Minor Issues: Mills hits 20th HR, Martinez Goes Deep in Rehab Game

Bryan Bullington got beat up pretty well in the Bisons loss to Pawtucket. Brad Snyder went 1-3 with a RBI and two runs scored.

Akron got beat up but that was hardly the story for the Aeros. Victor Martinez DHed and hit all four times. He went 2-4 with his FIRST HOME RUN OF THE YEAR! Yes his first, how nuts is that.

Meanwhile, the Aeros continue to just falter in the standings. Still hopes to the Wild Card but ya gotta pick it up Akron!

Beau Mills.. 2-4, number 20 on the year with 84 RBI, what a man. Kinston lost but they scored and Beau Mills is just awesome. Hector Rondon did go 6 plus but gave up five runs.

So-so start for Eric Berger in Lake County. He pitched 2.1 innings giving up just one run. That was the lone run against Lake County as they scored five to top Rome. Dustin Realini with 2 RBI and a 2-4 night for Matt Brown.

As if we didn’t know it already, Adam Miller’s season is over. I really think the bullpen is in his future.

Also the Indians didn’t spend as much as the Pirates or Red Sox did in draft pick signings.. Then again they picked 29th and don’t exactly spend a lot of money. But they still spent around $7 million.

Minor Issues: Aaron Laffey Dominant in 2nd Buffalo Start

You think Aaron Laffey wants to mess around in the Minor Leagues any longer?

Last night he made a bid to prove that he was ready to go back up to Cleveland after he hurled 8 scoreless innings against the Iron Pigs. 4 hits, no runs, 1 walk, 9 punch-outs. The question now becomes, who do you send down?

The idea.. Trade Paul Byrd…. I hope.

Wes Hodges and Brandon Pinckney powered the Aeros with 2-4 and 3-4 nights and 1 and 2 RBI respectively.. Scott Lewis pitched 7.1 strong with just one run off four hits and 5 strikeouts. Chuck Lofgren finished the game up striking out a pair.

Kinston won and Beau Mills upped his RBI total to 80 with a two run double. Jared Goedert had a solo home run and a 2-5, 2 RBI night. Johnnie Drennen also hit a solo shot to tie the game late, Mike Finocchi didnt allow a hit, but walked three in his 1.1, yet he picked up the win.

Lake County was suspended due to rain, and Mahoning Valley fell. Ryan Blair hit a two run home run and Cord Phelps collected two more hits.

Here is a piece on Dallas Cawiezell of the Captains. Dallas made the SAL All-Star roster this year and according to the story on Minor League Magazine, he’s just a “country bumpkin”.

Minor Issues: Mills, Goedert, Santana Mashing

Big Buffalo got a win behind Zach Jackson, who pitched into the 7th inning, giving up 3 earned, off 6 hits with 4 strikeouts. He’s now 3-1 since coming over to the Bisons in the Sabathia trade. Morgan Ensberg went deep and Jordan Brown had a 3-5 game with 1 RBI.

Akron fell to Trenton by a run yesterday. Ryan Edell went 6 solid innings giving up two runs, but Erik Stiller couldn’t hold it giving up three runs. Jose Constanza went 2-4 with an RBI.

A beat down was handed to Salem thanks to Beau Mills and Jared Goedert of Kinston. Mills went 3-5 with a home run and 4 RBI, while Goedert went 2-3 with 3 RBI and 2 walks. Carlos Santana went 4-5 with three runs scored and he’s now hitting .419 since coming to Kinston. Kelvin De La Cruz would have benefitted from the output had he gone five innings, but he could only go 4 giving up 2 runs.

Lake County got suspended because of ran and Mahoning Valley lost to that stupid Grape again. Cord Phelps is a monster though, going 1-3 with 2 RBI and 2 walks. Lonnie Chisenhall is now hitting .280 and he knocked in two more runs himself.

GCL Lost.. Cool Man

Like noted yesterday, the Tribe signed 7th round outfielder Tim Fedroff. The main chips left to fall are Curtis Haley, the 2nd round pick and 5th round pick Zach Putnam a multi-guy from Michigan. If the Indians can sign both of them before the 15th, that will give them their top 14 draft picks.

