Top stories
Hamilton steals #100: In what’s surely the most remarkable thing taking place in the minors this season, Billy Hamilton reached the 100 stolen base plateau for the second consecutive season, and it only took 78 games this time. He’s on pace for a ridiculous 174 steals which would shatter what’s believed to be the minor league record, 145 by Vince Coleman in 1983. In his 78th game last year, Hamilton had a mere 60 steals and eventually finished with 103. On the milestone steal, he barely beat a throw from Eddy Rodriguez, and Lake Elsinore manager David Newhan was ejected after a brief argument. However, Lake Elsinore held on to win the game 3-2.
MiLB recognizes Player of the Week recipients: Every Monday, MiLB honors each league’s Player of the Week winner. This week included Jedd Gyorko of Tucson, San Diego’s infield prospect that shifted from third base to second this year as Chase Headley emerged as a very good Major Leaguer. C.J. Retherford of Rancho Cucamonga took home the prize in the Cal League. In 66 games this year, the infielder has a 1.101 OPS. Other recipients include Starling Marte (IL), Thomas Neal (EL), Curt Smith (SL), Chris Swauger (TL), Rick Hague (Car), Jason Rogers (FSL), Ji-Man Choi (MWL), Aaron Senne (SAL), Cole Frenzel (NYPL), Alfredo Morales (NWL), Romy Jimenez (APP) and Daniel Pulfer (PIO).
MiLB recognizes Pitcher of the Week recipients: Every Monday, MiLB honors each league’s Pitcher of the Week winner. This week included Pat Neshek, the veteran fan favorite reliever trying to make it back to the majors with Norfolk. Andrew Barbosa was honored by the Pioneer League thanks to his 16 scoreless innings to start his pro career. Other recipients include Will Smith (PCL), Vidal Nuno (EL), Tony Cingrani (SL), Josh Geer (TL), Nicholas Tropeano (Cal), Matthew Heidenreich (Car), Robert Morey (FSL), Aaron Sanchez (MWL), Ben Alsup (SAL), Luis Mateo (NYPL), Brook Hart (NWL) and Mauricio Cabrera (APP).
Steverson banned from Cal League dugouts: About two weeks ago, a game between Modesto and Stockton took 18 innings to complete, and Stockton needed two position players to finish the game on the mound. Josh Whitaker committed three balks in the final two innings, and Modesto eventually took advantage to win. Todd Steverson, a roving instructor for the A’s filling in for regular manager Webster Garrison, admitted the next day he ordered the balks to try to ensure no position players get injured. Monday, Cal League President Charlie Blaney fined Steverson an undisclosed amount and banned him from Cal League dugouts for one year. While he understands that he was protecting his players, Blaney has to protect the integrity of the game. It makes a statement, and Steverson will still be able to do his job and find somewhere else to sit during games.
Starling homers twice: Bubba Starling has some of the most impressive tools in baseball, and the former 5th overall pick has shown all aspects of his game in four appearances with Burlington in the Appy League. Monday, he hit the first two home runs of his career in a 13-5 win by the Royals. He also struck out three times, showing how raw he still is. It’s only been four games, but he’s off to a nice start, batting .294 with a .429 OBP and .647 SLG. The only thing missing from his season so far is a stolen base; he hasn’t attempted a steal yet.
Action comes quickly as international signing window opens: It only took about 40 minutes for the first top international player to sign on July 2nd as people wondered how the new rules would affect the pace of the action. The answer was clearly not at all. In about 40 minutes, the Phillies agreed to sign Dominican outfielder Jose Pujols, a tall, lanky right hander with a lot of projectable power. As the day wore on, plenty of big names came off the board. The #1 player available this year, Franklin Barreto, signed with Toronto as expected. With two signings over $800,000, the Yankees are nearing the $2.9 million bonus cap and are probably finished with top players.
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Top Hitters | Aff. | H/AB | R | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB |
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Aaron Baker | FRD | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
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Adeiny Hechavarria | LV | 3/5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Blake Smith | CHT | 2/3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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Bubba Starling | BURA | 3/6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
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D.J. Hicks | ELI | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Gerson Montilla | VIS | 3/6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Giovanny Urshela | CAR | 3/5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Guillermo Pimentel | CLI | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Jesus Aguilar | CAR | 4/5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Jonathan Singleton | CC | 3/4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Jose Munoz | AZAZ | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Joseph Almaraz | GCSL | 2/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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Juaner Aguasvivas | CON | 2/3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Luke Murton | TRE | 2/3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Patrick Palmeiro | GF | 2/5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
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Romy Jimenez | ELI | 3/4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Ryan Wheeler | REN | 3/5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Steven Souza Jr. | HAG | 3/5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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Taylor Ard | EVE | 2/4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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Taylor Smith-Brennan | AZMI | 2/4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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Trayce Thompson | WS | 2/3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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Wade Kirkland | BURM | 3/3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Top Pitchers | Aff. | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
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Adam Morgan | CLE | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
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Angel Baez | KC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
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Blake Monar | AUB | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
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Bobby Brosnahan | VAN | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
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Brian Holmes | TCNY | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
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Chris Rusin | IOW | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
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Domingo Tapia | SAV | 5.2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
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Edgar De La Rosa | CON | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
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Edwar Cabrera | CS | 6.2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13 |
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John Ely | ALB | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
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Jonathan Martinez | AZLA | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
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Justin Wilson | IND | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
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Kua Hua Lo | GCMI | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
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Oscar Armenta | GCTB | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
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Raydel Sanchez | GL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
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Raymundo Montero | SK | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
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Ryan Carpenter | BG | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
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Tom Koehler | NO | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
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Tony Cingrani | PEN | 6.2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
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Wander Marte | PUL | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
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Wily Peralta | NAS | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
On tap today
Julio Teheran hopes to turn season around
Mike Montgomery tries to rebound coming off of terrible start
Jamie Moyer makes second start for Las Vegas
Zach Lee makes second AA start
Peter Tago looks to get on track
If you know of a player performance or article that should be shared, please let me know on Twitter at @5runrally!
