July 15, 2007
Minor League News
- MILB.com has a peek at some of the top minor league match-ups of the week.
College Baseball News
- The College Baseball Blog has the scoop on the
- Rivals.com has a little chart on the recent college coaching changes.
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July 14, 2007
Minor League News
- Project Prospect has an interview with Phillies second base prospect, Adrian Cardenas...Foster: Do you ever wonder with it would be like if you were playing for the
- Over at the Seattle Prospect Insider, there's a little piece on the Mets outfield prospects of all players. Interesting words from one NL executive..."Fernando (Martinez) is more of a pure hitter with a very quick bat and amazing pop, despite his size...At 18 he’s more than holding his own in AA and is displaying the ability to hit .300 with 30 homers. He’s a future 70 hitter with 70 power. Statistically speaking, and tools wise, he really looks like a young Miguel Cabrera."
Kind of a slow day...we'll be back tomorrow with more news from around the minors and college baseball.
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July 13, 2007
Minor League News
- We turn to First Inning today for yesterday's transactions and performances...Chuck Lofgren (AA Akron) allowed 3 runs in 6 innings pitched...Joseph Koshansky (AAA Colorado Springs) was 3-for-5 with a double...Chin Lung Hu (AAA Las Vegas) was 2-for-5 with a home run...Ian Kennedy (AA Trenton) allowed 2 runs in 6 innings pitched.
- Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus evaluates his top 100 prospects as moving up, dropping down, or staying unchanged...on Clay Buchholz...Stock Movement Since Ranking: Up, like crazy up..."The jump in stuff that we saw at the end of last year became permanent, as Buchholz blossomed from "just" one of the better righty pitching prospects around to arguably the best after posting a 1.77 ERA in 86.2 innings for Double-A Portland, boosted by 116 strikeouts and just 55 hits allowed."
- Project Prospect is up to their top 10 in-season prospects at 2B...Matt Antonelli hits the list at #2..."Loving the CAL League; .314/.409/.499 w/ 14 HR and 53 BB/58 K; just old for lvl"
- The San Diego Padres announced today that the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber, the team’s first pick in the fourth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that Triple-A Las Vegas outfielder Delwyn Young has been named the organization’s player of the month while Double-A pitcher Jonathan Meloan has been selected as the Pitcher of the Month for June, according to Dodger Director of Player Development De Jon Watson. Young, 25, led all Dodger minor leaguers with a .400 average (46-for-115), 13 doubles, 26 runs scored, seven home runs and a whopping .730 slugging percentage during the month. Meloan pitched 13.1 innings in which he allowed just one earned run and six hits. The right-handed closer’s ERA was 0.68 and batters hit just .130 against him during the month. Meloan fanned 22 batters and walked just two in his 11 games, while also saving nine games in nine chances.
College/Summer Baseball News
- The College Baseball Blog has tracked down a few team schedules that have been published for next season...Cal State Fullerton, LSU, and UC-Riverside are all public.
- Summer Ball has the list of participants in the Coastal Plain League's Home Run Derby. The CPL is the biggest summer collegiate baseball league in the country, featuring 15-teams across North and
- Rivals.com gives us a the SEC year in review...Best Team - Vanderbilt...Best Player - Matt LaPorta...Best Pitcher - David Price
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July 12, 2007
Minor League News
- We turn to Top Prospect Alert for Wednesday's performances...Pedro Beato (Low-A) 7IP, 1ER, 3H, 4BB, 5K, WIN (3.38ERA)...Javier Herrera (AA) 3-5, 2B, R, (.280avg)...Brandon Jones (AA) 2-5, 2B, 3B, 3RBI, R, (.289avg)...Tyler Colvin (AA) 2-4, 2B, RBI, (.257avg)
- Rotoworld has released their mid-season top 150 prospect list...Justin Upton, Jay Bruce, Adam Jones (nice jump), Clay Buchholz, and Evan Longoria round out the top 5. Interestingly, Max Scherzer debuts at #12.
- PG Crosschecker has an interesting article on draft bonuses and also discusses the teams that have done the best job at signing their picks this year...among those include the Blue Jays, who have signed 21 of their first 22 picks, including all five first-round and supplemental first-round selections...the Brewers, who have signed their first nine picks and 18 of 19.
- First Inning has more news and notes from yesterday...performances and transactions.
