AL Top Performers 050112

Here are the top American League performers for May 1, 2012.


Jarrod Dyson (Royals) 2-4, 2 R


Jeff Francoeur (Royals) 3-4, R


Austin Jackson (Tigers) 4-5, 2 RBI, R, SB (4)


Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) 2-5, RBI, R


Andy Dirks (Tigers) 2-3, R


Jhonny Peralta (Tigers) 2-3, 2 RBI, R, BB


Rick Porcello (Tigers) Win (2-2), 8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K


Nick Markakis (Orioles) 2-5


Chris Davis (Orioles) 3-4, HR (5), RBI, 3 R


Robert Andino (Orioles) 1-2, R, 2 BB


Derek Jeter (Yankees) 3-5


Curtis Granderson (Yankees) 2-3, HR (9), RBI, R


Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) 2-4


Brian Matusz (Orioles) Win (1-3), 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K


Ian Kinsler (Rangers) 2-5, 3 RBI, 2 R


Elvis Andrus (Rangers) 3-5, RBI


David Murphy (Rangers) 2-4, R


Alberto Gonzalez (Rangers) 2-4, RBI, R


Kelly Johnson (Blue Jays) 2-3, HR (5), 4 RBI, R, BB


Jose Bautista (Blue Jays) 1-3, HR (4), RBI, R, BB


Brett Lawrie (Blue Jays) 2-4, HR (3), RBI, 2 R


Jemile Weeks (Athletics) 2-5, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (5)


Kila Ka-aihue (Athletics) 2-3, RBI, R, SB (1), BB


Jarrod Parker (Athletics) Win (1-0), 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K


Cody Ross (Red Sox) 3-4, R


Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners) 2-4


Jesus Montero (Mariners) 4-4


Matt Joyce (Rays) 2-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 R


Shelley Duncan (Indians) 2-3, HR (3), RBI, 2 R, BB


Jason Kipnis (Indians) 3-4, RBI, SB (5)


Gordon Beckham (White Sox) 3-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R


Chris Sale (White Sox) Win (3-1), 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K


Denard Span (Twins) 2-3, BB


Torii Hunter (Angels) 2-2, HR (4), 2 RBI, R, BB


Howard Kendrick (Angels) 3-4, HR (3), RBI, R


Jerome Williams (Angels) Win (2-1), 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Double A Top Performers 050112

Here are the top Minor League Double A performers for May 1, 2012. Major League parent club indicated.

Double A

Brandon Waring (Orioles) 2-4, RBI, R

Gary Brown (Giants) 2-4

Zach Clark (Orioles) Win (2-1) 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Cesar Hernandez (Phillies) 2-4

Tim Kennelly (Phillies) 2-3, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 R

Ryan Goins (Blue Jays) 2-5, R

Mike McDade (Blue Jays) 2-4, RBI, 2 R, BB

Mark Sobolewski (Blue Jays) 2-4, RBI, R

A J Jimenez (Blue Jays) 2-4, 2 RBI, R

Yohan Pino (Blue Jays) Win (2-0), 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Brock Holt (Pirates) 2-5, RBI, R

Jeremy Farrell (Pirates) 2-4, BB

Quincy Latimore (Pirates) 2-4, RBI

Niuman Romero (Tigers) 2-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (4)

Jordan Lennerton (Tigers) 2-4, RBI

Pedro Florimon (Twins) 2-6, SB (6)

Jeff Kobernus (Nationals) 2-5, R

Chris Rahl (Nationals) 2-5

Eury Perez (Nationals) 2-5

Oswaldo Navarro (Mets) 2-4, RBI, R

Jared Goedert (Indians) 3-5, R

Nick Weglarz (Indians) 2-5

Ben Copeland (Indians) 2-5, RBI

Chun-Hsiu Chen (Indians) 3-3, 2 RBI, R

Hak-Ju Lee (Rays) 2-5, RBI, R

Omar Luna (Rays) 2-5, SB (7)

Henry Wrigley (Rays) 2-3, 3 SB (3), 2 BB

Mark Thomas (Rays) 2-4, RBI

Brad Coon (Rays) 2-3, 2 R, 2 SB (7), BB

Logan Watkins (Cubs) 2-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, R, SB (5)

Justin Bour (Cubs) 2-4, BB

Michael Burgess (Cubs) 2-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, R

