TheCrew07

I'd be okay with McClendon, Hand, and Henderson getting a shot, but if they give up on Thornburg as a starter without even giving him a full season in the majors it would be a horrible way to manage talent. I realize the bullpen stinks this year, but we first need to field an above starting rotation with 1-3s who can match up with the other likely playoff teams. Once the top of the rotation is set, then you can worry about slotting players for the bullpen. We also have plenty of pitchers in AA who's stuff would likely play up if they were converted from starters to relievers. Heckathorn, Stinson, Burgos, and Anundsen all may have a future home in the pen. I'm not necessarily ready to give up on any of them as starters today, but Heckathorn for example hasn't made any improvement repeating the level, he seems like a guy who'd benefit from a change in a role. The real problem with the bullpen as I see it, and I've been saying this since 2007, is that we have too many 1 inning guys and for most of the season we had too many specialists. Certainly players like having a defined role, but that doesn't mean that's the most efficient way to setup or manage the bullpen. I've always favored running a hot reliever more than 1 inning... I despise switching relievers because A pitches the 6th, B pitches the 7th, C pitches the 8th, and D pitches the 9th. If you have a guy who comes in during the 7th has it going on, why not bring him back out for the 8th? Teams are going to use closers regardless of what we think, so I'm not talking about that spot though I'd run someone through the 8th and 9th the same way as I would the 7th and 8th or 6th and 7th in a perfect world. Certainly if a guy struggles to get through his inning I'm okay changing him, but if he mows down the opposition then ride the hot hand. The reason most of these guys are in the pen to begin with is that they either lacked consistently or couldn't go through the order more than once without getting lit up. I say ride the hot hand in the pen and I'd avoid specialists like the plague, though I'd grudgingly make room for 1 LH if he was "that" good, but having RH specialists on the roster is a waste. I'd rather minimize the amount of bullpen moves necessary than maximize the moves having pitchers go 1/3 of an inning at a time. I laugh a little bit every time someone interviews a closer who is a converted starter and he's much happier closing. Of course they are... they have to pitch 1/4 the innings per season, pitching less innings will extend their careers, they get their own "ambiance" as they enter the game, and the good ones still get paid like starting pitchers. What's not to like from the player's perspective?

"Major League Pitching" could mean almost anything but given Melvin's trade and FA history it's not surprising that many people including myself are concerned with what that specifically means. I would guess it means he wants a major league ready starter. I would do Lee for Eovaldi straight up in a heartbeat if that was the offer. However I'm worried that we'd be getting Capuano(33), Harang(34), or Lilly(36) back. Here's what was written about Eovaldi over the winter: Eovaldi fell to the 11th round of the 2008 draft because he had Tommy John surgery as a high school junior and made a strong commitment to Texas A&M. The Dodgers weren't scared off and signed him for $250,000. After a solid but unspectacular start to his pro career, he took off in 2011, dominating Double-A and making his big league debut at age 21. Eovaldi has a power arsenal, led by a heater that works at 94-98 mph with good downhill angle and occasional late life. His fastball touched triple digits when he came out of the bullpen in the majors. He has a wrist wrap in his arm action that has led to inconsistency, but he did a better job in 2011 of staying over the rubber longer and allowing his arm to clear, helping his fastball command. Eovaldi ditched his curveball after 2010 and developed an 85-91 mph slider that's a plus pitch with tilt and late movement at its best. His changeup is fringy but good enough to keep hitters honest. His key going forward will be to throw more strikes. Some scouts believe Eovaldi fits best as a two-pitch, late-inning reliever, but Los Angeles will keep him a starter. He'll vie for a spot in the big league rotation in spring training. Lilly is under contract this year and next, 12:$10.5M, 13:$12M Cappy has this year and next plus an option, 12:$3M, 13:$6M, 14:$8M mutual option ($1M buyout) Harang has a similar contract, 12:$3M, 13:$7M, 14: mutual option between $7M and $8M ($2M buyout)

This is like a bad nightmare scenario for me... I wanted to acquire Marcum in 2005 and later on we trade Lawrie for him, it took 2 deals with Toronto to get the right guy. Then I would have swapped Fielder for Shields straight up in 2008 and now he's available on a limited contract and has a history of big league success which is the type of player Melvin usually targets. As much I like Shields and love the originality in his contract, there's no way I would target him now, and personally I don't want Melvin trading with TB or ATL ever again.

Other than breaking the record there isn't much left he can do to impress, the video is worth a look. Billy Hamilton Hits A Stand-Up Inside-The-Park Home Run

Javier Baez getting more love... Top Batting Performances Over The Weekend, July 13-15

subscriber piece, but a nice write-up if you have access. Pirates' Starling Marte Makes Strides In Triple-A Debut

skimmed it twice, I didn't see any divisional prospects Pitchers of the Week For the week ending July 15

worth a look as usual Offensive Players of the Week For the week ending July 15

I don't like Axford's curve ball at all even though it's better than it was... I'm not sure what's up him not using his slider, but that's still his second best pitch. He's only thrown it on 7.1% of his pitches so far this season after throwing it 16% in 2010 and 13.3% in 2011.

