8/11 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on August 12, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Allen Craig really likes to hit in the thin air of Colorado Springs as he belted three HR’s during a double header to raise his tally to 21 on the season.  Craig has been as hot as any hitter in the minor leagues since the All Star break, hitting .446 with 13 HR 30 RBI and 27 runs scored in just 28 games.  Craig continues to play in the outfield which surprises me in the wake of the Brett Wallace trade.  He’s never been a bad fielder at 3B, but the organization seems to find him a better fit in left field.  Regardless of where he’s playing, Craig has been the best hitter in the Cardinals’ organization this season and should earn a big league call up at some point this year.  His only first year cards are in the 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft set and his singles can still be had in lots for less than a buck apiece.

Gaby Sanchez was a darkhorse N.L. ROY candidate by some baseball pundits on the heels of his fine 2008 season at AA Carolina.  Instead, he like fellow Marlins teammate Cameron Maybin, struggled to earn playing time with the big club and was demoted to New Orleans.  Last night, Sanchez went 3-5 with his 12th and 13th dingers, driving in five runs and scoring four times.  Sanchez has been hot during the month of August, hitting .325 with 4 HR 7 RBI and a killer 10 BB/3K ratio.  Sanchez is in a tough spot.  Logan Morrison has made a successful return from a broken wrist and is driving the ball with authority in AA.  He’s the heir to the first base job in Miami, leaving Sanchez either to switch to a new position or continue to toil at AAA.  At his best, Gaby is a well disciplined hitter with decent power to the gaps and above average defensive skills that could help him carve out a starting job with a big league club someday.

Today’s top prospect is one of Cleveland’s newest additions, RHP Carlos Carrasco.  After back to back rocky starts with Columbus, Carrasco tossed eight innings of four hit, one run ball, striking out 10 hitters for his 9th victory of the season.  Carrasco has the stuff to be a frontline pitcher at the major league level, but his inability to establish consistency and pitch with confidence at times was maddening to the Phillies franchise.  Perhaps the move to Cleveland will be just what Carlos needs to rediscover his potential as an MLB stopper.  Surely this outing does wonders for his chances to crack the Indians’ rotation at some point this season.  Carrasco’s 2008 Bowman Sterling Jsy/Autos are currently trading at $4-6 each on eBay and seem like a solid low risk buy for someone who has slipped off of many collectors’ radars.

AAA Player of the Day—CARLOS CARRASCO

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Matt Tuiasosopo—1-4 2B 2 RBI R
• Mike Carp—1-4 R 2 RBI BB
• Adam Moore—4-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Tony Abreu—1-5 HR(10) RBI
• Gaby Sanchez—3-5 2 HR(13) 5 RBI 4R BB
• John Raynor—2-6 2R RBI SB(16)
• Brett Hayes—2-4 R 3 RBI BB
• Travis Buck—3-4 2B 3 RBI SB(3)
• Allen Craig—2-3 2 HR(20) 3 RBI 2R (Game 1)…..1-3 HR(21) RBI (Game 2)
• Jarret Hoffpauir—2-3 2B 3B RBI R
• Eric Young Jr.—3-5 RBI (Game 1)…..1-2 R BB SB(55) (Game 2)
• Brandon Allen—3-4 2B 2R RBI BB
• Cole Gillespie—2-5 2B 2 RBI
• Chris Johnson—2-3 2B HR(10) RBI
• Juan Miranda—1-5 2B R 2 RBI
• Travis Snider—2-4 RBI
• Drew Stubbs—2-4 RBI
• John Mayberry Jr.—2-3 R SB(6)
• Lou Marson—3-4 R RBI
• Wes Hodges—2-4 2B R
• Justin Maxwell—2-3 R SB(28)
• Brent Clevlen—2-3 HR(15) RBI
• Aaron Bates—2-4 2B R

Pitching:

• Scott Elbert—4 IP 2H 3 BB 3K
• Travis Wood—6 IP 6H ER 3 BB K W (12-4)
• Carlos Carrasco—8 IP 4H ER 10K W (9-9)

