Minor League Level Review (AA): Through 4/14/2011

Every other Sunday I will be taking a look at some of the top prospects and top performers currently at the AA level, and at the moment there are quite a few of the top prospects split amongst the three AA leagues. Note: These statistics are for all games through Saturday 4/14, unless otherwise noted.

Texas League

Kolten Wong (STL) - .464/.545/.750, 6 R, 1 2B, 3 3B, HR, 7 RBI, SB, 5 BB, 3 K

I get the impression that Kolten Wong could be playing 2B for the Cardinals by season's end.

Oscar Taveras (STL) - .286/.306/.629, 3 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 1 BB, 7 K

Taveras clearly doesn't seem to be phased by skipping a level to AA, as he continues to hit extra base hits all over the place.

Nolan Arenado (COL) - .371/.450/.543, 6 R, 6 2B, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K

Jonathan Singleton (HOU) - .357/.455/.571, 8 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 7 K

Wil Myers (KC) - .333/.366/.641, 6 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, 2 BB, 14 K

The 14 strikeouts so far are a bit concerning, but he had a killer game on Saturday night, and I think he could be in AAA before the end of the month.

Jake Odorizzi (KC) - 5 2/3 IP, 10 K, 3 BB, 4 ER, 4 H

Keyvius Sampson (SD) - 9 1/3 IP, 10 K, 1 BB, 2 ER, 7 H

A.J. Griffin (OAK) - 11 IP, 16 K, 2 BB, 0 ER, 2 H

Southern League

Matt Davidson (ARI) - .444/.556/.583, 6 R, 5 2B, 4 RBI, 8 BB, 6 K

Nick Franklin (SEA) - .313/.389/.500, 3 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K

Trevor Bauer (ARI) - 10 2/3 IP, 18 K, 7 BB, 0 ER, 4 H

Bauer continues his push to force someone out of the Diamondbacks rotation, as he has now made two solid starts for AA Mobile. I honestly think at this point that Bauer could be in the Majors by mid-May.

James Paxton (SEA) - 10 1/3 IP, 17 K, 1 BB, 1 ER, 6 H

Danny Hultzen (SEA) - 9 2/3 IP, 16 K, 6 BB, 5 ER, 5 H

Taijuan Walker (SEA) - 5 IP, 8 K, 1 BB, 2 ER, 4 H

There's a lot to like out of the Mariners top prospects at this point, and they really got a steal in the 4th round out of Paxton. If I had to rank them as to when they will arrive in Seattle, I think it will be Paxton, Hultzen, and then Walker.

Eastern League

Aaron Hicks (MIN) - .333/.385/.727, 10 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB, 4 BB, 9 K

Always a bit of a let down, Hicks appears to be finally putting it all together this season. There have always been excellent scouting reports on Hicks, but that he was almost passive at the plate when batting. Looks like he may have come out of that a bit. Let's see whether he can keep up the pace.

Manny Machado (BAL) - .275/.370/.500, 4 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6 BB, 11 K

The Orioles' top prospect announced his arrival in AA with a home run in his first at bat of the year, and Machado will play most of the season as a 19 year old. There seems to be some thought that Machado could be in Baltimore by the end of the season, but I think he would have to absolutely destroy pitching to force the Orioles to do that.

Trevor May (PHI) - 12 IP, 12 K, 4 BB, 5 ER, 7 H

Drew Hutchison (TOR) - 11 IP, 6 K, 2 BB, 2 ER, 11 H