- Now here's a game for you! The GCL Mets Mets no-hit the rival Cardinals for 14 innings before losing, 1-0, in the bottom of the 17th on Thursday. MILB.com has the story.
- The latest journal from Yankees prospect Jose Tabata is on-line..."In the last few entries, we have also talked a lot about how I'm working on my movement in the field. I feel like I'm progressing a lot in this area, but there's still work to be done. I think I'm reading the ball off the bat better, but I can improve the angles I take to the ball. It's something I have to work on every day."
- Will Lingo of Baseball America (Subscription required) has the scoop on the AAA All-Star game.
- Matt Eddy of BA has the recap of the Eastern League (AA) All-Star Game. Newly promoted Luke Hochevar "started for the North and went two innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three."
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- Keith Law at ESPN (Insider subscription required) takes a look back at the prospects from the Futures Game in
College/Summer Baseball News
- Cod Ball has its mid-season review of the 2007 Cape Cod League season.
- Rivals.com predicts their own Eight for Omaha...The list includes Arizona State, UCLA, Miami, Vanderbilt, Texas, San Diego, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
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July 11, 2007
Minor League News
- Adam Foster at Project Prospect has an interview with
- PG Crosschecker has the signing status and bonuses for the first 10 rounds of the players drafted in the 2007 First Year Player Draft. It's interesting and apparent how the whole slotting system works.
- The San Diego Padres announced today that right-handed pitcher Matt Buschmann and third baseman Chase Headley have been named the club's minor league pitcher and player of the month for June. Buschmann, 23, finished June with a 3-1 record and a 2.48 ERA (8 ER/29.0 IP) in five starts for Single-A Lake Elsinore. He struck out 22 and issued only five walks, while holding opponents to a .234 batting average (25-for-107). Headley batted .408 (20-for-49) with five doubles, a triple, six home runs, 11 RBI and 13 runs scored in 14 games for Double-A San Antonio during the month of June.
College Baseball News
- Adam at Project Prospect takes a look at another college prospect in his latest rankings. This week, it's Brandon Crawford..."When you combine a great defensive makeup with a world of potential at the dish, the end product is Brandon Crawford. After posting a .335/.405/.504 vital line in 2007, Crawford has shown that his natural abilities are ready to come to the forefront."
- PG Crosschecker ranks the top 16 summer baseball teams. Two of the top three top teams are from the Cape Cod League.
- Rivals.com has their latest article looking back on the 2007. This time, it's about the teams that had the most to lose and the most to gain...
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July 10, 2007
Minor League News
- First Inning has your performances for Monday...Lastings Milledge (AA Binghamton) hit 2 home runs...Andrew McCutchen (AA Altoona) was 1-for-2 with 3 walks...Matt Antonelli (A+ Lake Elsinore) hit a home run and drove in 5 runs...Jacob McGee (A+ Vero Beach) struck out 11 batters and allowed 3 runs in 6 innings pitched.
- Project Prospect's top 25 prospects for the week are up. Not a lot of movement here, but Adam Miller does drom from 20 to 25.
- Baseball America has a new Hot Sheet out and a new man at the top...Jay Bruce..."...he slugged 1.000 last week and is hitting .328/.406/.672 in 15 games with
- Carlos Gomez at The Hardball Times looks at some of the sleepers and overrated players from this year's draft.
- Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus has the risers and fallers in the National League today. On Colorado Rockies pitcher
College Baseball News
- Rivals.com has stories on the top 5 surprises and the top 5 disappointments of the 2007 college baseball season. The top 5 surprise teams include UC Irvine,
- The College Baseball Blog has the info on the Cape Cod League Players of the Week.
- Bryan Smith at Baseball Prospectus (It's actually free this week!) have a full featured article on the Cape Cod League, and in particular, the pitchers.
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July 9, 2007
Minor League News
- Top Prospect Alert has their mid-season updated top 100 prospect rankings. Justin Upton, Philip Hughes, Clay Buchholz, Evan Longoria, and Homer Bailey round out the top 5.
- Chris Kline at Baseball America (subscription required) discusses scout reactions to the performances in Sunday's Futures Game. On Justin Upton..."He's got power to all fields and a great, quiet approach. His hands are so quick . . . he's going to be a hell of a big leaguer for a hell of a long time."
