If you are in Chicago and want to see me tell baseball stories while a group of insanely funny people make you laugh, have I got a deal for you!
Pudding-Thank-You Improv returns to American Theater Company on Saturday, June 4th. I will be telling stories, and an all-star cast will be improvising off them. Free beverages while they last. $10 at the door, which opens at 10:45pm
American Theatre Company
1909 W. Byron St.,
Chicago, IL, 60613
(773) 409-4125
It's not even July 1, and Martin is looking like one of the best international signing of the year. In his first 17 games as a professional, he's hitting .353/.438/.588, but the most impressive number might be the three (count 'em three) strikeouts in 68 at-bats. An above-average defender with plus speed and a true leadoff man's approach, Martin has the potential to be the answer to the center field question in Texas by turning into a better version of what Julio Borbon was supposed to be.
Others Of Note:
Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, K. 14 hits and 23 total bases in last seven games; .292/.394/.472 overall and franking it's surprising that he's still here.
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 2-for-4, 2 R. It's what he does; .404/.448/.587 in 51 games.
Joe Benson, OF, Twins (Double-A New Britain): 1-for-4, HR (5), R, 2 RBI, 2 K, SB. 12-for-24 during seven game hitting streak and .289/.376/.480 overall; won't hit for a high batting average in the big leagues, but power, patience, speed and defense will more than make up for it.
Bobby Borchering, 3B/1B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 3-for-5, 2B, RBI. Hitting .322 in May and .287/.327/.480 overall; pretty swing with power, but approach and defense need significant work.
Gary Brown, OF, Giants (High-A San Jose): 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB. Hitting .407 in May in .374/.440/.537 overall; only knock against his game is a minor league leading 12 caught stealing in 42 attempts.
Ryan Buch, RHP, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 6.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 3 K. 2009 draftee has good body, decent stuff; future bullpen possibilities.
Daniel Butler, C, Red Sox (High-A Salem): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 7 RBI, BB, K, SB. Red Sox best sleeper is an undrafted free agent with power and patience; .252/.356/.496 in 40 games as has future backup possibilities if receiving skills improve.
Garrett Claypool, RHP, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. 2.00 ERA in 12 games and 66 strikeouts in 54 innings; A 22-year-old with outstanding command who doesn't belong at this level.
A.J. Cole, RHP, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K. Best start of year for seven-figure 2010 draftee; 23 strikeouts in first 21.1 innings as a pro.
Chelsor Cuthbert, 3B, Royals (Low-A Kane County): 2-for-5, RBI. 18-year-old Nicaraguan has impressed with both the bat and the glove in his first ten days in a full-season league; .314/.368/.543 in nine error-free games.
James Darnell, 3B, Padres (Double-A San Antonio): 3-for-5, R. Hitting .337/.424/.594 in May, and that's his bad month; .369/.468/.642 overall in 47 games.
Matt Davidson, 3B/1B, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 2-for-5, HR (7), R, 4 RBI, K. Home runs in back-to-back games and .286/.347/.459 overall in 48 games; 58 strikeouts in 196 at-bats is cause for concern.
Eduardo Escobar, SS, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 2-for-3, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, K. Needs more days like this; .252/.299/.411 in 49 games.
Christian Friedrich, LHP, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K. Worst start of career followed by best start of year; 4.64 ERA in 10 starts.
Garrett Gould, RHP, Dodgers (Low-A Great Lakes): 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Has been remarkably consistent with a 1.83 ERA in 10 clunker-free starts; slight uptick in velocity also improving his cause.
Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K. Mini-slump ended flirt with .400; still at .373/.439/.660 through 51 games.
Billy Hamilton, SS, Reds (Low-A Dayton): 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI. Even with this game, he's still at just .204/.287/.293 in 48 games.
Adeiny Heccevarria, SS, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 4-for-5, 2B, R. Batting average up 30 points over just five games (11-for-22); .246/.271/.377 in 50 with expected plus-plus defense.
Jeremy Jeffress, RHP, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 1 K. Only 17 of his 50 pitches went for strikes; stretching his arm out for starting is a confusing decision, as his only maintained success was in short stints.
Jeff Larish, 1B, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR (10), 7 RBI, BB, K. Ex-prospect, huge day.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB. 21 total bases in last three games and .354/.413/.677 overall; could be in Toronto by second half, but scouts still very down on his defense.
Alex Liddi, 3B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-for-4, 3 2B, R, RBI, K. Hitting .322/.397/.591 in May with significantly reduced error rate.
Ethan Martin, RHP, Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga): 2.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K. Former first-round pick is still a mess command-wise; 53 strikeouts in 45.1 innings is the only positive takeaway from 7.35 ERA in 10 games.
Francisco Martinez, 3B, Tigers (Double-A Erie): 3-for-4, R. 20-year-old Venezuelan looked over-matched for the level early on, but has made adjustments; hitting .366 in 18 May games and .275/.322/.435 overall.
Jared Mitchell, OF, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 2-for-2, R, RBI. Showing sings of life finally; still only at .224/.277/.408 in 46 games.
Tyler Moore, 1B, Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg): 2-for-2, HR (9), 2 R, RBI, BB. Four home runs in last nine games and .288/.318/.538 overall; Way too free a swinger to profile well in the big leagues.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals (Triple-A Omaha): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R. Hitting .317 in May with more than 40% of his hits going for extra bases and showing much more consistency with the glove as well; in other words, he could be up soon.
Kyle Parker, OF, Rockies (Low-A Asheville): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, K. While his .297/.362/.479 line is hardly bad, he's shown significant contact issues without hitting for as much power as expected.
Wily Mo Pena, OF, Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (17), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. 17 home runs in 169 at-bats and .361/.438/.740 overall.
Henry Rodriguez, 2B, Reds (High-A Bakersfield): 3-for-5, 2 R, HR (6), 2 R, RBI. 12-for-21 in last five games and .340/.379/.498 overall; somewhat unknown second base prospect who deserves more attention because he can really hit.
Austin Romine, C, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI. 14-for-32 (.438) during eight-game hitting streak and .301/.366/.434 overall; still struggles against the running game.
Adrian Salcedo, RHP, Twins (Low-A Beloit): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K. First career complete game and 3.38 ERA in 10 games; throwing more strikes than missing bats.
Scott Sizemore, 3B, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-for-4, 2B, 4 R, 2 BB. On base 11 times in his first three games as an Athletic while playing exclusively at the hot corner.
Sammy Solis, RHP, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown): 4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 7 K. Season-debut for 2010 second-round pick who suffered groin injury during spring training.
Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 2-for-4, 2B, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, BB. Home runs in back-to-back games and 18-for-43 (.419) in his last ten; .343/.409/.460 on the season and could be headed to High-A soon.
Mike Trout, OF, Angels (Double-A Arkansas): 3-for-4, HR, RBI, BB, SB. Was under .300 for a couple of days but back to .305/.413/.512; after stealing six games in his first 33 games, he has seven in his last 12.
Jemile Weeks, 2B, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 2-for-5, 3B, 2 R, BB. 13-for-28 with six walks in last seven games; .335/.427/.470 in 39 games overall and how could he be worse than Mark Ellis?
Tim Wheeler, OF, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 3-for-5, 2 R, K. 15-for-29 (.517) in last seven games and up to .337/.416/.643 overall; does Eric Young's promotion help get him to AAA?
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Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 3-for-5, 2 R
On the afternoon of May 18th, our one-year anniversary podcast came out with Altuve as a guest. Since the release of that show, the 5-foot-5 (he says he's 5-6 now) second baseman has gone 19-for-33 (.576) to raise his season averages to .403/.445/.571 in 47 games overall. Coincidence?
Matt Moore, RHP, Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K
Moore has led the minor leagues in strikeouts over each of the last two seasons, and with his first double-digit effort last night, he's now second with 76 punch outs in 52.2 innings. A bulky left-hander with a fastball and curve that both rate as above-average if not greater, Moore seems to be improveing with each outing, as in his last five starts, he's whiffed 44 over 28.1 innings while putting up a 0.95 ERA and limiting Southern League hitters to a .143 batting average. He projects as at least a No. 2 starter in the big leagues, has a chance to exceed that, and is lined up for a very long look next spring.
That line is actually from Wednesday, but I didn't hear from a scout about the game until yesterday afternoon. Few pitchers have been more impressive of late, as Peacock has whiffed 33 over 19.2 innings in his last three outings while allowing just nine hits and four walks, and the stuff is backing up the numbers. The 23-year-old is not overwhelming physically, but with super-fast arm action, he's consistently sitting in the low-to-mid 90s with his fastball, and the pitch plays up from there due to his ability to locate and use both sides of the plate. He'll flash a good curve ball and decent change, and even with secondary pitches that lag a bit behind, he projects as a number three starter with room to grow if his arsenal does.
Jon Pettibone, RHP, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
Lost in one of the most loaded rotations in the minors, Pettibone has actually been Clearwater's most consistent starter, with a 1.75 ERA after ten starts. His low-90s fastball is his best pitch, as beyond the velocity, his six-foot-five frame and delivery creates a good angle on the pitch, and unlike many tall, young arms, he throws the pitch for strikes. His breaking ball and changeup are still works in progress, but he's generating some buzz and is more than just another arm at Clearwater.
Others Of Note:
Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners (Triple-A Tacoma): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R; 1-for-3, 2B, K. Hitting .343/.433/.598 in 25 May games; could be up as early as the next zero-to-ten days.
Christian Bethancourt, C, Braves (Low-A Rome): 3-for-5, HR (3), 2 R, RBI. Putting together best offensive run of his full-season career; approach problems are no more clearly communicated than his .311/.299/.419 mark in 18 May games.
Aroldis Chapman, RHP, Reds (Triple-A Louisville): 2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K. No walks, but did have two wild pitches and a balk; no sure we can call this progress yet.
Michael Choice, OF, Athletics (High-A Stockton): 3-for-4, 2B, R. Slugging up to .500 for the first time in a month; still striking out once per three at-bats.
Travis D'Arnaud, C, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI. Hitting .490 (24-for-49) in May and .340/.418/.546 overall; scouts have also noted improved defense.
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): 2-for-5, HR (5), R, RBI, K. Fourth-straight multi-hit game and up to .287/.369/.456; 900+ OPS in May and could deserve a look soon.
Zach Collier, OF, Phillies (Low-A Lakewood): 4-for-4, 2B, 2 R, SB, CS. Showing signs of life for the first time since being a first round pick in 2008; hitting .390 in last 15 games and .275/.343/.408 overall.
Darin Gorski, LHP, Mets (High-A St. Lucie): 7.2 IP, 3 R, 1 R, 1 BB, 13 K. Far more deception and location than stuff, but with 63 strikeouts in 41.2 innings, he's become at least a sleeper.
Mark Hamilton, 1B, Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis): 4-for-5, 2B, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI. Yes he's nearly 27 years old and yes there's no room for him in St. Louis, but he can hit; .381/.513/.571 in 18 games.
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, Blue Jays (Double-A New Hampshire): 2-for-5, 2B, HR (3), R, 3 RBI. Outstanding glove, but days like this at the plate have been few and far between; .221/.245/.353 in 46 games.
Brandon Guyer, OF, Rays (Triple-A Durham): 3-for-3, HR (8), 4 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2 SB. .333/.411/.569 line is proving that 2010 was no fluke; guy can just flat-out hit.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, Blue Jays (Triple-A Las Vegas): 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI. Still in a groove offensively at .343/.403/.632; still has huge questions about glove with five errors in last eight games
Zach McAllister, RHP, Indians (Triple-A Columbus): Former Yankee prospect is bouncing back well from miserable 2010 campaign; eight straight quality starts and 2.29 ERA. Future 4/5 starter again?
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox (Double-A Portland): 0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K. Numbers from hot start are quickly diminishing; 6-for-43 (.140) in last 12 games and down to .282/.319/.474.
Jio Mier, SS, Astros (Low-A Lexington): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB. 2009 first-round pick has been much better in second go-around in Sally League; .280/.392/.453 in 40 games and defense remains well above-average.
Jared Mitchell, OF, White Sox (High-A Winston-Salem): 2-for-3, HR (6), R, 2 RBI, 2 BB. 2009 first-round pick who missed all of 2010 has been mostly a disappointment in return, by 5-for-7 with two home runs in last two games for .220/.273/.415 line.
Martin Perez, LHP, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Are we finally getting some consistency? Has allowed just two runs over 26.2 innings in last four starts, and it's easy to forget he's still just 20 years old.
Ben Revere, OF, Twins (Triple-A Rochester): 2-for-4. Fifth straight two-hit game and 20-for-37 (.541) during nine-game hitting streak; average up from .194 to .317/.360/.365 as a result.
Dae-Eun Rhee, RHP, Cubs (High-A Daytona): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 K. 22-year-old Korea has looked much better in second year after Tommy John surgery; with solid fastball and plus changeup.
Edinson Rincon, 3B, Padres (High-A Lake Elsinore): 3-for-4, R. 20-year-old Dominican was always seen as having hitting potential and it's starting to show; 16-for-40 (.400) during nine-game hitting streak and .350/.376/.494 overall but defense is lacking.
Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Diamondbacks (High-A Visalia): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K. Young for the league at 19, playing in a great offensive environment, and is limiting the California League to a .212 batting average with 11.3 K/9.
Michael Taylor, OF, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 3-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, 4 RBI. First home run in 12 games and everything else is already clicking; 20-for-53 (.377) since returning from injury.
Cory Vaughn, OF, Mets (Low-A Savannah): 4-for-4, 2B, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB. Too good for this level and needs to move up; 1091 OPS in May and .342/.475/.503 overall.
Jonathan Villar, SS, Astros (High-A Lancaster): 3-for-6, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, RBI, 2 K. Home runs in back-to-back games and 932 OPS in May; .272/.369/.430 overall in 42 games.
Jemile Weeks, 2B, Athletics (Triple-A Sacramento): 2-for-4, 2 R, BB. Staying healthy and producing; .322/.412/.454 in 36 games and lining himself up for a job in 2012.
Tim Wheeler, OF, Rockies (Double-A Tulsa): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR (14), 2 R, 4 RBI, BB. Has been hot all year and only getting hotter; 8-for-12 in last three games and .330/.411/.665 overall.
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