Around the Bases - July 28, 2009

Santana's presence is making Victor Martinez expendable

It’s About Time…

…that 22yo Indian first basemen, Beau Mills, had something to celebrate, as his season has gotten off to a disappointing start. However, yesterday Mills went 3 for 5 with 2 HRs. Mills is still a bit young for his league (ESL), so no one is losing hope quite yet, but his OPS on the year now stands at only .707.

Paying Dividends Already…

One of two players acquired from the Red Sox in last week’s Adam LaRoche deal, 20yo Hunter Strickland made his debut for the West Virginia Power last night, and what a debut it was. The right-hander tossed 6 scoreless, hitless, walkless innings while fanning 5.

If the Cardinals needed a bat…

…they might have considered 24yo firstbasemen, Mark Hamilton, who between stops in the Texas (TXL) League and Pacific (PCL) League has a .971 OPS on the year. Last night he went 4 for 5, while belting 2 home runs.

Keep Your Eye On…

…Diminutive 22yo Mets’ Left-Hander, Jim Fuller. After the Mets drafted him in the 21st round in 2008, who was lights out coming in from the bullpen in the New York (NYP) League. He’s back in Brooklyn this season, only starting this time around. Last night he tossed 8 innings of 1-run, 2-hit, ball, allowing a walk, while fanning 8. On the year he has a 1.64 ERA, with opposing hitters batting only .189 against him. At 5’10”, he appears to be a reliever over the long run, but it will be interesting to see what he does against more advanced competition.

You’ll Know Him Soon…

If you aren’t familiar with Mariners’ 17yo OF, Julio Morban, you will be. We felt that Morban was the best position player signed out of Latin America last summer, and he hasn’t disappointed in his stateside debut. Yesterday Morban went 3 for 5, with 2 home runs, and now has an .864 OPS as one of the youngest players in the Arizona (AZL) League.

Pitching Performance of the Day…

…Belongs to Toronto right-hander, Fabio Castro. The 24yo, can’t seem to get over the hump to stay in the Big Leagues, but that didn’t stop him from tossing 7-scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks, while fanning 10.

And remember they got him for Casey Blake…

When all is said and done, it may go down as one of the Dodgers’ worst trades in team history, as Carlos Santana looks enough to be the real deal that the Indians are shopping all-star catcher, Victor Martinez. After homering for the 4th straight game, going 6 for 12 during that stretch, the 23yo Martinez now has a .272/.396/.534 line for the season. Perhaps more impressive is his 63:57 BB:K ratio that strongly suggests he will be able to carry those kind of numbers with him to the next level. With Wieters already in the Majors, Santana is battling Buster Posey for the title of Minor’s Best Catching Prospect.