he was a youngster, added, "It's worse than any of us thought." Union Hospital spokeswoman Lauren Fish said yesterday that Allison is in stable condition. She said she could not comment further on his condition due to privacy rules. Allison, 19, was a first-round draft choice of the Florida Marlins last year after a sensational pitching career at Peabody High School. He was named the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year and signed for a $1.85 million bonus with the Marlins. But he left the team's minor league camp without permission in early May and later admitted to having a "problem" with the pain-killing drug OxyContin. "When I was down in Florida, I had got myself into a little mix-up," he said last month in an interview with New England Cable News. "Everyone thinks it had to do with drugs ... and it did. I was young ... I got myself caught up in something stupid. Now I'm trying to get out of it." Allison has been home in Peabody since leaving the Marlins. The team placed him on the restricted list, which means he is not being paid." (The Salem News)

    They just keep falling ... another highly-rated moundsman a possible surgery candidate :

" ... Cardinals top pitching prospect Adam Wainwright may be facing elbow surgery nearly two months following his last appearance for Class AAA Memphis. Wainwright, acquired last winter in the deal that sent Eli Marrero and J.D. Drew to Atlanta for pitchers Ray King and Jason Marquis, hasn't pitched since June 7. He had an initial MRI, which the club said revealed no structural damage of the elbow. However, general manager Walt Jocketty said surgery is now a possibility. "We should know more in the next 10 days," Jocketty said. Wainwright, 22, was impressive in spring training and was considered on the fast track before suffering the injury, officially called irritation of the elbow. He is scheduled for an additional MRI, according to a club source. In 12 starts, covering 63 2/3 innings, Wainwright was 4-4 with a 5.37 earned-run average. He allowed 68 hits, including 12 home runs, with 28 walks and 64 strikeouts." (STL Post Dispatch)

    Padres' top pick dodges a bullet :

" ... Matt Bush was removed from the Padres' suspended list yesterday and will officially join the Padres' team in the Arizona Rookie League ... "We are delighted to be able to say the situation has been resolved," Padres president Dick Freeman said last night of a confidential agreement worked out between the Padres, Bush and the player's agent, Jeff Moorad. "I cannot say more than that." Bush, the 18-year-old Mission Bay High shortstop whom the Padres made the first overall pick in the June draft, was suspended by the club after being arrested on one felony and three misdemeanor charges outside a nightclub near the Padres' training base in Peoria, Ariz., on June 20. The felony charge has been dropped and Darrow Soll, Bush's Phoenix attorney, said he is in contact with the Peoria prosecutor's office on the other charges. "At the moment, no charges are pending," Soll said last night. Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said he expects Bush to soon be playing games for the Peoria team. "I'm looking forward to seeing him in a Padres uniform in Peoria," said Towers ...   Neither the Padres nor Bush's representatives would speak to the agreement. Bush could not be reached for comment. "It is crucial that this agreement remain confidential," said Towers. Bush received a bonus of $3.15 million to play for the Padres, but only $150,000 was paid up front." (San Diego Union Tribune)

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, on Tim Stauffer SD :

" ... Lacking an overpowering fastball, Stauffer relies a great deal on movement and command to succeed. His moving fastball is usually thrown at 90-92 mph. He also uses a cutter, a 12-to-6 curveball and a changeup. That arsenal has already earned him two promotions this season ...  projects as a No. 3 starter in the majors, but spacious Petco Park could make him look more like a No. 2. Though he’ll give up a hit an inning, low walk and home run totals should allow him to post ERAs under 4.00 once he settles in. Stauffer’s shoulder still remains a concern, dropping him about 15 spots to No. 36 in the midseason Top 100 Prospects. Still, this season has gone as well as the Padres could have hoped, and if he keeps progressing at this rate, he’ll be ready for the majors in the first half of next year. He’ll be one of my favorite sleepers in 2005."

    Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, on the Jays' Tom Mastny :

" ... Mastny is a 23 year-old 6'6" 225-pound righthanded pitcher for Charleston (WV) in the Sally league. This year he's 7-2 to go along with his league-leading ERA in 19 starts for the Alley Cats. Mastny has walked 31 and struck out 94 in his 107.1 innings of work while holding the opposition to a .227 batting average. He has also allowed only 2 HR. Success is nothing new for Mastny ...  he led NCAA Division 1 baseball in ERA as a senior in 2003. Despite his success, Mastny was only drafted in the 11th round. He signed quickly and had a solid season for Auburn in the NY-Penn League. Now with Charleston, Mastny should be getting the call relatively soon to either high A Dunedin or AA New Hampshire. Mastny uses a potent mix of a 90 mph fastball, sweeping curve, and changeup to fool hitters. None of his pitches profile as above average which has led to skepticism by some scouts about his effectiveness at higher levels. He throws on a downhill plane with an easy, effortless delivery but his stuff is average at best."

21 July 2004

Now there's a new one, SD slugger suffers season-ending injury celebrating game-ending grand slam ... Joel Guzman, ready for AA ... Chris Burke, huge night ... David Wright, MLB trial ... Jake Stevens, kudos, then pounded ... Jason Kubel hot ... David Krynzel on a tear since return from injury ... Justin Germano, back to back shutouts ... Ryan Howard, up to 36 ... Thomas Mastny, another dominant effort

    Game action ... INT --  Matt Diaz (TB, RF) 1-5, 14th HR, R, RBI ... B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 1-5, R, 0 errors ... rehab, Greg Norton (DET, 3B) 2-4, 2B, 1st HR, R, 2 RBI ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, CF) 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI ... Wilson Betemit (ATL, 3B) 2-5, 2 R, 2B ... Jason Kubel (MIN, RF) 4-5, 2B, 6th HR, 2 R, 3 RBI ... rehab, Michael Ryan (MIN, CF) 0-4, R, BB ... Guillermo Quiroz (TOR, C) 2-3 ... Mike Fontenot (BAL, 2B) 0-2, R, HBP & 2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB ... Jack Cust (BAL, DH) 1-1, 11th HR, R, 5 RBI, 3 BB ... Josh Bard (CLE, C) 2-4, R ... Wilson Valdez (CHA, SS) 3-5, R, RBI ... rehab, Kevin Brown (NYA) 4.0 5 2 2 1 3 ... David Krynzel (MIL, CF) 3-5, 2B, 4th HR, R, 3 RBI ... Wes Obermueller (MIL) 6.0 10 6 6 1 2 ... Danny Garcia (NYN, SS) 2-3, 2 R, HBP, SB ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 2-4, 2B, RBI, BB ... Prentice Redman (NYN, LF) 2-4, R, SB

