A couple of pitchers had nice outings in losing efforts.  Trenton’s Zach McAllister tossed 7.1 innings, allowing an uncustomarily high nine hits and three earned runs.  He did strike out eight Connecticut Defenders though and didn’t allow any walks.  McAllister has the stuff and size to be a frontline strikeout pitcher, but his seems to oscillate between dominant, high-K performances and high-contact, low-K outings.  Perhaps this is because he is still working on establishing his secondary pitches, but the variances in performances makes it difficult to determine what he will be like at the major league level. 

Another big righty with frontline stuff is L.A. Angels top pitching prospect Jordan Walden.  The man with the 100 MPH heater was good in a loss, tossing 6.2 IP allowing 7 hits, three runs (one earned) and six K’s.  Walden has struggled with his command big time this season, walking 20 and striking out 38 in 37 innings of work.  June has been a big time bounce back month for Walden.  After a horrendous month of May (12.79 ERA in two outings) he’s bounced back with a 1.02 ERA in three June starts walking just 7 and striking out 22 in 17.2 innings.  Watch his next couple of starts going forward.  Conventional wisdom says that he’s back on track.

Today’s top prospect is Colorado Rockies top hurler Jhoulys Chacin.  The guru of the groundball went 7.1 innings allowing two hits and two earned runs while walking just one and striking out 10 hitters.  Chacin has some struggles during the month of April, but looks to be back on track with a solid May and June.  For the season, Chacin is now 5-5 with a 3.07 ERA and 25 BB/67 K in 76.1 IP.  He’s forcing 2.12 GO/FO and Texas League hitters are batting just .212 against him.  He’s due for a promotion soon and, given the lack of depth in Colorado’s rotation, it’s reasonable to consider that he may get a look in September.

AA Player of the Day—JHOULYS CHACIN

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Lucas Duda—2-2 2B R RBI
• Nick Evans—2-4 2 2B R
• Ian Desmond—3-4 HR(3) RBI
• Leo Davis—2-4 2b RBI SB(5)
• Lars Anderson—3-4
• Mark Wagner—2-3 2B R RBI
• Ryan Khoury—2-4 HR(1) RBI 2R
• Juan Portes—2-3 2R 3B BB
• Erik Lis—3-3 R 2 BB
• Gorkys Hernandez—2-5 2B 2R RBI
• Jose Tabata—2-4 2R RBI BB
• Beau Mills—1-2 R 2 RBI BB
• Brett Pill—3-4 3 RBI
• Michael Taylor—2-4 2B 3B R
• Brandon Snyder—1-2 2R 2 BB
• Mitch Moreland—2-5 R RBI BB
• Chad Tracy—2-5 2B 2R RBI BB
• Johnny Whittleman—1-4 2R 2 RBI 2 BB
• Marcus Lemon—2-5 2R
• Josh Donaldson—2-5 2R 3 RBI
• Chris Carter—2-5 2R
• Hank Conger—2-4 2B R
• Mark Trumbo—2-4 RBI
• Donnie Delasco—2-4 2B R RBI BB
• Luis Durango—3-4 R SB(26)
• Cedric Hunter—2-4 3B 2 RBI

Pitching:

• Jordan Walden—6.2 IP 7H ER 3 BB 6K L (1-3)
• Trey Hearne—7 IP 5H 2 ER 3 BB 2K W (6-1)
• Adam Mills—6 IP H 8K W (2-4)
• Tim Alderson—7 IP 2H 2 BB 5K W (4-2)
• Zach McAllister—7.1 IP 9H 3 ER 8K L (5-3)
• Jhoulys Chacin—7.1 IP 2H 2 ER BB 10K W (5-5)

In other action, Beau MIlls hit HR #5 and drove in two runs.  He’s been a little bit of a disappointment in the early going, hitting .261 with 5 HR and 21 RBI for an offesively anemic Akron Aeros team, but his early returns from June have been solid (.381 HR 3 RBI 6 runs) and his big league bloodlines are reason to extend a bit of patienct to the 22 year old 1B prospect.  Speaking of first basemen, Oakland A’s slugger Chris Carter blasted his 7th HR, drove in two runs, walked twice and stole his 7th base of the season.  As predicted by me, Carter’s power has returned after hitting just one HR during the month of April.  Even more encouraging is the fact that Carter’s pitch recognition and plate discipline has taken a step forward as his 34 BB/53 K ratio is a marked improvement from his 77 BB/156 K performance from a year ago. 

