ARCHIVES: May 2014 through August 2014

August 31, 2014 (Sunday)

Baseball America rates Vanderbilt junior Rhett Wiseman the 28th best prospect in the 2014 Cape Cod League, a collegiate summer program that has many alumni in the Majors (8/31/2014) ***
The Mets have recalled Josh Satin from the Las Vegas 51s (AAA). He last played for the Mets on May 9, 2014 (8/31/2014) ***
The Albuquerque Isotopes’ season ends Monday, the same day MLB rosters efxpand. When will the Dodgers call Joc Pederson up? (8/31/2014) ***
San Diego Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker doubled twice, walked, and drove in 3 runs Saturday. His OPS in August: 1.028 (8/31/2014) ***
The Phillies have released 14-year MLB veteran Jason Marquis. He was 4-1 with a 4.18 ERA in the minors this season (8/31/2014) ***
Happy 24th birthday to Rangers “High-A” prospect Jason Knapp, who’s recovering from an injury (8/31/2014) ***
Houston’s Scott Feldman was “unbelievable” in a complete-game shutout of Texas on Saturday. His ex-teammates managed only 3 singles and one walk, and noone reached 3B (8/31/2014) ***
Toronto’s starting lineup was two-ninths Jewish on Saturday with 3B Danny Valencia and CF Kevin Pillar, who had his 3rd highlight-reel catch in 4 games since being called up (8/31/2014) ***
A recent swing adjustment is paying dividends for Toronto’s Kevin Pillar, says this article (8/31/2014) ***
Toronto’s Kevin Pillar calls the tantrum that led to his demotion 2 months ago “a lapse in judgment” and says “it won’t happen again” (8/31/2014) ***
In a doubleheader Saturday, Detroit’s Ian Kinsler went 4-for-10 with 4 RBI and a leadoff HR in Game 1 (8/31/2014) ***
Sam Fuld‘s stolen bases Saturday were his 18th and 19th of the season in just 273 at-bats, one off of his career high and tying him for 14th in the A.L. He’s been caught just 4 times (8/31/2014) ***
He did his part: with Oakland down 2-0 in the 9th Saturday, Sam Fuld singled, stole second, and then stole third. Unfortunately, teammate Brandon Moss struck out to end the game (8/31/2014) ***
Click here for a terrific visual summary of Joc Pederson‘s historic 2014 season with the “AAA” Albuquerque Isotopes (8/30/2014) ***
Minor-league throws: games played Friday, August 29 (8/30/2014) ***
Minor-league bats: games played Friday, August 29 (8/30/2014) ***
JBN reader Rob Berkenblit took this great photo of Connecticut Tigers teammates Jacob Kapstein (on left) and Tim Remes before their August 28 game (8/30/2014) ***
The “AAA” El Paso Chihuahuas won every game during Cody Decker‘s 4-game home run streak. But Decker didn’t homer Friday, and the Chihuahuas lost (8/30/2014) ***
Boston’s Craig Breslow is having the worst season of his 9-year MLB career, but he ain’t done yet. Friday marked his 3rd straight scoreless relief stint (8/30/2014) ***
Detroit’s Ian Kinsler drove in 2 runs Friday, one of them with his 34th double, a play on which the speedy infielder reached third base (8/30/2014) ***
Toronto’s Kevin Pillar went 2-for-4 with an RBI double Friday, but it was his truly amazing catch that made the highlight reel (8/30/2014) ***
Quick hit: Nats “AAA” prospect Danny Rosenbaum ranks high among active players in two minor-league stats: career ERA (10th, at 3.12), and career HRs per 9 IP (3rd, at 0.41)…(8/29/2014) ***
Quick hit: Blue Jays “AA” prospect Richard Bleier ranks 3rd among active players in career walks per 9 innings in the minors, at just 1.56 (8/29/2014) ***
Quick hit: Mets “AAA” product Josh Satin ranks 5th among active players in career OBP in the minors, at .397 (8/29/2014) ***
Reds “A” reliever Zack Weiss fanned 6 batters in four innings Thursday. He’s averaging 11.3 Ks and just 2.9 BBs per 9 innings (8/29/2014)
Braves “A” reliever Sean Bierman has won both games he’s played since returning from independent ball. On Wednesday, he struck out 8 batters over 5 innings (8/29/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson went 2-for-3 Thursday with 2 walks and a 2-run single for his 77th and 78th RBI. Mets “AAA” product Josh Satin went 2-for-4 with a double (8/29/2014) ***
Dodgers “High A” prospect Jeremy Rathjen reached base a total of 5 times on Wednesday and Thursday, going 3-for-5 with 3 singles, 2 walks and a stolen base (8/29/2014) ***
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker needs 3 HR in his team’s final 3 games to tie his season record of 29 HR (8/29/2014) ***
Cardinals “rookie-league” Julian Barzilli prospect hit his 3rd HR on Wednesday in a 19-1 laugher over the Nats’ squad (8/29/2014) ***
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker homered in his 4th straight game Thursday and has 26 for the season, tying him for 5th place in the Pacific Coast League (8/29/2014) ***
Joc Pederson, already named the Pacific Coast League’s Rookie of the Year, added another award today: MVP. He received more than half the first-place votes (8/28/2014) ***
Two days after being named the “AAA” Pacific Coast League’s Rookie of the Year, Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson has been named the league’s MVP, receiving over half the first-place votes (8/28/2014) ***
To summarize: one day, three go-ahead HRs, three heros (8/28/2014) ***
Sam Fuld‘s 2-run HR in the 9th broke up a 3-3 tie and proved the game-winner for Oakland on Wednesday. He added a double and a single (8/28/2014) ***
Jew duo: Danny Valencia stroked a 3-run, pinch-hit HR to give Toronto the lead for good Wednesday, while teammate Kevin Pillar added a double and was hit by a pitch (8/28/2014) ***
Deja vu: on Tuesday, Ike Davis hit a 3-run, 442-foot HR to put Pittsburgh ahead for good. On Wedneseday, it was a 2-run, 447-foot blast that secured the win (8/28/2014) ***
You know it’s a great day when Jewish ballplayers hit .368, blast 3 HRs, stroke 2 doubles, and drive in 7 runs (8/28/2014) ***
Tigers “AAA” prospect Ben Guez cleared the bases Tuesday with his 22nd double, a bases-loaded shot in the 6th (8/27/2014) **
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker has homered in 3 of his team’s last 5 games and now has 24 for the year, tying him for 7th in the Pacific Coast League behind 1st-place Joc Pederson (8/27/2014) ***
Minor-league bats: games played Tuesday, August 26 (8/27/2014) ***
Minor-league throws: games played Tuesday, August 26 (8/27/2014) ***
Houston’s Scott Feldman delivered his 5th quality start in the past 6 outings and 15th quality start overall Monday but was tagged with a loss (8/27/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: Toronto’s Danny Valencia drew a walk off Red Sox reliever Craig Breslow and also singled Monday, but Breslow triumphed with his first save of 2014 (8/27/2014) ***
On Monday night, Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun went 3-for-4 and hit his 17th HR. The homer, his 3rd in 8 games, came off a 70-mph curveball (8/27/2014) ***
Joc Pederson celebrated being named Rookie of the Year on Tuesday by walloping his 33rd home run and earning an outfield assist (8/27/2014) ***
Yasher koach to Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson, who was named the “AAA” Pacific Coast League’s 2014 Rookie of the Year yesterday (8/27/2014) ***
Ike Davis‘ blast Tuesday was his 3rd pinch-hit HR of the year. In 28 pinch-hit at-bats this season, he also has 2 doubles, 4 walks and a remarkable 11 RBI (8/27/2014) ***
The Blue Jays called-up OF Kevin Pillar on Tuesday and inserted him into the lineup. He pounded a double and got an assist for helping toss out a Red Sox runner at home plate (8/27/2014) ***
The A’s Nate Freiman smacked an RBI double Tuesday and made it to 3B on a throw home. The 6’8″ first baseman also made this diving catch to rob Houston of a hit (8/27/2014) ***
Pinch-hitter Ike Davis smashed a 3-run HR to give Pittsburgh a 5-2 win over St. Louis on Tuesday. The 442-foot shot was the third-longest MLB home run in the past week (8/27/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson was named to the 2014 All-Pacific Coast League team Monday (8/25/2014) ***
Reds “A” prospect Zack Weiss fanned 5 batters in 3.1 innings of relief Saturday. He is averaging 11.1 strikeouts per 9 innings, 14th-best in the Midwest League (8/25/2014) ***
Toronto “AAA” product Kevin Pillar, who’s enjoying an excellent season, went 2-for-4 Saturday with his 10th HR, 38th double, and a personal-record 5 RBI (8/25/2014) ***
Reds prospect Jon Moscot dominated in his 2nd “AAA” start Sunday, yielding just 4 H, 1 B and 2 ER over 7 innings while fanning 4 (8/25/2014) ***
Mets “AAA” product Josh Satin continues to get on base. He went 2-for-4 Sunday with a double and an RBI, and his .387 OBP is tied for 7th in the Pacific Coast League (8/25/2014) ***
Orioles “AA” prospect Sammie Starr is back in the infield after nearly a month on the disabled list (8/25/2014) ***
Tigers “A-short-season” prospect Tim Remes went 2-for-3 Sunday with an RBI single and a walk (8/25/2014) ***
Jason Marquis allowed just 2 hits, 2 walks and 2 runs Sunday in a strong rehab outing for the Phillies’ “AAA” team, and added an RBI single (8/25/2014) ***
Mason Katz, a 2nd-year prospect with the first-place Palm Beach Cardinals (A), went 3-for-5 Sunday with 2 RBI and a walk. He has 7 RBI in his last 4 games (8/25/2014) ***
Detroit’s Ian Kinsler went 2-5 with an RBI single, scored 3 runs, drew a walk, and stole his 14th base on Sunday (8/25/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Sunday, while Pittsburgh’s Ike Davis flied out in a pinch-hit role (8/25/2014) ***
Minor-league bats: games played Sunday, August 24 (8/25/2014) ***
Minor-league throws: games played Sunday, August 24 (8/25/2014) ***
Joc Pederson got such a fast start on his 30th stolen base Saturday that the opposing catcher didn’t even bother cocking his arm, much less throwing the ball (8/24/2014) ***
Sam Fuld‘s RBI single delivered Oakland’s first run in a 2-1 win over the Angels on Saturday (8/24/2014) ***
He did it! Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson stole his 30th base in the 6th inning of today’s Albuquerque Isotopes game to become the first Pacific League Player to hit 30 HRs and steal 30 bases since 1934 (8/23/2014) ***
Leadoff batter Ian Kinsler smacked the game’s 6th pitch for a HR Friday and also stole a base, but the Tigers lost 20-6 to the Twins (8/23/2014) ***
Sam Fuld‘s go-ahead triple in the 6th inning Friday put the A’s up for good. Nate Freiman added a single (8/23/2014) ***
Mariners “High-A” prospect Scott Dececco had one of his best 2014 outings Friday. In 7 IP, he yielded 6 H, 1 ER and 1 BB while striking out 4 (8/23/2014) ***
Yankees prospect Jeremy Bleich is back to his winning ways after a demotion to the “AA” Trenton Thunder. Friday’s victory was his first in three months (8/23/2014) ***
Cody Decker‘s 22nd home run proved the game-winner Friday in a 5-4 win by the “AAA” El Paso Chihuahuas. Fourteen of his HRs have come since July 1 (8/23/2014) ***
Surgery was supposed to end the career of Justin Klipp, a 22nd-round draft pick in 2007 who never played in the minors. Now 29 and kidded for his age, he’s making a comeback (8/23/2014) ***
Shabbat treat for the Stock brothers: Peoria Chiefs P Robert Stock earned the win with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Lake County Captains C Richard Stock singled and caught his team’s 8-7 win (8/23/2014) ***
Here’s video of Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson touting his 1994 Buick Century for a fan giveaway (8/23/2014) ***
Atlanta wasted no time putting Sean Bierman back on the mound after signing him Friday. He provided the “A” Rome Braves with 5.1 innings of scoreless relief in a 9-2 win (8/23/2014) ***
Sean Bierman is back with an MLB franchise. The former Rays/White Sox prospect was leading the independent CanAm League in ERA when the Atlanta Braves signed him Friday (8/23/2014) ***
Next friday, Joc Pederson‘s minor-league team is giving away his 1994 Buick Century to a “lucky fan.” “Little Chucky” boasts 166,000 miles, no A/C, and “at least one operable window” (8/23/2014) ***
Big game Friday for Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson, who went 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs, his 32nd HR, two walks, and his 29th stolen base (8/22/2014) ***
