Matt Rizzotti - Phillies: Eastern League pitching proved to be no match for Rizzotti last season and 2011 is proving to be no different. He is batting .411 in 16 games with 11 doubles. He looks like he could end up being a pre-wrist injury Lyle Overbay type of hitter with much less defensive ability.
J.C. Ramirez - Phillies: Ramirez is proving successful despite a lack of strikeouts. He has a 1.33 ERA through 20.1 innings with only 5 strikeouts. He has walked 4 and allowed 11 hits.
Austin Hyatt - Phillies: The Atlanta native has put a lot of zeros on the scoreboard this year. In 16 innings he holds a 1.69 ERA with 16 Ks. Hyatt had an excellent season last year, striking out 181 in 146.1 innings between High-A and AA. He's one of my favorite pitcher's for a breakout season in 2011.
Alex Hassan - Red Sox: Hassan has used his strong contact skills to get off to a .408 AVG to start the year. He has 4 doubles, 8 walks and 5 strikeouts.
Jacob Turner - Tigers: Turner has not been nice to Eastern League hitters this year. He sports a 1.83 ERA with 20 strikeouts, 3 walks and 13 hits in 19.2 innings.
Joe Benson - Twins: Benson continues to swat doubles, he has 7 on the year. His AVG stands at .382 and he has been successful on all 3 base stealing attempts.
Starling Marte - Pirates: The Pirates sure love their speedsters and you can add MArte to the lot. He has 5 swipes in 6 tries and his AVG is at a nice .350 after 14 games.
Aaron Pribanic - Pirates: Pribanic continues to find success as he makes his way through the minors. He holds a 1.89 ERA through 19 innings thanks in large part to allowing only a single walk. He has struck out only 8 but it gets the job done when he isn't handing out free bases.
Xavier Avery - Orioles: Avery is making the most of his few baserunning opportunities. With a .273 OBP he has stolen 12 bases in 13 tries. He has struck out 22 times.
Wynn Pelzer - Orioles: Pelzer has allowed only 3 hits in 14 inning. The 3 hits have combined with 8 walks to make a 0.64 ERA.
John Drennen - Indians: The Indians outfield prospect has a .333 AVG with 4 doubles and 3 home runs. His 1.061 OPS ranks 3rd in the Eastern League. He has never hit for this much power in the past so I figure I should mention him this one time before he likely slows.
Manny Banuelos - Yankees: Banuelos has pitched 8 innings this year without giving up a run. He has given up 6 hits, 3 walks and struck out 5 in that time.
Dellin Betances - Yankees: Betances has a 1.93 ERA in 4.2 innings with 1 K.
Bradley Holt - Mets: The Mets #10 ranked prospect could be ranked even higher next year if he continues to roll. He has allowed 1 earned run in 18 innings with 14 Ks.
Ryan Verdugo - Giants: The Giants are trying Verdugo as a starter this year and he is making the transition seamlessly so far. In 3 starts he has gone 16.1 innings with a 16/2 K/BB ratio and a 1.65 ERA.
Brad Peacock - Nationals: In 17 innings, Peacock has allowed only 12 hits and 2 walks while fanning 21. He has an ERA of 1.59.
Derek Norris - Nationals: Once considered the catcher of the future for the Nationals, Norris is struggling to reach that role now. In 6 games he is 2-15 with 9 Ks. He has managed to steal 2 bases.
Check out the latest Minor League Monitors from the other Minor Leagues: