Rookies 2005
                                                                                                                           Pitching Line = IP H R ER BB SO
 

04 September 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Carlos Ruiz C PHI 2-5, R ... Shawn Marcum TOR 7 6 5 5 1 6 4.95 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 1-4, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 errors (53) ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-6, 6th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Dewon Brazelton TB 5-2/3 7 1 1 4 6, 3.72 ... Marcus Thames LF DET 4-5, 2B, 22nd HR, R, RBI, SB ... Joel Zumaya DET 4 3 1 1 1 9, 2.66 ... Jason Cooper LF CLE 2-4, 2B, 2 R ... Fausto Carmona CLE 7 9 3 3 1 2, 3.25 ... Abe Alvarez BOS 5-1/3 10 5 5 1 3, 4.85 ... Chien-Ming Wang NYA 5 11 3 3 0 2, 4.24 ... J.D. Durbin MIN 7 2 1 1 1 7, 4.33

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  wouldn't it be something if he managed to be reunited with Jason Isringhausen (remember "Generation K"), Bill Pulsipher STL 8 10 4 3 0 15, 4.49 ... Josh Karp WAS, the relief experiment is over, 5-2/3 6 2 1 0 2, 5.75 ...  Dennis Tankersley KC, another OK effort, 6 6 2 2 3 2, 4.24 ... Jesse Foppert SEA 4 3 1 1 3 5, 4.03 ... Andre Ethier OAK, getting a taste of AAA, 2-4, double, walk ... Shawn Estes ARZ, rehab, 6 3 1 1 4 6 ... Josh Barfield SD 1-4, 20th SB, .311 ... Rafael Soriano SEA, ready to resume his MLB career, 1 0 0 0 0 2 (1.10 ERA in 16 1/3 rehab innings, 3 walks, 24 Ks) ... Brandon Wood ANA 99th extra base hit, 1-5, 52nd double ... Jeff Mathis ANA 1-4, 20th homer, 2 walks, .277

EASTERN (AA)  --  Tom Gorzelanny PIT 5 2 0 0 3 6, 3.26 ... Nick Markakis BAL 2-3, walk, .351 ... Matt DeSalvo NYA 7 2 1 1 4 9, 3.02 ... David Purcey TOR 7 6 1 0 2 7, 2.93 ... catcher Curtis Thigpen TOR 3-4, double, .267 ... Matt Moses MIN 2-5, double, error, .215 ... Denard Span MIN CF & leadoff, 4-5, SB, CS, picked off first, .290 ... one more highly-touted arm find the going tough in the late stages of the season,  Anibal Sanchez BOS 4 10 7 6 2 5, 3.45

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Stephen Drew ARZ 2-4, walk, .232 ... Chris Carter 1B ARZ homer (31st overall), 2 RBI (114 overall) ... Ricky Nolasco CHN, finishing strong, 6 3 0 0 4 5, 14-3, 2.89 ... Joel Guzman LA, still on the shelf, shoulder injury ...  Justin Ruggiano LA 3-6, double, .336

TEXAS (AA)  --  Randy Leek STL 7 5 1 1 0 3, 3.83 ... Jered Weaver ANA 6 5 2 1 1 9, 3.98 ... Joaquin Arias TEX 2-4, 3 RBI, .311 ... Kevin Melillo 2B OAK homer, .278 ... Daric Barton OAK 2-5, homer (13th overall), .314

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Travis Metcalf 3B TEX 3-6, 32nd double, 2 homers (22), 5 RBI (94) ... Andrew Sonnanstine TB 7 5 2 2 2 6, 14-5, 2.99 ... Francisco Leandro CF TB 2-5, 44th double, 11th homer, .333 ... Joe Gaetti CF COL 2-5, triple, .322 ... Troy Tulowitzki SS COL, back in the lineup, 1-5, .256 ... Thomas Mendoza ANA (after 1.55 ERA in 13 games in the Arizona League) now up to 10 scoreless frames in the CAL, 7 4 0 0 0 9 ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-5, walk, .301

CAROLINA (A+) --  Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 3-4, 3 doubles (35), .318 ... pretty well a lost season for Michael Hinckley WAS 7-2/3 6 4 4 4 5, 4.93 ... Ray Liotta CHA 7 7 5 3 3 6, 14-5, 2.02 ... Hunter Pence HOU 2-4, 30th homer, 3 RBI, .321

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Sean Gallagher CHN 5.0 6 1 1 0 7, 2.68 ... Ricardo Romero TOR, 1st pro win, 5.0 7 2 2 1 5, 3.82 ... Chuck Tiffany LA, uncharacteristically wild in five no-hit innings, 5.0 0 0 0 7 9, 3.93  (on the season, 43 walks, 134 Ks in 110 innings) ... Gaby Hernandez NYN 3.0 3 0 0 0 2, 3.47 ... Matt Kemp LA 27th homer, .305 ... Anthony Swarzak MIN 7 4 2 2 0 11, 3.89

MIDWEST (A) --  Cliff Pennington SS OAK 2-5, 24th SB, .280 ... Travis Buck OF OAK 2-3, double, 2 walks, .357 ... Sean Rodriguez SS ANA 2-3, 28th double, 14th homer, walk, .250 ... Homer Bailey CIN 3-2/3 4 3 3 4 5, 4.43 ... Kevin Slowey MIN 6-2/3 5 1 1 2 7, 2.24 ... rough introduction to pro ball, Trevor Plouffe SS MIN 0-3, 2Ks, .223, 35th error ...  Jeff Clement SEA, from big initial success to the golden sombrero, 0-4, 4 Ks, .333

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Chris Nelson COL 2-5, double, run, .244 ... Marcos Vechionacci NYA 3-5, 2 triples, RBI, 2 runs ... wow. Scott Elbert LA 5 4 1 1 2 10, 2.66 (128 Ks in 115 innings)  ... Chris Getz CHA 3-5, double, homer, 3 RBI, 2 runs ... Ronnie Martinez HOU 7 5 2 0 1 5, (W, 13-3), 3.67 ... Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-5, triple, 2 runs

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 1-5, R ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 2-5 ... Gaby Sanchez 1B FLA 2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI, CS ... Jesus Gonzalez SS TOR 3-4, 2R ... Orlando Trias TOR 5 4 1 1 1 7 ... Kyle Denney CLE (rehab) 1 2 2 2 1 2 ... Andrew McCutchen CF PIT 2-3, R, 2B, 3RBI, BB ... Jeff Landing NYM 5 6 1 1 1 7 ... Jeff Larish 1B DET 1-4, K ... Pete Sellers DH HOU 1-2, R, 2B, 2BB ... Guillermo Villalona NYY 5 5 2 2 1 5

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  looks like the Cubs kept the wrong guy (Andy  Sisco and Justin Jones doing fine) , Luke Hagerty  0 1 3 2 1 0, 31.05 (14 hits allowed, 30 walks, 4 Ks in 6 2/3s) ... Tanner McElroy TEX 5-2/3 2 0 0 1 10, 2.53 (55 Ks in 42 2/3s) ... Mike Mooney SF 3-4, triple, .339

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Francisco Hernandez catcher CHA 3-4, 2 doubles, walk, .347 ...  this is getting goulish, Jason Neighborgall ARZ, 1/3 1 4 4 3 0, 12.36 (43 walks in 19 2/3s innings) ... 3B Rusty Ryal ARZ 3-5, double, .336 ... Corey Wimberly 3B COL 3-5, 29th SB, .372  ... KC SS Chris McConnell 1-4, homer, .328

  Troop Movements ...  HOU - activated Brandon Backe from DL, Scott Strickland, Brandon Duckworth up, Todd Self designated for assignment ... TB - activated Seth McClung ...  ATL - Anthony Lerew up ... ARZ - Dustin Nippert up ... FLO - Jim Mecir activated from DL ... SEA - activated Scott Atchison from DL ...

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld, with updates on the callups :

" ... Juan Cruz ...sent his stock climbing once again by going 5-1 with a 2.40 ERA, 51 H and 90/28 K/BB in 75 IP as a starter for Triple-A Sacramento. That’s the good news. The A’s say he’s not a candidate to make any spot starts this month ... still has a great deal of talent and he might put it all together one of these years. He’ll be a sleeper next spring."

" ... Andy Marte ... Braves are going to have to figure out some way to work him into next year’s lineup. As is, he has two players ahead of him at the only position he’s currently capable of playing. Marte, 21, hit .275/.372/.506 in 389 AB for Triple-A Richmond."

" ... Hayden Penn ... belief is that he’s throwing better now than he was when the Orioles first called on him. Still, he’s probably not ready to be a quality starting pitcher in the majors. Penn went 7-6 with a 3.83 ERA, 101 H and 120/37 K/BB in 110 1/3 IP for Double-A Bowie. A half season in Triple-A next year would likely do him a lot of good."

    Justin Verlander ... Cautious is the watchword in DET.

" ... Trammell said the Tigers will "continue to take it slowly" with Justin Verlander this month - which is an indication that after recovering from a bout of dead-arm, he probably won't pitch again at the major-league level this season. "It's not 100 percent no," Trammell said, "but it's not looking like we'll bring him up. At this point, the (Florida) Instructional League is more likely -- so he doesn't do anything to try to impress here."  (Detroit News)

    Finally, a hint of information on Jason Kubel MIN :

" ... Kubel (left knee) is scheduled to be evaluated Sept. 19, when he is expected to be cleared to play in Instructional League games. Kubel, who has been out all season, recently has been running without a brace at 75 percent his normal speed."  (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

    Howie Kendrick ANA ... adding to his laurels ... best in the Texas League in August :

" ...  Kendrick had a hit in 25 of 28 games during the month and batted .377 ...with 5 home runs, 32 RBI, 17 runs scored, 13 doubles and 7 steals ... Kendrick, 22, is currently in his fourth professional season after the Angels drafted him in the 10th round of the 2002 draft out of St. John's Community College. In 44 games with the Travs, Kendrick is hitting .343 avg. with 7 home runs, 42 RBI, 19 doubles and 32 runs scored. His combined Class A & AA batting average of .367 ranks second amongst all minor league players."  (Arkansas Travelers)

   Triple-A proving to be quite a challenge for Mets' prospect.

" ... Yusmeiro Petit looked like a world beater through three innings Friday night ... In the fourth, he looked like a young pitcher still struggling ... After throwing three hitless innings to open the game, Petit gave up six hits and seven runs in the fourth inning, the most damaging blows being a grand slam ... and a two-run homer ...  A 20-year-old righthander who came up two weeks ago from Double-A, Petit has lost all three of his starts with the Tides. But more importantly, he may have lost his swagger. “He still has great stuff and can go through a lineup like he did in the first three innings,” said Tides catcher Joe Hietpas, who was with Petit in Double-A much of this season. “Confidence goes a long way in this game and he got tentative.” He also seemed to get frustrated, according to Tides manager Ken Oberkfell ... Petit, who had showered and dressed by game’s end and departed immediately after the final out, was 9-3 in 21 starts for Double-A Binghamton with a 2.91 ERA. He also struck out 130 while walking 18 in 117 2/3 innings and allowing 90 hits in Double-A. That magic hasn’t followed him to this level. In 14 2/3 innings, he has 14 strikeouts, six walks, has allowed 24 hits and has a 9.20 ERA."  (Virginian-Pilot)

   Cleveland's top 2005 draft pick moves up ... again and D-Rays starter promoted.

" ... Trevor Crowe has had a whirlwind orientation to the Indians' farm system since being drafted 14th overall ...  made stops at short-season Mahoning Valley and low Class-A Lake County. Friday, Crowe skipped high Class-A Kinston and made his Double-A debut ...  Crowe said. ``And while the talent levels are increasing, I just keep trying to do the things I can control -- like being prepared and continuing to work on my swing.''  ... In 12 games at Mahoning Valley, Crowe batted .255 (13-for-51). At Lake County, he hit .258 (46-for-178) in 44 games.''   (Akron Beacon Journal)

" ... Jamie Shields has been promoted to Class AAA Durham (International League). Shields, the reigning Southern League Pitcher of the Week, has a four game winning streak and has tossed at least seven innings in seven of his last eight starts. For the season, Shields is 7-5 with a 2.80 ERA (109.1 IP, 95 H, 36 R, 34 ER, 31 BB, 104 SO). He currently ranks fourth in the league in ERA."

   Ryan Garko CLE ... among the prospects rewarded with MLB callups.

