Prospect Of The Day

Brock Huntzinger (Red Sox), a righthander for Lowell, has been stellar this season. He held Tri-City to just one hit in six innings and won a rain-shortened complete game to move to 4-0 on the season. In the process, Huntzinger lowered his ERA to 0.49.

Prospect Nuggets

Christian Friedrich (Rockies) nearly made the short-season Not Hot list on Friday following a horrendous outing. He may have worked out some issues after throwing five innings and allowing an unearned run on two hits on Sunday. He struck out eight and walked none. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Jason Castro (Astros) joined Tri-City a few days ago, but his first start behind the plate did not come until Thursday. The sixth-overall selection from Stanford promptly went 2-for-4 with a double. The New York-Penn League already has seen a first-rounder promoted (David Cooper), but with Castro getting a late start, he might stay with Tri-City for the rest of the season. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Spokane’s pitching has been ridiculously good this season and we have already touched on a couple of Rangers’ prospects that have made this team go. Yesterday, the strong starter was Richard Bleier (Rangers). Bleier went six innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits. The lefthander from Florida Gulf Coast did not walk a batter and struck out four. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Collin Cowgill’s (Diamondbacks) promotion to low Class A means that Sawyer Carroll is left to pick up the offensive load for Eugene. As the designated hitter on Monday, Carroll went 3-for-5 and fell a single short of the cycle. His fourth home run of the season was a grand slam, helping Carroll tally five RBIs on the day. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Righthander Mike Loree (Giants) did not scream for attention when he was drafted in the 50th round of the 2007 draft. Now Loree, pitching for short season Salem-Keizer is producing one of the most ridiculous runs you will see this year at any level of baseball. He had our attention after pitching six perfect innings on June 30. He grabbed our attention again after pitching 6 2/3 perfect on July 5 before allowing a solo home run. He retired the next batter and left the game. Now Loree finally gets his due as Prospect Of The Day. Though it seems impossible for anyone to top those performances, Loree pitched seven perfect innings on Friday and struck out seven. The Giants’ 50th-round selection in 2007 was solid in the Arizona League last year, compiling a 1.13 ERA in 16 innings over nine games. In his first two starts of the season, Loree allowed two runs in four innings and tossed five shutout innings, respectfully. He has now pitched 29 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. Loree has not walked a batter and has struck out 27. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

It is time to acknowledge the feats of Staten Island’s Daniel Brewer (Yankees). Brewer went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI, giving himself a streak of eight straight games with a RBI. For good measure, Brewer also picked up his fourth stolen base of the season. The only thing that may be more impressive than his RBI streak is his five strikeouts in his last 31 at-bats after starting the season with 12 strikeouts in his first 31 at-bats. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Batavia righthander Lance Lynn (Cardinals) finally gave up an earned run, but we will still give him the nod as POTD. The supplemental first-rounder allowed just one run on three hits in four innings and struck out five. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

Righthander Wilfredo Boscan (Rangers) moved to 5-0 in the Northwest League as Spokane beat Eugene. Boscan has won each of his five appearances (four stars), easily enough for the league lead in wins. Boscan allowed five hits and two unearned runs, but did not walk a batter and struck out eight in six innings, his longest outing this season. He is 6-foot-2, but weights just 160, so he has plenty of growing to do. Not to worry, at just 18 years old, the Venezuelan has plenty of time. Boscan was 2-1 with a 1.75 ERA while pitching 56 2/3 innings in the Dominican Summer League in 2007.

