Triple-A Highlights (PCL): Mon 4/21 - Wed 4/23

NOTE: I'm adding a new feature to the minor league highlights. If a player appears ready for promotion, I'll add a READY notation to their line. A designation of READY doesn't mean they are necessarily ready to stay, just that they are at least ready for a promotion to at least get a trial at the next level.


AMERICAN LEAGUE

Brandon Wood, 23, SS/3B, Salt Lake (LAA #1 Prospect)
3-for-5, 2 2B(5), HR(7), 2 r, 4 rbi, .268 BA / .950 OPS - .325 BA last 10 games
- Over last 40 ABs has 13 Ks, 4 walks - first 31 ABs he had 13 Ks, 1 walk - the declining K-rate (which even at .325 over his last 40 ABs is still too high) and rising walk rate need to continue, this is the only thing holding him back from Anaheim.

Carlos Gonzalez, 22, OF, Sacramento (ARI #1 Prospect traded to OAK)
0-for-5, 2 Ks, .348 BA / .930 OPS - .357 BA last 10 games

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 22, C/1B, Oklahoma (TEX - 2007 ATL #1 Prospect)
2-for-4, rbi, .291 BA / .882 OPS

Nelson Cruz, 27, OF, Oklahoma (TEX - 2006 MIL #8 Prospect)
2-for-8, 2 HR(6), 2 r, 4 rbi, .333 BA / 1.234 OPS - .361 BA last 10 games

Freddy Sandoval, 25, 3B, Salt Lake (LAA - NR)
4-for-5, 2B(9), 2 r, 2 rbi, SB(1), .422 BA / 1.151 OPS - .488 BA last 10 games

Gio Gonzalez, 22, LHP, Sacramento (CWS #1 Prospect traded to OAK)
5 ip, 7 h, 2 er, 2 bb, 5 K - 2.50 ERA / 1.33 WHIP / .238 BAA / 18 K, 9 bb over 18 ip

Kyle Davies, 24, RHP, Omaha (KC - 2005 ATL #4 Prospect)
READY FOR KC
7 ip, 2 h, 0 er, 0 bb, 3 K - 0.90 ERA / 1.05 WHIP / .191 BAA / 14 K, 8 bb over 20 ip


MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 AL Prospects for 2008 and 2009



NATIONAL LEAGUE

Colby Rasmus, 21, OF, Memphis (STL #1 Prospect)
2-for-9, 2 HR(3), 5 rbi, .222 BA / .677 OPS

Chase Headley, 23, 3B/OF, Portland (SD #1 Prospect)
1-for-3, 2 rbi, .234 BA / .663 OPS - .244 BA last 10 games

Matt Antonelli, 23, 2B, Portland (SD #2 Prospect)
1-for-5, 2B(4), 1 r, .228 BA / .845 OPS - .222 BA last 10 games

Ian Stewart, 23, 3B, Colorado Springs (COL #2 Prospect)
4-for-5, 3B(2), HR(5), 3 r, 5 rbi, .323 BA / 1.062 OPS

Nate Schierholtz, 24, OF, Fresno (SF #4 Prospect)
READY FOR SF
3-for-9, 3B(2), 2 r, 2 rbi, SB(2), .345 BA / .972 OPS - .381 BA last 10 games

Brett Carroll, 25, OF, Albuquerque (FLA #23 Prospect)
READY FOR MIAMI
3-for-6, 2B(5), HR(5), 5 r, rbi, .391 BA / 1.288 OPS

Hernan Iribarren, 23, 2B/OF, Nashville (MIL #26 Prospect)
5-for-11, 3B(1), 2 r, 2 rbi, SB(4), .341 BA / .843 OPS - .361 BA last 10 games

Max Scherzer, 23, RHP, Tucson (ARI #4 Prospect)
READY FOR ARIZONA
6 ip, 5 h, 3 er, 0 bb, 9 K - 1.17 ERA / 0.65 WHIP / .146 BAA / 38 K, 3 bb over 23 ip

