BA's Jim Callis is a Pomeranz optimist:

Tom (Columbus): Should I be worried about the "Pomeranz is a two pitch reliever" scouting reports?

Jim Callis: No. There aren't many lefthanders with a fastball-curveball combo like Pomeranz, and he can start with that combo and mix in a few changeups. I'd love to see a stat on how often quality big league starters actually use their third pitch.

You need a third pitch if your other two pitches are so-so.

Nothing so so about pomeranz's fastball and curve. He'll be in the rotation next year...

A not so-so performance by Pomeranz tonight . 7 shutout innings, 3 hits, 2 walks, 7 K. Maybe they'll finally release him from Kinston? I thought he'd finish this year in Columbus. I was wrong.

Easy Civ. Pomeranz will probably pitch in the AAA playoffs....

Only 901 watch the Kinston win. Rob Bryson yielded a solo homer. Abner Abreu tripled and homered. 2 hits for Holt and Pickets.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... a_kinafa_1

Drew Pomeranz hopes his latest performance, one he called the best he's ever had, will be his last in the Carolina League.
The Lynchburg Hillcats hope so, too.



· Box score
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· See a game in Kinston
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The Indians' top left-handed pitching prospect allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings Wednesday night as the Class A Advanced Kinston Indians defeated the Hillcats, 3-1.

"That's the best I've felt in a long time. It was probably the best I've ever done in my whole life," Pomeranz said. "My rhythm felt great with everything and I was able to pound the zone."

The 22-year-old struck out seven and limited Lynchburg to three hits and a pair of walks to record his first win since June 11. He lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.87.

One question remains: When will the Indians bump Pomeranz up to Double-A? Rumors surfaced after the game that the promotion could follow his appearance in Sunday's All-Star Futures Game in Phoenix.

"I haven't heard anything, and I would tell you if I had. I wish I'd heard something," said Pomeranz, the fifth overall pick in the 2010 Draft. "As far as I know, I'm still in Kinston."

Hillcats right fielder L.V. Ware, an Atlanta native drafted by the Braves in 2006, told MiLB.com he expects Pomeranz to join Double-A Akron next week.

"Hats off to Drew Pomeranz," Ware Tweeted. "One tough [guy] to hit."

"I'm hoping," said Pomeranz, whose brother, Stu, pitched for Double-A Chattanooga this season. "But like I said, I really don't know. I'm gonna have a pretty good amount of days off, so I don't know when I pitch after that. I'd really like to [join Akron], but it's out of my control. I've gotta keep showing them that I'm ready."

Pomeranz looks ready. He tops the league with a .202 opponents' batting average and ranks fourth with 95 strikeouts over 77 innings.

The Memphis, Tenn., native gave up singles to three of the first five batters he faced but held Lynchburg hitless after Shawn McGill led off the second inning with a base hit. Pomeranz retired his next 10 batters and 18 of 20, walking two.

"I felt real good. Even the three hits, one was a chopper, one was a blooper and the other was a broken bat," he said. "They were off me the whole night. I felt awesome out there."

It was only the second time this season the Ole Miss product has pitched seven innings, his last effort coming on June 16 against Lynchburg. On that night, he held the 'Cats to a run on five hits while whiffing seven.

Pomeranz, on an 85-pitch limit, threw 79 before taking a seat.

"I felt pretty good, obviously," he said. "I threw a lot of strikes and my pitch count was way down. It was probably the most efficient I've been all year. I was real pleased with it."

The game remained tight after Argenis Martinez drew a bases-loaded walk in the second to give Kinston a 1-0 lead. Doug Pickens singled home Abner Abreu in the fourth, but Lynchburg responded in the eighth when Ware homered off Rob Bryson. Abreu sealed the win with a two-out solo shot in the bottom of the frame.

Pomeranz, MLB.com's No. 50 prospect, has allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. And he's satisfied with his progress.

"Especially my last two starts, I've felt like I've gotten into a better groove," he said. "I've been able to throw my off-speed pitches for strikes when I need. And early on, I was still sneaking fastballs by guys and struggled a little."