PCL --  Mark Teahen KC 1-4, 3rd homer & 0-3, 3 Ks, .250 ... Ryan Dempster CHN 5.0 5 2 2 2 2 ... Jason Dubois CHN 4-5, 2 RBI ... Noah Lowry SF 0.1 4 4 4 0 1 ... MON SS Maicer Izturis 2-5, double, .366 ... Val Pascucci MON 2-4, 17th homer ... Matt Cepicky MON 2-4, homer, 5 RBI ... really in a groove now, PCL's Pitcher of the Week going for a repeat, Justin Germano SD 9.0 5 0 0 1 7 (back to back shutouts) ... on the other hand, Gil Meche SEA 5.0 6 6 6 5 3 ... Jeremy Reed SEA 0-4, .281 ... Jake Gautreau SD, battling back onto the prospect charts, 2-3, double, homer, 5 RBI ... Oscar Villarreal ARZ 1.0 4 4 4 0 2 ... Antonio Perez LA 2-6, 15th homer ... Andy Tracy COL 23rd homer, 3 RBI ... huge night for HOU 2B Chris Burke 5-5, triple 2 homers, 3 RBI, .330 ... Joe Blanton OAK 7.0 6 4 4 1 4 ... Nick Swisher OAK 3-4, 17th homer ... Dallas McPherson ANA 0-4, 2Ks, .314

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 0-3 … Aaron Hill TOR 1-3, 2 RBI (49) … Val Majewski BAL 2-5, RBI (61) … Keith Reed BAL 0-2, RBI (42) … Ryan Doumit PIT 1-4, 2B (19), 2 RBI (34) … Bryan Bullington PIT 5.0 9 5 5 1 5, W (7), 4.15 ERA … Michael Cervenak SF 3-4, 2B (26), HR (16), 5 RBI (59) … Carlos Valderrama SF 1-3 … Luis Maza MINN 3-4, RBI (44) … Kevin West MINN 2-5, 2B (29), 2 RBI (75) … Ryan Howard PHI 1-3, HR (36), 2 RBI (96) … Kenny Baugh DET 5.2 10 7 3 0 5, 3.98 ERA

SOUTHERN --  Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI, K ... Bubba Nelson CIN 6.0 9 5 4 1 10, ERA up to 2.65 ... Joel Guzman LA SS 4-5, 2R, 2B, 4 RBI, K, HR (1) ... James Loney LA 1B 2-5, R, 2B, RBI, 2 K ... Skip Schumaker CHA OF 0-3, RBI, BB, K ... Tony Reyes STL 5.0 2 1 1 1 9, W 2-1, 4.21 ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 1-2, BB ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 0-3, BB ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-4, R, 2B, 2 K ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 0-3, R, 2 BB, K ... Jose Capellan ATL 6.0 7 2 2 2 4, W 5-1, 2.50 ... Jason Stokes FLA 1B 0-4, 3 K ... Richard Lewis CHN 2B 3-4, RBI, .324

TEXAS --  Alberto Callaspo ANA 1-4, .281 ... Jeff Mathis ANA 2-4,1 2B,.256 ... Willy Taveras HOU 1-5, HR(2), 2RBI(22), .340 ... Todd Self HOU 0-4, .318 ... DJ Houlton HOU 9 4 1 1 0 6, 8-3, 3.11 ... Herbert Perry TEX (rehab) 1-3 ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-4, RBI, .313 ... Jason Botts TEX 1-4, .285 ... Shin-soo Choo SEA 1-4, SB(25), .303 ... Erik Thompson TEX 5 2 0 0 0 2, W(6-6), 2.98 ... Chris Snyder 1B ARZ, 1-4 .316 ... Conor Jackson ARZ 0-3, RBI(15), .341 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 1-3, 2B, .387 ... Tony Miller 3-5, HR(9), RBI, SB(17), .251 ... Jeff Salazar COL, beginning to get comfortable in AA,  3-4,. 267 ... Jayson Nix COL 2-3, HR(11), 3RBI(42), SB(9), .214 ... Francis Gomez SS OAK, 4-4, 2B, 2RBI(29), SB(6), .248 ... Ruben Gotay 2B KC 1-3, .293 ... Jimmy Serrano KC 5 3 0 0 1 3, 2.25

CAROLINA --  Donnie Murphy KC 1-4, R … Mike Aviles KC 1-4, double, RBI … Shane Costa KC 0-4, K … Anthony Lerew ATL 7 7 2 0 0 4 (2.52) … Dusty Hughes KC 8 4 2 1 0 3 (2.83) … Tripper Johnson BAL 3-6, R, HR (18), 2 RBI (56), 2 K & 0-2, 2 BB … Pat Osborn CLE 1-5, R, 2 BB, 2 K & 2-4, 2 R, K … Nathan Panther CLE 1-4, R, 2 K … Christopher Ray BAL 3.1 9 4 4 0 2 (5.08) … Josh Fields CHA 0-5, K … Ryan Sweeney CHA 2-5, R, 2 doubles (18), RBI … Casey Rogowski CHA 2-4, R, double (18), BB … Pedro Lopez CHA 2-4, R, 2 doubles … Chaz Lytle PIT 1-4, triple, 2 K … Brad Eldred PIT 0-1, R, 3 BB … Rajai Davis PIT 1-5, R, RBI 2 K, SB (34) … Mark Saccomanno HOU 2-4, double (16), K … Josh Anderson HOU 2-4, BB … Kevin Howard CIN 1-4, 2 RBI … Jeffrey Bruksch (W) 5 4 0 0 1 7 (4-4, 2.99) …

FLORIDA STATE --  Joel Zumaya (DET) 6 6 2 2 3 3 L(6-7, 4.53) … Jon Connolly (CHN) 7.1 6 1 0 1 6 W(7-2, 2.67) … Brandon Sing (CHN, 1B) 1-4 HR(28) … Robert Andino (FLA, SS) 3-4 1RBI … Vito Chiaravalloti (TOR) 2-3 … Shaun Marcum (TOR) 7 5 0 0 0 8 ND- 2.55 ERA … Alfredo Simon (PHI) 9 2 0 0 0 3 W(6-9, 3.44)

CALIFORNIA --  Bobby Livingston SEA 5.0 7 2 1 2 2 ... SEA OF Carlos Arroyo 3-4, triple homer, walk, 3 RBI ... Jon Zeringue ARZ 2-4, double, .397 ... another disappointing game for Brad Sullivan OAK 5.0 11 9 7 2 6, 4.88

MIDWEST --  Cody Haerther STL 1-4, double (.323) ... Tyler Clippard NYA 7.0 5 1 1 1 5 (3.38) ... Micah Furtado TEX 1-4, K ... Brandon Wood ANA 0-4, K (.283) ... Virgil Vasquez DET 8.2 6 2 0 4 6 (3.45) ... Chris Lubanski KC 1-3, 2 BB, K ... Thomas Oldham SEA 7.0 4 3 2 1 9 (L, 6-5, 2.82) ... Adam Jones (DH) SEA 0-3, BB ... Joey Votto CIN 2-4, double, BB (.303) ... Drew Macias SD 2-5 ... Dirk Hayhurst SD 4.2 4 3 2 2 6 (2.38)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Antonio Sucre MON, 2-3 ... Jerry Owens MON, 2-4, double, RBI, steal (22) ... Tony Abreu LA, 2-4, steal (12) ... Xavier Paul LA, 0-2, 2 walks ... Julio Pimentel LA, 4.1 4 3 2 4 3 ... Antonin Gray CHW, 3-4, 2 RBI ... Daniel Haigwood CHW, 5.0 0 4 4 3 5 (W 9-4, 4.89) ... Thomas Mastny TOR, 7.0 2 0 0 1 8 (W 7-2, 1.68) ... not his night Jake Stevens ATL, 5.2 7 7 7 2 1 (L 7-3, 2.00) (also, see below, comments before his worst start of the season) ... Jason Pirdie TB, 1-2, homer (10), 2 RBI ... Wes Bankston 1-3, homer (15), 4 RBI ... Elliot Johnson TB, 2-4, double, steal (30), 2 runs ... Tony Peguero TB, 8.0 6 0 0 0 2 (W 9-5, 2.76) ... Caleb Brock CLE, 2-4, RBI, 2 runs ... Kevin Kouzmanoff CLE, 3-5, double, 3 RBI, 3 runs ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 2-4, double, 2 RBI ... Adam Miller CLE, 5.0 3 0 0 1 8 (W 7-4, 3.36) ... Michael Bourn PHI, 1-5, run ... Javon Moran PHI, 1-4, run ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1-4, run ... Ian Stewart COL, 2-4, RBI, 2 walks, steal (10) ... Jordan Czarnecki COL, 3-5, 2 doubles, 2 runs, steal (18) ... Chris Ianetta COL, 3-5, 3 RBI, 3 runs ... Nick Markakis BAL 2-5, double, .290

