Southern League

Prospect of the Day

First baseman Gaby Sanchez (Marlins) picked up a couple bad habits at the plate in the first half of last year, as he uncharacteristically chased bad pitches and struggled against quality arms. He came back with a strong second half, and now he’s continued to improve at Carolina. The fourth rounder out of Miami went 3-for-4 Wednesday. He smashed two home runs, pushing his total up to nine for the year, and also doubled and walked. He knocked in five runs and is now hitting .317/.408/.494 with 57 RBIs this year. [...] Continue Reading »

Texas League

Prospect Of The Day

Though he was the third high school pitcher the Athletics took in the first three rounds of the 2005 draft, Vin Mazzaro’s performance has been the best. The righthander was at it again for Midland Tuesday. He pitched eight shutout innings and allowed just four hits. More impressively, his 10 strikeouts were complemented by no walks. Mazzaro’s 90-92 fastball (which can touch 95) has led him to 9-3, 2.11 for the year. He needs to add another secondary pitch to keep hitters off balance, but his power arsenal has been successful in Double-A to this point. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Harrisburg righthander Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals) returns to this spot after another quality outing. He pitched seven strong innings, allowing a run on three hits and two walks. He struck out nine batters. However, Zimmermann was stuck with a no-decision as the Senators provided him no run support until the team scored three in the ninth to win. A second-round pick in 2007, Zimmermann has been very strong in his last three starts, giving up just three runs in 21 innings while striking out 19 and walking five.

Prospect Nuggets

Zimmermann’s opponent, Bowie RHP Chris Tillman (Orioles) dueled him for five quality innings of his own. He gave up four hits and two walks, but didn’t allow a run to cross the plate, striking out four in the process. . . . Portland RHP Daniel Bard (Red Sox) threw two shutout innings in relief. He gave up three hits and recorded a strikeout, improving his ERA to 2.87. . . . Akron 2B Josh Rodriguez (Indians) was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect Of The Day

On a day in which many top prospects were showcased at the Futures Game, some others had a chance to shine in their absence. One of them was New Hampshire starter Ricky Romero (Blue Jays). The lefthander was the first pitcher drafted in 2005, the sixth overall pick, but he has been plagued by injuries in his two seasons. He pitched well Sunday, though, lasting eight innings and giving up two runs on five hits. He also earned the win and evened his record at 5-5 as the all-star break approaches.

Prospect Nuggets

Romero’s teammate at New Hampshire, Travis Snider (Blue Jays), helped provide run support for the win. Snider, the organization’s top prospect, went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs…Akron first baseman Matt Whitney (Indians) hit his seventh home run of the season Sunday…Trenton pitcher Mark Melancon (Yankees) came on in relief and earned the win with three shutout innings. His record now sits at a perfect 4-0, with a 1.94 ERA. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Harrisburg starter Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals) had a solid outing. The righthander pitched seven shutout innings to pick up the win and improve to 4-2 for the year. He allowed six hits and a walk, but struck out six to keep his shutout intact and lower his ERA to 3.68. A second round pick out of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the former D-III College World Series MVP uses a fastball that can touch 94, as well as a plus downer curve with late bite.

Prospect Nuggets

Matt LaPorta played in his first game with his new organization after the Brewers packaged him in the C.C. Sabathia deal. Now roaming left field for Akron, LaPorta went 2-for-3 in his Indians debut…Portland (Red Sox) starter Michael Bowden pitched five strong innings and earned his ninth win of the year. He gave up one run on five hits and two walks, striking out eight…LaPorta’s new teammate, Josh Rodriguez smashed his fifth home run of the year and also walked once. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

The top prospect in the Blue Jays organization, New Hampshire outfielder Travis Snider came up big in the clutch Tuesday. In a tie game in the top of the ninth, the left handed slugger belted his 13th home run of the year for the go-ahead run. A first round pick out of Everett (Wash.) HS, Snider was considered the best hitter in the 2006 draft. Nights like Tuesday only serve to reinforce that notion, as he finished 2-for-5, with two runs and an RBI. His average now sits at .272.

