Prospect of the Day

Elizabethton (Twins) righthander Shooter Hunt made his third start in the Appalachian League on Wednesday. Hunt, the Twins first supplemental round pick, gave up the first runs of his pro career last night, but was still dominant in his six-inning outing. The righthander gave up two hits and a run, but struck out twelve Greenville (Astros) batters. Hunt was considered a first round talent coming out of Tulane, but he wore down late in the year leading to his fall in the draft. Hunt’s performance thus far has been outstanding, since debuting on July 4 he has struck out 28 batters in 14 innings. 

Prospect Nuggets

After entering the year with high expectations, Burlington (Royals) third baseman Fernando Cruz hasn’t quite delivered on his potential. Considered by some to be a first-round talent after petitioning to enter the draft a year early in 2007, the Puerto Rico native had scuffled in his first month in the Appalachian League. Entering Wednesday’s action Cruz was batting a meager .179/.236/.239. Cruz broke out of what has virtually been a season long slump on Wednesday night going 4-for-4 against Princeton, raising his average to .225. . .For the second night in a row Johnson City (Cardinals) shortstop Niko Vasquez belted a double. Vasquez went 2-for-4 in a 12-9 loss to Kingsport, raising his season average to .326. Vasquez, just a few months removed from high school, made his third error of the year Wednesday on an errant throw. . .AZL Athletics catcher Petey Paramore has been outstanding in his pro debut. Paramore, a former Arizona State Sun Devil, is undoubtedly advanced for the AZL, but his 2-for-4 day on Wednesday raised his average to .444. . .AZL Rangers righthander Joe Wieland was saddled with the first loss of his pro career on Wednesday. The righthander out of a Nevada high school threw four innings, giving up five hits and two runs. Wieland did strike out four, while walking none in the loss to the AZL Angels. . .Just two years ago Humberto Sanchez (Yankees) was regarded as one of the most promising young pitchers in the game. Now the 25-year old is simply looking to stay healthy and advance through the Yankees system. The righthander threw a perfect inning for the GCL Yankees on Wednesday, striking out one.  The outing was Sanchez’s seventh in the GCL. He has allowed just three hits over 6 2/3 innings, while striking out nine. . .Another former Tiger prospect took the mound in the GCL yesterday, as Jordan Tata (Tigers) looked to work his back from a disastrous start to 2008. Sent to the GCL to regain the form that once made him a promising prospect for the Tigers, the 25-year old had his best start so far on Wednesday. Tata threw six innings, allowing just one run and scattering five hits.

What to Watch for Today

The GCL Mets will be taking on the GCL Nationals as third baseman Jefry Marte looks to improve on his .362 average. The third baseman signed for $550,000 during the international signing period last summer.

Prospect of the Day

Kingsport (Mets) shortstop Wilmer Flores put together his tenth multi-hit game of the year on Tuesday night. Flores’ 4-for-5 night in a 5-4 loss to Johnson City (Cardinals) came the night after he saw his batting average dip to a season-low .324 after a 1-for-4 night. The 16-year-old came into the season regarded as one of the league’s top prospects, but his performance thus far has put him head and shoulders above the leagues’ other prospects. Nearly four years younger than the average age in the Appalachian League, Flores has torched the league’s pitching, batting .346/.388/.589. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

It seems that every start he makes lands Elizabethton (Twins) righthander Bradley Tippet in this spot. Tippet picked up his fifth win in Appalachian League play last night with a flawless seven-inning outing. Tippet threw seven shutout innings, while scattering six Greeneville Astro hits. The native of Mone Vale, Australia struck out eight and only surrendered one walk. The only knock on Tippet is that this is his second year in the Appalachian League, but his solid performacnce (just four earned runs in his last 28 innings) could have him in line for a promotion to low Class A Beloit, where he opened the season. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

Helena (Brewers) rightfielder Erik Komatsu continued to torch Pioneer League pitching on Sunday night, going 3-for-5 with a double and a triple. Komatsu,the Brewers’ eighth-round pick out of Cal State Fullerton, has been one of the most impressive hitters in the Pioneer League in 2008.After his big day Sunday, Komatsu is batting .326/.393/.516 in 23 games. Komatsu’s triple was the first of his professional career. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

Danville (Braves) righthander Casey Hodges remained unbeaten in the Appalachian League with another brilliant outing Thursday. Pitching game two of a doubleheader against Bluefield (Orioles), Hodges struck out eight over seven innings, allowing just two hits. Hodges moved his record to 3-1 with the victory, while lowering his ERA to a miniscule .60.

Prospect Nuggets

Danville (Braves) third baseman Jon Gilmore was 2-for-3 in the first game of the doubleheader. Gilmore notched his ninth double of the year in a 10-6 Danville victory. . .Pitching in his second professional game, AZL Giants lefthander Erik Surkamp struck out five batters in 2 1/3 innings. Surkamp allowed three hits and run in the outing. . .Jordan Tata (Tigers) continued his stint in the Gulf Coast League with the GCL Tigers. The righthander struck out two in five innings, while walking three batters. Tata scattered seven hits, allowing two earned runs. . .The GCL Orioles two biggest stars had big games on Thursday. Xavier Avery (Orioles) went 3-for-5 in the loss to the GCL Twins. Avery had a run in the game, but was also caught stealing for the second time this year. L.J. Hoes raised his average to .259 with a 3-for-4 performance. Hoes had his first triple of the year, while also notching his second RBI. . .Left fielder Clay Calfee (Dodgers) had a pair of home runs in Ogden’s 7-5 win over Billings. Calfee’s two home runs were part of a 3-for-4 night that included four RBI and raised his home run total to six on the year.

What to Watch For Today

Phillies first-round pick Anthony Hewitt has been in Clearwater all week after signing a contract with a $1.38 million signing bonus. Look for Hewitt to make his debut with the GCL Phillies in the coming days.

Prospect of the Day

After seeing rain wreak havoc on the first game of their series, Elizabethton (Twins) and Kingsport (Mets) played a pair of seven-inning games on Wednesday. After winning the first game, the Twins turned to righthander Bradley Tippet. Tippet, a 20 year old from Austriala, sealed the sweep of the doubleheader with a dominating complete game performance. Tippett allowed just two hits over seven innings, giving up a lone run on a third inning home run. It’s not a coincidence that a player from down under is performing well for the Twins. Minnesota has made its presence felt in Austrailia for years, signing players like Grant Balfour, Mike Nakamura and Brad Thomas.

Prospect Nuggets

Tippett was the hero of the nightcap for Elizabethton, but rightfielder Michael Harrington (Twins) delivered big blows for the Twins in game one of the doubleheader. Harrington, batting .301 on the year, bombed his fifth home run of the year in a 5-4 Kingsport victory. The College of Charleston product was 2-for-4 on the day. [...] Continue Reading »

 Prospect of the Day

Casper catcher Wilin Rosario (Rockies) turned Tuesday night’s contest between Missoula and Casper into a one-man show. The 19-year-old who hails from the Dominican Republic was 5-for-5 with two home runs in a 3-0 Casper victory. Rosario had a solo home run in the first before striking with a two-run bomb in the seventh. The catcher also ripped two doubles and a had a single in the victory. Rosario is now batting .361 on the year.

Prospect Nuggets

Erik Komatsu (Brewers) is riding a modest three game hitting streak after his 2-for-4 night against Idaho Falls on Tuesday. Komatsu, the Brewers’ center fielder, is now batting .333 on the year. . .Burlington (Royals) third baseman Fernando Cruz has been somewhat of a disappointment thus far in the Appalachian League. Cruz, the Royals top third base prospect, has struggled coming into Tuesday night’s matchup with Greeneville, picking up a hit in just 2 of his last 11 games. Cruz broke out of his slump with a 2-for-3 night on Tuesday, including his third double of the year. Cruz’s performance wasn’t enough as the slumping Royals fell to 4-16 on the year, losing 2-1. . . AZL Angels righthander Tyler Chatwood made his pro debut on Tuesday. Chatwood, the Angels first pick of the 2008 draft, lasted 1 1/3 innings in his debut. The undersized native of Yucaipa, Calif. gave up a hit, while striking out two in a scoreless opening. . . Danville (Braves) third baseman Jon Gilmore struggled in the South Atlantic League before being sent down to the Appalachian League to refine his approach and gain confidence. The move seems to be working out well for Gilmore who is now batting .341. Gilmore went 4-for-5 with three doubles in Danville’s 10-1 rout of Bluefield on Tuesday night.

What to Watch for Today

Appalachian League fans will be in for a treat today as there will be a trio of doubleheaders to make up for Tuesday’s cancellations, due to rain. The marquee matchup will be Kingsport (Mets), led by hot-hitting shortstop Wilmer Flores, taking on defending champion Elizabethton (Twins).
 