NEW YORK-PENN --  Kyle Kendrick PHI 8.0 1 0 0 0 11 ...

APPALACHIAN --  (Saturday’s games)  Deacon Burns (MIN, DH) 2-3, R, BB, K, .416 BA… Jose Hernandez (HOU, RF) 2-4, R, 2 K, SB (6), .283 BA… Glen Perkins (MIN, SP) 5.0 2 1 1 1 8, W (1-0) (2.25)… Evan Tartaglia (CHA, CF) 2-5, 2B (3), K, .321 BA… Jose De Los Santos (CHA, DH) 2-5, R, K, .385 BA… Carl Loadenthal (ATL, CF) 2-3, 2 R, RBI (7), 2 BB, .325 BA… Matt Harrison (ATL, SP) 6.0 3 1 1 0 5, W (3-2) (3.18)… Juan Lucena (STL, SS) 3-5, R, .373 BA… Quinton Robertson (STL, SP) 6.0 4 0 0 2 6, W (1-0) (2.49)… Juan Valdez (CLE, CF) 1-3, R, RBI (3), BB, 2 SB (12), .210 BA.

(Monday’s games)  Juan Gutierrez (HOU, SP) 5.0 4 1 0 4 3, W (4-0) (2.45)… Enyelbert Soto (HOU, RP) 2.0 0 0 0 0 2, S (4) (1.62)… Jose De Los Santos (CHA, DH) 2-5, 2 RBI (23), K, .386 BA… Yuber Rodriguez (TOR, CF) 1-2, 2 BB, .348 BA… dropping to .340 with an 0-4, Seth Pietsch (NYN, LF)… Cole Armstrong (ATL, DH) 1-4, R, HR (2), 2 RBI (21), .383 BA… Keith Eichas (ATL, 1B) 2-4, K, .337 BA… Jose Delgado (STL, 2B) 1-4, R, HR (1), 2 RBI (15), BB, 2 K, .388 BA… running wild again, Juan Valdes (CLE, CF) 2-4, R, 2 SB (14), K, .233 BA… Jacob McGee (TAM, SP) 5.1 6 1 1 1 4, W (3-0) (3.26).

NORTHWEST --  SF OF Brian Horwitz 3-5, double, .343 ... OAK 3B Myron Leslie 4-4, double

PIONEER --  MIL 1B Grant Richardson 3-5, 2 doubles, homer, 6 RBI, .396 ... ANA 3B Andrew Toussaint 4-4, 2 walks, triple, 4 RBI, .356 ... LA catcher Chris Westervelt 2-4, 7th homer, 2 RBI, .415 ... LA OF Daniel Batz 3-3, triple, homer, 3 runs, 3 RBI, .391 ... KC OF Brian McFall 2-3, 2 walks, 6th homer, 3 runs, 4 RBI, .315

ARIZONA --  Matthew Tuiasosopo SEA 2-2, double, walk, .517 ... Monday, Jesse Foppert made his return from 2003 surgery, going one inning, 3 hits, a run, 2 Ks

    Troop movements ... HOU -- recalled pitcher Chad Qualls from AAA, optioned pitcher Brandon
Duckworth to AAA ... KC -- optioned pitcher Justin Huisman to AAA, ... NYN -- recalled third baseman David Wright from Triple-A, acquired catcher Tommy Piazza from LA for catcher Bryan Purkey and assigned him to the Gulf Coast League (A) ... NYA -- .optioned pitcher Alex Graman to AAA,  recalled pitcher Scott Proctor from AAA ... TOR -- placed pitcher Roy Halladay on the DL,  activated outfielder Frank Catalanotto from the DL, agreed to terms with pitcher Zachary Jackson, a supplemental first-round pick ... TEX -- placed RHP Joaquin Benoit on the bereavement list, recalled Nick Regilio from AAA ... COL -- placed RHP Denny Stark on the DL, designated RHP Turk Wendell for assignment ... LA -- optioned outfielder Chin-Feng Chen to Triple-A ... ARZ -- activated infielder Carlos Baerga from the DL, optioned outfielder Luis Terrero to AAA ... SD -- sent outfielder Darren Bragg outright to Triple-A

    No surprise as Jeff Francis retains the No. 1 spot on Kevin Goldstein's Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America. Slugger Ryan Howard and SEA phenom Felix Hernandez finished 2-3 with an ATL lefty 4th :

" ... Jake Stevens ... If his season ERA of 1.35 doesn't excite you enough, consider the fact that in his last 12 games, he's allowed a grand total of two earned runs in 58.1 innings (0.31 ERA)."

Dallas McPherson ANA was No. 5, just ahead of a Mets' comer :

" ... Yusmeiro Petit ... Got back on track Friday night, allowing just one hit over six shutout innings. How many pitchers can claim nearly three times as many strikeouts (139) as hits allowed (50)? "

    Jeff Francis, a MLB trial not in the books, yet :

" ...  The Rockies are in need of starting pitching after a rash of injuries. Seems like the perfect time to bring him up, right? No. Not with what happened to top prospect Chin-hui Tsao last season. "It's the same situation, basically," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said Tuesday. "Tsao was tearing it up, this guy has really torn it up. But I don't see the need to move him any quicker. He'll dictate the movement." Francis, the ninth overall pick in the 2002 draft, breezed through the first two levels of the Rockies organization and was 12-9 with a 3.47 and threw a no-hitter with Class-A Visalia last season. This year, Francis was 13-1 with a 1.98 ERA in 17 starts for Double-A Tulsa, then threw seven innings of one-hit ball in his debut with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday. The Rockies have had three starters go down in the past month -- Joe Kennedy, Jason Young and Denny Stark -- but they're not going in any rush to get Francis to the big leagues. First off, the Rockies were 38-54 headed into Tuesday's game against San Diego and have no need to get another arm for the playoff push. Colorado also has had trouble with bringing up pitchers before they were ready, in particular Tsao ... Hurdle said Tsao's problems last year won't dictate how soon the Rockies bring up Francis. The biggest issue right now is getting him innings at Triple-A, particularly in altitude, where the Rockies play half their games. Francis won't get that for a while, considering his first four scheduled starts are on the road. "We'd like to see him pitch in some altitude," Hurdle said. "I think it would help him more than it's going to help us. I'm more concerned about his honest self evaluation and his learning curve. It might not make any difference, but I'd like to see that experience happen." (Associated Press)

    Does Ripley's still have a Believe It Or Not ?

