Wow, very nice!! Might have to twist your arm and get you to share some pics when you get back.

Pretty soon they will have to clear some room for the upcoming July 2nd signings. You will see even more guys go to DL, or just released altogether.

Unfortunately, Seagull, your local kids will be hard pressed to find a job this time of year. Teams draft picks are coming in droves, and you will have the international signings being added soon too.

The worlds tallest singles hitter, David Miller, has just been named head coach at La Salle baseball.

Good week on the Hot Prospects List:


4. Bobby Bradley, 1B, Indians (21)
Double-A Akron (Eastern)

Bradley has reduced his strikeout rate from 29.7 percent last year to 23.1 percent this year despite moving up a level, and he has done it while keeping his power production intact. He had as many home runs (three) as strikeouts this week, and he remains on pace for his third straight season with at least 27 home runs

391/462/913


8. Triston McKenzie, RHP, Indians (19)
High Class A Lynchburg (Carolina)

McKenzie continues to establish himself as one of the elite pitching prospects in the game. The 6-foot-5 righthander pushed his Carolina League-leading strikeout total to 104 with his two latest strong starts, and opponents are hitting a mere .193 off him this season.

11 1/3 IP 13 H 2.31 ERA 2 BB 11 K

While I'm still in the lowlands of Northeast Ohio, I will note that:

The Indians loaded the typically college-player centered NYPL team with lots of 19 year olds, several of whom are looking awfully good. This week:

Oscar 381/381/714
Nolan 333/440/571
Ulysses 333/364/571

[we will not bother discussing the more generically named Will until he starts doing a lot more]

I just screwed up in the BA chat and asked about Bradley's chances to move up as RH 1B with power. BA reminds me he's a lefty which adds to his possibilities and adds " I don't know if I'd say he's underrated. He was a top 100 prospect at this time last year and still ranks No. 5 this year in a very good Indians system. He was seen as a potential middle of the order everyday first baseman before, and he still is now."


[ I think he means he was "no. 5 before the season behind Zimmer and Aiken. He's No. 3 on my list now. but perhaps he was referring to Hillbilly's Top 20 from a couple days back]

The man the myth the legend Ben Krauth has been promoted to Lynchburg! Sam Haggerty was placed on DL.

Pasquale sent back down to Akron.

Despite my Bradley flub, he answered another question:

Elliot (Youngstown OH): So how hard is McKenzie throwing his fastball this season? And anyway to guesstimate how much more he may add to it as he finally makes it into his 20's?

Kyle Glaser: McKenzie has been 93-94 in the early innings, 90-92 in the middle and tailing into 88-90 by the end. Holding his velocity is the key thing for him. I would expect as he adds strength to be a guy that's holding 93 and touching 96, but that is the big assumption you have to make with him, that he will add that strength. If he doesn't, it's a problem

[I'm sure the Indians will have a careful offseason strength plan for McK. Who was it who bulked up way too much a couple winters ago? Cody Anderson, I think.]

better late than never; Friday games were thin due to plenty of rain in Ohio and vicinity. Those who did play:

Clippers edged out 3-2. Old man Grube on the hill. Younger Robbie Aviles makes his AAA debut with a scoreless 1 1/3; lefty was a well-regarded draft pick who has come back from arm surgery. Yandy was most of the offense with 4 singles. 37 year old C Erik Kratz finished out a powerful June with a double; for the month he was 345/448/764; ready in case either Gomes or Perez goes on the DL.

Lynchburg rolls on, behind Brock Hartson's 7 2-hit shutout innings; yet another of our strike-throwing college arms, his ERA is 3.01, WHIP lowly 0.97. Jodd Carter with a triple, Loopstok drew 3 walks [11 in his past 39 trips to the plate.]

Oscar and Will Benson both doubled, but nothing else good to report in Scrappers 7-1 loss to the Black Bears.

No downpour in the desert, and the AZL Indians win 5-0. First time out Juan Mota lit up for 9 runs, 6 earned in 3 innings. This time he pitched a 1-hit shutout for 6 innings. Wilbis Santiago led the attack with a homer and a single. 17-year-old 3rd round draftee Johnathan Rodriguez with his first pro hit.

Hillbilly's been noting performance of 17-year-old SS Jonathan Lopez in the Dominican. He singled and patiently accepted 3 walks; he's a big kid 6-2 175. Jhonny Peralta redux?? He did add an error in the 10-7 loss.

Today's posted starters: Plutko, Peoples, Tully, H.Martinez and Hockin. I would expect there to be some makeup games added to the schedule after Akron and Lake County were rained out yesterday.

It's about the Yankees, but I'll post it here:

Clint Frazier, of, Yankees. Another day, another Yankees prospect getting called up. The organization's No. 2 prospect is the latest to get the call. Frazier is being promoted following the season-ending injury to Dustin Fowler in his first big league inning Thursday. The red-haired slugger is the fifth Yankees minor leaguer promoted this week, following righthander Ronald Herrera, utility man Tyler Wade, third baseman Miguel Andujar and Fowler. Frazier was one of the key parts of the trade that sent Andrew Miller to the Indians last July, along with lefthander Justus Sheffield. He ranked No. 33 in our May update of the Top 100 Prospects. 257/345/474. His power slipped in June but he lifted his stolen bases to 6 for the month. 22 year old RH.

BA on Friday games:

CLE AAA Diaz, Yandy 3B 4 1 4 0 .331
CLE AAA Rodriguez, Nellie 1B 3 0 0 0 .136 BB (31) [he's digging himself quite a hole. Glad to see he still draws some walks]
CLE HiA Castro, Willi SS 5 0 0 0 .281
CLE R Fermin, Jose SS 4 0 1 1 .111
CLE SS Benson, Will RF 3 0 1 1 .211 2B (3)
CLE SS Gonzalez, Oscar LF 4 0 1 0 .357 2B (2)
CLE SS Jones, Nolan DH 4 1 0 0 .257
No prospect pitchers made appearances.

BA did not include Hartson, or Esparza or Pannone in hits Top 30. But they do seem give positive ratings to the Tribe strategy of signing college strike-throwers. the big question of course is whether guys [plus higher rated Bieber, Civale and Merryweather] make it to [and succeed in] the majors.

Thanks, Civ!

BTW, I saw where Lynchburg activated Garcia from DL and sent my man Krauth back to Lake County.

Here ya go, Civ. Even on holiday I break news for you.

Indians Prospective
#Indians 2017 6th Round Pick Jr. (C) Michael Rivera out of University of Florida will sign July 5th in Cleveland then off to Mahoning Valley

HB

Thought you were incommunicado