7/27 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 28, 2009 under Minor League Ball today, Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Former Oakland A’s farm hand and current San Diego Padres OF prospect Dan Putnam hit his 14th HR of the season and drove in three runs in a three hit outing.  Putnam has been solid over his last 10 games batting .361 with 3 HR 17 RBI and 7 doubles.  At 26 years old, time is ticking for Putnam to make an impact at the major league level.  He’s proven to be a consistent power hitter over the past few seasons but has never been quite good enough to stand out above his peers.  That shouldn’t change at San Diego.  He’ll likely earn a look in September but the Padres will likely be much more interested in getting a better look at fellow Portland teammate Chad Huffman.

Today’s top player is a former MLB flash in the pan Florida Marlins 2B propect Tony Abreu.  The ex-Dodger had a perfect day at the plate yesterday, going 5-5 with his 6th HR, 3 RBI and 3 doubles.  Abreu has bounced back nicely with the Marlins after missing the entire 2008 season, hitting .348 with 6 HR 29 RBI 11 doubles and 20 runs scored in just 27 games with Albuquerque.  Abreu’s first year cards in various 2007 sets experienced an uptick of popularity after his solid debut with the Dodgers in ‘07 and there could be an opportunity for the cards to be, likely to a lesser degree, relevant again.  The Marlins have already switched former 2B Chris Coghlan to the outfield and it has long been rumored that the future of Dan Uggla as a member of the Marlins is not a long one.  Abreu is still just 24 years old and his switch hitting bat has proven to be a consistent one with decent gap power and the ability to hit for a high average.  The market for Abreu’s 2007 products is deflated, making this the perfect opportunity to add a low serial #’ed rookie card to your portfolio for less than $5.

AAA Player of the Day—TONY ABREU

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Cole Gillespie—1-2 Hr(9) 2 RBI BB SB(11)
• Jon Jay—2-5 R SB(17)
• Tyler Greene—3-5 HR(7) 2 RBI
• Allen Craig—2-3 HR(15) 2 RBI 2R
• Mark Hamilton—4-5 2 HR(10) 4 RBI
• Alejandro De Aza—3-6 3B RBI 2R
• Cameron Maybin—1-3 2B R 3 RBI 3 BB
• John Raynor—1-2 HR(4) RBI 2 BB 3R
• Austin Jackson—2-5 2B RBI
• Cliff Pennington—2-4 2B 2R
• Aaron Cunningham—2-4 2 2B 2R 2 RBI BB
• Brett Wallace—2-4 2 2B R RBI
• Tony Abreu—5-5 3 2B HR(6) 3 RBI
• Alcides Escobar—1-4 2R SB(36)
• Joaquin Arias—3-4 3R HR(5) RBI
• Ian Desmond—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Brandon Snyder—1-4 2 RBI
• Justin Turner—2-4 2B RBI
• Reid Brignac—1-3 2B R RBI 2 BB SB(5)
• Rhyne Hughes—3-3 2 2B R BB
• Cole Armstrong—2-4 HR(8) 2 RBI 2B
• Chad Huffman—2-5 HR(14) 3 RBI 2R
• Dan Putnam—3-4 2B HR(14) 3 RBI

Pitching:

• Jeff Manship—8 IP 7H ER 3 BB 3K
• Fabio Castro—7 IP 2H 2 BB 10K W (7-5)
• Shairon Martis—7 IP 5H BB 3K W (3-1)

7/7 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 9, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

The family is finally in bed and after a long day, I am able to sit down at my computer and check box scores!

