Bus Leagues Express: August 8

I caught it after I finished doing the write-ups, so unfortunately there won’t be one for the AZL Padres’ no-hitter tonight. Kudos to the three pitchers though.

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Shoulders claims Moniker Madness victory: Cubs prospect Rock Shoulders won MiLB’s 2011 edition of Moniker Madness, defeating Rangers infielder Roughned Odor in the championship vote that concluded yesterday. Shoulders had a convincing 60% of the vote in the final, a surprisingly large margin to this onlooker. It could have ended before the run even began because Shoulders was originally listed by his full name, Roderick Shoulders, on the bracket at the beginning of the tournament. For Odor, this makes consecutive losses in the final four, and he’ll likely be back in the thick of it in 2013.

Obispo dominates again: Pensacola has had a strong pitching staff this year, and lately it’s been anchored by previously mostly unknown Wirfin Obispo. After starting the season in the bullpen, he was moved to Pensacola’s rotation where he’s had tremendous results in five starts, posting a 2.00 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in 27 innings with 36 strikeouts. In his career, Obispo has thrown 149.1 innings in the Reds organization in two seasons split over six years. After flaming out as a Red Sox shortstop about 10 years ago, the Reds moved him to the mound. He pitched very successfully for their Dominican Summer League team in 2006 and decided to take his career to Japan. After five years for the Giants and Ham Fighters, the Reds signed him to a minor league deal again, and that’s how he got to where he is today.

Montero’s rapid ascent continues: After signing for $80,000 as a 20 year old in 2011, Rafael Montero was probably just a passing thought to even the most diehard Mets fans. After posting a 2.15 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 71 innings across four levels that year, people started to take notice. Even coming into this season, Montero wasn’t a Mets top 30 prospect, but it’s hard to ignore him now. In 12 starts for low-A Savannah to start the year, Montero had a 2.52 ERA and a K:BB ratio approaching 7.0 before being promoted to tougher competition in the Florida State League. That didn’t slow him down. He’s striking out over a batter per inning in eight starts with St. Lucie, including a six inning, 14 strikeout start last week. Tuesday, he threw 7.2 no-hit innings in a 9-1 St. Lucie win over Palm Beach. The Mets may consider shutting him down soon with such a large increase in innings from year to year, and that might be the only way to stop him.

Dunedin celebrates postseason berth in style: A couple weeks ago, Dunedin held a fauxback uniform game, using the jerseys they would have worn in 1929 had the team existed then. Their latest promotion continues the retro theme. In a Youtube video released Tuesday, the Blue Jays replicated their June 10th division clinching win against Clearwater on RBI Baseball, a popular NES game coincidentally released the same year the current edition of the franchise came into existence. Most details were true to the original game, and the video is sure to stir up nostalgic feelings for those of us who played a lot of Nintendo.

Peralta dazzles in Peoria win: The Midwest League wasn’t short on dominating pitching performances Tuesday, led by Peoria’s Starling Peralta. The 21 year old Dominican was perfect through 5.2 innings against Clinton before serving up a home run to Anthony Phillips. Peralta came back out for the 7th still leading 4-1, and after allowing a leadoff single, he finished his night by striking out the next three hitters. He finished with a franchise record 14 strikeouts in seven innings, only allowing the one run and two hits. Meanwhile at Kane County, Kyle Smith struck out 12 in seven scoreless innings as the Cougars defeated Cedar Rapids 5-0.

Romero continues power surge: Like a lot of high school picks who might not have normally signed so early, Miami’s Avery Romero got off to a slow start in his career. The Florida native batted just .174 with a .533 OPS in 12 July games with the GCL Marlins, but he’s turned it around as of late. After slugging his first professional homer on July 27th, Romero built on the momentum and has a 1.048 OPS through his first six games in August. He’s hit two more home runs in that stretch, and he’s on a four game hitting streak that includes three extra base hits.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

Tyler Skaggs hopes to keep up momentum

Hiram Burgos looks for better AAA results

Ethan Martin makes second start for Reading

Luis Mateo hopes to reduce hits allowed for Brooklyn

Joe Ross makes second appearance for Everett