" ... Just moments after hitting a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Portland Beavers to a dramatic 8-5 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers ...  Tagg Bozied suffered a ruptured patella tendon to his left knee during a subsequent celebration at home plate and was immediately taken by ambulance to Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in northwest Portland. According to team medical officials, Bozied will fly to San Diego ... where he will undergo season-ending surgery by Dr. Steven Copp. Bozied, who missed 37 games with a hamstring injury earlier in the season, is expected to be out of action for six months. A jubilant scene at home plate with his teammates turned silent with Bozied lying on the ground after sustaining the injury. It is believed that it was suffered as he launched himself into the air during the celebration." (Portland Beavers)

    Jeremy Deloney, Baseball Miscellany, with his breakthrough picks :

" ... BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER Ian Kinsler ...  Not only has he been the surprise of the Rangers organization, the 22 year-old has been the biggest shock of this minor league season. Kinsler began the season with low A Clinton and hit .402/.465/.692 with 30 doubles, 11 home runs, and 16 stolen bases. The Rangers felt that high A wouldn’t be a challenge, so they opted for him to bypass Stockton en route to Double A Frisco. Kinsler has kept on rakin’. He’s hitting .327/.438/.551 with 9 doubles and 5 home runs. The Rangers have some nice depth in the middle-infield at the Major League and minor league levels so they can be patient as Kinsler continues to develop."

" ... BREAKTHROUGH PITCHER Richie Gardner ... Gardner was a high pick last year from the University of Arizona, but for him to make it all the way to Double A is incredible. He has utilized his low-to-mid 90s fastball with a devastating changeup to far exceed expectations. Before getting a promotion to Chattanooga, Gardner dominated the high A Carolina League to the tune of 8-3 2.50 with 80 strikeouts in 86.1 innings. He has made two starts in Double A and pitched well. With the weak Reds pitching staff, Gardner is in a position to compete for a rotation spot next year in Spring Training."

20 July 2004

    Game action ... INT --   B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 0-4, BB, SB, 2 errors, 33 for the season (on pace for the equivalent of a 69 error, MLB season)  ... Nook Logan (DET, CF) 2-5, R, SB ... rehab, Greg Norton (DET, 3B) 0-3, R, BB ... Ryan Langerhans (ATL, RF-LF) 2-4, BB ... Brett Evert (ATL) 5.1 7 3 3 3 3 ... Jason Kubel (MIN, RF) 2-5, 4th HR, R, RBI & 1-2, walk, 5th homer, .333 ... Terry Tiffee (MIN, 3B-1B) 1-6, 7th HR, R, 2 RBI ... rehab, Michael Ryan (MIN, CF) 2-5, R ... Jesse Crain (MIN) 2.0 0 0 0 0 2 ... Guillermo Quiroz (TOR, C) 2-4, 2B, 4th HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB ... Jorge Padilla (PHI, RF) 2-3, 2B, RBI ... Marlon Byrd (PHI, CF) 3-6, 2 RBI ... Josh Hancock (PHI) 5.2 7 3 3 0 2 ... Ryan Ludwick (CLE, DH) 2-3, R, BB ... Kyle Denney (CLE) 5.1 8 5 5 2 4 ... Kevin Youkilis (BOS, 1B) 2-5, 2B, RBI ... Felix Diaz (CHA) 7.0 8 3 3 3 3 ... Robinson Cano (NYA, 2B) 2-5, 2B, RBI ... David Krynzel (MIL, CF) 2-4, RBI ... Danny Garcia (NYN, LF-2B) 2-4 ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 2-4, 2B, R

PCL --  Danny Haren STL 6.0 11 3 3 0 9, 9-4, 4.11 ... Cha Seung Baek SEA 3.1 4 3 3 3 3 ... you'd think he'd be up by now, Jamal Strong SEA 3-5, homer, 4 runs ... Jeremy Reed SEA 1-3, triple ... hot streak continues, Tagg Bozied SD 16th homer (game ending, grand slam), 4 RBI, .315 ... Dallas McPherson ANA 0-4, 3 Ks ... Josh Wilson FLO 2-5, triple, homer ... likely a little ticked off at being bypassed for a promotion, Ryan Church MON 2-5, 15th homer, 4 RBI, .350 ... Matt Cepicky MON 3-4, homer, 3 RBI, .293 ... Antonio Perez LA 3-5, .291

Pair of Padres' farmhands tops in the PCL last week :

" ... Justin Germano wins Pitcher of the Week honors on the strength of his complete game shutout thrown on July 15th, while first baseman Tagg Bozied earns Batter of the Week after driving in nine runs in four games while batting for a .600 average ...  Bozied emerged from the All-Star Break and immediately started hitting, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI in an 8-0 Beavers win over the 51s on July 16th. The next day, Bozied ...  belted his 15th home run of the season while going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four driven in while raising his season batting average to .316. In Portland’s four game sweep of Las Vegas at PGE Park, Bozied scored four times, hit three doubles, collected a slugging percentage of 1.000 and an on-base percentage of .684." (PCL)

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 1-3, HR (11), RBI (33) … Aaron Hill TOR 0-2 … Dominic Rich TOR 0-4, BB … Val Majewski BAL 0-5 … Keith Reed BAL 2-4, HR (11), RBI (42) … Jeremy Guthrie CLE 7.0 9 6 5 0 3, 3.99 ERA … Ryan Doumit PIT 2-5, 2B (18), RBI (32) … Ian Snell PIT 6.2 6 3 3 4 6, 3.41 ERA … Michael Cervenak SF 4-4 … Carlos Valderrama SF 0-5 … Luis Maza MINN 1-4, 2B (19) … Kevin West MINN 2-4, HR (19), RBI (73) … J.D. Durbin MINN 6.0 5 1 1 2 2, W (3), 2.45 ERA … Ryan Howard PHI 0-4, 2 BB … Gavin Floyd PHI 5.1 5 2 2 3 8, 2.79 ERA

SOUTHERN --  Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 0-5 ... Chris Denorfia CIN OF 4-3, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, HR (3), .308 ... Skip Schumaker STL OF 2-5, R, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, .307 ... Rickie Weeks and Tony Gwynn MIL combine to go 0-8 ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 3-4, 2B ... Josh Barfield SD 2B 1-2, R, 2 RBI, BB, HR (14) ... Mike Thompson SD 5.0 5 1 1 3 0, W 6-0, 3.08 ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 3-4, 2B ... Jeff Fulchino FLA 8.0 6 0 0 0 7, W 3-3, 4.80 ... Brian Anderson CHA OF 0-4, R, 2 BB, K ... Richard Lewis CHN 2B 0-3, BB, .319

TEXAS --  Jairo Garcia OAK, 1st AA save, 2.0 1 0 0 0 4, 2.03 (12 walks, 25 Ks in 13 1/3 IP)  ... John Hudgins TEX, another good effort, 5.1 4 2 1 1 3 ...

