Bus Leagues Express: July 26

Top stories

Marte promoted to Pittsburgh: To help improve their improbable push for the playoffs, the Pirates added outfielder Starling Marte from Indianapolis. The 23 year old Dominican posted a .847 OPS in 99 games with the Indians. The aggressive swinger has made an effort to be more patient this year, but it’s come at the expense of what was previously a pretty low strikeout rake. The ball flies off his bat, and he should have enough power and speed to profile in the corner outfield which is where he’ll be playing with Andrew McCutchen entrenched in center.

Hicks collects 10 total bases in blowout win: Aaron Hicks has long had one of the most tantalizing skillsets in the minors, but he’s had a hard time putting it together in games. In his first season in AA, with the exception of a rough month of May, Hicks has impressed all year. In Wednesday’s 11-2 win over Binghamton, Hicks was 5/6 with two doubles, a homer, five runs scored and two driven in. In 25 July games, Hicks is batting .355 with a .459 OBP and .581 SLG thanks to three homers and 12 extra base hits total. His .836 OBP would be a career high, and his .284 average would be a full-season ball career high. Zack Wheeler got the start for Binghamton and allowed five earned runs in four innings. He’s now allowed 13 earned runs in his last 7.2 innings.

Bowling Green prevails in game of the season: With 28 runs in 13 innings, 39 hits, four lead changes and four blown saves, it’s possible that Bowling Green’s 15-13 win over Lansing is the minors’ game of the season. After taking a 2-0 lead two batters into the game, Bowling Green allowed eight straight runs in the first two innings. The Hot Rods then scored the next six to retie the game but promptly gave the lead back the next inning. Down one in the 9th, Bowling Green pushed across four runs to give themselves a comfortable three run lead. It didn’t last. Before Austin Hubbard could even record an out in the bottom half of the inning, former Rays pick Kevin Patterson launched a three run homer that sent the game into extra innings. Each team scored a run in the 11th, and Bowling Green won it in the 13th when Ryan Brett hit a two-run double. In all, 15 of the 18 starters reached base at least twice, and four drove in three or more runs.

Gaedele hits (Great uncle’s jersey number * 16) home runs: It’s likely that when he’s done playing the game, Fort Wayne outfielder Kyle Gaedele will be more known for his great uncle Eddie Gaedel’s publicity stunt rather than his own exploits. However, Wednesday he had a career game, hitting two home runs in a game for the first time in his career in Fort Wayne’s 5-1 win over South Bend. The former Valparaiso star has had a rough year, batting just .242 with a .704 OPS at the bottom of their lineup, but he’s in the midst of a nice hot streak. Since the All-Star break, he’s batting .322 with a .839 OPS, over 200 points higher than his first half mark.

Baby Bombers ride Butler’s bat: With his one homer, five RBI night in Staten Island’s 8-2 win over Mahoning Valley, first baseman Saxon Butler now has 10 homers and 36 RBI in 32 New York Penn League games. He easily leads the league in both categories, and with about half the season still to go, he would be among the leaders in both categories compared to last season’s full season numbers when only two players hit double digit home runs. The former Samford standout was instrumental in their two wins over Mississippi State in NCAA postseason play, including a home run in their tournament opening 5-0 win over the Bulldogs. Come back later today for an interview with Butler.

AFL coaching staffs announced: The Arizona Fall League is known as a finishing school for players, but it can also be a stepping stone for managers. Over two dozen MLB managers have experience in the biggest domestic winter league, and there are some candidates scheduled to participate in 2012. Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams and Reading Phillies manager Dusty Wathan lead the pack of new coaches, heading up the Salt River Rafters and Peoria Javelinas respectively. Rosters are typically released at the end of August, and it’ll surely be another year with a lot of top prospects.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

There are three probable pitchers listed.

Dump links below