Farmers only love big debuts

by Rick House on May 9, 2008 4:20 AM EDT in News

Question: Of the guys who were recently promoted, who excites you the most? Chris Valaika, Todd Frazier, Devin Mesoraco or even Logan Parker, who OPSed .949 in his rookie year? A month ago I would have said Frazier without thinking twice, but I've developed a grapefruit-sized manlove tumor for Valaika over the past month. He did not disappoint me last night...

Valaika

Triple-A: Jay Bruce racked up 2 more hits as Louisville won 8-7. Two things happened for the third straight day: Andy Phillips homered (this time a grand slam), and the Bats scored 8 runs. Before this series Phillips had 0 home run and 2 RBIs all season. Now he has 3 homers and 11 RBIs. Andy Phillips had a good trip to Norfolk. UP NEXT: Home series vs. Richmond, tonight at 7. Homer throws tomorrow.

Double-A: Chris Valaika homered in his first Double-A plate appearance and went 2 for 4 in Chattanooga's 6-4 loss. Cody Strait added his fifth of the season. UP NEXT: Game 5 vs. Tennessee, 7:15 tonight.

Mesoraco

High A: Daniel Guerrero went 7 innings, allowing no runs and striking out 6 in Sarasota's 3-2 win. Todd Frazier was 0 for 3 in his FSL debut but did have a sac-fly RBI. UP NEXT: Game 3 vs. Daytona, 7 tonight.

Low A: In his first game above the rookie leagues, Devin Mesoraco went 1 for 4 with an RBI and 2 strikeouts as Dayton lost to Great Lakes 9-6. 23-year-old Logan Parker, who spent all of last year in Dayton, homered in his 2008 debut. Keltavious Jones homered, and Jeff Jeffords was bad. UP NEXT: Great Lakes at Dayton, 7 tonight.

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Cover boys

Valaika is on the front page of MiLB.com:

And Andy Phillips is on the front page of the Louisville Bats official site:

Andy Phillips not only hit home runs three days in a row, he has an 11 game hitting streak going.

I’m not surprised. Andy’s always hit very well in the minors. I think the only reason he hasn’t hit more home runs this season is that he missed about a third of it with a mild hamstring strain.

Oh, and if anyone wants to hear Jim Kelch…here he is calling Andy’s grand slam.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on May 9, 2008 6:52 AM EDT reply actions

Bats lost yesterday

But Andy’s hitting streak is intact. He went 1 for 4, and the streak is now at 12.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on May 10, 2008 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Valaika for no other reason that the photo that FSN had last year during his hit streak

it as amazing.

by OURob on May 9, 2008 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

...and I cannot lie!

Yum-o!

by Fat Vegas Alan on May 9, 2008 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

right now

I’d have to sa Valaika based on team need. He murderizes lefties and plays SS, two of our biggest needs. If he walks more as he moves up, he could really help.

by Blue on May 9, 2008 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

Keltavious Jones

i know nothing about this guy but every time I see his name I think of Kal Daniels. I hope he can hit as well as Kal

Hope Springs Eternal! Go Reds

by Caleb on May 9, 2008 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

Dragons rainout..

So the Dragons rained out Friday night, and now have a double-header tonight. Anybody know if I’m correct to assume that the makeup game is the one at 6 and the one originally scheduled for 7 is now at 8:30?

They wouldn’t play the makeup game afterwards and bump the regular one up one hour early, would they?

by sonant1 on May 10, 2008 10:39 AM EDT reply actions