Nathan Rode: Greetings everybody and thanks for joining us for another Prospect Hot Sheet chat. I'm glad I can join Jim Shonerd in his chat debut as we look to answer as many of your questions as possible over the next hour or so. Let's get started...

Nathan Rode: It really isn't a BA chat with JAYPERS from Illinois, so we'll start with him. Hellickson has certainly been mowing them down in the Florida State League. The organization has been very patient with moving him along so I wouldn't be surprised if they continue to take it one step at a time. It seems to be working so far. If ain't broke, don't fix it.

Nathan Rode: I see we're branching out with our spectrum of fans. Volstad certainly had an admirable week with his one start of four hits allowed, one earned run and eight strikeouts. We like that he's piling up some strikeouts and he was discussed, but if you take a look at the sheet you'll notice that all of the pitchers that made it this week had double digits in strikeouts. That's tough to compete with. Enjoy the mai-tai.

Jim Shonerd: We expect they'll let him fight through it unless his average really takes a tumble, like to the .120 neighborhood.

Nathan Rode: Kozma will certainly need a few years of seasoning in the minors. He's a good defensive shortstop who might be able to fit in the No. 2 spot of a lineup, but is probably suited for the bottom of the order. He's slugging .538 in the Midwest League, so he may be showing some hints of a little power, but he has a line drive approach that would make some think otherwise.

Nathan Rode: It's a toss up between Teagarden and Salty. Teagarden is the better defender, but Salty definitely has the ability to catch. It's a matter of what the Rangers want at that position, lots of offense or defense. Also, would they be willing to move Salty to first base, even it brings down his value some?

Moderator: No. We're always wary of guys repeating a level, and in Gac's case it's already his third stint as a regular in Low A. Plus he's 22, which doesn't help his case either. And he didn't do enough this week anyway (7-for-21, 1 2b, 1 hr, 3 RBIs).

Nathan Rode: Double A guru Ben Badler tells me that Maybin has struggled hitting offspeed pitches recently, but the bat speed and defense are there. Scouts said they still like him but he definitely needs more development. He's obviously under a spotlight because he debuted with the Tigers last year and then there was speculation that he could make the big league club out of spring training. But we need to remember he just turned 21 a month ago. He'll come around.

Jim Shonerd: Miller's the SAL's ERA leader, so we've definitely noticed him. He wasn't considered this week since he only made one start during the period for this week's Hot Sheet, which was last night against Greensboro. His line was 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 SO, 2 BB. Solid, but to make Hot Sheet with only one start, you've got to do something like Cahill or Bowden did.

Nathan Rode: You could certainly argue that and I'd back you up on it. Though when David Price debuts you might find some competition at Vero Beach.

Nathan Rode: We haven't heard any major changes to the six week timetable that was given in March and that is supposedly up next week so you'll probably see him sometime this month if everything goes well. He will be watched for the Hot Sheet, no question there.

Nathan Rode: I'd expect him to get a shot in Nashville first, unless the Brewers make him a September call-up before anything else. He can obviously hit, but he should get some time in the outfield before he's thrown out there in a big league situation. Plus, the Crew is pretty well set right now with Braun/Cameron/Hart patrolling the grounds. Let LaPorta get his cuts and practice at a new and challenging position.

Jim Shonerd: Vitters has definitely had an interesting last few weeks. Let's see how he does when he gets back in the lineup, which shouldn't be long. Moustakas' struggles have been surprising since he held his own in his stint in the Pioneer League last year, but lets give them the rest of the season at least.

Jim Shonerd: He's only in Low A now, so it's pretty unlikely he'll make AA before the end of this year.

Nathan Rode: A lot of people thought you should have been there to start with, myself included. It's not an outrage, though, given your age, but if you keep hitting the ball in AAA and the Reds want to contend, you'll force yourself into the lineup pretty quickly. Joey Votto has already done it. Why not you next?

Nathan Rode: I think he could be a September call-up. Especially if he keeps hitting like this. He's probably a safe bet in the card industry. Glad to see someone is still interested in them...I've got a closet of about 70,000 cards that I'm looking to clear out...

Moderator: I saw Burgess play in Greensboro last week and while he did hit a bomb of a home run, he also went 1-for-7 with a couple of K's in a 14 inning game. He would've been a Hot Sheet candidate that week, but going 1-for-7 killed him. Zimmerman had one strong start this week and one shaky one, and all the guys that made it were pretty dominant. Don't worry though, Zimmerman is definitely on our radar and when he has that dominant week, he'll be there.

Nathan Rode: Wieters only had four hits this week and is hitless in his last 11 at-bats. It shouldn't cause any alarm because he is human. Whittleman did have a good week and was on my watch list but just missed the cut because of some very loud weeks from others. Montero also had a solid week, but just missed. He had a couple of one-hit games and an 0-for-4 night that helped his average drop about 20 points.

Nathan Rode: More love? Let's see...Cardenas is on the DL so it would be a little tough for him to make the list. Savery has given up a total of 10 ER in his last three starts and here's Carpenter's line for the week (two starts): 0-1, 8.68, 9 1/3 IP, 5 BB, 9 K. Not exactly Hot Sheet worthy. Remember this is a highlight of prospects on a week-by-week basis, not a re-ranking of our Top 100 or Top 30s. When those guys start performing to expectations they'll be in discussions, there's no doubt about that.