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July 8, 2007
Minor League News
- The 2007 Futures Game takes place today at 4:00 PM ET from
- Top Prospect Alert has your performances from Saturday...Michael Bowden (AA) 4.1IP, 3ER, 4H, 2BB, 5K, (5.11ERA)...Reid Brignac (AA) 3-5, 2B, RBI, R, (.287avg)...Edinson Volquez (AA) 6IP, 3ER, 5H, 7K, LOSS (3.86ERA)
- Gateway Redbirds has an interview with 2007 1st round pick, Pete Kozma. GRB: Though it certainly seems like you've got the skills to stay at shortstop, would you ever consider or be open to the idea of moving to second base?
Kozma: Moving to 2nd wouldn’t bother me at all.
- Three minor league players hit for the cycle on Saturday. Details of the feats of Travis Snider's feat can be found at MILB.com.
- Adam Foster was out at the Futures Game today and offers his perspective at Project Prospect. I attended the 2005 All-Star and Future Games on press credentials, and I absolutely loved the opportunity I had to talk with the top prospects around the league. In particular, I remember talking at length with a tall, skinny pitcher named Justin Verlander.
- The Columbia Tribune has an interview with D-Backs prospect Max Scherzer. Q: You signed with the Diamondbacks right before the deadline. Were you surprised to still get the deal done at that late a date? A: I wasn’t surprised. I knew it was going to go down to the wire. I just didn’t know it was going to go down to the last minute. ’Cause it did. I got the call back from (agent) Scott (
- Future Sox has an interview with prospect Jack Egbert. Q: What has been the reason for your tremendous success in the minors without prototypical “great” stuff? A: Just throw strikes and try to get a lot of groundballs. I try to work quickly and keep the team ready behind me and that also helps.
- Will Lingo and Chris Kline of Baseball America blogged the Futures Game live from
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July 7, 2007
Minor League News
- The San Diego Padres announced today that the club has agreed to terms with shortstop Drew Cumberland, the team’s second pick in the compensation round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.
- Over at SI.com, Bryan Smith takes a look at the rosters of the Futures Game and tells you who you should be watching this Sunday.
- The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms on contracts with four additional players selected in the 2007 MLB FIRST YEAR PLAYER DRAFT. Among those signed was Canadian born RHP Trystan Magnuson, a native of
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July 6, 2007
Minor League News
- Top Prospect Alert has all your performances from July 5...Luke Hochevar (AA) G#1 4IP, 5ER, 7H, 2BB, 6K, (4.69ERA)...Eric Campbell (High-A) 1-5, HR, 3RBI, R, (.236avg)...Lastings Milledge (AA) 2-5, HR, RBI, R, (.400avg)
- Project Prospect has posted their top 10 in-season first base prospects. At the top of the list are Billy Butler, Daric Barton, and Joey Votto.
- Phuture Phillies lists their current top 3 pitching and hitting prospects...on Kyle Drabek..."I think despite his arm soreness now, Drabek is #2 on the list. His April was excellent, with 9.23 K/9 against only 2.88 BB/9 and solid groundball tendencies. He struggled a bit in May, then came down with the injury, so it’s tough to really put a gauge on him right now. A healthy Drabek pushes Outman for the top spot."
- Kevin Goldstein at Baseball America (subscription required) looks at the risers and fallers in the American League...on the Yankees risers..."The best collection of pitching talent in the minors has been even better than expected as 2006 draftees Joba Chamberlain (2.26 ERA and 99 K's in 67.2 IP) and Ian Kennedy (1.63 ERA and 111 Ks in 94 IP) have both been even more than advertised."
- Chris Kline at Baseball America (also subscription required) brings us the latest update on international signings..."The Braves...have already signed Colombian righthander Julio Teheran, considered by many to be the top righthanded arm in this year’s class, for $850,000."
- Future Redbirds talks about about pitcher Tyler Herron and wonders "Has Tyler Herron become the Cardinals #1 pitching prospect?"
- The Red Sox today purchased the contract of first baseman-outfielder Jeff Bailey from Triple-A Pawtucket of the International League. Bailey will wear #55 and will be making his major league debut when he joins the Red Sox for Friday night’s game in Detroit. To make room for Bailey on the active roster, outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was optioned to Pawtucket after Thursday night’s game.
- The Toronto Blue Jays have re-called OF Reed Johnson from his rehab assignment and activated him from the 60-day disabled list. OF Adam Lind has been optioned to Syracuse (AAA) of the International League.
