Yankees minor league notes

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

from nomaas.org:

 

Tabata Watch

Jose (18, RHB ) had a tough week, going just 3 for 24 with 6 Ks and 0 walks. He currently is hitting .300 / .358 / .433 / .792 in Tampa.

 

 

Hughes Watch

 

Phil (20, RHP) put together his first terrific outing of the season on Thursday against Syracuse:

 

6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K.

 

For the season thus far, his numbers are

 

16 IP, 11 H, 4 BB, 17 K, and a 3.94 ERA.

 

 

Catcher Watch

 

Charleston: Jose Gil (20, RHB ) .270 / .308 / .432 / .740

Tampa: Francisco Cervelli (SHB, 21) .302 / .362 / .395 / .757

 

 

Start of the week contenders:

 

Brett Smith (23, RHP) for Trenton against the Binghamton Mets – 7 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K. Smith now has 17.1 IP on the season in three starts, giving up only 9 H and posting a 20:8 K:BB ratio.

 

Intriguing youngster Angel Reyes (20, LHP) in Charleston on Friday: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

 

New England native Tim Norton (23 RHP) turned in an exceptional outing in the second game of Charleston’s doubleheader on Friday, going 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, and 10 K.

 

Tampa’s George Kontos (21, RHP) went 6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K on Tuesday.

 

 

Relief appearance of the week

 

Jonathan Ortiz (21, RHP) made his professional debut with Tampa on Friday, and pitched 3 scoreless and hitless innings, while walking none and striking out 7.

 

 

What’s going on?

 

Brett Gardner (23, LHB ) went 2 for 17 this past week, dropping his already low numbers to .204 / .295 / .352 / .647. On the positive side, he has walked more than he has struck out (7/6).

 

Tyler Clippard (22, RHP) got knocked around in his lone start on Friday (5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3K), but Steven Jackson (25, RHP) one-upped him, going 3.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K on Saturday.

 

Eric Duncan (22, LHB ) went 2 for 5 in his last game on Thursday raising his season line to .211 / .326 / .395 / .721, but he also struck out 3 more times, bringing his total to 13 in just 38 ABs.

 

Eric Abreu (23, RHP) looks done, as he has not regained his mid-nineties velocity. In his two starts this week he has gone 6 IP, 15 H, 8 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

 

Tim Battle (21, RHB ) also looks finished. His season line is currently .145 / .209 / .161 / .370 in 62 ABs, and he has struck out 26 times in contrast to his mere 5 walks. .

 

 

Worst Line of the Week:

 

Justin Pope (27, RHP) had a nightmare relief appearance for Scranton on Saturday, posting the worst line of the week: 0.1 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 0 K.

 

 

Keep an Eye On Me

 

David Robertson (22, RHP) is dominating in low A Charleston much the same way he did in the Cape this past summer. After Saturday’s 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K performance, his season line now stands at 11.1 IP, 4 H, 5 BB, 16 K and a 0.00 ERA.

 

Venezuelan reliever Edgar Soto (22, LHP) is also dominating in Charleston, putting up a season line of 9.2 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 17 K, and a 1.86 ERA.

 

 

Injury Dossier

 

Charleston OF Austin Jackson (20, RHB ) was DL’d with a hamstring injury.

 

Marcos Vechionacci (SHB, 19) left Tuesday’s game in Tampa with a hand/wrist injury.

 

 

Non-Prospects Performing Well

 

Edwar Ramirez (26, RHP) – Relieving in Trenton, Ramirez has 6.2 IP in 4 appearances this season, giving up only 1 hit while striking out 12.

 

Gabe Lopez (27, RHB ) – The diminutive Trenton second baseman went 2-4 on Saturday, keeping his season average at the .500 mark. In 24 ABs this year Lopez is .500 / .536 / .792 / 1.327

 

Shelley Duncan (27, RHB ) – The monster first baseman is hitting .326 / .431 / .721 / 1.152 on the season.

 

this looks to be a new segment on nomaas. Weekly I think.

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Meyer's Minors #2, nomaas.org

 

Tabata Watch

Jose (18, RHB ) went 7 for 25 this past week, with no extrabase hits. He walked 6 times and struck out 4. On the basepaths he stole his second base of the season, but was caught 3 times.

 

For the year so far, Tabata is .294 / .384 / .388 / .772

 

 

Hughes Watch

 

Phil (20, RHP) is still with the big club, scheduled to make his next start against the Rangers in Arlington on Tuesday. He has struggled just a bit when moving up a level in the past, so he might take a start or two to settle in. We expect him to stick with the Yanks though, so there may not be many updates on Hughes going forward.

 

 

Catcher Watch

 

Charleston: Jose Gil (20, RHB ) .222 / .250 / .333 / .583

Tampa: Francisco Cervelli (SHB, 21) .290 / .371 / .371 / .742

 

 

Batter’s Game of the Week

 

Tampa shortstop Reegie Corona (20, SHB ) went 2-3 with 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, and 2 SB on Thursday. Corona really turned it up a notch this week, going 11-28 and raising his season line to .286 / .347 / .363 / .709.

 

 

Start of the week contenders:

 

Michael Dunn (21, LHP) the converted first baseman went 7.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 6 K for Charleston on Monday night, and then came back strong again on Sunday with a 6 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K line.

 

Daniel McCutchen (24, RHP) returned to Tampa from his 50 game suspension on Tuesday, and went 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. McCutchen has the makeup and stuff to move through the system quickly.

 

First round draft pick and Tampa Yankee, Ian Kennedy (22, RHP) went 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 9 K against Sarasota on Friday. Kennedy is averaging over a strikeout per IP, but his GO/AO ratio of 0.60 is a bit troubling.

 

Alan Horne (24, RHP) threw a gem for Trenton on Thursday: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.

 

Rising from the ashes like a phoenix, Matt DeSalvo (26, RHP) has looked good thus far. On Thursday in Scranton he went 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

 

Jeff Marquez (22, RHP) was dealing on for Trenton on Sunday, going 7 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K.

 

 

Relief appearance of the week contenders

 

Josh Schmidt (24, RHP) got knocked around pretty good on Friday night, giving up 3 ER in on 0.2 IP, but he came back strong for Tampa on Saturday to post a line of 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K.

 

David Robertson (22, RHP) continued his complete and total dominance of the Sally League on Friday, going 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K. He still has not allowed a run on the year, has a H/9 of 2.93, and a K/9 of 12.91.

 

 

What’s going on?

 

Anthony Claggett (22, RHP), the third piece of the Sheffield trade, had a rough week. He took 2 losses in 3 days, going a combined 2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K in both appearances. He did right the ship in his third appearance of the week, going 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K on Thursday, and earning his second save of the year.

 

Brett Gardner (23, LHB ) went 7-24 this past week and actually dramatically improved his season line. He did manage to steal 5 bases in the times that he actually made it safely out of the batter’s box.

 

Randy Johnson trade centerpiece, Ross Ohlendorf (24, RHP) has not looked good recently. His stuff is there, but the results are not. On Tuesday he went 5 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. For the season he has given up more hits than innings and has a 12:14 K:BB ratio.

 

Steven Jackson (25, RHP), another piece to the RJ deal, got rocked this week again. At former Yankees’ affiliate Columbus he went 3.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. If there is a silver lining in Jackson’s 7.27 ERA this season, it is that he is getting groundballs. Currently his GO/AO rate is 2.55.

 

 

Keep an Eye On Me

 

Zach Kroenke (23, LHP) has yet to allow a run this season in 11.1 IP. Although his K:BB of 11:6 leaves a bit to be desired, he has only allowed 6 hits on the season.

 

Gabriel Medina (23, RHP) has thrown 9 IP this season and has an awful 7.00 ERA, but he does have an intriguing K:BB ratio of 15:2.

 

 

Injury Dossier

 

Eric Duncan (22, LHB ) returned on Sunday and went 2-4 with his third homerun of the season.

 

Austin Jackson (20, RHB ) returned to Charleston on Saturday and went 0-4.

 

 

Non-Prospects Performing Well

 

Shelley Duncan (27, RHB ) – He’s still killing the ball for Scranton to the tune of .339 / .418 / .695 / 1.113 on the season.

 

Shawn Garrett (28, RHB ) – He had a great week, going 10-19, with 6 XBH. On Saturday he hit for the cycle in Trenton’s 8-2 victory over Harrisburg.

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Meyers minors #3

 

Tabata Watch

Jose (18, RHB ) was limited by injury this past week, playing in only 3 games. He was only 2 for 13, with a BB and 2 K. He has shown an alarming lack of power thus far in 2007.

 

For the year Tabata is .276 / .363 / .367 / .730

 

 

Hughes Watch

 

Phil (20, RHP) got good news on his MRI, which revealed a grade 1 strain of his hamstring and encouraged Yankee fans everywhere that he could be getting back on the mound a bit sooner than expected.

 

 

Catcher Watch

 

Charleston: Jose Gil (20, RHB ) .185 / .221 / .277 / .498

Tampa: Francisco Cervelli (SHB, 21) .358 / .429 / .444 / .873 (went 11-19 this past week)

 

 

Batter’s Game of the Week Contenders

 

Austin Jackson (20, RHB ) had quite a night on Tuesday, going 2-3 with a HR, 2 BB, and 3 SB. In the 7 games Charleston played last week, Jackson had a hit in each one, going 10-26 (.385). He also walked 7 times, while only striking out 3.

 

Reegie Corona (20, SHB ) led the way for Tampa on Wednesday, going 3-3 with 2 BB and a SB.