Prospect Nuggets

New Britain (Twins) second baseman Luke Hughes went 2-for-4 and he roped two doubles. He also walked and scored…Trenton (Yankees) centerfielder Austin Jackson had a three-hit night, finishing 3-for-5 with two runs scored and his 14th stolen base…Binghamton (Mets) centerfielder Fernando Martinez also had a multi-hit game, boosting his average to .298 with two singles. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Trenton (Yankees) center fielder Austin Jackson, the No. 2 prospect in the Yankees’ system, showed evidence of progress Monday. He hit his 21st double of the year, scored once and knocked in two runs. An eighth-round pick straight out of Denton (Texas) High School, Jackson was known as a raw athlete who swings the bat hard. He also has a plus arm in the outfield, which was shown Monday when he threw out a runner at the plate. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Akron third baseman Wes Hodges (Indians) had a big night. He batted 3-for-6 and made each of those three hits count, with two triples and a home run, his 10th of the season. The 2006 second-round pick out of Georgia Tech scored three times and knocked in four runs, and he’s now hitting .307/.383/.466 for the year through 86 games.

Prospect Nuggets

Bowie righthander Brade Bergesen (Orioles) had a strong start last night. He lasted seven innings and gave up five hits. Despite only striking out one batter, he gave up just one run and earned his 10th win of the season…Binghamton (Mets) leftfielder Nick Evans had a double and a home run to improve his averages to .312/.366/.562…New Hampshire second baseman Scott Campbell (Blue Jays) hit his fifth home run and knocked in three runs.

[...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

It was a breakout day for Akron catcher Wyatt Toregas (Indians). Toregas, batting in the eight-hole started off with a solo home run in the third inning. Then, he added a solo bomb in the seventh. To top it off, he smashed a two-run shot in the ninth. His three home runs more than doubled his season total, which now stands at five, and he knocked in four of Akron’s 10 runs. Toreagas is one of the best defensive catchers in the Indians system. It’s been his bat that has held him back, so days like yesterday are a pretty encouraging sign.

Prospect Nuggets

Reading shortstop Jason Donald (Phillies) put up big numbers yesterday. A three-run home run highlighted a 2-for-4 day in which he batted in five runs. Teammate Lou Marson also had two hits for the Phillies…The best performance on the mound was turned in by Bowie starter David Hernandez (Orioles). The righthander threw 6.1 scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and three walks, striking out four in the no decision. His ERA now sits at 2.63. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Bowie rightfielder Nolan Reimold (Orioles) smashed his 12th and 13th home runs of the year and also doubled. The second round draft pick out of Bowling Green State went 4-for-4 on the night, scored two runs and knocked in three more. Although nagging injuries have slowed his progress, Reimold has been the Oriole’s best power prospect  ever since signing out of the 2005 draft.

Prospect Nuggets

Akron designated hitter Trevor Crowe (Indians) went 3-for-3 with a double. He also scored twice and is now hitting .325…Reading catcher Lou Marson (Phillies) hit his third home run of the season. He also walked and came around to score…Binghamton left fielder Mike Carp (Mets) walked three times and scored twice…Portland righthander Daniel Bard (Red Sox) made a nearly flawless relief appearance. He pitched one inning, allowed a hit and struck out the side. The first rounder out of North Carolina has a 3.28 ERA…New Britain righty Anthony Swarzak (Twins) was not quite as good. He lasted five innings and gave up six runs, all earned, on seven hits to pick up the loss. He struck out four, but also walked four and allowed two bombs.

What To Watch For Today

Portland sits four games behind the Northern-leading Trenton Thunder, but they have a chance to make up some ground, as the two teams will square off tonight at 7:05 p.m. [...] Continue Reading »

Mat Gamel padded his lofty numbers, Dexter Fowler had three hits and Brett Cecil look good through five innings yesterday.