Yesterday’s action at the AAA ranks saw Minnesota Twins 3B prospect Danny Valencia stroke another two hits, scoring twice and driving in three runs.  Since his promotion to Rochester, Valencia has torn the cover off of the ball, hitting .352 with 2 HR 12 RBI and 12 runs scored in 15 games.  The former Miami Hurricane has made significant steps in increasing his plate discipline, as testified by his 33 BB/47 K ratio, and has shown decent power numbers by hitting 9 HR, driving in 41 runs and smacking 19 doubles.  The Twins currently have Joe Crede manning the hot corner and, while he’s had a solid power numbers this year and has played good defense, his low batting average and impending free agency makes him an unlikely candidate to return to the Twins.  Valencia has an opportunity to take the next step forward and nestle into a full time role with MInnesota as early as April of next year. 

Today’s top AAA prospect is San Diego Padres OF Chad Huffman.  The stocky 24 year old righty went 3-4 with his 12th HR, two doubles, four RBI and two runs scored yesterday.  Huffman’s big day raised his average to .246 and has been swinging a hot bat through the first seven games in July.  Huffman has boosted his power numbers this season, but at the expense of his plate discipline.  Regardless of his inconsistencies, Huffman remains a strong and offensively adept OF who is a gritty competitor and tireless worker.  Players of that caliber inevitably grind their way onto major league rosters in some capacity.  The Padres are chocked full of outfielders with higher upsides than Huffman, but most of them are still at the single-A levels right now.  That gives the former TCU Horned Frog a brief window of opportunity to wriggle his way into a major league job.  Expect him to get a look in September.

AAA Player of the Day—CHAD HUFFMAN

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• John Raynor—2-4 2B R 2 RBI
• Chad Huffman—3-4 HR(12) 4 RBI 2 2B 2R
• Chin-Lung Hu—3-4 BB
• Cole Gillespie—1-3 2B 2R BB
• Joaquin Arias—4-5 3 RBI R
• Chris Davis—3-4 2B 3B 2R RBI
• Greg Golson—4-5 3R
• Yorandy Ramirez—2-4 HR(9) RBI
• Mark Hamilton—2-4 2B R
• Brett Wallace—2-3 RBI BB
• Jeff Clement—2-5 2B HR(12) 4 RBI
• Mike Carp—0-2 2 BB 3R
• Brandon Wood—2-4 HR(16) RBI 2B 2R
• Jesus Guzman—2-4 2R RBI BB
• Jacob Hester—2-5 2 2B
• Danny Valencia—2-4 2R 3 RBI BB
• David Winfree—4-5 HR(10) 2 RBI
• Reid Brignac—2-5 2 RBI
• Brian Bixler—2-6 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Shelby Ford—2-4 2 2B 3R BB
• Michael Brantley—3-5 2B R
• Trevor Crowe—1-5 3B 2 RBI
• Matt LaPorta—2-4 2 RBI
• Juan Miranda—3-4 HR(11) RBI 2R BB
• Brandon Snyder—2-4 R 2 RBI

Pitching:

• Will Inman—6 IP 6H 2 ER BB 4K W (1-4)
• Bryan Augenstien—5 IP 6H 2 ER BB 4K W (2-4)
• Clay Buchholz—6 IP 4H 2 ER 4 BB 4K W (7-1)
• Jake Arrieta—6.1 IP 7H 4 ER BB 8K W (8-5)

7/4 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on July 6, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

I hope that you all had a wonderful July 4th weekend and took a moment to internally savor and give thanks for the liberties that we as Americans are blessed with.  To all our armed forces, you are in our prayers and our gratitude to you for what you do abounds.  Thank you.

On to baseball.  Seattle Mariners catching prospect Adam Moore raked his 6th HR of the year yesterday, driving in two and collecting two more hits.  Moore is having another solid season at the plate hitting .288 with 7 HR 35 RBI and 16 doubles at two levels this season.  The Seattle Mariners catching position is an intriguing one for sure.  It was widely believed that Jeff Clement would secure the reins this season as the predominant catcher for the M’s, but offseason knee surgery, a terrible offensive showing in spring training, and continued defensive struggles has rendered him as a future DH.  Kenji Johjima has spent most of the ‘09 season on the DL with varioius injuries and rookie Rob Johnson has handled a bulk of the catching duties.  Johnson is a solid receiver and M’s pitchers like pitching to him, but his offensive potential pales in comparison to Clement or Moore.  I think Moore will get a brief look when the rosters are expanded and then think that he would be an ideal candidate to get more work in the Arizona Fall League before getting a longer look next year in spring training.