 

 

Start of the week contenders:

 

Grant Duff (24, RHP) had a nice outing for Charleston on Thursday, going 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K. For the season he has given up only 24 H in 33 IP, but he has a troubling 14:16 BB:K ratio.

 

Daniel McCutchen (24, RHP) had his second strong outing of the season on Thursday by posting 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.

 

Michael Dunn (21, LHP) again appears in an edition of Meyer’s Minors with his outstanding Friday night start of 6 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 7 K. For the year Dunn now has a K/9 of 10.38, while yielding less hits than IP, and posting a K:BB ratio of 5.0. He could be a diamond in the rough, especially given that he’s a lefty.

 

Ian Kennedy (22, RHP) had another great start this week, going 8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K in a 4-0 shutout for Tampa on Wednesday night.

 

Tyler Clippard shut Toledo down on Wednesday, only to see his bullpen blow the game for him. He went 7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, and 11 K.

 

 

Relief appearance of the week contenders

 

Free agent, scrap-heap pickup John Axford (24, RHP) had a outing for Charleston, going 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K.

 

David Robertson (22, RHP) actually let his first run of the year up this past week, but that was before he threw 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K for Charleston on Monday night. For the week he made 3 appearances posting 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.

 

Zach Kroenke (23, LHP) has graduated off the Keep an Eye On Me list. Tuesday night in Tampa he went 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K. Despite giving up 4 runs on the year, none of them have been earned, and Zach is still sporting a 0.00 ERA in 16 IP.

 

 

Most Bizarre Line of the Week

 

Former Yankee, Chase Wright (24, LHP) made his AAA debut Thursday night for SWB. He worked into the 7th inning and gave up only 1 hit, but took the loss as he gave up FIVE ER as well. His final line looked like this:

 

6.2 IP, 1 H, 5 ER, 6 BB, 3 K.

 

 

What’s going on?

 

Anthony Claggett (22, RHP) remains in this section again this week after having another rough outing on Tuesday for the TY. He took the loss in going 3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, and 1 K.

 

Cuban free agent signee Juan Miranda (24, LHB ) has been pedestrian at the very best for high-A Tampa. In his 110 ABs this season he is .245 / .298 / .391 / .689 with 9 BB and 34 K.

 

 

Keep an Eye On Me

 

Jose Valdez (24, RHP) made three scoreless appearances for Tampa this past week, totaling 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 6 K. In his 16 IP this year Valdez has struck out 17 while walking only 3.

 

Brett Smith (23, RHP) has had a stellar season for the Trenton Thunder thus far. In 5 starts he has thrown 29.1 IP, 17 H, 12 BB, and 29 K, with a 0.92 ERA.

 

 

Non-Prospects Perfoming Well

 

Jason Jones (24, RHP) is throwing really well in Trenton. On Thursday night he made his best start of the season going 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. He currently has a 1.37 ERA.

 

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

http://www.nj.com/yankees/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1178865573289360.xml&coll=1

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Meyer's Minors, special edition:

If there's one word that comes to mind when you hear the name "Red Sox," it is most certainly GENIUS. From the financial acumen of their Other Department, all the way down to the artful squatting of Jason Varitek, the organization is thoroughly awash in eruditeness. Nowhere has this advantage been more heavily impressed upon the subconscious of the baseball world than in the Boston team's selections in the annual Rule IV draft, otherwise known as the amateur draft.

In last year's draft the Red Sox turned a lot of heads when they selected Bryce Cox, a RHP from Rice University, with a 3rd round selection. While there was a bit of confusion over the pick itself seeing as Cox had actually seen his usage decline greatly due to wildness and a climbing ERA, we all knew better. There was more behind this pick than could be seen on the surface; there always is when you're dealing with an entity as formidably cerebral as the Boston Red Sox.

 

When the smoke cleared, it was obvious to everyone with a modicum of intelligence that Bryce Cox was the best pick of the entire 2006 draft. It turns out that the Red Sox had really done their due diligence on the fireballer from Rice, finding out that he had refined his mechanics in the period that he was not being used out of the bullpen, and subsequently had turned into a veritable force of nature. No longer was he wild and hittable, instead now becoming a hurler of precision and power – he walked almost no one and struck out almost everyone in the last few weeks of Rice's season. Of course, the Red Sox were the only team to really pick up on this .

 

The draft experts soon were showering well-earned praise upon the pick. Baseball America's Jim Callis said that when he watched Cox pitch at the College World Series, "his slider moved more than any slider I have ever seen." It doesn't really matter that it wasn't actually a slider that Cox was throwing (it was a slurvy variation of a knuckle curve), the point is that the pitch breaks a lot! ESPN's resident baseball draft expert, Keith Law, a man who has unparalleled wisdom regarding the assessment of command issues that may plague pitching prospects, said that because of his mechanical corrections, Cox was a "strike-throwing groundball machine," and that he was "a good bet to be the first pitcher from the draft to show up in the majors."