CAROLINA --  Brian McCann ATL 1-4, RBI, BB … Donnie Murphy KC 0-4, 2 K … Mike Aviles KC 2-4, R, RBI … Shane Costa KC 2-4, double, K … Matt Wright ATL 5.1 11 6 6 1 7 (3.07) … Devon Lowery KC 5.2 7 2 2 3 3 (3.70) … Josh Fields CHA 1-3, R, BB, K … Ryan Sweeney CHA 2-3, 2 R … Casey Rogowski CHA 0-5, 4 K … Pedro Lopez CHA 1-4, RBI … Chaz Lytle PIT 3-4, 2 R, double, K … Brad Eldred PIT 0-4 … Rajai Davis PIT 1-4, K … Mark Saccomanno HOU 1-4, R … Josh Anderson HOU 2-5, R, double (6), 1st HR, 2 RBI, K … Kevin Howard CIN 1-3, 2 R, BB … Fernando Nieve HOU (L) 6 5 5 3 2 2 (8-5, 3.19)

FLORIDA STATE --  Delwyn Young (LA, 2B) 2-4 HR(15) … Andy Laroche (LA, 3B) 1-3 HR(4) … Francisco Liriano (MIN) 7.1 4 1 1 1 12 W(5-7, 3.75) … Doug Deeds (MIN, DH) 3-5 Triple 2R 3RBI … Frank Diaz (MON, RF) 2-4 Triple RBI

CALIFORNIA --  CF Fred Lewis SF 2-3, homer, 2 walks, 3 RBI ... Joe Saunders ANA 6.0 10 4 3 1 2 ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-5, 10th homer, 2 RBI

MIDWEST --  Adam Jones SEA 1-4, K (.254) ... Michael Moorhead SEA 8.0 7 0 0 0 6 (W, 5-7, 3.64) ... Micah Furtado TEX 0-3, 2 BB, CS (.301) ... Abel Gomez NYA 6.2 6 1 1 2 3 (W, 8-5, 3.39) ... Hector Made NYA 1-4, double, K ... Scott Tyler MIN 6.0 6 3 3 1 3 (3.26) ... Kody Kirkland DET 0-3, 2 K (.216) ... bad pitching, bad defense Stuart Pomeranz STL 2.2 7 8 4 2 2 (3.86) ... Daric Barton STL 0-5, 2 K (.320) ... Drew Macias SD 2-4 (.298) ... Brian Dopirak CHN 27th HR ... finally getting the hang of it? Chris Lubanski KC 2-2, double, 3 BB ... Kevin Jepsen ANA 4.2 6 1 0 3 4 (2.79)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Dustin Pedroia BOS, 4-4, run ... Brandon Moss BOS, 0-5 ... Mickey Hall BOS, 3-4, 2 doubles, homer (11), 3 RBI ... Jarrett Gardner BOS, 5.1 5 3 3 2 6 (W 9-5, 2.88) ... Jordan Czarnecki COL, 1-4, double, RBI ... Ian Stewart COL, 0-4, walk, 2 strikeouts ... Aaron Marsden COL, 6.0 11 5 5 1 3 ... Xavier Paul LA, 1-3, double, 2 walks ... Tony Abreu LA, 2-5, RBI, steal (11) ... Josh Burrus ATL, 2-4, double, triple, 2 RBI ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL, 2-3, double, 2 RBI ... Jason Columbus SF, 2-3, double, 3 RBI, 2 walks, steal (3) ... Travis Ishikawa SF, 1-4, run ... Nick Markakis BAL, 3-5, double, steal (10) ... big ouch Adam Loewen BAL, 3.2 8 8 8 3 2 (L 2-4, 5.27) ... Ervin Alcantara HOU, 1-4, steal (23) ... Ricardo Nanita CHW, 1-2, double, 2 walks ... Micah Schnurstein CHW, 0-3 ... Jon Benick PIT, 2-4, double, RBI ... Adam Boeve PIT, 2-4, RBI, 2 runs ... Jai Miller FLA, 2-3, homer (6), 3 RBI ... Cole Sefrig FLA, 2-4 ... Jamar Hill NYM, 3-5, homer (16), 2 RBI ... Ryan Harvey NYM, 3-5, double, RBI, 2 runs ... Shawn Bowman NYM, 2-4, homer (14), 3 RBI ... Caleb Stewart NYM, 1-2, homer (1), RBI ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 2-4 ... Caleb Brock CLE, 1-4, double, RBI ... Michael Bourn PHI, 2-6, 2 steals (39), 3 strikeouts ... Jake Blalock PHI, 1-5, run ... Jason Pridie TB, 2-3, homer (9), 2 RBI ... Delmon Young TB, 2-4, homer (13), RBI (gm 1), 2-4, double (gm 2) ... Wes Bankston TB, 2-4, RBI ... Josh Kranawetter TB, 6.0 2 1 1 1 3 (W 2-1, 2.35) ... Elliott Johnson TB, 1-4 (gm 1), 1-3, 2 steals (29) (gm 2) ... huge doubleheader Tommy Nichols TB, 3-4, homer (9), 2 RBI (gm 1), 2-3, 2 homers (11), 5 RBI (gm 2), just .240

NORTHWEST --  Thomas Diamond TEX 3.0 5 2 2 2 3 ... Javier Herrera CF OAK 2-3, walk, .374

TEX farmhand, the Hitter of the Week :

" ... Spokane C Michael Nickeas hit .409 (12-22) with 4 runs scored, 4 doubles, 2 homers, 7 RBI and an .864 slugging percentage."

PIONEER --  MIL 1B Grant Richardson 3-4, double & 3-5, double, .387 ... Sean Rodriguez ANA 1-3, double & 0-2, walk, .456 ... Josh Baker MIL 4.0 0 0 0 2 3 ... Brandon Szymanski CIN 2-4, double, homer, 2 RBI ...

ARIZONA --  Matthew Tuiasosopo SS SEA, went 2-4, 3rd homer, dropped his average to .481 ... Ben Diggins MIL, on the road back from surgery, 2.1 1 0 0 2 2 ... Hernan Iribarren 2B MIL 3-5, 5th double, 3rd homer, .478 ... Brewers' first-rounder Mark Rogers 2.1 4 2 1 0 5

    Troop movements ...  CHN -- activated shortstop Alex Gonzalez from the DL, designated shortstop Rey Ordonez for assignment ... CIN -- signed first-round pick Homer Bailey, placed third baseman Brandon Larson on the DL  ... MON -- recalled outfielder Ron Calloway from AAA ...  NYN -- acquired pitcher Mike DeJean from BAL for outfielder Karim Garcia, activated pitcher Scott Erickson from the DL,  placed pitcher Jose Parra on the DL ... MIN -- placed catcher Joe Mauer on the DL (knee), recalled Rob Bowen from Double-A ... MIL -- recalled RHP Ben Hendrickson from Triple-A, optioned infielder Matt Erickson to Triple-A ... CHA -- optioned Joe Borchard to AAA ... COL -- purchased the contract of RHP Travis Driskill from Triple-A ... TEX -- activated RHP R.A. Dickey from the DL, purchased the contract of outfielder Chad Allen from Triple-A,  designated infielder Manny Alexander and Jason Conti for assignment ... LA -- activated outfielder Juan Encarnacion from the DL ... SD -- acquired infielder Rich Aurilia from the Mariners in exchange for a player to be named ...

