INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Durham righthander Wade Davis (Rays) stymied the Indianapolis batters for six innings, keeping them off the board while allowing just one hit and two walks. The 22-year-old Davis struck out eight in what was the Southern Division clincher for the Bulls, a team that sits just four games over .500. He’s gone 3-2, 2.68 in 47 innings since his promotion from Double-A, with 48 strikeouts, 21 walks and five home runs allowed.

Prospect Nuggets

It was a good day for Blue Jays prospects at Syracuse. LHP Ricky Romero struck out six batters and walked three in seven shutout innings at Rochester. He allowed just three hits and improved to 2-3, 3.53. LF Travis Snider went 1-for-4 with a double (five), an RBI, a run scored and two strikeouts [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Just one game was played in the Cal League yesterday, with Lancaster (Red Sox) taking on Stockton (Athletics). The JetHawks won 6-2 thanks to home runs by catcher Jon Still, shortstop Yamaico Navarro and center fielder Jason Place. Third baseman Chris Carter was 1-for-4 with a home run for the Ports. It was his 37th home run of the season.

The league returns to a full slate today and righthander Jhoulys Chacin will take the hill for Modesto (Rockies). [...] Continue Reading »

Agent Jaime Torres says major league organizations are pursuing four of his clients who have left Cuba this calendar year, with former Cuban junior national team star Dayan Viciedo at the top of the list. Scouts have confirmed that two of Torres’ clients who left the Cuban junior national team in early August, lefthander Noel Arguelles and Jose Iglesias, are definitely worth pursuing. [...] Continue Reading »

Elvis Andrus continued his great second half with two hits on his birthday, Jeremy Hellickson continued to rack up the strikeouts and Nolan Reimold continued to do everything he can do to get out of Double-A.

TEXAS LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

With his youth, feel for the game and short, quick swing, Elvis Andrus’ (Rangers) second-half surge should come as little surprise. The Frisco shortstop hit .277/.335/.335 before the all-star break, but has surged since then, batting .322/.373/.421 after the break. Andrus celebrated his birthday yesterday, going 2-for-5 to bring his line up to .298/.353/.375 on the year. The game was Andrus’ 13th straight game with a hit, and his fourth straight game with at least two hits.

Prospect Nuggets

Allen Craig (Cardinals) returned to the Springfield lineup, but with 2008 first-round pick Brett Wallace now in Springfield as well, there’s only room for one of them to play third base. So Wallace stayed at third base, while Craig took his glove to left field. Craig went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk … Craig and the Cardinals went up against Tulsa righthander Brandon Hynick (Rockies), who stymied the Springfield offense. Hynick tossed seven shutout innings, allowed three hits and one walk and struck out four.

[...] Continue Reading »

Five low-level minor leaguers received 50-game suspensions after each tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. A change in reporting policy has made public the names of Dominican Summer League players for the first time. That explains the rash of DSL suspensions we’ve seen this summer.

Cardinals catcher Juan Castillo, 18, tested positive for metabolites of Stanozolol. He was playing in the U.S., in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he was batting .293/.384/.400 in 75 at-bats.

The following four DSL players tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone:

• Dodgers shortstop Rafael Aybar, 18, was hitting .224/.341/.280 in 107 at-bats.

• Marlins righthander Alfredo Buret, 21, went 6-3, 2.34 with 68 strikeouts and 27 walks in 96 innings.

• Orioles righthander Julio Sanchez, 17, went 4-0, 3.14 with 35 strikeouts and 33 walks in 48 2/3 innings.

• Twins outfielder Eliel Sierra, 22, was batting .230/.370/.348 in 187 at-bats.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

Though his strikeout rate has taken a downward tick at Triple-A, Rochester righthander Anthony Swarzak (Twins) has been much more successful, overall, than he had been at Double-A. The 22-year-old allowed only one run in eight innings yesterday in the Red Wings’ 7-1 win against Syracuse. Swarzak struck out six batters, matching his Triple-A high which he had set in his previous start, while walking two and giving up seven hits. He’s gone 5-0, 1.89 in six starts for Rochester, compared with 3-8, 5.67 in 20 starts for Double-A New Britain.

Prospect Nuggets

Indianapolis 3B Neil Walker (Pirates) went 2-for-4 with a home run (16), a walk and four RBIs . . . Rochester CF Jason Pridie (Twins) went 3-for-5 with a double (19) and a run scored . . . Louisville CF Drew Stubbs (Reds) has a hit in all but two of his 12 Triple-A games after going 1-for-3 yesterday, with a double (four), a walk, a strikeout and a run scored . . . Buffalo 1B Jordan Brown (Indians) was 1-for-3 with a home run (six) and two RBIs. [...] Continue Reading »

According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are shutting down righthander Bryan Morris for the remainder of the season due to pain in his right biceps just below the shoulder. The injury is not considered serious, as an examination revealed no damage to the labrum or rotator-cuff.

Morris was acquired as part of the Manny Ramirez trade on July 31, when he was one of the four prospects the Pirates netted in return for sending outfielder Jason Bay to the Red Sox. The 21-year-old Morris had been enjoying a breakout season for low Class A Great Lakes in the Dodgers organization, going 2-4, 3.12 in 81 2/3 innings. After the trade, Morris made only three starts for Hickory, the Pirates’ low Class A affiliate, before going down. He pitched five shutout innings in his debut Aug. 5, but struggled in his final two starts. He gave up nine runs–eight earned–in 9 1/3 innings over his last two outings, losing both times. He finishes the year 0-2, 5.02 for Hickory, and 2-6, 3.47 overall between his two stops.

Prospect Of The Day

Greeneville lefthander Jordan Lyles (Astros) had the best start of his professional career yesterday as he struck out 10 over five innings. Lyles, a 6-foot-4, 17-year-old from South Carolina, didn’t walk a batter and gave up just two hits against Kingsport, earning his third win of the season and lowering his ERA to 3.99.

[...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Seventeen-year-old lefthander Martin Perez (Rangers) finally won his first game in short-season ball. Perez went five shutout innings, holding Tri-City to four hits and two walks. He struck out four. Add his name to the deep list of quality pitching prospects on that Spokane team.

Prospect Nuggets

Everett played two against Vancouver and Jharmidy DeJesus (Mariners) had a monster day. In the first game, the third baseman went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and four RBIs. He was quieter in the nightcap, going 1-for-3 with a run but it was perhaps his best day yet in short-season ball. Meanwhile, his teammate Dennis Raben (Mariners) played for the first time in three weeks. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the first game. Then, Raben entered as a pinch-hitter and had an RBI double. . . [...] Continue Reading »

TEXAS LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

After taking the top spot on last week’s Prospect Hot Sheet, San Antonio first baseman Kyle Blanks (Padres) is getting his resume ready for this week’s version. Yesterday’s game at Corpus Christi could be enough alone to get Blanks’ name on there, as he went 5-for-6 with a home run, two doubles and nine RBIs. Blanks’ 18th home run helped tip the 21-year-old’s slugging average over .500, putting him at .318/.397/.503 on the season.

Prospect Nuggets

It’s getting repetitive to say, but Frisco shortstop Elvis Andrus is tearing up the TL in the second half. Yesterday Andrus went 2-for-4, drew a walk and stole a base, his 51st of the year. At least we can start writing something new about Andrus: he turned 20 today … While Blanks and the Missions were busy thrashing Corpus Christi, Hooks center fielder Brian Bogusevic (Astros) continued his conversion from pitcher to hitter. Bogusevic went 2-for-3 with a walk, putting his batting line at .368/.455/.557 in 38 Double-A games with 16 walks and 20 strikeouts. Bogusevic has also shown acumen on the basepaths, swiping eight bags in nine attempts on the year … Midland shortstop Adrian Cardenas (Athletics) continues to hit at the bottom of the lineup and continues to hit well, going 1-for-2 and drawing two walks yesterday.

[...] Continue Reading »

South Atlantic League

Prospect Of The Day

West Virginia (Brewers) right fielder Caleb Gindl went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in a 4-1 win over Lexington (Astros). Gindl is riding an 11-game hitting streak that includes seven multi-hit games, and his advanced bat has helped him hit .345/.416/.545 since the all-star break, putting his line for the year at .306/.386/.478.