 

Bryce Cox was such an impressive pick by the Sox FO, that even the bloodthirsty Boston media was persuaded to write glowing articles about the kid. The Providence Journal reported of his mechanical fixes that he "has changed arm action without much difficulty," and The Boston Herald said that " the 22-year-old right-hander has skyrocketed to the upper echelon of Sox pitching prospects and has been tabbed by many in the organization as the team's likely closer of the future."

 

After throwing 30 innings of dominance in his professional debut at the A and A+ level last season, 2007 was Cox's time to shine. It was also time for the genius that flows through the Red Sox organization to reach even more revered status. In his first appearance of 2007, pitching in AA for Portland, the draft moxie was on full display as Bryce served notice of his employer's prowess:

 

2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K.

 

He was on his way. The Red Sox fans rejoiced at having one of the best relief prospects in all of baseball. The Craig Hansen Debacle™ was a distant speck in the rearview mirror now that Theo & Company had excecuted such a calculated maneuver by selecting Cox in the 3 rd round.

 

A month later, it doesn't matter that his ERA is currently 5.14, or that he has let up more hits than innings pitched since that first appearance. It doesn't matter that he hasn't struck anyone out in 4 weeks, a span of 7 appearances and 12 innings. Nor does it matter that he sports a K:BB ratio of 3:11 on the year, and a BB/9 of 7.07. What matters is that Bryce Cox will be good because of the GENIUS that permeates the ebb and flow of all decisions crafted by the Boston Red Sox. Logically, how could the Sox seemingly reach for a pick and be wrong? The Boston FO put too much time into finding a sleeper, the experts think too highly of the heist itself, and the fanbase knows in their tiny, Irish hearts that there is no way Theo & Co.'s brilliance can fail. It has become very clear that both corrupt umpires and HGH fueled hitters in the Eastern League are feebly attempting to make a mockery of the cunning and vim that the Sox personify. It will not matter in the end though. Genius is omnipotent.

 

See you in The Hall, Bryce. Godspeed!

 

[ORS]

The grapes must be awful sour there 8 games back. Interesting choice of forums to post it in too. Keep up the good work.

[TheKilo]

Hahaha what the f*** was the point of that?

[Rdsxmbnt]

ya lets dump this scrub for a real baseball player like Kei Igawa

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

The grapes must be awful sour there 8 games back. Interesting choice of forums to post it in too. Keep up the good work.

 

Honestly, I didn't even get a chance to read it before I posted it. I figured it was just another Yankee report. But whatever, it was mildly entertaining i guess.

[jacksonianmarch]

Ian Kennedy is a beast. 6.2IP 0ER 2H 11K 3BB

 

On the season, he is

 

4-1 1.43ERA 44IP 27H 18BB 47K in A+ ball. May be time for a callup.

 

Also, Joba Chamberlain has made 2 starts since recovering from, you guessed it, a hammy pull. He has thrown 9IP allowed only 3 hits, 4 walks and 11K's. Both of these guys are throwing really well in A+ ball in their first season.

[jacksonianmarch]

Kennedy dominating again

 

7IP 5H 2BB 9K 0ER. His era is down to 1.24.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Call that man up to AA.

[jacksonianmarch]

Call that man up to AA.

 

Even though Marquez had a rough start today, he should be brought up to AAA and Kennedy should be brought up to AA. Kennedy isnt even being tested. Scout.com is saying that Kennedy's 4 seamer is back up into the low 90s and he is incorportating a high 80s 2 seamer into his arsenal. A big issue with his dropoff in his final collegiate yr was a drop in velocity into the mid to high 80s. Seems like they figured it out.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Even though Marquez had a rough start today' date=' he should be brought up to AAA and Kennedy should be brought up to AA. Kennedy isnt even being tested. Scout.com is saying that Kennedy's 4 seamer is back up into the low 90s and he is incorportating a high 80s 2 seamer into his arsenal. A big issue with his dropoff in his final collegiate yr was a drop in velocity into the mid to high 80s. Seems like they figured it out.[/quote']

Thats great news about his velocity. I remember wondering why they drafted a guy who suddenly lost velocity. He was quite good I college the year before his last year. Joba is the guy I really like. You gotta love the pitching depth in the minors.

[jacksonianmarch]

The pitching depth has been very impressive. Hughes and Clippard are the last of the big minor league cannons to fire, though, in terms of depth for this yr. If anyone else goes down before Roger and Hughes return, it would likely be between Horne, Wright, White, or Marquez for the start. I still cannot believe the storm we are weathering.

 

#1- Wang - missed a month

#2- Mussina - missed 2 weeks

#3- Pettitte- effective and healthy

#4- Pavano - out for season

#5- Igawa - in Tampa, very ineffective

#6- Karstens - missed 3 weeks, returned and now will miss 3 months

#7- Rasner - Will miss 3 months

#8- Wright- one shaky start, one awful start, in AAA right now

#9- Hughes - has missed 2 weeks, likely will miss 2-3 more

#10- DeSalvo- 2 effective starts, one poor one

#11- Clippard- One Effective, dominating performance in Shea.