Some news on the Triple-A front. As we all know, Columbus wants the Tribe and the Tribe want Columbus for their Triple-A team next year. The Indians contract with Buffalo has not been renewed that is up after this year. The New York Mets have interest in Columbus.. Hey New York, BUFFALO is opening up.. Go after them, Columbus want’s Cleveland and they want to reach out to the western part of the state.

Minor League Update: Anthony Reyes Debuts; Beau Mills Mashing

The Herd dented Durham last night with a 8-7 victory. Anthony Reyes made his Buffalo debut going 5 innings and giving up three runs. He gave up just five hits and struck out four, but he also walked four. He did pick up the win though. He’ll need to make a few good starts before he proves he is ready to get called up.

He was supported offensively by the likes of Trevor Crowe and his second Bisons’ home run. Crowe went 3-5 with a run batted in and three runs scored plus his first triple; he was a double shy of the cycle. Both Chris Gimenez and Todd Linden batting next to each other went 0-2 with three walks apiece. Morgan Ensberg had another four RBI night, going 2-4 with a two-run shot. Brad Snyder had a double and a triple.

Nate Panther and Matt Whitney had solo shots and Wyatt Toregas had a two run homer for Akron. However the Aeros were defeated as Kevin Dixon struggled and James Deters got pounded in relief. Tony Sipp gave up a run but Chuck Lofgren pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Kinston laid the smackdown on the Pelicans.. What a great nickname. I like Myrtle Beach, cool place. You know who else is cool? Beau Mills, who increased his league leading RBI total to 73 with four RBI and a home run. Is it time to call the kid up? I think so.. Akron could use him. Rotate him and Whitney and Hodges in the 1st, 3rd and DH spots.. Whitney and Beau can play both third and first.. Carlos Santana went 1-4 with a RBI Double. Jeff Harris was sent to Kinston and picked up the win in his first apperance.

Todd Martin in Lake County for rehab had a solo shot for the Captains. That was their lone run as they lost to Greensboro.

A pair of three-run home runs from favorite Jeremie Tice and Brock Simpson powered the Scrappers to a 14-2 victory. Isaias Velasquez went 3-6 and both Tice and Simpson went 2-5, with Simpson having an additional RBI. Lonnie Chisenhall and Zach Booker knocked in two runs each. Russell Young gave up just one earned in 5+ to earn the win.

Minor League Update: Zach Jackson Wins Again For Herd

We laughed.

Oh.. Zach Jackson.. A Throw-Away.. A 25-Year Old Throw-Away.

We’ll, laugh now suckers. He’s 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA. He took a perfect game into into the sixth inning as well.

Yesterday he led Buffalo to a shutout win giving up just two hits in six innings. No walks… Only threw 73 pitches.

Maybe he just needed a change.

Offensively, Morgan Ensberg led the charge with a grand-slam. Brad Snyder is heating up a bit, he went 2-4 with the other RBI in the game.

Nate Panther went deep and Akron got a win off a Matt LaPorta single in the 8th inning. LaPorta knocked int he go-ahead run in a 2-1 victory. Matt will be headed off to the Olympics and played his last game for Akron for the time being. An eye will definitely be kept on him as he starts for Team USA.

Kinston wins and Beau Mills continues to mash. He hit his 16th home run of the year and he could soon earn a call-up to Akron. He’s a step behind LaPorta in terms of his ascent up the minor league ladder if you ask me. Ryan Goleski went deep as well and Cirilo Cumberbatch had three walks and a steal. Win number nine for Hector Rondon and save number five for Vinnie Pestano

Lake County finally broke out of a funk and was powered by a Matthew Brown grand-slam. He went 3-4 and had 6 total RBI. Cristo Arnal knocked in the other run via a solo shot.

Mahoning Valley ran rampant over Jamestown for win. They ended up getting shut out in the other game of the double header through. Kaimi Mead picked up win number four and was backed by a few new favorites. CORD PHELPS in the lineup and playing second base knocked in two runs off a 2-4 debut. Jeremie Tice went 2-3 with a walk and knocked in two runs himself. Lonnie Chisenhall, Brock Simpson and Ryan Blair knocked in a run as well.