Jim Shonerd: Purcey had a great start this week, and he's been great all year so far. Unfortunately, that facts that he only made one start and that it was against the woeful Lehigh Valley IronPigs probably didn't help him. Ginley was also on the watch list, and he'll continue to be as long as he's up there among the MWL's ERA leaders. He's been great all year too, he just wasn't dominant enough this week, which is really saying something about the guys that did make it when a guy with his numbers doesn't make it.

Nathan Rode: We do go back and look at our lists and see guys we missed on, whether they were rated really high, low or not at all. Jim Callis does a column guys that have become big league regulars that were never on a Top 30 list. Our evaluations come primarily from talking to people throughout the game, but at the same time stats are a key aspect as well. There is A LOT of information coming in from A LOT of people. It's no small feat.

Nathan Rode: Scouting reports say he's probably better suited in a relief role. His changeup is really doing a number on those guys in High A. I don't want to take anything away from him, but it is a decent advantage.

Jim Shonerd: We like Frazier here, although it'll be interesting to see if the Reds will be able to find him a new defensive home. The only reason he's in Low A to begin with because there's no room for another shortstop on Sarasota. His bat is ready for more advanced competition.

Nathan Rode: He could probably play SS in the big leagues, just not every day. He would probably make the move to 2B where his bat would be his best weapon.

Nathan Rode: Again, his week just wasn't as good as the pitchers that made it. He was in the team photo last week. It's no knock against him. We love him, but we can't rank a guy solely for that. That's where the love is.

Nathan Rode: There sure was. He has been great this year aside from that one bad start you mention. But also, he had one start this week in which he gave up three earned runs and only struck out three. Not a terrible outing, but definitely not better than the guys we listed.

Jim Shonerd: Probably not before the All-Star Break. On one hand they can't keep him down too long. On the other hand, Nate McLouth is hitting well and they have Nyjer Morgan or Chris Duffy to serve as defensive replacements. Plus McCutchen isn't on their 40-man roster. He's only 21, so more minor league experience won't hurt him. If Bay or Nady get moved by the trade deadline, that's when you should expect to see him in Pittsburgh.

Nathan Rode: Luis Marte was a helium guy last week and I kept tabs on him this week, but his line just didn't jump out like the others. He's an interesting one to watch. As for Garcia I'm not as excited. His 23 years old in Low A. That's pretty old for that level.

Moderator: Personally, bullpen. Others think differently. I have questions about his long term health because that violent head scares me. I guess you could say he is "this year's Joba" in terms of a call up that shuts down the opposing hitters. But remember Joba rocketed to that status in his first full season. He's had one outing. He'll be interesting to watch.

Nathan Rode: Brandon Erbe was on the watch list, but just couldn't quite match some of the performances we saw this week. The same with Liz. He had a pretty good start that was one day out of our range for this week's list.

Jim Shonerd: Control, for one. I talked to their pitching coordinator, Rick Knapp, in Spring Training, and conditioning was something else he mentioned Guerra needed to improve.

Nathan Rode: My gut says they'll see where they stand when he is ready to make his debut. With Burrell being a free agent and Jenkins only around for this year, they may be able to look at Cardenas as a corner OF option. Who knows? He's still young and they aren't at a scrambling point yet.

Nathan Rode: Haha. No. I'm not looking to enhance my collection at this point. Would rather someone that is a little more into than me get the chance to enjoy them and I'll have to start paying a mortgage pretty soon...

Jim Shonerd: We did a classification feature about the Lansing infield in a recent issue. There are doubts about Tolisano's ability to stick as an infielder, he may end up in the outfield in the future, but all three have offensive potential.

Nathan Rode: I like this order: Bruce, Heyward, LaPorta, Anderson, Montero. That's right now and is only my opinion, certainly up for argument. In the long run, I'm a huge Lars Anderson fan and Montero could prove me wrong on his position questions.

Jim Shonerd: I like Chacin, but he gave up too many runs in his two starts this week (5 total, 4 earned). However, his 15-2 K-BB rate definitely got him some consideration. Evarts is on the DL, so its kinda hard to make the Hot Sheet when you don't play.

Jim Shonerd: McAllister barely made the Prospect Handbook (he's the Yankees' No. 30), but the work he's done so far is definitely getting him some notice around here. You can't argue with a guy who's only given up 4 earned runs in 32 innings, with a 25-4 K-BB ratio, but he only made one start this week, and even though it was really good, it wasn't enough to crack the list. Keep an eye out for him on future Hot Sheets though.

Nathan Rode: Ah! My Cahill-Anderson combo may have been bested. Hellickson-Price is pretty good, but McGee-Davis have been doing it longer obviously. Quite frankly, with that question, I'd rather just be a Rays front office guy so I can sit back and smile since I have this much positive debate in my organization.

Nathan Rode: It is very stacked right now, especially in Stockton with the rotation and their lineup that includes Sean Doolittle, Chris Carter and Josh Horton. Billy Beane made some very good moves in the offseason to start some rebuilding.

Nathan Rode: Thanks for all the great questions everyone. That'll do it for me today. Join us again next week, same time, same place.

Jim Shonerd: Dellin, you've been solid this year and that's good to see. But in the only start you made this week, you only went five innings and lost to Augusta. If you want to make the Hot Sheet, cut down on the walks (you've given out 11 over your last three starts) and keep racking up the K's and we'll find a place for you.