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Dan Moskos, LHP, Pirates (Double-A Atloona): SV (13), 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.

It's bad enough to be thought of as the guy Baltimore took instead of Matt Wieters, but Moskos didn't see himself any favors by getting out of condition, losing his mechanics, and becoming a shell of power lefty from his days at Clemson.  After two unsuccessful years as a starter, Moskos is back in the bullpen, back in shape, and, most importantly, his stuff is back as well, including a fastball that sits in the low 90s and has touched as much as 95 mph.  In 23 2/3 innings as the Curve's closer, Moskos has a 1.52 ERA, more than a strikeout per inning, and has limited Eastern League hitters to a .171 batting average without a home run.  It's one of the better bounce back stories of the year.

Robbie Ross, LHP, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K.

As if the line isn't good enough, Ross retired 23 straight batters at one point and also generated 16 groundball outs.  Despite his sub-six foot frame, Ross is not a finesse guy, as he'll bump his power sinker into the low 90s while also flashing a plus slider.  Biases against small pitches are often justified but hardly universal.  What is nearly universal is scouts turning Ross in as a future big-league starter.

Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 2-for-3, 2 HR (20), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB

The world seems to be clamoring for a Stanton call-up, like he's a Strasburg-esque big league ready talent, but I would take pause here folks.  He's just 20 years old, and his game, while incredibly impressive, still has some holes in it.  If he's struck out 50 times in 176 at-bats against Double-A pitching, how often you think he's going to strike out against big-league pitching?  I'd set the over/under at 40% of his at-bats, and I might take the over.  Just enjoy the majestic power for now, he'll be ready come 2011.

Others Of Note:

  • Engel Beltre, OF, Rangers (High-A Bakersfield): 1-for-3, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.  Beltre is 8-for-16 with two bombs in last four games and is .306/.355/.440 overall as tools start to play.
  • Austin Bibens-Dirkx, RHP, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB 4 K.  He was picked up out of the indy leagues, and the semi-sidearmer has been nearly untouchable of late, allowing 16 hits in last 39 innings; future bullpen possibilities.
  • Domonic Brown, OF, Phillies (Double-A Reading): 4-for-6, 2B, HR (10), 3 R, RBI.  With his first four-hit game of the year, Brown is slugging .663 since May 1.
  • Jarred Cosart, RHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K (CG).  This was a nice bounce-back from worst start of season, and his 60-to-9 K-to-BB ratio in 50.2 innings speaks as loudly as his equally impressive scouting reports.
  • Matt Davidson, 3B, Diamondbacks (Low-A South Bend): 3-for-5, 3B, R.  One of the best hitters in the Midwest League (.312/.382/.519), scouts wonder if Davidson does anything but hit, as he's slow and a bad defender.
  • Alex Gordon, OF, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (9); 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB.  Is there a free Alex Gordon movement yet?  Averages of .376/.515/.733 in 27 games mean he might deserve another shot, no?
  • Grant Green, SS, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 2-for-4.  Five straight multi-hit games (15-for-23) have raised his batting line to .306/.354/.410. He also has 14 errors on the year but just one in last 17 games.
  • Greg Halman, OF, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 HR (9), 3 R, 7 RBI, K.  Halman also had two outfield assists.  All the tools are still there, but the big problem has not been addressed, with 48 strikeouts in 109 at-bats and a .239/.336/.541 line.
  • Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Pitching quite well of late, Heckathorn has allowed just three earned runs in last four starts. He has a great fastball and fastball command but secondary pitches lag.
  • Caleb Joseph, C, Orioles (Double-A Bowie): 2-for-4, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Joseph is arguably the hottest bat in the system among prospects. Unfortunately, the Orioles need many, many things, but a catcher ain't one of 'em.
  • John Lamb, LHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K.  Doesn't turn 20 until July, Lamb has two plus pitches now with his fastball/curve combination and really knows how to pitch.
  • Ethan Martin, RHP, Dodgers (High-A Inland Empire): 1.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 0 K.  Dr. Jeykll, meet Mr. Hyde.
  • Fabio Martinez Mesa, RHP, Angels (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 7 BB, 8 K.  That's him in a nutshell—some of the best stuff in the league but little idea of where it's going.
  • Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI.  Now 32-for-72 (.432) in 20 games including 8-for-16 in last four, dude can hit.
  • Scott Sizemore, 2B, Tigers (Triple-A Toledo): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (1), R 2 RBI; 2-for-3, R.  Sizemore seems to have his swing back with .352/.407/.519 line in 14 games since demotion, so don't write him off yet.
  • Mike Trout, OF, Angels (Low-A Cedar Rapids): 2-for-4, HR (6), 2 SB (28), 2 R, RBI.  Five straight two-hit games lift his averages to .365/.443/.560. What a crazy outstanding fantastic prospect.

Thank you for reading

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faithdies
6/02
I know that it's a small sample size, but if he keeps this up(Let's say he ends the year after some regression with a 333/400/550 line) where might he end up in next year? top 100? On the outside looking in?
briankopec
6/02
Trout? Stanton?
On the outside of the top 100?
antoine6
6/02
Might wanna mention who you're referring to.
blamberty
6/02
Thanks for the update, Kevin, and the hit on John Lamb. With a slate that includes Osuna, Montgomery, Lamb, Dwyer and now Danny Duffy again, how does KC's pile of lefties stack up against other orgs?
crperry13
6/02
Next time you mention an Astros prospect, I am going to start counting how many days we go before the next mention. Then I'm going to put that number on a paper, slip it in a bottle along with a healthy dose of liquid despair from Astros' fans, and throw it out on the field at the next game I score free tickets to.

(ok not really).

I will join the Free Alex Gordon movement though.
bcmurph07
6/02
Is Singleton limited to 1B or can he move to a corner outfield spot?
psalveso
6/03
FWIW - Jayson Stark said on the Radio that scouts told him Singleton is athletic enough to POTENTIALLY make the move to the outfield.
MatternK
6/02
Hmmmm, with what Mike Trout is doing in Low A, any possible chance the Angels might consider moving him up to High A or just leave him the full season in Low A?

Would love to see him play in Southern California if he is moved to High A.

JoshuaGB
6/02
I was wondering this as well. With all that Trout has accomplished, what is the logic behind keeping him at LoA? If it is too soon, when would be "appropriate"?
billm21
6/02
The logic in not moving him too quickly is that he is still only 18 years old.
MatternK
6/02
Yeah I can see the thought process of not rushing an 18 year old, but Trout has been incredible. Challenge him at High A.

derekv
6/02
Correction: "It's bad enough to be thought of as the guy PITTSBURGH took instead of Matt Wieters"
mattseward
6/02
Kevin, are there any prospects you can recall that were as erratic as Martin and turned it around?

It seems like Oliver Perez redux though that may be the Met fan in me talking...
blcartwright
6/03
Yeah but now that Matt Wieters is looking more like Ryan Doumit than Superman...I'm still not that impressed with Daniel Moskos, but what has struck me is how much he has cut his walks.