Blue Sparks 08/24/08

Previous Blue Sparks

AAA Vegas Stats
AA Jacksonville Stats
High A Inland Empire Stats
Low A Great Lake Loon Stats

Player Highligh Beat writer Diamond Leung is reporting that  2008 2nd round pick Josh Lindblom has been promoted to AA after 8 appearances with the Loons in Low A ball. He dominated during his brief stay with the Loons showing exceptional command and dominance. The 21 year old will now get to ply his trade against more advanced hitters. He also reports that Great Lake Loon hitting star Andrew Lambo will make the jump with Lindblom to AA. So both are skipping the Cal League. I hope Lambo does not skip the Cal entirely next season as I'd like to get a look at him.

AAA Vegas:

Blake DeWitt gets off the floor and caps a strong 4 game stretch with a 5 for 5 game. All singles but over that 4 game stretch he collected 11 hits in 19 at bats including 6 XBH. He started the stretch by hitting two home runs on Aug 20th. He's been playing 2nd base every game.

Xavier Paul is trying to prove his future is not as a backup outfielder. After struggling in April/May, Paul is quietly putting together a fine season in Vegas. His OPS in Aug is now at 965.

James McDonald made two great starts but then failed to impress Ned on Aug 17th and the next day we acquired Maddux. Makes you wonder what would have happened if James had been able to throw a game like he did on Aug6th or 12th(10 K's in each game). After the debacle in front of Ned in which he gave up 5 runs in 3 innings his next outing was in relief. I think they are hoping he can help the bullpen in the near future.

AA Jacksonville

Ivan Dejesus just continues to rake. Easily the top prospect in the organization he is riding a 15 or 16 game hitting streak. I lost count but what I didn't lose count on was the power he is showing. He has a plus 600 slug % for far in August. For a punch and Judy hitter that is virgin territory he has moved into.

Scott Elbert continues to slog along in relief. Sometimes he throws a two inning gem like he did on Aug 8th and 13th when he combined for 9 K's in 4 innings but mostly he is just throwing 1 inning here and there with okay results.

High A Inland Empire:

22 year old Scott Van Slyke has been a worthless prospect since being drafted in the 14th round in 2005 and I've never had a positive thing to say about him. Struggling as usual he was shockingly  promoted to the Cal League but even in the high octane offensive league he was unable to mount anything substantial. Until this week, where he finally broke out of his career slump just long enough to bust out 11 hits in 5 games including one two home game. That multiple home run game will probably be the highlight of his career as it should resume it's slumber shortly.

Victor Garate continues to amass strikeouts at a dizzying pace, as he garnered 11 more last night. He is getting hit in the Cal League but he's still missing bats and has to rank as one of this years biggest surprises.

Jaime Pedroza is just about to bust over 300 for the 1st time this year. He really struggled in April but since then he has been busy posting an OPS over 800 each month including two months with an OPS > 900. Not bad for a middle infielder who nobody considers a prospect.

Down in the rookie league, Gordon and Baez are putting on a fielding clinic. Combined they have over 40 errors in the short rookie league season. They have two weeks to shoot for 50.