Midwest League

Prospect of the Day

Deibinson Romero (Twins) has the bat speed to become a major league third baseman. But he hasn’t yet shown the production that goes with that bat speed. He did on Thursday, as he went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. He also hit his sixth double of the season, and raised his averages to .241/.267/.373.

Prospect Nuggets

Luis Bautista (Cubs) hit a homer and a double as part of a 2-for-4 day…Wynn Pelzer (Padres) threw six shutout innings, decreasing his ERA to 3.57. He gave up three hits, but struck out five in the process…Brian Broderick (Cardinals) also had a strong outing. He lasted seven innings and scattered nine hits. He struck out just two batters, but only one run came across…Jonathan Jaspe (Blue Jays) saw his average jump to .404 after he went 3-for-3 with a home run last night. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Nick Barnese (Rays) threw seven shutout innings for Hudson Valley. He allowed three hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out nine, but was robbed of a win because the game was scoreless until the 12th inning.  Barnese, the 17th-best prospect in the Rays system going into the season, was picked in the third round of the 2007 draft.

Prospect Nuggets
 
Cody Overbeck (Phillies), a ninth-round selection from Mississippi, has hit safely in all nine games for Williamsport. He went 2-for-4 yesterday with a double, but he has just one RBI (on a solo home run) all season… Justin DeFratus (Phillies) got the win after pitching seven innings allowing one run and striking out eight. He has allowed one earned run in 13 innings this season…Wednesday was just another typical day for Boise’s two standouts, Josh Vitters and Rebel Ridling (Cubs). Vitters had another two hit night, going 2-for-4 with a double in the 4-3 Boise win. Ridling who has been punishing Northwest League pitching brought his average up to a sparkling .414 with a 3-for-5 day, that included a pair of doubles and two RBI…Florida State product Dennis Guinn had his first professional home run on Wednesday. Guinn went 1-for-4 with a two run shot in the eighth to draw Spokane even with Eugene…Tri-City centerfielder Charlie Blackmon (Rockies) had a triple in Tri-City’s 6-5 win over Salem-Keizer. Blackmon raised his average to .250 by going 2-for-5 on the night.
 
What to Watch For Today

After having their five game winning streak snapped Wednesday night in a loss to Eugene, Spokane hopes to get back to their winning ways by avenging the loss in the series finale with Eugene.

Prospect Of The Day

Mike Montgomery (Royals) made his debut in the Arizona League. The supplemental first round pick pitched a scoreless inning on one hit and struck out one. The Royals are likely to take it slow with this high school arm, evidenced by the fact that he saw just the one inning in relief.

Prospect Nuggets

Casey Hodges (Braves) picked up his first win of 2008 Wednesday in Danville’s 7-1 victory over Princeton. Hodges, who won the D-II National Championship game for Mt. Olive, went six innings for the Braves, scattering five hits and striking out four while only allowing one run…Michael Harrington (Twins) continues to be one of the most consistent hitters in the Appalachian League. Harrington turned in a 2-for-4 night on Wednesday, including a two-run shot to open the scoring in Elizabethton’s 13-5 loss to Bluefield…Lance West (Orioles) was the hero for Bluefield in the win over the Twins. West, the Oriole left fielder belted two home runs, while going 4-for-5 and driving in seven runs…Right hander Bobby Lanigan (Twins) drew the start for Elizabethton and threw well until the fourth inning when Bluefield touched him up for three runs. Lanigan worked into the sixth inning, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and five earned runs…Jay Austin (Astros) broke out in a big way in Greeneville’s 10-7 win over Johnson City on Wednesday. Austin had been struggling at the plate coming into the game,  but a 3-for-5 night was his best performance of the year, thus far…Wilmer Flores (Mets) had another solid night for Kingsport in a 5-4 loss to Bristol. Flores went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI in the loss, raising his average to .350…Not to be outdone, Bristol’s star shortstop Juan Silverio (White Sox) chipped in a pair of hits and a RBI in his 2-for-4 night…Issac Galloway (Marlins) made his debut in the GCL yesterday. For Galloway, the Marlins 8th round pick, it was nothing to write home about as he went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in his first professional game…The rehab of Fernando Martinez (Mets) is progressing nicely in Port St. Lucie. Martinez went 2-for-5 on Wednesday with a triple in the GCL Mets 8-3 win…

What to Watch for Today

The Mets have yet to set a definitive time table on Martinez’s rehab. It is expected that when he finishes in Port St. Luice, he will rejoin the AA squad in Binghamton.
 

