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...
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.
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.