There’s a reason 19-year-old Rob Kaminsky (6-1, 1.85 ERA) is considered the Cardinals’ #2 prospect. On Thursday, he gave up 1 ER over 6 innings while striking out 8 for the win (8/22/2014) ***
Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler reached base 3 of 4 times Thursday. If he weren’t a tad shy of the official minimum — he has 269 at-bats — his .418 OBP would lead the Southern League (8/22/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson doubled, walked and smashed a “prodigious” home run on Thursday. He has 31 HR and 28 SB (8/22/2014) ***
D’backs “AAA” prospect Zach Borenstein homered for the 3rd straight game Thursday and drove in 3 runs. Across 4 teams this season, he’s hit .264 with 15 HR, 25 doubles, 5 triples, and 79 RBI (8/22/2014) ***
Minor-league bats: games played Thursday, August 21 (8/22/2014) ***
Minor-league throws: games played Thursday, August 21 (8/22/2014) ***
Zach Borenstein homered for the 2nd game in a row Wednesday, this time as a pinch-hitter. Since being promoted to “AAA,” the D’backs prospect has hit .310 with 4 HR, 12 RBI and a .999 OPS in 58 at-bats (8/21/2014) ***
Reds “A” prospect Zack Weiss, a 6th-round pick in 2013, struck out a career-high 6 batters and walked none in 3.1 innings Wednesday to earn his 3rd save (8/21/2014) ***
Minor-league bats: games played Wednesday, August 20 (8/21/2014) ***
Minor-league throws: games played Wednesday, August 20 (8/21/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: Toronto’s Danny Valencia went 2-for-5 Wednesday in a win over the Brewers, but his errant throw on a Ryan Braun grounder allowed a run to score (8/21/2014) ***
Oakland’s Sam Fuld drew 2 walks Wednesday — the second time on 5 pitches and with the bases loaded (8/21/2014) ***
Houston’s Scott Feldman struck out a season-high seven batters Wednesday in a 5-2 win over the Yankees. He’s won 3 of his last 4 starts and walked 2 or fewer in all four games (8/21/2014) ***
Jason Marquis had his third straight rough outing in his return from Tommy John surgery, yielding 9 hits and 7 earned runs in 5.1 innings Tuesday for the Philly’s “AAA” team (8/20/2014) ***
Quest for 30/30: after Tuesday’s game, Dodgers “AAA” star Joc Pederson remained steady at 30 HR, 28 SB (8/20/2014) ***
Minor-league bats in games played Tuesday, August 19 (8/20/2014) ***
Minor-league throws in games played Tuesday, August 19 (8/20/2014) ***
Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun knocked in his 70th run Tuesday with his 27th double of the season (8/20/2014) ***
Detroit’s Ian Kinsler tripled and scored the go-ahead run in an 11-inning win Tuesday over Tampa Bay. He also doubled, walked and drove in his 65th run (8/20/2014) ***
Kevin Pillar‘s 21-game hitting streak with the “AAA” Buffalo Bisons ended Friday, but he still drove in a run by getting hit by a pitch with the bases jammed (8/19/2014) ***
So far tonight, Joc Pederson has walked 3 times and been caught once trying to steal a base. The Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA) phenom has 30 HR and 28 SB (8/19/2014) ***
L’chaim: According to ESPN Home Run Tracker, Nate Freiman‘s 459-foot blast Sunday is tied for 18th-longest HR in the Majors this season (8/19/2014) **
D’backs “AAA” prospect Zach Borenstein went 1-for-2 Monday with a game-tying, 2-run home run in the 8th inning. Until then, the Reno Aces had been held to one hit (8/19/2014) ***
Reds prospect Jon Moscot made his “AAA” debut Monday in a 5.1-inning. Though he didn’t get the win, his team, the Louisville Bats did. And Moscot did take this awesome selfie (8/19/2014) ***
Here’s your Jewish Box Score for minor-league pitchers in games played Monday, August 18 (8/19/2014) ***
Here’s your Jewish Box Score for minor-league hitters in games played Monday, August 18 (8/19/2014) ***
More superlatives heaped on Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson, this time courtesy of MiLB.com (8/19/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson hit his 30th HR tonight, and the game isn’t over yet. He’s 2 stolen bases short of the first 30/30 in the Pacific Coast League’s 80-year history (8/18/2014) ***
At DH tonight, Rays “High A” prospect Maxx Tissenbaum went 2-for-4 with his 6th HR and 49th and 50th RBIs (8/18/2014) ***
Pirates “A” prospect Henry Hirsch was dominant in a 3-inning relief stint Saturday, striking out 6 batters, walking none, and yielding one single for his 4th win (8/18/2014) ***
Blue Jays “AA” prospect Richard Bleier had a career outing Saturday, allowing just one baserunner in 5 innings of relief and striking out five (8/18/2014) ***
Trading speed for power? Jeremy Rathjen had 7 HR and 33 SB in 527 at-bats last year. This year? He has 16 HR and 8 SB in 352 at-bats, and his average is up 45 points (8/18/2014) ***
Dodgers “High A” prospect Jeremy Rathjen, a 6’5″ RF, went 4-for-4 Saturday, 2-for-5 Sunday, and homered in both games (8/18/2014) ***
Pirates “A” prospect Adam Landecker went 2-for-4 Saturday with 3 RBI. In his last six games he’s hit .363 with 5 doubles, 2 walks and 6 RBI (8/18/2014) ***
Many players see their average drop after a promotion. Cardinals prospect Mason Katz, who went 3-for-3 Saturday, is doing the opposite. After hitting .212 in “A” ball, he’s hitting .270 in “High A” (8/18/2014) ***
Padres “AA” prospect Jake Lemmerman returned strong in his first game since July 25, reaching base 4 of 5 times with 3 singles and a walk (8/18/2014) ***
Here’s your Jewish Box Score for minor-league pitchers in games played Sunday, August 17 (8/18/2014) ***
Here’s your Jewish Box Score for minor-league hitters in games played Sunday, August 17 (8/18/2014) ***
Harvard alum Danny Moskovits, 23, recently joined Los Capitales de Quebec of the independent CanAm League. He’s 2-0 with a 0.54 ERA and has struck out 15 batters in 16.2 IP (8/18/2014) ***
Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson, pursuing the first 30/30 season in the “AAA” Pacific Coast League’s 80-year history, has 29 HRs and 28 SBs. He was caught trying to steal second Sunday (8/18/2014) ***
All three of Oakland’s runs Sunday were scored by Jews — two by Nate Freiman via his HRs, and one by Sam Fuld, who scored after hitting a pinch-hit double (8/18/2014) ***
From his first at-bat Friday to his third at-bat Sunday, Nate Freiman hit 3 HRs in 6 plate appearances (8/18/2014) ***
According to ESPN’s Home Run Tracker, Nate Freiman‘s monster blast to center Sunday was MLB’s longest this week, traveling roughly 459 feet (8/18/2014) ***
Nate Freiman smashed 2 HRs in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Atlanta. Too bad the A’s pinch-hit for him in the 9th, as his replacement struck out (8/18/2014) ***
ESPN reports that the Dodgers will call-up “AAA” phenom Joc Pederson when MLB rosters expand on Sept. 1 (8/17/2014) ***
Sorry to report that Max Fried, ranked the Padres’ No. 3 prospect by MLB.com, will undergo “Tommy John” surgery this week. Arm issues held him to just 5 starts this season (8/17/2014) ***
Super Saturday, part 2: three Jewish minor-leaguers pitched a combined 8.2 innings and gave up just 2 hits, 2 walks and 1 earned run while striking out 12 (8/17/2014) ***
Here’s your Jewish Box Score for minor-league pitchers in games played Saturday, August 16 (8/17/2014) ***
Here’s your Jewish Box Score for minor-league hitters in games played Saturday, August 16 (8/17/2014) ***
Danny Valencia doubled, singled, and scored Toronto’s second run in a 6-3 win Saturday over the White Sox, boosting his average to .290 (8/17/2014) ***
Ryan Braun hit a 2-run home run Saturday off the man he called “the best pitcher in baseball,” Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw. The Brewers won 3-2 (8/17/2014) ***
Mets “AAA” product Josh Satin homered and drew 2 walks Thursday. He’s hitting .291 with 9 HRs, 43 RBIs and a .386 OBP, 11th-best in the Pacific Coast League (8/16/2014) ***
Dodgers #3 prospect Joc Pederson could soon achieve the first 30/30 season in Pacific Coast League (AAA) history. On Thursday, he hit his 29th HR — a 3-run shot — and stole his 27th base (8/16/2014) ***
Nate Freiman‘s 2-run HR provided Oakland’s only runs in a 7-2 loss to Atlanta on Friday. He also made just his 2nd career error (8/16/2014) ***
Dodgers “High-A” prospect Jeremy Rathjen hit a walk-off bomb in the 11th inning Thursday. The 421-foot shot was his 14th HR, and 10th in the second half of 2014 (8/16/2014) ***
Pirates “A” prospect Adam Landecker doubled twice Friday and had 2 RBI in a 9-2 win for the West Virginia Power (8/16/2014) ***
Tigers “AAA” prospect Ben Guez smacked his 15th HR on Friday. So far this month he has hit .263 with a .440 OBP and a .579 slugging percentage for a 1.019 OPS (8/16/2014) ***
Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler is ranked 4th in the Southern League with a .415 OBP and 11th with a .310 average. He has drawn 40 walks but struck out just 29 times (8/16/2014) ***
Cubs “AA” catcher Charlie Cutler singled, threw out a man trying to steal 3B, and caught a 5-hit shutout on Friday (8/16/2014) ***
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker doubled, walked, and smacked his 21st HR on Friday. It was his 4th dinger in 8 games (8/16/2014) ***
Here’s your Jewish Box Score for minor-league pitchers in games played Friday, August 15 (8/16/2014) ***
Here’s your Jewish Box Score for minor-league hitters in games played Friday, August 15. Note that Zach Borenstein went 1-for-5 with an RBI single (8/16/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: Ike Davis hit a pinch-hit, RBI double in the 6th inning as Pittsburgh beat the Tigers 4-2. Detroit’s Ian Kinsler hit an RBI single in the 1st inning (8/13/2014) ***
Sam Fuld singled 3 times and scored 2 runs as Oakland beat the Royals 11-3. It was his second multi-hit game since joining the A’s on August 1 (8/13/2014) ***
D’backs prospect Zach Borenstein went 2-for-4 Monday with a single, double, 2 walks and 2 RBI. He’s got at least one hit in all 9 games since joining the “AAA” Reno Aces (8/12/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: Ike Davis went 1-for-3 with a walk and his 8th HR in Pittsburgh’s 11-6 win over Detroit on Monday. Ian Kinsler went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt (8/12/2014) ***
In a doubleheader Sunday, Blue Jays “AAA” product Kevin Pillar went 3-for-7 with his 8th HR and his league-leading 35th double (8/11/2014) ***
Detroit’s Ian Kinsler ranks 3rd among all MLB second baseman both in total zone runs and fielding percentage (8/11/2014) ***
Ike Davis, who has played for the Mets and Pirates this year, ranks 1st among all MLB first baseman in both range factor per 9 innings and fielding percentage (8/11/2014) ***
Sam Fuld, who has played for both the Twins and Athletics this season, ranks 1st among all MLB outfielders in range factor per 9 innings (8/11/2014) ***
JBN contributor Jack W. points out that Sam Fuld, Ike Davis and Ian Kinsler are among the MLB’s best in certain defensive categories this season (8/11/2014) ***
In 8 games since being promoted to the Reno Aces (AAA), D’backs #20 prospect Zach Borenstein is hitting .375/.447/.719/1.166 with 2 HRs, 6 XBHs and 6 RBIs (8/11/2014) ***
The Bowie Baysox (AA) have placed SS Sammie Starr on the 7-day disabled list (8/11/2014) ***
The Tigers played the final 16 innings of Sunday’s game without Brad Ausmus, who was tossed for arguing balls and strikes. It was the rookie manager’s 3rd ejection (8/11/2014) **
Jew vs. Jew: In Toronto’s epic 19-inning win over Detroit on Sunday, Ian Kinsler went 3-for-9 with his 32nd double and 2 singles, while Danny Valencia went 2-for-2 with a double, single, and walk (8/11/2014) ***
Jacob Booden, a 6’7″ pitcher with the Cardinals’ “A-short-season” team, allowed just one baserunner over 2 innings Sunday. He’s held opposing teams to a .183 average in 2014 (8/10/2014) ***
Saturday was a complete day for C Richard Stock. The Indians “A” prospect went 2-for-4 with a HR and 2 RBI, tossed out a base-stealer at 3B, and picked off a runner at 2B (8/10/2014) ***
Pirates “A” prospect Adam Landecker had three hits Saturday for the second time in his last 10 games, a stretch over which he’s hit .344 (8/10/2014) ***
Jon Moscot, the Red’s #15 prospect, allowed only 3 baserunners over 7 innings in a 5-1 win Friday. He also ended an opponent’s 32-game on-base streak (8/10/2014) ***