New York Mets LHP prospect Jon Niese tossed a complete game gem yesterday, allowing five hits and striking out 10 for his 4th win at Buffalo.  Despite his 4-6 record and 4.32 ERA, Niese hasn’t had a bad season in AAA.  He has a respectible 23 BB/75 K ratio in 81.1 IP and is forcing 1.80 GO/FO.  Niese’s quartet of wins have come in his last five starts where he has surrendered just three earned runs in 37.1 IP.  Niese has been quite durable over his professional career and has the frame (6-4 215 lb.) to be an inning-eating middle of the rotation starter.  Niese has been at the center of numerous trade rumors this season and could find himself packaged soon in a deal to help the scuffling Mets secure another piece to their playoff run.  A change of scenery could be exactly what this southpaw needs to get his major league career rolling.

AAA Player of the Day—JON NIESE

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Brian Bixler—2-3 GS(1) 4 RBI
• Danny Valencia—2-4 2 2B R RBI
• Justin Turner—4-5 HR(2) RBI 2R 2B
• Mike Baxter—3-5 HR(7) RBI 2R
• Mario Lisson—3-4 2B RBI
• Cameron Maybin—2-4 HR(2) 3 RBI 2B 2R BB
• John Raynor—3-4 2 RBI R
• Eric Patterson—4-6 2B 3R RBI SB(29)
• Cliff Pennington—1-5 2B R 2 RBI SB(25)
• Jacob Hester—3-5 2B 3R
• Kyle Greene—3-4 HR(9) 3 RBI
• Adam Moore—3-4 HR(7) 2 RBI
• Jesus Guzman—2-4 2B 2 RBI

Pitching:

• Matt Maloney—5 IP 3H Er BB 4K L (5-5)
• Clay Mortensen—7 IP 6H 2 ER BB 8K
• Wade LeBlanc—7 IP 2H Er BB 6K W (2-5)
• Jon Niese—9 IP 5H 2 BB 10K W (4-6)
• Wade Davis—5 IP 6H Er 2 BB 5K W (8-4)

6/11 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 13, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Milwaukee Brewers OF prospect Cole Gillespie hit his 4th HR of the season and drove in two runs yesterday.  I had high hopes for the former Oregon State Beaver last season as he flew under the prospecting radar for most of last season.  Much of that was due to the fact that he played for the star-studded Hunstville Stars team last year that boasted the talents of Matt LaPorta, Mat Gamel, Alcides Escobar, Angel Salome, and Michael Brantley.  Still, Gillespie had a well rounded stat line, hitting .281 with 14 HR 79 RBI 17 SB 38 doubles and 73 runs scored.  He doesn’t have any standout tool, but he does everything well and has an enormous baseball IQ.  This season has been a disappointment since Gillespie moved to AAA, hitting just .202 with his 4 HR and 20 RBI.  His plate discipline has been solid (28 BB/43 K), but he doesn’t seem to be driving the ball with much authority against AAA pitchers.  My initial projection of him as an everyday corner outfielder at the major league level is starting to look a little too generous.  There’s still quite a bit of potential there for him to be an effective, offensively minded 4th outfielder though.

Non-flashy Twins pitching prospects seem to grow on trees, and 23 year old Villanova alum Kevin Mulvey fits the bill perfectly.  The ‘06 second rounder tossed a seven hit shutout Thursday walking one and striking out seven for his third win of the season.  Mulvey can bump his fastball up to 94 MPH on occasion, but normally moves it around the strike zone at 87-91 MPH while mixing in a sharp slider and serviceable curve and change.  This season, Mulvey has gone 3-3 with a 3.61 ERA and 28 BB/59 K in 72.1 IP.  The main positive in his game has been his increased ability to force groundball outs.  Last year, Mulvey was a flyball pitcher forcing just 0.79 GO/FO while being touched up for 16 HR.  This season has been quite different, though, as Mulvey has nearly doubled his GO/FO ratio to 1.53 which has limited his HR’s allowed to just five. 

