Minor League Monitor: Jaff Decker Dominates, Mike Trout Looking Strong, AA Texas League Review

Sawyer Carroll was looking like a promising power speed threat before he stalled at AA last year. He is off to a strong start in his second full year at the level. His batting average sits at  .435 with a double, triple and three home runs. Look for a likely AAA promotion with a chance he may see the bigs if he keeps the power coming. The speed threat may be gone but it's still too early to tell.

Jaff Decker is crushing the ball for San Antonio. He is hitting .412 with 5 2B, 1 3B, 4HR, and 9 BB. He is tied or has the league lead in runs, doubles, RBI, walks, SLG, and OPS. He has also chipped in a pair of stolen bases. One of the top prospects in the Padres system, Decker should continue to move quickly through the organization.

Juan Nicasio has been on fire, striking out 13 and walking none in 10 innings. His ERA is a nice 1.80.

Padres third base prospect James Darnell leads the Texas League with a .467 AVG. He is 14-30, 5 2B, 1 HR, 5 BB, 1K.

Tim Wheeler looks good early on with a .367 AVG, 3 HR, 6 BB and 2 SB.

Wil Myers is hitting .300 but has 10 strikeouts in 7 games.

Astros prospect J.D. Martinez is off to a strong start. He is batting .364 with 4 doubles and a home run.

John Lamb has walked 7 in 6.2 and has a 4.05 ERA. His stock will fall big time if he continues to miss the strike zone.

Carlos Hernandez leads the circuit with 11.2 innings pitched. Two solid starts have resulted in a 1.54 ERA with 12 Ks and 2 BB.

Christopher Dwyer has given up 7 runs in 7.2 innings. The young season has not been nice to the Royals top two pitching prospects at Northwest Arkansas.

Wilin Rosario has looked good with a .273/.333/.682 triple slash. He could make a push for Colorado this season and would have the potential to put up some solid numbers when called up.

Texas League hitters have been teeing off on Cory Riordan 17 hits, 2 walks, and a home run have yielded 13 runs. 10 of the runs have been earned and his ERA sits at 11.74 after 7.2 innings. The lone bright spot is the 2 walks, something he has been known for limiting.

Grant Green got off to a hot start but has tapered off batting .235/.289/.382 for the season.

Christian Friedrich has been walloped for 8 earned runs in 11 innings. His 1.36 WHIP suggests he may have been a bit unlucky. He had a strong first start to the season so it will be interesting to see how he fares in start #3.

Michael Bianucci and Cody Decker share the league lead with 5 home runs.

Orangel Arenas has a 0.82 ERA in his first 11 innings.

Ryan Mount has two doubles, a triple and two home runs. His 1.235 OPS ranks fifth in the league.

Casey Kelly has been neither great nor bad. His ERA sits at 3.48 with 2 walks in 10.1 innings. He has only fanned 3 batters.

After stealing 50 last year, Jimmy Paredes has 6 in 6 attempts this year. He has a great feel for base stealing but will need to reach base more often to fully take advantage of his speed. If he can draw more walks he has the potential to steal 40+ in the bigs.

Trevor Reckling is looking to make up for a dismal 2010. He has a 2.70 ERA over 10 innings.

Mike Trout is doing good living up to his top prospect label. He has 3 HR and 3 SB and a 1.036 OPS.

Martin Perez is looking much better in his second take at the Texas League. He has a 2.25 ERA with 12 Ks in 8 innings. 9 hits and 4 walks suggest he may have gotten lucky with that ERA but the Ks point to domination.

Engel Beltre is off to a poor start with a .207/.250/.379 line. He has flashed some speed, however, with 2 triples and 2 stolen bases.

Are there any hot starts you think will continue or slow starters that will continue to struggle?