 

That is ridiculous to have used 11 different pitchers in the first 6 weeks of the season.

 

Our #3 pitcher has stayed healthy and effective all season. Our #1 and #2 have returned. DeSalvo,

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Meyer's Minors #4

 

Tabata Watch

Jose (18, RHB ) has brought his average back up to the .300 level, but his lack of power is a bit concerning. He has 1 extra-base hit in his last 45 PA. For the season Tabata's line is now: .300 / .369 / .373 / .742

 

 

Hughes Watch

 

Phil (20, RHP) is currently rehabbing down in Tampa.

 

 

Catcher Watch

 

Charleston: Jose Gil (20, RHB ) .214 / .256 / .333 / .589

Tampa: Francisco Cervelli (21, SHB ) .333 / .432 / .448 / .880

 

 

Batter's Game of the Week Contenders

 

Kevin Thompson (26, RHB ) went 4 for 6 on Sunday, with a double, a triple, 3 runs scored, and 2 SB. Thompson now has 13 RBI in his last 10 games.

 

.Ramiro Pena (21, SHB ) hasn't had a great year for Trenton, but on Tuesday he had a perfect day, going 2 for 2 with a double and 2 BB.

 

Shawn Hilligoss (21, LHB ) Went 3 for 4 on last Monday, and is currently riding a 26 game hit-streak going into this Monday night's game.

 

Austin Jackson (20, RHB ) is slowly piecing things together. He went 2 for 5 with2 doubles on Tuesday, and has a seasonal line of .275 / .351 /.405 / .756.

 

 

Start of the Week Contenders

 

Brett Smith (23, RHP) continued his dominance for the Thunder on Wednesday night, going 8 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. He currently has given up only 23 hits in his 44.1 IP this year, and maintains a 1.22 ERA

in his 7 starts.

 

Alan Horne (24, RHP) turned in another solid performance for Trenton on Thursday, throwing 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K at Erie. For the year Horne has a K/BB rate of 5.9 .

 

Ian Kennedy (22, RHP) has been absolutely rolling this week. In his 2 starts he went a combined 13.2 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 20 K. Despite his selection being roundly criticized by a lot of people, he has looked fantastic in this short period at the start of his career.

 

Daniel McCutchen (24, RHP) looked good once again, throwing 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K on Wednesday.

 

Joba Chamberlain (21, RHP) hit his first "rough patch" in his 3rd start of the season. He went 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. On the season thus far, Joba has 14 IP, 8 H, 5 BB, 16 K, and a 1.93 ERA.

 

Ivan Nova (20, RHP) returned to action last week, and on Saturday in his second start for Charleston he threw 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K against Rome. Nova could be a big time prospect by year's end.

 

Michael Dunn (21, LHP) resumed dominance on Wednesday after his only rough outing of the year on 5/10. In his bounce-back performance, he went 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

 

 

Relief Appearance of the Week

 

Jonathan Ortiz (21, RHP) made his professional debut with Tampa on Friday, and pitched 3 scoreless and hitless innings, while walking none and striking out 7.

 

Kevin Whelan (23, RHP) is really starting to settle in down in Trenton. On Saturday he threw 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K against Harrisburg. For the year he has a 6.23 H/9, and an 11.22 K/9.

 

Josh Schmidt (24, RHP) is back on track for Tampa. On Monday he went 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Since giving up 3 ER in 0.2 IP on 4/27, Josh has thrown 7.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 15 K.

 

Zach Kroenke (23, LHP) finally gave up his first ER of the year on Monday. The lefty did have 3 Ks in his 1.2 IP, though.For the week he threw 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K.

 

David Robertson (22, RHP) got his second win of the year on Friday, going 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

 

 

Worst Line of the Week

 

Steven Jackson (25, RHP) continued the general awfulness of his season, going 5.2 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, and 3 K on Friday against Norfolk. On the season Jackson currently sports a 5.53 ERA, with 55 H in 40.2 IP, and a 29:17 K:BB ratio.

 

 

Keep an Eye On Me

 

Chris Britton (25, RHP) continues to look great in relief for SWB. Despite giving up an ER in his last appearance, his YTD ERA is 1.08, and he has struck out 20 in his 16.2 IP.

 

 

Non-Prospects Performing Well

 

Edwar Ramirez (26, RHP) shows up here again, doing well in his AAA debut by going 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. He was shuttled back to Trenton on Sunday, and picked up right where he left off with an outing of 1 IP, 1H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. For the season Ramirez has a K/9 of 17.84 in 18.2 IP. No, that is not a typo.

 

Andy Phillips (30, RHB ) has been playing some second base in Scranton,which makes his .329 / .405 / .546 / .951 offense much more attractive.