    John Sickels, ESPN.com, on Michael Aubrey CLE :

" ... Aubrey started the year at Kinston in the Carolina League, hitting .339/.438/.550 through 60 games. He knocked 10 homers, while drawing 27 walks with just 26 strikeouts in 218 at-bats. All-around solid numbers. Promoted to Double-A two weeks ago, he's hitting .259 through 16 games with just a .345 SLG. However, he's maintained good plate discipline, with eight walks vs. seven strikeouts in 58 at-bats. His batting average and power production should increase as long as he maintains his control of the strike zone. Aubrey was one of my favorite players in the 2003 draft class. He's a classic line-drive hitter. While he may not develop 30-homer power, he should be good for 20 homers a season, with a high batting average and sound OBP. He should be ready some time next year."

    BAL with a twin-bill coming up might try out their Maine man :

" ... Two intriguing starting candidates are Bruce Chen and John Maine, both of whom are pitching well for Triple-A Ottawa. Chen, who is with his sixth organization, is 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 15 games, and 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA in his past five starts. He has 70 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 61 2/3 innings. Maine, meanwhile, has responded after a slow start. The team's 2003 Minor League Pitcher of the Year is 4-5 with a 4.26 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 76 innings. He has a 3.22 ERA in his past eight starts with 51 strikeouts." (MLB. com)

    Mark Allen Haverty, The Sporting News, on Jose Lopez SEA :

" ... The Mariners' shortstop of the future even when they had Aurilia, the Mariners are very high on Lopez's defense, considering him the best defensive infielder in the system. His hitting is not that far behind his defense, as he currently is hitting .283 in Triple-A with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs. While he has just four stolen bases this year, he did have 18 last year in Double-A, so the speed is there. The Mariners probably will keep Lopez in Triple-A for the remainder of the regular Triple-A season, then call him up in September. He should be the opening day shortstop for the Mariners next season."

    ANA shortstop the Player of the Week in the Pioneer :

" ... Provo's Sean Rodriguez hit .533 (16-30) with 9 runs scored, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 1 homer, 13 RBI and an .867 slugging percentage.".

And, That 6-6 double for the ANA kids goes into the books :

" ... Rookie-level Provo's double-play combination, second baseman Ryan Leahy and shortstop Sean Rodriguez, made their way into the record books Friday night when they both went 6-for-6 in Provo's 23-6 win against Missoula. Research by the National Baseball Hall of Fame Library confirmed it to be the first time teammates each had six hits in a professional game since 1896. Leahy, a nondrafted free agent who signed as a fifth-year senior out of Boston College, had five runs scored and an RBI. Rodriguez, a third-round pick last year who began the season at low Class A Cedar Rapids, had six RBIs and four runs scored. He's hitting .473-3-21 in 74 at-bats with Provo after batting .250-4-17 in 196 at-bats for the Kernels." (Baseball America)

   Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News, with the bad news on the Rockies' top prospect :

" ... Right-handed pitcher Chin-hui Tsao, ranked the top prospect in the Colorado Rockies system, suffered another setback with Class AAA Colorado Springs on Sunday. Tsao complained of right shoulder soreness while he warmed up for a start at New Orleans. He was scratched from the start and will be in Denver today to be examined by the Rockies medical staff. There is concern about a possible labrum tear. Tsao, 23, who underwent reconstructive right elbow surgery in 2001, opened the season on the Sky Sox disabled list because of shoulder soreness. He did not make his first competitive appearance of the season until June 15 at low-level Class A Asheville, where he started twice before making two starts at Class AA Tulsa. He then joined the Sky Sox on July 5. He earned the win that night against Omaha, allowing two runs in six innings, but in his next start, July 10 against Oklahoma, he allowed six runs on 11 hits and a walk in four innings."

19 July 2004  

Carlos Hernandez, ready to help HOU ... Aaron Heilman rights the ship ... maybe now  Val Pascucci will get another shot ... Ryan Howard, 35th long one ... Jeff Baker, COL surprise ... PIT kids hot in the SAL ... Shawn Nottingham, smiles in SEA ... Ms may have landed another good one in Matthew Tuiasosopo ... Erick Aybar, a little attention ... Grady Sizemore, on the verge ... Jeff Francis, gives a pitching lesson in AAA debut ... BJ Upton, hits keep coming

    Game action ... INT --  B.J. Upton (TB, SS) 3-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, Sac, SB, 0 errors ... rehab, Greg Norton (DET, 3B) 0-4 ... Wilson Betemit (ATL, 3B) 1-5, 9th HR, R, RBI ... Terry Tiffee (MIN, 3B) 2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI ... rehab, Michael Ryan (MIN, CF) 1-5, 3rd HR, R, 2 RBI ... Russ Adams (TOR, SS) 2-4 ... Cam Reimers (TOR) 6.0 9 5 5 2 1 ... Jorge Padilla (PHI, RF) 2-3, RBI, BB ... Jhonny Peralta (CLE, SS) 2-4, 2B, SB ... Ryan Ludwick (CLE, DH) 2-4, 1st HR, 2 R, RBI ... the walk-machine rolls on, Kevin Youkilis (BOS, 3B) 0-3, R, 3 BB ... Jamie Brown (BOS) 5.2 6 2 2 1 2 ... Wilson Valdez (CHA, SS) 2-5, Sac ... Josh Stewart (CHA) 7.2 4 1 1 0 7 ... Pedro Liriano (MIL) 6.2 5 3 3 6 7 ... Craig Brazell (NYN, 1B) 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI ... Victor Diaz (NYN, DH) 2-5, 2B, 14th HR, 2R, RBI ... Prentice Redman (NYN, LF) 2-5, R, SB ... David Wright (NYN, 3B) 2-4, R, RBI, BB ... Aaron Heilman (NYN) 7.0 4 3 2 2 8

PCL --  SS Josh Wilson FLO 3-7, .273 ... Gerald Laird TEX, rehab, 1-3, walk, 2 RBI ... Brian Jordan TEX, rehab, 3-6, 2 RBI ...  huge game for Val Pascucci MON 3-4, 3 homers, walk, 3 runs, 3 RBI &c 0-3, 2 walks ... Luis Martinez STL 6.0 10 4 3 3 6, 0-3, 6.11 ... having a huge season, MON SS Maicer Izturis 4-5, double & 2-5, .363 ... Ryan Church MON 3-4, 2 doubles & 1-4, .349 ... Dallas McPherson ANA 10th homer, 2 RBI (25) & 1-4 ... Chris Burke HOU 3-5, triple ... wow, Carlos Hernandez HOU 7.0 0 0 0 1 10 ... Dennis Tankersley SD 7.0 8 4 4 0 5, 3.33 ... Kyle Nichols ARZ 3-5, homer, 2 RBI

