Here's our look at which prospects put together memorable weekends around the minors.
Peter Bourjos, cf, Angels: While the Angels were swinging a significant deal at the major league level to pick up Dan Haren, one of their best prospects in the minors was going on a tear for Triple-A Salt Lake. Bourjos went 10-for-14 this weekend with four doubles and two home runs. Bourjos is hitting .485/.519/.792 this month with 16 extra-base hits and seven stolen bases.
Eric Hosmer, 1b, Royals: Something's in the air in Springdale, Ark. First Mike Moustakas' put up Bondsian numbers there, now Hosmer has already hit five home runs in 11 games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas after hitting seven home runs in 87 games in high Class A Wilmington. Hosmer, Moustakas, Clint Robinson and Derrick Robinson have all had excellent seasons, but their numbers have been inflated by the Naturals' home park. As a team, Northwest Arkansas is hitting .316/.397/.506 at home. On the road, they are a much more normal .269/.343/.400. It's pretty similar for the Naturals' pitching staff. They have a 4.60 ERA at home and 3.36 ERA on the road.
Springfield was at home this weekend, and Hosmer was taking advantage. The first baseman hit a pair of home runs and a double and is now slugging .762 since his promotion.
Michael Pineda, rhp, Mariners: Pineda has been one of the best pop-up prospects of the 2010 season, but he's gotten better and better as the season has gone along. On Friday Pineda struck out 11 while allowing only one hit (and one run) in five innings for Triple-A Tacoma. As impressive as his stats were, his stuff may have been even more impressive–he was clocked up to 98 mph on Friday.
"What didn't you see? Throwing the ball 100 miles per hour and any pitch at any time for a strike," rehabbing big leaguer Mike Sweeney said. "The last time I faced a guy like that was Pedro Martinez, a guy who could throw that hard, that kind of command and the sequence of pitches. He is good, really good."
Adrian Salcedo, rhp, Twins: In Salcedo's past two starts for Rookie-level Elizabethton, he's recorded 42 outs. Half of them have been by strikeouts. Salcedo overmatched the Burlington Royals lineup on Friday, allowing four hits and one run in six innings while striking out 10. As you would expect, Salcedo didn't walk anyone. He now has four walks and 52 strikeouts in 47 innings.
Jeremy Hellickson, rhp, Rays: Hellickson is still dominating, but his control has wavered in recent starts. Hellickson walked four or more batters for the third consecutive start on Saturday. It wasn't a bad start, as Hellickson struck out nine while allowing only three hits and one run in 5 2/3 innings for Triple-A Durham. This may end up being a tune-up for a spot in the Rays' bullpen, as Rays manager Joe Maddon suggested that Hellickson could serve a similar role to what David Price did in a late-season 2008 call-up.
Robbie Erlin, lhp, Rangers: The Rangers moved Erlin to the low Class A Hickory starting rotation in mid May. Since then, he's made 12 starts. In 10 of them, he's allowed one run or less. Friday was more of the same–Erlin gave up one run in five innings (and five hits) while striking out eight.
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In recent memory, has there been a better month by any player than Bourjos' July he's having right now???
Posted by MJ | July 26, 2010 at 10:16 am | Shortcut