[jacksonianmarch]

Joba Chamberlain, 8IP 2H 2BB 0ER 9K yesterday. His ERA is slightly higher than Kennedy's, lol.

 

The yankees draft last yr was ridiculous. Their top 4 picks were all pitchers, Kennedy, Chamberlain, McCallister, and Kontos. Throw in their signing of Robertson and Betances later in the draft for way over slot and they had one hell of a pitching draft. Looking at the top 4 pitchers selected, only one is in Extended ST (McCallister) as he came right out of HS. But the other 3 are in Tampa and wow, are they dominating.

 

Kennedy 5-1 1.45ERA 1.02WHIP 56IP 37H 9ER 21BB 64K .191BAA

Chamberlain 2-0 1.61ERA 0.80WHIP 28IP 14H 5ER 9BB 32K .149BAA (missed time with hammy)

Kontos 0-2 3.12ERA 1.07WHIP 17.1IP 14H 6ER 22K 5BB .215BAA (currently on MiLB DL)

 

Not a bad start in high A for these guys.

[jacksonianmarch]

ORS, here is the prospect HOT sheet. Not exactly a ratings list now that I look at it. But he has been nothing short of ridiculous in A+ ball this yr.

 

As the draft clock continues to tick down and the international signing period set to begin in just five weeks, we happily bring you another version of the Prospect Hot Sheet.

 

This time around, the Sheet is dominated by arms, with Brewers righthander Yovani Gallardo leading the way.

 

We'd like to throw out props to a couple of Red Sox this week, as Brandon Moss tore up the International League, hitting .444 with a pair of home runs, while high Class A Lancaster outfielder Bubba Bell refused to slow down.

 

Through 204 at-bats, Bell is hitting .368/.465/.657 with 14 homers and 53 RBIs.

 

It'll take a promotion to Double-A to get a full read on the 24-year-old outfielder, as is the case with just about everyone on the Jet Hawks roster. Boston's player-development staff likely feels the same way.

Anyway, so enough hullabaloo about the Sox, who only have one player ranking on this week's Sheet: low Class A Greenville first baseman Lars Anderson.

 

Remember, this is not a rewrite of our Top 100 prospects list. This is simply a snapshot of which prospects are currently riding the biggest hot streaks.

 

If you have comments, email chriskline@baseballamerica.com.

 

1. Yovani Gallardo, rhp, Triple-A Nashville (Brewers)

 

Gallardo has been so good this season that it's hard not to see him pitching for the NL Central-leading Brewers at some point this year. The 21-year-old leads the PCL in wins (7), strikeouts (84 in 60 innings) and ranks third with a 2.39 ERA. Oh, and he's surrendered just one home run all year.

 

Gallardo gave up four runs in his first start of the season, but has given up three or fewer every time out since then. Granted, one of those three-run starts came last week, but Gallardo still managed to go 2-0, 3.09 while allowing seven hits, striking out 18 and walking five in 11 2/3 innings.

 

2. Joba Chamberlain, rhp, high Class A Tampa (Yankees)

 

Chamberlain has been dominant in the FSL since a hamstring injury delayed his start this season and he continued the trend last week. He yielded just six hits over 14 innings while striking out 16 and walking four.

 

3. Kasey Kiker, lhp, low Class A Clinton (Rangers)

 

After joining the Lumber Kings from extended spring training last week, the 2006 first-rounder tossed 10 shutout innings over his first two starts and struck out 17.

 

4. Josh Fields, 3b, Triple-A Charlotte (White Sox)

 

Hitting .220 for April is a good way to fall off the radar, but Fields' big week has re-established him as one of the hottest prospects around. He went 11-for-22 last week to bat .500/.586/.909 with a pair of homers, seven runs batted in and eight runs scored. Even when the hits weren't falling for Fields in April, he still managed to reach base (.350 OBP), and his season line now stands at .283/.398/.500.

 

5. Joey Votto, 1b, Triple-A Louisville (Reds)

 

Like Fields, Votto slumped in April, though also like Fields, he still managed to reach base (.192/.347/.346). Things have evened out for Votto in a big way since then, and his 17-game hitting streak concluded just Saturday. He went 10-for-20 (.500) last week with two home runs, eight RBIs and seven runs scored.

 

6. Gio Gonzalez, lhp, Double-A Birmingham (White Sox)

 

Gio was virtually untouchable in his last start, whiffing 12 over six innings. Though he's 10 off the pace of minor league strikeout leader Gallardo, Gonzalez has fanned 74 in just 53 innings.

 

7. Will Inman, rhp, high Class A Brevard County (Brewers)

 

The Brewers' third-ranked pitching prospect's rising strikeout totals reached a crescendo on Friday when he fanned 12 Sarasota hitters in just six innings while yielding three hits and one earned run. Inman finished the week with 19 strikeouts in 11 innings with two earned runs and four walks.