Today’s top AA performer is New York Yankees right hander Zach McAllister  who tossed 7.2 shutout innings, striking out six for his 5th victory of the season.  The 21 year old McAllister has had an understatedly excellent season as a Yankee farm hand, going 5-2 with a 1.61 ERA and a very respectable 18 BB/48 K ratio through his first 61 innings.  McAllister has allowed just one HR in his first 10 starts and has held hitters to a .220 BA.  The former 2006 draft pick looks to be a mid-rotation workhorse with a four-seam fastball that approaches 95 MPH and a two-seamer with good sink that sits at 89-91 MPH.  His slider and changeup are solid pitches that have made significant strides over the past season and it is on the strength of those offspeed offerings that McAllister has been able to vastly elevate his stock within the organization.

From a market perspective, McAllister’s optimal values will be realized if he is able to stay in pinstripes.  However, as his stock increases, so does his value as a late season trading chip for a Yankees team that is in a heated pennant chase with the Boston Red Sox.  Don’t be surprised if McAllister’s name starts to get floated around as a potential part of a trade deadline deal.  While that would bode well for the 6-6 230 lb righty’s immediate baseball future, his best market gains would be realized if he can make his MLB debut in a Yankees uniform.

AA Minor League Report—ZACH MCALLISTER

Other Notable Peformances

Hitting:

• Justin Snyder—2-4 2 RBI R
• Lars Anderson—2-3 R BB
• Argenis Diaz—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Juan Francisco—1-3 HR(11) RBI
• Bryan Peterson—3-5 R
• Michael Stanton—2-4 2 RBI
• Beau Mills—1-4 HR(5) 2 RBI 2R
• John Drennen—2-5 2B 2R 4 RBI
• Andy Dirks—2-3 2R RBI BB SB(5)
• Brandon Crawford—1-2 R 2 RBI BB SB(4)
• Chris Hatcher—2-4 2 HR(4) 2 RBI 2R
• Josh Bell—1-3 HR(6) 2 RBI BB
• James Adduci—3-4 2B R RBI
• Taylor Green—2-4 R RBI
• Tyler Flowers—2-4 2 RBI 2B R
• John Shelby Jr.—2-4 2B R
• Dayan Viciedo—3-4 HR(4) 2 RBI
• Sean Coughlin—3-4 HR(6) RBI 2R 2B
• Kurt Mertins—3-6 2B 2R 4 RBI
• Jordan Parraz—3-6 2 2B 2 RBI R SB(4)
• Jose Duarte—3-5 R RBI SB(9)
• Josh Horton—3-5 2B 2R
• Chris Carter—2-3 HR(7) 2 RBI 2BB SB(7)
• Adrian Cardenas—2-4 R BB
• Darin Holcomb—2-3 HR(2) RBI 2R BB
• Eric Sogard—2-4 R BB
• Todd Cruz—2-3 R BB
• Steven Hill—2-4 2B R RBI

Pitching:

• Trevor Reckling—6.2 IP 3H ER 7 BB 7K
• Jhoulys Chacin—6 IP 4H Er 2 BB 7K W (4-4)
• Sergio Perez—6 IP 5H ER 2 BB 6K
• Scott Diamond—6 IP 5H Er BB 3K W (2-5)
• Zach McAllister—7.2 IP 7H 6K W (5-2)
• Luis Marte—7 IP 4H BB 6K W (4-5)
• Aaron Poreda—6 IP 3H 5 BB 7K W (5-4)
• Brad Holt—6.1 IP 2H ER 3 BB 3K

