http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/ The Home For Baseball Insiders Fri, 25 May 2012 18:10:23 EST en-us http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/baonlinelogo4.gif http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/ 96 9 1 http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/column/2012/2613464.html Content: CHICAGO—With less than two weeks before the draft, the teams at the top still were zeroing in on whom they should take. While this draft crop pales in comparison to 2011's, there are talented players. They just haven't separated themselves. Georgia high school outfielder Byron Buxton is the consensus No. 1 prospect, but he hit just three homers in his first 33 games, a sign that it may be a few years before his bat is ready to make an impact at the big league level. Puerto Rico prep shortstop Carlos Correa is gaining on Buxton. Talk to three different scouts, and you'll get three different answers as to who's the best pitcher in the top tier of college arms (Stanford's Mark Appel, Louisiana State's Kevin Gausman and San Francisco's Kyle Zimmer, all righthanders). Florida catcher Mike Zunino is clearly the top college position player available but has only one true plus tool. That's why we're here to help. Last issue, we projected who each team would take in the first round. This time, we'll tell you who clubs should select with the top 10 picks. Astros Must Forget About ETAs Rumors continue to swirl that Astros scouts prefer Buxton . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 17:04:57 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/column/2012/2613464.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613462.html Content: Ben Badler: You know it's a fun time of year when the chat queue is already loaded with questions. Aaron (Dallas): What do you think the Rangers do when Profar is ready? Trade Andrus to make room for him or move one to 2nd base? Ben Badler: Put Profar at shortstop, trade Andrus for a hefty return. Patrick (Charlotte, NC): Has Nick Castellanos exceeded your expectations this year? He plays just about everyday and leads the pitching friendly Florida State League in batting average by more about 70 points. Ben Badler: Yes, and I say that even as one of Castellanos' biggest believers since high school. I've always liked the swing, but the improvement in his hitting approach has just taken him to a completely different level. He's Detroit's best prospect right now. Itto (Aguadilla, PR): Is it time to start worrying about Brett Jackson SO rate and recent slump? Ben Badler: The strikeouts are a concern, but we've always known that's just part of who he's going to be. The swing and miss is going to keep his AVG down, but he does take his walks, he hits for power, he has speed and can be a quality defender . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 15:39:46 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613462.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613456.html Content: The Prospect Hot Sheet is not a re-ranking of the Top 100 Prospects. This is a snapshot of which top prospects are excelling and which ones are struggling right now. Stats cover the period May 18-24. Contributing: Ben Badler, J.J. Cooper, Matt Eddy, Jim Shonerd and interns Pat Hickey, Clint Longnecker and John Sandberg. IN THE TEAM PHOTO No minor league performance may be so singularly impressive this season as that of high Class A Bakersfield LHPTony Cingrani, who has allowed a mere 12 runs in nine starts in the pitcher's nightmare that is the California League. The 21-year-old allowed 12 hits and two walks in 11 1/3 innings in two starts this week, but he bore down when it counted, allowing just four runs (three earned) and striking out 16. The Reds 2011 third-rounder now leads the Cal League in ERA (1.05), strikeouts (69), WHIP (0.92) and opponent average (.188) . . . Angels RHP Ariel Pena's ERA stood at 4.94 after his first five starts with Double-A Arkansas. No surprise given that the 23-year-old has struggled to harness his power fastball and slider consistently in the past. But he's reeled off four straight quality starts since then and . . . Fri, 25 May 2012 13:15:42 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613456.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613441.html Content: Had Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich started the season on a sour note, then he would have had a ready-made explanation. Struck by an errant bat while standing in the on-deck circle during spring training, Yelich sustained a deep bone bruise in his right elbow that forced him to the high Class A Jupiter disabled list at the outset of the season. He returned with a vengeance following a 10-day layoff, however, and by mid-May the 20-year-old said his elbow felt 100 percent healthy. Yelich's early-season performance spoke much louder than his words ever could. Upon his return, he went 12 for his first 24 and collected six extra-base hits in seven games for Jupiter, his first exposure to the Florida State League. A smooth-swinging lefthanded batter—as well as the 23rd pick in the 2010 draft—Yelich popped 15 home runs for low Class A Greensboro last season while making his full-season debut, doing his best to answer criticism of home-field bias by swatting seven homers away from NewBridge Bank Park, a noted bandbox. He also hit .312 to finish fourth in the South Atlantic League batting race. "The home park is the biggest difference this year," Yelich said in reference to . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 15:07:07 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613441.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613439.html Content: MARACAY, VENEZUELA—One of Venezuela´s newest up-and-coming baseball academies is located just a few hundred yards from the stadium of its most recent national champions, the Tigres de Aragua, in the city of Maracay, about 60 miles west of the capital of Caracas. The academy boasts some of the finest facilities of any in the country, including four fields, batting cages, a weight room and a training room. It provides its players with comfortable dormitories and a cafeteria. It also counts on one advantage that no other academy has: the financial backing and name recognition of recently retired three-time major league all-star infielder Carlos Guillen. The Carlos Guillen Baseball Academy was founded in 2010 when Guillen decided that he wanted to give back to his homeland by creating opportunities for young baseball players so that they could succeed just as he did 20 years ago. His decision was notable given that no other Venezuelan player of comparable status has chosen to do so. Former big league righthander Dennis Martinez has an academy in Nicaragua, Edgar Renteria has one in Colombia, but the majority of even the top programs in Latin America are run by former minor leaguers and local professionals without . . . Thu, 24 May 2012 10:23:09 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613439.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613435.html Content: With the international signing period coming up in fewer than six weeks, here are reports on 10 more players to watch for July 2: Wendell Rijo, SS, Dominican Republic Listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds—which some scouts say may be generous by a couple of inches—Rijo is exactly the type of player who benefits from playing in the Dominican Prospect League. A 16-year-old from La Romana who trains with Victor Brus, Rijo consistently earns high marks from scouts who have been impressed by his baseball acumen and ability to hit in games wherever he goes. In terms of present ability, he's one of the best baseball players in the Dominican Republic, with quick hands at the plate and surprising pop for his size. He doesn't have the strength or speed of Venezuela's Franklin Barreto, another undersized shortstop who hits well in games, but he has a solid all-around skill set. Rijo runs well, has solid hands and is a fundamentally sound defender, though some teams think his arm will play better at second base. He sprained his knee during the DPL's spring training tour in the United States in March, but he's back on the field working his way back to . . . Wed, 23 May 2012 10:47:48 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613435.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-pulse/2012/2613437.html Content: Given the modern approaches to pitching, Dwight Gooden's 1983 season at high Class A Lynchburg will never again be equaled. As amazing as Dylan Bundy's pro debut has been, it doesn't begin to compare to what Gooden did in his first full pro season. The Mets 1982 first-round pick struck out a mind-boggling 300 batters in 191 innings at high Class A Lynchburg. He threw 10 complete games in 27 starts. He also walked a league-high 112 batters. When the Carolina League season ended, he was promoted to Triple-A Tidewater for the playoffs, where he struck out 19 more in the playoffs. Pitch counts and innings limits were still something for the distant future at the time, as pitchers pitched until they couldn't pitch any more. While the pitch counts for Gooden's starts have been long forgotten, the combination of plenty of walks and strikeouts ensured he was going well beyond 100 pitches on a regular basis. It's hard to find any reputable expert these days willing to let a young pitcher throw 200-plus innings in his first full season, but there also is no real consensus on how many innings are too many. Orioles pitching coordinator Rick Peterson did . . . Wed, 23 May 2012 10:26:30 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-pulse/2012/2613437.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-pulse/2012/2613436.html Content: In every start during his first full pro season, Pirates righthander Jameson Taillon, the first high school pitcher taken in the 2010 draft, knew that he'd never see the sixth inning. "They've told me my pitch count is five innings no matter what, that or 75 pitches," Taillon said last year when asked about his outings. If he used his 75 pitches well, he could last five innings. If the teenage righthander used them poorly, he would be done by the third or fourth inning. But even if he economized like a Prius driver hypermiling, Taillon wasn't going to pitch more than five innings. A 15-up, 15-down, 40-pitch outing would have brought a pat on the back and a trip to the showers. The first time Dylan Bundy, the first high school pitcher taken in the 2011 draft, stood on the mound officially as a pro, he didn't face one stomach-churning moment. Three innings, nine batters, nine outs and just 45 pitches later his night was over. Six days later, Bundy returned to the mound to do the same thing, retiring all nine hitters he faced, this time needing just 31 pitches. Two games, six innings, 76 pitches. That's become . . . Wed, 23 May 2012 10:20:01 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-pulse/2012/2613436.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613428.html Content: A new era for international baseball is about to begin. When July 2 arrives, so too will the new rules on international spending, and indications are that prices are falling in Latin America. With teams limited to spending $2.9 million each (with a handful of minor exemptions) before penalties kick in, aggregate spending in the international amateur market is expected to drop. While three international amateur free agents signed for at least $3 million last year, the top players in this year's class are unlikely to get anywhere near that mark. There might not even be a player who eclipses $2 million. The more skeptical view in the international community is that the money won't significantly change, it will just be passed under the table now. It will be up to MLB to police, but several sources have reiterated that they believe the teams will try different tactics (previously detailed in Baseball America) to circumvent the new international spending limits. "I understand what (MLB is) trying to do and I support it, but the more restrictions you place on these people, the more they're going to try to cheat," said one Latin American director. "The restrictions create a sense of, . . . Tue, 22 May 2012 09:45:50 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613428.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613432.html Content: Jairo Beras' father has come forward to say he thinks his son's contract will soon be approved by Major League Baseball, while international scouting sources continue to insist that MLB can't sign off on Beras' deal and maintain that it's serious about enforcing its rules in Latin America. It's all just speculation, but that's all people have to for now because there is still no resolution in Beras' case. Word that Beras, an outfielder from the Dominican Republic, had signed with the Rangers for a $4.5 million bonus became public on Feb. 29, sparking controversy throughout the game. Beras and the Rangers say he is 17, even though he has used documentation in the past that stated his birthdate as Dec. 25, 1995, which would make him 16. MLB has said that Beras officially presented himself as a 16-year-old, including at a February showcase organized by MLB exclusively for players who will become eligible to sign on July 2. The Rangers have declined to comment until the situation is resolved, but they believe their research shows that Beras is 17. Beras' father, Harold Herdocia, also said that his son is 17, born Dec. 25, 1994. Herdocia said today that he . . . Mon, 21 May 2012 13:58:39 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613432.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2012/2613429.html Content: One streak ended and another continued Sunday at Double-A Frisco. RoughRiders shortstop Jurickson Profar was held hitless for the first time in 30 games, while righthander Barret Loux won for the ninth time in nine starts. Low Class A Delmarva righthander Dylan Bundy has had the most spectacular performance in the minors thus far, not allowing an earned run in his first 30 innings while permitting just five hits and two walks while striking out 40. Profar presents Bundy's biggest challenge to winning our Minor League Player of the Year award and ranking atop our Top 100 Prospects list next spring. Profar has handled the jump from low Class A to Double-A at age 19 with ease, batting .291/.351/.497. Don't be surprised if he claims a spot in the Rangers' lineup before season's end. He doesn't get the same fanfare that Profar does, but Loux is now 9-0, 2.50 and sports a 48-15 K-BB ratio in 50 innings. Drafted sixth overall by the Diamondbacks in 2010, in part because he accepted a below-market $2 million bonus, Loux saw that deal evaporate when he failed a physical. After MLB made him a free agent, he signed with Texas for $312,000. He . . . Sun, 20 May 2012 23:59:40 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2012/2613429.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613427.html Content: Jim Shonerd: Happy Friday, everyone. Thanks for stopping in for the latest Hot Sheet Chat. Let's get to it. Ken (Raleigh, NC): Barring a injury rehab assignment, do you see the Nationals sending Bryce Harper back to the minors in the foreseeable future or is he there to stay for good and is Anthony Rendon, with his injury history, the answer at second for the Nats? Jim Shonerd: I do think Harper's up for good. As for Rendon, we'll have to see how he bounces back from his latest lower body injury, a fractured left ankle. He had the tools to get a shot at second base, but you have to wonder about the toll these injuries will take. Ben (Leland Grove): Is Cody Buckel physically maxed out, or is there still room for more projection? Does he have more command than his friend Trevor Bauer? Jim Shonerd: I wouldn't expect Buckel to get much more physical. He has to get everything out of his body that he can—and he knows it and embraces it. You always wonder a little bit about how well he'll be able to repeat that delivery, but it hasn't been an issue so far, and . . . Fri, 18 May 2012 17:16:05 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613427.