 

8. Aaron Thompson, lhp, high Class A Jupiter (Marlins)

 

The 20-year-old lefty has emerged as the ace of a talented Hammerheads rotation, which includes the organization's top-ranked prospect Chris Volstad, and further cemented his status with 17 strikeouts over 14 innings while yielding just one earned run in two starts last week.

 

9. David Huff, lhp, high Class A Kinston (Guardians)

 

Huff made one mistake in his last start, leaving one up in the zone to Winston-Salem first baseman Micah Schnurstein. Other than that, Huff's been very good over his last two outings, allowing a pair of runs and striking out 12 over 12 innings of work.

 

10. Carlos Triunfel, ss, low Class A Wisconsin (Mariners)

 

After struggling early, the 17-year-old is more than holding his own in the Midwest League. In 152 at-bats, Triunfel is hitting .309 with a .730 OPS--impressive numbers for a teenager in that circuit.

 

11. Heath Rollins, rhp, low Class A Columbus

 

Rollins kept rolling through the South Atlantic League again last week, collecting a pair of wins and striking out 12 over 11 innings for the Catfish.

 

12. Matt Garza, rhp, Triple-A Rochester (Twins)

 

Don’t get us wrong: We like Kevin Slowey as much as anybody, but have you seen how well Garza has been pitching? Despite his bizarrely candid blow up Saturday, Garza might be the Twins best internal option to replace Ramon Ortiz in the rotation. He went 0-2, 0.64 with 11-6 strikeouts-walks in 14 innings last week.

 

13. Mitch Talbot, rhp, Triple-A Durham (Devil Rays)

 

The Bulls' pitching staff, which also includes prospects Jeff Niemann, Jason Hammel, Andy Sonnanstine and J.P. Howell, has functioned smoothly all season long, and now Talbot has gotten into the act. Though two disastrous starts (18 runs in four innings) have deflated his season numbers, Talbot has rattled off four good efforts in a row. Last week, he went 2-0, 0.64 with 10-5 strikeouts-walks in 14 innings.

 

14. Andrew McCutchen, of, Double-A Altoona (Pirates)

 

Finally. McCutchen batted .400 last week to raise his overall average past the Mendoza Line. First Hot Sheet appearance (in a good way) this season.

 

15. Josh Bell, 3b, low Class A Great Lakes (Dodgers)

 

Finally, Part Two. Like McCutchen, Bell struggled in the cold weather, hitting just .216 in April. But he turned it around full-force last week, hitting .476 with three homers.

 

16. Lars Anderson, 1b, low Class A Greenville (Red Sox)

 

The Sure Thing. Anderson has been steady all season long for the Drive, and batted .407 last week to improve his overall numbers to .324/.411/.500 in 176 at-bats.

 

17. Wade Davis, rhp, high Class A Vero Beach (Devil Rays)

 

The hard-throwing 21-year-old is making his third Hot Sheet appearance this spring, and because of his consistency one could argue that Davis should have never been left off--he hasn't yielded more than one earned in a start since April 18. Last week was a typical one for Davis: 11 innings, 13 strikeouts, two earned runs.

 

18. Mitchell Hilligoss, 3b, low Class A Charleston (Yankees)

 

Though Hilligoss appeared in the RiverDogs' May 1 game, he did not recprd an official plate appearance, so his 34-game hit streak lives on. The 2006 sixth-round pick out of Purdue is hitting .330 overall, but has shown little, if any power--12 doubles, zero homers.

 

19. Eric Hurley, rhp, Double-A Frisco (Rangers)

 

Steady as she goes. Hurley just keeps getting consistent outs in the Texas League, improving his numbers to 6-0, 1.83 in 64 innings.

 

20. Blake DeWitt, 3b, high Class A Inland Empire (Dodgers)

 

It had been a rough spring for the highly-regarded Dodgers prospect before last week. He entered with a mere .219 batting average but finished hitting safely in five of six games to bump his average to .260. Dewitt had four multi-hit games and enjoyed an 11-for-15 stretch over three games at Lancaster (the slump-buster of all ballparks this season).

[ORS]

Exactly, it's a hot sheet. They put one out every week. Buchholz has been on it twice, at the top once. Like I said, he's a good looking prospect, but as a college draftee just starting out in A+ ball, he has a ways to go before he's the #2 pitching prospect in the minors.

[BSN07]

A ball? A ball? Jacko after all that droing all winter long about A ball and how you can't judge guys from there, you bring this crap to the table? All winter you crushed the 3 B's about not being above A ball, and now a Yankee prospect comes along and you throw it all out the window? What happened to you not getting excited or paying attention unless the guys were AA ball in above? Come on man lets see some consistancy. Just because your team is in the crapper doesn't mean you get to change your philosophy and re-nig on everything you spewed over the long winter months:)

[jacksonianmarch]

A ball? A ball? Jacko after all that droing all winter long about A ball and how you can't judge guys from there' date=' you bring this crap to the table? All winter you crushed the 3 B's about not being above A ball, and now a Yankee prospect comes along and you throw it all out the window? What happened to you not getting excited or paying attention unless the guys were AA ball in above? Come on man lets see some consistancy. Just because your team is in the crapper doesn't mean you get to change your philosophy and re-nig on everything you spewed over the long winter months:)[/quote']

 

I crushed them for not being above A ball. Chamberlain and Kennedy are at A+ ball. Big difference.