Farris, Rogers Lead Sounds Past Express, 3-1 NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mark Rogers turned in a solid start and Eric Farris belted a two-run homer to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 3-1 victory over the Round Rock Express on Monday evening at Greer Stadium in the opener of a four-game series. Rogers (5-6) continued his dominant pitching in home contests, holding the Express to one run on four hits over seven innings of work -- his fifth quality start of the year. He struck out six batters while walking only one during his 99-pitch effort. With the solid effort, the right-hander improved to 3-2 with a 2.98 ERA (16er/48.1ip) in his nine starts at Greer this year (2-4, 7.07 in eight road outings). Nashville pitchers combined to hold Round Rock to only four hits while striking out 10 batters in the contest. The Sounds got on the board in the second when Andy Gonzalez and Taylor Green led off the frame with consecutive doubles against Round Rock starter Ben Snyder. · AUDIO: Taylor Green Go-Ahead Double Second baseman Eric Farris (2-for-4) upped the Nashville lead to 3-0 in the third when he slugged his second home run of the year, a two-run shot to left off Snyder. Catcher Dayton Buller (2-for-3), who led off the inning with an opposite-field double to right-center, also scored on the one-out blast. · AUDIO: Eric Farris Two-Run HR Round Rock jumped on the board in the seventh with a two-out rally against Rogers. After the first two batters were retired, Joey Butler reached on an infield single and raced around to score when Ryan Spilborghs ripped an RBI double to deep right-center to make it a 3-1 contest. Jesus Sanchez worked a perfect eighth for the Sounds before closer Jim Henderson struck out the side in the ninth to nail down his 12th save of the season. Snyder (2-4) drew the loss for the Express after allowing all three Nashville runs in his five innings of work. Outfielder Caleb Gindl went 0-for-4 to snap the Sounds' longest active hitting streak at six games. The teams continue the series with another 7:05 p.m. meeting on Tuesday. Right-hander Brian Baker (2-3, 5.33) returns to the Nashville rotation with his first start for the Sounds since June 29th. Round Rock will counter with right-hander Greg Reynolds (7-6, 5.01). Nashville Box Score I had a chance to listen to a game for the first time in quite a while and it just happened to be another Mark Rogers start. I was a tad worried when he walked the first batter on 4 straight pitches but that was pretty much it until the 7th. The rest of his pitching line not mentioned in the game story; 4H, 65 of 99 pitches for strikes, and a 7:4 ratio. Jesus Sanchez remained perfect in Nashville with his scoreless frame, and what else can I say about Jim Henderson except isn't it time he gets a shot? Eric Farris and Dayton Buller had the only multi-hit games, all of the XBHs were covered in the game story. Taylor Green was nabbed trying to steal a base and Edwin Maysonet committed his 3rd error. Nashville Play By Play It was an incredibly quick game, just over 2 hours, not much action beyond the game story.

