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Minor League Level Review (AAA): Will Middlebrooks and Anthony Rizzo Crushing, Matt Harvey Struggles

March 13, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks (83) against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
March 13, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks (83) against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Every other Sunday I will be taking a look at the AAA level, and in many cases these are prospects who could very well be in the bigs sometime this year. We're starting to see injuries, and it may not be long before we start seeing more callups. All statistics for hitters are through the last 10 games (through Friday), and season-long statistics for the pitchers. All stats are from MILB.com.

International League

Will Middlebrooks (BOS) - .395/.435/.837, 6 HR, 13 R, 19 RBI, 3 BB, 5 K

Middlebrooks is killing everything in front of him, as 7 of his last 10 games have been multi-hit ones, and has homered in his last 3 games as well. He's unlikely to be up in the Majors unless current 3B Kevin Youkilis ends up on the disabled list for an extended period of time.

Lonnie Chisenhall (CLE) - .378/..391/.689, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1 BB, 11 K

Domonic Brown (PHI) - .275/.310/.425, 5 R, 4 2B, 5 RBI, 2/4 SB, 2 BB, 6 K

I am still not entirely sure what the Phillies are hoping that Brown will show them to allow him to play left field for them, but it seems extremely unlikely that he'll be up in the Majors any time soon.

Jeurys Familia (NYM) - 1-1, 6.59 ERA, 13.2 IP, 15 K, 12 BB, 15 H

Matt Harvey (NYM) - 1-1, 6.83 ERA, 19 IP, 19 K, 11 BB, 24 H

Harvey pitched better in his last start (Friday night), but the walk numbers across starts are slightly concerning. I watched some of his second-to-last start, and his command was all over the place during that game (hence the reason he ended up going just 3 2/3.

Julio Teheran (ATL) - 2-0, 2.19 ERA, 12.1 IP, 12 K, 6 BB, 8 H

Pacific Coast League

Anthony Rizzo (CHC) - .317/.367/.634, 10 R, 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBi, 2 BB, 10 K

Rizzo has been on a tear, but his last 10 games have actually lowered his slash line, as he is hitting .367/.406/.733 with a minors leading 7 home runs thus far. The Cubs seem pretty determined to leave Rizzo down and make sure he won't have to return to AAA for a third stint, and honestly it seems like the right move for him. If you have an open bench spot in a keeper league, I would definitely contemplate holding onto him.

Travis Snider (TOR) -.486/.578/.811, 9 R, 6 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 BB, 3 K, 1/2 SB

Michael Taylor (OAK) - .400/.442/.700, 6 R, 9 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2/2 SB, 3 BB, 5 K

Mike Trout (LAA) - .375/.422/.575, 8 R, 2 2B, 3 3B, 8 RBI, 3/3 SB, 4 BB, 7 K

The Vernon Wells watch continues. The legend of Trout grows as he scored from first base on a single last week. I think that if I were an Angels fan, I would be rioting by now about running Vernon Wells out there every day instead of Trout.

Fernando Martinez (HOU) - .306/.359/.528, 7 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB, 5 K

The change of scenery appears to be doing him good, as Martinez is hitting well again. The Astros may have a pretty good find on their hands here, and it's important to remember that Martinez is still just 23 years old. The speed appears to be gone, but if he can still hit for power there is definite value for the team with him.

Derek Norris (OAK) - .308/.317/.436, 5 R, 5 2B, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 7 K

Norris is having an about-face type of season, as he has been hitting for a better average this season, but has drawn just 1 walk against 11 strikeouts thus far.

Matt Adams (STL) - .385/.415/.487, 3 R, 4 2B, 2 RBI, 1/1 SB, 2 BB, 8 K

Adams just continues to hit, and the Cardinals have to be feeling good that he will be able to take over for Lance Berkman when the time comes. Due to his DL stint, that time could be coming sooner than originally anticipated.

Wily Peralta (MIL) - 0-1, 2.12 ERA, 17 IP, 13 K, 6 BB, 9 H

Peralta was called up to the Majors on Friday evening, and it appears that he will likely get the first shot at the rotation spot vacated by the injury of Chris Narveson. He's a must add in any NL-only leagues where he is available, and I would keep an eye on his schedule in other leagues.

Shelby Miller (STL) - 1-2, 6.23 ERA, 13 IP, 19 K, 6 BB, 18 H

Christian Friedrich (COL) - 2-1, 2.33 ERA, 19.1 IP, 18 K, 3 BB, 12 H

Friedrich had been pitching well, but was put on the disabled list on Friday (retroactive to Tuesday) with a hamstring strain.

Brad Peacock (OAK) - 1-1, 1.42 ERA, 19 IP, 17 K, 6 BB, 11 H

Jarrod Parker (OAK) - 1-0, 2.50 ERA, 18 IP, 17 K, 4 BB, 21 H

The Athletics optioned Graham Godfrey to the minors on Saturday, so they are going to need someone to take the turn come Wednesday. Either of Peacock or Parker could be in line to get the call, but it's worth noting that Parker is scheduled to start Saturday and Peacock is on Sunday as of right now. UPDATE: Parker was pulled from his start after just 46 pitches, so he's probably the one that will get the call.