Prospect Nuggets

Vancouver shortstop Jason Christian (Athletics) racked up four hits in five at-bats. The fifth-rounder from Michigan had one double in moving his season average to .350. . . Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte (Yankees) notched his fifth save in the New York-Penn League and has pitched 9 2/3 scoreless innings this season. . . David Cooper (Blue Jays) continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-3 with his tenth double. The Auburn first baseman is hitting .358. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect Of The Day

We put Yakima centerfielder Collin Cowgill (Diamondbacks) here yesterday, but then proceeded to knock him for hitting home runs and not anything else. Cowgill responded with four hits – three of them home runs – to land as the Prospect Of The Day for the second day in a row. Ten of his 17 hits are home runs and he is hitting a home run every 6.1 at-bats. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

Boise is again home to our Prospect of the Day. Since his debut on June 21, Boise shortstop Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) has been quietly adjusting to the Northwest league. The Cubs’ supplemental first-round pick out of Vanderbilt was 3-for-4 with a RBI in Monday’s loss to Tri-City. Flaherty has moved into the cleanup spot for Boise and has slugged two home runs in his first eight professional games. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

Boise first baseman Rebel Ridling (Cubs), a 25th-round pick from Oklahoma State, has established himself as one of the best hitters in the Northwest League so far. Now batting in the cleanup spot for the Hawks, Ridling is batting .415/.458/.756 on the year. He had another great game on Sunday, going 2-for-4 in Boise’s 5-4 walk-off win over Yakima. Ridling’s three-run home run in the fourth opened up the scoring. [...] Continue Reading »

PROSPECT OF THE DAY

Brad Holt (Mets) tossed five no-hit innings for Brooklyn on Thursday. Holt walked just one and struck out six. Holt shot up draft boards this spring after helping UNC Wilmington make the College World Series.  His fastball can touch 96, a big reason why the Mets made him a supplemental first round pick.

PROSPECT OF THE DAY
 
Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) had yet to have a big game for Boise until Thursday night. Flaherty, the Cubs first supplemental round pick, belted his second home run of the year and had his first double of the year in a 3-for-4 night…Nate Tenbrink (Mariners) provided the only offense for Everett in an ugly 10-1 loss to Boise. Tenbrink’s solo shot in the 4th inning was a bright spot in an otherwise ugly game, and thus far ugly season for the seventh round pick who is only batting .189…2007 second round pick, Matt West (Rangers) was the catalyst in Spokane’s 10-6 win over Eugene. West went 3-for-5 with a double in the red-hot Indians victory…Sawyer Carroll (Padres) continues to tear through the Northwest League. Carroll went 2-for-5 with his second home run of the year on Thursday. Carroll had three RBI, two of them from his seventh inning home run… Ryan Church (Mets) went 3-for-3 with a double in a rehab assignment for Brooklyn… Vermont 3B Steven Souza (Nationals) put his power on display, launching two home runs on Thursday. He also doubled and had five RBI, giving him 12 RBI on the season… David Cooper (Blue Jays) has cooled off after his hot start, going 1-for-8 Tuesday and Wednesday.  He was 1-for-4 Thursday, but hit his second home run. Cooper has struck out just six times in 40 at-bats.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR TODAY

Brock Huntzinger (Red Sox) has pitched 10 shutout innings so far this season for Lowell. The Red Sox 2007 third round pick will take the mound tonight against Vermont.

Prospect Of The Day

Nick Barnese (Rays) threw seven shutout innings for Hudson Valley. He allowed three hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out nine, but was robbed of a win because the game was scoreless until the 12th inning.  Barnese, the 17th-best prospect in the Rays system going into the season, was picked in the third round of the 2007 draft.

Prospect Nuggets
 
Cody Overbeck (Phillies), a ninth-round selection from Mississippi, has hit safely in all nine games for Williamsport. He went 2-for-4 yesterday with a double, but he has just one RBI (on a solo home run) all season… Justin DeFratus (Phillies) got the win after pitching seven innings allowing one run and striking out eight. He has allowed one earned run in 13 innings this season…Wednesday was just another typical day for Boise’s two standouts, Josh Vitters and Rebel Ridling (Cubs). Vitters had another two hit night, going 2-for-4 with a double in the 4-3 Boise win. Ridling who has been punishing Northwest League pitching brought his average up to a sparkling .414 with a 3-for-5 day, that included a pair of doubles and two RBI…Florida State product Dennis Guinn had his first professional home run on Wednesday. Guinn went 1-for-4 with a two run shot in the eighth to draw Spokane even with Eugene…Tri-City centerfielder Charlie Blackmon (Rockies) had a triple in Tri-City’s 6-5 win over Salem-Keizer. Blackmon raised his average to .250 by going 2-for-5 on the night.
 
