Nationals call up Bryce Harper

The Washington Nationals have pushed the Major League career of Bryce Harper to fast forward today. It was announced that he will be called up and should make his first start against the Dodgers tomorrow. Harper was the subject of one of my first posts last year.


Harper was only twenty games into his second minor league season when he got the call up. While playing for the Nationals Triple A team Syracuse Chiefs he hit .250/.333/.375 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 8 R, 1 SB in those 20 games. In 2011 he split the season between Class A Hagertown Suns and Double A Harrisburg Senators while hitting .318/.423/.554 with 14 HR, 46 RBI, 49 R, 19 SB in 72 games at Class A and hit .256/.329/.395 with 3 HR, 12 RBI, 14 R, 7 SB in 37 games at Double A.


The call up happens as Ryan Zimmerman goes on the DL. The quote from Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo was "We thought that we needed to bring in an impactful left-handed bat" although Zimmerman bats right. The side of the plate really doesn't matter so much as filling in for Zimmerman's imposing presence in the Nationals line up. Although Zimmerman was off to a slow start this season hitting .224/.324/.345 with 1 HR, 7 RBI, 10 R, 1 SB in 15 games his history at the plate shows he wouldn't be down for long. The Nationals are gambling that Harper is ready to contribute and fuel their hot start as they lead the NL East with a 14-5 record.


His first game against the Dodgers will offer the first glimpse as to whether he can live up to the hype. He has so much more back story than just being the first selection over all by the Nationals in 2010. Yet having his Major League debut at the age of 19 will be a good start. Harper will turn 20 on October 16.

Tigers call up Brad Eldred

Brad Eldred has been off to the hottest start by a power bat this year in the minors and the Detroit Tigers have taken notice. Playing first base with the Tigers Triple A team Toledo Mud Hens Eldred has hit .388/.444/1.013 with 13 HR, 35 HR, 23 R, 1 SB in 20 games. With a bat that hot the Tigers know they have to take advantage and have called Eldred up to DH.


Eldred has had brief appearances in the Majors before in 2005 and 2007 with the Pirates and 2010 with the Rockies. For his career his numbers are .204/.259/.419 with 15 HR, 33 RBI, 30 R, 1 SB in 85 games.


His start reminds me of that of Giancarlo Stanton in 2010 although at 31 Eldred is more journeyman than prospect. Yet players like Alex Gordon have shown that sometimes it takes a couple reboots to get things started. He was originally drafted by the Pirates in the sixth round in 2002. Eldred will turn 32 on July 12.

Triple A Top Performers 042612

Here are the top Minor League Triple A performers for April 26, 2012. Major League parent club indicated.

TRIPLE A

Jason Michaels (Nationals) 3-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, R

Darin Mastroianni (Twins) 2-3, RBI, R, SB (4)

Mark Teahen (Nationals) 2-3, 2 RBI, R

Matt Carson (Twins) 2-3, HR (1), RBI, R

Drew Butera (Twins) 2-3, R

Erik Arnesen (Nationals) Win (1-0), 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Josh Phegley (White Sox) 3-4

Luis Durango (Braves) 2-3, R, SB (9), BB

Joey Terdoslavich (Braves) 2-4, R

Jordan Parraz (Braves) 3-4, R

Domonic Brown (Phillies) 2-5, 2 RBI

Cody Overbeck (Phillies) 3-5, R

Derrick Mitchell (Phillies) 2-5, R, SB (2)

Andres Blanco (Phillies) 2-4, RBI, R

Dewayne Wise (Yankees) 3-5, HR (4), RBI, R

Steve Pearce  (Yankees) 2-5, SB (2), BB

Kevin Russo  (Yankees) 3-5, RBI, 2 R

Taylor Green (Brewers) 2-4, RBI

Anthony Rizzo (Cubs) 2-4, RBI, R

Alfredo Amezaga (Cubs) 2-4, RBI, R

Johnny Giavotella (Royals) 2-4

David Lough (Royals) 2-4, 2 HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RBI

Adron Chambers (Cardinals) 2-5

Allen Craig (Cardinals) 2-5

Eugenio Velez (Cardinals) 3-4, HR (2), RBI, 2 R, SB (7)

Zack Cox (Cardinals) 2-3, BB

Elian Herrera (Dodgers) 2-5, R

Trent Oeltjen (Dodgers) 2-5

Luis Cruz (Dodgers) 2-4

Gil Velazquez (Marlins) 2-4, 2 R, BB

Scott Cousins (Marlins) 1-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB

Luke Montz (Marlins) 1-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB

Bryan Petersen (Marlins) 2-3, 2 R, BB

Matt Dominguez (Marlins) 3-4, 4 RBI

Luis Hernandez (Rangers) 3-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 r