Brandon Barnes (Astros) 2-4

Jose Martinez (Astros) 2-4, RBI

Andrew Simunic (Astros) 2-4

Conner Crumbliss (Athletics) 2-4, 2 R, BB

Tyler Ladendorf (Athletics) 3-5, RBI, R

Josh Horton (Athletics) 2-4, R, BB

Jeremy Barfield (Athletics) 2-5, R

Anthony Aliotti (Athletics) 1-2, RBI, 2 BB

Gary Daley (Athletics) Win (3-1), 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Jake Lemmerman (Dodgers) 1-2, HR (1), RBI, R, 2 SB (3), BB

Kyle Russell (Dodgers) 2-3, R

Jeff Bianchi (Brewers) 2-4, R, SB (3)

Hunter Morris (Brewers) 3-4, RBI, R

Jay Gibbons (Brewers) 2-4

Anderson De La Rosa (Brewers) 2-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, R

Dan Merklinger (Brewers) Win (1-2), 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K

Francisco Martinez (Mariners) 2-5, R, SB (9)

Joseph Dunigan (Mariners) 2-4, SB (5), BB

Chris Pettit (Mariners) 2-5, RBI

Jesus Sucre (Mariners) 2-4

Henry Rodriguez (Reds) 2-4, BB

Koyie Hill (Reds) 2-5, RBI, R

Cody Puckett (Reds) 3-4, HR, (2), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

Engel Beltre (Rangers) 2-5, R, 2 SB (10)

Mike Olt (Rangers) 2-3, RBI, 2 SB (2)

Brad Hawpe (Rangers) 2-3, RBI

Cody Decker (Padres) 2-3

Edinson Rincon (Padres) 2-4

Tim Murphy (Rangers) Win (1-2), 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Jake Smolinski (Marlins) 2-5, RBI, R

Corey Smith (White Sox) 2-4

Jose Alvarez (Marlins) Win (1-0), 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Philip Gosselin (Braves) 3-5, 3 RBI, R, SB 93)

Andrelton Simmons (Braves) 2-5, 2 RBI, 2 R

Joe Leonard (Braves) 2-5

Archie Gilbert (Diamondbacks) 2-5

Alfredo Marte (Diamondbacks) 2-4, RBI

Ed Easley (Diamondbacks) 2-4

Jose Lugo (Braves) Win (2-0), 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Christian Colon (Royals) 2-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, R

Kolten Wong (Cardinals) 3-4, RBI, 3 R, BB

Oscar Taveras (Cardinals) 2-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (2), BB

Audry Perez (Cardinals) 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R

Tyler Lyons (Cardinals) Win (1-2), 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Renny Osuna (Angels) 2-4, R, SB (3)

Oil Can Said What?

It is not surprising that Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd has some controversial opinions and an inflated view of himself:

oil-can-boyd

Two Major One Minor 050112

Here is the third installment of Two Major One Minor for 2012. The players this week are Bryan LaHair, Chris Davis and Nathan Freiman. All three play first base for their respective teams.


Bryan LaHair of the Chicago Cubs is making the most of his late bloomer arrival to the Majors. He did spend some time with the Mariners in 2008 but they tossed him back and he had been swimming in the minors until the Cubs called him up late last season. In 2011 LaHair terrorized the pitchers he faced at Triple A as he hit .331/.405/.664 with 38 HR, 109 RBI, 91 R, 2 SB in 129 games. The Cubs brought him up and I snagged him off the waiver wire since he led the minors in home runs. He finished out 2011 hitting .288/.377/.508 with 2 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R, 0 SB in 20 games with the Cubs. Now he is the Cubs starting first baseman but looking over his shoulder at Anthony Rizzo in the minors. LaHair is proving his worth with a hot start to 2012 by hitting .390/.471/.780 with 5 HR, 14 RBI, 11 R, 0 SB in 20 games with the Cubs. He is a few at bats short of qualifying otherwise he would currently sit second in the MLB in slugging percentage. LaHair is playing like a keeper. He was originally drafted by the Mariners in the 39th round. LaHair will turn 30 on November 5.


Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles is another that has bounced back and forth between the minors and Majors the last few season. He did that last year few seasons with the Rangers before being traded and the Orioles now appear ready to give him a shot. He has helped his case by have a good start by hitting .310/.359/.563 with 4 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R, 0 SB in 21 games with the Orioles. He now plays in the tough AL East so we'll see how well he hold up. For his career he has hit .256/.305/.455 with 48 HR, 149 RBI, 140 R, 5 SB in 318 games. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the fifth round in 2006. Davis turned 26 on March 17.


Nathan Freiman of the San Diego Padres' Double A team San Antonio Missions is finding his power stroke early and is hitting well in general. He is hitting .308/.364/.692 with 10 HR, 20 RBI, 17 R, 0 SB in 23 games at Double A. That follows his 2011 at Class A Advanced when he hit .288/.354/.487 with 22 HR, 111 RBI, 81 R, 6 SB in 138 games. He was originally drafted by the Padres in the eighth round in 2009. Freiman will turn 26 on December 31.

Triple A Top Performers 043012

Here are the top Minor League Triple A performers for April 30, 2012. Major League parent club indicated.

TRIPLE A

Daryl Jones (Reds) 2-5, 2 R, BB

Corky Miller (Reds) 3-4

Bill Hall (Orioles) 3-5, 2 R, BB

Ryan Adams (Orioles) 2-5, HR (2), RBI, 2 R, BB

Jesus Feliciano (Rays) 2-3, RBI, SB (2), BB

Matt Torra (Rays) Win (2-2), 8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, K

Jordan Danks (White Sox) 3-4, RBI, R

Josh Johnson (Nationals) 3-5, 2 R, SB (2), BB

Mark Teahen (Nationals) 2-5, 2 RBI, R, BB

Jarrett Hoffpauir (Nationals) 2-5, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

Carlos Rivero (Nationals) 2-4, RBI, BB

Carlos Maldonado (Nationals) 3-5, RBI, R

John Lannan (Nationals) Win (2-2), 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Pedro Ciriaco (Red Sox) 3-5, RBI, R

Jose Iglesias (Red Sox) 2-4

Che-Hsuan Lin (Red Sox)  2-3, RBI, R, BB

Matt LaPorta (Indians) 2-3, 2 HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB

Anthony Rizzo (Cubs) 2-4, 2 RBI

Adrian Cardenas (Cubs) 2-3, HR (2), RBI, R, BB

Ryan Jackson (Cardinals) 2-4, 2 R

Allen Craig (Cardinals 3-4, 2 HR (2), 5 RBI, 2 R

Kevin Mattison (Marlins) 2-5, RBI

Chase Lambin (Marlins) 3-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R

Jeff Dominguez (Marlins) 2-4

Julio Borbon (Rangers) 2-5, R, 2 SB (3)

Brad Nelson (Rangers) 2-4

Micahel Bianucci (Rangers) 2-5

Jason Bourgeois (Royals) 1-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, BB

Clint Robinson (Royals) 1-3, HR (1), RBI, R, BB

Max Ramirez (Royals) 2-4

Kevin Kouzmanoff (Royals) 2-4, R

Logan Schafer (Brewers) 3-5, 2 R

Brooks Conrad (Brewers) 1-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, R, BB

Taylor Green (Brewers) 2-4, RBI

Edwin Maysonet (Brewers) 2-4, SB (1)

J B Shuck (Astros) 2-4

Josh Fields (Dodgers) 2-3, R, BB

Jeff Baisley (Dodgers) 2-4, 2 RBI, R

Adeiny Hecchavarria (Blue Jays) 2-4, HR (1), 4 RBI, 2 R, BB

Anthony Gose (Blue Jays) 2-5, SB (8)

Travis d'Arnaud (Blue Jays) 3-5, R

Yan Gomes (Blue Jays) 3-5, HR (2), RBI, 2 R

Adam Eaton (Diamondbacks) 3-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 3 R, BB

Josh Bell (Diamondbacks) 2-4, RBI, R

Ryan Wheeler (Diamondbacks) 2-4, 2 RBI

Konrad Schmidt (Diamondbacks) 2-4, R

Jordan Pacheco (Rockies) 1-3, HR (3), 3 RBI, R, BB

Luis Jimenez (Angels) 2-4, RBI, R, SB (1)

Justin Christian (Giants) 3-5, RBI, 2 R, SB (4)

Conor Gillaspie (Giants) 3-5, RBI, R

Francisco Peguero (Giants) 1-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB

Todd Linden (Giants) 2-4

NL Top Performers 043012

Here are the top National League performers for April 30, 2012


Justin Upton (Diamondbacks) 2-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (3)


A J Pollock (Diamondbacks) 2-4, RBI, R


Jose Reyes (Mets) 2-4, BB


Donnie Murphy (Mets) 1-1, HR (2), RBI, R


Starlin Castro (Cubs) 2-4, RBI, R


Bryan LaHair (Cubs) 2-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, R


Jimmy Rollins (Phillies) 2-4, 2 R


Placido Polanco (Phillies) 2-5, 2 RBI


Ty Wigginton (Phillies) 2-4


Pete Orr (Phillies) 2-3, RBI


Neil Walker (Pirates) 3-5, RBI, R, SB (1)


Yamaico Navarro (Pirates) 2-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 R


Eric Hinske (Braves) 4-4, RBI


James McDonald (Pirates) Win (1-1), 7.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 10 K


Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) 2-4, 2 R


Ike Davis (Mets) 2-4, R


Jordan Schafer (Astros) 2-4, 2 R, SB (8)


Jed Lowrie (Astros) 2-4, RBI


Marco Scutaro (Rockies) 2-4, R


Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies) 2-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB


Ryan Braun (Brewers) 4-5, 3 HR (7), 6 RBI, 3 R


Chris Denorfia (Padres) 2-3, 2 BB


Yonder Alonso (Padres) 2-3, RBI, BB


Cameron Maybin (Padres) 1-1, 2 R, 2 SB (6), 2 BB

AL Top Performers 043012

Here are the top American League performers for April 30, 2012.


Elvis Andrus  (Rangers) 2-5, RBI


Andre Beltre (Rangers) 3-5, R


Mitch Moreland (Rangers) 1-3, HR (3), RBI, R


Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays) 2-3, HR (8), RBI, R


Yu Darvish (Rangers) Win (4-0), 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K


Adam Jones (Orioles) 1-2, R, SB (3), BB


Mark Teixeira (Yankees) 2-3, R


Eric Chavez (Yankees) 1-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, R


Hiroki Kuroda (Yankees) Win (2-3), 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K


Coco Crisp (Athletics) 2-5, 2 RBI, R


Josh Reddick (Athletics) 2-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, R, BB


Kurt Suzuki (Athletics) 1-2, R


Anthony Recker (Athletics) 2-3, R


Cliff Pennington (Athletics) 2-3, R


Mike Aviles (Red Sox) 2-5, HR (4), 4 RBI, 2 R


Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox) 2-5, SB (2)


David Ortiz (Red Sox) 2-3, 2 HR (6), 2 RBI, 3 R, BB


Darnell McDonald (Red Sox) 3-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, 3 R


Marlon Byrd (Red Sox) 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R


Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners) 3-6


Justin Smoak (Mariners) 2-5


Miguel Olivo (Mariners) 2-4, HR (3), RBI, R


Carlos Pena (Rays) 3-5, BB


B J Upton (Rays) 3-5, RBI


Danny Valencia (Twins) 2-4, RBI


Alexi Casilla (Twins) 3-4, RBI, R, 2 SB (5)


Kendrys Morales (Angels) 2-3, R


Torii Hunter (Angels) 2-4, HR (3), 3 RBI, R


Chris Iannetta (Angels) 1-3, HR (3), RBI, R


C J Wilson (Angels) Win (3-2), 7.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Double A Top Performers 043012

Here are the top Minor League Double A performers for April 30, 2012. Major League parent club indicated.

Double A

Carlo Testa (Royals) 2-3, 2 HR (4), 3 RBI, 3 R

Paulo Orlando (Royals) 3-5

Julio Rodriguez (Royals) 1-2, RBI, R

John Whittleman (Royals) 1-2, RBI, 2 R, 3 BB

Felipe Paulino (Royals) Win (1-0), 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