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613423.html Content: The Prospect Hot Sheet is not a re-ranking of the Top 100 Prospects. This is a snapshot of which top prospects are excelling and which ones are struggling right now. Stats cover the period May 11-17. Contributing: Ben Badler, J.J. Cooper, Pat Hickey, Clint Longenecker, John Sandberg and Jim Shonerd. IN THE TEAM PHOTO Athletics 3B Miles Head began the season with a 19-game hitting streak and hasn't slowed down much since then at high Class A Stockton. The 21-year-old didn't hit for a lot of power this week but was on base constantly, hitting .588/.682/.588 (10-for-17) with five walks and only one strikeout. He also stole a base, just his second of the year. Head's .366/.415/.648 line for the year has him leading the Cal League in both average and slugging . . . Chris Archer had a disappointing April for Triple-A Durham, but the Rays righthander has bounced back in his three starts this month. He struck out nine (although with four walks) in six scoreless innings against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday . . . The Giants may end up regretting letting RHP Zack Wheeler get away to the Mets in the Carlos Beltran deal last year. Wheeler, 21, . . . Fri, 18 May 2012 13:27:30 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613423.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613417.html Content: GREENSBORO, N.C.—Jose Fernandez had the worst inning of his season on Wednesday. It also may have been his best. The low Class A Greensboro righthander hasn't faced many struggles in his first full pro season, but facing Kannapolis in a rare day game, Fernandez got himself into some quick trouble. He failed to find the strike zone on his first four pitches to Ross Wilson. Joe DePinto started his at-bat with a fouled off bunt attempt, but he then ducked out of the way of the next four fastballs for a walk. After dropping in a curveball for a strike, Fernandez then hit No. 3 batter Kevan Smith. After just three batters and nine balls in 11 pitches, Fernandez was facing a bases-loaded no-out jam. It's the kind of problem that can quickly spiral into a first-inning disaster and an early trip to the clubhouse. But just at the point where his control seemed to have completely deserted him, Fernandez found it. He threw a first pitch 95-mph strike to cleanup hitter Leighton Pangilinan and followed that up with a 94-mph strike two. After a foul ball, Fernandez went upstairs to get Pangilinan to chase a 96 mph fastball out . . . Thu, 17 May 2012 14:44:53 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613417.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/chat/2012/2613413.html Content: Jim Callis: The draft is only 19 days away, and it's the focus of my existence pretty much 24/7 these days. So hit me with your draft questions. (And all other questions welcome, as usual.) Jay (Manchester, IA): Any chance that the Brewers would snag Giolito with one of their first round picks? How far does he have to drop before it's not feasible to get him signed? Jim Callis: Giolito, as I addressed in Monday's Ask BA, is still too much of a wild card to predict where he'll go. Teams just don't know enough about his health or whether he'll drop his asking price right now. Before he got hurt, he might have been the first high school righthander to go No. 1 overall, and he was looking at a bonus of $5 million or more. How feasible it is to get him signed depends on the asking price, and teams don't think it will be coming down much, as well as whether the club that takes him has multiple early picks and more money to play with. That's all a long way of saying "I have no idea what will happen with Giolito." Alan At Work (Chicago): . . . Wed, 16 May 2012 15:06:17 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/chat/2012/2613413.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613369.html Content: Could these pitchers be relief aces in the making? The reality for many minor league pitchers—even starters—is that they'll make most of their big league appearances in relief. Teams always need fresh arms for the ever-expanding major league bullpen. AL EAST BALTIMORE ORIOLES: With 2010 third-rounder Dan Klein felled by a third shoulder operation in the past two seasons, the liveliest relief arm in the organization belongs to 22-year-old righthander Clay Schrader. He touches 94 mph and throws a big-biting curveball, but the high Class A Frederick Key will need to cut his walk rate in half (7.6 per nine innings in 2012) before he's big league ready. However, Schrader is tough to hit or square up with 25 whiffs and just six hits allowed through 18 innings. BOSTON RED SOX: The Red Sox haven't given up on the notion of Alex Wilson making his way in the rotation, but they shifted the 25-year-old righthander to the bullpen at Triple-A Pawtucket in late April, perhaps in anticipation of a callup. He sits 93-96 mph and can run it up a few ticks higher at times, while his mid-80s slider is a true out-pitch that bites away from righty hitters. NEW . . . Wed, 16 May 2012 09:42:07 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613369.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613368.html Content: ALLENTOWN, Pa.—Righthander Phillippe Aumont's introduction to baseball happened as it does for most kids—he had a catch with his father in the backyard. The only difference was that Aumont's backyard was in Gatineau, Quebec, an Ottawa suburb in the heart of hockey country across the river from Ontario. "I loved playing hockey and I'm a big fan," Aumont said, "but I just never really had a chance to play organized hockey. It's really expensive in Canada, especially the higher the levels you play. It's very expensive for parents. I didn't bother asking because of the situation we were in." So Aumont took advantage of those impromptu catches with his father Jean Pierre, who would arrive home from work and, without changing his clothes, get down in a catcher's crouch while his 11-year-old son pitched. "He loved it as much as I did," said Aumont, who began his baseball life as a center fielder but switched to pitcher at age 14. By that time, 2003, he also had moved in with legal guardians, a living situation he has declined to comment upon. Rather than fire a puck at 95 mph, these days the 23-year-old Aumont throws his fastball in that range . . . Wed, 16 May 2012 09:32:33 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613368.