Sean Gallagher, 22, RHP, Iowa (CHC #5 Prospect)
READY FOR CHICAGO
7.2 ip, 3 h, 1 er, 1 bb, 12 K - 1.93 ERA / 0.90 WHIP / .188 BAA / 25 K, 5 bb over 23.1 ip

Jonathan Meloan, 23, RHP, Las Vegas (LAD #8 Prospect)
Very near ready
5.2 ip, 10 h, 1 er, 0 bb, 7 K - 1.66 ERA / 1.29 WHIP / .266 BAA / 20 K, 7 bb over 21.2 ip


MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

Triple-A Highlights: Sat 4/19 + Sun 4/20

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Matt Brown, 3B, Salt Lake (LAA - NR)
4-for-9, 2B(9), HR(6), 2 r, 6 rbi, .413 BA / 1.270 OPS

Brent Clevlen, OF, Toledo (DET #16 prospect)
4-for-9, 2 2B(5), .269 BA / .793 OPS

Mike Hessman, 1B, Toledo (DET - NR)
5-for-9, 3 HR(5), .273 BA / .936 OPS

Josh Barfield, 2B, Buffalo (CLE - NR)
3-for-10, 2 HR(3), .263 BA / .751 OPS

Nick Adenhart, Salt Lake (LAA #2 prospect)
6 ip, 4 h, 0 er, 3 bb, 5 K - 1.17 ERA / 1.17 WHIP / .190 BAA / 14 K, 12 bb over 23 ip

Jorge De La Rosa, Omaha (KC - NR)
6 ip, 3 h, 0 er, 2 bb, 6 K - 1.15 ERA / 1.02 WHIP / .190 BAA / 15 K, 5 bb over 15.2 ip

Frank Francisco, Oklahoma (TEX - NR)
1 ip, 0 h, 0 er, 0 bb, 2 K - 0.00 ERA / 0.67 WHIP / .100 BAA / 16 K, 3 bb over 9 ip

Garrett Olson, Norfolk (BAL #12 prospect)
7 ip, 7 h, 1 er, 0 bb, 7 K - 1.61 ERA / 1.16 WHIP / .229 BAA / 24 K, 7 bb over 22.1 ip

Aaron Laffey, Buffalo (CLE #5 prospect)
5 ip, 3 h, 0 er, 2 bb, 5 K - 3.13 ERA / 1.26 WHIP / .253 BAA / 18 K, 6 bb over 23 ip


MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 AL Prospects for 2008 and 2009



NATIONAL LEAGUE

Chase Headley, 3B/OF, Portland (SD #1 prospect)
0-for-7, 1 r, 1 bb, 3 K - .214 BA last 10 games

Matt Antonelli, 2B, Portland (SD #2 prospect)
2-for-5, 2 bb, 1 K - .209 BA last 10 games

Eli Alfonzo, C, Fresno (SF - NR)
4-for-8, 2B(4), HR(3), SB(1), .350 BA / 1.125 OPS

Brett Carroll, OF, Albuquerque (FLA #23 prospect)
6-for-9, 2B(4), 2 HR(4), 3 r, 7 rbi, .375 BA / 1.194 OPS

Colby Rasmus, OF, Memphis (STL #1 prospect)
3-for-8, 1 r, 1 bb, .222 BA / .613 OPS - modest 4 game hitting streak (6-for-16)

Dallas McPherson, 3B, Albuquerque (FLA - NR)
4-for-8, HR(6), 3 r, 3 rbi, SB(1), .295 BA / 1.174 OPS

Fernando Tatis, 3B, New Orleans (NYM - NR)
2-for-8, 2 HR(8), .250 BA / .974 OPS - Yes, THAT Fernando Tatis. Now with eight home runs I can no longer keep ignoring him - I'm obligated to post this as news. There, now it's done - you won't see his name in this blog again.