EASTERN LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

New Hampshire (Blue Jays) lefthander Brett Cecil shut out Connecticut through five innings yesterday, lowering his ERA to 2.91 in 52 2/3 Double-A innings. Cecil, who started the season by making four short starts for high Class A Dunedin, now has a combined 54-18 K-BB ratio on the season. He struck out five yesterday and walked just one.

Prospect Nuggets

Trenton (Yankees) center fielder Austin Jackson only had one hit in five at-bats, but his hit was his eighth home run of the year . . . Reading (Phillies) catcher Lou Marson went 1-for-3 and drew a pair of walks for a nice offensive night. Behind the plate, Marson also played well, throwing out both runners who attempted to steal against him.

[...] Continue Reading »

Mat Gamel went a clean 5-for-5 in front of a pack of scouts, Fernando Martinez is making sure people know he’s back and healthy, and Jess Todd had 10 strikeouts and just two hits allowed in eight shutout innings in yesterday’s Double-A action.
 
EASTERN LEAGUE
 
Prospect Of The Day
Fernando Martinez is back.
 
Since returning from the disabled list to Double-A on June 27 (he also spent four games in the Gulf Coast League, where he went 6-for-13 with a double and a triple), Martinez has played in three games. On Friday, Martinez went 3-for-5. On Saturday, the 19-year-old went 1-for-3 with a home run (his fourth of the year) and a walk. Yesterday Martinez continued to hit well, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, raising his Double-A line to .302/.339/.450 in 169 at-bats. Of course, Martinez has just eight walks on the year, but his ability to hit for average and for some power as a teenager in Double-A has been remarkable. In fact, Martinez is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak, though that streak dates back to May 7, with a six-week gap in between games six and seven.

[...] Continue Reading »

EASTERN LEAGUE

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

New Hampshire is once again home to the Prospect of the Day. Travis Snider (Blue Jays) takes home the honors for Thursday with his 3-for-6 day, that included a two-run home run to seal the a 13-6 win. Snider scored three times on the day and also drove in three runs. The left fielder has raised his average to .283.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Bowie right hander David Hernandez (Orioles) had a solid outing on Thursday night, going 6.1 innings with two allowing just two hits. Hernandez did give up a home run in the seventh inning before he was lifted from the game, but he struck out nine while only walking two batters…George Kontos (Yankees) dropped to 3-7 on the year as he took the loss in Trenton’s 6-1 defeat. Kontos has struggled to meet expectations throughout his career and despite striking out seven on Thursday, he allowed three runs  in a losing effort…It wasn’t as flashy as his teammate Snider’s day, but Scott Campbell (Blue Jays) was just as important in New Hampshire’s win. Campbell went 4-for-5 with three runs scored in the 13-6 rout of New Britain. [...] Continue Reading »

EASTERN LEAGUE

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

New Hampshire left hander Brett Cecil (Blue Jays) picked up his third win of the year on Wednesday, defeating New Britain 3-1. The Blue Jays top pitching prospect threw five shutout innings, allowing five hits while striking out four. The University of Maryland product picked up only his fourth decision in 12 starts in the Eastern since being promoted from Hi-A, brining his record to 3-1 with New Hampshire.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Portland right hander Daniel Bard (Red Sox) worked two innings in relief on Wednesday, allowing just one hit and striking out one in a 5-1 loss to Connecticut…Nick Evans (Mets) stayed hot at the plate on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with an RBI in Binghamton’s 5-2 win over Altoona. The first baseman is now 5 for his last 8 at-bats…Bowie right fielder Nolan Reimold (Orioles) went 2-for-4 in a Bowie win Wednesday night. The Orioles best hitting prospect this side of Matt Weiters also chipped in a RBI in the 9-7 win over Akron…Akron shortstop Josh Rodriguez (Indians) chipped in a pair of doubles in a 2-for-5 night as the Aeros fell to Bowie…Trenton rolled to an easy 7-0 win over Erie thanks to the help of right fielder Jose Tabata (Yankees). The prized outfield prospect went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in the victory. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Nick Evans (Mets) is often criticized for being a one-dimensional player whose only value is tied to his power at the plate. The Mets’ 20th-ranked prospect is not considered above average in hitting, running, fielding or throwing — it his power that makes him a prospect.

