August 18: Chen Homers, Cid and Constanza Continue Hot Streaks

AAA COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (L, 2-9)

• JOSE CONSTANZA (26, OF):  3-3, 2 BB, RBI, SB.  Jose is the definition of en fuego right now.  Last 5 games: .706 BA (12-17), 4 RBI, 5 BB, and 5 SB.  He’s batting a scorching .383 overall in 60 August ABs, with 4 extra-base hits, 8 RBI, 9 BB, and 6 SB (only 5 K).  His season AAA average is up to .314, to go along with 33 SB.
• MATT McBRIDE (25, OF):  1-3, BB.  Batting .378 in this last 10 games, but with only 3 extra-base hits and 2 RBI.
• LUKE CARLIN (29, C):  2-3, HR, BB.  Recently acquired from the Pirates organization, batting .300 (3-10) in 4 games with the Clippers, with 2 BB and 5 K.
• DAVID HUFF (25, SP):  6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H (HR), 2 BB, 4 K.  In 9 AAA starts 56.1 IP): 3.99 ERA, 39 K, 15 BB, .281 BAA.

AA AKRON AEROS (L, 2-3)

• JORDAN HENRY (22, OF):  2-5.  Last 5 games: 11-23 (.478), 4 RBI, 2 BB.  AA average up to .306 (216 ABs), with a .393 OBP.
• LONNIE CHISENHALL (21, 3B):  1-3, BB.  Last 6 games: 9-20 (.450), 3 extra-base hits, 9 RBI, 7 BB (.593 OBP).
• JERAD HEAD (27, OF):  1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB.  3-7 in 2 games since demotion from AAA.
• TIM FEDROFF (23, OF):  1-3, BB.  Last 10: .361, 6 extra-base hits, 4 BB (.439 OBP).
• CARLOS RIVERO (22, SS):  2-4.  Last 6 games: 8-24 (.333), 4 RBI.
• SCOTT BARNES (22, SP):  6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H (HR), 2 BB, 5K.  Last 10 starts: 3.36 ERA, 42 K, 18 BB, .218 BAA in 61.2 IP.  8 HR in those last 10 outings is concerning, though.
• CONNOR GRAHAM (24, RP):  2 IP, 3 K.  Last 10 appearances (17.1 IP):  1.04 ERA, 20 K, 4 BB, .169 BAA.  A vast improvement over his season totals: 3.20 ERA, 54 K, 40 BB, .253 BAA.

HIGH-A KINSTON INDIANS (L, 1-9)

• CHUN CHEN (21, C):  1-1, HR, 2 BB.  7 game hit-streak: 9-18, 3 extra-base hits, 3 RBI, 6 BB, SB.  Combined 2010 low-A and high A stats (330 ABs): .312, 32 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 56 RBI, .360 OBP (40 BB, 64 K).
• DONNIE WEBB (24, OF):  2-4.  Last 10 games: .324, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 10 K, SB.
• JUAN DIAZ (21, SS):  2-4.  Finally settling in with Kinston.  Last 10 games: .405 BA, 3 extra-base hits, 5 RBI, SB (37 ABs).  Season with Kinston: .258 BA, 5 extra-base hits, and 14 RBI in 159 ABs.
• KAREXON SANCHEZ (22, 2B):  1-3, BB.  Last 9 games: 9-30 (.300), 5 BB, 11 K.  2010 season with Kinston: .259 BA, 18 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 43 RBI, 66 BB, 105 K  (.379 OBP).
• T.J. McFARLAND (21, SP):  0.2 IP, 5 ER, 4 H (2 HR), 2 BB, K.  Last 3 starts: 9 IP, 14 ER, 17 H, 3 BB, 10 K.
• TYLER STURDEVANT (24, RP):  3 IP, H, BB, 4 K.  10 appearances with Kinston: 19.2 IP, 4.12 ERA, 21 K, 9 BB, .237 BAA, 3 HR.
• BRIAN GRENING (25, RP):  2 IP, H, 5 K.  27 K in last 19.2 IP, 58 in 45 high-A IP this season.  4 HR allowed in last 10 outings (19.2 IP), though.