Prospect Nuggets

Savannah (Mets) catcher Francisco Pena went 2-for-4 against Charleston (Yankees). The 18-year-old Pena looks to be finishing the season on a high note, as he’s hitting .323/.333/.403 so far in August … Delmarva (Orioles) shortstop Tyler Henson went 3-for-5 with a double (24), a home run (11) and three RBIs in an 8-3 win over Lakewood (Phillies), putting his line for the year at .274/.316/.406. The 20-year-old Henson was playing shortstop for the first time all year after having manned third base throughout the season. He moved to third after committing 30 errors in 67 games at shortstop last year. He’s been better at the hot corner this year but has still committed 28 errors in 119 games. [...] Continue Reading »

California League

Prospect Of The Day

Serving as the DH, Stockton’s (Athletics) Corey Brown put in his share of offense yesterday. He was 2-for-3 with two solo home runs, giving him 16 on the year. But that wasn’t nearly enough as Visalia (Diamondbacks) took the contest, 13-4.

Prospect Nuggets

Lancaster (Red Sox) shortstop Yamaico Navarro had a perfect day, going 4-for-4 with his 12th double…Center fielder Cedric Hunter was 2-for-4 with his 32nd double and second baseman Eric Sogard was 1-for-4 with a double and three RBIs as Lake Elsinore (Padres) took down Bakersfield (Rangers) 10-4…High Desert (Mariners) shortstop Carlos Triunfel was 2-for-5 and was caught stealing for the ninth time this year…Bakersfield first baseman Ian Gac was 1-for-3 and went deep for the 12th time in the Cal League. [...] Continue Reading »

The Dodgers have promoted left fielder Andrew Lambo and righthander Josh Lindblom from low Class A Great Lakes to Double-A Jacksonville to finish out the season.

Lambo, 20, was the club’s fourth-round pick in 2007 out of Newbury Park (Calif.) HS, where he had the talent to be a first-rounder but slipped to the fourth round due to concerns about his makeup, stemming from an incident in which he was caught smoking marijuana. By all accounts, Lambo had righted himself this year and was Great Lakes’ best player, putting up a .288/.346/.462 line in 472 at-bats in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League. Lambo led the Loons offense in hits (136), doubles (33), home runs (15) and RBIs (79). He was also tied for second in the league in RBIs and was fourth in doubles.

Lindblom, 21, was the club’s second-round pick in the 2008 draft out of Purdue. Lindblom scuffled as a starter and was most effective as a reliever during the college season, but the Dodgers converted him back to starting with Great Lakes and he put up a 1.29 ERA in 29 innings. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound righthander piled up a 33-4 K-BB ratio in his eight appearances. In his final start for Great Lakes on Saturday, Lindblom threw five no-hit innings against South Bend while striking out six.

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Aug. 19 and Aug. 22. The previous installment is available here.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Voluntarily retired: LHP Josh Blake

Atlanta Braves
Recalled: LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, OF Brandon Jones
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jerome Gamble, OF Reid Gorecki
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ryne Reynoso, C Ray Serrano
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Casey Beck

Baltimore Orioles
Recalled: RHP Radhames Liz
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Kam Mickolio
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Garrett Olson
Placed on 7-day DL: OF Daniel Figueroa
Reinstated from DL: SS Corey Thomas
Placed on temporarily inactive list: OF Kieron Pope

Mickolio earned his first big league callup by striking out 20 and walking seven in 18 Triple-A innings, while posting a 1.50 ERA. In two big league appearances, though, he’s given up a run on four hits in one inning. Two of the outs have been strikeouts. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

AZL Padres outfielder Jaff Decker simply continues to do what he does best: hit. Last night Decker went 3-for-4 with his 10th double, his ninth stolen base and an RBI as the Padres knocked off the AZL Royals, 8-4. Decker now has a seven-game hitting streak and has 18 hits in his last 15 games and is hitting .354/.533/.556 on the season.

Prospect Nuggets

GCL Marlins center fielder Issac Galloway went 1-for-3 with his 13th double on the season and teammate Kyle Skipworth banged his fifth home run on the season as the Marlins edged the GCL Mets 3-2 in a seven-inning game. . . Idaho Falls shortstop J.D. Alfaro (Royals) went 2-for-5 with his 20th double of the season. . . Helena center fielder Erik Komatsu (Brewers) went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. The eighth-round pick out of Cal State Fullerton is now hitting .353/.419/587 on the season. . . Pulaski designated hitter Mario Martinez (Mariners) went 1-for-4 with a double in the second game of a double header against Bristol (White Sox). Pulaski fell in 10 innings, 2-1. . . [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Some of the late signing prospects are trickling into rookie and short-season leagues. James Darnell (Padres) is one such prospect. The third baseman from South Carolina has made a splash with Eugene that includes a 2-for-5 day on Sunday. He had a triple and an RBI and is hitting .375/.464/.500 through six games.

