Cincinnati Reds 3B prospect Juan Francisco blasted HR’s 8 and 9 yesterday while his teammate Zack Cozart hit his second. Lars Anderson went yard for the 6th time and Philly’s Michael Taylor hit his 8th, helping teammate Joe Savery earn his 4th win of the year.
Yesterday was a big day for Birmingham’s top sluggers as Tyler Flowers hit his 6th HR, Dayan Viciedo had four hits and an RBI, and Brandon Allen had three hits. It was ’08 1st rounder Gordon Beckham who took home top honors, however, as he went 3-5 with his 4th HR five RBI and two runs scored. Beckham raised his average to .307 and his 17 doubles indicate that there is a good chance that he will boost his power numbers in the not too distant future. The White Sox currently are set at SS with Alexei Ramirez and rookie Chris Getz has been decent at 2B. Beckham’s star is rising, however, and there is no chance that Getz will be able to hold him off once the White Sox deem him ready for a major league job. Odds are quite high that Beckham will receive a mid-summer promotion to AAA Charlotte and, barring injury, it seems likely that he will get some MLB at bats once the rosters are expanded in September.
AA Player of the Day—GORDON BECKHAM
Other Notable Performances
Hitting:
- Michael Taylor—1-5 HR(8) RBI
- Jim Negrych—2-3 BB SB(1)
- Brandon Crawford—3-5 R
- Brett Pill—1-4 HR(2) 4 RBI
- Sharlon Schoop—1-3 2B 3 RBI BB
- Mark Wagner—3-5 2B R RBi BB
- Lars Anderson—2-4 HR(6) 2 RBI BB
- Jon Still—3-5 2 2B R
- Argenis Diaz—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI
- Whit Robbins—3-4 2B R BB
- Emmanuel Garcia—3-6 R RBI SB(13)
- Colin Curtis—2-4 2B R RBI BB
- Brandon Hicks—1-3 HR(3) RBI
- Concepcion Rodriguez—1-3 HR(2) RBI
- Zack Cozart—1-4 HR(2) RBI
- Juan Francisco—2-4 2 HR(9) 3 RBI 2R
- Chris Heisey—3-4 R SB(9)
- Gordon Beckham—3-5 HR(4) 5 RBI 2B 2R
- Tyler Flowers—2-5 HR(6) RBI
- Dayan Viciedo—4-5 RBI
- Brandon Allen—3-5 R
- Jordan Danks—1-3 2R 2 BB
- Daryl Jones—1-3 2R RBI 2 BB
- Brian McFall—2-3 HR(7) RBI
- James Rapoport—3-4 3R 3B RBI
- Chris Carter—2-2 HR(5) 2 RBI 2R 2B
- Corey Brown—1-3 2 RBI BB
Pitching:
- Guillermo Moscoso—8.1 IP 4H 3 ER BB 11K W (3-1)
- Aaron Poreda—6 IP 3H 2 ER 3 BB 5K W (4-4)
- Barry Enright—5.1 IP 3H 2 BB 3K W (3-3)
- Christian Garcia—5 IP 2H 3 BB 4K W (1-0)
- Jay Rainville—6 IP 3H 3 BB 4K
- Joe Savery—6 IP 4H 4 BB 3K W (4-1)
Word on the street is that they are going to toy around with Beckham at 3B.
I have heard that conjecture as well and that would make sense in the shorter term. Dayan Viciedo won’t be ready until next year and there is some conjecture that he may be shifted to the outfield.
Neither Josh Fields or Wilson Betemit have been very impressive this season for Chicago and 3B is a premium offensive position. It seems reasonable to believe that Beckham can provide better production right now than either Fields or Betemit and his arm and glove would play well over there.
Let’s see how it shakes out. One thing is for certain, though, Beckham will play in Chicago at some point this season.
Ugh, I just realized that I used the word “conjecture” twice in the same sentence. Strike the first one and replace it with its synonym “rumor”.
Be careful with all the big fancy talk there Jeremy.