- The Oakland Athletics today announced that they have agreed to terms with five more players from the 2007 First-Year Player Draft held on June 7 and 8. The players are OF Grant Desme (2nd round, Cal Poly SLO), SS Josh Horton (2nd, North Carolina), RHP Sam Demel (3rd round, Texas Christian), LHP Brad Hertzler (15th, Maine) and OF Jareck West (25th, Delta State). Desme was named the Big West Conference’s Player of the Year after winning the conference’s triple crown with a .405 batting average, 15 home runs and 53 RBI. Horton hit .335 with nine home runs and 53 RBI in 73 games for North Carolina, which reached the College World Series Finals before losing to Oregon State.
College Baseball/Summer Baseball News
- Rivals.com reviews the top 5 story lines of 2007...Can you guess the first 2? I think you can...Do Oregon State and UC Irvine ring a bell?
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July 5, 2007
Minor League News
- First Inning has yesterday's performances...Jed Lowrie (AA Portland) was 2-for-3 with a home run...Matt Antonelli (A+ Lake Elsinore) hit a home run and drove in 5 runs...Kory Casto (AAA Columbus) was 2-for-4 with a triple.
- The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with Missouri State University left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler, the sixth overall selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Detwiler becomes the highest selection from the 2007 First-Year Player Draft to have agreed to terms.
- Prior to tonight’s game vs. Baltimore, the Chicago White Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Gavin Floyd from Class AAA Charlotte.Floyd, 24, has gone 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA (32 ER/93.0 IP) and 80 strikeouts in 15 starts with Charlotte this season. He ranks third in the International League in ERA and is tied for fifth in wins.
- Yankees prospect Brett Smith pitched a rain shortened no-hitter yesterday.
College Baseball News
- Patrick Ebert at PG Crosschecker lists some of the west coast teams he feels will be strong in 2008...UCLA...Arizona State...San Diego.
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July 4, 2007
Minor League News
- Top Prospect Alert has Tuesday's performances...Arizona's Justin Upton (AA) 2-3, 3B, RBI, (.313avg)... Cincinnati's Jay Bruce (AA) 4-4, 3(2B), 3RBI, R, BB, (.333avg)...Yankees Jose Tabata (High-A) 4-6, 3B, RBI, 2R, (.312avg)
- Phuture Phillies is reporting that 3rd round draft pick Matt Spencer has signed and that 1st round pick Joe Savery is close to signing.
- John Sickels shares some thoughts on Seattle prospect Adam Jones over at Minor League Ball..."My guess is that Jones is going to have a very long and successful career, hitting for plenty of power and providing great defense, although without that many stolen bases. His batting average and OBP will be erratic. . .he's the kind of guy who could hit .300 in his peak seasons but also have some campaigns where he hits .240."
- Future Sox has an interview with prospect Gio Gonzalez.
- River Ave. Blues gives us their minor league roundup and in doing so also mentions this little tidbit about 10th round pick Carmen Angelini..."There’s a devilish little rumor running around the interweb saying that the Yanks have signed 10th round pick Carmen Angelini (late sandwich/early second rounder based on talent), but MLB is forcing them to delay the announcement because the signing bonus far exceeds slot recommendations."
- The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of LHP Garrett Olson from AAA Norfolk in order to start tonight’s game vs. the Chicago White Sox in Chicago. To make room for Olson on the active roster, RHP Scott Williamson has been designated for assignment. Olson, the Orioles’ sandwich pick (48th overall selection) in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, was 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA at Norfolk. He leads the International League in innings pitched (104.0), is 2nd in strikeouts (94) and 10th in ERA.
- Washington's Jordan Zimmermann will make his first professional start today at Tri-City (Astros)…Zimmermann, selected in the 2nd round of this June’s draft, has pitched 5.0 innings in 2 relief appearances thus far…the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point alum has struck out 7 and allowed 2 hits in those 2 outings.
College Baseball News
- The College Baseball Blog has a ton of stuff so just go there! Here's what you can find as of late...Team USA updates...Cape Cod League news...NCAA coaching changes and awards and much more.
- The College Baseball Hall of Fame announced its class of 2007. Among those inducted...Jim Abbott, Pete Incaviglia, John Olerud, and Fred Lynn.
- The Cape Cod League dished out their awards for the top hitter and pitcher for the past week..."Brian Pruitt (Stetson) of the Bourne Braves was named winner of this week’s Coca Cola Player of the Week honors... In four games, he collected seven hits, including two doubles and two home runs, for a .412 batting average. He also scored three runs and stole a base while compiling an .882 slugging percentage and a .474 on-base percentage."
- Rivals.com rates the best college baseball coaching jobs in 2007. The winners are...Louisville's Dan McDonnell...UC Irvine's Dave Serrano...Mississippi State's Ron Polk...Oregon State's Pat Casey...and Missouri's Tim Jamieson
- Speaking of Oregon State, Joey Wong and Chris Hopkins saw some key action in today's Cape Cod League game for the Falmouth Commodores. _____________________________________________________________________________
July 3, 2007
Minor League News
- First Inning has your performances from Monday...Jo-Jo Reyes (AAA Richmond) struck out 9 batters and allowed 0 runs in 5 innings pitched...Donald Veal (AA Tennessee) allowed 1 run in 6 innings pitched...22-year-old 3B Blake Dewitt (A+ Inland Empire) was 5-for-5 with a double...Jacob McGee (A+ Vero Beach) struck out 13 batters without walking anyone in 7 innings pitched
- Baseball Analysts profiles some of the top outfield prospects in the game...Fernando Martinez, Jose Tabata, Carlos Gonzalez, and Andrew McCutchen.
- Carlos Gomez at The Hardball Times looks at the mechanics of 10 more 2007 draft picks...on Matt Harvey..."I was led to believe that Matt Harvey was in the same league (mechanically) as Jarrod Parker...Harvey isn't even close to those two...Harvey stays over the rubber forever and puts me to sleep with his very slow tempo. Because he's so "good" at staying back, Harvey has a short stride and does not finish well. He rotates around a very stiff front leg and seemingly pitches uphill. Luckily, he has excellent arm action."
- The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with Michael Burgess, their third selection and the 49th overall pick from the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Burgess, 18, was rated as the 12th-best position player, 30th-best overall, among draft-eligible players according to Baseball America. He came into the 2007 season as a Louisville Slugger First-Team Pre-Season All-American, and was named to USA Today’s High School All-American Second Team after hitting .338 with three home runs and 22 RBI as a senior at Hillsborough ( Tampa, FL ) High School.
College Baseball News
- Project Prospect kicks off a series of ranking the top college baseball prospects...Pedro Alavarez of Vanderbilt starts off the list at #1..."A 6-foot-2, 215-pounder, Alvarez earns top honors for a combination of patience (40 BB) and power (42 XBH) well beyond his years."
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July 2, 2007
Minor League News
- First Inning recaps the weekend of transactions and performances...Johnny Cueto (AA Chattanooga) struck out 13 batters and allowed 0 runs in 7 innings pitched...Troy Patton (AA Corpus Christi) allowed 4 runs in 6 innings pitched...Wade Davis (AA Montgomery) allowed one run in 7 innings pitched
- Project Prospect has their weekly top 25 prospects list up...Moving up...Brandon Wood...Moving down...Homer Bailey
- MILB.com gives us their offensive players of the week...from the Eastern League, Steven Pearce..."The slugging first baseman hit safely in all seven games he played this week, and went yard against Trenton on both Thursday and Friday."
- And don't forget the Pitchers of the Week...Clay Buchholz picks up the honors in the Eastern League..."Buchholz continued to show why he's one of the very best pitchers in the EL, as the 22-year-old allowed just one run over 11 1/3 innings this week and now leads the league with a 1.69 ERA. Both of his starts came against New Hampshire, and both were phenomenal."
- River Ave. Blues gives its takes on the international signings of the New York Yankees..."The biggest name of the bunch is Dominican outfielder Kelvin DeLeon, who reportedly has plus-plus power (take that with a grain of salt) and a physical presence similar to Melky Cabrera (what ever the hell that means)."
- Royals first round draft pick Mike Moustakas was named High School Player of the Year by Baseball America.
- Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect Fernando Perez posts his latest journal at MILB.com..."The athlete belongs to the world to a certain extent, and in some extreme cases of superstars -- which I won't have to deal with -- the athlete belongs more to the world of fans than to his wife and children or to his parents...In a sense, you're hardly a friend or a family member anymore since you're so often absent. To all of these people, you're just this little celebrity."