" ...  Garko, 24, has spent the entire 2005 season with Buffalo, where he hit .303 with 25 doubles, three triples, 19 homers and 77 RBIs in 127 games and was named team co-MVP ... average ranked 11th in the International League, while his .384 on-base percentage ranked fifth ...  drafted in the third round in 2003 out of Stanford University, where he won the Johnny Bench Award that year as the nation's top collegiate catcher. Questions about his defense have followed him since he was drafted, but Garko said the time he spent in major league camp to start spring training this season provided answers in his mind, at least. "I feel confident now that I can catch at the big league level," .... named the Indians Minor League Player of the Year in 2004 after hitting .330 with 22 homers and 99 RBIs at three minor league levels." (Kinston Free Press)

03 September 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Justin Germano CIN 5 7 5 4 3 7, 3.79 ... T.J. Pena SS ATL 2-3, 2 R, BB, SB ... Josh Burrus LF ATL 2-4, 2B, R, BB ... Adam Bernero ATL 6 7 4 4 0 5, 3.40 ... Carlos Ruiz C PHI 2-4, 2B ... John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 2-5, RBI ... Zach Jackson TOR 5-1/3 10 8 5 4 3, 5.13 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 0-5, 0 errors ... Delmon Young RF TB 2-5, R ... Jason Hammel TB 6 3 2 2 4 1, 4.12 ... Jeremy Sowers CLE 5-2/3 7 1 1 1 4, 1.59 ... Dustin Pedroia 2B BOS 2-4, RBI ... Yusmeiro Petit NYN 4 6 7 7 2 5, 9.20 ... Felix Diaz CHA 6 11 5 4 2 8, 5.00 ... Dave Gassner MIN 5 9 3 3 1 9, 4.95

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Anthony Reyes STL, the good one, 6 3 0 0 3 8, 3.64 ... Kevin Frandsen 2B SF (12th rounder, 2004, 23 years old) 2-6, double, homer, walk, 4 RBI, .375 ... looks like he's ready, Kelvim Escobar ANA 6 6 1 1 1 8 ... Delwyn Young 2B LA 3-4, double, .345 ... Nick Gorneault OF ANA 2-3, 26th homer, 2 walks, 4 RBI (107), .291 ... Jeff Mathis ANA 3-4, 26th double, 2 homers (19), .278 ... Brandon Wood ANA, trying a little too hard?, 0-5, 3 Ks in his AAA debut ... Bobby Livingston SEA, likely career high in Ks, 7 3 1 1 3 14, 4.70 ... Shin-Soo Choo SEA 4-4, triple, .285 ... TJ Bohn CF SEA 3-3, .329 ... Josh Barfield SD 2-5, 15th homer, .312

EASTERN (AA)  --  Nick Markakis BAL 1-3, walk, .342 ... Eric Duncan NYA, maybe he should have stayed on the DL, 1-4, 3 Ks, .234 ... Jon Lester BOS 6 2 0 0 1 5, 11-6, 2.61 ... Chris Roberson PHI 2-5, 24th double, .309

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Elijah Dukes OF TB 2-3, double, .286 ... Eric Patterson CHN 1-4, walk, SB, .217 ... Greg Miller LA 1 3 0 0 0 0 (over three levels, 33 2/3s, 21 hits, 25 walks, 40 Ks, 1.34) ... James Loney LA 2-4, double, triple, .282

TEXAS (AA)  --  Brian Stavisky OF OAK 4-4, .313 ... Brandon Backe HOU, rehab, 5 2 0 0 0 7, 2.25 ... Jeff Bagwell HOU 0-2, walk ... Adam Jones SEA 1-5, homer, .295 ... Joseph Koshansky COL, golden sombrero, 0-4, 4 Ks ...  Billy Butler KC homer (30th overall), .324 ... Josh Pressley KC, late bloomer - 4th rounder, 1998,  3-5, 25th double, 22nd homer, .314 ... Howie Kendrick ANA, homer (19th overall), .343

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  not among his better efforts, but a "W",  AJ Shappi ARZ  6 11 6 5 2 4, 16-7, 3.82 ... KC OF Alan Moye, a productive season, 4-4, 24th homer, .295 ... Chris Lubanski KC 2-4, 38th double, .300 ... Jeff Cook ARZ 2-6, 42nd double, 19th homer, .317 ... Ian Stewart COL 2-4, 16th homer, .274 ... Seth Smith COL OF 4-5, 44th double, .301 ... Joe Gaetti CF COL 2-4, 28th double, 19th homer, .321

CAROLINA (A+) --  Neil Walker PIT 1-5, double, 2 RBI ... Robert Valido SS CHA 2-4, double, .289 ... Adam Miller CLE 6 11 5 5 1 3 (a struggle coming back from injury, 4.86 ERA in 70 1/3 innings, 93 hits allowed, 21 walks, 51 Ks)

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Recently promoted 2005 2nd round supplemental pick Drew Thompson 2B MIN 2-4 2B R RBI, .429 … Justin Jones MIN 7 5 1 1 1 4 (W, 7-3) 3.01 … Justin Christian 2B NYA 4-4 HR(11) 3R SB(54), .306 … Tyler Clippard NYA 2 0 0 0 0 3 – No word yet on why the quick hook … Kody Kirkland 3B DET 2-3 3B 3R RBI, .271 … Danilo Sanchez C DET 3-5 2HR(22) 3R 7RBI, .283 … Jordan Tata DET 4 12 8 8 1 2 ND, 2.79 … Working back from 2004 Tommy John surgery, Mike Megrew LA 1 2/3 6 6 6 1 1 … Dante Brinkley LF NYN 3-5 HR(15) 3B 3R 2RBI, .320 … Taylor Tankersley FLO 6 5 3 3 5 4 ND, 4.70

MIDWEST (A) --  Tonys Gutierrez CIN 3-5, homer, .327 ... Ryan Harvey CHN 0-3, 2 Ks, .255 ... ARZ 1B Cesar Nicolas 4-4, 3 doubles (30), .303 ... Kyle Waldrop MIN 5-1/3 7 1 1 1 4, 4.98 ... David Winfree MIN 3-5, .295 ... Jeff Clement SEA 2-5, double, .347 ... Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 0-4, .278

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Brian Horwitz OF SF 4-4, double & 3-4, 38th double, .348 ... Marcus Sanders SS SF 2-4, 57th SB & 2-3, 28th error, .300 ... Matt Miller COL 30th homer, .331 ... John Otness BOS catcher 3-5, 24th double, 11th homer, .333

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 1-3, BB ... Zack Farkes 3B BOS 2-4, HR, 2RBI ... Ryan Phillips BOS (a rare poor outing) 2.2 5 5 5 4 2 ... Koby Clemens DH HOU (maybe turning pro wasn't such a bad idea after all) 2-4, R, 3B, RBI ... Matt Hollimon SS DET (a rare boxscore) 0-2, 4R, 3BB ... Andrew McCutchen CF PIT 0-5, 2K ... Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 2-5, K ... Gaby Sanchez DH FLA 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB ... Aaron Thompson FLA 4.2 9 4 0 1 2 ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 2-4, HR, 4RBI, K ... Jensin Lewis CLE 4 5 1 1 2 7 ... Bobby Parnell NYM 6.2 3 0 0 2 4 ... Jason Stephens NYY 6 5 0 0 2 5

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Mark Pawelek CHN, up from the Arizona League, 3 6 1 0 1 4 ... Taylor Teagarden TEX 2-4, 2 triples, .306 ... K.C. Herren OF TEX, a disappointing season but a nice day, 4-5, 2 doubles, homer, .276 ... Geoff Vandel SD, also up from the ASL (0.47 in 19 innings, 29 Ks) 5 3 0 0 0 6 ... Ben Nieto SF 5-2/3 5 1 1 2 6, 0.87

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Twins affiliate over Braves in the final.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Flint Wipke ANA, 38th rounder 2005, 2-4, 2 homers, 6 RBI, .288 ... 3B Dallas Morris ANA 2-7, triple, .320 ... SS Ryan Crew MIL 3-6, 19th double, .333 ... Chaz Roe COL, pretty good season up to Friday, 1/3 3 7 6 3 1 ... KC SS Chris McConnell 1-3, homer, .329 ... Corey Wimberly SS COL 3-6, .368

  Troop Movements ...  WAS - Rich Short, Kenny Kelly, Brandon Watson up ... NYA - Jorge DePaula up ... SF - Scott Munter activated from DL, Justin Knoedler up ... ARZ - Oscar Villarreal activated, Brian Bruney, Koyie Hill & Andy Green up ... ANA - Zach Sorensen up, released Tim Bittner ... LA - Mike Rose & Hong-Chih Kuo up ... PHI - Gavin Floyd up ... NYN - Doug Mientkiewicz activated from DL ...  BAL - activated Jason Grimsley & Geronimo Gil from DL ... SD - activated Ramon Hernandez ... CHN - Rich Hill up ... BOS - Lenny DiNardo up ... COL - Brad Hawpe & Clint Barmes activated from DL ... FLO - activated Josh Willingham from DL, Robert Andino up,  released Chad Bentz ... CLE - activated Arthur Rhodes, Andrew Brown, Jason Dubois, Ryan Garko & Jeremy Guthrie up, Jeremy Sowers promoted to AAA ... STL - Tyler Johnson up ... MIN - Francisco Liriano, Jason Tyner up, Juan Castro activated from DL ...

    The best of the Carolina League announced :

" ... Leo Daigle, Winston-Salem's slugging first baseman, was named Carolina League Most Valuable Player, and Frederick right hander James Johnson took Pitcher of the Year honors ... Going into the league's final weekend, the right handed hitting Daigle was leading the league in batting at .339 and RBI with 106. He was a close second in home runs with 27, despite spending five weeks with Triple A Charlotte. Johnson notched his 12th win this week to take over the league lead. He also leads in strikeouts with 167 in 158 2/3 innings and is tied for the lead in complete games with two." (Carolina League)

Catcher - Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL   Outfield - Frank Diaz WAS
First base - Leo Daigle CHA           Outfield -Thomas Collaro CHA
Second base - Nate Spears BAL         Outfield - Nick Markakis BAL
Third base - Kory Casto WAS           OF Utility - Noah Hall CHA
Shortstop - Robert Valido CHA         DH - Mario Delgado BAL
INF Utility - Pat Magness PIT         SP - James Johnson BAL
                                      RP - Ehren Wassermann CHA

    Southern League announces its top performers :

" ... MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Delmon Young ...  put up huge numbers in 84 games played in the Southern League, batting .336 with 20 home runs and 71 RBI. The 6-foot-3-inch 205-pound Young also showed some speed on the basepaths, swiping 25 bases ...  starting right fielder for the South Division All-Star Team in the 2005 Southern League All-Star Game ...MOST OUTSTANDING PITCHER Ricky Nolasco ... 13 wins this season set a new Diamond Jaxx record for most wins in a season ...  In 26 starts, Nolasco is 13-3 with a 3.01 ERA with 168 strikeouts and 42 walks. With 11 strikeouts in his final start Saturday night against Mobile at Pringles Park, the right-hander would tie the Diamond Jaxx single season record for most strikeouts with 179 ...The Cubs selected Nolasco in the fourth round of the 2001 draft."  (Southern League)

    Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL, breakout season ... and some low-level Braves' comers:

" ... Despite playing in one of the minor leagues' toughest ballparks for power hitters, Saltalamacchia went into the final weekend batting .315 with 32 doubles, 19 homers and 78 RBIs in 124 games. Thanks to 53 walks, he had a .392 on-base percentage and his slugging average was .520. "He's had a tremendous year," Braves assistant general manager Dayton Moore said. "He comes to play every day and he doesn't give up a single at-bat. He's really shown a lot of maturity." With McCann ahead of him, the Braves might eventually try the 6-foot-4 Saltalamacchia at another position in addition to catcher to take advantage of his potent bat. "As players get closer to the majors, we like to increase their versatility and see how they might fit in," Moore said. "For now, though, he's strictly a catcher, and we like his development there."

" ... Elvis Andrus, 17, shortstop Finished the season at Danville after hitting .295 despite being one of the youngest players in the Gulf Coast League ...  Eric Campbell, 20, third base Named co-player of the year in the Appalachian League, which he led with 26 doubles, 18 homers, 64 RBIs and 77 runs scored while batting .313 ...  Yunel Escobar, 22, shortstop The flashy Cuban defector, drafted in the second round, hit over .300 at Rome after batting .400 in eight games at Danville."  (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

   John Sickels on Jason Botts TEX :

" ...  .289/.379/.531, 25 homers ...patient and works the count, but he has some serious vulnerabilities ... Both Danny Tamayo and Kyle Snyder worked him with fastballs on the fists, which Botts either fouled off or didn't swing at. But once the fastball was established, they worked the outside corner with changeups or breaking balls, and Botts couldn't handle it ...  In any event, while I'm impressed with his strength and his ability to draw walks, he comes by his high strikeout rate honestly. Unless he does a better job against breaking stuff and off-speed pitches, he will have serious contact problems in the majors."