Final: DSL Angels 3, DSL Brewers 1 DSL Brewers Box Score If BA covered the DSL the only 2 starting pitchers on the Brewers' staff that wouldn't be in the "Man Among Boys" section would be Ortega and Rizzo. Don't get me wrong, all the pitching success is nice, but being 21 years old in the DSL means you're about 3 years behind the development curve. At any rate, Juan Santiago was fantastic once again and was the tough luck loser here going 6 innings allowing 6 hits, no walks, 1 run, and no earned runs while striking out 6. Miguel Diaz had a tough 7th allowing the 2 runs which put the game away. Joshua Torres pitched a clean frame to close it out. The bats just didn't do much today scoring just 1 run off of 7 hits. Francisco Castillo channeled his all-star mojo into a 2-4 effort, but managed to get picked off of 1st base as well. The only other multi-hit game came from Alejandro Mendoza who went 2-3 during the contest. No batter had a walk or an XBH of any kind. The Brewers also committed 4 errors in the contest. DSL Brewers Play By Play The Brewers were no hit until the 6th... DSL Brewers Top of the 6th Natanael Mejia grounds out, shortstop Erick Salcedo to first baseman Ranyelmy Mendoza. Alejandro Mendoza singles on a fly ball to left fielder Luis Jolly. Francisco Castillo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ayendy Perez. Alejandro Mendoza to 3rd. With Raphachel Colatosti batting, Francisco Castillo picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Angel Guerra to second baseman Ismael Dionicio. Raphachel Colatosti called out on strikes. The biggest half inning of the game... DSL Angels Bottom of the 7th Pitcher Change: Miguel Diaz replaces Juan Santiago. Jesus Fernandez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Francisco Castillo. With Gabriel Santana batting, wild pitch by Miguel Diaz, Jesus Fernandez to 2nd. Gabriel Santana reaches on fielding error by first baseman Yunior De La Cruz. Jesus Fernandez to 3rd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Angel Almao replaces Gabriel Santana. With Jose Herrera batting, throwing error by Yunior De La Cruz on the pickoff attempt, Jesus Fernandez scores. Jose Herrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Elvis Rubio. Angel Almao to 3rd. Luis Jolly walks. Jose Herrera to 2nd. Ayendy Perez grounds into a force out, shortstop Raphachel Colatosti to catcher Natanael Mejia. Angel Almao out at home. Jose Herrera to 3rd. Luis Jolly to 2nd. Ayendy Perez to 1st. Erick Salcedo strikes out swinging. Ismael Dionicio reaches on fielding error by shortstop Raphachel Colatosti. Jose Herrera scores. Luis Jolly out at home, third baseman Jose Dicent to catcher Natanael Mejia. Down 3-0 this was the game. DSL Brewers Top of the 8th Angel Almao remains in the game as the designated hitter. Yunior De La Cruz singles on a ground ball to left fielder Luis Jolly. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Marcos Padilla replaces Yunior De La Cruz. Natanael Mejia singles on a ground ball to left fielder Luis Jolly. Marcos Padilla to 2nd. Alejandro Mendoza grounds out, first baseman Ranyelmy Mendoza to pitcher Angel Guerra. Marcos Padilla to 3rd. Natanael Mejia to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Alexis Campos replaces Angel Guerra. Francisco Castillo singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jose Herrera. Marcos Padilla scores. Natanael Mejia to 3rd. Raphachel Colatosti grounds into double play, pitcher Alexis Campos to shortstop Erick Salcedo to first baseman Ranyelmy Mendoza. Francisco Castillo out at 2nd.

Really, all those posts later and we're still right where we started? You obviously aren't trying very hard to see or understand the other side of the argument. Well the obvious name that comes immediately to mind is Jeff Niemann who the Rays were shopping for offense which they didn't get at the deadline and ultimately led to them signing Pat Burrell and trading Edwin Jackson for Matt Joyce. But I'm sure that was just another made up internet rumor and Niemann wasn't actually available. We have no idea what names are discussed behind closed doors, but it seems disingenuous and rather dismissive to suggest there were no other trade possibilities than Sabathia. However that's the convenient and often repeated defense of Melvin, the "What else was he supposed to do?" defense. That question has literally been answered ad nauseum and while I have no doubt that Doug took the best deal of a specific type that was available in every trade he's made, that doesn't mean there weren't other deals out there for the taking. I think it's fair to say Melvin isn't a very good judge of pitching talent, his FA acquisitions are the type that more statistical orientated posters would have favored, the most productive for the money type of player. Wolf was largely alright, but the rest of the starting pitchers he's acquired in FA... blah. It's also fair to say that he doesn't trade for high risk players with high ceilings, he chooses lesser talent that's more likely to contribute at MLB. He's never made a Teixeira type trade in Milwaukee, he's always been a buyer with prospects. Melvin's trading philosophies are as predictable as they are redundant, the same trades keep coming round and round...