LOW-A LAKE COUNTY (L, 2-6)

• TYLER HOLT (21, CF):  1-3, 2B, BB.  In 4 games with Lake County: 3-11 (.273), 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K.
• DELVI CID (21, LF):  2-4, SB.  Last 3 games: 7-14, 2 BB, 3 SB.  Last 10: .333, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 6 SB.  On the season, he has 62 SB and his overall BA is up to .258 after batting .342 so far in August (73 ABs).
• JASON SMIT (20, 1B/OF):  2-3, 2B.  Last 9 games: .400, 6 extra-base hits, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 9 K, 2 SB.  Season average up to .268 after a .348 August so far (66 ABs), with 19 2B, 8 HR, 41 RBI, and 8 SB.
• CLAYTON COOK (20, SP):  2 IP, 2 BB, K.  Last 10 outings: 2.87 ERA, 37 K, 16 BB, .219 BAA in 53.1 IP.
• OWEN DEW (21, RP):  2.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 K.  Rough start in low-A (2 appearances): 6.23 ERA, 4 K, 3 BB, 3 ER, 5 H in 4.1 IP.
• PRESTON GUILMET (23, RP):  2 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K.  Last 10 outings (21.1 IP): 1.69 ERA, 26 K, 4 BB, .147 BAA.

SHORT-SEASON MAHONING VALLEY (W, 4-2)

• CARLOS MONCRIEF (21, OF):  2-4.  Last 10 games: .378 BA, 5 extra-base hits, 4 RBI, 8 BB, SB.
• DIEGO SEASTRUNK (22, C):  1-4, HR, 3 RBI.  Last 8 games: .286, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB.  Season with Mahoning Valley: .193 BA, 5 2B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 17 BB (22 K).  Solid overall K to BB ratio suggests that his recent success at the plate should continue.
• BRIAN HEERE (23, OF):  1-3, 2B, RBI, BB.  Last 7 games: .435 BA, 3 extra-base hits, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K.
• MIKE RAYL (21, SP):  6 IP, 2 ER, BB, 6 K.  12 starts with the Scrappers (58.1 IP): 3.09 ERA, 44 K, 15 BB, .236 BAA.  Last 4 outings: 24 K in 20.2 IP.
• NATHAN STRIZ (22, RP):  IP, BB, K in Scrappers debut.

August 14: Espino and White Stellar on the Mound, Chisenhall Goes Deep

In an effort to save some time, I’m trying out a new format today.  We’ll see how it goes.  Of course, your feedback is always welcome.  Featured performances are italicized.

AAA COLUMBUS (W, 1-0)

• PAOLO ESPINO (23-SP):  7 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 8 K (3 starts in AAA (19.2 IP): 2.75 ERA, 5 BB, 14 K, .239 BAA)
• JOSE CONSTANZA (26-OF):  2-4, SB (Last 10: .368 BA, .429 OBP)
• MATT McBRIDE (25-LF):  2-2, RBI (13 games in AAA (51 ABs): .373 BA)
• DREW SUTTON (27-2B):  1-3, 2B (7 games with Columbus (24 ABs): .292 BA, .370 OBP)
• BRYCE STOWELL (23-RP):  IP, 2 K (14 appearances in AAA (16 IP): 3.38 ERA, 13 BB, 25 K, .167 BAA)
• VINNIE PESTANO (25-RP):  IP, 2 K, SV (36 appearances in AAA (39.1 IP): 1.83 ERA, 12 BB, 52 K, .215 BAA)

AA AKRON (W, 12-2)

• ALEX WHITE (21-SP):  6 IP, 3 H, BB, ER, 3 K (A nice rebound after giving up 11 ER in his last 2 starts (10 IP))
• LONNIE CHISENHALL (21-3B):  3-4, HR, 5 RBI (5-11 in last 3 games, now has 15 HR and 66 RBI in 2010)
• JORDAN HENRY (22-CF):  2-4, RBI, 2 BB (5-12, 4 BB, 3 RBI in last 3 games)
• JASON KIPNIS (23-2B):  1-3, RBI, BB (8 game hit streak, 8 RBI during that stretch)
• BEAU MILLS (24-1B):  2-5, 2B, 2 RBI (4 for last 10 with 2 2B, 22 2B and 61 RBI in 2010)
• JOHN DRENNEN (23-OF):  2-5, RBI (8-18 in last 4 games, .299 BA, 49 RBI in 2010)
• CARLOS RIVERO (22-SS):  2-5 (7-19 in last 5 games with 4 RBI)
• TIM FEDROFF (23-OF):  3-5 (.343 in last 9 games)
• CRISTO ARNAL (24-2B):  2-5 (.324 in last 9 games)
• JUAN APODACA (24-C):  2-3, 2 BB (In 7 games with Akron: .500 (9-18), 10 BB (.679 OBP))