Toledo Mud Hens RF Ben Guez gunned down Lehigh Valley’s Clete Thomas at home plate Saturday. He’s tied for 12th among International League (AAA) outfielders with 7 assists (8/10/2014) ***
Oakland “AAA” prospect Jeff Urlaub, who went on the disabled list in early, will begin throwing again next week (8/10/2014) ***
Maxx Tissenbaum was behind the plate on Aug. 2 when Charlotte Stone Crabs teammate Blake Snell pitched a rain-shortened no-hitter. In his latest blog post, Maxx says it’s “complete B.S.” that pitchers and catchers don’t think about a no-hitter as it’s happening (8/10/2014) ***
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker clubbed his 19th and 20th HRs Saturday, tying him for 10th place in the PCL. He has six round-trippers in his last 10 games (8/10/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson is climbing out of a 1-for-24 slump that began the day of the trade deadline. In his last 3 games, he’s 5-for-12 with 2 HRs and 3 RBI (8/10/2014) ***
On Saturday, Sam Fuld helped Oakland beat the team that traded him less than 2 weeks ago, contributing a single, walk and 2 runs in a 9-4 win over the Twins (8/10/2014) ***
In a duel Saturday against former Rangers teammate Yu Darvish, Houston’s Scott Feldman prevailed with the 7th quality start in his last nine outings: 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 6 K (8/10/2014) ***
In 9 games since being traded to Toronto, Danny Valencia is hitting .286 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI (8/9/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler‘s double Friday was his 31st, tying him for 4th place in the A.L. His 2-run single ended the Tigers’ 19-inning scoreless streak (8/9/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: the Blue Jays’ Danny Valencia went 2-for-4 with an RBI single Friday, but Detroit prevailed 5-4, thanks in part to Ian Kinsler, who went 3-for-5 with a 2-run single (8/9/2014) ***
The Cubs designated Ryan Kalish for assignment today to make room on their 40-man roster. Kalish is hitting .219 with 5 HRs, 23 RBIs and 11 SBs for the “AAA” Iowa Cubs (8/8/2014) ***
Ryan Braun went 2/4 Thursday and doubled in Milwaukee’s first run of the game (8/8/2014) ***
Day and night: in the first half of this season, Dodgers “AA” prospect Jeremy Rathjen hit .197 with 4 HR, 14 RBI, .336 SLG, and 44 K. Second half: .359 with 9 HR, 25 RBI, .672 SLG, 26 K (8/7/2014) ***
Catch parts one and two of Keith Olbermann’s interview with “the Frank Capra of the PCL” — Padres prospect Cody Decker (8/7/2014) ***
Ike Davis hit a bases-loaded, ground-rule double Wednesday in Pittsburgh’s 7-3 win over the Marlins (8/7/2014) ***
They’re an unusual set of bookkends — 1B Nate Freiman at 6’8″, CF Sam Fuld listed generously at 5’10” — but both men are in the starting lineup tonight for the A’s (8/5/2014) ***
Kevin Pillar went 3/5 with 2 doubles and an RBI Monday. He leads the Int’l League with 33 doubles, ranks 3rd in average (.324) and stolen bases (24/tie), and is 4th in slugging (.500) and strikeout rate (10.2%)…(8/5/2014) ***
Yasher koach to Kevin Pillar, who was named the “AAA” Int’l League offensive player of the week (7/28-8/3)for the second time this season. He had 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 SB, and 2 BB (8/5/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler singled in Detroit’s lone run and made a highlight-reel play Monday in a 2-1 loss to the Yankees (8/5/2014) ***
In only his 4th game back with Oakland, Sam Fuld singled to start a 10th-inning rally Monday and scored the walk-off winner vs. the Rays. The data: 2-for-5, 1 BB, 2 SB (8/5/2014) ***
Israel’s Dean Kremer, voted the Euro tourney’s top pitcher, went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, yielded just 6 hits over 13 innings, and struck out 20 while walking only one (8/4/2014) ***
Israel’s Simon Rosenbaum, voted the Euro tourney’s MVP, ranked 7th with a .529 average (9-for-17), 1st with 4 HRs, and tied for 2nd with 10 RBIs (8/4/2014) ***
How dominant was Israel in last week’s Euro qualifiers? It outscored foes 53-7, led all in ERA (1.05) and average (.309), and saw its players voted tournament MVP and best pitcher (8/4/2014) ***
Reds “AA” prospect Jon Moscot earned his 6th win Saturday, surrendering just one earned run over 6 innings (8/4/2014) ***
On Saturday, Braves prospect Alec Grosser raised his record to 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.38, 6th-best in the “rookie” Appalachian League. His 44 strikeouts tie for 3rd (8/4/2014? ***
Drafted as a first baseman in 2010, Jared Lakind switched to pitching in 2013. In 2 scoreless innings Sunday, the Pirates “A” prospect fanned 5 of 6 batters (8/4/2014) ***
It’s not just Joc Pederson‘s power and speed that have Dodgers fans excited. The CF prospect can catch, too (8/4/2014) ***
Loyal contributor Jack W. says only 14 minor-leaguers have joined the 30/30 club since 1980, but Joc Pederson — with 24 HRs and 25 SBs — might join them in 2014 (8/4/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson hit his 24th HR on Sunday, 2nd most in the Pacific Coast League (8/4/2014) ***
Cody Decker‘s 3-run home run to dead center Sunday was the Padres prospect’s third in 5 games, 14th off of right-handed pitching, and 17th overall (8/4/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew (AAA): Padres prospect Cody Decker hit a 3-run HR and singled twice Sunday, while D’backs prospect Zach Borenstein singled twice, drove in a run…and grounded out to 1B Decker (8/4/2014) ***
Houston’s Scott Feldman earned a 6-1, complete-game win Sunday over Toronto. Said MLB.com: “He appears to be back to the form that made him the Astros’ ace in April” (8/4/2014) ***
The Athletics have recalled Nate Freiman from “AAA” Sacramento, just in time for a reunion with the recently reacquired Sam Fuld (8/3/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew (AAA): D’backs prospect Zach Borenstein tripled, hit a sacrifice fly, and walked in his Reno Aces debut. Padres prospect Cody Decker walked and hit his 16th HR (8/3/2014) ***
The Diamondbacks, who acquired OF Zach Borenstein in a trade last month, have promoted him to the “AAA” Reno Aces (8/3/2014) ***
Ryan Braun singled Saturday, but it was two groundouts that gave him 2 RBIs, pushing his total to an N.L. sixth-best 65 (8/3/2014) ***
Detroit’s Ian Kinsler went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday’s 11-5 win over the Rockies. He ranks 5th on the Tigers with a .291 average and 4th with 58 RBIs (8/3/2014) ***
Oakland’s Sam Fuld tossed out a Royals runner at home today for his fifth assist, tied for 4th most among A.L. center fielders (8/2/2014) ***
A game-opening double was Slovenia’s sole hit today in a 14-0 loss to Israel, which ended the Euro qualifiers undefeated at 5-0 (8/2/2014) ***
Simon Rosenbaum, who ranked 2nd in the nation among Div. III players this year with a .474 average, is starring for Israel: .538 avg, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs (8/2/2014) ****
Undefeated Israel beat Romania 8-3 Friday to advance to the finals of the C-pool Euro qualifiers as well as next summer’s B-pool (8/2/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler went 2-for-4 with an RBI double Friday as the Tigers beat the Rockies 4-2. His 30 doubles rank 3rd in the A.L. (8/2/2014) ***
Ryan Braun snapped an 0-for-19 slump with 2 doubles, a walk, and 2 RBIs as first-place Milwaukee beat St. Louis 7-4 (8/2/2014) ***
Batting leadoff in his first game back with the A’s, Sam Fuld — who brings “immediate depth” to Oakland’s outfield — went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk (8/2/2014) ***
Good and bad news for Dodgers fans: prized prospect Joc Pederson wasn’t traded before Thursday’s deadline, but neither was Matt Kemp, part of L.A.’s jam-packed big-league outfield (8/1/2014) ***
In his 1st start as a Blue Jay on Thursday, Danny Valencia went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored as Toronto edged Houston 6-5 (8/1/2014) ***
Israel beat Latvia 9-3 in the Euro qualifiers today, stealing 8 bases and getting HBP 5 times. Next up: on Friday, Israel plays Romania in the semifinals (7/31/2014) ***
Sorry to report that Astros reliever Josh Zeid, who’s been fighting foot pain for more than a year, is having season-ending surgery on both feet (7/31/2014) ***
BREAKING NEWS: Minnesota Twins OF Sam Fuld, who has played excellently since being acquired from the A’s earlier this season, is headed back to Oakland in a last-minute trade (7/31/2014) ***
Since returning 6/29 from a month of extended spring training, Jeremy Rathjen is hitting .386 with 6 HR, 10 doubles, and 20 RBI (7/31/2014) ***
In addition to hitting his first triple of 2014, Dodgers “High-A” prospect Jeremy Rathjen (.277, .352 obp, 10 hr, 34 rbi) singled, walked and drove in a run Wednesday (7/31/2014) ***
Reds “A” prospect Zack Weiss (2-1, 1.83, 2 sv) earned his 2nd save Wednesday, striking out 2 and yielding 1 hit over one inning. He’s struck out 54 batters in 44.1 innings (7/31/2014) ***
With MLB’s non-waiver trade deadline just hours away, rumors that the Dodgers might trade prized prospect Joc Pederson — or make room for him on the roster — have yet to materialize (7/31/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew (AAA): Sacramento River Cats DH Nate Freiman singled 3 times and drove in a run Thursday, while Albuquerque Isotopes CF Joc Pederson singled once (7/31/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew (AAA): El Paso Chihuhuas 1B Cody Decker went 2-for-4 with his 15th HR and a walk Thursday, while Las Vegas 51s 1B Josh Satin hit his 20th double (7/31/2014) ***
Danny Valencia had pinch-hit appearances Tuesday and Wednesday but still is looking for his first hit as a Blue Jay. On defense, he played both 3B and 1B (7/31/2014) ***
Three minor leaguers have hit the 7-day disabled list: Padres “A” prospect Max Fried, Padres “AAA” prospect Jake Lemmerman, and Blue Jays “AA” prospect Richard Bleier (7/31/2014) ***
Israel’s national team trounced Slovenia 9-0 today in Game 2 of the European qualifiers. Aric Weinberg drove in six runs, and Shlomo Lipetz fanned 10 while yielding just 6 hits and one walk (7/30/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson singled and struck his league-leading 23rd HR on Tuesday. It was the 4th game in the past 7 in which he homered (7/30/2014) ***
Houston’s Scott Feldman had one of his finest 2014 outings Tuesday, yielding one earned run on 5 hits and 3 walks over 7 innings. Oakland’s 4-run 9th stole the win (7/30/2014) ***
On fire: Dodgers “High-A” prospect Jeremy Rathjen, a 6’5″ RF, has hit .439 in his last 10 games, including 4 HRs and 11 RBIs (7/29/2014) ***
Mason Katz made teammate Corey Baker‘s start easier Monday by adding 2 RBIs. Since being promoted to “High A,” Katz has 18 RBIs and 10 extra-base hits in just 67 ABs (7/29/2014) ***
Should Corey Baker be a starter? In his only 2 starts this year, the Palm Beach Cardinals reliever yielded just 5 hits and 1 walk over 10 scoreless innings while fanning 9 (7/29/2014) ***
Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler had two singles and a sac fly Monday — and tossed out both batters who tried to steal on him. He’s hitting .326 with a .435 OBP (7/29/2014) ***
D’backs “AA” prospect Zach Borenstein walked twice Monday and homered for the 2nd time in 3 games. He has a total of 10 HRs and 63 RBIs across 3 teams this season (7/29/2014) ***
Over a 4-game series ending Monday, Blue Jays “AAA” product Kevin Pillar torched the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for 8 hits, 6 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. So far today? A walk and a 2-run HR (7/29/2014) ***
On Wednesday, Israel plays Slovenia, which defeated Latvia 6-2 today (7/29/2014) ***
Israel beat Finland 13-1 today in Game 1 of the European Championship qualifiers. Israel homered twice, and 3 Israeli pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts and gave up just 3 hits (7/29/2014) ***
With the trade to Toronto, Danny Valencia will have played for five teams since 2011 (7/28/2014) ***
Kansas City 3B Danny Valencia is headed to Toronto in a trade for two minor-leaguers. He hit .282 in limited play this season, but twice as well against lefties than righties, .354 versus .178 (7/28/2014) ***