Long term, Mulvey’s stuff should limit him to a ceiling as a #3 or 4 starter.  There’s been some conjecture that he could be called up to serve a long reliever/spot starter role, but recent callup Anthony Swarzak has seemed to handling things quite capably.  The Twins are starting to improve their level of play, as the offense has kicked into full gear.  Mulvey’s arm could be a valuable asset either in the bullpen or rotation at some point this summer.

AAA Player of the Day—KEVIN MULVEY

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Angel Salome—3-5 R RBI
• Cole Gillespie—1-4 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Alcides Escobar—1-4 R BB 2 SB(24)
• Max Ramirez—2-3 2B BB
• John Raynor—2-5 2B 2R RBI SB(6)
• Cameron Maybin—2-5 2B 2 RBI
• Brett Hayes—2-4 2 2B 2R 3 RBI
• Ben Copeland—2-4 HR(2) RBI
• Jesus Guzman—1-5 HR(9) 2 RBI
• Sean Rodriguez—2-5 2B RBI R
• Brandon Wood—1-5 HR(13) 2 RBI
• Mike Carp—2-4 RBI R BB
• Dan Putnam—1-4 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Chris Nowak—3-4 2B 3B 4 RBI
• Dustin Martin—3-5 R RBI 2 SB(16)
• Jason Donald—1-4 R SB(6)
• Drew Sutton—1-4 2B R 2 RBI
• Wellington Castillo—2-4 HR(2) RBI

Pitching:

• Jack Egbert—6 IP 4H ER BB 3K L (4-1)
• Drew Carpenter—7 IP 6H ER 4K W (5-0)
• Kevin Mulvey—9 IP 7H ER BB 7K W (3-3)
• Sean O’Sullivan—6 IP 5H 2 ER 3 BB 5K W (5-2)
• James Simmons—5 IP 4H ER BB 4K

6/9 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on June 10, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Michael Brantley’s bat continues to be red hot in the month of June.  Going 3-4 with three runs scored and stealing his 19th base, the former Milwaukee Brewers farmhand is now hitting .441 in the month of June with a HR four RBI and four stolen bases.  Brantley has scored 41 times in 55 games as the leadoff hitter for AAA Columbus.  His power hasn’t manifested itself as a major factor in his game, but his blend of plate discipline, speed and hitting ability makes him an excellent candidate to become Cleveland’s leadoff hitter in the future, moving Grady Sizemore to the middle of the lineup.

Speaking of top of the order talents, Eric Young Jr. had two hits, scored twice and stole his MiLB-leading 38th base yesterday and raised his season average to .318.  The Rockies currently have Clint Barmes logging a majority of the innings at 2B and he’s been solid this season.  However, Young’s upside as a top of the order presence is too intriguing to leave at the AAA ranks for much longer.  As the Rockies slip slide their way out of contention, Young’s potential for a callup increases.

Today’s top player is a toss up between St Louis 2B prospect Jarret Hoffpauir and Pittsburgh Pirates OF/1B Steven Pearce.  Both Hoffpauir and Pearce hit two homeruns apiece, with Hoffpauir driving in five runs and Pearce four runs.  Each prospect turns 26 at some point during the ‘09 season and their opportunities are dwindling to make impacts at the major league level.  Pearce finds himself to be the odd man out after the Pirates bulked up their major league roster and farm system over the past season.  His best opportunities going forward may be as a bench bat with power or platooning DH in the American League.  As for Hoffpauir, the Cardinals have a hodge podge of players sharing time at 2B led by utility player Skip Schumaker.  Hoffpauir doesn’t profile to give the Cardinals anything that Schumaker, Joe Thurston or Brendan Ryan could.  Unless things change, consider him a AAAA utility guy.