Yesterday’s top performer is New York Yankees RHP Zach McAllister.  The 21 year old tosses seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out five.  After a highly successful 2008, McAllister continues to shine in the AA ranks going 3-2 with a 1.91 ERA and 15 BB/32 K in his first 47 innings.  McAllister has a solid fastball that ranges from 91-94 MPH and he also mixes in a 89-91 MPH two seamer that has nasty sink to it.  Offspeed pitches include a solid slider and changeup that he commands well in the strike zone.  Despite his frontline starter size and velocity, McAllister pitches to contact and looks to induce ground ball outs.  I can’t help but think that he has some projection left in that frame that could add some power and velocity to his stuff.  McAllister should pitch the majority of the season at AA before earning a mid to late summer promotion to AAA.

AA Player of the Day—ZACH MCALLISTER

Other Notable Performances

Hitting:

• Jon Lucroy—1-3 2B RBI BB
• Ty Wright—2-4 2B 2R RBI
• James Adduci—1-3 HR(1) 3 RBI BB
• Desmond Jennings—1-4 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Zack Cozart—3-4 2B 2R
• Sean Henry—1-3 2B 2R BB SB(3)
• Todd Frazier—2-4 2 RBI
• Juan Francisco—2-3 R 2 RBI
• Cyle Hankerd—3-4 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Jordan Danks—3-4 HR(2) RBI BB 2R
• Brandon Allen—1-3 2B R RBI 2BB
• John Shelby Jr.—2-3 HR(4) 3 RBI 2B BB
• Eduardo Nunez—4-4 HR(3) 2 RBI 2R
• Collin Curtis—5-5 3R BB
• Andy Dirks—3-5 2B 3B 2 RBI R
• Brennan Boesch—2-5 2 2B R RBI
• Scott Sizemore—2-6 2 2B R
• Aaron Bates—2-4 HR(5) 2 RBI 2R
• Ryan Kalish—2-4 R RBI
• Michael Taylor—2-4 2B R RBI
• Leonard Davis—2-5 HR(6) RBI

Pitching:

• Vance Worley—7 IP 3H BB 2K W (4-2)
• Zach McAllister—7 IP 4H 2 BB 5K W (3-2)
• Lucas Harrell—5 IP 5H er 2 BB 4K W (6-1)
• Matt Torra—7 IP 5H UER 2K W (2-5)

Cleveland Indians youngster Jeanmar Gomez tossed a perfect game today against the Trenton Thunder.  The 21 year old Venezuelan has been nearly unhittable since his promotion to Akron, allowing just one run in 29 innings and winning each of his four starts.  Even more impressive than the .097 BAA, is the fact that Gomez has allowed just one walk during that time while striking out 26 hitters.  Gomez has a lanky frame that has added strength over the past four seasons.  His fastball sits comfortably at 90-92 MPH while reaching 94 on occasion.  His curveball has an 11-5 break to it and is a plus pitch.  The key to Gomez’s success this season has been his ability to command the strike zone and force ground ball outs.

AA Player of the Day—JEANMAR GOMEZ

Other Notable Performances:

Hitting:

• Lucas Duda—2-3 2B 2 RBI
• Brandon Crawford—2-5 RBI
• Carlos Rivero—2-5 R RBI
• Beau Mills—2-4 2B R
• Lars Anderson—2-2 HR(5) 4 RBI 2B 2R 3 BB
• Jon Still—2-4 2 RBI
• Scott Cousins—1-4 HR(5) 2 RBI
• Juan Francisco—2-5 2B 2 RBI R
• Zack Cozart—2-5 2B
• Chris Heisey—2-5 2B R
• Sean Henry—1-4 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Gordon Beckham—4-5 HR(3) 2 RBI
• Jordan Danks—2-4 HR(1) RBI BB
• Brandon Allen—2-5 2B
• Timmy Smith—2-4 HR(3) RBI 2B 2R
• Josh Donaldson—2-2 2B 2 RBI R
• Brian McFall—3-4 HR(6) 3 RBI
• Peter Bourjos—2-5 3B R
• Curt Smith—3-4 R
• Mark Hamilton—2-3 HR(7) RBI 2R