Best wishes to Mariners “AA” prospect Jack Marder, who was struck on the head by a Santiago Garrido fastball on July 19 (7/28/2014) ***
Cardinals “A” prospect Rob Kaminsky pitched 6 shutout innings Sunday for the Peoria Chiefs, and teammate Robert Stock relieved him with 2 scoreless innings of his own (7/28/2014) ***
Pirates “A” prospect Henry Hirsch yielded 2 hits over 2 innings of relief Sunday for his second scoreless appearance in a row and second win (7/28/2014) ***
Braves “rookie league” prospect Alec Grosser pitched shutout ball for the 3rd game in a row Sunday, scattering 4 hits and zero walks over 6 innings while fanning 3 (7/28/2014) ***
Along with singling twice, Blue Jays product Kevin Pillar stole 3 bases Sunday for the second time this season. His 19 SBs rank 8th in the “AAA” International League (7/28/2014) ***
Dodgers #2 prospect Joc Pederson hit a 2-run bomb past centerfield Sunday for his 22nd HR. “That kid can play,” the announcer observed (7/28/2014) ***
Red Sox “A” prospect Zach Kapstein doubled and stroked an RBI single in the Greenville Drive’s 8-4 win Sunday. He’s hitting .283 with 1 HR and 25 RBIs in 191 ABs (7/28/2014) ***
D’backs draftee Nate Irving doubled and scored a run Sunday for his first professional hit. He plays catcher for the “A-short season” Hillsboro Hops (7/28/2014) ***
The two-run HR by Tigers “AAA” prospect Ben Guez on Sunday was his 4th round-tripper in the last 7 games and 13th overall, 3rd most on the Toledo Mud Hens. His .433 slugging percentage ranks 2nd (7/28/2014) ***
One of the few batters who succeeded against Scott Dececco on Saturday was Dodgers “High-A” prospect Jeremy Rathjen, who singled and doubled (7/28/2014) ***
Strong outing Saturday by Mariners “High-A” prospect Scott Dececco, who gave up 2 earned runs and 5 hits over 6 innings while walking none and striking out 8 (7/28/2014) ***
On Saturday, Ike Davis hit a pinch-hit HR. Sunday? A pinch-hit RBI double. Money (7/28/2014) ***
Sam Fuld‘s two-out, two-run single put Minnesota ahead for good Sunday. He finished the day 2-for-3 with a walk and his 13th stolen base (7/28/2014) ***
Belated birthday wishes to Rays prospect Maxx Tissenbaum, who turned 23 on Friday (7/27/2014) ***
After hitting a two-run double Saturday, Rays “High-A” prospect Maxx Tissenbaum singled and hit his 4th HR on Sunday to lift his average to .300 (7/27/2014) ***
D’backs “AA” prospect Zach Borenstein homered, hit an RBI double, and walked Saturday in the Mobile BayBears’ 4-1 win. He has a combined 62 RBIs with 3 teams in 2014 (7/27/2014) ***
Mariners “AA” prospect Jack Marder, who suffered a concussion in 2012, has been placed on the 7-day DL with a head injury. Anyone have details? (7/27/2014) ***
The Astros have placed Josh Zeid on the 15-day disabled list due to problems with his left foot (7/27/2014) ***
Nate Freiman, who tore up “AAA” before being called-up by the A’s on June 29, has been sent back down after seeing limited playtime — just 33 at-bats (7/27/2014) ***
Ike Davis smacked his second pinch-hit HR of the season Saturday and 7th homer overall (7/27/2014) ***
And who has the #4 Twitter feed among all minor-league players? Rays prospect Maxx Tissenbaum, at @8_Maxx (7/26/2014) ***
A baseball blog has named Cody Decker‘s humorous Twitter feed #1 among minor-league players for the 2nd straight year (7/26/2014) ***
Mariners prospect David Colvin notched his 6th scoreless appearance in a row Friday, striking out 2 and yielding one hit over 2 innings for the “AA” Jackson Generals (7/26/2014) ***
After honing his skills with the short-season Jamestown Jammers, Pirates prospect Jared Lakind returned to the “A” West Virginia Power and pitched a scoreless inning Friday (7/26/2014) ***
Mets “AAA” product Josh Satin doubled and homered Friday. He’s hitting .305 with 6 HRs, 33 RBIs and a .399 OBP, tied for 5th highest in the Pacific Coast League (7/26/2014) ***
Doubles machine Kevin Pillar had 2 more Friday to take over the “AAA” International League lead. The Blue Jays product has nearly as many two-baggers (30) as strikeouts (33)…(7/26/2014) ***
A profile of Cardinals 2013 first-round draft pick Rob Kaminsky says he switched to pitching only 4 years ago and developed his top-rated curve by watching video of Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (7/26/2014) ***
In his 6th rehab game (and first at “AAA”) since breaking a wrist, Red Sox C Ryan Lavarnway singled, drew 2 walks, and picked-off a runner at first base (7/26/2014) ***
Cardinals prospect Mason Katz slugged a 3-run HR on Friday, his 18th of the year and 4th since being promoted to the “High-A” Palm Beach Cardinals (7/26/2014) ***
Tigers “AAA” prospect Ben Guez hit a home run and an RBI single Friday. It was his 12th HR — 3rd most on the Toledo Mud Hens — and 3rd in the last 5 games (7/26/2014) ***
God of walks? Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson has drawn 75 BBs so far in 2014, 3rd highest among among minor leaguers of any level (7/26/2014) ***
As the trade deadline nears, Dodgers top prospect Joc Pederson continues to grind. On Friday he reached base all six times, hitting a single and double and drawing four walks (7/26/2014) ***
Boston’s Craig Breslow pitched a perfect 8th inning Friday, retiring the three Rays batters he faced on a total of six pitches, none faster than 88 mph (7/26/2014) ***
How’d he do it? Toronto prospect Scott Silverstein hasn’t started a single game this year, but the 6’6″ reliever leads the “A” Midwest League with 10 wins (7/25/2014) ***
Indians “A” prospect Richard Stock went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and 2 RBIs on Thursday. He’s hitting .346 in July (7/25/2014) ***
Dodgers “High-A” prospect Jeremy Rathjen, who went 5-for-6 with 4 doubles and a HR in one game earlier this month, homered twice, singled and knocked in 3 runs Thursday (7/25/2014) ***
Cardinals prospect Mason Katz singled, doubled, tripled, and drove in 2 runs Thursday. In 50 ABs since his promotion to High-A, he’s hit .280 with 3 HRs, 13 RBIs and a .377 OBP (7/25/2014) ***
Cody Decker‘s out-of-the-park HR on Thursday was the Padres prospect’s 6th dinger of the month and 14th of the season (7/25/2014) ***
Tyger Pederson, brother of Joc, recently joined the Rockford Aviators of the independent Frontier League. He’s hitting .263 with 12 RBIs in 80 at-bats (7/25/2014) ***
Former White Sox prospect Mike Schwartz, now playing for the independent Normal CornBelters, is 4th (tie) in the Frontier League with a .359 average and 7th (tie) with 44 RBIs (7/25/2014) ***
Presidential historian Michael Beschloss takes a break from more serious matters to write about “Hank Greenberg‘s triumph over hate speech” in the New York Times (7/25/2014) ***
Joc Pederson now has 21 HRs and 25 stolen bases, the 2nd year in a row he’s surpassed 20/20. He’s the first Pacific Coast League (AAA) player since 2009 to accomplish the feat (7/25/2014) ***
Top prospect Joc Pederson unleashed a go-ahead grand slam HR on Thursday, showing just why the Dodgers are scrambling to create roster space for him (7/25/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler‘s RBI double — he’s 5th in the A.L. with 27 — helped Detroit defeat the Angels 6-4 Thursday (7/25/2014) ***
Ryan Braun smashed a 445-foot home run Thursday in Milwaukee’s 9-1 win over the Mets. The dinger was his 3rd in the past 6 games and 14th overall. Braun’s 60 RBIs rank 6th in the N.L. (7/25/2014) ***
Video: Jeff Francoeur used his minor-league coaches’ bathroom, a no-no. So Padres prospect/prankster/filmmaker Cody Decker and teammates locked him in. Francoeur escaped thru the ceiling (7/24/2014) ***
With this home run Wednesday, Joc Pederson became the second Minor Leaguer to reach 20 HRs and 20 stolen bases this season. It’s his second straight 20/20 year (7/24/2014) **
Speaking of Sam Fuld: the Twins’ CF is one of only 5 Major Leaguers right now with 12 or more stolen bases in fewer than 200 at-bats (7/24/2014) ***
The Twins’ Sam Fuld went 1/2 with 2 walks and an RBI Wednesday. In his last 10 games, he’s hit .348 with 5 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and an astonishing 12 walks for a .556 OBP (7/24/2014) ***
Craig Breslow delivered his second straight scoreless appearance Wednesday, holding the Blue Jays to one hit over one inning, and drove his ERA back under 5.00 (7/24/2014) ***
Alec Grosser has shined this week, too. The Danville Braves (“rookie league”) hurler tossed 7 shutout innings Monday, yielding just 3 hits and no walks (7/23/2014) ***
Mazel Tov to Appalachian League pitcher of the week Alec Grosser (July 14-20). On 7/16, the 19-year-old Braves prospect threw a 1-hit shutout over six innings and fanned seven (7/23/2014) ***
The latest Joc Pederson trade rumors have the Dodgers’ #2 prospect going to the Rays for David Price or the Phillies for Cole Hamels (7/23/2014) ***
Check out this interview with Israel baseball director Nate Fish (7/23/2014) ***
Ryan Braun hit an opposite-field homer off the appropriately-named Homer Bailey on Tuesday, his 13th of the year. Milwaukee went on to beat the Reds 4-3 (7/23/2014) ***
Ike Davis went 3-for-5 Tuesday with 2 RBIs and his first HR in 6 weeks as the Pirates beat the Dodgers 12-7. Davis’ first 2 HRs of the season were grand slams; the last 4 have been solos (7/22/2014) ***
Jason Marquis‘ comeback from Tommy John surgery took what hopefully will be just a brief detour Tuesday. The Phillies’ “AAA” club put him on the 7-day disabled list with a right oblique strain (7/22/2014) ***
Play of the Week? Here’s video of Joc Pederson‘s towering home run in the “AAA” All-Star Game on July 16 (7/22/2014) ***
Play of the Week? Here’s video of Kevin Pillar‘s 7/18/2014 catch, which robbed Will Middlebrooks of a three-run HR (7/22/2014) ***
Wow! Two of the 6 minor-league players nominated for Play of the Week (July 14-20) are Jewish. Vote here for Joc Pederson‘s All-Star Game blast or Kevin Pillar‘s homer-robbing leap (7/22/2014) ***
Kevin Pillar reached base 4 times Monday as Toronto’s “AAA” team prevailed 11-4. His .316 average ranks 5th in the International League (7/22/2014) ***
Ryan Braun‘s 2-run double helped Milwaukee defeat the Reds 5-2 and take over 1st place in the N.L. Central. Braun’s 56 RBIs are tied for 8th in the league (7/22/2014) ***
Craig Breslow pitched a scoreless 9th inning Monday in Boston’s 14-1 drubbing of Toronto. He gave up 1 hit while striking out 2 (7/22/2014) ***
Speaking of Joc Pederson, he homered again Saturday night. In 8 games since leaving the D.L., the Dodgers “AAA” prospect has hit .407 with 2 HRs, 5 XBHs, 6 RBIs, 4 SBs, and reached base in 22 of 38 chances (7/20/2014) ***
L.A. Times columnist writes: “Tired old Dodgers need to recharge with new power source: Joc Pederson” (7/20/2014) ***
Ryan Braun‘s 2-run shot Saturday was his 12th round-tripper of the year and left him with 54 RBIs, 10th-best (tie) in the N.L. (7/20/2014) ***
Boston’s Ryan Lavarnway, who broke his wrist in late May, played his 1st two rehab games Friday and Saturday, going 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs for the club’s rookie-league team. Go Ryan! (7/19/2014) ***
Second-year Reds prospect Zack Weiss earned his first pro save and lowered his ERA to 1.52 Thursday with 2 innings of scoreless, hitless relief (7/19/2014) ***
Oakland 2014 draftee Michael Fagan earned his first pro win Thursday, pitching 2 perfect innings with 4 strikeouts for the “A-short-season” Vermont Lake Monsters (7/19/2014)
Rays “High-A” prospect Maxx Tissenbaum drove in 2 runs Thursday and another two Friday, raising his season total to 37 (7/19/2014) * * *
Josh Satin went a combined 5-for-8 on Thursday and Friday with a HR, 3 RBIs and a walk. He’s hitting .316 for the “AAA” Las Vegas 51s, with 4 HRs, 16 doubles, 33 RBIs, and a .410 OBP (7/19/2014) ***
Blue Jays prospect Kevin Pillar continues to deliver for the “AAA” Buffalo Bisons. He leads the team’s qualifying batters with 25 doubles, 3 triples, and a .306 average, and he ranks 2nd in SBs (14) and SP (.454)…(7/19/2014) ***
Check out this article on Joc Pederson‘s post-injury resurgence, plus video of Thursday’s home run (7/19/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson is among Pacific League leaders with 65 walks (1st), .448 OBP (1st), 18 HRs (2nd/tie), .326 average (3rd/tie), .577 slugging (3rd/tie), 24 stolen bases (4th), and 103 strikeouts (6th)…(7/19/2014) ***