- Baseball America's Hot Sheet for the week sports pitchers in the top 6 spots...1. Johnny Cueto, rhp, Double-A Chattanooga (Reds)...2. Manny Parra, lhp, Triple-A Nashville (Brewers)...3. Yohan Pino, rhp, high Class A Fort Myers (Twins)...4. Clay Buchholz, rhp, Double-A Portland (Red Sox)...5. Ian Kennedy, rhp, Double-A Trenton (Yankees)...6. Max Scherzer, rhp, Double-A Mobile (Diamondbacks)
College Baseball News
- Rivals.com reviews its 2007 power rankings...You'll find familiar names such as Brett Wallace, David Price, and Matt LaPorta looming here.
- Codball.comhas your news from around the Cape Cod League. There's some interesting stuff here and you can check out some neat pictures through the link at this article.
- The College Baseball Blog has the details on pitching coach Dan Spencer jumping from Oregon State to Texas Tech.
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July 1, 2007
Minor League News
- Top Prospect Alert brings us Saturday's performances...Boston's Clay Buchholz (AA) 5IP, No Runs, NO HITS, 2BB, 4K, (1.69ERA)...Kansas City's Luke Hochevar (AA) 6.1IP, 1ER, 6H, 5BB, 5K, (4.40ERA)...New York's Philip Humber (AAA) 7IP, 3ER, 7H, 1BB, 3K, WIN (4.42ERA)...Cincinnati's Phil Dumatrait (AAA) 6IP, No Runs, 3H, 3BB, 8K, WIN (3.63ERA)
- Twins prospect Yohan Pino pitched a no-hitter against the Mets on Saturday. As MILB.com reports, "I wasn't nervous. I was just hoping they wouldn't get a hit," Pino said through translator and teammate Juan Portes. "Now I'm so happy, happy for myself, my team and the fans." _____________________________________________________________________________
June 30, 2007
Minor League News
- Top Prospect Alert has your performances from June 29th...Dodgers Clayton Kershaw (Low-A) 4.1IP, 5ER, 6H, 2BB, 7K, LOSS (2.24ERA)...Pirates Steven Pearce (AA) 2-4, HR, 2RBI, 2R, (.323avg)...Mariners Adam Jones (AAA) 3-4, RBI, R, (.315avg)
- Seattle Prospect Insider takes a mid-season look at the Mariners prospects.
College Baseball News
- Vanderbilt pitcher David Price has been awarded the 2007 Golden Spikes Award as the best amateur baseball player in the country. Si.com has all the details
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June 29, 2007
Minor League News
- Our own Dean Jones Jr. takes his first look around the minor leagues with a peek at the International League. Check it out here: Looking around the Minors: A Glimpse at the International League
- Project Prospect compares Clayton Kershaw with Madison Bumgarner. On Kershaw..."It’s easy to be left in awe of the Kershaw's mid to high 90’s fastball, but another true plus pitch is left in the dark, as Kershaw’s curveball can be just as dominating as his fastball. With both of his pitches coming out of an identical arm slot, professional hitters will be shaking their heads all the way back to the dugout like Kershaw’s former high school foes did before them."
- Speaking of Clayton Kershaw, look for our interview with CK over the next day or so.
- Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus (Subscription Required) came up with his All-Disappointment team...among those on the list..."Reid Brignac, Devil Rays...After winning California League MVP honors last year, Brignac looked like a sure-fire elite prospect with a .302/.340/.500 mark for Double-A Montgomery in April, but following a homerless May and a .229 June, his total line sits at a well-below-expectations mark of .246/.298/.399."
- KG also takes a look at the New York Mets 2007 draft in The New York Sun. "With the first of the two (supplemental) picks, they selected Eddie Kunz, the closer for the eventual NCAA College World Series champions, Oregon State. Kunz certainly looks the role — at 6-foot-6-inches and somewhere between 250 and 260 pounds, he more closely resembles a football lineman than a pitcher, but his size certainly lends the much-desired intimidation factor to his game, and he backs it up with a mid-90s fastball. Unfortunately, size and velocity are the only strengths to his game."
- First Inning has the Thursday's transactions and performances...Eric Campbell (A+ Myrtle Beach) hit 2 home runs...Neil Walker (AA Altoona) hit a home run and drove in 5 runs...Evan Longoria (AA Montgomery) was 3-for-4 with a double.
- Future Redbirds has a good discussion going about who the overrated and underrated prospects are in the Cardinals organization.
College Baseball News
- Aaron Fit at Baseball America predicts the final 8 teams for the 2008 College World Series...Arizona St. is the leader of the pack with a surprise entry from Baylor.