EASTERN --  Justin Huber NYN 1-4, HR (10), RBI (32) … Matt Peterson NYN 3.0 3 1 1 1 3, 3.27 ERA … Aaron Hill TOR 1-4, RBI (47) … Dominic Rich TOR 2-3, 2B (19), HR (6), 4 RBI (48) … Val Majewski BAL 2-5, HR (13), 2 RBI (60), SB (11) … Keith Reed BAL 0-4 … Andy Brown CLE 4.0 6 3 3 2 5, 5.91 ERA … Bobby Bradley PIT 5.0 3 2 2 3 7, W (3), 3.04 ERA … Michael Cervenak SF 3-4, 2B (25), RBI (54) … Carlos Valderrama SF 2-5, RBI (22) … Luis Maza MINN 2-7, 2 RBI (43) … Kevin West MINN 2-6 … Michael Hinckley MON 3.0 2 0 0 1 6, 2.40 ERA … Ryan Howard PHI 1-3, HR (35), 2 RBI (94)

SOUTHERN --  Jason Stokes FLA 1B 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, HR (18) ... Willy Aybar LA 2B 3-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI ... James Loney LA 1B 0-5, K ... Brennan King LA 3B 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB ... Derek Thompson LA 6.0 7 1 1 1 5, 3.13, W 4-4 ... Brian Anderson CHA OF 2-3, RBI, BB ... Edwin Encarnacion CIN 3B 0-2, 2 BB, 2 K ... Andy Marte ATL 3B 0-3, 2 K ... Rickie Weeks MIL 2B 0-4, K ... Prince Fielder MIL 1B 1-3, R, 2 RBI, K, HR (15) ... Ryan Costello MIL 9.0 3 0 0 2 11, W 5-3, 4.34 

TEXAS --  Ryan Shealy COL 22nd homer ... Jeff Baker COL 3-5, double, .462 ... still hanging in, Ian Kinsler Tex 1-3, double, walk, .325 

CAROLINA --  Josh Fields CHA 2-5, 2 R, 2 K … Ryan Sweeney CHA 2-4, 2 R, double (16), RBI (45), BB, K … Casey Rogowski CHA 1-4, R, RBI (64), BB, 2 K … Pedro Lopez CHA 1-5, R, K … Kevin Howard CIN 2-5, R, double (21), 2 RBI (55) …

FLORIDA STATE --  Eric Duncan (NYA, 3B) 1-2 HR(2) 3BB 2R … Charlie Isaacson (NYA) 6 5 0 0 2 7 W(2-1, 3.78) … Corey Hamman (DET) 7 5 1 1 2 0 W(5-1, 3.03) … Charlie Zink (BOS) 5 8 4 4 2 2 L(0-2, 6.52) … Doug Deeds (MIN, RF) 2-3

CALIFORNIA --  Steven Shell ANA 6.0 3 2 2 1 7 ... Michael Napoli ANA 1-2, 3 walks ... Erick Aybar ANA 1-5, double ... Ben Kozlowski TEX 3.0 5 3 3 0 3 

MIDWEST --  Chris Lubanski KC 2-4, double, triple, K (.253) ... Brandon Wood ANA 1-4, K ... Abel Moreno ANA 7.0 2 0 0 0 6 (W, 7-6, 3.87) ... Hector Made NYA 2-5, E ... a win, but not good Nick Blackburn MIN 6.0 5 6 6 3 0 (W, 6-4, 2.77) ... Miguel Montero ARZ 1-3, BB, K ... Ryan Feireiabend SEA 6.0 6 1 1 1 4 (3.48) ..Joey Votto CIN 3-4, double (.301) ... great pitching battle Anthony Boughner CIN 6.0 6 2 1 1 4 (1-1, 0.75) falls to Jose Garcia TEX 6.0 3 0 0 1 7 (1-0, 0.00) ... Drew Macias SD 3-4, 12th SB ... ah, youth: 3 walks yesterday, 3 whiffs today Daric Barton STL 0-4, 3 K ... Brian Dopirak CHN 0-4, 2 K (.309) ... Ronald Bay CHN 7.0 6 1 1 0 5 (W, 7-6, 2.91) ... a sombrero for the new guy Dan Putnam OAK 0-5, 4 K ... Chris Dunwell OAK 7.0 3 0 0 1 7 (3.47)

SOUTH ATLANTIC --  Michael Bourn PHI, 1-3, homer (2), RBI ... Travis Ishikawa SF, 2-4, RBI, run ... Jason Columbus SF, 2-4, homer (8), 2 RBI ... Jereme Milons LA, 2-4, double ... Matt Esquivel ATL, 1-4, double ... Chuck James ATL, 3.1 4 1 1 1 4 ... Nyjer Morgan PIT, 3-5, run ... Jon Benick PIT, 3-3, homer (21), 2 RBI ... Adam Boeve PIT, 2-5, homer (23), double, 3 RBI ... Javier Guzman PIT, 2-5, double, 2 RBI ... Josh Shortslef PIT, 8.0 9 0 0 0 8 (W 8-4, 3.38) ... Eric Arnold TOR, 3-4, homer (2), RBI ... Daniel Core TOR, 5.0 9 7 4 2 3 (L 6-6, 3.67) ... Nick Markakis BAL, 1-4, double, 2 RBI, 2 steals (9) ... Cory Harris BAL, 1-3, 3 RBI ... Fredy Deza BAL, 5.0 5 3 2 0 3 (W 7-8, 3.23) ... Ryan Goleski CLE, 2-5, triple, RBI ... Brad Snyder CLE, 1-5 ... Jai Miller FLA, 2-4, double, RBI ... Ryan Harvey NYM, 1-3, RBI ... Shawn Bowman NYM, 2-4, double ... Antonin Gray CHW, 2-5, double, run ... Ricardo Nanita CHW, 2-5 ... Leo Daigle CHW, 3-5, homer (10), 2 RBI ... Micah Schnurstein CHW, 3-5, double ... Mitch Talbot HOU, 5.0 7 2 2 2 2 ... Brandon Moss BOS 2-4, 2 doubles, 5 RBI & 2-3, .366 ... COL CF Jordan Czarniecki 3-3, double, 10th homer, 3 RBI & 0-2, .321 

NORTHWEST --  yikes, ERA zoomed to .143, Shawn Nottingham SEA 7.0 6 2 2 0 12 ... SEA 2B Yung-Chi Chen 2-5, homer, 2 RBI, .330 ... ouch, Luke Hagerty CHN moved up a notch in his rehab and clobbered, 0.1 3 6 6 3 0 ... Ryan Harvey CHN 1-3, 6th homer, .286 ... CF Javier Herrera OAK 4-5, triple, 2 RBI, .365

PIONEER -- 1B Mike Davies COL 4-5, 2 doubles, 5th homer, 3 RBI, .400 ... Brandon Szymanski CIN 3-6, double, .314 ... Philip Gentry CIN 4-6, double, triple...  KC 3B Billy Butler 1-2, double, 2 walks, .317

ARIZONA --  Matthew Tuiasosopo SS SEA 2-4, 2 doubles, 4 runs, .478 ... Eric Hurley TEX 3.0 6 3 3 0 3, 2.92

    Troop movements ... BAL -- activated third baseman Melvin Mora from the DL, optioned infielder Jose Leon to AAA ...  CHA -- acquired outfielder Carl Everett from MON for pitchers Jon Rauch, Gary Majewski ... CIN --  designated pitcher Jesus Sanchez for assignment; purchased the contract of outfielder Jason Romano from AAA ...  optioned LHP Javier Lopez to Triple-A Colorado Springs ...   