However, he showed off more than just power yesterday, scattering three singles in four at-bats, driving in a run and scoring another. He is now hitting .311 for the year. [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Ben Copeland (Giants) took care of two of the more difficult parts of the cycle yesterday. He hit his eighth double and his 11th triple, increasing his batting average to .233. The rightfielder went 2-for-4 with a run and 2 RBIs. Copeland is considered the most patient hitter in the Giants’ system, which makes up for a lack of power at the plate.

Prospect Nuggets

Caleb Stewart (Mets) was 2-for-2 with his seventh home run and two walks, boosting his average to .289. Mike Carp and Nick Evans also homered for the B-Mets …Luis Montanez (Orioles) had three hits, two of which were doubles. He also walked…Trevor Crowe (Indians) finished 4-for-6 with his 12th double, two runs and two RBIs…Brandon Chaves never stepped to the plate, but won the game as a pinch runner in the tenth. He stole second and third base, totaling eight thefts this year, and then scored on a walk-off sac fly…Teammates William Bergolla and Luke Moontz (Nationals) each homered…There has been a lot of speculation that Eddie Kunz could eventually replace Billy Wagner as the Mets closer. First the righthander needs to sharpen his command. He picked up his 18th save for the B-Mets on Monday, but he also walked a batter, just like he has in each of his past three outings and six of his last eight. Kunz now has 22 walks and 29 strikeouts in 33 innings . . . Mark Melancon (Yankees) picked up his first pro save with three innings against Erie. [...] Continue Reading »

Dexter Fowler continued his stretch of outstanding hitting, Jason Donald’s stock as one of the better middle infield prospects in the minors rose a little bit, Mat Gamel homered in a three-hit night and Kyle Blanks blasted three extra-base hits in yesterday’s Double-A action. 

TEXAS LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day

At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, Kyle Blanks is about as big a player as you’ll find in professional baseball. He had as big of a night as anyone else in the minors last night, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two doubles, raising his OPS 31 points in one game to .852 (.314/.405/.447). The home run was Blanks’ sixth of the year and the two doubles gave him 10 this season. While his superficial power numbers have been down a bit this year, part of that is a byproduct of his home park in San Antonio, a park that supresses run scoring and home runs. Blanks has always shown an excellent handle of the strike zone (he has 35 walks and 35 strikeouts this season in 301 plate appearances.

Prospect Nuggets

Had Dexter Fowler not entered the game as a pinch hitter on June 20 (when he went 0-for-1), the Tulsa center fielder would have a 15-game hitting streak. Fowler had hit in 13 straight games prior to his pinch-hit performance, then had two hits in each of his next two games, including yesterday when he went 2-for-5 and hit his seventh homr run. Fowler kicked off the streak with six multi-hit games and had 10 multi-hit games in that stretch of 16 games (including the pinch-hit game). In all, Fowler hit .431/.479/.723 during those 65 at-bats with 28 hits, half of which went for extra-bases.
 
While Fowler’s one particular hot stretch in June stands out, his entire body of work this season has been superb. The No. 3 prospect in the Rockies system entering the season, the 22-year-old Fowler iss batting .314/.3395/.493 in 332 plate appearances. Always lauded by scouts for his excellent tools and 6-foot-4, 175-pound frame, Fowler has been a two-way threat, as his 70 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale makes him a plus fielder in center.

F [...] Continue Reading »

Eastern League

Prospect of the Day

Travis Snider (Blue Jays) hit two doubles to move his total in that category to 11 and increase his hitting streak to 12 games. The right fielder is the Blue Jays top prospect, and he has performed up to the lofty expectations after being considered the top hitter in the 2006 draft.