anyone else find the bolded portion a bit odd? no communication with him? Stephenson notches first pro win Reds' '11 first-round pick strikes out nine over five innings By Ashley Marshall / Special to MLB.com http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/15/FDswdnil.jpg Robert Stephenson leads the Pioneer League with 33 strikeouts in six starts. (Alhambra High School) As the deadline to sign Draft picks approached last Aug. 14, there was still no guarantee first-rounder Robert Stephenson was going to put his name on a contract. He was all set to attend the University of Washington and -- as midnight approached -- it was looking more and more like he would be playing in Seattle this year. Then the phone rang. Fast forward 11 months, and the Reds' No. 3 prospect appears to have made the right decision. Stephenson allowed one run on three hits while recording a career-high nine strikeouts over five innings to earn his first professional win Sunday as the Rookie-level Billings Mustangs beat the Grand Junction Rockies, 9-3. "Honestly, the Reds hadn't offered anything until four days before the deadline," said Stephenson, who eventually inked a deal that included a $2 million signing bonus. "The entire summer there was zero communication between me and the Reds. That's why it took so long. They didn't really talk to me. "I had a roommate set up [in Washington] and everything. I was ready to go to school. But since I signed I've been very happy. I don't have any regrets at all." Against the Rockies, Stephenson (1-0) struck out the first six batters he faced and was perfect the first time through the lineup. Matt Wessinger homered leading off the fourth, but that turned out to be his lone misstep. "I made one terrible pitch," Stephenson said. "It was 0-1 and I had thrown a changeup the pitch before. I should have thrown another changeup, but I left a fastball down the middle. It wasn't a great pitch." The only other Rockies to reach base against Stephenson were Jeffrey Popick, who doubled in the fourth, and Max White, who singled an inning later but was stranded at third base. "I think it just started in the bullpen and playing catch," explained Stephenson, who spent most of the fall in the Arizona instructional. "I felt like I had decent control of all of my pitches tonight. If things are working in the bullpen, it's easier in the game. "It felt great to get that first win, but I was never worried that I wasn't going to get it." Selected 27th overall last year out of Alhambra High School in Martinez, Calif., Stephenson induced five ground-ball outs and uncorked two wild pitches. Through six starts as a pro, the 19-year-old right-hander leads the Pioneer League with 33 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings. His 2.10 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and .200 batting average against all rank fourth in the eight-team circuit. "My changeup was good and my curveball was OK. I commanded my fastball to both sides of the plate," said Stephenson, who was advised by Mustangs pitching coach Tony Fossas to drop the two-seam fastball he threw high school in favor of a four-seam offering. "I was just starting guys off with fastballs inside and then using breaking balls and changeups later, depending on where they were in the order." Stephenson knew beforehand he was only going to pitch five innings, no matter how well he performed. But he hopes his latest outing eventually will lead to a longer leash. "Usually, I'm around 70 pitches," said Stephenson, who took part in rotator cuff and core strength exercises three days a week as part of the Reds' offseason conditioning program. "I hope I can get 80 [pitches] or more, but I didn't start getting a feel for my pitches again until Spring Training." Bennett Klimesh followed Stephenson to the mound and worked around three walks by striking out two in 1 1/3 innings. After Nick Routt retired all five Rockies he faced, Erik Miller allowed two runs in the ninth, but Jimmy Moran fanned a pair to finish off the Mustangs' second win in three games. Grand Junction starter Alving Mejias (1-4) lasted one inning and was charged with three runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out two.

Schafer Belts Two Homers To Lead Sounds Past 'Topes Center Fielder Adds Key OF Assist In Nashville's 2-1 Victory NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Logan Schafer belted a pair of homers, including a walkoff blast in the seventh inning, to power the Nashville Sounds to a 2-1 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes in the opener of a doubleheader on Sunday evening at Greer Stadium. Schafer, who leads Nashville with nine roundtrippers on the year, drove left-hander Wil Ledezma's 1-2 offering over the center field wall as he led off the home half of the seventh to give the Sounds (41-52) their 12th last at-bat victory of the year. His 2-for-4 effort marked the outfielder's team-leading 23rd multi-hit game of the year but only his first in his last 13 contests. It was the fourth two-homer game by a Nashville batter in 2012 (second by Schafer). Schafer also made a key outfield assist, cutting down the potential go-ahead run at the plate in the fourth inning. Caleb Gindl (2-for-3) and Jordan Brown (2-for-2) joined Schafer with multi-hit efforts for Nashville. Mike McClendon (4-3) was the beneficiary of Schafer's late heroics, picking up the victory after working one hitless inning and striking out two batters. Sounds starting pitcher Wily Peralta successfully worked out of early jams, stranding six Albuquerque baserunners over the first three frames including fanning Tim Federowicz to leave the bags jammed in the third. Schafer gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead in the third when he belted a one-out solo homer to right off Isotopes starter Will Savage. · AUDIO: Logan Schafer's First HR Peralta was unable to escape another jam as Albuquerque knotted the score in the top of the fourth. After the Isotopes loaded the bases on a walk and a pair of bunts, ex-Sound Trent Oeltjen ripped a single to center, which plated Matt Angle with the tying run. Brian Cavazos-Galvez also attempted to score on the play but was thrown out at the plate by Schafer. Neither starting pitcher factored in the decision. Peralta stranded nine Isotopes runners in his four frames of work, allowing one run on seven hits while walking three hitters and striking out five. Savage held the Sounds to one run on six hits in four innings. The Sounds had a chance to pull ahead in the sixth after placing runners on second and third with only one out, but Ledezma rebounded to strike out Dayton Buller and induce an inning-ending groundout from pinch-hitter Andy Gonzalez to escape the jam unscathed. · AUDIO: Logan Schafer's Walkoff HR