Speed and power: after homering in the “AAA” All-Star game Wednesday, Joc Pederson stole a total of 4 bases Thursday and Friday, reached base 6 times, homered, and drove in 3 runs (7/19/2014) ***
Batting leadoff Thursday for the “AA” Jackson Generals, Mariners prospect Jack Marder singled twice and stole a base (7/19/2014) ***
Ryan Kalish doubled, walked twice, and forced-in a run Thursday for the “AAA” Iowa Cubs (7/19/2014) ***
After doubling in the first Toledo Mud Hens run Thursday, Tigers “AAA” prospect Ben Guez walked and scored another (7/19/2014) ***
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker went 3/5 Thursday with his 19th double and the game-winning RBI (7/19/2014) ****
D’backs “AA” prospect Zach Borenstein homered, singled and stole a base Thursday in a 7-2 win for the Mobile BayBears (7/19/2014) ***
Cardinals 2014 draftee Julian Barzilli went 2/4 with 2 RBIs on Thursday and walked three times Friday. He ranks 2nd on the Gulf Coast Cardinals with 14 RBIs, and 3rd with a .394 OBP (7/19/2014) ***
How Jewish can you get? In three starts with the “AAA” Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Jason Marquis has pitched 18 innings…and struck out 18 (7/18/2014) ***
After striking out twice, Dodgers #2 prospect Joc Pederson crushed a long HR in tonight’s Triple-A All-Star game. He later drew a walk and scored (7/16/2014) ***
Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler ranks 4th on the Tennessee Smokies with 31 RBIs in just 188 ABs. The three above him have had 248 to 327 ABs apiece (7/16/2014) ***
Since being promoted to the “High-A” Palm Beach Cardinals, slugger Mason Katz has 3 HRs, 9 RBIs, and 6 walks in just 26 at-bats (7/16/2014) ***
Zach Borenstein hit his first HR as a D’backs prospect Monday. Along with the 3-run shot, the “AA” Mobile BayBears OF walked, stole a base, and then scored a run (7/16/2014) ***
History may show that D’backs draftee Nate Irving went 0/3 in his first pro game Sunday, but the catcher picked off a runner at 2nd, was hit by a pitch, bunted himself on base thanks to an error, and scored a run (7/16/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler, the lone Jew in this year’s MLB All-Star game — unless you count Idina Menzel singing a Bob Dylan song — struck out as a 7th-inning pinch hitter (7/16/2014) ***
The Dodgers’ “AAA” team forgot to remove a player from the roster after adding back Joc Pederson, who was fresh off the DL. Result? Forfeit! (7/16/20140 888
In just his 2nd game since being promoted to the “AA” Bowie Baysox, Orioles SS prospect Sammie Starr homered and singled Sunday (7/14/2014) ***
Sam Fuld is on such a roll, it’s a shame we’ve hit the All-Star break. The Twins CF went 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs, 2 walks and a sacrifice fly. Over the past 2 weeks he’s hit .450 with a HR, 6 RBIs, 4 SBs and a .540 OBP (7/14/2014) ***
c/o reader Jonathan: 34th-round draft pick Nate Irving, a catcher out of UVA, has signed with the D’backs and been assigned to the “A-short season” Hillsboro Hops (7/13/2014) ***
Indians “A” prospect Richard Stock has hit .389 with 11 RBIs over his past 10 games, including a two-run single Saturday for the Lake County Captains (7/13/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson reached base 3 times Saturday with a single, double and walk. ESPN blogger Mark Saxon wonders whether he might get the call-up soon (7/13/2014) ***
Texas Rangers “High-A” prospect Jason Knapp — whose most recent start went an awesome 4 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 8 K — is on the disabled list (7/13/2014) ***
Ryan Kalish hit a 3-run HR, doubled and stole a base in game 1 of an Iowa Cubs (“AAA”) doubleheader Saturday. The homer was his 3rd in 7 games after hitting just 2 in the first 38 games (7/13/2014) ***
In his 7th game as a D’backs prospect, Zach Borenstein went 3-for-4 Saturday with a triple, 2 singles, 2 RBIs and a walk for the “AA” Mobile BayBears (7/13/2014) ***
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire says Sam Fuld has been “fantastic” at bat and on defense (7/13/2014) ***
It took 72 games, but Milwaukee RF Ryan Braun finally made his first error of the season Saturday. Even so, he ranks among the top 5 N.L. right fielders in range factor, TZR and fielding percentage (7/13/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler shines equally on defense: fielding percentage at 2B (2nd in A.L.), total zone runs at 2B (3rd), and defensive WAR (8th)…(7/13/2014) ***
2014 All-Star Ian Kinsler, who singled in his 51st run Saturday, is among A.L. leaders in multiple categories. Offensively, he’s 3rd in doubles, 4th in power-speed, 8th in WAR, and is the 7th-hardest batter to strike out (7/13/2014) ***
“Bachelorette” contestant and ex-Milwaukee Brewers prospect Josh Murray, the brother of U. of Georgia QB Aaron Murray, is not Jewish. Although their mom is Jewish, the boys were raised Christian (7/12/2014) ***
Mason Katz hit a game-winning HR Friday, his third homer in 19 ABs since the Cardinals promoted him to the “A-advanced” Palm Beach Cardinals (7/12/2014) ***
Fresh off the D.L. on Thursday, Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson went 3/4 with a double, triple and walk. Since then he’s 2/9 with an RBI (7/12/2014) ***
Congrats to Ian Kinsler, who was named to the A.L.’s 2014 All-Star team by manager John Farrell. Kins previously played in the 2008, 2010, and 2012 games. Pattern? (7/12/2014) ***
Mazel tov to Cardinals prospect Rob Kaminsky on being named Midwest League (“A”) Pitcher of the Month for June. The 19-y.o. went 4-0 with a league-leading 0.89 ERA, fanned 28, and walked 3 — including none in a 21.67-inning streak (7/11/2014) ***
Michael Fagan, a 2014 draftee, yielded no hits or runs in 2 innings of relief Tuesday for Oakland’s “A-short-season team (7/10/2014) ***
The Phillies’ Jason Marquis continued to shine in his 4th rehab game, yielding 3 hits and 3 walks over 5 scoreless innings Tuesday while fanning 6. His ERA? 0.39 (7/10/2014) ***
Detroit “A” prospect Jacob Kapstein — one of 2 Kapstein brothers in the Minors right now — went 3/5 Tuesday with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. He’s hitting .314 with 9 RBIs in 51 at-bats (7/10/2014) ***
The Twins’ Sam Fuld, who stroked an RBI single and walked twice Wednesday, is having a superb July: .448 avg, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 SB, .500 OBP (7/10/2014) ***
Kevin Pillar went 4-for-5 with a HR, double and 3 RBIs for the “AAA” Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday. It was the 12th time the Toronto farmhand has had 4+ hits in the Minors, including a 6-for-6 game with in May 2012 (7/10/2014) ***
Nate Freiman doubled in a runner from first base Tuesday and has 6 RBIs in 24 at-bats since Oakland called him up (7/9/2014) ***
Jackson Generals reliever David Colvin backed-up teammate Jack Marder‘s HR with his 3rd save Tuesday (7/9/2014) ***
After going 4-for-4 Monday, Mariners “AA” prospect Jack Marder smacked HR #5 on Tuesday. He hit .329 in June and is hitting .353 in July (7/9/2014) ***
Why might Cody Decker make the Majors? He’s hitting .424 with 4 HRs and 13 RBIs in his last 10 games, he plays 5 positions, and coming into 2014, he had more career HRs than any other active Minor Leaguer without MLB experience (7/9/2014) ***
A FoxSports.com profile on Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker says he’s attracted more attention for his off-the-field creative antics than his baseball play but may yet make the Majors (7/9/2014) ***
White Sox “A-advanced” prospect Brad Goldberg pitched 3 scoreless innings Tuesday to earn his second save. He gave up a hit and a walk while fanning three (7/9/2014) ***
Sam Fuld went 3-for-3 Wednesday, putting the Twins ahead for good in the 5th with his 1st HR as a Twin, stealing 2 bases, and knocking out Seattle’s starter with an 8th-inning single (7/9/2014) ***
The Orioles have released LF prospect Sam Kimmel, an 18th-round selection in the 2012 amateur draft (7/9/2014) ***
Baseball America, which ranked Joc Pederson the MLB’s #34 preseason prospect, bumped him up to #18 in its midseason list. “Power/speed prospect will force the Dodgers to clear room for him—or trade him—before long” (7/8/2014) ***
Career game Sunday for Dodgers “A-advanced” prospect Jeremy Rathjen: 5-for-6, four doubles, a home run, and 3 RBIs (7/8/2014) ***
Ryan Kalish of the “AAA” Iowa Cubs went 2-for-4 Sunday with his 3rd HR of the season (7/8/2014) ***
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker hit his 10th, 11th and 12th home runs this weekend. He has 4 HRs and 11 RBIs in his last 5 games (7/8/2014) ***
Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler hit 2 singles and scored twice Sunday. He’s the embodiment of “Moneyball”: gets on base, scores runs (7/8/2014)
After missing the season’s first 3 months with forearm soreness, Padres #2 prospect Max Fried pitched 2 scoreless innings for the franchise’s rookie-league club on Sunday (7/7/2014) **
The walk that Peoria Chiefs phenom Rob Kaminsky issued in the 2nd inning Sunday was his first in 21.67 innings. The Cardinals’ #3 prospect is 4-1 with a 1.28 ERA (7/7/2014) ***
Casey Haerther has been named the independent American Association’s Player of the Week for the second week in a row. At .425, the Team Israel alum leads the league in average by more than 60 points (7/7/2014) ***
Ex-Rays and White Sox prospect Sean Bierman has been named Canadian American Association pitcher of the week after winning two games. He’s 3-4 with a 2.46 ERA for the Rockland Boulders (7/7/2014) ***
Big trade: the Angels have sent Zach Borenstein, their 2013 Minor-League Player of the Year, to the D’backs in a 4-player trade. On Sunday he went 3-for-5 with a double and a stolen base for his new team, the “AA” Mobile BayBears (7/7/2014) ***
Boston’s Craig Breslow has struggled with control this season, but he was solid Saturday, retiring O’s slugger Chris Davis and three others while yielding a double to Manny Machado (7/6/2014) ***
Houston’s Scott Feldman recorded his 3rd straight ‘quality’ start Saturday, holding the Angels to 6 hits and no walks over 6 innings while striking out 5 (7/6/2014) ***
Brett Zaziski, a 2014 graduate of Vassar College, is hitting .396 with 2 HRs, 11 doubles, 20 RBIs and 24 walks in 96 at-bats for the Bisbee Blue of the independent Pecos League (7/5/2014) ***F
Former minor-leaguer Steve Moss is playing for the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He did stints earlier this year with the independent Sugar Land Skeeters and the Mexican League’s Toros de Tijuana (7/5/2014) ***
In his first start of 2014, Palm Beach Cardinals P Corey Baker allowed 2 hits and neither a walk nor a run over 5 innings, lowering his ERA with the team to 1.68 and his WHIP to 0.83 (7/5/2014) ***
Brad Goldberg, a 6’4″ White Sox prospect, pitched 2 perfect innings Friday for the “A-advanced” Winston-Salem Dash and struck out 4 (7/5/2014) ***
Charlotte Stone Crabs DH Maxx Tissenbaum hit 2 singles and drove in his team’s only run Friday. The Rays prospect is hitting .308 — and .419 in his last 10 games (7/5/2015) ***
Texas’ Aaron Poreda walked and struck out the only 2 batters he faced Friday, but when his replacement gave up a single and double, Poreda was tagged with an earned run — and the loss (7/5/2014) ***
Second-year Reds prospect Zack Weiss is 2-1 with a 1.60 ERA for the Dayton Dragons (A) and has struck out 40 over 33.2 innings (7/4/2014) ***
Over the past 5 games, Cardinals 2014 draftee Julian Barzilli hit .333 with 9 RBIs for the rookie-league GCL Cardinals 7/4/2014) ***
Cardinals “A-advanced” prospect Mason Katz added his own fireworks tonight: his 16th HR, a 2-run shot (7/4/2014) ***
The Staten Island Advance says the Phillies might call up 35-year-old Jason Marquis soon — maybe even before the July 15 All-Star game (7/4/2014) ***
Jason Marquis‘s third rehab start since Tommy John surgery rocked: 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K for Philly’s “AAA” team. Overall, he’s given up 1 ER over 18 IP, fanned 19 and walked 3 (7/4/2014) ***