Jay Bruce, OF, Louisville (CIN #1 prospect)
4-for-9, 2B(2), SB(4), .333 BA / .908 OPS - .395 BA last 10 games

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Indianapolis (PIT #1 prospect)
4-for-8, 2 2B(5), SB(2), .269 BA / .886 OPS - .308 BA last 10 games

Homer Bailey, Louisville (CIN #2 prospect)
7.1 ip, 5 h, 0 er, 1 bb, 3 K - 1.03 ERA / 0.87 WHIP / .204 BAA / 16 K, 4 bb over 26.1 ip

Blake Hawksworth, Memphis (STL #20 prospect)
6 ip, 2 h, 0 er, 2 bb, 5 K - 4.57 ERA / 1.34 WHIP / .244 BAA / 23 K, 9 bb over 21.2 ip

Mike O'Connor, Columbus (WAS - NR)
7 ip, 8 h, 1 er, 0 bb, 4 K - 1.96 ERA / 1.00 WHIP / .221 BAA / 20 K, 4 bb over 23 ip


MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

Triple-A Highlights: Fri 4/18

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Matt Joyce, OF, Toledo (DET #7 Prospect)
2-for-4, 3B(1), HR(5), 2 r, 2 rbi, .298 BA / 1.122 OPS

Mitch Talbot, Durham (TB #21 Prospect)
6 ip, 4 h, 3 r (1 er), 1 bb, 5 K - turning corner after his last start when he allowed eight earned runs in two innings


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Indianapolis (PIT #1 Prospect)
1-for-5, HR(4), 2 rbi, .237 BA / .830 OPS

Chase Headley, 3B/OF, Portland (SD #1 Prospect)
2-for-5, 2 2B(4), 1 rbi, .259 BA / .722 OPS (.279 BA over last 10 games)

Colby Rasmus, OF, Memphis (STL #1 Prospect)
2-for-4, 2B(4), 1 r, 1 rbi, .203 BA / .588 OPS (multi-hit game hopefully a sign he's breaking out of his funk - he's batting just .132 over his last 10 games)

Triple-A Highlights: Thur 4/17

AMERICAN LEAGUE

George Kottaras, C, Pawtucket (BOS - NR)
2-for-4, 2B(5), HR(5), r, 2 rbi, .304 BA / 1.112 OPS

Dewayne Wise, OF, Charlotte (CHW - NR)
3-for-5, 2B(6), 3B(1), HR(2), 3 r, .373 BA / 1.078 OPS

Gio Gonzalez, Sacramento (CHW #1 prospect traded to OAK)
5 ip, 3 h, 1 er, 3 bb, 4 K - 2.08 ERA / 1.15 WHIP / .186 BAA / 13 K, 7 bb over 13 ip

Kevin Mulvey, Rochester (NYM #4 prospect traded to MIN)
7 ip, 6 h, 1 er, 0 bb, 9 K - 1.02 ERA / 1.02 WHIP / .221 BAA / 20 K, 3 bb over 17.2 ip


MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 AL Prospects for 2008 and 2009



NATIONAL LEAGUE

Steven Pearce, OF, Indianapolis (PIT #3 prospect)
2-for-4, 2 HR(2), 5 rbi, .279 BA / .794 OPS - may be getting on track

Nate Schierholtz, OF, Fresno (SF #4 prospect)
2-for-4, 2 r, 3 rbi, HR(2), .364 BA / .970 OPS

Miguel Montero, C, Tucson (ARI) - REHAB
1-for-3, HR(1)

Max Scherzer, Tucson (ARI #4 prospect)
5 ip, 2 h, 0 er, 1 bb, 11 K - 0.00 ERA / 0.59 WHIP / .121 BAA / 29 K, 3 bb over 17 ip - How much longer can the D-Backs go before calling him up?