02 September 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Elizardo Ramirez CIN 6-1/3 6 3 3 3 4, 3.77 ... T.J. Pena SS ATL 2-3, 2 2B, R ... Scott Thorman 1B ATL 2-4, R, RBI ... John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 1-4, 29th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Francisco Rosario TOR 3-1/3 1 0 0 1 2, 3.86 ... Jamie Vermilyea TOR 2-2/3 3 2 1 3 1, 5.50 ... Fernando Cortez 2B TB 2-4, R, 2 RBI ... Chris Seddon TB 7 7 2 2 2 6, 5.46 ... Marcus Thames LF DET 1-3, R, 2 BB ... Zach Miner DET 7 4 1 1 6 3, 3.71 ... Jason Dubois RF CLE 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI ... rehab, Oliver Perez PIT 4-1/3 1 2 2 7 1, 9.90 ... Brian Anderson CF CHA 2-3, 16th HR, 2 R, RBI, SB ... Boof Bonser MIN 5 5 2 2 1 7, 3.99

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Bobby Brownlie CHN 6-2/3 7 4 4 3 9, 4.74 ... Jason Botts TEX 25th homer, .289 ... Joe Saunders ANA, a rough patch, 5-1/3 10 5 2 2 2, 4.58 ... Alberto Callaspo ANA 4-5, 3 doubles (19), .316 ... Nick Gorneault OF ANA 3-4, 2 homers (25), 4 RBI (103), .288 ... Kevin Frandsen 2B SF 3-5, double, .378 ... Delwyn Young LA 3-5, .333 ... TJ Bohn SEA OF 4-6, double, .299 ... Asdrubal Cabrera SEA SS, some late season AAA experience, 2-5, walk

EASTERN (AA)  --  Brett Harper NYN 1-4, homer (36th overall), .290 ... Josh Banks TOR 5-2/3 6 4 4 0 8, 3.83 ... Glen Perkins MIN 7 4 1 1 1 8, 4.90 ... Patrick Misch SF 7 4 0 0 1 6, 3.52

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Chad Billingsley LA 6-2/3 3 1 1 4 8, 13-6, 3.51 ... Justin Ruggiano OF LA, 25th rounder in 2004,  1-3, homer, .338 ... Stephen Drew ARZ 2-4, 4th homer ... 1B Chris Carter ARZ 2-4, homer (30th overall), .316 ... Renyel Pinto CHN 4 8 6 6 3 1, 2.78 ... Chris Young CHA, leadoff, 2-5, 40th double, 26th homer, .275 ... Eric Patterson CHN 1-6, double, .211

TEXAS (AA)  --  John Danks TEX, another stinker, 3-1/3 7 8 6 3 4, 4-10, 5.49 ... Jeff Bagwell HOU 2-4, walk ... sign of life from Mitch Maier KC 2-5, 2 homers (15 overall), 5 RBI, .256 ... Billy Butler KC 2-5, .330 ... catcher Mike Napoli ANA 1-4, 29th homer, .232 (but, .369 OBA) ... Kendry Morales ANA 2-4, 11th double, .302

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Brandon Wood ANA 43rd homer (98th extra base hit), 115th RBI, .321 ... Jay Garthwaite OF ARZ 4-5, 2 homers (18), .299 ... Chris Lubanski KC 28th homer, 114th RBI ... Ian Stewart COL 0-3, walk, 3 Ks, .272 ... Danny Putnam OF OAK 2-5, 2 doubles (36), .309 ... Kurt Suzuki OAK 2-5, 12th homer, .283 ... Steven Sharpe OAK, fronted a one-hitter, 5 0 0 0 2 7

CAROLINA (A+) --  Giovany Gonzalez CHA 7 4 1 1 2 6, 13-6, 2.82 ... Neil Walker PIT 3-6, triple, 3 RBI, 3 Ks ... Hunter Pence HOU 1-3, homer (29th overall) ... Ian Bladergroen 1B BOS 2-4, 2 homers

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Steve Moss CF MIL 2-3 2B 2R, .282 … Tim Dillard MIL 6 5 1 0 1 6 (W, 12-10) 2.48 … Jay Rainville MIN 4 6 4 4 0 5 (L, 12-5) 3.35 … Ben Himes RF CIN 1-4 HR(11) 2RBI, .303 … Brent Clevlen RF DET 2-3 R SB(14), .304 … Nate Bumstead DET 5 2 2 2 7 3 ND, 2.58 … Travis Denker 2B LA 2-4 R, .272 … Dante Brinkley LF NYN 2-4 R, .316 … Jamar Hill RF NYN 2-3, .251 … Adam Lind TOR 2-5 2B R RBI, .314 … Jarrett Hoffpauir 2B STL 2-4, .289 … Eric Harberer 4 4 4 2 2 6 (L, 12-8) 3.12

MIDWEST (A) --  Jair Jurrjens DET 6.0 4 2 2 0 4, 12-6, 3.41 ... Jeff Clement SEA 1-4, 6th homer, .344 ... James Houser TB 6 1 0 0 0 8, 3.76 ... Cliff Pennington SS OAK 1-4, 23rd SB, .279 ... Eric Hurley TEX 8 7 2 2 2 8, 12-6, 3.77 ... Nicholas Stavinoha OF STL 4-5, 14th homer, .351

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Brian Horwitz SF 2-4, double, RBI, 2 runs, .339  ...  just another 31st round pick made good, Jason Herman PIT 6 5 3 3 2 2, (W, 1-0)  ...  Chris Nelson COL 2-5, double, RBI, run  ...  Samuel Deduno COL 6 2 2 1 4 3, (W, 8-8)  ...  Angel Salome MIL 3-4, double, triple, 2 RBI, 2 runs  ...  Wladimir Sutil SS HOU 3-5, double, RBI, 2 runs, 2 SB  ...  Greg Golson PHI 2-4, solo homer, 2 runs  ...  JC Holt ATL 3-4, double, solo homer, 2 RBI, 2 runs

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 4-5, 2R, 2B, 3B ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 2-4, 2R, RBI ... Clay Buchholz BOS (another 3 inning stint of dominance): 3 1 0 0 0 8 ... Koby Clemens 3B HOU 0-2, BB, K ... Matt Norfleet DET 6 1 0 0 1 4 ... Cory Patton RF TOR 2-4, 3R, 2HR, 4RBI, K ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 1-3, R, 2B, 2K ... Kristian Bell TOR 5 5 1 1 2 4 ... Josh Outman PHI 5 1 0 0 1 8 ... Justin Blaine PHI 5 4 0 0 1 3 ... Brett Gardner CF NYY 2-5, R, 2K ... Andrew McCutchen CF PIT 1-4, 2R, BB, 2SB ... Steve Pearce 1B PIT 2-5, 2R, 2RBI, SB ... Zach Zuercher STL 7 4 0 0 1 4 ... Gaby Sanchez C FLA 3-3, R, 2 2B ... Robert Ray BAL 5 4 0 0 1 5

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Taylor Teagarden TEX 2-4, triple, .296 ... James Shull OAK 6 5 3 3 1 8, 2.55 (74 Ks in 67 innings)

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Adam Hawes MIN, superb regular season - 1.53, 68 Ks in 59 IP - but a tough time in the playoffs, 4-1/3 9 8 8 2 4 ... Elvis Andrus SS ATL 3-5 ... Eric Campbell ATL 2-5, homer .

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  SS Ryan Crew MIL 3-4, 2 doubles (18), .328 ... Daniel Hawkins ANA 6 3 0 0 0 4, 3.29 ... Cory Wade LA 9 5 1 1 0 6, 3.89

  Troop Movements ...  NYN - designated Ron Calloway for assignment, Kaz Ishii,  Shingo Takatsu & Tim Hamulack up ... CIN - activated Josh Hancock from DL ... PHI - designated Clay Condrey, Juan Richardson for assignment, Shane Victorino, A.J. Hinch, Matt Kata, Pedro Liriano & Geoff Geary up ... BAL - released Sidney Ponson, Walter Young, Hayden Penn  & Bernie Castro up ... HOU - Travis Driskill up ... WAS - Ryan Zimmerman up ... OAK - Juan Cruz, Matt Watson, Alberto Castillo up ...NYA - Ruben Sierra activated from DL, Ramiro Mendoza, Wayne Franklin, Andy Phillips & Wil Nieves up ...TB - Lance Carter up ...KC - Justin Huber, Leo Nunez up ...CHA - Ross Gload, Raul Casanova, David Sanders up ...DET - Doug Creek up ... TEX - Gerald Laird up ...SD - Chris Oxspring, Craig Breslow, Paul McAnulty up ...ANA - activated Josh Paul from the DL, Greg Jones & Curtis Pride up ...MIL - activated Matt Wise & Jeff Cirillo from the DL, Wes Obermueller up  ... TOR - Gabe Gross up ... BOS - Keith Foulke activated from DL, Matt Perisho & Alejandro Machado up ...

ATL - activated Brian Jordan from DL, Kyle Davies, Jim Brower, Brayan Pena & Andy Marte up ...

    Doesn't sound too serious.

" ... Durham shortstop B.J. Upton ... was injured and left the game in the sixth. Upton swung and missed before grimacing and allowing his bat to escape his grasp. Durham manager Bill Evers said Upton suffered a slight left shoulder strain."  (The Virginian-Pilot)

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld.com, looks at some of the callups :

" ... Guillermo Quiroz ... series of severe injuries have slowed Quiroz’s progress and he had just 121 AB in the minors this season, hitting .237/.326/.421 in 38 AB while rehabbing at Single-A Dunedin and .229/.309/.482 in 83 AB for Triple-A Syracuse. His defense and power could allow him to become a regular even if he never hits for average. Still, it’d be nice to see him up closer to .250 than .220-.230. His progress this month will determine whether the Jays sign a veteran to pair with Gregg Zaun next season."

" ... Matt Murton ... has already started to show that he can be quite an asset against lefties. The potential is there for him to be a solid regular, although he lacks All-Star upside. If he gets the chance, he could have some .280-20-85 seasons in his prime."

" ... Paul Maholm ... velocity has crept upwards this year and he was working in the low-90s with regularity on Tuesday. He also has a good curve and an average change, so the potential is there for him to be a third starter."

    Dayn Perry, FoxSports, rates the best of the NL West prospects.  Dodgers abound :

" ... 1. Joel Guzman ...  one of the handful of top hitting prospects in all of baseball; among hitters, only Delmon Young and Jeremy Hermida are clearly superior. There's some question as to whether Guzman will be able to remain at short, but his raw power is simply tremendous ... When a 20-year-old shortstop hits for power in the Southern League, he's one to follow closely."

" ... 4. Andy LaRoche ...  boasts outstanding raw power and excellent defensive skills at the hot corner. Last season, LaRoche struggled a bit in the Florida State League, but that's a tough environment for a 20-year-old position player. In 2005, he opened the season back at Vero Beach and destroyed the competition, mashing 21 homers in 63 games and slugging .651. In mid June, the Dodgers promoted LaRoche to AA-Jacksonville, and he's holding his own there against older competition. In his prime, he could be good for 30-40 homers per season in the majors."

" ... 8. Jonathan Broxton ... Heavy sinker, hard slider, improving changeup — Broxton is one to watch as he climbs through the loaded Dodger system. Scouts like but don't love his stuff; however, they may be underselling him. Broxton's combo of high strikeout rates and strong groundball tendencies is a lethal one, and the fact that he's succeeded in the high minors only improves his stock. He's one of the most underrated pitchers in all the minor leagues."

    Notes from the weekly International League report :

" ... Over his last 8 starts with the Knights, Brandon McCarthy had been lights out. He had pitched a total of 53 innings during the stretch and had allowed just 11 earned runs, posting a 1.87 ERA... continued his excellent work on Tuesday as he pitched game two of the doubleheader between the White Sox and the Rangers, shutting down the potent Texas offense ...  In 19 starts for the Knights, McCarthy is 7-7 with a 3.85 ERA (as a reliever, 1 game, 0-0, 7.71 ERA) with 130 strikeouts, 2nd behind Boof Bonser for the International League lead."

" ... On the day of his International League All-Star selection, John-Ford Griffin provided an All-Star performance going 3-5 with two doubles a home run and 4 RBI ...  selected to the post-season All-Star team ... continues to lead the IL in RBI, with 96 and his 28 HR are tied for the IL lead with Joe Borchard and Mike Hessman."

" ... Curtis Granderson was also named to the post-season All-Star team ...  member of the 2004 Eastern League Post-Season All-Star team, the 24-year-old has displayed a rare blend of speed, defense, and power for the Mud Hens in 2005. Currently in his second stint this season with Detroit, Granderson has hit .267 with 4 HR and 9 RBI in 17 games for the Tigers. Granderson hit .290 in 111 Toledo games with 29 doubles, 13 triples, and 15 HR."

" ... SkyChiefs outfielder Gabe Gross was recalled by Toronto ... it will be his fourth stint with Toronto this season ...  For Syracuse this season Gross hit .297 in 102 games with 29 doubles, 6 HR, 46 RBI and a career high 14 SB. Gross reached base in 64 of the final 70 games he played for Syracuse including 30 straight from July 20 to August 19."

