INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Improved fastball command to both sides of the plate has worked wonders for Durham righthander Mitch Talbot (Rays). Because batters now have to be aware of the inside pitch, his plus-plus changeup away is even more effective. He struck out eight Richmond batters yesterday, while walking one, in six innings. He allowed two runs (one earned), capping off a week in which he went 2-0, 1.32 with 14 whiffs, three walks and no home runs in 13 2/3 innings. Talbot, 24, ranks fourth in the IL with 118 strikeouts.

Prospect Nuggets

Syracuse LF Travis Snider’s (Blue Jays) promotion to Triple-A came as something of a surprise—it’s not that he’s not talented; it’s just that he’s just 20-years-old. In going 2-for-3 yesterday, Snider sure didn’t play like a 20-year-old, stroking a double (one) and driving in two runs . . . Rochester CF Jason Pridie (Twins) tied a franchise record by hitting his 15th triple of the season. He went 2-for-5 yesterday with a run scored, and he’s now batting .394/.436/.670 in 94 at-bats since the all-star break . . . Richmond DH Brandon Jones (Braves), who has played left and right field this season, seemed to break out of a slump by rocking two home runs in a game last Saturday. He hit a pair of singles yesterday in four at-bats and has hit .345/.424/.586 in his past seven games.

What To Watch For Today

A number of the IL’s better arms take the hill tonight, including RHPs Ross Ohlendorf (Indianapolis), Kevin Mulvey (Rochester) and Jeff Niemann (Durham), as well as LHPs Matt Maloney (Louisville) and Ricky Romero (Syracuse). It will be Maloney’s first start since coming off the DL.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

The PCL did not play on Thursday.

What To Watch For Today

Tucson RHP Micah Owings (Diamondbacks) makes his second Triple-A start since being optioned down in early August. He went 6-9, 5.93 in the big leagues, with 87 strikeouts and 41 walks in 105 innings.