The O’s had 2 on, 2 out and slugger Chris Davis at bat when Texas called in Aaron Poreda on Thursday. He struck Davis out looking with an 85-mph slider and ended up fanning all 4 batters he faced (7/4/2014) ***
It wasn’t pretty, but Nate Freiman‘s RBI double Thursday off a 78-mph R.A. Dickey knuckleball helped the A’s beat Toronto 4-1 (7/4/2014) ***
Ike Davis‘s RBI single in the 4th inning Thursday temporarily tied the Pirates and D’backs at 1-1. Since the Mets traded him, Davis is hitting .251 with 4 HRs, 23 RBIs and a .360 OBP, third best on the Pirates (7/4/2014) ***
Mazel tov to Dodgers “AAA” prospect Joc Pederson on being named a Pacific Coast League All-Star. Will his shoulder be ready by the July 16 game? (7/3/2014) ***
Did you see the huge 3-run blast that Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker unleashed Wednesday? If the vote were today, we’d call it the best Jewish home run of 2014 (7/3/2014) ***
Los Angeles artist Loren Kantor has carved a woodcut of Sandy Koufax. He says he made a limited set of 40 prints, and several remain at $75 each. Contact Loren for more info (7/3/2014) ***
The independent Gateway Grizzlies used their 1st-round pick in the 2014 Frontier League draft to choose IF Richard Seigel, who led UC-San Diego with 10 HRs and 38 RBIs his senior season (7/2/2014) ***
The Angels sent Zach Borenstein, their 2013 Minor League Player of the Year, back down to the “AA” Arkansas Travelers on Tuesday (7/2/2014) ***
Rays prospect Maxx Tissenbaum doubled and tripled with 2 RBIs Tuesday. Along with his team-leading .307 average, he ranks 5th on the Charlotte Stone Crabs (A+) with 27 RBIs, 3rd with a .423 SP, and 2nd with a .758 OPS (7/2/2014) ***
Julian Barzilli, a 3B prospect picked by St. Louis in the 31st round of the 2014 draft, is hitting .308 and leads the rookie-league GCL Cardinals in several offensive categories (7/2/2014) ***
Michael Fagan, a 22-year-old LHP selected by Oakland in the 9th round of this year’s draft, is pitching for the short-season Vermont Lake Monsters (7/2/2014) ***
Former Angels prospect Casey Haerther has found new life with the independent Winnipeg Goldeyes, where his .392 average leads the American Association by 37 points (7/2/2014) ***
We’re sorry to report the Nationals have released OF prospect Greg Zebrack, an undrafted signee in his second year of pro ball (7/2/2014) ***
Ryan Braun‘s two-run triple today, his 4th three-bagger of the year, wasn’t enough to stave off Toronto’s 7-4 win over the Brewers (7/2/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: K.C.’s Danny Valencia hit an RBI double in his lone at-bat Tuesday, but the Twins prevailed 10-2 behind Sam Fuld‘s 2-run single (7/2/2014) ***
Here’s an interview with Ike Davis about the Pirates’ walk-off win Tuesday (7/2/2014)
A walk-off single by Pirates pinch-hitter Ike Davis led to a wild celebration Tuesday. Davis hit a 92-mph cutter over the head of Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt (7/2/2014) ***
Dodgers announcer Vin Scully recently caused a commotion when he described the Indians’ Jason Kipnis as Jewish. Not exactly, as we’ve explained here (7/1/2014) ***
With a 1.26 ERA, Cardinals #3 prospect Rob Kaminsky is the runaway leader among Midwest League (A) pitchers with 50+ innings (7/1/2014) ***
Cardinals #3 prospect Rob Kaminsky tossed 7 shutout innings Sunday, yielding 3 hits and 0 walks while fanning 7. In 9 starts for the “A” Peoria Chiefs, he’s yet to yield more than 2 earned runs (7/1/2014) ***
Mason Katz, whose 14 HRs led the “A” Midwest League, homered with 3 RBIs today in his debut with the “A-advanced” Palm Beach Cardinals (7/1/2014) ***
the Promoted today after hitting a league-leading 14 HRs with 43 RBIs, Mason Katz homered and drove in 3 runs
Dodgers “A-advanced” prospect Jeremy Rathjen reached base all 4 times Sunday, amassing a double, 2 singles and a walk (6/30/2014) ***
A nearly perfect three innings for Reds “A” prospect Zack Weiss: no runs, no hits, one walk, three K’s, 1.72 ERA (6/30/2014) ***
Alec Grosser‘s 6-inning, 1-run win Sunday left the Braves “rookie-league” prospect with a 2.63 ERA and 19 Ks over 13.2 innings (6/30/2014) ***
Mariners “A-advanced” prospect Scott Dececco earned his 2nd straight win Sunday, a 7-inning beauty in which he yielded zero ERs, 1 BB and 4 hits while fanning three (6/30/2014) ***
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker drove in the winning run Sunday with his third triple of the year (6/30/2014) ***
Scott Feldman earned the “W” Sunday in Houston’s 6-4 win over Detroit, yielding 2 ERs over 6 innings. It was his 4th straight start yielding 3 or fewer runs (6/30/2014) ***
Danny Valencia went 2-for-2 with an RBI single and scored a run in the Royals’ 5-4 victory Sunday over the Angels. He’s hitting .462 in June (6/30/2014) ***
Ike Davis went 2/4 Sunday, and his 2-run single helped push Pittsburgh to a 5-2 win over the Mets (6/30/2014) ***
Ryan Braun smacked his 11th HR on a 3-and-2 pitch Sunday and added a double as Milwaukee lost 10-4 to the Rockies (6/30/2014) ***
Peoria Chiefs 2B Mason Katz entered a tie for the Midwest League lead with his 13th and 14th HRs in a doubleheader today (6/29/2014) ***
Oakland call-up Nate Freiman shook off fatigue from a red-eye flight Sunday and smashed a 3-run HR in his first MLB game of 2014 (6/29/2014) ***
In game 2 of their doubleheader Saturday, Padres (and Team Israel) teammates Cody Decker (4 walks) and Jake Lemmerman (double, triple) batted 6th and 7th in the order (6/29/2014) ***
In game 1 of a doubleheader Saturday, Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and his 3rd HR in 6 games (6/29/2014) ***
Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson, who separated his shoulder attempting a diving catch 6/24, will miss at least 10 games (6/29/2014) ***
News flash: the Oakland Athletics have called up surging slugger Nate Freiman and placed him 5th in today’s lineup vs. the Miami Marlins. Go Nate! (6/29/2014) ***
Buffalo Bisons (AAA) LF Kevin Pillar went 2-for-4 and stole 3 bases Wednesday, including 2 during a heads-up play in the first (6/28/2014)
c/o David Spaner: in Fading Gigolo, Woody Allen’s character teaches kids to hit by imitating Kevin Youkilis’ batting stance (6/28/2014) ***
Pirates “A-short-season” prospect Jared Lakind was nearly flawless in a 2-inning stint Friday, allowing just one walk while striking out 4 and earning his first 2014 save (6/28/2014) ***
Second-year Toronto prospect Scott Silverstein won his 8th game Friday, tying him for the Midwest League (A”) lead. He yielded just 1 hit and 1 walk over 3 scoreless innings, while fanning 4 (6/28/2014) ***
Zach Borenstein can’t hit “AAA” pitching? Yeah, right. The Angels prospect drove in 5 runs Friday, one short of his career best. He’s hit .325 over the past 10 games (6/28/2014) ***
Jason Marquis‘ second rehab game, this time with the Phillies’ “AAA” team, was stellar on Friday: 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K (6/28/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: Charlie Cutler‘s RBI single Friday off David Colvin led the Tennessee Smokies to a comeback win over the Jackson Generals (6/28/2014) ***
Wow! Check out this acrobatic double-play flip by Peoria Chiefs 2B Mason Katz (6/28/2014) ***
After 2 weeks on the disabled list with a concussion, Detroit prospect Tim Remes has been activated and reassigned to the “A-short -season” Connecticut Tigers (6/28/2014) ***
On Thursday, Cardinals “A” prospect Mason Katz walked, collected his 40th RBI, and had an “incredible time” visiting Children’s Hospital of Illinois (6/27/2014) ***
Jew vs. Jew: Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler doubled in a run Thursday but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple…by Seattle prospect (and Team Israel cohort) Jack Marder (6/27/2014) ***
He’s on a power trip. Detroit “AAA” prospect Ben Guez singled twice and doubled on Thursday. He has hit 4 HRs and 4 doubles in his last 10 games (6/27/2014) ***
2014 All-Star Jon Moscot‘s record is 4-6 with the last-place Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA). But his 75 Ks rank 3rd in the Southern League, and his 2.83 ERA ranks 5th (6/26/2014) ***
Rays prospect Maxx Tissenbaum is 11-for-26 in his last five games with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, including 2 HRs, 3 doubles and 3 RBIs. So far in June he’s hitting .366 (6/26/2014)
Cardinals’ “A-short-season” prospect Jacob Booden tossed 3 perfect innings of relief Wednesday, retiring all 9 batters he faced, three of them by strikeout (6/26/2014) ***
Indians “A” prospect Richard Stock smacked a 2-run HR in the Lake County Captain’s 7-2 win Wednesday (6/26/2014) ***
Mason Katz, a second-year player with the “A” Peoria Chiefs, went 2-for-3 with his 12th HR on Wednesday, leaving him one home run out of the Midwest League lead (6/26/2014) ***
Not a bad week for Tigers “AAA” prospect Ben Guez. In a doubleheader Wednesday, he went a combined 4-for-6 with a double and 2 HRs, including a grand slam. Today he went 3-for-5 with a double (6/26/2014) ***
Toronto’s Kevin Pillar lost his temper Wednesday after being pulled for a pinch hitter with the bases loaded. The Blue Jays sent him back to AAA to cool off (6/26/2014) ***
One game into his call-up from AAA, Toronto’s Kevin Pillar got himself sent back down Wednesday. How? Throwing a tantrum after getting pulled for a pinch hitter with the bases loaded (6/26/2014) ***
Was that a friendly wave Ian Kinsler made to the Rangers’ dugout while circling the bases Tuesday, or a ‘nyah-nyah!’ wave? (6/25/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler homered Tuesday in his first at-bat at Rangers Ballpark since being traded to Detroit. Or as MLB.com put it, “Kinsler Goes Roundtrip on His Return Trip” (6/25/2014) ***
What a great day in baseball when nine MLB MOTs take to the field! (6/25/2014) ***
Sportswriter Jonathan Mayo and filmmaker Jeremy Newberger are organizing a ‘Birthright Israel’-type trip for MLB Jews — and they plan to film it, according to the Times of Israel (6/24/2014) ***
Dodgers #1 prospect Joc Pederson hurt his right shoulder today while attempting to make a diving catch in the first inning. No word yet on the injury’s severity (6/24/2014) ***
RBI machine: A pair of solo HRs Monday launched Nate Freiman into 2nd place among ALL minor leaguers with 68 RBIs and drove the Sacramento River Cats to a 4-2 win (6/24/2014) ***
Mets “AAA” prospect Josh Satin hit three doubles, drew a walk and knocked in a run Sunday. The 29-year-old 1B is hitting .296 with 3 HRs, 17 RBIs and a .394 OBP (6/23/2014) ***
Identical non-twins? Tigers “A-” prospect Jacob Kapstein is hitting .348…the very same as brother (and Red Sox “A” prospect) Zach Kapstein (6/23/2014) ***
The Boston Globe yesterday named LF Zach Kapstein — who’s hitting .348 — one of two prospects “flying under the radar in the Red Sox system.” He later went on to walk, steal a base, score 2 runs, and nail a runner at the plate (6/23/2014) ***
Rays “A-advanced” prospect Maxx Tissenbaum hit zero HRs in the first 36 games of 2014 — and then bashed three over the next four games (6/23/2014) ***
Multi-hit Maxx Tissenbaum hit his third HR in four games Sunday and added a double.His OPS in June is .944 and climbing (6/23/2014) ***
Two more RBIs Sunday for Oakland “AAA” prospect Nate Freiman (65 and 66) — and 2 more walks. He has 17 in 19 games this month (6/23/2014) ***
Two more RBI (65,66) for @natefreiman — and two more walks. He has 17 this month in 19 games
Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler singled twice and walked Sunday. No surprise there — he’s hitting .336 with a .455 OBP (6/23/2014) ***
Angels prospect Zach Borenstein went 3-for-4 Sunday with his 2nd HR and 16th RBI in 24 “AAA” games, raising his average to .275 (6/23/2014) ***
Wanna see a spreadsheet showing 2014 stats of all Jewish minor leaguers through June 21? We’ve created one! Click here to download it (6/23/2014) ***
After hitting nearly .400 in May and June in “AAA,” Kevin Pillar is headed back to Toronto. The Blue Jays recalled the 25-year-old LF today (6/23/2014) ***
Good news for Royals fans: Danny Valencia is back from the disabled list (6/23/2014) ***
Sean Bierman, a former Tampa Bay Rays prospect who was released by the White Sox in early May, is pitching for the Rockland Boulders of the independent Canadian-American Association (6/22/2014) ***