Final Game 2: Albuquerque 8, Nashville 5 Nashville Game 2 Box Score The Sounds were up 5-0, really a laugher for the good guys until a disastrous 6th inning in which Nashville pitchers gave up all 8 runs. Everyone who pitched struggled with the exception of Rob Wooten who pitched a clean 7th. Caleb Gindl led the way in game 2 putting up a 2-3 effort with a walk and a HR. Corey Patterson had the other multi-hit performance going 2-4 with a stolen base, Logan Schafer went 1-2 with 2 walks in game 2, stole his 13th base, but committed his 2nd error on a bad throw. Nashville Game 2 Play By Play Albuquerque Top of the 6th Osvaldo Martinez singles on a ground ball to second baseman Taylor Green. Brian Cavazos-Galvez singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Osvaldo Martinez to 2nd. Trent Oeltjen doubles (15) on a line drive to right fielder Caleb Gindl, deflected by center fielder Logan Schafer. Osvaldo Martinez scores. Brian Cavazos-Galvez scores. Pitcher Change: Donovan Hand replaces Claudio Vargas, batting 9th. Ivan De Jesus flies out to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Alex Castellanos walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Josh Fields replaces Ramon Troncoso. Josh Fields singles on a ground ball to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Trent Oeltjen scores. Alex Castellanos to 3rd. Josh Bard singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. Alex Castellanos scores. Josh Fields to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Juan Perez replaces Donovan Hand, batting 9th. Matt Angle singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. Josh Fields scores. Josh Bard to 3rd. Matt Angle to 2nd. Throwing error by center fielder Logan Schafer. Pitcher Change: Jim Henderson replaces Juan Perez, batting 9th. Tyler Henson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Corey Patterson. Josh Bard scores. Matt Angle to 3rd. Osvaldo Martinez pops out to second baseman Taylor Green. Brian Cavazos-Galvez doubles (11) on a fly ball to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Matt Angle scores. Tyler Henson scores. Trent Oeltjen flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Is anyone else watching this? I'm not sure I can adequately explain why I'm so into the show, but it's certainly grabbed me. Every episode feels like it's only 15 minutes and I find myself instantly rewatching the episodes on the DVR. I haven't been this hooked on a TV show since Band of Brothers, and while the programs themselves couldn't be more dissimilar in context, each has characters that just grab you and somehow get inside you. I'm not big on the news, especially on TV, though I do check certain news outlets a couple of times a day just to stay current on what's happening. I'm just completely unable to explain how I was immediately hooked after only 10 minutes of the first episode, but I hope other people are watching and enjoying the show as much as I do. I read plenty of negative reviews but HBO has already renewed for a 2nd season.

Final Game 1: Nashville 2, Albuquerque 1 (7 innings) Nashville Game 1 Box Score Wily Peralta wasn't nearly as effective as his recent as his efforts have been, but I'll take 1ER over 4IP at this point. Wily threw 88 pitches, 52 for strikes, while allowing 7 hits, 1 HBP, 1WP, and 3 walks against 5 strike outs posting his lowest ratio I remember so far this season of 3:2. Peralta was followed by Tim Dillard who pitched 2 clean innings allowing 2 hits and a walk. Mike McClendon was pretty fantastic in the 7th striking out 2 of the 3 hitters and earned the win on Logan Schafer's walk off HR. Speaking of Schafer, he was the entire offense going 2-4 with 2 HRs... can we say buh-bye to Nyjer already? Logan also threw out a runner at home to save a run in the 4th. He was as cold as he had been all season coming into today's action hitting .162 over his last 10, but still had a .771 OPS. Caleb Gindl went 2-3 bumping his average up to .246 and Jordan Brown had a perfect game 1 at the plate going 2-2 with a walk. Corey Patterson provided the other XBH, a double. Nashville Game 1 Play By Play Some good fortune here... Albuquerque Top of the 1st Trent Oeltjen singles on a line drive to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Ivan De Jesus flies out to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Alex Castellanos singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Trent Oeltjen to 3rd. Josh Fields strikes out swinging. Jerry Sands hit by pitch. Alex Castellanos to 2nd. Trent Oeltjen out at home, catcher Dayton Buller to pitcher Wily Peralta. Schafer keeps the score tied. Albuquerque Top of the 4th Matt Angle walks. Brian Cavazos-Galvez singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Wily Peralta. Matt Angle to 2nd. Will Savage hits a sacrifice bunt. Matt Angle to 3rd. Brian Cavazos-Galvez to 2nd. Will Savage to 1st. Trent Oeltjen singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. Matt Angle scores. Brian Cavazos-Galvez out at home on the throw, center fielder Logan Schafer to catcher Dayton Buller. Will Savage to 2nd. Ivan De Jesus flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer. Alex Castellanos walks. Will Savage to 3rd. Trent Oeltjen to 2nd. Josh Fields grounds into a force out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to second baseman Eric Farris. Alex Castellanos out at 2nd. Instant offense for the win, Logan was down 1-2 in the count at the time. Nashville Bottom of the 7th Logan Schafer homers (9) on a fly ball to center field.