Prospect of the Day

GCL Phillies center fielder Anthony Gose put on an offensive show in Monday’s 4-3 win over the GCL Yankees. Gose, the Phillies second round pick out of Bellflower (Calif.) High School, was 2-for-3 on the day. Gose’s triple led off a three-run fourth inning that would be the difference in the victory. The center fielder would go on to single later in the game, along with picking up his third stolen base of the year. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

Rashun Dixon (Athletics) could be sweating out two-a-days in Starkville, Miss. in preparation for the SEC Football season. Instead, Dixon is sweating it out underneath the Arizona sun for the AZL Athletics. The Athletics center fielder, who turned down a football scholarship to Mississippi State, had two home runs in the Athletics 10-3 win over the AZL Padres. Dixon, taken in the 10th round by the A’s this year, was 2-for-5 on the day with four RBI.

Prospect Nuggets

Kingsport (Mets) shortstop Wilmer Flores battled through an illness to provide Kingsport with the firepower to take a key weekend series against perennial Appalachian League power, Danville (Braves). Flores who sat out Friday’s game due to the illness, had a key triple in the Mets 2-1 win on Sunday. Flores was 1-for-4 on the night, notching his second triple of the year [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

Aaron Hicks (Twins) hasn’t put up spectacular numbers, but he’s still been impressive in the GCL, where many prep stars have faltered early on. Hicks was 1-for-3 yesterday with his first professional triple in a game against the GCL Red Sox. While other highly touted high school stars like Kyle Skipworth (Marlins), L.J. Hoes (Orioles) and Xavier Avery (Orioles) are struggling in their first taste of professional ball, Hicks has put up solid, consistent numbers. Hicks has walked seven times in his first nine games displaying a patience unseen in most of the other high school draft picks playing in the GCL. He’s also put together three multi-hit games. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Billings (Reds) shortstop Neftali Soto has been in this spot before, but his outstanding play in the Northwest League continues to impress. Soto went 2-for-5 on Tuesday, with both of his hits being doubles. Soto now sits at seven doubles on the year and has posted an impressive .364 average. It appears the Reds have soured on his abilities at short stop, as he had played almost exclusively at third base this year. While not unexpected, because most doubted his ability to stick at shortstop, the move comes sooner than some expected.

Prospect Nuggets

A rainout Monday forced Kingsport (Mets) and Bluefield (Orioles) to play twice on Tuesday and Wilmer Flores put on a show in both games. Flores, the 16-year-old Venezuelan shortstop, opened up the scoring in the first inning of game one with a solo home run, his fourth of the year. In the second game, Flores had his fourth double of the season in a 7-5 Kingsport win [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Billings second baseman Alex Buchholz (Reds) continues to mash Pioneer League pitching. The sixth-round pick out of Delaare went 3-for-5 with two doubles to raise his average to .429.

Prospect Nuggets

Like the New York-Penn League, the Pioneer League also saw a no-hitter on Monday. Missoula RHPs Miles Reagan, Jesse Orosco and Bryan Shaw (Diamondbacks) combined to no-hit Helena. Despite Monday’s game, none of the three pitchers has an ERA below 5.00 on the season. . . . [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

AZL Padres center fielder Jaff Decker (Padres) went 2-for-4 Friday with a double his first professional home run, and then went 2-for-3 Sunday. A supplemental first-round pick from an Arizona high school, and is 9-for-17 (.529) in his first five games. He has also walked eight times, pushing his on-base percentage to .680. [...] Continue Reading »

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

Wilmer Flores (Mets) may be the youngest player in the Appalachian League, but he has also been one of the best, so far. Flores may have had the best night of his young career on Thursday against Pulaski, going 4-for-5 in an 8-3 Kingsport win. Flores belted a triple in the sixth to break a 2-2 tie. In the eighth Flores hit a ball so hard it bounced off the leg of Pulaski pitcher Jordan Alvis and bounded all the way into right field.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Tim Beckham (Rays) made his professional debut last night, just a week after signing a record contract. The first overall pick batted second for Princeton and picked up his first hit in his first appearance at the plate. Beckham sent a 1-0 offering back up the middle and beat out the throw for an infield single…Fernando Cruz (Royals) may be the top prospect playing in Burlington, but on Thursday night it was his replacement Jason Morales (Royals) who was the star. Morales, a 22-year-old out of UNC Pembroke, had a 4-for-4 night that included a two-run home run and a double…Fernando Martinez (Mets) continues to progress nicely in his rehab stint with the GCL Mets. Thursday’s game with the Cardinals was called early due to rain, but Martinez had a pair of hits, including a double in the Mets 5-3 win… Orem 3B Luis Jimenez (Angels) went 3-for-5 with two doubles.  He has hit in all 10 games in which he has played, including five doubles, a triple and a home run… Dan Hudson (White Sox) threw four shutout innings and struck out seven in his second start for Great Falls. The fifth round pick out of Old Dominion has now given up two hits, walked one and struck out 11 in seven innings… Jaff Decker (Padres) is putting his best foot forward in Arizona. He went 2-for-4 and drew two walks yesterday and his hitting .500 through his first three games.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR TODAY