One-two punch: Mariners “AA” prospect Jack Marder went 2/4 Saturday, while reliever David Colvin lowered his ERA to 1.69 (6/22/2014) ***
Maxx Tissenbaum‘s solo HR broke up a 6th-inning no-hitter Saturday for the “A-advanced” Charlotte Stone Crabs. The Rays prospect also singled (6/22/2014) ***
Dodgers “AAA” OF Joc Pederson singled, walked twice, and scored 2 runs Saturday. He’s hitting .323 with 17 HRs, 42 RBIs, and 19 SBs (6/22/2014) ***
Toronto prospect Kevin Pillar went 3/5 Saturday with a 2-run double and a walk. He’s hit .405 since the Blue Jays optioned him to the “AAA” Buffalo Bisons (6/22/2014) ***
On Saturday, Angels prospect Zach Borenstein recorded his 15th RBI in 23 games since being promoted to “AAA,” and his 42nd RBI overall (6/22/2014) ***
Jewish one-two punch: Padres “AAA” DH Cody Decker homered and drew a bases-loaded walk Saturday, while 3B Jake Lemmerman walked twice and scored 2 (6/22/2014) ***
Jason Marquis triumphed in his first game since undergoing Tommy John surgery nearly a year ago. In 5 shutout innings for the rookie-league GCL Phillies, he gave up 5 hits, walked none, and struck out 7 (6/22/2014) ***
Pittsburgh “A-short season” prospect Jared Lakind, who played 1B his first 3 years in the minors, pitched a scoreless inning Friday, striking out two batters swinging and retiring another on a bunt (6/22/2014) ***
Detroit’s Ian Kinsler singled, hit his 8th HR, and scored the game-winning run in the 10th inning of Saturday’s 5-4 victory over Cleveland (6/22/2014) ***
A 2010 article spotted by David Spaner said that Red Sox exec Jeremy Kapstein — uncle of minor-leaguers Zach Kapstein and Jacob Kapstein — has another ballplayer in the family: cousin Scott Schoeneweis, who pitched 12 years in Majors (6/21/2014) ***
Minnesota’s Sam Fuld hit a warning-track sacrifice fly and drew a crucial 9th-inning walk Friday in a 5-4 walkoff win over the White Sox (6/21/2014) ***
Ryan Braun shined in his 1,000th game with the Brewers, contributing two doubles, a single, a stolen base, and 2 RBIs in a 13-10 win Friday over Colorado (6/21/2014) ***
In his 2014 debut, Braves “rookie league” starter Alec Grosser fanned 7 batters over 3.2 innings and yielded 2 earned runs Thursday (6/20/2014) ***
Orioles “A-advanced” shortstop Sammie Starr went 2/4 Thursday with 2 RBIs, and so far today he’s 3/5 with a triple and 2 more RBIs (6/20/2014) ***
Two more hits (and RBI #20) on Thursday for Mariners “AA” prospect Jack Marder, who is hitting .356 in June (6/20/2014) ***
Making uncle proud: Boston “A” prospect Zach Kapstein, nephew of the franchise’s senior advisor for baseball projects, went 2/4 Thursday to raise his average to a team-high .349 (6/20/2014) ***
Cubs’ “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler went 2/4 Thursday to raise his average to .333. After hitting just .148 in May, he’s hit .382 in May and June alike (6/20/2014) ***
With a 2-run HR on Wednesday, Oakland “AAA” prospect Nate Freiman vaulted into 5th place among minor-leaguers of ALL levels (excluding the Mexican League) with 63 RBIs (6/19/2014) ***
Rare event: when Houston’s Scott Feldman left the game with a 5-2 lead Wednesday, he was replaced in the sixth by reliever Josh Zeid. Unfortunately, Zeid yielded 3 runs, and the Nats later won 6-5 (6/19/2014) ***
Two games into a rehab assignment with the Royals’ “AAA” club, Danny Valencia is 3-for-8 with a HR, 2 walks and a stolen base (6/18/2014) ***
Tigers “AAA” prospect Ben Guez hit an RBI double and his 7th home run Tuesday. He’s hitting .278 this month, with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs (6/18/2014) ***
Ex-MLB’er Gabe Kapler says Houston is “likely happy” with Scott Feldman, whose ERA is 3.98 despite workout out of hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park (6/18/2014) ***
Indians “A” prospect Richard Stock drove in 4 runs Saturday with an RBI single and his first HR of the year, a three-run shot that left the park (6/17/2014) ***
Orioles “A-advanced” shortstop Sammie Starr, at 5’8″ the smallest Jewish player in the pros, homered both on Saturday and Sunday (6/17/2014) ***
The West Michigan Whitecaps have placed Detroit “A” prospect Tim Remes on the disabled list with a concussion (6/17/2014) ***
In his past 10 games at the “AAA” level, Toronto prospect Kevin Pillar has hit .415 with a HR, 7 doubles, 5 RBIs and 2 stolen bases (6/17/2014) ***
Dodgers #1 prospect Joc Pederson ranks 1st in the “AAA” Pacific Coast League in OBP (.442), OPS (1.040), runs (55) and strikeouts (89), 2nd in slugging (.598), and 3rd in HRs (17) and stolen bases (18)…(6/17/2014) ***
Mariners “AA” prospect Jack Marder went 2-for-4 Sunday with a double, 2 RBIs, and his second HR in three games. He’s hitting .341 this month (6/17/2014) ***
A day before Mason Katz won Player of the Game honors, teammate Rob Kaminsky earned the same in a shutout win, giving up 2 singles and no walks Saturday (6/17/2014) ***
St. Louis “A” prospect Mason Katz hit 2 HRs on Sunday, including a 10th-inning shot that gave the Peoria Chiefs a 6-5 walkoff win (6/17/2014) ***
Jacob Kapstein’s older brother, Boston “A” prospect Zach Kapstein, is averaging .343 this season and has had two hits in four of his last seven games (6/17/2014) ***
In just his second game this season, Detroit “A-short-season” prospect Jacob Kapstein went 2-for-4 with three RBIs on Saturday (6/17/2014) ***
Padres “AAA” prospect Cody Decker went 2-for-4 Monday before getting tossed out arguing a called third strike. El Paso Chihuhuas manager Pat Murphy soon followed (6/17/2014) ***
Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler continues to thrive at the plate, hitting.328 with a .442 on-base percentage and 25 RBIs in 125 at-bats. His walk-to-strikeouts ratio is an excellent 21-to-15 (6/17/2014)
After hitting just .204 in April, Oakland “AAA” prospect Nate Freiman hit .316 in May — along with an extraordinary 35 RBIs — and is hitting .308 this month (6/27/2014) ***
Zach Borenstein smashed his first Triple-A home run on Sunday. In his last 10 games, the Angels’ #11 prospect has hit .282 with 10 RBIs (6/17/2014) ***
The 2014 MLB draft netted at least six Jewish players. For background on the players click here (6/17/2014) ***
Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun singled, walked and hit a 2-run triple off a J.J. Putz fastball in a 9-3 win over Arizona (6/17/2014) ***
Brought on to face Evan Longoria last night, Houston’s Josh Zeid struck him out on four pitches. The reliever has pitched 3 days in a row since being called up Friday (6/16/2014) ***
St. Louis catching prospect Adam Ehrlich has left the DL and joined pitcher Jacob Booden — who pitched a scoreless inning in his 2014 debut Saturday — on the State College Spikes (6/15/2014) ***
Astros reliever Josh Zeid pitched a perfect 9th inning Saturday, retiring three Rays batters on 15 pitches (6/15/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler helped Detroit beat Sam Fuld‘s Twins on Saturday, going 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs, his 20th double — tied for 6th in the A.L. — a walk, and a stolen base (6/15/2014) ***
Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun rates his swing the past couple weeks as “somewhere between terrible and awful.” But Saturday, his two-run HR in the 8th was a game-winner (6/15/2014) ***
In his 2nd game since being sent to “AAA,” Blue Jays prospect Kevin Pillar doubled twice, singled and drove in 2 runs Friday (6/14/2014) ***
Solid game Friday for Dodgers #1 prospect Joc Pederson, who hit an RBI single, went to 2nd on the throw, stole 2 bases, and walked twice (6/14/2014) ***
Cubs “AA” prospect Charlie Cutler singled, walked and was hit by a pitch Friday. He’s hitting .331 with 24 RBIs in just 121 at-bats and a .439 OBP (6/14/2014) ***
Sam Kimmel tripled, singled and walked Friday in his first game since being assigned to the Orioles’ A-short-season club, the Aberdeen IronBirds (6/14/2014) ***
Nate Freiman‘s second grand-slam of the season lifted the “AAA” Sacramento River Cats to victory Friday. The Oakland prospect’s 59 RBIs are tied for 7th across all Minor League levels (6/14/2014)
A two-run, 4th-inning HR by Mariners “AA” prospect Jack Marder, his 3rd of the season, proved the game winner Friday for the Jackson Generals (6/14/2014) ***
More good news Friday for the Kapstein family: younger brother Jacob Kapstein, a Detroit prospect, went 1/3 with a double in his 2014 debut (6/14/2014) ***
Red Sox “A” prospect Zach Kapstein went 3-for-6 with 2 RBIs in a doubleheader Friday. After hitting .276 in April, he hit .358 in May and, so far, .438 in June (6/14/2014) ***
In his first game with the Twins since suffering a concussion in early May, Sam Fuld is 1-for-4 tonight with a walk and a single thru 7 innings (6/14/2014) ***
He’s back! The Astros recalled Josh Zeid on Friday, and later that evening the reliever tossed 2 scoreless innings against the Rays (6/14/2014) ***
Batting cleanup Friday, Ike Davis went 2-for-3 and with a two-run double in Pittsburgh’s 8-6, extra-inning win over Miami (6/14/2014) ***
Sure, he’s no giant (5’11”, 180#), but there was nothing small about the HR that Detroit AAA prospect Ben Guez hit yesterday, or his career-tying 5 RBIs (6/13/2014) ***
In one of his best outings since exiting the DL a month ago, Houston’s Scott Feldman held the D’backs to 4 hits and 2 ERs over 6.33 innings Thursday. He struck out 6 and walked none (6/13/2014) ***
Rays prospect Maxx Tissenbaum smashed his first HR of the season Wednesday, a 2-run shot for the A-advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs. A converted catcher, it was his 14th career game behind the plate (6/12/2014) ***
Out since May 7 with a concussion, Sam Fuld is rehabbing with the Twins’ AA club. He went 1-for-3 in each of his first 3 games there, including a HR yesterday, and is 2-for-2 so far today (6/11/2014) ***
Kansas City’s Danny Valencia has been on the disabled list since 6/1/2014 with a sprained left hand. Here’s wishing him a speedy recovery (6/11/2014) ***
Toronto OF Kevin Pillar, who had a walkoff single Monday, has been optioned to Triple-A. He was hitting .243 with 0 HRs, 3 doubles, 2 RBIs, and 0 walks in 37 at-bats (6/11/2014) ***
Snubbed: At a baseball meeting in Tunisia, Israel was forbidden from displaying its flag. Israel’s baseball chief agreed to abide only after being told the flag would endanger his safety. The IOC is investigating (6/11/2014) ***
Matt Lauer’s most inspiring interview in 20 years on the Today Show? “I loved interviewing Adam Greenberg, the baseball player who got a second chance in the pros. I learned a lot about life from him” (6/11/2014) ***
Blue Jays Single-A prospect Scott Silverstein struck out 2 and gave up 1 hit over 1.2 scoreless innings Tuesday, raising his record to 6-2 with 4 saves and a 3.94 ERA (6/11/2014) ***
Josh Satin singled, doubled and walked Tuesday, raising his average with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s to .312 and his OBP to .394 (6/11/2014) ***
Dodgers No. 1 prospect Joc Pederson singled, walked, scored 2 runs and stole his 15th base Tuesday, tying him for 4th highest in the league (6/11/2014) ***
After nearly winning the triple crown last season in the A-advanced California League, Angels No. 11 prospect Zach Borenstein is ‘finding his stride’ in AAA, MiLB.com says (6/10/2014) ***
Cardinals prospect Mason Katz drove in his 34th run Monday, tied for 7th-highest in the Single-A Midwest League (6/10/2014) ***
Cubs AA prospect Charlie Cutler went 2/4 with a walk and a stolen base Monday. The 27-year-old is hitting .327 with a .426 OBP and one of the league’s best RBI-to-At-bat ratios: 22 to 113 (6/10/2014) ***
MLB.com: “Kevin Pillar went from the goat to the hero in a matter of minutes during the ninth inning of Monday night’s 5-4 victory over the Twins.” See his walk-off single here (6/10/2014) ***
Batting cleanup Monday, Pittsburgh’s Ike Davis broke a 0-for-19 slump with a HR to dead center, his 5th round-tripper of the year (6/10/2014) ***
White Sox prospect Brad Goldberg pitched 3-and-two-thirds scoreless innings to earn a win Sunday. Over the last 10 games, he’s 2-0 with 1 save and a 2.57 ERA (6/9/2014) ***
