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Picking up where he left off

Ike Davis, 1B, Mets (AFL: Surprise)
Tuesday’s stats: 4-for-6, 2 2B, HR (1), 2 R, 6 RBI
Davis’ emergence after a nightmarish pro debut was one of the bigger stories in the Mets system, especially during the second half of the season, as he hit .341/.401/.651 after the All-Star break for Double-A Binghamton with 10 home runs in 129 at-bats. He was certainly the player of the day as the Arizona Fall League opened, and whoever plays first base for the Mets next year might just be a one-year placeholder in preparation for Davis.

Not the ideal first impression

Andy Oliver, LHP, Tigers (AFL: Peoria Javelinas)
Tuesday’s stats: 1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Oliver got more attention for his case with Scott Boras against the NCAA than his effort on the mound this spring, as his junior year at Oklahoma State was a massive disappointment. Still, being a team that loves big guys who throw hard (and as a lefty who can up to 95 mph), the Tigers took him in the second round and paid him a bonus just under $1.5 million. Pitching for the first time as a pro, Oliver gave up a hit, two walks, and then the grand slam to Davis to start his outing before settling down a bit. It’s still a special arm, but it’s not without some risk.

Working his way back

Ian Kennedy, RHP, Yankees (AFL: Surprise)
Tuesday’s stats: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K

It was mostly a lost 2009 for Kennedy, who missed much of the year recovering from surgery to remove an aneurysm in his throwing arm. Needing innings more than anything else, Kennedy was especially sharp on Tuesday, firing 37 of his 53 pitches for strikes while sitting at his usual velocity of 89-92 mph and mixing in a variety of quality secondary pitches. It’s hard to figure out where he figures in the Yankees plans for 2010 and beyond, but at least he’s back in the discussion.

Just keeps on hitting

Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs (AFL: Mesa)
Tuesday’s stats: 3-for-5, 3 RBI, R
Clearly the biggest breakout this year in the Cubs system, Castro earned a surprising assignment to High-A Daytona to begin the season as a 19-year-old, but even more surprising was the fact that he hit .302/.340/.391 there and won MVP honors at the league’s All-Star game. He followed that with a .288/.347/.396 line in 31 games for Double-A Tennessee, all while showing solid, if not plus defensive ability. He needs to add something to his offensive game other than batting average to move into elite status, but to be able to complete at these levels-including the Arizona Fall League as a teenager-is very impressive.

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maxinparis
10/14
Is the "Ike Davis in right-field" idea a complete pipe-dream? I know the arm would play but what about the range?
kgoldstein
10/14
I don't think it's a total pipe dream -- you might see the Mets try it next spring.
brianpsmith
10/14
Jason Heyward just destroyed a 3-2 fastball from Joe Martinez last night in Scottsdale, drilling it down the line for a double. Domonic Brown made a good play to cut it off to keep Heyward at second. This was probably the hardest hit ball I've seen in person all year. Brown later hit a tremendous homer off of Daniel Meszaros that cleared the grass berm in right center and landed in a picnic area.
mwashuc06
10/14
Mejia pitching today and reports are that his changeup is sitting at 84-87 with plus movement.
brianpsmith
10/14
He was knocked out quickly -- threw 39 pitches in one inning plus, deep counts on every hitter except Retherford, who hit a triple. His fastball looked good but he was missing.
mwashuc06
10/14
Gotta give the kid some time as he just turned 20 a few days ago. I got ripped by a scout when I last saw him pitch in AA and said to the scout he had no command. Scout countered me and told me that he was 19 years old.