EASTERN LEAGUE

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

New Hampshire left hander Brett Cecil (Blue Jays) picked up his third win of the year on Wednesday, defeating New Britain 3-1. The Blue Jays top pitching prospect threw five shutout innings, allowing five hits while striking out four. The University of Maryland product picked up only his fourth decision in 12 starts in the Eastern since being promoted from Hi-A, brining his record to 3-1 with New Hampshire.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Portland right hander Daniel Bard (Red Sox) worked two innings in relief on Wednesday, allowing just one hit and striking out one in a 5-1 loss to Connecticut…Nick Evans (Mets) stayed hot at the plate on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with an RBI in Binghamton’s 5-2 win over Altoona. The first baseman is now 5 for his last 8 at-bats…Bowie right fielder Nolan Reimold (Orioles) went 2-for-4 in a Bowie win Wednesday night. The Orioles best hitting prospect this side of Matt Weiters also chipped in a RBI in the 9-7 win over Akron…Akron shortstop Josh Rodriguez (Indians) chipped in a pair of doubles in a 2-for-5 night as the Aeros fell to Bowie…Trenton rolled to an easy 7-0 win over Erie thanks to the help of right fielder Jose Tabata (Yankees). The prized outfield prospect went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in the victory. [...] Continue Reading »

Pirates prospects Steve Pearce and Neil Walker connected for back-to-back home runs in a 5-0 win, Denard Span remains on fire (not literally) and Brett Gardner continued to spark the Scranton offense.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Indianapolis righthander Bryan Bullington and relievers Jesse Chavez and Marino Salas combined to throw a one-hitter against Buffalo. The Indians won 5-0 on the strength of two solo home runs (11) by right fielder Steve Pearce (Pirates) and another by third baseman Neil Walker. They went back-to-back off Jeff Harris in the third inning.

After a sluggish start, the 25-year-old Pearce, who ranks second in the IL with 23 doubles, has gotten hot in June. His two home runs yesterday have propelled him to fourth in the league in extra base hits, with 34, and after going 3-for-4 (3 R, 2 RBI), he’s now batting .296/.344/.605 in 81 at-bats for the month. [...] Continue Reading »

The California and Carolina Leagues were off yesterday for their All-Star break.

Florida State League

Prospect Of The Day

It was slim pickin’s in the FSL today as two of the league’s games were postponed because of rain last night. But that didn’t stop Desmond Jennings from showing off some of his skills. He went 3-for-5 with his first triple of the season and falling a home run short of the cycle. He also scored two runs in the 5-2 win over Clearwater (Phillies).

Prospect Nuggets

Joe Savery was the victim of Jennings and Vero Beach (Rays), allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings. However, he was able to keep his control in line, walking none and striking out four. He fell to 3-8, 4.82…Jonathan Lucroy is settling in at Brevard County (Brewers). He went 2-for-5 last night with a double and two RBIs and is now hitting .320/.321/.680 in his first 25 at-bats since being promoted from low Class A…Adrian Cardenas was 2-for-5 with an RBI and stole two bases, giving him 11 on the year, in the loss to Vero Beach. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

We recently mentioned that Neftali Soto (Reds) was leading the triple crown categories in the Pioneer League, but that changed yesterday as Angel Castillo (Angels) went 5-for-9 in a doubleheader for Orem and hitting for the cycle on the day. After going 1-for-4 in the first game, Castillo went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI and fell a double short of the cycle in that game alone. Castillo leads the Pioneer League in average (.486) and RBIs (11), and is tied with Soto for the lead in home runs (4).