AAA Players of the Day—STEVEN PEARCE & JARRET HOFFPAUIR

Other Notable Performances:

Hitting:

• Ryan Patterson—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI
• Matt Macri—4-5 HR(5) 2 RBI 2 2B 3R
• Trevor Plouffe—2-4 2R RBI
• David Winfree—2-4 2R RBI
• Wilkin Ramirez—1-3 HR(6) RBI 3 BB
• Charles Johnson—3-4 2B R
• Michael Brantley—3-4 3R SB(19)
• Matt LaPorta—3-5
• Julio Borbon—2-4 2B 2R BB
• Joaquin Arias—2-5 2B R 2 RBI SB(7)
• John Jaso—2-4 HR(3) RBI
• Rhyne Hughes—2-4 2B
• Steven Pearce—3-5 2 HR(8) 4 RBI 2B 2R
• Austin Jackson—2-5
• Juan Miranda—2-4 2B 2R 2 RBI BB
• John Raynor—3-6 2B
• Gaby Sanchez—1-5 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Jai Miller—2-4 HR(3) 2 RBI 2B 3R
• Brett Hayes—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI
• Jarret Hoffpauir—2-4 2 HR(6) 5 RBI
• Eric Young Jr.—2-3 2R BB SB(38)
• Michael Saunders—2-3 R RBI 2 BB
• Jeff Clement—2-5 2B R 3 RBI
• J.P. Arencibia—2-4 R
• Brandon Wood—1-3 HR(12) 2 RBI

Pitching:

• Elizardo Ramirez—6 IP 4H ER BB 7K W (3-4)
• Jeff Samardzija—6 IP 5H ER 3K W (3-2)
• Clay Buchholz—5 IP 5H ER 3 BB 2K
• Daniel McCutchen—7 IP 3H 2 ER 2 BB 6K

5/25 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 26, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

I hope all of you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend and found some time to set aside to honor those that have served or are serving in our Armed Forces.  Yesterday’s action in the AAA ranks saw Mets superstar prospect Fernando Martinez belt his 8th HR as did Royals 1B prospect Kila Ka’aihue.  Carlos Gonzalez had three hit, including his 6th dinger and slow starting ‘05 1st rounders Jeff Clement and Andrew McCutchen each collected three hits and scored two runs to raise their season averages over the .290 mark.

Today’s top prospect is no stranger to this list.  Boston’s Clay Buchholz tossed a complete game shutout yesterday, toying with perfection before allowing a single by Danny Richar in the 9th inning.  He went on to strike out the next two batters and end the game on a groundout.  Buchholz struck out seven in the game and threw just 96 pitches, 70 of them for strikes.  Stuff has never been a question for Clay, but he struggled with his control last season when he was with the big club.  All signs indicate that he has put those troubles behind him this year as he has completely dominated hitters in the International League this year.  In 8 starts, Buchholz is 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA, 12 BB/49 K’s and holding hitters to a miniscule .140 BAA in 48 innings.  The time is coming soon where Boston will once again call upon Buchholz to pitch in their rotation.  Odds are that he will enjoy much more success this time through.

AAA Player of the Day—CLAY BUCHHOLZ

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Aaron Cunningham—1-3 R 2 BB 2 SB(2)
• John Raynor—3-5 2R
• Cameron Maybin—2-4 3B R RBI BB
• Jeff Clement—3-5 2R
• Adam Moore—2-4 2B R RBI BB
• Bryan Anderson—3-3 BB
• Carlos Gonzalez—3-4 HR(6) RBI 2R
• Kila Ka’aihue—2-3 HR(8) RBI BB
• Brian Bogusevic—2-5 R RBI 2 SB(4)
• Fernando Martinez—1-5 HR(8) 2 RBI
• Dusty Brown—3-4 HR(2) RBI
• Andrew McCutchen—3-4 2R
• Shelby Ford—1-4 3B R 2 RBI
• Michael Brantley—2-4 2 2B RBI

