After a brief hiatus, we return with an action-packed show (ok, we just talk a lot). After going on an email-inspired rant about the current state of baseball content on the internet, we delve into the game itself and discuss everything from Josh Hamilton's crazy run to Stanford righty Mark Appel to the lack of power prospects to the current state of the Arizona and Colorado systems. Then it's special guest time and a serious discussion about baseball and race with Doug Glanville in what is one of my favorite interviews in the history of the show. As always, we end with the goofy stuff, and as always, we thank you for listening and hope you enjoy.

Note: We do alert you to the presence of the occasional adult language and subject matter. Don't say we didn't warn you.

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Visalia 26, High Desert 11 (High-A California League).

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Home runs are down nearly twenty percent from their 2004 peak, and scouts have made it clear that, based on what they are seeing in the minors, the downward trend is going to continue. With Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in the big leagues and Seattle's Jesus Montero beginning the year there, all of a sudden there are precious few power hitters in the minors. While there are plenty of theories as to the cause, there's no obvious answer as to why.

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Manny Banuelos, LHP, Yankees (Triple-A Empire State)
On April 12, in his second start of the year, Banuelos walked six over two innings and then hit the disabled list with a minor back injury. The back was clearly affecting his delivery, but control was an issue in 2011 as well, and whether it's getting healthy or just a good run, he's suddenly turned into a strike-throwing machine. Since his return to the rotation—and including six outstanding innings on Sunday—Banuelos has reeled off 14 2/3 innings without issuing a walk, and he's done it without ratcheting down his stuff in terms of velocity or break. It's too early to get excited here, but with both Banuelos and Betances pitching well of late, maybe the Yankees will trust their own this year when a need arrives.

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Kyle Heckathorn, RHP, Brewers (Double-A Huntsville): 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

A supplemental first-round pick in 2009, Heckathorn has fallen off the radar after a pair of middling seasons, but he's shown marked improvement this year, as after last night's outing he has a 3.54 ERA with 37 strikeouts against just seven walks in 40 2/3 innings. Often it takes time for pitchers to learn that at the pro level they can't blow every hitter away, and Heckathorn is now working with what he has, working both sides of the plate with average velocity two- and four-seam fastballs to go with an average slider and decent changeup. His stuff plays up due to some deception from his long levers and his durable frame is built to eat innings. There's no star potential, but he's very much starting to look like a usable big league arm down the road.

Others Of Note:

• Dellin Betances, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Empire State): 8 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K. Best start

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Minor Leaguers

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Avasail Garcia, OF, Tigers (Low-A Lakeland): 3-for-4, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI.

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The scouting term “pop-up guy” is used often in reference to the draft, when players go from just a name to somebody in line for an early pick and big money. But there are pop-up guys in the professional ranks as well. These aren't players bouncing back to a previously held reputation. These aren't even players finally living up to expectations. These are players who were lucky to sniff their own team's prospect list heading into the season who have not only put up numbers this year, but also have scouts coming around on their talent. In other words, they're some new names you should know.

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Wil Myers, OF, Royals (Double-A Northwest Arkansas): 2-for-5, HR (10), R, RBI. 2 K.

Myers made yesterday's Ten Pack, but look it's another home run. That's three in three days and four in five and now he's hitting a whopping .339/.390/.705 in 28 games. This note isn't necessarily about Myers, it's about call-ups. Myers' hot start has led to plenty of questions on Twitter about the possibility of seeing him in Kansas City this year. On first glance, it makes sense. Hot hitter, upper levels, bad team, worth a look, and all that stuff. But before you start thinking about a call-up, always refer to a team's 40 man roster, as often that's the deciding factor. It's hardly universal, but 40-man moves require far more machinations than call-up from players on the 40-man. Just something to keep in mind when you are wondering if/when a player is hitting the big leagues. Always check the 40-man roster first for additional guidance.

Others Of Note:

• Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles (Low-A Delmarva):

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The Situation: Mired with the worst record in baseball, and arguably not even looking at good at their 7-20 record, the Minnesota Twins will begin evaluating what little talent they have at the upper levels by promoting Brian Dozier, who, according to manager Ron Gardenhire, will be replacing Jamey Carroll as the team's everyday shortstop.

Background: An eighth-round pick in 2009 out of Southern Mississippi, Dozier has never been noted for his tools, but his performances and all-out style of play have won scouts over. He hit just .278/.347/.338 in his full-season debut, but he broke out last year by hitting well over .300 at both Class A and Double-A and finishing with a combined batting line of .320/.399/.491 with 24 stolen bases. He slumped a bit to begin the year at Triple-A Rochester this spring, batting .276/.339/.371 in 28 games.

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Matt Barnes, RHP, Red Sox (High-A Salem)
Throughout the entire month of April, it was pretty clear that Barnes didn't belong in Low-A, as the 2011 first-round pick allowed just one run over 26 2/3 innings while striking out 42. On Saturday, Barnes showed that he might not belong in High-A either, as he whiffed 12 over six four-hit innings in his Carolina League debut. Just as important as the numbers, Barnes has started to break out the secondary stuff, as after relying primarily on a fastball that can touch 97 in Greenville, he was generating swings and misses with a curveball that has been an inconsistent pitch in the past. His ceiling hasn't changed yet, but his timetable is quickly accelerating.

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