01 September 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla 2B CIN 2-5, R ... Andy Marte 3B ATL 2-5, 2B, 3B, R, 3 RBI ... Anthony Lerew ATL 1-2/3 7 6 6 2 2, 3.86 ... John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 1-3, 28th HR, R, RBI, BB ... rehab, Ted Lilly TOR 5 4 2 2 3 7, 3.12 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 0-1, BB, 0 errors (left in the 6th, injured arm, no details) ... Ryan Raburn 2B DET 1-3, 19th HR, R, RBI ... Jason Dubois DH CLE 2-4 ... Jason Davis CLE 3 12 11 6 0 4, 4.61 ... Ian Snell PIT 7 4 1 1 0 4, 3.70 ... Bryan Bullington PIT 5 5 4 4 2 2, 3.38 ... Angel Pagan CF NYN 2-3, 2B, R, BB ... Brian Anderson CF CHA 3-5, 2B ... Tim Redding NYA 3 5 2 2 1 3, 4.40 ... Walter Young DH BAL 2-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI ... Eli Whiteside C BAL 2-4, R, HBP

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Adam Wainwright STL, righting the ship at an opportune time,  6 3 0 0 2 7, 4.50 ... Ian Kinsler TEX 1-4, 23rd homer ... Todd Sears 1B FLO 3-3, 3 homers (13) 2 walks, 7 RBI, .332 ... Jeff Baker 3B COL 2-4, double, homer, .303 ... Tim Stauffer SD 3-1/3 8 7 4 4 4, 5.83 ... Carlos Quentin ARZ 3-5, 28th double, .308

EASTERN (AA)  --  Arthur Rhodes CLE, rehab, 1 0 0 0 0 0 ... Matt Miller CLE, rehab, 1 0 0 0 0 0 ... Larry Broadway WAS 2-4, 2 homers (11), .281 ... Daniel Cabrera BAL, rehab,  6 8 3 2 2 7 ... Nick Markakis BAL 2-5, 2 RBI, .349 ... Brandon Moss BOS 3-4, 29th double, .265 ... Hanley Ramirez BOS 0-4, .274

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Stephen Drew ARZ 1-3, 3rd homer & 1-3, .205 ... Eric Patterson CHN 0-5, .231 ... Jae-kuk Ryu CHN 7 8 4 4 2 8, 3.43

TEXAS (AA)  --  A's kids ready to help re-stock at the MLB level - Daric Barton 1B OAK 2-5, 2 doubles, .320 (overall, .319 / .431 /.475, 34 doubles, 12 homers) ... Andre Ethier OF OAK 3-4, .319 (30 doubles, 18 homers) ... Kevin Melillo 2B OAK 2-4, homer, 5 RBI, .292 (overall, .306 / .403 / .530, 34 doubles, 22 homers) ... Adam Jones SEA 2-5, SB, .296 ... Joseph Koshansky COL 3-4, homer (38th overall), 4 RBI ... Kendry Morales ANA 1-4, 17th homer, .299 ... Jeff Bagwell HOU, rehab, 0-3, walk, 2 Ks

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Chris Lubanski KC 4-4, 37th double, 2 homers (27), 7 RBI (112), walk, .302 ... Wladimir Balentien SEA 3-4, 2 homers (25), 5 RBI, .289 ... Brandon Wood ANA 2-4, .321 ... Danny Putnam OF OAK 3-4, 15th homer, .308 ... COL CF Joe Gaetti 4-4, 27th double, 18th homer, .322 ... Ian Stewart COL 1-4, 15th homer, .274 ... ooops, Cesar Carrillo SD 2 6 6 6 1 2

CAROLINA (A+) --  Stephen Head CLE 1-6, RBI, K ... Ryan Goleski CLE 1-3, 4 R, double, 3 BB ... Robert Valido CHA 3-5, 2 R, double (26), HR (8), 2 RBI, BB, K, 2 SB (46) ... Kory Casto WAS 1-4, R, double, K ... Josh Whitesell WAS 0-1, RBI, 2 BB, K ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-5, R, RBI (78), .315 ... Matt Esquivel ATL 1-4, R, RBI (81), BB, K ... Diory Hernandez ATL 4-5, 2 R, 2 doubles, RBI ... Jake Stevens ATL (W, 10-8, 4.51) 5 4 3 3 4 0 ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 3-5, 4 R, 2 HR (22), 3 RBI, BB, K ... Mario Delgado BAL 3-6, 2 R, double, 2 HR (25), 6 RBI (85), .309 ... James Johnson BAL (W, 12-9, 3.52) 6 6 3 3 2 9 ... Hunter Pence HOU 0-1, 2 BB & 0-3, K ... Troy Patton HOU (L, 6-6, 2.18) 5 4 1 1 1 4

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Michael Parisi STL 6 1/3 6 3 3 2 9 (L, 10-11) 3.68 … Juan Mateo CHN 5 5 2 2 1 9 ND, 3.21 … Tim Moss 2B PHI 3-5 3R, .267 … Kody Kirkland 3B 2-4, .266 … Joey Votto 1B CIN 1-3 HR(17), .256 … Adam Lind LF TOR 3-4 2B 3B R 3RBI, .313 … Kurt Isenberg TOR 6 7 1 1 1 2 (W, 12-8) 3.54 … Adam Harben MIN 6 8 3 3 2 3 (W, 10-5) 2.66

MIDWEST (A) --  Brent Carter SD, debut in full-season ball, 6 4 1 1 0 5 ... Jeff Clement SEA 1-4, .348 ... a late charge, Reid Brignac SS TB 2-4, 28th double, 15th homer, .260 ... Travis Buck OF OAK 2-4, .371 ... Ryan Harvey CHN 2-4, 24th homer, .257 ... Michael Collins catcher ANA (another of the Aussie contingent, 5th year in the Angels' system, just 21) 3-3, 30th double, 3 RBI, .324

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Marcus Sanders SF 2-5, double, 3 RBI, 2 runs & 1-3, run, 2 walks, 2 SBs (55), .295  ... Dan Cevette CLE 6 4 0 0 2 10, 2.73 ... Chris Getz CHA 1-2, RBI, 3 walks, SB ...  Greg Golson PHI 3-5, double, RBI, 2 runs ... Jason Jaramillo PHI 2-3, double, RBI ? Maximino De La Cruz PHI 7 9 3 2 1 9, 5.21 ... Tim Battle NYA 3-4, double, run ... Christian Garcia NYA 7 6 0 0 4 5, (W, 5-6), 3.98

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Clay Harris 1B PHI 4-5, 2R, 2B ... Jeremy Slayden DH PHI 2-3, R, 2BB ... Scott Mitchinson PHI (the resurgence continues) 7 8 1 1 0 9 ... Kyle Larsen 1B NYY 5-6, R, 2 2B, 4RBI ... Andrew McCutchen CF PIT 1-3, R, BB ... Steve Pearce 1B PIT 2-3, R, 2 2B, RBI ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 1-3, R ... Garret Groce CF TB 3-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB, K ... Wade Davis TB 5 4 1 0 1 9

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Johnny Defendis OF CHN 1-4, homer, .333 ... Sergio Romo SF, 7-1, 5-2/3 7 2 2 0 7, 2.69 ... Michael Madsen OAK 7 1 0 0 1 10,  league-leading 1.68 ERA

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Twins' Ryan Mullins fans 13 in 5 frames, 5 3 2 2 3 13 ... Jairo Cuevas ATL (Appy's Pitcher of the Year, 6-1, 1.95 in 55 1/3, 69 Ks) 4-2/3 3 3 2 3 7 ... Eric Campbell ATL 2-4, double

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  David Sutherland 1B LA 1-3, homer, 4 RBI, .350 ... painful, Jason Neighborgall ARZ 4.0 3 2 1 5 5, 10.12 (42 walks in 21-1/3 innings)

  Troop Movements ...  SD - Sean Burroughs up, Paul Quantrill designated for assignment ... TEX - Scott Feldman up, Marshall McDougall to AA ... CLE - Franklin Gutierrez up, Brian Tallet to AAA ... STL - Mike Mahoney up, Randy Flores to AAA ... HOU - Raul Chavez up, Charles Gipson up, Mike Burns to AAA, Humberto Quintero to AAA ... BOS - Kevin Youkilis up, Manny Delcarmen to AAA ... OAK - Bobby Crosby DL, Keith Ginter up ... WAS - Matt White outright to AAA ... FLO - Jeremy Hermida up ... TB - Seth McClung bereavement leave, Joe Beimel up ...

" ... Angel third baseman Dallas McPherson underwent surgery Tuesday in Nashville to remove a small bone spur and clean up the joint in his left hip. McPherson will be on crutches for eight to 10 weeks before beginning his rehabilitation and is expected to be ready by spring training."  (LA Times)

    Bryan Smith, Baseball Analysts, continues his Arizona Fall League preview with notes on some of the top pitching prospects :

" ... 1. Chad Billingsley ... Pretty much a different pitcher since I underrated him in my midseason prospect list ... important to note his control problems are starting to go away, with just eight free passes issued in the month of August. I'm worried that the AFL will add to a workload that is nearing uncomfortable levels, and should push him to 180 innings over seven months. While many of the minors best pitching prospects are graduating to the minors, Billingsley has an argument for being the best left under the surface."

" ... 6. Glen Perkins ...  dominated Florida State League hitters before reaching considerable challenges in the Eastern League. Perkins was neither worth leaving in high-A nor ready for AA, which is probably right where the AFL talent-level lies. Perkins stuff is average ... has very solid pitchability. The Twins are stacked in the pitching department, meaning that hometown-boy Perkins will be given all the time he needs to develop. Expect Perkins to have an AFL similar to Sean Marshall's in 2004 (8:1 K/BB ratio), and begin next season back in Double-A. Glen has a future in the Twin Cities, no doubt, but unlike many of his college companions, expect that to happen sooner rather than later."

" ... 7. Angel Guzman ...  2005 has been a lost year for Guzman's development, and the AFL is essential to his new and improved timetable. Will we see the Guzman of old when he gets to the AFL, walking few batters, while still showing fantastic stuff? Or have injuries led to a slow deterioration of the prospect that was supposed to stand aside the Priors, Zambranos, and Woods of the north side?"

    Hmmm.  Maybe a reason for the often ugly numbers put up by Thomas Diamond, John Danks et al in the Texas system.  This in the latest dispatch from Evan Grant at DallasNews.com :

" ... Q: What is the reasoning behind the Rangers’ new pitching coach at Frisco wanting young pitchers to throw more fastballs? I read recently that Thomas Diamond was forced to throw 70 fastballs out of 77 total pitches, and he got pounded. Shouldn't they be working on their other pitches as well?

GRANT: The current strategy is to establish the fastball and command the fastball. Everything else is secondary. Major league pitching coach Orel Hershiser is fond of saying that in the majors “you need one pitch to compete, two to win and three to dominate.’’ Manager Buck Showalter sums it up this way: “The best pitch in baseball is still a well-located fastball.’’ If the Rangers can command the fastball and get ahead in the count with it, they can make hitters more defensive and, in turn, make secondary pitches far more effective. The emphasis right now is on locating the primary pitches and then blending in a second or third pitch."

    Hard to believe, but then again this is TB :

" ... The Rays' major-league low payroll of about $29-million may be increased slightly, to at least the mid $30-million range (or even a little higher) next season, but the focus will be on building a team that can contend in 2007 or 2008. As a result, one or more of the higher-salaried players - Aubrey Huff, Julio Lugo, Danys Baez and Toby Hall - may be traded for young major-leaguers or elite minor-leaguers. And top prospects such as B.J. Upton and Delmon Young are likely to remain in the minor leagues next season." (St. Petersburg Times)

    Joe Kaiser, Seattle Post Intelligencer, with his weekly SEA prospect ranking :

" ... 1. Jeff Clement ... After a cold start as a pro, he's now batting .369 with a .449 on-base percentage and five home runs in 23 games with Wisconsin. 2. Adam Jones ... The 20-year-old is batting .298 with six home runs and eight stolen bases after his promotion to the Missions ... 5. Asdrubal Cabrera ... Not repeating the same offensive production he had at Wisconsin, but still batting .289 and playing great defense ... 7. Luis Valbuena ... Only 19, Valbuena is producing in a big way (.271, 12 HR, 47 RBIs) as an underaged talent in the Northwest League."  (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

    Not much surprise here :

" ... Tacoma's Felix Hernandez has been named 2005 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year ... He becomes the first player to be named both the PCL Rookie and Pitcher of the Year in the same year. Hernandez, 19, from Valencia, Venezuela, had a 9-4 record with a 2.25 ERA with the Tacoma Rainiers before he made his Major League debut ... In his 88.0 innings at Triple-A, he struck out 100 batters, allowed just 24 runs, 22 earned, and kept his opponents average to .196. Hernandez was selected to the PCL All-Star team and went 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA in his final eight appearances in the PCL. "He's a very, very talented young man,'' Tacoma manager Dan Rohn said of Hernandez. "As he has shown in the Majors he is well deserving and wise beyond his years, pitching wise.''  (Pacific Coast League)

31 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Scott Thorman 1B ATL 2-4, 3B, R ... Chuck James ATL 5 7 5 5 0 2, 3.41 ... Gavin Floyd PHI 4-1/3 9 8 8 3 3, 6.16 ... John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 3-5, 2 2B, 27th HR, 3 R, 4 RBI ... B.J. Upton SS TB 1-4, 18th HR, R, RBI, BB, SB, 0 errors ... Jason Dubois RF CLE 1-3, 5th HR, R, RBI ... Anderson Hernandez SS NYN 2-5 ... Brian Anderson CF CHA 0-3, BB ... Francisco Liriano MIN 5 5 3 2 2 10, 1.78

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Justin Huber KC 2-4, 2 homers (23 overall) ... Brad Hawpe COL 5-5, double, 2 homers, 4 RBI ... Josh Barfield SD 1-3, walk, 2 RBI (70), .313 ... Kevin Frandsen 2B SF 4-5, 2 doubles, .354