Prospect Nuggets

A Beckham had a big night for the Princeton Devil Rays on Tuesday, but it wasn’t Tim. Jeremy Beckham (Rays), Tim’s brother, went 3-for-4 in a 7-6 win over Danville. The 17th round pick out of Georgia Southern had his first double of the year and a RBI in the victory, raising his average to .286…Michael Harrington (Twins) continued his steady performance for Elizabethton in their 14-8 win over Bluefield. The Twins right fielder had a solo home run in the fourth and also brought in a run through a sacrifice…Jay Austin (Astros) continues to have a rough transition to pro ball with his average dropping to .100 after Greeneville’s 6-0 loss on Tuesday. Austin was held hitless on Tuesday, going 0-for-4 with every at-bat ending in a strikeout…Alexis Espinoza (Tigers) continued to impress in his first stateside stint, going 1-for-4 on Tuesday with a double in the GCL Tigers win…Fernando Martinez (Mets) continued his rehab stint with the GCL Mets on Tuesday, going 1-for-2 in their 5-4 win over the GCL Dodgers.

[...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

Although he hasn’t gotten much love from the Daily Dish, Boise first baseman Rebel Ridling (Cubs) had one of the best opening weeks of anyone in the Northwest League. The Oklahoma State product went 2-for-3 in Tuesday’s loss to Everett, chipping in a pair of doubles and two RBI. Ridling now has nine RBIs in seven games, posting a .375/.448/.625 line in the first week of the season.

Prospect Nuggets

The Northwest League season is barely a week old, but Josh Vitters (Cubs) picked up his second triple of the year last night in a 5-4 Boise loss. Vitters, now batting .333 on the year, made his second error of the season last night…Tim Murphy (Rangers) didn’t exactly have a sparkling pro debut on Tuesday night. Murphy appeared in relief for Spokane and surrendered two earned runs in just .2 innings. Murphy gave up a home run and walked three in his shaky debut…Colin Cowgill’s (Diamondbacks) fourth home run of the year opened up the scoring for Yakima in an 11-2 win over Vancouver. Cowgill’s two run shot in the first was his only hit on the night, but he chipped in another RBI in the victory… Travis d’Arnaud (Phillies) went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base. The Phillies’ 16th-best prospect at the beginning of the year is hitting .345 on the season for Williamsport… Quincy Latimore (Pirates) has started very slow for State College. After going 2-for-4 in the first game of the season, Latimore is 1-for-19 since.
 
What to Watch For

Despite Tim Murphy’s poor outing, Spokane won Tuesday to extend their winning streak to five games. They will send righty Carlos Pimentel (Rangers) to the mound tonight, looking for his second win of the year. Pimentel was solid in his first start of the year, scattering three hits over six innings while only one run. 

South Atlantic League

Prospect Of The Day

Lakewood (Phillies) center fielder Dominic Brown takes the prize after going 3-for-6 with a double and a stolen base in a 9-8, 12-inning loss to Hagerstown (Nationals). Brown was a central figure in what turned out to be a very dramatic game. Hagerstown jumped out to a 7-0 lead after five innings, but Lakewood scored once in the sixth and four times in the eighth, a rally which Brown helped set off with an RBI double to plate the first run of the inning. Lakewood took an 8-7 lead on a two-out three-run home run by first baseman Karl Bolt, but Hagerstown tied the game in the bottom of the ninth on a Sean Rooney double and had the winning run on second with two outs. The Suns’ Tim Pahuta lined a single up the middle and Rooney tried to score, but Brown threw him out at the plate to send the game to extras.

Brown raised his line to .294/.366/.399 in 293 at-bats for the season. The speedy 20-year-old hasn’t hit for a lot of power, with only five home runs on the year–although Lakewood is one of the SAL’s least hitter-friendly parks–but he’s shown a good eye at the plate and has been more successful in stealing bases this year than last with 13 in 17 attempts. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Nick Evans (Mets) is often criticized for being a one-dimensional player whose only value is tied to his power at the plate. The Mets’ 20th-ranked prospect is not considered above average in hitting, running, fielding or throwing — it his power that makes him a prospect.

However, he showed off more than just power yesterday, scattering three singles in four at-bats, driving in a run and scoring another. He is now hitting .311 for the year. [...] Continue Reading »

California League/Carolina League

Both leagues were off because of their joint all-star game

Florida State League

Prospect Of The Day

Jeremy Jeffress (Brewers) has had some dings during his two-year pro career. He was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for recreational drugs, and he’s struggled at times despite blistering stuff.

