Around The Minors

Just some notes from around the Minors on the 140th anniversary of legendary speedster Lip Pike‘s race against and victory over a horse in Baltimore’s Newington Park.

>Astros’ GM Jeff Lunhow has reported that top CF prospect, George Springer, will remain at Triple A for the duration of the season. The 23 year old Springer was ranked number 27 on our Pre-Season prospect list and has not disappointed this season, stealing 38 bases and playing stellar defense to go along with a solid 33 home runs and a 1.016 OPS between Double and Triple A.

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; World infielder Ji-Man Choi (51) catches the ball as USA infielder George Springer (4) during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. USA defeated World 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

>Mets’ pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard struck out 10 and allowed only 3 hits over five shutout innings against the Rock Cats, the Minnesota Twins Affiliate. Syndergaard, ranked as the 38th overall prospect coming into the year, has not allowed a run in his last three starts in Double AA. The Futures Game starter is now 6-0 with a 1.59  ERA and 64 strikeouts through 10 starts.

>Blue Jays’ shortstop prospect Emilio Guerrero went 6-6 in the Class A Lansing Lugnuts 14-5 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps. The 20 year old Guerrero hasn’t shown a lot at the plate this year, posting a .254 average and knocking out only 6 home runs before tonight’s game, but, as Lugs broadcaster told Jays Journal, his range is “deceptively good”  and his arm is “strong.” If the bat improves, he could find himself as a solid prospect in a couple of years.

>Tigers’ Outfielder prospect Nick Castellanos launched his 14th home run of the season, and his first in the month of August. It was a rough July for the former #14 overall prospect, as he hit only .212 with little patience or power, leading to a .557 OPS. After hitting .320 last year and .312 in 2011, the 21 year old has struggled to adjust to triple A, hitting only .279, albeit with a career high 14 homers and 52 walks. At only 21, his future is still bright, and he could see a the majors as soon as this September.

>On a more trivial note, Zach Clark, pitching for Orioles AAA affiliate fell to 0-6 after giving up 5 runs over 5 rocky innings. The 29 year old actually managed to improve his ERA during that start, as he has been simply dreadful this year at AAA, putting up a 14.05 ERA over 24.1 innings entering play today. Overall, Clark, who actually won 15 games in the minors last year, prompting a brief major league call up this season, was 2-13 with an 8.57 and more walks than strikeouts before tonight’s game.

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