Unfortunately this means the playing time of the almighty Isaias Velasquez will be losing playing time. Such a shame since I got his name down pat.

The trades completed get a thumbs up from the Minor League Insider.

Roster moves include Jeff Stevens being placed on reserve and Jon Meloan taking his place. Walter Diaz takes the spot of Andy Gonzalez, up from Kinston(quite the jump), Aaron Laffey takes the place of Chris De La Cruz who was traded and Anthony Reyes is on reserve still.

Minor League Update: Crowe Debuts In Buffalo, Harsh Greeting Met With Blowout

It’s BISONS BASEBALL BABY! Buffalo got obliterated in Trevor Crowe’s debut. Crowe was in left-field and batted lead-off for the Herd as they lost 15-4 to Charlotte. Crowe went 0-4 with a walk and a run. Bryan Bullington started and went five innings giving up six runs. Brendan Donnelly pitched an inning of relief and gave up a run. Todd Linden celebrated Jason Tyner’s release by hitting two home runs.

Welcome to Buffalo Trevor…

Yes, Jason Tyner was released to make room for Crowe on the Roster.

Stephen Head went 3-4 with two runs and a pair of doubles in Akron’s win over Binghampton. He certainly is picking it up with Crowe gone and LaPorta soon to be China-Bound. Scott Lewis went 7 innings with only one run given up for the win.

Beau Mills went 2-5 with an RBI and his season average is now up to .282. Kinston lost as Shawn Nottingham gave up just two runs, but couldn’t get out of the fifth inning, surrendering 9 hits for the game.

Outfielder Nick Weglarz will wrap up the series this weekend and head off to be with Team Canada on Monday.

The Captains dropped their 6th straight game yesterday.

Mahoning Valley lost as well, Juan Valdes has three RBIs.

Home run derby for the GCL. Abner Abreu hit his 5th home run, Bo Greenwell hit his 2nd, as did Adam Abraham. Oh they beat the Yankees.

Minor League Insider has some new videos of prospects and the usual weekly Minor League Happenings.

Minor League Update: De La Cruz Earns Call Up

Michael Aubrey had a two run homer for the Herd as they defeated the Norfolk Tide last night. John Halama went complete game on us AGAIN. 9 hits, 2 runs – none of them earned, and four punch outs.

Akron won big last night, Matt Whitney went 2-5 with a two run home run and three RBI. Wyatt Toregas went 2-5 as well with a solo shot. Wyatt has done nothing but hit since getting called down to Akron. Steven Wright, five innings, five hits, one run, one walk and six strikeouts.

Beau Mills got two of Kinston’s three hits as they got shutout by Potomac.. Kinston was involved in a bevy of moves the past few days that landed them Ryan Goleski and Kelvin De La Cruz. We’ll touch up on that later. Niuman Romero’s streak is now ended at 21.

Lake County lost another extra-innings game on a walk-off win by Augusta. Cristo Arnal went 3-4.

Mahoning Valley got 3-hit again. Kaimi Mead pitched well, going five innings and giving up just one run off four hits and a walk.

Matt Willard and Kevin Rucker went deep in the GCL’s team blowout.

Okay so all the moves..

Kelvin De La Cruz has been promoted to Kinston and well start tonight. Ryan Goleski will be on his way to Kinston from Akron, the writing is on the wall for Goleski and he might not be with the organization past this year. Nick Weglarz will soon leave for the Olympics, so the K-Tribe will be needing that extra outfielder, not to mention Jason Denham was placed on the DL.

Minor League Update: Halama Throws Complete Game

If you are keeping count at home, The Tribe now has four players heading to the Olympics this year. T.J. Burton has joined in the fun for Team Canada. LaPorta and Stevens to represent the US and Burton and Weglarz to represent Canada.

You can watch Jeff Stevens’ interview about being selected to the US Olympic Team, Here.

Jeff Stevens’ Buffalo Squad returned from the break and it was a nice win for John Halama. Halama went the full 9 innings, giving up 8 hits, 2 runs and striking out 3. The Herd supported him with 10 runs, including a 3-5, 4 RBI night from Todd Linden. Jordan Brown hit a 2-run home run and Morgan Ensberg went 2-4 with a pair of RBI.