Pitching:

• Jack Egbert—5 IP 2H UER K W (2-0)
• Bud Norris—6.2 IP 4H ER 3 BB 5K W (2-3)
• Adam Ottavino—6 IP 5H 2 ER 2 BB 8K L (0-5)
• Clay Buchholz—9 IP H 7K W (3-0)

5/21 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 22, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Brett Wallace hit his first HR at AAA and looks to be a strong contender to get a shot with St. Louis at some point this season.  Wallace is destroying AAA pitching to the tune of a .524 BA in his first five games.  Yankees 1B prospect Juan Miranda belted his 7th HR today, driving in three and scoring four runs in helping George Kontos earn his 3rd win.  Matt Wieters hit his 5th HR and drove in two, while Angels 2B prospect Sean Rodriguez blasted his 15th dinger and drove in two runs.

Today’s top prospect is no stranger to this list as Tommy Hanson tossed six innings of one-hit ball striking out nine for his third win.  Hanson’s top notch performance lowered his ERA to 1.51 and increased his MiLB-leading strikeout total to 73 in just 53.1 IP.  Teammate Kris Medlen made his MLB debut tonight with the Braves and struggled mightily walking five and surrendering five runs through just three innings of work.  It seems as if the Braves are counting the days until June 1st rolls around in order to avoid starting Hanson’s arbitration clock.  Once it does, expect Atlanta to find a way to fit Hanson into their rotation.

AAA Player of the Day—TOMMY HANSON

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Drew Stubbs—2-3 R RBI
• Trevor Crowe—4-5 2B 2R SB(5)
• Fernando Martinez—2-4 2B R
• Brandon Jones—3-5 2 2B 2 RBI R
• Reid Brignac—3-3 2B R RBI BB
• Matt Joyce—3-5 2 2B R 2 RBI
• Austin Jackson—1-4 R 3 RBI 2 BB
• Matt Wieters—1-4 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Eric Patterson—2-5 2B 2 RBI SB(18)
• John Raynor—2-3 2 2B 2 RBI R
• Sean Rodriguez—1-3 HR(15) RBI 2 BB
• Brett Wallace—3-4 3-4 HR(5) RBI 2 BB
• Freddy Sandoval—1-3 HR(5) RBI 2 BB
• Allen Craig—2-5 2 RBI
• Jeff Clement—4-5 2 2B 3 RBI R
• Michael Saunders—2-4 2B 2R BB
• Alcides Escobar—2-4 2 2B 2R
• Chad Huffman—1-3 HR(9) 3 RBI bb 2R
• Julio Borbon—3-5 2B R SB(9)
• Max Ramirez—2-4 HR(2) 2 RBI

Pitching:

• Neftali Feliz—6 IP 4H ER BB 4K
• Tommy Hanson—6 IP H BB 9K W (3-3)
• Drew Carpenter—6 IP 8H 3 BB 2K
• George Kontos—6 IP 2H 2 BB K W (3-2)

5/17 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 18, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Michael Bowden threw eight innings of shutout ball, striking out seven and allowing just three hits.  He’s been even better this year than last year allowing just four earned runs in his first 42 IP, mainly on the strength of a stingy .136 BAA.  The Red Sox have a plethora of good pitchers on the big league club right now, but there is ample reason that both he and Clay Buchholz will get another opportunity at some point this season.  Detroit Tigers OF prospect Wilkin Ramirez rapped three hits including is 5th HR and Kila Ka’aihue blasted his 7th.  One time top catching prospect Jeff Clement continues to break out of his horrible early season slump, collecting three more hits and driving in two runs.  Clement has been used primarily as a DH with recently promoted Adam Moore getting the bulk of the time behind the plate.