Prospect Nuggets

Neil Wagner (Red Sox) ripped two home runs in a big win. The first was a three-run shot and the second was a solo bomb, as the designated hitter bumped his average up to .267. He knocked in four runs on the day…Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals) had a good outing, lasting five innings and giving up just one run on two hits. He picked up the win to move to 2-1…Michael Bowden also grabbed a win and lowered his ERA to 2.2 by strikeing out five in 5.2 innings of work…Mark Melancon (Yankees) gave up two runs in two innings, and his ERA is now 1.75.

What to Watch for

Trenton and Binghamton will square off today in a battle of two teams that are a combined 21 games above .500. Binghamton will look to narrow the four-game gap that separates the teams.

[...] Continue Reading »

Royals righthander Dan Cortes had a 10-strikeout game, Braves center fielder Jordan Schafer and Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay each had big games, and Yankees outfielder Jose Tabata had one of his best games of the season in yesterday’s Double-A action.

TEXAS LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day
Northwest Arkansas (Royals) righthander Dan Cortes had his best outing of the season yesterday against Tulsa. Cortes, the top pitching prospect in the Royals organization, left after allowing one run and three hits through seven innings. The 21-year-old Cortes struck out 10 and walked just one, giving up season totals of 53 strikeouts and 21 walks in 50 1/3 innings with a 3.58 ERA.

Prospect Nuggets
Jon Jay put up a good fight for POTD honors by slamming four his in six at-bats for Springfield (Cardinals), including his 10th home run. Jay also drove in five runs and raised his line for the year to .319/.376/.496 in 270 at-bats . . . Frisco (Rangers) righthander Thomas Diamond’s return to the mound continued last night, although it hasn’t been easy after a year off following Tommy John surgery. Yesterday Diamond allowed five hits, three walks and three runs in five innings. Diamond struck out four, giving him a 27-22 K-BB ratio and a 6.08 ERA in 26 2/3 innings through six starts . . . Dexter Fowler extended his hitting streak to 12 games. The Tulsa (Rockies) center fielder hit a single in three at-bats . . . Will Inman is quietly having a good year for San Antonio (Padres) as one of the younger pitchers in Double-A. Yesterday the 21-year-old Inman had five strikeouts, two walks and allowed three runs in five innings, bringing his ERA to 3.00 in 78 innings with an 81-35 K-BB ratio. [...] Continue Reading »

The Eastern League and the Southern League were off yesterday, but Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler played and didn’t miss a beat.

TEXAS LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day
Dexter Fowler extended his hitting streak to 10 games last night, going 2-for-4 with a walk and two doubles. In that 10-game stretch, Fowler has eight multi-hit games, including Friday when the Tulsa (Rockies) center fielder went 4-for-5 with two doubles. Yesterday’s game pushed Fowler’s numbers up to .313/.397/.493 in 268 at-bats.

Prospect Nuggets
Midland (Athletics) center fielder Aaron Cunningham reached four times, going 1-for-2 with three walks. He also stole a base, his sixth of the year . . . Cunningham did some of his damage against Frisco (Rangers) righthander Tommy Hunter, who lasted just five innings and gave up 10 hits and eight runs (seven earned). Hunter walked two and struck out three. Frisco still came away with the 12-8 victory, however, led by catcher Max Ramirez, who went 2-for-3 with a double and two walks. Shortstop Elvis Andrus went 1-for-5 and hit his first home run of the season.

What To Watch For Today

The Eastern League and the Southern League each had the day off yesterday. Among the pitching probables today in the EL are Reading (Phillies) righthander Carlos Carrasco, Bowie (Orioles) righthander Chorye Spoone, Binghamton (Mets) lefty Jon Niese and New Hampshire (Blue Jays) lefthander Ricky Romero.

In the SL, righthander Brett Sinkbeil throws for Carolina (Marlins), while lefty Donald Veal pitches for Tennessee (Cubs).