More News and Notes

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms on contracts with 10 players selected in the 2007 MLB First Year Player Draft. Among those signed are first round selections INF Kevin Ahrens (16th overall) and C J.P. Arenciabia (21st overall).

Articles 

Some more excellent articles this week...

MLB Weekend Preview, June 15 - June 17 by Steve Gale
 

Evaluating the National League Rookies by Nate Odle - Nate checks in on the progress of some of the higher profile NL rookies

Handicapping the Red Sox 2007 Draft by Marc Normandin - Current Baseball Prospectus writer and BDD alumnus joins us to provide a recap of last week's draft by the Boston Red Sox.

Titans Take Two! Fullerton State to make 15th College World Series Appearance by Michael Bader - Michael takes in the Super Regional and watches Cal State Fullerton advance to Omaha!

Titans Dominate Game 1 of Fullerton Super Regional by Michael Bader

Rice and North Carolina stake their claims to round one victories as the action in Omaha gets under way.

Follow the action along with recaps and analysis at www.NCAA-baseball.com

The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed 2007 First Round pick INF Beau Mills to a minor league contract.  Mills was selected by Cleveland with the 13^th overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft on Thursday, June 7.

Mills, 20, batted .458 (110-240) with 100 runs, 22 doubles, 1 triple, 38 home runs, 123 RBI  and 6 stolen bases in 62 games during his junior season at Lewis-Clark State (Idaho).  He set a new NAIA single-season record with 38 home runs and helped Lewis-Clark State defend their NAIA National Title as he earned NAIA Player of the Year & NAIA World Series MVP honors.  The 6-3, 205 pound left-handed hitting infielder hit 3 homers and drove in 8 runs in the NAIA National Championship game vs. Spring Arbor (MI).  On the year he established new school records in HR & slugging % (1.033) and his 123 RBI were 2^nd most in school history. 

Entering the draft the Visalia, CA native was ranked as the 9^th best prospect by Baseball Prospectus and the 12^th best draft prospect by Baseball America & ESPN.com.

Have you been following what is going on these days? There's more action off the field than on it, or so it seems.

An MRI exam Monday on Philadelphia's Freddy Garcia revealed pathology (abnormalities) of the labrum and some fraying of the rotator cuff in his right arm. Translation...Garcia will be lost to the Phillies indefinitely.

In Kansas City, the Royals today placed second baseman Mark Grudzielanek on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to June 13) with a torn meniscus in his left knee.  He is scheduled to undergo surgery on the injury tomorrow morning. No timeframe has been set for his return at the present time. Again, out indefinitely.

In today’s game, Houston Astros SS Adam Everett fractured his right fibula and will be out for about 2 months.

Meanwhile, in Milwaukee, Brewers today placed LHP Chris Capuano on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 9, with a strained left groin.  In a corresponding move, the team have purchased the contract of RHP Yovani Gallardo (aka Super Prospect) from Triple-A Nashville.  He will wear uniform number 49 as he makes his Major League debut.

The Rangers disabled Brandon McCarthy with a blister on his pitching hand, the Twins activated Dennys Reyes, Chipper Jones finally rejoined the Braves, and the Cubs continued to make questionable moves by demoting Matt Murton to Iowa.

The Dodgers fired Hall of Fame batting coach Eddie Murray, the A's extended Billy Beane's contract for 7 years, and Tampa Bay's Elijah Dukes takes a day off for "personal reasons."

Whew...did I miss anything?