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Monday, June 1, 2009

Three Up, Three Down

On this week's version of Three Up, Three Down we take a look at a couple of 19-year olds playing well in Lake County, the PTBNL in the C.C. trade, and a trio of scuffling Aeros.

Three Up:

  • Lake County southpaw T.J. House is just 1-5 on the season, but has really pitched well and has been the victim of some poor run support. So far this year, House has a 3.10 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and has a K/BB ratio of more than 2 to 1 (42/19). In his most recent start on Saturday, House took the ND, going 6 1/3 innings and giving up just one run, striking out 5. T.J wont turn 20 until after his season is finished at Lake County, and is a guy to really keep an eye on as a potential fast-mover in the Indians system.

  • Another 19-year old at Lake County, Abner Abreu, has really come on in the last couple of weeks. After a slow start to the season that saw him hitting just .208 in April, Abreu has gone for .405/3/5 in his last 10 games to help raise his average to .293 on the season. He is still striking out a lot (54 in 184 AB's this season) and not walking enough (just 8 BB on the year), but the kid can hit. Standing at 6'3" and 170lbs, if Abreu fills out his frame and develops some plate discipline, look out.

  • Although his season numbers aren't eye-popping by any means, Michael Brantley has started to show signs of breaking out in Columbus. After struggling with some early-season injuries, Brantley has been on base in 9 out of his last 10 games and has his average up to .245. His OBP in those 10 games is an outstanding .421, which is what will eventually punch his ticket to The Show. His 2 home runs are already more than he hit last year, and has swiped 15 bases while being caught just twice. Brantley recently celebrated his 22nd birthday, so he is still young for AAA and is on track to contribute at the big league level sooner rather than later

Three Down:

  • Josh Tomlin has had back-to-back uncarachteristicaly rocky outings for the Aeros. His season numbers are still pretty good, with a 4.79 ERA and K/BB ratio of 44/9, but in his last two starts he combined for 8 IP and 10 ER. Both starts were against Erie, so the Sea Wolves' hitters benefited from seeing a lot of Tomlin. He gave up 15 hits in those 8 innings, and will look to get back on track this week on the road against Reading.

  • Jared Goedert had a breakthrough 2006 that saw him hit 20 home runs between low A Lake County and high A Kinston, but has regressed since then. He hit .255 with just 10 HR last year in Kinston, and is struggling at the plate this season in Akron. Goedert is hitting just .198/2/7 on the season, and .184/0/1 in his past 10 games. Goedert has been getting regular playing time in Akron, but is just not taking advantage of it. His .636 OPS is not what the Indians are looking for out of the third baseman.

  • Matt McBride was one of the hottest hitters in all of minor league baseball with high A Kinston before deservedly getting bumped up to Akron. He has struggled somewhat with the better pitching at AA, hitting just .214/0/10 in 20 games since getting the call. McBride is also still learning a new position in the outfield, as the Indians made the decision to convert him from catcher to the OF during the Hawaii Winter League this offseason. McBride is an outstanding natural athlete who is scuffling a bit with the better competition, but he is a guy that I expect to have good numbers at the end of the season when all is said and done.

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