Akron, despite their winning ways was one of only two Tribe minor league teams in action last night that didn’t pick up a win. The Aeros pounded out 13 hits, but only managed to score 5 runs. Matt LaPorta did not play and will not rejoin the team until the weekend after a death in the family. Wyatt Toregas and Stephen Head had two hits apiece while Matt Whitney and Brandon Chaves each had three. Tony Sipp blew the save and gave up four runs. Not a good Akron debut for Sipp at all.

Akron will get a little bit of Fausto Fire Power on Saturday as Fausto Carmona will make his final rehab apperance. Great chance for the Akron folks to go check out Fausto throw 80 pitches.

Kinston absolutely rolled last night in a 11-1 win. Beau Mills went 1-5 knocking in two runs and Nick Weglarz went 2-3 with 3 runs scored. Carlos Rivero and Jason Denham both had three RBI, and catcher Alex Castillo went 2-4 with a pair of RBI.

That other team to lose last night was Lake County. Greenville had a walk-off winner in the 10th inning. Richard Martinez with a 3-5, thee RBI night.

Mahoning Valley pulled within one game of .500 with a win last night. Lonnie Chisenhall and Walter Diaz with two RBI each.

Abner Abreu had RBIs number 13 and 14 last night in the GCL team’s win. He leads the team.

Niuman Romero and his 20 game hit-streak are Tony Lastoria’s minor league player of the week. Romero is out for a few games with a suspension however. Make sure you check out the comparison he made in terms of what the Indians would have traded to get Sabathia. It opens some eyes.

Minor League Update: LaPorta Delivers First Akron Home Run

David Huff’s five inning, four hit performance was not enough for the Bisons. Preston Larrison gave up a ninth inning sac fly as the Herd lost 1-0.

Everyone has been waiting for Matt LaPorta to hit a home run, even though he’s only been in Akron for a few games. Well, his home run finally came and boy was it a big one. LaPorta’s two run shot gave the Aeros a 3-2 win and places them just one win away from 60.

Did I mention that home run came in the 9th inning? Akron is now 25 games over .500 and tomorrow they get to face Brett Myers who is in the minors because he’s been sucking it up. Wyatt Toregas went 2-4.

Beau Mills hit his 14th home run of the year in Kinston’s big win over Lynchburg. Jared Goedert is heating up a bit, he went 4-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Tony Sipp pitched two scoreless innings, that is encouraging.

We’ll do it live! Roman Pena! Walk-off son!

Kid has been on a roll lately, and althought he was 0-4 up until his at bat in the 10th inning, the kid got it done. Roman Pena’s home run gave the Capitains’ (little bit of spanish flavor) a 3-2 victory and .500 record. Asheville is the first half winner for the SAL Southern League, so this four game bout is potentially a title preview.

T.J Burton will join OF Nick Weglarz on the Canadian National Team.. Wes Hodges and Matt LaPorta are two guys who could make the US Team.

I’m pretty convinced that Rob Bryson needs to be a reliever. Check out some of his quotes in this story about him being a nervy guy.

I’ll be listening to the Aeros game tonight if I can..

Minor League Update: Donnelly Debuts

Matt Whitney had a four RBI night as Akron defeated Binghamton on the the 4th of July. Bronson Sardinha went deep as did Nathan Panther fresh off the DL. Luis Perdomo blew the save however.

Kinston won as well behind Beau Mills and his 12th home run of the year. Nick Weglarz also went deep.

Mahoning Valley lost, but I had to pass by this information. The kid that picked up the save for Staten Island is probably someone you’ve heard of. Pat Venditte is that switch pitcher you might have seen on ESPN a few weeks ago.

A note that got past me yesterday.. Brendan Donnelly made his debut with the GCL Indians the other day. He only lasted two thirds of an inning and surrendered two runs off four hits. I really don’t see him ever making our big league team, especially since we are sellers at this point. Who knows what we do with him.

Buffalo has added another arm. The Indians signed Preston Larrison who was with the Tigers his entire career. He never has made it to the Major League team and has exercised some clause in his contract to make him a free agent.