July 20, 2011
Major League Baseball
Pedro Alvarez – Pittsburgh Pirates – After going to the disabled list in late May with a quad injury Alvarez has hit the rehab-trail most recently with Triple-A Indianapolis. The former No. 2 pick is hitting .370 in 13 games with the Indians, including a four-hit game.
Mike Baxter – San Diego Padres – Since injuring his hand in spring training Baxter has yet to play in a game this season.
David Price – Tampa Bay Rays – Price is 9-7 with a 3.73 ERA in 20 starts as the Rays’ ace this year. He beat Boston in his last start, striking out seven over six innings.
AAA
Nick Christiani – Louisville Bats (Cincinnati) – International League – Christiani was promoted to Louisville in late May and has flourished as the team’s closer since racking up seven saves in eight opportunities.
Ryan Flaherty – Iowa Cubs (Chicago) – Pacific Coast League – After being promoted to Triple-A for the first time in his career the former first rounder is off to a good start hitting .261 with three doubles and a home run in six games. Flaherty returns to Nashville to take on the Sounds this weekend (July 22-25).
Matt Kata – Round Rock Express (Texas) – Pacific Coast League – Kata is having a solid season for the Express hitting .268 with nine home runs and 44 RBI in 68 games. The former Dore has three straight multi-hit games.
Mike Minor – Gwinnett Braves (Atlanta) – International League – Minor has bounced back-and-forth from Atlanta to Gwinnett the majority of the season. He’s 3-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 13 starts for the G-Braves. The lefty fanned seven over eight innings of a no decision in his last outing.
Ryan Mullins – Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota) – International League – Mullins has pitched across three levels of the Twins organization this season landing in Triple-A with the Red Wings in late May. He’s pitched in seven games, six starts, going 1-4 with an 8.80 ERA.
Jeremy Sowers – Columbus Clippers (Cleveland) – International League – Sowers endured shoulder surgery earlier this year and will miss the season.
AA
Matt Buschmann – San Antonio Missions (San Diego) – Texas League – After a stint with Triple-A Tucson Buschmann is back with the Missions and has posted consecutive scoreless outings.
David Macias – Tennessee Smokies (Chicago) – Southern League – Macias has played in 16 games with the Smokies this year and is hitting .225 with a pair of doubles.
Chase Reid – Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis) – Texas League – Reid was placed on the disabled list earlier this month. With the Cards he is 0-1 with a 3.91 ERA in 18 games.
Antoan Richardson – Mississippi Braves (Atlanta) – Southern League – Richardson has enjoyed a solid season thus far hitting .308 with 40 runs scored for the Braves in 58 games.
Casey Weathers – Tulsa Drillers (Colorado) – Texas League – Weathers has returned to health this year pitching in 31 games for the Drillers going 2-2 with a 5.83 ERA. He has 32 strikeouts in 29.1 innings.
A
Andrew Giobbi – High Desert Mavericks (Seattle) – California League – In 25 games with the Mavs this year Giobbi is hitting .195 a homer and 10 RBI.
Drew Hayes – Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati) – Midwest League – Hayes has pitched in the back of the bullpen for the Dragons all year collecting 14 saves and going 1-2 with a 1.77 ERA in 34 games.
Mark Lamm – Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta) – Carolina League – Lamm has not been a pro for long but has already climbed a level to Single-A after starting out in short season Danville. In his Single-A debut last week he struck out the side in his lone inning of work.
Steven Liddle – Fort Myers Miracle (Minnesota) – Florida State League – Liddle in 71 games with the Miracle this season is hitting .250 with a home run and 21 RBI.
Short Season
Russell Brewer – Casper Ghosts (Colorado) – Pioneer League – Since starting play in late June with the Ghosts Brewer is 0-2 with two saves and a 4.50 ERA. The right-hander has 16 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched.
Curt Casali – Connecticut Tigers (Detroit) – New York-Penn League – After inking a deal with Detroit Casali is back in his home state to start his professional baseball career. Casali hit his first pro home run over the weekend and is 7-for-12 in his last three games.
Taylor Hill – Auburn Doubledays (Washington) – New York-Penn League – Hill made his debut last week with the Doubledays with two innings and pitched his first scoreless frame last night.