INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Rochester center fielder Jason Pridie (Twins) didn’t begin garnering attention last season until July, when he hit .333 with power to help lead the surging Durham Bulls on a playoff run. It looks as if history is repeating itself—except Rochester would have to leapfrog three teams to win the Northern Division. The 24-year-old Pridie went 3-for-5 yesterday, with two home runs (11), three RBIs but also a caught stealing, in the Red Wings’ 9-6 win against Toledo. In 71 July at-bats he’s hitting .338/.347/.746.

Prospect Nuggets

Toledo SS Michael Hollimon (Tigers) has been seeing time at both middle infield positions since rejoining the Mud Hens on July 7. He’s a more natural fit at second base, because of a fringy arm, but the Tigers may be looking for alternatives to Edgar Renteria, who has been a giant disappointment in Detroit and whose 2009 option the Tigers could decline. Hollimon went 2-for-4 yesterday with a double (14). . . . Indianapolis 3B Neil Walker (Pirates) went 2-for-4 with a double (20) and a stolen base (five) in the Indians’ 3-1 win against Charlotte. It’s been a strange year for the 22-year-old Walker, who has hit with authority (.200 isolated power) without excessive strikeouts (72 in 361 at-bats), but still has managed to bat just .235/.273/.435.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

The Angels could use another power source in their lineup, but nothing in the way they’ve handled Salt Lake shortstop Brandon Wood (Angels), who also can play third base, suggests Los Angeles thinks he’s the man for the job. And with the trade deadline a week away, the Angels may be poised to cash him in for a more experienced power hitter. For his part, Wood went 2-for-4 yesterday with his 18th home run of the season, and he could be getting hot at just the right time. Through 75 July at-bats, Wood has hit .307/.416/.587 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 21 games.

Prospect Nuggets

Newest Olympian Nate Schierholtz (Giants) went 1-for-5 with a double (20) yesterday, the same day the Fresno right fielder learned he’d be taking Colby Rasmus’ spot on Team USA’s roster. . . . Tacoma LF Wladimir Balentien (Mariners) clubbed his 14th double but went just 1-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts.