Baseball America
Strikeouts Pile Up For Giants’ Surkamp
Eric Surkamp spent two months knifing through hitters in the Eastern League when Giants vice president and resident pitching guru Dick Tidrow paid him a visit at Double-A Richmond.
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Swing Change Helps Soto’s Power Emerge
A mechanical tweak has helped Neftali Soto's power emerge.
Angels’ Garrett Richards Notable For Durability And Velocity
Garrett Richards has always had a great fastball, but better secondary pitches and an emphasis on durability has paid off for the Angels' prospect.
Modesto’s Chad Bettis Finds Success In New Role
In the annual all-star showdown between the California and Carolina leagues, Modesto righthander Chad Bettis entered the game in the ninth inning and faced just two batters. Even in that brief appearance, however, he managed to record a strikeout, something he has made a habit out of this season.
Health In Check, Chiang Breaks Out For Red Sox
After learning to manage both his health and his plate appearances, Red Sox outfielder Chih-Hsieh Chiang is having a breakout season for Double-A Portland.
Despite Small Stature, Altuve Grows On Astros
When Jose Altuve arrived in the California League last summer, he roamed about the Lancaster clubhouse like an excited young boy. Some thought he was, standing at 5-foot-7.<br/><br/>It was then clarified he was the Astros' high class A affiliate's new second baseman, fresh off a late-season promotion from low Class A.
Indians Reap Rewards From Focus On Taiwan
A pair of prospects with Double-A Akron reflect the Indians' commitment to scouting Taiwan and other areas of the Pacific Rim.
Triple-Digits Fastball Transforms Rubby De La Rosa’s Career
Rubby de la Rosa's blazing fastball helped his Dodgers career take off.
Middlebrooks Punted Football To Join Red Sox
Will Middlebrooks passed on a chance to play football at Texas A&M to sign with the Red Sox out of high school.
Valdespin Emerges After Discipline Issues
Jordany Valdespin dropped out of school in the fourth grade to pursue a career in baseball. After a series of discipline issues, he's now on the Mets' 40-man roster.
McNutt Blossoms Into Late-Round Steal For Cubs
Cubs righthander Trey McNutt seems hard to miss given his size and stuff, yet he lasted until the 32nd round in the 2009 draft. Now he's the best pitching prospect in the organization.
Garcia Impresses Phillies With Strong Work Ethic
Harold Garcia is making a name for himself at the plate.
Angels’ Amarista Confirms Stature Isn’t Everything
Generously listed at 5-foot-8, second baseman Alexi Amarista has managed to stand out in the Angels farm system.
Gindl Grinds Through Learning Experience
Since the day he was selected in the fifth round of the 2007 draft, Caleb Gindl has been known as a "grinder," a player who goes out and competes hard every day, giving his all.<br/><br/>Never has that trait been tested more than this season.
Spring Lessons Launch Breakout For Laird
Brandon Laird spent time learning from big leaguers in spring training, and those lessons have paid off for him this year in Double-A Trenton.
Royals’ Orlando Working To Go From Brazil To Big Leagues
There has never been a Brazilian big leaguer before, but Royals outfielder Paulo Orlando is trying to change that.
Discipline Helps Morris Turn Around His Career
On Bryan Morris' official bio, Page 117 of the Pittsburgh Pirates' 2010 media guide, one can find these two items that do anything but add up: Under the section labeled "OBTAINED," this 23-year-old righthander is listed as one of four players acquired in the trade that sent Jason Bay to the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers. Under "2009 SEASON," among other items, it reads, "Was on suspended list from Aug. 1-11 for 'unprofessional conduct.' "
Mariners’ Liddi Grew Up With Baseball In Italy
Third baseman Alex Liddi is building on his breakout '09 season with the Mariners.
Sanchez Keeps Leads Safe For Springfield
In the past few years, the Double-A Springfield Cardinals have hardly had to worry about the ninth inning. Three lock-down closers have gone on to reach the big leagues, some with notable degrees of success.<br/><br/>These days, the job belongs to Eduardo Sanchez, a Venezuelan righthander whose mid-90s fastball and overwhelming curve have positioned him within striking distance and would appear ideal for an eighth-inning set-up role.
Blue Jays Score Big With Little Lefty Collins
Blue Jays 5-foot-7 lefthander Tim Collins signed as a nondrafted free agent in 2007. Three years later, Collins is on the cusp of reaching Toronto's big league bullpen.