Sean Gallagher, Iowa (CHC #5 prospect)
6.2 ip, 7 h, 3 er, 0 bb, 5 K - 2.30 ERA / 1.09 WHIP / .217 BAA / 13 K, 4 bb over 15.2 ip

Brian Stokes, New Orleans (NYM - NR)
7 ip, 5 h, 1 er, 2 bb, 5 K - 1.29 ERA / 0.94 WHIP / .197 BAA / 17 K, 5 bb over 18 ip


MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 NL Prospects for 2008 and 2009

Triple-A Highlights: Wed 4/16

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Sean Rodriguez, 2B, Salt Lake (LAA #7)
2-for-3, HR(4), SB(2), .366 BA / 1.280 OPS

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Sacramento (ARI #1 traded to OAK)
3-for-4, rbi, .326 BA / .892 OPS

Radhames Liz, Norfolk (BAL #2)
5 ip, 8 h, 6 r (5 er), 1 bb, 5 K - 7.98 ERA
Allowed 2 HR in 1st inning with 2 out, but settled down after that

Chris Mason, Durham (TB #10)
5.2 ip, 4 h, 4 r (2 er), 2 bb, 7 K - 4.11 ERA / 1.30 WHIP / 14 K, 6 bb over 15.1 ip

Shane Loux, Salt Lake (LAA - NR)
7 ip , 4 h, 0 er, 2 bb, 6 K - 0.46 ERA / 1.02 WHIP / 11 K, 3 bb over 19.2 ip

Dan Meyer, Sacramento (OAK #20)
6 ip, 0 h, 0 er, 2 bb, 4 K - 5.00 ERA / 1.00 WHIP / 5 K, 5 bb over 9 ip


MID-APRIL UPDATE: Top 25 AL Prospects for 2008 and 2009



NATIONAL LEAGUE

Jay Bruce, OF, Louisville (CIN #1)
3-for-3, 3B(2), HR(3), 2 r, 2 rbi, .333 BA / .938 OPS

Kaz Matsui, 2B, Round Rock (HOU) - REHAB
0-for-3, bb

Matt Murton, OF, Iowa (CHC)
3-for-5, 1 r, 2 rbi, .333 BA / .792 OPS / NO XBH

Colby Rasmus, OF, Memphis (STL #1)
0-for-4, 1 r, 1 k, .179 BA / .538 OPS

Nate Schierholtz, OF, Fresno (SF #4)
3-for-4, 1 r, 2 rbi, .345 BA / .862 OPS

Luis Munoz, Indianapolis (PIT #30)
6 ip, 4 h, 2 er, 0 bb, 6 K - 3.78 ERA / 1.20 WHIP / 17 K, 10 bb over 16.2 ip

Jonathan Meloan, Las Vegas (LAD #8)
6 ip, 1 h, 0 er, 4 bb, 4 K - 1.69 ERA / 1.13 WHIP / 13 K, 7 bb over 16 ip

Cesar Ramos, Portland (SD #18)
5.2 ip, 3 h, 0 er, 1 bb, 7 K - 4.50 ERA / 1.29 WHIP / 15 K, 5 bb over 14 ip

Triple-A Highlights: Tues 4/15

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Wladimir Balentien, OF/DH, Tacoma (SEA #5)
2-for-4, 2B(4), HR(3), 2 r, 3 rbi, 2 bb, 1 k, .289 BA

Jeff Clement, C, Tacoma (SEA #1)
2-for-5, HR(3), 2 r, 2 rbi, .419 BA

Adam Lind, OF, Syracuse (TOR)
3-for-5, SB(1), HR(3), 2 r, 3 rbi, .391 BA

Josh Barfield, 2B, Buffalo (CLE)
0-for-5, 1 k, .265 BA

Brett Gardner, OF, Scranton-Wilkes Barre (NYY #8)
2-for-4, 3B(4), SB(3), 3 rbi, .361 BA

Doug Mathis, Oklahoma (TEX - NR)
5 ip, 3 h, 1 er, 2 bb, 7 K - 2.37 ERA / 1.00 WHIP / 15 K, 4 bb over 19 ip

Frank Francisco, Oklahome (TEX)
1.1 ip, 0 h, 0 er, 1 bb, 4 K - 0.00 ERA / 0.82 WHIP / 12 K, 3 bb over 7.1 ip

