Minor League Daily Update: Monday 5/3/2010

Here is Monday’s group of minor league players.  Their statistics shown are for April 26 through May 2.  In addition to the update below, Michael Stanton just keeps hitting homers and is almost forcing Florida to move him up to AAA.  Unless he goes into a funk, I am predicting that we should see that happen this month sometime.  He hit 2 more HR this weekend – he is in our Friday update list so we will see how many more he hits this week.

It was rumored that Stephen Strasburg was going to be moved up to AAA but then he looked almost human in his start yesterday – taking his first professional loss.  Maybe he isn’t some super advanced robot here to rule the pitching world after all?

Click below to see the statistics for the previous week of work for Jesus Montero, Buster Posey, Dustin Ackley, Aroldis Chapman, Madison Bumgarner, and others.

Note:  Justin Smoak was promoted which was noted in this section last week – I kept him on here one more week since he has struggled since being called up and Chris Davis has ripped up AAA upon being sent down.

Just a couple of quick notes:

• Jesus Montero continues to struggle with the bat – he is an elite talent and will turn it around – the numbers he keeps posting each week are not his norm.  He is still only 20 playing in AAA so I suspect some adjustment is taking place. 
• Buster Posey keeps rolling along – not sure what San Francisco is waiting on at this point. 
• Dustin Ackley continues to struggle with the bat.  Reports do indicate that his defense at second base is coming along nicely.  Patience is advised.
• Chris Carter started a little slowly but has shown his elite power over the last couple of weeks.  There has been a lot made regarding Daric Barton’s surprising hot start but I wouldn’t expect it to last all year and Carter will get to sniff the majors at some point.
• Aaron Hicks also started slow but it really pouring it on lately.  He is a long term prospect for Minnesota but should push for a promotion to high-A with performances like this past week.
• Strasburg took his first professional loss – anyone jumping off the bandwagon?  I didn’t think so.
• Jeremy Hellickson continues to be excellent and really would be up with the major league club with just about any team that isn’t the Rays, Yankees, or Red Sox. 
• Madison Bumgarner had his 3^rd consecutive solid outing after his first two were complete disasters.  In his past three outings, he has posted 3 ER in 17 IP with allowing only 9 hits.  In his first two starts he allowed 21 hits in 7 IP.  Reports are his velocity is slightly better as well.  I have my fingers crossed that he is headed in the right direction.
• Julio Teheran is one the best pitchers in the low minors.  He has allowed 3 ER in 26 IP and has struck out 30 batters.
• Phillippe Aumont had a rough outing this week with 4 ER and 5BB in 1.2 IP. 

Everything is really in full swing in the minors – no hitters, 3HR games, top prospects excelling and top prospects getting off to slow starts.

And to answer a question that was posted in a previous update regarding the status of Logan Morrison:  Logan has been out with a shoulder injury after a collision at 1^st base during a game.  He was scheduled for an MRI last week – I will look for some updates on that.  He is on the 7-day DL.

Comments and questions are welcome.