EASTERN (AA)  --  Ryan Zimmerman WAS 2-3, .328 ... Brian Harper NYN 1-4, homer, (35th overall) ... Brandon Moss BOS 4-4, 16th homer, .261 ... Vince Perkins TOR 6 6 4 3 2 6, 3.93

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Robert Andino SS FLA 0-4, 2 K's, .266 ... Russell Martin C LA 1-3, solo HR (9), .309 ... Andy LaRoche 3B LA 0-3, .276 ... James Loney 1B LA 0-3, .278 ... Justin Orenduff LA 5.0 5 1 1 1 7, 3.82 ... 2nd game ...  Andino 2-5, 3 K's, 22nd SB, .267 ... LaRoche 0-3, 2 K's, .272 ... Loney 1-3, RBI, .278 ... Jonathan Broxton LA 1 0 0 0 0 2, 3.22 (W) ... Brad Nelson OF MIL 3-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI, .300 ... Ty Taubenheim MIL 6.1 8 2 2 3 4, 4.50 (W) ...  Stephen Drew SS AZ 1-4, .195 ... Dan Uggla 2B AZ 0-3, 2 K's, .303 ... Ramon Pena AZ 7.0 10 3 3 1 4, 4.41 (L) ...  Brandon Sing 1B CHN 0-4, 2 K's, .278 ... Carlos Marmol CHN 7.0 8 5 5 4 6, 4.00 ... Chris Young OF CHA 2-3, 2 runs, .273 ...  Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 3-5, 2 runs, .289 ... Josh Fields 3B CHA 1-3, 2B, RBI, .254

TEXAS (AA)  --  Aaron Herr STL 3-4, R, RBI(80), .295 ... Josh Pressley KC 2-4, R, 2B, RBI(82), .308 ... Mike Aviles KC 2-4, 2R, HR(14), 2RBI(79), .289 ... Chris Lambert STL (L,3-7) 4 8 7 4 2 0 (5.44) ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-5, R, 2B, .306 ... Ruddy Yan TX 3-6, R, 2 2B, 2RBI(45), SB(41), .302 ... Thomas Diamond TX (W,5-4) 7 5 2 2 1 10 (4.96) ... Jason Hirsh (W,13-8) 6 2 0 0 2 6 (2.98)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Garrett Mock ARZ 8 4 2 1 0 10, 13-7, 4.20 ... CF Steve Garrabrants ARZ, leadoff, 3-4,  26th double, .320 ... Brandon Wood ANA 0-4, walk, .320 ... Chris Lubanski OF KC 4-5, 36th double, walk, 14th SB, 7th error, .294 ... Pete Maestrales 2B KC 3-4, 33rd double, 2 walks, .321 ... Michael Johnson 1B SD 21st homer, 4 RBI, .302

CAROLINA (A+) --  Stephen Head CLE 1-5, R, 2 K ... Ryan Goleski CLE 2-3, 2 R, HR (16), 3 RBI, BB, K ... Brian Barton CF CLE 3-4, 3 R, 2 doubles (28 overall), 2 RBI, SB (20), .331 ... Robert Valido CHA 3-5, R, double ... Thomas Collaro CHA 1-5, RBI (100), 2 K ... Nick Pesco CLE (W, 11-10, 3.88) 5-1/3 9 3 2 2 3 ... Lance Broadway CHA (L, 1-2, 4.01) 4 8 8 8 2 2 ... Kory Casto WAS 0-2, 2 BB, K ... Josh Whitesell WAS 2-4, R, double (31), HR (16), RBI, K ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 1-2, RBI (77), BB, K ... Matt Esquivel ATL 2-3, R, BB, SB (9) ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 5-6, 2 R, 3 doubles, 2 RBI ... Adam Loewen BAL (W, 9-8, 4.15) 6 4 0 0 2 4 ...

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Brent Clevlen RF DET 1-2 HR(18), .302 … Vincent Blue CF DET 2-3 SB(39), .301 … Kody Kirkland 3B DET 2-4 HR(16) 2R 2RBI, .264 … Kyle Yates TOR 6 2/3 3 2 0 2 10 (W, 11-6) 3.24 … Jarrett Hoffpauir 2B STL 2-4 RBI 2SB(15), .286 … Doug Mienkiewicz 1B NYN (rehab) 1-4 BB … Justin Christian 2B NYA 2-5 2B R RBI SB(52), .302 … Scott Tyler MIN 5 2/3 6 3 3 3 5 (W, 7-8) 3.95 … Jay Sawatski MIN 1 1 0 0 0 2 (S, 13) 4.14

MIDWEST (A) --  Jeff Hahn DET 6 4 1 1 2 2, 4-1, 2.40 (just 9 Ks in 30 innings) ... Reid Brignac SS TB 3-4, .258 ... Cliff Pennington SS OAK 1-1, 4 walks, .280 (37 BB, 41 Ks in 63 games) ... Matt Garza MIN 6 2 0 0 2 7, 3.60 ... Angel Guzman CHN, 1st start in the MW after four games in the Arizona League, 3-1/3 4 3 1 0 3

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Hernan Iribarren MIL 2-3, RBI  ...  Jesus Salome MIL 2-3, RBI, run  ...  Marcus Sanders SF 2-5, RBI, run, SB  ...  Craig Whitaker SF 4 2 1 1 1 4, (W, 2-4), 4.82  ...  Chris Getz CHA 2-4, run, .296  ...  Jeff Allison FLA 6 5 2 1 1 5, (W, 5-4)  ...  Greg Golson PHI 2-5, triple, RBI, run  ...  Marcos Vechionacci NYA 4-5, double, run

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Wade Townsend TB, far from the adoring crowds at Rice, 6 7 5 5 2 1, now 0-4, 6.48 ... Waner Mateo NYM 4 5 4 0 1 4 ... Matt Joyce DET RF 6-6, 4R, HR, 2RBI ... Jon Poterson RF NYY 2-4, R, K ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 3-5, R, 2RBI, SB ... Luis Soto RF BOS 1-4, RBI, 2K ... Keith Foulke RP BOS (ouch) 1 4 2 2 0 3 ... Andrew McCutchen CF PIT 1-3, 2R, 2BB

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Darin Downs CHN 5 3 1 0 2 5, 3.28 ... Johnny Defendis OF CHN 2-4, double, homer, .336 ... Daniel Griffin SF 6 7 3 2 3 8, 4-1, 2.27 ... 3B Pablo Sandoval SF 3-4, 2 walks, .338 ... Mike Mooney OF SF 3-7, double, .335 ... Angel Rocha ARZ, demoted because of control problems, still with lots of work to do, very strange line, 6 0 2 1 6 10, 5.43 (80 BB, 118 Ks in 106 1/3 innings)

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  0-2 in the final game of the season, but still good enough to finish as the Appy League batting champion, Rene Aqueron (DH BAL) 0-2, .405 BB… Eric Campbell (3B ATL) 0-1, .313 BA, and finishes as the home run (18), doubles (26) and slugging (.636) champ. Campbell scored a whopping 77 runs in 66 GP – 24 runs more than runner up Ovandy Suero. His 64 RBI was 12 better than Jacob Butler, and he ran away with the title in total bases (168) – more than 30 ahead of the next closest player. Not to be lost in the star studded Danville lineup, Jon Owings (RF ATL) 2-4, 2 R, 2B (9), HR (12), 2 RBI (31), .293 BA… Jeff Moore (SP BAL, 17th rd.) caps a solid rookie campaign, 5 3 0 0 0 2, 2.08 ERA, 52/8 K/BB ratio in 43-1/3 IP… Bryan Anderson (C STL, 4th rd.) 3-4, R, HR (6), 2 RBI (36), .331 BA… Josh Morgan (RF-1B CWS, 20th rd.) 3-4, R, 2B, RBI (19), K, SB (7), .240 BA… another strong night for Erik Lis (1B MIN) 3-4, 2 R, 2 HR (10), 4 RBI (41), K, .315 BA… Eli Iorg (RF HOU, 1st rd.) 2-4, R, RBI (34 in 35 GP), SB (12), .333 BA.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  CF Ethien Santana KC 5-5, 5R, 5RBI, 3b, HR(3), sb(16) ... DH Russell Mitchell LAD 2-5, HR(13), 2b ... 2b Corey Wimberly Col 1-5, 2sb(27) ... C Martin Maldonado LAA 3-4, RBI, R

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Monday -- Josh Davies 3B 3-4, 3 doubles, 2 walks, .293 ... Lorenzo Cain MIL OF 2-2, 2 walks, .360 ... Tuesday -- Roberto Valiente TEX 3-4, homer, .316 ... Joe Napoli TEX 4-5, triple, .217

  Troop Movements ...  CHA - Joe Crede DL, Willie Harris up, Brandon McCarthy up, Jeff Bajenaru to AAA ... ATL - Joey Devine to AAA ... WAS - Danny Rueckel outright to AA, acquired Deivi Cruz from SF for Ben Cox  ... BOS - Manny Delcarmen up, Abe Alvarez to AAA ... KC - Matt Diaz up, Jonah Bayliss to AA ... NYA - signed Mark Bellhorn ... TEX - Edison Volquez up, C.J. Wilson to AA ... SD - Khalil Greene activated from DL, Wilson Valdez designated for assignment ... SEA - Willie Bloomquist DL, Jose Lopez up ... CHN - Kerry Wood DL, Matt Murton up, Jermaine Van Buren up ... ANA - traded  Dusty Bergman and  Ronnie Ray to SF for Jason Christiansen ... FLO - Chris Resop to AAA ... NYA - Felix Escalona to AAA ... SF - Angel Chavez up ...

     He was touted as the most likely of the 2005 draft class to be the first to make it to the majors this season.  Not, first, probably not this year.

" ... Top prospect Craig Hansen, whose much-heralded arrival was expected at any moment to shore up the Sox bullpen, instead has been shut down indefinitely with a tired arm. Hansen, the No. 1 draft pick from St. John's, has not pitched for Double A Portland since Friday night. If the fatigue, much like what a pitcher goes through in spring training, does not go away, the Sox may have no choice but to shut him down for the rest of the season."  (Boston Globe)

     Hayden Penn likely to rejoin the BAL rotation Thursday :

" ... Penn, the Orioles' 2004 minor league pitcher of the year, has gone 7-6 with a 3.83 ERA at Class AA Bowie this season. In his last five starts, the 20-year-old right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 32 innings. "The last several starts have been good," Perlozzo said. "He's been striking out a lot of people and going deep into the game." This will be Penn's second trip to the majors. After making his major league debut on May 28, Penn went 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in seven starts before returning to Bowie. "I thought his command wasn't as good as we would've liked to have seen it," Perlozzo said. "But his stuff was good."  (Washington Post)

    Kevin Goldstein, Baseball America, salutes Kendry Morales for the top spot in his latest Prospect Hot Sheet.

" ... It took until late May to get him into the country because of tighter immigration laws. Morales has proved worth the wait. In a combined 90 games between high Class A Rancho Cucamonga and Arkansas, Morales is batting .315-21-68, including a Playstation-like 21-for-34 (.618) with four home runs and 14 RBIs in his last eight."

A familiar duo -- Brandon Wood & Francisco Liriano -- ranked 2-3, with tons of talent throughout the Top 20 :

" ... 7. Lastings Milledge ...  batting .337 in 48 Double-A games at the tender age of 20, Milledge is placing himself in line for a job in the big leagues next year, thanks to much improved plate discipline ... 10. Shane Lindsay ... 20-year-old Aussie has made 13 starts for the Dust Devils, and he's remarkably recorded more strikeouts than innings pitched every time out ... 17. Kevin Slowey ...  second-round pick out of Winthrop, Slowey warmed up as a pro in the Appy League by striking out 15 in 7 2/3 innings while allowing just two hits. Moved into the Beloit rotation, Slowey has a 2.34 ERA in 12 games for the Snappers, with a nifty 62-6 strikeout-walk ratio in 58 innings."

    Seth Trachtman, The Baseball Notebook, with notes on some possible September callups :

" ... Bryan Bullington ...  former first overall pick drafted ahead of B.J. Upton, Bullington is finally starting to pitch like a player from his draft position. He has a 3.04 ERA in 16 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis, and his polish (24 walks in 97.2 innings) means that he could make an immediate impact when he arrives to the majors ...Bullington is right behind Ian Snell on the rotation depth chart, and relief work might be in Snell's long-term future."

" ... Ryan Garko ... has catching experience, but he is not considered any better at the position than Victor Martinez. With Ben Broussard's stock in Cleveland falling by the day, Garko could be starting at first base for the Indians by opening day of next season. He is hitting .304-18-72 at Triple-A Buffalo and may still have catcher eligibility in some leagues, so he is a definite keeper target."

" ... Justin Huber ...  a very similar player to Ryan Garko in that he has played catcher in the minors, but his position in the majors is likely to be first base or designated hitter. He already received a taste of the majors this season, but he could be here to stay starting in September ... . Playing most of the year at Double-A, Huber hit .343 with 16 homers in 335 at-bats. Those numbers and Huber's situation makes him sound very similar to Sweeney."

    Sam Geaney, Cal Leaguers, with reports on a pair of SF hitting prospects :

" ... Eddy Martinez-Esteve ... Slugger who is in wrong league. Body has got dumpier since last yr. Arm problems keeping him in A ball ...  Body will only get worse and worse with time. Lots of batspd and strength ... Makes very gd contact ... Gets long which creates some holes that better pitchers will be able to find, may need to shorten up as he advances ... Excel. command/feel for strike zone. Can drive the ball the other way ... .Won't be able to play OF @ ML level and shows zero interest in improving.. Needs to be in American League if he wants to be more than a pinch hitter. Gd hitter, no position-hard to see avg big leaguer coming out of it-bat not impact enuf. Should split next yr between AA and AAA."

" ... Nate Schierholtz  ...  defensive liability who has moved backwards for me. Body still in top shape. Broad wide shoulders and developed back ... Swing path has gotten worse and batspd not what it was last yr. so swings issues are much more visible ... Soft .300 for me with huge K's and few BB's ... Can't get around on quality stuff under his hds with hd loop and I'm not confident he'll be able to rid himself of it. Pitchers @ upper levels will exploit it. ... Should get some big league time but for me he is an up and down type player who could be eaten alive with gd advance scouting-thus the interest in short spurts @ big league level. Swing much too complicated and he's streaky to like him as a lefty bat off bench."

    John M. Barten, 'Til You're Blue in the Face, on Yuniesky Betancourt, 23, SEA :

" ... He's raw. He's really raw. He needs work on the plate discipline. He needs some work on hitting the ball with power, which is a skill his backers claim he should be able to develop. He needs to stop trying to steal bases until he's able to read pitchers and get good jumps ... I'm still very skeptical of Cuban birthdays ...  M's really should let him start in Tacoma next season because he really has no business being on a ML roster at this point. He is ticketed to play in the Arizona Fall League. Getting the reps will help, but I worry that the M's and their fans will develop irrational expectations for him due to the offense-friendly atmosphere. When looking at the possibilities of what he could become, the upside is probably Omar Visquel. The downside is Neifi Perez with a batter glove. If you're looking for a midpoint, I'd probably point to the Izturis brothers. There's enough here to give some hope of good things happening, but enough warning signs to make it a risky proposition."

    Players of the Week notes from MLB.com

Rusty Ryal 3B ARZ, Pioneer  " ... had four hits on Monday and Wednesday, giving him four four-hit games in one week. He then collected three hits on Thursday and Friday and by week's end had boosted his average to .344 -- fourth-highest in the Pioneer League. Son of former Major Leaguer Mark Ryal ... 2005 14th-round pick had five more hits (17) and twice as many doubles (six) than anyone else in the league last week ... On the season, the Osprey's infielder ranks second in the league in hits (85) and runs (53)."

Jeff Clement C SEA, Midwest  " ... didn't take the Mariners' first-round pick (third overall) long to get acclimated to professional ball, as the former USC All-American spent the last five days of July with the Everett AquaSox before jumping to Wisconsin, where he has hit .369 in his first 23 games ...  hit in all five Timber Rattlers games last week, including four multiple-hit efforts, to stretch his hitting streak to nine games ...  The holder of the national high school record for homers in a career (75), Clement has five dingers in 84 at-bats with the Timber Rattlers."

Jesus Gonzalez SS TOR, Appy " ...  went 2-for-4 on Monday and Tuesday to give him five consecutive two-hit games. He also homered in each of those games for his sixth and seventh longballs ... After hitting .338 in the Dominican Summer League in 2004, Gonzalez is hitting .285 with eight homers and 26 RBIs in the Appalachian League. Last week, he led the circuit in nearly every offensive category, including doubles, home runs, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage and extra-base hits." 

    With a nice preview of the hitters for the Arizona Fall League check out Bryan Smith at Baseball Analysts.  Pitchers to come.

" ... expect Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, making up the offensive corners, to try and prove naysayers that their breakout seasons were for real. Both players came from nowhere this season, but now find themselves on the radar like never before. Both the Dodgers and A's are using the AFL as help to decide whether either player should factor into the future plans ...  there is quite a bit of breakout potential on this team [Saguaros]. Two of the players that I'm talking about, obviously, are Neil Walker and Adam Lind. I have spoken about both players before, as I expect the two to blossom in the power department going forward. Walker must use the AFL to both walk more and improve his defense however, as those two flaws will limit his ceiling moving forward. Lind will likely be the subject of more than one of my pieces this winter, as I fully expect him to begin his breakout in October. Look for the power he showed in July -- if July only -- to begin to resurface in the desert."

    More end-of-season All-Stars announced :

            INTERNATIONAL          SOUTHERN            FLORIDA STATE
Catcher	    Kelly Shoppach BOS     Russell Martin LA   Robinzon Diaz TOR
Catcher                                                Danilo Sanchez DET
First Base  Mitch Jones NYA        Casey Rogowski CHA  Andy Wilson NYN
Second Base Bernie Castro BAL      Dan Uggla ARZ       Tony Abreu LA
Third Base  Edwin Encarnacion CIN  Rico Washington TB  Andy LaRoche LA
Shortstop   BJ Upton TB            Joel Guzman LA      Chin-Lung Hu LA
Utility                                                Adam Heether MIL
Outfield    John-Ford Griffin TOR  Jeremy Hermida FLO  Adam Lind TOR
Outfield    Curtis Granderson DET  Matt Murton CHN     Chris Walker CHN
Outfield    Shane Victorino PHI    Jerry Owens CHA     Brent Clevlen DET
Outfield                           Delmon Young TB      
Utility	    Ryan Garko CLE                             Vincent Blue DET  
DH	    Brian Daubach NYN      Brandon Sing CHN    Matt Kemp LA

SP          Zach Duke PIT                              Nathan Bumstead DET
SP                                                     Tim Dillard MIL
SP                                                     Jordan Tata DET
SP                                                     Carlos Villanueva MIL
RHP	                           Ricky Nolasco CHN    
LHP	                           Chris Resop FLO      
RP	    Travis Bowyer MIN                            
Player/YR   Shane Victorino PHI                         
Pitcher/YR  Zach Duke PIT

            ARIZONA SUMMER LEAGUE          
Catcher     Luany Sanchez SD
First Base  Andy Hargrove SEA
Second Base Valentino Arce KC
Third Base  Jose Jimenez MIL
Shortstop   Jeffrey Bianchi KC
Outfield    Antoan Richardson SF
Outfield    Ariel Nunez SF
Outfield    Lorenzo Cain MIL
DH     Kyle Blanks SD
RHP     Tommy Mendoza ANA
LHP     Harold Williams SEA

30 August 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Andy Marte 3B ATL 2-4, R ... John-Ford Griffin DH TOR 2-4, 26th HR, 2 R, RBI ... B.J. Upton SS TB 0-4, 51st error ... Dewon Brazelton TB 6-1/3 6 4 2 2 6, 4.24 ... Marcus Thames LF DET 0-3, 2 BB ... Kenny Baugh DET 7 4 0 0 1 6, 3.31 ... Brandon Phillips SS CLE 2-5, 2B, R, RBI ... Kelly Shoppach C BOS 2-4, 26th HR, R, 2 RBI ... Adam Stern CF BOS 2-4 ... Angel Pagan CF NYN 2-6, R, 2 RBI ... Anderson Hernandez SS NYN 2-5, 2 R ... Kevin Thompson CF NYA 2-4, RBI ... Chien-Ming Wang NYA 3 2 1 1 1 3, 4.03 ... J.D. Durbin MIN 5 10 5 5 1 6, 4.55

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Matt Murton CHN 2-5, double, .353 ... Dennis Tankersley KC 7 11 4 4 0 11, 4.29 ...  Gerald Laird TEX 3-5, double, homer, .309 ... Ian Kinsler TEX 22nd homer, .275 ... Alberto Callaspo ANA, perhaps feeling the rumble of the Wood-Kendrick juggernaut, 5-5, double, .302 ... Jeff Mathis ANA 1-3, triple, 2 walks, .277 ... Sean Burroughs SD 2-4, homer, .298 ... Delwyn Young LA 3-5, double, .310

EASTERN (AA)  --  No games

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Ricky Nolasco CHN 7 3 0 0 2 8, 13-3, 3.01 ... Casey McGehee CHN, shifting from 2B to 3B to make room for Eric Patterson, 2-3, homer, 6 RBI ... Eric Patterson 0-3, 2 walks, SB ... 2B Kevin Howard CIN 4-5, 22nd double, 12th homer, .284 ... Daniel Haigwood CHA 7 3 1 1 3 9, 6-1, 1.24 ... Josh Johnson FLO 8 3 2 2 1 8, 12-4, 3.87

TEXAS (AA)  --  Shaun Boyd (CF) STL 3-5, 3R, 2B, HR(7), 5RBI(59), .279 ... Tyler Parker (RF) STL 3-4, 2R, 2B, .357 ... Rayner Laya (SS) STL 4-4, 3R, 3B, 2RBI(4), .583 ... September callup? - Billy Butler KC 2-4, .345 ... Randy Leek STL (W,14-7) 7 9 4 4 1 4 (3.93) ... Howie Kendrick ANA 2-4, R, 2B, .355 ... Michael Napoli ANA 1-3, R, HR(28), 2RBI(94), .231 ... Joe Koshansky COL 2-4, R, 2B, .261 ... Jered Weaver ANA (l,3-2) 5-1/3 6 4 4 3 9 (4.38) ... Enmanuel Ulloa COL (W,7-3) 6 6 2 2 1 5 (2.87) ... Jeremy Brown OAK 2-4, 2R, 2B, HR(20), 3RBI(71), .269 ... Brad Ziegler OAK (W,2-0) 7 5 1 1 1 8 (3.00) ... Rehab - Brandon Backe HOU (L,0-1) 3 2 2 2 1 4 (6.00)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Brandon Wood ANA 2-5, 42nd homer, 51st double, 2 RBI (114), .323 ... Michael Johnson 1B SD 3-5, 17th double, 2 homers (20), 6 RBI, .304 ... catcher Colt Morton SD 2-3, 18th homer, .281 ... Andrew Sonnanstine TB, one of those nights, 5.0 10 7 6 1 9, 3.01 ... Joey Gomes TB 5-6, 2 doubles (31), .317

CAROLINA (A+) --  Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-4, R, HR (19), 3 RBI, K & 1-2, double (32), 2 RBI (76), BB ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 0-4, K & 1-3, BB, 2 K ... Kory Casto WAS 1-2, RBI (88), 2 BB, K ... Stephen Head CLE 0-4, 2 BB ... Mike Hinckley WAS (L, 3-9, 4.95) 6 7 4 4 2 8 ... Hunter Pence HOU 0-3, BB, K ... Thomas Collaro CHA 3-4, double, 2 RBI (99), SB (5) ... Ray Liotta CHA (W, 14-4, 1.94) 6 4 0 0 3 3

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Gabriel Hernandez NYN 5 3 1 1 0 6 ND, 3.55 … Jamar Hill RF NYN 2-5 2B 2R, .250 … Doug Mienkiewicz 1B NYN (rehab) 1-5 … Paul Mildren FLO 6 5 2 2 2 6 ND, 3.08 … Matt Kemp RF LA 2-5 RBI, .309 … Josh Kauten DET 9 3 0 0 1 5 (W, 7-5) 3.29 … Chris Dickerson CF CIN 2-5 2B 2RBI, .243 … Ricky Romero TOR 5 4 1 1 1 4 ND, 3.86 … Brian Dopirak 1B CHN 2-4 2 doubles 2RBI, .240 … Randy Wells CHN 6 2 0 0 0 9 (W, 10-2) 2.74 … Anthony Swarzak MIN 6 6 1 1 2 3 (W, 12-8) 3.96

MIDWEST (A) --  Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 1-4 (.310) ... Wilkin Ramirez DET 0-4, 26th E ... back in the lineup Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 0-3 (.283) ... Po-Husan Keng TOR 6 4 0 0 1 8 (5.08) ... Matt Bush SD 1-3, BB ... Joel Santo SD 4 4 4 3 5 2 (4.52) ... Ryan Harvey CHN 0-4 ... big bounceback Mike Billek CHN 6 5 1 0 0 5 (3.48) ... David Winfree MIN 5th triple (.293) ... tough luck loss for this year's 2nd-rounder Kevin Slowey MIN 8 3 2 2 1 9 (L, 3-1, 2.34) ... he's 23, so don't get excited Nick Stavinoha STL 3-5, HR (.350/.403/.575 in 226 AB) ... this year's George Kottaras? Michael Collins (C) ANA 2-4, double

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Wallace Torbert CF HOU 4-5, double, homer, 2 RBI, 3 runs, .306 ... Ronnie Martinez HOU 7 7 1 1 0 7, (W, 12-3), 3.85 ... Clint Sammons C ATL 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs ... Ivan Terrazas RF ATL 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Chris Volstad FLO 5 5 3 3 3 2, 2.45 ... Brandon Erbe BAL, up from the APPY, 1-1/3 2 3 3 1 1 ... Jed Lowrie SS BOS 2-4, double, .319 ... Andrew McCutchen OF PIT 3-5, double