Pitching:

• Lance Lynn—6.2 IP 8H 2 ER 6K W (3-0)
• Chris Cody—8 IP 4H 2 ER 8K W (4-1)
• Lucas Harrell—6 IP 5H er 2 BB 5K W (5-1)
• Jeanmar Gomez—9 IP 0H 8K W (6-2)….PERFECT GAME
• Zach McAllister—6 IP 6H Er BB 5K L (2-2)
• Felix Doubront—5 IP 4H BB 6K
• Ryan Mullins—6 IP 5H ER BB 4K W (2-5)
• Brad Lincoln—9 IP 2H 2 BB 4K W (1-3)
• Alexander Smit—5 IP 4H 2 ER 6K W (1-0)

Today’s top player was Chicago White Sox top hurler Aaron Poreda.  The tall lefty surrendered just four hits over seven innings striking out 11 en route to his first victory of the season.  Once rumored to be a part of Chicago’s bullpen out of spring training, it appears that the Sox would much rather feature his 98 MPH fastball for more than one inning in a game.  AA should be a good fit for him right now as he needs to develop greater command of his slider and change in order to reach his potential as a frontline starter.  At 22 years old, there is plenty of time for the youngster to develop.

AA Player of the Day—AARON POREDA

Other Notable Peformances

Hitting:

• Mike Mooney—1-4 GS HR(2) 4 RBI
• Michael Taylor—4-6 2 HR(2) 3 RBI 3R
• Maxwell Leon—3-5 HR(3) 6 RBI 3B
• Jim Negrych—2-5 2B 2 RBI R
• Pedro Lopez—2-4 HR(1) RBI 2R
• Joshua Rodriguez—3-3 3R RBI BB SB(1)
• Brandon Allen—1-4 HR(1) 3 RBI
• Mark Hallberg—4-5 2B R
• Gerardo Parra—2-5 2B R
• Tony Thomas—3-5 HR(4) 2 RBI 3R SB(3)
• Jose Vallejo—3-5 2B 3B 2R 2 RBI
• Johnny Whittleman—3-4 2B R RBI
• Collin DeLome—3-5 HR(6) 3 RBI 3R SB(3)
• Mitch Einertson—2-5 HR(3) 3 RBI
• Drew Locke—3-5 HR(3) 4 RBI 2R
• Chris Carter—2-4 2 2B 2 RBI BB 3R
• Adrian Cardenas—2-5 2B RBI
• Mitch Canham—3-4 2 2B RBI R
• Peter Bourjos—2-4 2B 2R SB(5)
• James Rapoport—3-5 GS HR(1) 5 RBI 2R
• Daryl Jones—3-4 2R
• Chris Nelson—2-4 2B 2R HR(3) 3 RBI
• Justin Smoak—2-5 HR(2) 3 RBI

Pitching:

• Troy Patton—5.1 IP 2H ER 3 BB 1K
• Alfredo Figaro—6 IP 3H 2 ER BB 8K W(2-0)
• Zach McAllister—7 IP 2H ER 4K W(1-0)
• Aaron Poreda—7 IP 3H ER BB 11 K W(1-2)
• Bryan Augenstein—7 IP 3H ER BB 4K W(3-0)
• Casey Coleman—6 IP 6H 2 ER 3 BB 5K W(3-0)
• Travis Banwart—5.2 IP 3H 2 BB 5K W(2-0)