Dusty Brown (Rangers) 2-4, R

Fernando Martinez (Astros) 3-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 R

Scott Moore (Astros) 2-5, 2 RBI, R

Justin Ruggiano (Astros) 2-4, RBI, R

Brad Snyder (Astros) 3-3, HR (1), RBI, 2 R, SB (1), BB

Randy Ruiz (Diamondbacks) 3-4, HR (4), 2 RBI, R

Josh Bell (Diamondbacks) 2-4, 2 RBI

Cole Gillespie (Diamondbacks) 2-3, SB (3), BB

Barry Enright (Diamondbacks) Win (2-1), 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Justin Christian (Giants) 2-4,  R

Roger Kieschnick (Giants) 1-2, RBI

Charlie Culberson (Giants) 2-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, R

Travis Blackley (Giants) Win (3-0), 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ERm 1 BB, 5 K

Guillermo Quiroz (Mariners) 2-5, RBI, R

Chih-Hsien Chiang (Mariners) 2-4, RBI, R

Scott Savastano (Mariners) 2-3, R, BB

Leury Bonilla (Mariners) 2-4, 3 RBI

Adeiny Hechavarria (Blue Jays) 2-5, RBI, 2 R

David Cooper (Blue Jays) 3-4, RBI, R, BB

Sierra Moises (Blue Jays) 2-5, RBI

Travis d'Arnaud (Blue Jays) 2-4

Vince Belnome (Padres) 2-4, RBI

Jermaine Mitchell (Athletics) 3-5, 3 R, SB (5)

Collin Cowgill (Athletics) 2-4, 2 RBI, R, BB

Chris Carter (Athletics) 2-4, RBI, R, BB

Brandon Moss (Athletics) 2-5, RBI

Derek Norris (Athletics) 2-4, RBI

Adam Rosales (Athletics) 2-4

Graham Godfrey (Athletics) Win (1-0), 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Double A Top Performers 042612

Here are the top Minor League Double A performers for April 26, 2012. Major League parent club indicated.

Double A

Niuman Romero (Tigers) 4-6, 3 RBI, 2 R

Bryan Pounds (Tigers) 3-5, RBI, 2 R

Jamie Johnson (Tigers) 2-5, RBI, R

Yadil Mujica (Yankees) 3-4, R

Jared Wesson (Tigers) Win (2-1), 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Jon Gilmore (White Sox) 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R

Jared Mitchell (White Sox) 3-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB (gm 1) / 2-4, 2 R (gm 2)

Hak-Ju Lee (Rays) 3-4 (gm 1) / 2-3, R (gm 2)

Henry Wrigley (Rays) 2-4

Kyeong Kang (Rays) 2-3, HR(4), 2 RBI, R

Wendell Fairley (Giants) 2-4, R

Ryan Cavan (Giants) 1-2, HR (2), RBI, R

Cesar Hernandez (Phillies) 2-3, BB

Miguel Abreu (Phillies) 2-4

Tim Kennelly (Phillies) 2-4

Tyler Saladino (White Sox) 2-4, R

Drew Garcia (White Sox) 2-3

Jose Martinez (White Sox) 2-4, 2 RBI

Erik Morrison (White Sox) 2-3, RBI, R

Tim Pahuta (Nationals) 2-4, R

Chris Rahl (Nationals) 2-4, RBI, 2 R, SB (7)

Chris McConnell (Nationals) 2-4, RBI

Robbie Grossman (Pirates) 2-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (1), BB

Brock Holt (Pirates)  2-5, 2 RBI, 2 R

Tony Sanchez (Pirates) 2-4, 2 RBI

Brandon Cumpton (Pirates) Win (2-2), 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Jonathan Diaz (Blue Jays) 2-6, RBI, 2 R

Ryan Goins (Blue Jays) 4-6, 3 RBI, R, SB (2)

A J Jimenez (Blue Jays) 3-4, HR (1), RBI, 4 R, BB

John Tolisano (Blue Jays) 2-4, 3 R, BB

Mark Sobolewski (Blue Jays) 2-5, 2 HR (3), 6 RBI, 2 R

Brian Van Kirk (Blue Jays) 2-3, R, 2 BB

Matt Den Dekker (Mets) 3-5, HR (3), RBI, R

Josh Rodriguez (Mets) 2-5, R

Yohan Pino (Blue Jays) Win (1-0) 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

