Re: Minor Matters

10234
Kluber gave up a solo homer with 1 out in 4th. Has given up 3 hits his last two starts, all 3 solo shots. Left a fastball up in zone over the plate and young fella turned on it.

He's been mixing in more breaking pitches as game has went and it is looking good.

Gives up a walk now.

And now a 2 out single.

Up to 57 pitches so this might end up being his last inning.

Strikes guy out for 3rd out. His 6th K.

60 pitches so I'm sure he's done.

Stuff was better tonight, he's coming along nicely.

Re: Minor Matters

10237
Well I survived good food and good weather and good hikes and good music while checking milb.com daily; it is a little weird when ballgames start at 2 a.m. local time. I've skimmed through all the posts and will make a few subjective comments:

as for the disappointments at Mahoning Valley I agree, at first glance, expected some exciting performances by highly rated kids. but on further reflection, Valera had a terrific start, slumped, got hurt just came back and was described as the top prospect on his half of the NYPL all start team. I still think he's a big deal and easily in our top 5 prospects with Jones, Freeman, Hankins and Espino. Rocchio is even younger [18 years and 8 months] and still seems to get good writeups and celebrated by return-in-progress yesterday with a single a double and his 2nd homer. I keep hoping for big things from Johnnathan Rodriguez and still not really seeing them, although he's still only 19 in his 3rd summer, and before yesterday's 0-4 he's hit 12-32 over his past 8 games with 3 doubles a triple and a homer. Can't say anything positive about teenager Korey Holland who has not caught fire. Delgado earned a promotion and is hitless in his first week in Lake County.

I'm real pleased with Naylor and Fermin at Lake County. They bring catchers along slowly so as long as he stays behind the plate Bo will likely move up one level at a time.

Ka'ai Tom has been fantastic after a dreadful April; at both AA and AAA. Yet he is not on any Top 30 lists. That's nuts. He's not a retread, was a 5th round pick and missed some time with injury. He better get a spot on the 40 man roster this winter or we're sacrificing a good bat. I'd like to see Tom and Johnson both with the Tribe in September; although they'd have to bump a couple guys off the 40 man roster. I can think of one vastly overpaid underprepared pitcher who can be DFA'd. And there are a couple guys who are hurt but still not placed on the 60-day DL who could open spaces.

Re: Minor Matters

10238
BA on Sunday games:

CLE AA Clement, Ernie SS 4 1 2 0 0.269 SB (16), CS (10)
CLE AA Gonzalez, Oscar LF 4 0 0 0 0.196 not doing much in Akron
CLE AA Jones, Nolan DH 4 0 1 0 0.254
CLE AAA Bradley, Bobby 1B 1 0 0 0 0.265 2 BB (37) avg slipping
CLE AAA Haase, Eric DH-C 4 0 0 1 0.228
CLE AAA Johnson, Daniel CF 4 0 2 1 0.318 2B (23) nothing slows HIM down
CLE HiA Benson, Will LF 3 0 0 0 0.181 BB (28), SB (8) maybe like with Lake County he'll hit in his 2nd season there
CLE LoA Delgado, Raynel 2B 4 1 0 0 0.053 I was wrong he has one hit with LC
CLE LoA Holmes, Quentin CF 4 0 0 0 0.180 No. 1 picks don't always pan out.
CLE LoA Naylor, Bo DH 3 0 0 0 0.249 BB (40) but others do
CLE MAJ Mercado, Oscar LF 4 1 3 3 0.288 HR (10), BB (19), 2 SB (11)
CLE R Naranjo, Joseph 1B 3 0 0 0 0.271 he had a 5 hit game so his avg looks OK but no power
CLE SS Rocchio, Brayan SS 4 3 3 2 0.249 2B (13), HR (2), SB (10)
CLE SS Rodriguez, Johnathan RF 2 0 0 0 0.234 BB (20)
CLE SS Valera, George LF 2 0 0 0 0.241 BB (29)

CLE AAA Karinchak, James 1.1 1 0 0 1 2 6.75 in Columbus: 12 innings 11 hits 9 runs 16 walks 31 strikeouts. I'll wait until next year
CLE HiA McCarty, Kirk 3.1 6 6 6 1 5 5.55 L (3-5)

Re: Minor Matters

10239
Lou Boudreau award for best minor league position player has to be a Tom vs Johnson duel. Although Tyler Freeman has good stats too
Bob Feller award for best minor league pitcher is far more unclear. I'd have to look at the numbers; has anyone won 10 games? Maybe Eli Morgan? Perhaps a case could be made for Robert Broom who's been terrific at multi levels as a middle or late reliever.

Re: Minor Matters

10240
Welcome back, Civ. Glad you had a good time. (where was these hikes at, if I may ask?)

I rated Valera as my #1 prospect not long ago when I did a prospect list for our system, so I agree he's still a good prospect. His recent struggles have just surprised me.

Rocchio has finally got hot again. I think he's had like 5 hits last 2 games. Hopefully Valera can find a hot streak to wind down the season.

I have hopes for Naranjo or Bartlett. Hoping one of those 1st base draft picks pan out. Bartlett had 3 hits and a homer yesterday, his first home run.

Re: Minor Matters

10241
couldn't think of any of our guys with a chance for the Hot Prospect List, but our hitters in Lynchburg could deserve some credit for the 2nd place finisher:

2. Kris Bubic, LHP, Royals
Team: High Class A Wilmington (Carolina)
Age: 21
Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO against Lynchburg last week

Re: Minor Matters

10242
We were in the Bavarian alps, and got in one good hike and one short one. The first one was called early on account of rain and boy do we come out of the hills soaked. Looking as something closer to home, although a bit far from Youngstown for our next trip, to Tucson and the Saguaro National Park. We dont' do things too rugged, we are old people, but as my wife says as long as we can get out there and hike let's go it.

This year's draft hardly looks like the haul we got last summer. Valdes and Cairo have the makings of a pair of total busts. but only time will tell. I always remind myself that Jim Thome was nothing his first year in the lowest minors