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613367.html Content: It usually starts with a chuckle. Scouts, coaches and managers generally love to talk baseball—after all, they spend their lives working in the game. And there's nothing they like talking about more than the unexpected. When Reds high Class A Bakersfield shortstop Billy Hamilton is on the field, a lot of unexpected things happen. When they talk about Hamilton, scouts and coaches get pretty excited, let out a chuckle, and then have a story that often begins with the same question. Have you heard about the time Hamilton scored the game-winning run from third base on a sacrifice fly to second? "The ball didn't leave the infield," Bakersfield manager Ken Griffey Sr. said. "Now it was a tough play for the second baseman. The infield was in. He had to turn his back and go after the ball. When it hit his hand, Billy was gone. By the time he turned around Billy was scoring." It's hard to say if that tops another game-winning run he scored. Did you hear about the time Hamilton scored the winning run from second on a ground out? "It was a slow bouncer to third," low Class A Dayton play-by-play man Tom Nichols said. . . . Tue, 15 May 2012 10:04:44 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613367.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2012/2613403.html Content: The draft is just three weeks away, and we'll have an avalanche of preview material both now and then. We unveiled our initial first-round projection on Friday and we'll have three more in the future: May 25, June 1 and early on the morning of June 4. With less certainty than usual and new rules, the first round promises to be more volatile than ever, so stay tuned. Why wouldn't Lucas Giolito get taken in the top 10 picks? If you can't sign him, you get the extra dollars in your bonus pool and a compensation pick next year in a better draft. If he does sign, you get one of the best talents in the draft. Austin Champagne Amherst, Mass. Giolito is the biggest wild card in the draft right now. The Harvard-Westlake High (Studio City, Calif.) product entered the year with a chance to become the first prep righthander ever drafted No. 1 overall. Giolito hit 100 mph with his fastball in late February, then sprained the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow a week later. Now his health and signability are significant worries. Giolito hasn't required surgery, though some teams wonder if he might down the line. . . . Mon, 14 May 2012 15:52:35 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2012/2613403.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613393.html Content: Chris (Seattle): How concerning are Bauer's abundance of walks? He can't be dominant if he's at the top or leading the league in walks can he? Matthew Eddy: Trevor Bauer's walk rate in Double-A (5.4 BB/9) is a bit disconcerting, but he's missing bats and keeping the ball in the yard, suggesting he may be a slight mechanical tweak away from finding the strike zone more frequently. That's an interesting thought, though — what's the ceiling on a 4 BB/9 righthanded starter in the big leagues? Matt (Los Angeles): With the promotions of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, are Christian Yelich and Wil Myers the best outfield prospects in the minors? Can you see either one handling center field in the majors? Matthew Eddy: I think you've got the top contenders in Myers and Yelich. (Some might add to the mix the Cardinals' Oscar Taveras or Royals' Bubba Starling.) Neither Myers nor Yelich has enough reps in center field to declare with confidence that they can play the position at the highest level, though given Yelich's average speed he would seem to have a higher probability of sticking. Matthew Eddy: Sorry for the delay. We experienced prolonged technical difficulties. EVAN . . . Fri, 11 May 2012 15:43:06 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613393.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613380.html Content: The Prospect Hot Sheet is not a re-ranking of the Top 100 Prospects. This is a snapshot of which top prospects are excelling and which ones are struggling right now. Stats cover the period May 4-10. Contributing: Ben Badler, J.J. Cooper, Matt Eddy and Jim Shonerd. IN THE TEAM PHOTO The overall line for the Padres' Juan Oramas this season is ugly: 6.23 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in seven starts for Double-A San Antonio. However, the 22-year-old Mexican lefty dealt eight three-hit, no-run innings Monday at Corpus Christi, and in his past two starts he's struck out nine, walked two and allowed nine hits and two runs in 15 innings . . . In another situation, the clamor to promote 1B Anthony Rizzo to the big leagues would be deafening. After posting a 1.000+ OPS at Triple-A last year, Rizzo is doing it again this year for Iowa, and he hit his 10th home run this week. This week he hit .261/.433/.739 with three home runs. The problem? Bryan LaHair is currently posting a 1.243 OPS for the Cubs at first base. Eventually the Cubs may trade or reposition LaHair to open a spot for Rizzo, but for now it . . . Fri, 11 May 2012 13:20:22 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613380.