Alfredo Marte (Diamondbacks) 2-3, HR (5), 5 RBI, 2 R

Rossmel Perez (Diamondbacks) 2-4, RBI, R

Rafael Ynoa (Dodgers) 2-4, BB

Nick Buss (Dodgers) 1-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R

Pedro Baez (Dodgers) 2-4, RBI, R

Trevor Bauer (Diamondbacks) Win (5-0), 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 9 K

Henry Rodriguez (Reds) 4-5, RBI, 2 R

Joel Guzman (Reds) 4-5, 3 RBI

Tyler Thurnburg (Brewers) Win (2-0), 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K / 1-3, HR (1), 3 RBI, R

Christian Betancourt (Braves) 2-4, R

Cory Harrichak (Braves) 2-4, 3 RBI

Oscar Tavaras (Cardinals) 2-4, HR (5), RBI, R

Rey Navarro (Royals) 3-5, RBI, R

Wil Myers (Royals) 3-4, HR (6), RBI, 2 R

Mario Lisson (Royals) 2-4, 3 RBI, R

Kurt Mertens (Royals) 2-2, R, 2 BB

Ryan Jenkins (Royals) 2-4

Justin Marks (Royals) Win (1-1), 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Jean Segura (Angels) 2-4, SB (7)

Roberto Lopez (Angels) 2-4, R

Casey Haerther (Angels) 2-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, R

Michael Mitchell (Rockies) 2-4, SB (9)

Lars Davis (Rockies) 2-3, 2 R, BB

Anthony Aliotti (Athletics) 3-4, 2 R

Leonardo Gil (Athletics) 2-4, RBI, R

Ryan Lipkin (Athletics) 2-4, 2 RBI

Austin Wates (Astros) 3-5, RBI

Kody Hinze (Astros) 2-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, R

Jose Martinez (Astros) 1-2, R, 2 BB

Jonathan Villar (Astros) 2-4

Joseph Dunigan (Mariners) 2-4, 2 R

Denny Almonte (Mariners) 3-3, 2 HR (6), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB

James Paxton (Mariners) Win (2-0), 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Reymond Fuentes (Padres) 3-7, RBI, R

Jedd Gyorko (Padres) 2-6, HR (3), RBI, R, BB

Nathan Freiman (Padres) 2-4, R, BB

Jason Hagerty (Padres) 2-4, 2 BB

Ryan Strausborger (Rangers) 2-6, R, SB (6)

Jurickson Profar (Rangers) 2-5, R, BB

Engel Beltre (Rangers) 2-6, 2 RBI, 2 SB (8)

Chris McGuiness (Rangers) 2-5, HR (4), RBI, 2 R, BB

Jared Prince (Rangers) 3-4, RBI, R

NL Top Performers 042612

Here are the top National League performers for April 26, 2012


Angel Pagan (Giants) 2-5, HR (3), 3 RBI, R


Brandon Belt (Giants) 2-4, RBI


Joaquin Arias (Giants) 2-3, 2 R, BB


Ryan Theriot (Giants) 2-3, RBI, R


Drew Stubbs (Reds) 2-5


Brandon Phillips (Reds) 2-4, 2 R


Jay Bruce (Reds) 3-4, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 R


Gaby Sanchez (Marlins) 1-3, HR (1), RBI, R


Ricky Nolasco (Marlins) ND, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K


Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) 3-5, RBI, R


Jonathon Niese (Mets) ND, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K


Adam LaRoche (Nationals) 2-4


Yonder Alonso (Padres) 2-4


Edinson Volquez (Padres) ND, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

AL Top Performers 042612

Here are the top American League performers for April 26, 2012.


Alex Gordon (Royals) 2-4, R, BB


Billy Butler (Royals) 2-4, R


Mike Moustakas (Royals) 2-4, RBI


Brayan Pena (Royals) 2-4, RBI


Luis Mendoza (Royals) Win (1-2), 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K


Jason Kipnis (Indians) 2-3, SB (4), BB


Mark Trumbo (Angels) 2-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R


Matt Joyce (Rays) 2-4, RBI


Chone Figgins (Mariners) 3-4, RBI, R, SB (2)


Justin Smoak (Mariners) 1-3, HR (3), 3 RBI, R, BB


Don Kelly (Tigers) 2-4, R


Ryan Raburn (Tigers) 2-3, RBI


Nick Markakis (Orioles) 3-4, R


Adam Jones (Orioles) 2-4, HR (6), RBI, R


Chris Davis (Orioles) 1-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB


Ryan Sweeney (Red Sox) 2-5, RBI, R


Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox) 3-4, HR (2), 4 RBI, 2 R


Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Red Sox) 2-4, 2 HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 R


Feliz Doubront (Red Sox) Win (1-0), 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K


Paul Konerko (White Sox) 2-4, RBI


Dayan Viciedo (White Sox) 2-4, HR (3), RBI, R

Mike Moustakas heating up

Mike Moustakas of the Kansas City Royals may be ready to break out. At each level of the minors it took him time to adapt but once he did he flipped the switch and dominated. That may be the case as he begins his first full season with the Royals. He started the season slow but now has multiple hits in four of his last five games. In his last seven he has hit .434 and over his last ten has raised his average over 40 points to his current .303. The Royals had their second win in a row beating the Indians 4-2 today. Moustakas is now ready to provide one piece of the puzzle as they climb out of the AL Central cellar.

