Danny Duffy - Royals SP DOB: 12/21/88
Mike Montgomery and John Lamb got most of the buzz heading into the season but it has been Duffy who has emerged as the team's top pitcher so far. In 6 starts he has 41/7 K/BB in 32 innings and a 2.25 ERA. His 11.5 K/9 leads all PCL starters and is especially nasty when you place it beside his 2.0 BB/9 and 6.8 H/9.
Brett Lawrie - Blue Jays 3B DOB: 01/18/90
With Hosmer graduating to the majors, Lawrie becomes the top position player prospect in the PCL. The young third basemab is doing everything he did last season except better. In 34 games he has 12 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 8/1 SB/CS and a .331 AVG. Lawrie still has some kinks to work out on the field but his bat is looking major league ready.
Anthony Rizzo - Padres 1B DOB: 08/08/89
Rizzo has been one of the top hitters in the minors this season.Through 32 games he has hit .389, 11 2B, 10 HR, 43 RBI,and 16/29 BB/K. He isn't slowing down and the Padres other first base options have not been producing.
More PCL review after the jump...
Mike Montgomery - Royals SP DOB: 07/01/89
The towering lefty has a 2.84 ERA through 7 starts. The low ERA hides the fact that he has struggled with command, issuing 5 walks per 9 innings. Montgomery remains difficult to hit as he has allowed just 6.9 H/9
Brandon Belt - Giants 1B/LF DOB: 04/20/88
Belt is batting .390 in the PCL but has hit only .267 the past 10 games.
Charlie Blackmon - Rockies RF DOB: 07/01/86
Blackmon is simply waiting for an opportunity before he makes his MLB debut. In 35 games for Colorado Springs Blackmon is hitting .324/.394/.577. He is striking out less than 20% of the time while walking 8%. He will need to improve his defense if he hopes to force his way into the big league roster.
Mike Moustakas - Royals 3B DOB: 09/11/88
Moustakas got off to a slow start but has picked things up recently. In his past 10 games he has a triple slash of .324/.422/.568. His season slash line stands at .256/.338/..448.
Dustin Ackley - Mariners 2B DOB: 02/26/88
Ackley also got off to a slow start but has been a beast lately. In the past 9 games he is hitting .364 with 3 HR,8 RBI, 10 BB and 2 SB. If he continues to hit he should get the call to the majors where he will get a chance to prove his naysayers wrong. The Mariners second baseman have been dreadful at the plate and ownership may want to promote Ackley to give the kid a chance to start slow in the majors ; )
Travis Snider - Blue Jays LF DOB: 02/02/88
Snider has hit well since being demoted but has yet to hit a HR.In 13 games he is hitting .340 with 4 doubles and 3 stolen bases. His 8/10 BB/K is promising.
Eric Thames - Blue Jays LF DOB: 11/10/86
If a spot in the Blue Jays outfield opens up there may be a competition for it between Snider and Thames. Thames is hitting .341 with 13 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR and a solid 16/26 BB/K through 135 ABs.
Simon Castro - Padres SP DOB: 04/09/88
With the way Castro has pitched this season you have to question whether there is an injury involved. Through 6 starts he has a 10.17 ERA.