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Hey folks. Lots of stuff going on today, so a bullet-only list today of guys who really caught my eye. Also, are there players that have not been mentioned of late that you as a reader are wondering about? I might not answers immediately in the comments, but I'll certainly take a note of your requests.

  • Chris Archer, RHP, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K. Southern League is batting .169 against him after eight starts with 0.58 ERA; above-average velocity and movement on fastball to go with greatly improved secondary stuff.
  • Jesse Biddle, LHP, Phillies (Rookie-level GCL Phillies): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K. First-round pick has been outstanding of late; 19 IP, 11 H, 3 BB, 26 K in last four starts.
  • Jake Brigham, RHP, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K. Easily the pitching performance of the night as he gave up two hits to start the game and was perfect from there; fastball and curve both rate as plus.
  • Cody Buckel, RHP, Rangers (Rookie-level AZL Rangers): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Pro debut for second-round pick; undersized righty but plus stuff and command.
  • Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Coming soon to a Reds bullpen by you.
  • Randall Delgado, RHP, Braves (Double-A Mississippi): 4 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 1 K. Hitting a bit of a wall at Double-A; 6.50 ERA in four starts and 33 base runners allowed in 18 frames.
  • Matt Dominguez, 3B, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI. 10-for-21 with ten RBIs in last five games; .251/.330/.414 overall.
  • Lucas Duda, OF/1B, Mets (Triple-A Buffalo): 2-for-4, HR (15), 2 R, RBI, BB. 12-for-29 during seven-game hitting streak and up to a shocking .321/.391/.663.
  • Mat Gamel, 3B, Brewers (Triple-A Nashville): 3-for-5, 3 2B, 2 R, RBI, K. Hitting .405/.444/.619 in last ten games while spending some time at first base and right field.
  • Dee Gordon, SS, Dodgers (Double-A Chattanooga): 2-for-5, 2 3B, 3 R, RBI. Batting .349/.388/.488 in ten August games.
  • Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 2-for-3, 2B, 3 R, 2 BB, K, SB. 280/.354/.406 line has fallen short of expectations.
  • Mychal Jones, SS, Tigers (High-A Myrtle Beach): 2-for-4, 2 HR (5), 3 R, 2 RBI. Ultra-athletic but quite raw for 23; .278/.343/.420 since promotion to Carolina League.
  • Andrew Lambo, OF, Pirates (Double-A Atloona): 3-for-4, R, RBI, BB. 13-for-32 since trade with .406/.472/.594 line; also 10 Ks so a bit fluky.
  • Melky Mesa, OF, Yankees (High-A Tampa): 1-for-3, HR (17), 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB. Again, he's a bit old for the level and he strikes out too much, but 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the Florida State League is hard to ignore.
  • Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds (Double-A Carolina): 3-for-5, HR (13), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. On another power streak with three home runs in last five games; overall line of .293/.367/.598.
  • Jio Mier, SS, Astros (Low-A Lexington): 3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 2 R, 2 K, SB. Season-long disappointment is hitting a bit more of late, but still at just .229/.310/.302.
  • Jesus Montero, C, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton/WB): 3-for-4, HR (14), R, RBI. One of the hottest hitters in the minors with third straight three-hit game and .413/.473/.775 line since the All-Star break.
  • Wil Myers, C, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, CS. Can't keep OBP at .500; down to .395/.493/.521.
  • Rudy Owens, LHP, Pirates (Double-A Atloona): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K. Just six hits allowed over 17 innings in last three starts; won't dominate like this in the big leagues, but will almost certainly get there.
  • Francisco Peguero, OF, Giants (High-A San Jose): 3-for-6, 2 2B, R, K, CS. Ten hits in last four games and overall line of .316/.348/.480; long line of Giants hitters seeing numbers collapse at Double-A gives pause.
  • Adrian Salcedo, RHP, Twins (Rookie-level Elizabethton): 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 H. Part of tandem-start game, thus the inning count; 58 Ks, 8 BB in 56.1 innings and while outstanding command is obvious, stuff is above average as well.
  • Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees (Rookie-level GCL Yankees): 2-for-5, HR (6), R, 2 RBI, K. 17-year-old Dominican is up to .359/.424/.621; some feel he's the best hitter in Rookie ball.
  • Luis Sardinas, SS, Rangers (Rookie-level AZL Rangers): 3-for-4, 2B, R. 17-year-old Venezuelan signed for $1.2 million based on plus-plus defensive projection and line-drive bat.
  • Gio Soto, LHP, Indians (Low-A Lake County): 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 9 K. Lefty acquired in Peralta deal has allowed just six hits in 18 innings while striking out 20 since deal; not the kind of numbers you'd expect from a guy who throws 85-87 mph.
  • Jacob Turner, RHP, Tigers (High-A Lakeland): 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K. Best Florida State League start for 19-year-old fireballer.
  • Sebastian Valle, C, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (15), 2 R, 3 RBI. Ultra-streaky catcher has slugged either .500+ or under .400 in each month this season.
  • Jordan Zimmermann, RHP, Nationals (Triple-A Syracuse): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Seven one-hit innings at Triple-A now; should be ready for big leagues soon.

Thank you for reading

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TheGoldenGreek33
8/11
Where is Cito Culver?
MatternK
8/11
Rookie Gulf Coast League!
chabels
8/11
How many of the catchers on the list are actually catchers at the big league level? Related, do more guys start as catchers and move elsewhere, or start as SS and move elsewhere?
fantasy
8/11
For a guy who throws 85-87 MPH (at least for now), Soto manages to be very intriguing.
Nater1177
8/11
In the preseason Top 11 for the Red Sox, neither Felix Doubrount and Ryan Lavarnway warranted even an honorable mention. Was wondering how much each had improved their stock this year? Felix has made it all the way to Sox pen after making a couple spot starts earlier. Lavarnway appears to be capable as a hitter. But is the scout scuttlebut that he's a poor mans Jesus Montero in that noone thinks he'll cut it behind the plate long term or has he shown flashes of being quasi competent with the tools of ignoranc?
leites
8/11
Thanks, Kevin! Since you asked, here are my WATGs: Scott Mathieson, Fabio Martinez Mesa, Simon Castro, Justin Smoak.
raygu1
8/11
what is WATGs?
leites
8/11
"What about that guy?"
mattp31
8/12
Fabio Martinez Mesa is currently out on the DL, but would love to hear more on him too. I think he has true ace potential and a 200+ K guy every year, but that's assuming he figures out the control problems.
Swingingbunts
8/11
Can you tell me anything about Dan Paolini in the Cape Cod league? Legit prospect or not?
sde1015
8/11
Wow! A request for WATGs!

I don't have any specific players, but rather a type of player: you tend to only comment on players who are having really good days or really bad days (for obvious reasons), which means players in slumps or on hot streaks get mentioned lot, while players have consistent, decent seasons tend not to get mention, or when a hot streak cools off without turning into an all out slump, they tend to dissapear.

So, I'm curious what guys that were mentioned a lot earlier in the season haven't been mentioned much because they're performing consistently at (but not above or below) expectations of late.
demgrinder
8/11
How about Alex Torres- is this guy looking more n more like just a RP in the bigs?