Oscar Taveras (Cardinals) 2-3, RBI, R< BB

Lars Davis (Rockies) 3-3

Mike Zuanich (Rockies) 1-3, HR (1), 3 RBI, R, BB

Abraham Almonte (Yankees) 2-4, R, SB (7), BB

Ronnier Mustelier (Yankees) 2-5, HR (2), 3 RBi, 2 R

Cody Johnson (Yankees) 2-5, RBI

Melky Mesa (Yankees) 2-4, HR (5), RBI, R

Luke Murton (Yankees) 3-4, RBI, BB

Kolbrin Vitek (Red Sox) 2-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R

Juan Carlos Linares (Red Sox) 2-4, R

Dan Butler (Red Sox) 2-4

Matt Curry (Pirates) 2-3, R

Tony Sanchez (Pirates) 2-3, 2 R

Niuman Romero (Tigers) 2-4, 3 RBI, R

Rob Brantly (Tigers) 2-4, RBI, R

Brandon Douglas (Tigers) 1-2, RBI, R, 2 BB

Jordan Lennerton (Tigers) 2-4, RBI, 2 R

John Murrian (Tigers) 3-4, RBI, R

Jamie Johnson (Tigers) 1-2, R, BB

Tommy Joseph (Giants) 3-4, 2 HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 R

Chris Heston (Giants) Win (2-2), 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Tyson Gillies (Phillies) 3-4, RBI, R

Darin Ruf (Phillies) 2-4

Jonathan Diaz (Blue Jays) 2-5, RBI

John Tolisano (Blue Jays) 2-3, BB

Brian Van Kirk (Blue Jays) 2-4, R

Chris Herrmann (Twins) 2-5, BB

Aaron Hicks (Twins) 2-5, SB (4)

Pedro Florimon (Twins) 2-4, R, SB (5)

Eric Campbell (Mets) 2-4

Juan Lagares (Twins) 2-3, R, BB

Travis Ozga (Twins) 2-4, RBI, R

Chun-Hsiu Chen (Indians) 2-4, R

Ryan Rohlinger  (Indians)  3-4, RBI

Thomas Neal (Indians) 2-3, R, BB

Reymond Fuentes (Padres) 2-4, RBI, R

Jedd Gyorko (Padres) 2-4, RBI

Conner Crumbliss (Athletics) 3-4, 2 RBI, 3 R, SB (5), BB

Josh Horton (Athletics) 2-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

Shane Peterson (Athletics) 2-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 R, SB (4), BB

Jeremy Barfield (Athletics) 2-4, 2 RBi, R

Anthony Aliotti (Athletics) 2-4, R

Shawn Haviland (Athletics) Win (1-1), 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Engel Beltre (Rangers) 2-5, 2 RBI, R

Alex Buchholz (Rangers) 2-3, HR (1), RBI, 3 R, BB

Zach Zaneski (Rangers) 2-4, 2 HR (2), 4 RBI, 2 R

Jacob Bingham (Rangers) Win (2-1), 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

College Spotlight 043012

Here is my week eleven installment of College Spotlight for 2012. This week I am looking at Raph Rhymes of LSU and Matthew Reckling of Rice.


Junior outfielder Raph Rhymes of Louisiana State is the hottest bat in Division I. Last week I paid homage to the two leaders of the lower divisions so its only fair I give Rhymes his due as he makes a run at breaking the single season batting average record. The Division I record is .551 by Keith Hagman of New Mexico in 1980. Rhymes missed three games with a mild concussion after a pitch to the head against Florida. Since his return he is on an 11 game hitting streak in which he has tallied one 1-3, one 1-2, four 2-4, one 2-5, three 3-4 and one 4-4 performances. At that pace the immediate goal of passing .500 looks doable but several more 3-4 games are needed to get the record. For the season Rhymes is hitting .500/.534/.628 with 3 HR, 46 RBI, 32 R and 2 SB in 41 games. As a Sophomore he hit .360/.424/.486 with 3 HR, 42 RBI, 43 R and 8 SB in 56 games.


Senior RHP Matthew Reckling of Rice has been a stingy pitcher this season who has allowed opposing batters an average of only five hits per game while they bat a paltry .151 against him. In his last outing against East Carolina Reckling pitched a one hit shut out and had a line of 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K. For the season he is 7-0 with a 1.44 ERA, 80 K, 0.88 WHIP in 68.2 IP over 7 games. As a Junior he was 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA, 96 K, 1.42 WHIP in 78.1 IP over 17 games. Reckling has certainly developed into an effective pitcher this year.

Babe Ruth Gallery

Sports Illustrated has an awesome collection of Classic Shots of Babe Ruth. Some are while he is in uniform and others are him doing off field activities. As a shutterbug I can appreciate how special it was to capture one of the baseball greats on film.

mlb-classic-babe-ruth