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Shane Lindsay COL 8 4 2 1 1 10, 1.89 (107 Ks in 64 2/3s IP) 

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  finally enough AB’s to qualify for the Appy batting title and leading the league by nearly 50 points, Rene Aqueron (3B BAL) 3-6, .410 BA, … Paul Winterling (1B BAL) 4-4, 4 R, 3 RBI (23), BB, .287 BA… Ovandy Suero (2B ATL) 0-1, 2 BB, SB (46 of 57), .300 BA… Christian Acosta (DH CWS) 2-4, 2B (20), RBI (41), .314 BA… Joseph Winn (SP CWS) W (2-2), 7 5 0 0 0 7, 4.50 ERA… ho-hum, another win for the Elizabethton Twins, still sporting professional baseball’s best record (47-19), led on this night by Erik Lis (DH MIN) 3-4, R, 2B, RBI (37), .305 BA, and Oswaldo Sosa (RP MIN) 3 0 0 0 0 5, 4.95 ERA… Zach Kalter (LF TOR) 2-3, 3 R, 2 BB, K, .270 BA… Nathan Warrick (CF HOU) 3-5, 3 R, 2 SB (21 of 24), .291 BA… a stat line befitting a first rounder, Eli Iorg (RF HOU) 3-5, 2 R, 3B, 2 HR (7), 7 RBI (33 in 34 GP), .328 BA.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  William Inman MIL 6 5 0 0 0 8, 6-0, 1.60 ... Jason Neighborgall ARZ, 1 2 2 2 2 2 (37 BB in 17-1/3 innings) ... Kenneth Holmberg 2B MIL 4-5, 11th homer, 6 RBI, .374

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Tom Gornati SF 6 4 1 1 0 7, 6-0, 1.30 ... 2B Ronald Garth SEA 2-4, 3rd homer & 0-2, walk, .357 ... Mark Pawelek CHN 3 1 2 2 1 4, 2.72 ... Rayner Oliveros KC 6 1 0 0 0 7, 7-1, 2.39 (but, just 45 Ks in 71 2/3s innings)

  Troop Movements ...  HOU - Luke Scott up ... BOS - claimed Chad Harville off waivers from HOU ... FLO - John Riedling DL, Chris Resop up ... CHA - activated Scott Podsednik from DL, Jeff Bajenaru up, Jon Adkins to AAA, Brandon McCarthy set for Tuesday callup, Joe Crede set for DL stint ... OAK - Freddie Bynum up, Ron Flores to AAA  ... SD - Pedro Astacio DL, Ben Johnson up ... CHN - Kerry Wood heading for surgery ... SF - Jason Ellison up ... ATL - acquired Todd Hollandsworth from CHN for  LHP Todd Blackford and RHP Angelo Burrows.

    David Regan, RotoAmerica.com, has his picks as the pre-season Arizona Fall League All-Stars :

" ... 1. Brandon Wood, SS, LAA - Leads the minors in basically every offensive category as a SS. Let's see how he handles the Texas League ... 2. Lastings Milledge, OF, NYM - Multi-tooled OF isn't slowing down at AA. Could be part of a major trade this offseason (Manny Ramirez?) ... 3. Chad Billingsley, SP, LAD - Compares to Ben Sheets. Will compete for a rotation slot in the spring ...

" ... 15. Josh Barfield, 2B, SD - Has recovered nicely this year and has to be in the Padres plans for '06 I would think. A Vidro type 2B ... 22. Matt Moses, 3B, MIN - The Twins have been looking for a 3B solution all year. In the minors they have one but he won't be ready until 2007 ...  32. Matt Kemp, OF, LAD - Toolsey OF starting to put it together. Needs to work on plate discipline this fall to be a star ... 36. Michael Bourn, OF, PHI - Some power, much speed. Phils finally have a CF answer? Maybe ... 38. Andre Ethier, OF, OAK - Plate discipline and 20+ HR power. Call him Nick Swisher with a little less power and a little more speed. "

    A scare for a BOS pitching prospect :

" ... starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez left in the fourth inning with soreness in his elbow and forearm. Sanchez said he will see a doctor to find out if he can keep pitching this season ... Sanchez was working on a two-hit shutout in the fourth inning when he hurt his arm ... Claus [Sea Dogs Manager Todd Claus ] said Sanchez will be fine, but the Boston Red Sox may be more cautious with their prospect, who missed the 2003 season after elbow surgery."  (Portland Press Herald)

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, has posted his update of the top prospects in the Gulf Coast League.

 1. Elvis Andrus, SS ATL       6. Austin Jackson, OF NYA
 2. Andrew McCutchen, OF PIT   7. Michael Bowden, RHP BOS
 3. Jose Tabata, OF NYA        8. Kyle Edlich, LHP MIN
 4. C.J. Henry, SS NYA         9. Edgar Garcia, RHP PHI
 5. Beau Jones, LHP ATL       10. Paul Kelly, SS MIN

    Zach Chalifour, RotoTimes, has notes on Ian Stewart COL and Greg Miller LA in his latest prospect report.

" ... Greg Miller ... After missing the entire 2004 season due to shoulder surgery, Miller finally returned to action this summer, and he has gone right back to his dominant self ...  In 31 innings spread through time with the Gulf Coast League Dodgers, High-A Vero Beach, and now Double-A Jacksonville, Miller has posted excellent numbers with the sole exception of his high walk total ... Assuming he harnesses his command and remains healthy, Miller is a safe bet to reach Los Angeles next summer."

" ...  Ian Stewart ... relatively disappointing 2005 campaign ...  got off to a horrendous start this spring, and his numbers have suffered the lasting effects of his poor early performance despite a bit of a resurgence over the past six weeks. On the year at High-A Modesto, Stewart is hitting at a .277 clip with 14 home runs, 77 RBI and just two stolen bases ...  Plate discipline has also been somewhat of an issue for Stewart, averaging approximately twice as many strikeouts as walks throughout his professional career. With just 47 walks amidst 100 strikeouts in 104 games, the 20-year-old has made no significant progress this year and will need to improve his discipline in the fall to prepare himself for next season, when he will likely move to Double-A. In the long run, Stewart remains an elite prospect ... If Stewart can continue to improve and refine his power stroke, he could become a Todd Helton-like force for the Rockies and will likely reach Colorado for his first full season in 2007."

    The Pacific Coast League has named the 2005 All-Stars :

Catcher- Jeff Mathis ANA                      Outfielder- Todd Linden SF
First Baseman- Conor Jackson ARZ       Outfielder- Brandon Watson WAS
Second Baseman- Andy Green ARZ       Outfielder- Aaron Guiel KC
Third Baseman- Mike Coolbaugh HOU    Designated Hitter- Rick Short WAS
Shortstop- Danny Klassen HOU

Left-Hand Pitcher- Matt White WAS
Right-Hand Pitcher- Felix Hernandez SEA
Relief Pitcher- Jermaine Van Buren CHN

" ... Todd Linden was named to the 2005 All-PCL Team ... selected annually by vote of the PCL's field managers and media representatives. The 25-year-old Washington native was among the Pacific Coast League leaders in almost every offensive category - including home runs (30), RBI (80), batting average (.321), slugging percentage (.682) and on-base percentage (.437) - before he was recalled by the San Francisco Giants on August 12. Linden was a force on both offense and defense, as he boasted one of the strongest arms in the league from his right field position."  (Fresno Grizzlies)

    Kendry Morales ANA the Player of the Week in the Texas League :

" ... Morales batted .667 avg (18 hits - 27 ab), with 4 home runs, 12 RBI, and 10 runs scored. Currently, Morales is on a 14-game hitting streak where he is batting .569 (29-for-51) with 6 home runs and 17 RBI. The hitting streak has raised his average 66 points to .306 ...  After being held up because of visa problems in the Dominican Republic, Morales was assigned to Rancho Cucamonga (Class A+ - California League) and hit a home run in his first at bat on his way to hitting .344 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI. With the Travs, Morales is hitting .306 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI."  (Arkansas Travelers)

    Jason Collette, RotoJunkie, with a look at the promotion of Matt Cain SF (posted Friday, before his scheduled Monday start) :

" ...  the Giants system ...  a terrible track record with developing their top pitching talent ... As I look at Cain's stat lines at this stage in his career, I can't help but think about former top prospect Roger Salkeld of the Mariners. Both had very similar stuff and their numbers at this stage of their respective careers are pretty close ...  big difference between the two was that Salkeld went through some serious abuse by his coaches facing a whopping 25.3 batters per game while Cain is at a more acceptable rate of 22.5 Here's hoping that Cain's professional career is a happier story than was Salkeld's ... Meddling with rookie pitcher is a risky business to begin with. What Felix Hernandez has done in August is the obvious exception rather than the norm and it speaks to just how good his stuff is...  Sensationalism aside, the only fantasy leaguers who should pick up Cain in September are those with an eye toward next season. Cain may currently help in strikeouts but his struggles with the strikezone this season are going to make it very difficult for him to positively contribute in the other pitching categories."

    Zach Jackson TOR still on a path which could lead to his MLB debut next season :

" ... Jackson ... has climbed from Auburn to Single-A Dunedin to Double-A New Hampshire to the Triple-A Syracuse SkyChiefs, and he leads the minor leagues with 16 wins this season. It's not a stretch to think that Jackson, one of the Blue Jays' two picks in the first round of the 2004 draft ...  in Toronto's rotation at some point next year ... "He has a good feel for pitching. He knows how to pitch to get people out," SkyChiefs manager Marty Pevey said. "He's not an overpowering guy, just like Chacin, but he's effective." Jackson allowed two runs on eight hits in 7 1/3 innings Sunday night ...  Jackson is 4-3 in seven starts for Syracuse after going 8-1 at Dunedin and 4-3 at New Hampshire ... the Blue Jays selected Jackson with the 32nd pick overall in last year's draft with the idea that he and their other No. 1 pick, David Purcey (16th overall), would move quickly through the system ..Jackson was a polished pitcher when he was drafted because he had spent three years in college (two at Louisville and one at Texas A&M). " (Syracuse Post Standard)

29 August 2005

    As the minor league season moves toward the end of regular play, a round of applause please for our dedicated correspondents who have battled through all kinds of adversity to present their daily reports. Once in awhile, real life gets in the way and folks have had to suspend their contributions for periods of time, but I am very grateful for their deep interest and  superb assistance.  Thanks to Herb Walters, Ralph Marston, Jason Collette, Aman Reaka, Wayne Stevens, Troy Salvior, Bob Reed, Dave Scott, Harry Almquist, Scott Howes and Joe McAnally !!

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Chris Denorfia CF CIN 3-5, 2B, R, RBI ... Justin Germano CIN 5 9 6 6 1 5, 3.68 ... Adam Bernero ATL 5 6 2 2 1 4, 3.06 ... Gabe Gross RF TOR 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI ... Zach Jackson TOR 7-1/3 8 2 2 0 4, 4.71 ... B.J. Upton SS TB 1-3, BB, 0 errors ... Delmon Young RF TB 1-4, 5th HR, R, RBI ... Jason Hammel TB 7 3 0 0 2 8, 4.25 ... Ryan Garko 1B CLE 3-3, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, HBP ... Jason Dubois LF CLE 2-4, R, BB, SB ... Jeremy Guthrie CLE 6 9 3 3 3 3 5.08 ... Kevin Youkilis 3B BOS 2-5, RBI, BB ... Dustin Pedroia 2B BOS 2-6, 2B, 5th HR, 2 R, RBI ... Lenny DiNardo BOS 3 6 4 3 1 3 3.15 ... Angel Pagan CF NYN 2-4 ... Tony (not Mike) Piazza C NYN 0-2, BB ... Yusmeiro Petit NYN 4-2/3 10 6 5 1 3, 6.75 ... rehab, Scott Podsednik LF CHA 1-4, 2B, R ... Chris Heintz 3B MIN 2-5, 2 R, RBI ... Dave Gassner MIN 2 7 5 5 2 2, 4.93

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Ian Kinsler TEX 2-4, 21st homer, 3 RBI, .275 ... Kelvim Escobar, rehab, ANA 3 2 1 1 4 4 ... Alberto Callaspo ANA 3-5, double, .282 ... Ben Johnson SD 3-5, 27th double, 2 homers (25), 7 RBI, .312 ... Paul McAnulty OF SD 4-5, 2 doubles, .340 ... Jesse Foppert 3-1/3 4 2 2 2 3 ... Juan Cruz OAK 7 4 0 0 1 3, 2.40

EASTERN (AA)  --  Anibal Sanchez BOS 3-1/3 2 0 0 2 5, 2.70 ... David Purcey TOR 2 4 3 3 4 3, 3.50 ... Hanley Ramirez BOS 2-5, 20th double, .279 ... Ryan Zimmerman WAS 2-4,  1st SB, .323 ... Matt DeSalvo NYA 7 4 0 0 3 7, 3.11 ... Shelly Duncan NYA 2-3, 2 homers (33), 4 RBI, .237