Final: DSL AL All-Stars 6, DSL NL All-Stars (Brewers) 3 DSL NL All-Stars Box Score The Brewers had no starters in the game and only 2 players made an appearance which is fairly representative of Milwaukee's recent efforts in Latin America. However the 2 players who appeared acquitted themselves well as both Francisco Castillo and Jorge Ortega were productive. Castillo came into CF in the 4th and went 1-2 with a single exiting after the 6th. Ortega pitched a clean 5th inning working around a lead off double. DSL NL All-Stars Play By Play

I got you on the 28th as well my man, enjoy the night... and your new bride... and stuff.

Chiefs' Zeller joins chorus of knucklers Cubs prospect hurls six hitless innings in third start of season By Jonathan Raymond / Special to MLB.com http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/14/UAY7SdAv.jpg Joe Zeller has a 2.96 ERA over 54 2/3 innings at four Minor League levels. (Boise Hawks) Joe Zeller has been at work on his knuckleball for a little over a year. His start on Friday night was the best sign yet the project is on a successful track. The Cubs prospect tossed six hitless innings -- his only blemish being a hit batter in the first -- and struck out four as the Class A Peoria Chiefs rolled to an 8-1 victory over the visiting Dayton Dragons. Zeller (1-2) said his mind wasn't so much on the no-hit bid as much as it was on consistently getting through clean innings. He made 20 relief appearances across three levels before moving into the Chiefs' rotation earlier this month. "I wasn't really thinking about it. I was more trying to execute every pitch and get in the flow of it," he said. "It was fun to do well, not necessarily go for the no-hitter. "I've been a reliever most of the year, so I hadn't really gotten my pitch count up too high. It would've been nice to see if I could complete it, but I was pretty [far] up there in pitches and it doesn't feel good the next day after throwing 120 pitches. I was just happy to get the win and be able to contribute." The 2010 28th-round Draft pick first acquired up the knuckler in 2011 at Spring Training. He spent most of last year in the bullpen for short-season Boise as he got his feet wet with the pitch. Zeller posted a 1.95 ERA over 27 2/3 innings with the Hawks, showing strong early returns. This year, he's pitched pretty much everywhere in the Cubs system, logging 5 2/3 innings with Boise, 32 innings for Class A Advanced Daytona and one inning at Double-A Tennessee. All that work came in relief, however. In Peoria, he's been able to test the knuckleball as he stretches out. "I think that it's definitely helpful, as far as getting more innings to improve and getting a bullpen session in between," Zeller said. "I think for me the main thing is it's a greater opportunity to hone my craft, so to speak. I enjoy that aspect and if I can help my team eat up more innings, it's mutually beneficial." In 16 innings in the Midwest League, the 24-year-old right-hander has a 2.25 ERA, allowing 11 hits and three walks while striking out eight. Combining all four stops, he's got a 2.96 ERA, 40 strikeouts and 16 walks over 54 2/3 innings. Zeller said he feels like he's starting to adapt to throwing the dancing pitch, working intensively with coaches and, like any good knuckleballer, seeking the advice of 25-year Major League veteran Charlie Hough. "Charlie Hough was a great help for me. The other coaches have been helpful with the mental side of it," the California native said. "It's been challenging, for sure. You don't feel comfortable sometimes where it seems like I don't know what I'm doing at all out there, throwing up a prayer to home plate and seeing what happens. "But I definitely feel like I'm improving. It's only my second year and it's gotten a lot better every month, I would say. Hopefully, they continue to be patient with me." The Chiefs staked Zeller to a 6-0 in the first inning as Paul Hoilman delivered a two-run double and Wes Darvill singled in a pair of runs.