Proving again the Cardinals’ wisdom in making him a 1st-round pick, Single-A prospect Rob Kaminsky gave up just 1 ER on 2 Hs and 3 BBs in a 5-inning start Sunday. In 6 starts, he’s 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA (6/9/2014) ***
Padres AAA prospect Cody Decker smacked a 2-run HR and singled Sunday in the El Paso Chihuahuas’ 10-7 win (6/9/2014) ***
Orioles A-advanced prospect Sammie Starr got on base 6 times Friday, going 3-for-5 with a double, 2 walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a stolen base (6/8/2014) ***
Angels prospect Zach Borenstein doubled today for his first extra-base hit in Triple-A. Over the past 10 games, he’s hit .333 (6/8/2014) ***
Astros AAA prospect Josh Zeid earned his 7th and 8th saves this weekend. He is averaging 10.2 strikeouts per 9 innings (6/8/2014) ***
Another strong start Saturday for Reds AA prospect (and 2014 All-Star) Jon Moscot, who gave up just 1 ER on 2 hits and no walks over 6 innings (6/8/2014) ***
St. Louis Cardinals A-advanced prospect Corey Baker pitched 1.2 scoreless innings on Saturday, lowering his ERA to 2.54 (6/8/2014) ***
Detroit Single-A prospect Tim Remes went 2-for-3 Saturday with 2 RBIs (6/8/2014) ***
Dodgers AAA prospect Joc Pederson broke an 11-game dry spell Saturday with his 16th HR, 3rd best in the Pacific Coast League. With A’s RF Yasiel Puig injured, Pederson could get a call-up soon (6/8/2014) ***
Oakland AAA prospect Nate Freiman hit a 3-run HR today, giving him 9 HRs, a league-leading 55 RBIs, and a .282 average (6/8/2014) ***
Cubs AA prospect Charlie Cutler went 2-for-4 with a HR and 3 RBIs Saturday. The 27-year-old catcher is hitting .324 with a .423 OBP and an impressive 22 RBIs in just 108 ABs (6/8/2014) ***
Left-handed pitcher Michael Fagan, who skipped a 2010 offer from the Padres to attend Princeton, was selected by Oakland in the 9th round of this week’s draft. Our thanks to JSR for the tip (6/7/2014) ***
The Nats have reassigned OF prospect Greg Zebrack to the A-short-season Auburn Doubledays (6/7/2014) ***
Padres SS prospect Jake Lemmerman celebrated his return to the team’s Triple-A club yesterday with a double in two at-bats (6/7/2014) ***
Baltimore has reassigned LF prospect Sam Kimmel to its A-short-season club, the Aberdeen IronBirds (6/7/2014) ***
Red Sox prospect Zach Kapstein, a left fielder hitting .329 for the Single-A Greenville Drive, has landed on the disabled list (6/7/2014) ***
The Atlanta Braves have released Double-A prospect Eric Berger, a 7-year Minor League veteran and Team Israel alum (6/7/2014) ***
Ian Kinsler and Torii Hunter hit back-to-back HRs on Friday in Detroit’s 6-2 win over Boston (6/7/2014) ***
Although a Jewish player was selected in the 1st round of both the 2013 and 2012 drafts, Jewish Sports Review says no known Jews were selected in the first 2 rounds yesterday (6/6/2014) ***
In a AAA Jewish faceoff Thursday, A’s prospect Nate Freiman went 2/5 with an RBI, while Angels prospect Zach Borenstein went 3/5 with 3 RBIs in his team’s 8-7 win (6/6/2014) ***
The latest tally of MLB All-Star votes shows Seattle’s Robinson Cano displacing Detroit’s Ian Kinsler among A.L. second basemen (6/6/2014) ***
Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun went 3-for-5 Thursday with a double, two singles, 2 runs, and his fifth stolen base in 7 tries, upping his average to .318 (6/6/2014) ***
Detroit’s Ian Kinsler went 2-for-4 today with a triple and 2 runs batted in (6/5/2014) ***
Sending good wishes to Oakland AAA prospect Jeff Urlaub, who’s been placed on the Sacramento River Cats’ 7-day disabled list (6/5/2014) ***
Mariners AA prospect Jack Marder continued his hot hitting Wednesday with a single, double, walk and 2 RBIs. He’s hit .417 with a .488 OBP over his past 10 games (6/5/2014) ***
H.S. senior Keith Weisenberg, a 6’5″ pitcher from the Tampa Bay area who is ranked 70th in today’s amateur draft, has wowed scouts but may go later due to his commitment to Stanford (6/5/2014) ***
Jason Knapp, a 2nd-round draft pick who missed the 2011-13 seasons due to injury, earned his first win in nearly 4 years Wednesday. The stats from his stellar if rain-shortened start: 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K (6/5/2014) ***
Detroit’s Ian Kinsler hit his 5th HR of the year Wednesday, a solo shot off Toronto’s R.A. Dickey (6/5/2014) ***
Interview: Bud Selig, 80, tells the Jewish Exponent about his immigrant parents, Jewish causes, and being a frustrated academic (6/4/2014) ***
Padres AAA prospect Cody Decker drove in two runs Tuesday. You can hear him shower love on El Paso in this brief interview (6/4/2014) ***
Orioles A+ prospect Sammie Starr singled, doubled and stole a base Tuesday. He’s hitting .233 with 2 HRs and 11 RBIs in 60 at-bats (6/4/2014) ***
Dodgers AAA prospect Joc Pederson hit an RBI triple for the second game in a row Tuesday and the third time in his last 9 games (6/4/2014) ***
CityBeat has a nice article on 19th-century Jewish slugger Lipman Pike and his tenure with the Cincinnati Reds (6/4/2014) ***
The Rangers recalled Aaron Poreda from Triple-A today. In an earlier MLB stint this season, he was 2-0 with 4 holds, one blown save, a 3.38 ERA, and 1 of 7 inherited runners scored (6/4/2014) ***
Back from an illness Monday, Dodgers No. 1 prospect Joc Pederson roped a 2-run triple, singled, and drew two walks (6/3/2014) ***
Cardinals Single-A prospect Mason Katz backed teammate Rob Kaminsky‘s stellar game Monday with two doubles and a single (6/3/2014) ***
Rob Kaminsky, the Cardinals’ No. 3 prospect at just 19 years old, pitched his second straight gem Monday, yielding 1 ER, 7 Hs and no BBs over 6.2 innings. His ERA? A slim 1.71 (6/3/2014) ***
News flash: Philadelphia Phillies sign 35-year-old Jason Marquis, who’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, to a minor-league contract (6/3/2014) ***
Reds AA prospect Jon Moscot, who went 4-15 last year, is 4-3 after a dominant start Monday: 7 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K. His 2.33 ERA is 4th best in the Southern League (6/3/2014) ***
Mariners AA prospect Jack Marder went 2-for-3 with an RBI on Monday, including his second triple in a week. In the past 10 games he’s hit .333 (6/3/2014) ***
Braves prospect Alec Grosser, plucked out of high school in the 11th-round last year, says he’s done with extended spring training and expects to begin playing for a short-season team in a couple weeks (6/3/2014) ***
Article: When a little league umpire told a 9-year-old Lubavitch boy he had to remove his tzitit or leave the field, the boy calmly walked off the field, and his non-Jewish teammates followed (6/2/2014) ***
Mariners AA prospect Jack Marder went 2/4 with an RBI double on Sunday. His 24 runs are 2nd among the Jackson Generals, his .377 OBP ranks 3rd, and he’s one of just 2 with more walks than strikeouts (6/2/2014) ***
Ryan Braun‘s 153 at-bats aren’t on pace to qualify for the N.L. batting title. If they were, he’d rank among the Top 10 in average, slugging, OPS and ABs per HR. And he’s yet to make an error (6/2/2014) ***
Ryan Braun hit his 2nd HR in three games and his 9th of the season Sunday. The shot came against Cubs ace Jeff Samardzjia (6/2/2014) ***
Cardinals prospect Mason Katz earned Player of the Game honors Saturday for a three-run triple that lifted the Peoria Chiefs to a come-from-behind win (6/1/2014) ***
Nate Freiman‘s two RBIs on Saturday lifted his season total to 50, tops among all Triple-A players (6/1/2014) ***
Padres AA prospect Jake Lemmerman hit a 2-run HR and a 2-run single Saturday for the San Antonio Missions (6/1/2014) ***
Second-year White Sox prospect Brad Goldberg earned his first 2014 save Saturday. He’s held opponents scoreless in 5 of his last 6 games (6/1/2014) ***
Mets AAA prospect Josh Satin went 3-for-5 on Friday with a triple and an RBI. He’s hitting .321 with 2 HRs and 10 RBIs in 78 ABs (5/31/2014) ***
Check out this nice diving catch Friday by Cardinals Single-A prospect Mason Katz (5/31/2014) ***
Nate Freiman had his second walk-off hit in 3 games Friday. Oakland’s AAA prospect went 3/5 with a HR and a walk-off single (5/31/2014) ***
Pity: Catcher-rich Boston gave Ryan Lavarnway his first career start at 1B on Thursday, but he broke his wrist in his first AB (5/31/2014) ***
Ike Davis crushed a 453-foot HR on Friday and went 2-for-4. Since joining Pittsburgh he’s hitting .292 with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs (5/31/2014) ***
Ryan Braun went 3-for-5 Friday with a home run and 3 RBIs. The HR, his 8th, was his first at Milwaukee’s Miller Park in over a year (5/31/2014) ***
The Blue Jays are giving away 20,000 cowboy hats Sunday for ‘Country Day.’ Kevin Pillar rocks one in this pic (5/30/2014) ***
Oakland AAA prospect Nate Freiman took over the league lead Thursday with his 45th and 46th RBIs (5/30/2014) ***
Tag team: Oakland AAA prospect Jeff Urlaub pitched a perfect 1.2 innings Thursday, while teammate Nate Freiman smacked a walk-off sacrifice fly for the win (5/29/2014) ***
With two doubles Thursday, Detroit’s Ian Kinsler entered a tie for the A.L. lead at 19. Meanwhile, he’s the 2nd-hardest to batter strike out (5/30/2014) ***
Kevin Pillar scored from first on a bunt and errant throw Wednesday to give Toronto a thrilling walk-off win over the Rays. Check out his flying slide! (5/29/2014) ***
Texas has optioned Aaron Poreda to AAA. In 15 games, he was 2-0 with 4 holds, one blown save, a 3.38 ERA and 1 of 7 inherited runners scored (5/29/2014) ***
Former minor leaguer Steve Moss, who began this season in independent ball, is hitting .293 for the Mexican League’s Toros de Tijuana (5/28/2014) ***
Oakland AAA prospect Nate Freiman has 42 runs batted in, just shy of the league-leaders’ 44 (5/28/2014) ***
After a slow start, Mariners AA prospect Jack Marder has raised his average to .259 and his OBP to an 8th-ranked .392. The 2B has 19 BBs and only 13 Ks (5/28/2014) ***
Out since May 8 with concussion symptoms, Minnesota’s Sam Fuld is still lacking the three straight symptom-free days required to resume on-field workouts (5/28/2014)
has yet to resume on-field workouts because he hasn’t had three straight symptom-free days (5/28/2014) still lacking the three straight symptom-free days required for clearance.
Even after going 0/5 on Tuesday, Detroit’s Ian Kinsler has the A.L.’s 6th-best batting average at .322 (5/28/2014) **
Toronto’s Kevin Pillar went 2/4 on Tuesday and is hitting .333 in the 12 games since his call-up (5/28/2014) ***
In 2012, Ryan Braun hit 24 of his 41 HRs at home. This year, all 7 have come on the road. Significance? (5/28/2014) ***
Congrats to Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Jeremy Bleich, who struck out 10 in a scoreless 7-inning start Friday. The Yankees AA prospect ranks sixth with 49 Ks and eighth with a 1.16 WHIP (5/27/2014) ***
Yasher Koach to Angels prospect Zach Borenstein on his promotion to Triple-A. At 23, he’s nearly 4 years younger than the league average (5/27/2014) ***
Braves AA prospect Eric Berger was perfect in relief Saturday, striking out 3 batters over 3 innings and yielding zero baserunners (5/27/2014) ***
Houston’s Scott Feldman pitched well in a win Sunday, even though it was his first start without a strikeout since 2010 (5/27/2014) ***
Kevin Pillar doubled and scored in Toronto’s 10-5 win over the Rays on Sunday. Even better was his run-saving catch off Evan Longoria (5/27/2014) ***
There’s talk that Sunday’s Tigers-A’s game was the first-ever matchup of Jewish managers: Brad Ausmus vs. Bob Melvin. But Melvin, despite a Jewish mother, was raised Christian (5/27/2014) ***
The Cubs have optioned Ryan Kalish to Triple-A Iowa. The 26-year-old LF was hitting .242 with 5 extra-base hits and 3 stolen bases in 91 ABs (5/26/2014) ***
Ryan Braun went 4/5 with a double and triple Sunday, the first time since August 27, 2012 he’s had 4+ hits in a game and 16th overall (5/26/2014)
MLB.com writers say their first choice to represent the A.L. at 2B in the 2014 All-Star is, at present, Detroit’s Ian Kinsler. In his first 8 years in the MLB, Kinsler was named an All-Star three times (5/26/2014) ***
The Boston Red Sox today called-up catcher Ryan Lavarnway. A lifetime .208 hitter in the Majors, he was hitting .265 in Triple-A with 2 HRs and 11 RBIs this season (5/26/2014) ***

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