Today’s top performer is no stranger to the prospecting world.  Former 1st overall pick and 2008 post season hero David Price tossed five hitless innings fanning 9 hitters in a no decision.  Price has struggled with his control this season and has not resembled the pitcher that dazzled the baseball world this past October.  As a result, the final eBay values of Price’s first year cards have dropped to less than 50% of their peak values from this past fall.  The Rays currently have Jeff Niemann filling the #5 spot in their rotation, but he has struggled with his command all season making him the most likely candidate to be shuttled to the bullpen once Tampa is ready to recall Price.

AAA Player of the Day—DAVID PRICE

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Brandon Jones—2-4 R RBI
• Wilkin Ramirez—3-3 Hr(5) RBI BB SB(14)
• Alcides Escobar—2-4 2B RBI
• Angel Salome—3-4
• Matt Antonelli—1-4 2B R 2 RBI
• John Raynor—2-3 2 2B R BB
• Kila Ka’aihue—3-5 HR(7) 2 RBI 2B
• Freddy Sandoval—2-4 HR(4) 2 RBI 2R BB
• Jaime Hoffmann—1-3 HR(3) RBI BB
• Jesus Guzman—3-5 2B R RBI
• Matt Downs—1-4 HR(6) 3 RBI BB
• Jeff Clement—3-5 2 2B 2 RBI BB
• Cliff Pennington—2-4 RBI BB 3 SB(13)
• Eric Patterson—1-2 4 BB 2 SB(13)

Pitching:

• Vin Mazzaro—5.2 IP 3H ER 2 BB 4K
• Doug Fister—7 IP 9H 5K W (2-0)
• David Price—5 IP 0H 2 BB 9K
• Cesar Ramos—5.1 IP 3H ER 3 BB 2K W (2-2)
• Dillon Gee—6.1 IP 3H 5 BB 8K
• Michael Bowden—8 IP 3H 4 BB 7K
• Billy Buckner—6.1 IP 5H 3 BB 8K W (2-2)

5/14 AAA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on May 15, 2009 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Yesterday was a big day for Iowa Cubs prospects as Jake Fox blasted his 15th HR and scored three times and Brad Snyder hit #10 and 11 while driving in three.  Rockies prospect Carlos Gonzalez hit his 5th HR and Phillies OF John Mayberry Jr. hit #7.  Andrew McCutchen’s four hit day gives him 9 hits in his last 14 AB, raising his average to .297.  Neftali Feliz had his best outing of the season tossing five innings of one-hit ball striking out seven for his second win.

Today’s top prospect is Matt Wieters.  The O’s catcher more than made up for the absence of Nolan Reimold from the lineup by hitting two HR, driving in four runs and scoring three times.  It has been a disappointing power season for Wieters, but his big performance yesterday may be all that he needs to kick start his season.  He is slated to be one of the O’s callups once June 1st rolls around and I fully expect that he will do as much as he can in the next two weeks to warrant that promotion.

AAA Player of the Day—MATT WIETERS

Other Notable Performances

• John Mayberry Jr.—2-2 HR(7) 2 RBI 3B 2R BB
• Michael Aubrey—1-2 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Matt Wieters—2-5 2 HR(3) 4 RBI 3R
• Andrew McCutchen—4-5 2B R RBI
• Luke Hughes—2-3 HR(6) RBI 2R BB
• Reid Brignac—2-3 2B 3R BB SB(2)
• Michael Saunders—3-5 2B R
• John Raynor—4-5 RBI
• Brett Hayes—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Jake Fox—4-6 HR(15) 2 RBI 3R 2B
• Brad Snyder—3-6 2 HR(11) 3 RBI
• Carlos Gonzalez—1-2 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Eric Young Jr.—1-4 2B 2R BB
• Kila Ka’aihue—2-4 2B RBI BB R
• Chad Huffman—1-3 HR(6) RBI
• Julio Borbon—2-5 R SB(7)
• Jaime Hoffmann—2-6 R RBI SB(6)

Pitching:

• Neftali Feliz—5 IP H Er BB 7K W (2-1)