- Rivals.com has posted their final top 25 for 2007. It's a nice article with summaries of each team's accomplishments in 2007.
- Codball.com provides links to some of the best summer baseball web sites around.
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June 28, 2007
Minor League News
- The Minnesota Twins announced after today's game that they will recall right- handed pitcher Matt Garza from Triple-A Rochester in time for tomorrow night's game at Detroit. In 16 starts for the Red Wings this season, Garza was 4-6, 3.62 (92.0 ip, 37 er), allowing 93 hits with 31 walks and 95 strikeouts. Garza will wear uniform number 21.
- The San Diego Padres announced today that the club has agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Nick Schmidt, the team's first-round pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Schmidt, the 23rd overall pick in the draft out of the University of Arkansas, was named a second-team All-American by Louisville Slugger, Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) in 2007 after going 11-3 with a 2.69 ERA (37 ER/124.0 IP) in 18 starts for the Razorbacks.
- The Royals have announced the signings of their second, third and fifth round selections from the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Second round selection Sam Runion, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed pitcher from AC Reynolds High School in Asheville, N.C., went 5-2 his senior season with a 2.14 ERA and 85 strikeouts. Third round pick Danny Duffy is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound left hander from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, Calif. Outfielder Adrian Ortiz was the Royals fifth round selection. The 6-foot, 182-pound speedster attended Pepperdine University and was a three-year starter for the Waves, named All-West Coast Conference in 2007.
- First Inning has its usual nice summary of transactions and performances from yesterday. Max Scherzer (AA Mobile) struck out 11 and allowed no runs in 6 innings pitched...Donald Veal (AA Tennessee) struck out 11 batters and allowed 1 run in 5 innings pitched...Trevor Crowe (AA Akron) was 4-for-5
- If somehow you missed it, here's the PCL All-Star roster. Daric Barton, Adam Jones, and Eric Patterson headline the list of players.
- And here are the International League All-Stars...Jeff Niemann, Joey Votto, and Ryan Rayburn are some of the stars here.
College Baseball News
- Edward Easley of Mississippi State was named the 2007 Johnny Bench award winner for the best catcher in college baseball. You can read about it at The College Baseball Blog.
- North Carolina's Dustin Ackley was named Freshman of the Year by Baseball America. And the rest of the 2007 All-Freshman team.
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June 27, 2007
Minor League News
- The San Diego Padres announced today that the club has agreed to terms with catcher Mitch Canham, the team’s third pick in the compensation round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. San Diego has also agreed to terms with second baseman Eric Sogard, the club’s first selection in the second round. Additionally, the Padres have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Robert Woodard, selected in the 20th round of this year’s draft.
- Top Prospect Alert has the top performances from around the league, but in a little different format now. You can follow the players by level. So from AAA...Ian Stewart (Col) 2-5, 2 Runs, 1 Double, 1 HR, 2 RBIs...Alberto Callaspo (Ariz) 3-4, 2 Runs, 1 Double, 1 BB...Joe Koshansky (Col) 2-5, 2 Runs, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs.
- Baseball Analysts take a look around the world of Advanced A-Ball.
- The San Diego Padres today recalled right-handed pitcher Mike Thompson from Triple-A Portland and optioned infielder Chase Headley to Double-A San Antonio.
- John Manuel of Baseball America talks about Matt Garza and whether he's ready or not to return to the big leagues.
College Baseball News
- Baseball America names Dave Serrano of the UC Irvine Anteaters, the NCAA Coach of the Year.
- You saw BDD All-Tournament team and you saw the media's announced All-Tournament team, now here's Rivals.com All-College World Series team.
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June 25, 2007
College Baseball Finals!
- OSU is crowned the champion of college baseball again! Check out the photos from the post-game celebration at our gallery: OSU Championship Celebration
- The College World Series All-Tournament Team was announced and BDD had a vote this year. Check out the results
- I also penned a little article in my farewell to Omaha. Check it out here...Celebrating the College World Series
- The College Baseball Blog has their final recap right here...Oregon State Wins Back to Back Titles
- Rivals.com has plenty of coverage of their own including "Game Two at a Glance"
Minor League News
- We have just posted our interview with New York Yankees prospect Brett Smith. Check it out...Brett Smith Q & A
- Project Prospect is at it again with their excellent lists...this time it's the Mid-season Top 50...headlining the list