Michael Taylor

• 2-4 HR(14) RBI—.415 3 RBI 17 H 7 R 8 2B last 10 games

Collin DeLome (in double header)

• 3-6 3 HR(21) 7 RBI BB SB(14)—.249 22 HR 67 RBI 14 SB over two levels

Rick Porcello

• 5 IP 6H ER 2BB 2K (W)—4-0 2.61 ERA 27K/51IP last 10 games

John Drennen

• 1-3 2B 2R RBI BB—Showing signs of breaking season slump (6-15 2 HR 8 RBI last 6 games)

Zach McAllister

• 5 IP 4H BB 5K (W)—7-6 2.03 ERA 55K/80 IP in 13 games @ Tampa

Taylor Green

• 2-4 2B R BB—.308 3 HR 8 RBI last 10 games

Brent Brewer

• 2-6 HR(1) 3 RBI—Heating up .300 12H 7R last 10 games

Derrick Robinson

• 2-4 2R RBI SB(56)—.308 8R 8BB 6SB last 10 games

Paulo Orlando

• 2-5 HR(10) RBI 3R SB(29)—Traded from White Sox (intriguing sub-radar prospect)

Brandon Snyder

• 2-5 HR(12) 2 rbI 2R—.303 12 HR 73 RBI 29 2B

Billy Rowell

• 1-4 HR(6) RBI—.230 6 HR 31 RBI 22 2B 90K/99 games

Michael Burgess

• 2-4 2B 2R 3 RBI—Hitting well in two games at Harrisburg

David Cooper

• 2-5 2B RBI—Hitting machine .343 22 2B 5 HR 44 RBI in 209 AB’s over 3 levels

Kevin Pucetas

• 6 IP 2H ER BB 7K (W)—10-0 2.47 ERA 87K/109IP

Cedric Hunter

• 2-5 HR(7) RBI 2B—.317 6 Hr 64 RBI 82 R 37BB/39K

Ryan Mount

• 2-5 HR(12) 3 RBI—HR’s in 4 straight games (undervalued prospect)

Hank Conger

• 1-3 R 2 RBI—.295 8 HR 53 RBI in 54 games

Johnny Whittleman

• 4-5 HR(7) 2 RbI 2R—Red hot .408 18 H 6 RBI last 10 games

Ian Gac

• 1-5 HR(27) 2 RBI 2R—.295 27 HR 91 RBI 140 K’s over 2 levels

BUY/SELL Analysis

Homeruns Mount-ing

Ryan Mount was lauded as a toolsy middle infielder when drafted in in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft by the L.A. Angels.  Mount since being drafted has had season after season of injuries that have severely hampered his progress as a prospect.  This season was no exception as Mount missed the first two months of the season with a strained quad, but has become increasingly potent at the plate hitting .241 in June, .309 in July, and .370 so far in August.  Homers in four straight games gives an illustration of Mount’s ability to get leverage and power from his left-handed swing.  Mount has RC’s in the ‘05 Bowman Draft and Chrome, Bowman Sterling and Bowman Heritage sets.  HIs chrome and Sterling cards are most popular and can be had at 40 cents to 75 cents each.

Market Advice: The injuries are really the biggest detractor from Mount’s game.  Chronic problems never seem to go away and they may keep Mount from being the power-hitting middle infielder he has the potential to be.  When healthy, he reminds me of a left hand hitting version of another Angels 2B prospect Sean Rodriguez.  Mount’s cards get very little attention so far as his injury issues have caused many prospectors to turn away.  He is a low cost prospect to collect who has very limited 1st year card exposure.  He does have autographs in the ‘07 Bowman Sterling set that sell for $2.50-4.00 each.  These may be nice BUY options as Mount’s only autographed cards.  If you purchase Mount’s cards, cross your fingers and hope for a full season of good health at AA Arkansas.  If so, he could be a solid .280 20 HR 80 RBI hitter and will open more eyes.