But then there are games like last night when Jeffress reminds everyone of his potential. Jeffress held Dunedin to three hits in a complete-game (seven-inning) shutout. Jeffress struck out eight, which was the third time in his last four starts that he has struck out eight or more. Since compiling a brutal 10.22 ERA in three May starts, Jeffress has gone 2-1, 2.45 in his last five starts. [...] Continue Reading »

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Toledo owns a sizable advantage in the IL team home run chase, though Pawtucket is making a valiant charge and presently trails the Mud Hens by 16. For further perspective, five teams have not yet accumulated half of Toledo’s 120 homers. The Mud Hens increased their tally by two yesterday, both home runs coming courtesy of right fielder Matt Joyce (Tigers).

Joyce hit a three-run shot in the first inning and crushed a grand slam in the second (both off Syracuse’s Kane Davis), giving him 12 home runs on the year and helping to stake Mud Hens righthander Virgil Vasquez to a 9-0 lead. They defeated the Chiefs 12-2. Joyce, 23, was 3-for-5 with seven RBIs and three runs scored. He told The Toledo Blade:

"You don’t have that kind of hitting too often. Whenever you give your pitcher a five-run lead in the first inning and follow that with four more in the second . . . well all he has to do is go out and throw strikes." [...] Continue Reading »

Anytime a player gets his first call to the big leagues, it’s special. But in Justin Christian’s case, it’s a little more special than usual, especially if you love rooting for the underdog.

Christian, 28, was in the starting lineup last night for the Yankees, batting eighth and playing left field as a fill-in for the injured Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. He went 2-for-4 in his major league debut, with two RBIs, a double and an error.

Those four at-bats are the culmination of a long, long road to the big leagues. Christian spent time at Skyline (Calif.) Junior College, Auburn and Southeast Missouri, but no team liked him enough to draft him. With no other options, Christian went to the independent Frontier League, where he starred for a season and a half with River City. Hitting .450 for the first half of the season did finally get him noticed, and also shows how the road to the big leagues can require a little luck.

[...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between June 14 and 20. The previous installment is available here.

The draft pick signings will come fast and furious over the next few weeks, and the numbers in parentheses below refer to draft rounds. Nondrafted free agents (with schools) also are included. Check out the 2008 Draft Database for draft picks in chronological order.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: LHP Clay Zavada (Southern Illinois (Frontier)), SS Greg Bordes (NDFA—Arizona State)
Draft picks signed: LHP Joseph Gautier (19), C Ryan Babineau (17), OF Daniel Rodriguez (30), OF Ryne White (4)
Released: C Justin Brashear, 1B Brad Miller
Traded: OF Trot Nixon to Mets for a player to be named or cash
Recalled: RHP Billy Buckner, RHP Leo Rosales
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Billy Buckner, RHP Max Scherzer
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Sean Morgan, RHP Yonata Ortega, 3B Ricardo Sosa
Reinstated from DL: RHP Dallas Buck, RHP Daniel Stange, RHP Matt Green, C Gerardo Bustamante, SS Marcus Hallberg, OF Javier Brito
Option transferred: OF Javier Brito (Triple-A Tucson to Double-A Mobile)

Atlanta Braves
Draft pick signed: LHP Richard Sullivan (11)
Released: 2B Joe Spiers, OF Reggie Taylor
Traded: C Sal Fasano to Indians for a player to be named
Placed on restricted list: RHP Ross Francis, OF Dennis Dixon, OF Rashod Henry
Recalled: RHP Charlie Morton
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Phil Stockman
Placed on 7-day DL: SS Wes Timmons, OF Yohan Silva
Reinstated from DL: RHP Gonzalo Lopez [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

