Minor League Level Review (High-A): Yordano Ventura, Billy Hamilton, Rymer Liriano Promoted

Carolina League

Dylan Bundy (BAL) - Bundy had probably his best start of the season coming out of the All Star break, striking out 8, allowing just 3 base runners and 1 earned run over 5 innings pitched. I am convinced that Bundy will finish the season at least at AA, and I will be very interested to see if they will allow him to throw all of his pitches once he gets there. Beyond the Box Score's Nathaniel Stoltz has a great scouting report on that start here.

Yordano Ventura (KC) - Ventura was promoted to AA after the Futures Game, and finished with 91 strikeouts against 28 walks in just 76+ innings pitched in High-A. It remains to be seen whether or not he will be a rotation or relief pitcher long term, but it will definitely be fun to watch either way. Ventura was hitting triple digits during the Futures Game.

Xander Bogaerts (BOS) - Bogaerts is up to .286/.364/.474 on the season, and now has 12 home runs to go with it. Still just 19 years old, I'm wondering at what point the Red Sox start moving him toward the position he will likely occupy rather than continue to try him as a shortstop.

California League

Billy Hamilton (CIN) - Hamilton was promoted immediately after the Futures Game, so he finished his High-A season with the following line: .323/.413/.439 with 1 home run, 79 runs, and 104/125 in stolen base attempts. In 82 games played. Hamilton has already stolen 5 bases with his new club in AA.

C.J. Cron (LAA) - A 2011 draftee, Cron has hit 14 home runs and driven in 76 in just 92 games for Inland Empire. Yes, it's worth noting that IE is a bit of an offensive paradise as well, but Cron was known for his power potential coming out of the draft.

Rymer Liriano (SD) - Liriano was also promoted to AA after the Futures Game, and finished up with a .298 batting average, 5 home runs, and 22 stolen bases. As per his usual as well, he is struggling as he adjusts to his new level, hitting just .174 so far with San Antonio.

Tyler Matzek (COL) - Matzek is 2nd in the Cal League with 107 strikeouts. Unfortunately, he is still at the very bottom of the walks leaderboard as well, with 71 on the season. I have to imagine that he'll be moved up to AA after the season, but those walks are going to absolutely start crushing him by then.

Florida State League

Jose Fernandez (MIA) - Fernandez was promoted to High-A late last month, and has been just as advertised there as well. Through three starts, he has 17 strikeouts against 4 walks in 15 innings, along with a 4.80 ERA. He is going to be an interesting case for ranking at the end of the season, as the reports on his value seem to vary wildly.

Christian Yelich (MIA) - Yelich has now crossed the double-digit mark for both home runs (10) and stolen bases (14) on the year, to go with his .302 batting average and .915 OPS.

Mikie Mahtook (TAM) - One of the Rays' top draft picks last year, Mahtook is up to .288/.353/.415 with 4 home runs and 18 stolen bases.