Aaron Shafer (2-2) took the loss, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Zach Putnam blows a lead allowing 3 in the 9tha nd Clippers fall 3-2. Justin Germano with a fillin start for ZachMcAllister goes 6 shoutout innings. Putnam 1 1/3 4 hits, 4 walks, 3 runs, 3 K. Jason Donald two singles.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... a_louaaa_1

Joe Gardner for a change neither awful nor great. 6; innings 4 runs on 8 hits 2 walks and 6 K. Bryan Price 2 no-hit innings, fans 4; ERA 2.8; having a better unexciting season. Tyler Cannon promoted from Kinston gets 2 hits.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... x_altaax_1

Rotten night for Jesus Aguillar, 3 ab, 3 strikeouts, ejected after the 3rd one. Alex Monsale with a pair of hits, and caught stealing. SS Ron Rodriguez doubles. Captains lose 4-2.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... x_bgrafx_1

Scrappers like everyone else in the system score 2 or less. For them a 5-2 defeat. Bryson Myles with his 4th double, a single, caught stealing for the first time against 9 league-leading successful steals. Good hitting OF-3B Jordan Smith with a pair of singles and walks.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... x_mvsasx_1

Breaking the mold, Arizona team puts up 6 runs and wins a shutout. Here's a prospect whio's going to move up the list: Elvis Araujo tall lefty injured last summer, 5 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 6 K. Rehabbing Trey Haley retires all 6 fanning 2. Jairo Kelly and Eric Gonzalez 2 hits apiece

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... k_mrnrok_1

Arraujo is a potential big time prospect.

Agree. He's already missed some time with injury and he has a long long way to go, but he is our Next Big Latin Arm.

Here's a listing of our midseason Top 50 prospects. Prospects have to have not used up their rookie eligibility or currently be in the big leagues to be eligible. Also, 2011 draftees are not yet eligible.

1 Bryce Harper, of, Nationals
2 Mike Trout, of, Angels
3 Matt Moore, lhp, Rays
4 Julio Teheran, rhp, Braves
5 Manny Machado, ss, Orioles
6 Martin Perez, lhp, Rangers
7 Shelby Miller, rhp, Cardinals
8 Jesus Montero, c, Yankees
9 Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates
10 Brett Lawrie, 3b, Blue Jays
11 Jacob Turner, rhp, Tigers
12 Jurickson Profar, ss, Rangers
13 Manny Banuelos, lhp, Yankees
14 Drew Pomeranz, lhp, Indians
15 Devin Mesoraco, c, Reds
16 Arodys Vizcaino, rhp, Braves
17 Wil Myers, of, Royals
18 Carlos Martinez, rhp, Cardinals
19 Tyler Skaggs, lhp, Diamondbacks
20 Desmond Jennings, of, Rays
21 Dee Gordon, ss, Dodgers
22 Hak-Ju Lee, ss, Rays
23 Jake Odorizzi, rhp, Royals
24 Aaron Hicks, of, Twins
25 Leonys Martin, of, Rangers
26 Dellin Betances, rhp, Yankees
27 Mike Montgomery, lhp, Royals
28 Wilin Rosario, c, Rockies
29 Travis d'Arnaud, c, Blue Jays
30 Matt Harvey, rhp, Mets
31 Jason Kipnis, 2b, Indians
32 Brett Jackson, of, Cubs
33 Gary Brown, of, Giants
34 Robbie Erlin, lhp, Rangers
35 Zack Wheeler, rhp, Giants
36 Kyle Gibson, rhp, Twins
37 Anthony Ranaudo, rhp, Red Sox
38 Taijuan Walker, rhp, Mariners
39 Zach Lee, rhp, Dodgers
40 Jarrod Parker, rhp, Diamondbacks
41 Jonathan Singleton, of/1b, Phillies
42 Brad Peacock, rhp, Nationals
43 Jarred Cosart, rhp, Phillies
44 Randall Delgado, rhp, Braves
45 Anthony Gose, cf, Blue Jays
46 Nolan Arenado, 3b, Rockies
47 Allen Webster, rhp, Dodgers
48 Matt Szczur, of, Cubs
49 Jedd Gyorko, 3b, Padres
50 Paul Goldschmidt, 1b, Diamondbacks