HIGH A KINSTON (L, 1-3)

• JOSEPH MAHALIC (21-SP):  5 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 0 ER (2 unearned), K (Last 10 starts (47.1 IP): 30 BB, 25 K, 25 ER)
• ABNER ABREU (20-OF):  2-4, SB (4-10 in last 3 games)
• DONNIE WEBB (24-OF):  1-3, 2B, BB (7 game hit streak (.320 BA))
• BO GREENWELL (21-OF):  2-4, RBI (.318 BA, .393 OBP in 154 ABs in 2010 with Kinston)
• CHUN CHEN (21-C):  1-3, BB (.282 BA, .389 OBP in 103 ABs in 2010 with Kinston)

LOW A LAKE COUNTY (L, 2-4)

• BRETT BRACH (22-SP):  7 IP, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 ER (1 unearned), 6 K (Last 1o starts (62.2 IP): 2.15 ERA, 8 BB, 56 K, .258 BAA)
• DELVI CID (21-OF):  1-3, SB, BB (59 SB in 2010)
• JASON SMIT (20-1B/OF):  1-3, 2B, BB (6 game hit streak, .318 BA during that stretch)
• ARGENIS MARTINEZ (20-2B):  1-4, 3B, RBI (10-29 (.349 BA) in last 9 games with 7 BB (.472 OBP))
• TYLER HOLT (21-CF):  1-4, 3B, RBI (Professional debut – drafted out of Florida State)
• OWEN DEW (21-P):  2 IP, H (HR), 2 K (Low A debut – 2.64 ERA, 4 BB, 25 K, .206 BAA in 9 starts (47.2 IP with Mahoning Valley)

SHORT-SEASON MAHONING VALLEY (L, 3-4)

• CASEY GAYNOR (23-P):  5 IP, 5 H, ER,BB, 3 K (Last 4 appearances: 18.2 IP, 13 H, 5 BB, 14 K)
• DIEGO SEASTRUNK (22-C):  3-4, RBI (.190 BA in 105 ABs in 2010, .229 BA in last 10 games)
• BRIAN HEERE (23-OF):  3-3, 3B, RBI, BB (9-28 in last 9 games)

August 9: Another Strong Day for Indians Minor League Pitchers

Kinston starting pitcher T.J. HOUSE (20) had another stellar outing on Monday, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits and 1 BB in 7 innings of work.  He struck out only one batter in the game, but he nevertheless held Salem in check.  In his last 4 outings, he’s given up a total of 3 runs (all earned) while striking out 13, walking 4, and allowing 14 hits (no home runs) in 27 innings of work.  The dip in Ks bothers me a little, but the parallel trend of fewer BBs is encouraging.  With the way that House has been pitching as of late, he doesn’t really need to strike out many batters.  On the season, he now has a 3.62 ERA with 91 Ks, 50 BBs, and a .256 BAA in 117 innings pitched.

On the other hand, Lake County starter BRETT BRACH (22) was in strikeout mode on Monday night.  In 7 innings of work, he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits (one HR) and no walks while striking out 9 batters.  Such a high number of Ks is unusual for Brach, but his dominance on the mound is nothing new.  This season with Lake County, he has a 2.88 ERA with 71 Ks, 21 BBs, and a .269 BAA in 93.2 innings.  He’s two years older than House and playing at a lower level, but I still like this guy.  He’s deserving of a promotion to Kinston, where he’ll be tested.  In his last 10 starts, he’s allowed more than 3 earned runs only once and kept his opponents under 2 earned runs in 7 of those 10 outings.

Mahoning Valley pitcher CASEY GAYNOR (23) also impressed on Monday, dominating Aberdeen.  In 5 innings of work (following Mitch Talbot’s 3-inning rehab start), Gaynor gave up no runs on 2 hits and 2 BBs while striking out 7.  On the season, he has a 4.25 ERA with 24 Ks, 12 BB, and a .270 BAA in 29.2 innings on the mound.  10 of his 12 appearances are relief outings, and he’s mostly done well in that role.  Gaynor, a graduate of Rutgers, is in his first season of professional ball.

On Monday, a trio of Mahoning Valley Scrappers were named to the 2010 New York- Penn League All-Star game.  Second baseman DANIEL DeGEORGE is batting .257 in 109 at-bats this season and had a scorching hot July in which he hit .365.  He’s in his second year of pro baseball…  Starting pitcher ALEX KAMINSKY also got the nod after posting a 2.15 ERA with 41 K, 15 BB, and a .222 BAA in 10 starts (50.1 IP) this season.  He’s in the midst of his first season of professional ball, out of Wright State…  Another starter, OWEN DEW, also receives All-Star honors.  In 47.2 innings of work for the Scrappers this season, he’s recorded a 2.64 ERA with 25 K, only 4 BB, and a .206 BAA.  A graduate of Central Florida, Dew is in his first pro season.

High A Kinston Rundown (W, 5-2):  Catcher CHUN CHEN went 2 for 4 with a run scored on Monday.  He’s batting .333 in his last 10 games and .300 in 90 at-bats on the season for Kinston…  Shortstop JUAN DIAZ went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.  Acquired from the Mariners earlier this season, the 21 year-old Diaz is batting only .230 with a 2B, a 3B, no HR, 10 RBI, and no SBs through 126 at-bats with Kinston after hitting .295 with 8 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 41 RBI, and 8 SB in 254 California League at-bats before the trade…  DOUG PICKENS went only 1 for 4, but that hit was a big 3-run home run.  In 261 at-bats with Kinston, he’s batting .230 with 6 HR and 33 RBI, but is hitting only .133 in his last 10 games…  NATE RECKNAGEL went 1 for 3 with an RBI, a BB, and a run scored.  He’s batting .222 on the season (180 at-bats) and .219 over his last 10 games…  Reliever CORY BURNS pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his 21st high A save of the season and his 33rd overall, between Kinston and Lake County.

Class A Lake County Rundown (W, 11-2):  The big bats of Lake County are back after a few games off.  DELVI CID led the charge, going 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a stolen base, his 57th of the season.  After batting .195 in April, 182 in May, .289 in June, and .280 in July, Cid is batting .350 so far in August…  Shortstop CASEY FRAWLEY went 3 for 4 with a 2B, 3 RBI, a BB, and 2 runs scored on Monday.  He’s batting only .263 in his last 10 games, but I like his 4:5 K to BB ratio…  ADAM ABRAHAM went 2 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.  In his last 10 games, he’s batting .341 with 9 RBI and a .413 OBP…  Catcher ROBERTO PEREZ continued his recent hot streak, going 3 for 5 with 2 2B, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored.  He’s batting .394 in his last 10 games with 5 2B, a 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, and 10 BB to only 4 K (.535 OBP)…  Outfielder JASON SMIT went 2 for 4 with a 2-run HR and 3 total RBI.  He’s batting .306 in his last 10 games with 2 HR and 10 RBI…  Right-handed relief pitcher JOSE FLORES continued his solid 2010 campaign, tossing a scoreless inning in which he struck out one.  On the season with Lake County, he’s maintained a 2.20 ERA with 37 Ks, 5 BBs, and a .221 BAA in 28.2 innings of work.

Short-season Mahoning Valley Rundown (W, 4-1):  Another good game for CARLOS MONCRIEF, who went 2 for 3 with a 2B, a BB, and a run scored.  He’s batting .432 over his last 10 games with a .488 OBP…  GIOVANNY URSHELA remained hot, going 3 for 4 with a 2B and an RBI.  In his last 10 games, he’s batting .450 (18 for 40) with 10 RBI and no strikeouts…  JESUS AGUILAR went 0 for 2, but drove in 2 runs on sacrifice flies…  MITCH TALBOT made a rehab start with the Scrappers on Monday, allowing one run on 2 hits and a BB in 3 innings of work.

The Columbus Clippers and Akron Aeros did not play on Monday.  The Clippers game was postponed and the Aeros had a scheduled day off.

August 2: Santana Injured, Cid Remains Hot

Last night, it appeared that the Indians’ future might have taken a devastating blow when Ryan Kalish of the Red Sox collided with Carlos Santana during a play at the plate and the latter’s leg buckled in a disturbing manner.  After lying on the ground for a few minutes, Santana was carted off the field, his leg in an air cast.  However, he didn’t leave the stadium during the game and the team’s medical crew’s initial examination revealed that Santana’s knee performed surprisingly well during their tests.  He will head back to Cleveland for an MRI today.  Hopefully the initial reactions to the injury were indeed exaggerated and Santana makes a speedy recovery.  Santana is the core of the Indians’ future, so his well-being is a priority for the club.  In the meantime, Chris Gimenez will assume catching duties and with Santana’s trip to the disabled list looming ahead (perhaps for the remainder of the 2010 season), LOU MARSON will likely receive the call up from AAA Colombus.  Although Marson struggled mightily during his 141-AB stay with the Indians earlier this season, his bat recently came to life in Columbus.  He’s hitting .303 over his last 10 games with 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, and an OBP of .395.

The Columbus Clippers and Akron Aeros had scheduled days off, while the Kinston game was suspended (rain) and will be finished later today.  So, today’s brief discussion will center on Lake County and Mahoning Valley.

Lake County outfielder DEVLI CID (age 21) continued his recent hot streak against South Bend on Monday.  He went 2 for 5 at the dish, doubling and driving in 3.  He also swiped his 54th bag of the season and has now logged a stolen base in 3 straight contests and in 6 of his last 7.  Over his last 4 games, Cid is batting .444 (8 for 18) with 6 RBI and 5 SB.  He’s struck out 3 times while walking once during that span.  His recent turnaround has been most impressive, as it was not that long ago that I expressed some serious concerns about his propensity to strike out and his difficulty in getting on base.  I look forward to seeing if his recent success fades before too long or if Cid has truly turned a corner.  I sure hope that it’s the latter case;  this guy has tremendous potential.

Recent call-up JESUS AGUILAR (age 20) has gotten off to a good start with the Class A Short-Season Mahoning Valley Scrappers.  The first baseman went 2 for 4 on Monday with a double.  It was his second start since his promotion; he went 1 for 4 with an RBI on Sunday.  He spent the earlier part of the season with the Indians’ Arizona League (rookie ball) affiliate, going .259 with 2 2B, a 3B, 7 HR, and 22 RBI (5 walks, 33K) in 112 at-bats.  He spent the previous two seasons with the Tribe’s Dominican Summer League (also rookie ball) affiliate, struggling in 2008 with a .209 BA, 12 2B, 4 HR, and 45 RBI (235 AB) before improving last year to .305 with 15 2B, 5 HR and 46 RBI (200 AB).  He’s struck out a lot this year, but I like his size (6’3″, 241 lb.) and that he’s only 20.

Lake County Rundown (L, 7-8):  The game ended up being a high-scoring one, but Lake County starter CLAYTON COOK started the game off well enough for the Captains.  In 6 innings, he allowed 3 runs on 9 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6.  Hardly a dominant outing, but a solid one for the 20 year-old righty.  In his last 10 starts, Cook has allowed more than 3 runs only once and exactly 3 runs only twice…  Outfielder GREG FOLGIA had another nice game, going 2 for 4 with a double and a pair of RBI.  He also drew a walk.  He’s now batting .444 in his last 10 games with 4 2B, 2 HR, and 10 RBI (.475 OBP)…  Right fielder JASON SMIT went 2 for 5, driving in a run and stealing  a bag.  He was 0 for his last 9 heading into this game and batting only .194 over his last 10 games, so this solid game might help break him out of that slump.  On the season with Lake County, he’s hitting .244 with 13 2B, 6 HR, 28 RBI, and an OBP of .286 in 234 ABs.  The most alarming statistic is that he’s drawn only 9 walks while striking out 70 times.  Not good…  Big first baseman CHRIS KERSTEN (6’4″, 225 lb.) had a solid performance, going 1 for 3 with a double, a BB, and 2 runs scored.  He’s old for A ball (24) and struggled with high A Kinston before getting demoted to Lake County (.167 BA in 96 AB with Kinston), so I won’t be getting to excited about this guy.  Like Smit, he strikes out a lot while walking little (12 BB, 85 K this year).  He’s batting .270 with 7 2B, 6 HR, and 23 RBI in 141 at-bats with Lake County, but that’s hardly impressive considering his age.

Mahoning Valley Rundown (L, 3-6):  The Scrappers did little offensively in this game and the only hits collected by players not named Jesus Aguilar (see above) were the 2 by GIOVANNY URSHELA.  He went 2 for 4 with a 2-run home run.  He’s batting .314 over his last 10 games with 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, and a .361 OBP…  Scrappers starter OWEN DEW continued a solid first season of professional ball.  On Monday, he went 6 innings, 1 run on 3 hits (a solo HR did the damage) and 1 walk while striking out 4.  The 21 year-old Dew was the Indians’ 21st-round pick in the 2010 draft out of Central Florida.  He’s looked good so far with the Scrappers, posting a 2.53 ERA with 22 Ks, 4 BB, and a BAA of .195 in 8 starts (42.2 IP).