21 year-old Johnny Cueto pitched 5 innings giving up just 5 H, 0 BB, and a HR while striking out 6. Granted its only one start, but is it possible that players that skip a level won’t automatically implode? This year at Sarasota, the Dominican right hander threw 54.1 innings, going 2-4 with a 3.64 ERA, with 42 Ks and 18 BB. Last year at Dayton and Sarasota he went 15-3 with a 3.00 ERA with 143 Ks, 100 H, 38 BB in 138 IP.
26 year-old Josh Hamilton (D-Rays #1 – 1999) went 1-3 with a HR. Last year at the New York Penn League he hit just .260/.327/.360 in 55 PAs….this guy will never make it.
24 year-old Drew Anderson (Reds #13 – 2004) went 3 for 5 with a 2B, 3B and an RBI. Anderson is hitting .299/.353/.489 Last year at Sarasota and Chattanooga, he hit a combined .293/.353/.440 .
25 year-old Carlos Guevara tossed ANOTHER scoreless inning with a BB and 2 Ks. His ERA is down to 2.02 with 35 Ks, 8 BB, and 19 H in 26.2 IP. I have no idea if he would do this in AAA or the Majors, but he needs to be promoted.
22 year-old Danny Dorn (Reds #32 – 2006) went 1 for 4 with a HR and an RBI. Dorn, who also skipped a level, is hitting .257/.337/.421. Last year at Billings he hit .354/.457/.573 in 242 PAs.
19 year-old Juan Francisco went 2 for 3. He is hitting .268/.312/.479.
The Dragons were shut down by a 19 year-old starting pitcher from Dallas, Texas. Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers #1 – 2006) went 8 innings giving up just a H, and a BB while striking out. This year, in 42 IP, he has a 2.79 ERA with 61 Ks, 30 H, and 27 BB. What is it about Texas and pitchers?
Uh, we should offer Eric Milton, Juan Castro, Kirk Saarloos, a bucket of practice balls, whatever is left of that ridiculous music CD the Reds cut, and all of the leather pants that Jim Bowden left behind for Kershaw. Think they would accept?