 

Speaking of Kennedy

 

6IP 1H 0ER 1BB 8K, lowering his ERA to 1.31. Sheerly ridiculous.

[TheKilo]

I crushed them for not being above A ball. Chamberlain and Kennedy are at A+ ball. Big difference.

 

Speaking of Kennedy

 

6IP 1H 0ER 1BB 8K, lowering his ERA to 1.31. Sheerly ridiculous.

 

Mmmhmmm can't wait to see him in 4 years.

[jacksonianmarch]

Mmmhmmm can't wait to see him in 4 years.

 

Kennedy has been pegged as a fast mover Kilo. He was a very safe draft pick, one whose ceiling isnt off the charts, but his ceiling is far more reachable than some of the better arms in the draft. He'll finish the yr in AA and start next yr in AAA for the most part. If we continue to have mound issues, I wouldnt be surprised to see him up midseason, next yr.

[riverside sluggers]

Kennedy has been pegged as a fast mover Kilo. He was a very safe draft pick' date=' one whose ceiling isnt off the charts, but his ceiling is far more reachable than some of the better arms in the draft. He'll finish the yr in AA and start next yr in AAA for the most part. If we continue to have mound issues, I wouldnt be surprised to see him up midseason, next yr.[/quote']

 

You criticize us for wanting to see Bucholz up with the Red Sox very soon. But yet you tout this lesser pitching prospect (still in Single A) to make his debut next year?

[TheKilo]

Kennedy has been pegged as a fast mover Kilo. He was a very safe draft pick' date=' one whose ceiling isnt off the charts, but his ceiling is far more reachable than some of the better arms in the draft. He'll finish the yr in AA and start next yr in AAA for the most part. If we continue to have mound issues, I wouldnt be surprised to see him up midseason, next yr.[/quote']

 

Did I say I look forward to seeing him on another team? because that's what I meant.

[jacksonianmarch]

You criticize us for wanting to see Bucholz up with the Red Sox very soon. But yet you tout this lesser pitching prospect (still in Single A) to make his debut next year?

 

Kennedy is Buchholz's age first of all. Second of all, both should have started at the same level this yr in terms of development as Buchholz really had 3 A+ ball starts under his belt coming in. At the same time, people here have been advocating for Buchholz to come up this season. That is ludicrous. That would mean Buchholz would go from essentially A ball all the way to the majors in one season. For a big shot SP, that is crazy. You start him in A+ ball, promote him to AA mid season. Start him in AAA next yr and he'll be a midseason MLB option. If the sox play this right, Buchholz could be in AAA by the end of the yr and could be a rotation option come Mid season next yr. At that point, it wont be rushing.

 

Another thing to consider. Kennedy does not have Buchholz's ceiling. So that means, Kennedy isnt a can't miss pitcher. He's a guy we can move up the ranks and include in a trade if the right team is offering the right price. We'll see how we are playing the Kennedy line. If Kennedy gets up to AA this yr and dominates, I wouldnt be surprised to see him dealt if the right price came along. Buchholz on the other hand, may have started the season as potential trade bait, but his unreal performance has rocketed him up to future rotation cog. Hence, you have to see that you arent showcasing him and be careful with him a little more.

[jacksonianmarch]

Did I say I look forward to seeing him on another team? because that's what I meant.

 

I honestly think you will get your wish. I see Kennedy and a few others being dangled this offseason for a certain lefty in Minnesota.

[jacksonianmarch]

BTW, another yankee 1st rounder (okay supplemental) is absolutely dominating again. Chamberlain's line so far.

 

4IP 1H 1ER 0BB 7K. That line has RAISED his season ERA to 1.69. It isnt even fair with him and Kennedy.

[TheKilo]

I honestly think you will get your wish. I see Kennedy and a few others being dangled this offseason for a certain lefty in Minnesota.

 

Hughes? What?

[jacksonianmarch]

Hughes? What?

 

Hughes is untouchable. But I think Horne, Marquez, and a few others may be on that list. A I have a bad feeling that Cashman may decide to offer them Kennedy, Horne and Tabata. Tabata right now doesnt have much power, but he is 18 in A+ ball and hitting well. Give him time.

 

BTW, Why the f*** is Igawa pitching tomorrow? We have Horne who is absolutely dominating AA right now who is better equipped than Homerun Igawa. Jesus. Are we trying to lose now.

 

WAIT! THEY'RE GOING FOR THE LOTTERY PICK!!! IGAWA FOR STAFF ACE!