Phil Disher (Astros) made our Daily Dish yesterday by hitting two home runs and a double on Sunday. The 15th-round draft pick out of South Carolina was back at it Monday, hitting another home run and another double. His three home runs and nine RBIs lead the New York-Penn League.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Josh Vitters (Cubs) night on Tuesday was one that the Cubs hope will be repeated many times in the near future. Vitters went 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles in Boise’s 7-4 win over Everett. Vitters has heated up over the past few games, raising his average to .345…Mark Pawelek (Cubs) picked up the win for Boise, but it wasn’t a strong outing for the 2005 first round pick. Pawelek pitched three innings in relief, giving up two earned runs along with a pair of hits. The real concern is that Pawelek walked four batters, while striking out none. He now has a 7.20 ERA in short-season ball in his fourth pro season…Sawyer Carroll (Padres) continues to put up solid nights in the Northwest League. The former Kentucky Wildcat went 2-for-5 on Monday against Spokane with an RBI and a run scored in Eugene’s 7-4 loss to Spokane…Tri-City’s pitching staff came up big on Monday, not allowing an earned run, as the Dust Devils defeated Salem-Keizer 3-1. Kenneth Durst (Colorado) drew the start for Tri-City and scattered three hits over five innings without allowing an earned run. Durst picked up the win, as Austin Chambliss (Rockies) drew the save, working around a ninth inning walk for his second save of the year… Jon Edwards (Cardinals) earned a promotion to Batavia at the end of last season and hit .394 in nine games. He picked up where he left off on Monday, going 4-for-4 with a home run and three doubles… David Cooper (Blue Jays) knocked the ball around once again on Monday, hitting his first professional home run and his third double for Auburn… A rain delay forced Staten Island’s Luke Greinke (Yankees) out after two innings. He allowed an unearned run and struck out two… Calvin Anderson (Pirates) hit a home run and a double for State College. He has hit safely in each of his first five games and has two home runs and three doubles in that span… Vance Worley (Phillies) allowed just a single in four innings in his professional debut for Williamsport. The third round pick out of Long Beach State struck out two.
 
What to Watch For Today

College players who get drafted to play in the pros have to make a lot of changes. They often move to small minor league towns to play with new teams and new teammates.  In one sense, that is not true for Evan Crawford (Blue Jays).  Crawford pitched for Auburn in college and now he pitches for Auburn of the New York-Penn League.  Crawford makes his second start tonight against Mahoning Valley.  He pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his debut last week against Batavia.

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

Don’t be fooled into thinking Brett Lawrie is the only prospect to come from Canada lately, Reds 2007 sixth rounder Evan Hildenbrandt (Reds) had quite an outing on Monday in the Gulf Coast League. Hidenbrandt who waited until the deadline to sign with the Reds last year, had a sparkling debut on Monday going six innings and allowing just one hit against the GCL Pirates. Hildenbrandt hails from British Columbia and has played with the Canadian National team, struck out four and walked one in his debut. The 6-foot-3 righthander can touch 93 with his fastball and is now 1-0 in professional baseball.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Angelo Paulino (Braves) delivered four strong innings in relief for Danville last night in their win over Princeton. Paulino allowed just two hits over the four innings while striking out eight, lowering his ERA to 1.42…Guillermo Toribio (Cardinals) has gotten off to a torrid start for the Johnson City Cardinals. Toribio is batting .417 through six games and put together a 4 hit night on Monday. Toribio has stolen six bases on the year and was unsuccessful for the first time in stealing a base last night…Michael Blazek (Cardinals), in his second year of pro ball out of high school, was dominant in relief for Johnson City last night. Blazek struck out five over four innings while allowing just one hit in the 13-1 Cardinal rout…In a battle of the Appalachian League’s two highly touted shortstop prospects, Wilmer Flores (Mets) came out on top against Juan Silverio (White Sox). Flores’ Mets won 1-0 with Flores going 1-for-4, while Silverio scuffled through an 0-for-4 night that included a pair of strikeouts…Burlington’s 6-1 win over Pulaski was led by Fernando Cruz and Allen Caldwell (Royals). Cruz, the Royals third baseman went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored raising his average to .227. Burlington’s other top hitting prospect, Caldwell drove in a run and had a pair of doubles in his 2-for-4 night

[...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Ben Copeland (Giants) took care of two of the more difficult parts of the cycle yesterday. He hit his eighth double and his 11th triple, increasing his batting average to .233. The rightfielder went 2-for-4 with a run and 2 RBIs. Copeland is considered the most patient hitter in the Giants’ system, which makes up for a lack of power at the plate.