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613366.html Content: ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Having issued 27 walks in 28 1/3 innings over his first six starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Dellin Betances came into Wednesday's turn against Columbus intent on attacking the zone. Even when second baseman Cord Phelps drilled his first pitch into the right-field bullpen, the 6-foot-8 righthander stuck to his plan. Betances retired the next eight hitters, fanning four consecutive Clippers during one stretch, before surrendering another first-pitch knock to Phelps in the top of the third. The leadoff man was the only Columbus hitter to scratch the hit column in eight innings against one of the brightest pitching prospects in the Yankees system. Betances allowed just two walks, with the first coming to third baseman Jose Lopez to open the seventh inning. Lopez, like left fielder Russ Canzler, who walked to lead off the eighth, was erased on a 4-6-3 double play. Altogether, Betances coaxed nine groundballs from the Clippers' bats to his infielders. The eight innings were a season best for the 24-year-old Betances, as were his seven strikeouts, and the 2-1 victory evened his record at 2-2 and dropped his ERA to 5.20. "I've been feeling better my last couple of starts, even though my walks have . . . Thu, 10 May 2012 13:51:35 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613366.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613363.html Content: The first time you see Cody Buckel on your television screen may not be on the diamond. Before Buckel was one of the Rangers' top pitching prospects, acting was his favorite pursuit aside from baseball, having done it since he was 8 years old. Baseball started demanding more of his time in high school, but Buckel got back into acting with an assist from Jason Dolley, a friend of his and a Disney television star who helped him land some stage roles. That flame hasn't gone out just yet either. This past offseason, Buckel signed on with a talent agency he hopes will get him spots in commercials or work as an extra over the winter. "That's kind of like another door that's waiting there," Buckel said of his acting aspirations. "I'd like to go back to it when I can." It might be a while before Buckel steps through that door. He's been doing just fine in his day job, shutting down Carolina League opponents every five days for high Class A Myrtle Beach. After tossing seven shutout innings against Frederick on May 3, Buckel lowered his ERA to 1.31, the second-lowest mark in the CL. The 19-year-old righthander, . . . Thu, 10 May 2012 11:06:25 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613363.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/chat/2012/2613361.html Content: Jim Callis: Hi, everyone. The draft is on our minds at Baseball America, but anything is fair game. And please bear with me if I have to run to take phone call. Let's get started! Draft Junkie (Chicago): When does your first Mock go up? Thanks Jim. Jim Callis: Working on it now for tomorrow's Draft Preview issue deadline, so it should be up online Thursday or Friday. Andy (Lexington): Has Kentucky's surprising rise to prominence this season helped and of its players draft stock for the summer? Maybe Luke Maile for instance? Jim Callis: To a degree. Kentucky obviously has a lot of guys who are playing well and have helped their cause. At the same time, I'm not sure their best prospect (C/1B Luke Maile, LHPs Taylor Rogers and Jerad Grundy) are locks to go in the first five rounds. Jeff (Bay Area): What are the odds that Jedd Gyorko can handle 2b at the major league level. Jim Callis: I love the bat and couldn't believe he lasted until the second round of the 2010 draft, but second base is a stretch for me. Third base is much more realistic. But why not give it a try? . . . Wed, 09 May 2012 17:17:15 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/chat/2012/2613361.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613359.html Content: Wil Myers' home run binge eventually is going to earn him a spot in Triple-A Omaha, and it appears that time may be sooner than later. "He's done what he hoped and exceeded expectations," said Royals assistant general manager for scouting and player development J.J. Picollo. "He's in line to get to Triple-A some time in the near future." Picollo said that the Royals know that Myers will be ready for Omaha soon, and they'll even be discussing whether he's ready this week. And when he comes up, he'll likely continue to play center field. What started out as an experiment may turn into a home for the former catcher. In the past, the Royals have compared Myers to Dale Murphy, another former catcher, and even after he played poorly as a corner outfielder last year, the Royals believed that Myers had the tools to be a solid center fielder. They moved him to center for a couple of games early in the season, but on April 26, the Royals moved him to center for good. With right fielder Jeff Francouer signed through 2013 and left fielder Alex Gordon locked up through 2015, center field could be Myers' quickest path . . . Wed, 09 May 2012 12:31:36 EST http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613359.html