Beckham will return to action tonight for Princeton tonight as they take on Burlington. Beckham who hit in the DH role on Thursday, will be in that role again tonight. The Rays minor league staff has yet to decide when Beckham will take the field at shortstop.
 

Prospect Of The Day

Mike Montgomery (Royals) made his debut in the Arizona League. The supplemental first round pick pitched a scoreless inning on one hit and struck out one. The Royals are likely to take it slow with this high school arm, evidenced by the fact that he saw just the one inning in relief.

Prospect Nuggets

Casey Hodges (Braves) picked up his first win of 2008 Wednesday in Danville’s 7-1 victory over Princeton. Hodges, who won the D-II National Championship game for Mt. Olive, went six innings for the Braves, scattering five hits and striking out four while only allowing one run…Michael Harrington (Twins) continues to be one of the most consistent hitters in the Appalachian League. Harrington turned in a 2-for-4 night on Wednesday, including a two-run shot to open the scoring in Elizabethton’s 13-5 loss to Bluefield…Lance West (Orioles) was the hero for Bluefield in the win over the Twins. West, the Oriole left fielder belted two home runs, while going 4-for-5 and driving in seven runs…Right hander Bobby Lanigan (Twins) drew the start for Elizabethton and threw well until the fourth inning when Bluefield touched him up for three runs. Lanigan worked into the sixth inning, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and five earned runs…Jay Austin (Astros) broke out in a big way in Greeneville’s 10-7 win over Johnson City on Wednesday. Austin had been struggling at the plate coming into the game,  but a 3-for-5 night was his best performance of the year, thus far…Wilmer Flores (Mets) had another solid night for Kingsport in a 5-4 loss to Bristol. Flores went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI in the loss, raising his average to .350…Not to be outdone, Bristol’s star shortstop Juan Silverio (White Sox) chipped in a pair of hits and a RBI in his 2-for-4 night…Issac Galloway (Marlins) made his debut in the GCL yesterday. For Galloway, the Marlins 8th round pick, it was nothing to write home about as he went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in his first professional game…The rehab of Fernando Martinez (Mets) is progressing nicely in Port St. Lucie. Martinez went 2-for-5 on Wednesday with a triple in the GCL Mets 8-3 win…

What to Watch for Today

The Mets have yet to set a definitive time table on Martinez’s rehab. It is expected that when he finishes in Port St. Luice, he will rejoin the AA squad in Binghamton.
 

Prospect of the Day

We recently mentioned that Neftali Soto (Reds) was leading the triple crown categories in the Pioneer League, but that changed yesterday as Angel Castillo (Angels) went 5-for-9 in a doubleheader for Orem and hitting for the cycle on the day. After going 1-for-4 in the first game, Castillo went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI and fell a double short of the cycle in that game alone. Castillo leads the Pioneer League in average (.486) and RBIs (11), and is tied with Soto for the lead in home runs (4).

Prospect Nuggets

A Beckham had a big night for the Princeton Devil Rays on Tuesday, but it wasn’t Tim. Jeremy Beckham (Rays), Tim’s brother, went 3-for-4 in a 7-6 win over Danville. The 17th round pick out of Georgia Southern had his first double of the year and a RBI in the victory, raising his average to .286…Michael Harrington (Twins) continued his steady performance for Elizabethton in their 14-8 win over Bluefield. The Twins right fielder had a solo home run in the fourth and also brought in a run through a sacrifice…Jay Austin (Astros) continues to have a rough transition to pro ball with his average dropping to .100 after Greeneville’s 6-0 loss on Tuesday. Austin was held hitless on Tuesday, going 0-for-4 with every at-bat ending in a strikeout…Alexis Espinoza (Tigers) continued to impress in his first stateside stint, going 1-for-4 on Tuesday with a double in the GCL Tigers win…Fernando Martinez (Mets) continued his rehab stint with the GCL Mets on Tuesday, going 1-for-2 in their 5-4 win over the GCL Dodgers.