Prospect Nuggets

Caleb Stewart (Mets) was 2-for-2 with his seventh home run and two walks, boosting his average to .289. Mike Carp and Nick Evans also homered for the B-Mets …Luis Montanez (Orioles) had three hits, two of which were doubles. He also walked…Trevor Crowe (Indians) finished 4-for-6 with his 12th double, two runs and two RBIs…Brandon Chaves never stepped to the plate, but won the game as a pinch runner in the tenth. He stole second and third base, totaling eight thefts this year, and then scored on a walk-off sac fly…Teammates William Bergolla and Luke Moontz (Nationals) each homered…There has been a lot of speculation that Eddie Kunz could eventually replace Billy Wagner as the Mets closer. First the righthander needs to sharpen his command. He picked up his 18th save for the B-Mets on Monday, but he also walked a batter, just like he has in each of his past three outings and six of his last eight. Kunz now has 22 walks and 29 strikeouts in 33 innings . . . Mark Melancon (Yankees) picked up his first pro save with three innings against Erie. [...] Continue Reading »

Mike Stanton continued his monster June, Danny Duffy had his best outing yet, and it was a long night in Cedar Rapids.

South Atlantic League

Prospect Of The Day

Is there anyone hotter than Mike Stanton? The Greensboro (Marlins) right fielder slugged his ninth home run of June last night against Lexington (Astros) in a 7-3 Grasshoppers win. Stanton added a double as well, finishing the night 2-for-4 with three RBIs. In 82 June at-bats, Stanton is hitting .341/.402/.780 and he’s raised his line for the season to .294/.354/.595.

Prospect Nuggets

Savannah (Mets) righthander Nick Carr struggled mightily in the Florida State League, but two of his three starts for Savannah since being demoted have been outstanding. Last night against Columbus (Rays), Carr carried a no-hitter into the eighth before giving up a one-out single to the Catfish’s Henry Wrigley. Carr ended up allowing two runs on one hit in 7 1/3 innings, with one walk and four strikeouts. Unfortunately for Carr, the Savannah bullpen allowed Columbus to tie the game in the eighth and win it in the tenth, leaving him with nothing to show for his efforts … Matched up with Carr was Columbus righthander Alex Cobb, who kept the Catfish in the game by allowing only one run on three hits over six innings. Cobb walked two and struck out seven … Lexington third baseman Matt Cusick went 3-for-5 with an RBI … Augusta (Giants) second baseman Nick Noonan went 3-for-5 with two doubles in an 8-3 over Asheville (Rockies), raising his line to .300/.331/.456. [...] Continue Reading »

With the California League and Carolina League taking the day off in preparation for today’s Carolina League-California League all-star game, it’s a very light schedule in high Class A.

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

Todd Frazier (Reds) got off to a scorching start with low Class A Dayton, and has been very solid since being promoted to high Class A Sarasota. But like many other Florida State League hitters, he has found that the hot, muggy summer days does make hitting home runs a little more difficult.

Frazier went deep on Monday for his sixth home run since being promoted to Sarasota in early May. After hitting four home runs in May, it was only Frazier’s second homer this month. While his power may have dropped, Frazier has sharpened his batting eye. He’s hitting .344 this month, and has only 13 strikeouts in 61 at-bats, after striking out 21 times in 74 at-bats last month. [...] Continue Reading »

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Lehigh Valley started its first season in the IL at 5-30 and is 24-20 since then, and lefthander J.A. Happ’s (Phillies) a major reason for the turnaround. He’s pitched like an ace since an 0-3 start, and did it again last night against Durham. He no-hit the Bulls through the first four innings and allowed only one hit in six shutout frames, striking out nine to take the IL lead with 99 in 94 innings.

Happ’s fastball sat in the 87-91 mph range, touching 92 regularly, and he was effective working it to both corners against lefthanded hitters, while using his change and slider more against righthanded batters. He threw 95 pitches, and efficiency was the only reason he didn’t pitch deeper in Lehigh Valley’s 7-0 victory. Since that 0-3 start, Happ has gone 5-3, 3.25 in 74 2/3 innings, with 75 strikeouts and just 22 walks. If the Phillies—whose five starters in Philadelphia have yet to miss a turn—have a big league need, Happ appears close to being ready to help. (John Manuel) [...] Continue Reading »