SOUTHERN (AA) --  D’Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 1-4, 8th HR, .282 ... Travis Chick CIN 6.0 1 1 1 5 0, 5.23 (W) ... Brandon Sing 1B CHN 0-3, .278 ... Kennard Jones OF SD 1-4, .281 ... George Kottaras C SD 2-4, .314 ... Jared Wells SD 6.0 8 4 4 2 1, 4.40 (L) ... Robert Andino SS FLA 2-4, RBI, .270 ... Jamie Russ FLA 5.0 4 0 0 0 5 – 1st AA win, 11th overall ... Chris Resop FLA 1.0 1 0 0 1 3, 2.06 ... Chris Young OF CHA 0-3, 2 K’s (123), .268 ... Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 1-4, run, .286 ... Josh Fields 3B CHA 1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K’s (134), .256 ... Ryan Sweeney OF CHA 2-4, solo HR (1), .289 ... Charlie Hager CHA 9.0 5 0 0 4 5, 3.60, 14th win ... Andy LaRoche 3B LA 0-3, .281 ... Joel Guzman SS LA 1-2, .285 ... James Loney 1B LA 0-3, .281 ... Russell Martin C LA 0-4, .310 ... Joel Hanrahan LA 6.0 7 2 2 3 5, 4.87 (L) ... Hong Chih Kuo LA 2.0 2 2 2 2 2, 1.91 ... Luis Hernandez SS ATL 3-4, 2B, 3B, .243 ... Jason Pridie OF TAM 2-4, RBI ... Wes Bankston 1B TAM 1-4, RBI, .296 ... Elijah Dukes OF TAM 0-3, BB, run, .283 ... Brian Stokes TAM 7.0 5 1 1 2 4, 3.69 (W) ... Stephen Drew SS AZ 0-3, K, .194 ... Dustin Nippert AZ 5.0 7 3 2 4 6, 2.32

TEXAS (AA)  --   heating up at the right time, ready for a September callup,  Kendry Morales ANA, on a 14-game hitting streak, 4-5, .306 (17 hits in last 23 ABs, 3 homers) ... Rick Ankiel STL 4-4, R, 2 2B, HR(7), 4RBI(23), .245 ... Cory Aldridge KC 1-3, R, HR(25), RBI(73), .271 ... Billy Butler KC 1-4, R, HR(4), RBI(17), .337 ... Erick Aybar ANA 2-6, R, HR(9), RBI(54), SB(44), .306 ... Howie Kendrick ANA 3-5, 2R, RBI(41), .351 ... Rehab - Clint Barmes COL 2-5, .400 ... 1st AA HR - Joe Koshansky COL 1-3, R, HR(1), 3RBI(6), .211 ... Adam Jones SEA 2-3, 2R, 3B, .298 ... Jesse Hoorelbeke (1B) SEA 2-4, R, HR(21), 4RBI(79), .260 ... Thomas Oldham SEA (w,12-7) 5 7 1 1 2 7 (3.62) ...  Jason Hirsh HOU 1 1 0 0 0 0 (3.09) - Injury or a call-up?

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Brandon Wood ANA 1-4, .322 ... Francisco Leandro TB 1-3, triple, .335 ... Juan Morillo COL 7 4 1 1 5 8, 4.17 ... Kurt Suzuki OAK 3-5, double, homer, .276 ... Brad Sullivan OAK, a major struggle to regain some sort of prospect status, opened his relief stint by tossing two wild pitches, then after a good inning, fell apart, 1-1/3 6 7 6 2 2, 7.30 (in 24 2/3s innings, 21 walks, 11 Ks, 36 hits allowed)

CAROLINA (A+) --  Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 0-2, BB & 0-3, 2 K ... Matt Esquivel ATL 0-3, 2 K & 1-3, K ... Jeff Fiorentino BAL 0-3, K & 1-2, 2 R, HR (20), 3 RBI, 2 BB ... Ryan Finch BAL (W, 10-9, 3.19) 7 2 0 0 2 10 ... Hunter Pence HOU 3-5, double, 2 RBI (81) ... career game ... Mike Floyd CF HOU 5-5, 4 R, double, triple, 2 HR (10), 3 RBI ... Robert Valido CHA 2-4, triple ... Josh Whitesell 1B WAS 3-3, 2 R, double (30), HR (15), 5 RBI, 2 BB ... Stephen Head CLE 3-5, R, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, BB ... Ryan Goleski CLE 3-5, R, double, RBI, 2 K ... still hurt? ... Adam Miller CLE 3-2/3 9 10 5 2 2

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Reid Gorecki CF STL 3-4 2B 3B SB(21), .297 … Lou Palmisano C MIL 3-5 R 2RBI, .252 … Ryan Costello MIL 7 1/3 6 1 1 0 8 (W, 6-5) 3.03

MIDWEST (A) --  too good for low-A Jeff Clement SEA 4-5, double, 4th PB (.369 in 84 AB) ... not good enough Matt Bush SD 0-4 (.223) ... Michael Ekstrom SD 4 12 9 8 1 3 (3.49) .. Reid Brignac TB 1-4 (.253) ... A.J. Wideman TOR 6 5 3 3 1 4 (4.91) ... the big man likes to run Michael Collins (at 1B) ANA 3-5, 15th SB, 8th CS (.320) ... Luis Cota KC 6 7 3 2 3 7 (4.03) ... Carlos Gonzalez 1-4, 2 K's ... bouncing back after 2 extra off-days Sean Gallagher CHN 7 1/3 3 0 0 1 8 (2.71) ... Ryan Harvey CHN 0-3, OF asst (.259) ... much, much better Kyle Waldrop MIN 7 3 1 1 1 8 (5.10) ... David Winfree MIN 31st double, 34th E

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Jonathan Sanchez SF 5-1/3 4 1 1 1 4, 3.89  ...  Scott Elbert LA 4 3 2 1 2 4, 2.70  ...  Colin Balester WAS 5 3 2 2 0 8, 3.66  ...  Matt Whitney CLE 2-3, homer, 3 RBI  ...  Greg Golson PHI 2-4, triple, run, walk  ...  Jason Jaramillo PHI 2-4, double, solo homer, 2 runs  ...  Yovanni Gallardo MIL 6-2/3 3 1 1 4 8, (W, 7-3), 2.90  ...  Felipe Paulino Del Guidice HOU 5 5 2 0 1 6, L, 0.82

NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  BOS 2005 1st rounders having solid seasons, Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 3-5, R, BB, 2SB, CS  & Jed Lowrie SS BOS 4-5, 2R, HR, 4RBI, CS ... Ryan Phillips BOS, 2004 11th rounder, 5 1 0 0 2 4 ... Ryan Patterson CF TOR 3-5, 3R, HR, 2RBI ... Cory Patton RF TOR 1-4, 2R, HR, 2RBI, BB, 2K ... Brett Gardner CF NYY 3-4, 2R, BB ... Bobby Parnell NYM 5 7 3 3 4 7 ... Blake Hawksworth STL 2 4 2 2 0 2 ... Matt O'Brien DET 8 5 0 0 1 7 ...  Andrew McCutchen PIT 2-3 ... Matt Miller CLE, rehab, 2/3 5 4 4 0 1

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Ben Nieto SF 5 3 0 0 1 4 ... Michael Mooney SF 2-4, 18th double, 8th triple, .336 ...Taylor Teargarden TEX 1-4, 7th homer, .304 ... ARZ 3B Lester Contreras, into the game at .198, 4-5, 2 doubles, triple, homer, walk ... OF Brandon Burgess ARZ 3-4 2 doubles, .343 ... trio of Cubbbies tossed a 2-hitter, with 15 Ks (after taking a no-hitter into the 8th) - Donald Veal 4 0 0 0 3 7, Ryan Chambers 3-2/3 2 0 0 0 6, Nick Thompson 1-1/3 0 0 0 1 2 ... Johnny Defendis OF CHN 3-4, double, .341 

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Recently promoted Kala Kaaihue (1B ATL) 3-4, 3 R, 2 2B, HR (7th total), 2 RBI (24), K, .294 BA... Todd Blackford (SP DAN) W (5-3), 6-1/3 1 0 0 2 3, 3.17 ERA... Colby Rasmus (CF STL) 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR (7), 2 RBI (24), 2 K, SB (12), .301 BA... not a great night for Joanniel Montero (SP CLE) 2-2/3 12 9 9 0 1, 12.86 ERA... Vernon Carter (1B CWS) 3-4, 2 RBI (35), .289 BA... Ryan Royster (LF TBY) 1-3, R, HR (12), 2 RBI (37), .245 BA... Erik Lis (1B MIN) 3-4, R, HR (8), 2 RBI (36), .294 BA

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Chaz Roe COL 3 3 4 4 4 5, 3.53 ... Dallas Morris 3B ANA 3-4, 9th homer, 5 RBI, walk, .327 ... Hainley Statia SS ANA 3-4, 6th triple, .307

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  playoffs ... Yanks over Mets ... Keaton Everitt NYA 5.0 2 0 0 1 5 ... Angel Fermin NYA 3-5 .

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Zachary Phillips TEX 4 3 0 0 0 7, 3.93 (74 Ks in 50 1/3 innings) ... Lorenzo Cain OF MIL 2-4, double, .349 ... Lisandro Disla SF 3B 2-4, homer, .480 (in 6 games since demotion)

  Troop Movements ...  BAL - Sammy Sosa DL, Alejandro Freire up ... BOS - Abe Alvarez up, Mike Remlinger designated for assignment ... WAS - Jason Bergmann up ... PIT - Craig Wilson activated from DL, Chris Duffy to DL ... LA - Cesar Izturis DL, Willy Aybar up ... PHI - Cory Lidle DL ... CHA - Brian Anderson to AAA ... MIN - Scott Baker up, Luis Rodriguez to AAA ...

" ... Eric Patterson has been promoted from Low-A Peoria to Double-A West Tenn. The twenty-two year old infielder was called up late Saturday night. Patterson appeared in 110 games with the Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League where he hit a league high .333 with thirteen homers, seventy-one RBI's and forty stolen bases ...  also led the league with ninety runs scored and ranked in the top five in stolen bases, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, triples and hits." (West Tenn Diamond Jaxx)

    Callup corner :

" ... The Marlins are mulling whether to call up Double A outfielder Jeremy Hermida before Aug. 31 -- the date when teams must set their postseason rosters. Hermida, one of the organization's top prospects, has been sidelined with a sore right wrist. He is hitting .293 with 18 home runs and 63 RBI for the Carolina Mudcats. Other potential call-ups for Sept. 1, when teams can expand rosters, include right-handed pitcher Josh Johnson (11-4, 3.96 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 131 2/3 innings for Carolina) and veteran utility infielder Mike Mordecai, who is managing the Marlins' rookie-league team in Jamestown, N.Y."  (Miami Herald)

" ... One will be outfielder Matt Murton, who hit .339 in 25 games with the Cubs before being sent down when Jerry Hairston was activated from the disabled list. Murton and shortstop Ronny Cedeno are in general manager Jim Hendry's plans for September and next season. "Cedeno is a good young player, and Murton will be back,'' Hendry said. "He held his own admirably, so it won't be as if our young players won't have some major-league experience. When Cedeno and Murton are playing, that's a positive, and I think our fan base will appreciate that.'' Left-handed pitcher Rich Hill, who also has spent time with the Cubs, is another likely September addition. Hill was named the Pacific Coast League pitcher of the week Friday after striking out 21 batters in 13-1/3 innings. He is 5-1 with a 3.95 ERA in nine games at Class AAA Iowa."

    BJ Upton trying to wind up on a positive note :

" ... After being honored as the Durham Bulls' 2005 Most Valuable Player prior to Saturday night's game, B.J. Upton did what you might expect. He went out and made some more MVP plays. The Bulls' shortstop doubled off the wall in left-center in the eighth inning, brazenly stole third base and scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Earl Snyder in a 4-3 victory over the Richmond Braves. Then the 21-year old shortstop, who has had fielding troubles in a 50-error season, scooped up a grounder in the top of the ninth to start a game-ending double play and thwart a budding Braves' comeback ... Now, if he can flash a glove to match his bat and speed. This past week Ozzie Smith, who once played shortstop in Hall of Fame fashion, came to work with Upton for a few days. "We worked on footwork,'' Upton said. "It was nothing drastic." A gifted athlete, he could undoubtedly play other positions. But Upton adamantly says: "Shortstop is my spot. I plan being there the rest of my career." (Raleigh News and Observer)

    Pirates' Neil Walker on the move, up to A+ :

" ...   2004 first-round pick ...made his High A debut for the Hillcats on Friday, going 1-for-4, driving in a run on a sacrifice fly and hitting a single that put in motion the game-winning play in the bottom of the 10th of Lynchburg’s 3-2 win over Wilmington. Not a bad High-A start for someone who won’t turn 20 until Sept. 10 ...   “He has tremendous composure,” Pirates director of player development Brian Graham said. “He’s very mature. He understands himself very well, his abilities. And he also understands he has some work to do to get to the big leagues.” Walker, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound switch hitter, showed that maturity at Low-A Hickory this season, hitting .301 in 120 games, with 146 hits (second in the league) and 33 doubles (tied for first). He belted 12 home runs, had 68 RBIs and was named to both the midseason and postseason South Atlantic League all-star teams."   (Lynchburg News & Advance)

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

    
Rookie Reports Archive :

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