[...] Continue Reading »

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

Don’t be fooled into thinking Brett Lawrie is the only prospect to come from Canada lately, Reds 2007 sixth rounder Evan Hildenbrandt (Reds) had quite an outing on Monday in the Gulf Coast League. Hidenbrandt who waited until the deadline to sign with the Reds last year, had a sparkling debut on Monday going six innings and allowing just one hit against the GCL Pirates. Hildenbrandt hails from British Columbia and has played with the Canadian National team, struck out four and walked one in his debut. The 6-foot-3 righthander can touch 93 with his fastball and is now 1-0 in professional baseball.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Angelo Paulino (Braves) delivered four strong innings in relief for Danville last night in their win over Princeton. Paulino allowed just two hits over the four innings while striking out eight, lowering his ERA to 1.42…Guillermo Toribio (Cardinals) has gotten off to a torrid start for the Johnson City Cardinals. Toribio is batting .417 through six games and put together a 4 hit night on Monday. Toribio has stolen six bases on the year and was unsuccessful for the first time in stealing a base last night…Michael Blazek (Cardinals), in his second year of pro ball out of high school, was dominant in relief for Johnson City last night. Blazek struck out five over four innings while allowing just one hit in the 13-1 Cardinal rout…In a battle of the Appalachian League’s two highly touted shortstop prospects, Wilmer Flores (Mets) came out on top against Juan Silverio (White Sox). Flores’ Mets won 1-0 with Flores going 1-for-4, while Silverio scuffled through an 0-for-4 night that included a pair of strikeouts…Burlington’s 6-1 win over Pulaski was led by Fernando Cruz and Allen Caldwell (Royals). Cruz, the Royals third baseman went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored raising his average to .227. Burlington’s other top hitting prospect, Caldwell drove in a run and had a pair of doubles in his 2-for-4 night

[...] Continue Reading »

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

For the second time in a week, Neftali Soto (Reds) claims POTD honors. Soto has been the most impressive performer thus far in the Pioneer League and added to his resume with a 3-for-4 day on Sunday, including a pair of doubles. Soto, who the Reds drafted as a shortstop in 2007 has always been considered a prospect who would move to a different position as he matured because of his size and has made all his starts in Billings at either third base or DH.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Kingsport third baseman Richard Lucas (Mets) had been scuffling coming into Sunday’s matchup against Johnson City with only three hits on the year. But on Sunday, the Mets fourth round pick in 2007 broke out in a big way. Lucas went 2-for-6 with a double and a home run in the Mets 13-4 rout of Johnson City. Lucas chipped in three RBI in the win. Lucas began the year with Savannah in the South Atlantic league but struggled, hitting only .185 before being sent to Kingsport for the opening of Appalachian League play…For hot hitting Kingsport shortstop Wilmer Flores (Mets) it was just another day at the office on Sunday. Flores went 2-for-5 in the Kingsport victory with a pair of runs scored, along with an RBI…Elizabethton roared to a 10-2 win over Pulaski on Sunday, paced by a pair of Evan Bigley (Twins) home runs. Bigley, the Twins 10th round pick out of Dallas Baptist, has gotten off to a hot start in pro ball, batting .385 on the year…Most expected that Esmailyn Gonzalez (Nationals) would play in 2008 in short season or Low A ball, but Gonzalez is doing his best to impress in the Gulf Coast League. Gonzalez, who received a $1.4 million bonus from the Nationals in 2006, had a double in a 3-for-5 day on Sunday, bringing his average to .500 on the young season…Facing off against Gonzalez was highly touted Mets outfielder Fernando Martinez. Martinez, on a rehab assignment in Port St. Lucie went for 1-for-3 on Sunday…Orioles second round pick Xavier Avery is still looking for his first pro hit after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday’s loss to the GCL Pirates…Avery’s teammate, Baltimore third round pick, L.J. Hoes (Orioles) made his pro debut Sunday, going 2-for-5 with an RBI…First round pick Aaron Hicks (Twins) made his GCL debut on Sunday. The former Long Beach Wilson standout got the start in centerfield on Sunday, going 2-for-4… Helena left fielder Erik Komatsu (Brewers) went 2-for-3 on Sunday. Komatsu, the Brewers 8th round pick out of Cal State Fullerton, had a pair of RBI, along with a double in Helena’s 3-2 win…

What to Watch for Today

Martinez will continue his rehab stint in Port St. Lucie tonight. He is rehabbing a right hamstring injury sustained on May 14th.
 