    Erick Aybar ANA, beginning to garner some attention.  Greg Ball, North County Times :

" ...  Rancho Cucamonga manager Bobby Meacham calls him the best player in the California League and Baseball America ranks him as the No. 8 prospect in the Angels organization, but none of that seems to matter to Quakes shortstop Erick Aybar. "The thing that's been most eye-opening about him is that he doesn't care about (the attention)," Meacham said. "He knows that doesn't get you to the big leagues ---- performance does, and learning and getting better at the game." If that's the case, Aybar might not be too far away from Anaheim. The 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic is in the midst of the best season in three years as a pro, and he is quickly increasing his value in the eyes of the Angels' front office. After hitting .315 with 86 RBIs and 47 steals in his first two seasons, he entered the weekend with a league-leading .352 batting average, 39 RBIs and a league-best 38 steals. He has also impressed with his defense enough to be named as a starter to the league's All-Star team. "I feel really good physically and mentally this year," Aybar said through an interpreter. "I take pride in all parts of my game. I like how I'm playing in all parts of the game." Meacham said Aybar's athleticism has carried him far, and said he's improved quickly because he learns well and understands the game. "When he goes out to play the game and things get a little complicated, he can handle it," Meacham said. "He still makes a lot of mistakes, but he's not afraid to --- he reaches out there a bit further than someone else would." Aybar is projected by Baseball America as the Angels' starting shortstop in three years and is ranked as the organization's best minor-league infielder ... One thing Aybar will need to improve upon is his approach on the basepaths. His 38 steals entering the weekend had been accompanied by 28 unsuccessful attempts. Aybar said he's working hard to read pitchers and run on good counts. Meacham agreed, but said he still could get better. "He can't stand to stay there," he laughed. "He's impatient. He wants to go, but at some point, he's got to learn that in certain situations, you're not going to make it."  (North County Times)

    Grady Sizemore CLE concentrating on Triple-A not MLB :

" ...  "This game is hard enough to play without worrying about what's in front of you," Sizemore said by phone from Buffalo, N.Y. "I don't think about that stuff unless somebody brings it up, and even then, it doesn't affect me." The top prospect on the Indians' farm, Sizemore has heeded the advice of Bisons manager Marty Brown, who told him in April to mentally prepare for a full season at Class AAA. "It helps keep your focus on the right things," Sizemore said. ...  While staying grounded in Buffalo, Sizemore had done everything in his power to be promoted. He entered Saturday batting .301 with seven home runs and 49 runs batted in. Through Thursday, he ranked second in the International League in hits (113) and runs (68) and tied for first in triples (eight). Most encouraging is Sizemore's improvement since his debut season at AAA began. After batting .273 in April and .259 in May, he hit .344 in June and is at .339 this month. "I go into every season thinking it's going to be a struggle because this game cannot be mastered," he said. "Even if you hit .340, you haven't mastered it. That helps me deal with the tough times. What was important for me early on was I didn't feel overmatched." Sizemore lost at least 15 pounds near the end of spring training because of a flu strain. Regaining strength occurred at the same time as figuring out AAA pitchers. "Pitchers at this level don't give in," he said. ... Bisons hitting instructor Carlos Garcia has worked with Sizemore on closing his stance and being better prepared for off-speed pitches when behind in the count. Since his pro career began in 2000, the biggest knock on Sizemore has been his throwing. Reports are he is improving in accuracy and strength thanks to a structured throwing program." (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

    More on Jeff Francis' superb AAA debut :

" ...  Francis allowed one hit and struck out 12 in seven innings in his first Class AAA start ...  Phil Hiatt hit a blooper off the end of the bat into short right field between three fielders with one out in the fifth for the only hit off Francis (1-0). "I didn't even realize at the time that that was the first hit," Francis said. "That ball just found a hole, and balls find holes all the time." Francis was born in Vancouver, B.C., and plans to pitch for the Canadian Olympic team. "I'm probably the only guy to come out of Canada who never played hockey," he said. If Francis, who was 13-1 with a 1.98 ERA and 147 strikeouts in 1132/3 innings at Class AA Tulsa, was nervous, he did a good job of hiding it. He struck out two batters in the first inning. "I just kind of came out and tried to go right after guys," Francis said. "I tried not to be intimidated and not be too nervous that it was my first Triple-A start. I just tried to keep them off balance, tried to keep them guessing about what was coming next." The hardest ball hit off Francis came on his last pitch, a line drive by Jason Alfaro that shortstop Clint Barmes caught. Colorado Springs manager Marv Foley said it was the first time he had seen Francis pitch. "His record obviously speaks for itself," Foley said. "I'm very impressed. He threw strikes. He threw a lot of balls out of the strike zone that they swung at, which is very Greg Maddux-like. The ball appeared to be in the strike zone, then it vanished, and they didn't get a lot of good swings at it." Sky Sox pitching coach Bob McClure said Francis topped at 91 miles per hour with his fastball, and he averaged 88. "He kept the ball down, and used his fastball on both sides of the plate," McClure said. "He showed a nice changeup. I think he's a little deceptive in his delivery. He elevated a couple of times on purpose, but basically he kept the ball down all night." Z's manager Chris Maloney said Francis put on a clinic. "You look at everything in the Spaulding Guide to pitching a baseball, and he was it tonight," Maloney said. "His fastball had some movement, he was moving he ball around. He was throwing strikes. That's the name of the game."  (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

    A couple of Ranger notes from Jamey Newberg's Texas Minor League Report :

" ... The injury that Oklahoma first baseman Adrian Gonzalez suffered a week ago in a baseline collision was to his rib cage. Back on the field, he's hitting .361 this month, after a .360 June (with 31 RBI) that followed a .152 April with the RedHawks and a .301 May."

" ... Frisco righthander Kameron Loe hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last eight starts. Over that stretch, he's 6-1, 1.88. Loe is now 7-6, 3.32 for the season, fourth in the Texas League in ERA and in strikeouts (84 in 97.2 innings of work). "

    Correspondents -- INTERNATIONAL (Herb Walters), EASTERN  (Ralph Marston), SOUTHERN (Ken Savage), TEXAS (Aman Reaka), FLORIDA STATE (Wayne Stevens), CAROLINA (Troy Salvior), MIDWEST (Bob Reed), SOUTH ATLANTIC (Brad Dowdy), NEW YORK-PENN (Chris Carlson), APPALACHIAN (Scott Howes)

    
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2003 -- Jan    Feb   Mar-Apr  May-June   July   Aug   Sept   Oct   Nov  Dec 01-07  Dec 08-14  Dec 15-21   Dec 22-28

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  
Feb 23-29  Mar 01-07  March 08-14  March 15-21  March 22-28   Mar 29-Apr 04   Apr 05-11  Apr 12-18   Apr 19-25  Apr 26-May 02   May 03-09   May 10-16   May 17-23   May 24-30   May 31-June 6   June 7-13   June 14-20  
June 21-27   June 28-July 4   July 5-11  July 12-18   July 19-25  July 26-Aug 1

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)