As many fans know, Jake McGee is widely considered one of the top lefties in all of minor leagues. Plucked out of Sparks, Nev., in the fifth round of the 2004 draft, McGee has quickly cemented himself as one of the Rays top prospects. So, when he was penciled in to start against my local Double A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons, I could not help myself. I had to see what all the fuss was about. Let me say this, I was impressed.   more »

Adam Miller is back on the mound for the Buffalo Bisons tonight.   more »

Ruben Gotay was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves and Scott Thorman cleared them and was outrighted to Richmond (AAA).   more »

Last year, I had some controversial picks in my top 100 which proved to be good picks. These included Troy Tulowitzki at #3 prospect overall, Dustin Pedroia at #18 (didn't make most top-100 lists, including BA's), with Longoria, Upton and Braun higher than most any other list, and Chris Davis in my top 100. I haven't compiled a top 100 this year, but here are the top 50 position players (with 20 pitchers added just for flavor at the end)...   more »

As camps get underway in Florida and Arizona, I'm going to pluck out bits of news and notes from happenings around the league once, twice, and sometimes three times a day. So, here we go...   more »

Yes, you've heard that right! Milwaukee's 2007 #1 draft pick and super-prospect Matt LaPorta has joined BDD and will be presenting a player journal throughout the 2008 season. Look for Matt's contributions a few times a month as he chronicles his life as a baseball player on the way to The Show. We'd like to thank Matt for taking the time to provide his perspective on the game. We'd also like to thank Mike Fiore of the Boras Corp. for working with us to present this new feature.

Coors Field, known as a hitters haven, is about to become pitcher friendly. Jeff Francis continues to develop into a #1 starter followed by Aaron Cook and highly touted youngsters Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales and Jason Hirsh. Greg Reynolds is almost ready to compete for the chance to make his mark on the NL Champs rotation.   more »

Chris Marrero is expected to make the switch from OF to 1B for the upcoming 2008 season, as reported by The Sports XChange. Marrero is widely considered the Washington Nationals top prospect.   more »

Brandon Jones chance for a platoon role with Matt Diaz dwindled with the addition of CF Mark Kotsay.   more »

OF Josh Hamilton, 26, is going to Texas in exchange for a right-handed starting pitcher and a left-handed reliever.   more »

New Roundup format info, Schilling takes on Clemens, Jenkins signs with Philadelphia, first Debate of the Day, Barrett signs with the Padres and I let the sun shine for you...   more »

If you haven't been over to our Minors/College section, here's a bit of what you will find there today: Links to BA's top 20 AFL prospects and top 10 Florida Marlins prospects...More connections to John Sickels latest top 20 lists and Kevin Goldstein's top 11 prosects...Recaps of Arizona Fall League action...Hot news and links to Team USA and college baseball's top catchers...and much more! Don't forget to check it out regularly!   more »

Our AFL coverage has begun, and with prospect lists popping up all over the place, we've resumed our regular minor league, college, and prospect coverage. Stop by and take a look!

 

We kick off our AFL coverage this week over at the Minors/College section of the site. We will also be resuming our regular coverage of prospects, the minor leagues, and college baseball. By the way, if you haven't noticed, we are now members of the NCBWA!

 

Several top prospects will join their major league clubs tomorrow.  Among those to keep an eye on include:

Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto

Washington Nationals 2007 first round pick, P Ross Detwiler

Kansas City Royals P and 2006 first round pick, P Luke Hochevar as well as 1B Justin Huber

 

The Seattle Mariners announced their planned list of September call-ups today...

The rosters have been announced for the 2007 Arizona Fall League. Among the noteworthy names participating this October include:

Outfielders Trevor Crowe (Indians), Chris Lubanski (Royals), John Mayberry (Rangers), Cameron Maybin (Tigers), Colby Rasmus (Cardinals), Andrew McCutchen (Pirates), Gregory Golson (Phillies) and Travis Snider (Blue Jays); infielders Evan Longoria (Devil Rays), Blake Dewitt (Dodgers), Cliff Pennington (As) and Trevor Plouffe (Twins); catcher Jeff Clement (Mariners); and pitchers David Huff (Indians), Greg Miller (Dodgers), Max Scherzer (Diamondbacks) and Joe Savery, Philadelphia's top pick this past June out of Rice.

Complete rosters can be found here: Arizona Fall League

The Tigers today announced the club has purchased the contract of outfielder Cameron Maybin from Double A Erie and recalled the contract of infielder Ramon Santiago from Triple A Toledo.

Additionally, the club today optioned the contract of infielder Omar Infante to Toledo and designated the contract of outfielder Craig Monroe for assignment. Maybin hit .400 (8-20) with four home runs and eight RBI in six games with the SeaWolves, after batting .304 (90-296) with 14 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs, 44 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 83 games for Single A Lakeland. Santiago hit .263 (96-365) in 91 games with Toledo, collecting 19 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 30 RBI.

I had a chance to spend a little time talking with Maybin last year, and I have to say that this is one special kid.

The Chicago Cubs today recalled outfielder Felix Pie from Triple-A Iowa. In a corresponding roster move, outfielder Angel Pagan was placed on the 15-day disabled list with colitis. In a separate roster move, the Cubs announced that infielder Brian Dopirak has been outrighted to Single-A Daytona.

The Colorado Rockies announced prior to today’s game with Milwaukee that the club has placed catcher Edwin Bellorin on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. To take his place on the roster, the club has recalled catcher Alvin Colina (#55) from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Cincinnati Reds IF/OF Ryan Freel had season-ending arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage and to clean out the meniscus in his right knee...he is expected to recover fully by spring training.

The Colorado Rockies announced that X-rays this morning on RHP Jason Hirsh revealed a fractured fibula in his lower right leg.

The New York Mets announced today that they have signed international free agents Cesar David Puello Santana and Wilmer Alejandro Flores. Puello, 16, is an outfielder from the Dominican Republic, while Flores, a 16-year old infielder, hails from Venezuela. Both players will report to the Mets Instructional League in Port St. Lucie, Florida. “We are very happy to bring both of these talented young men to the New York Mets organization,” said Mets Director of International Operations, Ismael Cruz. “Puello is a great athlete with excellent makeup. He has good power, a good arm and the ability to run,” said Cruz. “Flores is the biggest international signing this year and we are very excited at the opportunity to have him in our organization,” states Cruz. “Many teams were bidding higher for him and he chose to come to the Mets ahead of the others for the opportunity to play in our organization. Both signings are a result of a team effort from everybody in international scouting.”

San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds donated the batting helmets from his record-tying 755 and record-breaking 756 home runs to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Other artifacts related to the historic home runs will accomany the helmets.