Matt Kemp Watch 2012 0426

This is the second segment of Matt Kemp Watch 2012. I am tracking his progress towards reaching his self proclaimed goal of 50/50 this season. It will be weekly at the beginning of the season and become more frequent at the end if necessary. 


Kemp has continued his torrid pace and added three more home runs in the last week. So far this season he is hitting .449/.513/.942 with 10 home runs and 23 RBI. After the All Star break I may add a Triple Crown tracker to this segment. On the down side Kemp didn't attempt any steals on the week so he is losing ground there.


Good luck Mr. Kemp. We're rooting for you to make history.


Games Played: 19


Home Runs: 10 ---- Projected Home Runs: 85


Steals: 1 --- Projected Steals: 9

Ranger Rookie Reliever Robbie Ross Record

LHP Robbie Ross of the Texas Rangers set an MLB record with his fourth win within his first six Major League appearances. Ross appears to be having the sort of season that Tyler Clippard had in 2010 when he had 11 wins out of the bull pen. That's right, all of Ross' victories have come in relief. His season so far shows him 4-0 with a 2.25 ER, 7 K, 0.88 WHIP in 8.0 IP over 6 games. The Rangers are taking advantage of his talented left arm in the bull pen because the starting rotation is stacked. Ross had been a starter in the minors and in 2011 while splitting time between Class A Advanced and Double A he was 10-5 with a 2.34 ERA, 134 K, 1.04 WHIP in 161.1 IP over 27 games. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the second round in 2008. Ross will turn 23 on June 24.

NL Top Performers 042512

Here are the top National League performers for April 25, 2012.


James McDonald (Pirates) ND, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K


Jose Altuve (Astros) 4-5, RBI, 3 R


J D Martinez (Astros) 3-4, 3 RBI, R


Brian Bogusevic (Astros)  2-4, R, SB (2), BB


Chris Snyder (Astros) 2-4, RBI, R


Carlos Gomez (Brewers) 2-5, R


Ryan Braun (Brewers) 2-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 R


Corey Hart (Brewers) 2-3, HR (6), RBI, R, BB


Travis Ishikawa (Brewers) 1-3, HR (2), RBI, R


David Freese (Cardinals) 2-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, R


Shane Robinson (Cardinals) 3-4, SB (1)


Lance Lynn (Cardinals) Win (4-0), 8.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K


Juan Pierre (Phillies) 2-5, 2 R


Placido Polanco (Phillies)  3-3, 2 RBI, R


Hunter Pence (Phillies) 2-5, 2 RBI, R


Carlos Ruiz (Phillies)  3-4, RBI, R


Cole Hamels (Phillies)  Win (3-1), 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K


Ramon Hernandez (Rockies) 1-3, HR (3), RBI, R


Garrett Jones (Pirates) 3-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, R


Pedro Alvarez (Pirates) 2-4, HR (4), RBI, R


Charlie Morton (Pirates) Win (1-1), 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K


Danny Espinosa (Nationals) 2-5, R


Adam LaRoche (Nationals) 3-4, RBI, 2 R


Wilson Ramos (Nationals) 2-5, 2 RBI


Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals) Win (1-1), 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K


Yonder Alonso (Padres) 2-4


Melky Cabrera (Giants) 2-5, SB (5)


Hector Sanchez (Giants) 2-3, R


Scott Rolen (Reds) 1-3, HR (1), RBI, R, BB


Ryan Hanigan (Reds) 2-3, R


Logan Morrison (Marlins) 2-4


Omar Infante (Marlins) 2-4, HR (5), RBI, R


David Wright (Mets) 1-3, HR (5), 2 RBI, 2R, BB 


Lucas Duda (Mets) 2-4, RBI, R


R A Dickey (Mets) Win (3-1), 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K


Freddie Freeman (Braves) 2-4, 2 R


Dan Uggla (Braves) 2-3, 2 RBI, R, BB


Matt Kemp (Dodgers) 1-3, HR (10), RBI, R, BB