Prospect Nuggets

Righthander Zach Putnam (Indians) is another late sign and he made his debut with Mahoning Valley on Sunday. He went 1 1/3 innings, allowed a hit, walked two and struck out one. . . Prospect-laden Boise showed off its hitting and pitching. Third baseman Josh Vitters (Cubs) continued his tear, going 2-for-5 and secondbaseman/shortstop Marwin Gonzalez (Cubs) went 2-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs. Meanwhile, righthanders Andrew Cashner and Chris Carpenter (Cubs) each allowed one earned run in four innings. Carpenter got the win to move to 4-0. . . [...] Continue Reading »

The Braves have promoted low Class A Rome right fielder Jason Heyward to high Class A Myrtle Beach, where the 19-year-old should finish out the 2008 season.

Heyward, who was Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2007, has quickly become one of the game’s elite prospects. In 120 games with Rome, Heyward batted .323/.388/.483 with 49 walks, 74 strikeouts and 15 steals in 18 attempts.

Heyward, who just turned 19 on Aug. 9, was just one of four outstanding teenage hitters this year in the South Atlantic League. Greensboro outifelder Mike Stanton (Marlins), Rome first baseman Freddie Freeman and Charleston catcher Jesus Montero (Yankees)—all of whom are still 18—rank first, third and sixth in the league, respectively, in OPS. Heyward’s .871 OPS ranked fifth in the league.

California League

Prospect Of The Day

Cedric Hunter saw his 22-game hitting streak end Friday but he had three more hits Sunday as Lake Elsinore (Padres) beat Bakersfield (Rangers) 8-2. Hunter has hits in 25 of his past 26 games and has been ridiculous since July 1. Since then, the 20-year-old center fielder has 88 hits in 129 at-bats and 23 extra-base hits, including six home runs this month, and 39 of his 80 RBIs.

Prospect Nuggets

Left fielder Bobby Felmy generated four RBIs on two hits, and catcher Jackson Williams had two hits, two runs scored and three RBIs as San Jose (Giants) took a step closer to winning the second-half North Division by rallying for an 11-8 win against High Desert (Mariners). … Center fielder Jason Place was 2-for-5 out of the leadoff spot, hitting a solo home run, as Lancaster (Red Sox) beat Modesto (Rockies) 5-4. Place’s home run was his 16th of the season … [...] Continue Reading »

South Atlantic League

Prospect Of The Day

Savannah (Mets) righthander Scott Moviel gave up only one run on four hits over six innings while striking out five and walking one in the first game of a doubleheader against Rome (Braves). It wasn’t enough though, as Moviel didn’t get much offensive support and the Sand Gnats went on to lose 2-1. Moviel’s record stays put at 9-8, but his ERA drops to 4.43 in 120 innings. [...] Continue Reading »

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

While his trade from the Yankees to the Pirates has meant only a change in IL teams thus far, righthander Ross Ohlendorf has signaled with his performance that he may be a key part of Pittsburgh’s rotation next season. In six starts since joining Indianapolis, Ohlendorf has gone 3-3, 3.24 with 35 strikeouts and eight walks in 41 2/3 innings. Last night he allowed only one run to Durham in eight innings of work, striking out six and allowing just five hits and a walk. The 6-foot-4 righthander has sat at 95 mph with plus sink as an Indian, topping out at 97, and has shown improved command of his slider and splitter. Ohlendorf, 26, may be the perfect complement to the Pirates’ lefty-heavy rotation this September and into next season.

Prospect Nuggets

Durham CF Fernando Perez (Rays) went 4-for-4 with a double (17), a walk and two runs scored. All four hits came against Ohlendorf (Princeton), whom Perez (Columbia) might remember from their Ivy League days. Both were 2004 draft picks . . . Syracuse LF Travis Snider (Blue Jays) went 2-for-4 with an RBI and his first stolen base at the Triple-A level, off the Rochester battery of Kevin Mulvey and Jeff Christy [...] Continue Reading »