my goodness, when will it end? Cingrani notches first complete game Reds prospect hasn't allowed an earned run in last four starts By Sam Dykstra / Special to MLB.com http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/14/EMPkiqdc.jpg Tony Cingrani has held opponents to a .133 batting average over his last four starts. (Chris Nelson) Billy Hamilton has been the talk of the Reds system -- the whole Minor Leagues, actually -- this season. Cincinnati's top prospect has captured baseball's attention by racking up stolen bases at a record pace and earning a promotion to Double-A Pensacola along the way. And it was there that he re-entered Tony Cingrani's territory. The Reds' No. 10 prospect pitched a four-hitter over seven innings for his first career complete game Friday as the Blue Wahoos edged Chattanooga, 2-1, in the first game of a doubleheader. It was also the first complete in Pensacola's 3 1/2-month history as Cingrani (5-1) allowed an unearned run and walked two batters. The Lookouts' lone run came on a passed ball in the fourth inning, ending Cingrani's career-high scoreless streak at 24 innings. He allowed only two more baserunners over the final 3 2/3 frames. The 23-year-old left-hander, who rang up a career-low two strikeouts and threw exactly 100 pitches, has not allowed an earned run in four starts since June 27. Even as the zeros continue to pile up, Cingrani wasn't sure if this is his best stretch of baseball. "Possibly," he said. "I know there haven't been too many strikeouts in there, so maybe it hasn't been great as it looks. But I'm just getting them to roll over on a lot of my pitches, and that's been a big part of it." While the strikeout totals have gone down from 15 on June 27 to two on Friday, 13 Lookouts couldn't quite figure out Cingrani and were retired on ground balls. That total is a season high. A big reason may be improved off-speed stuff, including a changeup and slider that have been a focus in between starts. "The changeup was better tonight," he said. "The slider was there when I needed it to be there. It's all about just getting them over the plate and letting them do their thing." Cingrani lowered his Southern League ERA to 1.29 and has 52 strikeouts in eight starts since a promotion from Class A Advanced Bakersfield early last month. He leads all full-season Minor Leaguers with a 1.19 overall ERA, ranks second with 123 strikeouts and sixth with a 0.94 WHIP. That doesn't mean the Illinois native doesn't believe there's room for improvement, especially with the shutout streak over. "You always want to make adjustments after every start," Cingrani said. "Focus was one of those [after my last start] and throwing my changeup for strikes was another." As for what he'll look to improve following Friday's outing? "I haven't even thought about it yet," Cingrani said. "We'll take a look at it over the next few days." As much as the southpaw stole the spotlight from Hamilton Friday night, the speedy shortstop made sure he wouldn't be completely forgotten. The 21-year-old shortstop stole two bases in the first game and added one in the nightcap, a 6-1 Pensacola win. He leads the Minors with 107 thefts. "He brings panic to the basepaths," said Cingrani, who teamed with Hamilton at Bakersfield earlier this year. "He's had four stolen bases in just three games here so far. [When they called him up], I was definitely excited to watch him every day."

Phipps, Bats enjoy night to remember Reds prospect gets five hits; Louisville sets team runs record By Robert Emrich / Special to MLB.com http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/14/qWNe99d8.jpg Leadoff hitter Denis Phipps reached base six times on the Bats' record-setting night. (Louisville Bats) Denis Phipps led off Friday's game with a single. By the time he batted again, the outcome had pretty much been decided. Phipps broke out of a season-long slump with five hits and drove in four runs, leading the Triple-A Louisville Bats to a 22-1 romp over the Gwinnett Braves. After singling twice in a six-run opening inning, the native of the Dominican Republic capped a seven-run second with a grand slam, extending the Bats' lead to 13-0 lead. Phipps singled in the fourth and walked and scored his third run of the night in the sixth before striking out in the seventh. He singled again in the eighth, establishing a career high for hits in a game. "I felt good," said Phipps, who turns 27 on July 22. "When the guys get on, it gets you a lot of confidence and shows that you can do it." The 2011 Southern League All-Star has been struggling all year, with Friday's performance raising his average to .180 to go with six homers and 25 RBIs in 48 games. It's been a new experience for the outfielder, who entered the season with a .262 career mark. "It's been a frustrating year for me. I've been injured two times," Phipps said. "I'm trying to do everything I can to help my team win. We've struggled since the beginning of the year. Everything I can do, I'm going to do it. "Every swing I did good, I'm going to do tomorrow. Everything I did well, I'm going to try and do every time at the plate." Neftali Soto, the Reds' No. 6 prospect, homered, doubled and drove in five runs. "He's one of the good hitters we have," Phipps said. "He's the guy -- when he starts hitting, he can carry the team." The Bats fell a hit shy of the club record, set on May 3, 2010. They slugged two grand slams in a game for the first time since 2007. "It's fun," Phipps said. "Every time you win, it's fun. We've trying to be aggressive on the bases and be aggressive hitters and everything was going good tonight." Didi Gregorius, Cincinnati's No. 4 prospect, collected three hits in his second Triple-A game. Cody Puckett homered and drove in four runs, while Chris Valaika entered in the seventh and contributed Louisville's second slam. Staked to a huge early lead, Bats starter Sean Gallagher improved to 7-6, allowing a run on five hits over six innings. Braves starter Yohan Flande (3-7) did not survive the first inning. He surrendered six runs on seven hits while recording two outs and lost his third straight decision.