Luke Hochevar, Omaha (KC #3)
6 ip, 4 h, 0 er, 2 bb, 5 K - 2.60 ERA / 0.98 WHIP / 12 K, 6 bb over 17.1 ip

Phil Humber, Rochester (NYM #7 traded to MIN)
3.2 ip, 4 h, 3 r (2 er), 4 bb, 4 K - 4.97 ERA / 1.66 WHIP / 9 K, 5 bb over 12.2 ip


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Dallas McPherson, 3B, Albuquerque (FLA)
1-for-3, HR(5), .242 BA

Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, Tucson (ARI #6)
2-for-4, 2 SB(6), .264 BA

Shawn Estes, Portland (SD)
5.1 ip, 7 h, 2 er, 1 bb, 7 K - 3.63 ERA / 1.21 WHIP / 14 K, 2 bb over 17.1 ip

Blake Hawksworth, Memphis (STL #20)
6 ip, 5 h, 5 r (1 er), 2 bb, 10 K - 6.32 ERA / 1.60 WHIP / 18 K, 7 bb over 15.2 ip

Matt Belisle, Louisville (CIN)
7 ip, 8 h, 1 er, 1 bb, 6 K - 1.29 ERA / 1.29 WHIP


Double-A Highlights: Tuesday 4/15
Triple-A Highlights: Monday 4/14

Triple-A Highlights: Apr 14th

Noteworthy developments from April 14th games:

NOTE: For the 'less than obvious' top prospects, you'll see the organization along with their ranking in their team's list of Top 30 prospects as listed by Baseball America:


AMERICAN LEAGUE

Carlos Gonzalez, Sacramento (ARI #1 traded to OAK)
2-for-4, 2B(2), HR(2), 2 r, 2 rbi, .308 BA

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Oklahoma
2-for-4, 3B(1), bb, k, 1 r, .364 BA

Sean Rodriguez, Salt Lake (LAA #7)
1-for-3, HR(3), 1 r, 2 rbi, .342 BA

Jeff Clement, Tacoma (SEA #1)
4-for-5, 2B(4), 2 r, 2 rbi, .421 BA

Shelley Duncan, SWB
3-for-4, 2B(5), 1 r, 2 rbi, 1 bb, .500 BA

George Kottaras, Pawtucket (BOS - Not Ranked)
Gm 2 of DH: 2-for-4, 2 HR(3), 2 r, 5 rbi, .273 BA

Nick Adenhart, Salt Lake (LAA #2)
6 ip, 4 h, 2 er, 4 bb, 1 K - 1.59 ERA / 1.18 WHIP

Aaron Laffey, Buffalo (CLE #5)
8 ip, 3 h, 2 er, 2 bb, 6 K - 4.00 ERA / 1.33 WHIP


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Nomar Garciaparra, Las Vegas
3-for-3, 2B(1), bb, 1 r, 1 rbi

Mark Holliman, Iowa (CHC #27)
6 ip, 3 h, 0 er, 0 bb, 6 K - 2.00 ERA / 1.33 WHIP

Yovani Gallardo, Nashville
6.1 ip, 7 h, 4 er, 3 bb, 7 K - 5.17 ERA / 1.60 WHIP / 18 Ks over 15.2 ip

Josh Muecke, Round Rock (HOU #27)
7 ip, 7 h, 6 r (3 er), 0 bb, 7 K - 3.39 ERA / 1.06 WHIP / 14 Ks over 16 ip

Mike O'Connor, Columbus (WAS)
6 ip, 5 h, 1 er, 1 bb, 10 K - 2.25 ERA / 0.94 WHIP / 16 Ks over 16 ip

Homer Bailey, Louisville (CIN #2)
6.1 ip, 5 h, 2 er, 1 bb, 4 Ks - 1.42 ERA / 0.89 WHIP

Chuck James, Richmond
5.1 ip, 5 h, 3 r (1 er), 3 bb, 3 Ks - 1.69 ERA / 1.50 WHIP


Double-A Highlights: Monday, Apr 14th
High-A Highlights: Monday, Apr 14th