I'm also interested in some insight on Simon Castro, I noticed he isn't striking people out like last yr, but not many walks allowed either so far- Is he looking more like a 3 or 4 SP now as opposed to a 2?
glennpan
8/11
WATG request for Alex Colome. After all aren't you the driver of his bandwagon? Thanks!
tdrury
8/11
Colome is on the DL currently isn't he?
uptick
8/11
Kevin -- I've noticed that Chris Davis has been playing LF for Oklahoma City lately...I take that to mean that the Rangers may be thinking of using him for outfield depth...have you heard anything?...and is Davis turning into the quintessential quad A player or what?
benharris
8/11
I'd like updates on Fautino de los Santos (back from injury and appears to be dominating), Christian Friedrich (is his dowfall a result of the injury he sustained earlier this season?), Ben Revere (solid season, but hasn't been mentioned much), and for some reason Austin Hyatt is very intriguing. Do you think hitters will finally start to figure him out at AA?
JoshuaGB
8/11
I second these WATGs
ptullar
8/11
Revere got hit in the face with a ball about a week ago. Broke his orbital bone in a couple places and he's out for the rest of the year.
jobathebeast
8/11
Does Melky Mes crack the Yankee's top 10 this year?
nblascak
8/11
With the breakout of other LHPs in the Royals system and a weak showing (at least statistically) at Wilmington, where does Tim Melville's stock stand?
alskor
8/12
Melville is a RHP.
nblascak
8/13
That's my bad - not sure why I thought he was LHP
carp1626
8/11
Any reports on Melville's velocity last night and if and when he'll be back in Wilmington?
gogotabata
8/11
Would love a read on Diego Moreno -- is he a head case? does he have ML closer stuff?

Engel Beltre -- is his lowered k rate for real? is he a 2012 OFer for Texas? is he a CF?

Rashun Dixon, Cesar Puello, James Jones (Sea), Cody Rogers -- which toolsy OF is the best sorta hidden gem?



hyprvypr
8/11
Maybe too late but I'll try and sneak it in. First, WATG: Engel Beltre. Any chance he takes over CF sometime in 2011? Sure looks like a dynamic player and another strong bat for the Rangers.

antoine6
8/11
WATG: Roy Halladay. Heard he was a guy with four plus pitches, good movement on all of them, command, plus makeup, and great "pitchability". I was expecting a lot from him this year. But I haven't seen anything on him in here recently. Any word on what he's up to?
kernan
8/11
WATG: Has his wrist injuries finally cut into his power potential? How is the left field experiment turning out? Will he end up being anything more than a AAAA player?
kernan
8/11
The above response is suppose to be about Ryan Strieby OF/1B (DET).
FalcoT
8/11
WATG: Dillon Gee of the Bisons.
raygu1
8/11
WATG-Rubby de la Rosa
Peter7899
8/11
WATG: Russ Canzler of the Smokies.
brokeslowly
8/11
WATG: Kyle Drabek - disappointing year or still great prospect?
alskor
8/12
"Yes."
TGisriel
8/11
Is Nolan Reimold finally starting to turn it around?
crperry13
8/11
WATG: Koby Clemens
triebs2
8/11
WATG: Mike Trout. We used to get daily updates, haven't from you in almost a week. Is mid-summer 2011 too much to ask for? September call up 2011? Or still probably a 2012 MLB player?
rawagman
8/11
WATG: Trystan Magnuson - MLB long reliever potential?
dwalters
8/11
WATG: Stephen Parker (3B, Stockton) -- Prospect, or Cal League Mirage destined for AAAA status? Any chance he'll stick at 3rd?

Thank you so much for what you do!!
gwguest
8/11
WATG: Hector Rondon Wasn't even mentioned in the Indian's blurb today. Have all of his 3 stars burned out at AAA? (Yes I know the stats are ugly).

another:
Miguel De Los Santos (A Hickory, TEX)
alskor
8/12
Rondon is out for the year. He missed nearly the entire year with a forearm injury.
brymart
8/11
any extremely early observations on Michael Choice?
rowenbell
8/11
WATG: Michael Blanke (C, White Sox 2010 draftee, Canadian-born, doing well in Pioneer League)
jeffr92
8/11
WATG: Max Stassi
crperry13
8/12
I think at last check, he was still walking on water.
bpelow
8/11
Haven't seen much on Adrian Cardenas (guy can rake at AA, shouldn't he be at least decent at AAA? What isn't he adjusting to?)

Don't recall any recent updates on Austin Romine either - too mediocre?
kringent
8/11
WATG: Luke Bailey.
tmcmehan
8/12
The severity of the injury to Wilin Rosario and if it has any impact on his long-term prospect status
Birdfan01
8/12
Joe Mahoney (AA Bowie- Orioles 1B). Cooled a bit of late, but very impressive numbers across two levels. Are scouts optimistic?
mattp31
8/12
My WATG's

Domingo Santana, Nick Weglarz, Matt Lipka, Adeiny Hechavarria, Nolan Arenado, Henry Rodriguez-the Reds 2B, and Ryan Gennett
fantasy
8/12
What's the word on Brad Hand, High-A Jupiter?
greenday8885
8/12
Adeiny Hechavarria, Engel Beltre
thatfnmb
8/12
WATG-Carlos Carrasco, Zack Von Rosenberg, Chad James, Chris Dominguez, Matt Hobgood.

How about an article updating progress of the '09 draft class?
fantasy
8/12
+1 on Von Rosenberg
roycewebb
8/12
Adam Miller. The A's bunch of young infielders -- Sogard, Cardenas, Weeks, Green. Scott Cousins. Thomas Neal. Alex Colome.
mattp31
8/12
If your getting into A's infield Parker is an interesting 3B
kgoldstein
8/12
Guys -- this is AWESOME stuff, and I think we have a new adjective. I am noting every one of these guys, and will try to get to them.
nickgieschen
8/12
I'd like to hear what's going on with Friedrich, what people are saying about Drabek, if there's any hope for Beckham, and just how good could Brandon Belt be?
uncasf1
8/12
James Simmons, A's. 1st rounder, seemed polished, awful 2009 line, no 2010 minor league play. Injured? Any hope he pans out? Thanks
aardvark
8/12
I'd like to hear more about Lonnie Chisenhall, Stolmy Pimentel, and if you have anything on Jose Vinicio or Juan Urbina.
Olinkapo
8/12
I always love me some Brad Emaus. It's an unhealthy obsession at this point.
rweiler
8/12
It took a while, but Thomas Neal and Conor Gillaspie are starting to put up respectable AA numbers. Neal is now at 296/363/442 and Gillaspie is at 293/345/424. Not great, but still in the upper half of AA hitters. Gilllaspie in particular has dramatically improved his numbers in the last couple of weeks.
pobothecat
8/12
Carlos Triunfel, please. Also Derek Norris, Chase D'arnaud, Logan Forsythe.
raygu1
8/12
agreed on all.
philly604
8/12
One area I think it would be great if you could cover would be injuries. No, not like Carroll covers the majors, but just quick notes on the reason behind DL trips would be greatly appreciated. We can usually get coverage of injuries to top 50 prospects, but there are tons of prospects below that that people care about either because they're on the favorite team or a keeper fantasy league and it can be hard to find out those guys hit the minor league DL.

Someone already mentioned Alex Colome above, but I've also been wondering about Wilmer Font who hit the 7 day DL about a month ago. In cases like that just a line that it's a serious arm injury or it's a small thing and the team is being cautious or something like that would be great.
jeffr92
8/12
Absolutely agree, minor league injuries are much too hard to get information on.
tballgame
8/12
Curious about the status of new National Maya. Pineda's pitch counts seem to be winding down - are they prepping him to relieve in Seattle in September or just winding him down on the season. Anyone from the preseason Top 101 not in the majors, injured, or getting mentioned?
pobothecat
8/13
Also curious about Pineda's September.
plink2
8/12
WATG: Robert Erlin
achase
8/12
How about a note on Scott Cousins? In the pre-season top 11 list you ranked him at #7 for the Marlins and said about him:

"it's time for the stat sheet to start matching the scouting reports."

This year he was awful from May through June, but in July and August has been on fire (.938 and .1194 by OPS). Just random fluctuation or has he begun to put his much vaunted tools into production?


dhlowenstein
8/12
How is Zach Wheeler looking?
cmac314
8/12
WATG: Ryan Adams, ex-second round pick having a big year for Bowie.
pobothecat
8/13
What, if anything, are scouts saying about Michael Taylor's struggles? I remember your recent reference to unlearning his "Stanford swing".

Might even be interesting to see an article on top-50's or top-100's whose stock has fallen this year, who've underperformed expectations this year, and possible whys.