INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Indianapolis center fielder Andrew McCutchen (Pirates) capped a big weekend series against Toledo by going 3-for-4 yesterday with a double (22), a stolen base (28), a walk and three runs scored. The 21-year-old went a combined 2-for-5 with three runs scored on Friday and Saturday, and the Indians ended up splitting the road series with the Mud Hens. McCutchen now is batting .280/.371/.404 with nine home runs, 22 doubles, 55 walks and 70 strikeouts in 411 at-bats. He’s also 28-for-45 (62 percent) in stolen base attempts.

Prospect Nuggets

Indianapolis RHP Ross Ohlendorf (Pirates) turned up the heat, touching 97 mph, in his second start since coming over from the Yankees in the Xavier Nady trade. Though he gave up two home runs to the Mud Hens (to Jeff Larish and Clete Thomas), Ohlendorf struck out nine and walked only one in 7 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits . . . Just in the past few weeks, we’ve seen the Triple-A debuts of Wade Davis (Rays), Brett Cecil (Blue Jays), Michael Bowden (Red Sox), Jon Niese (Mets) and Anthony Swarzak (Twins). Now you can add a sixth pitching prospect to that list: Lehigh Valley RHP Carlos Carrasco (Phillies), who touched 96 mph in his debut. The 21-year-old struck out four and walked two in 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (both unearned) on six hits.

What To Watch For Today

Rochester RHP Anthony Swarzak (Twins) makes his second Triple-A start, this time at Lehigh Valley.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Not to be outdone by his teammate Brandon Wood, Salt Lake shortstop Sean Rodriguez (Angels) also has turned his power output up to 11 in the second half. He launched his 21st home run yesterday, a solo shot, to go with a double (18) and two runs scored in four at-bats. The 23-year-old middle infielder (mostly second base—he’s resumed playing shortstop only in the last week) hit a scalding .340/.398/.738 with 10 home runs and nine doubles in July. Salt Lake is a very nice place to hit, but Rodriguez has taken his show on the road, too, batting a solid .258/.368/.545 in away games.

Prospect Nuggets

Albuquerque RHP Eulogio de la Cruz (Marlins) turned in a solid outing in Tacoma, striking out six and walking two in seven innings and generating 10 groundouts, compared with four fly outs. Though de la Cruz, 24, allowed just two runs on eight hits, the Isotopes lost because Rainiers LHP Ryan Feierabend was just a little bit better—seven innings, seven hits, two runs (one earned), one walk, five strikeouts. Though he’s walked too many batters this season (51 in 113 innings), de la Cruz has been very good for Albuquerque, with 93 strikeouts and a 2.0 ground/fly rate. Amazingly for a groundball pitcher on Isotopes Park’s fast infield, de la Cruz has given up fewer hits (109) than innings, something no other Isotopes starter has managed . . . Late bloomer or peak performance from a minor league slugger? Omaha 1B Kila Ka’aihue (Royals) is arguing for the former with his performance this season. The 24-year-old native of Hawaii went 1-for-3 with a solo homer (three) yesterday, giving him bombs in three of his first five Triple-A games.

What To Watch For Today

New Orleans LHP Jon Niese (Mets) and the Zephyrs host Las Vegas tonight.