What to Watch For Today

After having their five game winning streak snapped Wednesday night in a loss to Eugene, Spokane hopes to get back to their winning ways by avenging the loss in the series finale with Eugene.

Prospect of the Day

Although he hasn’t gotten much love from the Daily Dish, Boise first baseman Rebel Ridling (Cubs) had one of the best opening weeks of anyone in the Northwest League. The Oklahoma State product went 2-for-3 in Tuesday’s loss to Everett, chipping in a pair of doubles and two RBI. Ridling now has nine RBIs in seven games, posting a .375/.448/.625 line in the first week of the season.

Prospect Nuggets

The Northwest League season is barely a week old, but Josh Vitters (Cubs) picked up his second triple of the year last night in a 5-4 Boise loss. Vitters, now batting .333 on the year, made his second error of the season last night…Tim Murphy (Rangers) didn’t exactly have a sparkling pro debut on Tuesday night. Murphy appeared in relief for Spokane and surrendered two earned runs in just .2 innings. Murphy gave up a home run and walked three in his shaky debut…Colin Cowgill’s (Diamondbacks) fourth home run of the year opened up the scoring for Yakima in an 11-2 win over Vancouver. Cowgill’s two run shot in the first was his only hit on the night, but he chipped in another RBI in the victory… Travis d’Arnaud (Phillies) went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base. The Phillies’ 16th-best prospect at the beginning of the year is hitting .345 on the season for Williamsport… Quincy Latimore (Pirates) has started very slow for State College. After going 2-for-4 in the first game of the season, Latimore is 1-for-19 since.
 
What to Watch For

Despite Tim Murphy’s poor outing, Spokane won Tuesday to extend their winning streak to five games. They will send righty Carlos Pimentel (Rangers) to the mound tonight, looking for his second win of the year. Pimentel was solid in his first start of the year, scattering three hits over six innings while only one run. 

Prospect of the Day

Phil Disher (Astros) made our Daily Dish yesterday by hitting two home runs and a double on Sunday. The 15th-round draft pick out of South Carolina was back at it Monday, hitting another home run and another double. His three home runs and nine RBIs lead the New York-Penn League.

PROSPECT NUGGETS

Josh Vitters (Cubs) night on Tuesday was one that the Cubs hope will be repeated many times in the near future. Vitters went 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles in Boise’s 7-4 win over Everett. Vitters has heated up over the past few games, raising his average to .345…Mark Pawelek (Cubs) picked up the win for Boise, but it wasn’t a strong outing for the 2005 first round pick. Pawelek pitched three innings in relief, giving up two earned runs along with a pair of hits. The real concern is that Pawelek walked four batters, while striking out none. He now has a 7.20 ERA in short-season ball in his fourth pro season…Sawyer Carroll (Padres) continues to put up solid nights in the Northwest League. The former Kentucky Wildcat went 2-for-5 on Monday against Spokane with an RBI and a run scored in Eugene’s 7-4 loss to Spokane…Tri-City’s pitching staff came up big on Monday, not allowing an earned run, as the Dust Devils defeated Salem-Keizer 3-1. Kenneth Durst (Colorado) drew the start for Tri-City and scattered three hits over five innings without allowing an earned run. Durst picked up the win, as Austin Chambliss (Rockies) drew the save, working around a ninth inning walk for his second save of the year… Jon Edwards (Cardinals) earned a promotion to Batavia at the end of last season and hit .394 in nine games. He picked up where he left off on Monday, going 4-for-4 with a home run and three doubles… David Cooper (Blue Jays) knocked the ball around once again on Monday, hitting his first professional home run and his third double for Auburn… A rain delay forced Staten Island’s Luke Greinke (Yankees) out after two innings. He allowed an unearned run and struck out two… Calvin Anderson (Pirates) hit a home run and a double for State College. He has hit safely in each of his first five games and has two home runs and three doubles in that span… Vance Worley (Phillies) allowed just a single in four innings in his professional debut for Williamsport. The third round pick out of Long Beach State struck out two.
 
What to Watch For Today

College players who get drafted to play in the pros have to make a lot of changes. They often move to small minor league towns to play with new teams and new teammates.  In one sense, that is not true for Evan Crawford (Blue Jays).  Crawford pitched for Auburn in college and now he pitches for Auburn of the New York-Penn League.  Crawford makes his second start tonight against Mahoning Valley.  He pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his debut last week against Batavia.

Prospect of the Day

Once a Dirtbag, now an AquaSox, Brett Lorin (Mariners) doesn’t seem to mind what the nickname of the team he is playing for may be. Lorin was sensational on Sunday for Everett, delivering six innings of one run ball in his first professional win. The Mariners’ fifth-round draft choice out of Long Beach State is an imposing presence on the mound at 6-foot-7, 245 pounds. and Northwest League batters will have even more to fear after his outing Sunday. Lorin struck out 13 Boise batters while not allowing a walk. A reliever at Long Beach State, Lorin struck out just 31 in 48 innings this spring. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

It may a bit early to start comparing Ryan Dent (Red Sox) to a Yankee legend with his own place in Red Sox lore who shares his last name, but Dent’s performance Thursday might help the Dent name sound a bit better to Sox fans. Dent had three hits in Lowell’s 7-6 win, including home runs in his first two at bats. Dent has also played a slick shortstop thus far in 2008 for Lowell, while batting leadoff.

Prospect Nuggets

Staten Island’s 7-2 victory over Brooklyn was keyed by third baseman Mike Lyon’s (Yankees) 3-for-5 night. The 24th-round pick of the Yankees had a pair of RBI and a double in the win…Auburn first baseman David Cooper (Blue Jays) had his second multi-hit game in the past two days. The Blue Jays first-round pick went two-for-five with a run scored in Auburn’s 7-0 defeat of Batavia…Batavia first baseman Xavier Scruggs (Cardinals) remains hitless in professional baseball after an 0-for-2 performance Thursday. Cooper did draw a pair of walks in the loss to Auburn…T.J. Steele (Astros) may wish his Arizona Wildcats were in Omaha, but he has played exceptionally well in his pro debut with Tri-City. Steele was 4-for-5 Thursday with a double and two RBI…Stephen Fife (Red Sox) picked up his first pro win in Lowell’s win, going two innings and allowing two hits. A run did score with Fife on the hill, but it was unearned…Logan Forsythe (Padres), the Padres supplemental first-round pick, had his first multi-hit night for Eugene on Thursday. The Eugene third baseman went 2-for-4 in the 8-4 Emerald win…Cooper Brannan (Padres) who drew national attention after the Padres signed him after two tours of duty in Iraq, picked up his first win of 2008. The Eugene right hander threw 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one…What To

Watch For Today

The Brooklyn Cyclones will be happy to leave Staten Island and travel to Aberdeen after a bizarre conclusion to last night’s game. When switch-pitcher Pat Venditte faced off against switch-hitter Ralph Henriquez in the ninth inning, both pitcher and catcher continued to switch which hand they would use. After much discussion, Henriquez was forced to one side of the plate and went down swinging to end the game.

The Staten Island Advance reports on the professional debut of former Creighton All-American Pat Venditte, the switch-pitching reliever who signed this year with the Yankees as a 20th-round pick, and it was all anyone could have hoped for.

First, the Yankees played well, with short-season Staten Island picking up its first victory of the season. Second, Venditte threw one scoreless inning. And third, and most deliciously, he faced a switch-hitter. [...] Continue Reading »

Prospect of the Day

At 24, he is more advanced than most players in the New-York Penn League, but Chris Salberg’s (Orioles) outing on Wednesday night deserves recognition, regardless of age. Salberg drew the start for Aberdeen against Hudson Valley on Wednesday night and delivered six innings of no-hit ball. Salberg allowed only two base runners in the six innings when he surrendered walks, but otherwise dominated the Renegades. Salberg, making his first start in the New York-Penn league since being demoted from Delmarva, struck out seven.

Prospect Nuggets

Yesterday’s prospect of the day Sawyer Carroll (Padres) continued his torrid start with a 3-for-6 night in Eugene’s 9-4 win over Boise. Carroll scored twice in the win…After going hitless on opening night, Josh Vitters (Cubs) had two hits and a pair of RBIs in Eugene’s loss Wednesday night. The Hawks third baseman did strike out for the third time in two games. ..Cubs ’05 first rounder Mark Pawelek (Cubs) struggled in his 2008 debut on the mound. The lefthander only gave up one hit over two innings, but his problem was with control. Pawelek walked three, leading to two earned runs…With his former Kentucky Wildcat teammate  tearing up the Pioneer League, Collin Cowgill (Diamondbacks) got his first pro hit last night. Cowgill’s three RBI sparked Yakima’s offensive attack in a 6-2 win over Salem-Kizer…Brooklyn Cyclone Eric Campbell (Mets) picked up his first professional hits in last night’s win over Staten Island. The former Boston College Eagle third baseman went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the victory…Last summer was a breakout season for righthander Luke Greinke (Yankees) in the Valley League, but his pro debut wasn’t so impressive Wednesday night. The brother of Kansas City Royal Zach Greinke, Luke surrendered three hits, two walks and three runs in only two innings of work. Greinke’s shaky outing gave him his first loss as a professional since being drafted in the 12th round by the Yankees earlier in the month …Blue Jays first round pick David Cooper had his first multi hit game for Auburn last night, going 2-for-4 with an RBI in the Doubleday’s 6-1 win over Batavia…Former UNC Tar Heel Luke Putkonen (Tigers) picked up his first win of 2008 on Wednesday. Putkonen scattered three Vermont hits over five innings while striking out five and only walking one in Oneonta’s 8-1 rout…Lonnie Chisenhall (Indians) went 1-for-5 for Mahoning Valley while committing an error at shortstop. Chisenhall, who is expected to be shifted to third base this fall, is playing shortstop for Mahoning Valley because it is where is most comfortable, right now.

What To Watch For Today

After yesterday’s game was postponed due to rain, the State College Spikes and Jamestown Jammers hope to return to action tonight at Medlar Field.

Kyler Burke got some revenge while a pair of first-round picks made their pro debuts.

Prospect of the Day

Sawyer Carroll (Padres) hit .419 with 19 home runs at Kentucky this season. He stayed just as hot in his pro debut. After singling in the opening frame for his first professional hit, Carroll hit a triple in the sixth and double in the eighth. The third round pick finished up his first professional game 3-4 with a RBI and run scored.

Prospect Nuggets

Boise right fielder Kyler Burke (Cubs) stuck back against his former organization on Tuesday with a solo home run in the Hawks 6-5 victory. Burke was a Padres farmhand until he was included in last year’s Michael Barrett trade … Last year’s Cubs first-round pick Josh Vitters had a tougher night, as he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk . . . Batavia first baseman Xavier Scruggs (Cardinals) didn’t have quite the opening night he would have liked in Batavia’s loss to Auburn. Scruggs, taken in the 19th round out of UNLV, was 0-4 with four strikeouts in his professional debut…Toronto first -ound pick David Cooper made his debut for Auburn on Tuesday, going 1-3 with a RBI and a walk…The Pirates 2007 fourth-rounder Quincy Latimore made his short-season debut on Tuesday, going 2-4 with a pair of runs in State College’s 7-6 loss…Mahoning played Lonnie Chisenhall (Indians) at shortstop in his professional debut and he delivered solid defense along with a sparkling offensive performance. The Indians’ first-round pick went 2-5 with a double and three runs scored.

What To Watch For Today

New York City neighbors Brooklyn and Staten Island continue their opening series tonight after Brooklyn took the opening game, 3-1.