Prospect of the Day

Players picked in the 22nd round don’t draw the most attention heading into rookie ball play, but Ryan Groth (Angels) has gotten off to the kind of start that will make people notice. Groth is 6-for-11 in his first three games and had an enormous night in Orem’s 11-6 win over Ogden. The Orem left fielder went 4-for-6 in the game with four RBIs. The Oral Roberts product had two doubles in the game.

Prospect Nuggets

Cesar Puello (Mets) got his Gulf Coast League season off to a quick start on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with a double. The 17-year-old from the Dominican Republic was seeing his first stateside action…Tyler Ladendorf (Twins), the second-round pick for Minnesota, made his debut  for the GCL Twins on Thursday. Ladendorf went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout…Former Tennessee Vol Chadwick Maddox (Braves) opened up GCL play with a bang. Maddox went 3-for-3 with three doubles and four RBI…On the day his brother signed a record contract with Tampa Bay, Jeremy Beckham made his debut for the organization in Pulaski. The second baseman went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts…Michael Harrington (Twins) had his first career double in Elizabethton’s 7-1 win over Bluefield. The College of Charleston product drove in two in the victory …23-year-old Shayne Moody (Braves) went 4-for-5 for Danville in their 11-3 win over Burlington. The Braves shortstop ripped a double and had four RBI in the rout…Greeneville cruised to an 8-0 win over Kingsport to take their opening series and center fielder Jay Austin (Astros) played a big role in the win. Batting from the leadoff spot, Austin went 2-for-3 with a  double and scored twice…Dock Doyle (Mets) made his first appearance behind the plate in a Kingsport uniform on Thursday. Doyle went 1-for-4 on the day, but grounded into a double play and struck out… After a huge day Wednesday, Neftali Soto (Reds) was in the lineup as Billings’ DH on Thursday. Soto added another home run, his third of the year in the 6-3 Billings win, while going 1-for-4…Cutter Dykstra (Brewers) finally had a productive night at the plate Thursday in Helena’s loss. Dykstra went 2-for-5 at the plate, but was caught stealing.

What To Watch For Today

The Appalachian League has completed its first round of series and the Pulaski Mariners will return home to open their home opener. Their hasn’t been baseball in Pulaski since 2006 because they were unable to secure an affiliation in 2007.  

Prospect of the Day

Neftali Soto (Reds) was rated the 8th best prospect in the Gulf Cost League last year, but had only two home runs in 40 games. This came as somewhat of surprise, considering Soto broke Juan Gonzalez’ youth home run record in Puerto Rico. Wednesday night, Soto matched his GCL home run total in one game. The Billings third baseman went 3-5 with two home runs in Monday’s win. His three run shot in the sixth put the game out of reach, as Billings cruised to a 10-3 victory.

Prospect Nuggets

Burlington’s Allen Caldwell, the Royals’ 12th-round pick out of Spartanburg Methodist JC, had his first multi-hit night in pro ball, going 2-for-3 with an RBI in Burlington’s 10-3 loss to Danville… Braves closer Craig Kimbrell picked up his first save in the Danville victory, pitching two innings and striking out two…Mets 16-year-old Wilmer Flores continued his hot start for Kingsport, going 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs, in a 6-4 victory…Bristol shortstop Juan Silverio (White Sox) hit his first Appalachian League home run in the White Sox 8-5 win over Johnson City. Silverio’s seventh inning home run proved to be the difference in Bristol’s first win of 2008…After a home run on opening night, Eduardo Escobar (White Sox) delivered another impressive performance on Wednesday. Escobar when 2-3 at the plate, scoring twice and driving in two runs in a 7-5 Great Falls victory…Brewer supplemental first-round pick Evan Frederickson made his professional debut last night. Frederickson went four innings allowing two hits and a run while striking out seven…Orem right fielder Angel Castillo (Angels) led the Owlz attack in Wednesday night’s 13-3 win belting two solo home runs and going 4-5 on the night while scoring four times…Owlz first baseman Gabe Jacobo (Angels) had his first professional home run in the rout over Ogden. Jacobo, the Angels 10th-round pick out of Sacramento State, went 3-5 with 3 RBI in the win.

What To Watch For Today

With every outstanding performance he has the focus in the Appalachian League continues to grow on Flores. Tonight he will face off against Jay Austin and the Greenville Astros in the rubber match of a three game set.