Who'll Make It...

We've seen 7 games this year and here are some thoughts on our favorite players who might someday be in the major leagues...

James Jones - he looks like a ballplayer. Long and lean. He has a big swing and makes solid contact (hitting .414 after 70 at bats - 1.088 OPS - 8 walks and 13 strikeouts). He runs well (though he's been caught stealing in all three attemps) and looks to be excellent in right field. Good arm. Probably our best prospect.

Mario Martinez the third baseman was written up in the Herald earlier in the year as the best prospect on the team. He's hitting well (.854 OPS) and plays acceptable third base. 10 walks and 36 strikeouts.

Gerardo Avila at firstbase can hit the ball a long ways (OPS .862 with 8 walks and 36 strikeouts) and plays excellent first base.

Ben Billingsley looks like a possible "Willie Bloomquist" - he can play a lot of positions well, has a good arm, and leads the team with 9 stolen bases. On the "Willie Bloomquist" side he also isn't hitting especially well (.746 OPS).

We also hope that Hawkins Gebbers can make it - he was an extremely hot hitter at the start of the season, but has cooled down of late. His OPS is .783 (probably acceptable for a second baseman, but not really good) with 11 walks and 22 strikeouts. And he's been caught in his 4 stolen base attempts. His defense looks good at second.

Anthony Phillips has been a favorite of mine last year and this - mostly for his defense. Well, I guess, totally for his defense. He has a .580 OPS. He probably won't make it unless he can hit the ball better. They want him to be a switch hitter, but he doesn't look very good batting left handed (which is the majority of the time since most pitchers are right handed) and that's really hurt him.

Outfielder Welington Dotel was promoted earlier in the year and might have a chance.

None of our pitchers really stand out. Andrew Carraway was promoted earlier and looks like the best of the bunch.

Jose Rios is only 19, so that's a factor in his favor. And he's pitching well against older competition.

In the "more than one strikeout per inning" list we'd have to include: Chris Kirkland (56 Ks and 15 BB in 51 innings), Taylor Stanton (51 Ks and 20 BBs in 50 innings), Christian Staehely (32 Ks and 7 BBS in 25 innings) , Philip Roy (20 Ks and 6 BBs in 14 innings), and Daniel Cooper (17 Ks and 7 BBs in 16 innings along with 8 saves).

Brad Pullen has also pitched well in relief - 18 innings in 15 games with 18 Ks and just 3 walks. His ERA is 2.89 and his WHIP 1.18.