Baez continues maturing in Peoria Cubs prospect homers, drives in career-high four runs By Sam Dykstra / Special to MLB.com http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/15/8vyTrAZh.jpg Javier Baez is batting .421 with four homers and eight RBIs in his last 10 games. (Rinaldi Photos) The Cubs held Javier Baez back a little while before he made his Class A debut, but the slugging shortstop is playing like he's been around for a while. Chicago's No. 3 prospect went 3-for-5 with a home run, triple and a career-high four RBIs on Saturday as Peoria posted a 9-8, 10-inning win over Bowling Green. Baez tied a personal best for hits and eclipsed the career high he established when he drove in three runs on June 2. It also game him a 10-game hitting streak, his first double-digit run as a professional. The 19-year-old tripled in the second inning and reached on an error in the fourth. His three-run homer off Hot Rods starter Parker Markel capped a five-run fifth inning that gave the Chiefs a 7-3 lead. He reached on an infield single in the seventh. Needing a double to hit for the cycle, Baez nearly ended the game in the ninth. With one out and Paul Hoilman on first base, the native of Puerto Rico hit a drive the opposite way to right-center field that was tracked down by right fielder Drew Vettleson. "He put a good swing on it and gave it a pretty good ride," Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke said. "That outfielder made a pretty good catch and certainly had to cover a lot of ground to get there." Despite missing a potential walk-off by mere feet, the ninth overall pick in last year's Draft raised his average to .319, the highest it's been since June 7 (his 10th game of the season). Through his first 39 games in the Midwest League, Baez has eight homers, 19 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. His .945 OPS would rank second in the league if he had enough at-bats to qualify. "He's done a lot of positive things since he came here," Kopitzke said. "He's really a talented individual. He's a little bit more advanced than you'd think for someone his age, that's for sure. Just his ability to drive to all fields, get the bat on the ball when he needs to, run, field, he's further along than where you'd think." That doesn't mean Baez still doesn't have room to grow. In an infamous incident on June 2, MLB.com's No. 51 overall prospect swung at a 3-0 pitch in the ninth inning of a 15-2 game and was plunked in the side on the very next pitch. Now, more than a month later, his skipper chalked it up as a learning experience. "Every day, there's something you can learn from," Kopitzke said. "I really can't put a finger on one thing he hasn't done well for us. He's so open and eager to coaching and pays attention to everything we try to bring to him. He's a real good student of the game." Chadd Krist's RBI single in the 10th inning gave the Chiefs a walk-off win. The designated hitter finished 3-for-6 with two runs scored. Todd Glaesmann was 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs for the Hot Rods.

bad for them, good for us Pirates Don’t Sign Appel

Martinez unfazed by Texas heat Cards prospect hurls six strong innings, drops ERA to 2.30 By Jonathan Raymond / Special to MLB.com http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/15/p5SdGJIJ.jpg Carlos Martinez has allowed two runs in his last two starts. (Mark Harrell/Springfield Cardinals) If moving from Class A Advanced to Double-A is the most difficult jump to make in the Minor Leagues, Carlos Martinez is proving to be an exception to the rule. The Cardinals' No. 2 prospect gave up a run on two hits over six innings Saturday night as Springfield shut down Northwest Arkansas, 5-1. Martinez (2-2) arrived from Palm Beach about a month ago and has yet to allow more than two earned runs in a Texas League start. Saturday's effort was the second straight outing in which he's gone six innings and yielded just one run. "He's got a good arm, a nice and easy delivery. The ball really jumps out of his hand," Springfield manager Mike Shildt said. "He's really been able to throw strikes with the fastball, keep the ball down, and he's been effective with both his four- and two-seamer. With that velocity he has, it's a real good pitch." After giving up a solo homer to Carlo Testa with two outs in the second, Martinez allowed only three more baserunners on an error, a walk and a single. He ended up issuing two free passes while striking out three. Martinez, MLB.com's No. 23 overall prospect, was good in the Florida State League, but he's been a little bit better in transitioning to Double-A. He was 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 33 innings at Palm Beach. The 19-year-old right-hander has a 2.30 ERA and 21 strikeouts against six walks over 27 1/3 innings in six starts with Springfield. Shildt said he wasn't too surprised one of the Cardinals' most prized arms has adapted as quickly as he has to his new surroundings. "We're optimistic by nature here and he has ability," he added. "When a guy has ability, we're just trying to get him to understand how to use it. [Pitching coach Bryan Eversgerd] has got a good plan with him, the catchers are on the same plan, so we're just letting him pitch and letting his talent play." So far, it has. In 13 starts across the two levels, the native of the Dominican Republic is 4-4 with a 2.69 ERA, 55 strikeouts and only 16 walks over 60 1/3 innings. He's also surrendered just one home run. It's a departure from last season, when Martinez posted a 2.33 ERA in eight starts at Class A Quad Cities, then made the jump to the FSL, where he found things more difficult. In 10 starts with Palm Beach last summer, he had a 5.28 ERA and walked 30 while fanning 48 in 46 innings. Shildt cited Martinez's maturity for his more successful adjustment this year. "The one thing that's been impressive is he's been really aggressive, competed well," he said. "He's done the little things we like to see -- held his runners, fielded his position, just gone about things in a positive way." Oscar Taveras went 3-for-3 in support of Martinez, giving the No. 3 Cardinals prospect a .395 average in nine games this month. Chris Swauger chipped in a two-run homer.